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.
Cu(II)-ATSM continues to be investigated, both in the laboratory and in the clinic, as a tumor hypoxia imaging agent. However, meaningful interpretation of these images requires a more complete understanding of the mechanism by which the tracer is trapped within the cell. Cu(II)-ATSM is a simple molecule and its biochemical interaction with cells is similarly simple, mainly based upon redox chemistry. Here we suggest that the trapping mechanism is biphasic. The first phase is a reduction/oxidation cycle involving thiols and molecular oxygen. This can be followed by interaction with proteins in the mitochondria leading to more permanent retention of the tracer. The uptake mechanism is complicated by this second step because of the changes in the cell resulting from hypoxia, such as an incre...
The authors continued their efforts in studying the mechanism of carbalkoxylation of {sigma}-vinyls bound to platinum(II). In this work, the focus was specifically on the reductive elimination of {alpha},{beta}-unsaturated carboxylic esters form the carbonylated, alkoylated intermediates. Crystal structures of the carbonylated (12) and alkoxylated (13) intermediates were reported. Kinetic and NMR studies indicate that reductive elimination proceeds via a preequilibration involving phosphine dissociation, followed by a rate-determining trans-cis isomerization. 35 refs., 3 figs., 5 tabs.
Woolfolk, C. A. (University of Washington, Seattle). Reduction of inorganic compounds with molecular hydrogen by Micrococcus lactilyticus. II. Stoichiometry with inorganic...Full Text Available
uv irradiation (365 nm) of air-saturated methanol solutions of 20 drugs absorbing in the 300 to 400 nm region gave rise to oxygen uptake, as determined with a polarographic oxygen electrode. The drugs were tested for photosensitizing capability by either a Type I (free radical) or a Type II (single molecular oxygen) mechanism. This testing was done by the inclusion of either acrylamide or 2,5-dimethylfuran in the irradiated drug solution, with observation of the subsequent polymerization or oxidation, respectively. Phenothiazine and thiazide derivatives appear capable of photosensitization by both mechanisms; promethazine, trifluoperazine, and furosemide show relatively high reactivity. Diazepam (weak), hexachlorophene, aminacrine, pyrilamine, tetracycline, demeclocyline, quinine, and anthracene (strong) react only by a Type IImechanism, with a photosensitizing ...
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 ...
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 initial lesions could be demonstrated after ...
Molecular Misreading (MM) is the inaccurate conversion of genomic information into aberrant proteins. For example, when RNA polymerase II transcribes a GAGAG motif it synthesizes at low frequency RNA...Full Text Available
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
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
Functionalizing of single molecules on surfaces has manifested great potential for bottom-up construction of complex devices on a molecular scale. We discuss the growth mechanism for the initial layers...Full Text Available
AbstractWe combined atomistic molecular-dynamics simulations with quantum-mechanical calculations to investigate the sequence dependence of the stretching behavior of duplex DNA. Our...Full Text Available
There is very little known about the long-term evolution of the MHC and MHC-like molecules. This is because both the theory (the evolutionary questions and models) and the practice (the animals systems, functional assays and reagents to identify and characterize these molecules) have been difficult to develop. There is no molecular evidence yet to decide whether vertebrate immune systems (and particularly the MHC molecules) are evolutionarily related to invertebrate allorecognition systems, and the functional evidence can be interpreted either way. Even among the vertebrates, there is great heterogeneity in the quality and quantity of the immune response. The functional evidence for T-lymphocyte function in jawless and cartilagenous fish is poor, while the bony fish seem to have many characteristics of a mammalian immune system. The organization and sequence of fish Ig genes also indicate that important events in the evolution of the immune system and the MHC ...
A class-V myosin, myosin V, one of 18 known classes of actin-based motor proteins, plays a role in transporting organelles within a cell. Unlike myosin-II, which functions as an assembly in the thick filaments of muscle, myosin V is a two-headed processive motor protein, which functions as a single molecule: myosin V performs many consecutive steps before it detaches from an actin filament accompanied by catalytic cycles of ATP (adenosine 5'-triphosphate) ase. The mechanism of such chemomechanical steps is explained by a 'Hand-over-hand model' in which two heads of myosin V alternately repeat single-headed and double-headed bindings with an actin filament. To investigate the binding state of myosin V at several key nucleotide states during ATP hydrolysis, we measured the mechanical properties of a single myosin V - actin complex by applying an external load with optical trap.
The batchwise preparation of molecular sieves for methanol conversion shows some inconsistency in catalytic stability. This is a result mainly of the change of SiO/SUB/2/Al/SUB/2O/SUB/3 in ion exchange to an H-type sieve. The dealumination during ion exchange depends upon crystal size and structural factors, which can be characterised by the cyclohexane adsorption of the raw molecular sieve. A high SiO/SUB/2/Al/SUB/2O/SUB/3 H-molecular sieve can be prepared from a molecular sieve of high adsorption capacity, this leading to a catalyst of higher stability. (4 refs.)
Scheme of theoretical method of molecular configuration definition for small organic molecules in solution has been presented. The method bases on measurements of nuclear Overhauser effects for proton-proton interactions and molecularmechanics calculations. 3 refs, 1 fig.
Combined QM(PM3)/MM molecular dynamics simulations together with QM(DFT)/MM optimizations for key configurations have been performed to elucidate the enzymatic catalysis mechanism on the detoxification...Full Text Available
BackgroundHealth risk from exposure of perfluorochemicals (PFCs) to wildlife and human has been a subject of great interest for understanding their molecularmechanism of toxicity....Full Text Available
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
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 ...
Some aspects of molecularmechanisms common to radiation and chemical carcinogenesis are discussed, particularly the DNA damage done by these agents. Emphasis is placed on epidemiological considerations and on dose-response models used in risk assessment to extrapolate from experimental data obtained at high doses to the effects from long-term, low-level exposures. 3 references, 6 figures. (ACR)
We have used a cell-free polymerase I transcription system derived from HeLa cells to study the regulation of human rRNA synthesis. Analysis of deletion mutants spanning the start site of transcription at nucleotide +1 indicates that the control region affecting initiation of human rRNA synthesis is contained within sequences from nucleotides -158 to +18. This promoter region can be subdivided into (i) a central segment of approximately 40 base pair that is required for transcription and (ii) flanking sequences that influence the efficiency of transcription in vitro. We have examined the in vitro transcriptional activity of the human extract under various conditions that are thought to modulate rRNA synthesis in vivo. Cell-free extracts prepared from HeLa cells infected with adenovirus 2 synthesize human rRNA at levels greatly decreased relative to uninfected cell extracts. By contrast, in vitro transcription of human rRNA is stimulated 2- to 3-fold by the addition ...
Advances in modern neuroscience require the identification of principles that connect different levels of experimental analysis, from molecularmechanisms to explanations of cellular functions,...Full Text Available
Physiological bone remodeling is a highly coordinated process responsible for bone resorption and formation and is necessary to repair damaged bone and to maintain mineral homeostasis. In addition to...Full Text Available
The EXAFS spectra of the platinum(III) complexes Pt/sub 4/(OAc)/sub 10/(OH)/sub 2/ (I) and Pt/sub 4/ (OAc)/sub 4/(OH)/sub 8/(H/sub 2/O)/sub 2/ (II) have been investigated. It has been found by a curve-fitting method and with the aid of Fourier transformations that the shortest Pt-Pt distances are 2.61 A in complex I and 2.36 and 2.6 A in II. The values of the bond lengths obtained are consistent with the molecular structures proposed for complexes I and II, which contain skeletons of four platinum atoms in the form of a square or a rectangle, as well as with the known literature data on the lengths of Pt-Pt bonds in Pt(III) complexes.
We use a novel normal mode analysis of an elastic network model drawn from configurations generated during microsecond all-atom molecular dynamics simulations to analyze the mechanism of auto-inhibition...Full Text Available
Emphasis was put on the comparative quantitative structure-activity approaches to the exploration of action mechanisms of structurally different classes of compounds showing the same type of activity...Full Text Available
Ion-channels can be activated (gated) by a variety of stimuli including chemicals, voltage, mechanical force or temperature. Whereas molecularmechanisms of ion-channel gating by chemicals and...Full Text Available
Methylation of the arginine residues of histones by methyltransferases has important consequences for chromatin structure and gene regulation; however, the molecularmechanism(s) of methyltransferase...Full Text Available
The inhibitor action of unbranched polyamines on corrosion of low-carbon steel in 0.5 M sulfuric acid is studied through potentiostatic polarization curves. It is shown that the inhibitor efficiency I depends on the polyamine concentration and molecular structure. The quantum-mechanical calculations of molecular properties are accomplished through the MNDO method. Correlation between the measured I and physicochemical properties of the polyamine inhibitors in protonized and nonprotonized form is found with application of the general perturbation theory
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 potential role of CDX at molecular level involves ...
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.
In mammals and insects, paracellular blood barriers isolate the nervous system from the rest of the animal. Glia and accessory cells of the nervous system use pumps, channels, cotransporters, and exchangers collectively to maintain the extracellular ion environment and osmotic balance in the nervous system. At present, the molecularmechanisms that regulate this process remain unclear. In humans, loss of extracellular ion and volume regulation in the nervous system poses serious health threats. Drosophila is a model genetic organism with a proven track record for uncovering molecularmechanisms relevant to human health and disease. Here, we review what is known about extracellular ion and volume regulation in larval abdominal nerves, present some new data about the impact of neural activity on the extracellular environment, and relate the findings to mammalian systems. Homologies have been found at the ...
A rapid and sensitive method for the separation and determination of titanium and iron in thiocyanate system has been developed. The extractability of Ti(II) by high molecular weight (HMWA) in organic solvent (HCl/sub 3/) and its separation from Fe(III) was examined. The yellow coloured complex of Ti(II)-SCN in quantitatively extracted into the organic phase containing tribenzyl tribenzylamine (TBA) - a high molecular weight amine, whereas the blood red coloured complex of Fe(III)-SCN formed under the same conditions get separated in the aqueous phase. On the basis of the selective extractability, a method has been developed for the separation as well as simultaneous determination of Ti(II) and Fe(III) in presence of many other elements. The molar extinction coefficients were found to be 1.9 x 10/sup 5/ l mol/sup -1/ cm/sup -1/ and 1.11 x 10/sup 5/ l mol/sup -1/ cm/sup -1/ ...
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), ...
The PbII binding characteristics of the previously reported PbII binding proteins of rat kidney cytosol were investigated further. Saturation and Scatchard analysis of /sup 203/Pb binding in whole cytosol and in 40% saturated ammonium sulfate precipitated fractions disclosed a class of relatively high-affinity sites with an apparent Kd of approximately 50 nM and binding capacities of approximately 41 and 9 pmol/mg of protein, respectively. Two /sup 203/Pb binding proteins with approximate molecular masses of 63K and 11.5K daltons and a high molecular weight component (greater than 200K) were isolated by Sepharose-6B column chromatography. The time course of association of /sup 203/Pb with cytosol and the 63K protein showed maximum binding at 18 hr which was stable up to 25 hr at 4 degrees C. The approximate half-time dissociation rate (T 1/2) of specifically bound /sup 203/Pb to the 63K protein was 100 ...
The PbII binding characteristics of the previously reported PbII binding proteins of rat kidney cytosol were investigated further. Saturation and Scatchard analysis of "2"0"3Pb binding in whole cytosol and in 40% saturated ammonium sulfate precipitated fractions disclosed a class of relatively high-affinity sites with an apparent Kd of approximately 50 nM and binding capacities of approximately 41 and 9 pmol/mg of protein, respectively. Two "2"0"3Pb binding proteins with approximate molecular masses of 63K and 11.5K daltons and a high molecular weight component (greater than 200K) were isolated by Sepharose-6B column chromatography. The time course of association of "2"0"3Pb with cytosol and the 63K protein showed maximum binding at 18 hr which was stable up to 25 hr at 4 degrees C. The approximate half-time dissociation rate (T 1/2) of specifically bound "2"0"3Pb to the 63K protein was 100 min at 4 ...
We describe a class of organic molecular magnets based on zwitterionic molecules (betaine derivatives) possessing donor, p bridge, and acceptor groups. Using extensive electronic structure calculations we show the electronic ground-state in these systems is magnetic. In addition, we show that the large energy differences computed for the various magnetic states indicate a high Neel temperature. The quantum mechanical nature of the magnetic properties originates from the conjugated p bridge (only p electrons) in cooperation with the molecular donor-acceptor character. The exchange interactions between electron spin are strong, local, and independent on the length of the p bridge.
Molecular dynamics computer simulations of a dense nanocrystalline Nickel sample are performed on the parallel Cray T3 (EPFL-Lausanne). The sample contains 50 grains with an average size of 3 nm. By perturbing the relaxed configuration elastic and plastic properties are studied. (author) 1 fig., 1 ref.
Raman and infrared spectroscopy of para-H{sub 2} to pressures in excess of 200GPa and to 8K using new ultrapure synthetic diamond anvils reveals numerous new vibrational excitations in the three high-pressure phases. Highly resolved Raman-active librons indicate differences in orientational ordering between phasesII and III, including evidence for changes within phaseII. The librons in phaseIII are strongly pressure dependent and reflect a substantial increase in ordering with pressure. Multiple vibrons in all three phases (I, II, and III) are observed. The results place new bounds on predicted crystal structures and dynamics of the dense molecular solid. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
A brief overview if provided of selected reports presented at the International Symposium on MolecularMechanisms of Radiation- and Chemical Carcinogen-Induced Cell Transformation held at Mackinac Island, Michigan on September 19-23, 1993.
Exercise promotes weight loss and improves insulin sensitivity. However, the molecularmechanisms mediating its beneficial effects are not fully understood. Obesity correlates with increased production...Full Text Available
The ability to enter a hypometabolic state upon restriction of caloric intake is pivotal for animal survival: balancing the energy budget in endotherms can be a real struggle when food is not...Full Text Available
Disorders of mitochondrial fat metabolism lead to sudden death in infants and children. Although survival is possible, the underlying molecularmechanisms which enable this outcome have not yet been...Full Text Available
BackgroundThe molecularmechanisms of variations in individual longevity are not well understood, even though longevity can be increased substantially by means of diverse experimental...Full Text Available
PurposeA prolonged seizure, status epileptics (SE), is a potent stimulus for increased neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. Molecularmechanisms...Full Text Available
Current drug treatments for post-menopausal osteoporosis cannot eliminate bone fractures, possibly because the mechanisms responsible for bone loss are not fully understood. Although research within...Full Text Available
To delineate the mechanisms of bovine leukemia virus (BLV) pathogenesis, four full-length BLV clones, 1, 8, 9, and 13, derived from the transformed cell line FLK-BLV and a clone construct, pBLV913,...Full Text Available
BackgroundThe objective of this study was to gain insight into the molecularmechanism of induced cell death (apoptosis) by PYRROLO [1,2-b][1,2,5]BENZOTHIADIAZEPINES...Full Text Available
Microorganisms in the environment can often adapt to use xenobiotic chemicals as novel growth and energy substrates. Specialized enzyme systems and metabolic pathways for the degradation of man-made...Full Text Available
The exposure of cells to several metal ions stabilizes HIF-1α protein. However, the molecularmechanisms are not completely understood. They may involve inhibition of hydroxylation by either...Full Text Available
Despite the demonstrated clinical efficacy of CD20 monoclonal antibody (mAb) for lymphoma therapy, the in vivo mechanisms of tumor depletion remain controversial and variable. To identify the molecular...Full Text Available
Calorie restriction (CR) induces a metabolic shift towards mitochondrial respiration; however, molecularmechanisms underlying CR remain unclear. Recent studies suggest that CR-induced mitochondrial...Full Text Available
BACKGROUND: Mitochondrial changes have been described in muscle tissue in acquired hypothyroidism. Among the molecularmechanisms by which thyroid hormones regulate expression of nuclear genes encoding...Full Text Available
Larvae of an anhydrobiotic insect, Polypedilum vanderplanki, accumulate very large amounts of trehalose as a compatible solute on desiccation, but the molecularmechanisms underlying...Full Text Available
Self-renewal of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) is the foundation for maintenance of spermatogenesis throughout life in males and for continuation of a species. The molecularmechanism underlying stem...Full Text Available
Different tombusviruses were able to support the replication of either homologous or heterologous defective interfering (DI) RNAs, and those infected plants usually developed typical attenuated symptoms....Full Text Available
The evolution of sex remains a hotly debated topic in evolutionary biology. In particular, studying the origins of the molecularmechanisms underlying sexual reproduction and gametogenesis (its fundamental...Full Text Available
Transgenic mouse models have contributed considerably to our understanding of the cellular and molecularmechanisms by which androgens control spermatogenesis. Cell-selective ablation of the androgen...Full Text Available
Traditional approaches to the study of hormones and cognition have been primarily observational or correlational in nature. Because this work does not permit causal relationships to be identified,...Full Text Available
The decline in immune function with aging, known as immunosenescence, has been implicated in evolutionarily diverse species, but the underlying molecularmechanisms are not understood. During aging...Full Text Available
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary malignancy of the liver, which is closely related to hepatitis C and cirrhosis. The molecularmechanisms underlying the hepatocarcinogenesis induced by HCV...Full Text Available
Research performed at LAMPF during 1985 is reported in the areas of: nuclear and particle physics; atomic and molecular physics; materials science; radiation-effects studies; biomedical research and instrumentation; nuclear chemistry; radioisotope production; and physics theory. Also reported are the status of LAMPF-II, facility development work, and accelerator operations. (LEW)
We present sensitive high angular resolution (0.''57-0.''78) SO, SO_2, CO, C_2H_5OH, HC_3N, and HCOCH_2OH line observations at millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths of the young O-type protostar W51 North made with the Submillimeter Array. We report the presence of a large (about 8000 AU) and hot molecular circumstellar disk around this object, which connects the inner dusty disk with the molecular ring or toroid reported recently and confirms the existence of a single bipolar outflow emanating from this object. The molecular emission from the large disk is observed in layers with the transitions characterized by high excitation temperatures in their lower energy states (up to 1512 K) being concentrated closer to the central massive protostar. The molecular emission from those transitions with low or moderate excitation temperatures is found in the outermost parts of the disk and exhibits an inner ...
The mechanism of cytokinesis has been difficult to define because of the short duration and the temporal-spatial dynamics involved in the formation, activation, force production, and disappearance of...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
The cytokine interleukin-7 (IL-7) has essential growth activities that maintain the homeostatic balance of the immune system. Little is known of the mechanism by which IL-7 signaling regulates metabolic...Full Text Available
This book contains over 20 selections. Some of the titles are: Continuum damage mechanics studies on the dynamic fracture of concrete; Dynamic compressive strength of cementitious materials; Rate-sensitivity of mode I and mode II fracture concrete; and An impact damage model of concrete.
substrate). Within each group of simulations, three lubricant film thicknesses are studied to examine the effect of varying lubricant thickness. Statistical data are collected from each simulation and presented in this work. Via these data, together with the evolution, of atomic and molecular configurations, a very detailed picture of the properties of this thin film interface is presented. In particular, we conclude that perfluoropolyether lubricant forms distinct molecular layers when confined between two substrates, the rate of heat generation under shearing conditions typical of those in a head-disk interface is insufficient for thermal mechanisms to result directly in lubricant degradation, and mechanical stresses attained in the head-disk interface are unlikely to result in any significant degree of lubricant degradation. This thesis examines the tribology of a head-disk interface in an operating ...
Processes for the hydrogenation of carbon monoxide have had commercial importance since about 1920, when the commercial production of methanol and higher alcohols on oxide catalysts began. Soon thereafter Fischer and Tropsch discovered that liquid hydrocarbons could be synthesized from carbon monoxide and hydrogen over Group VIII metal catalysts. Following extensive catalyst and process development efforts, this technology provided Germany with a source of liquid fuels during World War II. The period following the war saw an acceleration in research and development on the Fischer-Tropsch process, but the only commercial application that was to emerge was the SASOL process in the Union of South Africa. The oil crises of the 1970s have rekindled worldwide interest in indirect liquefaction technologies for the production of clean, high-quality motor fuels from coal. The development of more efficient coal gasification processes and the advent of ...
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...
Silanization of the silica gel surface in the synthesis of silica gel polyamine composites uses (chloropropyl)-trichlorosilane (CPTCS). It is possible to substitute a molar fraction of reagent CPTCS with methyltrichlorosilane (MTCS), creating a mixed silane surface layer. Two types of silica gels were modified with a series of MTCS:CPTCS molar ratios. Solid-state CP/MAS 29Si and 13C NMR spectroscopies were used to evaluate the surface silane composition. Surface silane coverage was markedly improved for the resulting gels. When polyamines were grafted to the resultant MTCS:CPTCS silane layers, it was shown that the decrease in the number of propyl attachments to the polyamine resulted in increased quantities of ''free amines''. Optimum MTCS:CPTCS ratios were determined for three polyamines grafted onto one silica gel. A substantial free amine increase was observed for poly(allylamine) (PAA). Metal uptake studies show increases in ...
Silanization of the silica gel surface in the synthesis of silica gel polyamine composites uses (chloropropyl)-trichlorosilane (CPTCS). It is possible to substitute a molar fraction of reagent CPTCS with methyltrichlorosilane (MTCS), creating a mixed silane surface layer. Two types of silica gels were modified with a series of MTCS:CPTCS molar ratios. Solid-state CP/MAS 29Si and 13C NMR spectroscopies were used to evaluate the surface silane composition. Surface silane coverage was markedly improved for the resulting gels. When polyamines were grafted to the resultant MTCS:CPTCS silane layers, it was shown that the decrease in the number of propyl attachments to the polyamine resulted in increased quantities of ''free amines''. Optimum MTCS:CPTCS ratios were determined for three polyamines grafted onto one silica gel. A substantial free amine increase was observed for poly(allylamine) (PAA). Metal uptake studies show increases in ...
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 ...
The results of the thermal dissolution of Barzas sapromyxite coal in benzene under supercritical conditions in a flow system are reported. It was found that the mechanical pretreatment of coal under intense impact bending conditions resulted in an increase in the yield and a change in the group composition of the liquid products: in the high-temperature region of the process, the concentration of high-molecular-weight components (preasphaltenes, asphaltenes, and resins) increased.
Biological motors generally fall into two categories: (1) those that convert chemical into mechanical energy via hydrolysis of a nucleoside triphosphate, usually adenosine triphosphate, regarded as life's chemical currency of energy and (2) membrane bound motors driven directly by an ion gradient and/or membrane potential. Here we argue that electrostatic interactions play a vital role for both types of motors and, therefore, the tools of physics can greatly contribute to understanding biological motors.
Potassium dichlorido(l-prolinato)platinate(II), K[PtCl"2(l-pro"?"H)] (1), and chlorido(dimethyl sulfoxide)(l-prolinato)platinum(II), [PtCl(l-pro"?"H)(dmso)] (2), were synthesized by ligand substitution reactions. Both complexes were characterized by ^1H, ^1^3C, and ^1^9^5Pt NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and HR-ESI-MS. The molecular structures of 1 and 2 were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction, proving bidentate coordinated l-prolinato ligand and SP-4-4 configuration of 2a. With the help of DFT calculations stability of possible isomers of 1 and 2 was studied. A considerable difference in the in vitro cytotoxicity of 1 versus 2a (exchange of one chlorido ligand by dmso) against four human cancer cell lines was found.
In this Letter, we present Quantum Mechanics/MolecularMechanics (QM/MM) calculations on molecules containing a 2-deoxycytidine-3prime-monophosphate moiety (3prime-dCMPH). In particular, we examine the effect that including neighbouring nucleotides at the MolecularMechanic (MM) level has on the calculated electron affinities and on the energetic barriers of the C3prime-O3prime bond cleavage. Our results demonstrate that the surrounding nucleotides relocate the excess electron from the p* orbital of the base to a diffuse phosphate-centred orbital, leading to the formation of a dipole-bound anion state. Both the electron affinities and the activation energy of C3prime-O3prime bond cleavage are strongly increased.
Thin films of Ni and Ni alloy have been widely used in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and magnetic storage systems. As the dimensions of components in these systems decrease to the micro-scale, even the nano-scale, the interfacial phenomena significantly differ to the counterparts on the macro-scale. A better understanding of micro-/nano-tribology will benefit the fabrication of the small components. In this manuscript parallel molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have been conducted to investigate the nanoscratch behavior of nickel. The simulations are performed for two cases with different indenter shapes. Case I has a sharp indenter, while the indenter in Case II is blunt. It has been found that the indenter shape significantly influences the nanoscratch deformation. The sharp ind...
The possible role of space-like objects in elementary particle physics (and in quantum mechanics) is reviewed and discussed, mainly by exploiting the explicit consequences of the peculiar relativistic mechanics of Tachyons. Particular attention is paid: (i) to tachyons as the possible carriers of interactions; (ii) to the possibility of ''vacuum decays'' at the classical level; (iii) to a Lorentz-invariant bootstrap model; (iv) to the apparent shape of the tachyonic elementary particles and its possible connection with the de Broglie wave-particle dualism. (author).
Effect of globular structure parameters - size of primary #alpha#-phase particles (bsub(I)), thickness and amount of plates of secondary #alpha#-phase (bsub(II), #gamma#sub(II#alpha# )) - on a complex of mechanical properties (#sigma#sub(#beta#), S, phi, asub(H), asub(T), Ksub(Q), #sigma#sub(-1), #sigma#_1_0_0"4"5"0, #sigma#sub(0.2/100)) of VT3-1 (#alpha#+#beta#)-titanium alloy is studied. The dependences obtained allow one to determine globular structure parameters, providing necessary mechanical properties. In combination with data on the effect of thermal treatment conditions on structure parameters, results obtained in the paper may be used for structure control to increase a level of required characteristics.
The presence of two major aminopeptidases (aminopeptidases I and II) in the giant alga Chara australis was shown using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Partially purified aminopeptidase I had a molecular weight of about 120,000, hydrolyzed both leucine-?-naphthylamide (pH optimum 6.0) and alanine-?-naphthylamide (pH optimum 7.5), and was located both inside and outside the vacuole. Aminopeptidase I was inhibited by p-chloromercuribenzoic acid, iodoacetic acid, 1,10-phenanthroline, and N-tosyl-l-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone. Aminopeptidase II hydrolyzed alanine-?-naphthylamide but not leucine-?-naphthylamide and was located only outside the vacuole.ImagesFig. 1Fig. 2Fig. 4Fig. 5
Many organic compounds can be adsorbed onto the interface of a metal and solution to form a thin film that inhibits the corrosion process according to a blocking and/or negative catalytic effect. Using the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique, stearic acid (SA) monolayers were deposited onto the surface of an iron (Fe) electrode to study the inhibition effect and the mechanism of SA in a neutral medium. Molecular orientation and the number of deposited monolayers of SA were shown to have marked effects on inhibition of Fe corrosion. The inhibition mechanism depended mainly on blocking.
Abstract Over the last decade, the environmental sciences have witnessed an incredible movement towards the utilization of high-throughput molecular tools that are capable of detecting simultaneous changes of hundreds, and even thousands, of molecules and molecular components after exposure of organisms to different environmental stressors. These techniques have received a great deal of attention because they not only offer the potential to unravel novel mechanisms of physiological and toxic action but are also amenable to the discovery of biomarkers of exposure and effects. In this article, we review the state of knowledge of one of these tools in ecotoxicological research: proteomics. We summarize the state of proteomics research in fish, and follow with studies conducted with aquatic in...
Two aspects of the chromatin repeat length (r_l) are discussed: (i) Why is r_l longer for slowly dividing cells than in rapidly dividing cells?, and (ii) Why is the temporal evolution of r_l a decreasing function of time (t) in mammalian cortical neurons whereas it is an increasing function of t for granule cells around the time of birth? These questions are discussed in terms of a hypothesis which assumes a correlation between deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) packaging, transcription, and replication. (author). 27 refs.
This paper is concerned with the determination of a unique scaling parameter in complex scaling analysis and with accurate calculation of dynamics resonances. In the preceding paper we have presented a theoretical analysis and provided a formalism for dynamical resonance calculations. In this paper we present accurate numerical results for two non-trivial dynamical processes, namely, models of diatomic molecular predissociation and of barrier potential scattering for resonances. The results presented in this paper confirm our theoretical analysis, remove a theoretical ambiguity on determination of the complex scaling parameter, and provide an improved understanding for dynamical resonance calculations in rigged Hilbert space.
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 ...
Million-atom molecular-dynamics (MD) simulations are performed to study the structure, mechanical properties, and dynamic fracture in nanophase Si{sub 3}N{sub 4}. The authors find that intercluster regions are highly disordered: 50% of Si atoms in intercluster regions are three-fold coordinated. Elastic moduli of nanophase Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} as a function of grain size and porosity are well described by a multiphase model for heterogeneous materials. The study of fracture in the nanophase Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} reveals that the system can sustain an order-of-magnitude larger external load than crystalline Si{sub 3}N{sub 4}. This is due to branching and pinning of the crack front by nanoscale microstructures.
Over the decades, basic research in life sciences has profited greatly from the study of the small unicellular fungal species Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This yeast turned out to be key for the identification and understanding of molecularmechanisms that underlay the basic functions of all eukaryotic cells. These include, but are not limited to, the regulatory mechanisms behind cellular reproduction (cell cycle control), cellular morphogenesis (cell polarity, cytoskeleton and membrane trafficking) and the management of cellular information (chromosome biology, transcription and translation). Rapid access to genomic information of many yeast species, combined with bioinformatics analyses, provide information on the evolutionary history of yeasts and the molecular ancestry of their constituen...
Abstract One of the most significant problems in industrial bioprocessing of recombinant proteins using engineered mammalian cells is the phenomenon of cell line instability, where a production cell line suffers a loss of specific productivity (qP). This phenomenon occurs with unpredictable kinetics and has been widely observed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines and with all commonly used gene expression systems. The underlying causes (both genetic and physiological) and the precise molecularmechanisms underpinning cell line instability have yet to be fully elucidated, although recombinant gene silencing and loss of recombinant gene copies have been shown to cause qP loss. In this work we have investigated the molecularmechanisms underpinning qP instability over long-term sub-cult...
Ruthenium(II) and Iridium(III) polypyridyl complexes have been intensively investigated due to their use in energy conversion and light-emitting devices and materials for non-linear optics. Quantum mechanical computer simulations of molecules and materials have become increasingly popular in the scientific community. Along with experimental investigations, such computational analyses can provide complementary information on the electronic and optical properties of transition metal compounds of interest for optoelectronic applications. Here, we provide a unified review of recent work carried out on computational investigations of a large series of Ruthenium(II) and Iridium(III) polypyridyl complexes, discussing the relations between their electronic structure and optical properties and thei...
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 suggested that the component I corresponds to ...
A detailed chemical kinetic reaction mechanism is developed to describe incineration of the chemical warfare nerve agent sarin (GB), based on commonly used principles of bond additivity and hierarchical reaction mechanisms. The mechanism is based on previous kinetic models of organophosphorus compounds such as TMP, DMMP and DIMP that are often used as surrogates to predict incineration of GB. Kinetic models of the three surrogates and GB are then used to predict their consumption in a perfectly stirred reactor fueled by natural gas to simulate incineration of these chemicals. Computed results indicate that DIMP is the only one of these surrogates that adequately describes combustion of GB under comparable conditions. The kinetic pathways responsible for these differences in reactivity are identified and discussed. The most important reaction in GB and DIMP that makes them more reactive than TMP or DMMP is found to be a ...
A formalism for the dynamical treatment of the molecular orbitals of valence nucleons in nucleus-nucleus collisions is developed with the use of the coupled-reaction-channel (CRC) method. The Coriolis coupling effects as well as the finite mass effects of the nucleon are taken into account in this model, of rotating molecular orbitals, RMO. First, the validity of the concept is examined from the viewpoint of the multi-step processes in a standard CRC calculation for systems containing two identical [core] nuclei. The calculations show strong CRC effects particularly in the case where the mixing of different l-parity orbitals - called hybridization in atomic physics - occurs. Then, the RMO representation for active nucleons is applied to the same systems and compared to the CRC results. Its validity is investigated with respect to the radial motion (adiabaticity) and the rotation of the molecular axis (radial and rotational ...
In this study, free electron laser (FEL) with selective wavelength was used to induce structure changes of biomolecules, which were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy. For understanding of the interactions between FEL and biomolecules as well as biological tissues, the biomolecules investigated are ATP, ADP, AMP, t-RNA, D-ribose and the complex of SmCl_3-D-ribose. Their FTIR spectra before and after irradiation of FEL show molecular structure variations of the samples after irradiation of FEL, especially the rearrangement of their hydrogen bond networks. Along with the various irradiation wavelengths, irradiation time and molecular structures, the changes after irradiation are different for these molecules. In the FTIR spectra after irradiation, the phenomenon that the bands split into several peaks indicates the existence of several structures, conformations and configurations, which may be prompted by multiple photons process induced by FEL. ...
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a common feature of AIDS. Approximately 30-40% of these tumors exhibit clinical features suggestive of endemic Burkitt lymphoma: they are aggressive malignancies that occur in association with Epstein-Barr virus infection, they arise in the setting of immunosuppression, and they carry t(8;14) translocations without detectable rearrangement of the MYC oncogene. To understand the molecular basis of these parallels, the authors analyzed a case of Epstein-Barr-positive AIDS-associated undifferentiated lymphoma. Southern blots show that the tumor exhibits immunoglobulin joining segment rearrangement but no rearrangement of the MYC oncogene. Cloning of the rearranged joining segment allowed the isolation of recombinant clones encompassing the translocation breakpoint, and sequencing of the translocation junction disclosed that the breakpoint is situated 7 base pairs from the chromosome 14 site involved in a previously described endemic Burkitt ...
The mammalian circadian timing system is organized into hierarchical structures with a central clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and subsidiary peripheral oscillators. After the discovery of the local clockwork in peripheral organs and tissues, which have a molecular makeup similar to the central pacemaker SCN, uncovering the roles of the peripheral clock in the rhythmic physiology has been an emerging goal in chronobiology. Glucocorticoid (GC) is a multifunctional adrenal steroid hormone that shows a robust circadian rhythm. The daily GC rhythm has long been thought to be governed by the SCN via the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal neuroendocrine axis. Recent findings, however, indicate that multiple regulatory mechanisms, including the adrenal intrinsic mechanism by the peripheral...
Major factors that contribute to maximized impact resistance of semicrystalline engineering polymers include increased matrix molecular weight, minimal rubber glass-transition temperature, and optimal rubber-particle size, which depends on matrix type. Additional constraints are posed by the limitations of available materials and commercial requirements. Expanding the understanding of impact-modified crystalline engineering polymers will further extend their property ranges and utility. This chapter describes the phenomenology of certain factors, illustrates a new technique to measure rubber particle size, and contrasts the fracture mechanisms of poly(butylene terephthalate), nylon 66, and polyacetal. 49 refs., 24 figs.
Understanding the influence of interfacial structures on the nanoarchitecture mechanical properties is of particular importance for its mechanical applications. Due to a small size of constituting nanostructural units and a consequently high volume ratio of such interfacial regions, this question becomes crucial for the overall mechanical performance. Boron nitride bamboo-like nanotubes, called hereafter boron nitride nanobamboos (BNNBs), are composed of short BN nanotubular segments with specific interfaces at the bamboo-shaped joints. In this work, the mechanical properties of such structures are investigated by using direct in situ transmission electron microscopy tensile tests and molecular dynamics simulations. The mechanical properties and deformation behaviors are correlated with the interfacial structure under atomic resolution, and a geometry ...
Plasmid-mediated Qnr and AAC(6′)-Ib-cr have been recognized as new molecularmechanisms affecting fluoroquinolone (FQ) resistance. C316, an Escherichia coli strain demonstrating...Full Text Available
Hyperthermia (HT) is a strong adjuvant treatment with radiotherapy and chemotherapy because it causes tumor reoxygenation. However, the detailed molecularmechanisms of how HT enhances tumor oxygenation...Full Text Available
Epidemiological studies will not solve the shape of the dose effect curve for stochastic effects in the low dose range. Unicellular processes are necessary for the primary processes so that no threshold dose exists. This is evident for somatic and genetic mutations. Not clearly solved is this question for the complex carcinogenesis. These processes develop with manifold interacting molecular and cellular steps. (orig.).
In order to better understand the molecularmechanisms of human hair growth control and to test hair growth-modulatory drugs, appropriate in vitro models are required. Here, we report the long-term...Full Text Available
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is composed of tubules, sheets, and three-way junctions, resulting in a highly conserved polygonal network in all eukaryotes. The molecularmechanisms responsible for...Full Text Available
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 ...
The possible role of space-like objects in elementary particle physics (and in quantum mechanics) is reviewed and discussed, mainly by exploiting the explicit consequences of the peculiar relativistic mechanics of Tachyons. Particular attention is paid: (i) to tachyons as the possible carriers of interactions; (ii) to the possibility of ''vacuum decays'' at the classical level; (iii) to a Lorentz-invariant bootstrap model; (iv) to the apparent shape of the tachyonic elementary particles and its possible connection with the de Broglie wave-particle dualism. (author).
Silicones have many desirable properties and as a result are incorporated into a wide range of products. However, they present unique problems that result from their propensity to outgas resulting in residue formation at unexpected places. Hence, the silicone conundrum?when to use these materials and when to beware of potential pitfalls. In this article, an outgassing mechanism unique to ?low outgassing? silicones is discussed. Examples are given where this has led to failures and remediation steps are highlighted.
Telavancin is a bactericidal lipoglycopeptide with a multifunctional mechanism of action. We conducted a randomized, double blind, active-control phase II trial. Patients ≥18 years of age with...Full Text Available
The mechanism for afterglow suppression in codoped CsI:Tl,Eu reported in the preceding paper was investigated by combined radioluminescence and thermoluminescence experiments. Model rate equations informed by these experiments were employed to simulate afterglow. It was found that codoping with europium introduces deep electron traps, with room-temperature glow peaks, that effectively scavenge the electrons from shallow traps associated with thallium, thus suppressing afterglow in the time domain of tens of milliseconds.
In this thesis, increased hemicellulose retention during kraft pulping has been studied. The work has been divided into three parts: i) Development of an accessible and reliable method for determination of carbohydrate composition of kraft pulps ii) Investigation of the composition and molecular mass distributions of the carbohydrates in kraft pulps with increased hemicellulose content iii) Investigation of the effect of increased hemicellulose content on the sheet properties of kraft pulps with increased hemicellulose content. A method for carbohydrate determination was developed. In this method, enzymes are used to hydrolyse the pulp into monosaccharides. A relatively mild acid hydrolysis is performed prior to detection on an HPLC with an RI-detector. The pulp is not derivatized and no pre-treatment (mechanical or chemical) is needed to determine the carbohydrate composition using the method developed here. Peak ...
An attempt to gain an understanding of the formation mechanism of these 'soot-like' materials has been made by means of tracing the changes in the molecular-mass distribution and molecular structure of the NMP-extractable materials from an injectant coal as well as its partially gasified chars and its pyrolytic tars. Variations in the SEC chromatograms provide clues about changes in the apparent molecular-mass distributions of these NMP extracts. Results suggest that the build-up of 'soot-like' materials follows from the secondary reactions of tars evolved from the injectant coal. The likely secondary-reaction pathways have been probed by collating structural information on these NMP extracts. The time-resolved 13-16 and 22-25 min elution fractions from the SEC column have been characterized using UV fluorescence (UV F) spectroscopy. Greater concentrations of larger ...
The authors present the results of an investigation of the effect of gamma radiation on the properties of low-molecular moulded polymethyl methacrylates (molecular weight distribution, physico-mechanical properties, resistance to the effects of aqueous media and physiological solution) in the form of copolymers of methyl methacrylate with methyl acrylate (MA) or butyl acrylate (BA) with the brand names Dacryl-4B, Dacryl-2M and Dacryl-4M (4% BA; 2 and 4% MA respectively) having a molecular weight of around 10"5. For comparison, block polymethyl methacrylate with a molecular weight of 3 x 10"6 was used. The results of experiments on the ageing of unirradiated and irradiated specimens in a heated store-room (t = 10 - 20"0C) and at high temperatures (90"0C) are also given. It is shown that irradiation with doses of 2.5 - 20 Mrad leads to radiolysis of the above copolymers, accompanied ...
Samples of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and nylon 66, of grades suitable for use in medical prostheses, were subjected to irradiation using a /sup 60/Co source. The effects of a 10 Mrad dose on percentage crystallinity, tensile behaviour and dynamic mechanical response were established 3 days after irradiation at intervals over a one year period. Crystallinity in UHMWPE was found to increase progressively during this period with consequent changes in mechanical behaviour. It is proposed that the observed ageing process arises from the breakdown of metastable groups in the polymer, which are formed on irradiation, with consequent release of long inter-lamella tie chains. This removes an inhibition to crystal perfection processes, which can occur at room temperature in polyethylene. Infra-red spectroscopic evidence supports the proposal that the metastable species is peroxy or hydroperoxy and that this ...
The interaction between molecules and solid surfaces plays important roles in various applications, including catalysis, sensors, nanoelectronics, and solar cells. Surprisingly, a full understanding of molecule-surface interaction at the quantum mechanical level has not been achieved even for very simple molecules, such as water. In this mini-review, we report recent progresses and current status of studies on interaction between representative molecules and surfaces. Taking water/metal, DNA bases/carbon nanotube, and organic dye molecule/oxide as examples, we focus on the understanding on the microstructure, electronic property, and electron-ion dynamics involved in these systems obtained from first-principles quantum mechanical calculations. We find that a quantum mechanical description ...
The atomic mechanism of a glass-to-liquid transition in a monatomic Lennard-Jones (LJ) glass was studied using the molecular dynamics (MD) method. Glassy models were heated up from low temperature at two different heating rates and a glass-to-liquid transition found to occur at the higher heating rate. The temperature dependence of the potential energy, mean-squared-displacements (MSD) of the atoms and the self-intermediate scattering function indicate clearly that a glass transition occurs in the system. The atomic mechanism of the glass-to-liquid transition was investigated by analyzing the spatio-temporal arrangement of liquid-like atoms in the system upon heating. Liquid-like atoms were detected using the Lindemann-melting-like criterion. Upon heating, liquid-like atoms occur at temper...
This project is concerned with the kinetics and mechanisms of aromatic oxidation and soot and fullerenes formation in flames. The objective of the aromatics oxidation work is to identify and measure the concentration of important intermediates and products in benzene oxidation, and to determine reaction mechanisms and kinetics properties consistent with the behavior seen in flames. The research on soot formation is concerned primarily with the particle inception stages, but the work includes study of soot structure at all stages of growth in order to obtain mechanistic information from evidence of growth steps recorded in the structure of the particles. The ultimate objective is to understand how nascent soot particles are formed from high molecular weight compounds, including the roles of planar and curved PAH and the relationship between soot and fullerenes. The objective of the proposed research on fullerenes is to ...
'The objective of this project is to provide a means to optimize ligand architecture for f-block metal recognition. The authors strategy builds on an innovative and successful molecular modeling approach in developing polyether ligand design criteria for the alkali and alkaline earth cations. The hypothesis underlying this proposal is that differences in metal ion binding with multidentate ligands bearing the same number and type of donor groups are primarily attributable to intramolecular steric factors. They propose quantifying these steric factors through the application of molecularmechanics models. The research involves close integration of theoretical and experimental chemistry. The experimental work entails synthesizing novel ligands and experimentally determining structures and binding constants for metal ion complexation by series of ligands in which architecture is systematically varied. The theoretical ...
The winter syndrome in the gilthead sea bream Sparus aurata indicates that the species is exposed to critically low temperatures in Mediterranean aquaculture in winter. The present study of metabolic patterns and molecular stress responses during cold exposure was carried out to investigate this ?disease?, in light of the recent concept of oxygen and capacity limited thermal tolerance. The metabolic profile of fuel oxidation was examined by determining the activities of the enzymes hexokinase (HK), aldolase (Ald), pyruvate kinase (PK), l-lactate dehydrogenase (l-LDH), citrate synthase (CS), malate dehydrogenase (MDH) and 3-hydroxyacyl CoA dehydrogenase (HOAD) in heart, red and white muscle after exposure to temperatures of 10, 14 and 18?C. Especially, the increase in LDH activity combined ...
This paper elucidates the effect of humectant performance on the wettability of the skin. Humectants are divided into the organic compounds, such as polyols, the organometallic compounds, such as sodium lactate and pyrolidone sodium carboxylate, and the water soluble high molecular compounds, such as polyethylene glycol and hyaluronic acid. Firstly, hygroscopic performances and characteristics of various hcmectants are illustrated. Then, the humectant performance of the skin and relation between amino acid in the horny layer and moisture content are described. The humectant performance possessed in the intercellular lipid of horny layer is also described. Furthermore, are explained the wettability of the skin by cosmetics and the role of humectant as an emulsifying assistant. A mechanism of the dry skin, improvement effect of the skin by humectants, and combining effect of the humectants are presented. Are also presented the nonaqueous ...
A series of desilicated ZSM-5 catalysts previously shown to have improved catalytic performance in the MTG (methanol-to-gasoline) reaction [M. Bjorgen, F. Joensen, M.S. Holm, U. Olsbye, K.-P. Lillerud, S. Svelle, Appl. Catal. A 345 (2008) 43] was subjected to thorough examination using FTIR. Clearly, defects represented by internal Si-OH sites are removed upon NaOH treatment. In a parallel manner, free Si-OH sites increase in concentration and the results point to a selective mechanism for formation of mesopores as the framework dissolution preferentially takes place at defective sites in the crystallites. The acid properties of the desilicated materials were investigated by applying CO and collidine (2,4,6-trimethylpyridine) as molecular probes. Monitoring the induced frequency shifts upo...
The transfer kinetics of the negatively charged glycosphingolipid II"3-N-acetylneuraminosyl-gangliotetraosylceramide (GM_1) were investigated by monitoring tritiated GM_1 movement between donor and acceptor vesicles. After appropriate incubation times at 45 "0C, donor and acceptor vesicles were separated by molecular sieve chromatography. Donors were small unilamellar vesicles produced by sonication, whereas acceptors were large unilamellar vesicles produced by either fusion or ethanol injection. Initial GM_1 transfer to acceptors followed first-order kinetics with a half-time of about 40 h assuming that GM_1 is present in equal mole fractions in the exterior and interior surfaces of the donor vesicle bilayer and that no glycolipid flip-flop occurs. GM_1 net transfer was calculated relative to that of ["1"4C]cholesteryl oleate, which served as a nontransferable marker in the donor vesicles. Factors affecting the GM_1 interbilayer transfer rate ...
Copper(II) complex coordinated with cyclam-type macrocyclic tetramine, C-meso-1,5,8,12-tetramethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (2Cdmc) has been synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray crystallographic analysis and UV?Vis absorption spectra. Solved molecular structure of [Cu(2Cdmc)(H2O)]Cl2?2H2O (1) revealed that macrocyclic ligand 2Cdmc was in the most stable trans-III structure, but the C-methyl groups of 2Cdmc adopted energetically unfavorable axial configuration (C-axial). This complex 1 is the second example of complex of cyclam-type tetramine with only axially oriented C-methyl groups. This complex adopted five-coordinated square-pyramidal geometry with one water molecule occupying one of the two apical sites. Network of hydrogen bonds involving counter anions (Cl?...
Novel complexes of the type (Pt(DACH)(N-R-iminodiacetate)), wherein DACH represents (R,S)- and (R,R)-1,2 diaminocyclohexane and R represents /minus/Me, /minus/EtOH, and /minus/CH/sub 2/Ph groups, have been prepared, purified, and characterized by spectroscopic techniques (/sup 1/H, /sup 13/C, and /sup 195/Pt NMR;MS(FAB);IR) and by the measurement of selected physical properties (pH, pK/sub a/, conductivity, and molecular weights). The data are consistent with the formation of two diastereomeric complexes in unequal proportions in which the N-R-iminodiacetate ligand appears to be bonded as a pseudofacial tridentate chelate. One are of the ligand forms a stable five-membered-ring O,N-chelate while the other arm appears to be involved in ion-pair formation (zwitterion-like) involving the carboxylate anion and the formally positive Pt(II) central metal atom. It has been demonstrated indirectly that an active impurity was present in predictably ...
A variety of platinum(II) complexes of methimazole (2-mercapto-1-methylimidazole; HImS=neutral form and ImS=thiolate form), coordinated in both thione and thiolate forms, have been isolated by reacting methimazole with [PtCl(terpy)]Cl (terpy=2,2prime:6prime,2Prime terpyridine), [PtCl2(bipy)] (bipy=bipyridine), [PtCl2(o-phen)] (o-phen=o-phenanthroline), [PtCl2(CH3CN)2] and [PtCl2(COD)] (COD=1,5-cyclooctadiene). These complexes were characterized by electronic absorption, IR and NMR (1H, 13C, 195Pt) spectroscopies. Molecular structure of [Pt(bipy)(HImS)2]Cl23H2O (3a3H2O) has been established by single crystal X-ray crystallography. Platinum thiolate complex, [Pt(ImS)2(HImS)2] (5), could be obtained by treatment of [Pt(HImS)4]Cl2 with sodium methoxide in methanol. The solution of 5 in organic...
Abstract The synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic characterisation by magnetisation and inelastic neutron scattering (INS) of a mixed-valent Mn10 supertetrahedral aggregate [MnIII6MnII4(4-O)4(3-N3)3(3-Br)(Hmpt)6(Br)]Br0.7(N3)0.3-2-MeOH-3-MeCN (1) (H3mpt=3-methylpentan-1,3,5-triol) is reported. The magnetic core of the molecule can be described as an octahedron of six S=2 MnIII ions with four faces, each capped by a S=5/2 MnII ion such as to form the supertetrahedron. Unlike most related complexes, the molecular symmetry is slightly reduced from approximately Td to C3. The magnetic data reveal a total spin of S=22 in the ground state due to ferromagnetic exchange couplings within the molecule. The combined INS and magnetic data permits the accurate determination of the exchange couplin...
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...
Molecular recognition by calix[6]arene-based receptors bearing three primary alkylamino side chain arms (1) is described. Complexation of ZnII ion provides the dinuclear m-hydroxo complex ${{\\bf 2}{{{\\rm OH}\\hfill \\atop {\\rm G}\\hfill}}}$, XRD characterization of which, together with solution studies, provided evidence of its hosting of neutral polar organic guests G. Treatment of this complex with a carboxylic acid or a sulfonamide (XH) results in the formation of mononuclear species ${{\\bf 3}{{{\\rm X}\\hfill \\atop {\\rm G}\\hfill}}}$, one of which (X = Cl) has been characterized by XRD. A dicationic complex ${{\\bf 3}{{{\\rm RNH}{_{2}}\\hfill \\atop {\\rm G}\\hfill}}}$ is obtained upon treatment of ${{\\bf 2}{{{\\rm OH}\\hfill \\atop {\\rm G}\\hfill}}}$ with a mixture of an alkylamine and a strong acid....
We have determined the actual RNA sequence of four mitochondrial genes: pcf, nad3, rps12, and coxII. Because plant mitochondrial proteins cannot be predicted from DNA sequences, the actual primary structures of the encoded proteins were unknown. We have gained information concerning the process of RNA editing. Editing can occur before splicing. Our data is consistent with the hypothesis that RNA editing is not simultaneous with transcription. Unlike other systems, the process of editing in plant does not exhibit a discernable direction. As a result of our RNA editing studies, we have produced a number of clones of the proper coding regions tube used for incorporating these mitochondrial genes into the nucleus. 6 refs., 4 figs.
A cyclic hexapeptide, annomuricatin A (the molecular formula: C27H38N6O7), was isolated from the seeds of Annona muricata. The types and sequence of the amino acids were confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. The stereochemistry of the title cyclopeptide was clarified by X-ray crystallographic study. The backbone contains two b-turns, one is type I b-turn and the other is type II, which are stabilized by two transannular 41 backbone hydrogen bonds between Ala and Phe. There are intermolecular hydrogen bonds between the cyclopeptide and the solvent molecules which maintained the steady spatial arrangement in crystal.
Spatial Fluorescence Cross Correlation Spectroscopy is a rarely investigated version of Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy, in which the fluorescence signals from differ-ent observation volumes are cross-correlated. In the reported experiments, two observation volumes, typically shifted by a few $\\mu$m, are produced, with a Spatial Light Modulator and two adjustable pinholes. We illustrated the feasibility and potentiality of this technique by: i) measuring molecular flows, in the range 0.2 - 1.5 $\\mu$m/ms, of solutions seeded with fluorescent nanobeads or rhodamine molecules (simulating active transport phenomenons); ii) investigating the perme-ability of phospholipidic membrane of Giant Unilamellar Vesicles versus hydrophilic or hydrophobic molecules (in that case the laser spots were set on both sides of the mem-brane). Theoretical descriptions are proposed together with a discussion about FCS based, alternative methods.
Abstract Gelatinization temperature (GT) is an important parameter in evaluating the cooking and eating quality of rice. Indeed, the phenotype, biochemistry and inheritance of GT have been widely studied in recent times. Previous map-based cloning revealed that GT was controlled by ALK gene, which encodes a putative soluble starch synthase II-3. Complementation vector and RNAi vector were constructed and transformed into Nipponbare mediated by Agrobacterium. Phenotypic and molecular analyses of transgenic lines provided direct evidence for ALK as a key gene for GT. Meanwhile, amylose content, gel consistency and pasting properties were also affected in transgenic lines. Two of four nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms in coding sequence of ALK were identified as essential for GT. ...
A nucleoside triphosphate binding site on calf thymus RNA polymerase II was identified by using photoaffinity analogues of adenosine 5'-triphosphate and guanosine 5'-triphosphate. Both radiolabeled 8-azidoadenosine 5'-triphosphate (8-N3ATP) and radiolabeled 8-azidoguanosine 5'-triphosphate (8-N3GTP) bound to a single polypeptide of this enzyme. This polypeptide has a molecular mass of 37 kilodaltons and an isoelectric point of 5.4. Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation was necessary for photolabeling to occur. In addition, no labeling occurred when the probe was prephotolyzed or when the enzyme was inactivated. Furthermore, photolabeling of the enzyme could be decreased by preincubation with natural substrates. To provide evidence that the radiolabeled polypeptide forms a part of the domain of the nucleoside triphosphate binding site, experiments were performed using unlabeled 8-N3ATP. Although this unlabeled analogue ...
We report the results of ab initio calculations of cross sections and molecular-frame photoelectron angular distributions for C 1s ionization of CO2, and propose a mechanism for the recently observed asymmetry of those angular distributions with respect to the CO^+and O^+ions produced by subsequent Auger decay. The fixed-nuclei, photoionization amplitudes were constructed using variationally obtained electron-molecular ion scattering wave functions. We have also carried out electronic structure calculations which identify a dissociative state of the CO2^++ dication that is likely populated following Auger decay and which leads to O^+ + CO^+ fragment ions. We show that a proper accounting of vibrational motion in the computation of the photoelectron angular distributions, along with reasonable assumptions about the nuclear dissociation dynamics, gives results in good agreement with recent experimental observations. We also ...
We report the direct molecular dynamics simulations for molecular ball bearings composed of fullerene molecules (C{sub 60} and C{sub 20}) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The comparison of friction levels indicates that fullerene ball bearings have extremely low friction (with minimal frictional forces of 5.283 x 10{sup -7} and 6.768 x 10{sup -7} nN/atom for C{sub 60} and C{sub 20} bearings) and energy dissipation (lowest dissipation per cycle of 0.013 and 0.016 meV/atom for C{sub 60} and C{sub 20} bearings). A single fullerene inside the ball bearings exhibits various motion statuses of mixed translation and rotation. The influences of the shaft's distortion on the long-ranged potential energy and normal force are discussed. The phonic dissipation mechanism leads to a non-monotonic function between the friction and the load rate for the molecular bearings.
Luminescent transition metal complexes are enjoying a growing interest because of their ubiquitous applications in, e.g., the fields of material science, sensors and (biomedical) diagnostics, and iridium(III) and ruthenium(II) complexes are among the best studied. Due to their long-living excited states, these complexes can have a strong interaction with dioxygen, resulting in luminescence quenching. This oxygen quenching might be regarded as an unwanted effect in luminescence imaging, but, on the other hand, it can be exploited for diagnostic and therapeutic applications as well. After a theoretical introduction concerning the dioxygen quenching mechanism and the parameters involved, in the second part of this review we focus on the possibility of tailoring this quenching by modifying sel...
The optical, electromagnetic and mechanical properties of thin films (TFs) are directly correlated to their morphology at the nanoscale. This, in concert with the fact that new deposition techniques are enabling the growth of thin films with very complex morphologies, there is an increasing interest in model-based simulation (MBS) for the design of engineering structures (including nanostructures), and increasing computer speeds are beginning to make MBS an effective design tool capable of bridging the nanoscale with the continuum scale, has made it increasingly important to understand how the nanostructure of a thin film impacts its properties at all length scales. The authors have developed the capability to determine the mechanical properties of thin films with amorphous nanostructure by combining molecular dynamics, i.e., position of particles (e.g., atoms or molecules) and their interatomic potential(s), with continuum ...
The process operation of the hot wall vapor deposition method, formation of dry organic thin film and the control of molecular arrangement were described. This equipment included a substrate on the upper end of the hot wall tube and the vapor source at the lower end. The remarkable features are the hot wall tube which plays the role to hold vaporizing molecules to the high temperature and to transport molecules, and the flip flop mechanism which gives some idle period for the molecular vaporization by shutter closing. Several experiments were carried out by using stearic acid and by changing the distance S from the upper end of hot wall quartz tube to the substrate, the furnace temperature T{sub f} and the substrate temperature T{sub s}. When T{sub f} is equal to or less than the melting point of stearic acid, molectles are preferentialy made to vertical arrangement. In the case of T{sub f} more than the melting point, the ...
The mathematical apparatus of quantum-mechanical angular momentum (re)coupling, developed originally to describe spectroscopic phenomena in atomic, molecular, optical and nuclear physics, is embedded in modern algebraic settings which emphasize the underlying combinatorial aspects. SU(2) recoupling theory, involving Wigner's 3nj symbols, as well as the related problems of their calculations, general properties, asymptotic limits for large entries, nowadays plays a prominent role also in quantum gravity and quantum computing applications. We refer to the ingredients of this theory-and of its extension to other Lie and quantum groups-by using the collective term of 'spin networks'. Recent progress is recorded about the already established connections with the mathematical theory of discrete orthogonal polynomials (the so-called Askey scheme), providing powerful tools based on asymptotic expansions, which correspond on ...
Current light water reactor (LWR) steam generators have been affected by a variety of corrosion and mechanical damage degradation mechanisms. Included are wear caused by tube vibration, intergranular corrosion, pitting, and thinning or wastage of the steam generator tubing and accelerated corrosion of carbon steel supports (denting). The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and the Steam Generator Owners Groups (I, II) have sponsored laboratory and field studies to provide ameliorative actions for the majority of the damage forms experienced to date. Some of the current corrosion mechanisms are aggravated or caused by unique materials choices or materials interactions. New materials have been proposed and at least partially qualified for use in replacement model steam generators, including an advanced LWR design. In so far as possible, the materials choices for the advanced LWR steam generator avoid ...
To identify radio-protective agent candidate among medicinal plants and to elucidate the mechanism of action of the candidate material by using modern biochemical and molecular biological methods, we screened radio-protective activity among 48 medicinal plants. Seven samples showed above 20% protective activities against oxidative cell damage: Euryale ferox, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Eucomia ulmoides, Paeonia suffruticosa, Spirodela polyrrhiza, and Nelumbo nucifera. We also screened for oxidative stress sensitizing activity among other 51 medicinal plants. Among those samples, 11 samples showed good sensitizing effect; Melia azedarach, Agastache rugosa, Catalpa ovata, Prunus persica, Sinomenium acutum, Pulsatilla koreana, Oldenlandia diffusa, Anthriscus sylvestris, Schizandra chinensis, Gleditsia sinensis, and Cridium officinale. We also reported the radio-protective effect of DTT. The treatment of DTT increased cell survival ...
High-resolution proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy has been used to investigate the molecularmechanism of the Bohr effect of human normal adult hemoglobin in the presence of two allosteric effectors, i.e., chloride and inorganic phosphate ions. The individual hydrogen ion equilibria of 22-26 histidyl residues of hemoglobin have been measured in anion-free 0.1 M HEPES buffer and in the presence of 0.18 M chloride or 0.1 M inorganic phosphate ions in both deoxy and carbonmonoxy forms. The results indicate that the #beta#2-histidyl residues are strong binding sites for chloride and inorganic phosphate ions in hemoglobin. The affinity of the #beta#2-histidyl residues for these anions is larger in the deoxy than in the carbonmonoxy form. Nevertheless, the contribution of these histidyl residues to the anion Bohr effect is small due to their low pK value in deoxyhemoglobin in anion-free solvents. The interactions of chloride and ...
The macroscopic rotation of plasma in a toroidal containment device is an important feature of the equilibrium. Toroidal and polidal rotation in the high-beta tokamak Torus II is measured experimentally by examining the Doppler shift of the 4685.75 A He II line emitted from the plasma. The toroidal flow at an average velocity of 1.6 x 10/sup 6/ cm/sec, a small fraction of the ion thermal speed, moves in the same direction as the toroidal-plasma current. The poloidal flow follows the ion diamagnetic current direction, also at an average speed of 1.6 x 10/sup 6/ cm/sec. In view of certain ordering parameters, the toroidal flow is compared with predictions from neoclassical theory in the collisional, Pfirsch-Schluter regime. The poloidal motion, however, results from an E x B drift in a positive radial electric field, approaching a stable ambipolar state. This radial electric field is determined from theory by using the measured poloidal velocity. ...
The macroscopic rotation of plasma in a toroidal containment device is an important feature of the equilibrium. Toroidal and poloidal rotation in the high beta tokamak Torus II is measured experimentally by examining the Doppler shift of the 4685.75 A He II line emitted from the plasma. The toroidal flow at an average velocity of 1.6 x 10/sup 6/ cm/sec, a small fraction of the ion thermal speed, moves in the same direction as the toroidal plasma current. The poloidal flow follows the ion diamagnetic current direction, also at an average speed of 1.6 x 10/sup 6/ cm/sec. In view of certain ordering parameters, the toroidal flow is compared with predictions from neoclassical theory in the collosional, Pfirsch-Schluter regime. The poloidal motion, however results from an E x B drift in a positive radial electric field, approaching a stable ambipolar state. This radial electric field is determined from theory by using the measured poloidal velocity. ...
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 and improve beam ...
The mechanical properties of metal stents are important parameters in the consideration of stent design, matched to resist arterial recoil and vascular spasm. The purpose of this study was to develop a system for a standardized quantitative evaluation of the mechanical characteristics of various coronary stents. Several types of stents were compressed by external hydrostatic pressure. The stent diameter was assessed by placing a pair of small ultrasonic sono-crystals on the stent. From pressure-strain diagrams the ultimate strength and radial stiffness for each stent were determined. For all stents, except the MICRO-II and the Wiktor stent, the diameter decreased homogeneously until an ultimate compressive strength was exceeded, causing an abrupt collapse. Expanded to 3 mm, the mechanical behavior of the beStent, the Crown and the Palmaz-Schatz stent (PS153-series) were comparable. The spiral ...
One of the greatest opportunities for using of biomass as a precursor in the production of polymeric materials is the lignocellulose composites that can combine high performance with low costs. This work is a initial study on the production of a lignocellulose reinforced polyethylene composite. A compatibilization made by a induced gamma radiation grafting reaction was used to increase the adhesion between the matrix and the reinforced or filled fibers. The lignocellulose materials were exposed to gamma radiation in order to promote a molecular degradation and increase its reactivity. The polymer, the lignocellulose material and the compatibilization were processed by extrusion and the composite produced by this process were characterized by mechanical tests. (author)
Macroautophagy is a multistep, vacuolar, degradation pathway terminating in the lysosomal compartment, and it is of fundamental importance in tissue homeostasis. In this review, we consider macroautophagy in the light of recent advances in our understanding of the formation of autophagosomes, which are double-membrane-bound vacuoles that sequester cytoplasmic cargos and deliver them to lysosomes. In most cases, this final step is preceded by a maturation step during which autophagosomes interact with the endocytic pathway. The discovery of AuTophaGy-related genes has greatly increased our knowledge about the mechanism responsible for autophagosome formation, and there has also been progress in the understanding of molecular aspects of autophagosome maturation. Finally, the regulation of au...
The solvation properties of a chlorine ion in small water clusters are investigated using state-of-the-art statistical mechanics. The simulations employ the polarizable water model developed recently by Dang [J. Chem. Phys. [bold 97], 2659 (1992)]. The ion--water interaction potentials are defined such that the successive binding energies for the ionic clusters, and the solvation enthalpy, bulk vertical binding energy, and structural properties of the aqueous solution agree with the best available results obtained from experiments. Simulated vertical electron binding energies of the ionic clusters Cl[sup [minus
Using low-temperature adsorbed dihydrogen and carbon monoxide as molecular probes, the dehydroxylation of the hydrogen forms of the zeolites Y, and ZSM-5 has been studied. The high stability of the high-silica zeolites to dealumination and their difference from faujasites has been established as being due not only to the strength of their Broensted acid sites but also to the nature of their Lewis acid sites. The chemical properties of the Lewis acid sites and their possible role in catalytic reactions are discussed.
Silicon nitride hybrid ball bearings used in high temperature applications undergo mechanical and environmental degradation. To study the surface chemistry of silicon nitride, a CAChe{trademark} Worksystem* has been used to generate the clusters and corresponding transmission vibrational spectra of silicon nitride. In the present study, the effect of surface conditions on the surface chemistry and wear degradation of silicon nitride was evaluated. Infrared reflection spectroscopy (IRRS) used to determine molecular orientations shows a difference in reflectance spectra for fractured and as-received.
This paper is devoted to investigate the influences of thermal dispersion and magnetic field on a hot semi-infinite vertical porous plate embedded in a saturated Darcy-Forchheimer-Brinkman porous medium. The coefficient of thermal diffusivity has been assumed to be the sum of the molecular diffusivity and the dynamic diffusivity due to mechanical dispersion. The effects of transverse magnetic field parameter (Hartmann number Ha), Reynolds number Re (different velocities), Prandtl number Pr (different types of fluids) and dispersion parameter on the wall shear stress and the heat transfer rate are discussed.
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 ...
Health risks associated with inhalation of mineral dusts have been identified to a great extent through epidemiology studies, but also have been assessed by conducting subchronic and chronic inhalation studies typically on rodents. However, in vivo studies are softly, time-consuming, requiring complex technologies, and may not yield information on cellular and molecularmechanisms of response. As a result, the use of in vitro cell culture systems has played an important role in studying the toxicology of mineral dusts and providing insight into action mechanisms. This article reviews selected in vitro approaches that are used to investigate the cytotoxic and inflammatory properties of mineral particles and fibers. In addition key findings as they relate to understanding the toxicology of mineral dusts are presented. 165 refs., 1 fig., 5 tab.
Calculations relating to two experiments that demonstrate coherent control of preformed rubidium-85 molecules in a magneto-optical trap using ultrafast laser pulses are presented. In the first experiment, it is shown that pre-associated molecules in an incoherent mixture of states can be made to oscillate coherently using a single ultrafast pulse. A novel mechanism that can transfer molecular population to more deeply bound vibrational levels is used in the second. Optimal parameters of the control pulse are presented for the application of the mechanism to molecules in a magneto-optical trap. The calculations make use of an experimental determination of the initial state of molecules photoassociated by the trapping lasers in the magneto-optical trap and use shaped pulses consistent with a standard ultrafast laser system.
The cell's cytoskeleton, providing the cell with structure and shape, consists of a complex array of structural proteins, including microtubules, microfilaments and intermediate filaments. Intermediate filaments play a crucial role in mechanotransduction and in providing mechanical stability to cells, in particular under large deformation. By utilizing molecular simulation, here we report a nanomechanical analysis of vimentin intermediate filament dimers, the basic building blocks of intermediate filaments. We describe a detailed analysis of the mechanical properties and associated deformation mechanisms, and find that mechanical stretch induces a transition from alpha-helices to beta-sheets, a phenomenon known as alpha-beta transition. A comparison of the Young's modulus predicted from simulation with experimental measurements is provided, and good agreement is found. We present an ...
This executive summary presents the motivation, structure, objectives, methodologies and results of the first stage of the international DECOVALEX project - DECOVALEX I (1992-1995). The acronym stands for Development of Coupled Models and their Validation against Experiment in Nuclear Waste Isolation, and the project is an international effort to develop mathematical models, numerical methods and computer codes for coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical processes in fractured rocks and buffer materials for geological isolation of spent nuclear fuel and other radioactive wastes, and validate them against laboratory and field experiments. 24 refs.
This handbook covers the general area of lubrication and tribology in all its facets: friction, wear lubricants (liquid, solid, and gas), greases, lubrication principles, applications to various mechanisms, design principles of devices incorporating lubrication, maintenance, lubrication scheduling, and standardized tests; as well as environmental problems and conservation. The information contained in these two volumes will aid in achieving effective lubrication for control of friction and wear, and is another step to improve understanding of the complex factors involved in tribology. Both metric and English units are provided throughout both volumes.
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.
Regular physical activity (PA) decreases the risk of several chronic diseases including some cancers, type II diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease; however, the majority of US adults are not meeting the recommended levels to experience these benefits. To address this public health concern, the underlying mechanisms for behavior change need to be understood, translated and disseminated into appropriately tailored interventions. The Transtheoretical Model (TTM) provides a framework for both the conceptualization and the measurement of behavior change, as well as facilitating promotion strategies that are individualized and easily adapted. The purpose of this manuscript is to present the constructs of the TTM as they relate to PA behavior change. We begin with a brief synopsis of rec...
Titanium oxides were grown anodically to selected final potentials on grade II polycrystalline titanium under different anodization rates. XPS and RBS results show that the oxide consists of primarily TiO2 with a non-stoichiometric oxide/metal interface, with the slower growth rate associated with a thicker layer at the interface. Characterization using TEM reveals that the structure of the oxide evolves from a primarily amorphous phase to islands of crystallites in an amorphous matrix, to an entirely crystalline phase by increasing the polarization potential. Slower growth rates tend to remain crystalline at higher potentials. The mechanical strength of oxide films extracted from load-depth data by nanoindentation varies dramatically for oxide films grown by different rates at 9.4 V, and to a lesser extent at lower potentials. The variation of film strength is associated with both compositional and structural characteristics.
New platinum(II) complexes with asymmetrically substituted chiral diamine ligands A{sub 2}PtX{sub 2}, (A{sub 2}=NH{sub 2}CH(CH{sub 3})CH{sub 2}NH(c-C{sub 5}H{sub 9}) (apcpa), NH{sub 2}CH(CH{sub 3})CH{sub 2}NH(c-C{sub 6}H{sub 11}) (apcha); X{sub 2}=2Cl, isopropylidenmalonate (IPM), 1,1'-cyclobutandicarboxylate (CBDCA) have been synthesized and characterized by means of elemental analyses, infrared and NMR spectroscopies, and X-ray crystallography. The crystal structures of (S-apcha)Pt[CBDCA]{center_dot}3H{sub 2}O (orthorhombic, P2{sub 1}2{sub 1}2(No. 18), a=6.926(3), b=15.243(3), c=19.319(4) A, V=2039.5(10) A{sup 3}, Z=4, R=0.072) and (S-apcha)Pt[IPM]{center_dot}2.5H{sub 2}O (monoclinic, P2/c(No. 13), a=9.882(1), b=18.502(1), c=22.056(1) A, V=4032.8(5) A{sup 3}, Z=8, R=0.093) exhibit that the platinum atoms achieve a typical square planar arrangement with two nitrogen atoms in cis position and with the chiral center retained. The spectroscopic data disclose ...
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)
Genetics, Genomics, and Molecular Biology USGS scientists develop and integrate new genetic and molecular techniques into systematic analyses to describe individuals and populations of fish .....
In order to optimize the performance of molecular organic electronic devices it is important to study the intermolecular density of states and charge transport mechanisms in the environment of crystalline organic material. Using this approach in Field Effect Transistors (FETs) we show that material purification improves carrier mobility and decreases density of the deep localized electronic state. We also report a general exponential energy dependence of the density of localized states in a vicinity of the mobility edge (Fermi energies up to approx7 times higher than the thermal energy (kT)) in a variety of the extensively purified molecular organic crystal FETs. This observation and the low activation energy of the order of approxkT suggest that molecular structural misplacements of the sizes that are comparable with thermal molecular modes rather than impurity deep traps play a ...
Detailed chemical kinetic reaction mechanisms are developed for combustion of all nine isomers of heptane (C{sub 7}H{sub 16}), and these mechanisms are tested by simulating autoignition of each isomer under rapid compression machine conditions. The reaction mechanisms focus on the manner in which the molecular structure of each isomer determines the rates and product distributions of possible classes of reactions. The reaction pathways emphasize the importance of alkylperoxy radical isomerizations and addition reactions of molecular oxygen to alkyl and hydroperoxyalkyl radicals. A new reaction group has been added to past models, in which hydroperoxyalkyl radicals that originated with abstraction of an H atom from a tertiary site in the parent heptane molecule are assigned new reaction sequences involving additional internal H atom abstractions not previously allowed. This process ...
Rice is a very important food staple that feeds more than half the world's population. Two major Asian cultivated rice (Oryza sativa L.) subspecies, japonica and indica, show significant phenotypic variation in their stress responses. However, the molecularmechanisms underlying this phenotypic variation are still largely unknown. A common link among different stresses is that they produce an oxidative burst and result in an increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study, methyl viologen (MV) as a ROS agent was applied to investigate the rice oxidative stress response. We observed that 93-11 (indica) seedlings exhibited leaf senescence with severe lesions under MV treatment compared to Nipponbare (japonica). Whole-genome microarray experiments were conducted, and 1,062 probe sets were identified with gene expression level polymorphisms between the two rice cultivars in addition to differential expression under MV treatment, which were ...
The dynamic mechanical properties and molecular weight distribution of two experimental polymer bonded explosives, X-0287 and X-0298, maintained at 23, 60, and 74/sup 0/C for 3 years were examined. X-0287 is 97% 1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetraazacyclooctane explosive, 1.8% Kraton G-1650, and 1.2% B/sup 2/ was 170. X-0298 is 97.4% explosive, 1.4% Kraton G-1650, and 1.2% Cenco Hi-vac oil. The relaxation associated with the Kraton rubber block glass transition is observed in both X-0287 and X-0298. In the unaged X-0298 it occurs at -59/sup 0/C and in the aged explosive at 50/sup 0/C. This is caused by migration of the oil plasticizer out of the explosive. In X-0287 the Kraton rubber block T/sub g/ is weak and broad due to the presence of the wax plasticizer. X-0287 has a second broad relaxation associated with the melting of the wax from 10 to 65/sup 0/C. The molecular weight of the Kraton binder decreased with increasing ...
Bis(diphenylphosphino)phenylamine can be selectivity oxidized by S or Se in toluene or hexane solvents to the monooxidized thioyl or selenoyl products Ph[sub 2]PN(PH)PPh[sub 2]=E, (E = S, Se). These compounds act as bidentate chelate ligands toward metal complexes forming (CO)[sub 4]M(LL) (M = Mo, W), CO(Cl)Rh(LL), and Cl[sub 2]M(LL), (M = Pt, Pd) where (LL) is the thioyl or selenoyl derivative of the aminobis(phosphine). IR and NMR data are given for all complexes. The carbonyl infrared stretching frequencies show that the chelates form with the phosphine cis to any CO which is present. The [sup 31]P NMR of all complexes of two doublets except for the Rh complexes wherein the Rh spin also couples to phosphorous to produce two doublets of doublets. The [sup 2]J[sub PP] values range from 56 to 112 Hz. [sup 1]J[sub PSe] coupling provide valuable assistance for the assignment of the phosphorus resonances which range widely from 55 to 126 ppm for P[sup III] and from 60 to 80 ppm for the ...
Abstract: Snake venom contains a number of small proteins,enzymes and other components,which displays a broad spectrum of biological activities. With the ability of specifically binding on acetylcholine acceptor, alpha-bungarotoxins are not only useful molecular probes in investigating the mechanism of neural signal transmission, but also potential pharmic preparations for neural disease treatment. In current research,cDNAs of Bungarus multicinutus venom gland were synthesized using SMART cDNA amplification kit and then, alpha-bungarotoxin genes were cloned and sequenced. Total of 20 clones were sequenced representing 14 isotoxin mRNAs of alpha-bungarotoxins. Among those clones, a novel isotoxin gene was subcloned into two expression plasmids, alpha-BgTX/pQE30a and alpha-BgTX/pGEX-4T-1, and transformed into E. coli. After inducing with IPTG, fused protein of GST-alpha-BgTX was successfully expressed at level of 30% gross proteins of bacteria. ...
An outline is given of time-dependent wavepacket methods as applied to calculations of molecular collisions with solid surfaces. The methods reviewed include numerical integration algorithms for the time-dependent Schroedinger equation, semiclassical wavepacket treatments, and approximations that treat some of the degrees-of-freedom quantum-mechanically and others classically. The computational and numerical characteristics of these methods are discussed, with emphasis on their particular advantages and relevance in the context of certain molecule/surface scattering problems. For the semiclassical and mixed quantal-classical treatments, the approximation errors and their physical origins are discussed. For the quantum wavepacket techniques a numerical error analysis is presented. The computational efficiency of the various algorithms is considered and examined in the context of several applications. The main focus is on diffractive scattering ...
Poly(methyl methacrylate), PMMA, Acrigel, a Brazilian polymer, is used in the manufacture of medical supplies sterelizable by ionizing radiation. However, when PMMA is gamma-irradiated it undergoes main chain scissions, which promote molecular degradation causing reduction in its mechanical properties. Therefore, radiolytic of PMMA is important for it to become commercially radiosterizable. In this work some commercial additives, originally used in photo-and thermo-oxidate stabilization of polymers, were tested. Only two additives, type HALS (Hindered Amine Light Stabilizer), denoted Scavenger, showed a good protective quality. The investigation of radiation-induced main scissions was carried out by viscosimetric method. The most effective additive, added to the polymer system at 0.3 w/w%, promotes a great molecular radioprotection of 93%. That means a reduction of G-value (scissions/100 eV) from 0.611 to 0.053. In ...
Projected scenarios for the proposed Yucca Mountain repository include significant periods of time when high relative humidity atmospheres will be present, thus the reaction processes of interest will include those known to occur under these conditions. The ideal natural analog for the proposed Yucca Mountain repository would consist of natural borosilicate glasses exposed to expected repository conditions for thousands of years; however, the prospects for identifying such an analog are remote, but an important caveat for using natural analog studies is to relate the reaction processes in the analog to those in the system of interest, rather than a strict comparison of the glass compositions. In lieu of this, identifying natural glasses that have reacted via reaction processes expected in the repository is the most attractive option. The goal of this study is to quantify molecular water diffusion in the natural analogs obsidian and tektites. Results from this study ...
Motivated by recent experiments on KIF1A, a representative member of single-headed kinesin motor proteins family, we develop a theoretical model of intra-cellular transport by mutually interacting molecular motors. The model explicitly accounts not only for the hydrolysis of ATP, but also for the ratchet mechanism which is believed to drive each individual KIF1A motor. We study the model by a combination of analytical and numerical techniques. A remarkable feature of this model is that all the parameters in it can be completely evaluated from experimental data. Our results in the dilute limit are in excellent quantitative agreement with the empirical data from single molecule experiments. In the high density regime the predictions of the model also agree qualitatively with the corresponding experimental observations. We derive a phase diagram that shows the influence of hydrolysis and Langmuir kinetics on the collective spatio-temporal ...
Theoretical and experimental studies have been carried out on the combustion of azide polymers used as a binder in high-energy propellants. AMMO (3-azidemethyl-3`-methyloxetane) is one of the energetic azide polymers which contain N3 groups in their molecular structures. EDNA (ethylenedinitramine) is a linear nitramine which has modest properties in the flame temperature and the molecular weight of burned gases as compared with HMX (cyclotetramethylenetetranitramine) and NQ (nitroguanidine). In this study, the burning rate characteristics of azide/nitramine propellants were investigated in order to gain a wide spectrum of burning rate. As a result, the burning rate of AMMO/EDNA propellant is higher than that of AMMO/HMX propellant and the pressure exponent of AMMO/EDNA propellant is lower than that of AMMO/HMX propellant. Both AMMO/EDNA and AMMO/HMX propellants exhibited the same combustion wave structure as inert polymer/nitramine propellants. ...
In May 1990 a group of scientists representing several federal agencies, the International Society of Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, the private sector, and academia met to develop a strategy to encourage the study of the biological effects of low level exposures (BELLE) to chemical agents and radioactivity. A workshop was held in 1991 with seven invited speakers focusing on the toxicological implications of biological adaptations. The selection of topics and speakers was designed to consider critically the concept of hormesis, not only in a broad, conceptual manner, but also at the molecular and biochemical levels. These presentations offered a complementary perspective on the diverse range of molecularmechanisms that can become activated at low levels of toxicant exposure. In addition to chemical toxicology research, an overview of current research on 'Effects of low-dose radiation on the immune response' was ...
During the years 1995-1999, an international effort was going on under the title DECOVALEX II, in order to study the coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) effects in the water containing fractured rock mass caused by the heat generation of spent fuel canisters in a repository. The project was a continuation project of DECOVALEX (1991-1996). The name comes from the acronym 'an international co-operative project for the DEvelopment of COupled models and their VALidation against EXperiments in nuclear waste isolation'. Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) was one of the eleven Funding Organizations in the international project. STUK's Research Team was the Technical Research Centre of Finland, VTT Communities and Infrastructure. To support and coordinate the national research work, STUK formed a National DECOVALEX II Group (NDG). The group had representatives from six research organisations ...
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 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 metal compound. Formation ...
Low-frequency current noise and current-voltage (I-V) characteristics have been studied in InAs/GaAs self-assembled Quantum Dot Infrared Photodetectors in dark conditions and under illumination, at T = 77K and T = 5K. The noise behavior is consistent with a generation-recombination fluctuation process mainly related to thermally excited charge carriers at T = 77K. At T = 5K the current noise is consistent with a mechanism of fluctuations driven by the electric field, related to tunneling rather than emission-capture of charge carriers from the Quantum Dots. A very effective noise suppression mechanism, related to the tunneling regime, determines a decrease of fluctuation intensity as a function of the voltage. At T = 5K, an interesting behavior is observed in the current-voltage and noise power spectra for some of nominally identical QDIP structures in the presence of irradiation. Some devices indeed exhibit (i) a very high photoresponse and ...
We use X-ray scattering and molecular simulations to investigate the structural properties of complexes of multivalent cationic lipids and DNA molecules. At low mole fraction of neutral lipids (NLs), $\\Phi_{\\rm NL}$, the complexes show dramatic DNA compaction down to essentially close packed DNA arrays with a DNA interaxial spacing $d_{\\rm DNA}=25\\AA$. A gradual increase in $\\Phi_{\\rm NL}$ does not lead to a continuous increase in $d_{\\rm DNA}$ as observed for DNA complexes of monovalent cationic lipids (CLs). Instead, distinct spacing regimes exist, with sharp transitions between them. Three packing states have been identified: (i) close packed, (ii) condensed, but not close packed, with $d_{\\rm DNA}=27-28\\AA$, and (iii) an expanded state, where $d_{\\rm DNA}$ increases gradually with $\\Phi_{\\rm NL}$. Based on our experimental and computational results, we conclude that the DNA condensation is mediated by the multivalent cationic ...
We present a spectroscopic catalog of 70,841 visually inspected M dwarfs from the seventh data release of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). For each spectrum, we provide measurements of the spectral type, a number of molecular bandheads, and the H-alpha, H-beta, H-gamma, H-delta and Ca II K emission lines. In addition, we calculate the metallicity-sensitive parameter zeta and identify a relationship between zeta and the g-r and r-z colors of M dwarfs. We assess the precision of our spectral types (which were assigned by individual examination), review the bulk attributes of the sample, and examine the magnetic activity properties of M dwarfs, in particular those traced by the higher order Balmer transitions. Our catalog is cross-matched to Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS) infrared data, and contains photometric distances for each star. Lastly, we identify eight new late-type M dwarfs that are possibly within 25 pc of the Sun. Future studies ...
We outline to the community the value of a Magellanic Clouds Survey that consists of three components: I) a complete-area, high resolution, multi-band UV-near-IR broadband survey; II) a narrowband survey in 7 key nebular filters to cover a statistically significant sample of representative HII regions and a large-area, contiguous survey of the diffuse, warm ISM; and III) a comprehensive FUV spectroscopic survey of 1300 early-type stars. The science areas enabled by such a dataset are as follows: A) assessment of massive star feedback in both HII regions and the diffuse, warm ISM; B) completion of a comprehensive study of the 30 Doradus giant extragalactic HII region (GEHR); C) development and quantitative parameterization of stellar clustering properties; D) extensive FUV studies of early-type stellar atmospheres and their energy distributions; and E) similarly extensive FUV absorption-line studies of molecular cloud structure and ISM ...
We numerically investigate whether and how gaseous ejecta from AGB stars can be converted into new stars within originally massive star clusters (MSCs) in order to understand the origin of multiple stellar populations in globular clusters (GCs). We adopt a scenario in which (i) MSCs with masses of M_s can be formed from high-mass, high-density giant molecular clouds (GMCs) in their host galactic building blocks embedded in dark matter halos at high redshifts and (ii) their evolution therefore can be significantly influenced by M_s, their initial locations, and physical properties of their hosts. Our 3D hydrodynamical simulations show that gaseous ejecta from AGB stars can be retained within MSCs and consequently converted into new stars very efficiently in the central regions of MSCs, only if M_s exceed a threshold mass (M_th) of ~10^6 M_sun. The new stars can correspond to the ``second generation (SG)'' of stars with higher Na and lower O ...
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.
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 ...
Through analysis of archival images and photometry from the Spitzer GLIMPSE and MIPSGAL surveys combined with Two Micron All Sky Survey and MSX data, we have identified 488 candidate young stellar objects (YSOs) in the giant molecular cloud M17 SWex, which extends #approx#50 pc southwest from the prominent Galactic H II region M17. Our sample includes >200 YSOs with masses >3 M _s_u_n that will become B-type stars on the main sequence. Extrapolating over the stellar initial mass function (IMF), we find that M17 SWex contains >1.3 x 10"4 young stars, representing a proto-OB association. The YSO mass function is significantly steeper than the Salpeter IMF, and early O stars are conspicuously absent from M17 SWex. Assuming M17 SWex will form an OB association with a Salpeter IMF, these results reveal the combined effects of (1) more rapid circumstellar disk evolution in more massive YSOs and (2) delayed onset of massive star formation.
Regulation of transcription initiation by RNA polymerase II requires TFIID, a multisubunit complex composed of the TATA binding protein (TBP) and at least seven tightly associated factors (TAFs). Some TAFs act as direct targets or coactivators for promoter-specific activators while others serve as interfaces for TAF-TAF interactions. Here, we report the molecular cloning, expression and characterization of Drosophila dTAFII60 and its human homolog, hTAFII70. Recombinant TAFII60/70 binds weakly to TBP and tightly to the largest subunit of TFIID, TAFII250. In the presence of TAFII60/70, TBP and TAFII250, a stable ternary complex is formed. Both the human and Drosophila proteins directly interact with another TFIID subunit, dTAFII40. Our findings reveal that Drosophila TAFII60 and human TAFII70 share a high degree of structural similarity and that their interactions with other subunits of TFIID are conserved.Images
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.
Glioblastoma multiforme is the most aggressive form of human brain tumor, which has no effective cure. Previously, we have demonstrated that overexpression of the C-terminal fragment of the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERTC27) inhibits the growth and tumorigenicity of human cervical cancer HeLa cells. In this study, the therapeutic effect and molecularmechanisms of hTERTC27-mediated cancer gene therapy were further explored in vivo in established human glioblastoma xenografts in nude mice. We showed that intratumoral injection of adeno-associated virus carrying hTERTC27 (rAAV-hTERTC27) is highly effective in reducing the growth of the subcutaneously transplanted glioblastoma tumors. Histological analyses showed that rAAV-hTERTC27 treatment leads to profound necrosis, apoptosis, infiltration of polymorphonuclear neutrophils and reduced microvessel density in the tumor samples. To study the molecular ...
A detailed kinetic study of the epoxidation of 1-octene with hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by Pt(II) complexes is reported. The two systems analyzed were (diphoe)Pt(CF/sub 3/)(OH)/1-octene/H/sub 2/O/sub 2//THF and ((diphoe)Pt(CF/sub 3/)(CH/sub 2/Cl/sub 2/))BF/sub 4//1-octene/H/sub 2/O/sub 2//H/sub 2/O/CH/sub 2/Cl/sub 2/. Rate data were determined with GLC from epoxide formed vs time plots. Evidence for many of the organometallic intermediates and the individual steps involved was gained from IR studies, /sup 19/F NMR studies, and especially designed experiments including studies of the acidity effect. In both cases the kinetic analysis suggests a mechanism in which the actual oxidant is a PtOOH species that interacts with a Pt-olefin complex in the oxygen-transfer step (second-order dependence on platinum). 29 references, 12 figures, 3 tables.
The biosorption of Cu(II) from aqueous solutions by valonia tannin resin was investigated as a function of particle size, initial pH, contact time and initial metal ion concentration. The aim of this study was to understand the mechanisms that govern copper removal and find a suitable equilibrium isotherm and kinetic model for the copper removal in a batch reactor. The experimental isotherm data were analysed using the Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin equations. The equilibrium data fit well in the Langmuir isotherm. The experimental data were analysed using four sorption kinetic models - the pseudo-first- and second-order equations, the Elovich and the intraparticle diffusion model equation - to determine the best fit equation for the biosorption of copper ions onto valonia tannin resin. Results show that the pseudo-second-order equation provides the best correlation for the biosorption process, whereas the Elovich equation also fits the ...
We present results of a study of large-scale neutral hydrogen (HI) gas in nearby radio galaxies. We find that the early-type host galaxies of different types of radio sources (compact, FR-I and FR-II) appear to contain fundamentally different large-scale HI properties: enormous regular rotating disks and rings are present around the host galaxies of a significant fraction of low power compact radio sources, while no large-scale HI is detected in low power, edge-darkened FR-I radio galaxies. Preliminary results of a study of nearby powerful, edge-brightened FR-II radio galaxies show that these systems generally contain significant amounts of large-scale HI, often distributed in tail- or bridge-like structures, indicative of a recent galaxy merger or collision. Our results suggest that different types of radio galaxies may have a different formation history, which could be related to a difference in the triggering mechanism ...
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. Our data suggest that ...
Summary Purpose BMS-275183 is an oral C-4 methyl carbonate analogue of paclitaxel that has the same mechanism of action, stabilization of tubulin polymerization. The present study was designed to: (i) assess the safety and tolerability of BMS-275183, and (ii) determine a suitable Phase II dose of BMS-275183 when given on a continuous daily schedule to patients with advanced solid tumor(s). Methods This was a multi-institutional, open-label, Phase I, single-arm dose escalation study in which cohorts of eligible patients with advanced malignancies were treated with BMS-275183 orally on a continuous daily schedule. The starting dose level was 6?mg/m2/day administered once daily. Cohorts of 3 patients were treated at each dose level provided no dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) were observed. Ea...
Summary The objective of this study was to examine the role of root carbohydrate levels and metabolism in the waterlogging tolerance of contrasting mung bean genotypes. An experiment was conducted with two cultivated mung bean (Vigna radiata) genotypes viz., T44 (tolerant) and Pusa Baisakhi (PB) (susceptible), and a wild Vigna species Vigna luteola under pot-culture to study the physiological and molecularmechanism of waterlogging tolerance. Waterlogging resulted in decrease in relative water content (RWC), membrane stability index (MSI) in root and leaf tissues, and chlorophyll (Chl) content in leaves, while the Chl a/b ratio increased. Waterlogging-induced decline in RWC, MSI, Chl and increase in Chl a/b ratio was greater in PB than V. luteola and T44. Waterlogging caused decline in tot...
In virtually all forms of life on earth, proteins in each cell are made according to a genetic blueprint, in the form of DNA. The translation of copies of this genetic blueprint (in the form of messenger RNA) into polypeptides is performed on the ribosome, a highly complex molecular machine composed of RNAs and proteins. To this end, special adaptor molecules called transfer RNAs are lined up by the ribosome in the sequence dictated by the genetic code, such that the amino acids carried by these molecules can be linked into a polypeptide. Several cofactors are involved in these processes, some of which require energy freed up by GTP hydrolysis. Although the ribosome was discovered more than 50 years ago, its structure has only been solved recently by X-ray crystallography. Another technique, cryo-electron microscopy, is starting to contribute toward our understanding of the ribosome's function, by portraying its conformational changes and binding ...
We performed hybrid-DFT calculations for La2/3?xLi3xTiO3 (LLT) with lithium ion conductivity, in order to investigate the detailed lithium ion conductive mechanism from the viewpoint of molecular orbital (MO) method. It was concluded that the very ionic lithium ion in bottleneck accelerates the lithium ion conduction. The calculated MO shows no chemical bonding between lithium ion and other ions. In comparison with the perovskite-type trivalent titanium oxide of LaTiO3, the effect of the titanium's reduction was also investigated. We showed the possibility of the high lithium conductivity in LaTiO3.
The effect of sodium on the partial oxidation of methane over MoO{sub 3}-SiO{sub 2} in the presence of molecular oxygen has been investigated. As in the sodium-free case, the major products are formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and water. Kinetic analysis indicates that methane is directly oxidized to formaldehyde and carbon dioxide. Formaldehyde is oxidized to carbon monoxide, which is itself further oxidized, providing an alternative route to carbon dioxide. The kinetic model shows that sodium poisons the direct oxidation of methane to formaldehyde and carbon dioxide, but promotes the oxidation of formaldehyde and carbon monoxide. Model predictions of rates and selectivities are in good agreement with the experimental data. A mechanism that explains both the poisoning and promotion effects of sodium on MoO{sub 3}-SiO{sub 2} is proposed.
In previous studies we have demonstrated that prion protein (PrP) interacts with tubulin and disrupts microtubular cytoskeleton by inducing tubulin oligomerization. These observations may explain the molecularmechanism of toxicity of cytoplasmic PrP in transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). Here, we check whether microtubule associated proteins (MAPs) that regulate microtubule stability, influence the PrP-induced oligomerization of tubulin. We show that tubulin preparations depleted of MAPs are more prone to oligomerization by PrP than those containing traces of MAPs. Tau protein, a major neuronal member of the MAPs family, reduces the effect of PrP. Importantly, phosphorylation of Tau abolishes its ability to affect the PrP-induced oligomerization of tubulin. We propose that t...
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 Na+-driven bacterial flagellar motor is a molecular machine powered by an electrochemical potential gradient of sodium ions across the cytoplasmic membrane. The marine bacterium Vibrio alginolyticus has a single polar flagellum that enables it to swim in liquid. The flagellar motor contains a basal body and a stator complexes, which are composed of several proteins. PomA, PomB, MotX, and MotY are thought to be essential components of the stator that are required to generate the torque of the rotation. Several mutations have been investigated to understand the characteristics and function of the ion channel in the stator and the mechanism of its assembly around the rotor to complete the motor. In this review, we summarize recent results of the Na+-driven motor in the polar flagellum of ...
Various chemical, physical, and mechanical methods to prevent unwanted deposition of mineral scale are described. The suitability of the different methods, which largely depends on the specific features and requirements of the system involved, is discussed. Special emphasis is placed upon the threshold treatment, where the growth process is retarded by the addition of trace amounts of growth inhibitors. Growth experiments have been performed on barium sulfate and calcium sulfate dihydrate seed crystals, suspended in a supersaturated solution with and without organic bisphosphonates as inhibitors. Two methods are selected for the analysis of the growth data. A degree of inhibition is defined to obtain a quantitative description of the influence of a growth inhibitor on the growth rate of the crystals. In addition the influence of the molecular structure of various bisphosphonates with different substituents is shown. The effect of a ...
Background and purpose: The aims of this study were to investigate the anti-cancer activity of SZ-685C, an anthracycline analogue isolated from marine-derived mangrove endophytic fungi, and to explore the molecularmechanisms underlying such activity. Experimental approach: The effect of SZ-685C on the viability of cancer cell lines was investigated using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. SZ-685C-induced apoptosis was assessed by Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide staining, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labelling assay and analysis of caspase activation. The effect of SZ-685C on the Akt/FOXO pathway was studied using Western blotting analysis, and the in vivo anti-tumour efficacy was examined in ...
European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) is a marine species of great economic importance, particularly in Mediterranean aquaculture. However, numerous pathogenic viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites affect the species, causing various infectious diseases and thereby leading to the most heavy losses in aquaculture production of sea bass. In this respect, knowledge on molecular and genetic mechanisms of resistance to pathogens and specific features of immune response against various infectious agents should greatly benefit the development of effective vaccines and proper vaccination strategies in marker-assisted selection of fish resistant to a range of infections. To date, genetic knowledge on sea bass immune regulatory genes responsible for resistance to pathogens is relatively poor ...
This work aimed to develop a fast-dissolving film made of low dextrose equivalent maltodextrins (MDX) containing nicotine hydrogen tartrate salt (NHT). Particular attention was given to the selection of the suitable taste-masking agent (TMA) and the characterisation of the ductility and flexibility under different mechanical stresses. MDX with two different dextrose equivalents (DEs), namely DE 6 and DE 12, were selected in order to evaluate the effect of polymer molecular weight on film tensile properties. The bitterness and astringency intensity of NHT and the suppression effect of several TMA were evaluated by a Taste-Sensing System. The films were characterised in term of NHT content, tensile properties, disintegration time and drug dissolution test. As expected, placebo films made of ...
Proteins are polymers of amino acids. These macromolecules are synthesized by intracellular machines called {\\it ribosome}. Although, traditionally, the experimental investigation of protein synthesis has been an active area of research in molecular cell biology, important quantitative models of this phenomenon have been reported mostly in the research journals devoted to statistical physics and related interdisciplinary topics. From the perspective of a physicist, protein synthesis is a phenomenon of {\\it classical transport of interacting ribosomes on a messenger RNA (mRNA) template} that dictates the sequence of the amino acids on the protein. Here we bring this frontier area of contemporary research into the classroom by appropriate simplification of the models and methods. In particular, we develope a simple toy model and analyze it by some elementary techniques of non-equilibrium statistical mechanics to predict the average rate of ...
Certain allelochemicals of the marine dinoflagellate Alexandrium tamarense cause lysis of a broad spectrum of target protist cells but the lytic mechanism is poorly defined. We first hypothesized that membrane sterols serve as molecular targets of these lytic compounds, and that differences in sterol composition among donor and target cells may cause insensitivity of Alexandrium and sensitivity of targets to lytic compounds. We investigated Ca^2^+ influx after application of lytic fractions to a model cell line PC12 derived from a pheochromocytoma of the rat adrenal medulla to establish how the lytic compounds affect ion flux associated with lysis of target membranes. The lytic compounds increased permeability of the cell membrane for Ca^2^+ ions even during blockade of Ca^2^+ channels wit...
Through an unusual differentiation process, human trophoblast progenitors (cytotrophoblasts) give rise to tumor-like cells that invade the uterus. By an unknown mechanism, invasive cytotrophoblasts exhibit permanent cell cycle withdrawal. Here we report molecular cytogenetic data showing that {approx} 20 to 60 percent of these interphase cells had acquired aneusomies involving chromosomes X, Y, o r16. The incidence positively correlated with gestational age and differentiation to an invasive phenotype. Scoring 12 chromosomes in flow-sorted cytotrophoblasts showed that more than 95 percent of the cells were hyperdiploid. Thus, aneuploidy appears to be an important component of normal placentation, perhaps limiting the proliferative and invasive potential of cytotrophoblasts within the uterus.
Particle accelerators are constructed and operated for a wide variety of applications. In particle physics - the branch of physics that studies the elementary constituents of matter and forces between them - high energy accelerators are used to look deep into the structure of matter. Medical particle accelerators are used for example in medicine to treat tumours [31], in imaging techniques such as Positron Emission Tomography (PET) [24], or for the radio-isotopes production. They also serve in many other industrial branches, e.g. geology, radiocarbon dating [39], molecular complex spectroscopy, lithography, food preservation etc. The eld of accelerator technology draws knowledge and expertise from a wide range of scientic disciplines and uses the latest technical knowledge. The incomplete list of covered disciplines includes mathematics, physics, electronics, computing, electromagnetic eld technology, microwave technology, cryogenics, vacuum technology, special ...
We describe a simple one-pot thermal decomposition method for the production of a stable colloidal suspension of narrowly dispersed superparamagnetic Fe3O4-Ag core-shell nanostructures. These biocompatible nanostructures are highly toxic to microorganisms. Antimicrobial activity studies were carried out on both Gram negative (Escherichia coli and Proteus vulgaris) and Gram positive (Bacillus megaterium and Staphylococcus aureus) bacterial strains. Efforts have been made to understand the underlying molecularmechanism of such antibacterial actions. The effect of the core-shell nanostructures on Gram negative strains was found to be better than that observed for silver nanoparticles. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of these nanostructures were found to be considerably lowe...
The evolution of these new ion-exchange resins hinges upon an understanding of the chemistry of actinide metal complexes as they exist in solution and when interacting with the cationic sites. Molecular modeling of electrostatic interactions between the metal complex and the cationic substrate is used to help visualize uptake mechanisms and, eventually, to predict optimized coordination sites. Thus, these new materials integrate the fields of ion-specific chelation and ion-exchange technology. Synthesized resins contain cationic sites designed to facilitate the uptake of plutonium nitrato complexes from high-nitrate solutions, and they exhibit distribution coefficients that are up to 10 times higher than those observed for commercial resins. Additionally, some new resins show surprisingly large Kd`s for anionic complexes of Am(III) and U(VI).
Glioblastoma multiforme is the most aggressive form of human brain tumor, which has no effective cure. Previously, we have demonstrated that overexpression of the C-terminal fragment of the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERTC27) inhibits the growth and tumorigenicity of human cervical cancer HeLa cells. In this study, the therapeutic effect and molecularmechanisms of hTERTC27-mediated cancer gene therapy were further explored in vivo in established human glioblastoma xenografts in nude mice. We showed that intratumoral injection of adeno-associated virus carrying hTERTC27 (rAAV-hTERTC27) is highly effective in reducing the growth of the subcutaneously transplanted glioblastoma tumors. Histological analyses showed that rAAV-hTERTC27 treatment leads to profound necrosis, apoptosi...
Research highlights: {yields} The use of resonant photoemission in its 'core-hole clock' expression for the study of the dynamical charge transfer across hybrid organic-inorganic interfaces and for the intermolecular charge transfer in the bulk of organic thin films is reviewed. {yields} The electronic coupling to the substrate and the efficiency of charge transport across hybrid interfaces is different for individual electronic subsystems of the molecular adsorbate. {yields} The intermolecular charge transfer in the bulk of discotic liquid crystals occurs on the order of a few femtoseconds and is faster than expected from the macroscopic charge transport characteristics of the material. -- Abstract: The focus of this brief review is the use of resonant photoemission in its 'core-hole clock' expression for the study of two important problems relevant for the field of organic electronics: the dynamical charge transfer across ...
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 cells also show by ...
High molecular weight DNA from pleroceroid larvae of the tapeworm Spirometra mansonoides was purified from isolated nuclei by conventional techniques. The DNA so isolated has a melting temperature (Tm) of 87 degrees C and a guanine plus cytosine (G/C) content of 44%. 5-Methyl cytosine could not be detected in plerocercoid DNA by HPLC analysis of DNA hydrolysates, by radiolabeling 5'-termini of MspI digests with polynucleotide kinase, or by comparing restriction patterns generated by MspI and HpaII. Renaturation kinetics demonstrated that the genome of S. mansonoides contains repetitive as well as single copy sequences and has a genome size estimated at approx. 1.6 X 10(9) bp. Hybridization was carried out between plerocercoid DNA and cDNAs for human beta-actin, alpha-tubulin and growth hormone (hGH). Rationale for this analysis was based on known homologies among actin and tubulin genes in numerous species and on apparent similarities between ...
Analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and high performance liquid chromatography has revealed organic residues in sup(99m)Tc-pertechnetate obtained from "9"9Mo-molybdate by extraction, using the organic solvent methylethylketone (MEK). The organic residues have been identified as either (i) low molecular weight carbonyl compounds such as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and acetone, presumably caused by the effects of #gamma#-radiation on MEK, or (ii) condensation products resulting from the action of strong alkali on MEK during the extraction process. The quantities of organic residues varied from batch to batch of extracted pertechnetate; up to 40 #mu# mL"-"1 was found. When these compounds were tested, in rats, by addition to a pyrophosphate bone-seeking radiopharmaceutical, the tissue distribution was not significantly different from that in the control, which contained no added compound. Assay for "9"9Tc in MEK-derived pertechnetate ...
Pancreatic amyloid deposits of amylin are a hallmark of Type II diabetes and considerable evidence indicates that amylin oligomers are cytotoxic to beta-cells. Many efforts are presently spent to find out naturally occurring molecules, or to design synthetic ones, able to hinder amylin aggregation or to protect cells against aggregate cytotoxicity. In this context, a protective effect of some polyphenols against amyloid cytotoxicity was reported. Actually dietary polyphenols are endowed with multiple health benefits, and extra virgin olive oil is attracting increasing interest as a source of these substances. Here, we investigated the effects on amylin aggregation and cytotoxicity of the secoiridoid oleuropein aglycon, the main phenolic component of extra virgin olive oil. We found that oleuropein, when present during the aggregation of amylin, consistently prevented its cytotoxicity to RIN-5F pancreatic beta-cells, as determined by the ...
Background: We consider cells as biological systems that process information by means of molecular codes. Many studies analyze cellular information processing exclusively in syntactic terms (e.g., by measuring Shannon entropy of sets of macromolecules), and abstract completely from semantic aspects that are related to the meaning of molecular information. Methods: This mini-review focusses on semantic aspects of molecular information, particularly on codes that organize the semantic dimension of molecular information. First, a general conceptual framework for describing molecular information is proposed. Second, some examples of molecular codes are presented. Third, a mathematical approach that makes the identification of molecular codes in reaction networks possible, is developed. Results...
Endothelial dysfunction is involved in radiation responses in many normal tissues, including intestine. Endothelium-directed interventions ameliorate intestinal radiation injury (radiation enteropathy) in animal models, and anecdotal reports also suggest a beneficial effect of heparin. This study assessed low molecular weight heparin as an intestinal radiation response modifier. Rats underwent localized small bowel irradiation. Groups of rats were treated with saline, nadroparin (3 mg/kg/d), or a non-anticoagulant heparin (SR80258, 3 mg/kg/d), from 3 days before to 2 weeks after irradiation. The intestinal radiation response was assessed 2 weeks and 6 weeks after irradiation using quantitative histology; morphometry, and cellular and molecular end-points. Compared to vehicle-treated controls, nadroparin significantly exacerbated structural radiation injury, neutrophil infiltration, and TGFbeta and collagen I immunoreactivity levels 2 weeks ...
For the safety of astronauts and to ensure the stability and integrity of the genome of microorganisms and plants used in bioregenerative life support systems, it is important to improve our knowledge of the combined action of (space) radiation and microgravity. The SOS-LUX-TOXICITY test, as part of the TRIPLE-LUX project (accepted for flight at Biolab in Columbus on the International Space Station, (ISS)), will provide an estimation of the health risk resulting from exposure of astronauts to the radiation environment of space in microgravity. The project will: (i) increase our knowledge of biological/health threatening action of space radiation and enzymatic DNA repair; (ii) uncover cellular mechanisms of synergistic interaction of microgravity and space radiation; (iii) provide specified...
BACKGROUNDLifestyle modifications are successfully employed to treat obese and overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The aims of the current pilot study were (i) to compare the efficacy on reproductive functions of a structured exercise training (SET) programme with a diet programme in obese PCOS patients and (ii) to study their clinical, hormonal and metabolic effects to elucidate potentially different mechanisms of action.METHODSForty obese PCOS patients with anovulatory infertility underwent a SET programme (SET group, n = 20) and a hypocaloric hyperproteic diet (diet group, n = 20). Clinical, hormonal and metabolic data were assessed at baseline, and at 12- and 24-week follow-ups. Primary endpoint was cumulative pregnancy rate.RESULTSThe two groups had similar demogra...
Severe accident analysis has been performed for the Wolsung nuclear power= plants in Korea to investigate severe accident phenomena of CANDU-600 reactors as a part of Level II PSA study. The accident sequence analyzed in this paper is loss of active heat sinks (LOAH) which is caused by loss of off-site power, diesel generators, and DC power. ISAAC (Integrated Severe Accident Analysis Code) computer code developed by KAERI (Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute) was used in this analysis. This paper describes the important thermal-hydraulics and source term behaviors in the primary system and inside containment, and the failure mechanisms of calandria vessel and containment. In addition, some insights for accident management program (AMP) are also given. (Author) 5 refs., 1 tab., 12 figs.
Severe accident analysis has been performed for the Wolsung nuclear power plants in Korea to investigate severe accident phenomena of CANDU-600 reactors as a part of Level II PSA study. The accident sequence analyzed in this paper is loss of active heat sinks (LOAH) which is caused by loss of off-site power, diesel generators, and DC power, ISAAC(Integrated Severe Accident Analysis Code) computer code developed by KAERI (Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute) was used in this analysis. This paper describes the important thermal-hydraulics and source term behaviors in the primary system and inside containment, and the failure mechanisms of calandria vessel and containment. In addition, some insights for accident management program (AMP) are also given.
During the last two years, the performance of the Penning trap mass spectrometer ISOLTRAP at ISOLDE/CERN (Geneva) has been considerably enhanced. Many technical improvements have been completed (i) to access nuclides that are produced in minute quantities of only 100 ions s/sup -1/, (ii) to increase the relative mass accuracy to mechanism which results in a significant reduction of the duration of ISOLTRAP's cyclotron measurements. (20 refs).
The rate was studied of radiation destruction of phenol aqueous solutions at a concentration range of 1 to 100 ppm. Irradiated were model solutions containing additions of some organic and inorganic substances typical of the petrochemical industry. In view of the fact that the radiation destruction kinetics is determined by the amount of dissolved oxygen in the sample and by the phenol concentration, relatively low doses were used. Thus, a sufficient amount of oxygen in the sample and therefore the oxidation mechanism of radiolysis were ensured. The dose-response relationships for phenol destruction were studied using doses of 50, 100, 200 and 400 J.kg"-"1; the limit dose was 500 J.kg"-"1. From the results obtained, a kinetic model was constructed of radiation phenol oxidation in aqueous solutions in the presence of various organic and inorganic additions. (B.S.).
Objective.The objective of this study was to use the newly synthesized poly(quaternary ammonium salt) (PQAS)-containing polyacid to formulate the light-curable glass-ionomer cements and study the effect of the PQAS on the compressive strength and antibacterial activity of the formed cements.Materials and methods.The functional QAS and their constructed PQAS were synthesized, characterized and formulated into the experimental high-strength cements. Compressive strength (CS) and Streptococcus mutans viability were used to evaluate the mechanical strength and antibacterial activity of the cements. Fuji II LC cement was used as control. The specimens were conditioned in distilled water at 37 degrees C for 24 h prior to testing. The effects of the substitute chain length, loading as well as gra...
Mowing a meadow is an example of an equalizing process that reduces differences among species by removing aboveground biomass approximately 5?cm above ground. This regular disturbance that affects all plants prevents competitive exclusion of small species and thus allows coexistence of numerous species differing in shoot size. In this paper we search for the mechanism behind this by comparing the shoot biomass of 41 common species in dry and wet species-rich meadows in mown and recently abandoned plots in June (before mowing) and in October. We asked the following questions: i) Do the plants differ in proportion of biomass lost by mowing? ii) Are the mown plants able to compensate for biomass lost by mowing? iii) Is the compensatory ability of mown plants related to their size? iv) Is the ...
High temperature deformation behaviour of an experimental Beta-titanium alloy Ti-10V has been studied in the temperature range 800 to 945 degree C by using the method of crosshead speed cycling. Although subgrain formation was observed but the alloy did not exhibit superplastic behaviour in the entire temperature range studied. A very large initial grain size and elongation of grains during the deformation are considered the main factors responsible for absence of superplastic behaviour. The activation energy values for regions II and III of the ln sigma vs. ln small epsilon plots are close to the lower of the two activation energy values proposed together to describe self diffusion in beta-phase suggesting that the rate controlling mechanism is that for lattice diffusion rather then grain boundary diffusion. (author)
The nucleation and propagation of hydrofractures by injection of over pressured fluids in an elastic and isotropic medium are studied experimentally. Non-Newtonian fluids are injected inside a gelatine whose mechanical properties are assumed isotropic at the experimental strain rates. Linear elastic theory predicts that plastic deformation associated to breakage of gelatin bonds is limited to a small zone ahead of the tip of the propagating fracture and that propagation will be maintained while the fluid pressure exceeds the normal stress to the fracture walls (Ch\\'avez-\\'Alvarez,2008) (i.e., the minimum compressive stress), resulting in a single mode I fracture geometry. However, we observed the propagation of fractures type II and III as well as nucleation of secondary fractures, with oblique to perpendicular trajectories with respect to the initial fracture. In the Video (http://hdl.handle.net/1813/14122) experimental evidence shows that ...
Polysaccharides like cellulose and chitosan are known for their filmic properties. This paper concerns the synthesis and the study of chitosan-based polymer electrolytes. A preliminary work concerns the study of glucosamine reactivity. The poly-condensation of chitosan ethers (obtained by reaction with ethylene oxide or propylene oxide) with bifunctional and monofunctional oligo-ethers leads to the formation of thin lattices (10 {mu}m) having excellent mechanical properties. The presence of grafted polyether chains along the polysaccharide skeleton allows to modify the vitreous transition temperature and the molecular disorder of the system. Two type of polymer electrolytes have been synthesized: electrolytes carrying a dissolved alkaline metal salt and ionomers. The analysis of their thermal, dynamical mechanical, nuclear magnetic relaxation, electrical, and electrochemical properties shows that this new class of polymer ...
The mechanism of trypsin inactivation by intact Hymenolepis diminuta has been investigated by biochemical and autoradiographic methods. Although worms inactivate trypsin and chymotrypsin in vitro, no inactivation of other endoproteases (subtilisin, pepsin and papain) could be demonstrated. Trypsin inactivation, as demonstrated by macromolecular substrates (azoalbumin, hemoglobin and casein), could not be detected using low molecular weight synthetic substrates such as N-p-benzoyl-DL-arginine-p-nitroanilide (BAPA) or N-p-tosyl-L-arginine methyl ester (TAME). In addition, the kinetic parameters (K/sub m/ and k_3) for H. diminuta-inactivated trypsin, using BAPA as the substrate, were not different from those of the native enzyme. The number of active sites for both native and inactivated trypsin were determined by titration with p-nitro-phenyl-p'-guanidinobenzoate. Absorbance values for both titrations were found to be identical. Dialysis, heating ...
A series of dinuclear platinum(II) complexes, [(dien)Pt(NH{sub 2}(CH{sub 2}){sub n}NH{sub 2})Pt(dien)]Cl{sub 4} (dien = diethylenetriamine, n = 8, 9, 10, and 12) and their corresponding [2]rotaxanes with {alpha}-cyclodextrin ({alpha}-CD), [(dien)Pt{l_brace}NH{sub 2}(CH{sub 2}){sub n}NH{sub 2}{center_dot}{alpha}-CD{r_brace}Pt(dien)]Cl{sub 4}, have been synthesized and characterized by {sup 1}H, {sup 13}C, and {sup 195}Pt NMR spectroscopy and electrospray mass spectrometry. The rotaxanes were prepared by reacting the {l_brace}NH{sub 2}(CH{sub 2}){sub n}NH{sub 2}{center_dot}{alpha}-CD{r_brace} pseudorotaxanes with [Pt(dien)]Cl, to stopper the included linear {alpha},{omega}-diaminoalkane chains with the inert Pt(II) end groups. The kinetics of the self-assembly and dissociation of the {beta}-CD rotaxane, [(dien)Pt{l_brace}NH{sub 2}(CH{sub 2}){sub 10}NH{sub 2}{center_dot}{beta}-CD{r_brace}Pt(dien)]{sup 4+}, were investigated by using {sup 1}H NMR ...
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 ligands. The relative effectiveness of ...
Two dimensional Fourier spectra of near-infrared images of galaxies provide a powerful diagnostic tool for the detection of spiral arm modulation in stellar disks. Spiral arm modulation may be understood in terms of interference patterns of outgoing and incoming density wave packets or modes. The brightness along a spiral arm will be increased where two wave crests meet and constructively interfere, but will be decreased where a wave crest and a wave trough destructively interfere. Spiral arm modulation has hitherto only been detected in grand design spirals (such as Messier 81). Spiral arm amplitude variations have the potential to become a powerful constraint for the study of galactic dynamics. We illustrate our method in two galaxies: NGC 4062 and NGC 5248. In both cases, we have detected trailing and leading m=2 waves with similar pitch angles. This suggests that the amplification mechanism is the WASER type II. In this ...
The poisoning effects of various trace contaminants in the coal-derived syngas stream at ppm and sub-ppm level on the performance of Ni-YSZ/YSZ/LSM solid oxide fuel cells were studied at extended duration. The thermochemical nature of impurities such as PH{sub 3}(g) and CH{sub 3}Cl(g) in presence and absence of water steam was analyzed by a high temperature mass spectrometer. Only less than half of PH{sub 3}(g) is hydrolyzed, and CH{sub 3}Cl(g) also co-exist with HCl(g). After a certain duration of exposure, 1 ppm AsH{sub 3}(g), 0.5 ppm PH{sub 3}(g), and 2.5 ppm CH{sub 3}Cl(g) all caused some degree of degradation to the power density at 750 C. Whereas 1 ppm of H{sub 2}S(g) resulted in immediate performance loss. The mechanisms of degradation are mainly divided into two categories: surface adsorption effect (for S and Cl) and bulk reaction effect (for As and P). The controversies regarding the poisoning effect and mechanism of S are also ...
In this experiments, we established long-termed culture methods of bone marrow stromal cells for proliferation and differentiation of stem cells. And we selected some extracts which support maximal proliferation of stromal cells with this method. We conformed the synergic effects of herbal mixture extracts for stromal cell growth. The proliferation of stromal cells was increased rather by the addition of mixture extracts than by addition of single strain extract. In the previous and cooperative experiments, we selected complex extracts (Him-I, Him-II) which increased the number of nonadherent mononuclear cells. Different cytokine expression patterns were observed stromal cells cultured in the presence or absence of mixture extracts which support differentiation of nonadherent cells. Some fractions of Him-I and Him-II increased the proliferation of bone marrow cells irradiated {gamma}-ray(4Gray). Stimulation of macrophage cell line with herval ...
The progress of laboratory studies on the removal of NO/sub x/ and SO/sub 2/ with zeolite molecular sieves is reported. The trademark of these zeolite molecular sieves is Zeolon. (LK)
Accumulation of molecular damage and increased molecular heterogeneity are hallmarks of cellular aging. Mild stress-induced hormesis can be an effective way for reducing the accumulation of molecular...Full Text Available
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 ...
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 ...
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
NSF-NIST Interaction in Chemistry, Materials Research, Molecular Biosciences, Bioengineering, and ... Laboratory (CSTL). Materials research is centralized in the Materials Science and Engineering ...
With the improvements accomplished during the past 15 years in detection techniques and instrumentation and with the opening of space exploration, molecular spectroscopy has become a very efficient way to probe planetary atmospheres.
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
Recent molecular characterizations of Cryptosporidium parasites make it possible to differentiate the human-pathogenic Cryptosporidium parasites from those that do...Full Text Available
BackgroundMany molecules of interest are flexible and undergo significant shape deformation as part of their function, but most existing methods of molecular shape comparison (MSC)...Full Text Available
We present the first 3.8 {micro}m image of the dusty ring surrounding the young binary system GG Tau, obtained with the W. M. Keck II 10m telescope's adaptive optics system. THis is the longest wavelength at which the ring has been detected in scattered light so far, allowing a multi-wavelength analysis of the scattering proiperties of the dust grains present in this protoplanetary disk in combination with previous, shorter wavelengths, HST images. We find that the scattering phase function of the dust grains in the disk is only weakly dependent on the wavelength. This is inconsistent with dust models inferred from observations of the interstellar medium or dense molecular clouds. In particular, the strongly forward-throwing scattering phase function observed at 3.8 {micro}m implies a significant increase in the population of large ({approx}> 1 {micro}m) grains, which provides direct evidence for grain growth in the ring. ...
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
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
... 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%, ...
A new kinetic model for a more accurate and detailed fitting of the experimental data is proposed. The model is based on the remote control mechanism (RCM). The RCM assumes that some oxides (called `donors`) are able to activate molecular oxygen transforming it to very active mobile species (spillover oxygen (O{sub OS})). O{sub OS} migrates onto the surface of the other oxide (called `acceptor`) where it creates and/or regenerates the active sites during the reaction. The model contains tow terms, one considering the creation of selective sites and the other the catalytic reaction at each site. The model has been tested in the selective oxidation of propene into acrolein (T=380, 400, 420 C; oxygen and propene partial pressures between 38 and 152 Torr). Catalysts were prepared as pure MoO{sub 3} (acceptor) and their mechanical mixtures with {alpha}-Sb{sub 2}O{sub 4} (donor) in different proportions. The presence of ...
...Correction Discussion Editorial Letter Opinion Review Short Note Technical Note Special Issue all A Systematic Development Method for Rational Drug Design Advances in Molecular Electronic Structure Calculations Algorithms and Molecular Sciences Antimicrobial Agents Application of Density Functional Theory Applications of Density Functional Theory Applications of Molecular Dynamics Atoms in Molecules ...
Microwave assisted extraction (MAE) is a combination of a microwave technique and conventional solvent extraction used in the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine. The effective component of medicinal herbs is mostly cellular material which can be released via solvent extraction. The material is diffused to solvents via the porous membrane wall. The structure of herb morphology and characteristics of the solute's molecular weight play an important role in the extraction process of target compounds. Astragalus pieces were chosen for this study in which an ultra-filtration membrane method was used to determine the molecular weight distribution characteristics of Astragalus water extraction liquid in the process of MAE. The fine structure of matrix materials was also characterized by scanning election microscopy (SEM). The phenomenon of mass flow and mass transfer in the plant porous media was discussed along with the enhancement ...
Two electroactive polymeric arylene bisimides, namely poly[(4,7,10-trioxatrideca-1,13-diyl)-(1,4,5,8-naphthalenetetracarboxylic bisimide-N,N'-diyl)] and its perylene analogue - poly[(4,7,10-trioxatrideca-1,13-diyl)-(3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic bisimide-N,N'-diyl)] have been synthesized and studied by cyclic voltammetry, UV-vis-NIR as well as Raman spectroeletrochemistry. Contrary to low molecular weight arylene bisimides, which show a clear two electron, double-step electrochemical reduction (neutral form to radical anion and from radical anion to dianion), in the synthesized polymers multielectron transfers are observed, accompanied with a strong electrochromic effect. However, as probed by cyclic voltammetry, their first reduction step is retarded and covers a wider potential range. We attribute this effect to macromolecular nature of the compounds being reduced and their structural inhomogeneity caused by ?-stacking induced nanoaggregation of bisimide ...
Assessment of the roles of the carboxyl-terminal #beta#146 histidyl residues in the alkaline Bohr effect in human and normal adult hemoglobin by high-resolution proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy requires assignment of the resonances corresponding to these residues. By a careful spectroscopic study of human normal adult hemoglobin, enzymatically prepared des(His146#beta#)-hemoglobin, and the mutant hemoglobins Cowtown (#beta#146His #-># Leu) and York (#beta#146His #-># Pro), the authors have resolved some of these conflicting results. By a close incremental variation of pH over a wide range in chloride-free 0.1 M N-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazine-N'-2-ethanesulfonic acid buffer, a single resonance has been found to be consistently missing in the proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of these hemoglobin variants. The results indicate that the contribution of the #beta#146 histidyl residues is 0.52 H"+/hemoglobin tetramer at pH 7.6, markedly less than 0.8 H"+/hemoglobin ...
Poly(methyl methacrylate), PMMA, Acrigel, a Brazilian polymer, is used in the manufacture of medical supplies sterilisable by ionizing radiation. However, when PMMA is gamma-irradiated it undergoes main chain scissions, which promote molecular degradation causing reduction in its physical properties. Therefore, radiolytic stabilization of PMMA is important for to become it commercially radio sterilisable. In this work we investigated the radiolytic stabilization of PMMA by using HALS (Hindered Amine Light Stabilizer) additive, commercially used for photo and thermo oxidative stabilization of polymers. The investigation of the radiation-induced main chain scissions was carried out by viscometric method. The additive added to the polymer system at 0.3 % w/w promotes a molecular radioprotection of 61%. That means a reduction of G value (scissions/100 eV) from 2.6 to 1.0. In addition, the glassy transition temperature (Tg) of PMMA (no additive), ...
Background. Through PSA screening the rate of prostate cancers detected at an early stage has increased significantly; thus a decrease in mortality can be expected in the near future. Despite all scientific efforts, however, the molecularmechanisms underlying the development and progression of prostate cancer remain poorly understood. Prostate cancer is a disease of aging men and epidemiological evidence supports a major contribution to its development through diet, lifestyle and environmental factors. Genetic instability is the basic phenomenon of tissue cell cancerisation. This instability can be hereditary or due to mutations and other chromosomal aberrations acquired during life. In recent years a large number of interesting data have been collected which show the relationships between focal atrophy and genetic instability of the prostate epithelia. Atrophy can be the result of prostatitis, ischemia as well as of oxidative stress (diet). ...
Bariatric surgical procedures have become important therapeutic options for treatment of morbid obesity in both adults and adolescents co-morbidities of obesity such as glucose intolerance, type 2 diabetes (T2DM), metabolic syndrome, steatohepatitis, hyperlipidemia and cardiovascular disease. These co-morbidities of obesity have significant impacts on the overall quality of life of the individual and our society at large. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and the relatively newer procedures of gastric banding (GB) and vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) have proven to be efficacious in achieving rapid weight loss and reversing the comorbidities of obesity. Unfortunately, bariatric procedures are not without risks including micronutrient deficiency, failure to maintain lost weight, and mortality. Further, the resolution of T2DM has long been understood to precede weight loss, and this finding provides important clues about the physiologic underpinnings of the observation. In order to design ...
The finite-volume based commercial CFD-code Fluent was used to simulate the reacting flow in a heavy fuel oil fired laboratory furnace. Both the standard {kappa}-{epsilon} turbulence model and the Reynolds stress model (RSM) were tested. The combustion model was based on the conserved scalar (mixture fraction) and prescribed probability density function approach. The heavy fuel oil droplet trajectories were predicted by solving the momentum equations for the droplets using the Lagrangian treatment. The soot distribution in the furnace was calculated by solving a transport equation for the soot mass fraction. Simple expressions for the soot formation and oxidation rates were employed. The radiation heat transfer equation was solved using the finite volume method. The formation of thermal NO from molecular nitrogen was modeled according to the extended Zeldovich mechanism. Fuel-based NO was modeled assuming that all the nitrogen in the fuel is ...
Ultraviolet light can be used to immobilize biomolecules onto thiol reactive surfaces in order to, e.g., make biosensors. The mechanism involves light-induced formation of free, reactive thiol groups in disulphide containing molecules. This technology allows for the creation of arrays of biomolecules with a high degree of reproducibility, circumventing the need for often expensive nano/micro-dispensing technologies. The ultimate size of the immobilized spots is defined by the focal area of the UV beam. Light-induced immobilization has the added benefit that the immobilized molecules will be spatially oriented and covalently bound to the surface. In this paper, we demonstrate the utility of a sensor array created with the new sensor technology when integrated into a microfluidic system. Protein arrays made using light-induced immobilization showed successful antigen/antibody binding in a flow cell allowing the visualisation of real time binding and enzyme activity. ...
We measure the transient enhanced diffusion of shallow molecular-beam-epitaxy grown marker layers of Sb and B due to deep MeV Si{sup +} ion implants at very high doses ({approx}10{sup 16}cm{sup {minus}2}). We expect the near-surface region of these implants to be vacancy rich, and we observe transient enhanced diffusion of Sb (the classic vacancy diffuser). The large enhancements imply a significant vacancy supersaturation ({approx}700 at 740{degree}C). Double implantation of the high-dose MeV Si followed by a shallow (40 keV) Si implant and annealing produces a greatly reduced number of {l_brace}311{r_brace} defects compared to a 40 keV implant into virgin Si, again consistent with a vacancy-rich region in the near-surface region of an MeV implant. However, the shallow B marker layers also show transient enhanced diffusion for the same MeV implant under similar annealing conditions, implying that an interstitial supersaturation is present at the same time. We ...
We measure the transient enhanced diffusion of shallow molecular-beam-epitaxy grown marker layers of Sb and B due to deep MeV Si"+ ion implants at very high doses (#approx#10"1"6cm"-"2). We expect the near-surface region of these implants to be vacancy rich, and we observe transient enhanced diffusion of Sb (the classic vacancy diffuser). The large enhancements imply a significant vacancy supersaturation (#approx#700 at 740 degree C). Double implantation of the high-dose MeV Si followed by a shallow (40 keV) Si implant and annealing produces a greatly reduced number of #left brace#311#right brace# defects compared to a 40 keV implant into virgin Si, again consistent with a vacancy-rich region in the near-surface region of an MeV implant. However, the shallow B marker layers also show transient enhanced diffusion for the same MeV implant under similar annealing conditions, implying that an interstitial supersaturation is present at the same time. We discuss possible ...
Catalytic reactions of 3-methylpentane and 2,3-dimethylbutane on HY, amorphous silica-alumina, and HZSM-5 have been studied at 500{degree}C. Both kinetic phenomena and product selectivities have been reported. Cracking reactions an HZSM-5 can be attributed to initiation through protonation occurring at Bronsted sites. Bimolecular processes leading to chain reaction via hydride transfer are restricted within the narrow pore pentasil zeolite. On HY and amorphous silica-alumina, initiation of cracking also occurs at Bronsted sited. No direct evidence was found for participation of Lewis acid sites on the catalyst framework itself. Following initiation, reactions on these catalysts are accelerated through a chain process occurring at Lewis sites generated by adsorption of product olefins at Bronsted sites. The resulting change in the dominant cracking mechanism is reflected in the product selectivity, illustrated here by a falling off in formation of ...
The Plasma Science Committee (PLSC) of the National Research Council (NRC) is charged with monitoring the health of the field of plasma science in the United States and identifies and examines both broad and specific issues affecting the field. Regular meetings, teleconferences, briefings from agencies and the scientific community, the formation of study panels to prepare reports, and special symposia are among the mechanisms used by the PLSC to meet its charge. During July 1992, the PLSC sponsored a workshop on nonneutral plasmas in traps. Although no written report on the workshop results, was prepared for public distribution, a summary of highlights was provided to the OPST Subpanel on Nonneutral Plasmas. The PLSC also continued its follow-up briefings and discussions on the results of the results of the report Plasma Processing of materials. Scientific and Technological Opportunities. As a result of these activities, the Committee is now working with the NRC ...
The Plasma Science Committee (PLSC) of the National Research Council (NRC) is charged with monitoring the health of the field of plasma science in the United States and identifies and examines both broad and specific issues affecting the field. Regular meetings, teleconferences, briefings from agencies and the scientific community, the formation of study panels to prepare reports, and special symposia are among the mechanisms used by the PLSC to meet its charge. During July 1992, the PLSC sponsored a workshop on nonneutral plasmas in traps. Although no written report on the workshop results, was prepared for public distribution, a summary of highlights was provided to the OPST Subpanel on Nonneutral Plasmas. The PLSC also continued its follow-up briefings and discussions on the results of the results of the report Plasma Processing of materials. Scientific and Technological Opportunities. As a result of these activities, the Committee is now working with the NRC ...
Attacks by herbivorous insects reduce biomass production in willow plantations. The long-term goal of our research is to develop sustainable plant protection against these insect pests. Two lines of research are pursued. The first concentrates on identifying factors involved in the regulation of leaf-eating beetles. These insects vary in density among plantations, sometimes reaching outbreak levels resulting in complete defoliation. Mortality factors of eggs and larvae in plantations with low and high beetle densities have been investigated. The importance of plant resistance has also been investigated. The second line of research considers the mechanisms behind an earlier demonstrated resistance in certain willow clones against a gall midge. By using molecular techniques we have searched for markers of resistance. Promising results have been found concerning so called PR proteins; in particular chitinase seems to be present in high activities ...
The diffusion of ion beam injected self-interstitials (I) and their interaction with impurities in crystalline Si has been investigated and modeled. In particular, the I-substitutional carbon (C) interactions have been studied, using a molecular-beam-epitaxy grown Si{sub 1-y}C{sub y} layer interposed between the shallow I-source and a deeper B-spike (marker for I-concentration). Substitutional C atoms are shown to trap I's, to be removed from their substitutional sites, and to form stable precipitates into the C-rich region. The I-trapping mechanism was quantitatively studied by a simulation code. The reactions causing trapping and deactivation are described. In addition, the boron markers approach was extended to the two dimensional (2D) diffusion. High resolution scanning capacitance microscopy was used for quantitative measurements of the 2D boron transient enhanced diffusion induced on a boron delta array by the I's ion ...
The diffusion of ion beam injected self-interstitials (I) and their interaction with impurities in crystalline Si has been investigated and modeled. In particular, the I-substitutional carbon (C) interactions have been studied, using a molecular-beam-epitaxy grown Si_1_-_yC_y layer interposed between the shallow I-source and a deeper B-spike (marker for I-concentration). Substitutional C atoms are shown to trap I's, to be removed from their substitutional sites, and to form stable precipitates into the C-rich region. The I-trapping mechanism was quantitatively studied by a simulation code. The reactions causing trapping and deactivation are described. In addition, the boron markers approach was extended to the two dimensional (2D) diffusion. High resolution scanning capacitance microscopy was used for quantitative measurements of the 2D boron transient enhanced diffusion induced on a boron delta array by the I's ion beam injected through a ...
The uncoupling protein (UCP) is a proton/anion transporter found in the inner mitochondrial membrane of brown adipocyte. Although UCP has nor been detected in mitochondria from any other tissue, it shares structural and catalytic properties with several other mitochondrial carrier proteins. Although UCP was discovered only recently it is one of the most extensively studied mitochondrial carrier proteins.More recently, the mouse, rat, and human genes encoding for UCP have been isolated and sequenced. The availability of these various tools has led to several significant observations. UCP gene expression is strongly controlled at the level of transcription by signals that are activated after the stimulation of brown adipocytes by norepinephrine. The comparison of UCP gene with the genes encoding the adenine nucleotide translocator revealed the existence of structural and evolutionary homologies. Moreover, in humans the UCP gene and one form of adenine nucleotide translocator gene are ...
Combustion of extremely fuel-rich ({phi}=4) methane/air mixtures at elevated pressures is investigated as a potential means to generate molecular hydrogen by non-catalytic partial oxidation. This system is investigated both computationally and experimentally. The computations use a perfectly-stirred reactor model and an explicit methane cool-flame mechanism to investigate the effects of reactor parameters on reaction time and product composition. Under adiabatic conditions, such mixtures are predicted to autoignite at low temperatures {approx}700 K for pressures exceeding 8.5 atm. Above 15 atm, conversion to products is complete in roughly 1 s. The dependence of reaction time and hydrogen yield is investigated as a function of inlet temperature, system pressure, and flame equivalence ratio. Actual product yields are measured in a tube reactor facility, and many of the predictions of the model, including long relaxation times to chemical ...
Symplastic transport occurs between neighbouring plant cells through functionally and structurally dynamic channels called plasmodesmata (PD). Relatively little is known about the composition of PD or the mechanisms that facilitate molecular transport into neighbouring cells. While transmission electron microscopy (TEM) provides 2-dimensional information about the structural components of PD, 3-dimensional information is difficult to extract from ultrathin sections. This study has exploited high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM) to reveal the 3-dimensional morphology of PD in the cell walls of algae, ferns and higher plants. Varied patterns of PD were observed in the walls, ranging from uniformly distributed individual PD to discrete clusters. Occasionally the thick walls of the giant alga Chara were fractured, revealing the surface morphology of PD within. External structures such as spokes, spirals and mesh were observed ...
To understand the molecularmechanisms of how 5^oC-incubation activates mRNA expression of Hsp70a and Samui genes in Bombyx mori diapause eggs, we first searched the 5'-upstream regions of the Hsp70a and Samui genes for heat shock elements (HSEs) and found two regions [Hsp70aHSE-1 (-95 to -58) and -2 (-145 to -121), and SamuiHSE-1 (-84 to -55) and -2 (-304 to -290)] corresponding to HSEs (repeats of nGAAn and/or nTTCn). We cloned four cDNAs encoding heat shock factor (HSF)-a2 (627 amino acids), -b (685 aa), -c (682 aa) and -d (705 aa), which were produced by alternative splicing. When we exposed diapause eggs to 5^oC beginning at 2 day post-oviposition to break diapause, HSFd mRNA only increased after chilling for 6-8 days, a pattern very similar to those of Hsp70a and Samui mRNAs. To exam...
The present article outlines major features of the free electron laser (FEL) and reviews research and development of FEL. Relations among the oscillation frequency, electron beam parameters and wiggler parameters, the physical mechanism of amplification and the physical process of saturation are discussed to identify the difference between FEL and other lasers. The report also outlines techniques for accelerators which are used to generate high-quality, high-energy electron beams required for FEL experiments. Techniques to achieve a short wavelength, high output and high efficiency, and applications of FEL are also discussed. FEL consists of an electron accelerator, wiggler and optical resonator. In FEL, electron beams with a relativistic energy interact resonantly with an electromagnetic field to generate coherent electromagnetic waves. Unlike conventional lasers, FEL does not surfer from restrictions on its oscillation frequency associated with atomic, ...
The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) operates a number of research and development (R and D) facilities for the Department of Energy on the Hanford Site. According to DOE Order 5400.1, a Facility Effluent Monitoring Plan is required for each site, facility, or process that uses, generates, releases, or manages significant pollutants or hazardous materials. Three of the R and D facilities: the 325, 331, and 3720 Buildings, are considered major emission points for radionuclide air sampling and thus individual Facility Effluent Monitoring Plans (FEMPs) have been developed for them. Because no definition of ''significant'' is provided in DOE Order 5400.1 or the accompanying regulatory guide DOE/EH-0173T, this FEMP was developed to describe monitoring requirements in the DOE-owned, PNNL-operated facilities that do not have individual FEMPs. The remainder of the DOE-owned, PNNL-operated facilities are referred to as Balance-of-Plant (BOP) ...
Managing sites contaminated with munitions constituents is an international challenge. Although the choice of approach and the use of Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) tools may vary from country to country, the assurance of quality and the direction of ecotoxicological research are universally recognized as shared concerns. Drawing on a multidisciplinary team of contributors, 'Ecotoxicology of Explosives' provides comprehensive and critical reviews available to date on fate, transport, and effects of explosives. The book delineates the state of the science of the ecotoxicology of explosives, past, present, and recently developed. It reviews the accessible fate and ecotoxicological data for energetic materials (EMs) and the methods for their development. The chapters characterize the fate of explosives in the environment, then provide information on their ecological effects in key environmental media, including aquatic, sedimentary, and terrestrial habitats. The book ...
Exercise training associated with robust conditioning can be useful for the study of molecularmechanisms underlying exercise-induced cardiac hypertrophy. A swimming apparatus is described to control training regimens in terms of duration, load, and frequency of exercise. Mice were submitted to 60- vs 90-min session/day, once vs twice a day, with 2 or 4% of the weight of the mouse or no workload attached to the tail, for 4 vs 6 weeks of exercise training. Blood pressure was unchanged in all groups while resting heart rate decreased in the trained groups (8-18%). Skeletal muscle citrate synthase activity, measured spectrophotometrically, increased (45-58%) only as a result of duration and frequency-controlled exercise training, indicating that endurance conditioning was obtained. In groups which received duration and endurance conditioning, cardiac weight (14-25%) and myocyte dimension (13-20%) increased. The best conditioning protocol to ...
Iron undergoes a polymorphic phase transformation from alpha phase (bcc) to the epsilon phase (hcp) when compressed to stresses exceeding 13 CPa. Bccause the epsilon phase is denser than the alpha phase, a single shock wave is unstable and breaks up into an elastic wave, a plastic wave, and a phase transition wave. Examination of this structured wave coupled with various phase transformation models has been used to indirectly examine the transition kinetics. Recently, multimillion atom simulations (molecular dynamics) have been used to examine the shock-induced transition in single crystal iron illustrating an orientation dependence of the transition stress, mechanisms, and kinetics. The objective of the current work was to perform plate impact experiments to examine the shock-response of polycrystalline and single crystal iron with nanosecond resolution for impact stresses spanning the {alpha} - {epsilon} transition. The current data reveal an ...
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 ...
To improve organic electronic applications, knowledge about microscopic mechanisms determining the charge carrier mobilities is pivotal. 9,10-Diphenylanthracene (DPA) has been identified as model system to study those correlations due to its high electron and hole mobilities at room temperature and its complex structural phase behaviour. We demonstrate our temperature dependent Time-Of-Flight data on single crystals grown by vapor phase transport (VPT) and by Bridgman growth technique. Both preparation techniques revealed crystals of different morphologies resulting in significant variations of the related bipolar mobilities. As a key result, the charge carrier mobility of {proportional_to}1 cm{sup 2}/Vs at room temperature along the (111)-direction of Bridgman crystals exceeds that along the (001)-direction of VPT grown crystals by about one order of magnitude. The observed differences in the mobility data are discussed in the context of the microscopic ...
We reported the radio-protective effect of DTT. The treatment of DTT increased cell survival after gamma-irradiation, decreased in the frequencies of micronucleus, and reduction in DNA fragmentation and apoptotic cells. Induction of apoptosis after UV-C irradiation was revealed by the changes in the relative cell death, increase in the relative amount of apoptotic cells, and the induction of DNA fragmentation. About 100 medicinal plants were purchased and methanol extract samples were prepared. Radio-protective and radio-sensitizing activities of these samples were screened. Seven samples showed above 20% radio-protective activities: Salvia miltiorrhiza, Areca catechu, Cornus officinalis, Alpiniae officinari rhizoma, Meliae fructus, Alpiniae katsumadaii semen, Betulae cortex. Acanthopanax sessiliflous showed the highest radio-sensitizing effect and 10 other samples revealed moderate activities: Melia japonica, Agastache rugosa, Platycodon gradiflorum, Broussonetia bazinoki, Angelica ...
The effects of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (AVP) on guanylate cyclase activity and cyclic GMP accumulation were examined, since these hormones appear to be intimately associated with blood pressure and intravascular volume homeostasis. ANP was found to increase cyclic GMP accumulation in ten cell culture systems, which were derived from blood vessels, adrenal cortex, kidney, lung, testes and mammary gland. ANP receptors were characterized in intact cultured cells using {sup 125}I-ANP{sub 8-33}. Specific {sup 125}I-ANP binding was saturable and of high affinity. Scratchard analysis of the binding data for all cell types exhibited a straight line, indicating that these cells possessed a single class of binding sites. Despite the presence of linear Scatchard plots, these studies demonstrated that cultured cells possess two functionally and physically distinct ANP-binding sites. Most of the ANP-binding sites in cultured cells have a ...
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 chain scissions. The ex ...
Background & AimsMolecularmechanisms underlying alcoholic liver disease (ALD) are still not fully understood. Activating transcription factor-4 (ATF4) is the master coordinator of the integrated stress response (ISR), an adaptive pathway triggered by multiple stressors. which can promote cell death and induce metabolic dysregulation if the stress is intense or prolonged. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of alcohol on the ISR signaling pathway in human liver cells and to define the role of cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) in this response. MethodsPrimary cultured human hepatocytes and human HepG2 cells over-expressing CYP2E1 by adenoviral infection were exposed to ethanol (25-100mM) for 8-48h. ResultsEthanol treatment of both liver cells up-regulated ATF4 as well as the pro-survi...
Eight phospholipases A2 (PLAs) and four three-finger-toxins (3FTx) from the pooled venom of Bungarus fasciatus (Bf) were previously studied and sequenced, but their expression pattern in individual Bf venom and possible geographic variations remained to be investigated. We herein analyze the individual venom of two Bf specimens from Kolkata (designated as KBf) to address this question. Seven PLAs and five 3FTx were purified from the KBf venoms, and respective cDNAs were cloned from venom glands of one of the snakes. Comparison of their mass and N-terminal sequence revealed that all the PLAs were conserved in both KBf venoms, but that two of their 3FTx isoforms were variable. When comparing the sequences of these KBf-PLAs with those published, only one was found to be identical to that of Bf Vb-2, and the other five were 94-98% identical to those of Bf II, III, Va, VI and XI-2, respectively. Notably, the most abundant PLA isoforms of Bf and KBf venoms contain Pro31 ...
Silicon on insulator (SOI) structures are promising candidates for the fabrication of VLSI circuits with very high packing densities. The preparation of such structures can now be achieved by high dose implantation of reactive ion species such as oxygen to produce buried layers of SiO/sub 2/ in silicon. In this paper we report experiments to depth profile these layered structures by SIMS. SOI samples have been prepared by implanting (100) silicon wafers with 400 keV molecular oxygen ions at a dose of 1.8x10/sup 18/ O/sup +/ cm/sup -2/. During the implantation the wafers were maintained at temperatures between 325 and 600/sup 0/C, using beam heating, which achieved in situ-annealing and ensured that the top silicon layer remained single crystal. Analysis was carried out on an Atomika DIDA-II spectrometer using 10 keV Ar/sup +/ ions with a low current density of less than 1 mA cm/sup -2/. During analysis negative secondary ions were monitored ...
This is the 1st revision of the INIS/ETDE Joint Thesaurus. It contains 20 953 valid descriptors and 8 600 forbidden terms. It was last updated in December 2003. The Joint Thesaurus contains the controlled terminology for indexing all information within the subject scope of both INIS (International Nuclear Information System) and ETDE (Energy Technology Data Exchange) information systems. The terminology is intended for use in subject description for input or retrieval of information in those systems. The thesaurus is a terminological control device used in translating from the natural language of documents, indexers or users into a more constrained system language It is also a controlled and dynamic vocabulary of semantically and generically related terms which covers a specific domain of knowledge. The domain of knowledge covered by this Thesaurus includes physics (in particular, plasma physics, atomic and molecular physics, and especially nuclear and high-energy ...
When Silk fibre derived from Bombyx mori, a native biopolymer, was dissolved in highly concentrated neutral salts such as CaCl{sub 2}, the regenerated liquid silk, a gradually degraded peptide mixture of silk fibroin, could be obtained. The silk fibroin nanoparticles were prepared rapidly from the liquid silk by using water-miscible protonic and polar aprotonic organic solvents. The nanoparticles are insoluble but well dispersed and stable in aqueous solution and are globular particles with a range of 35-125 nm in diameter by means of TEM, SEM, AFM and laser sizer. Over one half of the {epsilon}-amino groups exist around the protein nanoparticles by using a trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) method. Raman spectra shows the tyrosine residues on the surface of the globules are more exposed than those on native silk fibers. The crystalline polymorph and conformation transition of the silk nanoparticles from random-coil and {alpha}-helix form (Silk I) into anti-parallel {beta}-sheet form ...
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 implemented with parameters for distribution of phenols, an ...
(Materials and Methods) (I) VX/sub 2/ carcinoma was transplanted to the rabbit tibia, sup(99m)Tc-MDP was intravenously injected when bone destruction was radiologically seen. Preoperative scintigraphs, postoperative one of the resected tibia and fibra and scintigraphs of sliced tumor were compared with each other. Tissue fragments were collected from the sliced tumor, and RI was measured to compare concentration rates at different parts together with histological investigations. (II) Tetracycline was given to the rabbit of Experiment (I) to compare with the concentration of sup(99m)Tc-MDP. (III) Microautoradiography method was done on the experimental animals for investigation of the concentration of sup(99m)Tc-MDP. (Results) (I) Localization of sup(99m)Tc-MDP was increased at the sites of tumorous bone formation, of reactive bone formation at tumor edges, and of cartilage calcification, with little concentration at tumor cells or necrotic tissue. ...
The microbial transport simulator (MTS) is a three-dimensional, three-phase, multiple-component numerical model that permits the study of the transport of microorganisms and nutrients in porous media. Microbial parameters incorporated into MTS include: Microbial growth and decay, microbial deposition, chemotaxis, diffusion, convective dispersion, tumbling, and nutrient consumption. Governing equations for microbial and nutrient transport are coupled with continuity and flow equations under conditions appropriate for a black oil reservoir. The model`s mathematical formulations and preparation procedures of data files for conducting simulations using MTS are described. A general background of microbial transport simulation is given in Section I and the governing equations, mechanisms, and numerical solutions of MTS are given in Section II. Explanations for preparing an input data file with reservoir and microbial transport data are described in ...
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 ...
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 for the choice of Alloy ...
We present a Hubble Space Telescope image of the FRII radio galaxy 3C 401, obtained at 1.6 microns with the NICMOS camera in which we identify the infrared counterpart of the brightest region of the radio jet. The jet has a complex radio structure and brightens where bending occurs, most likely as a result of relativistic beaming. We analyze archival data in the radio, optical and X-ray bands and we derive its spectral energy distribution. Differently from all of the previously known optical extragalactic jets, the jet in 3C401 is not detected in the X-rays even in a long 48ksec X-ray Chandra exposure and the infrared emission dominates the overall SED. We propose that the dominant radiation mechanism of this jet is synchrotron. The low X-ray emission is then caused by two different effects: i) the lack of any strong external photon field and ii) the shape of the electron distribution. This affects the location of the synchrotron peak in the ...
Digital control technology using micro-processor is widely used in Factory Automation area since 1980`s. However, the D{sub 2}O Vapour Recovery System in Wolsung 1 N.P.P is controlled by mechanical timer without considering the moisture condition in the Reactor Building and bed temperature, because it was designed using analog technology of 1960`s. This leads to the inefficient system operation and low D{sub 2}O recovery rate in addition to the high internal dose rate of operator. The goal of this phase II study is to develope a optimal automatic controller of D{sub 2}O vapour recovery system using PLC. We developed a control algorithm for Dual Tower Drier, a PLC control program, a operation change program and the monitoring system with a real-time simulator for system verification. (author). 15 refs., 11 figs., 2 tabs.
A study has been made of the precipitation and growth processes which occur during cooling from solution treatment and under isothermal hold conditions in a magnesia-partially-stabilized zirconia alloy. Three types of precipitate have been identified which develop during cooling or during isothermal hold treatments just above and below the eutectoid temperature. These precipitate forms are termed (i) primary, (ii) large random, and (iii) secondary. Further precipitation, slow growth of existing precipitates, and subeutectoid decomposition result when an additional 1100/sup 0/C aging treatment is given to the previously cooled material. It is shown that type (iii) secondary precipitates from rapidly within the temperature range of 1300/sup 0/ to 1375/sup 0/C. The secondary precipitates are largely responsible for the improved room-temperature strength properties of the heat-treated samples. The formation and effects on mechanical properties of ...
A study has been made of the precipitation and growth processes which occur during cooling from solution treatment and under isothermal hold conditions in a magnesia-partially-stabilized zirconia alloy. Three types of precipitate have been identified which develop during cooling or during isothermal hold treatments just above and below the eutectoid temperature. These precipitate forms are termed (i) primary, (ii) large random, and (iii) secondary. Further precipitation, slow growth of existing precipitates, and subeutectoid decomposition result when an additional 1100"0C aging treatment is given to the previously cooled material. It is shown that type (iii) secondary precipitates from rapidly within the temperature range of 1300"0 to 1375"0C. The secondary precipitates are largely responsible for the improved room-temperature strength properties of the heat-treated samples. The formation and effects on mechanical properties of each type of ...
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 oriented twin system, stress ...
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. ...
A search for the doubly charged Higgs boson, a member of $SU(2)_L$ scalar triplet $\\Phi$ participating in the seesaw mechanism of type II, in $pp$ collisions at $\\sqrt{s}=7$~TeV is presented. The data correspond to an integrated luminosity of 36 $\\text{pb}^{-1}$ collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC. The inclusive search is performed in events with three and four isolated charged leptons of all flavours originating from the decays of pair produced triplet components $\\Phi^{++}\\Phi^{--}$ and $\\Phi^{++}\\Phi^{-}.$ With the present collected luminosity the CMS experiment is sensitive to the $\\Phi$ mass range in which the possible decays $\\Phi^{++}\\to W^{+}W^{+}$ are forbidden kinematically. No signal excess is observed and lower limits at the 95\\% confidence level are set on the $\\Phi^{++}$ mass of 156\\GeV in the $\\mu\\mu$ channel, $154\\GeV$ in e$\\mu$ channel, of $144\\GeV$ in $ee$ channel and between $116\\GeV$ and $131\\GeV$ ...
This paper describes a new method, HGV2C, for pattern analysis. The HGV2C method involves the construction of a computer ego (CE) based on an individual object that can be either a part of the system under analysis or a newly created object based on a certain hypothesis. The CE provides a capability to analyze data from a specific standpoint, e.g. from a viewpoint of a certain object. The CE is constructed from two identical copies of a query object, and its functioning mechanism involves: a hypothesis-parameter (HP) and infothyristor (IT). HP is a parameter that is introduced into an existing set of parameters. The HP value for one of the clones of a query object is set to equal 1, whereas for another clone it is greater than 1. The IT is based on the previously described algorithm of iterative averaging and performs three functions: 1) computation of a similarity matrix for the group of three objects including two clones of a query object and a target object; 2) ...
This research report discusses the radiation hardening of a commercially available mobile robot, the REMOTEC ANDROS. This hardening effort is culminating in the availability of a megarad hardened mobile platform to access areas in nuclear facilities with extremely high levels of radiation (0.1 to 1 Mrad). These radiation levels may be encountered both during routine repair and monitoring activities and accident situations. The project has completed a phase-I U.S. Department of Energy Small Business Innovative Research contract and is now in a phase-II effort with completion scheduled in early 1995. The research involves the evaluation of the material and electrical components of an ANDROS robot to determine the anticipated radiation hardness of the current production version and evaluation of the components that must be replaced or modified to harden the system to higher radiation levels. The work being reported is based on an evaluation of the complete list of all ...
In order to develop competitive and reliable nuclear power generation systems, development of innovative structural design methods is indispensable and risk-based design approach based on the assessment of failure probability is being developed. Fatigue is commonly considered as an important contributor to failure probability in many components of reactor systems and its assessment gives a large influence on total reliability of the plants. In order to assess its effect on the reliability, propagation of cracks needs to be evaluated as well as their initiation and pre-existence probability. As a part of new design approach, efforts are being taken to develop a simplified estimation method for fatigue crack growth under cyclic application of thermal and thermo-mechanical loading. A simplified estimation method of J-integral based on reference stress method and elastic follow-up factor was developed based on many finite element analyses and evaluation of crack growth ...
The release rate of a nuclide from a reactor or a radioactive waste disposal plant at the accident is not steady, but varies with time. The various parameters of a nuclide migration into environment vary also day after day, or with the seasons. In such cases, dynamic behavior of the nuclide in the environment must be taken into consideration. It is difficult for a mathematical model to involve all of mechanisms for the nuclide migration. The environment for evaluation of doses are usually divided into some of compartments in which a nuclide concentration is uniform. Time variations of the nuclide concentration in the compartment are described in simultaneous differential equations. The nuclide concentration can be solved as a time function, and the radiation doses, therefore, can be estimated as a time function. Generic analysis code for dynamic compartment model (GACOM) is developed for the nuclide migration and the evaluation of doses in terrestrial biosphere. ...
Swift heavy ion-solid interaction leads in volume to track creation and on the surface to the ejection of particles into the vacuum. To learn more about initial mechanisms of track formation, we are focused on the sputtering of uranium dioxide by fast heavy ions. This present study is exclusively devoted to the influence of the electronic stopping power on the emission of neutral particles and especially on their angular distribution. These measurements are completed by those of the ions emitted from UO{sub 2} targets bombarded with swift heavy ions. The whole experimental results give access to: i) the nature of the sputtered particles; ii) the charge state of the emitted particles; iii) the direction of ejection of the sputtered particles ; iv) the sputtering yields deduced from the angular distributions. These results are compared to the prediction of the sputtering models proposed in the literature and it seems that the supersonic gas flow ...
The isomerization of neopentane has been investigated over the 0.76 wt% Pd/SiO{sub 2} catalyst. It is found that after high temperature reduction (HTR, at 873 K) the selectivity for isomerization is much higher than that after low temperature reduction (LTR, at 573 K). A variety of experiments, including kinetic, chemisorption (O{sub 2}, H{sub 2}, and CO), temperature-programmed desorption of H{sub 2}, and X-ray diffraction, showed that this selectivity enhancement cannot be interpreted in terms of H{sub 2} retention by catalyst. Instead, the formation of Pd-Si compound(s) (most probably Pd{sub 3}Si) during HTR seems immediately responsible for the catalytic behavior of HTR Pd/SiO{sub 2} catalysts. A mechanism is proposed for the Pd-SiO{sub 2} interaction in which Pd atoms (or ions) are incorporated into the silica support (via oxygen vacancies) and a new phase of palladium silicide is formed. Regeneration by an oxygen treatment of the HTR sample does not fully ...
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 because (i) forward ...
The aim of this paper is to investigate the possible displacement of natural gypsum (CaSO{sub 4}2H{sub 2}O) in cement with an alternative setting retarder, such as the industrial by-product derived from flue gas desulfurization process called FGD gypsum. These calcium-sulfate-bearing materials (CSBM), alone or in mixtures, were ground with clinker both in laboratory and industrial scale to examine their influence on the physical and mechanical properties of cement, as well as on the industrial production line of cement. From the present work, it is extracted that the use of mixtures of sulfate-bearing materials with gypsum seems to be advantageous for the actual control of setting time. The addition of FGD gypsum increases setting time without affecting compressive strength profile. During the industrial trial, the formation of hemihydrate form of calcium sulfate dihydrate has a profound regulatory effect on the setting and strength performance of the cement ...
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 ...
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.
The IRG protein Irgm3 preserves cell survival during coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) infection. However, the molecularmechanisms 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 subsequent CVB3 ...
Implanted B and P dopants in Si exhibit transient enhanced diffusion (TED) during annealing which arises from the excess interstitials generated by the implant. In order to study the mechanisms of TED, transmission electron microscopy measurements of implantation damage were combined with B diffusion experiments using doping marker structures grown by molecular-beam epitaxy (MBE). Damage from nonamorphizing Si implants at doses ranging from 5{times}10{sup 12} to 1{times}10{sup 14}/cm{sup 2} evolves into a distribution of {l_brace}311{r_brace} interstitial agglomerates during the initial annealing stages at 670{endash}815{degree}C. The excess interstitial concentration contained in these defects roughly equals the implanted ion dose, an observation that is corroborated by atomistic Monte Carlo simulations of implantation and annealing processes. The injection of interstitials from the damage region involves the dissolution of ...
Implanted B and P dopants in Si exhibit transient enhanced diffusion (TED) during annealing which arises from the excess interstitials generated by the implant. In order to study the mechanisms of TED, transmission electron microscopy measurements of implantation damage were combined with B diffusion experiments using doping marker structures grown by molecular-beam epitaxy (MBE). Damage from nonamorphizing Si implants at doses ranging from 5x10"1"2 to 1x10"1"4/cm"2 evolves into a distribution of #left brace#311#right brace# interstitial agglomerates during the initial annealing stages at 670 endash 815 degree C. The excess interstitial concentration contained in these defects roughly equals the implanted ion dose, an observation that is corroborated by atomistic Monte Carlo simulations of implantation and annealing processes. The injection of interstitials from the damage region involves the dissolution of #left brace#311#right brace# defects ...
The mechanism of lead transport is presented, and especially the particular similarities or dissimilarities between lead and calcium in this process. The absorption of these metals was determined cockerels, raised on a commercial diet or on a specified diet, using in vivo ligated loop procedure. The dose administered into the loop contained 0.5 #mu#Ci "2"0"3Pb (and/or 0.1 #mu#Ci "4"7Ca), and 0.01 mM lead acetate (and/or mM CaCl_2) in 0.5 ml 0.15 M NaCl,pH 6.5. It was shown that lead is rapidly taken up by the mucosal tissue, and slowly transferred into the body, whereas less calcium is retained by the tissue and the transfer of calcium is many times as effective as that for lead. They appear to respond in a similar manner to a low calcium intake and vitamin D treatment. Increasing luminal stable lead concentration significantly reduced the percentage of radiolead significantly reduced the percentage of radiolead absorbed, but did not affect the absorption of ...
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 ...
Mechanisms and associated energetics for adatom diffusion on the (100) and (110) surfaces of Ni, Cu, Rh, Pd, and Ag are investigated. Self-diffusion was studied on (100) and (I 10) surfaces of Ni, Cu, Pd and Ag using corrected effective medium method (CEM) and approximation to CEM used for molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo studies (MD/MC-CEM). Self-diffusion on Pd(100), Ag(100), Ni(110), Cu(110), Pd(110), and Ag(110) is accomplished by classical diffusion: the adatom hops from its equilibrium adsorption site over an intervening bridge site to an adjacent equilibrium site. Self-diffusion on Ni(100) and Cu(100) proceeds by atomic-exchange diffusion: the adatom on the surface displaces an atom in the first surface layer. Aside from explicit inclusion of the kinetic-exchange-correlation energy, it is critical to include enough movable atoms in the calculation to insure correct energetics. Distortions induced by these diffusion ...
A Task Group of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) has finished a report Biological Effects after Prenatal Irradiation (Embryo and Fetus) which has been approved by the Main Commission and Will be Published. Some new important scientific data shall be discussed in this contribution. During the preimplantation period lethality of the mammalian embryo is the dominating radiation effect. However, in mouse strains with genetic predispositions it has been shown that also malformations can be caused. This effect is genetically determined and its mechanisms is different from the induction of malformations during major organogenesis. Radiation exposures during this prenatal period leads ato an increase of genomic instability of cells in the normal appearing fetuses. These radiation effects can be transmitted to the next generation. A renewed analysis of individuals with severe mental retardation after exposures during the 8th to 15th week post ...
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 ...
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 Penicillium simplicissimum ...
The Plant Life Assessment Network (PLAN) is a Brite Euram Type II Thematic Network, initiated by the European Commission to facilitate structured co-operation between all cost shared action projects already funded by the Commission which fall under this common technical theme. The projects involved address a multiplicity of problems associated with plant life assessment and are drawn from Brite-Euram, Standards, Measurement and Testing, Nuclear Fission Safety and Esprit EC programmes. The main aim of the Network is to initiate, maintain and monitor a fruitful co-operation process between completed, ongoing and future EC R and D projects, thereby promoting improved cross fertilization and enhanced industrial exploitation of R and D results. As the project is in its infancy, this presentation covers the background to the initiative in some detail. In particular two key aspects are highlighted, namely, the requirement of the EC to launch such a network in the area of ...
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 these double bonds ...
The Kyoto Protocol attempts through political negotiations to guide participating industrialized countries' greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from a positive growing trend, to reach a peak point (or turning point), and then be reduced to a negative growth. That means the relationship between decreasing GHG emissions and economic growth may be described by an inverted-U curve (or called a bell-shaped curve), which is consistent with the concept of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis. This research observed that the economic development and GHG emissions in Economies in Transition (EITs) exhibit a hockey-stick curve trend (or called quasi-L-shape curve), that also generates a lot of 'hot air' which is significant to the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol. In addition, through the analysis of single-country time series data and GDP data, this research demonstrated that statistical data for most of the Annex II countries do not ...
The Kyoto Protocol attempts through political negotiations to guide participating industrialized countries' greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from a positive growing trend, to reach a peak point (or turning point), and then be reduced to a negative growth. That means the relationship between decreasing GHG emissions and economic growth may be described by an inverted-U curve (or called a bell-shaped curve), which is consistent with the concept of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis. This research observed that the economic development and GHG emissions in Economies in Transition (EITs) exhibit a hockey-stick curve trend (or called quasi-L-shape curve), that also generates a lot of 'hot air' which is significant to the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol. In addition, through the analysis of single-country time series data and GDP data, this research demonstrated that statistical data for most of the Annex II countries do not ...
Earlier we have shown that exogenous expression of HIPPI, a molecular partner of Huntingtin interacting protein HIP-1, induces apoptosis and increases expression of caspases-1, -8 and -10 in HeLa and...Full Text Available
Solid molecular orthohydrogen exhibits orientational order at low temperatures. The orthohydrogen molecules, which are quadrupoles, order in the Pa3 structure. We have simulated this ordering, and explored the behaviour under dilution by spherical parahydrogen molecules.
AbstractStudies performed to identify early events of ovarian cancer and to establish molecular markers to support early detection and development of chemopreventive regimens have been...Full Text Available
In this study we compared the molecular signalling elicited by rexinoids, selective retinoid X receptor (RXR)-activators, in several organs (i.e. liver, kidney,...Full Text Available
A parallel bundle of transmembrane (TM) alpha-helices surrounding a central pore is present in several classes of ion channel, including the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR). We have modeled...Full Text Available
A new gadolinium chelating NIR fluorescent molecular probe increases T1 relaxivity of water protons, facilitating combined optical and magnetic resonance imaging.
This article describes the molecular cloning and expression of a hemolysin gene from a serotype 1 strain of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae. The hemolysin was a thermolabile protein with an apparent...Full Text Available
The overall objective of this project was to use molecular genetics to develop strains of bacteria with enhanced ability to remove sulfur from coal, and to obtain data that will allow the performance and economics of a coal biodesulfurization process to be predicted. (VC)
A detailed molecular characterization of nuclear mRNA export will require an in vitro system, allowing a biochemical reconstitution of transport. To this end, an mRNA export assay has...Full Text Available
Molecular life science is one of the fastest-growing fields of scientific and technical innovation, and biotechnology has profound effects on many aspects of daily life—often with deep, ethical...Full Text Available
MWo = average molecular weight of fuel est. 105 g/mole for gasoline est. 165 g/mole for Jet fuel est. 230 g/mole for diesel fuel MWX = molecular weight of selected chemical...
One of the central questions of molecular biology is the discovery of the semantics of DNA. This discovery relies in a critical way on a variety of expensive computations. In order to solve these computations, both parallel computers and special-purpose hardware play a major role.
The molecular diversity of the gene encoding the outer membrane protein A (OmpA) of Haemophilus parasuis has been unclear. In this study, the structural characteristics, sequence types,...Full Text Available
Alpha-hemoglobin-stabilizing protein (AHSP) is an erythroid-specific protein that acts as a molecular chaperone for the free α chains of hemoglobin. Evidence strongly suggests...Full Text Available
Despite their simplicity, diatomic molecules of first row elements can exhibit very complex phase diagrams. Determination of the phase diagrams can be further complicated by the existence of hysteretic molecular phases that can be observed over large regions of coexistence. Here we present evidence for a previously unreported molecular phase of nitrogen existing at room temperature at least over the range of 33-74 GPa. Our measurements show that sample history may have a significant impact on the thermodynamic states accessed by the molecular nitrogen solid and, by extension, also on the established phase diagram.
Most of the investigations have a theoretical sustenance based on molecular simulation. The area of application of molecular simulation is very wide, in the Materials Technology Department assigned to the Applied Sciences Management have been treated problems about metallic nano structures, glasses, interfaces, and molecules, to sustain and to explain some of the experimental results. Energy calculations are carried out to determine minimum energy structures, for later on to carry out calculations of some of their properties; as well as the images simulation of Electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. (Author)
Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 is a model environmental organism that possesses diverse respiratory capacities, including the ability to reduce soluble Cr(VI) to sparingly soluble, less toxic Cr(III). Effective bioremediation of Cr-contaminated sites requires knowledge of the molecularmechanisms and regulation of heavy metal resistance and biotransformation by dissimilatory metal-reducing bacteria. Towards this goal, our ERSP-funded work is focused on the identification and functional analysis of genes/proteins comprising the response pathways for chromate detoxification and/or reduction. Previous transcriptomic profiling and whole-cell proteomic analyses implicated the involvement of a functionally undefined DNA-binding response regulator (SO2426) and a putative azoreductase (SO3585) in the chromate stress response of MR-1. Here we describe a detailed functional analysis of SO2426 and SO3585 in order to begin to understand the role of these ...
Since chlordecone (Kepone, CD) interferes with cardiac Na{sup +} ion translocases, we have studied CD effects on cardiac SR calcium pump activity. SR was isolated from heart ventricles of male Sprague-Dawley rats. Cardiac SR Ca{sup 2+}-ATPase, {sup 45}Ca-uptake and cAMP as well as calmodulin (CaM) dependent protein phosphorylation were measured. Ca{sup 2+}-ATPase was differentiated into low affinity and high affinity forms by measuring the activity using 50 and 0.7 {mu}M free Ca{sup 2+} respectively. CD in vitro inhibited {sup 45}Ca-uptake by SR in a concentration dependent manner with an IC50 value of 7 {mu}M and SR {sup 45}Ca-uptake was totally inhibited at 20-30 {mu}M CD. In agreement with this, both high affinity and low affinity Ca{sup 2+}-ATPases, which are involved in Ca{sup 2+} transport across membranes, were also inhibited by CD in a concentration dependent manner with IC50 values of 0.7 and 3.2 {mu}M respectively. Both Ca{sup 2+}-ATPase and {sup 45}Ca-uptake by cardiac SR ...
This is the second revision of the ETDE/INIS Joint Thesaurus, including all updates up to September 2006. It contains 21 147 valid descriptors and 9 114 forbidden terms. The Joint Thesaurus contains the controlled terminology for indexing all information within the subject scopes of the International Nuclear Information System (INIS) and the Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDE). The terminology is intended for use in subject descriptions for input or retrieval of information in these systems. The thesaurus is a terminological control device used in translating from the natural language of documents, indexers or users into a more constrained system language It is also a controlled and dynamic vocabulary of semantically and generically related terms which covers a specific domain of knowledge. The basic terminology in this thesaurus goes back to the 1969 edition of the EURATOM Thesaurus. The structure subsequently given to that terminology was the result of a systematic study performed ...
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 safe passage routes, ...
This paper proposes an integrated method for using experimental data and CFD modeling to develop engineering correlations for atrium smoke management. Part I focused on the experimental program and validation of a CFD model of the experimental facility. Part II describes the extension of this model to a parametric study of balcony spill plumes. Smoke management in buildings during fire events often uses mechanical ventilation systems to maintain smoke layer elevation above a safe evacuation path. Design of these systems requires accurate correlations for the smoke production or mass flow rate of the buoyant fire plume. One design issue is the mass flow rate of fire plumes which spill out from a fire compartment, under a balcony and up through an atrium or other large volume. Current engineering correlations for these balcony spill plumes (BSPs) are based on a combination of one-tenth scale test data and theoretical analysis. The suitability of ...
This paper proposes an integrated method for using experimental data and CFD modeling to develop engineering correlations for atrium smoke management. Part I focused on the experimental program and validation of a CFD model of the experimental facility. Part II describes the extension of this model to a parametric study of balcony spill plumes. Smoke management in buildings during fire events often uses mechanical ventilation systems to maintain smoke layer elevation above a safe evacuation path. Design of these systems requires accurate correlations for the smoke production or mass flow rate of the buoyant fire plume. One design issue is the mass flow rate of fire plumes which spill out from a fire compartment, under a balcony and up through an atrium or other large volume. Current engineering correlations for these balcony spill plumes (BSPs) are based on a combination of one-tenth scale test data and theoretical analysis. The suitability of ...
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).
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.
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
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:
The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and method for separating high molecular weight molecules from low molecular weight molecules. More specifically, the invention relates to the use of microdialysis for removal of the salt (low molecular weight molecules) from a nucleotide sample (high molecular weight molecules) for ESI-MS analysis. The dialysis or separation performance of the present invention is improved by (1) increasing dialysis temperature thereby increasing desalting efficiency and improving spectrum quality; (2) adding piperidine and imidazole to the dialysis buffer solution and reducing charge states and further increasing detection sensitivity for DNA; (3) using low concentrations of dialysis buffer and shifting the DNA negative ions to higher charge states, producing a nearly 10-fold increase in detection sensitivity and a slightly decreased desalting efficiency, or (4) ...
... Screening Adjudication Monitoring Applicants of Information Behavior II I Conducting Investigations ... Applicants of Information Behavior Conducting ...
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.
Molecular imaging represents a modern research area that allows the in vivo study of molecular biological process kinetics using appropriate probes and visualization methods. This methodology may be defined- apart from the contrast media injection - as non-abrasive. In order to reach an in vivo molecular process imaging as accurate as possible the effects of the used probes on the biological should not be too large. The contrast media as important part of the molecular imaging can significantly contribute to the understanding of molecular processes and to the development of tailored diagnostics and therapy. Since more than 15 years PTB is developing optic imaging systems that may be used for fluorescence based visualization of tissue phantoms, small animal models and the localization of tumors and their predecessors, and for the early recognition of inflammatory processes in ...
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 ...
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.
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
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 formation of a B-metal ...
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...
Heterochromatin constitutes a significant portion of the genome in higher eukaryotes; approximately 30% in Drosophila and human. Heterochromatin contains a high repeat DNA content and a low density of protein-encoding genes. In contrast, euchromatin is composed mostly of unique sequences and contains the majority of single-copy genes. Genetic and cytological studies demonstrated that heterochromatin exhibits regulatory roles in chromosome organization, centromere function and telomere protection. As an epigenetically regulated structure, heterochromatin formation is not defined by any DNA sequence consensus. Heterochromatin is characterized by its association with nucleosomes containing methylated-lysine 9 of histone H3 (H3K9me), heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1) that binds H3K9me, and Su(var)3-9, which methylates H3K9 and binds HP1. Heterochromatin formation and functions are influenced by HP1, Su(var)3-9, and the RNA interference (RNAi) pathway. My thesis project investigates how ...
Breast cancer progression is characterized by inappropriate cell growth. Normal cells cease growth after a limited number of cell divisions--a process called cellular senescence-while tumor cells may acquire the ability to proliferate indefinitely (immortality). Inappropriate expression of specific oncogenes in a key cellular signaling pathway (Ras, Raf) can promote tumorigenicity in immortal cells, while causing finite lifespan cells to undergo a rapid senescence-like arrest. We have studied when in the course of transformation of cultured human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC), the response to overexpressed oncogenic Raf changes from being tumor-suppressive to tumor enhancing, and what are the molecular underpinnings of this response. Our data indicate: (1) HMEC acquire the ability to maintain growth in the presence of oncogenic Raf not simply as a consequence of overcoming senescence, but as a result of a newly discovered step in the process of immortal ...
Investigations and studies are conducted seeking for a CO2 fixation method improved by utilizing the photosynthesizing function of higher vegetation. Details of higher vegetation genes are being disclosed thanks to the rapid progress of studies making use of molecular biological techniques, and the application of the genetic mechanism to scientific and technological fields is becoming increasingly feasible. In particular, the role of the CO2 fixation enzyme RuBisCO has been elucidated almost completely. It has been learned that, in terms of photosynthesizing capability, the C{sub 4} plants (corn etc.) are 2-3 times higher than the C{sub 3} plants (rice, wheat, etc.), and 5-10 times higher than the CAM plants (cactuses etc.). Studies are also under way about the rice genome so that a photosynthesizing capability so high as that of the C{sub 4} plants may be endowed the rice plant. The metabolism and control of useful substances produced in the ...
The transfer kinetics of the neutral glycosphingolipid gangliotetraosylceramide (asialo-GM1) were investigated by monitoring tritiated asialo-GM1 movement from donor to acceptor vesicles. Two different methods were employed to separate donor and acceptor vesicles at desired time intervals. In one method, a negative charge was imparted to dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine donor vesicles by including 10 mol% dipalmitoylphosphatidic acid. Donors were separated from neutral dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine acceptor vesicles by ion-exchange chromatography. In the other method, small, unilamellar donor vesicles and large, unilamellar acceptor vesicles were coincubated at 45 degrees C and then separated at desired time intervals by molecular sieve chromatography. The majority of asialo-GM1 transfer to acceptor vesicles occurred as a slow first-order process with a half-time of about 24 days assuming that the relative concentration of asialo-GM1 in the phospholipid matrix was ...
In this work the diffusion of ion-beam-injected self-interstitials (Is) and their interaction with impurities in crystalline Si are presented. In particular, the I penetration into a molecular beam epitaxy grown Si structure was studied by means of diffusion effects induced on B spikes, analyzed by a developed simulation code. Trapping effects at sample-surface and bulk are evidenced and modeled. The B marker approach was extended to the two-dimensional (2D) I-diffusion occurring as a consequence of ion implantation through a sub-micron dimension patterned oxide mask. I-source size effects on the I penetration have been found and modeled, quantitatively describing the 2D I-diffusion. The I-substitutional carbon interactions have been also studied, showing the C ability to effectively retain Is. The I-trapping mechanism was quantitatively studied by the simulation code, showing that one I is able to deactivate about two C traps by means of ...
Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) and tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO) are tryptophan-degrading enzymes. Mammalian IDO expression is induced by cytokines and has antimicrobial and immunomodulatory effects. A major role of mammalian TDO is to supply nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(+)). In fungi, the IDO homologue is thought to be expressed constitutively and supply NAD(+), as TDO is absent from their genomes. Here, we reveal the distribution of IDO genes among fungal species and characterize their enzymatic activity. The yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae has only one IDO gene, whereas the koji-mold, Aspergillus oryzae has two genes, IDO? and IDO?. The A. oryzae IDO? showed more similar enzymatic properties to those of S. cerevisiae IDO than IDO?, suggesting that the A. oryzae IDO? is a functional homologue of the S. cerevisiae IDO. From the IDO? gene, two isoforms, IDO? and IDO?(+) could be generated by alternative splicing. The latter contained a 17 amino acids insertion which ...
We have developed a kinetic Monte Carlo (kMC) simulator that links atomic migration and binding energies determined primarily from first principles calculations to macroscopic phenomena and laboratory time scales. Input for the kMC simulation is obtained from a combination of ab initio planewave pseudopotential calculations, molecular dynamics simulations, and experimental data. The simulator is validated against an extensive series of experimental studies of the diffusion of B spikes in self-implanted Si. The implant energy, dose, and dose rate, as well as the detailed thermal history of the sample, are included. Good agreement is obtained with the experimental data for temperatures between 750 and 950 C and times from 15 to 255 s. At 1050o C we predict too little diffusion after 105 s compared to experiment: apparently, some mechanism which is not adequately represented by our model becomes important at this temperature. Below 1050o C, the ...
The purpose of the present study was to examine reactions between bromium atoms with {alpha}, {beta}-unsaturated carbonyls. Acrolein, methacrolein, and methyl vinyl zetone were chosen as representatives of this family. The latter two compounds, beside formaldehyde, belong to the main products of atmospheric oxidation of isoprene and have been detected in the troposphere at concentrations of up to almost 1 ppb. It is known that alkenes react with bromium via addition to form an instable adduct. This product can either decompose again into its educts or react with molecular oxygen. The aim of the study was to determine the velocities of the reactions between the three {alpha}, {beta}-unsaturated carbonyls and bromium and to clarify the involved reaction mechanisms by means of kinetic experiments and product analyses. (orig./SR) [Deutsch] In dieser Arbeit wurde die Reaktion von Bromatomen mit {alpha}, {beta}-ungesaettigten Carbonylen untersucht. ...
The Hyperion project was developed to determine an algorithm for assessing the risk of hydrate plug formation in the pipeline transport oil-water-gas mixtures at low temperatures. The project is a collaboration between physicists, chemists and engineers within the petroleum industry. This paper provided an overview of the project and outlined results obtained as the project entered its third and final year. The main objective of the project has been to understand the inherent mitigation effects of some oils on gas hydrate formation as well as to develop methods of predicting the risk of hydrate plugging. To date, the project has extracted and studied natural inhibiting components (NICs) in oils. Molecular modelling techniques have been used to study hydrate and fluid interfaces in order to estimate the driving force of agglomeration and growth through mechanical surface stress and measurement of surface wave fluctuations. A scheme is also being ...
Full text: DNA rearrangement events leading to chromosomal aberrations are central to ionizing radiation-induced cell death. Although DNA double-strand breaks are probably the lesion that initiates formation of chromosomal aberrations, little is understood about the molecularmechanisms that generate and modulate DNA rearrangement. Examination of the sequences that flank sites of DNA rearrangement may provide information regarding the processes and enzymes involved in rearrangement events. Accordingly, we developed a method using inverse PCR that allows the detection and sequencing of putative radiation-induced DNA rearrangements in defined regions of the human genome. The method can detect single copies of a rearrangement event that has occurred in a particular region of the genome and, therefore, DNA rearrangement detection does not require survival and continued multiplication of the affected cell. Ionizing radiation-induced DNA ...
Combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy (CRC) is actually one important way of research in oncology. Theoretical advantages are: (1) Spatial cooperation; (2) Additivity, which is only obtained if the toxicity of each modality are different; (3) Supra-additivity, which needs a rigorous in vitro definition; the only way to prove it is to make an isobologram analysis. This model has however, some limitations: qualitative variable could not be used, results could be different, depending on the cell line and isoeffect chosen...In fact, a supra-additivity was only demonstrated for cis platinum and etoposide. Interactions mechanisms were: (1) at the molecular level, creation of new lesions or inhibition of radiation lesions repair; (2) At the cellular level, either cytokinetic cooperation with S-phase dependent drugs, or synchronization for the drugs which blocked the cells in M-phase; (3) At the tissular level, reoxygenation, cycle ...
Progress reports are presented for the following two areas: catalytic cracking studies with water-wet silica-alumina catalysts; and Fischer-Tropsch reactor studies where similarities and differences between fixed bed and slurry type reactors are investigated and further experiments conducted to measure mass transfer coefficients and reaction kinetics which are to be used in a model slurry reactor. The following are some of the conclusions. (1) The premise that the presence of liquid water might increase catalytic cracking activity was found to be invalid. It was demonstrated that cracking can occur at previously unobserved low temperatures (though at low conversions) and that an anomaly exists in that one of the catalysts tested shows an entirely different cracking behavior and probably follows a different cracking mechanism. (2) the diameter of a fixed-bed Fischer-Tropsch reactor critically affected the resistance of the reactor to plugging caused by the build up ...
A crucial step in human breast cancer progression is the acquisition of invasiveness. There is a distinct lack of human cell culture models to study the transition from pre-invasive to invasive phenotype as it may occur 'spontaneously' in vivo. To delineate molecular alterations important for this transition, we isolated human breast epithelial cell lines that showed partial loss of tissue polarity in three-dimensional reconstituted-basement membrane cultures. These cells remained non-invasive; however, unlike their non-malignant counterparts, they exhibited a high propensity to acquire invasiveness through basement membrane in culture. The genomic aberrations and gene expression profiles of the cells in this model showed a high degree of similarity to primary breast tumor profiles. The xenograft tumors formed by the cell lines in three different microenvironments in nude mice displayed metaplastic phenotypes, including squamous and basal ...
A 3-D hydrodynamic dispersion model for tracer transport is developed and implemented into the TOUGH2 EOS3 (T2R3D) module. The model formulation incorporates a full dispersion tensor, based on a 3-D velocity field with a 3-D, irregular grid in a heterogeneous geological system. Two different weighting schemes are proposed for spatial average of 3-D velocity fields and concentration gradients to evaluate the mass flux by dispersion and diffusion of a tracer or a radionuclide. This new module of the TOUGH2 code is designed to simulate processes of tracer/radionuclide transport using an irregular, 3-D integral finite difference grid in non-isothermal, three-dimensional, multiphase, porous/fractured subsurface systems. The numerical method for this transport module is based on the integral finite difference scheme, as in the TOUGH2 code. The major assumptions of the tracer transport module are: (a) a tracer or a radionuclide is present and transported only within the liquid phase, (b) ...
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).
Washboard (WB) modes (Smeulders P et al 1999 Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion 41 1303) are a very common edge instability regularly observed in the H-mode regime in JET. They are detected as (normally several) bands of continuously fluctuating magnetic activity rotating in the direction of the electron diamagnetic drift with typical frequencies in the range of 10-90 kHz. The time evolution of the WB mode frequency is found to follow qualitatively the evolution of the electron temperature measured near the pedestal top, probably due to the strong diamagnetic drift associated with the large pedestal gradients. Evidence for their involvement in the pedestal and ELM dynamics will be presented. Increasing WB mode amplitude is correlated with an increase in the time between consecutive type-I ELMs. In situations in which a sudden increase (decrease) of WB mode activity is observed, the build-up of the pedestal temperature (and, linked to this, also of the pedestal pressure) of the electrons is ...
''Paraquat lung'' which is complicated with paraquat poisoning has been a lethal pulmonary pathology presenting intra-alveolar fibrosis, but an effective therapy has not been developed so far. We hypothesized that the type II alveolar cells producing surfactant were damaged by paraquat which was actively accumulated through out the blood by alveolar epithelial cells. To prove this hypothesis, we examined the effect of an intratracheal administration of an artificial lung surfactant (surfacten, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, Osaka) on mortality in a model of murine paraquat poisoning. Paraquat was given intramuscularly 3 days after the intratracheal surfactant administration. The mice used were C57BL/6J strain and Balb/C strain. The lethal dose, 50% (LD50), of paraquat was about 28 mg/kg in the C57BL/6J strain and about 9 mg/kg in the Balb/C strain, respectively. Mortalities of paraquat poisoning in both strains of mice improved significantly when the mice ...
This Streamlined Approach for Environmental Restoration (SAFER) plan addresses closure for Corrective Action Unit (CAU) 118, Area 27 Super Kukla Facility, identified in the ''Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order''. Corrective Action Unit 118 consists of one Corrective Action Site (CAS), 27-41-01, located in Area 27 of the Nevada Test Site. Corrective Action Site 27-41-01 consists of the following four structures: (1) Building 5400A, Reactor High Bay; (2) Building 5400, Reactor Building and access tunnel; (3) Building 5410, Mechanical Building; and (4) Wooden Shed, a.k.a. ''Brock House''. This plan provides the methodology for field activities needed to gather the necessary information for closing the CAS. There is sufficient information and process knowledge from historical documentation and site confirmation data collected in 2005 and 2006 to recommend closure of CAU 118 using the ...
Lawrence Livermore, Sandia Livermore and Los Alamos National Laboratories have a joint project to develop an optimized hydrogen fueled engine for series hybrid automobiles. The major divisions of responsibility are: system analysis, engine design and kinetics modeling by LLNL; performance and emission testing, and friction reduction by SNL; computational fluid mechanics and combustion modeling by LANL. This project is a component of the Department of Energy, Office of Utility Technology, National Hydrogen Program. We report here on the progress on system analysis and preliminary engine testing. We have done system studies of series hybrid automobiles that approach the PNGV design goal of 34 km/liter (80 mpg), for 384 km (240 mi) and 608 km (380 mi) ranges. Our results indicate that such a vehicle appears feasible using an optimized hydrogen engine. The impact of various on-board storage options on fuel economy are evaluated. Experiments with an available engine at ...
Full text of publication follows: As the coolant experiences no phase change in the core, SCWRs, unlike LWRs, cannot use design criteria based on the critical heat flux concept. The commonly accepted practice in SCWRs is to specify cladding temperature limits that must be met during transient and accident events. Therefore for the design of the SCWR, it is very important to predict the heat transfer coefficient to the supercritical water coolant with great accuracy. Our recent study focuses on the critical issue of measuring heat transfer to supercritical water at prototypical SCWR conditions and to develop the tools to predict the SCWR thermal behavior. A heat transfer test loop using a surrogate fluids, CO_2, is under construction. The reason of using CO_2 instead of water is that (i) valuable insight of the physical phenomena can be obtained with this fluid, and (ii) some existing facilities already used surrogate fluids, which in general have lower critical ...
The effect of phosphorus on the corrosion resistance of Al-bronzes is studied in detail in this work. A literature review showed that there are a lot of things known about the microstructure and the mechanical properties of Al-bronzes. In spite of their corrosion resistance the corrosion properties and the structure of the protective oxide films of Al-bronzes were seldom a matter of interest. Systematic studies of the influence of different alloying elements on the oxide film and the corrosion properties are rare. Therefore, it is not possible to predict the corrosion resistance of Al-bronzes, made by alloying particular elements. The high corrosion resistance of the new alloy CuAl_2_0P_1 was the reason to investigate the influence of phosphorus on the corrosion properties of Al-bronzes in more detail. A systematic study of the microstructure and the corrosion properties of Cu, CuP_x, CuAl_2_0 and CuAl_2_0P_x offers an insight into the effect of aluminium and ...
Intermetallic compounds based on the Al-Co system were synthesized by solid state method - mechanical alloying and their properties were investigated using XRD, SEM, and DSC. The powder was used to make new targets of irradiation for gamma sources in order to enhance the specific activity and to reduce the consumption of material. The intermetallic compound AlCo was formed in the first 4 hours of milling. After 8 hours of milling the medium size of crystallites were of 5.58 nm. This value decreases with the increase of milling time up to 3 nm, corresponding to the 28 hours of grinding. There was calculated and plotted the Gibbs function, #DELTA#_f"0, for the reaction of formation AlCo and Al_3Co from the Al-Co system. It had negative values over the entire range of temperatures for both investigated compounds. After 28 hours milling a phase composition was obtained as follows: 0.2% Al; 21%Co ; 55.5%AlCo; 23.3% Al_1_3Co_4. AlCo 98% has been obtained after a ...
In the Japan Research Reactor-II (JRR-2), the main source of _4_1Ar generation is the exhaust air from the horizontal experimental holes and the pneumatic tubes. For the horizontal experimental holes, the flow of exhaust air through the holes was decreased by improving the airtightness, and a decay duct of capacity 2.4 m_3 was installed in the middle of the exhaust line. In consequence, the release rate of _4_1Ar was reduced by 6-8%. For the pneumatic tubes, a mechanical shutter was installed in the tube. The shutter stops the exhaust air flow, except when the pneumatic tube is used. Prior to the use, the activated air in the tube is led to a decay tank. As a result, the _4_1Ar release rate was reduced by 10-20%. By the above means, the yearly exposure at the site boundary was reduced to 0.36 mR from 2.6 mR. In Hot Laboratory for metallurgical examination of spent fuel, the exhaust filtration system consists of filters in the cave, i.e. frame ...
Proposals for use of Alloy 800 as a H.T.R. boiler material have prompted studies of its creep and high temperature fatigue properties in impure helium with comparative tests in air. In impure helium, as expected in a H.T.R., reactions of potential importance are selective oxidation (of chromium, aluminium and titanium) and possibly carburisation from carbon monoxide or methane. In air, general oxidation will occur, possibly accompanied by nitridation. The effects of these reactions will depend on specimen geometry and the nature of the deformation. Two important possibilities are: (i) that environment affects the structure and properties of a surface zone of material undegoing uniform deformation (this may modify creep rate and crack nucleation); and (ii) that environment affects behaviour of a small region (e.g. at the root of a notch or ahead of a crack) in a specimen undergoing non-uniform deformation (this will modify crack growth and hence rupture life or ...
Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) exhibits specific binding to the extracellular matrix (ECM) produced by cultured endothelial cells. Binding was saturable as a function both of time and of concentration of {sup 125}I-bFGF. Scatchard analysis of FGF binding revealed the presence of about 1.5 x 10{sup 12} binding sites/mm{sup 2} ECM with an apparent k{sub D} of 610 nM. FGF binds to heparan sulfate (HS) in ECM as evidenced by (i) inhibition of binding in the presence of heparin or HS at 0.1-1 {mu}g/mL, but not by chondroitin sulfate, keratan sulfate, or hyaluronic acid at 10 {mu}g/mL, (ii) lack of binding to ECM pretreated with heparitinase, but not with chondroitinase ABC, and (iii) rapid release of up to 90% of ECM-bound FGF by exposure to heparin, HS, or heparitinase, but not to chondroitin sulfate, keratan sulfate, hyaluronic acid, or chondroitinase ABC. Oligosaccharides derived from depolymerized heparin, and as small as the tetrasaccharide, released the ...
Human Reliability Analysis (HRA) is a very important part of Probabilistic Risk Analysis (PRA), and constant work is dedicated to improving methods, guidance and data in order to approach realism in the results as well as looking for ways to use these to reduce accident frequency at plants. Further, in order to advance in these areas, several HRA studies are being performed globally. Mexico has participated in the International HRA Empirical study with the objective of -benchmarking- HRA methods by comparing HRA predictions to actual crew performance in a simulator, as well as in the empirical study on a US nuclear power plant currently in progress. The focus of the first study was the development of an understanding of how methods are applied by various analysts, and characterize the methods for their capability to guide the analysts to identify potential human failures, and associated causes and performance shaping factors. The HRA benchmarking study has been performed by using the ...
We report the arcsecond resolution SMA observations of the $^{12}$CO (2-1) transition in the massive cluster forming region G10.6-0.4. In these observations, the high velocity $^{12}$CO emission is resolved into individual outflow systems, which have a typical size scale of a few arcseconds. These molecular outflows are energetic, and are interacting with the ambient molecular gas. By inspecting the shock signatures traced by CH$_{3}$OH, SiO, and HCN emissions, we suggest that abundant star formation activities are distributed over the entire 0.5 pc scale dense molecular envelope. The star formation efficiency over one global free-fall timescale (of the 0.5 pc molecular envelope, $\\sim$10$^{5}$ years) is about a few percent. The total energy feedback of these high velocity outflows is higher than 10$^{47}$ erg, which is comparable to the total kinetic energy in the rotational motion of the dense ...
We investigate the radiative decays of the {phi}-meson to the scalar mesons a{sub 0}(980) and f{sub 0}(980). We demonstrate that, contrary to earlier claims, these decays should be of the same order of magnitude for a molecular state and for a compact state and, therefore, the available experimental information is consistent with both a molecular as well as a compact structure of the scalars. Thus, the radiative decays of the {phi}-meson into scalars establish a sizable K anti K component of the scalar mesons, but do not allow to discriminate between molecules and compact states. (orig.)
The thermodynamic characteristics of adsorption of iodobenzene, 2-iodothiophene, and 1- and 2-iodoadamantanes on the surface of graphitized thermal carbon black were determined experimentally. The influence of the special features of the molecular structure of the adsorbates on the thermodynamic characteristics of adsorption was studied. The atom-atom approximation of the semiempirical molecular-statistical theory of adsorption was used to calculate the thermodynamic characteristics of adsorption of the adsorbates using the newly determined potential function parameters of pair intermolecular interaction (?(r)) of I with C atoms of the basal graphite face. For the example of isostructural monohalogenated benzenes, thiophenes, and adamantanes, a comparative analysis of the contributions of ...
The first candidate rotavirus vaccine was a live attenuated oral vaccine made by the classical empirical method of serial passage of virus in tissue culture cells. Current tetravalent vaccine candidates that are in the final stages of efficacy testing in the United States were made by genetic reassortment. This article briefly highlights how advances in the basic understanding of the molecular biology of rotaviruses have facilitated vaccine development. New approaches for second-generation vaccines and improvements in vaccine efficacy based on further exploitation of the tools and knowledge of rotavirus molecular biology and pathogenesis are discussed. PMID:8752289
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}, ...
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 molecular structure, chemical properties, and biological function of the xyloglucan polysaccharide isolated from cell walls of suspension-cultured sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus)...Full Text Available
For a process intimately connected to an immense range of physiological processes, the molecular understanding of macroautophagy remains far from complete. Recent large-scale studies, including...Full Text Available
BackgroundOrthology analysis is an important part of data analysis in many areas of bioinformatics such as comparative genomics and molecular phylogenetics. The ever-increasing flood...Full Text Available
The use of Funtumia latex and nitrobenzene as molecular weight depressants for natural rubber was studied. Portions of a given sample of natural rubber latex were treated with these materials, and this provided a means of ascertaining the amount of Funtumia latex in a blend with natural rubber that could produce a lowering of the molecular weight equivalent to that from known concentrations of nitrobenzene in natural rubber latex. The molecular weight of the products decreased to an equilibrium value after 10 h of reaction with nitrobenzene. The calculations revealed that a 27.9% substitution of natural rubber latex (300 mL) with Funtumia rubber latex achieved the same result as nitrobenzene in the same polymer at concentrations of 0.5-2.0 wt % of the dry rubber content of the latex after ...
... Here we will summarize the synthesis, structure activity relationships , and molecular sites of action of mGluR5 PAMs. We will also review preclinical studies ...
BackgroundMolecular genetic studies of Bombyx mori have led to profound advances in our understanding of the regulation of development. Bombyx mori brain,...Full Text Available
The Liver Carcinogenesis Section uses the modern technologies of molecular biology, cell biology, protein chemistry and genetics to investigate the biochemical and genetic pathways involved in human liver cancer.
To establish a relationship between the molecular structure of polycarboxylates and their growth-retarding influence on barium sulfate, seeded-suspension-growth experiments were performed at various inhibitor concentrations and pH values. Two types of polycarboxylates with a molecular structure based on their polyacrylic or maleic acid were studied. The molecular structure of these compounds were varied by particle substitution with monomers containing hydroxyl, amide, and sulfonic acid, as well as hydrophobic groups. Hydrophobic groups are detrimental to good inhibitor performance, whereas the introduction of OH, NH {sub 2}, or SO {sub 3} H groups presents opportunities to enhance the inhibitor effectiveness. The sequence in performance of the compounds on barium sulfate was compared with the sequence formerly obtained for calcium sulfate dihydrate.
The nitric oxide molecule is being studied in order to understand the energetics and chemistry of initiation and detonation in liquid NO at the molecular level. An overview is presented of the work being done. (DLC)
We investigate the chemical and observational implications of repetitive transient dense core formation in molecular clouds. We allow a transient density fluctuation to form and disperse over a period of 1 Myr, tracing its chemical evolution. We then allow the same gas immediately to undergo further such formation and dispersion cycles. The chemistry of the dense gas in subsequent cycles is similar to that of the first, and a limit cycle is reached quickly (2 - 3 cycles). Enhancement of hydrocarbon abundances during a specific period of evolution is the strongest indicator of previous dynamical history. The molecular content of the diffuse background gas in the molecular cloud is expected to be strongly enhanced by the core formation and dispersion process. Such enhancement may remain for as long as 0.5 Myr. The frequency of repetitive core formation should strongly determine the level of background ...
The biosynthesis of insect juvenile hormone (JH) and its neuroendocrine control are attractive targets for chemical control of insect pests and vectors of disease. To facilitate the molecular...Full Text Available