The point at which the common final pathway for induction of cancer by chemical carcinogens and ionizing radiation has not been identified. Although common molecular targets are suggested by recent findings about the role of oncogenes, the mechanism by which the deposition of radiation energy and the formation of adducts or other DNA lesions induced by chemicals affects the changes in the relevant targets may be quite different. The damage to DNA that plays no part in the transformation events, but that influences the stability of the genome, and therefore, the probability of subsequent changes that influence tumorigenesis may be more readily induced by some agents than others. Similarly, the degree of cytotoxic effects that disrupt tissue integrity and increase the probability of expression of initiated cells may be dependent on the type of carcinogen. Also, evidence was presented that repair of the ...
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 ...
Angiotensin II (Ang II) is a key proapoptotic factor in fibrotic tissue diseases. However, the mechanism of Ang-II-induced cell death in endothelial cells has not been previously elucidated....Full Text Available
Coal direct chemical looping (CDCL) substitutes the gasification process in syngas chemical looping (SCL), thus eliminating the need for higher oxygen consumption. In this study, operating conditions are assessed for CDCL and SCL, directed towards hydrogen production from coal. The main objective is to increase the overall H{sub 2}/CO{sub 2} ratio for a given amount of coal, based on the various conditions. The operating variables considered as part of a resource optimization analysis include: (i) inlet conditions to the primary reactors, (ii) minimum resource requirements (air, steam and iron oxide), (iii) hydrogen-to-component ratios, and (iv) effect of coal carrier gas. The results suggest that CDCL has a higher hydrogen-to-CO{sub 2} ratio than SCL along with advantages such as low overall resource requirements (steam and air) and fewer intermediate processes. The coal carrier gas affects the hydrogen production only in ...
Modification of DNA and double-stranded deoxyoligonucleotides with antitumor 1,2-diamino-cyclohexanedinitroplatinum(II) (Pt-dach) complexes was investigated with the aid of physico-chemical methods and chemical probes of nucleic acid conformation. The three Pt-dach complexes were used which differed in isomeric forms of the dach non-leaving ligand-Pt(1R,2R-dach), Pt(1S,2S-dach) and Pt(1R,2S-dach) complexes. The latter complex has lower antitumor activity than the other two Pt-dach complexes. Pt(1R,2S-dach) complex exhibits the slowest kinetics of its binding to DNA and of the conversion of monofunctional binding to bifunctional lesions. The anomalously slow electrophoretic mobility of multimers of the platinated and ligated oligomers suggests that bifunctional binding of Pt-dach complexes to a d(GG) site within double-stranded oligonucleotides induces bending of the oligomer. It is proposed that ...
Production of porous membranes using heavy ion bombardment and subsequent chemical etching of poly(vinylidene difluoride) (PVDF) films has been reported several years ago. However, porous membranes with pore diameter in the nanometer scale requires a better understanding of the chemical etching mechanism. In this work PVDF foils irradiated with Sn ions (2.85 MeV per nucleon) were exposed to several etching conditions which involved permanganate oxidation in different alkaline environments. The solution of KOH 9 mol L{sup -1} and saturated in KMnO{sub 4} was the best etching reactant for PVDF. Functional groups created in the alkaline and oxidative attack by permanganate were studied by FT-IR and UV-vis spectroscopy. The spectroscopic data reveals that the formation of pores occurs by a two-step mechanism: (i) double bonds as a result of dehydrofluorination induced by alkaline media and (ii) oxidation of ...
Immunomodulation by environmental chemical contaminants and the role immune parameters play in toxicity and risk assessment studies is of increasing concern. Although considerable evidence has indicated...Full Text Available
The immune system plays a crucial role in maintaining health; however, accumulating evidence indicates that this system can be the target for immunotoxic effects caused by a variety of chemicals including...Full Text Available
Type II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in mice is an autoimmune experimental model for rheumatoid arthritis. Susceptibility to CIA is associated with certain major histocompatibility complex class...Full Text Available
Systemic administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which causes endotoxemia and systemic inflammation, has been reported to induce expression of the gene for type IIinducible nitric oxide synthase...Full Text Available
Fragrance mix II (FM II) is a relatively new screening marker for fragrance contact allergy. It was introduced in the patch test baseline series in Denmark in 2005 and contains six different fragrance chemicals commonly present in cosmetic products and which are known allergens.
In APCs, presentation by MHC II molecules of the chemically dominant peptide from the protein hen egg white lysozyme (HEL) generates different conformational isomers of the peptide-MHC II complexes (pMHC). Type B pMHCs are formed in early endosomes from exogenous peptides in the absence of H2-DM, whereas in contrast, type A pMHC complexes are formed from HEL protein in late vesicles after editing by H2-DM. Thus, H2-DM edits off the more unstable pMHC complexes, which are not presented from HEL. In this study, we show that type B pMHC complexes were presented from HEL protein only after stimulation of dendritic cells (DC) with TLR ligands or type I IFN. Type I IFN contributed to most TLR ligand-induced type B pMHC generation, as presentation decreased in DC lacking the receptor for type I IFNs (IFNAR1(-/-)). In contrast, presentation of type A pMHC from HEL and from peptide was minimally affected by TLR ...
The isotherms, kinetics and thermodynamics of Cd(II), Zn(II) and Pb(II) biosorption by Penicillium simplicissimum were investigated in a batch system. The effects of pH, initial metal ions concentration, biomass dose, contact time, temperature and co-ions on the biosorption were studied. Adsorption data were well described by both the Redlich-Peterson and Langmuir model. Chemical ion-exchange was found to be an important process based on free energy value from Dubini-Radushkevich isotherm for all metal ions. The results of the kinetic studies of all metal ions at different temperature showed that the rate of adsorption followed the pseudo second-order kinetics well. The thermodynamics constants {delta}G{sup o}, {delta}H{sup o} and {delta}S{sup o} of the adsorption process showed that biosorption of Cd(II), Zn(II) and Pb(II) ions on ...
Our studies have shown that endotoxin intratracheally instilled into the rat lung induces proliferation of alveolar type II cells. In that study, the alveolar type II cells. In that study, the alveolar type II cell hyperplasia occurred 2 d after instillation of endotoxin and persisted for a further 2 d. After hyperplasia, the lung remodeled and returned to a normal state within 24-48 h. Understanding the mechanisms involved in the remodeling process of this transient hyperplasia may be useful to identify molecular changes that are altered in neoplasia. The purpose of the present study was to corroborate induction of epithelial cell hyperplasia by endotoxin and to delineate mechanisms involved in tissue remodeling after endotoxin-induced alveolar type II cell hyperplasia. In conclusion, immonostaining with cyclin D1 and cytokeratin shows that endotoxin ...
A brief overview if provided of selected reports presented at the International Symposium on Molecular Mechanisms of Radiation- and Chemical Carcinogen-Induced Cell Transformation held at Mackinac Island, Michigan on September 19-23, 1993.
Hundreds of thousands of people worldwide live or work in close proximity to steel mills. Integrated steel production generates chemical pollution containing compounds that can induce genetic damage...Full Text Available
Importance of the fieldThe cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms that are selectively induced following exposure to structurally-diverse chemicals often are the ones capable...Full Text Available
Model systems to study the effects of chemicals of environmental concern on bacterial and parasitic diseases as well as the immunosurveillance and destruction of transplantable tumor cells were described...Full Text Available
Stem-boring insects and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) are thought to induce similar complex chemical and anatomical defenses in conifers. To compare insect- and MeJA-induced terpenoid responses, we analyzed...Full Text Available
We have previously observed that auxin can act as a repressor of the wound-inducible activation of a chimeric potato proteinase inhibitor II-CAT chimeric gene (pin2-CAT) in transgenic...Full Text Available
Obesity and metabolic syndrome result from excess calorie intake and genetic predisposition and are mechanistically linked to type II diabetes and accelerated body aging; abnormal nutrient and insulin...Full Text Available
Rationale: Human data suggest that the incidence of acute lung injury is reduced in patients with type II diabetes mellitus. However, the mechanisms by which diabetes confers protection...Full Text Available
Uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) maps to a region on distal mouse chromosome 7 that has been linked to the phenotypes of obesity and type II diabetes. We recently reported that UCP2 expression is increased...Full Text Available
PurposeWe previously reported a randomized phase II clinical trial combining a poxvirus-based vaccine encoding PSA with radiotherapy in patients with localized prostate...Full Text Available
Ligand exchange of hydrated metal complexes is common in chemical and biological systems. Using the ultrafast T-jump, we examined this process, specifically the transformation of aqua cobalt (II) complexes...Full Text Available
The chemical operational concept originally established for the water-steam circuit of Angra II nuclear power plant has undergone several modifications throughout the development of the project. This work discusses the two main modifications giving special attention to the costs involved and analyses the main points and the consequences of such modifications 1 ref., 4 figs., 2 tabs.
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.
Occupational and environmental exposure to organic ligands, solvents, fuel hydrocarbons, and polychlorinated biphenyls are linked with increased risk of hematologic malignancies. DOE facilities and waste sites in the U.S. are contaminated with mixtures of potentially hazardous chemicals such as metals, organic ligands, solvents, fuel hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls and radioactive isotopes. A major goal of this project was to establish linkage between chemical/radiation exposure and induction of genomic damage in target populations with the capability to undergo transformation.
Genomic instability can be produced by ionising radiation, so-called radiation-induced genomic instability, and chemical mutagens. Radiation-induced genomic instability occurs in both germinal and somatic cells and also in the offspring of irradiated individuals, and it is characterised by genetic changes including chromosomal rearrangements. The majority of studies of trans-generational, radiation-induced genomic instability have been described in the male germ line, whereas the authors who have chosen the female as a model are scarce. The aim of this work is to find out the radiation-induced effects in the foetal offspring of X-ray-treated female rats and, at the same time, the possible impact of this radiation-induced genomic instability on the action of a chemical mutagen. In order to achieve both goals, the quantity and quality of ...
Laser-induced change is studied of the optical absorption and luminescence due to F-H pairs generated by an electron pulse in SrF_2. It is found that laser irradiation near 2.34 eV at a delay of 26 #mu#s after an electron pulse by which F-H pairs are generated reduces the component I of the pairs that has a decay time of 59 #mu#s and optical absorption bands at 2.34 and 4.13 eV and enhances the component II that has a decay time of 7.7 ms and has optical absorption bands at 2.7 and 3.35 eV. Laser irradiation near 2.7 eV at a delay of 4 ms after the electron pulse is found to induce the reverse reaction. Studies of dichroism of the laser-induced reduction and enhancement of the optical absorption bands and the luminescence reveal that the direction of the #SIGMA#-#SIGMA# transition of the F_2"- molecular ion is converted by the transformation from I to II and vice versa. It is ...
Argon ion laser induced fluorescence measurements were carried out in a multipolar filament discharge with a broadband diode laser centered on 668 nm, which stimulated a transition from the metastable state in Ar(II) 3d4F7/2 to 4p4D05/2. The intensity of the induced fluorescence at 442 nm was maximized by the optimization of the discharge parameters and the laser power. From the recovery of the background fluorescence after the laser was turned off, the ion diffusion coefficient was deduced and compared with the result inferred from the experiments of ion acoustic wave (IAW) damping.
The interaction of cis-diamminediaquoplatinum(II) nitrate with adenosylcobalamin and a series of alkylcobalamins was studied by carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and by electronic spectroscopy. With these cobalamins cis-(Pt(NH/sub 3/)/sub 2/(OH/sub 2/)/sub 2/)/sup 2 +/ forms adducts in which N(3) of the 5,6-methylbenzimidazole moiety is co-ordinated to platinum(II) rather than to cobalt(III) of the corrin. The chemical shifts of the 5'-methylene carbon of adenosylcobalamin-platinum adduct and of the Co-methyl carbon of the methylcobalamin-platinum adduct are characteristic of these cobalamins in the base-off form. Furthermore, these cobalamin-platinum complexes have visible spectra identical to those of the cobalamins in acidic solution. The /sup 13/C NMR spectrum of the adenosylcobalamin-platinum complex suggests the presence of a second adduct in which platinum(II) complexes ...
The results of the thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) study of the FEBEX bentonite performed during FEBEX II are presented. The laboratory test program continued in part with the works carried out during FEBEX I, particularly in activities related to tests aimed to the calibration of the models, the acquisition of parameters by back-analysis and the improvement of the knowledge on the behaviour of expansive clays. But the program has also included tests on new areas: investigations about the influence of the microstructure changes in bentonite, of temperature and of the solute concentration on the behaviour of clay. Besides, several tests were proposed in order to understand the unexpected behaviour observed in the mock-up test, towards the end of year 2. Temperature effects on water retention curves in confined and unconfined conditions were determined, and swelling pressure, hydraulic conductivity and swelling and consolidation strains as a function of temperature ...
We have developed a cell-mediated mutagenesis assay in which cells with the appropriate markers for mutagenesis are co-cultivated with either lethally irradiated rodent embryonic cells that can metabolize carcinogenic hydrocarbons or with primary rat liver cells that can metabolize chemicals carcinogenic to the liver. During co-cultivation, the reactive metabolites of the procarcinogen appear to be transmitted to the mutable cells and induce mutations in them. Assays of this type make it possible to demonstrate a relationship between carcinogenic potency of the chemicals and their ability to induce mutations in mammalian cells. In addition, by simultaneously comparing the frequencies of transformation and mutation induced in normal diploid hamster cells by benzo(a)pyrene (BP) and one of its metabolites, it is possible to estimate the genetic target size for cell transformation in ...
SummaryTRPV1 is the founding and best-studied member of the family of temperature-activated transient receptor potential ion channels (thermoTRPs). Voltage, chemicals, and heat...Full Text Available
Radiation Measurement in Crew Compartment. DTO 805: .... spacecraft and aircraft propulsion, and hazardous waste disposal. ...... combustion reactions in a turbulent chemical kinetic flow reactor using laser induced fluorescence and ...
Protection afforded by trialkyl phosphorothionates against the lung injury caused by trialkyl phosphorothiolates probably results from the inhibition by the P = S moiety of the thionates, of one or...Full Text Available
Background and AimsSulfonylurea (SU) herbicides are used extensively in cereal–livestock farming zones as effective and cheap herbicides with useful levels of residual activity....Full Text Available
By using EPR measurements of radiation-induced radicals it is possible to utilize human fingernails to estimate radiation dose after-the-fact. One of the potentially limiting factors in this...Full Text Available
ABSTRACT New observations from the Hubble Ultra Deep Field suggest that the star formation rate at Formula Not Shown drops off faster than previously thought. Using a newly determined star formation rate for the normal mode of Population II/I (PopII/I) stars, including this new constraint, we compute the Thomson scattering optical depth and find a result that is marginally consistent with Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe 5 results. We also reconsider the role of Population III (PopIII) stars in light of cosmological and stellar evolution constraints. While this input may be needed for reionization, we show that it is essential in order to account for cosmic chemical evolution in the early universe. We investigate the consequences of PopIII stars on the local metallicity distribution fu...
The results of theoretical and experimental investigations, describing the effect of ionizing radiation on wood and its main components and methods for production of wood-plastic composites by means of radiation-inducedchemical modification are generalized. Domestic and foreign experience in their production is systematized; physico-mechanical characteristics of new material, simulation and calculation of irradiating devices, as well as calculation and experimental study of #gamma#-radiation attenuation both by wood material and by wood of different species are given. Gamma sources ("6"0Co isotope, a hot loop of a nuclear reactor) as well as electron accelerators are considered as ionizing radiation sources.
In this work, the chemical transformations induced by 5 keV protons (10{sup 6} ion cm{sup -2}) at the surface of 0.4 {mu}m polyacrylonitrile and polymethacrylonitrile films are analysed by XPS and IRRAS. Spectroscopic changes in both the polymers are globally similar, the most significant feature being a lower relative concentration of nitrogen with respect to carbon closer to the surface. Quantitatively, this change is more marked in the case of polyacrylonitrile which suggests a direct relation with the hydrogen in {alpha} to the nitrile function.
Efflux of dopamine through the dopamine transporter (DAT) is critical for the psychostimulatory properties of amphetamines, but the underlying mechanism is unclear. Here we show that Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) plays a key role in this efflux. CaMKIIalpha bound to the distal C terminus of DAT and colocalized with DAT in dopaminergic neurons. CaMKIIalpha stimulated dopamine efflux via DAT in response to amphetamine in heterologous cells and in dopaminergic neurons. CaMKIIalpha phosphorylated serines in the distal N terminus of DAT in vitro, and mutation of these serines eliminated the stimulatory effects of CaMKIIalpha. A mutation of the DAT C terminus impairing CaMKIIalpha binding also impaired amphetamine-induced dopamine efflux. An in vivo role for CaMKII was supported by chronoamperometry measurements showing reduced amphetamine-induced dopamine efflux in response to the CaMKII inhibitor KN93. ...
This thesis deals with the evaluation of Solar Grade Silicon (SoG-Si) purified by different techniques, and also the fabrication and characterization of high efficiency and advanced bifacial solar cells. In the beginning of Chapter 1, various SoG-Si production methods relevant for this work are qualitatively described. The three feedstock materials used in this work are from the Fluidized Bed Reactor (FBR) process, metallurgical feedstock-I and feedstock-II process. In metallurgical feedstock-I, the lifetime of the minority charge carriers in multicrystalline silicon (mc-Si) samples at the grain boundaries are found to be higher than the grains themselves possibly due to lower resistivities in the grain boundaries. The efficiency of the best solar cell obtained using the mc-Si metallurgical feedstock-I is 16.1%. It has been identified that the fast light induced degradation, whose magnitude is lower than that of a reference cell suggests the ...
Computer assisted energy-spectral analyses were obtained on EEG recordings of unilateral non-dominant hemisphere ECT-induced seizures using the different pre-ECT anesthetic agents methohexital (Brevital), Innovar, and ketamine (Ketalar). The previously postulated predominance of electrical energy over the stimulated (right) hemisphere early in ECT-induced seizures is confirmed. There appears to be marked reduction in total seizure energy with methohexital anesthesia, whereas ketamine anesthesia appears to be associated with increased overall seizure energy. The greatest right to left energy transfer during the seizure occurred with Innovar anesthesia. PMID:7172456
Characterization of high temperature superconducting film and bulk samples has been carried out using 2 MeV [alpha]-particle Rutherford backscattering, 2.4 MeV proton elastic scattering, 2.4 MeV proton-induced x-ray emission, 9 MeV proton induced [gamma]-ray emission and 100 MeV iodine elastic recoil detection analysis techniques. The objective was to compare different ion beam based techniques for: (i) compositional analysis; and (ii) consistency of the results obtained for samples prepared using similar preparation methodology. (author).
The autoradiographic appearance of the gastric mucosa, 5 hours after administration of indomethacin, was investigated in 29 adult rats. Indomethacin induced superficial gastric erosions. Autoradiography demonstrated the presence of viable gastric cells (as deduced by their ability to incorporate 3H-cytidin, an RNA precursor) not only in the mucosa without erosions, but also in the mucosa underneath the superficial erosions. The results indicate that indomethacin induced gastric erosions are not the superficial expression of a necrotic process taking place in the full thickness of the gastric mucosa at a particular site. A lumen-borne mechanism appears to be responsible for the formation of erosive areas in the mucosa.
Biased above threshold (VT), pulsed photocurrent (u) measurements on windowed silicon Pd gate MOS capacitors are shifted (DV) negatively by H2/N2, whereas Au gates shift positively under NO2/air. Below VT, the shifts are reversed by adjustments of interface state population. Minor temperature increases may coax the device from inversion to depletion, inducing sign reversal of the chemical response.
Perinatal exposure to cadmium (Cd) or methylmercury (MeHg) results in impaired neurodevelopment. Thyroid hormone is essential for normal brain development. However, the issue whether Cd or MeHg, especially at low doses, interrupts thyroid hormone action remains to be investigated. In the present study, effects of perinatal exposure to low levels of Cd or MeHg on thyroid hormone metabolism were examined using metallothionein I and II (MT-I/II) null or wild-type neonatal mice. Dams were exposed to 10 mg/L water of Cd or 5 mg/kg chow of MeHg from gestational day 0 to post-natal day 10 (PND 10). Sera, livers and brains were collected from neonates on PND 10. Iodothyronine deiodinase activities and serum thyroxine (T4) concentrations were measured. MeHg exposure failed to induce changes in serum T4 levels and liver type 1 deiodinase (D1) and brain type 2 deiodinase (D2) activities regardless of the MT genotype. However, exposure ...
The petroleum ether fraction (PEF) from the EtOH extract of flowers and buds of Chrysanthemum indicum was evaluated on antinociception in mice using chemical and thermal models of nociception. PEF administered orally at doses of 188 and 376mg/kg produced significant inhibitions on chemical nociception induced by intraperitoneal acetic acid, subplantar formalin or capsaicin injections and on thermal nociception in the tail-flick test and the hot plate test. In the pentobarbital sodium-induced sleep time test and the open-field test, PEF neither enhanced the pentobarbital sodium-induced sleep time nor impaired the motor performance, indicating that the observed antinociception was unrelated to sedation or motor abnormality. In a measurement of core body temperature, PEF did not affect temper...
The distribution profiles of the chemical structural changes induced in low density polyethylene(LDPE) irradiated by various ion-beams were obtained by micro-FT-IR measurement. Predominant species induced by ion-beam irradiation were trans-vinylene, hydroxyl group and carbonyl group. It was found that the depth profiles of these species resemble the Bragg curve, but they are rather different from the depth profile of the stopping power calculated by TRIM code. The terminal of the chemical reaction was observed to be deeper than the range calculated by TRIM code for all ion particles. This suggests that the energy profile in the region which the energy of the ion particle becomes lower is very complicated. (author).
Pharmacological activation of group II metabotropic glutamate (mGlu2 and mGlu3) receptors inhibits reward-seeking behavior and/or rewarding efficacy induced by drugs (cocaine, nicotine) or natural...Full Text Available
Previous studies demonstrated that perinatal exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), a major class of brominated flame retardants, may affect thyroid hormone (TH) concentrations by inducing...Full Text Available
The influence of RTA (Rapid Thermal Anneal) treatment on MOS radiation hardness is demonstrated and compared with classical furnace treatment. In the case of the RTA, the oxide trapped charge is found to depend on: (i) the anneal temperature as expected, data are in good agreement with a recently developed model of oxygen out-diffusion; (ii) the location across the wafer with a radial dependence, results could be related to stress induced by thermal gradient.
Active oxygens produced by low-dose irradiation can induce the synthesis of proteins involved in the active oxygen reduction path and can activate the chemical self-defense mechanisms in vivo, which can alleviate the injuries caused by active oxygens themselves. The following findings suggests that it is not only by low-dose irradiation that can induce the responses described above but also by any physical and/or chemical stresses which can produce small amount of active oxygens in vivo. 1. X-irradiation with 0.5 Gy and/or water immersion and restraint induced heat shock protein (HSP)70 in rat stomach cells. HSP70 was also induced in adrenal cells by paraquat administration. 2. The SOD activity in pancreas of rat significantly increased by #gamma#-irradiation with 0.5 Gy. 0.5 Gy irradiation preceeding the alloxan administration significantly suppressed the ...
Many assays for oncogenic transformation have been developed ranging from those in established rodent cell lines where morphological alteration is scored, to those in human cells growing in nude mice where tumor invasiveness is scored. In general, systems that are most quantitaive are also the least relevant in terms of human carcinogenesis and human risk estimation. The development of cell culture systems has made it possible to assess at the cellular level the oncogenic potential of a variety of chemical, physical and viral agents. Cell culture systems afford the opportunity to identify factors and conditions that may prevent or enhance cellular transformation by radiation and chemicals. Permissive and protective factors in radiation-induced transformation include thyroid hormone and the tumor promoter TPA that increase the transformation incidence for a given dose of radiation, and retinoids, selenium, vitamin E, and ...
Many assays for oncogenic transformation have been developed ranging from those in established rodent cell lines where morphological alteration is scored, to those in human cells growing in nude mice where tumor invasiveness is scored. In general, systems that are most quantitaive are also the least relevant in terms of human carcinogenesis and human risk estimation. The development of cell culture systems has made it possible to assess at the cellular level the oncogenic potential of a variety of chemical, physical and viral agents. Cell culture systems afford the opportunity to identify factors and conditions that may prevent or enhance cellular transformation by radiation and chemicals. Permissive and protective factors in radiation-induced transformation include thyroid hormone and the tumor promoter TPA that increase the transformation incidence for a given dose of radiation, and retinoids, selenium, vitamin E, and ...
The microstructural development inside the stress induced martensite (SIM) variants in Ti-Ni-Nb alloy with various degrees of deformation have been revealed by electron microscopic observations. The orientation relationship between the SIM and the parent phase has been found: [1{bar 1}0]{sub M}{parallel}[11{bar 1}]{sub B2}, (001){sub M} 5{degree} away from (101){sub B2}. The lattice invariant shear of the SIM variants at the slightly deformed stage is dominantly (11{bar 1}) Type I twin. Besides the ordinary slip, the adjustment and development of the internal secondary twinning from (11{bar 1}) Type I twin to {l_angle}011{r_angle} Type II/ or (011) Type I twin, (001)compound twin and (111) Type I twin happen concurrently or in combination inside the SIM variants with the further deformation. The corresponding deformation mechanisms include stress induced reorientation of SIM substructural bands by the most favorably ...
Two of eight differently prepared copper stabilizer samples, previously irradiated in the RTNS-II at LLNL, the IPNS-1 and the BSR at ORNL, have been irradiated to a fluence of 1.33 /times/ 10/sup 22/ n/m/sup 2/ at RTNS-II. During the course of the irradiation the samples were periodically removed (without warming) for measurements of the transverse magnetoresistance and returned for continued irradiation. This experiment extends the range of neutron-irradiation-induced resistivity by a factor of five over the previous experiments. A simple model is developed which reproduces the magnetoresistance results of all the experiments to an accuracy of 2.5%. 13 refs., 6 figs.
There have been a number of studies considering the possibility of removing and recovering heavy metals from diluted solutions. These are due, principally, because of the commercial value of some metals as well as in the environmental impact caused by them. The traditional methods for removing have several disadvantages when metals are present in concentrations lower than 100 mg/l. Biosorption, which uses biological materials as adsorbents, has been considered as an alternative method. In this work, variables like pH and biomass chemical pretreatment have been studied for its effect on the capacity for zinc biosorption by Thiobacillus ferrooxidans. Also, studies to determinate the time for zinc adsorption were carried out. Results indicate that a capacity as high as 82.61 mg of Zn(II)/g of dry biomass can be obtained at a temperature of 25 C and that the biosorption process occurs in a time of 30 min. (orig.)
The analgesic, dipyrone (1,phenyl-2,3-dimethyl-5-pyrazolone-4-methylamino methane sulphonate sodium), at 20 mM concentration, inhibited the rejoining of single-strand scissions in DNA of Escherichia coli B/r cells induced by 20 krad gamma-radiation. The chemical altered the cell membrane structure as evidenced from the uptake of acriflavin, the efflux of potassium ions from the bacterial cells and the inhibition of alkaline phosphatase-a cell membrane associated enzyme. (author). 18 refs., 6 figures.
The analgesic, dipyrone (1,phenyl-2,3-dimethyl-5-pyrazolone-4-methylamino methane sulphonate sodium), at 20 mM concentration, inhibited the rejoining of single-strand scissions in DNA of Escherichia coli B/r cells induced by 20 krad gamma-radiation. The chemical altered the cell membrane structure as evidenced from the uptake of acriflavin, the efflux of potassium ions from the bacterial cells and the inhibition of alkaline phosphatase-a cell membrane associated enzyme. (author).
Phase II collimators will complement the existing system to improve the expected high RF impedance and limited efficiency of Phase I jaws. An international collaborative effort has been launched to identify novel advanced materials responding to the very challenging requirements of the new collimators. Complex numerical calculations simulating extreme conditions and experimental tests are in progress. In parallel, an innovative modular design concept of the jaw assembly is being developed to allow fitting in alternative materials, minimizing the thermally induced deformations, withstanding accidents and accepting high radiation doses. Phase II jaw assembly is made up of a molybdenum back-stiffener ensuring high geometrical stability and a modular jaw split in threes sectors. Each sector is equipped with a high-efficiency independent cooling circuit. Beam position monitors (BPM) are embedded in the jaws to fasten setup time ...
Thermoluminescence (TL) properties of sphene and epidote are of interest in studies related to their radiation damage. Natural and artificially induced TL of these minerals has, therefore, been investigated. Both minerals exhibit complex glow curves with several overlapping peaks. The Tsub(m) -Tsub(STOP) thermal cleaning procedure has revealed three peaks in the ..gamma.. ray induced glow curve of each mineral. That these peaks obey second order kinetics was indicated by the continuously slanting structure of the Tsub(m)-Tsub(STOP) curve. The TL parameters E and s have been calculated using (i) the initial rise method, and (ii) the glow-peak shape method. In general, the values of E calculated by the first method are found to be higher than those from the second. The TL curve-fitting method is also applied in order to calculate these parameters and to serve as a cross-check on the results.
There has been considerable interest in producing and studying nanoparticle materials because of the effect of size on their structure, physical and chemical structure. Most studied nanoparticle semiconductors belong to the II-VI group, as they are relatively easy to synthesize and are generally prepared as particulates or in thin film form. Among II-VI compounds, CdS is one of the most studied materials. There are different ways to synthesize CdS nanoparticles such as colloidal particles, chemical decomposition, sol-gel, gas evaporation, magnetron sputtering, electrostatic deposition, and etc. {gamma}-irradiation is one of the effective methods for synthesis of nanomaterials. These nonomaterials have been extensively used in the preparation of nanocrystalline metals, metal oxides, and metal-polymer composites. However, The preparation of CdS nanoparticle and CdS/ polyacrylonitrile nanocomposite by ...
Neuron differentiation is a complex process involving various cell-cell interactions, and multiple signaling pathways. We showed previously that CD40 is expressed and functional on mouse and human neurons. In neurons, ligation of CD40 protects against serum withdrawal-induced injury and plays a role in survival and differentiation. CD40 deficient mice display neuron dysfunction, aberrant neuron morphologic changes, and associated gross brain abnormalities. Previous studies by Tone and colleagues suggested that five isoforms of CD40 exist with two predominant isoforms expressed in humans: signal-transducible CD40 type I and a C-terminal truncated, non-signal-transducible CD40 type II. We hypothesized that differential expression of CD40 isoform type I and type II in neurons may modulate neuron differentiation. Results show that adult wild-type, and CD40"-"/"- deficient mice predominantly express CD40 type I and ...
Different types of radioactive liquid waste are being generated at Advanced Fuel Fabrication Facility (AFFF), Tarapur during the quality control analysis of the mixed oxide (MOX) fuel pellets. A laboratory scale study was performed for treatment of such waste. Some of the waste streams originating from U and Pu analysis contain components like sulphate and phosphate which interfere during chemical precipitation of alpha activity from the waste. Various chemical co-precipitation experiments were conducted based on alkaline precipitation. Reductive precipitation using sodium sulphite and Fe(II) was found to be promising and the same was suggested for plant scale treatment. (author)
Abstract The Eiffel Tower edifice is situated in the Lucky Strike hydrothermal vent field at a mean depth of 1690-m on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR). At this 11-m-high hydrothermal structure, different faunal assemblages, varying in visibly dominant species (mussels and shrimp), in mussel size and in density of mussel coverage, were sampled biologically and chemically. Temperature and sulphide (-S) were measured on the different types of mussel-based assemblages and on a shrimp-dominated assemblage. Temperature was used as a proxy for calculating total concentrations of CH4. Based on the physico-chemical measurements, two microhabitats were identified, corresponding to (i) a more variable habitat featuring the greatest fluctuations in environmental variables and (ii) a second, more stable, ...
A methane catalytic decomposition reactor-direct carbon fuel cell-internal reforming solid oxide fuel cell (MCDR-DCFC-IRSOFC) energy system is highly efficient for converting the chemical energy of methane into electrical energy. A gas turbine cycle is also used to output more power from the thermal energy generated in the IRSOFC. In part I of this work, models of the fuel cells and the system are proposed and validated. In this part, exergy conservation analysis is carried out based on the developed electrochemical and thermodynamic models. The ratio of the exergy destruction of each unit is examined. The results show that the electrical exergy efficiency of 68.24% is achieved with the system. The possibility of further recovery of the waste heat is discussed and the combined power-heat exergy efficiency is over 80%. (author)
A methane catalytic decomposition reactor-direct carbon fuel cell-internal reforming solid oxide fuel cell (MCDR-DCFC-IRSOFC) energy system is highly efficient for converting the chemical energy of methane into electrical energy. A gas turbine cycle is also used to output more power from the thermal energy generated in the IRSOFC. In part I of this work, models of the fuel cells and the system are proposed and validated. In this part, exergy conservation analysis is carried out based on the developed electrochemical and thermodynamic models. The ratio of the exergy destruction of each unit is examined. The results show that the electrical exergy efficiency of 68.24% is achieved with the system. The possibility of further recovery of the waste heat is discussed and the combined power-heat e...
Sulfur mustard (HD) is an alkylating and cytotoxic chemical warfare agent, which inflicts severe skin toxicity and an inflammatory response. Effective medical countermeasures against HD-caused skin toxicity are lacking due to limited knowledge of related mechanisms, which is mainly attributed to the requirement of more applicable and efficient animal skin toxicity models. Using a less toxic analog of HD, chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES), we identified quantifiable inflammatory biomarkers of CEES-induced skin injury in dose- (0.05-2 mg) and time- (3-168 h) response experiments, and developed a CEES-induced skin toxicity SKH-1 hairless mouse model. Topical CEES treatment at high doses caused a significant dose-dependent increase in skin bi-fold thickness indicating edema. Histopathological e...
According to empirical observations, some pattern formation phenomena in driven many-particle systems are more pronounced in the presence of a certain noise level. We investigate this phenomenon of fluctuation-driven ordering with a cellular automaton model of interactive motion in space and find an optimal noise strength, while order breaks down at high(er) fluctuation levels. Additionally, we discuss the phenomenon of noise- and drift-induced self-organization in systems that would show disorder in the absence of fluctuations. In the future, related studies may have applications to the control of many-particle systems such as the efficient separation of particles. The rather general formulation of our model in the spirit of game theory may allow to shed some light on several different kinds of noise-induced ordering phenomena observed in physical, chemical, biological, and socio-economic systems (e.g., attractive and ...
Steel is one of the most versatile materials known to mankind. It is used in a variety of applications. In many of these applications, it is exposed to the atmosphere, leading to rust formation, which weakens structures made using steel. Hence, protection is important. The popular methods to prevent corrosion are painting, galvanizing, electroplating etc. The widely used Chrome etching process is very effective in corrosion inhibition as well as in hardening the steel. But, Chromium and its compounds are highly placed among the toxic chemicals listed under pollution prevention initiatives of the EPA. Hence, it was decided to find alternatives to this process.
Objective was to develop a mathematical model of the cupola furnace (cast iron production) in on-line and off-line process control and optimization. In Phase I, the general structure of the heat transfer, fluid flow, and chemical models were laid out, providing reasonable descriptions of cupola behavior with a one-dimensional representation. Work was also initiated on a two-dimensional model. Phase II was focused on perfecting the one-dimensional model. The contributions include these from MIT, Michigan University, and GM.
This paper reports the chemical compositions of chicken-blood stone Ji Xue Shi measured by Proton Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE). The experimental result show that for the red portion of chicken-blood stone, the concentration of Hg is as high as 20 wt%, and the concentration of S can be above 10 wt%. For the non-red portion the main chemical compositions are Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} and SiO{sub 2}. The obtained chemical compositions are close to those of kaolinite for Balin chicken-blood stone, and of pyrophyllite for Changhua chicken-blood stone, respectively. So far many Changhua chicken-blood stones and Balin chicken-blood stones were found in China, the PIXE method can be used to explore the provenance of available chicken-blood stones. (author)
The development of 'Green Chemistry' requires new materials to replace the conventional organic chemistry by biological catalysts, to produce fine chemicals in an environmentally friendly manner. Microbial whole cells can be directly used as biocatalysts, providing a simple and cheap methodology since enzyme isolation and purification are avoided. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is a very stable polymer though it can be activated by gamma radiation to induce grafting. Glycidyl methacrylate was grafted onto macroporous HDPE and PP in the range of 1-6%, proportional to the initial monomer concentration. Grafted polymers were further chemically modified with ethylenediamine to generate a cationic hydrogel of micron-size thickness onto the internal polymer surfaces. Modified polymers were able to immobilize Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria that can catalyze a chemical reaction as ...
Purpose To study the chemical modifications induced upon irradiation of solid human insulin at radiosterilization doses and investigate the influence of the absorbed dose on radiolysis. Materials and Methods Volatile radiolytic products were monitored by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and non-volatile products by two different high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods: the formation of higher molecular weight proteins was assessed by size exclusion liquid chromatography whereas assays for related compounds and chemical potency tests were carried out using reverse-phase HPLC-UV. Conformational changes were investigated by measurements of circular dichroism. Results After gamma irradiation at 10?kGy, the recovery of insulin was 96.8%; higher molecular w...
The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the expression of specific genes in peripheral blood can be used as surrogate marker(s) to detect and distinguish target organ toxicity induced by chemicals in rats. Rats were intraperitoneally administered a single, acute dose of a well-established hepatotoxic (acetaminophen) or a neurotoxic (methyl parathion) chemical. Administration of acetaminophen (AP) in the rats resulted in hepatotoxicity as evidenced from elevated blood transaminase activities. Similarly, administration of methyl parathion (MP) resulted in neurotoxicity in the rats as evidenced from the inhibition of acetyl cholinesterase activity in their blood. Administration of either chemical also resulted in mild hematotoxicity in the rats. Microarray analysis of the global ...
Adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats is a chronic inflammatory disease, widely as an animal model for rheumatoid arthritis. In our study the effect of various fractions of dialyzable leukocyte extract (DLE): DLE I-molecular weight below 10 kDa (commercial preparation), DLE II-molecular weight below 5 kDa (suppressor fraction), DLE III-molecular weight 5-10 kDa on rat adjuvant-induced arthritis was studied. The adjuvant arthritic (AA) rats were treated with DLE fractions i.p. in solutions containing an active substance isolated from 12.5 x 10{sup 6} and 6.25 x 10{sup 6} leukocytes from day 1 (adjuvant injected) through day 18, every second day (total 9 times). Various markers in inflammation, immune function and joint destruction were evaluated: hind paw volume, serum hyaluronic acid, serum albumin and biopterin in urine. All these markers showed a significant improvement after using fraction DLE II in ...
The characterization of monoammine(nitroimidazole)platinum(II) complexes of structure (PtCl{sub 2}(NH{sub 3})(NO{sub 2}Im)) (NO{sub 2}Im = 1-((((2-hydroxyethyl)amino)carbonyl)methyl)-2-nitroimidazole, Etanidazole (I), 1-(2-nitro-1-imidazolyl)-3-methoxy2-propanol, Misonidazole (II), and 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-methyl-5-nitroimidazole, Metronidazole (III)) is reported. Both is cis and trans isomers may be isolated for II and III. The crystal structure of cis-amminedichloro(1-((((2-hydroxyethyl)amino)carbonyl)methyl)-2-nitroimidazole)platinum(II) has been determined by X-ray diffraction. The crystals are orthorhombic, space group Pnab with cell dimensions a = 14.867 (7) {angstrom}, b = 9.915 (5) {angstrom}, c = 19.015 (9) {angstrom}, and Z = 8. The structure was refined to R = 0.062 and R{sub w} = 0.052. Platinum has the expected square-planar coordination. The Pt-Cl bond trans to the nitroimidazole ligand is ...
Liquid sodium is used as coolant in Fast Breeder Reactors (FBR). There is a likelyhood of sodium spillage in ambient air in the Steam Generator Building (SGB) of the FBR plant. Due to high chemical reactivity with oxygen, especially at temperatures greater than 573 K, it catches fire very easily. In order to carryout safety related experimental studies for different modes of sodium fires and to develop suitable mathematical models for the assessment of their consequences, an experimental facility (SFEF, Sodium Fire Experimental Facility) is being setup a IGCAR, Kalpakkam. The SFEF is having a 540 m"3 volume experimental hall. Stainless steel linear will be provided on the inside surfaces of experimental hall walls, ceiling and floor. Analysis has been carried out for enclosed sodium pool fire scenarios in SFEF by using sodium pool fire code SOFIRE II, which estimates the thermal transients like pressure rise, gas temperature rise, cell wall ...
Adsorption isotherms for phenol and o-cresol on activated charcoal at neutral pH and several dissolved oxygen concentrations were conducted at 23{degree}C. Significant improvements in capacities were observed with increasing dissolved oxygen concentrations for the two adsorbates. These statistically-significant additional capacities were not due to biological activities but merely due to surface chemical reactions. The improvement in capacity was directly related to the amount of oxygen per unit mass of GAC.
We have developed a new expression vector, pcIts ind+, based upon the powerful rightward promoter of bacteriophage lambda, which is controlled by a temperature-sensitive...Full Text Available
The occupational chemical 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide (VCD) selectively destroys ovarian small pre-antral follicles in rats and mice via apoptosis. Detoxification of VCD can occur through glutathione...Full Text Available
Analysis of damages done by the radiation in a polymer characterized by optic properties of polished surfaces, of uniformity and chemical resistance that the acrylic; resistant until the 150 centigrade grades of temperature, and with an approximate weight of half of the glass. An objective of this work is the development of a method that analyze in automated form the superficial damages induced by radiation in plastic materials means an images analyst. (Author)
The aqueous fraction (AF) of an ethanolic extract from Chrysanthemum indicum was evaluated for analgesic activity in mice using chemical and thermal models of nociception. Given orally, AF at doses of 300 and 600 mg/kg produced significant inhibitions on chemical nociception induced by intraperitoneal acetic acid, subplantar formalin/capsaicin injections and on thermal nociception in the tail-flick test and in the hot plate test. In the pentobarbital sodium-induced sleeping time test and the open-field test, AF neither significantly enhanced the pentobarbital sodium-induced sleeping time nor impaired the motor performance, indicating that the observed analgesic activity was unlikely due to sedation or motor abnormality. In a measurement of core body temperature, AF did not affect temperature within 80 min. Moreover, the effective dose (600 mg/kg) also showed no toxicity within 7 ...
This study reports on the physical-chemical behaviour of swelling di-octahedral clays (smectites) and their interaction with aqueous solutions and bacteria (Shewanella putrefaciens). Experimental results are presented for compacted clays, hydrated under confined volume conditions, using a new type of reaction-cell (the 'wet-cell' of Warr and Hoffman, 2004) that was designed for in situ X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurement. For comparison, dispersed clay systems were studied using standard batch solutions subjected to varying degrees of agitation. The combination of time-dependent in situ XRD measurements with gravimetric measurements and calculated diffraction patterns using the CALCMIX software (Plancon and Drits, 1999) allowed to successful quantification of the dynamics of water uptake and storage. This analytical procedure combined with published water vapour adsorption data enabled determination of the abundance of structured water layers, ...
The expression of three c-onc genes (c-erb, c-myc, c-myb) was investigated in five cell lines established from fibrosarcomas induced with 20-methylcholanthrene (MCA) of Japanese quails. These cell lines showed low levels of the three c-onc genes, with the exception of two cell lines that accumulated moderate (MCAQ 1-4) and large amounts (MCAQ 3-5) of c-myc RNA. Molecular cloning and restriction endonuclease analyses indicated that expression of c-myc in these two cell lines were not associated with detectable rearrangements in the c-myc locus, that the size of the c-myc transcript (2.7 kb) in MCAQ 3-5 was similar to that of the normal c-myc messenger RNAs (mRNA) and that the transcriptional activatin observed in MCAQ 3-5 was not mediated by the LTR (long terminal repeat) of a proximate ALV (avian leukosis virus) provirus. Finally, when analyzed with the restriction enzymes Msp I and Hpa II, the c-myc locus of MCAQ 3-5 and MCAQ 1-4 was found ...
We have been investigating radiation-induced neoplastic transformants of C3H 10T1/2 mouse fibroblasts for evidence of heritable changes. C3H 10T1/2 cells were treated with 8 Gy X rays. After approximately 8 weeks of culture, type II/III foci were isolated from the monolayer using cloning rings. Cell lines developed from these foci, and clones established from these cell lines, were examined for DNA content. The isolated focus-derived populations and derived clones often display aneuploidy and/or polyploidization. In one instance a clone (derived from a single cell) displayed multiple polyploidies. During passage the ploidy of many of the anomalous populations gradually reverted to the ploidy of the non-neoplastically transformed state. The morphological features associated with the neoplastic transformation event were nevertheless retained. The results demonstrate that exposure to radiation can induce, in association with ...
We describe the isolation and genetic characterization of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG)-induced mutations in the phage P22 mnt repressor gene cloned in plasmid pBR322. Mutations in the mnt repressor gene or its operator on this plasmid, pPY98, confer a tetracycline resistance phenotype, whereas the wild-type plasmid confers tetracycline sensitivity. Cells carrying pPY98 were briefly exposed to MNNG to give 20 to 40% survival and a 50- to 100-fold increase in tetracycline-resistant cells. DNA sequence analysis showed that 29 to 30 MNNG-induced mutations were GC-to-AT transitions and one was an AT-to-GC transition. About 80% of the mutations are in three hotspots. This mutation spectrum is consistent with the proposed mechanism of mutagenic action of MNNG, which involves mispairing of an alkylated base, O/sup 6/-methylguanine. The mnt gene may be a useful target for determining mutagenic specificity at the nucleotide level ...
This SBIR Phase I developed neutron detectors made from gallium arsenide (GaAs) p-type/ intrinsic/n-type (P-I-N) diodes grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) onto semi-insulating (S1) bulk GaAs wafers. A layer of isotonically enriched boron-10 evaporated onto the front surface serves to convert incoming neutrons into lithium ions and a 1.47 MeV alpha particle which creates electron-hole pairs that are detected by the GaAs diode. Various thicknesses of ''intrinsic'' (I) undoped GaAs were tested, as was use of a back-surface field (BSF) formed from a layer of Al{sub x}Ga{sub 1-x}As. Schottky-barrier diodes formed from the same structures without the p+ GaAs top layer were tested as a comparison. After mesa etching and application of contacts, devices were tested in visible light before application of the boron coating. Internal quantum efficiency (IQE) of the best diode near the GaAs bandedge is over 90%. The ...
We have studied the correlation between the chemical state and the oxygen-sensing properties of an iron oxide thin film using a setup that allows simultaneous sensor resistance measurements and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) data acquisition. The gas exposures were performed at the highest operating pressure of the XPS spectrometer at a controlled sample temperature which allows direct comparison between the sensor response and the chemical state of the surface. The iron oxide film was modified by a sequence of argon ion sputtering steps and the induced changes in the chemical state, resistance, and sensitivity to oxygen were investigated. The sputtering was found to reduce the iron from the Fe"3"+ to the Fe"2"+ state and to decrease the sensor resistance. The measured sensitivity to oxygen first increased by a factor of two but then collapsed to its original level. The mechanism for oxygen ...
A vendor glass formulation study was carried out at Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL), supporting the Phase I and Phase II melter vendor testing activities for Westinghouse Hanford Company. This study is built upon the LLW glass optimization effort that will be described in a separate report. For Phase I vendor melter testing, six glass formulations were developed at PNL and additional were developed by Phase I vendors. All the doses were characterized in terms of viscosity and chemical durability by the 7-day Product Consistency Test. Twelve Phase II glass formulations (see Tables 3.5 and 3.6) were developed to accommodate 2.5 wt% P{sub 2}O{sub 5} and 1.0 wt% S0{sub 3} without significant processing problems. These levels of P{sub 2}O{sub 5} and SO{sub 3} are expected to be the highest possible concentrations from Hanford Site LLW streams at 25 wt% waste loading in glass. The Phase H compositions formulated were 6 to 23 ...
A few metal complexes of isatin-isonicotinoylhydrazone with Ni(II), Cr(III), Co(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) have been prepared and characterized on the basis of elemental analyses, infrared and electronic spectra as well as "1H NMR spectra, conductivity and magnetic measurements. In view of the results obtained, it has been found that two molecules of isatin-isonicotinoylhydrazone are chelated to the central metal ion as bis-uninegative ONO tridentate ligand forming non-electrolytic octahedral metal complexes. (author)
In this study, we propose a new bioactive bone cement (BBC), composed of natural bone powder (hydroxyapatite; HA), chitosan powder, and the currently available polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement, for use in orthopedic surgeries such as vertebroplasty or as bone filler. Three types of BBCs (BBC I, BBC II, and BBC III) were prepared with different composition ratios. In vitro tests and animal studies were performed with the new BBCs, and with a currently available commercial PMMA bone cement. Surface morphology, chemical composition, changes in pH over time, exothermic temperatures, intrusion, and cellular responses were investigated in vitro. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and radiological and histological examinations were performed in animal studies. The results showed that the major components of the BBCs were C, O, Ca, P, Cl, Si, S, Ba, and Mg. The pH values of the BBCs decreased after 1 day, but eventually recovered to 7.2-7.4. ...
Geometry optimizations of the quinoline-based platinum (II) complexes (1-R, 2-R) and their related calculations on excited state energies, electronic absorption spectra and orbital populations have been carried out by the hybrid density functional theory (DFT) and its time-dependent approach (TD-DFT). The solvent effects on excitation energies are taken into account using the conductor-like polarizable continuum model (C-PCM). The red-shifted level of absorption bands, energy gaps between the singlet ground state (S1) and the first triplet excited state (T1) for each examined complex have been elaborated thoroughly as well. We find that the quinoline-8-thoil (ligand 2) induces much more significant red-shifted level than 8-hydroxyquinoline (ligand 1), and singlet-triplet splitting energy g...
The formation of nanoparticles during the radiation-inducedchemical reduction of silver ions, copper ions, and nickel ions in films based on poly(acrylic acid)-poly(ethylenimine) complexes are studied via electron microscopy. This approach allows preparation of composites containing nanoparticles that are randomly distributed in the polymer matrix and materials with a regular spatial distribution of nanoparticles across the film thickness and in subsurface layers. The structure of metal-polymer hybrid materials is dependent on the irradiation conditions, the type of reduced metal ions, and their initial content in polymer matrices. The ratio between the rate of nucleation and the rate of growth of nanoparticles in the matrices of interpolyelectrolyte complexes depends on the intensity of ...
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.
An important aspect of ecosystem sustainability is the ability to withstand and recover from disturbance or stress. In this study, we investigated the effect of a heat-disturbance on soil microbial biomass, microbial activity in response to the addition of organic acid (malate), and microbial community structure in a laboratory experiment. The soils investigated were from a jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) forest that had undergone rehabilitation following bauxite mining 12 years previously. Soils from a full factorial of two field treatments; contour ripping induced micro-topography (mound or furrow) and prior exposure to prescription fire (burnt or non-burnt), were sampled and found to exhibit treatment-dependent differences in soil biological and chemical properties. Exposure of soil micro...
Dye-sensitized nanocrystalline TiO{sub 2} solar cells are currently under development. Since these cells contain an electrolyte solution we reviewed the health and safety aspects in view of indoor applications, where personal contact cannot be excluded. Only small amounts of chemicals are present in each cell and so there is no danger of acute toxicity. However, long-term effects often can be caused by incidental contact with minute amounts. For this reason we have tested cis-di(thiocyanato)-bis(4,4'-dicarboxy-2,2'-bipyridine)Ru(II), the sensitizer dye in the Ames test. The dye was not mutagenic in the Salmonella typhimurium reverse mutation assay and in the Escherichia coli reverse mutation assay.
The removal of Ni(II) from aqueous solution by magnetic nanoparticles prepared and impregnated onto tea waste (Fe3O4-TW) from agriculture biomass was investigated. Magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4) were prepared by chemical precipitation of a Fe^2^+ and Fe^3^+ salts from aqueous solution by ammonia solution. These magnetic nanoparticles of the adsorbent Fe3O4 were characterized by surface area (BET), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Fourier Transform-Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR). The effects of various parameters, such as contact time, pH, concentration, adsorbent dosage and temperature were studied. The kinetics followed is first order in nature, and the value of rate constant was found to be 1.90x10^-^2min^-^1 at 100mgL^-^1 and 303K. Removal ef...
In this paper, we investigate the dynamic behaviors of a Holling II two-prey one-predator system with impulsive effect concerning biological control and chemical control strategies-periodic releasing natural enemies and spraying pesticide (or harvesting pests) at fixed time. By using the Floquet theory of linear periodic impulsive equation and small-amplitude perturbation we show that there exists a globally asymptotically stable two-prey eradication periodic solution when the impulsive period is less than some critical value. Further, we prove that the system is permanent if the impulsive period is larger than some critical value, and meanwhile the conditions for the extinction of one of the two prey and permanence of the remaining two species are given. Finally, numerical simulation shows that there exists a stable positive periodic solution with a maximum value no larger than a given level. Thus, we can use the stability of the positive ...
Abstract We present the first numerical,-N-body, hydrodynamical, chemical simulations of cosmic structure formation in the framework of non-Gaussian models. We study the impact of primordial non-Gaussianities on early chemistry (e-, H, H+, H-, He, He+, He++, H2, H+2, D, D+, HD, HeH+), molecular and atomic gas cooling, star formation, metal (C, O, Si, Fe, Mg, S) enrichment, Population-III (popIII) and Population-II-I (popII) transition and on the evolution of -visible- objects. We find that non-Gaussianities can have some consequences on baryonic structure formation at very early epochs, but the subsequent evolution at later times washes out any difference among the various models. When assuming reasonable values for primordial non-Gaussian perturbations, it turns out that they are responsi...
Experiments on aqueous TiO{sup 2} photocatalytic reaction characteristics of 4 nitrogen-containing and 12 aromatic organic compounds were carried out. Based on the values calculated for the distribution of ionic species and atomic charge, the characteristics of their photocatalytic decomposition were estimated. It was shown that the dependence of decomposition of the N-containing compounds were linearly proportional to their nitrogen atomic charge values, while that of the aromatic compounds were inversely proportional. The effects of aqueous pH, oxygen content and concentration on the TiO{sup 2} photocatalytic characteristics of EDTA-Cu(II) and EDTA-Fe(III) were experimentally investigated. All EDTA systems were decomposed better in the pH range of 2.5{approx}3.0 and with more dissolved oxygen. These results could be applied to a unit process for removal of organic impurities dissolved in a source water of the system water, and for treatment of EDTA-containing ...
The concepts of ''fast'' and ''slow'' time scale valence measurements are emphasized by a comparison of L/sub III/ absorption and Mossbauer effect measurements on the temperature induced valence change in EuPd/sub 2/Si/sub 2/. Further the authors show how synchrotron radiation based L/sub III/ measurements of the Ce-valence state can be used to demonstrate electronic structure trends under wide changes in chemical environment. The purpose of this paper is to provide an introduction to researchers in the People's Republic of China to the field of mixed valent rate earth compounds. They hope to illustrate some of the basic concepts in this field, how the field is contributing to the overall insight into the chemical physics of solids and finally how synchrotron radiation measurements in particular are playing a key role in this field.
This study describes the chemical composition of the essential oil of Artemisia maritima (Am.Oil) and the pharmacological basis for its medicinal use in gut and airways disorders. Twenty five compounds, composing 93.7% of the oil, were identified; among these, chrysanthenyl propionate and elixene were identified for the first time from any Artemisia species. The Am.Oil (0.3?1.0 mg/mL) suppressed spontaneous and high K+ (80 mM)-induced contractions in isolated rabbit jejunum, suggestive of an antispasmodic effect mediated possibly through calcium channel blockade. The calcium channel blockade activity was confirmed when pre-treatment of the tissue with Am.Oil (0.01?0.03 mg/mL) shifted the Ca++ concentration-response curves to the right, similar to verapamil and papaverine. In isolated trach...
Modern radiometric analytics demands a complex consideration of nuclear and electron shell processes, if more pretentious aims are envisaged. As an example the small variation of decay rates of radionuclides presents possibilities for information on chemical situations of decaying atoms. In principle this phenomenon is well known since many years, but now the situation is such that, e.g. in /sup 99m/Tc internal conversion, a full agreement of the difficult experiments and the respective theory was established. The secondary emission of X-rays as a consequence of high excitation of electron shells in combination with nuclear transitions supplies another example for a methodical progress of radiometry. Investigations on "5"1Cr as an electron capture nuclide have shown that chemicallyinduced variations of the K/sub #alpha#/ to K/sub #beta#/ X-ray intensity ratio is at least qualitatively understood. (author).
Chemical modification of poly(?-caprolactone) PCL by oxidation with potassium permanganate in solution was investigated. According to the data obtained from Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance 1H NMR, after the oxidation reactions the PCL chains exhibited new functional groups (vinyl and hydroxyl) and possible intermolecular recombination, producing an oxidized-polycaprolactone (PCL-OX). Solution viscometry indicated that degradation also occurred during the oxidation reactions (30% drop in viscosity average molecular weight was detected). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) also indicated that PCL was chemically modified and degraded. The successive self-nucleation/annealing (SSA) treatment confirmed that a reduction (or interruption) in line...
Candoxin (PDB #1JGK), a three-finger neurotoxin from Bungarus candidus venom, inhibits post-synaptic neuromuscular and neuronal alpha7nACh-receptors, and induces delayed cell-death throughout the glial population. When applied to cultured human glial cell lines, candoxin (CDX) induced cell death in a concentration (EC(50) approximately 1muM) and time dependent manner. Results of TUNEL-histochemistry further confirm CDX-induced brain (hippocampus, frontal cortex, and temporal regions) damage when administered intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v) in adult mice. In this study, we explored differential gene expression profiles following exposure of human glial (Hs 683) cell lines to CDX at various time intervals using Affymetrix-GeneChips. By means of MAS and GeneSpring analyses, 105 genes whose expression was significantly (P<0.01) altered by at least 3-fold were selected. Results of the genome analysis reveal that the ...
Full text of publication follows: Large-scale problems such as nuclear waste disposal are increasingly recognized to be interconnected to small scale-mechanisms. Thus, synchrotron-based high-resolution analytical X-ray probes become important tools for exploring the micro-scale chemical reactivity of heterogeneous barrier materials used in nuclear waste repositories. In this study the layout of the micro-XAS beamline at the Swiss Light Source (SLS) will be presented. The beamline is optimized towards micro beam experiments ({approx}1 x 1 {mu}m{sup 2}) in the hard-X-ray regime (4 - {approx}22 keV) and allows to combine micro X-ray fluorescence (micro-XRF), micro X-ray absorption spectroscopy (micro- XAS), and micro X-ray diffraction (micro-XRD) investigations with radioactive samples. Furthermore, the potential of micro-XRF/XAS/XRD for acquiring spatially resolved molecular level information on the speciation and structural coordination environment of radionuclides ...
Using {gamma}-irradiation-induced reduction in the field of a {sup 60}Co {gamma}-ray source, colloidal silver and gold nanoparticles were prepared from their corresponding metal salts in aqueous solution and compared with those by chemical reduction. The radiation-based method provided silver nanoparticles with higher concentration and narrower size distribution than those obtained by chemical reduction method while there was no significant difference between the two strategies for the preparation of gold nanoparticles. {gamma}-Irradiation of 1.0 x 10{sup -3} M AgNO{sub 3} solution resulted in nearly 100 times more highly concentrated silver colloids than those by citrate reduction. Furthermore, the radiation method could lead to more highly concentrated silver colloids by simply increasing the concentration of AgNO{sub 3} solution up to 2.0 x 10{sup -2} M. The two metal nanoparticles prepared by the two different methods ...
Iron oxide films have been deposited on Si(100) substrates by chemical vapour deposition (CVD) of iron(III) tert-butoxide ([Fe(O "tBu)_3]_2) in the temperature range 350-450 deg. C. The precursor flux and substrate temperature were varied to control the phase composition, average grain size and film thickness. The nature of substrate and deposition temperature markedly influence the morphology and iron-oxygen stoichiometry in the CVD deposits. Phase transformations in iron oxide films were achieved through precise local and periodic heating of the films by interfering laser beams. The interaction of iron oxide films with short laser pulses (Nd:YAG, 355 nm) induced partial transformation of hematite (#alpha#-Fe_2O_3) to magnetite (Fe_3O_4) or magnetite to wuestite (Fe_1_-_xO), respectively. The phase characterization and morphology of the hematite and magnetite films were investigated before and after laser irradiation by X-ray diffractometry, ...
Polycrystalline silicon films have been grown from Si{sub 2}H{sub 6} by low-pressure chemical vapour deposition at 800 K and in situ laser annealing (LA) on amorphous silicon seed layers deposited on a metallic Ti/Pd/Ag multilayer. The crystalline volume fraction in the seed layer was controlled by thermal annealing. According to the metal-induced crystallization effect, the presence of the metal induces a lower-temperature crystallization of silicon in the seed layers. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy data show that the formation of palladium silicides in the seed layer drives the growth of wire-like columns which are found to change morphology depending on the seed layer microstructure and LA parameters. It is suggested that superficial palladium was found to affect also the growth rate by enhancing the Si{sub 2}H{sub 6} dissociation.
Polycrystalline silicon films have been grown from Si_2H_6 by low-pressure chemical vapour deposition at 800 K and in situ laser annealing (LA) on amorphous silicon seed layers deposited on a metallic Ti/Pd/Ag multilayer. The crystalline volume fraction in the seed layer was controlled by thermal annealing. According to the metal-induced crystallization effect, the presence of the metal induces a lower-temperature crystallization of silicon in the seed layers. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy data show that the formation of palladium silicides in the seed layer drives the growth of wire-like columns which are found to change morphology depending on the seed layer microstructure and LA parameters. It is suggested that superficial palladium was found to affect also the growth rate by enhancing the Si_2H_6 dissociation.
Incongruent auditory and visual stimuli can elicit audiovisual illusions such as the McGurk effect where visual /ka/ and auditory /pa/ fuse into another percept such as/ta/. In the present study, human brain activity was measured with adaptation functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate which brain areas support such audiovisual illusions. Subjects viewed trains of four movies beginning with three congruent /pa/ stimuli to induce adaptation. The fourth stimulus could be (i) another congruent /pa/, (ii) a congruent /ka/, (iii) an incongruent stimulus that evokes the McGurk effect in susceptible individuals (lips /ka/ voice /pa/), or (iv) the converse combination that does not cause the McGurk effect (lips /pa/ voice/ ka/). This paradigm was predicted to show increased release fro...
A novel envelope-type radon monitor has been used for short-term (as little as 1 week) radon concentration measurements in a workplace environment. The commercially available LR-115 type II damage track detector was used in this study and the chemically etched sheets were spark counted. The measurements were made over a period of 1 year in a workplace consisting of three adjacent rooms situated in the lower ground level of multistorey office building in Rome, Italy. The variations of the radon concentration are from [approx] 20 to [approx] 300 Bq m[sup -3] with averages of 130,81 and 73 Bq m[sup -3] for the three different rooms resulting in annual doses of [approx] 3.8, [approx] 2.4 and [approx] 2.2 mSv, respectively. (author) 2 figs., 9 refs.
Applications, techniques, instrumentation, and interpretation of flow visualization are discussed. Methods of using flow visualization for the examination of combustion in furnaces, heat transfer with heat exchangers, and in fluid engines are explored, along with flow visualization in food processing, steel-casting, and process engineering. Further attention is given to pipe and channel flow, flow separation in laminar flow and around oscillating airfoils, wakes and vortices, supersonic flow and shock waves, and stratified flow and oceanography. The visualization of boundary layers is considered for various conditions, and applications for multiphase flow, rheology, and medical problems are detailed. Oil film, dry-surface coating, chemical, fluorescent, and minituft methods are presented, as well as the use of tracers, optical techniques, strobe lights, lasers, computerized data acquisition, and hot-wire anemometry.
As research for the chemical properties of lanthanide molecules in the dry system, electrochemical and ultraviolet-visible optical measurements on the chloride molten salt system have been conducted at Research Reactor Institute, Kyoto University. The reduction behavior of Ln(III)-Ln(0) and Ln(II) are measured on La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, and Yb by the cyclic voltammetry. The molar absorption coefficients of the f-f transition are measured by the measurement of ultraviolet-visible absorption spectra on Pr, Nd, Ho and Gd. From the comparison of the optical data between wet and dry systems, the characteristics of photon absorption are discussed in the molten salt. (H. Katsuta)
Platinum(II) complexes have been investigated in the hydration of alkynes. These catalysts offer improved regioselectivity over Hg(II) counterparts. 1 fig., 2 tabs.
The thermal properties of five types of radiation-induced wood-polymer composites based on a tropical hardwood, rubberwood (Hevea braziliensis), was studied by oxygen index measurement, differential thermal analysis (DTA) and thermogravimetry (TG). The DTA and TG curves of composites were different from those of rubberwood, which can be attributed to the presence of the incorporated polymers. Of the five composites, the one impregnated with bis(2-chloroethyl)vinyl phosphonate reduced the initial temperature of decomposition, increased the peak temperatures of exothermic reactions, and increased the char yield. Comparison with physical blends of rubberwood and the corresponding polymer provided some evidence of chemical interaction of wood and polymer in some of the composites. (author).
In acute intoxication, uranium (U) not only inhibits bone formation but its excretion in urine also causes renal damage. The former effect is ameliorated by tetracycline (TC), probably due to its chelation property, which might also prevent U deposition in bone. Chemical determination of U incorporated in bone and a histological study of the kidneys were performed on animals injected with U and then treated with TC. The results showed that TC was unable to prevent the binding of U to bone while it exacerbated U-induced renal damage.
Polymerizing effects of high energy radiation has been found suitable for preparation of wood-polymer composites. In the present work after evaluating polymer products that have been obtained by irradiation method, wood-polymer composites have been prepared by in situ polymerization of vinyl acetate, acrylic acid and acrylic acid/styrene mixture using two samples of Iranian hardwoods, Beech and Hornbeam. These woods and their composites have been tested for their physical and mechanical properties. The results have shown that chemical bonding between polymer and the cell wall component lead to better strength properties in the composites. (author).
The study of imported ceramics found in Beirut and suspected to belong to north Syrian products will provide key evidence for the roles in trade of the various postulated centers in northern Syria and northern Lebanon. It is proposed that a comprehensive range of likely north Syrian products imported to Beirut will be chemically analyzed by PIXE (proton induced X-ray emission) in order to characterize, compare and isolate the various regional production centers that supplied the city from the Persian to Byzantine periods. In this work, we were mainly focusing on the characterization of Amrit products, by using 3 MeV proton beam and Al funny filter, as X-ray absorber.
The measurement of air pollutants is no more sufficient. It is necessary to assess the risk induced by air pollution, and then to put in place actions to reduce it. The air quality monitoring takes into account different pollutants: nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, particulates for the traffic; sulfur dioxide and particulates for use of fuel or coal or chemical transformations in air; ozone and nitrogen dioxide from hydrocarbon and nitrogen oxides emissions; the use of simulation methods allow to calculate the concentrations levels for these pollutants taken as indicators. (N.C.)
Alternative mechanisms of electron state excitation in diatomic molecules are examined with reference to CN and C2 molecules forming in chemical reactions behind strong shock wave fronts in a CO(CO2)-N2 gas mixture. The temperature range considered is 4000-8000 K. An effective excitation mechanism is proposed which involves rapid vibration-rotation excitation at all electron states and nonradiative transitions between perturbed electron states induced by collisions with the ambient gas particles.
Ion Beam Induced Luminescence (IBIL) and Ion Beam Induced Charge Collection (IBICC) have been applied in the study of the luminescence emission efficiency and investigation of the homogeneity of the luminescence emission in phosphors. The IBIL imaging was performed by using sharply focused ion beams or broad/partially-focused ion beams. The luminescence emission homogeneity in samples was examined to reveal possible distributed crystal-defects that may lead to the inhomogeneity of the luminescence emission in samples.The purpose of the study is to search for suitable luminescent thin films that have high homogeneity of luminescence emission, large IBIL efficiency under heavy ion excitation, and can be placed as a thin layer on the top of microelectronic devices to be analyzed with Ion Photon Emission Microscopy (IPEM). The emission yield was found to be low for organic materials, due to saturation of the light output dependence on the energy ...
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 inducedchemical 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 ...
Arachidonic acid is metabolized by means of P450 isoenzyme(s) to form epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) and their corresponding dihydroxy derivatives (DHETs). In the present study, we established the presence in human urine of 8,9-, 11,12-, and 14,15-EETs and their corresponding DHETs by developing quantitative assays and using negative ion, chemical ionization GC/MS and octadeuterated internal standards. Urinary excretion of 8,9- and 11,12-DHET increased in healthy pregnant women compared with nonpregnant female volunteers. By contrast, excretion of 11,12-DHET and 14,15-DHET, but not the 8,9-DHET regioisomer, increased even further in patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension. Intravenous administration of (3H)14,15-EET to three dogs markedly increased its DHET in plasma. The terminal half-life ranged from 7.9-12.3 min and the volume of distribution (3.5-5.3 liters) suggested limited distribution outside the plasma compartment. Negligible ...
This paper reports regulation of hypoxia inducible factor-1 ? (HIF-1 ?)in hepatoma cells by irradiation. Cobalt chloride (CoCl2), a chemical mimic agent for hypoxia research, was utilized to induce the stable expression of HIF-1 ? in HepG2 cells. The HepG2 cells were irradiated to different doses to observe the changes of HIF-1 ?. The level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was assayed by fluorescent microscope and flow cytometry (FCM). The results showed that there were obvious changes in expression of HIF-1 ? after HepG2 cells exposed to radiation, and the changes were positively related with the irradiation dose from 1 Gy to 5 Gy. Moreover, contents of incellular ROS were negatively correlated with above levels of HIF-1 ? from 1 Gy to 3 Gy. The results indicate that irradiation may enhance hypoxic cells HIF-1 ?, and the reduction of intracellular ROS can contribute to the regulation of ionizing radiation on ...
Methods currently being used or developed for the elemental analysis of materials are chemical analysis, non-destructive inspection and calorimetry. The chemical analysis, which removes high-level radioactive elements through chemical treatments and then performs the quantitative analysis using the ICP-MS(Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometer) or the ID-MS(Isotope Dilution Mass Spectrometer), is recognized the most accurate. However, it requires a long, complex pre-treatment process in which a mass spectrometer could be contaminated. To solve this problem, a new method, which can be performed with high-level radioactivity and at high temperature, was desired. Such a method should also have the same accuracy as the chemical analysis, with a less possibility for instruments to be contaminated. In addition, as interests in the environment and the life quality are increased, a detailed analysis on ...
The atomic explosions in Hiroshima and Nagasaki made the name radiation itself become a nightmare. Notwithstanding this, radiation continued to serve the mankind specially in diagnosis of several human diseases and in the treatment of intractable malignancies. With their latest research tools biologists have now shown a significant shift in the earlier paradigm; even the concept that radiation initiates cancer appears to be no longer tenable. On the contrary, selective radiation doses inhibit growth of cancer cells and radiation in combination with many chemotherapeutic drugs, radiosensitizing chemicals and/or hyperthermia, is emerging as a new modality for cancer treatment which offers high therapeutic advantages. In addition, the deleterious effects of radiation can now be strategically counter poised by the use of many drugs and chemicals. This has been possible by the newer insights gained in the mechanism of biological effects of ...
Si nanocrystal floating gate MOS capacitors were formed on p-Si (100) wafers by thermal plasma jet (TPJ) annealing of SiO2/SiOx /SiO2/Si(100) stacked structure. The chemical composition of SiOx layer was controlled by changing the SiH4, He, and O2 gas flow ratio during plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition. The MOS capacitors showed clear hysteresis in capacitance-voltage (CV) characteristics after TPJ annealing. The hysteresis width shows maximum value when initial composition x =1.7, which shows the maximum photoluminescence (PL) intensity. The maximum hysteresis width of 6.8 V was observed with gate voltage swept between 20 and -20 V in x = 1.7 sample. The result means 7.4 x 1012 cm-2 carriers are injected to or emitted from Si nanocrystals. The duration of 1 V shift in flatband vo...
Sida rhomboidea. Roxb leaf extract (SRLE) is being used by the populace of North-East India to alleviate symptoms of diabetes and obesity. We have previously reported its hypolipidemic and anti-diabetic properties. In this study, we report the effect of SRLE on (i) in vivo modulation of genes controlling high fat diet (HFD) induced obesity and (ii) in vitro 3T3L1 pre-adipocyte differentiation and leptin release. Supplementation with SRLE significantly prevented HFD induced increment in bodyweight, plasma lipids and leptin, visceral adiposity and adipocyte hypertrophy. Also, SRLE supplementation reduced food intake, down regulated PPAR?2, SREBP1c, FAS and LEP expressions and up-regulated CPT-1 in epididymal adipose tissue compared to obese mice. In vitro adipogenesis of 3T3L1 pre-adipocytes was significantly retarded in the presence of SRLE extract. Also decreased triglyceride accumulation, leptin release and ...
A new generation of transmit-receive single-pass probes, denoted as C6 or X probe, was field tested during the Gentilly II, 2000 steam generator tube inspection. This probe has a performance equivalent to rotating probes and can be used for tubesheet and full-length inspection at an inspection speed equivalent to that of bobbin probes. Existing C3 transmit-receive probes have been demonstrated to be effective in detecting circumferential cracks. The C5 probe can detect both circumferential and axial cracks and volumetric defects but cannot discriminate between them. The C6 probe expands on the capabilities of both probes in a single probe head. It can simultaneously detect and discriminate between circumferential and axial cracks to satisfy different plugging criteria. It has excellent coverage, good defect detectability, and improved sizing and characterization. Probe data is displayed in C-scan format so that the amount of data to be analyzed is similar to ...
The synthesis, characterization of M"vO([CH_3CH_2N(CH_2CH_2S)_2](p-S-Ph-COOCH_2-CH_3)) (M:"9"9"mTc: I, Re: II) is presented in this work, where a pendant ester function is attached to the monothiolate ligand. Chemical structure of I is established after chromatographic comparison with II, synthesized in macroscopic amounts. Complex II is fully characterized by classical methods of analysis showing that the compound adopts a distorted trigonal bipyramidal configuration around the metal. The two sulfur atoms of the tridentate ligand and the oxo group form the basal plane, while the remaining nitrogen atom of the tridentate ligand and the sulfur atom of the monothiolate ligand occupy the apices of the bipyramid. In vitro challenge experiments with glutathione (GSH) in neutral aqueous medium demonstrate, that I suffers nucleophilic attack by GSH and thereby transformation to a more hydrophilic daughter ...
In the year 1996 the spheres of competence of several DLR-Institutes working in the areas of fluid dynamics, reaction kinetics, combustion, numerical methods and laser measuring techniques have been brought together while contributing to the internal DLR project 'combustion chamber modelling (BKM)', in order to proceed with the computational simulation of combustion processes in combustion chambers of gas turbines. The main issue was the development of a research code for numerical simulation of fluid flow in real combustion chambers. Here the development of computational models of physical and chemical processes was emphasized, among other processes the formation of soot was treated. Moreover, a worldwide outstanding database of measured data for the purpose of code validation has been created within the framework of the BKM project using the laboratory facilities of the DLR, which are in Germany unique for the experimental investigation of the ...
Current trends in nuclear power generation (and particularly in pressurized water reactors) are toward plant life extension and extended fuel burnup. A higher heat generation rate can induce local boiling regimes at the fuel rod surface in the hottest channels of the core, which can strongly modify the chemical environment of the cladding and influence the oxidation rate of zirconium alloys. Tests performed in out-of-pile loops under severe chemical and thermal-hydraulic conditions (nucleate boiling, higher lithium contents compared to PWRs) reveal two important phenomena: an increase of the oxidation rate of Zircaloy-4 cladding materials in 'high' lithiated environments; an enrichment of the chemical additives in the primary water (boron, lithium) at the surface of the cladding under nucleate boiling conditions. The latter phenomenon, also called 'hideout effect', is mainly controlled by some thermal ...
Passage through dams is a major source of mortality of anadromous juvenile salmonids because some populations must negotiate up to eight dams in Columbia and Snake rivers. Dams cause direct mortality when fish pass through turbines, but dams may also cause indirect mortality by altering migration conditions in rivers. Forebays immediately upstream of dams have decreased the water velocity of rivers and may contribute substantially to the total migration delay of juvenile salmonids. Recently, Coutant (2001a) suggested that in addition to low water velocities, lack of natural turbulence may contribute to migration delay by causing fish to lose directional cues. Coutant (2001a) further hypothesized that restoring turbulence in dam forebays may reduce migration delay by providing directional cues that allow fish to find passage routes more quickly (Coutant 2001a). Although field experiments have yielded proof of the concept of using induced turbulence to guide fish to ...
Peroxisome proliferating agents (PPAs) are a structurally diverse group of chemicals that include environmental chemical contaminants such as certain chlorinated herbicides, solvents and plasticizers. PPAs have previously been shown to induce anti-trout laruci acid hydroxylase immunoreactive proteins in bluegill and catfish. In this investigation, induction of lauric acid hydroxylase activity and immunoreactive proteins was confirmed, and the mass spectral analysis of specific hydroxylation products was performed in order to identify possible species-specific differences in fatty acid metabolism. Male bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) and channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) were administered clofibrate or ciprofibrate 48 hr prior to hepatic or trunk kidney (catfish only) microsome preparation. While no significant differences were observed in male catfish, male bluegill had significant decreases in hematocrit and plasma ...
The aim of the study is to prepare ionic exchangers using the polymerization of unsaturated polyster with monomeric styrene units in a ratio of 60%: 40% respectively. The type of method involved in this preparation, is called An Emulsion Polymerization. Such type of polymerization was carried out by two techniques: chemical and irradiation techniques. The first techniques requires the formation of free radical monomers by use of methyl Ethy Ketone Peroxide capable of decomposing into free radicals upon heating, while the other technique involves the use of gamma rays (using Co-60 source) capable of activating monomers towards free radical formations. A number of very effective chemical parameters and physical factors were used and investigated throughout the reactions such as: dispersant matrix, viscosity, rate of mixing, and irradiation dose. Besides, the study has included the study of the rate of Resin Beads Swelling which is thought to be ...
The process of mouse skin tumor formation is subdivided into three operational stages. These stages include initiation, promotion and progression. Ionizing radiation has been found to be a weak initiating agent in the production of malignant squamous cell carcinomas, a complete carcinogen and an agent effective in causing tumor progression. Four skin tumor histologies have been seen with ionizing radiation: benign papillomas, squamous (SCC) and basal (BCC) cell carcinomas and fibrosarcomas. Distinct non-ras transforming genes have been detected in radiation initiated SCCs. A benign papilloma cell line (308) was used as a model system to study ionizing radiation induced progression. A variant 308 cell line (308 10 Gy 5) derived by irradiation of the parental 308 cell has been characterized. The 308 10 Gy 5 cells unlike the parental 308 cells from malignant tumors in athymic nude mice upon subcutaneous injection. The variant 308 10 Gy 5 cells unlike the parental ...
Organic materials released from energy-related activities could affect human health and the environment. To better assess possible impacts, we developed a model to predict the fate of spills or discharges of pollutants into flowing or static bodies of fresh water. A computer code, Aquatic Pathways Model (APM), was written to implement the model. The computer programs use compartmental analysis to simulate aquatic ecosystems. The APM estimates the concentrations of chemicals in fish tissue, water and sediment, and is therefore useful for assessing exposure to humans through aquatic pathways. The APM will consider any aquatic pathway for which the user has transport data. Additionally, APM will estimate transport rates from physical and chemical properties of chemicals between several key compartments. The major pathways considered are biodegradation, fish and sediment uptake, photolysis, and evaporation. The model has been ...
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 ...
Oxide superconducting thin films were irradiated with X-rays and ultra-violet (UV) light, and induced radiation effects on electrical and chemical properties were examined by transport measurement, X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), diamagnetization measurement and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS). After irradiation for ErBa_2Cu_3O_x films with X-rays emitted from a Rh tube for 100 hours, superconductivity was remarkably damaged, destroying the zero-resistance state. The UV-light irradiation for Bi_2Sr_2CaCu_2O_x films was performed in He gas of about 500 Pa with a low pressure mercury lamp. The superconductivity was gradually degraded with the UV irradiation time up to 70 minutes. In both cases, adequate oxygen-annealing treatments restored superconductivity. The X-ray photoemission spectra showed that the mean Cu valence of the films was decreased approximately from +2 to +1 by the irradiation. From these results we can find that ...
In this paper, we report the systematic investigation on the melt characteristics of silicon during laser thermal processing (LTP) of amorphous silicon (a-Si) gates on ultrathin gate oxides. LTP is used to reduce the gate depletion effect in advanced semiconductor devices. The influence of implantation-induced damage and chemical inhomogeneities on the melt behavior of ion-implanted a-Si is studied using in situ time-resolved reflectance (TRR) measurements and ex situ secondary ion mass spectrometry. The results from TRR measurements indicate the presence of a buried melt for a-Si implanted with B"+ at a subamorphizing dose. In contrast, such a melt behavior is not observed during LTP of undoped a-Si and a-Si implanted with As"+ at an amorphizing dose. We attribute the marked difference in the melt characteristics to the competitive effects between compositional inhomogeneities and the extent of amorphization in the a-Si layer. It should be ...
Emerging evidence suggests that E3 ligases play critical roles in diverse biological processes, including innate immune responses in plants. However, the mechanism of the E3 ligase involvement in plant innate immunity is unclear. We report that a rice gene, OsBBI1, encoding a RING finger protein with E3 ligase activity, mediates broad-spectrum disease resistance. The expression of OsBBI1 was induced by rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae, as well as chemicalinducers, benzothiadiazole and salicylic acid. Biochemical analysis revealed that OsBBI1 protein possesses E3 ubiquitin ligase activity in vitro. Genetic analysis revealed that the loss of OsBBI1 function in a Tos17-insertion line increased susceptibility, while the overexpression of OsBBI1 in transgenic plants conferred enhanced resi...
Fluorine is known to have a beneficial role for the B diffusion reduction in preamorphized Si, and is promising for the realization of ultra-shallow junctions. Thus, we studied the F incorporation in Si during the solid phase epitaxy (SPE) process, pointing out the effects of the implanted F energy and fluence and the role played by the possible presence of dopants. The incorporation of fluorine proceeds by F segregation at the amorphous-crystalline interface, with a kinetics driven by the SPE rate. In fact, the quicker the SPE rate, the higher is the F fluence retained. Moreover, we demonstrated that F incorporated in Si layers does not appreciably affect the Is emission from spatially separated end-of-range (EOR) defects. The modification, induced by the presence of F, of the point defect density (Is and Vs) was also studied by means of B and Sb spike layers, used as local markers for Is and Vs, respectively. We showed that F is not only able to completely ...
Fe-Cu binary alloys are often used to mimic the behaviour of reactor pressure vessel steels. Their study allows identifying some of the defects responsible for irradiation-induced hardening. But recently the influence of manganese and nickel in low-Cu steels has been found to be important as well. In contrast with existing models found in the literature, which predict that hardening saturates after a certain dose, Fe alloys containing nickel and manganese irradiated in a material test reactor (BR2) show a continuous increase of hardening, up to doses equivalent to about 40 years of operation. Considerations based on positron annihilation spectroscopy analyses suggest that the main objects causing hardening in Cu-free alloys are most probably self-interstitial clusters decorated with manganese. In low-Cu reactor pressure vessel steels and in Fe-CuMnNi alloys, the main effect is still due to Cu-rich precipitates at low doses, but the role of manganese-related ...
All organisms, from bacteria and yeast to humans, respond to physical and chemical stressors by increasing the synthesis of a small group of cellular stress proteins.'' The authors have developed a simple in vitro system for quickly screening environmentally relevant stressors to detect stress-induced proteins that are good candidates for biomarkers. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used to detect stressor-induced, concentration-dependent changes in cellular stress protein levels in two fish cell culture systems, whereas simultaneous in vitro neutral red uptake cytotoxicity assays measured the stressors effect on cellular physiology. There was a direct concentration-dependent relationship between sublethal cytotoxic effects and the increases in stress protein levels. Increases of 50 to 200% were detected in stress proteins from desert topminnow, Poeciliopsis lucida, hepatoma-derived cell cultures ...
The isostructural uranium monopnictides and monochalcogenides have become prototype systems in actinide research with respect to their unusual magnetic properties. We have investigated the origins in the electronic structure of the variation in magnetic behavior as the degree of 5f-electron localization changes from localized to itinerant on going up the pnictogen or chalcogen column, thus decreasing the U-U separation. We have applied a synthesis of: (1) A phenomenological theory of orbitally driven magnetic ordering which includes both the hybridization-induced and the RKKY exchange interactions on an equal footing, and (2) Ab initio electronic structure calculations, based on the linear-muffin-tin-orbital method, allowing a first-principles evaluation of the parameters entering the model Hamiltonian. We have investigated systematically characteristic trends and changes of the 5f-state resonance width, the hybridization potential, and the ...
Low molecular weight epoxy resin based on diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A was synthesized and mixed at constant percentages with natural rubber. The rubber epoxy system was cured with various types of curing agents such as ethylene diamine, maleic anhydride as well as the prepared resole phenol formaldehyde. A study of the photo-induced crosslinking of the prepared elastic adhesives and film samples was carried out by exposure to ultraviolet lamp (300 w) for 2 weeks at 20 deg. C. Samples containing ethylene diamine were cured at 25 + - 1 deg. C. for 24 h while samples containing maleic anhydride or resole phenol formaldehyde resins were thermally cured at 150-170 deg. C. for 10 min. Cured adhesive compositions were tested mechanically and physically and evaluated as wood adhesives. While hardness, chemical resistance as well as heat stability of the prepared cured film sample were investigated. The obtained data indicate that the highest epoxy ...
We report biological changes at several UK Acid Waters Monitoring Network lakes and streams that are spatially consistent with the recovery of water chemistry induced by reductions in acid deposition. These include trends toward more acid-sensitive epilithic diatom and macroinvertebrate assemblages, an increasing proportional abundance of macroinvertebrate predators, an increasing occurrence of acid-sensitive aquatic macrophyte species, and the recent appearance of juvenile (<1 year old) brown trout in some of the more acidic flowing waters. Changes are often shown to be directly linked to annual variations in acidity. Although indicative of biological improvement in response to improving water chemistry, 'recovery' in most cases is modest and very gradual. While specific ecological recovery endpoints are uncertain, it is likely that physical and biotic interactions are influencing the rate of recovery of certain groups of organisms at particular sites. - ...
Some acylhydrazine derived ONO donor Schiff bases and their Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes have been prepared having the same metal ion (cation) but different anions. These synthesized metal(II)...Full Text Available
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene alterations have been found in human lung cancers. However, there is no information on the factors inducing EGFR mutations. In rodents, K-ras mutations are frequently found in many lung carcinogenesis models, but hitherto, Egfr mutations have not been reported. Their presence was therefore investigated in representative lung carcinogenesis models with 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK), N-nitrosobis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine (BHP), 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MelQx) and ethyl carbamate (urethane), as well as X-ray irradiation. With the chemical carcinogenesis models, no mutations were detected in Egfr, which is in clear contrast to the high rates observed in either codon 12 or 61 of K-ras (21/23 of the lung tumors induced with NNK, 4/5 with MelQx, 1/4 with urethane and 7/18 with BHP). However, in the X-ray-induced lung tumors, ...
This paper explores for the first time the post-radiation-induced-graft polymerization on solid substrate using reversible addition-fragmentation transfer (RAFT) mechanism. Radiation-induced graft polymerization onto polymers is a potentially interesting technique to create easily new materials from highly resistant polymers, e.g. surface graft polymerization of acrylic acid (AA) onto poly(vinylidene difluoride) (PVDF) improves its surface properties without losing its excellent mechanical properties. As a consequence of the radical nature of the polymerization processes it is difficult to control molecular weight of grafted chains, and therefore design and standardize the properties of the final product. RAFT polymerization is a suitable method to obtain monodisperse polymers. The ability of the RAFT agents to control the polymer chain length could be an interesting approach to improve the grafted polymers obtained by ...
The process of radiation induced electron capture by protons or deuterons producing new ultra low momentum neutrons and neutrinos may be theoretically described within the standard field theoretical model of electroweak interactions. For protons or deuterons in the neighborhoods of surfaces of condensed matter metallic hydride cathodes, such conversions are determined in part by the collective plasma modes of the participating charged particles, e.g. electrons and protons. The radiation energy required for such low energy nuclear reactions may be supplied by the applied voltage required to push a strong charged current across a metallic hydride surface employed as a cathode within a chemical cell. The electroweak rates of the resulting ultra low momentum neutron production are computed from these considerations.
The presence of washed or unwashed cellophane alone or together with a bleomycin, mitomycin C or hydrochlorothiazide, ('Esidrex') showed no appreciable effect on survival of either unirradiated or irradiated conidia. Irradiation for a period of 20min reduced the survival of conidia to 20%. The growth of irradiated conidia in the presence of bleomycin, mitomycin C or Esidrex is associated with a 2- to 3-fold increase in the frequency of gene convertants, but was not accompanied by an increase in point mutants. When conidia were grown on cellophane but otherwise treated as before the frequency of gene convertants was increased 8-fold, but induction of point mutants was negligible. This effect was the same for irradiated and unirradiated conidia. The environment created by the cellophane in contract with the medium appears to affect the action of each of the three compounds synergistically. (author).
Biomarkers are biometric measurements that provide critical quantitative information about the biological condition of the animal or individual being tested. In drug safety studies, established toxicity biomarkers are used along with other conventional study data to determine dose-limiting organ toxicity, and to define species sensitivity for new chemical entities intended for possible use as human medicines. A continuing goal of drug safety scientists in the pharmaceutical industry is to discover and develop better trans-species biomarkers that can be used to determine target organ toxicities for preclinical species in short-term studies at dose levels that are some multiple of the intended human dose and again later in full development for monitoring clinical trials at lower therapeutic ...
Tert-Butanol is an important intermediate in industrial chemical synthesis, particularly of fuel oxygenates. Human exposure to tert-butanol may occur following fuel oxygenate metabolism or biodegradation. It is poorly absorbed through skin, but is rapidly absorbed upon inhalation or ingestion and distributed to tissues throughout the body. Elimination from blood is slower and the half-life increases with dose. It is largely metabolised by oxidation via 2-methyl-1,2-propanediol to 2-hydroxyisobutyrate, the dominant urinary metabolites. Conjugations also occur and acetone may be found in urine at high doses. The single-dose systemic toxicity of tert-butanol is low, but it is irritant to skin and eyes; high oral doses produce ataxia and hypoactivity and repeated exposure can induce dependence...
Plants use multiple defence mechanisms comprising both constitutive and inducible barriers to prevent entering of phytopathogenic micro-organisms. In many plant species one of the most efficient responses to combat attacking microbes is the rapid synthesis of antimicrobial low molecular weight phytoalexins, for example, resveratrol, 3,5,4prime-trihydroxystilbene (1). Resveratrol and its natural derivatives, however, display only moderate antimicrobial effects. Nevertheless, resveratrol may be a useful lead structure for the chemical synthesis of antimicrobials. In this study, several series of stilbenes have been synthesized, starting from the aldehydes using Wittig reactions to access the corresponding styrenes that were subjected to Mizoroki-Heck reactions to yield the stilbenes in good ...
The steam generator availability is one of the important problems encountered during the pressurized water nuclear plant operation. Various kinds of corrosion phenomena were observed in the past. These phenomena result from the concentration of impurities mainly in three locations in the steam generators: the tubesheet crevices, the tube support plate crevices, and the sludge pile. Corrections were made in the design and the materials used but a number of steam generators suffer or will suffer from corrosion processes inducing in many cases forcing their replacement. In order to prevent or to retard the corrosions several laboratories have performed experiments to reproduce and to study the corrosion processes. The first step of the degradation is the concentration of chemical species. A method using /sup 24/Na as a radioactive tracer was used to establish the concentration kinetics of caustic which was identified as the major cause of the ...
We present a simple discrete model for the non-linear spatial interaction ofdifferent kinds of ``subpopulations'' composed of identical moving entitieslike particles, bacteria, individuals, etc. The model allows to mimic a varietyof self-organized agglomeration and segregation phenomena. By relating it togame-theoretical ideas, it can be applied not only to attractive and repulsiveinteractions in physical and chemical systems, but also to the much richercombinations of positive and negative interactions found in biological andsocio-economic systems. Apart from investigating symmetric interactions relatedto a continuous increase of the ``overall success'' within the system(``self-optimization''), we will focus on cases, where fluctuations further orinduce self-organization, even though the initial conditions and theinteractions are assumed homogeneous in space (translation invariant).
Bark beetles that colonize living conifers and their microbial associates encounter constitutive and inducedchemical defenses of their host. Monoterpene hydrocarbons comprise a major component of these allelochemicals, and many are antibiotic to insects, fungi, and bacteria. Some bark beetle species exhaust these defenses by killing their host through mass attacks mediated by aggregation pheromones. Others lack adult aggregation pheromones and do not engage in pheromone-mediated mass attacks, but rather have the ability to complete development within live hosts. In the former species, the larvae develop in tissue largely depleted of host terpenes, whereas in the latter exposure to these compounds persists throughout development. A substantial literature exists on how monoterpenes affect b...
The first part of the study contains a literature compilation of more than 50 original publications reporting the radiation induced effects in 17 different high polymer materials and glass which are relevant in the manufacturing of medical devices or packing materials. The results collected demonstrate that high energy radiation, i.e. gamma- or X-rays, causes various physical and chemical alterations in high polymer materials. A detailed summary and discussion of the results of the original publications is not included in the present report, it will be presented in the second part of the study. Furthermore, the second part of the study will refer to the aspect of wholesomeness of irradiated medical devices or packing materials in a more general manner of representation. (orig.).
Many coastal areas have served as repositories of different anthropogenic and naturally induced organic material and nutrients. The major sources thereof are riverine inputs which strongly influence the spatial and temporal distribution of benthic communities. In this study, the benthic foraminiferal, meiofaunal, and macrofaunal colonies in front of three rivers in a poorly known, but environmentally valuable, area of the Central Adriatic Sea have been examined concurrently. The physico-chemical parameters of bottom water and sediment characteristics were determined in order to characterize both the sediment?water interface and the benthic environments. Although changes in the biota are neither univocal nor unidirectional, a moderate influence of riverine input on the different communities...
To our knowledge, the fluorescence studies of lanthanides in LiCl-KCl eutectic molten salt at a high temperature are not reported yet. The fluorescence of the lanthanide-ions was generally decreased when the temperature was increased. Moreover, the fluorescence of the lanthanides was strong when the sample was solidified to or from the melt. The temperature, where the fluorescence was decreased, was identified to be different depending on the species of the lanthanides and the substrates was considered to possibly be from quenching of the fluorescence due to either the collisions of melted samples induced by high temperature media or the re-absorption of fluorescence by the samples. Several comparison experiments were performed to explain and understand this phenomenon and improve the fluorescence. In this way, an on-line monitoring of chemical species and the concentration for lanthanides elements in molten salt media of pyrochemical process ...
Localized beam-processed areas using chemical reactions induced by a 30 keV Ga"+ focused ion beam (FIB) with and without I_2 (etching) and (CH_3)_3CH_3C_5H_5Pt gases (Pt deposition) have been analyzed using a 300 keV Be"2"+ microprobe with a beam spot size of 50-80 nm. The analyzed results have been compared with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis using an electron beam. The EDX analysis only indicated incorporated impurities at high fluence such as Ga, Pt and C, while microprobe RBS analysis could detect residual iodine with low concentration which couldn't be detected by EDS analysis because of the lower sensitivity of the EDX analysis for heavy atoms.
Thick targets of several heavy lanthanide (Ho-Lu) compounds were bombarded by protons and "3He ions of 3 MeV/amu, and M_#alpha# and M_#beta# X-rays were measured with a crystal spectrometer. Ionization probabilities of the N-shell for zero impact parameter were obtained from the X-ray intensity ratio for proton and "3He ion impacts. A shell dependence of the ionization probability was found in a scaling plot. X-ray spectra of lanthanide compounds were compared and no chemical effect was observed. This result is considered to be due to the fact that the main component of M_#alpha# and M_#beta# lines is for radiative transition after the refilling of the 4f orbit (3d"-"14f"n"+"1 #-># 4f"n) where n denotes the number of 4f electrons of the target atom before ionization. (orig.).
In tomato crop, the induction of resistance emerges as an important alternative for achieving the reduction of chemicals in disease control. This study aimed to evaluate the ability of 28 Trichoderma isolates to promote the growth of tomato seedlings and to induce systemic resistance (ISR) against Xanthomonas euvesicatoria and Alternaria solani, the causal agents of bacterial spot and early blight, respectively. Twelve isolates promoted the increase of plant dry matter mass (DMM) above 100%, showing the great potential of these strains. All isolates were able to colonize the root system of tomato plants. The plant growth-promoting isolates were further evaluated for potential elicitation of ISR. Treatment of the soil with all Trichoderma isolates provided protection in tomato plants from 2...
Research on hematological disorders relies on suitable animal models. We retrospectively evaluated the use of the hematological parameters hematocrit (HCT), hemoglobin (HGB), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), red blood cell count (RBC), white blood cell count (WBC), and platelet count (PLT) in the phenotype-driven Munich N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) mouse mutagenesis project as parameters for the generation of novel animal models for human diseases. The analysis was carried out on more than 16,000 G1 and G3 offspring of chemically mutagenized inbred C3H mice to detect dominant and recessive mutations leading to deviations in the levels of the chosen parameters. Identification of animals exhibiting altered valu...
The presence of washed or unwashed cellophane alone or together with a bleomycin, mitomycin C or hydrochlorothiazide, ('Esidrex') showed no appreciable effect on survival of either unirradiated or irradiated conidia. Irradiation for a period of 20min reduced the survival of conidia to 20%. The growth of irradiated conidia in the presence of bleomycin, mitomycin C or Esidrex is associated with a 2- to 3-fold increase in the frequency of gene convertants, but was not accompanied by an increase in point mutants. When conidia were grown on cellophane but otherwise treated as before the frequency of gene convertants was increased 8-fold, but induction of point mutants was negligible. This effect was the same for irradiated and unirradiated conidia. The environment created by the cellophane in contract with the medium appears to affect the action of each of the three compounds synergistically.
Objectives1. We will use reduction of lysosomal stability as an indicator of cell injury induced by C-60 fullerenes and carbon nanotubes in the liver analogue or digestive gland (hepatopancreas) of marine mussels. Molluscan hepatopancreatic digestive cells are key to normal function and are a sensitive key interface with the environment. Reduction of lysosomal stability is mechanistically linked with impaired health of the whole animal. 2. We will also test the hepatopancreatic digestive cells for evide [continued...]DescriptionNanotechnology is a major innovative scientific and economic growth area, which may present a variety of hazards for environmental and human health. The surface properties and very small size of nanoparticles and nanotubes provides surfaces that may bind and transport toxic chemical pollutants, as well as possibly being toxic in their own right by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS). There is a wealth of evidence ...
The effect of exposure to gamma rays on LPO contents in liver, spleen and kidney of mice and the anti-lipid-peroxidation of preparations of chinonin, tannic acid and squalene were reported. All these preparations were given by intragastric perfusion. For LPO, a modified method of TBA spectrophotometry was used for determination. The results show that LPO contents in tissues increased 72 h after whole-body exposure of mice to gamma rays, that in range of 0-4 Gy, there was a linear relationship between radiation doses and LPO contents, and that all three preparations were effective in reduction of the LPO content in liver, spleen and kidney of mice, with chinonin (at dose of 0.35 mg/mouse#centre dot#day) being more effective than tannic acid (at dose of 15 mg/mouse#centre dot#day) and squalene (at dose of 0.6 mg/mouse#centre dot#day).
We explore a novel phenomenon of focused ion beam (FIB) induced bending of carbon nanopillars or cantilever structures. The bending occurs towards the ion beam during scanning. The explanation of this bending has been sought on the basis of a model which considers temperature rise and gradients caused by the impinging ion beam. The process is controllable and reversible, which makes it highly suitable for in situ manipulation to make desired 3D shapes by the piecewise bending of the nanopillars and cantilever structures during their fabrication using electron beam or FIB chemical vapor deposition (EB-CVD or FIB-CVD). Its usefulness in the fabrication of nanosize mechanical components has been demonstrated by making a branch structure from a single cantilever.
Recently, foods are often exposed to radiation under packed states with various wrapping materials. In this study, the effects of #gamma#-ray radiation were investigated on the additives in wrapping materials on the market. 10 - 50 kGy #gamma# radiation was irradiated to samples under sealed condition in a glass-ware. Polyethylene bag and wrapping film, polypropylene wrapping film, cup and sheet, and polystyrene cup were used as samples. And the additives in these materials were analyzed by GC/MS to evaluate the radiation effects on them. The irradiation was found to induce rapid degradation of antioxidants, especially, Irgafos 168. Some fatty acid amides used as a lubricant and a plasticizer, DBP were also reduced, but not aliphatic hydrocarbons. However, all polystyrene products used in this study included no additives. The contents of styrene dimer and trimer in those wrapping materials were not changed by #gamma#-irradiation. (M.N.)
The aim of this study was to measure the nociceptive response (avoidance latency) of the land snail Megalobulimus abbreviatus (N=8 in each group) after topical capsaicin exposure (0.1% and 0.5% in 20% ethanol) and to compare it to a well-studied stressful (50??C) thermal stimulus model. We also tested if ruthenium red, and capsazepine, respectively nonselective and selective TRPV1 receptor antagonists, could modify both capsaicin- and thermal-evoked responses. Finally, animals were pretreated with morphine, naloxone or morphine plus naloxone prior to capsaicin stimuli. Latencies were measured when the animal lifted its head?foot complex 1?cm from the substrate. Data were compared using ANOVA and LSD post hoc, and the Student T Test (pM. abbreviatus.
Techniques of chemical analysis, amino acid sequencing and autoradiography are being used to study the frequency of incorporation of normally noncoded amino acids into hemoglobins and seminal fluid proteins. We are studying, by the sequencing of radiolabeled proteins followed by the recovery of ["3H] isoleucine phenylthiohydantoin by high-performance liquid chromatography, the frequency at which normally noncoded isoleucine is incorporated into hemoglobin because of base-substitution mutations versus translational errors. Irradiation increases the isoleucine content of human hemoglobin and the frequency of substitution of isoleucine for specific amino acids in rabbit hemoglobin. Studies to date indicate that these techniques have been developed sufficiently for initial analysis of the potential of drugs and environmental pollutants to induce base-substitution mutations in mammalian somatic cells.
The effect that different chemical and physical atomic environments can have on the relative intensities of radiative electron transitions from the filling of K shell vacancies was investigated. The method used involved the detection of photoionization induced X-ray fluorescence. An experimental system based on a hyper pure germanium detector (HPGE) was used to measure the relative K-L and K-M X-ray yields from the photofluorescence of a series of lanthanide elements and compounds. A background subtraction and peak integration strategy was employed which accounted for scattering in the samples and scattering of the flux from the radioisotope photoionization sources. Analysis of the data resulted in a tabulation of relative K/sub ..beta..//K/sub ..cap alpha../ X-ray intensity ratios. The measured relative K/sub ..beta..//K/sub ..cap alpha../ X-ray intensity ratios were compared to the calculated values predicted by the theoretical development of ...
The effect that different chemical and physical atomic environments can have on the relative intensities of radiative electron transitions from the filling of K shell vacancies was investigated. The method used involved the detection of photoionization induced X-ray fluorescence. An experimental system based on a hyper pure germanium detector (HPGE) was used to measure the relative K-L and K-M X-ray yields from the photofluorescence of a series of lanthanide elements and compounds. A background subtraction and peak integration strategy was employed which accounted for scattering in the samples and scattering of the flux from the radioisotope photoionization sources. Analysis of the data resulted in a tabulation of relative K/sub #beta#//K/sub #alpha#/ X-ray intensity ratios. The measured relative K/sub #beta#//K/sub #alpha#/ X-ray intensity ratios were compared to the calculated values predicted by the theoretical development of Scofield and ...
Endocrine disrupting chemicals can induce malformations and impairment of reproductive function in experimental animals and may have similar effects in humans. Recently, the environmental obesogen hypothesis was proposed, suggesting that environmental chemicals contribute to the development of obesity and insulin resistance. These effects could be related to chemical interaction with nuclear receptors such as the peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPARs). As several testosterone-reducing drugs are PPAR activators, we aimed to examine whether four PPAR agonists were able to affect fetal testosterone production and masculinization of rats. Additionally, we wished to examine whether these chemicals affected fetal plasma levels of insulin and leptin, which play important roles in the developmental programming of the metabolic system. Pregnant Wistar rats were exposed from ...
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A computational model has been developed to calculate the potential and current distributions in the electrolyte phase and on the electrode surface for a system in which a part of the anode is passivated while the rest remains in the active dissolution state. The computation employs the finite element method allied with a boundary variation and a trial and error technique. From the obtained distributions, the location of the boundary between the active and passive regions on the anode can be predicted. In the case of a crevice, this means that a critical distance into the crevice exists beyond which active corrosion (crevice corrosion) takes place. In addition to the active/passive behavior of the material, solution conductivity, applied potential at the sample's outer surface, crevice gap and depth dimensions, and passive current density influence this critical distance to different degrees. The developed software package may also be used for (i) ...
Interaction of the internal states of an atom with spatially dependent standing-wave cavity field can impart position information of the atom passing through it leading to subwavelength atom localization. We recently demonstrated a different regime of atom localization [Phys. Rev. A 72, 013820 (2005)], namely sub-half-wavelength localization through phase control of electromagnetically induced transparency. This regime corresponds to extreme localization of atoms within a chosen half-wavelength region of the standing-wave cavity field. Here we present further investigation of the simplified model considered earlier and show interesting features of the proposal. We show how the model can be used to simulate a variety of energy-level schemes. Furthermore, the dressed-state analysis is employed to explain the emergence and suppression of the localization peaks, and the peak positions and widths. The range of parameters for obtaining clean sub-half-wavelength ...
The plastic displacements around Knoop indentations made in hard titanium/aluminum multilayered films on soft aluminum alloy substrates have been studied. Indentations were cross-sectioned and imaged using the focused-ion-beam (FIB) milling and high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. The FIB milling method has the advantage of removing material in a localized region without producing mechanical damage to the specimen. The micrographs of the cross-sectioned indentations indicate that most of the plastic deformation around the indentation is dominated by the soft aluminum substrate. There is a very small change in the multilayered film thickness around the indentation{emdash}less than 10{percent}. The plastic deformation of the thin film resembles a membrane being deflected by a localized pressure gradient across the membrane. Stress-induced voids are also observed in the multilayered film, especially in the area around the indentation apex. ...
The role of intracellular Ca2+ (Ca2+i) on hematopoiesis was investigated in long term bone marrow cultures using cytokines and agonists of P2 receptors. Cytokines interleukin 3 and granulocyte/macrophage colony stimulator factor promoted a modest increase in Ca2+i concentration ([Ca2+]i) with activation of phospholipase Cgamma, MEK1/2, and Ca2+/calmodulin kinase II. Involvement of protein kinase C was restricted to stimulation with interleukin 3. In addition, these cytokines promoted proliferation (20 times) and an increase in the Gr-1(-)Mac-1+ population with participation of gap junctions (GJ). Nevertheless ATP, ADP, and UTP promoted a large increase in [Ca2+]i, moderate proliferation (6 times), a reduction in the primitive Gr-1(-)Mac-1(-)c-Kit+ population, and differentiation into macrophages without participation of GJ. It is likely that Ca2+i participates as a regulator of hematopoietic signaling: moderate increases in [Ca2+]i would be related to ...
Epidemiological studies have revealed that butyrate and 17?-estradiol (E2) may decrease the incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC). In peripheral tissue, E2 can be produced locally by 17?-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (HSD17B1) estrone (E1) reduction. Using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting analysis, we found that sodium butyrate significantly upregulates HSD17B1 long and short transcripts and protein levels in HT29 and SW707 CRC cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis showed that upregulation of these transcript levels correlated with an increase in binding of Polymerase II to proximal and distal promoters of HSD17B1. Moreover, we observed that upregulation of HSD17B1 protein levels was associated with increased conversion of E1 to E2 in HT29 and S...
Lethal yellow (A{sup y}) is a mutation at the mouse agouti locus in chromosome 2 that causes a number of dominant pleiotropic effects, including a completely yellow coat color, obesity, an insulin-resistant type II diabetic condition, and an increased propensity to develop a variety of spontaneous and induced tumors. Additionally, homozygosity for A{sup y} results in preimplantation lethality, which terminates development by the blastocyst stage. The A{sup y} mutation is the result of a 170-kb deletion that removes all but the promoter and noncoding first exon of another gene called Raly, which lies in the same transcriptional orientation as agouti and maps 280 kb proximal to the 3{prime} end of the agouti gene. The authors present a model for the structure of the A{sub y} allele that can explain the dominant pleiotropic effects associated with this mutation, as well as the recessive lethality, which is unrelated to the agouti gene.
This document demonstrates the commercial status of the process units to be used in the Tri-State Synfuels Project at Henderson, Kentucky. The basic design philosophy as established in October, 1979, was to use the commercial SASOL II/III plants as a basis. This was changed in January 1982 to a plant configuration to produce gasoline via a methanol and methanol to gasoline process. To accomplish this change the Synthol, Oil workup and Chemical Workup Units were eliminated and replaced by Methanol Synthesis and Methanol to Gasoline Units. Certain other changes to optimize the Lurgi liquids processing eliminated the Tar Distillation and Naphtha Hydrotreater Units which were replaced by the Partial Oxidation Unit. The coals to be gasified are moderately caking which necessitates the installation of stirring mechanism in the Lurgi Dry Bottom gasifier. This work is in the demonstration phase. Process licenses either have been obtained or must be ...
This document demonstrates the commercial status of the process units to be used in the Tri-State Synfuels Project at Henderson, Kentucky. The basic design philosophy as established in October, 1979, was to use the commercial SASOL II/III plants as a basis. This was changed in January 1982 to a plant configuration to produce gasoline via a methanol and methanol to gasoline process. To accomplish this change the Synthol, Oil workup and Chemical Workup Units were eliminated and replaced by Methanol Synthesis and Methanol to Gasoline Units. Certain other changes to optimize the Lurgi liquids processing eliminated the Tar Distillation and Naphtha Hydrotreater Units which were replaced by the Partial Oxidation Unit. The coals to be gasified are moderately caking which necessitates the installation of stirring mechanism in the Lurgi Dry Bottom gasifier. This work is in the demonstration phase. Process licenses either have been obtained or must be ...
The manual was prepared for State and local government officials, local emergency planning committee (LEPCs), and other community groups that want to make Title III work. It is intended as a practical guide for those who have little or no previous experience in the field of communication, whose time must be snatched from home and office, and whose resources are limited. The manual has three major sections: Part I discusses planning, which is vital to the success of a communication program; Part II suggests ways to get and keep people involved, especially important because Title III affects so many different sectors of the community; Part III, a how-to-do-it section, talks about specific tasks, such as giving a speech or writing a press release. Appendices include a detailed explanation of the law, a glossary, a list of recent studies related to Title III communications, a list of educational materials, and a list of State contacts.
In 1972 a consortium consisting of Gebruder Sulzer A.G., Winterthur and EVT, Energie- und Verfahrenstechnik G.m.b.H., Stuttgart, was awarded the contract by HBR, Hochtemperatur Reaktorbau G.m.b.H., Koln/Mannheim, for the design, manufacture and installation of the 6 steam generator units for the prototype 300 MWe Thorium High Temperature Reactor (THTR) at Schmehausen, Germany. The design and manufacture of the 6 units is done by Sulzer; installation of the units as well as the manufacture of the external pipework and headers is done by EVT. The units are built under semiclean conditions in a special workshop at CCM-Sulzer in mantes, France. This workshop had been used previously for the manufacture of the steam generators for the nuclear power plants St. Laurent I, II, Vandellos (500 Mwe each) and EL-4 (70 Mwe). The present paper defines the operating conditions and the chemical composition of the materials used, including Alloy 800. Reasons ...
Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on various metal, semiconductor or insulator substrates can be easily modified with specific functional groups of interest and have promising applications in surface wetting (hydrophobic/hydrophilic modification), tribology, corrosion protection, sensor electrodes modification, molecular and biomolecular recognition, protein adsorption, cell adhesion, and molecular- or organic-electronic device fabrications. In this paper, we highlight recent progress in the development of SAMs on solid substrates as well as their practical applications, with particular emphasis on the characterization of self-assembled aromatic thiol monolayers with different functional groups on Au(1 1 1) using synchrotron-based photoemission spectroscopy and near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure measurements. The SAM-related molecular orientation, electronic structures, and chemical bonding are presented. Using copper(II) phthalocyanine ...
A class II atomistic force field with Lennard-Jones 6-9 nonbond interactions is used to investigate equations of state (EOS) for important high explosive detonation products N{sub 2} and H{sub 2}O in the temperature range 700-2500 K and pressure range 0.1-10 GPa. A standard 6th order parameter-mixing scheme is then employed to study a 2:1 (molar) H{sub 2}O:N{sub 2} mixture, to investigate in particular the possibility of phase-separation under detonation conditions. The simulations demonstrate several important results, including: (1) the accuracy of computed EOS for both N{sub 2} and H{sub 2}O over the entire range of temperature and pressure considered; (2) accurate mixing-demixing phase boundary as compared to experimental data; and (3) the departure of mixing free energy from that predicted by ideal mixing law. The results provide comparison and guidance to state-of-the-art chemical kinetic models.
Argentina has two operating PHWR nuclear power plants. Atucha I NPP is a pressure vessel type heavy water reactor of 360 MW e with 25 years of operation and Embalse NPP is a pressure tube type CANDU-600 reactor of 640 MW e. Atucha II, a third plant of 600 MW e of the pressure vessel type similar to Atucha I, is being constructed. NASA (Nucleoelectrica Argentina S.A.) currently operates both nuclear power plants. The National Atomic Energy Commission (Comision Nacional de Energia Atomica - CNEA) provides operational support to the plants, including research and development assistance, and actual technical services and maintenance work in different areas. The Chemistry Department, formerly the Reactor Chemistry Department has carried out project and support activities to the plants during the past 20 years. The aim of this work is to describe the present organization and the activities in reactor chemistry of the Chemistry Department. In particular, the projects to ...
A mathematical model of a mineral melting cupola furnace for stone wool production has been developed for improving cupola operation. The 1-D, first-engineering-principles model includes mass and heat balances for the gas phase, five solid phases, and four liquid phases. The gas and solid/liquid phases flow countercurrently. Seven chemical reactions account for the conversions of coke, iron oxide, limestone, and gaseous species. The heterogeneous reactions of coke conversion are limited by both kinetics and mass transport. Heat transfer between phases is modeled including both convection and radiation. The model predicts gas concentrations; mass flow rates; and temperature profiles of the solid, melt, and gas in the cupola, as well as heat loss to the water-cooled walls. Inputs to the model include the coke, rock, and blast air properties, the blast air amount, and the coke percentage in the charge. The unknown model parameters are estimated on the basis of ...
In response to the Clean Coal II solicitation, Bethlehem Steel Corporation (BSC) submitted a proposal to the DOE in May 1988. The proposal submitted by BSC describes a Unique integration of commercial technologies developed by Davy/Still Otto to clean coke oven gas being produced at its Sparrows Point, Maryland steel plant. This innovative coke oven gas cleaning system combines secondary gas cooling with hydrogen sulfide and ammonia removal, hydrogen sulfide and ammonia recovery, ammonia destruction and sulfur recovery to produce a cleaner fuel gas for plant use. The primary environmental benefit associated with employing this innovative coke oven gas cleaning system is realized when the fuel gas is burned within the steel plant. Emissions of sulfur dioxide are reduced by more than 60 percent. The removal, recovery and destruction of ammonia eliminates the disposal problems associated with an unmarketable ammonium sulfate by-product. Significant reduction in ...
A photoaffinity derivative of the local anesthetic trimethisoquin, 5-azido-["3H]trimethisoquin (5-A["3H]T) labelled bands of app. mol. wt 50 k and 66 k. To explain the rather paradoxical labelling by 5-A["3H]T of two polypeptide chains instead of one, three possibilities were considered: (i) The site for non-competititve blockers is not carried by the 50 k or 66 k chain; however, these chains lie in the vicinity of the binding site and become preferentially labelled since they present chemical groups with which the nitrene group of 5-A["3H]T reacts. (ii) The 50 k and 66 k chains are different but carry binding sites for non-competitive blockers with similar reactivities. (iii) The 50 k chain labelled by 5-A["3H]T derives from the 66 k chain by proteolysis. These results show that the third alternative is the correct one. Under conditions which limit proteolysis, 5-A["3H]T selectively labels the 66 k polypeptide chain. (Auth.).
The electrochemical behavior of lanthanide oxides in molten alkaline chloride media is of great concern in pyrochemical processes for advanced nuclear fuel cycle. We have studied the solubilities of various lanthanide oxides in LiCl-KCl eutectic melt. In general, lanthanide oxides appeared to be insoluble/sparingly soluble in LiCl-KCl eutectic at 723 K. However, europium oxide exhibited an abnormal behavior in solubility and redox chemistry. The solubility of europium oxide was measured to be 1-2 order of magnitude higher than those of other lanthanide oxides. This abnormal solubility may be attributable to different electrochemical behavior of europium in the same experimental conditions. Most lanthanides ion exists as trivalent oxidation states. However, we observed divalent europium dissolved in LiCl-KCl molten salt by applying electron paramagnetic resonance(EPR) spectroscopy. (Figure 1) With the aid of this spectroscopic tool, it was found that stable Eu(II) ...
We investigate the thermodynamic and chemical structure of the intracluster medium (ICM) across a statistical sample of 20 galaxy clusters analysed with the Chandra X-ray satellite. In particular, we focus on the scaling properties of the gas density, metallicity and entropy and the comparison between clusters with and without cool cores (CCs). We find marked differences between the two categories except for the gas metallicity, which declines strongly with radius for all clusters (Z ~ r^{-0.31}), outside ~0.02 r500. The scaling of gas entropy is non-self-similar and we find clear evidence of bimodality in the distribution of logarithmic slopes of the entropy profiles. With only one exception, the steeper sloped entropy profiles are found in CC clusters whereas the flatter slope population are all non-CC clusters. We explore the role of thermal conduction in stabilizing the ICM and conclude that this mechanism alone is sufficient to balance cooling in non-CC ...
A structurally conserved element, the trigger loop, has been suggested to play a key role in substrate selection and catalysis of RNA polymerase II (pol II) transcription elongation. Recently resolved...Full Text Available
The insulin/IGF-1 signaling (IIS) pathway is a conserved regulator of longevity, development, and metabolism. In Caenorhabditis elegans IIS involves activation of DAF-2 (insulin/IGF-1...Full Text Available
DNA from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 17 different individuals infected with human T-cell lymphoma/leukemia virus type II (HTLV-II) was successfully amplified by the polymerase chain reaction...Full Text Available
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 ...
A new study on the pressure-induced phase transitions of TiO_2 has been performed using all-electron density-functional theory based computations with the projector augmented wave and the linearized augmented plane wave methods considering five experimentally observed structures. The static results yield a picture that is consistent with experiments, i.e., phase transitions with pressure are predicted as rutile #-># monoclinic baddeleyite (MI) #-># orthorhombic I (OI) #-># cotunnite (OII) on compression, and OII #-># OI #-># MI #-># columbite (TiO_2II) on decompression. The elasticities of these five polymorphs are compared. Except for the baddeleyite structure, which is considerably softer than the other polymorphs, all phases show a zero pressure bulk modulus in the range of 200-240 GPa, consistent with compression results and the single crystal elastic constant; on the basis of these results we can say that the cotunnite ...
Background: EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) and VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) inhibitors confer clinical benefit in metastatic colorectal cancer when combined with chemotherapy. An emerging strategy to improve outcomes in rectal cancer is to integrate biologically active, targeted agents as triple therapy into chemoradiation protocols. Material and methods: cetuximab and bevacizumab have now been incorporated into phase I-II studies of preoperative chemoradiation therapy (CRT) for rectal cancer. The rationale of these combinations, early efficacy and toxicity data, and possible molecular predictors for tumor response are reviewed. Computerized bibliographic searches of Pubmed were supplemented with hand searches of reference lists and abstracts of ASCO and ASTRO meetings. Results: the combination of cetuximab and CRT can be safely applied without dose compromises of the respective treatment components. Disappointingly low rates of pathologic ...
The overall objective of this project is the three phase development of an Early Entrance Coproduction Plant (EECP) which uses petroleum coke to produce at least one product from at least two of the following three categories: (1) electric power (or heat), (2) fuels, and (3) chemicals using ChevronTexaco's proprietary gasification technology. The objective of Phase I is to determine the feasibility and define the concept for the EECP located at a specific site; develop a Research, Development, and Testing (RD&T) Plan to mitigate technical risks and barriers; and prepare a Preliminary Project Financing Plan. The objective of Phase II is to implement the work as outlined in the Phase I RD&T Plan to enhance the development and commercial acceptance of coproduction technology. The objective of Phase III is to develop an engineering design package and a financing and testing plan for an EECP located at a specific site. The ...
This study focuses on a series of Pt{sup II}(L-L{prime})(dppm){sup n+} complexes, where dppm is bis(diphenylphosphino)methane and L-L{prime} are C(caret)C{prime} (n = 0), C(caret)N (n = 1), and N(caret)N{prime} (n = 2) aromatic ligands. Structural characteristics are reported. Structural features indicate that the Pt-C bond distance is shorter than the Pt-N bond distance in symmetrical complexes and that the Pt-P bond distance trans to N is shorter than the Pt-P bond trans to C. This is consistent with the {sup 31}P NMR spectra where the chemical shift of the P trans to C is {approximately}10 ppm less than found for P trans to N. The energy maxima of the metal-to-ligand charge-transfer band for the complexes containing various L-L{prime} ligands occur in the near-UV region of the spectrum and fall into the energy series bpy > bph > phen > 2-phpy > 2-ptpy > 2-phq > 7,9-bzq, where bpy is ...
The results of this research centered on the experimental studies of a single superconducting persistent current qubit, the implementation of type-II algorithms using these qubits, and the proposal for adiabatic quantum computing using these qubits. The m...
The in vivo photochemical activity of photosystem II was inferred from modulated chlorophyll fluorescence and photoacoustic measurements in intact leaves of several plant species (Lycopersicon...Full Text Available
Woolfolk, C. A. (University of Washington, Seattle). Reduction of inorganic compounds with molecular hydrogen by Micrococcus lactilyticus. II. Stoichiometry with inorganic...Full Text Available
... and high-quality photospheric-phase Type II SN spectra to constrain core- collapse SN explosions, massive star evolution, and distances in the Universe ...
This document describes payload control at LLNL to ensure that all shipments of CH-TRU waste in the TRUPACT-II (Transuranic Package Transporter-II) meet the requirements of the TRUPACT-II SARP (safety report for packaging). This document also provides specific instructions for the selection of authorized payloads once individual payload containers are qualified for transport. The physical assembly of the qualified payload and operating procedures for the use of the TRUPACT-II, including loading and unloading operations, are described in HWM Procedure No. 204, based on the information in the TRUPACT-II SARP. The LLNL TRAMPAC, along with the TRUPACT-II operating procedures contained in HWM Procedure No. 204, meet the documentation needs for the use of the TRUPACT-II at LLNL. Table 14-1 provides a summary of the LLNL waste generation and ...
Biosorption using activated sludge biomass (ASB) as a potentially sustainable technology for the treatment of wastewater containing different metal ions (Cd(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II)) was investigated. ASB metal uptake clearly competed with protons consumed by microbial biomass compared with control tests with non-activated sludge biomass. Biosorption tests confirmed maximum exchange between metal ions and protons at pH 2.0-4.5. It was revealed by the study that the amount of metal ions released from the biomass increased with biomass sludge concentration. The result showed that maximum absorption of metal ions was observed for Cd(II) at pH 3.5, Pb(II) at pH 4.0, and pH 4.5 for Zn(II) ions. The maximum absorption capacities of ASB for Cd(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) were determined to be 59.3, 68.5 and 86.5%, ...
Full text: An adaptive response is a decreased biological effect induced by a priming radiation dose given prior to a challenge dose. Adaptive responses contradict the linear-nothreshold model of risk estimation. The pKZ1 mouse chromosomal inversion assay is an extremely sensitive assay for studying the mutagenic effect of low dose radiation. A non-linear dose response for chromosomal inversion has been observed in pKZ1 spleen and prostate after a single whole body irradiation with doses between 1?Gy and 10mGy. Doses between 5-10?Gy resulted in an induction in inversions and doses between 1-10mGy resulted in a reduction below endogenous inversion frequency. These results suggest that doses in the 1-10 mGy range cause host responses which overcompensate by not only preventing inversions that would normally occur as a result of the low doses of radiation but also by preventing some of the endogenous inversions that would have occurred in the absence of radiation. It ...
Structural and functional alterations in hepatocytes of the European eel, Anguilla anguilla, following a 4-week-exposure to 5, 50, and 250 micrograms/liter dinitro-o-cresol (DNOC) were investigated by means of electron microscopy and biochemistry and compared to liver pathology in eels exposed to the chemical spill into the Rhine river at Basle in November 1986. Whereas phenological parameters (growth, condition factor) are unaffected, ultrastructural and biochemical alterations are detectable at greater than or equal to 50 and 5 micrograms/liter DNOC, respectively. Structural modifications include: rounding-up of the nuclei; fractionation and reduction of the rough endoplasmic reticulum; proliferation of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER), mitochondria, peroxisomes, and lysosomes; bundles of rod-shaped SER profiles; annulate lamellae; membrane whorls within mitochondria; crystallization of the peroxisomal matrix and glycogen bodies; glycogen depletion and ...
1. Contest rules The European Space Agency (ESA) is launching a public competition to find the most suitable names for its four Cluster II space weather satellites. The quartet, which are currently known as flight models 5, 6, 7 and 8, are scheduled for launch from Baikonur Space Centre in Kazakhstan in June and July 2000. Professor Roger Bonnet, ESA Director of Science Programme, announced the competition for the first time to the European Delegations on the occasion of the Science Programme Committee (SPC) meeting held in Paris on 21-22 February 2000. The competition is open to people of all the ESA member states (*). Each entry should include a set of FOUR names (places, people, or things from history, mythology, or fiction, but NOT living persons). Contestants should also describe in a few sentences why their chosen names would be appropriate for the four Cluster II satellites. The winners will be those which are considered most suitable ...
Studies have linked cell phone radiation to health problems such as headaches, high blood pressure, cancer and more. There is a latency period for most diseases and it may take years and more studies before the required weight of evidence is established. But the effects are cumulative and precautions should be taken now before it is too late. The aim of the present study was to investigate if supplementation with antioxidants would protect heart and liver tissues from harmful radiation emitted by cell phone. Thirty two male albino rats were randomly divided into four equal groups: I- Control, II- Antioxidants treated group, III- 950 MHz EMR, IV- 950 MHz EMR + antioxidants. A 950 MHz EMR radiation (217-Hz pulse rate, 2-W maximum peak power, SAR Specific Absorption Rate"1.6 W/Kg) was applied to groups III and IV 60 min/day, for 30 days using an experimental exposure device. Antioxidants supplement (Vitamins A, E and C + Se) was administered to rats daily, by gavages, ...
In an attempt to establish a relationship between proton pumping and the photocycle intermediates of bacteriorhodopsin, we have studied the effects of pH and temperature of flash-induced proton pumping and the photointermediates O/sub 640/ and M/sub 412/. The relative quantum yield of flash-induced proton pumping is both pH and temperature dependent. It is high in the acid pH range and at low temperatures but decreases in the basic pH range and at high temperatures. The decay of M/sub 412/ is biphasic. The amplitude of the slowly decaying component (M/sup s/) was found to be pH dependent with a pK similar to that of the ..delta..pH. The pH dependence of the fast-decaying component (M/sup f/) is opposite to that of M/sup s/ and ..delta..pH. Like that of M/sup s/, the amplitude of O/sub 640/ is high in the acid pH range, but unlike the amplitude of M/sup s/, it declines very rapidly at pHs greater than 6.5; the amplitude of O/sub 640/ becomes ...
Amino acids other than those that serve as ligands have been found to influence the chemical properties of transferrin iron. The catalytic ability of pyrophosphate to mediate transferrin iron release to a terminal acceptor is largely quenched by modification non-liganded histine groups on the protein. The first order rate constants of iron release for several partially histidine modified protein samples were measured. A statistical method was employed to establish that one non-liganded histidine per metal binding domain was responsible for the reduction in rate constant. These results imply that the iron mediated chelator, pyrophosphate, binds directly to a histidine residue on the protein during the iron release process. EPR spectroscopic results are consistent with this interpretation. Kinetic and amino acid sequence studies of ovotransferrin and lactoferrin, in addition to human serum transferrin, have allowed the tentative assignment of His-207 in the ...
Sulfate attack of cement-based materials remains an important problem for the durability assessment of containers and disposal engineering barriers dedicated to the long-term storage of radioactive wastes since underground water which may reach these elements contains small quantities of sulfates (7-31 mmol/1). This work contributes to the study of sulfate-induced damage mechanisms, to their understanding and modelling. The experimental phases of this study aimed at the understanding of the different physico-chemical phenomena involved during an external sulfate attack at following their evolution and their impact on the transport and mechanical properties of the material. Leaching experiments in pure water and in a solution of sodium sulfate (with a sulfate content of 15 mmol/1), have been performed simultaneously on OPC paste (w/c 0,4)in order to allow a comparison of test results. The frequent analysis of the leachant has shown a consumption ...
Vestibular dysfunction was chemicallyinduced in male meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) by intratympanic injections (30 mg per side) of sodium arsanilate (atoxyl). The control group received intratympanic injections of isotonic saline. After a one-week recovery period the voles were behaviorally assayed for integrity of their labyrinthine systems. All subjects were tested for the presence of the air-righting reflex and body rotation-induced nystagmus. Three weeks later a multivariate assessment of spontaneous motor activity of the voles was carried out in the automated Digiscan Activity Monitor. In addition, the swimming behavior of the voles was examined. Voles with vestibular dysfunction exhibited pronounced postural abnormalities (head dorsiflexion), were not able to swim with their nose above the water for a 1 min test period, and displayed disorientation and thrashing movements. In the Digiscan activity test the ...
Full text: The general population is daily exposed to chronic, low doses of ionizing radiation (IR) from both natural and artificial sources. The biological consequences of acute, high dose IR exposure can be readily determined; however, the nature and significance of low dose, low dose-rate IR effects are still the subject of debate. Confounding the issue, are the phenomena collectively referred to as the Radiation-induced Bystander Effect (RIBE). The RIBE describes a collection of in vitro observations that suggest the presence of a soluble, transmissible factor(s) released from irradiated cells that can induce a biological response in un-irradiated cells. The induction, nature and magnitude of the RIBE varies between cell culture systems, radiation sources and end-points measured. Efforts to confirm the presence of the RIBE in vivo have been confined to in vivo-like culture systems and limited work with tumour and bone-marrow transplantation ...
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a potential source of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) for constructing tissue-engineered vascular grafts. However, the details of how specific combinations of vascular microenvironmental factors regulate MSCs are not well understood. Previous studies have suggested that both mechanical stimulation with uniaxial cyclic strain and chemical stimulation with transforming growth factor {beta}1 (TGF-{beta}1) can induce smooth muscle markers in MSCs. In this study, we investigated the combined effects of uniaxial cyclic strain and TGF-{beta}1 stimulation on MSCs. By using a proteomic analysis, we found differential regulation of several proteins and genes, such as the up-regulation of TGF-{beta}1-induced protein ig-h3 (BGH3) protein levels by TGF-{beta}1 and up-regulation of calponin 3 protein level by cyclic strain. At the gene expression level, BGH3 was induced by TGF-{beta}1, ...
This report covers the technical effort through February, 1989. This effort was directed towards the technology associated with the development of a large scale, long pulse DF-CO{sub 2} chemical laser. Optics damage studies performed under Task 1 assessed damage thresholds for diamond-turned salt windows. Task 2 is a multi-faceted task involving the use of PHOCL-50 for laser gain measurements, LTI experiments, and detector testing by LANL personnel. To support these latter tests, PHOCL-50 was upgraded with Boeing funding to incorporate a full aperture outcoupler that increased its energy output by over a factor of 3, to a full kilojoule. The PHOCL-50 carbon block calorimeter was also recalibrated and compared with the LANL Scientech meter. Cloud clearing studies under Task 3 initially concentrated on delivering a Boeing built Cloud Simulation Facility to LANL, and currently involves design of a Cold Cloud Simulation Facility. A Boeing IRAD funded theoretical study ...
Si nanocrystal floating gate MOS capacitors were formed on p-Si (100) wafers by thermal plasma jet (TPJ) annealing of SiO{sub 2}/SiO{sub x} /SiO{sub 2}/Si(100) stacked structure. The chemical composition of SiO{sub x} layer was controlled by changing the SiH{sub 4}, He, and O{sub 2} gas flow ratio during plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition. The MOS capacitors showed clear hysteresis in capacitance-voltage (CV) characteristics after TPJ annealing. The hysteresis width shows maximum value when initial composition x =1.7, which shows the maximum photoluminescence (PL) intensity. The maximum hysteresis width of 6.8 V was observed with gate voltage swept between 20 and -20 V in x = 1.7 sample. The result means 7.4 x 10{sup 12} cm{sup -2} carriers are injected to or emitted from Si nanocrystals. The duration of 1 V shift in flatband voltage was {proportional_to}0.1 ms with 20 V pulse, and charged carriers were stably maintained for ...
Apart from the vulnerability implied by the START II treaty, it will bear the burden of the general political opposition to the Yeltsin administration. START II will be seen as part of an overall Yeltsin-Andrei Kozyrev foreign policy that is under fire for selling out Russian national interests in Yugoslavia, the Persian Gulf, and elsewhere. This article discusses public opinion concerning START II, the cost of its implementation, and the general purpose of the treaty.
The upgraded CDF II detector has collected first data during the initial operation of the Tevatron accelerator in Run II. The simulation of the CDF electromagnetic and hadronic central and upgraded plug (forward) calorimeter is based on the Gflash calorimeter parameterization package used within the GEANT based detector simulation of the Run II CDF detector. We present the results of tuning the central and plug calorimeter response to test beam data.
PRESTO-II is a computer code developed to evaluate possible health effects from shallow land disposal of low level radioactive wastes. PRESTO-PREP is a data preprocessor that has been developed to expedite the formation of input data sets for PRESTO-II. PRESTO-PREP utilizes a library of nuclide and risk-specific data. Given an initial waste inventory, the code creates the radionuclide portion of the associated input data set for PRESTO-II. 2 references.
The purpose of this paper is to describe the embedded computer systems approach taken at Experimental Breeder Reactor II (EBR-II) for non-safety related systems. The hardware and software structures for typical embedded systems are presented The embedded systems development process is described. Three examples are given which illustrate typical embedded computer applications in EBR-II.
Carbalkoxylation of vinyl electrophiles was investigated using platinum complexes. This reaction occurs in two steps: (a) carbonyl insertion of {sigma}-vinyl Pt(II) halides and (b) alcoholysis of vinylic acyl Pt(II) complexes. Alcoholysis of vinylic acyl Pt(II) triflate complexes is investigated kinetically. Vinylic acyl Pt(II) complexes were isolated and characterized. 51 refs., 5 figs., 6 tabs.
The maintenance of a balance between cell gain and cell loss is essential for proper liver function. The exact role of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis of liver cells remains unclear, since ligand-dependent activation of AhR has been shown to induce cell cycle arrest, proliferation, differentiation or apoptosis, depending on the cellular model used. AhR can directly interact with retinoblastoma protein in hepatic cells, forming protein complexes that can efficiently block cell cycle progression by inducing G1 arrest, or to induce the expression of inhibitors of cyclin-dependent kinases, such as p271. On the other hand, it has been suggested that AhR could play a stimulatory role in cell proliferation, either directly or by mediating a release from contact inhibition. It is now generally accepted that progenitor cells exist in the liver, are activated in various liver diseases ...
Computer-Aided Prediction of Chemical Ecotoxicity on the basis of Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships with the Use of Physico-Chemical Descriptors, Including H-bond Parameters
Cancer, by definition, is a proliferative disease. The fundamental scientific issue explored at the international symposium "Cell Proliferation and Chemical Carcinogenesis" was the impact of chemically...Full Text Available
Chemical leucoderma is an industrial disorder in developed countries and the common causative chemicals are phenols and catechols. Due to stringent controls and preventive measures the incidence has...Full Text Available
The structural ordering of oxygen deficient and Co-doped YBCO (YBa_2Cu_3_-_yCo_yO_6_+_x) have been studied experimentally, and by computer simulations of the oxygen ordering in the basal plane of the structure. The calculations are based on the two-dimensional ASYNNNI model and its modifications. Good agreement is established between the ASYNNNI calculations and the experimentally observed structural properties of the double cell ortho-II structure and the oxygen disordering process from Co-doping into the basal plane. A model that relates the superconducting transition temperature T_c(x) of undoped YBCO and T_c(y) of Co-doped YBCO to the formation of specific domains of the two orthorhombic ordered oxygen phases, ortho-I and ortho-II, shows a close agreement with experimental T_c(x) and T_c(y) data of samples prepared under equilibrium conditions. The structural changes as a result of metal ion substitutions and oxidation/reduction processes ...
The subfornical organ is a major receptor area for one of the principal stimuli of thirst, the octapeptide, angiotensin II. In conscious water-sated rats, the authors examined the effects of intravenous infusion of angiotensin II on the rate of glucose utilization in the subfornical organ and in structures anatomically and functionally connected with it. Angiotensin II produced pressor and drinking responses and increased glucose utilization selectively in the subfornical organ and pituitary neural lobe and in no other brain structure. Treatment with the angiotensin II antagonist, sar1-leu8-angiotensin II, before intravenous administration of angiotensin II prevented metabolic stimulation of the subfornical organ and neural lobe. Captopril, an inhibitor of angiotensin-converting enzyme, reduced subfornical organ glucose metabolism to a level similar to that ...
Adsorptive removal of Pb(II) ions from aqueous solution onto a non-activated charcoal (CC) of oak wood origin was studied in comparison with an activated carbon of coal origin. The adsorption capacity for Pb(II) of the non-activated charcoal increased significantly with deceasing particle diameter, whereas the activated carbon (AC) exhibited approximately constant capacity for Pb(II) adsorption as a function of particle size. Adsorption to the ashes prepared from the non-activated charcoal and the activated carbon was also investigated to examine the role of mineral ash. Although the ash from the activated carbon did not show any Pb(II) adsorption, the ash from the charcoal was very effective for Pb(II) adsorption. Furthermore, Pb(II) was hardly adsorbed when the ash was removed from the non-activated charcoal by acid treatment. Based on the results, the ...
Ionizing radiation, mainly in the form of #gamma#-rays from the radioisotope cobalt 60, is being used increasingly for the inactivation of contaminants in cosmetic and toiletry preparations. The treatment is applied to the product in its final pack, and therefore, it is important to recognize that the properties of the packaging materials could be affected, particularly if high radiation doses are used. The stability of a wide range of materials is discussed. The nature and extent of chemical and physical changes in plastics very much depends on the presence of antioxidants and other additives, and on the environmental conditions during irradiation. Some useful information is available from research into the use of radiation for the preservation of food - many films and laminates have been cleared for use in the United States. The low radiation doses used for the control of contaminants in cosmetic products are quite unlikely to cause changes in packaging materials ...
There is increasing evidence that chemicals/test substances cannot only have adverse effects, but that there are many substances that can (also) have a beneficial effect on health. As this journal regularly publishes papers in this area and has every intention in continuing to do so in the near future, it has become essential that studies reported in this journal reflect an adequate level of scientific scrutiny. Therefore a set of essential characteristics of studies has been defined. These basic requirements are default properties rather than non-negotiables: deviations are possible and useful, provided they can be justified on scientific grounds. The 10 basic requirements for a scientific paper reporting antioxidant, antimutagenic or anticarcinogenic potential of test substances in in vitro experiments and animal studies in vivo concern the following areas: (1) Hypothesis-driven study design; (2) The nature of the test substance; (3) Valid and invalid test ...
In this work we present the electrical characterization of non self-aligned p-channel thin film transistors fabricated by using laser doping technique for source/drain contact formation and gate oxide deposited at room temperature by Electron Cyclotron Resonance Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapour Deposition. These techniques are suitable for a very low temperature process for TFT fabrication. The output characteristics show a current increase at high drain voltage ('kink' effect) rather moderate, if compared to self aligned polysilicon TFTs, probably due to the gradual doping profile induced by laser doping process. After bias stress at low gate voltage and high drain voltage condition a strong reduction of kink current has been observed in the output characteristics at high drain voltage, whereas minor changes has been observed in the transfer characteristics. This behaviour is similar to what observed in n-channel Gate ...
In this work we present the electrical characterization of non self-aligned p-channel thin film transistors fabricated by using laser doping technique for source/drain contact formation and gate oxide deposited at room temperature by Electron Cyclotron Resonance Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapour Deposition. These techniques are suitable for a very low temperature process for TFT fabrication. The output characteristics show a current increase at high drain voltage ('kink' effect) rather moderate, if compared to self aligned polysilicon TFTs, probably due to the gradual doping profile induced by laser doping process. After bias stress at low gate voltage and high drain voltage condition a strong reduction of kink current has been observed in the output characteristics at high drain voltage, whereas minor changes has been observed in the transfer characteristics. This behaviour is similar to what observed in n-channel Gate Overlapped Thin Film ...
Color formation in aqueous solutions of the ditetrazolium salt blue tetrazolium (BT{sup 2+}) in the absence or presence of oxygen is a complex radiation chemical reaction. The final stable product is the poorly soluble diformazan violet to blue pigment having a broad spectral absorption band ({lambda}{sub max}=552 nm). The reaction of BT{sup 2+} with the hydrated electron proceeds by rapid reduction of BT{sup 2+} followed by protonation at the nitrogen closest to the unsubstituted phenyl group, via the two intermediate tetrazolinyl radicals shared by the ditetrazole ring nitrogens. The effect of solution pH, N{sub 2}O saturation, and the presence of the reducing agent dextrose are examined. The system serves as a radiochromic sensor and a dosimeter of ionizing radiations. Solutions of 5 mmol l{sup -1} BT{sup 2+} at pH 7.3 serve as dosimeters over an absorbed-dose range of approximately 0.2-6 kGy (dearated, with a range of 1-8 mmol l{sup -1} dextrose) and of about ...
Conditions for radiation induced grafting with butyl acrylate dispersed in water emulsion onto chrome-tanned pig skins have been worked out for #gamma#-rays and electron beam irradiations. The highest yield of grafting was observed at monomer concentration approximately 25% (w/w), dose equal to 25 kGy and dose rate not exceeding 10 MGy/h. At these conditions the yield of grafting attained a value approximately 25% and content of homopolymer in the leather amounted to 6%. The efficiency of monomer to polymer conversion decreases when the concentration of monomer in emulsion and dose rate increases. Yield of homopolymer is independent of the dose rate. An explanation of the observed relations has been proposed. The physical and used properties of grafted leathers were tested. Radiation processed leathers were found superior to samples finished by traditional methods. One has to point to better tolerance against chemical cleaning and reduced water ...
In this thesis the rate constants for a number of radical reactions in aqueous solution have been studied in a wide temperature range. The reactions of H with H_2O_2, OH and HO_2 and the reactions of HO_2 with OH, Fe"2"+ and Cu"2"+ have been studied. For each reaction rate constants have been determined as a function of temperature using the technique of high temperature, high pressure (HTP) pulse radiolysis. The rate constants were obtained by fitting a kinetic computer model to the experimental data. From an Arrhenius plot the activation energy of each reaction was determined. The data determined in this way are important for modeling of radiolysis in nuclear light water reactors. A previously developed model for calculation of the effect of water radiolysis products on oxidation and dissolution of spent nuclear fuel has been improved. In the new model, called TraRaMo, simultaneous transport by diffusion and chemical reactions induced by ...
Here we describe the use of low energy plasma immersion with active screen as a convenient approach for polypropylene (PP) surface modification. Employing a stainless steel cathodic cage coated with carbon in order to prevent the sputtering of iron from the grid and its deposition onto the polymer sample, the physical chemical properties of PP surface could be effectively modified through the plasma-induced incorporation/formation of nitrogen- and oxygen-containing species. The areal densities of these elements depended on the plasma excitation source, as determined by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS). Newly formed C-O, C-N, and C=O/O=C-O/N-C=O bonds along with C-C linkages from the PP backbone were identified at the near surface region of the specimens by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The insertion of such polar reactive functionalities was further confirmed by a substantial decrease in the water contact angle upon plasma ...
This report briefly describes the studies on the mechanism of in vivo DNA repairing by the author in Research Reactor Institute, Kyoto Univ. for the past 30 years. First, the ability of UV radiation to induce transformation was investigated with viral DNA. The formation of thymine-thymine dimer was found harmful to organisms and such dimers were removable by UV-radiation at a low frequency. The mutability was determined in three different E.coli strains with mutator gene, mutT, mutS or mutL. The ability to excise 8-oxoguanin developed in primer DNA was deficient in mutT and miss-pairing left after DNA replication could not be recovered in mutL and mutS strains. Further, DNA repairing mechanism was investigated in other microorganisms; single-strand cleavage caused by exposure to BNCB radiation (boron-neutron-captured beam) could not be repaired in E. coli. Whereas for Deinococcus radiodurans, of which survival rate was not decreased by #gamma#-ray radiation at 5 ...
Thick targets of several heavy lanthanide (Ho-Lu) compounds were bombarded by protons and /sup 3/He ions of 3 MeV/amu, and M/sub ..cap alpha../ and M/sub ..beta../ X-rays were measured with a crystal spectrometer. Ionization probabilities of the N-shell for zero impact parameter were obtained from the X-ray intensity ratio for proton and /sup 3/He ion impacts. A shell dependence of the ionization probability was found in a scaling plot. X-ray spectra of lanthanide compounds were compared and no chemical effect was observed. This result is considered to be due to the fact that the main component of M/sub ..cap alpha../ and M/sub ..beta../ lines is for radiative transition after the refilling of the 4f orbit (3d/sup -1/4f/sup n+1/ -> 4f/sup n/) where n denotes the number of 4f electrons of the target atom before ionization.
Because of their austenitic-ferritic microstructures, duplex stainless steels offer a good combination of mechanical and corrosion resistance properties. However, heat treatments can lower the mechanical strength of these stainless steels as well as render them susceptible to intergranular corrosion (IGC) and pitting corrosion. In this study, a low-carbon (0.02%) duplex stainless steel is subjected to various heat treatments at 450 to 950 C for 30 min to 10 h. The heat-treated samples than undergo ASTM IGC and pitting corrosion tests, and the results are correlated with the microstructures obtained after each heat treatment. In the absence of Cr_2_3C_6 precipitation, #sigma#-phase precipitates render this duplex stainless steel susceptible to IGC and pitting corrosion. Even submicroscopic #sigma#-phase precipitates are deleterious for IGC resistance. Longer-duration heat treatments (at 750 to 850 C) induce chromium diffusion to replenish the chromium-depleted ...
Chemical analyses were done on the abnormal hemoglobins of the five (101 x SEC)F_1 offspring of X- irradiated adult SEC mice to determine which hemoglobin genes were expressed in each hemoglobin variant. Three offspring of irradiated SEC males did not express either of the two kinds of #alpha#-chains normally found in all SEC mice. The deficient #alpha#-chain synthesis caused these mice to exhibit an #alpha#-thalassemia similar to human #alpha#-thalassemia. Scanning electron microscopy was used to show that many erythrocytes of mice with #alpha#-thalassemia have bizarre shapes; e.g. many erythrocytes appeared flattened or had thorny projections (acanthocytes). One mutant with a tandem duplication of a segment of chromosome 7 (site of locus determining #beta#-chain structure) produced twice as much SEC as 101 #beta#-chain polypeptides. One mutant that probably arose by non-disjunction of chromosome 7's in its unirradiated 101 mother and loss of chromosome 7 from the ...
In this paper, we present the results of Plasma-Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition gate-oxide (SiO_2) integrity on ELC (excimer-laser-crystallized), MILC (metal-induced lateral-crystallized) and SPC (solid-phase-crystallized) polysilicon films. We observed that gate oxide strength of poly-Si TFT strongly depends on the crystallization method for the active silicon layer. In the case of ELC films, asperities on the silicon surface reduce the SiO_2 breakdown field significantly. The metallic contaminants in MILC films are responsible for a deleterious impact on gate oxide integrity. Among the three cases, the SiO_2 breakdown field was the highest for the SPC silicon films. The breakdown fields at the 50 % failure points in Weibull plots for the ELC, MILC and SPC cases were 5.1 MV/cm, 6.2 MV/cm, and 8.1 MV/cm, respectively. We conclude that the roughness and metallic contamination of the poly-Si films are the main factors that cause enhanced ...
Through DNA methylation, histone modifications, and small regulatory RNAs the epigenome systematically controls gene expression during development, both in utero and throughout life. The epigenome is also a very reactive system; its labile nature allows it to sense and respond to environmental perturbations to ensure survival during fetal growth. This pliability can lead to aberrant epigenetic modifications that persist into later life and induce numerous disease states. Endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) are ubiquitous chemicals that interfere with growth and development. Several EDCs also interfere with epigenetic programming. The investigation of the epigenotoxic effects of bisphenol A (BPA), an EDC used in the production of plastics and resins, has further raised concern over the impact of EDCs on the epigenome. Using the Agouti viable yellow (A(vy)) mouse model, dietary BPA exposure was shown to hypomethylate both the A(vy) and the ...
The methodology of the drip procedure of the Standard Test Method for Evaluating the Influence of Thermal Insulation on External Stress Corrosion Cracking Tendency of Austenitic Stainless Steel (ASTM C 692-95a) was used to research the effect of halogens and inhibitors on the external stress corrosion cracking (ESCC) of Type 304 stainless steel as it applies to the insulation industry. Simulated insulation extraction solutions were made with pure chemical reagents for the halogens and inhibitors. The results indicated that sodium silicate compounds that were higher in sodium were more effective for preventing chloride-induced ESCC in Type 304 austenitic stainless steel. Potassium silicate was not as effective as sodium silicate. Fluoride, bromide, and iodide may cause ESCC but they were much less active than chloride and could be effectively inhibited by sodium silicate compound. The addition of fluoride ions to the chloride/sodium silicate ...
Production of ozone and OH radical is required to advance the plasma chemical reactions in the NOx removal processes for combustion gas treatment. The corona discharge to the water surface is expected to induce the good conditions for the proceeding of the NO oxidation and the NO_2 dissolution removal into water. In order to get the fundamental data of the corona discharge over the water surface, the positive and negative V-I characteristics and the ozone production were measured with the multi needle and the saw-edge type of the discharge electrodes. The pulse corona characteristics were also measured with some different waveforms of the applied pulse voltage. The experiments were carried out under the atmospheric pressure and room temperature. Both the DC and the pulse corona to the water surface showed a stable and almost the same V-I characteristics as to plate electrodes though the surface of water was waved by corona wind. The positive ...
A stable isotope mass-balance of dissolved inorganic carbon during a blue-green algae bloom in a softwater lake demonstrates that at low partial pressure of carbon dioxide there must be a large net negative carbon isotope fractionation between atmospheric CO/sub 2/ and the CO/sub 2/ absorbed by lake water at pH = 9.5. Chemical enhancement of CO/sub 2/ invasion at high pH by the reaction CO/sub 2/ + OH/sup -/ ..-->.. HCO/sub 3//sup -/ at large apparent film thicknesses may result in carbon isotope fractionation approaching that for a hydroxide solution. This phenomenon, coupled with a decrease in the photosynthetic fractionation, forced the surface water of a softwater lake to achieve increasingly negative delta /sup 13/C values during an algal bloom, which is in the opposite sense to the trend that results from photosynthesis under less extreme conditions. This and other similar systems must operate under non-equilibrium (kinetic) conditions, causing a large ...
Ex situ and in situ fuel cell degradation of a sPAEK membrane were investigated. Post-mortem analyses of the aged membrane and of the degradation products eluted in water were carried out by NMR, IR, SEC and EDX. Ex situ agings were performed in a low concentration H{sub 2}O{sub 2} solution (0.07%) without any metallic catalyst. We exemplify that ex situ accelerated aging tests in such hydrogen peroxide solution are relevant to the chemical degradation in fuel cell. We have shown that a 500 h fuel cell test at moderate temperature (60 C) induces significant modifications on the macromolecules such as a 40% molecular weight reduction. Degradation appears heterogeneous and limited to the cathode side. The model compound approach developed in the previous article (Perrot et al.) has allowed the identification of the aging path in fuel cell. Phenolic and carboxylic acid chain ends have been identified as the main products resulting from polymer ...
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...
{sup 14}C is a is a long-lived beta-emitting nuclide (T{sub 1/2} = 5730 years) produced naturally in the upper atmosphere as a result of reactions between neutrons and stable {sup 14}N({sup 14}N(n,p){sup 14}C). Although in a lesser extent, nuclear power plants produce {sup 14}C as well during their routine operation. Since it is converted in {sup 14}CO{sub 2} and mixed throughout the atmosphere, it is incorporated into plant tissues, via photosynthesis process, and hence in food chain. Because of the biological importance of {sup 14}C and long half-life, it is of interest to quantify the amounts released by nuclear industry. The Brazilian nuclear central named Nuclear Central Admiral Alvaro Alberto (CNAAA) has two nuclear reactors of PWR type in operation, Angra I (657 MWe) and Angra II (1350 MWe), and one under construction, Angra III (1309 MWe PWR). The aim of this study was to determine the strength of the sources and the {sup 14}C content in the environment ...
We have grown crack-free antiferroelectric (AFE) Pb{sub 0.92}La{sub 0.08}Zr{sub 0.95}Ti{sub 0.05}O{sub 3} (PLZT) films on nickel foils by chemical solution deposition. To eliminate the parasitic effect caused by the formation of a low-permittivity interfacial oxide, we applied a conductive buffer layer of lanthanum nickel oxide (LNO) on the nickel foil by chemical solution deposition prior to the PLZT deposition. Use of the LNO buffer allowed high-quality film-on-foil capacitors to be prepared at high temperatures in air. With the AFE PLZT deposited on LNO-buffered Ni foils, we observed field-induced phase transformations of AFE to ferroelectric (FE). The AFE-to-FE phase transition field, E{sub AF} = 260 kV cm{sup -1}, and the reverse phase transition field, E{sub FA} = 220 kV cm{sup -1}, were measured at room temperature on a {approx}1.15 {micro}m thick PLZT film grown on LNO-buffered Ni foils. The relative permittivities ...
Chemical oxidation is a treatment technology that uses powertul chemical oxidizers to destroy organic contaminants. Typical oxidizers used in chemical oxidation processes include ozone, hydrogen peroxide, chlorine, and potassium permanganate. The chemical reaction products are usually simple organic compounds, such as carboxylic acids, and/or inorganic compounds, such as carbon dioxide, water, and simple inorganic complexes (e.g., chloride salts, in the case of chemical oxidation treatment of chlorinated solvents).
Coatings and sensors having both steric and chemical selectivity. Controlled porosity provides the steric selectivity, whereas chemically tailored film properties, using controlled composition or modification by coupling agents, chemical species replacement, or chemical species within pores, provide the chemical selectivity. Single or multiple layers may be provided.
The biomedical and ecological interest for the microwave impact on the Earth biosphere is continuously increased since the industrial, military and communication activities strongly contribute to the electromagnetic stress of living bodies. In the next the authors present some of the main results obtained regarding the microwave exposure of various types of biological material: bacteria, fungi, young plant seedlings, dry seeds, animal tissues. The electromagnetic exposure was carried out in open space in well controlled environmental conditions by using 10.75 GHz/1 m W cm{sup -2} microwaves. Biochemical assays and cytogenetic tests have been carried out to reveal the changes induced post irradiation. The response of some pathogen bacteria, have been emphasized by means of turbidimetric measurements - the stimulatory effect being noticed at the level of the microbial population density (the stimulation of the human body microbial flora seems to be one of the side ...
Pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) is a relatively sensitive explosive used in many electroexplosive devices as well as in medicine. Of primary interest to LLNL is its use in items such as exploding bridgewire (EBW) detonators and exploding bridge foil initiators (EFI). In these devices the crystalline powder is pressed into a granular, low-density compact that can be initiated by an exploding wire or foil. The long-term stability of this pressed compact is of interest to weapon stockpile lifetime prediction studies. Key points about potential aging mechanisms can be summarized as follows: (1) There are a number of factors that can contribute to PETN instability. These include particle size, polymorphic phase transitions, crystal structure, impurities, moisture, occlusions, chemical incompatibility and biological (microorganism) action. of these factors the most important for long-term aging of high surface area powders used in detonators appears to be that of ...
The IRG protein Irgm3 preserves cell survival during coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) infection. However, the molecular mechanisms are not clear. Here, we examined the effect of Irgm3 expression on ER stress triggered by pharmacological agents or CVB3 infection. In Tet-On/Irgm3 HeLa cells, Irgm3 expression suppressed either chemical- or CVB3-induced upregulation of glucose-regulated protein78. Further, Irgm3 strongly inhibited the activation of both the PERK and ATF6 pathways of ER stress responses, which further led to the diminished phosphorylation of eIF2?, reduced cleavage/activation of transcription factor SREBP1 and attenuated induction of proapoptotic genes CHOP and GADD34. These data were further supported by experiments using Irgm3 knockout mouse embryonic fibroblasts, in which the ER stress induced by CVB3 was not relieved due to the lack of Irgm3 expression. In addition, the tunicamycin-triggered ER stress promoted the ...
Positron annihilation experiments on Fe-Cu model dilute alloys of nuclear reactor pressure vessel (RPV) steels have been performed after neutron irradiation in JMTR. Nanovoids whose inner surfaces were covered by Cu atoms were clearly observed. The nanovoids transformed to ultrafine Cu precipitates by dissociating their vacancies after annealing at around 400degC. The nanovoids and the ultrafine Cu precipitates are strongly suggested to be responsible for irradiation-induced embrittlement of RPV steels. Effects of Ni, Mn and P addition on the nanovoid and Cu precipitate formations were also studied. The nanovoid formation was enhanced by Ni and P, but suppressed by Mn. The Cu precipitates after annealing around 400degC were almost free from these doping elements and hence were pure Cu in the chemical composition. Furthermore the Fermi surface of the 'embedded' Cu precipitates with a body centered cubic crystal structure was ...
Compounds isolated from Magnolia officinalis such as magnolol, honokiol and obovatol exhibit several pharmacological effects on CNS including depressant, anxiolytic and anticonvulsant effects, as well as neuroprotective effects against chemical and heat damages. Recently, honokiol was found to have a neurotrophic effect in fetal rat cortical neurons. In the present study, we show that 4-O-methylhonokiol, a novel compound from Magnolia officinalis, promotes neurite outgrowth in a concentration- dependent manner in rat embryonic neuronal cells. In parallel with the neurite outgrowth activity, the expression of neurite outgrowth marker proteins is also increased by treatment with 4-O-methylhonokiol. We also found that 4-O-methylhonokiol promotes the release of NGF and BDNF into cell culture medium. In addition, lower concentration of 4-O-methylhonokiol (1 and 2 lM) further enhanced neurite outgrowth and expression of neurite outgrowth marker proteins in the presence ...
Spontaneous mutation has been discovered and utilized in domestication of narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.). As the result of the domestication, lupin has become a dominant grain legume crop in Western Australia. Facing the new challenge of developing herbicide tolerance cultivars, chemical mutagenesis has been used to create new tolerance to herbicide. This paper reports the characterization of two lupin mutants (Tanjil-AZ-33 and Tanjil-AZ-55) that are highly tolerant to metribuzin herbicide. A dose response study over 8 doses revealed that Tanjil-AZ-33 was 6 times more tolerant to metribuzin than the original parental cultivar Tanjil by measure of LD50. This mutant Tanjil-AZ-33 is the most tolerant germplasm in narrow-leafed lupin. Both mutants also maintain the high resistance to the disease anthracnose as cv Tanjil. Seed yield based on small field plots (3.6 m"2) under irrigation was 4.2 t/ha for Tanjil-AZ-33 and 1.9 t/ha for Tanjil when the ...
Previous in vitro studies have demonstrated that Ho:YLF laser is capable of inducing physical and chemical changes on dental surfaces treated for caries prevention. The temperature in the pulp chamber was in vitro evaluated to as a function of the power and frequency of the laser irradiation. The purpose of this work is to verify the occurrence of pulp inflammation after Ho:YLF laser irradiation using different parameters in rabbits' teeth. The premolars and molars of ten rabbits (NZB) were divided in two groups according to the irradiation energy values of a Ho:YLF laser prototype operating at 2.065{mu}m wave length, frequency of O,5Hz and pulse length of 250{mu}s. An group A teeth were irradiated with using ten pulses of 334mJ/pulse of a Ho:YLF laser prototype operating at O.5Hz, and group B, with 512mJ/pulse. Animals were killed by transcardiac perfusion and the samples were prepared for histopathological analysis. The in vitro ...
Large-scale field tracer experiments have been conducted on Ulchin, Wolsung and Daeduk sites for the purpose of validating FADAS and of analyzing the environmental characteristics around the nuclear sites. The most influential factor in atmospheric dispersion is the meteorological condition. During the experiment, meteorological data were measured on the release point and the selected positions among sampling points. Once radioactive materials are released to the atmosphere, members of public may be exposed through the environmental media such as air, soil and foods. Therefore, to protect the public, adequate countermeasures should be taken at due time for those exposure pathways. both processes, of justification and optimization are applied to a countermeasure simultaneously for decision-making. The work scope of Biological research for the radiation protection had contained the search of biological microanalytic methods for assessing the health effect by {gamma}-radiation and toxic ...
Abstract in english The aim of the present study was to assess the analgesic activity of the aerial parts of two Hypericum species native to Southern Brazil, H. caprifoliatum and H. polyanthemum. The antinociceptive effect of the H. polyanthemum cyclohexane extract (POL; 180 mg/kg) and of the H. caprifoliatum methanol (MET) and cyclohexane (CH) extracts (90 mg/kg) was evaluated in the hot-plate (ip and po) and writhing (po) tests using male Swiss CF1 mice weighing 22-27 g (N = 10 per group). (more) All extracts displayed antinociceptive effects in the hot-plate test (MET ip = 48%, MET po = 39%, CH ip = 27%, CH po = 50%, POL ip = 74%, and POL po = 49% compared to control). Pretreatment with naloxone (2.5 mg/kg, sc) abolished the effects of CH and POL, and partially prevented the analgesia induced by MET administered by the ip (but not by the po) route. POL and CH (po) significantly reduced the number of writhes induced by acetic acid, while MET ...
Mesporous anatase-phase TiO(2) hollow spheres with high photocatalytic activity were prepared by hydrothermal treatment and self-transformation of amorphous TiO(2) solid spheres in an NH(4)F aqueous solution. The prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, N(2) adsorption-desorption isotherms and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity was evaluated by photocatalytic oxidation decomposition of acetone in air under UV irradiation. It is found that F(-) plays an essential role in the formation of TiO(2) hollow spheres. F(-) not only induces the hollowing of TiO(2) solid spheres, but also promotes the crystallization of anatase TiO(2) nanocrystals. A possible formation mechanism for the TiO(2) hollow spheres by localized Ostwald ripening or chemicallyinduced self-transformation is proposed based on the ...
"2"7Al and "2"9Si solid-state NMR spectra and X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns were obtained for #alpha#-SiAlON powders prepared by combustion synthesis, according to which the phase transformation and structure evolution of #alpha#-SiAlON were studied. It was found that in #alpha#-SiAlON "2"9Si chemical shift values (-48 < #delta# _S_i < -47) were close to those in #beta#-Si_3N_4 and #alpha#-Si_3N_4, indicating that Si atoms kept SiN_4 coordination to a large extent in #alpha#-SiAlON despite the presence of O atoms. Dissimilarly, "2"7Al chemical shift values in #alpha#-SiAlON deviated clearly from that corresponding to AlN_4 coordination (#delta# _A_l #approx# 112) and occurred in a range from #delta# _A_l 95.5 to 99.9, which should be assigned to tetrahedral AlO _xN_4_-_x (0 #<=# x #<=# 4) coordination. The broadening effect of AlO _xN_4_-_x peaks was noticed, which was suggested to induced by slight ...
Metam sodium (metam) is a widely used soil fumigant. Combined application of metam and other available fumigants is intended to produce synergic pesticidal effects for a broad spectrum of pest control in soil fumigation. This study aimed to test the compatibility of metam with the halogenated fumigants 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D), chloropicrin, methyl bromide, methyl iodide and propargyl bromide. Halogenated fumigants and metam were spiked simultaneously into organic solvents, water and moist soils, and metam-induced degradation of these halogenated chemicals was evaluated. In all three media, the halogenated fumigants were incompatible with metam and degraded via rapid chemical reactions. The degradation rate varied with halogenated fumigant species and increased as the amount of metam present was increased. In moist soil, 15-95% of the halogenated fumigants were decomposed within 72 h by metam at a 1:1 molar ratio. ...
A newly synthesized glycine derivative (termed GlyD), 2-(4-(dimethylamino)benzylamino)acetic acid hydrochloride, was used to inhibit uniform and pitting corrosion processes of Al in 0.50 M KSCN solutions (pH 6.8) at 25 "oC. For uniform corrosion inhibition study, Tafel extrapolation, linear polarization resistance and impedance methods were used, complemented with SEM examinations. An independent method of chemical analysis, namely ICP-AES (inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry) was also used to test validity of corrosion rate measured by Tafel extrapolation method. GlyD inhibited uniform corrosion, even at low concentrations, reaching a value of inhibition efficiency up to 97% at a concentration of 5 x 10"-"3 M. Results obtained from the different corrosion evaluation techniques were in good agreement. This new synthesized glycine derivative was also used to control pit nucleation and growth on the pitted Al surface based on cyclic polarization, ...
An exact cosmological solution of Einstein's equations which has time-dependent rotation is presented. The t-constant sections are of Bianchi type II. The source of this geometry is a fluid which has not been thermalized. (Author).
Exposure of albumin to Cu(II) (10-100 microM) and ascorbate (0.1-2 mM) results in extensive molecular modifications, indicated by decreased fluorescence and chain breaks. The rate of utilization of...Full Text Available
ObjectivesThe updated Rome III criteria for pediatric functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) include new FGID categories and changes to the Rome II criteria...Full Text Available
Interleukin 2 (IL-2) and B-cell growth factors I and II (BCGF I and BCGF II) are lymphokines produced by T cells that play a major role in T- and B-cell cooperation. Peripheral blood lymphocytes from...Full Text Available
In this article are presented main results on electric potential investigations in stellarator/torsatron TJ-II and tokamak T-10 in a comparable regimes of device operation.
Aminopeptidase II, one of the two major aminopeptidases in the giant alga Chara australis, was partially purified. Its molecular weight was estimated to be about 80,000 by gel permeation...Full Text Available
New palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes of saccharinate (sac), trans-[Pd(py)"2(sac)"2] (1), cis-[Pt(py)"2(sac)"2] (2), trans-[Pd(3-acpy)"2(sac)"2] (3) and cis-[Pt(3-acpy)"2(sac)"2] (4) (py=pyridine and 3-acpy=3-acetylpyridine) have been synthesized. Elemental analysis, UV-Vis, IR, NMR and TG/DTA characterizations have been carried out. The structures of 1-4 were determined by X-ray diffraction. The palladium(II) and platinum(II) ions are coordinated by two N-bonded sac ligands, and two nitrogen atoms of py or 3-acpy, forming a distorted square-planar geometry. The palladium(II) complexes (1 and 3) are trans isomers, while the platinum(II) complexes (2 and 4) are cis isomers. The mononuclear species in the solid state are connected by weak intermolecular C-H...O hydrogen bonds, C-H...@...
BackgroundThe binding of peptide fragments of antigens to class II MHC is a crucial step in initiating a helper T cell immune response. The identification of such peptide epitopes...Full Text Available
The aim of this article was to investigate the interactions of metal cations in aqueous solutions with the biomass of the freshwater macroalga Vaucheria sp. This problem is important when elaborating new applications of biosorption, e.g. the production of mineral feed additives for livestock from the biomass of algae enriched with microelement ions. Potentiometric titration was applied as a quick and cheap screening test to search for new efficient biosorbents. It revealed a variety of functional groups capable of cation exchange on the macroalgal surface, including carboxyl, phosphate, hydroxyl or amino groups. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy on natural and chromium-loaded Vaucheria sp. confirmed that carboxyl groups played a dominant role in the biosorption. The study also showed that Ca(II), Na(I), K(I), and Mg(II) ions were released from the biomass after biosorption of Cu(II), Mn(II), ...
BackgroundPromoter region plays an important role in determining where the transcription of a particular gene should be initiated. Computational prediction of eukaryotic Pol II promoter...Full Text Available
Rotazyme II, which is a shorter version of Rotazyme (less than 3 h), was compared with electron microscopy and Rotazyme for sensitivity and specificity on 229 human stool specimens. Compared with electron...Full Text Available
The biosorption of lead (II) and copper (II) ions, single component and binary systems, by dried P. putida was investigated in a batch system. The effects of initial pH, temperature, initial single and binary mixture concentrations on the biosorption kinetics and equilibrium uptake of each component, both single and binary mixtures were investigated. The bacterial biomass exhibited the highest single and binary lead (II) and copper (II) ions uptake capacity at 25 and 30 deg. C, respectively, the initial pH value of 5.5 and at the initial metal ions concentration of 100 mg dm{sup -3}. The Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption models were used for the mathematical description of the biosorption equilibrium and isotherm constants were evaluated at different temperatures. Adsorption data were well described by the Langmuir model, although they could be modeled by the Freundlich equation. The thermodynamics ...
BackgroundPerfluorocarbons (PFC) are used to improve gas exchange in diseased lungs. PFC have been shown to affect various cell types. Thus, effects on alveolar type II (ATII) cells...Full Text Available
ATP-binding cassette A3 (ABCA3) is a lipid transport protein required for synthesis and storage of pulmonary surfactant in type II cells in the alveoli. Abca3 was conditionally deleted...Full Text Available
Cytokinesis in animal and fungal cells utilizes a contractile actomyosin ring (AMR). However, how myosin II is targeted to the division site and promotes AMR assembly, and how the AMR coordinates with...Full Text Available
Anaerobic reactions of Rhus vernicifera laccase and its type-2 copper-depleted derivatives with hexacyanoferrate(II) were investigated by absorption and e.s.r. spectroscopy. When native laccase was...Full Text Available
Photobilirubin II, a stereoisomer of bilirubin, binds to human serum albumin at a single binding site (K = 2.2 x 10(6)M-1), presumably the high-affinity bilirubin-binding site. Binding in the secondary...Full Text Available
The identification of MHC class II restricted peptide epitopes is an important goal in immunological research. A number of computational tools have been developed for this purpose, but there is a lack...Full Text Available
ii) Flammability: (iii) A capacity to oxidise: (iv) Corrosiveness: (v) Toxicity (including chronic ...an explosion or fire: (d) For substances with corrosive properties: (i) To reduce the ...likelihood of any unintended corrosion:(ii) To control the adverse effects of any corrosion:
... Screening Adjudication Monitoring Applicants of Information Behavior II I Conducting Investigations ... Applicants of Information Behavior Conducting ...
Titanate nanotubes were hydrothermally synthesized and their adsorption performances for lead(II) ion removal were studied. The results showed that titanate nanotubes ruptured in the adsorption process resulting in two distinct adsorption stages, thus achieving a maximum adsorption capacity of 3.752mmolg^-^1 of lead(II). Furthermore, it was found that the regeneration of titanate nanotubes loaded with the lead(II) ions can be readily achieved using the saturated EDTA disodium salt aqueous solution, thereby avoiding the trouble of disposal of adsorbent. The adsorption mechanism was also discussed in detail.
The interaction between N-donor adsorbates such as ammonia and pyridine with Cu(II)-exchanged montmorillonite, beidellite, flourohectorite into smectite clays has been studied by electron spin resonance. Cu(II) cations exchanged into smectites coordinate five ammonia or pyridine molecules in beidellite, four ammonia of pyridine molecules in hydroxyhectorite. Thus, the Cu(II) cations bound to the interior surfaces of these smectite clays constitute strong Lewis acid sites. 26 refs., 7 figs., 1 tab.
The neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor {alpha}7 subunit is a member of a family of ligand-gated ion channels, and is the only subunit know to bind {alpha}-bungarotoxin in mammalian brain. {alpha}-Bungarotoxin binding sites are known to be more abundant in the hippocampus of mouse strains that are particularly sensitive to nicotine-induced seizures. The {alpha}7 receptor is highly permeable to calcium, which could suggest a role in synaptic plasticity in the nervous system. Auditory gating deficiency, an abnormal response to a second auditory stimulus, is characteristic of schizophrenia. Mouse strains that exhibit a similar gating deficit have reduced hippocampal expression of the {alpha}7 subunit. We have cloned and sequenced the full length cDNA for the mouse {alpha}7 gene (Acra-7) and characterized its gene structure. The murine {alpha}7 shares amino acid identity of 99% and 93% with the rat and human {alpha}7 subunits, respectively. Using an interspecies ...
Independent isomeric yield ratios of {sup 131}Te, {sup 133}Te and {sup 134}I have been determined at five different energies in the range of 25-44 MeV alpha particle induced fission of {sup 238}U using radiochemical and gamma spectrometric techniques. From the independent isomeric yield ratios, fragment angular momenta (J{sub rms}) have been deduced using a statistical model analysis. The J{sub rms} were also calculated theoretically based on thermal equilibration of various collective modes after considering the occurrence of multichance fission. These data and the literature data for various fragments in the mass region 126-136 in {sup 238}U ({alpha},f), {sup 238}U (p,f) and {sup 238}U ({gamma},f) show the following important features: (i) Both the entrance channel excitation energy and input angular momentum affect the fragment angular momentum in the exit channel. (ii) There are two groups of fission products from the point of view of ...
The thickness dependent magnetic properties of artificially prepared ultrathin body-centered cubic Ni films have been explored using the all electron full potential linearized augmented plane wave (FLAPW) method. We have considered two types of BCC Ni(001) films: (i) pure BCC Ni(001) and (ii) Au capped BCC Ni(001) in the range from 1 monolayer (ML) to 4 ML of Au capping coverage. The average magnetic moment of pure BCC Ni(001) is about 0.63 #mu#_B and a typical surface enhancement is found with a magnetic moment of 0.78 #mu#_B. In the presence of an Au capping layer, the magnetic moment of interface Ni is strongly suppressed to approximately 0.5 #mu#_B and this causes a reduction of average magnetic moment. Nevertheless, the Au adlayer has no meaningful induced magnetic moment. The BCC pure Ni(001) films always have in-plane magnetization up to 11 ML, but very interestingly the Au/Ni(001) shows a thickness dependent spin reorientation ...
Asynchronous Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells treated with conditioning hyperthermia (10 min at 45/sup 0/C) followed immediately by x irradiation with 4 Gy at room temperature display a decreased radiation response when either irradiated, or heated and irradiated again 24 h later. In addition, conditioning by 4 Gy of x radiation alone followed at 24 h by the combined heat and radiation treatment als resulted in a larger radiation D/sub 0/. Since the differential cell-cycle responses to heat- and x-ray-induced lethality are well established for CHO cells, the potential role of cell-cycle redistribution in the observed radiation desensitization was investigated by flow cytometry. At 24 h after the combined treatment, the fraction of the cells found in the G/sub 2/ + M portion of the DNA histograms was about three times that of the controls and there was a concomitant reduction in both the G/sub 1/ and S fractions. Similar observations were made after the ...
We have tested the suitability of a new single-aliquot regenerative-dose protocol for estimating the equivalent dose (D_e) in polymineral fine grains extracted from colluvia from various sites in Germany. First, we report the behaviour of three OSL signals: (i) blue-stimulated, (ii) infrared-stimulated luminescence, and (iii) blue-stimulated luminescence following infrared (IR) stimulation, using a near-UV (290-380 nm) detection window in each case. For these three signals, there is a significant change in sensitivity with regeneration cycle; this change can be compensated for using the response to a fixed test dose after each natural or regenerated measurement. The source of the three luminescence signals is then investigated using pulse-anneal and elevated-temperature experiments. Fading tests on laboratory-induced signals show that although the IR signals fade by up to 23% in 15 days at 100 deg. C, the post-IR blue signals are stable. The ...
Culex mosquitoes introduce the pathogens responsible for filariasis, West Nile virus, St. Louis encephalitis, and other diseases into humans. Currently, traps baited with oviposition semiochemicals play an important role in detection efforts and could provide an environmentally friendly approach to controlling their populations. The odorant binding proteins (OBPs) in the female's antenna play a crucial, if yet imperfectly understood, role in sensing oviposition cues. Here, we report the X-ray crystallography and NMR 3D structures of OBP1 for Culex quinquefasciatus (CquiOBP1) bound to an oviposition pheromone (5R,6S)-6-acetoxy-5-hexadecanolide (MOP). In both studies, CquiOBP1 had the same overall six-helix structure seen in other insect OBPs, but a detailed analysis revealed an important previously undescribed feature. There are two models for OBP-mediated signal transduction: (i) direct release of the pheromone from an internal binding pocket in a pH-dependent fashion and ...
According to the LeChatelier-Braun principle, when a closed quiescent system initially in an equilibrium or unstressed steady state is subjected to an externally imposed ``stress'' it responds in a manner tending to alleviate that stress. Use of this entropically based qualitative rule, in combination with the notion of Maxwell thermal stresses existing in nonisothermal gases and liquids, enables one to (i) derive Maxwell's thermal-creep boundary condition prevailing at the boundary between a solid and a fluid (either gas or liquid) and (ii) rationalize the phenomenon of thermophoresis in liquids, for which, in contrast with the case of gases, an elementary explanation is currently lacking. These two objectives are achieved by quantitatively interpreting the heretofore qualitative LeChatelier-Braun notion of stress in the present context as being the fluid's stress tensor, the latter including Maxwell's thermal stress. In effect, thermophoretic particle motion is ...
The zinc-blende (ZB) and wurtzite (W) structures are the most common crystal forms of binary octet semiconductors. In this work we have developed a simple scaling that systematizes the {ital T}=0 energy difference {Delta}{ital E}{sub W{minus}ZB} between W and ZB for all simple binary semiconductors. We have first calculated the energy difference {Delta}{ital E}{sub W{minus}ZB}{sup LDF}({ital AB}) for AlN, GaN, InN, AlP, AlAs, GaP, GaAs, ZnS, ZnSe, ZnTe, CdS, C, and Si using a numerically precise implementation of the first-principles local-density formalism (LDF), including structural relaxations. We then find a {ital linear} scaling between {Delta}{ital E}{sub W{minus}ZB}{sup LDF}({ital AB}) and an atomistic orbital-radii coordinate {ital {tilde R}}({ital A},{ital B}) that depends only on the properties of the free atoms {ital A} and {ital B} making up the binary compound {ital AB}. Unlike classical structural coordinates (electronegativity, atomic sizes, electron count), {ital {tilde ...
This technical memorandum (TM) documents the 1995 characterization of eight underground radioactive waste tanks at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). These tanks belong to the Gunite and Associated Tanks (GAAT) operable unit, and the characterization is part of the ongoing GAAT remedial investigation/feasibility study (RI/FS) process. This TM reports both field observations and analytical results; analytical results are also available from the Oak Ridge Environmental Information System (OREIS) data base under the project name GAAT (PROJ-NAME = GAAT). This characterization effort (Phase II) was a follow-up to the {open_quotes}Phase I{close_quotes} sampling campaign reported in Results of Fall 1994 Sampling of Gunite and Associated Tanks at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, ORNL/ER/Sub/87-99053/74, June 1995. The information contained here should be used in conjunction with that in the previous TM. The sampling plan is documented in ORNL ...
"1"4C measurement uses a number of standards and reference materials with different properties. Historically the absolute calibration of "1"4C measurement was tied to 1890 wood, through the 'primary' standard of NBS-OxI (produced by the National Bureau of Standards, now NIST - National Institute of Standards and technology) subsequently replaced by NBS-OxII. These are both internationally calibrated and certified materials, whose "1"4C activities are known absolutely. A second tier of materials, often called secondary standards or reference materials, and including internationally recognised materials such as ANU-sucrose (now also IAEA-C6), Chinese - sucrose and the IAEA C1-C6 series, augmented by additional oxalic acid samples are also used routinely. The activity of these materials has been estimated from large numbers of measurements made by many laboratories. Recently, further natural materials from the Third and Fourth International Radiocarbon ...
Runit Island on Enewetak Atoll was very heavily impacted by the U.S. nuclear testing campaign in the northern Marshall Islands (1946-58). The primary source of contamination on Runit Island was the 1958 Quince safety test where a large quantity of device plutonium (Pu) was scattered over the area near the GZ. A second low-yield device was detonated on the same site 10 days later, further disturbing the soil and leaving behind a very heterogeneous pattern of contamination including milligram-size particles of plutonium. A limited cleanup of the Fig-Quince zone was carried out in 1979. During this period, the effectiveness of the cleanup operations was primarily evaluated on the basis of bulk soil concentration data with little consideration given to the heterogeneity and long-term material-, biological-, and environmental-specific impacts of residual high activity (hot) particle contamination. The aim of the present study was twofold; (i) to characterize the levels and distribution of ...
Six major use pesticides (Atrazine, Dicamba, Isoproturon, Lindane, Paraquat and Trifluralin) with differing physico-chemical properties were evaluated for the significance of 'bound' or non extractable residue formation. Investigations were carried out in purpose-built microcosms where mineralization, volatilisation, 'soil water' extractable and organic solvent extractable residues could be quantified. Extractable residues were defined as those accessible by sequential extraction where the solvent used became increasingly non-polar. Dichloromethane was the 'harshest' solvent used at the end of the sequential extraction procedure. {sup 14}C-labelled volatilised and {sup 14}CO{sub 2} fractions were trapped on exit from the microcosm. The pesticides were categorised into 3 classes based on their behaviour. (i) Type A (Atrazine, Lindane and Trifluralin) in which ring degradation was limited as was the formation of ...
Early in the Cold War, the United States adopted a policy of ''extended nuclear deterrence'' to protect its allies by threatening a nuclear strike against any state that attacks these allies. This threat can (in principle) be used to try to deter an enemy attack using conventional weapons or one using nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons. The credibility of a nuclear threat has long been subject to debate and is dependent on many complex geopolitical factors, not the least of which is the military capabilities of the opposing sides. The ending of the Cold War has led to a significant decrease in the number of strategic nuclear weapons deployed by the United States and Russia. START II, which was recently ratified by the Russian Duma, will (if implemented) reduce the number deployed strategic nuclear weapons on each side to 3500, compared to a level of over 11,000 at the end of the Cold War in 1991. The ...
The Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Germany's national metrology institute, developed an alignment strategy to specify elemental depth profiling in vertical sidewall layers on structured wafers. For this purpose, PTB's irradiation chamber for 200 mm and 300 mm silicon wafers was used to combine total-reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) and grazing incidence XRF (GIXRF) techniques by employing monochromatized undulator radiation of the BESSY II electron storage ring. 3-D test structures were fabricated to develop an optimal alignment strategy allowing for depth profiling in such nanolayers. The test structures consisted of silicon bars with widths/spacings either in the {mu}m or in the nm range. In order to be able to differentiate the sidewalls more easily from the remainder of the structures, they were provided with an additional silicon nitride layer. Four structure types of different bar width and density parameters on two 200 mm ...
The Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Germany's national metrology institute, developed an alignment strategy to specify elemental depth profiling in vertical sidewall layers on structured wafers. For this purpose, PTB's irradiation chamber for 200 mm and 300 mm silicon wafers was used to combine total-reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) and grazing incidence XRF (GIXRF) techniques by employing monochromatized undulator radiation of the BESSY II electron storage ring. 3-D test structures were fabricated to develop an optimal alignment strategy allowing for depth profiling in such nanolayers. The test structures consisted of silicon bars with widths/spacings either in the ?m or in the nm range. In order to be able to differentiate the sidewalls more easily from the remainder of the structures, they were provided with an additional silicon nitride layer. Four structure types of different bar width and density parameters on two 200 mm silicon wafers were ...
The sulfur-iodine (SI) thermochemical cycle is one of the main candidate methods to produce hydrogen from non-fossil sources like nuclear (GEN IV reactor) or solar thermal power. A major issue for the successful implementation of the SI cycle is the selection of technically viable and economic materials for construction of process components, particularly heat exchangers. Challenging conditions are encountered in each of the three sections of the SI cycle due to the corrosive chemicals present, including sulfuric acid, iodine, hydroiodic acid, sulfur dioxide, hydrogen, oxygen, and others. In Section I, aqueous, non-aqueous (liquid iodine), and gaseous multi-component phases are present at about 120 {sup o}C and 0.7 MPa. Section II involves gaseous and aqueous phases of sulfuric acid, sulfur dioxide, and oxygen at up to about 830 {sup o}C and 3.6 MPa. In Section III , aqueous, non-aqueous, and gaseous phases, at up to 310 {sup o}C and 2.2 MPa, ...
The cost of liquid fuels from coal is a complex function of many factors, such as capital investment, cost of coal and labor cost. Furthermore, the cost will depend on geographical position, the size of the operation and the efficiency of the process. There is no single answer and case studies will have to be made to establish economics at different locations. In the following, the 1980 order-of-magnitude investment costs and operating costs for a coal liquefaction plant are estimated. For a Sasol II type of plant with the product output indicated earlier, the total capital cost is estimated at $4 billion in 1980 dollars. Capital cost accounts for approximately 50%, utilities and materials for 30%, and labor for 20% of the total cost. Given the market value of by-product ethylene ($175/t), tar products ($300/t), chemicals ($300/t), ammonia ($200/t) and sulfur ($25/t), the credit for by-products is $146 million per year. The cost of motor fuel ...
The samples comprise the foliage of four pteridosperm-medullosalean plant fossil species of differing preservation states and one of a cordaitean species from two Canadian Maritime sub-basins of Carboniferous age (300 Ma; Sydney and Stellarton coalfields, Nova Scotia, respectively). Included in the sample set were some coal samples from Sydney Coalfield, along with published data for coal macerals for comparison. By applying Schulze's maceration process to the fossil foliage to obtain the cuticles, five sample forms evolved, viz. compressions, cuticles and fossilized cuticles, and acidic and alkaline solutions from Schulze's process, to which was added the Sydney coal samples as the sixth form. Area integration of the absorbance spectra from solid and liquid state Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, produced functional chemical parameters which were organized into a data matrix of eight variables and 62 samples (8 x 62 matrix). ...
A geochemical survey to assess and evaluate the Devonian oil shale resources of north Alabama, northwest Georgia, and south-central Tennessee has been performed. Information is provided on the location and extent of the more favorable kerogen-bearing Devonian shale, oil and uranium content of the shale, trace metal and standard rock analyses for shale, data on the physical properties of the shale rock, mineralogy of the shale, chemical properties of the oil, and other pertinent data deemed necessary for resource development. The results indicate that the oil yield from areas underlain by Chattanooga Shale can be divided into areas having greater than 7 g/t and areas having less than 7 g/t. In general, the oil yield by Fischer assay of samples from the folded Appalachian Valley and Ridge and the Appalachian Plateaus provinces is poor, all having less than 5 g/t and most samples closer to 0 g/t. The extreme variance of Fischer assay values in the Chattanooga Shale ...
A wide variety of thin film coatings, deposited by different techniques and with potential applications in various important areas, have been characterised by the Phase Modulated Spectroscopic Ellipsometer, installed recently in the Spectroscopy Division, B.A.R.C. The Phase Modulated technique provides a faster and more accurate data acquisition process than the conventional ellipsometry. The measured Ellipsometry spectra are fitted with theoretical spectra generated assuming an appropriate model regarding the sample. The fittings have been done objectively by minimising the squared difference (#chi#"2) between the measured and calculated values of the ellipsometric parameters and thus accurate information have been derived regarding the thickness and optical constants (viz, the refractive index and extinction coefficient) of the different layers, the surface roughness and the inhomogeneities present in the layers. Measurements have been done on (i) ion-implanted Si-wafers to ...
The study area is located in the Bekaa plain of Lebanon totaling about 12753 ha. It lies between the eastern foothills of Mount Lebanon chain and expands across the Litani River towards the foothills of the eastern Anti-Lebanon Mountains. Its characteristics, i.e. natural terrain, climate and socio-economy, make it vulnerable especially due to soil pollution. This paper tries to identify the nature and level of soil pollution by heavy metals. Valley slopes represent a complex landform and lithology that contributed to the formation of different soil. Agriculture in the plain is being practiced mainly with cash, field crops and vegetables. Throughout the central part of the plain, groundwater table is abundant and relatively high (<1.0 m. locally) that multiplies the vulnerability of the soil-groundwater system. There are different sources of pollution, such as industrial (tanneries, batteries, leather manufacturing), solid and liquid wastes, and agricultural due to uncontrolled ...
We report the of the existence of RV Tauri stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). This class of variable star has hitherto been unidentified in the Magellanic Clouds. In light and color curve behavior the RV Tauri stars appear to be an extension of the Type II Cepheids to longer periods. A single period-luminosity-color relationship is seen to describe both the Type II Cepheids and the RV Tauri stars in the LMC.
Incorporation of /sup 32/P from (gamma-32P)ATP into tyrosine residues of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-II receptor was observed in a Triton X-100-insoluble fraction of rat adipocyte plasma membranes. IGF-II receptor phosphorylation proceeded to a stoichiometry of approximately 0.5 mol of phosphate/IGF-II binding site after 10 min of incubation at 4 degrees C. A Km for ATP of 6 microM was calculated for this phosphorylation reaction. Addition of IGF-II caused an approximately 2-fold increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of the IGF-II receptor in this preparation. In contrast, phosphorylation of angiotensin II by the Triton X-100 washed membranes was not stimulated by IGF-II. Incubation of purified receptor immobilized on IGF-II agarose or of receptor-enriched low density microsomal membranes with (gamma-32P)ATP did ...
Fatty acid biosynthesis is crucial for all living cells. In contrast to higher organisms, bacteria use a type II fatty acid synthase (FAS II) composed of a series of individual proteins, making...Full Text Available
Some acylhydrazine derived ONO donor Schiff bases and their Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes have been prepared having the same metal ion (cation) but different anions. These synthesized metal(II) complexes have been characterized on the basis of their elemental analyses, magnetic moment, molar conductance, and IR and electronic spectral data. All of the Schiff base ligands function as tridentates and the deprotonated enolic form is preferred for coordination. In order to evaluate the effect of anions on the bactericidal activity, these synthesized complexes, in comparison to the uncomplexed Schiff bases have been screened against bacterial species., Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the results are reported. PMID:18475936
High-temperature LiCl-KCl molten salt medium provides an efficient way to produce the paramagnetic Eu(II) ion to be magnetically diluted into a diamagnetic host medium. Eu(II) was formed by a dissolution and an auto-reduction processes in a high-temperature LiCl-KCl eutectic melt at 723 K by using Eu{sub 2}O{sub 3} as a starting material. By using EPR and luminescence spectroscopic method, we studied the nature of the magnetically isolated paramagnetic Eu(II) ion diluted in a LiCl-KCl medium. With the aid of these spectroscopic tools, it was found that stable Eu(II) species was formed spontaneously at 723 K under anaerobic conditions. EPR and luminescence spectroscopy provided detailed information regarding the nature of the europium ion in a molten salt.
High-temperature LiCl-KCl molten salt medium provides an efficient way to produce the paramagnetic Eu(II) ion to be magnetically diluted into a diamagnetic host medium. Eu(II) was formed by a dissolution and an auto-reduction processes in a high-temperature LiCl-KCl eutectic melt at 723 K by using Eu_2O_3 as a starting material. By using EPR and luminescence spectroscopic method, we studied the nature of the magnetically isolated paramagnetic Eu(II) ion diluted in a LiCl-KCl medium. With the aid of these spectroscopic tools, it was found that stable Eu(II) species was formed spontaneously at 723 K under anaerobic conditions. EPR and luminescence spectroscopy provided detailed information regarding the nature of the europium ion in a molten salt.
High-temperature LiCl-KCl molten salt medium provides an efficient way to produce the paramagnetic Eu(II) ion to be magnetically diluted into a diamagnetic host medium. Eu(II) was formed by a dissolution and an auto-reduction processes in a high-temperature LiCl-KCl eutectic melt at 723K by using Eu2O3 as a starting material. By using EPR and luminescence spectroscopic method, we studied the nature of the magnetically isolated paramagnetic Eu(II) ion diluted in a LiCl-KCl medium. With the aid of these spectroscopic tools, it was found that stable Eu(II) species was formed spontaneously at 723K under anaerobic conditions. EPR and luminescence spectroscopy provided detailed information regarding the nature of the europium ion in a molten salt.
We determined the chromosomal localization and structure of the gene encoding human type II inosine 5{prime}-monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH, EC 1.1.1.205), an enzyme associated with cellular proliferation, malignant transformation, and differentiation. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers specific for type II IMPDH, we screened a panel of human-Chinese hamster cell somatic hybrids and a separate deletion panel of chromosome 3 hybrids and localized the gene to 3p21.1{yields}p24.2. Two overlapping yeast artificial chromosome clones containing the full gene for type II IMPDH were isolated and a physical map of 117 kb of human genomic DNA in this region of chromosome 3 was constructed. The gene for type II IMPDH was localized and oriented on this map and found to span no more than 12.5 kb.
In this study we compared various maturity dependent aromatic, steroid and triterpenoid hydrocarbon ratios in bitumens that are freely extractable from sedimentary rocks (Bitumen I) with those in second extracts that comprised hydrocarbons closely associated with the kerogen/mineral matrix (Bitumen II). Bitumen II was released through kerogen isolation and demineralisation using HCl and HF/H3BO3. The samples studied, although of similar age, come from different localities. They represent a range of facies and two kerogen types (II and III), and all were deposited under marine conditions. The results show that the more stable b isomers of methylnaphthalene (MN) and methylphenanthrene (MP) are relatively more abundant in Bitumen II. The difference between the methylnaphthalene ratio (MNR) of...
In this study, the biosorption of Cd(II), Ni(II) and Pb(II) on Aspergillus niger in a batch system was investigated, and optimal condition determined by means of central composite design (CCD) under response surface methodology (RSM). Biomass inactivated by heat and pretreated by alkali solution was used in the determination of optimal conditions. The effect of initial solution pH, biomass dose and initial ion concentration on the removal efficiency of metal ions by A. niger was optimized using a design of experiment (DOE) method. Experimental results indicated that the optimal conditions for biosorption were 5.22 g/L, 89.93 mg/L and 6.01 for biomass dose, initial ion concentration and solution pH, respectively. Enhancement of metal biosorption capacity of the dried biomass by pretreatment with sodium hydroxide was observed. Maximal removal efficiencies for Cd(II), Ni(III) and ...
The radiation reduction of bis(1-ethylimidazole)tartratoplatinum(II) (EITPt(II)) complexes in methanol-water solution have been examined. The yields of Pt(I) depend on the presence of O{sub 2} in solutions as well as the dose applied. The rate constants of e{sub s}{sup -} scavenging by EITPt(II) and cis(diammine-1,1-cyclobutanedicarboxylato) platinum(II) (CBDCAPt(II)) have been determined by pulse radiolysis to be equal to 5.4 x 10{sup 9} and 6.4 x 10{sup 9} M{sup -1} s{sup -1}, respectively. The efficiencies of e{sub t}{sup -} scavenging by EITPt(II) and the rate of e{sub t}{sup -} photobleaching have also been determined in LiCl : H{sub 2}O : CH{sub 3}OH and MgCl{sub 2} : H{sub 2}O : CH{sub 3}OH glasses, respectively. (author).
BackgroundIsoproterenol-induced cardiac hypertrophy in mice has been used in a number of studies to model human cardiac disease. In this study, we compared the transcriptional response...Full Text Available
Studies fail to find uniform effects of age-related or induced hypogonadism on human sexual function. We examined the effects of induced hypogonadism on sexual function in healthy men and women...Full Text Available
The author derives to which of the three types an irreducible UA representation which is obtained with the procedure of generalised induction belongs. The question whether or not the irreducible induced UA representations are on standardform is analysed. The results hold as well for induced PUA representations. (Auth.).
Many patients are currently suffering from nickel (Ni)-induced allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). There have been few Korean studies dealing with the threshold of Ni-induced ACD and quantifying the...Full Text Available
We introduce cyclophosphamide-induced alopecia (CYP-IA) in C57BL-6 mice as a clinically relevant model for studying the biology of chemotherapy-induced alopecia and for developing anti-alopecia drugs....Full Text Available
The issue of beam-induced damage on diffractive hard X-ray optics is addressed. For this purpose a systematic study on the radiation damage induced by a high-power X-ray beam is carried out in both...Full Text Available
Comparative studies of flocculent and grand-design spirals suggest that density waves are not the predominant trigger of star formation in most galaxies. Implications for chemical evolution are profound. It may be possible to ignore the details of the spiral-wave phenomenon in research aimed at unifying the chemical properties of spiral disks. 16 references.
BackgroundA key question in the risk assessment of exposures to multiple chemicals is whether mixture effects may occur when chemicals are combined at low doses which individually...Full Text Available
Simultaneous or prior exposure to one chemical may alter the concurrent or subsequent response to another chemical, often in unexpected ways. This is particularly true when the two chemicals...Full Text Available
Environmental chemicals that function as estrogens have been suggested to be associated with an increase in disease and dysfunctions in animals and humans. To characterize chemicals that may act as...Full Text Available
An approach to generate mimics of phosphorylated serine proteins chemically through site-specific sulfonation of cysteine is presented. This chemical modification is reversible in the presence of reducing agent and therefore is analogous to the kinase/phosphatase system used in nature. PMID:21717004
The experimental data set used to evaluate site-specific histopathologic correspondence between the morphologic end points of toxicity and carcinogenicity comprises 130 chemical carcinogenesis studies....Full Text Available
Several organophosphate and organochlorine compounds, including pesticides commonly found in the Great Lakes basin, have the potential to induce immunotoxicity. Because of biomagnification and accumulation...Full Text Available
Neutron-induced soft error rates (SER`s) of subhalf-micron CMOS SRAM and Latch circuits were studied both experimentally and analytically to investigate cosmic ray neutron-induced soft errors (SE`s). Because the neutron beam used in the measurement has an energy spectrum similar to that of sea-level atmospheric neutrons, the SER data corresponds to those induced by cosmic ray neutrons. The {alpha}-particle induced SER`s were also measured for comparison with the neutron-induced SER`s. Neutron-induced SE`s occurred in both circuits. On the other hand, {alpha}-induced SE`s occurred in SRAM, but not in the Latch circuit. The measured SER`s agreed with simulated results. The authors discussed the significance of how cosmic ray neutrons affects CMOS circuits at ground level.
Lens-induced glaucoma comprises a number of different glaucomatous processes occurring in the elderly that share in common the role of the crystalline lens in the mechanism of increase in intraocular...Full Text Available
In rats, drug-induced depression of the central nervous system has been shown generally to be associated with an elevation in level of total acetylcholine in the brain. This generalization held true...Full Text Available
The palladium(II) and platinum(II)complexes(where, (M(L){sub 2}X{sub 2}), M=Pd(II), Pt(II); L=isoxazole (isox), 3, 5-dimethylisoxazole(3, 5-diMeisox), 3-methyl, 5-phenylisoxazole(3-Me, 5-Ph-isox), and 4-amino-3, 5-di-methylisoxazole (4-ADI); X=Cl, Br) with isoxazole and its derivatives were investigated on antitumor activity by MM2 and EHMO calculation. Because for all the complexes the {sigma}MO energy level (E{sub {sigma}}{sub (M-X)} between d{sub x}{sup 2}{sub -y}{sup 2} orbital of central metal and p{sub x} orbital of halogen atom is less than {sigma}MO energy level E{sub {sigma}}{sub (M-N)} between d{sub x}{sup 2}{sub -y}{sup 2} orbital of central metal and p{sub x} orbital of N atom, without exception. And judging, from the lower E{sub {sigma}}{sub (M-X)} value in trans, the bonding strength was found to be weaker in trans isomer than in cis. For the Pd(II) and ...
Varying coordination modes of the Schiff base ligand H"2L [5-methyl-1-H-pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid (1-pyridin-2-yl-ethylidene)-hydrazide] towards different metal centers are reported with the syntheses and characterization of four mononuclear Mn(II), Co(II), Cd(II) and Zn(II) complexes, [Mn(H"2L)(H"2O)"2](ClO"4)"2(MeOH) (1), [Co(H"2L)(NCS)"2] (2), [Cd(H"2L)(H"2O)"2](ClO"4)"2 (3) and [Zn(H"2L)(H"2O)"2](ClO"4)"2 (4), and a binuclear Cu(II) complex, [Cu"2(L)"2](ClO"4)"2 (5). In the complexes 1-4 the neutral ligand serves as a 3N,2O donor where the pyridine ring N, two azomethine N and two carbohydrazine oxygen atoms are coordinatively active, leaving the pyrazole-N atoms inactive. In the case of complex 5, each ligand molecule behaves as a 4N,O donor utilizing the pyridine N, one azomethine N...
The biosorption characteristics of Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions from aqueous solution using the green alga (Ulva lactuca) biomass were investigated as a function of pH, biomass dosage, contact time, and temperature. Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) models were applied to describe the biosorption isotherm of the metal ions by U. lactuca biomass. Langmuir model fitted the equilibrium data better than the Freundlich isotherm. The monolayer biosorption capacity of U. lactuca biomass for Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions was found to be 34.7 mg/g and 29.2 mg/g, respectively. From the D-R isotherm model, the mean free energy was calculated as 10.4 kJ/mol for Pb(II) biosorption and 9.6 kJ/mol for Cd(II) biosorption, indicating that the biosorption of both metal ions was taken place by chemisorption. The calculated thermodynamic parameters ({delta}G{sup o}, ...
In the framework of the search for a ceramic material usable in the radioactive waste storage, uranium and thorium phosphates have been investigated. Their experimental synthesis conditions have been entirely reviewed, they lead to the preparation of four new compounds: U(UO{sub 2})(PO{sub 4}){sub 2}, U{sub 2}O(PO{sub 4}){sub 2}, UCIPO{sub 4}, 4H{sub 2}O, and Th{sub 4}(PO{sub 4}){sub 4}P{sub 2}O{sub 7}. Experimental evidenced are advanced for non existent compounds such as: U{sub 3}(PO{sub 4}){sub 4}, U{sub 2}O{sub 3}P{sub 2}O{sub 7} and Th{sub 3} (PO{sub 4}){sub 4}. Characterization by several techniques (X-rays and neutron powder diffractions, UV-Visible and Infra-red spectroscopies, XPS,...) were performed. The ab initio structure determination of U(UO{sub 2})(PO{sub 4}){sub 2} has been achieved by X-rays and refined by neutron diffractions. Through its physico-chemical analysis, we found that this compound was a new mixed valence uranium phosphate in which ...
There are very different views on the health hazards of DU munitions. Most of the concerns of veterans and their advisors focus on the radiological effects of DU and consequently these are the focus of this editorial. Effects on the kidney and environmental consequences are, however, considered in the second of the Royal Society reports and the main conclusions of both of the reports are outlined in the summary document published in this issue of the journal. The main radiological concerns focus on the irradiation of lung tissues from inhaled DU particles and irradiation resulting from the translocation of inhaled particles to the thoracic lymph nodes.The overwhelming scientific view, presented in the two Royal Society reports and in other independent reviews, is that the main risks of exposure to DU aerosols are an increase in lung cancer and (from chemical toxicity) damage to the kidney, although these are likely to be evident only following substantial intakes. ...
The Molecular Genetics and Carcinogenesis Section conducts studies using human epithelial cells to assess: activation of proto-oncogenes by chemical and physical carcinogens; inactivation and dysregulation of tumor suppressor genes by chemical and physical
Hard Nano-Strutural Coatings Resistant to the Extreme Conditions of Chemical, Abrasive and High Energy Media for Thermonuclear Power, Oil and Gas and Chemical Industries
Recent field observations have shown that the atmospheric plumes of quiescently degassing volcanoes are chemically very active, pointing to the role of chemical cycles involving halogen species and...Full Text Available
The existence of thresholds for toxicants is a matter of debate in chemical risk assessment and regulation. Current risk assessment methods are based on the assumption that, in the absence of sufficient...Full Text Available
Porous phosphate heterostructures (PPH), functionalized with different ratios of aminopropyl and mercaptopropyl groups, labelled as Nx=5,25,50-PPH and Sx=5,25,50-PPH, respectively, were tested as adsorbents for Ni(II) and Hg(II) found in industrial sewage from electroplating processes and button battery recycling. X-ray diffraction was used to study the structures. The specific surface area of the pristine material (PPH) was 620m^2g^-^1, whereas the specific surface areas of the modified mercaptopropyl (S5-PPH) and aminopropyl (N5-PPH) were 472 and 223m^2g^-^1, respectively. The adsorption data were fitted to a Langmuir isotherm model. The S5-PPH material was saturated by 120mmol Hg(II) per 100g of material, whereas for Ni(II) adsorption, N25-PPH material displayed the highest adsorption w...
The relationship between serum PG I, PG II levels and extent of atrophic gastritis was examined. The subjects were 64 patients (male: 32, female: 32, 51.9 years old on average) with established diagnosis of either atrophic gastritis or normal. In the X-ray gastric examination, Fuji Computed Radiography (FCR) was used to obtain clear-cut images of the gastric area. Concerning the serum PG I level, patients in the group with atrophic gastritis showed lower levels than those of the people in the group with no atrophic change, but the variation was wide, and no definite tendency was seen in the relationship between the atrophic change and the serum PG I levels. Concerning the serum PG II level, as the atrophic change progresses, the serum PG II level tended to increase gradually. A significant reduction in the PG I/II ratio was seen in the group with atrophic changes (p<0.01) in comparison with the group ...
The relationship between serum PG I, PG II levels and extent of atrophic gastritis was examined. The subjects were 64 patients (male: 32, female: 32, 51.9 years old on average) with established diagnosis of either atrophic gastritis or normal. In the X-ray gastric examination, Fuji Computed Radiography (FCR) was used to obtain clear-cut images of the gastric area. Concerning the serum PG I level, patients in the group with atrophic gastritis showed lower levels than those of the people in the group with no atrophic change, but the variation was wide, and no definite tendency was seen in the relationship between the atrophic change and the serum PG I levels. Concerning the serum PG II level, as the atrophic change progresses, the serum PG II level tended to increase gradually. A significant reduction in the PG I/II ratio was seen in the group with atrophic changes (p<0.01) in comparison with the group ...
The biosorption characteristics of Cd(II) ions using the red alga (Ceramium virgatum) were investigated. Experimental parameters affecting the biosorption process such as pH, contact time, biomass dosage and temperature were studied. Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) models were applied to describe the biosorption isotherms. The biosorption capacity of C. virgatum biomass for Cd(II) ions was found to be 39.7 mg/g. From the D-R isotherm model, the mean free energy was calculated as 12.7 kJ/mol, indicating that the biosorption of Cd(II) the metal ions was taken place by chemisorption. The calculated thermodynamic parameters ({delta}G{sup o}, {delta}H{sup o} and {delta}S{sup o}) showed that the biosorption of Cd(II) ions onto C. virgatum was feasible, spontaneous and exothermic at 293-323 K. Evaluation of experimental data in terms of biosorption kinetics showed that the biosorption of ...
Apparent molar volumes V{sub phi} and apparent molar heat capacities C{sub p,phi} were determined for aqueous solutions of nickel(II) nitrate, copper(II) nitrate, and zinc(II) nitrate at molalities m=(0.01 to 0.5) mol {center_dot} kg{sup -1}, and at the pressure p=0.35 MPa. Solution densities obtained using a vibrating-tube densimeter at T=(278.15 to 368.15) K were used to calculate V{sub phi} values. Heat capacity measurements obtained with a twin fixed-cell, differential-output, power-compensating, temperature-scanning calorimeter at T=(278.15 to 393.15) K were used to calculate values of C{sub p,phi}. Our results were then fitted to functions of m and T and compared to literature values.
For heavy-ion beam driven inertial fusion ''liquid-protected'' reactor designs such as HYLIFE-II, a mixture of molten salts made of F{sup 10}, Li{sup -6}, Li{sup 7} and Be{sup 9} (called flibe) allows small chambers and final-focus magnets closer to the target with superconducting coils suffering higher radiation damage, though they can stand only a certain amount of energy deposited before quenching. This work has been primarily focusing on verifying that total energy deposited by fusion neutrons and induced gamma rays remain under such limit values and the final purpose is the optimization of the shielding of the magnetic lens system from the points of view of the geometrical configuration and of the physical nature of the materials adopted. The system is analyzed in terms of six geometrical models going from simplified up to much more realistic representations of a system of 192 beam lines, each focused by ...
Here we examine Fe speciation within Fe-encrusted biofilms formed during 2-month seafloor incubations of sulfide mineral assemblages at the Main Endeavor Segment of the Juan de Fuca Ridge. The biofilms were distributed heterogeneously across the surface of the incubated sulfide and composed primarily of particles with a twisted stalk morphology resembling those produced by some aerobic Fe-oxidizing microorganisms. Our objectives were to determine the form of biofilm-associated Fe, and identify the sulfide minerals associated with microbial growth. We used micro-focused synchrotron-radiation X-ray fluorescence mapping (mu XRF), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (mu EXAFS), and X-ray diffraction (mu XRD) in conjunction with focused ion beam (FIB) sectioning, and highresolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The chemical and mineralogical composition of an Fe-encrusted biofilm was queried at different spatial scales, and the spatial relationship between primary ...
System-level-operational testing of the ETX-II test-bed electric vehicle is described and the results discussed. Because the traction battery is a major factor in the performance of an electric vehicle, previously reported work on the sodium-sulfur battery designed for use with the ETX-II is reviewed in detail. Chassis dynamometer performance of the test-bed vehicle met or exceeded design goals and compared reasonably well with SIMPLEV computer modeling results. Areas are identified wherein further work is needed to establish a firmer basis for comparison of the simulation and the observed results.
A lot of effort has been made to spread the application of RTOS in embedded system development in China. RTOS, #mu#C/OS and #mu#C/OS-II, with its opened source code, is well known in embedded systems. Learning RTOS, Using RTOS, becomes more and more popular. The Book of 'Micro C/OS-II The Real-Time Kennel Second Edition' was published in 2002. Here some new progress of the RTOS, especially the safety certifications, the reliability of software is introduced. (authors)
The KENTORT II process includes integral fluidized bed zones for pyrolysis, gasification, and combustion of the oil shale. The purpose of this program is to design and test the KENTORT II process at the 50-lb/hr scale. Along with the major activity of assembling the components of the 50-lb/hr retort, work was also completed in other areas this quarter. Basic studies of the cracking and coking kinetics of model compounds in a fixed bed reactor were continued. Additionally, as part of the effort to investigate niche market applications for KENTORT II-derived products, a study of the synthesis of carbon fibers from the heavy fraction of KENTORT II shale oil was initiated.
Active Activator (Ac) elements undergo mutations to become nonautonomous Dissociation (Ds) elements at a low frequency. To understand...Full Text Available
... in Taylor and Williamson.* Most satellite sensors cannot be ... The coordinates of the rocket Ii ... I - Incoming Global Radiant Flux between 0.285 and ...
Abstract Copper(II) bis(thiosemicarbazone) are very useful for blood flow and hypoxic imaging. The aim of this study was to identify structure-activity relationships (SARs) within a series of analogues with different substitution patterns in the ligands, in order to design improved hypoxia imaging agents and elucidate hypoxia selectivity mechanisms. Genetic algorithms (GAs) were used to develop specific copper metal-ligand force field parameters for the MM3 force-field calculations. These new parameters produced results in good agreement with experiment and previously reported copper metal-ligand parameters. A successful quantitative SAR (QSAR) for predicting the several classes of Cu(II)-chelating ligands was built using a training set of 21 Cu(II) complexes. The QSAR exhibited a correlat...
missionaries and cannibals puzzle. He noted that in order to be able to use a boat to cross a river one would need ... a quali cation that the vertical exhaust stack ...
... And those who study cognition select problems (eg, tower of Hanoi, missionaries and cannibals, logic theorems) with minimal perceptual and motor ...
Form as the end result of massive star evolution; Type II supernova: collapse of iron core in highly evolved massive star; outer regions blasted away in ...
... centers in materials research. MRSECs address fundamental materials research topics of intellectual ... in materials research. II. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION MRSECs are supported by NSF to undertake materials ...
The biosorption of lead, copper and zinc ions on Rhizopus arrhizus has been studied for three single-component and two binary systems. The equilibrium data have been analysed using the Freundlich adsorption model. The characteristic parameters for the Freundlich adsorption model have been determined and the competition coefficients for the competitive biosorption of Pb(II)-Cu(II) at pH 4.0 and 5.0, and Pb(II)-Zn(II) at pH 5.0 have been calcualted. For the individual single-component isotherms, lead has the highest biosorption capacity followed by copper, then zinc. The capacity of lead in the two binary systems is always significantly greater than those of the other metal ions, in agreement with the single-component data. Only a partial selectivity for copper ions has been obtained at pH 4.0. (orig.)
Hexavalent chromium in corrosion preventive coating 64 ...To prevent corrosion of rims, weights can be provided with a coating. ...integrated clips brought up technical problems due to corrosion
... Science, Computer Vision, Digital Government, Digital Libraries, Digital Society and Technologies ... for Robust Intelligence, Digital Government, and Digital Libraries and Archives. In subsequent years ...
... Ready-to-Eat (MRE) VIII operational ration was evaluated at a field training exercise (Market Square II) with troops of the 82nd Airborne Division. ...
Given a double complex $X$ there are spectral sequences with the $E_2$ terms being either H$_I$ (H$_{II}(X))$ or H$_{II}($H$_I (X))$. But if $H_I(X)=H_{II}(X)=0$ both spectral sequences have all their terms 0. This can happen even though there is nonzero (co)homology of interest associated with $X$. This is frequently the case when dealing with Tate (co)homology. So in this situation the spectral sequences may not give any information about the (co)homology of interest. In this article we give a different way of constructing homology groups of $X$ when H$_I(X)=$H$_{II}(X)=0$. With this result we give a new and elementary proof of balance of Tate homology and cohomology.
This objective of this work was to summarize the main results obtained in previous papers related to the adsorbent-adsorbate interactions involved in the adsorption of naphthalenesulphonic acids and heavy metals (Cd(II) or Hg(II)) by modified activated carbons. The adsorption of organic compounds (1-naphthalenesulphonic acid, 1,5-naphthalenedisulphonic acid and 1,3,6-naphthalenetrisulphonic acid) and inorganic species (Cd(II) and Hg(II)) was studied on a series of ozonized activated carbon in aqueous phase. Commercial activated carbon (Filtrasorb 400) was treated with different ozone doses to study the effect of ozone treatment on its surface properties and investigate the behavior of the treated carbon samples in the above adsorption processes. After ozonation, carbonyl- and carboxyl-type...
Four techniques for using LIDAR in Search and Rescue Operations will be discussed. The topic will include laser retroreflection, laser-induced fluorescence in the visible, laser-induced fluorescence during daylight hours, and laser-induced fluorescence in the uv. These techniques use high-repetition rate lasers at a variety of frequencies to induce either fluorescence in dye markers or retroreflection from plastic corner cubes on life preservers and other emergency markers.
The hardening and embrittlement of reactor pressure vessel (RPV) steels is of great concern in the actual nuclear power plant life assessment. This embrittlement is caused by irradiation-induced damage, like vacancies, interstitials, solutes and their clusters. The current procedure to estimate material properties for the irradiated pressure vessels is based on Charpy-V tests of identical material located at the inner shell of the reactor. But the reason for the embrittlement of the materials is not yet totally known. The real nature of the irradiation damage should thus be examined as well as its evolution in time. Fe-Cu binary alloys are often used to mimic the behaviour of such steels. Their study allows. Identifying some of the defects responsible of the hardening, especially when compared to pure iron or C-micro-alloyed iron. More recently the influence of manganese and nickel in low-Cu RPV steels has become a significant topic. Thus in contrast with the ...
The entrapment of proteins using the sol-gel route provides a means to retain its native properties and artificially reproduce the molecular crowding and confinement experienced by proteins in the cell allowing investigation of the physico-chemical and structural properties of biomolecules at the biotic/abiotic interface. The biomolecules are spatially separated and 'caged' in the gel structure but solutes can freely permeate the matrix. Thus, properties such as the folding of ensembles of individual molecules can be examined in the absence of aggregation effects that can occur in solution studies. Green fluorescent protein from Aequorea coerulescens was used as a model protein to examine the unfolding/re-folding properties of protein in silica gels. The recombinant protein was isolated and purified from Escherichia coli extracts by cell lysis, three-phase partitioning, dialysis, and anion exchange chromatography. The purity of the protein was ...
The US DOE manages the safe storage of approximately 650,000 tons of depleted uranium hexafluoride remaining from the Cold War. This slightly radioactive, but chemically active, material is contained in more than 46,000 steel storage cylinders that are located at Oak Ridge, Tennessee; Paducah, Kentucky; and Portsmouth, Ohio. Some of the cylinders are more than 40 years old, and approximately 17,500 are considered problem cylinders because their physical integrity is questionable. These cylinders require an annual visual inspection. The remainder of the 46,000-plus cylinders must be visually inspected every four years. Currently, the cylinder inspection program is extremely labor intensive. Because these inspections are accomplished visually, they may not be effective in the early detection of leaking cylinders. The inspection program requires approximately 12--14 full-time-equivalent (FTE) employees. At the cost of approximately $125K per FTE, this translates to ...
Measurements of temperature and NO concentration in laminar, partially premixed methane-air flames stabilized on a ceramic burner in coflow are reported. The NO concentration and temperature were determined by laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) and coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS), respectively. Upstream heat loss to the burner was varied by changing the exit velocity of the fuel-air mixture at a constant equivalence ratio of 1,3; this alters the structure of the flame from an axisymmetric Bunsen-type to a strongly stabilized flat flame. To facilitate analysis of the results, a method is derived for separating the effects of dilution from those of chemical reaction based on the relation between the measured temperature and the local mixture fraction, including the effects of upstream heat loss. Using this method, the amount of NO formed during burnout of the hot, fuel-rich combustion products can be ascertained. In the Bunsen-type ...
The main aim of any food irradiation treatment is to guarantee the best safe quality of the products, reducing the spreading risk ("cross-contamination") for several food-associated diseases. Actually, over 40 countries provide clearances for the treatment of about 45 different types of foodstuffs. EU has to homogenise the situation within the associated States. With the European directive 1999/2/EC Italy, as other EU countries, already has brought into force their regulations to comply. The current Italian regulation on irradiation treatment of foodstuffs is referred since 1996 as follows: a) potatoes, onions and garlic; b) spices, herbs and condiments microbial. The new (April 2001) Italian law allows the possibility to ask for special permission of treatment for other foodstuff which is possible to treat in other E.U. countries. Large majority of foods are submitted to irradiation treatment after they have been packaged. In Dutch cases the study of radiation effects on the package ...
The hypothesis that accumulation against sizable chemical gradients of free (non-phosphorylated) 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2dGlc) in isolated rat adipocytes results from an intracellular compartmentation of free hexose was investigated. Cells exposed to 20 ..mu..g/ml digitonin for 10' demonstrated an increased plasma membrane permeability indexed by increased L-glucose entry rates and cellular (presumably cytosolic) protein and K/sup +/ loss. Functional integrity of intracellular organelles was indicated by the ability of the cells to support ATP-driven /sup 45/Ca/sup 2 +/-uptake. Equilibrium 3-O-methylglucose (3-O-MG, a non-accumulated hexose) levels were unaffected. These data suggest a specific permeabilizing action of digitonin at the plasma membrane having no effect on intracellular organelles or passively distributed solutes. Upon addition of digitonin, free 2dGlc fell from 66.5 +/- 8.9 to 7.4 +/- 2.3 pmol/10/sup 5/ cells, a value not significantly ...
We previously reported the identification of a new family of plant methyltransferases (MTs), named the SABATH family, that use S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM) to methylate a carboxyl moiety or a nitrogen-containing functional group on a diverse array of plant compounds. The Arabidopsis genome alone contains 24 distinct SABATH genes. To identify the catalytic specificities of members of this protein family in Arabidopsis, we screened recombinantly expressed and purified enzymes with a large number of potential substrates. Here, we report that the Arabidopsis thaliana gene At3g44860 encodes a protein with high catalytic specificity towards farnesoic acid (FA). Under steady-state conditions, this farnesoic acid carboxyl methyltransferase (FAMT) exhibits K{sub M} values of 41 and 71 {mu}M for FA and SAM, respectively. A three-dimensional model of FAMT constructed based upon similarity to the experimentally determined structure of Clarkia breweri salicylic acid methyltransferase (SAMT) ...