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Sample records for initiation factor 3f

  1. The rice eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 subunit f (OseIF3f is involved in microgametogenesis

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Qi eLi

    2016-04-01

    Full Text Available Microgametogenesis is the postmeiotic pollen developmental phase when unicellular microspores develop into mature tricellular pollen. In rice, microgametogenesis can influence grain yields to a great degree because pollen abortion occurs more easily during microgametogenesis than during other stages of pollen development. However, our knowledge of the genes involved in microgametogenesis in rice remains limited. Due to the dependence of pollen development on the regulatory mechanisms of protein expression, we identified the encoding gene of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3, subunit f in Oryza sativa (OseIF3f. Immunoprecipitation combined with mass spectrometry confirmed that OseIF3f was a subunit of rice eIF3, which consisted of at least 12 subunits including eIF3a, eIF3b, eIF3c, eIF3d, eIF3e, eIF3f, eIF3g, eIF3h, eIF3i, eIF3k, eIF3l and eIF3m. OseIF3f showed high mRNA levels in immature florets and is highly abundant in developing anthers. Subcellular localization analysis showed that OseIF3f was localized to the cytosol and the endoplasmic reticulum in rice root cells. We further analyzed the biological function of OseIF3f using the double-stranded RNA-mediated interference (RNAi approach. The OseIF3f-RNAi lines grew normally at the vegetative stage but displayed a large reduction in seed production and pollen viability, which is associated with the down-regulation of OseIF3f. Further cytological observations of pollen development revealed that the OseIF3f-RNAi lines showed no obvious abnormalities at the male meiotic stage and the unicellular microspore stage. However, compared to the wild type, OseIF3f-RNAi lines contained a higher percentage of arrested unicellular pollen at the bicellular stage and a higher percentage of arrested unicellular and bicellular pollen, and aborted pollen at the tricellular stage. These results indicate that OseIF3f plays a role in microgametogenesis.

  2. Phosphorylation of protein synthesis initiation factor 2 (elF-2) in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Romero, D.P.

    1986-01-01

    Initiation Factor 2 (elF-2) in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is comprised of 3 subunits. The control of protein synthesis in mammalian cells have been shown to involve the phosphorylation of the small (alpha) subunit by a specific protein kinase. Phosphorylation results in an inhibition of protein synthesis. In order to determine whether or not an analogous system is operative in yeast, the phosphorylation state of the alpha subunit of elF-2 in Saccharomyces was determined during various growth and nongrowth conditions. Cells were radiolabelled with 32 P and 35 S, and the whole cell lysates were analyzed by two dimensional gel electrophoresis. These experiments revealed that the smallest subunit (alpha, M/sub r/ = 31,000) is a phosphoprotein in vivo under a variety of growth and nongrowth conditions. This is in direct contrast to the pattern exhibited in mammalian cells. The fact that the small subunit of elF-2 in yeast is phosphorylated under a variety of physiological conditions indicates that such a covalent modification is important for some aspects of elF-2 function. In order to investigate this problem further, a protein kinase that specifically labels the alpha subunit of elF-2 in vitro was isolated. The kinase is not autophosphorylating, utilizes ATP as a phosphate donor, phosphorylates an exogenous protein, casein, modifies serine residues in elF-2, is cyclic nucleotide-independent, and is strongly inhibited by heparin

  3. Tumultuous relationship between the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 viral infectivity factor (Vif) and the human APOBEC-3G and APOBEC-3F restriction factors.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Henriet, Simon; Mercenne, Gaëlle; Bernacchi, Serena; Paillart, Jean-Christophe; Marquet, Roland

    2009-06-01

    The viral infectivity factor (Vif) is dispensable for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication in so-called permissive cells but is required for replication in nonpermissive cell lines and for pathogenesis. Virions produced in the absence of Vif have an aberrant morphology and an unstable core and are unable to complete reverse transcription. Recent studies demonstrated that human APOBEC-3G (hA3G) and APOBEC-3F (hA3F), which are selectively expressed in nonpermissive cells, possess strong anti-HIV-1 activity and are sufficient to confer a nonpermissive phenotype. Vif induces the degradation of hA3G and hA3F, suggesting that its main function is to counteract these cellular factors. Most studies focused on the hypermutation induced by the cytidine deaminase activity of hA3G and hA3F and on their Vif-induced degradation by the proteasome. However, recent studies suggested that several mechanisms are involved both in the antiviral activity of hA3G and hA3F and in the way Vif counteracts these antiviral factors. Attempts to reconcile the studies involving Vif in virus assembly and stability with these recent findings suggest that hA3G and hA3F partially exert their antiviral activity independently of their catalytic activity by destabilizing the viral core and the reverse transcription complex, possibly by interfering with the assembly and/or maturation of the viral particles. Vif could then counteract hA3G and hA3F by excluding them from the viral assembly intermediates through competition for the viral genomic RNA, by regulating the proteolytic processing of Pr55(Gag), by enhancing the efficiency of the reverse transcription process, and by inhibiting the enzymatic activities of hA3G and hA3F.

  4. Targeting the eIF4F translation initiation complex: a critical nexus for cancer development.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Pelletier, Jerry; Graff, Jeremy; Ruggero, Davide; Sonenberg, Nahum

    2015-01-15

    Elevated protein synthesis is an important feature of many cancer cells and often arises as a consequence of increased signaling flux channeled to eukaryotic initiation factor 4F (eIF4F), the key regulator of the mRNA-ribosome recruitment phase of translation initiation. In many cellular and preclinical models of cancer, eIF4F deregulation results in changes in translational efficiency of specific mRNA classes. Importantly, many of these mRNAs code for proteins that potently regulate critical cellular processes, such as cell growth and proliferation, enhanced cell survival and cell migration that ultimately impinge on several hallmarks of cancer, including increased angiogenesis, deregulated growth control, enhanced cellular survival, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, invasion, and metastasis. By being positioned as the molecular nexus downstream of key oncogenic signaling pathways (e.g., Ras, PI3K/AKT/TOR, and MYC), eIF4F serves as a direct link between important steps in cancer development and translation initiation. Identification of mRNAs particularly responsive to elevated eIF4F activity that typifies tumorigenesis underscores the critical role of eIF4F in cancer and raises the exciting possibility of developing new-in-class small molecules targeting translation initiation as antineoplastic agents. ©2014 American Association for Cancer Research.

  5. Factors affecting expression of the recF gene of Escherichia coli K-12.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Sandler, S J; Clark, A J

    1990-01-31

    This report describes four factors which affect expression of the recF gene from strong upstream lambda promoters under temperature-sensitive cIAt2-encoded repressor control. The first factor was the long mRNA leader sequence consisting of the Escherichia coli dnaN gene and 95% of the dnaA gene and lambda bet, N (double amber) and 40% of the exo gene. When most of this DNA was deleted, RecF became detectable in maxicells. The second factor was the vector, pBEU28, a runaway replication plasmid. When we substituted pUC118 for pBEU28, RecF became detectable in whole cells by the Coomassie blue staining technique. The third factor was the efficiency of initiation of translation. We used site-directed mutagenesis to change the mRNA leader, ribosome-binding site and the 3 bp before and after the translational start codon. Monitoring the effect of these mutational changes by translational fusion to lacZ, we discovered that the efficiency of initiation of translation was increased 30-fold. Only an estimated two- or threefold increase in accumulated levels of RecF occurred, however. This led us to discover the fourth factor, namely sequences in the recF gene itself. These sequences reduce expression of the recF-lacZ fusion genes 100-fold. The sequences responsible for this decrease in expression occur in four regions in the N-terminal half of recF. Expression is reduced by some sequences at the transcriptional level and by others at the translational level.

  6. Neodymium-doped Sr5(PO4)3F and Sr5(VO4)3F

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Corker, D.L.; Nicholls, J.; Loutts, G.B.

    1995-01-01

    Neodymium-doped Sr 5 (PO 4 ) 3 F [neodymium strontium fluoride phosphate, (Nd,Sr) 5 (PO 4 ) 3 F] and neodymium-doped Sr 5 (VO 4 ) 3 F [neodymium strontium fluoride vanadate, (Nd,Sr) 5 (VO 4 ) 3 F] crystallize in space group P6 3 /m and are isostructural with calcium fluorophosphate, Ca 5 (PO 4 ) 3 F. There are two different Sr sites in Sr 5 (XO 4 ) 3 F, denoted Sr(1) and Sr(2). Using single-crystal X-ray diffraction the two structures were refined to R factors of 2.3 and 2.2%, respectively, showing that Nd is present at both Sr sites in (Sr,Nd) 5 (VO 4 ) 3 F but only at the Sr(2) site in (Sr,Nd) 5 (PO 4 ) 3 F. (orig.)

  7. Translation initiation factor elF3 promotes programmed stop codon readthrough

    Czech Academy of Sciences Publication Activity Database

    Beznosková, Petra; Wagner, Susan; Jansen, Myrte Esmeralda; von der Haar, T.; Valášek, Leoš

    2015-01-01

    Roč. 43, č. 10 (2015), s. 5099-5111 ISSN 0305-1048 R&D Projects: GA ČR(CZ) GA14-05394S Institutional support: RVO:61388971 Keywords : EUKARYOTIC RELEASE FACTOR-1 * RNA RECOGNITION MOTIF * TICK FEVER VIRUS Subject RIV: CE - Biochemistry Impact factor: 9.202, year: 2015

  8. Modifying chemotherapy response by targeted inhibition of eukaryotic initiation factor 4A

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Cencic, R; Robert, F; Galicia-Vázquez, G; Malina, A; Ravindar, K; Somaiah, R; Pierre, P; Tanaka, J; Deslongchamps, P; Pelletier, J

    2013-01-01

    Translation is regulated predominantly at the initiation phase by several signal transduction pathways that are often usurped in human cancers, including the PI3K/Akt/mTOR axis. mTOR exerts unique administration over translation by regulating assembly of eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 4F, a heterotrimeric complex responsible for recruiting 40S ribosomes (and associated factors) to mRNA 5′ cap structures. Hence, there is much interest in targeted therapies that block eIF4F activity to assess the consequences on tumor cell growth and chemotherapy response. We report here that hippuristanol (Hipp), a translation initiation inhibitor that selectively inhibits the eIF4F RNA helicase subunit, eIF4A, resensitizes Eμ-Myc lymphomas to DNA damaging agents, including those that overexpress eIF4E—a modifier of rapamycin responsiveness. As Mcl-1 levels are significantly affected by Hipp, combining its use with the Bcl-2 family inhibitor, ABT-737, leads to a potent synergistic response in triggering cell death in mouse and human lymphoma and leukemia cells. Suppression of eIF4AI using RNA interference also synergized with ABT-737 in murine lymphomas, highlighting eIF4AI as a therapeutic target for modulating tumor cell response to chemotherapy

  9. Regulation of cell proliferation by the E2F transcription factors

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Helin, K

    1998-01-01

    Experimental data generated in the past year have further emphasized the essential role for the E2F transcription factors in the regulation of cell proliferation. Genetic studies have shown that E2F activity is required for normal development in fruitflies, and the generation of E2F-1(-/-) mice h......Fs in the proteasomes. Novel target genes for the E2F transcription factors have been identified that link the E2Fs directly to the initiation of DNA replication.......Experimental data generated in the past year have further emphasized the essential role for the E2F transcription factors in the regulation of cell proliferation. Genetic studies have shown that E2F activity is required for normal development in fruitflies, and the generation of E2F-1(-/-) mice has...... demonstrated that individual members of the E2F transcription factor family are likely to have distinct roles in mammalian development and homeostasis. Additional mechanisms regulating the activity of the E2F transcription factors have been reported, including subcellular localization and proteolysis of the E2...

  10. The novel superacid systems HSO3F-Nb(SO3F)5 and HSO3F-Ta(SO3F)5

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Cicha, W.V.; Aubke, F.

    1989-01-01

    The in situ oxidation of niobium and tantalum in HSO 3 F by bis(fluorosulfuryl) peroxide, S 2 O 6 F 2 , results in the formation of solvated Lewis acids M(SO 3 F) 5 , M = Nb or Ta. Both solutes behave as moderately strong, monoprotonic acids, based on electrical conductivity measurements over the concentration range 0-0.05 m and on conductometric titrations against KSO 3 F. These measurements suggest a general order of acidity, Au(SO 3 F) 3 > Ta(SO 3 F) 5 ≥ SbF 5 > Nb(SO 3 F) 5 > NbF 5 , all giving rise to monoprotonic acids. Supporting evidence comes from 1 H, 19 F, and 93 Nb NMR spectroscopy and the successful isolation and characterization of complexes of the type Cs n [M(SO 3 F) 5+n ], with M = Nb or Ta and n = 1 or 2, from these solutions

  11. Tanks 3F and 2F Saltcake Core and Supernate Sample Analysis

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    MARTINO, CHRISTOPHERJ

    2004-01-01

    In support of Low-Curie Salt (LCS) process validation at the Savannah River Site (SRS), Liquid Waste Disposition (LWD) has undertaken a program of tank waste characterization, including salt sampling. As part of this initiative, they sampled the surface of the saltcake in Tank 3F and Tank 2F using approximately 12-inch long sample tubes. A series of three saltcake samples were taken of the upper crust in Tank 3F and a single saltcake sample was taken from the bottom of a liquid-filled well in Tank 2F. In addition to analysis of the solid saltcake samples, the liquid contained in the Tank 3F samples and a separate supernate sample from Tank 2F were studied. The primary objective of the characterization is to gather information that will be useful to the selection and processing of the next waste tanks. Most important is the determination of the 137Cs concentration and liquid retention properties of Tank 3F and Tank 2F saltcake to enable projection of drained, dissolved salt composition. Additional information will aid in refining the waste characterization system (WCS) and could assist the eventual salt treatment or processing

  12. The OsO(3)F(+) and mu-F(OsO(3)F)(2)(+) cations: their syntheses and study by Raman and (19)F NMR spectroscopy and electron structure calculations and X-ray crystal structures of [OsO(3)F][PnF(6)] (Pn = As, Sb), [OsO(3)F][HF](2)[AsF(6)], [OsO(3)F][HF][SbF(6)], and [OsO(3)F][Sb(3)F(16)].

    Science.gov (United States)

    Gerken, Michael; Dixon, David A; Schrobilgen, Gary J

    2002-01-28

    The fluoride ion donor properties of OsO(3)F(2) have been investigated. The salts [OsO(3)F][AsF(6)], [OsO(3)F][HF](2)[AsF(6)], mu-F(OsO(3)F)(2)[AsF(6)], [OsO(3)F][HF](2)[SbF(6)], and [OsO(3)F][HF][SbF(6)] have been prepared by reaction of OsO(3)F(2) with AsF(5) and SbF(5) in HF solvent and have been characterized in the solid state by Raman spectroscopy. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies of [OsO(3)F][AsF(6)] (P2(1)/n, a = 7.0001(11) A, c = 8.8629(13) A, beta = 92.270(7) degrees, Z = 4, and R(1) = 0.0401 at -126 degrees C), [OsO(3)F][SbF(6)] (P2(1)/c, a = 5.4772(14) A, b = 10.115(3) A, c = 12.234(3) A, beta = 99.321(5) degrees, Z = 4, and R(1) = 0.0325 at -173 degrees C), [OsO(3)F][HF](2)[AsF(6)] (P2(1)/n, a = 5.1491(9) A, b = 8.129(2) A, c = 19.636(7) A, beta = 95.099(7) degrees, Z = 4, and R(1) = 0.0348 at -117 degrees C), and [OsO(3)F][HF][SbF(6)] (Pc, a = 5.244(4) A, b = 9.646(6) A, c = 15.269(10) A, beta = 97.154(13) degrees, Z = 4, and R(1) = 0.0558 at -133 degrees C) have shown that the OsO(3)F(+) cations exhibit strong contacts to the anions and HF solvent molecules giving rise to cyclic, dimeric structures in which the osmium atoms have coordination numbers of 6. The reaction of OsO(3)F(2) with neat SbF(5) yielded [OsO(3)F][Sb(3)F(16)], which has been characterized by (19)F NMR spectroscopy in SbF(5) and SO(2)ClF solvents and by Raman spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction in the solid state (P4(1)m, a = 10.076(6) A, c = 7.585(8) A, Z = 2, and R(1) = 0.0858 at -113 degrees C). The weak fluoride ion basicity of the Sb(3)F(16)(-) anion resulted in an OsO(3)F(+) cation (C(3)(v) point symmetry) that is well isolated from the anion and in which the osmium is four-coordinate. The geometrical parameters and vibrational frequencies of OsO(3)F(+), ReO(3)F, mu-F(OsO(3)F)(2)(+), (FO(3)Os--FPnF(5))(2), and (FO(3)Os--(HF)(2)--FPnF(5))(2) (Pn = As, Sb) have been calculated using density functional theory methods.

  13. Influence factor on automated synthesis yield of 3'-deoxy-3'-[18F] fluorothymidine

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Zhang Jinming; Tian Jiahe; Liu Changbin; Liu Jian; Luo Zhigang

    2009-01-01

    3'-deoxy-3'-[ 18 F] fluorothymidine ( 18 F-FLT) was prepared from N-BOC precursor to improve the synthesis yield, chemical purity and radiochemical purity of 18 F-FLT by home-made automated synthesis module. The results showed that residual water in synthesis system and the amount of precursor could affect the synthesis yield dramatically. The more the amount of precursor, the higher the synthesis yield of N-BOC. The residual water can decrease the synthesis yield. In the presence of excess base, the precursor was consumed by elimination before substitution was completed. The precursor to base was optimal in 1 to 1. The balance of semi-preparatiove HPLC Column can affect purified the final 18 F-FLT product. The chemical purity of 18 F-FLT could be decreased with 8% EtOH as mobile phase in semi-preparatiove HPLC. The high chemical purity, radiochemical purity and synthesis yield could be obtained by optimized the parameter of synthesis with home-made automated synthesis module. (authors)

  14. Preliminary report on electron energy-loss measurements for CCl3, CCl2F2, CCl3F

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Bushnell, D.L. Jr.; Huebner, R.H.; Celotta, R.J.; Mielczarek, S.R.

    1975-01-01

    Currently, nation-wide research efforts are devoted to studying the possible ozone (O 3 ) depletion in the stratosphere by the chemical action of chlorine atoms released from CCl 2 F 2 or CCl 3 F upon absorption of ultraviolet radiation. Since electron-impact data taken in the forward scattering direction can be used to derive oscillator strengths and thus to yield apparent photoabsorption cross sections, such an analysis for CCl 2 F 2 , CCLl 3 F, and CClF 3 was carried out. Oscillator-strength distributions were obtained between 5 and 20 eV and are compared to available photoabsorption data. Certain photoabsorption values agree very well with these electron-impact data, but other optical studies deviate in some spectral regions by as much as a factor of 5. Also, the electron energy-loss spectrum reveals electronic transitions previously undetected by photoabsorption

  15. MicroRNA-17-92 Regulates the Transcription Factor E2F3b during Myogenesis In Vitro and In Vivo

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Zhixiong Tang

    2017-03-01

    Full Text Available Myogenic differentiation, which occurs during muscle development, is a highly ordered process that can be regulated by E2F transcription factors. Available data show that E2F3b, but not E2F3a, is upregulated and required for myogenic differentiation. However, the regulation of E2F3b expression in myogenic differentiation is not well understood. To investigate whether E2Fb expression is controlled by miRNAs, we used bioinformatics to combine the database of microRNAs downregulated during myogenesis and those predicted to target E2F3. This identified miR-17 and miR-20a as miRNAs potentially involved in E2F3 regulation. We found that miR-17-92 controls the expression of E2F3b in C2C12 cells during myogenic differentiation. Moreover, we confirmed that miR-20a regulates the expression of E2F3b proteins in vivo using a muscle regeneration model.

  16. Translation initiation on mRNAs bound by nuclear cap-binding protein complex CBP80/20 requires interaction between CBP80/20-dependent translation initiation factor and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3g.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Choe, Junho; Oh, Nara; Park, Sungjin; Lee, Ye Kyung; Song, Ok-Kyu; Locker, Nicolas; Chi, Sung-Gil; Kim, Yoon Ki

    2012-05-25

    In the cytoplasm of mammalian cells, either cap-binding proteins 80 and 20 (CBP80/20) or eukaryotic translation initiation factor (eIF) 4E can direct the initiation of translation. Although the recruitment of ribosomes to mRNAs during eIF4E-dependent translation (ET) is well characterized, the molecular mechanism for CBP80/20-dependent translation (CT) remains obscure. Here, we show that CBP80/20-dependent translation initiation factor (CTIF), which has been shown to be preferentially involved in CT but not ET, specifically interacts with eIF3g, a component of the eIF3 complex involved in ribosome recruitment. By interacting with eIF3g, CTIF serves as an adaptor protein to bridge the CBP80/20 and the eIF3 complex, leading to efficient ribosome recruitment during CT. Accordingly, down-regulation of CTIF using a small interfering RNA causes a redistribution of CBP80 from polysome fractions to subpolysome fractions, without significant consequence to eIF4E distribution. In addition, down-regulation of eIF3g inhibits the efficiency of nonsense-mediated mRNA decay, which is tightly coupled to CT but not to ET. Moreover, the artificial tethering of CTIF to an intercistronic region of dicistronic mRNA results in translation of the downstream cistron in an eIF3-dependent manner. These findings support the idea that CT mechanistically differs from ET.

  17. Increased F3-Isoprostanes in the Canadian Inuit Population Could Be Cardioprotective by Limiting F2-Isoprostane Production.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Alkazemi, Dalal; Jackson, Robert L; Chan, Hing Man; Kubow, Stan

    2016-09-01

    F3-isoprostanes (F3-IsoPs), derived from peroxidation of eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5n-3), could be cardioprotective by limiting production of F2-isoprostanes (F2-IsoPs), a cardiovascular disease risk factor. The objective of the study was to determine whether the n-3-polyunsaturated (PUFA)-rich Inuit diet is associated with a lower plasma ratio of F2-IsoPs to F3-IsoPs. This was a cross-sectional observational study. The study was conducted in 36 Canadian Arctic Inuit communities. Participants included a random subset (n = 233) of Inuit adults taken from a population-based survey. Plasma F2-IsoPs and F3-IsoPs, cardiometabolic risk factors (blood lipids, C-reactive protein, blood pressure, fasting glucose) and markers of dietary exposure (erythrocyte n-3 and n-6 PUFA, blood levels of Se, mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls) were measured. Inuit aged 40 years old and older vs younger Inuit showed higher concentrations of plasma F3-IsoPs and erythrocyte n-3 PUFA and lower plasma F2-IsoPs concentrations despite having higher blood lipids, fasting glucose, systolic blood pressure, and percentage body fat. Plasma F3-IsoPs were not associated with any cardiometabolic measures. When subjects were categorized into tertiles according to total n-3 PUFA erythrocyte concentrations, F3-IsoPs increased with increasing tertiles, whereas the F2-IsoP to F3-IsoP ratio was lowest at the highest n-3 tertile. The F2-IsoP to F3-IsoP ratio was significantly predicted by C20:5n-3 (β= -.365, P = .002); C20:4n-6:C20:5n-3 (β = .056, P = .006), blood mercury (β = -.812, P =.015), blood Se (β = -1.95, P = .015), and smoking (β = .745, P = .025). Plasma F3-IsoPs were not associated with cardiometabolic risk factors previously seen with F2-IsoPs. Higher n-3 fatty acid status was associated with lower plasma F2-IsoPs and higher plasma F3-IsoPs, which provides partial explanation to the cardioprotective effects of the n-3 PUFA-rich Inuit diet.

  18. Thermal analysis and phase diagrams of the LiF BiF{sub 3} e NaF BiF{sub 3} systems; Analise termica e diagramas de fase dos sistemas LiF-BiF{sub 3} e NaF-BiF{sub 3}

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Nakamura, Gerson Hiroshi de Godoy

    2013-07-01

    Investigations of the binary systems LiF-BiF{sub 3} and NaF-BiF{sub 3} were performed with the objective of clarifying the thermal behavior and phase equilibria of these systems and their intermediary phases, an important requisite for high-quality crystal growth. Several samples in the entire range of compositions (0 to 100 mol% BiF{sub 3}) of both systems were subjected to experiments of differential thermal analysis (DTA) and thermogravimetry (TG), and also of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). A few specific compositions were selected for X-ray diffraction to supplement the experimental data. Due to the high vulnerability of BiF{sub 3} to oxygen contamination, its volatility and propensity to destroy metal parts upon heating, it was necessary to determine the optimal conditions for thermal analysis before investigating the systems themselves. Phase relations in the system LiF-BiF{sub 3} were completely clarified and a phase diagram was calculated and evaluated via the commercial software Factsage. The diagram itself consists in a simple peritectic system in which the only intermediary compound, LiBiF{sub 4}, decomposes into LiF and a liquid phase. The NaF-BiF{sub 3} system could not be completely elucidated and the phase relations in the NaF poor side (> 50% BiF{sub 3}) are still unknown. In the NaF rich side, however, the possible peritectoid decomposition of the compound NaBiF{sub 4} was identified. In both systems X-ray diffraction yielded crystal structures discrepant with the literature for the intermediary phases, LiBiF{sub 4}, NaBiF{sub 4} and a solid solution of NaF and BiF{sub 3} called {sup I.} The observed structures remain unknown and explanations for the discrepancies were proposed. (author)

  19. Syntheses, Raman spectra, and X-ray crystal structures of [XeF(5)][mu-F(OsO(3)F(2))(2)] and [M][OsO(3)F(3)] (M = XeF(5)(+), Xe(2)F(11)(+)).

    Science.gov (United States)

    Hughes, Michael J; Mercier, Hélène P A; Schrobilgen, Gary J

    2010-04-05

    Stoichiometric amounts of XeF(6) and (OsO(3)F(2))(infinity) react at 25-50 degrees C to form salts of the known XeF(5)(+) and Xe(2)F(11)(+) cations, namely, [XeF(5)][mu-F(OsO(3)F(2))(2)], [XeF(5)][OsO(3)F(3)], and [Xe(2)F(11)][OsO(3)F(3)]. Although XeF(6) is oxophilic toward a number of transition metal and main-group oxides and oxide fluorides, fluoride/oxide metathesis was not observed. The series provides the first examples of noble-gas cations that are stabilized by metal oxide fluoride anions and the first example of a mu-F(OsO(3)F(2))(2)(-) salt. Both [XeF(5)][mu-F(OsO(3)F(2))(2)] and [Xe(2)F(11)][OsO(3)F(3)] are orange solids at room temperature. The [XeF(5)][OsO(3)F(3)] salt is an orange liquid at room temperature that solidifies at 5-0 degrees C. When the salts are heated at 50 degrees C under 1 atm of N(2) for more than 2 h, significant XeF(6) loss occurs. The X-ray crystal structures (-173 degrees C) show that the salts exist as discrete ion pairs and that the osmium coordination spheres in OsO(3)F(3)(-) and mu-F(OsO(3)F(2))(2)(-) are pseudo-octahedral OsO(3)F(3)-units having facial arrangements of oxygen and fluorine atoms. The mu-F(OsO(3)F(2))(2)(-) anion is comprised of two symmetry-related OsO(3)F(2)-groups that are fluorine-bridged to one another. Ion pairing results from secondary bonding interactions between the fluorine/oxygen atoms of the anions and the xenon atom of the cation, with the Xe...F/O contacts occurring opposite the axial fluorine and from beneath the equatorial XeF(4)-planes of the XeF(5)(+) and Xe(2)F(11)(+) cations so as to avoid the free valence electron lone pairs of the xenon atoms. The xenon atoms of [XeF(5)][mu-F(OsO(3)F(2))(2)] and [Xe(2)F(11)][OsO(3)F(3)] are nine-coordinate and the xenon atom of [XeF(5)][OsO(3)F(3)] is eight-coordinate. Quantum-chemical calculations at SVWN and B3LYP levels of theory were used to obtain the gas-phase geometries, vibrational frequencies, and NBO bond orders, valencies, and NPA charges of

  20. Energy levels of 4f3 in the Nd3+ free ion from emission spectra

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Wyart, Jean-Francois; Meftah, Ali; Bachelier, Annik; Sinzelle, Jocelyne; Tchang-Brillet, Wan-Ue Lydia; Champion, Norbert; Spector, Nissan; Sugar, Jack

    2006-01-01

    The emission spectrum of neodymium produced by vacuum spark sources was observed in the vacuum ultraviolet on two normal-incidence spectrographs. In an initial result, more than 550 lines have been identified as transitions from 85 4f 2 5d levels to 37 levels of the 4f 3 ground configuration in the free ion Nd 3+ . The levels 4f 34 F 3/2 and 4 I 11/2 , responsible for the well-known 1064 nm laser line, have respective positions of 11 698.57 ±0.1 cm -1 and 1897.07 ±0.1 cm -1 above the ground level 4 I 9/2 . The newly found levels of 4f 3 constitute the first isolated 4f N configuration (N > 2) and therefore enable checks of effective parameters that represent far configuration interaction. Slater parameters F k (4f, 4f) derived from Nd 3+ :LaCl 3 are 3% to 5% smaller than in the free ion. (letter to the editor)

  1. Formability of ABX3 (X=F,Cl,Br,I) halide perovskites

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Li Chonghea; Lu Xionggang; Ding Weizhong; Feng Liming; Gao Yonghui; Guo Ziming

    2008-01-01

    In this study a total of 186 complex halide systems were collected; the formabilities of ABX 3 (X = F, Cl, Br and I) halide perovskites were investigated using the empirical structure map, which was constructed by Goldschmidt's tolerance factor and the octahedral factor. A model for halide perovskite formability was built up. In this model obtained, for all 186 complex halides systems, only one system (CsF-MnF 2 ) without perovskite structure and six systems (RbF-PbF 2 , CsF- BeF 2 , KCl-FeCl 2 , TlI-MnI 2 , RbI-SnI 2 , TlI-PbI 2 ) with perovskite structure were wrongly classified, so its predicting accuracy reaches 96%. It is also indicated that both the tolerance factor and the octahedral factor are a necessary but not sufficient condition for ABX 3 halide perovskite formability, and a lowest limit of the octahedral factor exists for halide perovskite formation. This result is consistent with our previous report for ABO 3 oxide perovskite, and may be helpful to design novel halide materials with the perovskite structure. (orig.)

  2. Thermal analysis and phase diagrams of the LiF BiF3 e NaF BiF3 systems

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Nakamura, Gerson Hiroshi de Godoy

    2013-01-01

    Investigations of the binary systems LiF-BiF 3 and NaF-BiF 3 were performed with the objective of clarifying the thermal behavior and phase equilibria of these systems and their intermediary phases, an important requisite for high-quality crystal growth. Several samples in the entire range of compositions (0 to 100 mol% BiF 3 ) of both systems were subjected to experiments of differential thermal analysis (DTA) and thermogravimetry (TG), and also of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). A few specific compositions were selected for X-ray diffraction to supplement the experimental data. Due to the high vulnerability of BiF 3 to oxygen contamination, its volatility and propensity to destroy metal parts upon heating, it was necessary to determine the optimal conditions for thermal analysis before investigating the systems themselves. Phase relations in the system LiF-BiF 3 were completely clarified and a phase diagram was calculated and evaluated via the commercial software Factsage. The diagram itself consists in a simple peritectic system in which the only intermediary compound, LiBiF 4 , decomposes into LiF and a liquid phase. The NaF-BiF 3 system could not be completely elucidated and the phase relations in the NaF poor side (> 50% BiF 3 ) are still unknown. In the NaF rich side, however, the possible peritectoid decomposition of the compound NaBiF 4 was identified. In both systems X-ray diffraction yielded crystal structures discrepant with the literature for the intermediary phases, LiBiF 4 , NaBiF 4 and a solid solution of NaF and BiF 3 called I. The observed structures remain unknown and explanations for the discrepancies were proposed. (author)

  3. Structural, spectroscopic and cytotoxicity studies of TbF3@CeF3 and TbF3@CeF3@SiO2 nanocrystals

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Grzyb, Tomasz; Runowski, Marcin; Dąbrowska, Krystyna; Giersig, Michael; Lis, Stefan

    2013-01-01

    Terbium fluoride nanocrystals, covered by a shell, composed of cerium fluoride were synthesized by a co-precipitation method. Their complex structure was formed spontaneously during the synthesis. The surface of these core/shell nanocrystals was additionally modified by silica. The properties of TbF 3 @CeF 3 and TbF 3 @CeF 3 @SiO 2 nanocrystals, formed in this way, were investigated. Spectroscopic studies showed that the differences between these two groups of products resulted from the presence of the SiO 2 shell. X-ray diffraction patterns confirmed the trigonal crystal structure of TbF 3 @CeF 3 nanocrystals. High resolution transmission electron microscopy in connection with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy showed a complex structure of the formed nanocrystals. Crystallized as small discs, ‘the products’, with an average diameter around 10 nm, showed an increase in the concentration of Tb 3+ ions from surface to the core of nanocrystals. In addition to photo-physical analyses, cytotoxicity studies were performed on HSkMEC (Human Skin Microvascular Endothelial Cells) and B16F0 mouse melanoma cancer cells. The cytotoxicity of the nanomaterials was neutral for the investigated cells with no toxic or antiproliferative effect in the cell cultures, either for normal or for cancer cells. This fact makes the obtained nanocrystals good candidates for biological applications and further modifications of the SiO 2 shell.Graphical Abstract

  4. The Osmium(VIII) Oxofluoro Cations OsO(2)F(3)(+) and F(cis-OsO(2)F(3))(2)(+): Syntheses, Characterization by (19)F NMR Spectroscopy and Raman Spectroscopy, X-ray Crystal Structure of F(cis-OsO(2)F(3))(2)(+)Sb(2)F(11)(-), and Density Functional Theory Calculations of OsO(2)F(3)(+), ReO(2)F(3), and F(cis-OsO(2)F(3))(2)(+).

    Science.gov (United States)

    Casteel, William J.; Dixon, David A.; Mercier, Hélène P. A.; Schrobilgen, Gary J.

    1996-07-17

    Osmium dioxide tetrafluoride, cis-OsO(2)F(4), reacts with the strong fluoride ion acceptors AsF(5) and SbF(5) in anhydrous HF and SbF(5) solutions to form orange salts. Raman spectra are consistent with the formation of the fluorine-bridged diosmium cation F(cis-OsO(2)F(3))(2)(+), as the AsF(6)(-) and Sb(2)F(11)(-) salts, respectively. The (19)F NMR spectra of the salts in HF solution are exchange-averaged singlets occurring at higher frequency than those of the fluorine environments of cis-OsO(2)F(4). The F(cis-OsO(2)F(3))(2)(+)Sb(2)F(11)(-) salt crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Imma. At -107 degrees C, a = 12.838(3) Å, b = 10.667(2) Å, c = 11.323(2) Å, V = 1550.7(8) Å(3), and Z = 4. Refinement converged with R = 0.0469 [R(w) = 0.0500]. The crystal structure consists of discrete fluorine-bridged F(cis-OsO(2)F(3))(2)(+) and Sb(2)F(11)(-) ions in which the fluorine bridge of the F(cis-OsO(2)F(3))(2)(+) cation is trans to an oxygen atom (Os-O 1.676 Å) of each OsO(2)F(3) group. The angle at the bridge is 155.2(8) degrees with a bridging Os---F(b) distance of 2.086(3) Å. Two terminal fluorine atoms (Os-F 1.821 Å) are cis to the two oxygen atoms (Os-O 1.750 Å), and two terminal fluorine atoms of the OsO(2)F(3) group are trans to one another (1.813 Å). The OsO(2)F(3)(+) cation was characterized by (19)F NMR and by Raman spectroscopy in neat SbF(5) solution but was not isolable in the solid state. The NMR and Raman spectroscopic findings are consistent with a trigonal bipyramidal cation in which the oxygen atoms and a fluorine atom occupy the equatorial plane and two fluorine atoms are in axial positions. Density functional theory calculations show that the crystallographic structure of F(cis-OsO(2)F(3))(2)(+) is the energy-minimized structure and the energy-minimized structures of the OsO(2)F(3)(+) cation and ReO(2)F(3) are trigonal bipyramidal having C(2)(v)() point symmetry. Attempts to prepare the OsOF(5)(+) cation by oxidative fluorination of cis

  5. Determination of dissociation enthalpies of KPbF3, RbPbF3, CsPbF3 complex molecules

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Boltalin, A.I.; Rykov, A.N.; Korenev, Yu.M.

    1990-01-01

    Isomolecular reactions in MPbF 3(g) -BeF 2(g) systems where M=K, Rb, Cs are studied using Knudsen effusion technique with mass-spectral analysis of evaporation products. Enthalpy values of dissociation of MPbF 3 molecules per lead difluoride and alkali metal fluoride which are equal to 212.1±12.6 kJ/mol for CsPbF 3 are determined

  6. Phosphorylation in vitro of eukaryotic initiation factors IF-E2 and IF-E3 by protein kinases

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Issinger, O G; Benne, R; Hershey, J W

    1976-01-01

    Purified protein synthesis initiation factors IF-E2 and IF-E3 from rabbit reticulocytes were phosphorylated in vitro with protein kinases isolated from the same source. The highest levels of phosphorylation resulted from incubation of the factors with a cyclic nucleotide-independent protein kinase...

  7. Interaction of Arabidopsis Trihelix-Domain Transcription Factors VFP3 and VFP5 with Agrobacterium Virulence Protein VirF.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Elena García-Cano

    Full Text Available Agrobacterium is a natural genetic engineer of plants that exports several virulence proteins into host cells in order to take advantage of the cell machinery to facilitate transformation and support bacterial growth. One of these effectors is the F-box protein VirF, which presumably uses the host ubiquitin/proteasome system (UPS to uncoat the packaging proteins from the invading bacterial T-DNA. By analogy to several other bacterial effectors, VirF most likely has several functions in the host cell and, therefore, several interacting partners among host proteins. Here we identify one such interactor, an Arabidopsis trihelix-domain transcription factor VFP3, and further show that its very close homolog VFP5 also interacted with VirF. Interestingly, interactions of VirF with either VFP3 or VFP5 did not activate the host UPS, suggesting that VirF might play other UPS-independent roles in bacterial infection. To better understand the potential scope of VFP3 function, we used RNAi to reduce expression of the VFP3 gene. Transcriptome profiling of these VFP3-silenced plants using high-throughput cDNA sequencing (RNA-seq revealed that VFP3 substantially affected plant gene expression; specifically, 1,118 genes representing approximately 5% of all expressed genes were significantly either up- or down-regulated in the VFP3 RNAi line compared to wild-type Col-0 plants. Among the 507 up-regulated genes were genes implicated in the regulation of transcription, protein degradation, calcium signaling, and hormone metabolism, whereas the 611 down-regulated genes included those involved in redox regulation, light reactions of photosynthesis, and metabolism of lipids, amino acids, and cell wall. Overall, this pattern of changes in gene expression is characteristic of plants under stress. Thus, VFP3 likely plays an important role in controlling plant homeostasis.

  8. Interaction of Arabidopsis Trihelix-Domain Transcription Factors VFP3 and VFP5 with Agrobacterium Virulence Protein VirF

    Science.gov (United States)

    García-Cano, Elena; Magori, Shimpei; Sun, Qi; Ding, Zehong; Lazarowitz, Sondra G.; Citovsky, Vitaly

    2015-01-01

    Agrobacterium is a natural genetic engineer of plants that exports several virulence proteins into host cells in order to take advantage of the cell machinery to facilitate transformation and support bacterial growth. One of these effectors is the F-box protein VirF, which presumably uses the host ubiquitin/proteasome system (UPS) to uncoat the packaging proteins from the invading bacterial T-DNA. By analogy to several other bacterial effectors, VirF most likely has several functions in the host cell and, therefore, several interacting partners among host proteins. Here we identify one such interactor, an Arabidopsis trihelix-domain transcription factor VFP3, and further show that its very close homolog VFP5 also interacted with VirF. Interestingly, interactions of VirF with either VFP3 or VFP5 did not activate the host UPS, suggesting that VirF might play other UPS-independent roles in bacterial infection. To better understand the potential scope of VFP3 function, we used RNAi to reduce expression of the VFP3 gene. Transcriptome profiling of these VFP3-silenced plants using high-throughput cDNA sequencing (RNA-seq) revealed that VFP3 substantially affected plant gene expression; specifically, 1,118 genes representing approximately 5% of all expressed genes were significantly either up- or down-regulated in the VFP3 RNAi line compared to wild-type Col-0 plants. Among the 507 up-regulated genes were genes implicated in the regulation of transcription, protein degradation, calcium signaling, and hormone metabolism, whereas the 611 down-regulated genes included those involved in redox regulation, light reactions of photosynthesis, and metabolism of lipids, amino acids, and cell wall. Overall, this pattern of changes in gene expression is characteristic of plants under stress. Thus, VFP3 likely plays an important role in controlling plant homeostasis. PMID:26571494

  9. Dissociation of 5' proximal helical regions in messenger RNAs by eukaryotic initiation factors 4F, 4A, and 4B

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Thach, R.E.; Lawson, T.G.; Lee, K.A.; Abramson, R.D.; Merrick, W.C.

    1987-01-01

    Ray, et al. demonstrated that the susceptibility of mRNAs to cleavage by ribonucleases is greatly increased by eIF-4A and eIF-4F in an ATP-dependent reaction, and that this reaction is enhanced by the presence of eIF-4B. They now report direct evidence for the dissociation of helical regions at the 5' ends of mRNAs by these factors. Helices were generated at the 5' ends of reovirus and rabbit globin mRNAs by hybridizing to them 32 P-labeled cDNA pentadecamers. The dissociation of the cDNAs from the mRNAs was monitored by Sephadex gel filtration. Addition of eIF-4F to hybrids caused the dissociation of small amounts of cDNAs, and this dissociation required ATP. Addition of eIF-4B stimulated this activity. Neither eIF-4B nor eIF-4A alone caused significant ATP-dependent dissociation, but they did so in combination. Interestingly, cDNAs that were hybridized to 5' distal regions were dissociated with efficiencies and rates similar to those of 5' proximal cDNAs. The presence of unlabelled cDNAs hybridized 5' proximally did not affect distal cDNA dissociation. These results confirm the earlier suggestion that eIF-4A, eIF-4B and eIF-4F play important roles in the disruption of mRNA secondary structure during initiation

  10. INITIATION EFFICIENCY f OF METHYL METHACRYLATE BULK RADICAL POLYMERIZATION

    Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (English)

    沈家骢; 田元; 王国斌; 杨梅林

    1990-01-01

    The values of the initiation efficiency f at various conversions in the bulk polymerization of MMA initiated by AIBME have first been determined according to a strict unsteady-state formula and based on the data of radical concentration and the termination rate constant determined using ESR method. A model of diffusion control initiation is proposed. The theory is well in agreement with the experiments during the whole process of polymerization.

  11. Ionic Conductivity of the Perovskites, NaMgF3MgF3 and KZnF3 at High Temperatures

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Andersen, N. H.; Kjems, Jørgen; Hayes, W.

    1985-01-01

    We have carried out a study of the ionic conductivity of NaMgF3, KMgF3 and KZnF3 up to temperatures close to the melting point. Our results, in contrast to previous reports in the literature, show no abnormal ionic conductivity at high temperatures. Care in interpretation of results is required...... because of surface electronic conduction....

  12. Superconductivity of Hg3NbF6 and Hg3TaF6

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Datars, W.R.; Morgan, K.R.; Gillespie, R.J.

    1983-01-01

    Low-temperature ac susceptibility measurements show that two new metallic compounds, Hg 3 TaF 6 and Hg 3 NbF 6 , are superconductors with a critical temperature of 7.0 K. Critical fields are 20% higher in Hg 3 TaF 6 but the temperature dependence of the critical field of the compounds is very similar down to 1.35 K. The critical field extrapolated to T = 0 K is 0.17 T for Hg 3 TaF 6 and 0.13 T for Hg 3 NbF 6

  13. Controllable synthesis and crystal structure determined upconversion luminescence properties of Tm{sup 3+} (Er{sup 3+}) ions doped YbF{sub 3} and NaYbF{sub 4} crystals

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Jiang, Tao [Institute of Photonics, Faculty of Science, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211 (China); Qin, Weiping, E-mail: wpqin@jlu.edu.cn [State Key Laboratory on Integrated Optoelectronics, College of Electronic Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130012 (China); Zhou, Jun [Institute of Photonics, Faculty of Science, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211 (China)

    2014-04-01

    Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • The synthesis of YbF{sub 3} and NaYbF{sub 4} crystals was successfully fulfilled by hydrothermal method. • The phase and morphology of products were adjusted by changing the hydrothermal conditions. • Relatively enhanced ultraviolet upconversion emissions were observed in YbF{sub 3} nanocrystals. • The crystalline phase impact on the upconversion luminescence was systematically studied. - Abstract: The synthesis of YbF{sub 3} and NaYbF{sub 4} crystals was successfully fulfilled by a facial hydrothermal method. The phase and morphology of the products were adjusted by changing the surfactant additive and fluorine source and tuning the pH value of the initial solution. The products with various morphologies range from octahedral nanoparticles, corn-like nanobundles, nanospheres, microrods, and hollow microprisms were prepared at different conditions. The growth mechanism of these products has been systematically studied. Impressively, relatively enhanced high order ultraviolet (UV) upconversion (UC) luminescence was observed in Tm{sup 3+} (Er{sup 3+}) ions doped YbF{sub 3} nanocrystals (NCs) compared with NaYbF{sub 4} microcrystals under the excitation of 980 nm infrared laser. The investigation results reveal that the crystal symmetry of matrix has significant effect on the spectra and lifetimes of the doping lanthanide ions. The simply synthesized water soluble YbF{sub 3} NCs with efficient UV UC luminescence may find potential application in biochemistry.

  14. Quantitative PET Imaging of Tissue Factor Expression Using 18F-labled Active Site Inhibited Factor VII

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Nielsen, Carsten H; Erlandsson, Maria; Jeppesen, Troels E

    2016-01-01

    Tissue factor (TF) is up regulated in many solid tumors and its expression is linked to tumor angiogenesis, invasion, metastasis and prognosis. A non-invasive assessment of tumor TF expression status is therefore of obvious clinical relevance. Factor VII (FVII) is the natural ligand to TF. Here we...... report the development of a new PET tracer for specific imaging of TF using an (18)F-labeled derivative of FVII. METHODS: Active site inhibited factor VIIa (FVIIai) was obtained by inactivation with phenylalanine-phenylalanine-arginine-chloromethyl ketone. FVIIai was radiolabeled with N-succinimidyl 4......-[(18)F]-fluorobenzoate ([(18)F]SFB) and purified. The corresponding product, [(18)F]FVIIai, was injected into nude mice with subcutaneous human pancreatic xenograft tumors (BxPC-3) and investigated using small animal PET/CT imaging 1, 2 and 4 hours after injection. Ex vivo biodistribution was performed...

  15. Structural, spectroscopic and cytotoxicity studies of TbF{sub 3}@CeF{sub 3} and TbF{sub 3}@CeF{sub 3}@SiO{sub 2} nanocrystals

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Grzyb, Tomasz; Runowski, Marcin [Adam Mickiewicz University, Department of Rare Earths, Faculty of Chemistry (Poland); Dabrowska, Krystyna [Polish Academy of Sciences, Bacteriophage Laboratory, Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy (Poland); Giersig, Michael; Lis, Stefan, E-mail: blis@amu.edu.pl [Adam Mickiewicz University, Department of Rare Earths, Faculty of Chemistry (Poland)

    2013-10-15

    Terbium fluoride nanocrystals, covered by a shell, composed of cerium fluoride were synthesized by a co-precipitation method. Their complex structure was formed spontaneously during the synthesis. The surface of these core/shell nanocrystals was additionally modified by silica. The properties of TbF{sub 3}@CeF{sub 3} and TbF{sub 3}@CeF{sub 3}@SiO{sub 2} nanocrystals, formed in this way, were investigated. Spectroscopic studies showed that the differences between these two groups of products resulted from the presence of the SiO{sub 2} shell. X-ray diffraction patterns confirmed the trigonal crystal structure of TbF{sub 3}@CeF{sub 3} nanocrystals. High resolution transmission electron microscopy in connection with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy showed a complex structure of the formed nanocrystals. Crystallized as small discs, 'the products', with an average diameter around 10 nm, showed an increase in the concentration of Tb{sup 3+} ions from surface to the core of nanocrystals. In addition to photo-physical analyses, cytotoxicity studies were performed on HSkMEC (Human Skin Microvascular Endothelial Cells) and B16F0 mouse melanoma cancer cells. The cytotoxicity of the nanomaterials was neutral for the investigated cells with no toxic or antiproliferative effect in the cell cultures, either for normal or for cancer cells. This fact makes the obtained nanocrystals good candidates for biological applications and further modifications of the SiO{sub 2} shell.Graphical Abstract.

  16. Quantitative PET Imaging of Tissue Factor Expression Using 18F-Labeled Active Site-Inhibited Factor VII.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Nielsen, Carsten H; Erlandsson, Maria; Jeppesen, Troels E; Jensen, Mette M; Kristensen, Lotte K; Madsen, Jacob; Petersen, Lars C; Kjaer, Andreas

    2016-01-01

    Tissue factor (TF) is upregulated in many solid tumors, and its expression is linked to tumor angiogenesis, invasion, metastasis, and prognosis. A noninvasive assessment of tumor TF expression status is therefore of obvious clinical relevance. Factor VII is the natural ligand to TF. Here we report the development of a new PET tracer for specific imaging of TF using an (18)F-labeled derivative of factor VII. Active site-inhibited factor VIIa (FVIIai) was obtained by inactivation with phenylalanine-phenylalanine-arginine-chloromethyl ketone. FVIIai was radiolabeled with N-succinimidyl 4-(18)F-fluorobenzoate and purified. The corresponding product, (18)F-FVIIai, was injected into nude mice with subcutaneous human pancreatic xenograft tumors (BxPC-3) and investigated using small-animal PET/CT imaging 1, 2, and 4 h after injection. Ex vivo biodistribution was performed after the last imaging session, and tumor tissue was preserved for molecular analysis. A blocking experiment was performed in a second set of mice. The expression pattern of TF in the tumors was visualized by immunohistochemistry and the amount of TF in tumor homogenates was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and correlated with the uptake of (18)F-FVIIai in the tumors measured in vivo by PET imaging. The PET images showed high uptake of (18)F-FVIIai in the tumor regions, with a mean uptake of 2.5 ± 0.3 percentage injected dose per gram (%ID/g) (mean ± SEM) 4 h after injection of 7.3-9.3 MBq of (18)F-FVIIai and with an average maximum uptake in the tumors of 7.1 ± 0.7 %ID/g at 4 h. In comparison, the muscle uptake was 0.2 ± 0.01 %ID/g at 4 h. At 4 h, the tumors had the highest uptake of any organ. Blocking with FVIIai significantly reduced the uptake of (18)F-FVIIai from 2.9 ± 0.1 to 1.4 ± 0.1 %ID/g (P < 0.001). The uptake of (18)F-FVIIai measured in vivo by PET imaging correlated (r = 0.72, P < 0.02) with TF protein level measured ex vivo. (18)F-FVIIai is a promising PET tracer for

  17. Reactions UF{sub 4} - ClF, UF{sub 4} - ClF{sub 3}, UF{sub 5} - ClF, UF{sub 5} - ClF{sub 3}; Reactions UF{sub 4} - ClF, UF{sub 4} - ClF{sub 3}, UF{sub 5} - ClF, UF{sub 5} - ClF{sub 3}

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Luce, M; Benoit, R; Hartmanshenn, O [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

    1968-07-01

    The reaction between ClF{sub 3} and UF{sub 4} is partially explained by the study of the reactions of the three systems: UF{sub 4}-ClF, UF{sub 5}-ClF and UF{sub 5}-ClF{sub 3}. The analytical techniques used are: the micro-sublimation, the infra-red spectroscopy and the thermogravimetry. The origin of the by-products is indicated. (authors) [French] La reaction entre ClF{sub 3} et UF{sub 4} est partiellement expliquee grace a l'etude des reactions des trois systemes UF{sub 4}-ClF, UF{sub 5}-ClF et UF{sub 5}-ClF{sub 3}. Les techniques analytiques utilisees sont: la micro-sublimation, la spectroscopie infrarouge et la thermogravimetrie. L'origine des sous-produits est indiquee. (auteurs)

  18. THE RISK FACTORS FOR INITIAL REPRODUCTIVE LOSS

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Екатерина Игоревна Лебедева

    2017-09-01

    Conclusion. Mixed somatic and gynecological pathology, abnormalities in hemostasis, combination of inherited and acquired thrombogenic risk factors dominates in women with initial reproductive loss, though only 37,3 % such pregnancies have favorable outcome.

  19. Cellular basis of the immunohematologic defects observed in short-term semiallogeneic B6C3F1→C3H chimeras: evidence for host-versus-graft reaction initiated by radioresistant T cells

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Aizawa, S.; Sado, T.; Kamisaku, H.; Kubo, E.

    1980-01-01

    Lethally irradiated C3Hf mice reconstituted with a relatively low dose (2 x 10 6 ) of B6C3F 1 bone marrow cells (B6C3F 1 →C3Hf chimeras) frequently manifest immunohematologic deficiencies during the first month following injection of bone marrow cells. They show slow recovery of antibody-forming potential to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) as compared to that observed in syngeneic (C3Hf→C3Hf or B6C3F 1 →B6C3F 1 ) chimeras. They also show a deficiency of B-cell activity as assessed by antibody response to SRBC following further reconstitution with B6C3F 1 -derived thymus cells 1 week after injection of bone marrow cells. A significant fraction of B6C3F 1 →C3Hf chimeras was shown to manifest a sudden loss of cellularity of spleens during the second week following injection of bone marrow cells even though cellularity was restored to the normal level within 1 week. The splenic mononuclear cells recovered from such chimeras almost invariably showed strong cytotoxicity against target cells expressing donor-type specific H-2 antigens (H-2/sup b/) when assesed by 51 Cr-release assay in vitro. The effector cells responsible for the observed anti-donor specific cytotoxicity were shown to be residual host-derived T cells. These results indicate strongly that residual host T cells could develop anti-donor specific cytotoxicity even after exposure to a supralethal dose (1050 R) of radiation and that the immunohematologic disturbances observed in shortterm F 1 to parent bone marrow chimeras (B6C3F 1 →C3Hf) were due to host-versus-graft reaction (HVGR) initiated by residual host T cells. The implication of these findings on the radiobiological nature of the residual T cells and the persistence of potentially anti-donor reactive T-cell clones in long-surviving allogeneic bone marrow chimeras was discussed

  20. Virulence factor NSs of rift valley fever virus recruits the F-box protein FBXO3 to degrade subunit p62 of general transcription factor TFIIH.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Kainulainen, Markus; Habjan, Matthias; Hubel, Philipp; Busch, Laura; Lau, Simone; Colinge, Jacques; Superti-Furga, Giulio; Pichlmair, Andreas; Weber, Friedemann

    2014-03-01

    The nonstructural protein NSs is the main virulence factor of Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV; family Bunyaviridae, genus Phlebovirus), a serious pathogen of livestock and humans in Africa. RVFV NSs blocks transcriptional upregulation of antiviral type I interferons (IFN) and destroys the general transcription factor TFIIH subunit p62 via the ubiquitin/proteasome pathway. Here, we identified a subunit of E3 ubiquitin ligases, F-box protein FBXO3, as a host cell interactor of NSs. Small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated depletion of FBXO3 rescued p62 protein levels in RVFV-infected cells and elevated IFN transcription by 1 order of magnitude. NSs interacts with the full-length FBXO3 protein as well as with a truncated isoform that lacks the C-terminal acidic and poly(R)-rich domains. These isoforms are present in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm. NSs exclusively removes the nuclear pool of full-length FBXO3, likely due to consumption during the degradation process. F-box proteins form the variable substrate recognition subunit of the so-called SCF ubiquitin ligases, which also contain the constant components Skp1, cullin 1 (or cullin 7), and Rbx1. siRNA knockdown of Skp1 also protected p62 from degradation, suggesting involvement in NSs action. However, knockdown of cullin 1, cullin 7, or Rbx1 could not rescue p62 degradation by NSs. Our data show that the enzymatic removal of p62 via the host cell factor FBXO3 is a major mechanism of IFN suppression by RVFV. Rift Valley fever virus is a serious emerging pathogen of animals and humans. Its main virulence factor, NSs, enables unhindered virus replication by suppressing the antiviral innate immune system. We identified the E3 ubiquitin ligase FBXO3 as a novel host cell interactor of NSs. NSs recruits FBXO3 to destroy the general host cell transcription factor TFIIH-p62, resulting in suppression of the transcriptional upregulation of innate immunity.

  1. The translation initiation factor 3 subunit eIF3K interacts with PML and associates with PML nuclear bodies

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Salsman, Jayme; Pinder, Jordan; Tse, Brenda [Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, P.O. Box 15000, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 4R2 (Canada); Corkery, Dale [Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia (Canada); Dellaire, Graham, E-mail: dellaire@dal.ca [Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, P.O. Box 15000, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 4R2 (Canada); Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia (Canada)

    2013-10-15

    The promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML) is a tumor suppressor protein that regulates a variety of important cellular processes, including gene expression, DNA repair and cell fate decisions. Integral to its function is the ability of PML to form nuclear bodies (NBs) that serve as hubs for the interaction and modification of over 90 cellular proteins. There are seven canonical isoforms of PML, which encode diverse C-termini generated by alternative pre-mRNA splicing. Recruitment of specific cellular proteins to PML NBs is mediated by protein–protein interactions with individual PML isoforms. Using a yeast two-hybrid screen employing peptide sequences unique to PML isoform I (PML-I), we identified an interaction with the eukaryotic initiation factor 3 subunit K (eIF3K), and in the process identified a novel eIF3K isoform, which we term eIF3K-2. We further demonstrate that eIF3K and PML interact both in vitro via pull-down assays, as well as in vivo within human cells by co-immunoprecipitation and co-immunofluorescence. In addition, eIF3K isoform 2 (eIF3K-2) colocalizes to PML bodies, particularly those enriched in PML-I, while eIF3K isoform 1 associates poorly with PML NBs. Thus, we report eIF3K as the first known subunit of the eIF3 translation pre-initiation complex to interact directly with the PML protein, and provide data implicating alternative splicing of both PML and eIF3K as a possible regulatory mechanism for eIF3K localization at PML NBs. - Highlights: • The PML-I C-terminus, encoded by exon 9, interacts with translation factor eIF3K. • We identify a novel eIF3K isoform that excludes exon 2 (eIF3K-2). • eIF3K-2 preferentially associates with PML bodies enriched in PML-I vs. PML-IV. • Alternative splicing of eIF3K regulates association with PML bodies.

  2. Dosage-dependent copy number gains in E2f1 and E2f3 drive hepatocellular carcinoma.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Kent, Lindsey N; Bae, Sooin; Tsai, Shih-Yin; Tang, Xing; Srivastava, Arunima; Koivisto, Christopher; Martin, Chelsea K; Ridolfi, Elisa; Miller, Grace C; Zorko, Sarah M; Plevris, Emilia; Hadjiyannis, Yannis; Perez, Miguel; Nolan, Eric; Kladney, Raleigh; Westendorp, Bart; de Bruin, Alain; Fernandez, Soledad; Rosol, Thomas J; Pohar, Kamal S; Pipas, James M; Leone, Gustavo

    2017-03-01

    Disruption of the retinoblastoma (RB) tumor suppressor pathway, either through genetic mutation of upstream regulatory components or mutation of RB1 itself, is believed to be a required event in cancer. However, genetic alterations in the RB-regulated E2F family of transcription factors are infrequent, casting doubt on a direct role for E2Fs in driving cancer. In this work, a mutation analysis of human cancer revealed subtle but impactful copy number gains in E2F1 and E2F3 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Using a series of loss- and gain-of-function alleles to dial E2F transcriptional output, we have shown that copy number gains in E2f1 or E2f3b resulted in dosage-dependent spontaneous HCC in mice without the involvement of additional organs. Conversely, germ-line loss of E2f1 or E2f3b, but not E2f3a, protected mice against HCC. Combinatorial mapping of chromatin occupancy and transcriptome profiling identified an E2F1- and E2F3B-driven transcriptional program that was associated with development and progression of HCC. These findings demonstrate a direct and cell-autonomous role for E2F activators in human cancer.

  3. Regulated production and anti-HIV type 1 activities of cytidine deaminases APOBEC3B, 3F, and 3G.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Rose, Kristine M; Marin, Mariana; Kozak, Susan L; Kabat, David

    2005-07-01

    APOBEC3G and 3F (A3G and A3F) cytidine deaminases incorporate into retroviral cores where they lethally hypermutate nascent DNA reverse transcripts. As substantiated here, the viral infectivity factor (Vif) encoded by human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) binds A3G and A3F and induces their degradation, thereby precluding their incorporation into viral progeny. Previous evidence suggested that A3G is expressed in H9 and other nonpermissive cells that contain this antiviral defense but not in several permissive cells, and that overexpression of A3G or A3F makes permissive cells nonpermissive. Using a broader panel of cell lines, we confirmed a correlation between A3G and cellular abilities to inactivate HIV-1(Deltavif). However, there was a quantitative discrepancy because several cells with weak antiviral activities had similar amounts of wild-type A3G mRNA and protein compared to H9 cells. Antiviral activity of H9 cells was also attenuated in some conditions. These quantitative discrepancies could not be explained by the presence of A3F or other A3G paralogs in some of the cell lines. Thus, A3A, A3B, and A3C had weak but significant anti-HIV-1 activities and did not dominantly interfere with A3G or A3F antiviral functions. Control of A3G synthesis by the protein kinase C/mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway was also similar in permissive and nonpermissive cells. A3G in highly permissive cells is degraded by Vif, suggesting that it is not in a sequestered site, and is specifically incorporated in low amounts into HIV-1(Deltavif). Although A3G and/or A3F inactivate HIV-1(Deltavif) and are neutralized by Vif, the antiviral properties of cell lines are also influenced by other cellular and viral factors.

  4. Regulation of eukaryotic initiation factor 4AII by MyoD during murine myogenic cell differentiation.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Gabriela Galicia-Vázquez

    Full Text Available Gene expression during muscle cell differentiation is tightly regulated at multiple levels, including translation initiation. The PI3K/mTOR signalling pathway exerts control over protein synthesis by regulating assembly of eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF 4F, a heterotrimeric complex that stimulates recruitment of ribosomes to mRNA templates. One of the subunits of eIF4F, eIF4A, supplies essential helicase function during this phase of translation. The presence of two cellular eIF4A isoforms, eIF4AI and eIF4AII, has long thought to impart equivalent functions to eIF4F. However, recent experiments have alluded to distinct activities between them. Herein, we characterize distinct regulatory mechanisms between the eIF4A isoforms during muscle cell differentiation. We find that eIF4AI levels decrease during differentiation whereas eIF4AII levels increase during myofiber formation in a MyoD-dependent manner. This study characterizes a previously undefined mechanism for eIF4AII regulation in differentiation and highlights functional differences between eIF4AI and eIF4AII. Finally, RNAi-mediated alterations in eIF4AI and eIF4AII levels indicate that the myogenic process can tolerate short term reductions in eIF4AI or eIF4AII levels, but not both.

  5. Relative recoilless F-factors in REFeO{sub 3} (RE = rare-earth La, Pr, Nd and Sm) orthoferrites synthesized by self-combustion method

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Morales, L.A; Sierra-Gallego, G. [Departamento de Materiales y Minerales, Facultad de Minas, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Calle 75 # 79A-51, Bloque M17, Medellín (Colombia); Barrero, C.A. [Grupo de Estado Sólido, Instituto de Física, Universidad de Antioquia, Calle 70 No. 52-21, A.A. 1226, Medellín (Colombia); Arnache, O., E-mail: oscar.arnache@udea.edu.co [Grupo de Estado Sólido, Instituto de Física, Universidad de Antioquia, Calle 70 No. 52-21, A.A. 1226, Medellín (Colombia)

    2016-09-15

    Highlights: • Rare-earth orthoferrites were successfully synthesized by the self-combustion method. • The relative recoilless F-factors for REFeO{sub 3} with respect to α-Fe were calculated. • Magnetic hyperfine fields, cell volumes and Fe−O−Fe bond angles are correlated. - Abstract: In this work, rare-earth orthoferrites polycrystalline compounds REFeO{sub 3} (REFO) with RE = rare-earth La, Pr, Nd and Sm were synthesized by the self-combustion method. A direct correlation between the magnitude of the magnetic hyperfine field and the Fe−O{sub 1}−Fe bond angles was observed. From transmission Mössbauer spectra recorded at room-temperature, relative recoilless F-factors for these REFO compounds were estimated. The method applied to perform this calculation was based on the determination of two subspectral areas present in a mixture of known amounts of the compound under study and a standard sample (α-Fe). For that purpose spectra were thickness-corrected and fitted using lorentzian lines. The so obtained factors were F-{sub REFeO3} (RE = rare-earth La, Pr, Nd and Sm): 1.30 ± 0.02, 1.08 ± 0.04, 1.15 ± 0.05, 1.18 ± 0.08 respectively. The absolute recoilless factors obtained by this method had an average relative error around 11% in comparison with the values predicted by the Debye model.

  6. Linc-POU3F3 is overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma and regulates cell proliferation, migration and invasion.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Li, Yichun; Li, Yannan; Wang, Dan; Meng, Qingdong

    2018-06-12

    Linc-POU3F3 showed an up-regulated tendency and functioned as tumor promoter in glioma, esophageal cancer and colorectal cancer. There was no report about the expression pattern and clinical value of linc-POU3F3 in hepatocellular carcinoma. Thus, the purpose of our study is to explore the clinical significance and biological role of linc-POU3F3 in hepatocellular carcinoma. Our results suggested that levels of linc-POU3F3 were dramatically increased in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues and cell lines compared with paired normal hepatic tissues and normal hepatic cell line, respectively. Levels of linc-POU3F3 were positively correlated with clinical stage, tumor size, vascular invasion and metastasis. Moreover, high-expression of linc-POU3F3 was an independent prognostic factor for hepatocellular carcinoma patients. The gain- and loss-of-function experiments showed that linc-POU3F3 expression significantly promoted tumor cell proliferation, migration and invasion. In addition, linc-POU3F3 expression was negatively correlated with POU3F3 mRNA and protein expressions in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues, and negatively regulated POU3F3 mRNA and protein expressions in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. In conclusion, our study supports the first evidence that linc-POU3F3 plays an oncogenic role in hepatocellular carcinoma, and represents a potential therapeutic strategy for hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

  7. 49 CFR 192.111 - Design factor (F) for steel pipe.

    Science.gov (United States)

    2010-10-01

    ... NATURAL AND OTHER GAS BY PIPELINE: MINIMUM FEDERAL SAFETY STANDARDS Pipe Design § 192.111 Design factor (F... street, or a railroad; (3) Is supported by a vehicular, pedestrian, railroad, or pipeline bridge; or (4...

  8. Surface morphology and interdiffusion of LiF in Alq3-based organic light-emitting devices.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Lee, Young Joo; Li, Xiaolong; Kang, Da-Yeon; Park, Seong-Sik; Kim, Jinwoo; Choi, Jeong-Woo; Kim, Hyunjung

    2008-09-01

    Highly efficient organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs) have been realized by insertion of a thin insulating lithium fluoride (LiF) layer between aluminum (Al) cathode and an electron transport layer, tris-(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum (Alq(3)). In this paper, we study the surface morphology of LiF on Alq(3) by synchrotron X-ray scattering and atomic force microscopy (AFM) as a function of thickness of LiF. We also study the interdiffusion of LiF into Al cathode as well as into Alq(3) layer as a function of temperature. Initially, LiF molecules are distributed randomly as clusters on the Alq(3) layer and then gradually form a layer as increasing LiF thickness. The interdiffusion of LiF into Al occurs more actively than into Alq(3) in annealing process. LiF on Alq(3) induces the ordering of Al to (111) direction strongly with increasing LiF thickness.

  9. The phase diagrams of KCaF3 and NaMgF3 by ab initio simulations

    Science.gov (United States)

    Jakymiw, Clément; Vočadlo, Lidunka; Dobson, David P.; Bailey, Edward; Thomson, Andrew R.; Brodholt, John P.; Wood, Ian G.; Lindsay-Scott, Alex

    2018-04-01

    ABF3 compounds have been found to make valuable low-pressure analogues for high-pressure silicate phases that are present in the Earth's deep interior and that may also occur in the interiors of exoplanets. The phase diagrams of two of these materials, KCaF3 and NaMgF3, have been investigated in detail by static ab initio computer simulations based on density functional theory. Six ABF3 polymorphs were considered, as follows: the orthorhombic perovskite structure (GdFeO3-type; space group Pbnm); the orthorhombic CaIrO3 structure ( Cmcm; commonly referred to as the "post-perovskite" structure); the orthorhombic Sb2S3 and La2S3 structures (both Pmcn); the hexagonal structure previously suggested in computer simulations of NaMgF3 ( P63/ mmc); the monoclinic structure found to be intermediate between the perovskite and CaIrO3 structures in CaRhO3 ( P21/ m). Volumetric and axial equations of state of all phases considered are presented. For KCaF3, as expected, the perovskite phase is shown to be the most thermodynamically stable at atmospheric pressure. With increasing pressure, the relative stability of the KCaF3 phases then follows the sequence: perovskite → La2S3 structure → Sb2S3 structure → P63/ mmc structure; the CaIrO3 structure is never the most stable form. Above about 2.6 GPa, however, none of the KCaF3 polymorphs are stable with respect to dissociation into KF and CaF2. The possibility that high-pressure KCaF3 polymorphs might exist metastably at 300 K, or might be stabilised by chemical substitution so as to occur within the standard operating range of a multi-anvil press, is briefly discussed. For NaMgF3, the transitions to the high-pressure phases occur at pressures outside the normal range of a multi-anvil press. Two different sequences of transitions had previously been suggested from computer simulations. With increasing pressure, we find that the relative stability of the NaMgF3 phases follows the sequence: perovskite → CaIrO3 structure → Sb2

  10. TcoF-DB v2: update of the database of human and mouse transcription co-factors and transcription factor interactions

    KAUST Repository

    Schmeier, Sebastian; Alam, Tanvir; Essack, Magbubah; Bajic, Vladimir B.

    2016-01-01

    Transcription factors (TFs) play a pivotal role in transcriptional regulation, making them crucial for cell survival and important biological functions. For the regulation of transcription, interactions of different regulatory proteins known as transcription co-factors (TcoFs) and TFs are essential in forming necessary protein complexes. Although TcoFs themselves do not bind DNA directly, their influence on transcriptional regulation and initiation, although indirect, has been shown to be significant, with the functionality of TFs strongly influenced by the presence of TcoFs. In the TcoF-DB v2 database, we collect information on TcoFs. In this article, we describe updates and improvements implemented in TcoF-DB v2. TcoF-DB v2 provides several new features that enables exploration of the roles of TcoFs. The content of the database has significantly expanded, and is enriched with information from Gene Ontology, biological pathways, diseases and molecular signatures. TcoF-DB v2 now includes many more TFs; has substantially increased the number of human TcoFs to 958, and now includes information on mouse (418 new TcoFs). TcoF-DB v2 enables the exploration of information on TcoFs and allows investigations into their influence on transcriptional regulation in humans and mice. TcoF-DB v2 can be accessed at http://tcofdb.org/.

  11. TcoF-DB v2: update of the database of human and mouse transcription co-factors and transcription factor interactions

    KAUST Repository

    Schmeier, Sebastian

    2016-10-17

    Transcription factors (TFs) play a pivotal role in transcriptional regulation, making them crucial for cell survival and important biological functions. For the regulation of transcription, interactions of different regulatory proteins known as transcription co-factors (TcoFs) and TFs are essential in forming necessary protein complexes. Although TcoFs themselves do not bind DNA directly, their influence on transcriptional regulation and initiation, although indirect, has been shown to be significant, with the functionality of TFs strongly influenced by the presence of TcoFs. In the TcoF-DB v2 database, we collect information on TcoFs. In this article, we describe updates and improvements implemented in TcoF-DB v2. TcoF-DB v2 provides several new features that enables exploration of the roles of TcoFs. The content of the database has significantly expanded, and is enriched with information from Gene Ontology, biological pathways, diseases and molecular signatures. TcoF-DB v2 now includes many more TFs; has substantially increased the number of human TcoFs to 958, and now includes information on mouse (418 new TcoFs). TcoF-DB v2 enables the exploration of information on TcoFs and allows investigations into their influence on transcriptional regulation in humans and mice. TcoF-DB v2 can be accessed at http://tcofdb.org/.

  12. Glass formation in RbF-BeF2-ErF3 system

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Reshetnikova, L.P.; Topshinoev, A.P.; Zakharova, B.S.; Sipachev, V.A.

    1987-01-01

    IR spectroscopic method (200-2000 cm -1 ) is used to study the glass structure in RbF-BeF 2 -ErF 3 system. It is shown that with increase of erbium fluoride content in fluoroberyllate glasses the absorption bands characteristic of (BeF 3 ) n n- groupings, appear in spectra. DTA and X-ray diffraction analysis of the glass annealing products are used to study the glass crystallization process. It is stated that erbium fluoride introduction into the glass results in increase of crystallization stability. The glass structure model is suggested

  13. Interaction of the RNP1 motif in PRT1 with HCR1 promotes 40S binding of eukaryotic initiation factor 3 in yeast

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Nielsen, Klaus H; Valásek, Leos; Sykes, Caroah

    2006-01-01

    We found that mutating the RNP1 motif in the predicted RRM domain in yeast eukaryotic initiation factor 3 (eIF3) subunit b/PRT1 (prt1-rnp1) impairs its direct interactions in vitro with both eIF3a/TIF32 and eIF3j/HCR1. The rnp1 mutation in PRT1 confers temperature-sensitive translation initiation...

  14. Constraint propagation equations of the 3+1 decomposition of f(R) gravity

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Paschalidis, Vasileios; Shapiro, Stuart L; Halataei, Seyyed M H; Sawicki, Ignacy

    2011-01-01

    Theories of gravity other than general relativity (GR) can explain the observed cosmic acceleration without a cosmological constant. One such class of theories of gravity is f(R). Metric f(R) theories have been proven to be equivalent to Brans-Dicke (BD) scalar-tensor gravity without a kinetic term (ω = 0). Using this equivalence and a 3+1 decomposition of the theory, it has been shown that metric f(R) gravity admits a well-posed initial value problem. However, it has not been proven that the 3+1 evolution equations of metric f(R) gravity preserve the (Hamiltonian and momentum) constraints. In this paper, we show that this is indeed the case. In addition, we show that the mathematical form of the constraint propagation equations in BD-equilavent f(R) gravity and in f(R) gravity in both the Jordan and Einstein frames is exactly the same as in the standard ADM 3+1 decomposition of GR. Finally, we point out that current numerical relativity codes can incorporate the 3+1 evolution equations of metric f(R) gravity by modifying the stress-energy tensor and adding an additional scalar field evolution equation. We hope that this work will serve as a starting point for relativists to develop fully dynamical codes for valid f(R) models.

  15. Synthesis and characterization of KY3F10 and KY3F10:Yb:Nd:Tm crystals for optical applications

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Linhares, Horacio Marconi da Silva Dantas

    2009-01-01

    In this work, crystals of KY 3 F 10 pure and doped with Yb, Nd and Tm were grown aiming at the attainment of blue emission via Tm 3+ ions up conversion. It was established the best conditions to synthesis and purification of KY 3 F 10 . Crystals doped with 1.3 mol% Nd, 0.5 mol% Tm and some concentrations of Yb (5, 10, 20, 30 and 40 mol%) were obtained by slow cooling of the charge from the melt, using an usual conventional synthesis system and in a reactive HF atmosphere. It was taken into account parameters as cooling rate and different configurations of boats to conditioning the materials. The limit of Yb concentration to obtain a unique cubic phase was determined as 30mol%, for the cooling rates used in this work. The physical and chemical characterizations of the samples were performed by X-ray diffraction, differential thermal analysis, inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), scanning electron microscopy, optical absorption and emission. An initial spectroscopic study was performed to verify the effect of the Yb 3+ concentration regarding the blue emission efficiency in the KY 3 F 10 :Yb:Nd:Tm. When the Nd 3+ is pumped at 797 nm, it was determined that the suitable Yb concentrations are between 10 and 20 mol% to obtain blue emission at 480 nm, and between 20 and 30 mol% to obtain emission at 450 nm. It was observed that two emissions bands in the UV (350 and 360nm) enhanced proportionally with the Yb 3+ concentration. (author)

  16. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor/neurotrophin 3 regulate axon initial segment location and affect neuronal excitability in cultured hippocampal neurons.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Guo, Yu; Su, Zi-Jun; Chen, Yi-Kun; Chai, Zhen

    2017-07-01

    Plasticity of the axon initial segment (AIS) has aroused great interest in recent years because it regulates action potential initiation and neuronal excitability. AIS plasticity manifests as modulation of ion channels or variation in AIS structure. However, the mechanisms underlying structural plasticity of the AIS are not well understood. Here, we combined immunofluorescence, patch-clamp recordings, and pharmacological methods in cultured hippocampal neurons to investigate the factors participating in AIS structural plasticity during development. With lowered neuronal density, the distance between the AIS and the soma increased, while neuronal excitability decreased, as shown by the increased action potential threshold and current threshold for firing an action potential. This variation in the location of the AIS was associated with cellular secretory substances, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin 3 (NT3). Indeed, blocking BDNF and NT3 with TrkB-Fc eliminated the effect of conditioned medium collected from high-density cultures on AIS relocation. Elevating the extracellular concentration of BDNF or NT3 promoted movement of the AIS proximally to the soma and increased neuronal excitability. Furthermore, knockdown of neurotrophin receptors TrkB and TrkC caused distal movement of the AIS. Our results demonstrate that BDNF and NT3 regulate AIS location and neuronal excitability. These regulatory functions of neurotrophic factors provide insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying AIS biology. © 2017 International Society for Neurochemistry.

  17. The retinoblastoma protein binds to a family of E2F transcription factors

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Lees, J A; Saito, M; Vidal, M

    1993-01-01

    E2F is a transcription factor that helps regulate the expression of a number of genes that are important in cell proliferation. Recently, several laboratories have isolated a cDNA clone that encodes an E2F-like protein, known as E2F-1. Subsequent characterization of this protein showed that it had...... the properties of E2F, but it was difficult to account for all of the suggested E2F activities through the function of this one protein. Using low-stringency hybridization, we have isolated cDNA clones that encode two additional E2F-like proteins, called E2F-2 and E2F-3. The chromosomal locations of the genes...... protein in vivo. Finally, E2F-2 and E2F-3 were able to activate transcription of E2F-responsive genes in a manner that was dependent upon the presence of at least one functional E2F binding site. These observations suggest that the E2F activities described previously result from the combined action...

  18. Effects of initial microstructure and helium production on radiation hardening in F82H Steels

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Okubo, N.; Wakai, E.; Takada, F.; Jitsukawa, S. [Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Naga-gun, Ibaraki-ken (Japan); Katoh, Y. [Oak Ridge Noational Laboratory, TN (United States)

    2007-07-01

    Full text of publication follows: Fission neutron irradiation to steels doped with isotope boron-10 is frequently conducted to study effects of the helium production on mechanical properties. The intrinsic mechanical properties of F82H steels could have been changed due to the boron doping. Recently, we reported that co-doping with boron and nitrogen to F82H (F82H+B+N) improved the mechanical properties of F82H doped only with boron. The mechanical properties of F82H+B+N are successfully comparable with the non-doped F82H before irradiation. In order to evaluate the effects of initial microstructure and helium production on radiation hardening, F82H and F82H+B+N were irradiate d Specimens used in this study were standard F82H martensitic steels, F82H steels doped with 60 mass ppm {sup 10}B and 200 ppm N (F82H+10B+N) and F82H steels doped with 60 mass ppm {sup 11}B and 200 ppm N (F82H+11B+N). Initial microstructures were changed by tempering conditions, and the tempering temperatures were at 700, 750 and 780 deg. C. Irradiation was performed at nominally 250 deg. C to 2 dpa in JMTR. Tensile properties were measured for the specimens before and after irradiation. Change of yield stress due to the irradiation in the F82H+11B+N steels depended strongly on the initial microstructure and hardness before irradiation. The radiation hardening due to helium production in the F82H+10B+N steels was less than 60 MPa in these experiments. Size of dimple in the fracture surface of specimen with helium production was larger than that with non-helium production. (authors)

  19. Synthesis and X-ray crystal structure of (OsO(3)F(2))(2)2XeOF(4) and the Raman spectra of (OsO(3)F(2))(infinity), (OsO(3)F(2))(2), and (OsO(3)F(2))(2)2XeOF(4).

    Science.gov (United States)

    Hughes, Michael J; Mercier, Hélène P A; Schrobilgen, Gary J

    2009-05-18

    The adduct, (OsO(3)F(2))(2)2XeOF(4), was synthesized by dissolution of the infinite chain polymer, (OsO(3)F(2))(infinity), in XeOF(4) solvent at room temperature followed by removal of excess XeOF(4) under dynamic vacuum at 0 degrees C. Continued pumping at 0 degrees C resulted in removal of associated XeOF(4), yielding (OsO(3)F(2))(2), a new low-temperature phase of OsO(3)F(2). Upon standing at 25 degrees C for 1(1)/(2) h, (OsO(3)F(2))(2) underwent a phase transition to the known monoclinic phase, (OsO(3)F(2))(infinity). The title compounds, (OsO(3)F(2))(infinity), (OsO(3)F(2))(2), and (OsO(3)F(2))(2)2XeOF(4) have been characterized by low-temperature (-150 degrees C) Raman spectroscopy. Crystallization of (OsO(3)F(2))(2)2XeOF(4) from XeOF(4) solution at 0 degrees C yielded crystals suitable for X-ray structure determination. The structural unit contains the (OsO(3)F(2))(2) dimer in which the OsO(3)F(3) units are joined by two Os---F---Os bridges having fluorine bridge atoms that are equidistant from the osmium centers (2.117(5) and 2.107(4) A). The dimer coordinates to two XeOF(4) molecules through Os-F...Xe bridges in which the Xe...F distances (2.757(5) A) are significantly less than the sum of the Xe and F van der Waals radii (3.63 A). The (OsO(3)F(2))(2) dimer has C(i) symmetry in which each pseudo-octahedral OsO(3)F(3) unit has a facial arrangement of oxygen ligands with XeOF(4) molecules that are only slightly distorted from their gas-phase C(4v) symmetry. Quantum-chemical calculations using SVWN and B3LYP methods were employed to calculate the gas-phase geometries, natural bond orbital analyses, and vibrational frequencies of (OsO(3)F(2))(2), (OsO(3)F(2))(2)2XeOF(4), XeOF(4), OsO(2)F(4), and (mu-FOsO(3)F(2))(2)OsO(3)F(-) to aid in the assignment of the experimental vibrational frequencies of (OsO(3)F(2))(2), (OsO(3)F(2))(2)2XeOF(4), and (OsO(3)F(2))(infinity). The vibrational modes of the low-temperature polymeric phase, (OsO(3)F(2))(infinity), have been

  20. Parasitic Cuscuta factor(s) and the detection by tomato initiates plant defense.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Fürst, Ursula; Hegenauer, Volker; Kaiser, Bettina; Körner, Max; Welz, Max; Albert, Markus

    2016-01-01

    Dodders ( Cuscuta spp.) are holoparasitic plants that enwind stems of host plants and penetrate those by haustoria to connect to the vascular bundles. Having a broad host plant spectrum, Cuscuta spp infect nearly all dicot plants - only cultivated tomato as one exception is mounting an active defense specifically against C. reflexa . In a recent work we identified a pattern recognition receptor of tomato, "Cuscuta Receptor 1" (CuRe1), which is critical to detect a "Cuscuta factor" (CuF) and initiate defense responses such as the production of ethylene or the generation of reactive oxygen species. CuRe1 also contributes to the tomato resistance against C. reflexa . Here we point to the fact that CuRe1 is not the only relevant component for full tomato resistance but it requires additional defense mechanisms, or receptors, respectively, to totally fend off the parasite.

  1. Measurement of the energy dependence of the form factor $f_{+}$ in $K^{0}_{e3}$ decay

    CERN Document Server

    Apostolakis, Alcibiades J; Backenstoss, Gerhard; Bargassa, P; Behnke, O; Benelli, A; Bertin, V; Blanc, F; Bloch, P; Carlson, P J; Carroll, M; Cawley, E; Chertok, M B; Danielsson, M; Dejardin, M; Derré, J; Ealet, A; Eleftheriadis, C; Fetscher, W; Fidecaro, Maria; Filipcic, A; Francis, D; Fry, J; Gabathuler, Erwin; Gamet, R; Gerber, H J; Go, A; Haselden, A; Hayman, P J; Henry-Coüannier, F; Hollander, R W; Jon-And, K; Kettle, P R; Kokkas, P; Kreuger, R; Le Gac, R; Leimgruber, F; Mandic, I; Manthos, N; Marel, Gérard; Mikuz, M; Miller, J; Montanet, François; Müller, A; Nakada, Tatsuya; Pagels, B; Papadopoulos, I M; Pavlopoulos, P; Polivka, G; Rickenbach, R; Roberts, B L; Ruf, T; Schäfer, M; Schaller, L A; Schietinger, T; Schopper, A; Tauscher, Ludwig; Thibault, C; Touchard, F; Touramanis, C; van Eijk, C W E; Vlachos, S; Weber, P; Wigger, O; Wolter, M; Zavrtanik, D; Zimmerman, D

    2000-01-01

    Neutral-kaon decays to \\pielnu\\ % recorded by the CPLEAR experimentwere analysed to determine the $q^2$ dependence of the \\Kzet\\ electroweak form factor $f_+$. Based on $365\\,612$ events,this form factor was found to have a linear dependence on $q^2$with a slope $\\lambda_+ = 0.0245 \\pm 0.0012_{\\text{stat}} \\pm 0.0022_{\\text{syst}}$.

  2. Anti-proliferative effects of gold nanoparticles functionalized with Semaphorin 3F

    Science.gov (United States)

    Tan, Gamze; Onur, Mehmet Ali

    2017-08-01

    The new vessel formations play a vital role in growth and spread of cancer. Current anti-angiogenic therapies, predominantly based on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibition, can inhibit vascular development; however, they are usually ineffective against the primary tumor occurrence. The aim of this study was to assess anti-angiogenic effects of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) functionalized with Semaphorin (Sema) 3F protein. The polyethylene glycol (PEG)-coated AuNPs were covalently functionalized with Sema 3F and labeled with the TAMRA fluorescent dye. The effect of the NPs on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) is probed in the way of internalization and viability assays. AuNP-Sema 3F bioconjugates showed great endothelial cell uptake. AuNP-Sema 3F bioconjugates reduced VEGF165-induced endothelial cell proliferation more effectively than Sema 3F alone, suggesting that the therapeutic effects of Sema 3F can be improved by conjugation to AuNPs. Also, no significant toxicity effect was induced by bioconjugates. This is the first study that reports a covalent binding of full length Sema 3F to NPs. The exogenously administration of Sema 3F, which has both anti-angiogenic and anti-tumoral activity, to tumor vasculature via a carrying platform may not only lead to more effective anti-angiogenic treatment but also may make current approach more applicable in clinical use like drug delivery system. [Figure not available: see fulltext.

  3. Translation initiation factors eIF3 and HCR1 control translation termination and stop codon read-through in yeast cells

    Czech Academy of Sciences Publication Activity Database

    Beznosková, P.; Cuchalová, Lucie; Wagner, S.; Shoemaker, Ch. J.; Gunišová, S.; von der Haar, T.; Valášek, L. S.

    2013-01-01

    Roč. 9, č. 11 (2013), e1003962_1-e1003962_17 ISSN 1553-7404 Institutional support: RVO:61389013 Keywords : translation initiation * translation termination * eIF3 Subject RIV: CD - Macromolecular Chemistry Impact factor: 8.167, year: 2013

  4. In Vivo Interplay between p27Kip1, GATA3, ATOH1, and POU4F3 Converts Non-sensory Cells to Hair Cells in Adult Mice

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Bradley J. Walters

    2017-04-01

    Full Text Available Summary: Hearing loss is widespread and persistent because mature mammalian auditory hair cells (HCs are nonregenerative. In mice, the ability to regenerate HCs from surrounding supporting cells (SCs declines abruptly after postnatal maturation. We find that combining p27Kip1 deletion with ectopic ATOH1 expression surmounts this age-related decline, leading to conversion of SCs to HCs in mature mouse cochleae and after noise damage. p27Kip1 deletion, independent of canonical effects on Rb-family proteins, upregulated GATA3, a co-factor for ATOH1 that is lost from SCs with age. Co-activation of GATA3 or POU4F3 and ATOH1 promoted conversion of SCs to HCs in adult mice. Activation of POU4F3 alone also converted mature SCs to HCs in vivo. These data illuminate a genetic pathway that initiates auditory HC regeneration and suggest p27Kip1, GATA3, and POU4F3 as additional therapeutic targets for ATOH1-mediated HC regeneration. : Auditory hair cells are nonregenerative, resulting in persistent hearing loss upon damage. Walters et al. find that manipulating two genes, p27Kip1 and Atoh1, induces the conversion of nonsensory cells to hair cells in adult mice. This effect is mediated by GATA3 and POU4F3, where POU4F3 alone was found to convert nonsensory cells. Keywords: regeneration, aging, differentiation, proliferation, development, cancer, sensory, cochlea, hearing

  5. First-principles calculations of two cubic fluoropervskite compounds: RbFeF3 and RbNiF3

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Mubarak, A.A.; Al-Omari, Saleh

    2015-01-01

    We present first-principles calculations of the structural, elastic, electronic, magnetic and optical properties for RbFeF 3 and RbNiF 3 . The full-potential linear augmented plan wave (FP-LAPW) method within the density functional theory was utilized to perform the present calculations. We employed the generalized gradient approximation as exchange-correlation potential. It was found that the calculated analytical lattice parameters agree with previous studies. The analysis of elastic constants showed that the present compounds are elastically stable and anisotropic. Moreover, both compounds are classified as a ductile compound. The calculations of the band structure and density functional theory revealed that the RbFeF 3 compound has a half-metallic behavior while the RbNiF 3 compound has a semiconductor behavior with indirect (M–Γ) band gap. The ferromagnetic behavior was studied for both compounds. The optical properties were calculated for the radiation of up to 40 eV. A beneficial optics technology is predicted as revealed from the optical spectra. - Highlights: • RbFeF 3 and RbNiCl 3 compounds are elastically stable. • RbFeF 3 and RbNiCl 3 compounds are classified as a ductile compound. • The RbFeF 3 compound has a half-metallic behavior while the RbNiF 3 compound has a semiconductor behavior. • The optical properties were calculated for the radiation of up to 40 eV

  6. Factors That Influence Breastfeeding Initiation Among African American Women.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Hinson, Tyonne D; Skinner, Asheley Cockrell; Lich, Kristen Hassmiller; Spatz, Diane L

    2018-05-01

    To examine cultural and socioenvironmental factors that affect breastfeeding initiation among African American women. Qualitative descriptive design and conventional content analysis. A large, inner-city, primary care center affiliated with a 500-bed children's hospital within a large, Northeastern U.S. city. Participants were 34 U.S.-born African American mothers of healthy term infants 0 to 3 months of age. Six focus groups were conducted using a 16-question, scripted interview guide. A number of complex factors that influenced breastfeeding initiation included certain cultural beliefs about sexuality, the influence of family and peer networks, information sources, intentions, and a variety of other barriers and facilitators. Our findings suggest that the decision to initiate breastfeeding is not solely determined by the woman within the African American community. Because this decision is contingent on multiple factors external to the woman, it is important to recognize the role that partners, grandmothers, communities, information sources, and health care providers/organizations play in women's decisions. Implementation of multilevel strategies is critical to increase breastfeeding initiation among African American mothers. Copyright © 2018 AWHONN, the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  7. Transcription factors ETF, E2F, and SP-1 are involved in cytokine-independent proliferation of murine hepatocytes.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Zellmer, Sebastian; Schmidt-Heck, Wolfgang; Godoy, Patricio; Weng, Honglei; Meyer, Christoph; Lehmann, Thomas; Sparna, Titus; Schormann, Wiebke; Hammad, Seddik; Kreutz, Clemens; Timmer, Jens; von Weizsäcker, Fritz; Thürmann, Petra A; Merfort, Irmgard; Guthke, Reinhard; Dooley, Steven; Hengstler, Jan G; Gebhardt, Rolf

    2010-12-01

    The cellular basis of liver regeneration has been intensely investigated for many years. However, the mechanisms initiating hepatocyte "plasticity" and priming for proliferation are not yet fully clear. We investigated alterations in gene expression patterns during the first 72 hours of C57BL/6N mouse hepatocyte culture on collagen monolayers (CM), which display a high basal frequency of proliferation in the absence of cytokines. Although many metabolic genes were down-regulated, genes related to mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling and cell cycle were up-regulated. The latter genes showed an overrepresentation of transcription factor binding sites (TFBS) for ETF (TEA domain family member 2), E2F1 (E2F transcription factor 1), and SP-1 (Sp1 transcription factor) (P ETF, E2F1, and SP-1 and displayed increased expression of E2F1. Cultivation of murine hepatocytes on CM primes cells for proliferation through cytokine-independent activation of MAPK signaling. The transcription factors ETF, E2F1, and SP-1 seem to play a pronounced role in mediating proliferation-dependent differential gene expression. Similar events, but on a shorter time-scale, occur very early after liver damage in vivo. Copyright © 2010 American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

  8. Surface water acidification and critical loads: exploring the F-factor

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    K. Bishop

    2009-11-01

    Full Text Available As acid deposition decreases, uncertainties in methods for calculating critical loads become more important when judgements have to be made about whether or not further emission reductions are needed. An important aspect of one type of model that has been used to calculate surface water critical loads is the empirical F-factor which estimates the degree to which acid deposition is neutralised before it reaches a lake at any particular point in time relative to the pre-industrial, steady-state water chemistry conditions.

    In this paper we will examine how well the empirical F-functions are able to estimate pre-industrial lake chemistry as lake chemistry changes during different phases of acidification and recovery. To accomplish this, we use the dynamic, process-oriented biogeochemical model SAFE to generate a plausible time series of annual runoff chemistry for ca. 140 Swedish catchments between 1800 and 2100. These annual hydrochemistry data are then used to generate empirical F-factors that are compared to the "actual" F-factor seen in the SAFE data for each lake and year in the time series. The dynamics of the F-factor as catchments acidify, and then recover are not widely recognised.

    Our results suggest that the F-factor approach worked best during the acidification phase when soil processes buffer incoming acidity. However, the empirical functions for estimating F from contemporary lake chemistry are not well suited to the recovery phase when the F-factor turns negative due to recovery processes in the soil. This happens when acid deposition has depleted the soil store of BC, and then acid deposition declines, reducing the leaching of base cations to levels below those in the pre-industrial era. An estimate of critical load from water chemistry during recovery and empirical F functions would therefore result in critical loads that are too low. Therefore, the empirical estimates of the F-factor are a significant source of

  9. Preimplantation Factor (PIF Promotes HLA-G, -E, -F, -C Expression in JEG-3 Choriocarcinoma Cells and Endogenous Progesterone Activity

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Miya Soukaina Hakam

    2017-10-01

    Full Text Available Background/Aims: Pregnancy success requires mandatory maternal tolerance of the semi/ allogeneic embryo involving embryo-derived signals. Expression levels of PreImplantation Factor (PIF, a novel peptide secreted by viable embryos, correlate with embryo development, and its early detection in circulation correlates with a favourable pregnancy outcome. PIF enhances endometrial receptivity to promote embryo implantation. Via the p53 pathway, it increases trophoblast invasion, improving cell survival / immune privilege. PIF also reduces spontaneous and LPS-induced foetal death in immune naïve murine model. We examined PIF effect on gene expression of human leukocyte antigen (HLA-G, -E -F and –C and the influence of PIF on local progesterone activity in JEG-3 choriocarcinoma cells. Methods: PIF and progesterone (P4 effects on JEG-3 cells surface and intracellular HLA molecules was tested using monoclonal antibodies, flow cytometry, and Western blotting. PIF and IL17 effects on P4 and cytokines secretion was determined by ELISA. PIF and P4 effects on JEG-3 cells proteome was examined using 2D gel staining followed by spot analysis, mass spectrometry and bioinformatic analysis. Results: In cytotrophoblastic JEG-3 cells PIF increased intracellular expression of HLA-G, HLA-F, HLA-E and HLA-C and surface expression of HLA-G, HLA-E and HLA-C in dose and time dependent manner. In case of HLA-E, -F results were confirmed also by Western blot. Proteome analysis confirmed an increase in HLA-G, pro-tolerance FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs, coagulation factors and complement regulator. In contrast, PIF reduced PRDX2 and HSP70s to negate oxidative stress and protein misfolding. PIF enhanced local progesterone activity, increasing steroid secretion and the receptor protein. It also promoted the secretion of the Th1/Th2 cytokines (IL-10, IL-1β, IL-8, GM-CSF and TGF-β1, resulting in improved maternal signalling. Conclusion: PIF can generate a pro

  10. Coronin 3 involvement in F-actin-dependent processes at the cell cortex

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Rosentreter, Andre; Hofmann, Andreas; Xavier, Charles-Peter; Stumpf, Maria; Noegel, Angelika A.; Clemen, Christoph S.

    2007-01-01

    The actin interaction of coronin 3 has been mainly documented by in vitro experiments. Here, we discuss coronin 3 properties in the light of new structural information and focus on assays that reflect in vivo roles of coronin 3 and its impact on F-actin-associated functions. Using GFP-tagged coronin 3 fusion proteins and RNAi silencing we show that coronin 3 has roles in wound healing, protrusion formation, cell proliferation, cytokinesis, endocytosis, axonal growth, and secretion. During formation of cell protrusions actin accumulation precedes the focal enrichment of coronin 3 suggesting a role for coronin 3 in events that follow the initial F-actin assembly. Moreover, we show that coronin 3 similar to other coronins interacts with the Arp2/3-complex and cofilin indicating that this family in general is involved in regulating Arp2/3-mediated events

  11. GENETIC FACTORS INFLUENCING HEMOGLOBIN F LEVEL IN β-THALASSEMIA/HB E DISEASE.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Ruangrai, Waraporn; Jindadamrongwech, Sumalee

    2016-01-01

    Genetic factors influencing Hb F content in adult red blood cells include β-thalassemia genotypes, co-inheritance of α-thalassemia traits and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Genotyping of α- and β-thalassemia and five SNPs in β-globin gene cluster previously identified in genome-wide association studies as being markers of elevated Hb F in β-thalassemia were performed in 81 subjects diagnosed with β-thalassemia/Hb E. Hb F levels are higher (0.9-7.1 g/dl) in subjects (n = 57) with the severe compared to mild β-thalassemia (0.8-2.5 g/ dl) (n = 4) genotypes, and are similarly low (0.7-3.5 g/dl) in those (n = 15) with α-thalassemia co-inheritance. Hb F levels in non-thalassemia controls (n = 150) range from 0 to 0.15 g/dl. The presence of homozygous minor alleles of the 5 SNPs are significant indicators of β-thalassemia/Hb E individuals with high Hb F (> 4 g/dl), independent of their thalassemia genotypes. Given that re-activation of γ-globin genes leads to amelioration of β-thalassemia severity, understanding how genetic factors up-regulate Hb F production may lead to possible therapeutic interventions, genetically or pharmacologically, of this debilitating disease in the not too distant future.

  12. Magnetic upconverting fluorescent NaGdF4:Ln3+ and iron-oxide@NaGdF4:Ln3+ nanoparticles

    Science.gov (United States)

    Shrivastava, Navadeep; Rocha, Uéslen; Muraca, Diego; Jacinto, Carlos; Moreno, Sergio; Vargas, J. M.; Sharma, S. K.

    2018-05-01

    Microwave assisted solvothermal method has been employed to synthesize multifunctional upconverting β-NaGdF4:Ln3+ and magnetic-upconverting Fe3O4/γ-Fe2O3@NaGdF4:Ln3+ (Ln = Yb and Er) nanoparticles. The powder x-ray diffraction data confirms the hexagonal structure of NaGdF4:Ln3+ and high resolution transmission electron microscopy shows the formation of rod shaped NaGdF4:Ln3+ (˜ 20 nm) and ovoid shaped Fe3O4/γ-Fe2O3@NaGdF4:Ln3+ (˜ 15 nm) nanoparticles. The magnetic hysteresis at 300 K for β-NaGdF4:Ln3+ demonstrates paramagnetic features, whereas iron-oxide@β-NaGdF4:Ln3+ exhibits superparamagnetic behavior along with a linear component at large applied field due to paramagnetic NaGdF4 matrix. Both nanoparticle samples provide an excellent green emitting [(2H11/2, 4S3/2)→4I15/2 (˜ 540 nm)] upconversion luminescence emission under excitation at 980 nm. The energy migration between Yb and Er in NaGdF4 matrix has been explored from 300-800 nm. Intensity variation of blue, green and red lines and the observed luminescence quenching due to the presence of Fe3O4/γ-Fe2O3 in the composite has been proposed. These kinds of materials contain magnetic and luminescence characteristics into single nanoparticle open new possibility for bioimaging applications.

  13. Thermoluminescence characterization of LiMgF3: DyF3 phosphors exposed to beta radiation

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Bernal, R.; Alday S, K.R.; Brown, F.; Cruz V, C.; Furetta, C.; Cruz Z, E.; Kitis, G.

    2006-01-01

    LiMgF 3 : DyF 3 phosphors were obtained as polycrystalline solids from the melting of component salts, with two DyF 3 concentrations, 2.02 % mol, and 4.04 % mol. In order to guarantee the homogeneity of composition, the samples were crushed and the resulting powder was pressed to form pellet-shaped phosphors, some of which were sintered at 700 C for 5 h under air atmosphere. Thermoluminescence measurements of beta irradiated samples show that these phosphors exhibit adequate properties to be considered for development of thermoluminescence dosimeters. Integrated thermoluminescence as a function of dose displays a linear dependence with dose for doses below 20.0 Gy. (Author)

  14. F-theory and AdS3/CFT2 (2, 0)

    Science.gov (United States)

    Couzens, Christopher; Martelli, Dario; Schäfer-Nameki, Sakura

    2018-06-01

    We continue to develop the program initiated in [1] of studying supersymmetric AdS3 backgrounds of F-theory and their holographic dual 2d superconformal field theories, which are dimensional reductions of theories with varying coupling. Imposing 2d N=(0,2) supersymmetry,wederivethegeneralconditionsonthegeometryforTypeIIB AdS3 solutions with varying axio-dilaton and five-form flux. Locally the compact part of spacetime takes the form of a circle fibration over an eight-fold Y_8^{τ } , which is elliptically fibered over a base \\tilde{M}_6 . We construct two classes of solutions given in terms of a product ansatz \\tilde{M}_6}=Σ × {M}_4 , where Σ is a complex curve and \\tilde{M}_4 is locally a Kähler surface. In the first class \\tilde{M}_4 is globally a Kähler surface and we take the elliptic fibration to vary non-trivially over either of these two factors, where in both cases the metrics on the total space of the elliptic fibrations are not Ricci-flat. In the second class the metric on the total space of the elliptic fibration over either curve or surface are Ricci-flat. This results in solutions of the type AdS3 × K3 × ℳ 5 τ , dual to 2d (0, 2) SCFTs, and AdS3 × S 3/Γ × CY 3, dual to 2d (0, 4) SCFTs, respectively. In all cases we compute the charges for the dual field theories with varying coupling and find agreement with the holographic results. We also show that solutions with enhanced 2d N=(2,2) supersymmetry must have constant axio-dilaton. Allowing the internal geometry to be non-compact leads to the most general class of Type IIB AdS5 solutions with varying axio-dilaton, i.e. F-theoretic solutions, that are dual to 4d N=1 SCFTs.

  15. Preclinical validation of the hypoxia tracer 2-(2-nitroimidazol-1-yl)-N-(3,3,3-[18F]trifluoropropyl)acetamide, [18F]EF3

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Mahy, P.; De Bast, M.; Gregoire, V.; Leveque, P.H.; Gillart, J.; Labar, D.; Marchand, J.

    2004-01-01

    The 2-nitroimidazole derivative 2-(2-nitroimidazol-1-yl)-N-(3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)acetamide (EF3) is a marker which forms adducts into hypoxic cells. Radiosynthesis of [ 18 F]EF3 was recently performed by our group. Our aim was to study the pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, metabolism and specificity for hypoxia of [ 18 F]EF3. MCa-4, SCC VII, NFSA, FSA, FSA II or Sa-NH tumour-bearing C3H mice were injected intravenously with [ 18 F]EF3 and allowed to breathe air, 10% O 2 or carbogen until sacrifice 5-770 min after injection. Radioactivity was measured ex vivo in various organs, including urine and faeces. Selected organs were additionally processed to measure tracer metabolites with high-performance liquid chromatography. The half-life in blood was 73.9 min. [ 18 F]EF3 was eliminated mainly via the kidneys, with 75% of the injected activity found in the urine by 12 h 50 min. The biodistribution was fast and homogeneous except in the brain and the bone, where it was significantly lower, and in the liver and the kidney, where it was significantly higher. In most organs, the exceptions being the gastrointestinal and urinary tract, tissue-to-blood ratios were below or close to unity. In tumours, a relative accumulation of the tracer was observed with time, which, at 220 min after injection, depended on tumour strain and oxygenation conditions, i.e. 10% O 2 significantly increased the tumour-to-muscle ratio whereas carbogen decreased it. [ 18 F]EF3 was rapidly metabolised in the kidney and the liver. [ 18 F]EF3 is a promising tracer for detection of tumour hypoxia. A phase I study in head and neck cancer patients is in progress at our institution. (orig.)

  16. Electric conductivity of low-temperature molten electrolyte KF-AlF3 with additions of LiF and Al2O3

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Apisarov, A.P.; Kryukovskij, V.A.; Zajkov, Yu.P.; Red'kin, A.A.; Tkacheva, O.Yu.; Khokhlov, V.A.

    2007-01-01

    Electric conductivity of LiF, Al 2 O 3 doped KF-AlF 3 (Cryolite Ratio CR=1.3) molten electrolytes was estimated on the basis of empiric equations. Specific electric conductivity of KF-AlF 3 , KF-AIF 3 -AI 2 O 3 , KF-AlF 3 -LiF, KF-AlF 3 -LiF-Al 2 0 3 molten mixtures was measured in the range 687-797 Deg C. Cells with the pyrolytic boron nitride capillary and parallel molybdena electrodes were applied for the determination of electric conductivity. Comparison of calculated and experimental data of the specific electric conductivity of cryolite-alumina melts confirms that the offered model of the calculation adequate represents temperature and concentration dependencies, and it permits forecasting its change under the introduction of different additives in electrolyte [ru

  17. Post-transcription cleavage generates the 3' end of F17R transcripts in vaccinia virus

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    D'Costa, Susan M.; Antczak, James B.; Pickup, David J.; Condit, Richard C.

    2004-01-01

    Most vaccinia virus intermediate and late mRNAs possess 3' ends that are extremely heterogeneous in sequence. However, late mRNAs encoding the cowpox A-type inclusion protein (ATI), the second largest subunit of the RNA polymerase, and the late telomeric transcripts possess homogeneous 3' ends. In the case of the ATI mRNA, it has been shown that the homogeneous 3' end is generated by a post-transcriptional endoribonucleolytic cleavage event. We have determined that the F17R gene also produces homogeneous transcripts generated by a post-transcriptional cleavage event. Mapping of in vivo mRNA shows that the major 3' end of the F17R transcript maps 1262 nt downstream of the F17R translational start site. In vitro transcripts spanning the in vivo 3' end are cleaved in an in vitro reaction using extracts from virus infected cells, and the site of cleavage is the same both in vivo and in vitro. Cleavage is not observed using extract from cells infected in the presence of hydroxyurea; therefore, the cleavage factor is either virus-coded or virus-induced during the post-replicative phase of virus replication. The cis-acting sequence responsible for cleavage is orientation specific and the factor responsible for cleavage activity has biochemical properties similar to the factor required for cleavage of ATI transcripts. Partially purified cleavage factor generates cleavage products of expected size when either the ATI or F17R substrates are used in vitro, strongly suggesting that cleavage of both transcripts is mediated by the same factor

  18. Mechanoluminescence and photoluminescence of Pr3+ activated KMgF3 phosphor

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Dhoble, S.J.; Kher, R.S.; Furetta, C.

    2003-01-01

    A Czochralski method for the preparation of crystalline KMgF 3 : Pr phosphors are reported. Photoluminescence (PL) and mechanoluminescence (ML) characteristics are studied. Photoluminescence of Pr 3+ activated KMgF 3 shows the strong emission of Pr 3+ ions were observed at 498 and 650 nm by excitation of 213 mn. ML of KMgF 3 : Pr 3+ shows two peaks, which have been observed in ML intensity versus time curve. The ML peak shows the recombination of electrons with free radical (anion radical produced by γ-irradiation) released from two type traps during the mechanical pressure applied on KMgF 3 : Pr 3+ phosphor. It has a supra linear ML response with γ-ray exposure and a negligible fading. These properties of phosphor should be suitable in dosimetry of ionization relation using ML technique. Therefore the KMgF 3 : Pr 3+ phosphor proposed for ML dosimetry of ionization radiations. (Author)

  19. EBP1 is a novel E2F target gene regulated by transforming growth factor-β.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    David Judah

    2010-11-01

    Full Text Available Regulation of gene expression requires transcription factor binding to specific DNA elements, and a large body of work has focused on the identification of such sequences. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that eukaryotic transcription factors can exhibit widespread, nonfunctional binding to genomic DNA sites. Conversely, some of these proteins, such as E2F, can also modulate gene expression by binding to non-consensus elements. E2F comprises a family of transcription factors that play key roles in a wide variety of cellular functions, including survival, differentiation, activation during tissue regeneration, metabolism, and proliferation. E2F factors bind to the Erb3-binding protein 1 (EBP1 promoter in live cells. We now show that E2F binding to the EBP1 promoter occurs through two tandem DNA elements that do not conform to typical consensus E2F motifs. Exogenously expressed E2F1 activates EBP1 reporters lacking one, but not both sites, suggesting a degree of redundancy under certain conditions. E2F1 increases the levels of endogenous EBP1 mRNA in breast carcinoma and other transformed cell lines. In contrast, in non-transformed primary epidermal keratinocytes, E2F, together with the retinoblastoma family of proteins, appears to be involved in decreasing EBP1 mRNA abundance in response to growth inhibition by transforming growth factor-β1. Thus, E2F is likely a central coordinator of multiple responses that culminate in regulation of EBP1 gene expression, and which may vary depending on cell type and context.

  20. EBP1 is a novel E2F target gene regulated by transforming growth factor-β.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Judah, David; Chang, Wing Y; Dagnino, Lina

    2010-11-10

    Regulation of gene expression requires transcription factor binding to specific DNA elements, and a large body of work has focused on the identification of such sequences. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that eukaryotic transcription factors can exhibit widespread, nonfunctional binding to genomic DNA sites. Conversely, some of these proteins, such as E2F, can also modulate gene expression by binding to non-consensus elements. E2F comprises a family of transcription factors that play key roles in a wide variety of cellular functions, including survival, differentiation, activation during tissue regeneration, metabolism, and proliferation. E2F factors bind to the Erb3-binding protein 1 (EBP1) promoter in live cells. We now show that E2F binding to the EBP1 promoter occurs through two tandem DNA elements that do not conform to typical consensus E2F motifs. Exogenously expressed E2F1 activates EBP1 reporters lacking one, but not both sites, suggesting a degree of redundancy under certain conditions. E2F1 increases the levels of endogenous EBP1 mRNA in breast carcinoma and other transformed cell lines. In contrast, in non-transformed primary epidermal keratinocytes, E2F, together with the retinoblastoma family of proteins, appears to be involved in decreasing EBP1 mRNA abundance in response to growth inhibition by transforming growth factor-β1. Thus, E2F is likely a central coordinator of multiple responses that culminate in regulation of EBP1 gene expression, and which may vary depending on cell type and context.

  1. The dehydrogenation performance and reaction mechanisms of Li{sub 3}AlH{sub 6} with TiF{sub 3} additive

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Liu, Shu-Sheng [Materials and Thermochemistry Laboratory, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023 (China); Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049 (China); Zhang, Yao; Sun, Li-Xian; Zhang, Jian; Zhao, Jun-Ning [Materials and Thermochemistry Laboratory, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023 (China); Xu, Fen [Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116029 (China); Huang, Feng-Lei [State Key Laboratory of Explosion Science and Technology, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081 (China)

    2010-05-15

    For Li{sub 3}AlH{sub 6} prepared by mechanical milling method, the dissociation reaction enthalpy and activation energy are calculated to be 22.1 kJ mol{sup -1} H{sub 2} and 133.7 {+-} 2.7 kJ mol{sup -1}, respectively. The dehydrogenation performance of Li{sub 3}AlH{sub 6} is greatly enhanced by TiF{sub 3} additive, especially in the kinetic behaviors. For the Li{sub 3}AlH{sub 6} + 10 mol% TiF{sub 3} sample, the starting temperature of dehydrogenation is obviously decreased by 60 C from that of pure Li{sub 3}AlH{sub 6} (190 C), and 3.0 wt.% H{sub 2} may be released within 1000 s at 120 C under an initial vacuum. With the amount of TiF{sub 3} increasing, the starting temperature decreases and the kinetics improves due to the decrease in the activation energy. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) together with thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results show that there are three mechanochemical reactions involved during milling: i) Li{sub 3}AlH{sub 6} + TiF{sub 3} {yields} 3 LiF + Al + Ti + 3H{sub 2}, ii) Ti + H{sub 2} {yields} TiH{sub 2}, iii) 3 Al + Ti {yields} Al{sub 3}Ti. The in-situ formed Ti species (TiH{sub 2} and Al{sub 3}Ti) co-catalyze the thermal dehydrogenation of Li{sub 3}AlH{sub 6}. (author)

  2. The Role of the E2F Transcription Factor Family in UV-Induced Apoptosis

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Orla Gannon

    2011-12-01

    Full Text Available The E2F transcription factor family is traditionally associated with cell cycle control. However, recent data has shown that activating E2Fs (E2F1-3a are potent activators of apoptosis. In contrast, the recently cloned inhibitory E2Fs (E2F7 and 8 appear to antagonize E2F-induced cell death. In this review we will discuss (i the potential role of E2Fs in UV-induced cell death and (ii the implications of this to the development of UV-induced cutaneous malignancies.

  3. Synchrotron diffraction characterization of nanostructured KY3F10:Tb

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Ichikawa, Rodrigo U.; Teixeira, Maria I.; Ranieri, Izilda M.; Martinez, Luis G.; Linhares, Horacio M.S.M.D.; Turrillas, Xavier

    2015-01-01

    Nanostructured rare-earth fluorides materials are being intensively studied recently due to their potential applications in high-dose dosimetry. Particularly, nanostructured Tb-doped KY 3 F 10 has shown satisfactory results to be used in this area. In the present work, the structure and microstructure of KY 3 F 10 :Tb was investigated by means of X-ray synchrotron diffraction. One of the samples was analyzed as synthesized and another after a heat treatment. Rietveld refinement of synchrotron diffraction data was applied to obtain cell parameters, atomic positions and atomic displacement factors and the results were compared to values found in literature. X-ray line profile analysis methods were applied to determine mean crystallite sizes and their distribution. (author)

  4. Die Interhalogenkationen [Br2F5]+ und [Br3F8].

    Science.gov (United States)

    Ivlev, Sergei; Karttunen, Antti; Buchner, Magnus; Conrad, Matthias; Kraus, Florian

    2018-05-02

    Wir berichten über die Synthese und Charakterisierung der bislang einzigen Polyhalogenkationen, in denen verbrückende Fluoratome vorliegen. Das [Br2F5]+-Kation enthält eine symmetrische [F2Br-µ-F-BrF2]-Brücke, das [Br3F8]+-Kation enthält unsymmetrische µ-F-Brücken. Die Fluoronium-Ionen wurden in Form ihrer [SbF6]--Salze erhalten und Raman-, und 19F-NMR-spektroskopisch, sowie durch Röntgenbeugung am Einkristall untersucht. Quantenchemische Rechnungen, sowohl für die isolierten Kationen in der Gasphase, als auch für die Festkörper selbst, wurden durchgeführt. Populationsanalysen zeigen, dass die µ-F-Atome die am stärksten negativ partialgeladenen Atome der Kationen sind. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  5. Success factors for strategic change initiatives: a qualitative study of healthcare administrators' perspectives.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Kash, Bita Arbab; Spaulding, Aaron; Johnson, Christopher E; Gamm, Larry

    2014-01-01

    Success factors related to the implementation of change initiatives are well documented and discussed in the management literature, but they are seldom studied in healthcare organizations engaged in multiple strategic change initiatives. The purpose of this study was to identify key success factors related to implementation of change initiatives based on rich qualitative data gathered from health leader interviews at two large health systems implementing multiple change initiatives. In-depth personal interviews with 61 healthcare leaders in the two large systems were conducted and inductive qualitative analysis was employed to identify success factors associated with 13 change initiatives. Results from this analysis were compared to success factors identified in the literature, and generalizations were drawn that add significantly to the management literature, especially to that in the healthcare sector. Ten specific success factors were identified for the implementation of change initiatives. The top three success factors were (1) culture and values, (2) business processes, and (3) people and engagement. Two of the identified success factors are unique to the healthcare sector and not found in the literature on change models: service quality and client satisfaction (ranked fourth of 10) and access to information (ranked ninth). Results demonstrate the importance of human resource functions, alignment of culture and values with change, and business processes that facilitate effective communication and access to information to achieve many change initiatives. The responses also suggest opportunities for leaders of healthcare organizations to more formally recognize the degree to which various change initiatives are dependent on one another.

  6. TcoF-DB: dragon database for human transcription co-factors and transcription factor interacting proteins

    KAUST Repository

    Schaefer, Ulf; Schmeier, Sebastian; Bajic, Vladimir B.

    2010-01-01

    The initiation and regulation of transcription in eukaryotes is complex and involves a large number of transcription factors (TFs), which are known to bind to the regulatory regions of eukaryotic DNA. Apart from TF-DNA binding, protein-protein interaction involving TFs is an essential component of the machinery facilitating transcriptional regulation. Proteins that interact with TFs in the context of transcription regulation but do not bind to the DNA themselves, we consider transcription co-factors (TcoFs). The influence of TcoFs on transcriptional regulation and initiation, although indirect, has been shown to be significant with the functionality of TFs strongly influenced by the presence of TcoFs. While the role of TFs and their interaction with regulatory DNA regions has been well-studied, the association between TFs and TcoFs has so far been given less attention. Here, we present a resource that is comprised of a collection of human TFs and the TcoFs with which they interact. Other proteins that have a proven interaction with a TF, but are not considered TcoFs are also included. Our database contains 157 high-confidence TcoFs and additionally 379 hypothetical TcoFs. These have been identified and classified according to the type of available evidence for their involvement in transcriptional regulation and their presence in the cell nucleus. We have divided TcoFs into four groups, one of which contains high-confidence TcoFs and three others contain TcoFs which are hypothetical to different extents. We have developed the Dragon Database for Human Transcription Co-Factors and Transcription Factor Interacting Proteins (TcoF-DB). A web-based interface for this resource can be freely accessed at http://cbrc.kaust.edu.sa/tcof/ and http://apps.sanbi.ac.za/tcof/. © The Author(s) 2010.

  7. TcoF-DB: dragon database for human transcription co-factors and transcription factor interacting proteins

    KAUST Repository

    Schaefer, Ulf

    2010-10-21

    The initiation and regulation of transcription in eukaryotes is complex and involves a large number of transcription factors (TFs), which are known to bind to the regulatory regions of eukaryotic DNA. Apart from TF-DNA binding, protein-protein interaction involving TFs is an essential component of the machinery facilitating transcriptional regulation. Proteins that interact with TFs in the context of transcription regulation but do not bind to the DNA themselves, we consider transcription co-factors (TcoFs). The influence of TcoFs on transcriptional regulation and initiation, although indirect, has been shown to be significant with the functionality of TFs strongly influenced by the presence of TcoFs. While the role of TFs and their interaction with regulatory DNA regions has been well-studied, the association between TFs and TcoFs has so far been given less attention. Here, we present a resource that is comprised of a collection of human TFs and the TcoFs with which they interact. Other proteins that have a proven interaction with a TF, but are not considered TcoFs are also included. Our database contains 157 high-confidence TcoFs and additionally 379 hypothetical TcoFs. These have been identified and classified according to the type of available evidence for their involvement in transcriptional regulation and their presence in the cell nucleus. We have divided TcoFs into four groups, one of which contains high-confidence TcoFs and three others contain TcoFs which are hypothetical to different extents. We have developed the Dragon Database for Human Transcription Co-Factors and Transcription Factor Interacting Proteins (TcoF-DB). A web-based interface for this resource can be freely accessed at http://cbrc.kaust.edu.sa/tcof/ and http://apps.sanbi.ac.za/tcof/. © The Author(s) 2010.

  8. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy as detection tool for coordinated or uncoordinated fluorine atoms demonstrated on fluoride systems NaF, K2TaF7, K3TaF8, K2ZrF6, Na7Zr6F31 and K3ZrF7

    Science.gov (United States)

    Boča, Miroslav; Barborík, Peter; Mičušík, Matej; Omastová, Mária

    2012-07-01

    While systems K3TaF8 and K3ZrF7 were prepared by modified molten salt method modified wet pathway was used for reproducible preparation of Na7Zr6F31. Its congruently melting character was demonstrated on simultaneous TG/DSC measurements and XRD patterns. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was applied for identification of differently bonded fluorine atoms in series of compounds NaF, K2TaF7, K3TaF8, K2ZrF6, Na7Zr6F31 and K3ZrF7. Three different types of fluorine atoms were described qualitatively and quantitatively. Uncoordinated fluorine atoms (F-) provide signals at lowest binding energies, followed by signals from terminally coordinated fluorine atoms (M-F) and then bridging fluorine atoms (M-F-M) at highest energy. Based on XPS F 1s signals assigned to fluorine atoms in compounds with correctly determined structure it was suggested that fluorine atoms in K3ZrF7 have partially bridging character.

  9. Inatividade física no lazer de adultos e fatores associados Inactividad física en ocio de adultos y factores asociados Leisure-time physical inactivity in adults and factors associated

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Taís Gaudencio Martins

    2009-10-01

    ón entre inactividad física en ocio de adultos con factores sociodemográficos e indicadores de riesgo y protección para enfermedades crónicas. MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal con individuos con edad de 18 años y superior (n=1996. Fueron utilizados datos obtenidos del Sistema Municipal de Monitoreo de Factores de Riesgo para Enfermedades Crónicas No Transmisibles, por medio de entrevistas telefónicas, en Florianópolis, Sur de Brasil, 2005. Se analizaron factores sociodemográficos e de comportamiento de protección y de riesgo. Los resultados de los análisis de regresión logística múltiple para asociación entre inactividad física en ocio y variables independientes fueron expresados por razones de prevalencia. RESULTADOS: La prevalencia de la inactividad física en ocio fue de 54,6%(47,3% hombres, 61,4% mujeres. Posterior al análisis ajustado, entre los hombres, mayor probabilidad de inactividad física en ocio fue asociada al aumento del grupo etario, a la disminución del nivel de escolaridad y al hecho de trabajar; menor probabilidad de inactividad física en ocio fue asociada al consumo abusivo de bebida alcohólica, independientemente del grupo etario, nivel de escolaridad y trabajo. Entre las mujeres, mayor probabilidad de inactividad física fue observada entre las que relataron nivel de escolaridad menor a 12 años de estudio y que trabajaban. Análisis ajustados por el nivel de escolaridad y trabajo mostraron mayor probabilidad de inactividad física en ocio en mujeres que relataron consumo de frutas y hortalizas con frecuencia inferior a cinco veces por día y consumo de leche integral. CONCLUSIONES: Los factores asociados a la inactividad física en ocio presentaron perfil diferente entre hombres y mujeres. Para mujeres, la inactividad física se asoció a comportamientos de riesgo para enfermedades crónicas, en especial a los hábitos alimentarios, y para los hombres, se asociaron a factores sociodemográficos.OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association

  10. Thermostimulated recombination processes in LiBaF.sub.3./sub. crystals

    Czech Academy of Sciences Publication Activity Database

    Kulis, P.; Tale, I.; Gromuls, I.; Nikl, Martin; Ichinose, N.; Shimamura, K.

    2004-01-01

    Roč. 38, - (2004), s. 723-726 ISSN 1350-4487 R&D Projects: GA AV ČR(CZ) KSK1010104 Keywords : LiBaF 3 * radiation defects * TSL * absorption Subject RIV: BM - Solid Matter Physics ; Magnetism Impact factor: 0.664, year: 2004

  11. Vapor pressure isotope effect in 13CClF3/12CClF3 by cryogenic distillation kinetics

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Wieck, H.J.; Ishida, T.

    1975-08-01

    The vapor pressure of 13 CClF 3 relative to the vapor pressure of 12 CClF 3 was measured as a function of temperature between 169 0 and 206 0 K by using a modified Bigeleisen distillation column. The transient build-up of the isotopic concentration gradient along the length of the packed column during the start-up period was monitored by taking samples from the condenser section as a function of time. The gaseous samples were completely oxidized to carbon dioxide in the presence of a platinum catalyst and a large excess of oxygen at temperatures between 1050 and 1100 0 C. The combustion products were purified by means of gas chromatography, and the purified carbon dioxide samples were analyzed in a Nier-type isotope-ratio mass spectrometer. The data of each distillation run were reduced in the light of Cohen's theory of the kinetics of square cascade of close-separation stages. The vapor pressure isotope effect for the carbon substitution in CClF 3 at temperatures between 169 0 and 206 0 K was found to be an inverse effect and to be rather insensitive to changes in temperature. The relative vapor pressure may be expressed 1n(P'/P) = [(1.5 +- 14.1)/T 2 ] - [(0.159 +- 0.076)/T], or 1n(P'/P) = [(0.173 +- 0.098)/T] - [(0.11 +- 0.53) x 10 -3 ], where P' and P are the vapor pressures of 12 CClF 3 and 13 CClF 3 , respectively. To the first-order, the presence of chlorine isotopes would not affect the fractionation of carbon isotopes by the distillation of CClF 3

  12. 18F-FDG PET/CT in breast cancer: Evidence-based recommendations in initial staging.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Caresia Aroztegui, Ana Paula; García Vicente, Ana María; Alvarez Ruiz, Soledad; Delgado Bolton, Roberto Carlos; Orcajo Rincon, Javier; Garcia Garzon, Jose Ramon; de Arcocha Torres, Maria; Garcia-Velloso, Maria Jose

    2017-10-01

    Current guidelines do not systematically recommend 18F-FDG PET/CT for breast cancer staging; and the recommendations and level of evidence supporting its use in different groups of patients vary among guidelines. This review summarizes the evidence about the role of 18F-FDG PET/CT in breast cancer staging and the therapeutic and prognostic impact accumulated in the last decade. Other related aspects, such as the association of metabolic information with biology and prognosis are considered and evidence-based recommendations for the use of 18F-FDG PET/CT in breast cancer staging are offered. We systematically searched MEDLINE for articles reporting studies with at least 30 patients related to clinical questions following the Problem/Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome framework. We critically reviewed the selected articles and elaborated evidence tables structuring the summarized information into methodology, results, and limitations. The level of evidence and the grades of recommendation for the use of 18F-FDG PET/CT in different contexts are summarized. Level III evidence supports the use of 18F-FDG PET/CT for initial staging in patients with recently diagnosed breast cancer; the diagnostic and therapeutic impact of the 18F-FDG PET/CT findings is sufficient for a weak recommendation in this population. In patients with locally advanced breast cancer, level II evidence supports the use of 18F-FDG PET/CT for initial staging; the diagnostic and therapeutic impact of the 18F-FDG PET/CT findings is sufficient for a strong recommendation in this population. In patients with recently diagnosed breast cancer, the metabolic information from baseline 18F-FDG PET/CT is associated with tumor biology and has prognostic implications, supported by level II evidence. In conclusion, 18F-FDG PET/CT is not recommended for staging all patients with early breast cancer, although evidence of improved regional and systemic staging supports its use in locally advanced

  13. First-principles calculations of two cubic fluoropervskite compounds: RbFeF3 and RbNiF3

    Science.gov (United States)

    Mubarak, A. A.; Al-Omari, Saleh

    2015-05-01

    We present first-principles calculations of the structural, elastic, electronic, magnetic and optical properties for RbFeF3 and RbNiF3. The full-potential linear augmented plan wave (FP-LAPW) method within the density functional theory was utilized to perform the present calculations. We employed the generalized gradient approximation as exchange-correlation potential. It was found that the calculated analytical lattice parameters agree with previous studies. The analysis of elastic constants showed that the present compounds are elastically stable and anisotropic. Moreover, both compounds are classified as a ductile compound. The calculations of the band structure and density functional theory revealed that the RbFeF3 compound has a half-metallic behavior while the RbNiF3 compound has a semiconductor behavior with indirect (M-Γ) band gap. The ferromagnetic behavior was studied for both compounds. The optical properties were calculated for the radiation of up to 40 eV. A beneficial optics technology is predicted as revealed from the optical spectra.

  14. Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 subunit e controls intracellular calcium homeostasis by regulation of cav1.2 surface expression.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Pawel Buda

    Full Text Available Inappropriate surface expression of voltage-gated Ca(2+channels (CaV in pancreatic ß-cells may contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes. First, failure to increase intracellular Ca(2+ concentrations at the sites of exocytosis impedes insulin release. Furthermore, excessive Ca(2+ influx may trigger cytotoxic effects. The regulation of surface expression of CaV channels in the pancreatic β-cells remains unknown. Here, we used real-time 3D confocal and TIRFM imaging, immunocytochemistry, cellular fractionation, immunoprecipitation and electrophysiology to study trafficking of L-type CaV1.2 channels upon β-cell stimulation. We found decreased surface expression of CaV1.2 and a corresponding reduction in L-type whole-cell Ca(2+ currents in insulin-secreting INS-1 832/13 cells upon protracted (15-30 min stimulation. This internalization occurs by clathrin-dependent endocytosis and could be prevented by microtubule or dynamin inhibitors. eIF3e (Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 subunit E is part of the protein translation initiation complex, but its effect on translation are modest and effects in ion channel trafficking have been suggested. The factor interacted with CaV1.2 and regulated CaV1.2 traffic bidirectionally. eIF3e silencing impaired CaV1.2 internalization, which resulted in an increased intracellular Ca(2+ load upon stimulation. These findings provide a mechanism for regulation of L-type CaV channel surface expression with consequences for β-cell calcium homeostasis, which will affect pancreatic β-cell function and insulin production.

  15. of Nd3+ions in YLiF4 and LuLiF4 crystals

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    André Felipe Henriques Librantz

    2006-01-01

    Full Text Available Nd3+ ultraviolet (UV fluorescence induced by multiphotonic laser excitations was studied in doped Nd:YLiF4 (YLF and Nd:LuLiF4 (LLF crystals by using the time resolved spectroscopy technique. The UV luminescences are due to transitions between the 4f25d and the 4f3 electronic configurations of Nd3+ ions. The 4f25d configuration can be reached by direct pumping or by multiphotonic excitation, both processes give rise to the UV band emission with structure due to the strong phonon coupling expected for 5d orbital involvement in the transition. The multiphotonic excitation process is due to three photons (532 nanometers [nm] sequential absorptions by metastable levels of the 4f3 configuration split by crystalline local field. The sequential excitation of Nd by the laser excitation is attributed to the 4I9/2 + 532 nm t 4G7/2 ground state absorption followed by the 4G7/2 + 532 nm t 2F5/2 and 2F5/2 + 532 nm t 4f25d excited state absorptions. The UV emissions due to 4f25d configuration are parity allowed, having lifetime of 35 nanoseconds (ns in contrast to UV emissions from 4f3 configuration which are induced by two absorption steps and are parity forbidden showing longer lifetime of 8 microseconds (ms and narrow lines. The polarization effects of the UV emissions were studied and their behaviors are dependent on the excited state configuration involving or not involving the 5d orbital. The allowed UV emission positions were affected by the host variation more than the ones originated from the 4f3 configuration as expected. The electronic energy of the 4f25d configuration shifts to lower energy for increasing the crystal field.

  16. Dose conversion factor for radon concentration in indoor environments using a new equation for the F-fp correlation

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Vargas, A.; Ortega, X.; Porta, M.

    2000-01-01

    Since 1994 the radon studies group at the Institut de Techniques Energetiques (INTE) of the Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain, has carried out a campaign of continuous measurements of the equilibrium factor (F) and the unattached fraction (f p ) of radon decay products at four sites which are representative of different environmental characteristics on the Mediterranean littoral of Catalonia, Spain. It has been established that these parameters vary widely, F(0.03--0.87) and f p (0--0.72), from one site to another and with time, according to the characteristics on the site and climate. In spite of this variation, the F and f p parameters are log-normally or normally distributed. The measurements of F and f p show that f p is negatively correlated to F by a log-power equation, Ln(1/f p )=1.90[Ln(1/F)] -0.68 , which can be used in all the F range, instead of the commonly used power equation f p =aF b suggested by Stranden and Strand and other authors, which fits well for a reduced range of F. Power and log-power equations have been introduced into a simplified dosimetric model in order to estimate the effective dose per unit radon exposure as a function of F. From the log-power equation this value is quite constant and ranged from 9 nSv per B1 m -3 h to 12 nSv per B1 m -3 h when F is higher than 0.15. In the case of a lower F factor, a linear function that passes through 0 fits quite well. A value of 12 nSv per B1 m -3 h is proposed for the Mediterranean littoral of Catalonia as the best estimation

  17. Interfacial phenomena in the reactions of Al-B, Al-Ti-B, and Al-Zr-B alloys with KF-AlF3 and NaF-AlF3 melts

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Lee, M.S.; Terry, B.S.; Grieveson, P.

    1993-01-01

    The interfacial phenomena occurring during the contacting of liquid Al-B, Al-Ti-B, and Al-Zr-B melts with KF-AlF 3 liquid fluxes have been investigated by optical examination of quenched metal drops previously immersed in the liquid fluxes. Reactions in the Al-B/KF-AlF 3 system involve the formation of metastable AlB 12 at the metal/flux interface. At high KBF 4 levels in the flux, the AlB 12 is dispersed in the flux and also at low KBF 4 levels in the metal. Reactions in the Al-Ti-B/KF-AlF 3 system involve the formation of TiB 2 , which may be dispersed in either the metal or the flux depending upon the composition of the flux. The results obtained for the Al-Ti-B/NaF-AlF 3 and Al-Zr-B/KF-AlF 3 systems were similar to those observed for the Al-Ti-B/KF-AlF 3 system

  18. The low-temperature structures of Hgsub(3-delta)SbF6 and Hgsub(3-delta)TaF6

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Tun, Z.; Brown, I.D.

    1986-01-01

    The Hg chains in both Hgsub(3-delta)SbF 6 and Hgsub(3-delta)TaF 6 order below room temperature. Down to about 190 K the ordering results from the interaction between parallel chains. It is short range and is different for the two compounds. Below 190 K both compounds transform to an isostructural long-range-ordered phase which is driven by the interaction between perpendicular chains. The structure of this phase in both compounds has been determined. Hgsub(3-delta)SbF 6 at 173 K, delta=0.134(1), Msub(r)=810.6(2). It is monoclinic but pseudotetragonal with I4 1 /amd, a=7.655(1), c=12.558(1) A, V=735.9(2) A 3 , Z=4, Dsub(x)=7.314(3) Mg m -3 , graphite-monochromated Mo Kα radiation, lambda=0.71069 A, μ=64.8 mm -1 , F(000)=1337.1(3). Hgsub(3-delta)TaF 6 at 150 K is isostructural but has delta=0.142(1), Msub(r)=868.2(2), a=7.634(1), c=12.610(2) A, V=734.9(2) A, Dsub(x)=7.844(3) Mg m -3 , μ=76.4 mm -1 , F(000)=1422.6(3). Comparison of the low-temperature structures with those at room temperature shows that the thermal contraction results from the shortening of interatomic distances associated with the weak bonds, with the result that the MF 6 (M=Sb, Ta) host lattice shrinks more than the Hg chains. Variation of the atomic displacement parameters with temperature indicates that the large librational displacements of the MF 6 ion result from thermal motion rather than static disorder. (orig.)

  19. Synthesis of Multicolor Core/Shell NaLuF4:Yb3+/Ln3+@CaF2 Upconversion Nanocrystals

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Hui Li

    2017-02-01

    Full Text Available The ability to synthesize high-quality hierarchical core/shell nanocrystals from an efficient host lattice is important to realize efficacious photon upconversion for applications ranging from bioimaging to solar cells. Here, we describe a strategy to fabricate multicolor core @ shell α-NaLuF4:Yb3+/Ln3+@CaF2 (Ln = Er, Ho, Tm upconversion nanocrystals (UCNCs based on the newly established host lattice of sodium lutetium fluoride (NaLuF4. We exploited the liquid-solid-solution method to synthesize the NaLuF4 core of pure cubic phase and the thermal decomposition approach to expitaxially grow the calcium fluoride (CaF2 shell onto the core UCNCs, yielding cubic core/shell nanocrystals with a size of 15.6 ± 1.2 nm (the core ~9 ± 0.9 nm, the shell ~3.3 ± 0.3 nm. We showed that those core/shell UCNCs could emit activator-defined multicolor emissions up to about 772 times more efficient than the core nanocrystals due to effective suppression of surface-related quenching effects. Our results provide a new paradigm on heterogeneous core/shell structure for enhanced multicolor upconversion photoluminescence from colloidal nanocrystals.

  20. Evaluation of factors influencing 18F-FET uptake in the brain

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Antoine Verger

    2018-01-01

    Full Text Available PET using the amino-acid O-(2-18F-fluoroethyl-l-tyrosine (18F-FET is gaining increasing interest for brain tumour management. Semi-quantitative analysis of tracer uptake in brain tumours is based on the standardized uptake value (SUV and the tumour-to-brain ratio (TBR. The aim of this study was to explore physiological factors that might influence the relationship of SUV of 18F-FET uptake in various brain areas, and thus affect quantification of 18F-FET uptake in brain tumours. Negative 18F-FET PET scans of 107 subjects, showing an inconspicuous brain distribution of 18F-FET, were evaluated retrospectively. Whole-brain quantitative analysis with Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM using parametric SUV PET images, and volumes of interest (VOIs analysis with fronto-parietal, temporal, occipital, and cerebellar SUV background areas were performed to study the effect of age, gender, height, weight, injected activity, body mass index (BMI, and body surface area (BSA. After multivariate analysis, female gender and high BMI were found to be two independent factors associated with increased SUV of 18F-FET uptake in the brain. In women, SUVmean of 18F-FET uptake in the brain was 23% higher than in men (p < 0.01. SUVmean of 18F-FET uptake in the brain was positively correlated with BMI (r = 0.29; p < 0.01. The influence of these factors on SUV of 18F-FET was similar in all brain areas. In conclusion, SUV of 18F-FET in the normal brain is influenced by gender and weakly by BMI, but changes are similar in all brain areas.

  1. Synthesis of the Complex Fluoride LiBaF3 through a Solvothermal Process

    Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (English)

    2002-01-01

    The complex fluoride LiBaF3 is solvothermally synthesized at 180℃ and characterized by means of X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and infrared spectroscopy. In the solvothermal process, the solvents, mole ratios of initial mixtures and reaction temperature play important roles in the growth of the single crystal.

  2. Photoluminescent properties of LiSrxBa1-xPO4:RE3+ (RE = Sm3+, Eu3+) f-f transition phosphors

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Tu Dong; Liang Yujun; Liu Rong; Cheng Zheng; Yang Fan; Yang Wenlong

    2011-01-01

    Highlights: → Novel phosphors LiSr x Ba 1-x PO 4 : Sm 3+ and LiSr x Ba 1-x PO 4 : Eu 3+ have been synthesized by solid-state reaction method. → The LiSr x Ba 1-x PO 4 : Sm 3+ and LiSr x Ba 1-x PO 4 : Eu 3+ phosphors may be potential f-f transition phosphors used in LED. → The emission intensity of the LiSr x Ba 1-x PO 4 : Sm 3+ and LiSr x Ba 1-x PO 4 : Eu 3+ phosphors can be enhanced by increasing the value of x. - Abstract: Rare-earth ions (Sm 3+ or Eu 3+ ) doped LiSr x Ba 1-x PO 4 (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0) f-f transition phosphor powders were prepared by a high temperature solid-state reaction. The resulted phosphors were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The results of XRD indicate that the phase structure of the sample changes from LiBaPO 4 to LiSrPO 4 when x changes from 0 to 1.0. The excitation spectra indicate that only direct excitation of rare earth ions (Sm 3+ or Eu 3+ ) can be observed. The doped rare earth ions show their characteristic emission in LiSr x Ba 1-x PO 4 , i.e., Eu 3+5 D 0 - 7 F J (J = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4), Sm 3+4 G 5/2 → 6 H J (J = 5/2, 7/2, 9/2, 11/2), respectively. The dependence of the emission intensities of the LiSr x Ba 1-x PO 4 :Sm 3+ and LiSr x Ba 1-x PO 4 :Eu 3+ phosphors on the x value and Ln 3+ (Ln 3+ = Sm 3+ , Eu 3+ ) concentration is also investigated.

  3. Towards a Classification of Architecture Initiatives: Outlining the External Factors

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Hansen, Christian Lindschou; Mortensen, Niels Henrik; Hvam, Lars

    2012-01-01

    or bad, without including the contextual differences. The purpose of the external factors is to improve scoping and goal setting of architecture initiatives, and improve comparability between- and transferability of knowledge from architecture initiatives. The external factors are a first step towards......This paper introduced a set of external factors capturing the contextual differences that set the stage for architecture initiatives. These are derived from a systems theoretical approach recognizing the fact that architecture initiatives should respond the challenges posed by the external...

  4. Synthesis and characterization of (18)F-labeled active site inhibited factor VII (ASIS).

    Science.gov (United States)

    Erlandsson, Maria; Nielsen, Carsten H; Jeppesen, Troels E; Kristensen, Jesper B; Petersen, Lars C; Madsen, Jacob; Kjaer, Andreas

    2015-05-15

    Activated factor VII blocked in the active site with Phe-Phe-Arg-chloromethyl ketone (active site inhibited factor VII (ASIS)) is a 50-kDa protein that binds with high affinity to its receptor, tissue factor (TF). TF is a transmembrane glycoprotein that plays an important role in, for example, thrombosis, metastasis, tumor growth, and tumor angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to develop an (18)F-labeled ASIS derivative to assess TF expression in tumors. Active site inhibited factor VII was labeled using N-succinimidyl-4-[(18)F]fluorobenzoate, and the [(18)F]ASIS was purified on a PD-10 desalting column. The radiochemical yield was 25 ± 6%, the radiochemical purity was >97%, and the pseudospecific radioactivity was 35 ± 9 GBq/µmol. The binding efficacy was evaluated in pull-down experiments, which monitored the binding of unlabeled ASIS and [(18)F]ASIS to TF and to a specific anti-factor VII antibody (F1A2-mAb). No significant difference in binding efficacy between [(18)F]ASIS and ASIS could be detected. Furthermore, [(18)F]ASIS was relatively stable in vitro and in vivo in mice. In conclusion, [(18)F]ASIS has for the first time been successfully synthesized as a possible positron emission tomography tracer to image TF expression levels. In vivo positron emission tomography studies to evaluate the full potential of [(18)F]ASIS are in progress. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  5. Fully automated synthesis system of 3'-deoxy-3'-[18F]fluorothymidine

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Oh, Seung Jun; Mosdzianowski, Christoph; Chi, Dae Yoon; Kim, Jung Young; Kang, Se Hun; Ryu, Jin Sook; Yeo, Jeong Seok; Moon, Dae Hyuk

    2004-01-01

    We developed a new fully automated method for the synthesis of 3'-deoxy-3'-[ 18 F]fluorothymidine ([ 18 F]FLT), by modifying a commercial FDG synthesizer and its disposable fluid pathway. Optimal labeling condition was that 40 mg of precursor in acetonitrile (2 mL) was heated at 150 degree sign C for 100 sec, followed by heating at 85 degree sign C for 450 sec and hydrolysis with 1 N HCl at 105 degree sign C for 300 sec. Using 3.7 GBq of [ 18 F]F - as starting activity, [ 18 F]FLT was obtained with a yield of 50.5±5.2% (n=28, decay corrected) within 60.0±5.4 min including HPLC purification. With 37.0 GBq, we obtained 48.7±5.6% (n=10). The [ 18 F]FLT showed the good stability for 6 h. This new automated synthesis procedure combines high and reproducible yields with the benefits of a disposable cassette system

  6. Calculated high-pressure structural properties, lattice dynamics and quasi particle band structures of perovskite fluorides KZnF3, CsCaF3 and BaLiF3.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Vaitheeswaran, G; Kanchana, V; Zhang, Xinxin; Ma, Yanming; Svane, A; Christensen, N E

    2016-08-10

    A detailed study of the high-pressure structural properties, lattice dynamics and band structures of perovskite structured fluorides KZnF3, CsCaF3 and BaLiF3 has been carried out by means of density functional theory. The calculated structural properties including elastic constants and equation of state agree well with available experimental information. The phonon dispersion curves are in good agreement with available experimental inelastic neutron scattering data. The electronic structures of these fluorides have been calculated using the quasi particle self-consistent [Formula: see text] approximation. The [Formula: see text] calculations reveal that all the fluorides studied are wide band gap insulators, and the band gaps are significantly larger than those obtained by the standard local density approximation, thus emphasizing the importance of quasi particle corrections in perovskite fluorides.

  7. Improved process for generating ClF/sub 3/ from ClF and F/sub 2/

    Science.gov (United States)

    Reiner, R.H.; Pashley, J.H.; Barber, E.J.

    The invention is an improvement in the process for producing gaseous ClF/sub 3/ by reacting ClF and F/sub 2/ at elevated temperature. The improved process comprises conducting the reaction in the presence of NiF/sub 2/, which preferably is in the form of particles or in the form of a film or layer on a particulate substrate. The nickel fluoride acts as a reaction catalyst, significantly increasing the reaction rate and thus permitting valuable reductions in process temperature, pressure, and/or reactor volume.

  8. Electron-impact dissociative ionization of CClF3 and CCl3F

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Martinez, Roberto; Sierra, Borja; Basterretxea, Francisco J.; Sanchez Rayo, Maria N.; Castano, Fernando

    2006-01-01

    A crossed-beam experiment of well characterized kinetic energy (KE) electrons and supersonic halomethanes CCl 3 F and CClF 3 in Ar carrier has been carried out in order to quantify the kinetic energy distributions (KEDs), the appearance energies (AEs) and the channels involved in the production of nascent ions. The ion KEDs were derived from the band profiles of the time-of-flight mass spectrum and the total KEDs computed using conservation laws. Heavier ions are created with KED peaked at thermal energies in contrast with low mass atoms or other fragments, where the distribution is broader and the maximum is at much higher energies. A discussion of the dissociative ionization pathways derived from the appearance energies, total average KEDs, thermodynamic enthalpies and computed electron dissociation energies is reported. The role of the vibrational and rotational energies into the dissociative processes is also discussed

  9. A new 18F-labelled derivative of the MMP inhibitor CGS 27023A for PET: Radiosynthesis and initial small-animal PET studies

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Wagner, Stefan; Breyholz, Hans-Joerg; Hoeltke, Carsten; Faust, Andreas; Schober, Otmar; Schaefers, Michael; Kopka, Klaus

    2009-01-01

    The CGS 27023A derivative (R)-2-(N-((6-fluoropyridin-3-yl) methyl)-4-methoxyphenyl-sulphonamido)-N-hydroxy-3-methylbutanamide 1a was identified as a very potent matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor. Here, we describe a one-step radiosynthesis of the target compound [ 18 F]1a. The syntheses of [ 18 F]1a resulted in a radiochemical yield of 12.1±5.9% (decay-corrected), a radiochemical purity of 98.8±0.6%, and a specific activity of 39±27 GBq/μmol at the end of synthesis within 160±18 min from the end of radionuclide production (n=5). Initial small-animal PET studies in wild-type mice (C57/BL6) showed no unfavourable tissue accumulation of [ 18 F]1a

  10. Exploration on anion ordering, optical properties and electronic structure in K3WO3F3 elpasolite

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Atuchin, V.V.; Isaenko, L.I.; Kesler, V.G.; Lin, Z.S.; Molokeev, M.S.; Yelisseyev, A.P.; Zhurkov, S.A.

    2012-01-01

    Room-temperature modification of potassium oxyfluorotungstate, G2-K 3 WO 3 F 3 , has been prepared by low-temperature chemical route and single crystal growth. Wide optical transparency range of 0.3–9.4 μm and forbidden band gap E g =4.32 eV have been obtained for G2-K 3 WO 3 F 3 crystal. Meanwhile, its electronic structure has been calculated with the first-principles calculations. The good agreement between the theorectical and experimental results have been achieved. Furthermore, G2-K 3 WO 3 F 3 is predicted to possess the relatively large nonlinear optical coefficients. - Graphical abstract: Using the cm-size K 3 WO 3 F 3 crystal (left upper), the transmission spectrum (right upper) and XPS valence electronic states (left lower) were measured, agreed with the ab initio results (right lower). Highlights: ► The cm-size G2-K 3 WO 3 F 3 single crystals are obtained. ► Optical absorption edge and transmission range are defined for G2-K 3 WO 3 F 3 crystal. ► Crystal structures of all known K 3 WO 3 F 3 polymorph modifications are determined. ► Experimental electronic structure is consistent with the first-principles result. ► G2-K 3 WO 3 F 3 is predicted as a crystal with large NLO coefficients.

  11. Initiation of sexual intercourse among middle school adolescents: the influence of psychosocial factors.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Santelli, John S; Kaiser, Javaid; Hirsch, Lesley; Radosh, Alice; Simkin, Linda; Middlestadt, Susan

    2004-03-01

    To explore potential psychosocial predictors for initiation of sexual intercourse among middle-school, inner-city youth, using longitudinal data from the Healthy and Alive! project. We conducted hierarchical, logistic regression with adjustment for intraclass correlation over two sequential periods, including seventh and eighth grades (N = 3163), to assess the independent influence of psychosocial and demographic factors. Internally reliable scales to assess psychosocial influences were created, based on major theories of behavior. The sample was 52% female, 51% black, 30% Hispanic, 9% white, and 3% Asian. At baseline, 13% of girls and 39% of boys reported already having initiated sexual intercourse. Personal and perceived peer norms about refraining from sex were a strong and consistent protective factor. Alcohol and other drug use, poor academic performance, male gender, and black race were consistent risk factors. Self-efficacy showed a mixed effect: protective in the seventh grade but increasing risk in the eighth grade. Speaking a language other than English was a protective factor in seventh grade. Both psychosocial and demographic factors provided independent explanatory power. Psychosocial factors, particularly norms about having sex, influence initiation of sexual intercourse. These data suggest that programs to delay initiation of sexual intercourse should reinforce norms about refraining from sex.

  12. Quantitative assessment of multi-isocentric radiosurgical irradiation based on the f factor

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Lefkopoulos, D.; Schlienger, M.; Hancilar, T.; Keraudy, K.; Touboul, E.

    1995-01-01

    To evaluate quantitatively the stereotactic irradiations, we defined a DVH parameter (f) resulting from the lesion underdosage and healthy tissues overdosage curves. The Lesion Underdose Factor (LUF) is the ratio of the lesion volume receiving dose inferior to a reference isodose to the lesion volume. The Healthy Tissue Overdose Factor HTOF quantitates the amount of tissue external to the lesion receiving dose equal to or greater than a given reference isodose relatively to the lesion volume. The LUF and HTOF curves represent the variation of the LUF and HTOF factors as a function of the reference isodose. The f factor is the surface situated below the intersection of the two curves. The optimization goal of the planification procedure could consist in the minimization of f. We have correlated them with clinical results (obliteration of the nidus) of a series of 34 multi-isocenters AVMs linac irradiation. The treatment dose protocol was a peripheral dose of 20 - 25 Gy (50 to 70% isodose range). According to this preliminary study, it seems that f factor provides clinically useful quantitative indices for the treatment plan evaluation. The choice of the optimal treatment plan and reference isodose is realized as follows. For a same patient different treatment plans are calculated by successive modifications of the irradiation parameters, as the number of isocenters, the distances between isocenters, the collimators diameter, the number of arcs and their angular length etc. The choice of optimal treatment plan is based on a clinically validated quantitative factor such as the f factor. According to our preliminary results one should select the treatment plan corresponding to the smallest value of f. The choice of the optimal reference isodose is based on the clinical data (lesion volume and topography, adjacent critical structures) and the LUF and HTOF factors following a well-defined protocol

  13. Luminescent properties of Ln3+ doped tellurite glasses containing AlF3

    Science.gov (United States)

    Walas, Michalina; Pastwa, Agata; Lewandowski, Tomasz; Synak, Anna; Gryczyński, Ignacy; Sadowski, Wojciech; Kościelska, Barbara

    2016-09-01

    The low-phonon energy tellurite glasses TeO2-BaO-Bi2O3 and TeO2-BaO-Bi2O3-AlF3 triply doped with Eu3+, Tb3+, Tm3+ ions in two different molar ratios were synthesized using melt-quenching technique. Their structure and luminescence properties were widely investigated by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Photoluminescence Spectroscopy (PL). The luminescence spectra of Eu3+, Tb3+, Tm3+ co-doped glasses show apart of the bands corresponding to the 4f-4f transitions of lanthanide ions also band corresponding to glass matrix. AlF3 doping increases emission intensity, although to improve overall emission color further studies on molar composition of samples and the molar ratio of the components should be carried out.

  14. Thermodynamic assessment of the LiF–ThF4–PuF3–UF4 system

    NARCIS (Netherlands)

    Capelli, E.; Benes, O.; Konings, R.J.M.

    2015-01-01

    The LiF–ThF4–PuF3–UF4 system is the reference salt mixture considered for the Molten Salt Fast Reactor (MSFR) concept started with PuF3. In order to obtain the complete thermodynamic description of this quaternary system, two binary systems (ThF4–PuF3 and UF4–PuF3) and two ternary systems

  15. Energy transfer and tunable multicolor emission and paramagnetic properties of GdF3:Dy(3+),Tb(3+),Eu(3+) phosphors.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Guan, Hongxia; Sheng, Ye; Xu, Chengyi; Dai, Yunzhi; Xie, Xiaoming; Zou, Haifeng

    2016-07-20

    A series of Dy(3+), Tb(3+), Eu(3+) singly or doubly or triply doped GdF3 phosphors were synthesized by a glutamic acid assisted one-step hydrothermal method. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The results show that the synthesized samples are all pure GdF3. The obtained samples have a peanut-like morphology with a diameter of about 270 nm and a length of about 600 nm. Under UV excitation, GdF3:Dy(3+), GdF3:Tb(3+) and GdF3:Eu(3+) samples exhibit strong blue, green and red emissions, respectively. By adjusting their relative doping concentrations in the GdF3 host, the different color hues of green and red light are obtained by co-doped Dy(3+), Tb(3+) and Tb(3+), Eu(3+) ions in the GdF3 host, respectively. Besides, there exist two energy transfer pairs in the GdF3 host: (1) Dy(3+) → Tb(3+) and (2) Tb(3+) → Eu(3+). More significantly, in the Dy(3+), Tb(3+), and Eu(3+) tri-doped GdF3 phosphors, white light can also be achieved upon excitation of UV light by adjusting the doping concentration of Eu(3+). In addition, the obtained samples also exhibit paramagnetic properties at room temperature (300 K) and low temperature (2 K). It is obvious that multifunctional Dy(3+), Tb(3+), Eu(3+) tri-doped GdF3 materials including tunable multicolors and intrinsic paramagnetic properties may have potential applications in the field of full-color displays.

  16. Analysis of E2F factors during epidermal differentiation.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Chang, Wing Y; Dagnino, Lina

    2005-01-01

    The multigene E2F family of transcription factors is central in the control of cell cycle progression. The expression and activity of E2F proteins is tightly regulated transcriptionally and posttranslationally as a function of the proliferation and differentiation status of the cell. In this chapter, we review protocols designed to determine E2F mRNA abundance in tissues by in situ hybridization techniques. The ability to culture primary epidermal keratinocytes and maintain them as either undifferentiated or terminally differentiated cells allows the biochemical and molecular characterization of changes in E2F expression and activity. Thus, we also discuss in detail methods to analyze E2F protein abundance by immunoblot and their ability to bind DNA in cultured cells using electrophoretic mobility shift assays.

  17. An ab initio study on MgX3- and CaX3- superhalogen anions (X=F, Cl, Br)

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Anusiewicz, Iwona; Sobczyk, Monika; Dabkowska, Iwona; Skurski, Piotr

    2003-01-01

    The vertical electron detachment energies (VDEs) of twenty MX 3 - (M=Mg, Ca; X=F, Cl, Br) anions were calculated at the OVGF level with the 6-311++G(3df) basis sets. The largest vertical electron binding energy was found for MgF 3 - system (8.793 eV). All negatively charged species possess the VDEs that are larger than 5.9 eV and thus may be termed superhalogen anions. The strong dependence of the VDE of the MX 3 - species on the ligand-central atom (M-X) distance and on the partial atomic charge localized on Mg or Ca was observed and discussed, as well as the other factors that may influence the electronic stability of such anions

  18. An ab initio study on MgX 3- and CaX 3- superhalogen anions (X=F, Cl, Br)

    Science.gov (United States)

    Anusiewicz, Iwona; Sobczyk, Monika; Dąbkowska, Iwona; Skurski, Piotr

    2003-06-01

    The vertical electron detachment energies (VDEs) of twenty MX 3- (M=Mg, Ca; X=F, Cl, Br) anions were calculated at the OVGF level with the 6-311++G(3df) basis sets. The largest vertical electron binding energy was found for MgF 3- system (8.793 eV). All negatively charged species possess the VDEs that are larger than 5.9 eV and thus may be termed superhalogen anions. The strong dependence of the VDE of the MX 3- species on the ligand-central atom (M-X) distance and on the partial atomic charge localized on Mg or Ca was observed and discussed, as well as the other factors that may influence the electronic stability of such anions.

  19. Caliciviruses differ in their functional requirements for eIF4F components

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Chaudhry, Y.; Nayak, A.; Bordeleau, M-E.

    2006-01-01

    proteins can interact directly with the initiation factors eIF4E and eIF3. Translation initiation on feline calicivirus (FCV) RNA requires eIF4E because it is inhibited by recombinant 4E-BP1. However, to date, there have been no functional studies carried out with respect to norovirus translation...... translation require the RNA helicase component of the eIF4F complex, namely eIF4A, because translation was sensitive (albeit to different degrees) to a dominant negative form and to a small molecule inhibitor of eIF4A (hippuristanol). These results suggest that calicivirus RNAs differ with respect...... to their requirements for the components of the eIF4F translation initiation complex....

  20. Diffusion phenomena of fluorine and cations in molten Li2BeF4, LiBeF3 and NaBeF3

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Ohno, Hideo

    1984-03-01

    Self-diffusion coefficients of fluorine and cations in molten LiF-BeF 2 and NaF-BeF 2 systems were summarized by the capillary reservoir technique. The diffusion coefficients and the activation energies of cations in these molten salts follow a similar behavior with those of cations in molten alkali halides. On the other hand, self-diffusion of fluorine have unusually high diffusion coefficients and activation energies. The characteristic diffusion phenomena of fluorine in these molten alkali fluoroberyllates are very similar to those of oxygen in molten CaO-SiO 2 and CaO-SiO 2 -Al 2 O 3 slag. The dynamical behavior of Li and F in molten Li 2 BeF 4 was also analyzed by NMR technique. According to both these experiments, most probable mechanism of characteristic diffusion of fluorine in these molten systems could be dissociation of F atom from complex anion and long distance diffusion. (author)

  1. Longitudinal conductivity of LaF3/SrF2 multilayer heterostructures.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Vergentev, Tikhon; Banshchikov, Alexander; Filimonov, Alexey; Koroleva, Ekaterina; Sokolov, Nikolay; Wurz, Marc Christopher

    2016-01-01

    LaF 3 /SrF 2 multilayer heterostructures with thicknesses of individual layers in the range 5-100 nm have been grown on MgO(100) substrates using molecular beam epitaxy. The longitudinal conductivity of the films has been measured using impedance spectroscopy in the frequency range 10 -1 -10 6  Hz and a temperature range 300-570 K. The ionic DC conductivities have been determined from Nyquist impedance diagrams and activation energies from the Arrhenius-Frenkel equation. An increase of the DC conductivity has been observed to accompany decreased layer thickness for various thicknesses as small as 25 nm. The greatest conductivity has been shown for a multilayer heterostructure having thicknesses of 25 nm per layer. The structure has a conductivity two orders of magnitude greater than pure LaF 3 bulk material. The increasing conductivity can be understood as a redistribution of charge carriers through the interface due to differing chemical potentials of the materials, by strong lattice-constant mismatch, and/or by formation of a solid La 1-x Sr x F 3-x solution at the interface during the growth process.

  2. Externalization and recognition by macrophages of large subunit of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 in apoptotic cells

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Nakai, Yuji; Shiratsuchi, Akiko; Manaka, Junko; Nakayama, Hiroshi; Takio, Koji; Zhang Jianting; Suganuma, Tatsuo; Nakanishi, Yoshinobu

    2005-01-01

    We previously isolated a monoclonal antibody named PH2 that inhibits phosphatidylserine-mediated phagocytosis of apoptotic cells by macrophages [C. Fujii, A. Shiratsuchi, J. Manaka, S. Yonehara, Y. Nakanishi. Cell Death Differ. 8 (2001) 1113-1122]. We report here the identification of the cognate antigen. A protein bound by PH2 in Western blotting was identified as the 170-kDa subunit of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 (eIF3 p170/eIF3a). When eIF3a was expressed in a culture cell line as a protein fused to green fluorescence protein, the fusion protein was detected at the cell surface only after the induction of apoptosis. The same phenomenon was seen when the localization of endogenous eIF3a was determined using anti-eIF3a antibody, and eIF3a seemed to be partially degraded during apoptosis. Furthermore, bacterially expressed N-terminal half of eIF3a fused to glutathione S-transferase bound to the surface of macrophages and inhibited phagocytosis of apoptotic cells by macrophages when it was added to phagocytosis reactions. These results collectively suggest that eIF3a translocates to the cell surface upon apoptosis, probably after partial degradation, and bridges apoptotic cells and macrophages to enhance phagocytosis

  3. Initial development of passion fruit trees (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa, P. edulis f. edulis and P. alata grafted onto Passiflora cincinnata

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Valdir Zucareli

    2014-10-01

    Full Text Available The present work aimed to evaluate the initial growth and leaf mineral levels in passion fruit trees (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa Deg., P. edulis f. edulis Sims. and P. alata Dryander grafted onto Passiflora cincinnata. To obtain seedlings, seeds were sown in plastic bags (500 mL and hypocotyl grafting was performed when seedlings reached the stage of two fully expanded leaves. Fifteen days after grafting, plants were transplanted to 10L pots filled with previously limed and fertilized soil. Each pot contained two plants and corresponded to one plot. For each commercial species studied as rootstock, experimental design was completely randomized, in 3x5 (plant type x time of harvest factorial arrangement, with four replicates of two plants per plot and five destructive harvests. Plant types were ungrafted P. cincinnata, ungrafted commercial passion fruit tree and commercial passion fruit tree grafted onto P. cincinnata. The first harvest was performed at 15 days after transplanting and the remaining ones at 14-day intervals (60, 74, 88, 102 and 116 DAS. At each harvest, the number of leaves per plant was counted, and leaf area, stem length, and stem, root, leaf and total dry matter were estimated. At the last harvest, the mineral composition (macro and micronutrients of plants was analyzed. In general, it was observed that grafting onto P. cincinnata did not interfere negatively with the initial development and mineral levels of commercial passion fruit trees, and this interference varied according to the used canopy.

  4. {sup 18}F-FDG-PET/CT for systemic staging of newly diagnosed triple-negative breast cancer

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Ulaner, Gary A.; Castillo, Raychel; Riedl, Christopher C.; Jochelson, Maxine S. [Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Department of Radiology, New York, NY (United States); Weill Cornell Medical College, Department of Radiology, New York, NY (United States); Goldman, Debra A.; Goenen, Mithat [Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, New York, NY (United States); Wills, Jonathan [Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Department of Information Systems, New York, NY (United States); Pinker-Domenig, Katja [Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Department of Radiology, New York, NY (United States)

    2016-10-15

    National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines recommend {sup 18}F-FDG-PET/CT, in addition to standard staging procedures, for systemic staging of newly diagnosed stage III breast cancer patients. However, factors in addition to stage may influence PET/CT utility. As breast cancers that are negative for estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor (triple-negative breast cancer, or TNBC) are more aggressive and metastasize earlier than other breast cancers, we hypothesized that receptor expression may be one such factor. This study assesses {sup 18}F-FDG-PET/CT for systemic staging of newly diagnosed TNBC. In this Institutional Review Board-approved retrospective study, our Healthcare Information System was screened for patients with TNBC who underwent {sup 18}F-FDG-PET/CT in 2007-2013 prior to systemic or radiation therapy. Initial stage was determined from mammography, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, and/or surgery, if performed prior to {sup 18}F-FDG-PET/CT. {sup 18}F-FDG-PET/CT was evaluated to identify unsuspected extra-axillary regional nodal and distant metastases, as well as unsuspected synchronous malignancies. Kaplan Meier survival estimates were calculated for initial stage IIB patients stratified by whether or not stage 4 disease was detected by {sup 18}F-FDG-PET/CT. A total of 232 patients with TNBC met inclusion criteria. {sup 18}F-FDG-PET/CT revealed unsuspected distant metastases in 30 (13 %): 0/23 initial stage I, 4/82 (5 %) stage IIA, 13/87 (15 %) stage IIB, 4/23 (17 %) stage IIIA, 8/14 (57 %) stage IIIB, and 1/3 (33 %) stage IIIC. Twenty-six of 30 patients upstaged to IV by {sup 18}F-FDG-PET/CT were confirmed by pathology, with the remaining four patients confirmed by follow-up imaging. In addition, seven unsuspected synchronous malignancies were identified in six patients. Initial stage 2B patients who were upstaged to 4 by {sup 18}F-FDG-PET/CT had significantly shorter survival compared to

  5. Tunable luminescence properties and energy transfer of Ba{sub 3}NaLa(PO{sub 4}){sub 3}F:Tb{sup 3+},Sm{sup 3+} phosphors with apatite structure

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Liu, Haikun; Liao, Libing, E-mail: clayl@cugb.edu.cn; Chen, Jian; Guo, Qingfeng; Zhang, Yuanyuan; Mei, Lefu, E-mail: mlf@cugb.edu.cn

    2016-01-15

    Tb{sup 3+}–Sm{sup 3+} co-doped Ba{sub 3}NaLa(PO{sub 4}){sub 3}F phosphors with apatite structure have been prepared by a high temperature solid-state reaction, and their luminescence properties have been investigated in detail. The energy transfer (ET) mechanism was verified as the dipole–quadrupole mechanism, and the ET efficiency as well as the critical distance is also estimated. As a result of fine-tuning of the emission composition of the Tb{sup 3+} and Sm{sup 3+} ions, tunable luminescence properties can be realized by combining the emission of Tb{sup 3+} and Sm{sup 3+} in a single host lattice under UV light excitation. The emission color of the obtained phosphors can be modulated from green to yellow by controlling the doping content of the Sm{sup 3+} ions with the fixed Tb{sup 3+} content. Additional, as the temperature increases from RT to 150 °C, the PL intensities of Ba{sub 3}NaLa{sub 0.7}(PO{sub 4}){sub 3}F:0.10Tb{sup 3+},0.20Sm{sup 3+} decreased to 80.4% and 78.6% of the initial PL intensity, corresponding to the intensity of transition of Sm{sup 3+} and transition of Tb{sup 3+} in the Ba{sub 3}NaLa{sub 0.7}(PO{sub 4}){sub 3}F:0.10Tb{sup 3+},0.20Sm{sup 3+} phosphor, respectively. These results indicate the series of Ba{sub 3}NaLa{sub 1−x−y}(PO{sub 4}){sub 3}F:xTb{sup 3+},ySm{sup 3+} phosphors can be acted as a good candidate for the application in white light-emitting diodes. - Highlights: • Tb{sup 3+},Sm{sup 3+}-codoped Ba{sub 3}NaLa(PO{sub 4}){sub 3}F phosphors have been synthesized. • The emission color of the obtained phosphors can be modulated from green to red. • This phosphor has a good thermal stability.

  6. Flower colour modification of chrysanthemum by suppression of F3'H and overexpression of the exogenous Senecio cruentus F3'5'H gene.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Huang He

    Full Text Available Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum × morifolium is one of the most important ornamental plants in the world. They are typically used as cut flowers or potted plants. Chrysanthemum can exhibit red, purple, pink, yellow and white flowers, but lack bright red and blue flowers. In this study, we identified two chrysanthemum cultivars, C × morifolium 'LPi' and C × morifolium 'LPu', that only accumulate flavonoids in their ligulate flowers. Next, we isolated seven anthocyanin biosynthesis genes, namely CmCHS, CmF3H, CmF3'H, CmDFR, CmANS, CmCHI and Cm3GT in these cultivars. RT-PCR and qRT-PCR analyses showed that CmF3'H was the most important enzyme required for cyanidin biosynthsis. To rebuild the delphinidin pathway, we downregulated CmF3'H using RNAi and overexpressed the Senecio cruentus F3'5'H (PCFH gene in chrysanthemum. The resultant chrysanthemum demonstrated a significantly increased content of cyanidin and brighter red flower petals but did not accumulate delphinidin. These results indicated that CmF3'H in chrysanthemum is important for anthocyanin accumulation, and Senecio cruentus F3'5'H only exhibited F3'H activity in chrysanthemum but did not rebuild the delphinidin pathway to form blue flower chrysanthemum.

  7. Flower colour modification of chrysanthemum by suppression of F3'H and overexpression of the exogenous Senecio cruentus F3'5'H gene.

    Science.gov (United States)

    He, Huang; Ke, Hu; Keting, Han; Qiaoyan, Xiang; Silan, Dai

    2013-01-01

    Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum × morifolium) is one of the most important ornamental plants in the world. They are typically used as cut flowers or potted plants. Chrysanthemum can exhibit red, purple, pink, yellow and white flowers, but lack bright red and blue flowers. In this study, we identified two chrysanthemum cultivars, C × morifolium 'LPi' and C × morifolium 'LPu', that only accumulate flavonoids in their ligulate flowers. Next, we isolated seven anthocyanin biosynthesis genes, namely CmCHS, CmF3H, CmF3'H, CmDFR, CmANS, CmCHI and Cm3GT in these cultivars. RT-PCR and qRT-PCR analyses showed that CmF3'H was the most important enzyme required for cyanidin biosynthsis. To rebuild the delphinidin pathway, we downregulated CmF3'H using RNAi and overexpressed the Senecio cruentus F3'5'H (PCFH) gene in chrysanthemum. The resultant chrysanthemum demonstrated a significantly increased content of cyanidin and brighter red flower petals but did not accumulate delphinidin. These results indicated that CmF3'H in chrysanthemum is important for anthocyanin accumulation, and Senecio cruentus F3'5'H only exhibited F3'H activity in chrysanthemum but did not rebuild the delphinidin pathway to form blue flower chrysanthemum.

  8. Role of the adhesion molecule F3/Contactin in synaptic plasticity and memory.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Gulisano, Walter; Bizzoca, Antonella; Gennarini, Gianfranco; Palmeri, Agostino; Puzzo, Daniela

    2017-06-01

    Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) have a pivotal role in building and maintaining synaptic structures during brain development participating in axonal elongation and pathfinding, glial guidance of neuronal migration, as well as myelination. CAMs expression persists in the adult brain particularly in structures undergoing postnatal neurogenesis and involved in synaptic plasticity and memory as the hippocampus. Among the neural CAMs, we have recently focused on F3/Contactin, a glycosylphosphatidyl inositol-anchored glycoprotein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily, involved in neuronal development, synaptic maintenance and organization of neuronal networks. Here, we discuss our recent data suggesting that F3/Contactin exerts a role in hippocampal synaptic plasticity and memory in adult and aged mice. In particular, we have studied long-term potentiation (LTP), spatial and object recognition memory, and phosphorylation of the transcription factor cAMP-Responsive-Element Binding protein (CREB) in a transgenic mouse model of F3/Contactin overexpression. We also investigated whether F3/Contactin might influence neuronal apoptosis and the production of amyloid-beta peptide (Aβ), known to be one of the main pathogenetic hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In conclusion, a further understanding of F3/Contactin role in synaptic plasticity and memory might have interesting clinical outcomes in cognitive disorders, such as aging and AD, offering innovative therapeutic opportunities. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  9. Canted antiferromagnetism in KNi3[PO3(F,OH)]2[PO2(OH)2]F2 with a stair-case Kagomé lattice

    Science.gov (United States)

    Liu, Li-Chen; Ren, Wei-Jian; Huang, Ya-Xi; Pan, Yuanming; Mi, Jin-Xiao

    2017-10-01

    A new nickel phosphate KNi3[PO3(F,OH)]2[PO2(OH)2]F2 has been synthesized using a modified hydrothermal method. Structural characterizations show that it adopts a 3D framework structure with 2D layers of Ni octahedra in a stair-case Kagomé lattice. The Ni2 octahedron at the inversion center shares two trans-faces with Ni1 octahedra to form a linear trimer (Ni3O8F6) as the basic structural unit. The Ni-trimers are linked between themselves by sharing F-corners and to [PO3(F,OH)] tetrahedral groups by sharing O-corners to form 2D stair-case Kagomé layers, which are parallel to the (100) plane and are stacked along the a-axis. Successive Kagomé layers are combined together by [PO2(OH)2] tetrahedral groups and interstice cations K+. Magnetic measurements reveal that KNi3[PO3(F,OH)]2[PO2(OH)2]F2 exhibits a canted antiferromagnetic ordering with a ferromagnetic component at low temperatures.

  10. The F309S mutation increases factor VIII secretion in human cell line

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Daianne Maciely Carvalho Fantacini

    2016-06-01

    Full Text Available ABSTRACT OBJECTIVES: The capacity of a human cell line to secrete recombinant factor VIII with a F309S point mutation was investigated, as was the effect of the addition of chemical chaperones (betaine and sodium-4-phenylbutyrate on the secretion of factor VIII. METHODS: This work used a vector with a F309S mutation in the A1 domain to investigate FVIII production in the HEK 293 human cell line. Factor VIII activity was measured by chromogenic assay. Furthermore, the effects of chemical drugs on the culture were evaluated. RESULTS: The addition of the F309S mutation to a previously described FVIII variant increased FVIII secretion by 4.5 fold. Moreover, the addition of betaine or sodium-4-phenylbutyrate increased the secretion rate of FVIIIΔB proteins in HEK 293 cells, but the same effect was not seen for FVIIIΔB-F309S indicating that all the recombinant protein produced had been efficiently secreted. CONCLUSION: Bioengineering factor VIII expressed in human cells may lead to an efficient production of recombinant factor VIII and contribute toward low-cost coagulation factor replacement therapy for hemophilia A. FVIII-F309S produced in human cells can be effective in vivo.

  11. Synthesis and characterization of 18F-labeled active site inhibited factor VII (ASIS)

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Erlandsson, Maria; Nielsen, Carsten Haagen; Jeppesen, Troels Elmer

    2015-01-01

    Activated factor VII blocked in the active site with Phe-Phe-Arg-chloromethyl ketone (active site inhibited factor VII (ASIS)) is a 50-kDa protein that binds with high affinity to its receptor, tissue factor (TF). TF is a transmembrane glycoprotein that plays an important role in, for example......, thrombosis, metastasis, tumor growth, and tumor angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to develop an 18F-labeled ASIS derivative to assess TF expression in tumors. Active site inhibited factor VII was labeled using N-succinimidyl-4-[18F]fluorobenzoate, and the [18F]ASIS was purified on a PD-10 desalting...... column. The radiochemical yield was 25 ± 6%, the radiochemical purity was >97%, and the pseudospecific radioactivity was 35 ± 9 GBq/µmol. The binding efficacy was evaluated in pull-down experiments, which monitored the binding of unlabeled ASIS and [18F]ASIS to TF and to a specific anti-factor VII...

  12. The compressibility mechanism of Li3Na3In2F12 garnet

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Grzechnik, Andrzej; Balic Zunic, Tonci; Makovicky, Emil

    2006-01-01

    The high pressure behaviour of Li3Na3In2F12 garnet (Ia¯3d, Z = 8) is studied up to 9.2 GPa at room temperature in diamond anvil cells using xray diffraction. Its equation of state to 9.2 GPa and the pressure dependences of the structural parameters to 4.07 GPa are determined from synchrotron angle......-dispersive powder and laboratory single-crystal data, respectively. No indication of any structural phase transition in this material has been found up to 9.2 GPa. The fitting of the Murnaghan equation of state yields B0 = 36.2(5) GPa, B0 = 5.38(18), and V0 = 2051.76(0.69) °A 3. The compressibility mechanism of Li3......Na3In2F12 is attributed to the substantial bending of the In-F-Li angles linking the InF6 octahedra and LiF4 tetrahedra. The most compressible polyhedral units are the NaF8 triangulated dodecahedra. These results are discussed in relation to previous high pressure photoluminescence measurements...

  13. Inheritance of spike length in F3, F4 and F5 wheat hybrids obtained by different selection methods

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Janković Snežana

    2012-01-01

    Full Text Available This study analyses the mode of inheritance of spike length in F3, F4 and F5 wheat hybrids obtained by pedigree, bulk and modified pedigree method of selection. Wheat hybrids were produced after crossing five varieties by M x N method. Three varieties were used as a female parent (Briscard, Carifen 12 and Rescler and two as a male component (Francuska and PKB-Prelivka. Descendents in F2 generation were produced from 6 F1 hybrids (3 x 2. Selection after F2 generation were undertaken from 1996 to 1999, while in 2000 the field experiments with complete breeding material were set up at the Institute 'PKB INI Agroekonomik' in Padinska Skela near Belgrade. Spike length was measured in progeny generations, from F3 to F5. It was observed that progenies had higher values for spike length than better parent (BP, with longer spikes in 5 out of 6 analyzed hybrids: Briscard x PKB-Prelivka, Carifen 12 x Francuska, Carifen 12 x PKB-Prelivka, Rescler x Francuska, and Rescler x PKB-Prelivka. From the above mentioned hybrid combinations, only Rescler x Francuska descendents in F5 generation obtained by pedigree and bulk selection inherited the spike length from the parent with lower value. High significant interaction was observed for spike length between genotype and generation of progenies in each of the applied selection methods.

  14. Prognostic impact of initial maximum standardized uptake value of 18F-FDG PET/CT on treatment response in patients with metastatic lung adenocarcinoma treated with erlotinib

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Kus T

    2015-12-01

    Full Text Available Tulay Kus,1 Gokmen Aktas,1 Alper Sevinc,1 Mehmet Emin Kalender,1 Mustafa Yilmaz,2 Seval Kul,3 Serdar Oztuzcu,4 Cemil Oktay,5 Celaletdin Camci1 1Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Gaziantep Oncology Hospital, 2Department of Nuclear Medicine, 3Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, 4Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Gaziantep, Gaziantep, 5Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Akdeniz, Antalya, Turkey Purpose: To investigate whether the initial maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax on fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT has a prognostic significance in metastatic lung adenocarcinoma.Patients and methods: Sixty patients (24 females, mean age: 57.9±12 years with metastatic stage lung adenocarcinoma who used erlotinib and underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT at the time of diagnosis between May 2010 and May 2014 were enrolled in this retrospective study. The patients were stratified according to the median SUVmax value, which was found as 11. Progression-free survival (PFS rates for 3, 6, and 12 months were examined for SUVmax values and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR mutation status.Results: The number of EGFR-sensitizing mutation positive/negative/unknown was 26/17/17, respectively, and the number of patients using erlotinib at first-line, second-line, and third-line therapy was 15, 31, and 14 consecutively. The PFS rates of EGFR mutation positive, negative, and unknown patients for 3 months were 73.1%, 35.3%, and 41.2% (P=0.026, odds ratio [OR]=4.39; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.45–13.26, respectively. The PFS rates of EGFR positive, negative, and unknown patients for 6 months were 50%, 29.4%, and 29.4% (P=0.267, OR: 2.4; 95% CI: 0.82–6.96, respectively. The PFS rates of EGFR positive, negative, and unknown patients for 12 months were 42.3%, 29.4%, 23.5% (P=0.408, OR: 2.0; 95% CI: 0.42

  15. A novel coil array for combined TMS/fMRI experiments at 3 T.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Navarro de Lara, Lucia I; Windischberger, Christian; Kuehne, Andre; Woletz, Michael; Sieg, Jürgen; Bestmann, Sven; Weiskopf, Nikolaus; Strasser, Bernhard; Moser, Ewald; Laistler, Elmar

    2015-11-01

    To overcome current limitations in combined transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies by employing a dedicated coil array design for 3 Tesla. The state-of-the-art setup for concurrent TMS/fMRI is to use a large birdcage head coil, with the TMS between the subject's head and the MR coil. This setup has drawbacks in sensitivity, positioning, and available imaging techniques. In this study, an ultraslim 7-channel receive-only coil array for 3 T, which can be placed between the subject's head and the TMS, is presented. Interactions between the devices are investigated and the performance of the new setup is evaluated in comparison to the state-of-the-art setup. MR sensitivity obtained at the depth of the TMS stimulation is increased by a factor of five. Parallel imaging with an acceleration factor of two is feasible with low g-factors. Possible interactions between TMS and the novel hardware were investigated and were found negligible. The novel coil array is safe, strongly improves signal-to-noise ratio in concurrent TMS/fMRI experiments, enables parallel imaging, and allows for flexible positioning of the TMS on the head while ensuring efficient TMS stimulation due to its ultraslim design. © 2014 The Authors. Magnetic Resonance in Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

  16. Initial investigation of 18F-NaF PET/CT for identification of vertebral sites amenable to surgical revision after spinal fusion surgery

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Quon, Andrew; Iagaru, Andrei; Dodd, Robert; Abreu, Marcelo Rodrigues de; Sprinz, Clarice; Hennemann, Sergio; Alves Neto, Jose Maria

    2012-01-01

    A pilot study was performed in patients with recurrent back pain after spinal fusion surgery to evaluate the ability of 18 F-NaF PET/CT imaging to correctly identify those requiring surgical intervention and to locate a site amenable to surgical intervention. In this prospective study 22 patients with recurrent back pain after spinal surgery and with equivocal findings on physical examination and CT were enrolled for evaluation with 18 F-NaF PET/CT. All PET/CT images were prospectively reviewed with the primary objective of identifying or ruling out the presence of lesions amenable to surgical intervention. The PET/CT results were then validated during surgical exploration or clinical follow-up of at least 15 months. Abnormal 18 F-NaF foci were found in 16 of the 22 patients, and surgical intervention was recommended. These foci were located at various sites: screws, cages, rods, fixation hardware, and bone grafts. In 6 of the 22 patients no foci requiring surgical intervention were found. Validation of the results by surgery (15 patients) or on clinical follow-up (7 patients) showed that 18 F-NaF PET/CT correctly predicted the presence of an abnormality requiring surgical intervention in 15 of 16 patients and was falsely positive in 1 of 16. In this initial investigation, 18 F-NaF PET/CT imaging showed potential utility for evaluation of recurrent symptoms after spinal fusion surgery by identifying those patients requiring surgical management. (orig.)

  17. CeF3(Ba) radiation hard scintillator for electromagnetic calorimeters

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Aseev, A.A.; Devitsin, E.G.; Kozlov, V.A.; Hovepyan, Yu.I.; Potashov, S.Yu.; Sokolovsky, K.A.; Uvarova, T.V.; Vasilchenko, V.G.

    1992-01-01

    The influence of divalent fluoride dopants BaF 2 , CaF 2 , SrF 2 on radiation and luminescent properties of CeF 3 crystal is studied. A high radiation hardness (>10 8 rad) has been obtained for CeF 3 crystals doped with BaF 2 . (orig.)

  18. Dynamics for CH3F and CD3F isolated in rare gas solids

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Jones, L.H.; Swanson, B.I.

    1982-01-01

    High resolution infrared spectra have been obtained for CH 3 F and CD 3 F in argon and krypton matrices from 3 to 39 K. Low-temperature spectra show structure indicative of two stable monomer sites. As temperature is raised, the structure collapses to give symmetric peaks for each mode. The line shapes and their broadening with temperature show large dependence on the modes, isotope, and host matrix. On the basis of the absence of rovibrational structure and the very different line shapes for the various modes, we conclude that free or hindered rotation does not contribute to the absorption lines of methyl fluoride in argon or krypton matrices below 40 K. The mode dependent line broadening with increasing temperatures has been attributed to vibrational dephasing involving low energy site local phonon modes. Implications with regard to vibrational energy relaxation, which is currently thought to be dominated by a vibration to rotation energy transfer, are discussed

  19. Syntheses and multi-NMR study of fac- and mer-OsO(3)F(2)(NCCH(3)) and the X-ray crystal structure (n = 2) and Raman spectrum (n = 0) of fac-OsO(3)F(2)(NCCH(3)).nCH(3)CN.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Hughes, Michael J; Gerken, Michael; Mercier, Hélène P A; Schrobilgen, Gary J

    2010-06-07

    Dissolution of the infinite chain polymer, (OsO(3)F(2))(infinity), in CH(3)CN solvent at -40 degrees C followed by solvent removal under vacuum at -40 degrees C yielded fac-OsO(3)F(2)(NCCH(3)).nCH(3)CN (n >/= 2). Continued pumping at -40 degrees C with removal of uncoordinated CH(3)CN yielded fac-OsO(3)F(2)(NCCH(3)). Both fac-OsO(3)F(2)(NCCH(3)).nCH(3)CN and fac-OsO(3)F(2)(NCCH(3)) are yellow-brown solids and were characterized by low-temperature (-150 degrees C) Raman spectroscopy. The crystal structure (-173 degrees C) of fac-OsO(3)F(2)(NCCH(3)).2CH(3)CN consists of two co-crystallized CH(3)CN molecules and a pseudo-octahedral OsO(3)F(2).NCCH(3) molecule in which three oxygen atoms are in a facial arrangement and CH(3)CN is coordinated trans to an oxygen atom in an end-on fashion. The Os---N bond length (2.205(3) A) is among the shortest M---N adduct bonds observed for a d(0) transition metal oxide fluoride. The (19)F NMR spectrum of (OsO(3)F(2))(infinity) in CH(3)CN solvent (-40 degrees C) is a singlet (-99.6 ppm) corresponding to fac-OsO(3)F(2)(NCCH(3)). The (1)H, (15)N, (13)C, and (19)F NMR spectra of (15)N-enriched OsO(3)F(2)(NCCH(3)) were recorded in SO(2)ClF solvent (-84 degrees C). Nitrogen-15 enrichment resulted in splitting of the (19)F resonance of fac-OsO(3)F(2)((15)NCCH(3)) into a doublet ((2)J((15)N-(19)F), 21 Hz). In addition, a doublet of doublets ((2)J((19)F(ax)-(19)F(eq)), 134 Hz; (2)J((15)N-(19)F(eq)), 18 Hz) and a doublet ((2)J((19)F(ax)-(19)F(eq)), 134 Hz) were observed in the (19)F NMR spectrum that have been assigned to mer-OsO(3)F(2)((15)NCCH(3)); however, coupling of (15)N to the axial fluorine-on-osmium environment could not be resolved. The nitrogen atom of CH(3)CN is coordinated trans to a fluorine ligand in the mer-isomer. Quantum-chemical calculations at the SVWN and B3LYP levels of theory were used to calculate the energy-minimized gas-phase geometries, vibrational frequencies of fac- and mer-OsO(3)F(2)(NCCH(3)) and of CH(3)CN. The

  20. Low-temperature synthesis and structural properties of ferroelectric K 3WO 3F 3 elpasolite

    Science.gov (United States)

    Atuchin, V. V.; Gavrilova, T. A.; Kesler, V. G.; Molokeev, M. S.; Aleksandrov, K. S.

    2010-06-01

    Low-temperature ferroelectric G2 polymorph of K 3WO 3F 3 has been prepared by chemical synthesis. Structural and chemical properties of the final product have been evaluated with X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Structure parameters of G2-K 3WO 3F 3 are refined by the Rietveld method from XRD data measured at room temperature (space group Cm, Z = 2, a = 8.7350(3) Å, b = 8.6808(5) Å, c = 6.1581(3) Å, β = 135.124(3) Å, V = 329.46(3) Å 3; RB = 2.47%). Partial ordering of oxygen and fluorine atoms has been found over anion positions. Mechanism of ferroelectric phase transition in A 2BMO 3F 3 oxyfluorides is discussed.

  1. A cDNA encoding a pRB-binding protein with properties of the transcription factor E2F

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Helin, K; Lees, J A; Vidal, M

    1992-01-01

    The retinoblastoma protein (pRB) plays an important role in the control of cell proliferation, apparently by binding to and regulating cellular transcription factors such as E2F. Here we describe the characterization of a cDNA clone that encodes a protein with properties of E2F. This clone, RBP3...

  2. NMR study of glasses in the PbO-B/sub 2/O/sub 3/-PbF/sub 2/-AlF/sub 3/ system

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Vopilov, V.A.; Bogdanov, V.L.; Buznik, V.M.; Karapetyan, A.K.; Matsulev, A.N.

    1986-01-01

    The NMR method has been successfully used in the study of the structure of oxide glasses and in lithium glasses. Using steady-state and pulse methods of B-11 and F-19 NMR, the authors have studied borate glasses in the PbO-B/sub 2/O/sub 3/-PbF/sub 2/-AlF/sub 3/ system. Lead fluoride was added to the composition of the experimental glasses. A small amount of PbF2 has a weak effect on the electrical conductivity, and it is only in the specimen with the maximum values of the PbF/sub 2/ concentration that conductivity becomes significant. In glasses of the PbO X B/sub 2/O/sub 3/ X AlF/sub 3/ compositions, there is an exchange of the oxygen and fluoride modifier anions and as a result the F ions are incorporated into the first coordination sphere of the lead cations.

  3. Initial boost release of transforming growth factor3 and chondrogenesis by freeze-dried bioactive polymer scaffolds.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Krüger, Jan Philipp; Machens, Isabel; Lahner, Matthias; Endres, Michaela; Kaps, Christian

    2014-12-01

    In cartilage regeneration, bio-activated implants are used in stem and progenitor cell-based microfracture cartilage repair procedures. Our aim was to analyze the chondrogenic potential of freeze-dried resorbable polymer-based polyglycolic acid (PGA) scaffolds bio-activated with transforming growth factor3 (TGFB3) on human subchondral mesenchymal progenitor cells known from microfracture. Progenitor cells derived from femur heads were cultured in the presence of freeze-dried TGFB3 in high-density pellet culture and in freeze-dried TGFB3-PGA scaffolds for chondrogenic differentiation. Progenitor cell cultures in PGA scaffolds as well as pellet cultures with and without continuous application of TGFB3 served as controls. Release studies showed that freeze-dried TGFB3-PGA scaffolds facilitate a rapid, initial boost-like release of 71.5% of TGFB3 in the first 10 h. Gene expression analysis and histology showed induction of typical chondrogenic markers like type II collagen and formation of cartilaginous tissue in TGFB3-PGA scaffolds seeded with subchondral progenitor cells and in pellet cultures stimulated with freeze-dried TGFB3. Chondrogenic differentiation in freeze-dried TGFB3-PGA scaffolds was comparable to cultures receiving TGFB3 continuously, while non-stimulated controls did not show chondrogenesis during prolonged culture for 14 days. These results suggest that bio-activated, freeze-dried TGFB3-PGA scaffolds have chondrogenic potential and are a promising tool for stem cell-mediated cartilage regeneration.

  4. Functional correlates of TSH, fT3 and fT4 in Alzheimer disease: a F-18 FDG PET/CT study.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Chiaravalloti, Agostino; Ursini, Francesco; Fiorentini, Alessandro; Barbagallo, Gaetano; Martorana, Alessandro; Koch, Giacomo; Tavolozza, Mario; Schillaci, Orazio

    2017-07-24

    The present study was aimed to investigate the relationships between thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), freeT3 (fT3) and freeT4 (fT4) and brain glucose consumption as detectable by means of 2-deoxy-2-(F-18) fluoro-D-glucose (F-18 FDG) Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT) in a selected population with Alzheimer disease (AD). We evaluated 87 subjects (37 males and 50 females, mean age 70 (±6) years old) with AD. All of them were subjected to TSH, fT3 and fT4 assay and to cerebrospinal fluid amyloid (Aβ1-42) and tau [phosphorylated-tau (p-tau) and total-tau (t-tau)] assay prior PET/CT examination. Values for TSH, fT3 and fT4 were in the normal range. The relationships were evaluated by means of statistical parametric mapping (SPM8) using age, sex, MMSE, scholarship and CSF values of amyloid and tau as covariates. We found a significant positive correlation between TSH values and cortical glucose consumption in a wide portion of the anterior cingulate cortex bilaterally (BA32) and left frontal lobe (BA25) (p FWE-corr <0.001; p FDRcorr <0.000; cluster extent 66950). No significant relationships were found between cortical F-18 FDG uptake and T3 and T4 serum levels. The results of our study suggest that a cortical dysfunction in anterior cingulate and frontal lobes may affect serum values of TSH in AD patients.

  5. Correlation between {sup 18}F-FDG uptake on PET/CT and prognostic factors in triple-negative breast cancer

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Koo, Hye Ryoung [Seoul National University College of Medicine, Department of Radiology, 28 Yongon-dong, Chongno-gu, Seoul (Korea, Republic of); Hanyang University College of Medicine, Department of Radiology, Seoul (Korea, Republic of); Park, Jeong Seon [Hanyang University College of Medicine, Department of Radiology, Seoul (Korea, Republic of); Kang, Keon Wook [Seoul National University College of Medicine, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul (Korea, Republic of); Han, Wonshik [Seoul National University College of Medicine, Department of Surgery, Seoul (Korea, Republic of); Park, In Ae [Seoul National University College of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Seoul (Korea, Republic of); Moon, Woo Kyung [Seoul National University College of Medicine, Department of Radiology, 28 Yongon-dong, Chongno-gu, Seoul (Korea, Republic of)

    2015-11-15

    The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a correlation exists between {sup 18}F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake and prognostic factors in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Between January 2009 and December 2013, 103 patients (mean age, 50.6 years) with primary TNBC (mean, 2.6 cm; range, 1.0-6.5 cm) underwent {sup 18}F-FDG PET/CT for initial staging. Correlations between maximum standardized uptake value (SUV{sub max}) on PET/CT and prognostic factors including tumour size, nodal status, histological grade, Ki-67 proliferation index, tumour suppressor p53, and 'basal-like' markers (epidermal growth factor receptor and CK 5/6) were assessed. The mean SUV{sub max} of the 103 tumours was 10.94 ± 5.25 (range: 2-32.8). There was a positive correlation between SUV{sub max} and Ki-67 (Spearman's rho = 0.29, P = 0.003) and tumour size (Spearman's rho = 0.27, P = 0.006), whereas this relationship was not observed in the nodal status, histological grade, p53 status and 'basal-like' phenotypes. In a multivariate regression analysis, Ki-67 (P < 0.001) and tumour size (P = 0.009) were significantly associated with SUV{sub max} in TNBCs. Increased {sup 18}F-FDG uptake on PET/CT was correlated with a high Ki-67 proliferation index and larger tumour size in TNBC. These results suggest a potential role of {sup 18}F-FDG PET/CT in identifying TNBC with more aggressive behaviour. (orig.)

  6. Highly efficient red upconversion fluorescence emission in Yb{sup 3+}/Ho{sup 3+}/Ce{sup 3+} codoped LaF{sub 3} nanocrystals

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Gao, Wei, E-mail: gaowei@xupt.edu.cn; Dong, Jun; Liu, Jihong; Yan, Xuewen

    2016-11-15

    The Yb{sup 3+}/Ho{sup 3+}/Ce{sup 3+} codoped LaF{sub 3} nanocrystals have been successfully prepared via a facile hydrothermal method. The significant enhancement in the red upconversion emission of Ho{sup 3+} is successfully obtained in LaF{sub 3}:Yb{sup 3+}/Ho{sup 3+} nanocrystals through introducing of Ce{sup 3+} under NIR excitation at 980 nm. The red-to-green emission ratio of Ho{sup 3+} is enhanced 18.9-fold with Ce{sup 3+} concentration increasing to 12%, which is due to the two efficient cross relaxation processes of {sup 5}I{sub 6} (Ho{sup 3+})+{sup 2}F{sub 5/2} (Ce{sup 3+})→{sup 5}I{sub 7} (Ho{sup 3+})+{sup 2}F{sub 7/2} (Ce{sup 3+}) and {sup 5}S{sub 2}/{sup 5}F{sub 4} (Ho{sup 3+})+{sup 2}F{sub 5/2} (Ce{sup 3+})→{sup 5}F{sub 5} (Ho{sup 3+})+{sup 2}F{sub 7/2} (Ce{sup 3+}) between Ho{sup 3+} and Ce{sup 3+} ions. The enhancement mechanism of red emission and conversion efficiency between Ho{sup 3+} and Ce{sup 3+} are investigated in detail.

  7. Synchrotron diffraction characterization of nanostructured KY{sub 3}F{sub 10}:Tb

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Ichikawa, Rodrigo U.; Teixeira, Maria I.; Ranieri, Izilda M.; Martinez, Luis G., E-mail: ichikawa@usp.br, E-mail: miteixeira@ipen.br, E-mail: iranieri@ipen.br, E-mail: lgallego@ipen.br [Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares (IPEN/CNEN-SP), Sao Paulo, SP (Brazil); Linhares, Horacio M.S.M.D., E-mail: horacio_marconi@yahoo.com.br [Universidade Federal Fluminense (INFES/UFF), Santo Antonio de Padua, RJ (Brazil); Turrillas, Xavier, E-mail: turrillas@gmail.com [Institut de Ciència de Materials de Barcelona (ICMAB/CSIC), Dept. of Crystallography, Bellaterra (Spain)

    2015-07-01

    Nanostructured rare-earth fluorides materials are being intensively studied recently due to their potential applications in high-dose dosimetry. Particularly, nanostructured Tb-doped KY{sub 3}F{sub 10} has shown satisfactory results to be used in this area. In the present work, the structure and microstructure of KY{sub 3}F{sub 10}:Tb was investigated by means of X-ray synchrotron diffraction. One of the samples was analyzed as synthesized and another after a heat treatment. Rietveld refinement of synchrotron diffraction data was applied to obtain cell parameters, atomic positions and atomic displacement factors and the results were compared to values found in literature. X-ray line profile analysis methods were applied to determine mean crystallite sizes and their distribution. (author)

  8. Structural characterization of a new vacancy ordered perovskite modification found for Ba3Fe3O7F (BaFeO2.333F0.333): Towards understanding of vacancy ordering for different perovskite-type ferrites

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Clemens, Oliver

    2015-01-01

    The new vacancy ordered perovskite-type compound Ba 3 Fe 3 O 7 F (BaFeO 2.33 F 0.33 ) was prepared by topochemical low-temperature fluorination of Ba 2 Fe 2 O 5 (BaFeO 2.5 ) using stoichiometric amounts of polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF). The vacancy order was found to be unique so far for perovskite compounds, and the connectivity pattern can be explained by the formula Ba 3 (FeX 6/2 ) (FeX 5/2 ) (FeX 3/2 X 1/1 ), with X=O/F. Mössbauer measurements were used to confirm the structural analysis and agree with the presence of Fe 3+ in the above mentioned coordination environments. Group–subgroup relationships were used to build a starting model for the structure solution and to understand the relationship to the cubic perovskite structure. Furthermore, a comparison of a variety of vacancy-ordered iron-containing perovskite-type structures is given, highlighting the factors which favour one structure type over the other depending on the composition. - Graphical abstract: The crystal structure of Ba 3 Fe 3 O 7 F in comparison to other perovskite type ferrites. - Highlights: • The crystal structure of Ba 3 Fe 3 O 7 F in comparison to other perovskite type ferrites. • Ba 3 Fe 3 O 7 F was synthesized by low temperature fluorination of Ba 2 Fe 2 O 5 . • Ba 3 Fe 3 O 7 F shows a unique vacancy order not found for other perovskite type compounds. • The structure of Ba 3 Fe 3 O 7 F was solved using group–subgroup relationships. • A systematic comparison to other ferrite type compounds reveals structural similarities and differences. • The A-site coordination of the cation is shown to play an important role for the type of vacancy order found

  9. Energy transfer in LaF3: R3+, Pr3+ (where R = Nd, Dy)

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Reddy, B.R.; Venkateswarlu, P.

    1982-01-01

    Fluorescence is observed for 1 D 2 levels of Pr 3+ on exciting the higher lying level 3 P 0 in doubly doped systems LaF 3 : R 3+ , Pr 3+ (R = Nd or Dy) but not in LaF 3 :Pr 3+ . From the recorded excitation spectra, and the measured decay times, it has been found that the drain mechanism of population to 1 D 2 levels is caused in doubly doped systems by ion-pair relaxation between Pr 3+ ( 3 P 0 -- 1 D 2 ) and Nd 3+ (Z-X) or Dy 3+ (Z-Y) ions

  10. The system K2NbF7-K2TiF6-KCl

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Kamenskaya, L.A.; Matveev, A.M.

    1984-01-01

    Using visual-polythermal and thermographical methods the ternary system K 2 NbF 7 -K 2 TiE 6 -KCl has been studied. Crystallization fields of initial components and the field of solid solutions of double compounds K 3 NbClF 7 and K 3 TiClF 6 are outlined. Ternary eutectics at 654 deg C, having the composition K 2 NbF 6 -41, K 2 TiP 6 -41, KCl-18 mol.%, is determined. Potassium fluoroniobate and fluorotitanate form continuous solid solutions unstable in the presence of the third component, potassium chloride

  11. Factors to Consider in Selecting an Organisational Improvement Initiative: Survey Results

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Mohammad Musli

    2017-01-01

    Full Text Available Organisations should select the appropriate improvement initiative that will fit with the context of organisation and provide value to the organisation. This paper presents 18 factors to be considered when selecting an organisational improvement initiative. Organisational improvement initiatives are approaches, management systems, tools and/or techniques that can be used for managing and improving organisations, such as Lean, ISO9001, Six Sigma and Improvement Team. A survey was conducted to identify the level of importance of these 18 factors as criteria for selecting an improvement initiative. Purposive sampling was used for this survey involving practitioners, managers, engineers, executives, consultants and/or academicians, who have been involved in the selection and/or implementation of organisational improvement initiatives in Malaysia. Two factors were rated as ‘very high importance’, which involve: (1 The ability to gain top management commitment and support to introduce and implement the initiative successfully, and (2 The initiative is aligned to the vision, mission and/or purpose of the organisation. All these factors can be adopted by the organisations as decision criteria to assist in the selection of the most appropriate improvement initiative based on rational decision making.

  12. Exposure to welding fumes is associated with hypomethylation of the F2RL3 gene: a cardiovascular disease marker.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Hossain, Mohammad B; Li, Huiqi; Hedmer, Maria; Tinnerberg, Håkan; Albin, Maria; Broberg, Karin

    2015-12-01

    Welders are at risk for cardiovascular disease. Recent studies linked tobacco smoke exposure to hypomethylation of the F2RL3 (coagulation factor II (thrombin) receptor-like 3) gene, a marker for cardiovascular disease prognosis and mortality. However, whether welding fumes cause hypomethylation of F2RL3 remains unknown. We investigated 101 welders (median span of working as a welder: 7 years) and 127 unexposed controls (non-welders with no obvious exposure to respirable dust at work), age range 23-60 years, all currently non-smoking, in Sweden. The participants were interviewed about their work history, lifestyle factors and diseases. Personal sampling of respirable dust was performed for the welders. DNA methylation of F2RL3 in blood was assessed by pyrosequencing of four CpG sites, CpG_2 (corresponds to cg03636183) to CpG_5, in F2RL3. Multivariable linear regression analysis was used to assess the association between exposure to welding fumes and F2RL3 methylation. Welders had 2.6% lower methylation of CpG_5 than controls (pWelding fumes exposure and previous smoking were associated with F2RL3 hypomethylation. This finding links low-to-moderate exposure to welding fumes to adverse effects on the cardiovascular system, and suggests a potential mechanistic pathway for this link, via epigenetic effects on F2RL3 expression. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/

  13. Tumor-initiating CD49f cells are a hallmark of chemoresistant triple negative breast cancer.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Gomez-Miragaya, Jorge; González-Suárez, Eva

    2017-01-01

    Taxanes are mainstay treatment of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients but resistance often develops. Using TNBC patient-derived orthoxenografts (PDX) we have recently discovered that a CD49f+ chemoresistant population with tumor-initiating ability is present in sensitive tumors and expands in tumors that have acquired resistance. Importantly, sensitivity to taxanes is recovered after long-term drug interruption. The characterization of this chemoresistant CD49f+ cells provides a unique opportunity to identify novel targets for the treatment of chemoresistant TNBC.

  14. A facile and rapid automated synthesis of 3'-deoxy-3'-[18F]fluorothymidine

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Tang Ganghua; Tang Xiaolan; Wen Fuhua; Wang Mingfang; Li Baoyuan

    2010-01-01

    Aim: To develop a simplified and fully automated synthesis procedure of 3'-deoxy-3'-[ 18 F]fluorothymidine ([ 18 F]FLT) using PET-MF-2V-IT-I synthesis module. Methods: Synthesis of [ 18 F]FLT was performed using PET-MF-2V-IT-I synthesis module by one-pot two-step reaction procedure, including nucleophilic fluorination of 3-N-t-butoxycarbonyl-1-[5'-O-(4,4'-dimethoxy triphenylmethyl)-2'-deoxy-3'-O-(4-nitrobenzenesulfonyl) -β-D-threopentofuranosyl]thymine (15 mg) as the precursor molecule with [ 18 F]fluoride, and subsequent hydrolysis of the protecting group with 1.0 M HCl at the same reaction vessel and purification with SEP PAK cartridges instead of the HPLC system. Results: The automated synthesis of [ 18 F]FLT with SEP PAK purification gave corrected radiochemical yield of 23.2±2.6% (n=6, uncorrected yield: 16-22%) and radiochemical purity of >97% within the total synthesis time of 35 min. Conclusion: The fully one-pot automated synthesis procedure with SEP PAK purification can be applied to the fully automated synthesis of [ 18 F]FLT using commercial [ 18 F]FDG synthesis module.

  15. Solvothermal indium fluoride chemistry: Syntheses and crystal structures of K5In3F14, β-(NH4)3InF6 and [NH4]3[C6H21N4]2[In4F21

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Jayasundera, Anil C.A.; Goff, Richard J.; Li Yang; Finch, Adrian A.; Lightfoot, Philip

    2010-01-01

    The solvothermal syntheses and crystal structures of three indium fluorides are presented. K 5 In 3 F 14 (1) and β-(NH 4 ) 3 InF 6 (2) are variants on known inorganic structure types chiolite and cryolite, respectively, with the latter exhibiting a complex and apparently novel structural distortion. [NH 4 ] 3 [C 6 H 21 N 4 ] 2 [In 4 F 21 ] (3) represents a new hybrid composition displaying a unique trimeric metal fluoride building unit. - Graphical abstract: Solvothermal synthesis has been used to prepare three indium fluorides, including a novel hybrid material containing a unique [In 3 F 15 ] trimer templated by tren.

  16. Defect model of a tetragonal Sm sup 3 sup + center found from EPR measurements in CaF sub 2 and SrF sub 2 crystals

    CERN Document Server

    Zheng Wen Chen; Wu Shao Yi; Tang Sheng

    2003-01-01

    The EPR parameters (g factors g sub p sub a sub r sub a sub l sub l sub e sub l , g sub p sub e sub r sub p sub e sub n sub d sub i sub c sub u sub l sub a sub r sub t sub o and hyperfine structure constants A sub p sub a sub r sub a sub l sub l sub e sub l , A sub p sub e sub r sub p sub e sub n sub d sub i sub c sub u sub l sub a sub r sub t sub o) of a tetragonal (C sub 4 sub v) Sm sup 3 sup + center in CaF sub 2 and SrF sub 2 crystals are calculated by considering the crystal-field J-mixing among the ground sup 6 H sub 5 sub / sub 2 , the first excited sup 6 H sub 7 sub / sub 2 and second excited sup 6 H sub 9 sub / sub 2 state multiplets. In the calculations the free-ion and crystal-field parameters of the tetragonal Sm sup 3 sup + -F sup - center obtained from polarized laser-selective excitation spectroscopy are used. The calculated results suggest that the tetragonal Sm sup 3 sup + -F sup - center is the Sm sup 3 sup + center found by later EPR measurements. The g factors g sub p sub a sub r sub a sub...

  17. Syntheses, crystal structures, NMR spectroscopy, and vibrational spectroscopy of Sr(PO{sub 3}F).H{sub 2}O and Sr(PO{sub 3}F)

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Jantz, Stephan G.; Hoeppe, Henning A. [Lehrstuhl fuer Festkoerperchemie, Institut fuer Physik, Universitaet Augsburg (Germany); Wuellen, Leo van; Fischer, Andreas [Lehrstuhl fuer Chemische Physik und Materialwissenschaften, Institut fuer Physik, Universitaet Augsburg (Germany); Libowitzky, Eugen [Institute for Mineralogy and Crystallography, Faculty of Geosciences, Geography and Astronomy, University of Vienna (Austria); Baran, Enrique J. [Centro de Quimica Inorganica (CEQUINOR/CONICET, UNLP), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata (Argentina); Weil, Matthias [Institute for Chemical Technologies and Analytics, Division Structural Chemistry, Vienna University of Technology (Austria)

    2016-03-15

    Single crystals of Sr(PO{sub 3}F).H{sub 2}O {P2_1/c, Z = 4, a = 7.4844(2) Aa, b = 7.0793(2) Aa, c = 8.4265(2) Aa, β = 108.696(1) , V = 422.91(2) Aa"3, 2391 F_o"2, 70 parameters, R_1[F"2 > 2σ(F"2)] = 0.036; wR_2(F"2 all) = 0.049, S = 1.054} were grown from an aqueous solution by a metathesis reaction. The structure comprises [SrO{sub 8}] polyhedra and PO{sub 3}F tetrahedra that form a layered arrangement parallel to (100). The topotactic dehydration of this phase proceeds between 80 and 140 C to afford Sr(PO{sub 3}F). The monazite-type crystal structure of Sr(PO{sub 3}F) was elucidated from the X-ray powder data by simulated annealing [P2{sub 1}/c, Z = 4, a = 6.71689(9) Aa, b = 7.11774(11) Aa, c = 8.66997(13) Aa, β = 128.0063(7) , V = 326.605(8) Aa{sup 3}, R{sub p} = 0.010, R{sub wp} = 0.015, R{sub F} = 0.030]. During dehydration, the structure of Sr(PO{sub 3}F) .H{sub 2}O collapses along [100] from a layered arrangement into a framework structure, accompanied by a change of the coordination number of the Sr{sup 2+} ions from eight to nine. The magic-angle spinning (MAS) NMR and vibrational spectroscopy data of both phases are discussed. (Copyright copyright 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

  18. Radiolabeled Antibody Fragment for Preparation of (177Lu-DOTAm-PAMAM G3.0-F(ab’2 trastuzumab as a Radiopharmaceutical for Cancer Therapy

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    R.D. Haryuni

    2017-06-01

    Full Text Available Several radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies (mAbs have been used as radioimmunotherapy (RIT agents for cancer therapy. The use of mAbs as RIT agents is due to their ability to carry effectors, in the form of radionuclides which emit alpha (α particles, beta (β particles, or auger electrons, and bind specifically to cancer expressed receptor. This paper reports the preparation of radiolabelled trastuzumab in form of (177Lu-DOTAm-PAMAM G3-F(ab'2-trastuzumab, which will be expected as a potential RIT agent for therapy of breast cancer overexpressed human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2. Due to its reduced molecular weight, the use of F(ab'2-trastuzumab on the aforementioned RIT agent candidate is expected to reach its target much faster compared to the intact trastuzumab. Meanwhile, the role of PAMAM G3 is to increase the specific activity of the radiotherapeutic agent of Lu-177 due to the ability of its 32 –NH2 functional groups that are able to bind many DOTAs (£ 31 which in turn can bind a large number of 177Lu. The preparation was initiated by fragmentation of trastuzumab using pepsin enzyme in 0.02 M acetic acid buffer with a pH of 4.5 to produce F(ab'2-trastuzumab with a purity of 95 % after purification with PD-10 column. The F(ab'2-trastuzumab was then reacted with succinimidyl 4-(N-maleimidomethyl cyclohexane-1-carboxylate (SMCC to produce SMCC-F(ab'2-trastuzumab. The next reaction was to conjugate SMCC-F(ab'2-trastuzumab with DOTA-PAMAM G3.0-SH, which was prepared by reaction NHS-DOTA with PAMAM G3.0 and followed by reacting it with 2-iminothiolane to give (DOTAm-PAMAM G3.0-F(ab'2-trastuzumab. Finally, the (DOTAm-PAMAM G3.0-F(ab'2-trastuzumab was radiolabelled with 177Lu to produce (177Lu-DOTAm-PAMAM G3.0-F(ab'2-trastuzumab, resulting in a radiochemical purity of 98 % after purification with PD-10 column.Received: 31 October 2015; Revised: 30 June 2016; Accepted: 25 September 2016

  19. Vibrational relaxation of matrix-isolated CH3F and HCl

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Young, L.

    1981-08-01

    Kinetic and spectroscopic studies have been performed on CH 3 F and HCl as a function of host matrix and temperature. Temporally and spectrally resolved infrared fluorescence was used to monitor the populations of both the initially excited state and the lower lying levels which participate in the relaxation process. For CH 3 F, relaxation from any of the levels near 3.5 μ, i.e. the CH stretching fundamentals or bend overtones, occurs via rapid ( 3 with subsequent relaxation of the ν 3 (CF stretch) manifold. Lifetimes of 2ν 3 and ν 3 were determined through overtone, ΔV = 2, and fundamental fluorescence. These lifetimes show a dramatic dependence on host lattice, an increase of two orders of magnitude in going from Xe and Ar matrices. Lifetimes depend only weakly on temperature. The relaxation of 2ν 3 and ν 3 is consistent with a model in which production of a highly rotationally excited guest via collisions with the repulsive wall of the host is the rate limiting step. For HCl, lifetimes of v = 1,2,3 have been determined. In all hosts, the relaxation is non-radiative. For a given vibrational state, v, the relaxation rate increases in the series k(Ar) < k(Kr) < k(Xe). The dependence of the relaxation rate; on v is superlinear in all matrices, the deviation from linearity increasng in the order Ar < Kr < Xe. The relaxation rates become more strongly temperature dependent with increasing vibrational excitation. The results are consistent with a mechanism in which complex formation introduces the anisotropy necessary to induce a near resonant V → R transition in the rate limiting step

  20. HYPERDIRE. HYPERgeometric functions DIfferential REduction. MATHEMATICA based packages for differential reduction of generalized hypergeometric functions pFp-1, F1, F2, F3, F4

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Bytev, Vladimir V.; Kalmykov, Mikhail Yu.; Kniehl, Bernd A.

    2013-05-01

    HYPERDIRE is a project devoted to the creation of a set of Mathematica based programs for the differential reduction of hypergeometric functions. The current version includes two parts: one, pfq, is relevant for manipulations of hypergeometric functions p+1 F p , and the second one, AppellF1F4, for manipulations with Appell hypergeometric functions F 1 , F 2 , F 3 , F 4 of two variables.

  1. Magnetism in multiferroic Pb.sub.5./sub.Cr.sub.3./sub.F.sub.19./sub..

    Czech Academy of Sciences Publication Activity Database

    Blinc, R.; Cevc, P.; Tavčar, G.; Žemva, B.; Laguta, Valentyn; Trontelj, Z.; Jagodič, M.; Pajič, D.; Balcytis, A.; Scott, J.F.

    2012-01-01

    Roč. 85, č. 5 (2012), "054419-1"-"054419-5" ISSN 1098-0121 Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z10100521 Keywords : multiferroic * magnetism * ferroelectricity * magnetic resonance * Pb 5 Cr 3 F 19 Subject RIV: BM - Solid Matter Physics ; Magnetism Impact factor: 3.767, year: 2012

  2. 3F og alle de andre

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Due, Jesper Jørgen; Madsen, Jørgen Steen

    Spørgsmålene stiller sig i kø, når man skal prøve at forklare den helt ekstraordinære forskel, der er på stemmeafgivningen om mæglingsforslaget i 3F sammenlignet med alle de øvrige omfattede LO-forbund. Det kan være svært at forstå, at 62 pct. af 3F's medlemmer, der deltog i afstemningen, vendte...... tommelfingeren ned, mens eksempelvis 66 pct. af Metals medlemmer, 65 pct. af TIB's medlemmer og 78 pct. af HK's medlemmer stemte ja til det samlede resultat af OK 2007....

  3. The eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 subunit E binds to classical swine fever virus NS5A and facilitates viral replication.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Liu, Xiaofeng; Wang, Xiaoyu; Wang, Qian; Luo, Mingyang; Guo, Huancheng; Gong, Wenjie; Tu, Changchun; Sun, Jinfu

    2018-02-01

    Classical swine fever virus (CSFV) NS5A protein is a multifunctional protein, playing critical roles in viral RNA replication, translation and assembly. To further explore its functions in viral replication, interaction of NS5A with host factors was assayed using a his-tag "pull down" assay coupled with shotgun LC-MS/MS. Host protein translation initiation factor 3 subunit E was identified as a binding partner of NS5A, and confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation and co-localization analysis. Overexpression of eIF3E markedly enhanced CSFV genomic replication, viral protein expression and production of progeny virus, and downregulation of eIF3E by siRNA significantly decreased viral proliferation in PK-15 cells. Luciferase reporter assay showed an enhancement of translational activity of the internal ribosome entry site of CSFV by eIF3E and a decrease in cellular translation by NS5A. These data indicate that eIF3E plays an important role in CSFV replication, thereby identifying it as a potential target for inhibition of the virus. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  4. Oct3/4 directly regulates expression of E2F3a in mouse embryonic stem cells

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Kanai, Dai; Ueda, Atsushi; Akagi, Tadayuki; Yokota, Takashi; Koide, Hiroshi

    2015-01-01

    Embryonic stem (ES) cells, derived from the inner cell mass of blastocysts, have a characteristic cell cycle with truncated G1 and G2 phases. Recent findings that suppression of Oct3/4 expression results in a reduced proliferation rate of ES cells suggest the involvement of Oct3/4 in the regulation of ES cell growth, although the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear. In the present study, we identified E2F3a as a direct target gene of Oct3/4 in ES cells. Oct3/4 directly bound to the promoter region of the E2F3a gene and positively regulated expression of E2F3a in mouse ES cells. Suppression of E2F3a activity by E2F6 overexpression led to the reduced proliferation in ES cells, which was relieved by co-expression of E2F3a. Furthermore, cell growth retardation caused by loss of Oct3/4 was rescued by E2F3a expression. These results suggest that Oct3/4 upregulates E2F3a expression to promote ES cell growth. - Highlights: • Oct3/4 positively regulates E2F3a expression in ES cells. • Oct3/4 binds to the promoter region of the E2F3a gene. • Overexpression of E2F6, an inhibitor of E2F3a, reduces ES cell growth. • E2F3a recovers growth retardation of ES cells caused by Oct3/4 reduction

  5. Oct3/4 directly regulates expression of E2F3a in mouse embryonic stem cells

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Kanai, Dai; Ueda, Atsushi; Akagi, Tadayuki; Yokota, Takashi; Koide, Hiroshi, E-mail: hkoide@med.kanazawa-u.ac.jp

    2015-04-10

    Embryonic stem (ES) cells, derived from the inner cell mass of blastocysts, have a characteristic cell cycle with truncated G1 and G2 phases. Recent findings that suppression of Oct3/4 expression results in a reduced proliferation rate of ES cells suggest the involvement of Oct3/4 in the regulation of ES cell growth, although the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear. In the present study, we identified E2F3a as a direct target gene of Oct3/4 in ES cells. Oct3/4 directly bound to the promoter region of the E2F3a gene and positively regulated expression of E2F3a in mouse ES cells. Suppression of E2F3a activity by E2F6 overexpression led to the reduced proliferation in ES cells, which was relieved by co-expression of E2F3a. Furthermore, cell growth retardation caused by loss of Oct3/4 was rescued by E2F3a expression. These results suggest that Oct3/4 upregulates E2F3a expression to promote ES cell growth. - Highlights: • Oct3/4 positively regulates E2F3a expression in ES cells. • Oct3/4 binds to the promoter region of the E2F3a gene. • Overexpression of E2F6, an inhibitor of E2F3a, reduces ES cell growth. • E2F3a recovers growth retardation of ES cells caused by Oct3/4 reduction.

  6. Gender differences in risk factors for cigarette smoking initiation in childhood.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Sylvestre, Marie-Pierre; Wellman, Robert J; O'Loughlin, Erin K; Dugas, Erika N; O'Loughlin, Jennifer

    2017-09-01

    We investigated whether established risk factors for initiating cigarette smoking during adolescence (parents, siblings, friends smoke; home smoking rules, smokers at home, exposure to smoking in cars, academic performance, susceptibility to smoking, depressive symptoms, self-esteem, school connectedness, use of other tobacco products) are associated with initiation in preadolescents, and whether the effects of these factors differ by gender. In spring 2005, baseline data were collected in self-report questionnaires from 1801 5th grade students including 1553 never-smokers (mean age=10.7years), in the longitudinal AdoQuest I Study in Montréal, Canada. Follow-up data were collected in the fall and spring of 6th grade (2005-2006). Poisson regression analyses with robust variance estimated the effects of each risk factor on initiation and additive interactions with gender were computed to assess the excess risk of each risk factor in girls compared to boys. 101 of 1399 participants in the analytic sample (6.7% of boys; 7.7% of girls) initiated smoking during follow-up. After adjustment for age, gender and maternal education, all risk factors except academic performance and school connectedness were statistically significantly associated with initiation. Paternal and sibling smoking were associated with initiation in girls only, and girls with lower self-esteem had a significant excess risk of initiating smoking in 6th grade. Risk factors for smoking initiation in preadolescents mirror those in adolescents; their effects do not differ markedly by gender. Preventive programs targeting children should focus on reducing smoking in the social environment and the dangers of poly-tobacco use. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  7. Improvement of structural and electrochemical properties of commercial LiCoO2 by coating with LaF3

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Yang Zhanxu; Qiao Qingdong; Yang Wensheng

    2011-01-01

    Highlights: → LaF 3 has been introduced as a new coating material for the LiCoO 2 cathode. → The LaF 3 -coated LiCoO 2 showed an excellent overcharge tolerance and structure stability. → The thermal stability of the LaF 3 -coated cathode is significantly enhanced. Therefore, LaF 3 is a probably potential coating material. - Abstract: Commercial LiCoO 2 has been modified with LaF 3 as a new coating material. The surface modified materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electronic microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and galvanostatic charge-discharge cycling. The LaF 3 -coated LiCoO 2 had an initial discharge specific capacity of 177.4 mAh g -1 within the potential ranges 2.75-4.5 V (vs. Li/Li + ), and showed a good capacity retention of 90.9% after 50 cycles. It was found that the overcharge tolerance of the coated cathode was significantly better than that of the pristine LiCoO 2 under the same conditions - the capacity retention of the pristine LiCoO 2 was 62.3% after 50 cycles. The improvement could be attributed to the LaF 3 coating layer that hinders interaction between LiCoO 2 and electrolyte and stabilizes the structure of LiCoO 2 . Moreover, DSC showed that the coated LiCoO 2 had a higher thermal stability than the pristine LiCoO 2 .

  8. Quatenary Na//F, Cl, CO3, MoO4 system

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Kochkarov, Zh.A.; Lok''yaeva, S.M.; Shurdumov, G.K.; Gasanaliev, A.M.; Trunin, A.S.

    1999-01-01

    Perspective in applied respect quatenary system (NaF) 2 -(NaCl)-Na 2 CO 3 -Na 2 MoO 4 being element of narrowing of more complex six-membered mutual Na//F, Cl, CO 3 , MoO 4 (WO 4 ) system is investigated by differential thermal analysis with the use of projection-thermographic method for the first time. Crystallization tree of Na//F, Cl, CO 3 , MoO 4 system is established. It is shown that this system by tetrahedrating (NaF) 2 -Na 2 CO 3 -Na 3 ClMoO 4 section is triangulated on two stable system: (NaF) 2 -Na 3 ClMoO 4 -Na 2 CO 3 -(NaCl) 2 and (NaF) 2 -Na 3 ClMoO 4 -Na 2 CO 3 -Na 2 MoO 4 . Phase single units are determined too. Coordinates of desired quatenary nonvariant points are calculated on analytical models of surfaces by mutual crystallization of two phases and are refined by differential thermal analysis [ru

  9. Synthesis of plutonium trifluoride by hydro-fluorination and novel thermodynamic data for the PuF3-LiF system

    Science.gov (United States)

    Tosolin, A.; Souček, P.; Beneš, O.; Vigier, J.-F.; Luzzi, L.; Konings, R. J. M.

    2018-05-01

    PuF3 was synthetized by hydro-fluorination of PuO2 and subsequent reduction of the product by hydrogenation. The obtained PuF3 was analysed by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and found phase-pure. High purity was also confirmed by the melting point analysis using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). PuF3 was then used for thermodynamic assessment of the PuF3-LiF system. Phase equilibrium points and enthalpy of fusion of the eutectic composition were measured by DSC. XRD analyses of selected samples after DSC measurement confirm that after solidification from the liquid, the system returns to a mixture of LiF and PuF3.

  10. Comparison of prostate cancer gene 3 score, prostate health index and percentage free prostate-specific antigen for differentiating histological inflammation from prostate cancer and other non-neoplastic alterations of the prostate at initial biopsy.

    Science.gov (United States)

    De Luca, Stefano; Passera, Roberto; Bollito, Enrico; Manfredi, Matteo; Scarpa, Roberto Mario; Sottile, Antonino; Randone, Donato Franco; Porpiglia, Francesco

    2014-12-01

    To determine if prostate cancer gene 3 (PCA3) score, Prostate Health Index (PHI), and percent free prostate-specific antigen (%fPSA) may be used to differentiate prostatitis from prostate cancer (PCa), benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and high-grade prostate intraepithelial neoplasia (HG-PIN) in patients with elevated PSA and negative digital rectal examination (DRE). in the present prospective study, 274 patients, undergoing PCA3 score, PHI and %fPSA assessments before initial biopsy, were enrolled. Three multivariate logistic regression models were used to test PCA3 score, PHI and %fPSA as risk factors for prostatitis vs. PCa, vs. BPH, and vs. HG-PIN. All the analyses were performed for the whole patient cohort and for the 'gray zone' of PSA (4-10 ng/ml) cohort (188 individuals). The determinants for prostatitis vs. PCa were PCA3 score, PHI and %fPSA (Odds Ratio [OR]=0.97, 0.96 and 0.94, respectively). Unit increase of PHI was the only risk factor for prostatitis vs. BPH (OR=1.06), and unit increase of PCA3 score for HG-PIN vs. prostatitis (OR=0.98). In the 'gray zone' PSA cohort, the determinants for prostatitis vs. PCa were PCA3 score, PHI and %fPSA (OR=0.96, 0.94 and 0.92, respectively), PCA3 score and PHI for prostatitis vs. BPH (OR=0.96 and 1.08, respectively), and PCA3 score for prostatitis vs. HG-PIN (OR=0.97). The clinical benefit of using PCA3 score and PHI to estimate prostatitis vs. PCa was comparable; even %fPSA had good diagnostic performance, being a faster and cheaper marker. PHI was the only determinant for prostatitis vs. BPH, while PCA3 score for prostatitis vs. HG-PIN. Copyright© 2014 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.

  11. Centrosymmetric [N(CH3)4]2TiF6 vs. noncentrosymmetric polar [C(NH2)3]2TiF6: A hydrogen-bonding effect on the out-of-center distortion of TiF6 octahedra

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Kim, Eun-ah; Lee, Dong Woo; Ok, Kang Min

    2012-01-01

    The syntheses, structures, and characterization of organically templated zero-dimensional titanium fluoride materials, A 2 TiF 6 (A=[N(CH 3 ) 4 ] or [C(NH 2 ) 3 ]), are reported. Phase pure samples of A 2 TiF 6 were synthesized by either solvothermal reaction method or a simple mixing method. While [N(CH 3 ) 4 ] 2 TiF 6 crystallizes in a centrosymmetric space group, R-3, [C(NH 2 ) 3 ] 2 TiF 6 crystallizes in a noncentrosymmetric polar space group, Cm. The asymmetric out-of-center distortion of TiF 6 octahedra in polar [C(NH 2 ) 3 ] 2 TiF 6 are attributable to the hydrogen-bonding interactions between the fluorine atoms in TiF 6 octahedra and the nitrogen atoms in the [C(NH 2 ) 3 ] + cation. Powder second-harmonic generation (SHG) measurements on the [C(NH 2 ) 3 ] 2 TiF 6 , using 1064 nm radiation, indicate the material has SHG efficiency of 25× that of α-SiO 2 , which indicates an average nonlinear optical susceptibility, 〈d eff 〉 exp of 2.8 pm/V. Additional SHG measurements reveal that the material is not phase-matchable (Type 1). The magnitudes of out-of-center distortions and dipole moment calculations for TiF 6 octahedra will be also reported. - Graphical abstract: The out-of-center distortion of TiF 6 octahedron in the polar noncentrosymmetric [C(NH 2 ) 3 ] 2 TiF 6 is attributable to the hydrogen-bonding interactions between the F in TiF 6 octahedron and the H–N in the [C(NH 2 ) 3 ] + . Highlights: ► Two titanium fluorides materials have been synthesized in high yields. ► Hydrogen-bonds are crucial for the out-of-center distortion of TiF 6 octahedra. ► [C(NH 2 ) 3 ] 2 TiF 6 has a SHG efficiency of 25× that of α-SiO 2 .

  12. Thermodynamic assessment of the LiF–ThF{sub 4}–PuF{sub 3}–UF{sub 4} system

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Capelli, E. [European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Transuranium Elements, P.O. Box 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe (Germany); Department of Radiation Science and Technology, Faculty of Applied Physics, Delft University of Technology, Delft 2629JB (Netherlands); Beneš, O., E-mail: ondrej.benes@ec.europa.eu [European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Transuranium Elements, P.O. Box 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe (Germany); Konings, R.J.M. [European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Transuranium Elements, P.O. Box 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe (Germany); Department of Radiation Science and Technology, Faculty of Applied Physics, Delft University of Technology, Delft 2629JB (Netherlands)

    2015-07-15

    The LiF–ThF{sub 4}–PuF{sub 3}–UF{sub 4} system is the reference salt mixture considered for the Molten Salt Fast Reactor (MSFR) concept started with PuF{sub 3}. In order to obtain the complete thermodynamic description of this quaternary system, two binary systems (ThF{sub 4}–PuF{sub 3} and UF{sub 4}–PuF{sub 3}) and two ternary systems (LiF–ThF{sub 4}–PuF{sub 3} and LiF–UF{sub 4}–PuF{sub 3}) have been assessed for the first time. The similarities between CeF{sub 3}/PuF{sub 3} and ThF{sub 4}/UF{sub 4} compounds have been taken into account for the presented optimization as well as in the experimental measurements performed, which have confirmed the temperatures predicted by the model. Moreover, the experimental results and the thermodynamic database developed have been used to identify potential compositions for the MSFR fuel and to evaluate the influence of partial substitution of ThF{sub 4} by UF{sub 4} in the salt.

  13. Initial-state interactions, factorization, and the Drell-Yan process

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Bodwin, G.T.; Brodsky, S.J.; Lepage, G.P.

    1981-12-01

    It is shown that initial state interactions violate the factorization conjecture for the Drell-Yan process order by order in perturbation theory. Also, the effects of elastic and inelastic initial state interactions on the observed cross sections are discussed

  14. Fluoride ion donor properties of cis-OsO(2)F(4): synthesis, raman spectroscopic study, and X-ray crystal structure of [OsO(2)F(3)][Sb(2)F(11)].

    Science.gov (United States)

    Hughes, Michael J; Mercier, Hélène P A; Schrobilgen, Gary J

    2010-01-04

    The salt, [OsO(2)F(3)][Sb(2)F(11)], has been synthesized by dissolution of cis-OsO(2)F(4) in liquid SbF(5), followed by removal of excess SbF(5) at 0 degrees C to yield orange, crystalline [OsO(2)F(3)][Sb(2)F(11)]. The X-ray crystal structure (-173 degrees C) consists of an OsO(2)F(3)(+) cation fluorine bridged to an Sb(2)F(11)(-) anion. The light atoms of OsO(2)F(3)(+) and the bridging fluorine atom form a distorted octahedron around osmium in which the osmium atom is displaced from its center toward an oxygen atom and away from the trans-fluorine bridge atom. As in other transition metal dioxofluorides, the oxygen ligands are cis to one another and the fluorine bridge atom is trans to an oxygen ligand and cis to the remaining oxygen ligand. The Raman spectrum (-150 degrees C) of solid [OsO(2)F(3)][Sb(2)F(11)] was assigned on the basis of the ion pair observed in the low-temperature crystal structure. Under dynamic vacuum, [OsO(2)F(3)][Sb(2)F(11)] loses SbF(5), yielding the known [mu-F(OsO(2)F(3))(2)][Sb(2)F(11)] salt with no evidence for [OsO(2)F(3)][SbF(6)] formation. Attempts to synthesize [OsO(2)F(3)][SbF(6)] by the reaction of [OsO(2)F(3)][Sb(2)F(11)] with an equimolar amount of cis-OsO(2)F(4) or by a 1:1 stoichiometric reaction of cis-OsO(2)F(4) with SbF(5) in anhydrous HF yielded only [mu-F(OsO(2)F(3))(2)][Sb(2)F(11)]. Quantum-chemical calculations at the SVWN and B3LYP levels of theory and natural bond orbital analyses were used to calculate the gas-phase geometries, vibrational frequencies, natural population analysis charges, bond orders, and valencies of OsO(2)F(3)(+), [OsO(2)F(3)][Sb(2)F(11)], [OsO(2)F(3)][SbF(6)], and Sb(2)F(11)(-). The relative thermochemical stabilities of [OsO(2)F(3)][SbF(6)], [OsO(2)F(3)][Sb(2)F(11)], [OsO(2)F(3)][AsF(6)], [mu-F(OsO(2)F(3))(2)][SbF(6)], [mu-F(OsO(2)F(3))(2)][Sb(2)F(11)], and [mu-F(OsO(2)F(3))(2)][AsF(6)] were assessed using the appropriate Born-Haber cycles to account for the preference for [mu-F(OsO(2)F(3

  15. Yb3+:Sr5(VO4)3F: Crystal growth, spectroscopic characterization and laser development

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Bustamante, Andrea Nora Pino

    1999-01-01

    Crystal growth, spectroscopic characterization and laser development of Yb 3+ :SVAP [Sr 5 (VO 4 ) 3 F] was performed to demonstrate for the first time, operation of tunable laser emission centered at 1120 nm. Initially, SVAP crystals were grown with high dopant concentrations, up to 6.0 mol % of Yb 2 O 3 in the melt, in order to investigate the material for potential laser operation at a new laser wavelength. Additional research was performed to alleviate highly doped SVAP crystals of defects previously observed. Basic spectroscopic characterization including absorption and luminescent properties were measured to better understand the behavior of Yb 3+ ions in SVAP. Based upon these studies, discussion of the 1120 nm laser transition is presented as it arises from a ground state vibrational level. Investigations of the charge compensation process and the optical parameters as a function of dopant concentration are also presented. The laser development of Yb 3+ :SVAP included continuous and pulsed modes of operation of the 1044 nm and 1120 nm transitions. Initial laser action of the 1044 nm transition was achieved using a Yi: Saphire laser pump source in order to compare with previously results. Further development of a diode-pumped Yb 3+ :SVAP laser system demonstrated continuously tunable laser operation from 1103 nm for the first time. The laser investigations also proved that this high gain media does provide continuous wave laser action at 1044 nm and 1120 simultaneously without significant gain depletion. (author)

  16. Study of gamma-ray induced variability on F1M1-F3M3 distant tomato hybrids

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Siromeatnicov, Iulia; Cotenco, Eugenia; Ciobanu, Renata

    2013-01-01

    The outcome of the evaluation of the gamma radiation's action, the growth and development tomato plant has shown that the coefficient of variation of plant height character is on the rise with increasing doses of gamma radiation. The hybrid combination F 1 M 1 (L.hpriz.1998) irradiated with dose 150 Gy variant presented superior value a towards scrutiny for plant height of the characters, number of flowers and fruits per bunch, number of fruits per plant and fruit mass of. The character F 2 M 2 generation plant height registered diminished value compared to F 1 M 1 generation. The highest value was recorded at the hybrid combination F 2 M 2 L.hpriz.1998 200 Gy treated dose. The evaluation research has highlighted that at the doses 100 Gy, 150 Gy, 200 Gy, have confirmed an increase in characters of reproductive system: the number of flowers and fruits per bunch, number of fruits per plant, fruit mass and reduction of the characters waist and height of placing of the first inflorescences plant. Similar aspects with some differences as low as hybrid combination Lhpi1998 in relation to the radiation doses used under study were confirmed in the case F 3 M 3 . (authors)

  17. A photo-responsive F-box protein FOF2 regulates floral initiation by promoting FLC expression in Arabidopsis.

    Science.gov (United States)

    He, Reqing; Li, Xinmei; Zhong, Ming; Yan, Jindong; Ji, Ronghuan; Li, Xu; Wang, Qin; Wu, Dan; Sun, Mengsi; Tang, Dongying; Lin, Jianzhong; Li, Hongyu; Liu, Bin; Liu, Hongtao; Liu, Xuanming; Zhao, Xiaoying; Lin, Chentao

    2017-09-01

    Floral initiation is regulated by various genetic pathways in response to light, temperature, hormones and developmental status; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying the interactions between different genetic pathways are not fully understood. Here, we show that the photoresponsive gene FOF2 (F-box of flowering 2) negatively regulates flowering. FOF2 encodes a putative F-box protein that interacts specifically with ASK14, and its overexpression results in later flowering under both long-day and short-day photoperiods. Conversely, transgenic plants expressing the F-box domain deletion mutant of FOF2 (FOF2ΔF), or double loss of function mutant of FOF2 and FOL1 (FOF2-LIKE 1) present early flowering phenotypes. The late flowering phenotype of the FOF2 overexpression lines is suppressed by the flc-3 loss-of-function mutation. Furthermore, FOF2 mRNA expression is regulated by autonomous pathway gene FCA, and the repressive effect of FOF2 in flowering can be overcome by vernalization. Interestingly, FOF2 expression is regulated by light. The protein level of FOF2 accumulates in response to light, whereas it is degraded under dark conditions via the 26S proteasome pathway. Our findings suggest a possible mechanistic link between light conditions and the autonomous floral promotion pathway in Arabidopsis. © 2017 The Authors The Plant Journal © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  18. Influence of the composition to the physical properties of NaF-LiF-LaF3 melt liquid systems

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    L. A. Bulavin

    2013-06-01

    Full Text Available Influence of the chemical composition of NaF-LiF-LaF3 system on temperature dependence of electrical con-ductivity, viscosity and thermoelectric power has been studied in a wide temperature range between 600 and 1500 К. The obtained results could help in design of the molten salt reactor blanket.

  19. Reconstructive phase transition in (NH4)3TiF7 accompanied by the ordering of TiF6 octahedra.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Molokeev, Maxim; Misjul, S V; Flerov, I N; Laptash, N M

    2014-12-01

    An unusual phase transition P4/mnc → Pa\\bar 3 has been detected after cooling the (NH4)3TiF7 compound. Some TiF6 octahedra, which are disordered in the room-temperature tetragonal structure, become ordered in the low-temperature cubic phase due to the disappearance of the fourfold axis. Other TiF6 octahedra undergo large rotations resulting in huge displacements of the F atoms by 1.5-1.8 Å that implies a reconstructive phase transition. It was supposed that phases P4/mbm and Pm\\bar 3m could be a high-temperature phase and a parent phase, respectively, in (NH4)3TiF7. Therefore, the sequence of phase transitions can be written as Pm\\bar 3m → P4/mbm → P4/mnc → Pa\\bar 3. The interrelation between (NH4)3TiF7, (NH4)3GeF7 and (NH4)3PbF7 is found, which allows us to suppose phase transitions in relative compounds.

  20. The γ rays sensitivity measurement of CeF3 scintillator detector

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Hu Mengchun; Zhou Dianzhong; Li Rurong; Wang Zhentong; Yang Hongqiong; Zhang Jianhua; Hu Qingyuan; Peng Taiping

    2003-01-01

    The CeF 3 is an abio-scintillator developed in recent years, which are insensitive to neutron and sensitive to gamma rays and respond quickness. The relationship of CeF 3 scintillation detector gamma rays sensitivity with the change of crystal thickness was measured. The CeF 3 scintillation detector is composed by high liner current photomultiplier tube of CHφT3, CHφT5 and CeF 3 scintillator. The detector gamma rays sensitivity of purple photocell and common photocell with CeF 3 scintillator were measured too

  1. Symmetric group: Algebraic formulas for some S/sub f/ 6j symbols and S/sub f/containsS/sub f/1 x S/sub f/2 3jm symbols

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Haase, R.W.; Dirl, R.

    1986-01-01

    Explicit rank-dependent expressions have been obtained for some symmetric group (S/sub f/) 6j symbols and some S/sub f/containsS/sub f/ 1 x S/sub f/ 2 3jm symbols using Butler's recursion method. A key point in deriving these results is the use of the reduced notation introduced by Murnaghan to label irreps. Various symmetries of the 6j and 3jm symbols have been imposed. These include the complex conjugation, permutation, and transpose conjugation. We incorporate a new symmetry that arises from the occurrence of the two isomorphic direct product groups S/sub f/ 1 x S/sub f/ 2 and S/sub f/ 2 x S/sub f/ 1 as subgroups of S/sub f/. In relation to the tables of 6j and 3jm symbols presented, a discussion is given of the symmetric group-unitary group duality

  2. Enterovirus 71 3C protease cleaves a novel target CstF-64 and inhibits cellular polyadenylation.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Kuo-Feng Weng

    2009-09-01

    Full Text Available Identification of novel cellular proteins as substrates to viral proteases would provide a new insight into the mechanism of cell-virus interplay. Eight nuclear proteins as potential targets for enterovirus 71 (EV71 3C protease (3C(pro cleavages were identified by 2D electrophoresis and MALDI-TOF analysis. Of these proteins, CstF-64, which is a critical factor for 3' pre-mRNA processing in a cell nucleus, was selected for further study. A time-course study to monitor the expression levels of CstF-64 in EV71-infected cells also revealed that the reduction of CstF-64 during virus infection was correlated with the production of viral 3C(pro. CstF-64 was cleaved in vitro by 3C(pro but neither by mutant 3C(pro (in which the catalytic site was inactivated nor by another EV71 protease 2A(pro. Serial mutagenesis was performed in CstF-64, revealing that the 3C(pro cleavage sites are located at position 251 in the N-terminal P/G-rich domain and at multiple positions close to the C-terminus of CstF-64 (around position 500. An accumulation of unprocessed pre-mRNA and the depression of mature mRNA were observed in EV71-infected cells. An in vitro assay revealed the inhibition of the 3'-end pre-mRNA processing and polyadenylation in 3C(pro-treated nuclear extract, and this impairment was rescued by adding purified recombinant CstF-64 protein. In summing up the above results, we suggest that 3C(pro cleavage inactivates CstF-64 and impairs the host cell polyadenylation in vitro, as well as in virus-infected cells. This finding is, to our knowledge, the first to demonstrate that a picornavirus protein affects the polyadenylation of host mRNA.

  3. Influencing Factors of the Initiation Point in the Parachute-Bomb Dynamic Detonation System

    Science.gov (United States)

    Qizhong, Li; Ye, Wang; Zhongqi, Wang; Chunhua, Bai

    2017-12-01

    The parachute system has been widely applied in modern armament design, especially for the fuel-air explosives. Because detonation of fuel-air explosives occurs during flight, it is necessary to investigate the influences of the initiation point to ensure successful dynamic detonation. In fact, the initiating position exist the falling area in the fuels, due to the error of influencing factors. In this paper, the major influencing factors of initiation point were explored with airdrop and the regularity between initiation point area and factors were obtained. Based on the regularity, the volume equation of initiation point area was established to predict the range of initiation point in the fuel. The analysis results showed that the initiation point appeared area, scattered on account of the error of attitude angle, secondary initiation charge velocity, and delay time. The attitude angle was the major influencing factors on a horizontal axis. On the contrary, secondary initiation charge velocity and delay time were the major influencing factors on a horizontal axis. Overall, the geometries of initiation point area were sector coupled with the errors of the attitude angle, secondary initiation charge velocity, and delay time.

  4. Synthesis, characterization, and application of two Al(OR(F))3 Lewis superacids.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Kraft, Anne; Trapp, Nils; Himmel, Daniel; Böhrer, Hannes; Schlüter, Peter; Scherer, Harald; Krossing, Ingo

    2012-07-23

    We report herein the synthesis and full characterization of the donor-free Lewis superacids Al(OR(F))(3) with OR(F) = OC(CF(3))(3) (1) and OC(C(5)F(10))C(6)F(5) (2), the stabilization of 1 as adducts with the very weak Lewis bases PhF, 1,2-F(2)C(6)H(4), and SO(2), as well as the internal C-F activation pathway of 1 leading to Al(2)(F)(OR(F))(5) (4) and trimeric [FAl(OR(F))(2)](3) (5, OR(F) = OC(CF(3))(3)). Insights have been gained from NMR studies, single-crystal structure determinations, and DFT calculations. The usefulness of these Lewis acids for halide abstractions has been demonstrated by reactions with trityl chloride (NMR; crystal structures). The trityl salts allow the introduction of new, heteroleptic weakly coordinating [Cl-Al(OR(F))(3)](-) anions, for example, by hydride or alkyl abstraction reactions. Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  5. Estimating Dynamic Connectivity States in fMRI Using Regime-Switching Factor Models

    KAUST Repository

    Ting, Chee-Ming

    2017-12-06

    We consider the challenges in estimating state-related changes in brain connectivity networks with a large number of nodes. Existing studies use sliding-window analysis or time-varying coefficient models which are unable to capture both smooth and abrupt changes simultaneously, and rely on ad-hoc approaches to the high-dimensional estimation. To overcome these limitations, we propose a Markov-switching dynamic factor model which allows the dynamic connectivity states in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data to be driven by lower-dimensional latent factors. We specify a regime-switching vector autoregressive (SVAR) factor process to quantity the time-varying directed connectivity. The model enables a reliable, data-adaptive estimation of change-points of connectivity regimes and the massive dependencies associated with each regime. We develop a three-step estimation procedure: 1) extracting the factors using principal component analysis, 2) identifying connectivity regimes in a low-dimensional subspace based on the factor-based SVAR model, 3) constructing high-dimensional state connectivity metrics based on the subspace estimates. Simulation results show that our estimator outperforms K-means clustering of time-windowed coefficients, providing more accurate estimate of time-evolving connectivity. It achieves percentage of reduction in mean squared error by 60% when the network dimension is comparable to the sample size. When applied to resting-state fMRI data, our method successfully identifies modular organization in resting-state networks in consistency with other studies. It further reveals changes in brain states with variations across subjects and distinct large-scale directed connectivity patterns across states.

  6. Ionic-liquid-induced microfluidic reaction for water-soluble Ce1-xTbxF3 nanocrystal synthesis

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Xie Nan; Luan Weiling

    2011-01-01

    Luminescent lanthanide nanocrystals (NCs) are proposed to be a promising new class of fluorescent labeling agents due to their attractive optical and chemical features including low toxicity, wide photoluminescence (PL) emission and high resistance to photobleaching. In this paper, an ionic-liquid-induced synthesis of Ce 1-x Tb x F 3 nanoparticle was investigated via utilizing a capillary microreactor. Ionic liquid-[bmim]BF 4 acts as both a fluoride source and stabilizing solvent during the reaction, which was shown to be a key factor that governs luminescence intensity of the obtained nanoparticles. The luminescent properties can be greatly improved by optimizing the volume percentage of [bmim]BF 4 . Furthermore, the reaction temperature exerts an influence on the properties of the prepared samples. Experimental results show that the colloidal solutions of Tb 3+ -doped CeF 3 NCs exhibit the characteristic emission of Ce 3+ 5d-4f and Tb 3+5 D 4 - 7 F J (J = 6-3) transitions with 5 D 4 - 7 F 5 green emission at 542 nm as the strongest peak. The as-prepared samples are found dispersible in water with the quantum yield (in aqueous solution) as 12%, which indicates a potential application on biolabels, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and redox luminescent switches.

  7. Silicon nitride and silicon etching by CH{sub 3}F/O{sub 2} and CH{sub 3}F/CO{sub 2} plasma beams

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Kaler, Sanbir S.; Lou, Qiaowei; Donnelly, Vincent M., E-mail: vmdonnelly@uh.edu; Economou, Demetre J., E-mail: economou@uh.edu [Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Plasma Processing Laboratory, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204 (United States)

    2016-07-15

    Silicon nitride (SiN, where Si:N ≠ 1:1) films low pressure-chemical vapor deposited on Si substrates, Si films on Ge on Si substrates, and p-Si samples were exposed to plasma beams emanating from CH{sub 3}F/O{sub 2} or CH{sub 3}F/CO{sub 2} inductively coupled plasmas. Conditions within the plasma beam source were maintained at power of 300 W (1.9 W/cm{sup 3}), pressure of 10 mTorr, and total gas flow rate of 10 sccm. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to determine the thicknesses of Si/Ge in addition to hydrofluorocarbon polymer films formed at low %O{sub 2} or %CO{sub 2} addition on p-Si and SiN. Polymer film thickness decreased sharply as a function of increasing %O{sub 2} or %CO{sub 2} addition and dropped to monolayer thickness above the transition point (∼48% O{sub 2} or ∼75% CO{sub 2}) at which the polymer etchants (O and F) number densities in the plasma increased abruptly. The C(1s) spectra for the polymer films deposited on p-Si substrates appeared similar to those on SiN. Spectroscopic ellipsometry was used to measure the thickness of SiN films etched using the CH{sub 3}F/O{sub 2} and CH{sub 3}F/CO{sub 2} plasma beams. SiN etching rates peaked near 50% O{sub 2} addition and 73% CO{sub 2} addition. Faster etching rates were measured in CH{sub 3}F/CO{sub 2} than CH{sub 3}F/O{sub 2} plasmas above 70% O{sub 2} or CO{sub 2} addition. The etching of Si stopped after a loss of ∼3 nm, regardless of beam exposure time and %O{sub 2} or %CO{sub 2} addition, apparently due to plasma assisted oxidation of Si. An additional GeO{sub x}F{sub y} peak was observed at 32.5 eV in the Ge(3d) region, suggesting deep penetration of F into Si, under the conditions investigated.

  8. Substituting mouse transcription factor Pou4f2 with a sea urchin orthologue restores retinal ganglion cell development.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Mao, Chai-An; Agca, Cavit; Mocko-Strand, Julie A; Wang, Jing; Ullrich-Lüter, Esther; Pan, Ping; Wang, Steven W; Arnone, Maria Ina; Frishman, Laura J; Klein, William H

    2016-03-16

    Pou domain transcription factor Pou4f2 is essential for the development of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in the vertebrate retina. A distant orthologue of Pou4f2 exists in the genome of the sea urchin (class Echinoidea) Strongylocentrotus purpuratus (SpPou4f1/2), yet the photosensory structure of sea urchins is strikingly different from that of the mammalian retina. Sea urchins have no obvious eyes, but have photoreceptors clustered around their tube feet disc. The mechanisms that are associated with the development and function of photoreception in sea urchins are largely unexplored. As an initial approach to better understand the sea urchin photosensory structure and relate it to the mammalian retina, we asked whether SpPou4f1/2 could support RGC development in the absence of Pou4f2. To answer this question, we replaced genomic Pou4f2 with an SpPou4f1/2 cDNA. In Pou4f2-null mice, retinas expressing SpPou4f1/2 were outwardly identical to those of wild-type mice. SpPou4f1/2 retinas exhibited dark-adapted electroretinogram scotopic threshold responses, indicating functionally active RGCs. During retinal development, SpPou4f1/2 activated RGC-specific genes and in S. purpuratus, SpPou4f2 was expressed in photoreceptor cells of tube feet in a pattern distinct from Opsin4 and Pax6. Our results suggest that SpPou4f1/2 and Pou4f2 share conserved components of a gene network for photosensory development and they maintain their conserved intrinsic functions despite vast morphological differences in mouse and sea urchin photosensory structures. © 2016 The Authors.

  9. Differential expression of members of the E2F family of transcription factors in rodent testes

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Toppari Jorma

    2006-12-01

    Full Text Available Abstract Background The E2F family of transcription factors is required for the activation or repression of differentially expressed gene programs during the cell cycle in normal and abnormal development of tissues. We previously determined that members of the retinoblastoma protein family that interacts with the E2F family are differentially expressed and localized in almost all the different cell types and tissues of the testis and in response to known endocrine disruptors. In this study, the cell-specific and stage-specific expression of members of the E2F proteins has been elucidated. Methods We used immunohistochemical (IHC analysis of tissue sections and Western blot analysis of proteins, from whole testis and microdissected stages of seminiferous tubules to study the differential expression of the E2F proteins. Results For most of the five E2F family members studied, the localizations appear conserved in the two most commonly studied rodent models, mice and rats, with some notable differences. Comparisons between wild type and E2F-1 knockout mice revealed that the level of E2F-1 protein is stage-specific and most abundant in leptotene to early pachytene spermatocytes of stages IX to XI of mouse while strong staining of E2F-1 in some cells close to the basal lamina of rat tubules suggest that it may also be expressed in undifferentiated spermatogonia. The age-dependent development of a Sertoli-cell-only phenotype in seminiferous tubules of E2F-1 knockout males corroborates this, and indicates that E2F-1 is required for spermatogonial stem cell renewal. Interestingly, E2F-3 appears in both terminally differentiated Sertoli cells, as well as spermatogonial cells in the differentiative pathway, while the remaining member of the activating E2Fs, E2F-2 is most concentrated in spermatocytes of mid to late prophase of meiosis. Comparisons between wildtype and E2F-4 knockout mice demonstrated that the level of E2F-4 protein displays a distinct

  10. Synthesis of [18F]-N-3-fluoro-propyl-2β-carbomethoxy-3β-(4-iodophenyl) nortropane ([18F]-FP-β-CIT)

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Fang Ping; Chen Zhengping; Lin Yansong; Zhou Xian; Du Yikui

    2001-01-01

    The ligand of N-(3-fluoro-propyl)-2β-carbomethoxy-3β-(4'-iodophenyl) nortropane (FP-β-CIT) and mesylate precursor were synthesized by hydrolysis of cocaine, followed by dehydration, esterification, Grignard reaction, N-demethylation, iodination, N-alkylation with 3-bromo-propanol and methyl-sulfonyl. Finally, 18 F-FP-β-CIT was prepared by nucleophilic fluorination of the mesylate with K 18 F/K 2.2.2 (Kryptofix). The labelling yield of 18 F-FP-β-CIT is 25%-30%. The total radiochemical yield of this compound, calculated from the end of bombardment (EOB) with decay correction, is 10%-12% with a synthesis time of 100-110 min. The radiochemical purity of 18 F-FP-β-CIT is greater than 90%, and this compound in aqueous solution is also stable for more than 4 hours at room temperature. It is stable enough for clinical study

  11. Affinity chromatography of serine proteases on the triazine dye ligand Cibacron Blue F3G-A

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Koch, C; Borg, L; Skjødt, K

    1998-01-01

    The interaction between complement component factor B and the triazine dye ligand Cibacron Blue F3G-A coupled to a cross-linked agarose matrix (Blue Sepharose) was found to involve the Bb part of the molecule, and to be inhibited by benzamidine. Human, chicken and rainbow trout factor B which had...

  12. Ion-molecular equilibria and activity determination in the RbF-ZrF4 system

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Skokan, E.V.; Nikitin, M.I.; Sorokin, I.D.; Korenev, Yu.M.; Sidorov, L.N.

    1983-01-01

    Activity of zirconium tetrofluoride in 100-33.3 mol % ZrF 4 concentration range was determined during isothermal evaporation of samples of different initial composition of RbF-ZrF 4 system, using ion-molecular equilibrium method. It became possible, using the exchange ion-molecular reactions to determine ZrF 4 activity approximately 10 -10 in the region of state diagram of RbF-ZrF 4 system, adjoining to rubidium fluoride. The comparative analysis of results, obtained by the methods of isothermal evaporation, ion-molecular equilibria is given; the advantages and restrictions of ion-molecular equilibrium method are presented

  13. Factors associated with initiation of antihyperglycaemic medication in UK patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Sinclair Alan J

    2012-03-01

    Full Text Available Abstract Aim To assess the factors associated with antihyperglycaemic medication initiation in UK patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. Methods In a retrospective cohort study, patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes were identified during the index period of 2003-2005. Eligible patients were ≥ 30 years old at the date of the first observed diabetes diagnosis (referred to as index date and had at least 2 years of follow-up medical history (N = 9,158. Initiation of antihyperglycaemic medication (i.e., treatment was assessed in the 2-year period following the index date. Adjusted Cox regression models were used to examine the association between time to medication initiation and patient age and other factors. Results Mean (SD HbA1c at diagnosis was 8.1% (2.3. Overall, 51% of patients initiated antihyperglycaemic medication within 2 years (65%, 55%, 46% and 40% for patients in the 30- th, 75th percentile time to treatment initiation was 63 (8, 257 days. Of the patients with HbA1c ≥ 7.5% at diagnosis, 87% initiated treatment within 2 years. These patients with a higher HbA1c also had shorter time to treatment initiation (adjusted hazard ratio (HR = 2.44 [95% confidence interval (CI: 1.61, 3.70]; p Conclusions In this UK cohort of patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes, only 51% had antihyperglycaemic medication initiated over a 2-year period following diagnosis. Older patients were significantly less likely to have been prescribed antihyperglycaemic medications. Elevated HbA1c was the strongest factor associated with initiating antihyperglycaemic medication in these patients.

  14. Elevated electrochemical performance of (NH4)3AlF6-coated 0.5Li2MnO3·0.5LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 cathode material via a novel wet coating method

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Xu, Guofeng; Li, Jianling; Xue, Qingrui; Dai, Yu; Zhou, Hongwei; Wang, Xindong; Kang, Feiyu

    2014-01-01

    A novel wet method of (NH 4 ) 3 AlF 6 coating was explored to enhance the electrochemical performance of Mn-based solid-solution cathode material 0.5Li 2 MnO 3 ·0.5LiNi 1/3 Co 1/3 Mn 1/3 O 2 . The X-ray powder diffraction patterns show that the coating material is pure-phase (NH 4 ) 3 AlF 6 and both pristine and coated samples can be indexed to hexagonal α-NaFeO 2 layered structure with space group of R-3 m. The field-emission scanning electron microscope images and the energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy show that (NH 4 ) 3 AlF 6 is successfully coated on the surface of active particle. The (NH 4 ) 3 AlF 6 coated electrodes exhibit improved electrochemical performance, for instance, the initial charge-discharge efficiency was promoted by 5% (NH 4 ) 3 AlF 6 coating, the 1 wt.% and 3 wt.% coated electrodes deliver elevated cycling ability which is ascribed to the lower resistance between electrode and electrolyte as indicated by AC impedance measurement at different cycles. In addition, the coated-electrodes also give enhanced rate capability particularly for 1 wt.% NAF-coated electrode performing surprising capacity of 143.4 mAh g −1 at 5 C higher than that of 109.4 mAh g −1 for pristine electrode. Furthermore, the 1 wt.% NAF-coated electrode also shows improved cycle and rate performance at 55°C

  15. A new pathway in the control of the initiation of puberty: the MKRN3 gene.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Abreu, Ana Paula; Macedo, Delanie B; Brito, Vinicius N; Kaiser, Ursula B; Latronico, Ana Claudia

    2015-06-01

    Pubertal timing is influenced by complex interactions among genetic, nutritional, environmental, and socioeconomic factors. The role of MKRN3, an imprinted gene located in the Prader-Willi syndrome critical region (chromosome 15q11-13), in pubertal initiation was first described in 2013 after the identification of deleterious MKRN3 mutations in five families with central precocious puberty (CPP) using whole-exome sequencing analysis. Since then, additional loss-of-function mutations of MKRN3 have been associated with the inherited premature sexual development phenotype in girls and boys from different ethnic groups. In all of these families, segregation analysis clearly demonstrated autosomal dominant inheritance with complete penetrance, but with exclusive paternal transmission, consistent with the monoallelic expression of MKRN3 (a maternally imprinted gene). Interestingly, the hypothalamic Mkrn3 mRNA expression pattern in mice correlated with a putative inhibitory input on puberty initiation. Indeed, the initiation of puberty depends on a decrease in factors that inhibit the release of GnRH combined with an increase in stimulatory factors. These recent human and animal findings suggest that MKRN3 plays an inhibitory role in the reproductive axis to represent a new pathway in pubertal regulation. © 2015 Society for Endocrinology.

  16. β-Catenin/POU5F1/SOX2 transcription factor complex mediates IGF-I receptor signaling and predicts poor prognosis in lung adenocarcinoma.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Xu, Chuan; Xie, Dan; Yu, Shi-Cang; Yang, Xiao-Jun; He, Li-Ru; Yang, Jing; Ping, Yi-Fang; Wang, Bin; Yang, Lang; Xu, Sen-Lin; Cui, Wei; Wang, Qing-Liang; Fu, Wen-Juan; Liu, Qing; Qian, Cheng; Cui, You-Hong; Rich, Jeremy N; Kung, Hsiang-Fu; Zhang, Xia; Bian, Xiu-Wu

    2013-05-15

    Cancer stem-like cells (CSLC) are crucial in tumor initiation and progression; however, the underlying mechanism for the self-renewal of cancer cells remains undefined. In the study, immunohistochemical analysis of specimens freshly excised from patients with lung adenocarcinoma showed that high expression of insulin-like growth factor I receptor (IGF-IR) in lung adenocarcinoma cells was positively correlated with the expressions of cancer stem cell markers CD133 and aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 family member A1 (ALDH1A1). IGF-IR activation enhanced POU class 5 homeobox 1 (POU5F1) expression on human lung adenocarcinoma stem-like cells (LACSLC) through PI3K/AKT/GSK3β/β-catenin cascade. POU5F1 could form a novel complex with β-catenin and SOX2 to bind Nanog promoter for transcription to maintain self-renewal of LACSLCs, which was dependent on the functional IGF-IR. Genetic and pharmacologic inhibition of IGF-IR abrogated LACSLC capabilities for self-renewal and tumorigenicity in vitro. In an in vivo xenograft tumor model, knockdown of either IGF-IR or POU5F1 impeded tumorigenic potentials of LACSLCs. By analyzing pathologic specimens excised from 200 patients with lung adenocarcinoma, we found that colocalization of highly expressed IGF-IR with β-catenin and POU5F1 predicted poor prognosis. Taken together, we show that IGF-IR-mediated POU5F1 expression to form a complex with β-catenin and SOX2 is crucial for the self-renewal and oncogenic potentials of LACSLCs, and the integrative clinical detection of the expressions of IGF-IR, β-catenin, and POU5F1 is indicatory for predicting prognosis in the patients of lung adenocarcinoma. ©2013 AACR.

  17. Induction of S-phase entry by E2F transcription factors depends on their nuclear localization

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Müller, H; Moroni, M C; Vigo, E

    1997-01-01

    The E2F transcription factors are essential for regulating the correct timing of activation of several genes whose products are implicated in cell proliferation and DNA replication. The E2Fs are targets for negative regulation by the retinoblastoma protein family, which includes pRB, p107, and p130......, and they are in a pathway that is frequently found altered in human cancers. There are five members of the E2F family, and they can be divided into two functional subgroups. Whereas, upon overexpression, E2F-1, -2, and -3 induce S phase in quiescent fibroblasts and override G1 arrests mediated by the p16INK4A tumor...... suppressor protein or neutralizing antibodies to cyclin D1, E2F-4 and -5 do not. Using E2F-1 and E2F-4 as representatives of the two subgroups, we showed here, by constructing a set of chimeric proteins, that the amino terminus of E2F-1 is sufficient to confer S-phase-inducing potential as well...

  18. Functional and Biochemical Characterization of Human Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 3 in Living Cells

    Czech Academy of Sciences Publication Activity Database

    Wagner, Susan; Herrmannová, Anna; Malík, Radek; Peclinovská, L.; Valášek, Leoš Shivaya

    2014-01-01

    Roč. 34, č. 16 (2014), s. 3041-3052 ISSN 0270-7306 R&D Projects: GA ČR GAP305/10/0335 Institutional support: RVO:61388971 ; RVO:68378050 Keywords : MESSENGER-RNA RECRUITMENT * FACTOR EIF3 * IN-VIVO Subject RIV: CE - Biochemistry Impact factor: 4.777, year: 2014

  19. Exploration on anion ordering, optical properties and electronic structure in K{sub 3}WO{sub 3}F{sub 3} elpasolite

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Atuchin, V.V. [Laboratory of Optical Materials and Structures, Institute of Semiconductor Physics, SB RAS, Novosibirsk 630090 (Russian Federation); Isaenko, L.I. [Laboratory of Crystal Growth, Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, SB RAS, Novosibirsk 630090 (Russian Federation); Kesler, V.G. [Laboratory of Physical Principles for Integrated Microelectronics, Institute of Semiconductor Physics, Novosibirsk 630090 (Russian Federation); Lin, Z.S., E-mail: zslin@mail.ipc.ac.cn [Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 2711, Beijing 100190 (China); Molokeev, M.S. [Laboratory of Crystal Physics, Institute of Physics, SB RAS, Krasnoyarsk 660036 (Russian Federation); Yelisseyev, A.P.; Zhurkov, S.A. [Laboratory of Crystal Growth, Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, SB RAS, Novosibirsk 630090 (Russian Federation)

    2012-03-15

    Room-temperature modification of potassium oxyfluorotungstate, G2-K{sub 3}WO{sub 3}F{sub 3}, has been prepared by low-temperature chemical route and single crystal growth. Wide optical transparency range of 0.3-9.4 {mu}m and forbidden band gap E{sub g}=4.32 eV have been obtained for G2-K{sub 3}WO{sub 3}F{sub 3} crystal. Meanwhile, its electronic structure has been calculated with the first-principles calculations. The good agreement between the theorectical and experimental results have been achieved. Furthermore, G2-K{sub 3}WO{sub 3}F{sub 3} is predicted to possess the relatively large nonlinear optical coefficients. - Graphical abstract: Using the cm-size K{sub 3}WO{sub 3}F{sub 3} crystal (left upper), the transmission spectrum (right upper) and XPS valence electronic states (left lower) were measured, agreed with the ab initio results (right lower). Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The cm-size G2-K{sub 3}WO{sub 3}F{sub 3} single crystals are obtained. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Optical absorption edge and transmission range are defined for G2-K{sub 3}WO{sub 3}F{sub 3} crystal. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Crystal structures of all known K{sub 3}WO{sub 3}F{sub 3} polymorph modifications are determined. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Experimental electronic structure is consistent with the first-principles result. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer G2-K{sub 3}WO{sub 3}F{sub 3} is predicted as a crystal with large NLO coefficients.

  20. Surface and bulk 4f-photoemission spectra of CeIn3 and CeSn3

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Kim, H.; Tjernberg, O.; Chiaia, G.; Kumigashira, H.; Takahashi, T.; Duo, L.; Sakai, O.; Kasaya, M.; Lindau, I.

    1997-01-01

    Resonant photoemission spectroscopy was performed on CeIn 3 and CeSn 3 at the 4d-4f and 3d-4f core thresholds. Using the different surface sensitivity between the two photon energies, surface and bulk 4f-photoemission spectra were derived for both compounds. With the noncrossing approximation of the Anderson impurity model, the 4d-4f resonant spectra together with the surface and bulk spectra were self-consistently analyzed to obtain the microscopic parameters such as the 4f-electron energy and the hybridization strength with conduction electrons. The result shows a substantial difference in these parameters between the surface and the bulk, indicating that it is important to take into account the surface effect in analyzing photoemission spectra of Ce compounds. It is also found that the 4f surface core-level shift is different between CeIn 3 and CeSn 3 . copyright 1997 The American Physical Society

  1. Field effect of fixed negative charges on oxidized silicon induced by AlF3 layers with fluorine deficiency

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Koenig, D.; Zahn, D.R.T.; Ebest, G.

    2004-01-01

    We recently discovered that in an AlF 3 /SiO 2 /Si structure extrinsic electrons are trapped at fluorine (F) vacancies in AlF 3 at the interface with SiO 2 , generating a high sheet density of fixed negative charges. p- and n-Type Si substrates were oxidized using rapid thermal oxidation (RTO) or furnace oxidation (th); some samples were passivated in hydrogen (H 2 ). AlF 3 was deposited onto oxidized Si wafers by a modified PVD process, leading to a F deficiency (AlF x ). Samples were characterized by mercury probe (Hg) CV and microwave photo conduction decay (μW-PCD), determining charge and trap densities and effective carrier lifetime τ eff , respectively. An effective charge density of up to |Q eff = -6.9 x 10 12 cm -2 is reached due to electrons tunneling from Si into AlF 3 , occupying F vacancies. Lifetime scans of p-type float zone (FZ) Si samples with 1.5 nm RTO and 20 nm AlF 3 show an increase in effective minority carrier lifetime by a factor of 8.4 compared to samples with 1.5 nm RTO only. The fixed negative charge density increases with exposure time to sunlight or at simulated ageing by a 24 h anneal at 200 deg. C in air

  2. Risk factors associated with injection initiation among drug users in Northern Thailand

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Suriyanon Vinai

    2006-03-01

    Full Text Available Abstract Background Circumstances surrounding injection initiation have not been well addressed in many developing country contexts. This study aimed to identify demographic factors, sexual behaviors and drug use characteristics related to injection initiation among drug users in northern Thailand. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 2,231 drug users admitted to the Northern Drug Treatment Center in Mae Rim, Chiang Mai, Thailand, between February 1, 1999 and December 31, 2000. A multiple logistic regression was employed to identify the independent effects from potential risk factors of transition into injection. Results After controlling for other covariates, being 20 years of age or older, single, ever receiving education, urban residence, and having a history of smoking or incarceration were significantly associated with higher likelihood of injection initiation. Multiple sex partners and an experience of sex abuse were associated with an increased risk of injection initiation. Comparing to those whose first drug was opium, individuals using heroin as their initiation drug had greater risk of injection initiation; conversely, those taking amphetamine as their first drug had less risk of injection initiation. Age of drug initiation was negatively associated with the risk of injection initiation: the older the age of drug initiation, the less the risk of injection initiation. Conclusion Injection initiation was related to several demographic factors, sexual behaviors and drug use characteristics. Understanding these factors will benefit the design of approaches to successfully prevent or delay transition into injection.

  3. Haloacyl complexes of boron, [(CF3)3BC(O)Hal]- (Hal=F, Cl, Br, I).

    Science.gov (United States)

    Finze, Maik; Bernhardt, Eduard; Willner, Helge; Lehmann, Christian W

    2005-11-04

    The haloacyltris(trifluoromethyl)borate anions [(CF3)3BC(O)Hal]- (Hal=F, Cl, Br, I) have been synthesized by reacting (CF3)3BCO with either MHal (M=K, Cs; Hal=F) in SO2 or MHal (M=[nBu4N]+, [Et4N]+, [Ph4P]+; Hal=Cl, Br, I) in dichloromethane. Metathesis reactions of the fluoroacyl complex with Me3SiHal (Hal=Cl, Br, I) led to the formation of its higher homologues. The thermal stabilities of the haloacyltris(trifluoromethyl)borates decrease from the fluorine to the iodine derivative. The chemical reactivities decrease in the same order as demonstrated by a series of selected reactions. The new [(CF3)3BC(O)Hal]- (Hal=F, Cl, Br) salts are used as starting materials in the syntheses of novel compounds that contain the (CF3)3B-C fragment. All borate anions [(CF3)3BC(O)Hal]- (Hal=F, Cl, Br, I) have been characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy (11B, 13C, 17O, 19F) and vibrational spectroscopy. [PPh4][(CF3)3BC(O)Br] crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2/c (no. 13) and the bond parameters are compared with those of (CF3)3BCO and K[(CF3)3BC(O)F]. The interpretation of the spectroscopic and structural data are supported by DFT calculations [B3LYP/6-311+G(d)].

  4. Factors Associated with Breastfeeding Initiation: A Comparison between France and French-Speaking Canada.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Lisa-Christine Girard

    Full Text Available Breastfeeding is associated with multiple domains of health for both mothers and children. Nevertheless, breastfeeding initiation is low within certain developed countries. Furthermore, comparative studies of initiation rates using harmonised data across multiple regions is scarce.The aim of the present study was to investigate and compare individual-level determinants of breastfeeding initiation using two French-speaking cohorts.Participants included ~ 3,900 mothers enrolled in two cohort studies in Canada and France. Interviews, questionnaires, and medical records were utilised to collect information on maternal, family, and medical factors associated with breastfeeding initiation.Rates of breastfeeding initiation were similar across cohorts, slightly above 70%. Women in both Canada and France who had higher levels of maternal education, were born outside of their respective countries and who did not smoke during pregnancy were more likely to initiate breastfeeding with the cohort infant. Notably, cohort effects of maternal education at the university level were found, whereby having 'some university' was not statistically significant for mothers in France. Further, younger mothers in Canada, who delivered by caesarean section and who had previous children, had reduced odds of breastfeeding initiation. These results were not found for mothers in France.While some similar determinants were observed, programming efforts to increase breastfeeding initiation should be tailored to the characteristics of specific geographical regions which may be heavily impacted by the social, cultural and political climate of the region, in addition to individual and family level factors.

  5. Electric noise component with density f-1 identified on ISEE 3

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Hoang, S.; Steinberg, J.L.; Couturier, P.; Feldman, W.C.

    1982-01-01

    An electric noise component with an f - 1 spectrum is observed with the SBH radioastronomy receivers on ISEE 3 at frequencies lower than the plasma frequency f/sub p/. On the Z antenna (electrical length for long waves is 7 m) this component is 5--10 times more intense than the predicted thermal noise level. Its spectral density is proportional to f/sub p/ f - 1 (T/sub c/)/sup 1/2/, where T/sub c/ is the core electron temperature and f is the observing frequency. On the S antenna (90 m tip to tip) the new component is much weaker and most probably represents the high-frequency part of a noise spectrum found by Kellogg (1981) with an antenna of the same length. This author interpreted it as mostly due to electron acoustic waves and Doppler shifted ion acoustic waves, but this interpretation has not been confirmed by more accurate calculations (Couturier et al., 1982). Kellogg's spectrum also shows an f - 1 frequency dependence and, if extrapolated assuming the same law as for the Z antenna, approximately fits our S antenna observations. The S antenna f - 1 noise is deeply spin modulated with the minimum electric field in the direction of the solar wind flow as seen in the spacecraft frame of reference. The modulation factor decreases with increasing frequency, becomes negligible when the new component intensity becomes negligible as compared with thermal noise, and increases with the solar wind velocity. The f - 1 component shows some of the properties which are expected from shot noise (direction of minimum intensity) but its spectral index is -1 while shot noise is supposed to show a spectral index -2

  6. The role of AlF{sub 3} coatings in improving electrochemical cycling of Li-enriched nickel-manganese oxide electrodes for Li-ion batteries

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Sun, Yang-Kook; Lee, Min-Joon [Department of WCU Energy Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul (Korea, Republic of); Yoon, Chong S. [Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul (Korea, Republic of); Hassoun, Jusef; Scrosati, Bruno [Department of Chemistry, University of Rome ' ' La Sapienza' ' (Italy); Amine, Khalil [Electrochemical Technology Program, Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division, Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 South Cass Avenue, Argonne, Illinois (United States)

    2012-03-02

    A Li[Li{sub 0.19}Ni{sub 0.16}Co{sub 0.08}Mn{sub 0.57}]O{sub 2} cathode was coated with AlF{sub 3} on the surface. The AlF{sub 3}-coating enhanced the overall electrochemical characteristics of the electrode while overcoming the typical shortcomings of lithium-enriched cathodes. This improvement was attributed to the transformation of the initial electrode layer to a spinel phase, induced by the Li chemical leaching effect of the AlF{sub 3} coating layer. (Copyright copyright 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

  7. Summary of breakout Session F3: F3, decision support systems: Requirements, architecture and innovations

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Anon.

    1992-01-01

    The discussions in breakout session F3 are summarized. The topics discussed include DSS architecture, map characteristics, database requirements, model requirements, knowledge base requirements, artificial intelligence applications, and user interface requirements. General comments, concerns, major research areas, and coordination and overlap reduction are presented

  8. Prostate Health Index (Phi) and Prostate Cancer Antigen 3 (PCA3) significantly improve prostate cancer detection at initial biopsy in a total PSA range of 2-10 ng/ml.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Ferro, Matteo; Bruzzese, Dario; Perdonà, Sisto; Marino, Ada; Mazzarella, Claudia; Perruolo, Giuseppe; D'Esposito, Vittoria; Cosimato, Vincenzo; Buonerba, Carlo; Di Lorenzo, Giuseppe; Musi, Gennaro; De Cobelli, Ottavio; Chun, Felix K; Terracciano, Daniela

    2013-01-01

    Many efforts to reduce prostate specific antigen (PSA) overdiagnosis and overtreatment have been made. To this aim, Prostate Health Index (Phi) and Prostate Cancer Antigen 3 (PCA3) have been proposed as new more specific biomarkers. We evaluated the ability of phi and PCA3 to identify prostate cancer (PCa) at initial prostate biopsy in men with total PSA range of 2-10 ng/ml. The performance of phi and PCA3 were evaluated in 300 patients undergoing first prostate biopsy. ROC curve analyses tested the accuracy (AUC) of phi and PCA3 in predicting PCa. Decision curve analyses (DCA) were used to compare the clinical benefit of the two biomarkers. We found that the AUC value of phi (0.77) was comparable to those of %p2PSA (0.76) and PCA3 (0.73) with no significant differences in pairwise comparison (%p2PSA vs phi p = 0.673, %p2PSA vs. PCA3 p = 0.417 and phi vs. PCA3 p = 0.247). These three biomarkers significantly outperformed fPSA (AUC = 0.60), % fPSA (AUC = 0.62) and p2PSA (AUC = 0.63). At DCA, phi and PCA3 exhibited a very close net benefit profile until the threshold probability of 25%, then phi index showed higher net benefit than PCA3. Multivariable analysis showed that the addition of phi and PCA3 to the base multivariable model (age, PSA, %fPSA, DRE, prostate volume) increased predictive accuracy, whereas no model improved single biomarker performance. Finally we showed that subjects with active surveillance (AS) compatible cancer had significantly lower phi and PCA3 values (pphi and PCA3 comparably increase the accuracy in predicting the presence of PCa in total PSA range 2-10 ng/ml at initial biopsy, outperforming currently used %fPSA.

  9. High electrical resistivity Nd-Fe-B die-upset magnet doped with eutectic DyF3–LiF salt mixture

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    K. M. Kim

    2017-05-01

    Full Text Available Nd-Fe-B-type die-upset magnet with high electrical resistivity was prepared by doping of eutectic DyF3–LiF salt mixture. Mixture of melt-spun Nd-Fe-B flakes (MQU-F: Nd13.6Fe73.6Co6.6Ga0.6B5.6 and eutectic binary (DyF3–LiF salt (25 mol% DyF3 – 75 mol% LiF was hot-pressed and then die-upset. By adding the eutectic salt mixture (> 4 wt%, electrical resistivity of the die-upset magnet was enhanced to over 400 μΩ.cm compared to 190 μΩ.cm of the un-doped magnet. Remarkable enhancement of the electrical resistivity was attributed to homogeneous and continuous coverage of the interface between flakes by the easily melted eutectic salt dielectric mixture. It was revealed that active substitution of the Nd atoms in neighboring flakes by the Dy atoms from the added (DyF3–LiF salt mixture had occurred during such a quick thermal processing of hot-pressing and die-upsetting. This Dy substitution led to coercivity enhancement in the die-upset magnet doped with the eutectic (DyF3–LiF salt mixture. Coercivity and remanence of the die-upset magnet doped with (DyF3–LiF salt mixture was as good as those of the DyF3-doped magnet.

  10. K(3)TaF(8) from laboratory X-ray powder data.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Smrcok, Lubomír; Cerný, Radovan; Boca, Miroslav; Macková, Iveta; Kubíková, Blanka

    2010-02-01

    The crystal structure of tripotassium octafluoridotantalate, K(3)TaF(8), determined from laboratory powder diffraction data by the simulated annealing method and refined by total energy minimization in the solid state, is built from discrete potassium cations, fluoride anions and monocapped trigonal-prismatic [TaF(7)](2-) ions. All six atoms in the asymmetric unit are in special positions of the P6(3)mc space group: the Ta and one F atom in the 2b (3m) sites, the K and two F atoms in the 6c (m) sites, and one F atom in the 2a (3m) site. The structure consists of face-sharing K(6) octahedra with a fluoride anion at the center of each octahedron, forming chains of composition [FK(3)](2+) running along [001] with isolated [TaF(7)](2-) trigonal prisms in between. The structure of the title compound is different from the reported structure of Na(3)TaF(8) and represents a new structure type.

  11. About a case of prostate lymphomatous injury: initial evaluation and early therapy evaluation by PET/T.D.M. with {sup 18}F-F.D.G; A propos d'un cas d'atteinte lymphomateuse prostatique: bilan initial et evaluation therapeutique precoce par TEPTDM au F-18 FDG

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Cimarelli, S.; Mognetti, T.; Desuzinges, C. [Service de medecine nucleaire, centre Leon-Berard, (France); Lachenal, F.; Sebban, C. [departement de medecine, centre Leon-Berard, (France); Chassagne Clement, C. [departement d' anatomo-pathologie, centre Leon-Berard, Lyon, (France)

    2009-05-15

    The non Hodgkin lymphomas can grow up on organs without any lymphoid tissue. A prostate infiltration occurs in 0.002-1% of the whole ( of non Hodgkin lymphomas). The interest of the positron computed tomography/computed tomography (PET/T.D.M.) with {sup 18}F-fluorodeoxyglucose (F.D.G.) for the initial and post therapy evaluation of aggressive non Hodgkin lymphomas was the object of a recent international consensus. For the early evaluation, its use is still to precise. We report the case of forty four years old man with an aggressive non Hodgkin lymphoma, at an advanced stage with initially a an muscular, ganglion, osteo-medullar prostate overgrowth. We discuss of the interest of the metabolic imaging in this rare clinical form of non Hodgkin lymphoma. (N.C.)

  12. Noticeable red emission and Raman active modes in nanoscale gadolinium oxyfluoride (Gd4O3F6) systems with Eu3+ inclusion

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Hazarika, Samiran; Mohanta, Dambarudhar

    2017-01-01

    Eu 3+ doped gadolinium oxyfluoride (Gd 4 O 3 F 6 , GOF) nanoscale systems have been synthesized following a modified Pechini method. While exhibiting a tetragonal crystal structure, the GOF nanosystem gave an average crystallite size (d) of ∝21-26 nm. The Lotgering factor (L F ), which is a measure of orientation of crystallites along the preferred direction was found to vary between 0.22 and 0.48. In the photoluminescence spectra, ∝595 and ∝613 nm peaks were identified as magnetically driven ( 5 D 0 → 7 F 1 ) and electrically driven ( 5 D 0 → 7 F 2 ) transitions with latter (red emission) being strongly manifested with Eu 3+ doping concentration and intrinsic defects. Moreover, several Raman active modes have been probed in the Raman spectra with low frequency peaks (<300 cm -1 ) and moderate frequency peaks (∝481 and 567 cm -1 ) assigned to observable vibration of heavy atom Gd-Gd pairs and Gd-O groups, respectively. Apart from manifestation of phononic features, inclusion of Eu 3+ in the host lattice would bring new insight on improving the red emission response prior to concentration quenching. (orig.)

  13. On the factors controlling occurrence of F-region coherent echoes

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    D. W. Danskin

    2002-09-01

    Full Text Available Several factors are known to control the HF echo occurrence rate, including electron density distribution in the ionosphere (affecting the propagation path of the radar wave, D-region radio wave absorption, and ionospheric irregularity intensity. In this study, we consider 4 days of CUTLASS Finland radar observations over an area where the EISCAT incoherent scatter radar has continuously monitored ionospheric parameters. We illustrate that for the event under consideration, the D-region absorption was not the major factor affecting the echo appearance. We show that the electron density distribution and the radar frequency selection were much more significant factors. The electron density magnitude affects the echo occurrence in two different ways. For small F-region densities, a minimum value of 1 × 1011 m-3 is required to have sufficient radio wave refraction so that the orthogonality (with the magnetic field lines condition is met. For too large densities, radio wave strong "over-refraction" leads to the ionospheric echo disappearance. We estimate that the over-refraction is important for densities greater than 4 × 1011 m-3. We also investigated the backscatter power and the electric field magnitude relationship and found no obvious relationship contrary to the expectation that the gradient-drift plasma instability would lead to stronger irregularity intensity/echo power for larger electric fields.Key words. Ionosphere (ionospheric irregularities; plasma waves and instabilities; auroral ionosphere

  14. Physical properties of the eutectic NaF-LiF-LaF3 melt ionic liquid system

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Yu. O. Plevachuk

    2012-06-01

    Full Text Available Results of experimental studies on electrical conductivity, viscosity and thermo-electromotive force temperature dependencies of eutectic NaF-LiF-LaF3 melt ionic liquid mixture in the temperature range of (580 ÷ 800 °C are presented. It has been found, that at the temperature of (675 ± 5 °C the ionic mixture thermo-electromotive force changes its sing to reverse, with this change being correlated with viscosity temperature dependence type readjustment occurring at the same temperature. It has been shown that the maximum value of liquid ionic mixture electrical conductivity is achieved at the temperature of (750 ± 5 °C. Obtained results could help in the molten salt reactor blanket design.

  15. Electronic structure optical spectra and contact hyperfine parameters of CoF64- complex in LiF and KMgF3

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Albuquerque, E.L. de.

    1975-12-01

    The electronic structure, the optical absorption bands and the magnetic hyperfine contact terms have been calculated for CoF 6 4- cluster in LiF and KMgF 3 using the Self-Consistent-Field Multiple-Scattering Xα Method. The results obtained are compared with experiment and indicate that this scheme is convenient to treat such complex problems. (Author) [pt

  16. Crystal structures of KM(AsF6)3 (M2+ = Mg, Co, Mn, Zn), KCu(SbF6)3 and [Co(HF)2]Sr[Sr(HF)]2-[Sr(HF)2]2[AsF6]12

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Mazej, Zoran; Goreshnik, Evgeny

    2015-01-01

    The KM(AsF 6 ) 3 (M 2+ = Mg, Co, Mn, Zn) and KCu(SbF 6 ) 3 compounds crystallize isotypically to previously known KNi(AsF 6 ) 3 . The main features of the structure of these compounds are rings of MF 6 octahedra sharing apexes with AsF 6 octahedra connected into infinite tri-dimensional frameworks. In this arrangement cavities are formed where K + cations are placed. Single crystals of CoSr 5 (AsF 6 ) 12 .8HF were obtained as one of the products after the crystallization of 3KF/CoF 2 /SrF 2 mixture in the presence of AsF 5 in anhydrous HF. The CoSr 5 (AsF 6 ) 12 .8HF is monoclinic, C/2c (No.15), with a = 26.773(5) Aa, b = 10.087(2) Aa, c = 21.141(5) Aa, β = 93.296(13) circle , V = 5699.9(19) Aa 3 at 200 K, and Z = 4. There are three crystallographically non-equivalent Sr 2+ cations in the crystal structure of CoSr 5 (AsF 6 ) 12 .8HF. The Sr1 is coordinated by ten fluorine atoms from eight different [AsF 6 ]- anions, meanwhile Sr2 and Sr3 are bound to nine fluorine atoms provided by one HF and eight AsF 6 units or by two HF and six AsF 6 units, respectively. The Co 2+ is coordinated distorted-octahedrally by six fluorine atoms from two HF molecules and four different AsF 6 units. All those moieties in the crystal structure of [Co(HF) 2 ]Sr[Sr(HF)] 2 [Sr(HF) 2 ] 2 [AsF 6 ] 12 are connected into tridimensional framework. The CoSr 5 (AsF 6 ) 12 .8HF is a unique example of compound where HF molecules are directly bound via fluorine atoms to two different metal centres.

  17. Reversible white-purple photochromism in europium doped Sr{sub 3}GdLi(PO{sub 4}){sub 3}F powders

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Lv, Yang; Jin, Yahong, E-mail: yhjin@gdut.edu.cn; Wang, Chuanlong; Ju, Guifang; Xue, Feihong; Hu, Yihua, E-mail: huyh@gdut.edu.cn

    2017-06-15

    Inorganic photochromic materials have attracted growing attention in recent years. Here, a reversible white-purple photochromic powder material Sr{sub 3}GdLi(PO{sub 4}){sub 3}F:Eu{sup 2+} was synthesized by conventional solid-state method. The surface color shows reversible white-purple changes after irradiated alternatively by UV and visible light (or thermal treat). Diffuse reflectance spectra were used to characterize the photochromic properties including coloring and bleaching. The results indicated that the optimal Eu{sup 2+} doping concentration was found to be about 0.5 mol%. Several cycles measurements including photo- and thermal-induced bleaching indicates that Sr{sub 3}GdLi(PO{sub 4}){sub 3}F:Eu{sup 2+} posses high fatigue resistance in photochromism performance. Based on thermoluminescence curves, the photochromism property related factors that the critical role of traps and the motion of charge carriers between traps were discussed. Finally, a schematic diagram for illustrating the photochromic mechanism was proposed.

  18. Influence of physical factors on sexual function and pituitary gland-gonads system. Chapter 3

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    2000-01-01

    In the Chapter 3 it is noted, that different physical factors even with low intensity (vibration, noise, electromagnetic oscillations of s.h.f. and u.h.f range, laser radiation, temperature changes) predictably lead to spermatogenesis dysfunctions and functional shift in hypothalamus-pituitary gland-gonads system with examined animals and man. The sexual function of men changing in the result of contact with unfavourable physical factors arise early and quite often they preceding the manifestation of occupational diseases pattern

  19. Parametric Method Performance for Dynamic 3'-Deoxy-3'-18F-Fluorothymidine PET/CT in Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-Mutated Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma Patients Before and During Therapy.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Kramer, Gerbrand Maria; Frings, Virginie; Heijtel, Dennis; Smit, E F; Hoekstra, Otto S; Boellaard, Ronald

    2017-06-01

    The objective of this study was to validate several parametric methods for quantification of 3'-deoxy-3'- 18 F-fluorothymidine ( 18 F-FLT) PET in advanced-stage non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) patients with an activating epidermal growth factor receptor mutation who were treated with gefitinib or erlotinib. Furthermore, we evaluated the impact of noise on accuracy and precision of the parametric analyses of dynamic 18 F-FLT PET/CT to assess the robustness of these methods. Methods : Ten NSCLC patients underwent dynamic 18 F-FLT PET/CT at baseline and 7 and 28 d after the start of treatment. Parametric images were generated using plasma input Logan graphic analysis and 2 basis functions-based methods: a 2-tissue-compartment basis function model (BFM) and spectral analysis (SA). Whole-tumor-averaged parametric pharmacokinetic parameters were compared with those obtained by nonlinear regression of the tumor time-activity curve using a reversible 2-tissue-compartment model with blood volume fraction. In addition, 2 statistically equivalent datasets were generated by countwise splitting the original list-mode data, each containing 50% of the total counts. Both new datasets were reconstructed, and parametric pharmacokinetic parameters were compared between the 2 replicates and the original data. Results: After the settings of each parametric method were optimized, distribution volumes (V T ) obtained with Logan graphic analysis, BFM, and SA all correlated well with those derived using nonlinear regression at baseline and during therapy ( R 2 ≥ 0.94; intraclass correlation coefficient > 0.97). SA-based V T images were most robust to increased noise on a voxel-level (repeatability coefficient, 16% vs. >26%). Yet BFM generated the most accurate K 1 values ( R 2 = 0.94; intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.96). Parametric K 1 data showed a larger variability in general; however, no differences were found in robustness between methods (repeatability coefficient, 80

  20. {sup 18}F-labeled RGD peptide: initial evaluation for imaging brain tumor angiogenesis

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Chen Xiaoyuan; Park, Ryan; Shahinian, Anthony H.; Tohme, Michel; Khankaldyyan, Vazgen; Bozorgzadeh, Mohammed H.; Bading, James R.; Moats, Rex; Laug, Walter E.; Conti, Peter S. E-mail: pconti@usc.edu

    2004-02-01

    Brain tumors are highly angiogenesis dependent. The cell adhesion receptor integrin {alpha}{sub v}{beta}{sub 3} is overexpressed in glioma and activated endothelial cells and plays an important role in brain tumor growth, spread and angiogenesis. Suitably labeled {alpha}{sub v}{beta}{sub 3}-integrin antagonists may therefore be useful for imaging brain tumor associated angiogenesis. Cyclic RGD peptide c(RGDyK) was labeled with {sup 18}F via N-succinimidyl-4-[{sup 18}F]fluorobenzoate through the side-chain {epsilon}-amino group of the lysine residue. The radiotracer was evaluated in vivo for its tumor targeting efficacy and pharmacokinetics in subcutaneously implanted U87MG and orthotopically implanted U251T glioblastoma nude mouse models by means of microPET, quantitative autoradiography and direct tissue sampling. The N-4-[{sup 18}F]fluorobenzoyl-RGD ([{sup 18}F]FB-RGD) was produced in less than 2 h with 20-25% decay-corrected yields and specific activity of 230 GBq/{mu}mol at end of synthesis. The tracer showed very rapid blood clearance and both hepatobiliary and renal excretion. Tumor-to-muscle uptake ratio at 30 min was approximately 5 in the subcutaneous U87MG tumor model. MicroPET imaging with the orthotopic U251T brain tumor model revealed very high tumor-to-brain ratio, with virtually no uptake in the normal brain. Successful blocking of tumor uptake of [{sup 18}F]FB-RGD in the presence of excess amount of c(RGDyK) revealed receptor specific activity accumulation. Hence, N-4-[{sup 18}F]fluorobenzoyl labeled cyclic RGD peptide [{sup 18}F]FB-RGD is a potential tracer for imaging {alpha}{sub v}{beta}{sub 3}-integrin positive tumors in brain and other anatomic locations.

  1. Factorization of the 3d superconformal index with an adjoint matter

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Hwang, Chiung [Department of Physics, POSTECH,Pohang 790-784 (Korea, Republic of); Park, Jaemo [Department of Physics, POSTECH,Pohang 790-784 (Korea, Republic of); Postech Center for Theoretical Physics (PCTP), POSTECH,Pohang 790-784 (Korea, Republic of)

    2015-11-05

    We work out the factorization of the 3d superconformal index for N=2U(N{sub c}) gauge theory with one adjoint chiral multiplet as well as N{sub f} fundamental, N{sub a} anti-fundamental chiral multiplets. Using the factorization, one can prove the Seiberg-like duality for N=4U(N{sub c}) theory with N{sub f} hypermultiplets at the index level. We explicitly show that monopole operators violating unitarity bound in a bad theory are mapped to free hypermultiplets in the dual side. For N=2U(N{sub c}) theory with one adjoint matter X, N{sub f} fundamental, N{sub a} anti-fundamental chiral multiplets with superpotential W=trX{sup n+1}, we work out Seiberg-like duality for this theory. The index computation provides combinatorial identities for a dual pair, which we carry out intensive numerical checks.

  2. The influence of prophylactic factor VIII in severe hemophilia A

    Science.gov (United States)

    Gissel, Matthew; Whelihan, Matthew F; Ferris, Lauren A; Mann, Kenneth G; Rivard, Georges E; Brummel-Ziedins, Kathleen E

    2013-01-01

    Introduction Hemophilia A individuals displaying a similar genetic defect have heterogeneous clinical phenotypes. Aim To evaluate the underlying effect of exogenous factor (f)VIII on tissue factor (Tf)-initiated blood coagulation in severe hemophilia utilizing both empirical and computational models. Methods We investigated twenty-five clinically severe hemophilia A patients. All individuals were on fVIII prophylaxis and had not received fVIII from 0.25 to 4 days prior to phlebotomy. Coagulation was initiated by the addition of Tf to contact-pathway inhibited whole blood ± an anti-fVIII antibody. Aliquots were quenched over 20 min and analyzed for thrombin generation and fibrin formation. Coagulation factor levels were obtained and used to computationally predict thrombin generation with fVIII set to either zero or its value at the time of the draw. Results Due to prophylactic fVIII, at the time of the blood draw, the individuals had fVIII levels that ranged from hemophilia A. The combination of each individual's coagulation factors (outside of fVIII) determine each individual's baseline thrombin potential and may affect bleeding risk. PMID:21899664

  3. An intronic mutation c.6430-3C>G in the F8 gene causes splicing efficiency and premature termination in hemophilia A.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Xia, Zunjing; Lin, Jie; Lu, Lingping; Kim, Chol; Yu, Ping; Qi, Ming

    2018-06-01

    : Hemophilia A is a bleeding disorder caused by coagulation factor VIII protein deficiency or dysfunction, which is classified into severe, moderate, and mild according to factor clotting activity. An overwhelming majority of missense and nonsense mutations occur in exons of F8 gene, whereas mutations in introns can also be pathogenic. This study aimed to investigate the effect of an intronic mutation, c.6430-3C>G (IVS22-3C>G), on pre-mRNA splicing of the F8 gene. We applied DNA and cDNA sequencing in a Chinese boy with hemophilia A to search if any pathogenic mutation in the F8 gene. Functional analysis was performed to investigate the effect of an intronic mutation at the transcriptional level. Human Splicing Finder and PyMol were also used to predict its effect. We found the mutation c.6430-3C>G (IVS22-3C>G) in the F8 gene in the affected boy, with his mother being a carrier. cDNA from the mother and pSPL3 splicing assay showed that the mutation IVS22-3C>G results in a two-nucleotide AG inclusion at the 3' end of intron 22 and leads to a truncated coagulation factor VIII protein, with partial loss of the C1 domain and complete loss of the C2 domain. The in-silico tool predicted that the mutation induces altered pre-mRNA splicing by using a cryptic acceptor site in intron 22. The IVS22-3C>G mutation was confirmed to affect pre-mRNA splicing and produce a truncated protein, which reduces the stability of binding between the F8 protein and von Willebrand factor carrier protein due to the loss of an interaction domain.

  4. Sox2 is translationally activated by eukaryotic initiation factor 4E in human glioma-initiating cells

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Ge, Yuqing; Zhou, Fengbiao; Chen, Hong; Cui, Chunhong; Liu, Dan [Key Laboratory of Glycoconjuates Research, Ministry of Public Health and Gene Research Center, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032 (China); Li, Qiuping [Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032 (China); Yang, Zhiyuan; Wu, Guoqiang [Key Laboratory of Glycoconjuates Research, Ministry of Public Health and Gene Research Center, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032 (China); Sun, Shuhui [Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, Ministry of Education and Health, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032 (China); Gu, Jianxin [Key Laboratory of Glycoconjuates Research, Ministry of Public Health and Gene Research Center, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032 (China); Institutes of Biomedical Sciences of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032 (China); Wei, Yuanyan, E-mail: yywei@fudan.edu.cn [Key Laboratory of Glycoconjuates Research, Ministry of Public Health and Gene Research Center, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032 (China); Jiang, Jianhai, E-mail: jianhaijiang@fudan.edu.cn [Key Laboratory of Glycoconjuates Research, Ministry of Public Health and Gene Research Center, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032 (China)

    2010-07-09

    Sox2, a master transcription factor, contributes to the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells and plays significant roles in sustaining the self-renewal of neural stem cells and glioma-initiating cells. Understanding the functional differences of Sox2 between glioma-initiating cells and normal neural stem cells would contribute to therapeutic approach for treatment of brain tumors. Here, we first demonstrated that Sox2 could contribute to the self-renewal and proliferation of glioma-initiating cells. The following experiments showed that Sox2 was activated at translational level in a subset of human glioma-initiating cells compared with the normal neural stem cells. Further investigation revealed there was a positive correlation between Sox2 and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) in glioma tissues. Down-regulation of eIF4E decreased Sox2 protein level without altering its mRNA level in glioma-initiating cells, indicating that Sox2 was activated by eIF4E at translational level. Furthermore, eIF4E was presumed to regulate the expression of Sox2 by its 5' untranslated region (5' UTR) sequence. Our results suggest that the eIF4E-Sox2 axis is a novel mechanism of unregulated self-renewal of glioma-initiating cells, providing a potential therapeutic target for glioma.

  5. Sox2 is translationally activated by eukaryotic initiation factor 4E in human glioma-initiating cells

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Ge, Yuqing; Zhou, Fengbiao; Chen, Hong; Cui, Chunhong; Liu, Dan; Li, Qiuping; Yang, Zhiyuan; Wu, Guoqiang; Sun, Shuhui; Gu, Jianxin; Wei, Yuanyan; Jiang, Jianhai

    2010-01-01

    Sox2, a master transcription factor, contributes to the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells and plays significant roles in sustaining the self-renewal of neural stem cells and glioma-initiating cells. Understanding the functional differences of Sox2 between glioma-initiating cells and normal neural stem cells would contribute to therapeutic approach for treatment of brain tumors. Here, we first demonstrated that Sox2 could contribute to the self-renewal and proliferation of glioma-initiating cells. The following experiments showed that Sox2 was activated at translational level in a subset of human glioma-initiating cells compared with the normal neural stem cells. Further investigation revealed there was a positive correlation between Sox2 and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) in glioma tissues. Down-regulation of eIF4E decreased Sox2 protein level without altering its mRNA level in glioma-initiating cells, indicating that Sox2 was activated by eIF4E at translational level. Furthermore, eIF4E was presumed to regulate the expression of Sox2 by its 5' untranslated region (5' UTR) sequence. Our results suggest that the eIF4E-Sox2 axis is a novel mechanism of unregulated self-renewal of glioma-initiating cells, providing a potential therapeutic target for glioma.

  6. HYPERDIRE. HYPERgeometric functions DIfferential REduction. MATHEMATICA based packages for differential reduction of generalized hypergeometric functions {sub p}F{sub p-1}, F{sub 1}, F{sub 2}, F{sub 3}, F{sub 4}

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Bytev, Vladimir V.; Kalmykov, Mikhail Yu. [Hamburg Univ. (Germany). 2. Inst. fuer Theoretische Physik; Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Dubna (Russian Federation); Kniehl, Bernd A. [Hamburg Univ. (Germany). 2. Inst. fuer Theoretische Physik

    2013-05-15

    HYPERDIRE is a project devoted to the creation of a set of Mathematica based programs for the differential reduction of hypergeometric functions. The current version includes two parts: one, pfq, is relevant for manipulations of hypergeometric functions {sub p+1}F{sub p}, and the second one, AppellF1F4, for manipulations with Appell hypergeometric functions F{sub 1}, F{sub 2}, F{sub 3}, F{sub 4} of two variables.

  7. Roles of SigB and SigF in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Sigma Factor Network▿ †

    OpenAIRE

    Lee, Jong-Hee; Karakousis, Petros C.; Bishai, William R.

    2007-01-01

    To characterize the roles of SigB and SigF in sigma factor regulation in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, we used chemically inducible recombinant strains to conditionally overexpress sigB and sigF. Using whole genomic microarray analysis and quantitative reverse transcription-PCR, we investigated the resulting global transcriptional changes after sigB induction, and we specifically tested the relative expression of other sigma factor genes after knock-in expression of sigB and sigF. Overexpressio...

  8. Automatic synthesis of 3'-Deoxy-3'-18F-fluorothymidine using a domestic FDG module

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Zhang Jinming; Zhang Xiaojun; Li Yungang; Liu Jian; Tian Jiahe

    2012-01-01

    3'-Deoxy-3'-[ 18 F] fluorothymidine ( 18 F-FLT) is a radiotracer for the imaging of tumor proliferation. A clinically applicable automatic system for the preparation of 18 F-FLT was developed by modifying a domestic 18 F-FDG synthesizer with semipreparative HPLC. Fifteen milligrams of 3-N-Boc-5'-O-dimethoxytrityl-3'-O-nosyl-thymidine were dissolved in 0.5 mL DMSO and reacted with dried 18 F-fluoride at 100 ℃ for 5 min. The obtained material was hydrolyzed with 1 mol/L HCl at 110 ℃ for 5 min, and then neutralized with 2 mol/ L NaOH before HPLC purification was performed. The desired radioactive fraction was collected after passing through a 0.22 m filter into a 30 mL vial as the final product. The 18 F- FLT labelling yield was found to be 67.5% (n=8) by the radio-TLC method, and 39.4% (n=6) by the HPLC method. The yield as the final product for clinical use was 21.2% (n=3, not corrected for decay). The total preparation time, including the time for HPLC purification, was 30 min. The radiochemical purity of the final product was over 99%, and the specific activity was higher than 740 TBq/mg (180 PBq/mol). The final product was stable for more than 6 h in the 10% alcohol solution. This preparation system with semi-preparative HPLC enables us to produce 18 F-FLT with a stable yield for clinical use. (authors)

  9. LaF3 thin films as chemically sensitive material for semiconductor sensors

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Szeponik, J.; Moritz, W.; Sellam, F.

    1991-01-01

    A new kind of semiconductor based fluoride sensor was prepared by growing thin polycrystalline LaF 3 films directly on silicon substrates using vacuum vapour deposition technique. The EICS (Electrolyte Ion Conductor Semiconductor) structure was investigated by means of impedance spectroscopy, C-V measurements and exchange measurements with labeled ions ( 18 F). Whereas charge and potential conditions at the LaF 3 /electrolyte interface are governed by the fast fluoride exchange the LaF 3 bulk and the blocked Si/LaF 3 interface determine the electrical behavior. Although the Si/LaF 3 contact is not reversible the potential stability of the EICS structure is surprisingly high. Additional results at epitaxial LaF 3 layers, prepared by MBE, were taken into account for comparision with those at polycrystalline layers. (orig.)

  10. Synthesis, crystal structure and properties of a new lead fluoride borate, Pb{sub 3}OBO{sub 3}F

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Zhao, Wenwu [Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Electronic Information Materials and Devices, Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 40-1 South Beijing Road, Urumqi 830011 (China); Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049 (China); Pan, Shilie, E-mail: slpan@ms.xjb.ac.cn [Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Electronic Information Materials and Devices, Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 40-1 South Beijing Road, Urumqi 830011 (China); Dong, Xiaoyu [Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Electronic Information Materials and Devices, Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 40-1 South Beijing Road, Urumqi 830011 (China); Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049 (China); Li, Junjie; Tian, Xuelin; Fan, Xiaoyun [Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Electronic Information Materials and Devices, Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 40-1 South Beijing Road, Urumqi 830011 (China); Chen, Zhaohui [Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Electronic Information Materials and Devices, Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 40-1 South Beijing Road, Urumqi 830011 (China); Physical and Chemical Detecting Center, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046 (China); Zhang, Fangfang [Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Electronic Information Materials and Devices, Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 40-1 South Beijing Road, Urumqi 830011 (China)

    2012-04-15

    Graphical abstract: The structure of Pb{sub 3}OBO{sub 3}F consists of two distortional Pb-centered tetrahedra and BO{sub 3} triangles which are all symmetrical with each other respectively in the gestalt structure to the extent that the Pb{sub 3}OBO{sub 3}F compound crystallizes in the symmetrical space group. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Pb{sub 3}OBO{sub 3}F has been grown from PbO-PbF{sub 2}-B{sub 2}O{sub 3} system for the first time. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer It crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, space group Pbcm. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Pb{sub 3}OBO{sub 3}F consists of Pb(1)O{sub 3}F tetrahedra, Pb(2)O{sub 4} tetrahedra and BO{sub 3} triangles. -- Abstract: A new compound, Pb{sub 3}OBO{sub 3}F, has been grown by the high temperature solution method from the PbO-PbF{sub 2}-B{sub 2}O{sub 3} system. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, space group Pbcm with unit-cell parameters a = 7.6313(14) Angstrom-Sign , b = 6.5229(12) Angstrom-Sign , c = 11.906(2) Angstrom-Sign , Z = 4, volume = 592.66(19) Angstrom-Sign {sup 3}. The structure of the compound is solved by the direct methods and refined to R{sub 1} = 0.0528 and wR{sub 2} = 0.1400. Pb{sub 3}OBO{sub 3}F consists of Pb(1)O{sub 3}F tetrahedra, Pb(2)O{sub 4} tetrahedra and BO{sub 3} triangles which build up the symmetrical chains extended along the c-axis. The powder X-ray diffraction pattern of the Pb{sub 3}OBO{sub 3}F has been measured. Functional groups presented in the sample were identified by Fourier transform infrared spectrum.

  11. An ab initio study on BeX 3- superhalogen anions (X = F, Cl, Br)

    Science.gov (United States)

    Anusiewicz, Iwona; Skurski, Piotr

    2002-06-01

    The vertical electron detachment energies (VDE) of 10 BeX 3- (X = F, Cl, Br) anions were calculated at the outer valence Green function (OVGF) level with the 6-311++G(3df) basis sets. The largest vertical electron binding energy was found for BeF 3- system (7.63 eV). All negatively charged species possess the vertical electron detachment energies that are larger than 5.5 eV and thus may be termed superhalogen anions. The strong dependence of the VDE of the BeX 3- species on the ligand-central atom (Be-X) distance and on the partial atomic charge localized on Be was observed and discussed, as well as the other factors that may influence the electronic stability of such anions. In addition, the usefulness of the various theoretical treatments for estimating the VDEs of superhalogen anions was tested and analyzed.

  12. Matriptase activation connects tissue factor-dependent coagulation initiation to epithelial proteolysis and signaling.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Le Gall, Sylvain M; Szabo, Roman; Lee, Melody; Kirchhofer, Daniel; Craik, Charles S; Bugge, Thomas H; Camerer, Eric

    2016-06-23

    The coagulation cascade is designed to sense tissue injury by physical separation of the membrane-anchored cofactor tissue factor (TF) from inactive precursors of coagulation proteases circulating in plasma. Once TF on epithelial and other extravascular cells is exposed to plasma, sequential activation of coagulation proteases coordinates hemostasis and contributes to host defense and tissue repair. Membrane-anchored serine proteases (MASPs) play critical roles in the development and homeostasis of epithelial barrier tissues; how MASPs are activated in mature epithelia is unknown. We here report that proteases of the extrinsic pathway of blood coagulation transactivate the MASP matriptase, thus connecting coagulation initiation to epithelial proteolysis and signaling. Exposure of TF-expressing cells to factors (F) VIIa and Xa triggered the conversion of latent pro-matriptase to an active protease, which in turn cleaved the pericellular substrates protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR2) and pro-urokinase. An activation pathway-selective PAR2 mutant resistant to direct cleavage by TF:FVIIa and FXa was activated by these proteases when cells co-expressed pro-matriptase, and matriptase transactivation was necessary for efficient cleavage and activation of wild-type PAR2 by physiological concentrations of TF:FVIIa and FXa. The coagulation initiation complex induced rapid and prolonged enhancement of the barrier function of epithelial monolayers that was dependent on matriptase transactivation and PAR2 signaling. These observations suggest that the coagulation cascade engages matriptase to help coordinate epithelial defense and repair programs after injury or infection, and that matriptase may contribute to TF-driven pathogenesis in cancer and inflammation.

  13. Norovirus translation requires an interaction between the C Terminus of the genome-linked viral protein VPg and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4G.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Chung, Liliane; Bailey, Dalan; Leen, Eoin N; Emmott, Edward P; Chaudhry, Yasmin; Roberts, Lisa O; Curry, Stephen; Locker, Nicolas; Goodfellow, Ian G

    2014-08-01

    Viruses have evolved a variety of mechanisms to usurp the host cell translation machinery to enable translation of the viral genome in the presence of high levels of cellular mRNAs. Noroviruses, a major cause of gastroenteritis in man, have evolved a mechanism that relies on the interaction of translation initiation factors with the virus-encoded VPg protein covalently linked to the 5' end of the viral RNA. To further characterize this novel mechanism of translation initiation, we have used proteomics to identify the components of the norovirus translation initiation factor complex. This approach revealed that VPg binds directly to the eIF4F complex, with a high affinity interaction occurring between VPg and eIF4G. Mutational analyses indicated that the C-terminal region of VPg is important for the VPg-eIF4G interaction; viruses with mutations that alter or disrupt this interaction are debilitated or non-viable. Our results shed new light on the unusual mechanisms of protein-directed translation initiation. © 2014 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

  14. Continuously tunable cw lasing near 2.75 μm in diode-pumped Er3+ : SrF2 and Er3+ : CaF2 crystals

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Basiev, Tasoltan T; Orlovskii, Yu V; Polyachenkova, M V; Fedorov, Pavel P; Kuznetsov, S V; Konyushkin, V A; Osiko, Vyacheslav V; Alimov, Olimkhon K; Dergachev, Alexey Yu

    2006-01-01

    CW lasing is obtained in Er 3+ (5%) : CaF 2 and Er 3+ (5%) : SrF 2 crystals near 2.75 μm with 0.4 and 2 W of output powers, respectively, upon transverse diode laser pumping into the upper 4 I 11/2 laser level of erbium ions at 980 nm. Continuous tuning of the laser wavelength between 2720 and 2760 nm is realised in the Er 3+ : SrF 2 crystal. (special issue devoted to the 90th anniversary of a.m. prokhorov)

  15. CH-47F Improved Cargo Helicopter (CH-47F)

    Science.gov (United States)

    2015-12-01

    Confidence Level Confidence Level of cost estimate for current APB: 50% The Confidence Level of the CH-47F APB cost estimate, which was approved on April...M) Initial PAUC Development Estimate Changes PAUC Production Estimate Econ Qty Sch Eng Est Oth Spt Total 10.316 -0.491 3.003 -0.164 2.273 7.378...SAR Baseline to Current SAR Baseline (TY $M) Initial APUC Development Estimate Changes APUC Production Estimate Econ Qty Sch Eng Est Oth Spt Total

  16. Expression of the Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factors 4E and 2α in Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphomas

    Science.gov (United States)

    Wang, Songtao; Rosenwald, Igor B.; Hutzler, Michael J.; Pihan, German A.; Savas, Lou; Chen, Jane-Jane; Woda, Bruce A.

    1999-01-01

    Transition of cells from quiescence to proliferation requires an increase in the rate of protein synthesis, which is regulated in part by two key translation initiation factors, 4E and 2α. The expression and activity of both factors are increased transiently when normal resting cells are stimulated to proliferate. They are constitutively elevated in oncogene transformed cultured cells, and overexpression of either initiation factor in rodent cells makes them tumorigenic. In this study we investigate an association between the expression of translation initiation factors and lymphomagenesis. We have analyzed the expression of the protein synthesis initiation factors 4E and 2α by immunohistochemistry in reactive lymph nodes and several types of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma representing a wide range of clinical behaviors based on the Revised European-American Lymphoma behavioral classification. The study included 7 benign lymph nodes with follicular hyperplasia, 26 indolent lymphomas (6 marginal zone lymphomas, 7 small lymphocytic lymphomas, and 13 follicular lymphomas, grades 1 and 2), 16 moderately aggressive lymphomas (8 mantle cell lymphomas and 8 follicular lymphomas, grade 3), 24 aggressive lymphomas (14 large-B-cell lymphomas and 10 anaplastic large-cell lymphomas), and 15 highly aggressive lymphomas (7 lymphoblastic lymphomas and 8 Burkitt’s lymphomas). Strong expression of initiation factors 4E and 2α was demonstrated in the germinal centers of reactive follicles. Minimal or no expression was seen in the mantle zones and surrounding paracortices, indicating that high expression of initiation factors 4E and 2α is associated with the active proliferation of lymphocytes. Most cases of aggressive and highly aggressive lymphomas showed strong expression of initiation factors 4E and 2α, in contrast to the cases of indolent and moderately aggressive lymphoma, in which their expression was intermediate between the germinal centers and the mantles of reactive

  17. Solid-solid synthesis and structural phase transition process of SmF3

    Science.gov (United States)

    Yan, Qi-Cao; Guo, Xing-Min

    2018-04-01

    Mazes of contradictory conclusions have been obtained by previous researches about structural phase transition process of SmF3. In this paper, the single crystals of SmF3 (hexagonal and orthorhombic) were prepared by solid-solid synthesis, which have shown gradual changes in crystal growth modes with the increase temperature and holding time. Furthermore, we propose the phase transition process of in SmF3. Hexagonal symmetry of SmF3 (space group Pnma) was prepared firstly by heating Sm2O3 and NH4HF2 over 40 min at 270 °C. And then orthorhombic symmetry of SmF3 (space group P63mc) was obtained by heating hexagonal symmetry over 10 h at 650 °C. The reaction of SmF3 (hexagonal) = SmF3 (orthorhombic) is extremely sluggish at a low temperature (less than 650 °C), which was seen as a Mixed Grown Region.

  18. Synthesis and evaluation of 7α-(3-[18F]fluoropropyl) estradiol

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Okamoto, Mayumi; Naka, Kyosuke; Kitagawa, Yuya; Ishiwata, Kiichi; Yoshimoto, Mitsuyoshi; Shimizu, Isao; Toyohara, Jun

    2015-01-01

    Introduction: Several lines of evidence suggest that C-7α-substituted estradiol derivatives are well tolerated by estrogen receptor (ER). In line with this hypothesis, we are interested in the design and synthesis of C-7α-substituted estrogens as molecular probes to visualize ER function. Methods: We have synthesized 7α-(3-[ 18 F]fluoropropyl) estradiol (C3-7α-[ 18 F]FES) as a potential radiopharmaceutical for ER imaging by positron emission tomography (PET). In vitro receptor binding and in vivo biodistribution and blocking studies in mature female mice, and in vivo metabolite analysis were carried out. Furthermore, in vivo ER-selective uptake was confirmed using ER-positive T-47D and ER-negative MDA-MB-231 tumor-bearing mice. We also compared the in vivo biodistribution of C3-7α-[ 18 F]FES with 16α-[ 18 F]FES. Results: C3-7α-[ 18 F]FES was produced in moderate yields (30.7% ± 15.1%, decay corrected) with specific activity of 32.0 ± 18.1 GBq/μmol (EOS). The in vitro binding affinity of C3-7α-FES to the ERα isoform was sufficient and equivalent to that of estradiol. C3-7α-[ 18 F]FES showed selective uptake in ER-rich tissues, such as the uterus (4.7%ID/g ± 1.2%ID/g at 15 minutes) and ovary (4.0%ID/g ± 1.0%ID/g at 5 minutes). The tissue time activity curves of these organs showed reversible kinetics, indicating suitability for quantitative analysis. The highest contrast was obtained at 120 minutes after injection of C3-7α-[ 18 F]FES in the uterus (uterus/blood = 18, uterus/muscle = 17.3) and ovary (ovary/blood = 6.3, ovary/muscle = 6.0). However, the level of selective uptake of C3-7α-[ 18 F]FES was significantly lower than that of 16α-[ 18 F]FES. Most radioactivity in the uterus was detected in unchanged form, although peripherally C3-7α-[ 18 F]FES was rapidly degraded to hydrophilic metabolites. In accordance with this peripheral metabolism, gradual increases in bone radioactivity were observed, indicating defluorination. Coinjection with

  19. Comparison of (68)Ga-DOTA-Tyr(3)-octreotide and (18)F-fluoro-L-dihydroxyphenylalanine positron emission tomography in neuroendocrine tumor patients.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Putzer, D; Gabriel, M; Kendler, D; Henninger, B; Knoflach, M; Kroiss, A; Vonguggenberg, E; Warwitz, B; Virgolini, I J

    2010-02-01

    (68)Ga-DOTA-Tyr3-octreotide positron emission tomography ((68)Ga-DOTA-TOC PET) and (18)F-fluoro-L-dihydroxyphenylalanine PET ((18)F-DOPA PET) are emerging modalities for imaging of neuroendocrine tumors. This study reports our initial experiences with these two PET modalities on initial diagnosis, staging and restaging in NET patients. Fifteen patients with NET underwent both (68)Ga-DOTA-TOC and (18)F-DOPA PET as well as computed tomography (CT). Image findings were compared on a patient-basis (pathological uptake: yes/no) as well as on a lesion-basis. Contrast-enhanced CT and histological follow-up served as gold standard. Furthermore, imaging results were matched with tumor marker levels and quantitative tracer uptake by the tumor lesions. When comparing (68)Ga-DOTA-TOC and (18)F-DOPA PET, each modality showed a sensitivity of 64% and a specificity of 100% on a patient-based analysis. (68)Ga-DOTA-TOC PET and (18)F-DOPA PET showed equal findings in 7 out of 15 patients and disagreement in 8 patients. (68)Ga-DOTA-TOC revealed more metastases than (18)F-DOPA PET in 6 patients, while (18)F-DOPA PET detected more metastases than (68)Ga-DOTA-TOC in 4 patients. By (68)Ga-DOTA-TOC PET, 208 malignant lesions were detected, while by (18)F-DOPA only 86 lesions were found, and in CT 124, respectively. (68)Ga-DOTA-TOC and (18)F-DOPA PET are useful tools in the detection and staging of NET lesions. Our initial results allow the conclusion that (68)Ga-DOTA-TOC PET may have a stronger clinical impact in NET patients, as it does not only offer diagnostic information, but is decisive for the further treatment management, i. e. PRRT, as well.

  20. Atmospheric chemistry of perfluorinated aldehyde hydrates (n-C(x)F(2x+1)CH(OH)2, x = 1, 3, 4)

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Andersen, Mads Peter Sulbæk; Toft, A.; Nielsen, O.J.

    2006-01-01

    . Bubbling CF(3)CHO/air mixtures through liquid water led to >80% conversion of CF(3)CHO into the hydrate within the approximately 2 s taken for passage through the bubbler. These results suggest that OH radical initiated oxidation of C(x)F(2x+1)CH(OH)(2) hydrates could be a significant source...

  1. Optically stimulated luminescence properties of Tm3+ doped KMgF3 fluoro perovskite

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Camargo, L.; Marcazzo, J.; Perez C, L.; Cruz Zaragoza, E.; Martinez O, S. A.

    2017-10-01

    In this work the optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) properties of undoped and Tm 3+ doped KMgF 3 fluoro perovskite have been investigated for the first time. OSL efficiency for stimulation with different wavelengths has been analyzed for each compound. The maximum OSL emission was found with blue light stimulation. The radioluminescence (Rl) spectra have shown two emission peaks at 455 and 360 nm, which can be ascribed to the 1 D 2 - 3 F 4 and 1 D 2 - 3 H 6 transitions of the Tm 3+ cations. It has been found that doping with Thulium 0.5 mol % renders the most intense OSL emission. Furthermore, several dosimetric properties such as OSL response as a function of dose, reproducibility of the OSL signal after several cycles of irradiation readout and the minimum detectable dose have been investigated. Finally, the OSL response of KMgF 3 : Tm 3+ has been compared to that of commercial Al 2 O 3 :C and the possible application of this fluoro perovskite to OSL dosimetry has been evaluated. (Author)

  2. Distinct mechanisms of nuclear accumulation regulate the functional consequence of E2F transcription factors

    NARCIS (Netherlands)

    Allen, K.E.; Luna, S. de la; Kerkhoven, R.M.; Bernards, R.A.; Thangue, N.B. La

    1997-01-01

    Transcription factor E2F plays an important role in coordinating and integrating early cell cycle progression with the transcription apparatus. It is known that physiological E2F arises when a member of two families of proteins, E2F and DP, interact as E2F/DP heterodimers and that transcriptional

  3. Monitoring of anti-cancer treatment with (18)F-FDG and (18)F-FLT PET

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Jensen, Mette Munk; Kjaer, Andreas

    2015-01-01

    treatment effect early in a treatment course and by that to stratify patients into responders and non-responders. With 2-deoxy-2-[(18)F]fluoro-D-glucose ((18)F-FDG) and 3'-deoxy-3'-[(18)F]fluorothymidine((18)F-FLT) two of the cancer hallmarks, altered energy metabolism and increased cell proliferation, can......Functional imaging of solid tumors with positron emission tomography (PET) imaging is an evolving field with continuous development of new PET tracers and discovery of new applications for already implemented PET tracers. During treatment of cancer patients, a general challenge is to measure...... be visualized and quantified non-invasively by PET. With (18)F-FDG and (18)F-FLT PET changes in energy metabolism and cell proliferation can thereby be determined after initiation of cancer treatment in both clinical and pre-clinical studies in order to predict, at an early time-point, treatment response...

  4. Spectroscopic properties of Er3+ and Yb3+ co-doped glass ceramics containing SrF2 nanocrystals

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Qiao Xvsheng; Fan Xianping; Wang Minquan; Zhang Xianghua

    2009-01-01

    The spectroscopic properties of Er 3+ /Yb 3+ co-doped 50SiO 2 -10Al 2 O 3 -20ZnF 2 -20SrF 2 glass and glass ceramic containing SrF 2 nanocrystals were investigated. The formation of SrF 2 nanocrystals in the glass ceramic was confirmed by XRD. The oscillator strengths for several transitions of the Er 3+ ions in the glass ceramic have been obtained and the Judd-Ofelt parameters were then determined. The XRD result and Judd-Ofelt parameters suggested that Er 3+ and Yb 3+ ions had efficiently enriched in the SrF 2 nanocrystals in the glass ceramic. The lifetime of excited states has been used to reveal the surroundings of luminescent Er 3+ and Yb 3+ and energy transfer (ET) mechanism between Er 3+ and Yb 3+ . Much stronger upconversion luminescence and longer lifetime of the Er 3+ /Yb 3+ co-doped glass ceramic were observed in comparison with the Er 3+ /Yb 3+ co-doped glass, which could be ascribed to more efficient ET from Yb 3+ to Er 3+ due to the enrichment of Yb 3+ and Er 3+ and the shortening of the distance between lanthanide ions in the precipitated SrF 2 nanocrystals.

  5. On the knowledge of the (NH4)3SiF7 type of structure

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Hofmann, B.; Hoppe, R.

    1979-01-01

    New obtained are Rb 3 SiF 7 (a = 7.95 9 ; c = 5.82 3 A), Cs 3 SiF 7 (a = 8.30 6 ; c = 6.17 0 A), Rb 3 TiF 7 (a = 8.20 2 ; c = 5.97 9 A), Cs 3 TiF 7 (a = 8.47 3 ; c = 6.31 3 A). and Cs 2 RbSiF 7 (a = 8.19 8 ; c = 6.01 9 A); Cs 2 KSiF 7 (a = 8.11 5 , c = 5.97 2 A), Rb 2 CsSiF 7 (a = 8.09 9 ; c = 5.89 9 A), Rb 2 KSiF 7 (a = 7.88 3 ; c = 5.72 4 A), all colourless, Rb 3 CrF 7 (a = 8.08 4 ; c = 5.90 2 A), Cs 3 CrF 7 (a 8.39 0 ; c = 6.24 7 A), both pink, K 3 MnF 7 (a = 11.14 6 ; b = 11.00 5 ; c = 5.63 1 A), Rb 3 MnF 7 (a = 8.05 0 ; c = 5.89 0 A), Cs 3 MnF 7 (a 8.36 9 ; c = 6.23 3 A), each lemon yellow, and Rb 3 NiF 7 (a = 7.97 8 ; c = 5.85 7 A) and Cs 3 NiF 7 (a = 8.30 7 ; c = 6.19 2 A), both bright carmine red. Proposals for structure, due to Guinier-Simon powder datas (Cu-Kα), are based on the assumption that these fluorides (K 3 MnF 7 exception) are isotypic with K 3 SiF 7 , P4/mbm. Calculations of the Madelung Part of Lattice Energy, MAPLE, confirm the adopted parameters of position. Effective Coordination Numbers, ECoN, calculated by use of Mean Fictive Ionic Radii, MEFIR, are calculated and discussed. Raman spectra indicate the presence of octahedral groups [MF 6 ] in case of Rb 3 SiF 7 , and Cs 3 TiF 7 . The magnetic behaviour of A 3 MnF 7 is measured (70-293 K). (author)

  6. Comparative study of Nd(3+) emission from 4f2 5d and 4f3 configurations induced by multiphotonic process in YLF, GLF and LLF crystals

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Librantz, Andre Felipe Henriques

    2000-01-01

    Nd 3+ ultraviolet fluorescence induced by multiphotonic laser excitations was studied in Nd-doped YLiF 4 (YLF) and LuLiF 4 (LLF) crystals by using the time resolved spectroscopy technique. The UV luminescences are due to transitions between the 4f 2 5d and the 4f 3 electronic configurations of Nd 3+ ions. The 4f 2 5d configuration can be reached by direct pumping the UV transition or by multiphotonic excitation, both processes give raise to the UV emission band with a structure due to the strong phonon coupling, expected for a 5d orbital involvement in the transition. The multiphotonic excitation process is due to three photons (532 nm) sequential absorptions of 532 nm-photons by metastable levels of the 4f 3 configuration splitted by crystalline local field. The sequential excitation of Nd by the pumping laser is attributed to the 4 I 9/2 +532nm → 4 G 7/2 ground state absorption followed by the 4 G 7/2 +532 nm →2 F 5/2 and 2 F 5/2 +532 nm → 4f 2 5d excited state absorptions. The UV emissions due to 4f 2 5d configuration are parity allowed, having lifetime of 35 ns in contrast to UV emissions from 4f 3 configuration which are induced by two absorption steps and are parity forbidden showing longer lifetime of 8μs and narrow tines. The polarization effects of the UV emissions were studied and their behavior are dependent on the excited state configuration involving or not the 5d orbital. The allowed UV emissions positions were affected by the host variation more than the ones originating from the 4f 3 configuration as expected. The electronic energy of the 4f 2 5d configuration shifts to lower energy when increasing the crystal field. (author)

  7. Upregulation of the coagulation factor VII gene during glucose deprivation is mediated by activating transcription factor 4.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Cronin, Katherine R; Mangan, Thomas P; Carew, Josephine A

    2012-01-01

    Constitutive production of blood coagulation proteins by hepatocytes is necessary for hemostasis. Stressful conditions trigger adaptive cellular responses and delay processing of most proteins, potentially affecting plasma levels of proteins secreted exclusively by hepatocytes. We examined the effect of glucose deprivation on expression of coagulation proteins by the human hepatoma cell line, HepG2. Expression of coagulation factor VII, which is required for initiation of blood coagulation, was elevated by glucose deprivation, while expression of other coagulation proteins decreased. Realtime PCR and ELISA demonstrated that the relative percentage expression +/- SD of steady-state F7 mRNA and secreted factor VII antigen were significantly increased (from 100+/-15% to 188+/-27% and 100+/-8.8% to 176.3+/-17.3% respectively, pfactor ATF4 and of additional stress-responsive genes. Small interfering RNAs directed against ATF4 potently reduced basal F7 expression, and prevented F7 upregulation by glucose deprivation. The response of the endogenous F7 gene was replicated in reporter gene assays, which further indicated that ATF4 effects were mediated via interaction with an amino acid response element in the F7 promoter. Our data indicated that glucose deprivation enhanced F7 expression in a mechanism reliant on prior ATF4 upregulation primarily due to increased transcription from the ATF4 gene. Of five coagulation protein genes examined, only F7 was upregulated, suggesting that its functions may be important in a systemic response to glucose deprivation stress.

  8. Upregulation of the coagulation factor VII gene during glucose deprivation is mediated by activating transcription factor 4.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Katherine R Cronin

    Full Text Available BACKGROUND: Constitutive production of blood coagulation proteins by hepatocytes is necessary for hemostasis. Stressful conditions trigger adaptive cellular responses and delay processing of most proteins, potentially affecting plasma levels of proteins secreted exclusively by hepatocytes. We examined the effect of glucose deprivation on expression of coagulation proteins by the human hepatoma cell line, HepG2. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Expression of coagulation factor VII, which is required for initiation of blood coagulation, was elevated by glucose deprivation, while expression of other coagulation proteins decreased. Realtime PCR and ELISA demonstrated that the relative percentage expression +/- SD of steady-state F7 mRNA and secreted factor VII antigen were significantly increased (from 100+/-15% to 188+/-27% and 100+/-8.8% to 176.3+/-17.3% respectively, p<0.001 at 24 hr of treatment. The integrated stress response was induced, as indicated by upregulation of transcription factor ATF4 and of additional stress-responsive genes. Small interfering RNAs directed against ATF4 potently reduced basal F7 expression, and prevented F7 upregulation by glucose deprivation. The response of the endogenous F7 gene was replicated in reporter gene assays, which further indicated that ATF4 effects were mediated via interaction with an amino acid response element in the F7 promoter. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our data indicated that glucose deprivation enhanced F7 expression in a mechanism reliant on prior ATF4 upregulation primarily due to increased transcription from the ATF4 gene. Of five coagulation protein genes examined, only F7 was upregulated, suggesting that its functions may be important in a systemic response to glucose deprivation stress.

  9. Solubility of uranium oxide in molten salt electrolysis bath of LiF–BaF{sub 2} with LaF{sub 3} additive

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Alangi, Nagaraj, E-mail: nagaraj@barc.gov.in [Laser & Plasma Technology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai (India); Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai (India); Mukherjee, Jaya [Laser & Plasma Technology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai (India); Gantayet, L.M. [Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai (India)

    2016-03-15

    The solubility of UO{sub 2} in the molten mixtures of equimolar LiF–BaF{sub 2}(1:1) with LaF{sub 3} as additive was studied in the range of 1423 K–1523 K. The molten fluoride salt mixture LiF–BaF{sub 2} LaF{sub 3} was equilibrated with a sintered uranium oxide pellet at 1423 K, 1473 K, 1523 K and the salt samples were collected after equilibration. Studies were conducted in the range of 10%–50% by weight additions of LaF{sub 3} in the equimolar LiF–BaF{sub 2}(1:1) base fluoride salt bath. Solubility of UO{sub 2} increased with rise in LaF{sub 3} concentration in the molten fluoride in the temperature range of 1423 K–1523 K. At a given concentration of LaF{sub 3}, the UO{sub 2} solubility increased monotonously with temperature. With mixed solvent, when UF{sub 4} was added as a replacement of part of LaF{sub 3} in LiF–BaF{sub 2}(1:1)-10 wt% LaF{sub 3} and LiF–BaF{sub 2}(1:1)-30 wt% LaF{sub 3}, there was an enhancement of solubility of UO{sub 2}.

  10. Measurement of xF3, F2 structure functions and Gross-Llewellyn Smith sum rule with IHEP-JINR neutrino detector

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Barabash, L.S.; Baranov, S.A.; Batusov, Yu.A.

    1996-01-01

    The isoscalar structure functions xF 3 and F 2 are measured as functions of x averaged over all Q 2 permissible for the range 6 to 28 GeV of incident (anti)neutrino energy. With the measured values of xF 3 , the value of the Gross-Llewellyn Smith sum rule is found to be ∫ 0 1 F 3 dx=2.13±0.38 (stat)±0.26 (syst). The QCD analysis of xF 3 provides Λ b ar M b ar S bar =358±59 MeV. The obtained value of the strong interaction constant α S (M Z )=0.120 -4 +3 is larger than most of the deep inelastic scattering results. 37 refs., 1 figs., 3 tabs

  11. Violencia física marital en Barranquilla (Colombia: prevalencia y factores de riesgo

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Tuesca R.

    2003-01-01

    Full Text Available Objetivos: Determinar la prevalencia de maltrato físico marital en mujeres en edad fértil que viven con su pareja, así como identificar factores personales, socioeconómicos y de función familiar que se relacionen con el maltrato. Métodos: Estudio transversal sobre una muestra aleatoria de 275 mujeres en edad fértil del barrio Carlos Meissel, de la ciudad de Barranquilla, Colombia. La información se obtuvo mediante entrevista personal en el hogar a partir de un cuestionario estructurado y siguiendo las recomendaciones éticas y de seguridad para la investigación sobre violencia doméstica contra mujeres de la Organización Mundial de la Salud. En el cuestionario se recogen datos sobre características personales, consumo habitual de alcohol y drogas, función familiar (según test de Apgar Familiar, características socioeconómicas y antecedentes de maltrato físico durante los 12 meses previos a la entrevista. Resultados: La prevalencia de maltrato marital fue del 22,9%, y el grupo de 25-29 años es el más afectado (33,3%. Se asociaron con el maltrato físico el consumo habitual de alcohol en las mujeres (odds ratio, OR = 6,02; intervalo de confianza del 95%, IC del 95%, 1,7-22,2 y en el cónyuge (OR = 10,11; IC del 95%, 5,1-20,1 y el consumo de sustancias psicoactivas en el cónyuge (OR = 11.01; IC del 95%, 4,2-29,5. Los ingresos mensuales por debajo de 300.000 pesos colombianos (140 euros también se asociaron con maltrato, así como presencia de disfunción familiar moderada o grave (OR = 16,9; IC del 95%, 4,8-59,0; OR = 81,6; IC del 95%, 18,8-35,5, respectivamente. Conclusiones: La naturaleza transversal del estudio limita la interpretación de los resultados. Sin embargo, se ha observado que en las mujeres de la muestra estudiada en este estudio el maltrato físico de la mujer por parte de su pareja se asocia con factores potencialmente modificables.

  12. Investigation of the pharmacokinetics of 3'-deoxy-3'-[18F]fluorothymidine uptake in the bone marrow before and early after initiation of chemoradiation therapy in head and neck cancer

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Menda, Yusuf; Boles Ponto, Laura L.; Dornfeld, Kenneth J.; Tewson, Timothy J.; Watkins, G. Leonard; Gupta, Anjali K.; Anderson, Carryn; McGuire, Sarah; Schultz, Michael K.; Sunderland, John J.; Graham, Michael M.; Buatti, John M.

    2010-01-01

    Introduction: The kinetics of the bone marrow uptake of 3'-deoxy-3'-[ 18 F]fluorothymidine (FLT) before and early after initiation of chemoradiation therapy was investigated in patients with head and neck cancer. Methods: Fourteen subjects with head and neck cancer underwent FLT positron emission tomography (PET) at baseline and after 10 Gy of radiation therapy. Thirteen subjects also received one cycle of platinum-based chemotherapy before the second FLT PET. Kinetic parameters, including the flux constant based on compartmental analysis (K FLT ) and the Patlak constant (K Patlak ) for cervical marrow, were calculated. Standardized uptake values (SUVs) for the cervical marrow (inside the radiation field) and lumbar spine marrow (outside the radiation field) were also determined. Results: There was a significant drop in FLT uptake in the bone marrow inside the radiation field. Mean pretreatment uptake values for the cervical spine were SUV=3.08±0.66, K FLT =0.045±0.016 min -1 and K Patlak =0.039±0.013 min -1 . After treatment, these values were SUV=0.74±0.19, K FLT =0.011±0.005 min -1 and K Patlak =0.005±0.002 min -1 . Compartmental analysis revealed a significant drop in k 3 in irradiated cervical marrow. FLT uptake in the bone marrow outside the radiation field exhibited a significantly smaller decrease. Conclusions: There is a marked decrease in FLT uptake in irradiated bone marrow after 10 Gy of radiation therapy to the head and neck. The drop in FLT uptake in irradiated marrow is due to a significant decrease in the net phosphorylation rate of FLT.

  13. Redetermination of Na(3)TaF(8).

    Science.gov (United States)

    Langer, Vratislav; Smrcok, Lubomír; Boca, Miroslav

    2010-09-01

    The crystal structure of trisodium octafluoridotantalate, Na(3)TaF(8), has been redetermined using diffractometer data collected at 153 K, resulting in more accurate bond distances and angles than obtained from a previous structure determination based on film data. The structure is built from layers running along [101], which are formed by distorted [TaF(8)] antiprisms and [NaF(6)] rectangular bipyramids sharing edges and corners. The individual layers are separated by eight-coordinated Na ions. Two atoms in the asymmetric unit are in special positions: the Ta atom is on a twofold axis in Wyckoff position 4e and one of the Na ions lies on an inversion centre in Wyckoff site 4d.

  14. Prostate Health Index (Phi and Prostate Cancer Antigen 3 (PCA3 significantly improve prostate cancer detection at initial biopsy in a total PSA range of 2-10 ng/ml.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Matteo Ferro

    Full Text Available Many efforts to reduce prostate specific antigen (PSA overdiagnosis and overtreatment have been made. To this aim, Prostate Health Index (Phi and Prostate Cancer Antigen 3 (PCA3 have been proposed as new more specific biomarkers. We evaluated the ability of phi and PCA3 to identify prostate cancer (PCa at initial prostate biopsy in men with total PSA range of 2-10 ng/ml. The performance of phi and PCA3 were evaluated in 300 patients undergoing first prostate biopsy. ROC curve analyses tested the accuracy (AUC of phi and PCA3 in predicting PCa. Decision curve analyses (DCA were used to compare the clinical benefit of the two biomarkers. We found that the AUC value of phi (0.77 was comparable to those of %p2PSA (0.76 and PCA3 (0.73 with no significant differences in pairwise comparison (%p2PSA vs phi p = 0.673, %p2PSA vs. PCA3 p = 0.417 and phi vs. PCA3 p = 0.247. These three biomarkers significantly outperformed fPSA (AUC = 0.60, % fPSA (AUC = 0.62 and p2PSA (AUC = 0.63. At DCA, phi and PCA3 exhibited a very close net benefit profile until the threshold probability of 25%, then phi index showed higher net benefit than PCA3. Multivariable analysis showed that the addition of phi and PCA3 to the base multivariable model (age, PSA, %fPSA, DRE, prostate volume increased predictive accuracy, whereas no model improved single biomarker performance. Finally we showed that subjects with active surveillance (AS compatible cancer had significantly lower phi and PCA3 values (p<0.001 and p = 0.01, respectively. In conclusion, both phi and PCA3 comparably increase the accuracy in predicting the presence of PCa in total PSA range 2-10 ng/ml at initial biopsy, outperforming currently used %fPSA.

  15. Impact of Personal Characteristics and Technical Factors on Quantification of Sodium 18F-Fluoride Uptake in Human Arteries

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Blomberg, Björn Alexander; Thomassen, Anders; de Jong, Pim A

    2015-01-01

    Sodium (18)F-fluoride ((18)F-NaF) PET/CT imaging is a promising imaging technique for assessment of atherosclerosis, but is hampered by a lack of validated quantification protocols. Both personal characteristics and technical factors can affect quantification of arterial (18)F-NaF uptake....... This study investigated if blood activity, renal function, injected dose, circulating time, and PET/CT system affect quantification of arterial (18)F-NaF uptake. METHODS: Eighty-nine healthy subjects were prospectively examined by (18)F-NaF PET/CT imaging. Arterial (18)F-NaF uptake was quantified...... assessed the effect of personal characteristics and technical factors on quantification of arterial (18)F-NaF uptake. RESULTS: NaFmax and TBRmax/mean were dependent on blood activity (β = .34 to .44, P

  16. Dissociation of gaseous complex fluorides MMnF3 and MMnF4 (M= Li - Cs)

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Sidorov, L.N.; Gubarevich, V.D.

    1982-01-01

    Mass spectrometric determination of dissociation enthalpies of gaseous complex fluorides CsMnF 3 and CsMnF 4 into neutral and charged particles is carried out using techniques of isothermal evaporation, electron impact and study of ion-molecular equilibria. As a result formation enthalpy values of CsMnFsub(3 gas) and CsMnFsub(4 gas) at T=298 are obtained, being -285.4 and -359.9 kcal/mol respectively

  17. Calculations of spin Hamiltonian parameters and analysis of trigonal distortions in LiSr(Al,Ga)F6:Cr3+ crystals

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Brik, M.G.; Avram, C.N.; Avram, N.M.

    2006-01-01

    The effective spin-Hamiltonian (SH) parameters (zero-field splitting D and g factors g - parallel and g - perpendicular ) for Cr 3+ ions in LiSr(Al,Ga)F 6 crystals are calculated from the complete high-order perturbation formulae for a d 3 ion. Parameters of trigonal crystal field acting on the Cr 3+ ion are calculated. The magnitude of trigonal distortion of the [CrF 6 ] 3- clusters is related to the experimental measurements of the spin-Hamiltonian parameters in the considered systems. Since in both crystals g parallel perpendicular , [CrF 6 ] 3- clusters undergo an axial compression along the C 3 axis. Experimental values of the hyperfine structure constants A parallel and A perpendicular are used to evaluate the core polarization constant κ for Cr 3+ ion in both crystals

  18. Wet chemical synthesis of LiBaF{sub 3} phosphor

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Singh, Vartika S., E-mail: svmoharil@yahoo.com [Physics Department, Shri Ramdeobaba K.N. Engineering College, Katol Road, Nagpur 440 013 (India); Joshi, C.P. [Physics Department, Shri Ramdeobaba K.N. Engineering College, Katol Road, Nagpur 440 013 (India); Moharil, S.V. [Department of Physics, R.T.M. Nagpur University, Nagpur 440 010 (India)

    2013-12-05

    Highlights: •LiBaF{sub 3}:RE{sup 3+} phosphors synthesized by a simple wet chemical method. •Ce{sup 3+} and Tb{sup 3+} emissions observed in as-prepared powders without any thermal treatment. •Intense Eu{sup 2+} emission observed after annealing in reductive atmosphere. -- Abstract: LiBaF{sub 3} has great potential applications as X-ray storage phosphor, slow neutron imaging, scintillator, vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) optical lithography, etc. Conventionally, LiBaF{sub 3} is prepared by solid state reaction between the constituent fluorides. However, the preparation of phase pure material and especially single crystals is rather tricky due to incongruent melting. For the first time, a wet chemical preparation of rare earth activated LiBaF{sub 3} is described here. As precipitated powders containing Ce{sup 3+} or Tb{sup 3+} exhibited characteristic luminescence. For observing Eu{sup 2+} emission, it was necessary to heat the powders in a reductive atmosphere. It is suggested that phosphors prepared by this method may prove useful in applications like OSL, X-ray imaging, etc. which do not require large single crystals.

  19. Reaction of (carbonylimido)sulfur(IV) derivatives with TAS-fluoride, (Me2N)3S+Me3SiF2-.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Lork, E; Viets, D; Mews, R; Oberhammer, H

    2000-10-16

    In the reaction of TAS-fluoride, (Me2N)3S+Me3SiF2-, with carbonyl sulfur difluoride imides RC(O)NSF2 (R = F, CF3), C-N bond, cleavage is observed, and TAS+RC(O)F2- and NSF are the final products. From TASF and RC(O)NS(CF3)F, the salts TAS+RC(O)NS(CF3)F2- (R = F (14), CF3 (15)), with psi-pentacoordinate sulfur centers in the anions, are formed. An X-ray structure investigation of 14 shows that the fluorine atoms occupy axial positions and CF3, NC(O)F, and the sulfur lone pair occupy equatorial positions of the trigonal bipyramid. The -C(O)F group lies in the equatorial plane with the CO bond synperiplanar to the SN bond. According to B3LYP calculations, this structure corresponds to a global minimum and the expected axial orientation of the -C(O)F group represents a transition state. Calculations for the unstable FC(O)NSF3- anion show a different geometry. The -C(O)F group deviates 40 degrees from axial orientation, and the equatorially bonded fluorine is, in contrast to the -CF3 group in 14, syn positioned.

  20. Electronic structure of the actinide-Rh3 systems and the 5f localization in UPd3

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Eriksson, Olle; Johansson, Börje; Brooks, M. S. S.

    1989-01-01

    We present electronic-structure calculations for the isostructural (AuCu3-structure) series of intermetallic compounds ARh3 (A=Ac, Th, Pa, U, Np, Pu, Am, and Cm). The calculations were performed using both the scalar relativistic and the fully relativistic linear muffin-tin orbital (LMTO) method........ The localization of the 5f electrons in UPd3 as opposed to the itinerant 5f behavior for the earlier compounds (UMo3, UTc3 , URu3, and URh3) is explained in terms of the variation of the hybridization between 5f and ligand 4d states through the series....

  1. Risk factors for discordant immune response among HIV-infected patients initiating antiretroviral therapy: A retrospective cohort study

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    B P Muzah

    2012-10-01

    Full Text Available Background. The therapeutic goal of antiretroviral therapy (ART is sustained immune recovery and viral suppression. However, some patients experience poor CD4 cell count responses despite achieving viral suppression. Such discordant immune responses have been associated with poor clinical outcomes. Objective. We aimed to determine the prevalence of discordant immune response and explore associated factors in a retrospective cohort of patients attending 2 large public sector clinics, during the 6 months following ART initiation. Methods. Data were analysed from 810 HIV-infected adults initiated on first-line ART at 2 clinics in Johannesburg, between 1 November 2008 and 31 December 2009. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (AORs to determine associations between discordant immune response and clinical and demographic factors. Results. At ART initiation, 65% (n=592 of participants were female, with a mean age of 38.5 years. Median baseline CD4 cell count was 155 cells/mm3, 70% (n=645 of patients had a haemoglobin level >11 g/dl and 88% (n=803 were initiated on stavudine-lamivudine-efavirenz/nevirapine (D4T-3TC-EFV/NVP. Six months after ART initiation, 24% (n=220 of patients had a discordant immune response and 7% (n=67 a discordant virological response. On multivariate analysis, baseline CD cell count ≥200 cells/mm3 (AOR 3.02; 95% confidence interval (CI 2.08 - 4.38; p

  2. Magnetic form factor of NpAs2: a crystal field wave function for 5f electrons

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Amoretti, G.; Blaise, A.; Bonnet, M.; Boucherle, J.X.; Delapalme, A.; Fournier, J.M.; Vigneron, F.

    1982-10-01

    Neptunium magnetic form factor measurements in the ferromagnetic phase of NpAs 2 (T = 4.2 K, H = 4.6 T) are analysed under different assumptions: Np 3 + , Np 4 + or Np 5 + , with a free ion wave-function (Russel-Saunders and intermediate coupling scheme) or with a Crystal Field Wave function for 5f electrons: sub(m)sup(μ)asub(m)asub(m)/J,m>. The experimental results are compatible with either a 3+ or 4+ state

  3. Combined 18F-NaF and 18F-FDG PET/CT in the Evaluation of Sarcoma Patients.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Jackson, Tatianie; Mosci, Camila; von Eyben, Rie; Mittra, Erik; Ganjoo, Kristen; Biswal, Sandip; Gambhir, Sanjiv Sam; Iagaru, Andrei

    2015-09-01

    The combined administration of F-NaF and F-FDG in a single PET/CT scan has the potential to improve patient convenience and cancer detection. Here we report the use of this approach for patients with sarcomas. This is a retrospective review of 21 patients (12 men, 9 women; age, 19-66 years) with biopsy-proven sarcomas who had separate F-NaF PET/CT, F-FDG PET/CT, and combined F-NaF/F-FDG PET/CT scans for evaluation of malignancy. Two board-certified nuclear medicine physicians and 1 board-certified musculoskeletal radiologist were randomly assigned to review the scans. Results were analyzed for sensitivity and specificity, using linear regression and receiver operating characteristics. A total of 13 patients had metastatic disease on F-NaF PET/CT, F-FDG PET/CT, and combined F-NaF/F-FDG PET/CT. Skeletal disease was more extensive on the F-NaF PET/CT scan than on the F-FDG PET/CT in 3 patients, whereas in 1 patient, F-FDG PET/CT showed skeletal disease and the F-NaF PET/CT was negative. Extraskeletal lesions were detected on both F-FDG and combined F-NaF/F-FDG PET/CT in 20 patients, with 1 discordant finding in the lung. The combined F-NaF/F-FDG PET/CT scan allows for accurate evaluation of sarcoma patients. Further evaluation of this proposed imaging modality is warranted to identify the most suitable clinical scenarios, including initial treatment strategy and evaluation of response to therapy.

  4. Yb{sup 3+}:Sr{sub 5}(VO{sub 4}){sub 3}F: Crystal growth, spectroscopic characterization and laser development; Yb{sup 3+}:Sr{sub 5}(VO{sub 4}){sub 3}F: Crescimento, caracterizacao espectroscopica e desenvolvimento do laser

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Bustamante, Andrea Nora Pino

    1999-07-01

    Crystal growth, spectroscopic characterization and laser development of Yb{sup 3+}:SVAP [Sr{sub 5}(VO{sub 4}){sub 3}F] was performed to demonstrate for the first time, operation of tunable laser emission centered at 1120 nm. Initially, SVAP crystals were grown with high dopant concentrations, up to 6.0 mol % of Yb{sub 2} O{sub 3} in the melt, in order to investigate the material for potential laser operation at a new laser wavelength. Additional research was performed to alleviate highly doped SVAP crystals of defects previously observed. Basic spectroscopic characterization including absorption and luminescent properties were measured to better understand the behavior of Yb{sup 3+} ions in SVAP. Based upon these studies, discussion of the 1120 nm laser transition is presented as it arises from a ground state vibrational level. Investigations of the charge compensation process and the optical parameters as a function of dopant concentration are also presented. The laser development of Yb{sup 3+}:SVAP included continuous and pulsed modes of operation of the 1044 nm and 1120 nm transitions. Initial laser action of the 1044 nm transition was achieved using a Yi: Saphire laser pump source in order to compare with previously results. Further development of a diode-pumped Yb{sup 3+}:SVAP laser system demonstrated continuously tunable laser operation from 1103 nm for the first time. The laser investigations also proved that this high gain media does provide continuous wave laser action at 1044 nm and 1120 simultaneously without significant gain depletion. (author)

  5. Initial results of hypoxia imaging using 1-α-d-(5-deoxy-5-[18F]-fluoroarabinofuranosyl)-2-nitroimidazole (18F-FAZA)

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Postema, Ernst J.; McEwan, Alexander J.B.; Riauka, Terence A.; Kumar, Piyush; Richmond, Dacia A.; Abrams, Douglas N.; Wiebe, Leonard I.

    2009-01-01

    Tumour hypoxia is thought to play a significant role in the outcome of solid tumour therapy. Positron emission tomography (PET) is the best-validated noninvasive technique able to demonstrate the presence of hypoxia in vivo. The locally developed PET tracer for imaging hypoxia, 1-α-d-(5-deoxy-5-[ 18 F]-fluoroarabinofuranosyl)-2-nitroimidazole ( 18 F-FAZA), has been shown to accumulate in experimental models of tumour hypoxia and to clear rapidly from the circulation and nonhypoxic tissues. The safety and general biodistribution patterns of this radiopharmaceutical in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC), small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) or non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), malignant lymphoma, and high-grade gliomas, were demonstrated in this study. Patients with known primary or suspected metastatic HNSCC, SCLC or NSCLC, malignant lymphoma or high-grade gliomas were dosed with 5.2 MBq/kg of 18 F-FAZA, then scanned 2-3 h after injection using a PET or PET/CT scanner. Images were interpreted by three experienced nuclear medicine physicians. The location and relative uptake scores (graded 0 to 4) of normal and abnormal 18 F-FAZA biodistribution patterns, the calculated tumour-to-background (T/B) ratio, and the maximum standardized uptake value were recorded. Included in the study were 50 patients (32 men, 18 women). All seven patients with high-grade gliomas showed very high uptake of 18 F-FAZA in the primary tumour. In six out of nine patients with HNSCC, clear uptake of 18 F-FAZA was observed in the primary tumour and/or the lymph nodes in the neck. Of the 21 lymphoma patients (15 with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and 6 with Hodgkin's disease), 3 demonstrated moderate lymphoma-related uptake. Of the 13 lung cancer patients (12 NSCLC, 1 SCLC), 7 had increased 18 F-FAZA uptake in the primary lung tumour. No side effects of the administration of 18 F-FAZA were observed. This study suggests that 18 F-FAZA may be a very useful radiopharmaceutical

  6. Energy transfer and color tunable emission in Tb3+,Eu3+ co-doped Sr3LaNa(PO4)3F phosphors.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Li, Shuo; Guo, Ning; Liang, Qimeng; Ding, Yu; Zhou, Huitao; Ouyang, Ruizhuo; Lü, Wei

    2018-02-05

    A group of color tunable Sr 3 LaNa(PO 4 ) 3 F:Tb 3+ ,Eu 3+ phosphors were prepared by conventional high temperature solid state method. The phase structures, luminescence properties, fluorescence lifetimes and energy transfer were investigated in detail. Under 369nm excitation, owing to efficient energy transfer of Tb 3+ →Eu 3+ , the emission spectra both have green emission of Tb 3+ and red emission of Eu 3+ . An efficient energy transfer occur in Tb 3+ , Eu 3+ co-doped Sr 3 LaNa(PO 4 ) 3 F phosphors. The most possible mechanism of energy transfer is dipole-dipole interaction by Dexter's theoretical model. The energy transfer of Tb 3+ and Eu 3+ was confirmed by the variations of emission and excitation spectra and Tb 3+ /Eu 3+ decay lifetimes in Sr 3 LaNa(PO 4 ) 3 F:Tb 3+ ,Eu 3+ . The color tone can tuned from yellowish-green through yellow and eventually to reddish-orange with fixed Tb 3+ content by changing Eu 3+ concentrations. The results show that the prepared Tb 3+ , Eu 3+ co-doped color tunable Sr 3 LaNa(PO 4 ) 3 F phosphor can be used for white LED. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  7. Energy transfer and color tunable emission in Tb3 +,Eu3 + co-doped Sr3LaNa(PO4)3F phosphors

    Science.gov (United States)

    Li, Shuo; Guo, Ning; Liang, Qimeng; Ding, Yu; Zhou, Huitao; Ouyang, Ruizhuo; Lü, Wei

    2018-02-01

    A group of color tunable Sr3LaNa(PO4)3F:Tb3 +,Eu3 + phosphors were prepared by conventional high temperature solid state method. The phase structures, luminescence properties, fluorescence lifetimes and energy transfer were investigated in detail. Under 369 nm excitation, owing to efficient energy transfer of Tb3 + → Eu3 +, the emission spectra both have green emission of Tb3 + and red emission of Eu3 +. An efficient energy transfer occur in Tb3 +, Eu3 + co-doped Sr3LaNa(PO4)3F phosphors. The most possible mechanism of energy transfer is dipole-dipole interaction by Dexter's theoretical model. The energy transfer of Tb3 + and Eu3 + was confirmed by the variations of emission and excitation spectra and Tb3 +/Eu3 + decay lifetimes in Sr3LaNa(PO4)3F:Tb3 +,Eu3 +. The color tone can tuned from yellowish-green through yellow and eventually to reddish-orange with fixed Tb3 + content by changing Eu3 + concentrations. The results show that the prepared Tb3 +, Eu3 + co-doped color tunable Sr3LaNa(PO4)3F phosphor can be used for white LED.

  8. As-resistance in laboratory-reared F1, F2 and F3 generation offspring of the earthworm Lumbricus rubellus inhabiting an As-contaminated mine soil

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Langdon, C.J., E-mail: clangdon1@btinternet.co [C/O The Open University in the North, Baltic Buiness Quarter, Abbots Hill, Gateshead NE8 3DF (United Kingdom); Morgan, A.J., E-mail: morganaj1@cardiff.ac.u [Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, P.O. Box 913, Cardiff CF11 3TL, Wales (United Kingdom); Charnock, J.M., E-mail: john.charnock@manchester.ac.u [STFC Daresbury Laboratory, Warrington, Cheshire WA4 4AD (United Kingdom); School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL (United Kingdom); Semple, K.T., E-mail: k.semple@lancaster.ac.u [Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ (United Kingdom); Lowe, C.N., E-mail: cnlowe@uclan.ac.u [School of Built and Natural Environment, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE (United Kingdom)

    2009-11-15

    Previous studies provided no unequivocal evidence demonstrating that field populations of Lumbricus rubellus Hoffmeister (1843), exhibit genetically inherited resistance to As-toxicity. In this study F1, F2 and F3 generation offspring derived from adults inhabiting As-contaminated field soil were resistant when exposed to 2000 mg kg{sup -1} sodium arsenate. The offspring of uncontaminated adults were not As-resistant. Cocoon viability was 80% for F1 and 82% for F2 offspring from As-contaminated adults and 59% in the F1 control population. High energy synchrotron analysis was used to determine whether ligand complexation of As differed in samples of: resistant mine-site adults, the resistant F1 and F2 offspring of the mine-site earthworms exposed to the LC{sub 25} sodium arsenate (700 mg kg{sup -1}) of the F1 parental generation; and adult L. rubellus from an uncontaminated site exposed to LC{sub 25} concentrations of sodium arsenate (50 mg kg{sup -1}). XANES and EXAFS indicated that As was present as a sulfur-coordinated species. - As-resistance in F1, F2 and F3 offspring of the earthworm Lumbricus rubellus.

  9. As-resistance in laboratory-reared F1, F2 and F3 generation offspring of the earthworm Lumbricus rubellus inhabiting an As-contaminated mine soil

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Langdon, C.J.; Morgan, A.J.; Charnock, J.M.; Semple, K.T.; Lowe, C.N.

    2009-01-01

    Previous studies provided no unequivocal evidence demonstrating that field populations of Lumbricus rubellus Hoffmeister (1843), exhibit genetically inherited resistance to As-toxicity. In this study F1, F2 and F3 generation offspring derived from adults inhabiting As-contaminated field soil were resistant when exposed to 2000 mg kg -1 sodium arsenate. The offspring of uncontaminated adults were not As-resistant. Cocoon viability was 80% for F1 and 82% for F2 offspring from As-contaminated adults and 59% in the F1 control population. High energy synchrotron analysis was used to determine whether ligand complexation of As differed in samples of: resistant mine-site adults, the resistant F1 and F2 offspring of the mine-site earthworms exposed to the LC 25 sodium arsenate (700 mg kg -1 ) of the F1 parental generation; and adult L. rubellus from an uncontaminated site exposed to LC 25 concentrations of sodium arsenate (50 mg kg -1 ). XANES and EXAFS indicated that As was present as a sulfur-coordinated species. - As-resistance in F1, F2 and F3 offspring of the earthworm Lumbricus rubellus.

  10. Novel S = 1/2 Kagome Lattice Materials: Cs2TiCu3F12 and Rb2TiCu3F12

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Lewis J. Downie

    2015-05-01

    Full Text Available Two new members of the A2B′Cu3F12 family of kagome-related materials have been prepared, in order to further understand the crystal-chemical relationships, phase transitions and magnetic behaviour within this family of potentially frustrated S = ½ two-dimensional quantum magnets. Cs2TiCu3F12 adopts a crystal structure with the ideal kagome lattice topology (space group R m at ambient temperature. Diffraction studies reveal different symmetry-lowering structural phase transitions in single crystal and polycrystalline forms at sub-ambient temperatures, with the single crystal form retaining rhombohedral symmetry and the powder form being monoclinic. In both cases, long-range antiferromagnetic order occurs in the region 16–20 K. Rb2TiCu3F12 adopts a distorted triclinic structure even at ambient temperatures.

  11. Thermal expansion and phase transitions of α-AlF{sub 3}

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Morelock, Cody R.; Hancock, Justin C. [School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332-0400 (United States); Wilkinson, Angus P., E-mail: angus.wilkinson@chemistry.gatech.edu [School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332-0400 (United States); School of Materials Science and Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332-0245 (United States)

    2014-11-15

    ReO{sub 3}-type materials are of interest for their potential low or negative thermal expansion. Many metal trifluorides MF{sub 3} adopt the cubic form of this structure at elevated temperatures, which rhombohedrally distorts upon cooling. The rhombohedral form displays strong positive volume thermal expansion, but cubic MF{sub 3} display much lower and sometimes negative thermal expansion. The expansion behavior of α-AlF{sub 3} was characterized via synchrotron powder diffraction between 323 and 1177 K. α-AlF{sub 3} is rhombohedral at ambient conditions and displays strongly anisotropic thermal expansion. The volume coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), α{sub V}, at 500 K is ∼86 ppm K{sup −1}, but the linear CTE along the c-axis, α{sub c}, is close to zero. α-AlF{sub 3} becomes cubic on heating to ∼713 K and continues to show positive thermal expansion above the phase transition (α{sub V}(900 K) ∼25 ppm K{sup −1}). - Graphical abstract: α-AlF{sub 3} has a rhombohedrally distorted ReO{sub 3}-type structure at ambient conditions and displays strongly positive volume thermal expansion that is highly anisotropic; the material becomes cubic on heating above ∼713 K and continues to show positive thermal expansion. - Highlights: • ReO{sub 3}-type α-AlF{sub 3} displays strongly anisotropic thermal expansion below 713 K. • α-AlF{sub 3} is cubic above 713 K and maintains positive (isotropic) thermal expansion. • The volume CTE changes from ∼86 to ∼25 ppm K{sup −1} on heating from 500 to 900 K. • The PTE of cubic α-AlF{sub 3} may be due to the presence of local octahedral tilts.

  12. Scintillation properties of Nd{sup 3+}, Tm{sup 3+}, and Er{sup 3+} doped LuF{sub 3} scintillators in the vacuum ultra violet region

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Yanagida, Takayuki, E-mail: yanagida@imr.tohoku.ac.jp [New Industry Creation Hatchery Center (NICHe), Tohoku University, 6-6-10 Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8579 (Japan); Kawaguchi, Noriaki [Tokuyama Corporation Ltd., Shibuya 3-chome, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-8383 Japan (Japan); Institute for Materials Research, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8577 (Japan); Fukuda, Kentaro [Tokuyama Corporation Ltd., Shibuya 3-chome, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-8383 Japan (Japan); Kurosawa, Shunsuke; Fujimoto, Yutaka; Futami, Yoshisuke; Yokota, Yuui [Institute for Materials Research, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8577 (Japan); Taniue, Kojiro [Department of Physics, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-oiwakecho, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8502 (Japan); Sekiya, Hiroyuki [Kamioka Observatory, Institute for Cosmic Ray Research, University of Tokyo, Hida, 506-1205 (Japan); Kubo, Hidetoshi [Department of Physics, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-oiwakecho, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8502 (Japan); Yoshikawa, Akira [New Industry Creation Hatchery Center (NICHe), Tohoku University, 6-6-10 Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8579 (Japan); Institute for Materials Research, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8577 (Japan); Tanimori, Toru [Department of Physics, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-oiwakecho, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8502 (Japan)

    2011-12-11

    In order to develop novel vacuum ultra violet (VUV) emitting scintillators, we grew Nd 0.5%, Tm 0.5%, and Er 0.5% doped LuF{sub 3} scintillators by the {mu}-pulling down method, because LuF{sub 3} has a very wide band gap and Nd{sup 3+}, Tm{sup 3+}, and Er{sup 3+} luminescence centers show fast and intense 5d-4f emission in VUV region. Transmittance and X-ray induced radioluminescence were studied in these three samples using our original spectrometer made by Bunkou-Keiki company. In the VUV region, transmittance of 20-60% was achieved for all the samples. The emission peaks appeared at approximately 180, 165, and 164 nm for Nd{sup 3+}, Tm{sup 3+}, and Er{sup 3+} doped LuF{sub 3}, respectively. Using PMT R8778 (Hamamatsu), we measured their light yields under {sup 241}Am {alpha}-ray excitation. Compared with Nd:LaF{sub 3} scintillator, which has 33 photoelectrons/5.5 MeV {alpha}, Nd:LuF{sub 3} and Tm:LuF{sub 3} showed 900{+-}90 and 170{+-}20 ph/5.5 MeV-{alpha}, respectively. Only for the Nd doped one, we can detect {sup 137}Cs 662 keV {gamma}-ray photoabsorption peak and the light yield of 1200{+-}120 ph/MeV was measured. We also investigated their decay time profiles by picosecond pulse X-ray equipped streak camera, and the main decay component of Nd:LuF{sub 3} turned out to be 7.63 ns.

  13. Differences in the metabolism and disposition of inhaled [3H]benzene by F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Sabourin, P.J.; Bechtold, W.E.; Birnbaum, L.S.; Lucier, G.; Henderson, R.F.

    1988-01-01

    Benzene is a potent hematotoxin and has been shown to cause leukemia in man. Chronic toxicity studies indicate that B6C3F1 mice are more susceptible than F334/N rats to benzene toxicity. The purpose of the studies presented in this paper was to determine if there were metabolic differences between F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice which might be responsible for this increased susceptibility. Metabolites of benzene in blood, liver, lung, and bone marrow were measured during and following a 6-hr 50 ppm exposure to benzene vapor. Hydroquinone glucuronide, hydroquinone, and muconic acid, which reflect pathways leading to potential toxic metabolites of benzene, were present in much greater concentrations in the mouse than in rat tissues. Phenylsulfate, a detoxified metabolite, and an unknown water-soluble metabolite were present in approximately equal concentrations in these two species. These results indicate that the proportion of benzene metabolized via pathways leading to the formation of potentially toxic metabolites as opposed to detoxification pathways was much higher in B6C3F1 mice than in F344 rats, which may explain the higher susceptibility of mice to benzene-induced hematotoxicity and carcinogenicity

  14. Superior hydrogen storage kinetics of MgH2 nanoparticles doped with TiF3

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Xie, L.; Liu, Y.; Wang, Y.T.; Zheng, J.; Li, X.G.

    2007-01-01

    MgH 2 nanoparticles were obtained by hydriding ultrafine magnesium particles which were prepared by hydrogen plasma-metal reaction. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results show that the obtained sample is almost pure MgH 2 phase, without residual magnesium and with an average particle size of ∼300 nm. Milled with 5 wt.% TiF 3 as a doping precursor in a hydrogen atmosphere, the sample desorbed 4.5 wt.% hydrogen in 6 min under an initial hydrogen pressure of ∼0.001 bar at 573 K and absorbed 4.2 wt.% hydrogen in 1 min under ∼20 bar hydrogen at room temperature. Compared with MgH 2 micrometer particles doped with 5 wt.% TiF 3 under the same conditions as the MgH 2 nanoparticles, it is suggested that decrease of particle size is beneficial for enhancing absorption capacity at low temperatures, but has no effect on desorption. In addition, the catalyst was mainly responsible for improving the sorption kinetics and its catalytic mechanism is discussed

  15. Development and Initial Validation of the Five-Factor Model Adolescent Personality Questionnaire (FFM-APQ).

    Science.gov (United States)

    Rogers, Mary E; Glendon, A Ian

    2018-01-01

    This research reports on the 4-phase development of the 25-item Five-Factor Model Adolescent Personality Questionnaire (FFM-APQ). The purpose was to develop and determine initial evidence for validity of a brief adolescent personality inventory using a vocabulary that could be understood by adolescents up to 18 years old. Phase 1 (N = 48) consisted of item generation and expert (N = 5) review of items; Phase 2 (N = 179) involved item analyses; in Phase 3 (N = 496) exploratory factor analysis assessed the underlying structure; in Phase 4 (N = 405) confirmatory factor analyses resulted in a 25-item inventory with 5 subscales.

  16. Synthesis and luminescence properties of KMgF{sub 3}:Tm{sup 3+} fluoro perovskite

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Perez C, L.; Cruz Z, E. [UNAM, Instituto de Ciencias Nucleares, Circuito Exterior, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510 Mexico D. F. (Mexico); Marcazzo, J. [UNICEN, Instituto de Fisica Arroyo Seco, Gral. Pinto 399, B7000GHG Tandil (Argentina); Hernandez A, J. M.; Murrieta S, H., E-mail: ecruz@nucleares.unam.mx [UNAM, Instituto de Fisica, Circuito Exterior, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510 Mexico D. F. (Mexico)

    2015-10-15

    This paper presents the thermoluminescent (Tl) and radio luminescent (Rl) properties of the KMgF{sub 3} doped with Tm{sup 3+} ions at different concentration (0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5 and 1.0 mol %). The KMgF{sub 3} binary compound was synthesized by solid state reaction. The characterization of the powder material was carried out by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and by semiquantitative EDS analysis. The luminescence property of the powder and chips with Teflon samples was studied by thermoluminescence and radioluminescence phenomena. The Tl response as a function of the given dose was analyzed in the range between 0.5 Gy and 2500 Gy and a good linear response was obtained. Tl glow curves of KMgF{sub 3}:Tm show two overlapped peaks with maximums about 101, 146 degrees C and resolved peaks at 313 and 397 degrees C. The reproducibility of the Tl signal was tested and less than 5 % was obtained. The Tl signal decay was analyzed during a period of 33 days. Furthermore, the glow curve structure was studied by the thermal bleaching and the kinetics parameters values were obtained by a deconvolution process. On the other hand, the Rl response of different concentrations of thulium under beta irradiation was studied and the maximum of light output has been obtained for KMgF{sub 3} fluoro perovskite doped with 0.5 mol % of Tm{sup 3+} . The Rl spectrum showed the emission peaks at 455 and 360 nm, which can be ascribed to the {sup 1}D{sub 2}-{sup 3} F{sub 4} and {sup 1}D{sub 2}-{sup 3}H{sub 6} transitions of the Tm{sup 3+} ions. (Author)

  17. Prostate Health Index (Phi) and Prostate Cancer Antigen 3 (PCA3) Significantly Improve Prostate Cancer Detection at Initial Biopsy in a Total PSA Range of 2–10 ng/ml

    Science.gov (United States)

    Perdonà, Sisto; Marino, Ada; Mazzarella, Claudia; Perruolo, Giuseppe; D’Esposito, Vittoria; Cosimato, Vincenzo; Buonerba, Carlo; Di Lorenzo, Giuseppe; Musi, Gennaro; De Cobelli, Ottavio; Chun, Felix K.; Terracciano, Daniela

    2013-01-01

    Many efforts to reduce prostate specific antigen (PSA) overdiagnosis and overtreatment have been made. To this aim, Prostate Health Index (Phi) and Prostate Cancer Antigen 3 (PCA3) have been proposed as new more specific biomarkers. We evaluated the ability of phi and PCA3 to identify prostate cancer (PCa) at initial prostate biopsy in men with total PSA range of 2–10 ng/ml. The performance of phi and PCA3 were evaluated in 300 patients undergoing first prostate biopsy. ROC curve analyses tested the accuracy (AUC) of phi and PCA3 in predicting PCa. Decision curve analyses (DCA) were used to compare the clinical benefit of the two biomarkers. We found that the AUC value of phi (0.77) was comparable to those of %p2PSA (0.76) and PCA3 (0.73) with no significant differences in pairwise comparison (%p2PSA vs phi p = 0.673, %p2PSA vs. PCA3 p = 0.417 and phi vs. PCA3 p = 0.247). These three biomarkers significantly outperformed fPSA (AUC = 0.60), % fPSA (AUC = 0.62) and p2PSA (AUC = 0.63). At DCA, phi and PCA3 exhibited a very close net benefit profile until the threshold probability of 25%, then phi index showed higher net benefit than PCA3. Multivariable analysis showed that the addition of phi and PCA3 to the base multivariable model (age, PSA, %fPSA, DRE, prostate volume) increased predictive accuracy, whereas no model improved single biomarker performance. Finally we showed that subjects with active surveillance (AS) compatible cancer had significantly lower phi and PCA3 values (p<0.001 and p = 0.01, respectively). In conclusion, both phi and PCA3 comparably increase the accuracy in predicting the presence of PCa in total PSA range 2–10 ng/ml at initial biopsy, outperforming currently used %fPSA. PMID:23861782

  18. Validation of a Framework for Measuring Hospital Disaster Resilience Using Factor Analysis

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Shuang Zhong

    2014-06-01

    Full Text Available Hospital disaster resilience can be defined as “the ability of hospitals to resist, absorb, and respond to the shock of disasters while maintaining and surging essential health services, and then to recover to its original state or adapt to a new one.” This article aims to provide a framework which can be used to comprehensively measure hospital disaster resilience. An evaluation framework for assessing hospital resilience was initially proposed through a systematic literature review and Modified-Delphi consultation. Eight key domains were identified: hospital safety, command, communication and cooperation system, disaster plan, resource stockpile, staff capability, disaster training and drills, emergency services and surge capability, and recovery and adaptation. The data for this study were collected from 41 tertiary hospitals in Shandong Province in China, using a specially designed questionnaire. Factor analysis was conducted to determine the underpinning structure of the framework. It identified a four-factor structure of hospital resilience, namely, emergency medical response capability (F1, disaster management mechanisms (F2, hospital infrastructural safety (F3, and disaster resources (F4. These factors displayed good internal consistency. The overall level of hospital disaster resilience (F was calculated using the scoring model: F = 0.615F1 + 0.202F2 + 0.103F3 + 0.080F4. This validated framework provides a new way to operationalise the concept of hospital resilience, and it is also a foundation for the further development of the measurement instrument in future studies.

  19. Krüppel-like factor 1 mutations and expression of hemoglobins F and A2 in homozygous hemoglobin E syndrome.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Tepakhan, Wanicha; Yamsri, Supawadee; Fucharoen, Goonnapa; Sanchaisuriya, Kanokwan; Fucharoen, Supan

    2015-07-01

    The basis for variability of hemoglobin (Hb) F in homozygous Hb E disease is not well understood. We have examined multiple mutations of the Krüppel-like factor 1 (KLF1) gene; an erythroid specific transcription factor and determined their associations with Hbs F and A2 expression in homozygous Hb E. Four KLF1 mutations including G176AfsX179, T334R, R238H, and -154 (C-T) were screened using specific PCR assays on 461 subjects with homozygous Hb E and 100 normal controls. None of these four mutations were observed in 100 normal controls. Among 461 subjects with homozygous Hb E, 306 had high (≥5 %) and 155 had low (<5 %) Hb F. DNA analysis identified the KLF1 mutations in 35 cases of the former group with high Hb F, including the G176AfsX179 mutation (17/306 = 5.6 %), T334R mutation (9/306 = 2.9 %), -154 (C-T) mutation (7/306 = 2.3 %), and R328H mutation (2/306 = 0.7 %). Only two subjects in the latter group with low Hb F carried the G176AfsX179 and -154 (C-T) mutations. Significant higher Hb A2 level was observed in those of homozygous Hb E with the G176AfsX179 mutation as compared to those without KLF1 mutations. These results indicate that KLF1 is among the genetic factors associated with increased Hbs F and A2, and in combination with other factors could explain the variabilities of these Hb expression in Hb E syndrome.

  20. {sup 18}F-FDG-PET/CT for systemic staging of patients with newly diagnosed ER-positive and HER2-positive breast cancer

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Ulaner, Gary A.; Castillo, Raychel [Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Department of Radiology, New York, NY (United States); Weill Cornell Medical College, Department of Radiology, New York, NY (United States); Wills, Jonathan [Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Department of Information Systems, New York, NY (United States); Goenen, Mithat; Goldman, Debra A. [Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, New York, NY (United States)

    2017-08-15

    This study assesses {sup 18}F-FDG-PET/CT for patients with newly diagnosed estrogen receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor-negative (ER+/HER2-) and human epidermal growth factor receptor-positive (HER2+) breast cancer. In this Institutional Review Board-approved retrospective study, our Healthcare Information System was screened for patients with ER+/HER2- and HER2+ breast cancer who underwent {sup 18}F-FDG-PET/CT prior to systemic or radiation therapy. The initial stage was determined from mammography, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, and/or surgery.{sup 18}F-FDG-PET/CT was evaluated to identify unsuspected extra-axillary regional nodal and distant metastases. The proportion of patients upstaged overall and stratified by stage and receptor phenotypes was calculated along with confidence intervals (CI). A total of 238 patients with ER+/HER2- and 245 patients with HER2+ who met inclusion criteria were evaluated. For patients with ER+/HER2-breast cancer, {sup 18}F-FDG-PET/CT revealed unsuspected distant metastases in 3/71 (4%) initial stage IIA, 13/95 (14%) stage IIB, and 15/57 (26%) stage III. For patients with HER2+ breast cancer, {sup 18}F-FDG-PET/CT revealed unsuspected distant metastases in 3/72 (4%) initial stage IIA, 13/93 (14%) stage IIB, and 13/59 (22%) stage III. The overall upstaging rate for IIB was 14% (95% confidence interval (CI): 9-20%). {sup 18}F-FDG-PET/CT revealed distant metastases in 14% (95% CI: 9-20%) of patients with stage IIB ER+/HER2- and HER2+ breast cancer, which is similar to upstaging rates previously seen in patients with stage IIB triple-negative breast cancer (15%, 95% CI: 9-24%). The detection of unsuspected distant metastases in these patients alters treatment and prognosis. NCCN guidelines should consider adding patients with stage IIB breast cancer for consideration of systemic staging with {sup 18}F-FDG-PET/CT at the time of initial diagnosis. (orig.)

  1. The astrophysical S-factor of the direct 18O(p, γ)19F capture by the ANC method

    Science.gov (United States)

    Burjan, V.; Hons, Z.; Kroha, V.; Mrázek, J.; Piskoř, Š.; Mukhamedzhanov, A. M.; Trache, L.; Tribble, R. E.; La Cognata, M.; Lamia, L.; Pizzone, G. R.; Romano, S.; Spitaleri, C.; Tumino, A.

    2018-01-01

    We attempted to determine the astrophysical S-factor of the direct part of the 18O(p, γ)19F capture by the indirect method of asymptotic normalization coefficients (ANC). We measured the differential cross section of the transfer reaction 18O(3He, d)19F at a 3He energy of 24.6 MeV. The measurement was realized on the cyclotron of the NPI in Řež, Czech Republic, with the gas target consisting of the high purity 18O (99.9 %). The reaction products were measured by eight ΔE-E telescopes composed from thin and thick silicon surface-barrier detectors. The parameters of the optical model for the input channel were deduced by means of the code ECIS and the analysis of transfer reactions to 12 levels of the 19F nucleus up to 8.014 MeV was made by the code FRESCO. The deduced ANCs were then used to specify the direct contribution to the 18O(p, γ)19F capture process and were compared with the mutually different results of two works.

  2. E2F1 and p53 Transcription Factors as Accessory Factors for Nucleotide Excision Repair

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    David G. Johnson

    2012-10-01

    Full Text Available Many of the biochemical details of nucleotide excision repair (NER have been established using purified proteins and DNA substrates. In cells however, DNA is tightly packaged around histones and other chromatin-associated proteins, which can be an obstacle to efficient repair. Several cooperating mechanisms enhance the efficiency of NER by altering chromatin structure. Interestingly, many of the players involved in modifying chromatin at sites of DNA damage were originally identified as regulators of transcription. These include ATP-dependent chromatin remodelers, histone modifying enzymes and several transcription factors. The p53 and E2F1 transcription factors are well known for their abilities to regulate gene expression in response to DNA damage. This review will highlight the underappreciated, transcription-independent functions of p53 and E2F1 in modifying chromatin structure in response to DNA damage to promote global NER.

  3. Direct Comparison of Yb.sup.3+./sup.:CaF.sub.2./sub. and heavily doped Yb.sup.3+./sup.:YLF as laser media at room temperature

    Czech Academy of Sciences Publication Activity Database

    Pirri, A.; Alderighi, D.; Toci, G.; Vannini, M.; Nikl, Martin; Sato, H.

    2009-01-01

    Roč. 17, č. 20 (2009), s. 18312-18319 ISSN 1094-4087 Grant - others:AV ČR(CZ) M100100910 Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z10100521 Keywords : Yb 3+ :YLF * Yb 3+ :CaF 2 * solid state laser * diode pumped Subject RIV: BM - Solid Matter Physics ; Magnetism Impact factor: 3.278, year: 2009

  4. Translation initiation complex eIF4F is a therapeutic target for dual mTOR kinase inhibitors in non-Hodgkin lymphoma

    Science.gov (United States)

    Stenson, Mary J.; Maurer, Matthew J.; Wellik, Linda E.; Link, Brian; Hege, Kristen; Dogan, Ahmet; Sotomayor, Eduardo; Witzig, Thomas; Gupta, Mamta

    2015-01-01

    Deregulated mRNA translation has been implicated in disease development and in part is controlled by a eukaryotic initiation complex eIF4F (composed of eIF4E, eIF4G and eIF4A). We demonstrate here that the cap bound fraction from lymphoma cells was enriched with eIF4G and eIF4E indicating that lymphoma cells exist in an activated translational state. Moreover, 77% (110/142) of diffuse large B cell lymphoma tumors expressed eIF4E and this was associated with an inferior event free survival. Over-expression of wild-type eIF4E (eIF4EWT) but not cap-mutant eIF4E (eIF4Ecap mutant) increased the activation of the eIF4F complex. Treatment with the active-site dual mTOR inhibitor CC214-1 reduced the level of the eIF4F complex by decreasing the cap bound fraction of eIF4G and increasing the levels of 4E-BP1. CC214-1 inhibited both the cap dependent and global protein translation. CC214-1 inhibited c-Myc, and cyclin D3 translation by decreasing polysomal fractions from lymphoma cells. Inhibition of eIF4E with shRNA further decreased the CC214-1 induced inhibition of the eIF4F complex, c-Myc, cyclin D3 translation, and colony formation. These studies demonstrate that the eIF4F complex is deregulated in aggressive lymphoma and that dual mTOR therapy has therapeutic potential in these patients. PMID:25839159

  5. Electron-microscopy studies of NaAlH{sub 4} with TiF{sub 3} additive: hydrogen-cycling effects

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Andrei, C.M.; Holmestad, R. [Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Department of Physics, Trondheim (Norway); Walmsley, J.C. [SINTEF Materials and Chemistry, Trondheim (Norway); Brinks, H.W.; Hauback, B.C. [Institute for Energy Technology, P.O. Box 40, Kjeller (Norway); Srinivasan, S.S.; Jensen, C.M. [University of Hawaii, Department of Chemistry, Honolulu, HI (United States)

    2005-02-01

    NaAlH{sub 4} is a promising candidate material for hydrogen storage. Ti additives are effective in reducing the reaction temperatures and improving kinetics. In this work, the microstructure of NaAlH{sub 4} with 2% TiF{sub 3} has been studied in different conditions using a combination of transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, both with energy-dispersive spectroscopic X-ray analysis. The effect of the additive on particle and grain size was examined after the initial ball-milling process and after 15 cycles. The additive has an uneven distribution in the sample after ball milling. Selected-area diffraction and high-resolution imaging confirmed the presence of TiF{sub 3}. This phase accounts for most of the Ti in the material at this stage and showed limited mixing with the alanate. The grain size within particles for TiF{sub 3} is larger than for the alanate particles. Diffraction from the latter was dominated by metallic aluminium. After cycling, the TiF{sub 3} has decomposed and energy-dispersive spectroscopic X-ray analysis maps showed some combination of Ti with the alanate phase. There is no significant change in the measurable grain size of the Al-containing alanate particles between the ball-milled and the 15-cycled samples, but more cycles result in agglomeration of the material. (orig.)

  6. The Binding Interface between Human APOBEC3F and HIV-1 Vif Elucidated by Genetic and Computational Approaches

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Christopher Richards

    2015-12-01

    Full Text Available APOBEC3 family DNA cytosine deaminases provide overlapping defenses against pathogen infections. However, most viruses have elaborate evasion mechanisms such as the HIV-1 Vif protein, which subverts cellular CBF-β and a polyubiquitin ligase complex to neutralize these enzymes. Despite advances in APOBEC3 and Vif biology, a full understanding of this direct host-pathogen conflict has been elusive. We combine virus adaptation and computational studies to interrogate the APOBEC3F-Vif interface and build a robust structural model. A recurring compensatory amino acid substitution from adaptation experiments provided an initial docking constraint, and microsecond molecular dynamic simulations optimized interface contacts. Virus infectivity experiments validated a long-lasting electrostatic interaction between APOBEC3F E289 and HIV-1 Vif R15. Taken together with mutagenesis results, we propose a wobble model to explain how HIV-1 Vif has evolved to bind different APOBEC3 enzymes and, more generally, how pathogens may evolve to escape innate host defenses.

  7. Biological insights into the expression of translation initiation factors from recombinant CHOK1SV cell lines and their relationship to enhanced productivity.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Mead, Emma J; Masterton, Rosalyn J; Feary, Marc; Obrezanova, Olga; Zhang, Lin; Young, Robert; Smales, C Mark

    2015-12-15

    Translation initiation is on the critical pathway for the production of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) by mammalian cells. Formation of a closed loop structure comprised of mRNA, a number of eukaryotic initiation factors (eIFs) and ribosomal proteins has been proposed to aid re-initiation of translation and therefore increase global translational efficiency. We have determined mRNA and protein levels of the key components of the closed loop, eIFs (eIF3a, eIF3b, eIF3c, eIF3h, eIF3i and eIF4G1), poly(A)-binding protein (PABP) 1 and PABP-interacting protein 1 (PAIP1), across a panel of 30 recombinant mAb-producing GS-CHOK1SV cell lines with a broad range of growth characteristics and production levels of a model recombinant mAb. We have used a multi-level statistical approach to investigate the relationship between key performance indicators (cell growth and recombinant antibody productivity) and the intracellular amounts of target translation initiation factor proteins and the mRNAs encoding them. We show that high-producing cell lines maintain amounts of the translation initiation factors involved in the formation of the closed loop mRNA, maintaining these proteins at appropriate levels to deliver enhanced recombinant protein production. We then utilize knowledge of the amounts of these factors to build predictive models for and use cluster analysis to identify, high-producing cell lines. The present study therefore defines the translation initiation factor amounts that are associated with highly productive recombinant GS-CHOK1SV cell lines that may be targets for screening highly productive cell lines or to engineer new host cell lines with the potential for enhanced recombinant antibody productivity. © 2015 Authors; published by Portland Press Limited.

  8. Relationships among quantitative traits in F3, F4 and F5 wheat hybrids obtained by pedigree and bulk selection

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Janković Snežana

    2010-01-01

    Full Text Available Relationships among quantitative traits of wheat were analyzed in parents and their F3, F4 and F5 hybrids. Three female parents (Briscard, Carifen 12 and Rescler were crossed with two male parents (Francuska and PKB-Prelivka. Same crosses were repeated 4 years, from 1996 to 1999. Hybrids were obtained via pedigree and bulk selection. In year 2000 the field experiments were set up with all parental and hybrid material, at the Institute 'PKB INI Agroekonomik', in Padinska Skela, near Belgrade. Six traits were measured: plant height, spike length, number of spikelets per spike, number of grains per spike, 1000 grain weight and grain weight per spike. In parental genotypes, it was found grain mass per spike was in significant and positive correlation with 1000 grain mass and number of grains per spike. As in parents, correlation between grain mass per spike and 1000 grain weight was almost functional in F3, F4 and F5 hybrids. However, correlation between grain mass per spike and number of grains per spike was negative or slight positive in hybrid descendents, what is surprising because it is oppositely to the parents. Similar values of correlation coefficients were found in both applied methods of selection. This fact shows correlations change between generations. Grain mass per spike depends on a 1000 grain mass in both, parental and hybrid generations. Stable relationship between traits could be use for selection of high yielding genotypes.

  9. Synthesis procedure for routine production of 2-[{sup 18}F]fluoro-3-(2(S)-azetidinylmethoxy)pyridine (2-[{sup 18}F]F-A-85380)

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Schildan, Andreas [Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig (Germany)], E-mail: andreas.schildan@medizin.uni-leipzig.de; Patt, Marianne; Sabri, Osama [Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig (Germany)

    2007-11-15

    2-[{sup 18}F]Fluoro-3-(2(S)-azetidinylmethoxy)pyridine (2-[{sup 18}F]F-A-85380) was among the first subtype selective radioligands to visualise the in vivo distribution of {alpha}4{beta}2-containing neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in human brain. We developed a one-pot synthesis for the preparation of 2-[{sup 18}F]F-A-85380 in a commercially available TRACERlab FX{sub F-N} synthesis module. The synthesis comprises a nucleophilic substitution followed by hydrolysis of a t-butyloxycarbonyl (BOC)-protected intermediate. After formulation for intravenous application up to 20 GBq 2-[{sup 18}F]F-A-85380 were produced from a starting activity of 100 GBq [{sup 18}F]fluoride in 60 min with a specific activity of about 4.10{sup 5} GBq/mmol and a mean radiochemical purity of more than 99%.

  10. Alkali metals effect on the diffusion mobility of fluorine base of GaF3 and IF3

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Bakhvalov, S.G.; Livshits, A.I.; Shubin, A.A.; Petrova, E.M.

    2000-01-01

    The structure of fluoride glasses on the basis of GaF 3 and InF 3 is studied. The glass lattice bond, i.e. its uniformity or nonuniformity, was analyzed through introduction of alkali metal (LiF, NaF, RbF, CsF) into the composition of fluoride glasses. The consecutive replacement of a modification by alkali metal fluorides made it possible to establish the nonuniformity of the glass-forming lattice by studying through the NMR 19 F method. It may be confirmed by comparing the fluorine ions dynamic behavior in the glasses, based on the indium and gallium trifluorides, that the glass fluorine subsystem on the In basis is more mobile [ru

  11. Atomic and magnetic structure of MnF3

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Hunter, B.A.; Kennedy, B.J.; Vogt, T.

    2003-01-01

    Full text: The magnetic and atomic structure of MnF 3 has been determined from 4K to 300K using neutron powder diffraction. The MnF 3 compound is the archetypical Mn-based colossal magnetoresistive compound. A Neel temperature of approximately 40K was observed from the temperature variation of the magnetic moment. Below the Neel temperature a large negative thermal expansion was observed, in striking similarity to other Mn-based colossal magnetoresistive compounds. The variation in structure is discussed in relation to other Mn-based compounds, particularly as this compound cannot support charge ordering

  12. Ho3+-doped AlF3-TeO2-based glass fibers for 2.1 µm laser applications

    Science.gov (United States)

    Wang, S. B.; Jia, Z. X.; Yao, C. F.; Ohishi, Y.; Qin, G. S.; Qin, W. P.

    2017-05-01

    Ho3+-doped AlF3-TeO2-based glass fibers based on AlF3-BaF2-CaF2-YF3-SrF2-MgF2-TeO2 glasses are fabricated by using a rod-in-tube method. The glass rod including a core and a thick cladding layer is prepared by using a suction method, where the thick cladding layer is used to protect the core from the effect of surface crystallization during the fiber drawing. By inserting the glass rod into a glass tube, the glass fibers with relatively low loss (~2.3 dB m-1 @ 1560 nm) are prepared. By using a 38 cm long Ho3+-doped AlF3-TeO2-based glass fiber as the gain medium and a 1965 nm fiber laser as the pump source, 2065 nm lasing is obtained for a threshold pump power of ~220 mW. With further increasing the pump power to ~325 mW, the unsaturated output power of the 2065 nm laser is about 82 mW and the corresponding slope efficiency is up to 68.8%. The effects of the gain fiber length on the lasing threshold, the slope efficiency, and the operating wavelength are also investigated. Our experimental results show that Ho3+-doped AlF3-TeO2-based glass fibers are promising gain media for 2.1 µm laser applications.

  13. F-15A Versus F/A-22 Initial Operational Capability. A Case for Transformation

    National Research Council Canada - National Science Library

    Mott V, William H

    2005-01-01

    The F/A-22 Raptor is a new weapons system replacing- the F-15C Eagle. Its operational debut in 2005 comes at a time of constrained budgets, a changing global threat environment, and the ongoing global war on terrorism (GWOT...

  14. Mixed messages: Re-initiation factors regulate translation of animal mRNAs

    OpenAIRE

    Obermayer, Benedikt; Rajewsky, Nikolaus

    2014-01-01

    When ribosomes encounter upstream open reading frames (uORFs) during scanning of the 5' untranslated region (5' UTR), translation of the downstream ORF requires re-initiation. In a recent paper in Nature, Schleich et al. describe metazoan factors which specifically promote re-initiation.

  15. Top Five Physical Design Factors Contributing to Fall Initiation.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Pati, Debajyoti; Lee, Jaehoon; Mihandoust, Sahar; Kazem-Zadeh, Mahshad; Oh, Youngha

    2018-01-01

    To develop a prioritized list of physical design questions/interventions to reduce patient falls by conducting expanded analysis (Phase II) of data generated from a completed study phase. Patient falls continue to be a critical concern for healthcare providers, patients, and families. While substantial literature exist on intrinsic factors, scientific evidence on the role of the physical environment is scarce. Expanded analysis of data from 180 videos of trials conducted in a physical mock-up of a medical-surgical inpatient room in a previously completed study phase. The odds of subject's exhibited postures (predictors) on fall initiation (outcome) were examined in a series of generalized linear mixed effects models. Physical design elements and attributes associated with postures exhibiting statistical significance were examined. Turning, pulling, pushing, and bending forward exhibited the highest odds of contributing to fall initiation in the bathroom. Grabbing, pushing, and sitting exhibited the highest odds of contributing to fall initiation around the patient bed. Physical design elements/attributes associated with the above postures are the (1) bathroom door; (2) bathroom spatial configuration-relative locations of door, toilet bowl, and the sink; (3) door, toilet, and sink hardware; (4) space availability/tightness inside the clinician zone; and (5) spatial configuration around patient bed-relative locations of bed, patient chair, and overbed table, in relation to bathroom door, and resulting obstructions originating from the configuration. Patient falls during unassisted ambulation may be reduced through appropriate examination of these five physical elements/attributes.

  16. ERASMUS-F: pathfinder for an E-ELT 3D instrumentation

    Science.gov (United States)

    Kelz, Andreas; Roth, Martin M.; Bacon, Roland; Bland-Hawthorn, Joss; Nicklas, Harald E.; Bryant, Julia J.; Colless, Matthew; Croom, Scott; Ellis, Simon; Fleischmann, Andreas; Gillingham, Peter; Haynes, Roger; Hopkins, Andrew; Kosmalski, Johan; O'Byrne, John W.; Olaya, Jean-Christophe; Rambold, William N.; Robertson, Gordon

    2010-07-01

    ERASMUS-F is a pathfinder study for a possible E-ELT 3D-instrumentation, funded by the German Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF). The study investigates the feasibility to combine a broadband optical spectrograph with a new generation of multi-object deployable fibre bundles. The baseline approach is to modify the spectrograph of the Multi-Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE), which is a VLT integral-field instrument using slicers, with a fibre-fed input. Taking advantage of recent developments in astrophotonics, it is planed to equip such an instrument with fused fibre bundles (hexabundles) that offer larger filling factors than dense-packed classical fibres. The overall project involves an optical and mechanical design study, the specifications of a software package for 3Dspectrophotometry, based upon the experiences with the P3d Data Reduction Software and an investigation of the science case for such an instrument. As a proof-of-concept, the study also involves a pathfinder instrument for the VLT, called the FIREBALL project.

  17. Factor Xa generation by computational modeling: an additional discriminator to thrombin generation evaluation.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Kathleen E Brummel-Ziedins

    Full Text Available Factor (fXa is a critical enzyme in blood coagulation that is responsible for the initiation and propagation of thrombin generation. Previously we have shown that analysis of computationally generated thrombin profiles is a tool to investigate hemostasis in various populations. In this study, we evaluate the potential of computationally derived time courses of fXa generation as another approach for investigating thrombotic risk. Utilizing the case (n = 473 and control (n = 426 population from the Leiden Thrombophilia Study and each individual's plasma protein factor composition for fII, fV, fVII, fVIII, fIX, fX, antithrombin and tissue factor pathway inhibitor, tissue factor-initiated total active fXa generation was assessed using a mathematical model. FXa generation was evaluated by the area under the curve (AUC, the maximum rate (MaxR and level (MaxL and the time to reach these, TMaxR and TMaxL, respectively. FXa generation was analyzed in the entire populations and in defined subgroups (by sex, age, body mass index, oral contraceptive use. The maximum rates and levels of fXa generation occur over a 10- to 12- fold range in both cases and controls. This variation is larger than that observed with thrombin (3-6 fold in the same population. The greatest risk association was obtained using either MaxR or MaxL of fXa generation; with an ∼2.2 fold increased risk for individuals exceeding the 90(th percentile. This risk was similar to that of thrombin generation(MaxR OR 2.6. Grouping defined by oral contraceptive (OC use in the control population showed the biggest differences in fXa generation; a >60% increase in the MaxR upon OC use. FXa generation can distinguish between a subset of individuals characterized by overlapping thrombin generation profiles. Analysis of fXa generation is a phenotypic characteristic which may prove to be a more sensitive discriminator than thrombin generation among all individuals.

  18. Synthesis of a dopamine transporter imaging agent, N-(3-[18F]fluoropropyl)-2β-carbomethoxy-3β-(4-iodophenyl)nortropane

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Choi, Yearn Seong; Oh, Seung Jun; Kim, Sang Eun; Choi, Yong; Lee, Kyung Han; Kim, Byung Tae; Chi, Dae Yoon

    1999-01-01

    N-(3-[ 18 F]fluoropropyl)-2β-carbomethoxy-3β-(4-iodophenyl)nortropane ([ 18 F]FP-CIT) has been shown to be very useful for imaging the dopamine transporter. However, synthesis of this radiotracer is somewhat troublesome. In this study, we used a new method for the preparation of ([ 18 F]FP-CIT) to increse radiochemical yield and effective specific activity. ([ 18 F]FP-CIT) was prepared by N-alkylation of nor β-CIT (2 mg) with 3-bromo-1 ([ 18 F]fluoropropane in the presence of Et 3 N (5-6 drops of DMF/CH 3 CN, 140 .deg. C, 20 min). 3-Bromo-1-[ 18 F]fluropropane was synthesized from 5 μL of 3-bromo-1-trifluoromethanesulfonyloxypropane (3-bromopropyl-1-triflate) and nBu 4 N 18 F at 80 .deg. C.The final compound was purified by reverse phase HPLC and formulated in 13% ethanol in saline. 3-Bromo-1-[ 18 F]fluoropropane was obtained from 3-bromopropyl-1-triflate and nBu 4 N 18 F in 77-80% yield. N-Alkylation of nor β-CIT with 3-bromo-1-[ 18 F]fluoropropane was carried out at 140 .deg. C using acetonitrile containing a small volume of DMF as the solvents. The overall yield of [ 18 F]FP-CIT was 5-10% (decay-corrected ) with a radiochemical purity higher than 99% and effective specific activity higher than the one reported in the literature based on their HPLC data. The final [ 18 F]FP-CIT solution had the optimal pH (7.0) and it was pyrogen-free. In this study, 3-bromopropyl-1-triflate was used as the precursor for the [ 18 F]fluorination reaction and new conditions were developed for purification of [ 18 F]FP-CIT by HPLC. We established this new method for the preparation of [ 18 F]FP-CIT, which gave high effective specific activity and relatively good yield.

  19. Controllable upconversion luminescence and temperature sensing behavior in NaGdF4:Yb3+/Ho3+/Ce3+ nano-phosphors

    Science.gov (United States)

    Pang, Tao; Wang, Jiajun

    2018-01-01

    The hexagonal NaGdF4:Yb3+/Ho3+/Ce3+ nano-phosphors are synthesized by a hydrothermal method. Under 980 nm excitation, the phosphor emits green, red and far-red light in the visible wavelength region, corresponding to the 5S2/5F4 → 5I8, 5F5 → 5I8 and 5S2/5F4 → 5I7 transitions of Ho3+ ions, respectively. When adjusting the Ce3+ concentration from 0% to 16%, the dominant wavelength shifts ˜43 nm toward the longer wavelength. Two cross-relaxation processes between Ho3+ and Ce3+ are responsible for the change in chromaticity. Also, the ability of the Ce3+ concentration to regulate the luminescence color depends on the pumping power and temperature of samples. More interestingly, the phosphors are potentially applicable as the optical thermometric materials. In the case of 16% Ce3+ doping, the maximum sensitivity (0.1446 K-1) about 4-35 times as high as the reported values of several typical thermometric materials is obtained.

  20. Decisive factors affecting plasma resistance and roughness formation in ArF photoresist

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Jinnai, Butsurin; Uesugi, Takuji; Koyama, Koji; Samukawa, Seiji [Institute of Fluid Science, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577 (Japan); Kato, Keisuke; Yasuda, Atsushi; Maeda, Shinichi [Yokohama Research Laboratories, Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd, 10-1 Daikoku-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama 230-0053 (Japan); Momose, Hikaru, E-mail: samukawa@ifs.tohoku.ac.j [Corporate Research Laboratories, Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd, 2-1 Miyuki-cho, Otake, Hiroshima 739-0693 (Japan)

    2010-10-06

    Low plasma resistance and roughness formation in an ArF photoresist are serious issues in plasma processes. To resolve these issues, we investigated several factors that affect the roughness formation and plasma resistance in an ArF photoresist. We used our neutral beam process to categorize the effects of species from the plasma on the ArF photoresist into physical bombardment, chemical reactions and ultraviolet/vacuum ultraviolet (UV/VUV) radiation. The UV/VUV radiation drastically increased the etching rates of the ArF photoresist films, and, in contrast, chemical reactions increased the formation of surface roughness. FTIR analysis indicated that the UV/VUV radiation preferentially dissociates C-H bonds in the ArF photoresist, rather than C=O bonds, because of the dissociation energies of the bonds. This indicated that the etching rates of the ArF photoresist are determined by the UV/VUV radiation because this radiation can break C-H bonds, which account for the majority of structures in the ArF photoresist. In contrast, FTIR analysis showed that chemical species such as radicals and ions were likely to react with C=O bonds, in particular C=O bonds in the lactone groups of the ArF photoresist, due to the structural and electronic effects of the lactone groups. As a result, the etching rates of the ArF photoresist can vary in different bond structures, leading to increased surface roughness in the ArF photoresist.

  1. The regulation of protein synthesis and translation factors by CD3 and CD28 in human primary T lymphocytes

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Proud Christopher G

    2002-05-01

    Full Text Available Abstract Background Activation of human resting T lymphocytes results in an immediate increase in protein synthesis. The increase in protein synthesis after 16–24 h has been linked to the increased protein levels of translation initiation factors. However, the regulation of protein synthesis during the early onset of T cell activation has not been studied in great detail. We studied the regulation of protein synthesis after 1 h of activation using αCD3 antibody to stimulate the T cell receptor and αCD28 antibody to provide the co-stimulus. Results Activation of the T cells with both antibodies led to a sustained increase in the rate of protein synthesis. The activities and/or phosphorylation states of several translation factors were studied during the first hour of stimulation with αCD3 and αCD28 to explore the mechanism underlying the activation of protein synthesis. The initial increase in protein synthesis was accompanied by activation of the guanine nucleotide exchange factor, eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF 2B, and of p70 S6 kinase and by dephosphorylation of eukaryotic elongation factor (eEF 2. Similar signal transduction pathways, as assessed using signal transduction inhibitors, are involved in the regulation of protein synthesis, eIF2B activity and p70 S6 kinase activity. A new finding was that the p38 MAPK α/β pathway was involved in the regulation of overall protein synthesis in primary T cells. Unexpectedly, no changes were detected in the phosphorylation state of the cap-binding protein eIF4E and the eIF4E-binding protein 4E-BP1, or the formation of the cap-binding complex eIF4F. Conclusions Both eIF2B and p70 S6 kinase play important roles in the regulation of protein synthesis during the early onset of T cell activation.

  2. Factors associated with late antiretroviral therapy initiation among adults in Mozambique.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Maria Lahuerta

    Full Text Available Despite recent changes to expand the ART eligibility criteria in sub-Saharan Africa, many patients still initiate ART in the advanced stages of HIV infection, which contributes to increased early mortality rates, poor patient outcomes, and onward transmission.To evaluate individual and clinic-level factors associated with late ART initiation in Mozambique, we conducted a retrospective sex-specific analysis of data from 36,411 adult patients who started ART between January 2005 and June 2009 at 25 HIV clinics in Mozambique. Late ART initiation was defined as CD4 count45_vs.26-30 = 0.72, 95%CI [0.67-0.77], entry into care via PMTCT (AOR(entry_through_PMTCT_vs.VCT = 0.42, 95%CI [0.35-0.50], marital status (AOR(married/in union_vs.single = 0.87, 95%CI [0.83-0.92], education (AOR(secondary_or_higher_vs.primary = 0.87, 95%CI [0.83-0.93] and year of ART initiation were associated with a lower likelihood of late ART initiation. Clinic-level factors independently associated with a lower likelihood of late ART initiation included CD4 machine on-site (AOR(CD4_machine_onsite_vs.offsite = 0.83, 95%CI [0.74-0.94] and presence of PMTCT services onsite (AOR = 0.85, 95%CI [0.77-0.93].The risk of starting ART late remained persistently high. Efforts are needed to ensure identification and enrollment of patients at earlier stages of HIV disease. Individual and clinic level factors identified may provide clues for upstream structural interventions.

  3. S-factor of 14 N (α, γ)18 F reaction at low-energies

    Science.gov (United States)

    Khalili, H.

    2018-06-01

    The astrophysical S-factor of the 14 N (α, γ)18 F reaction has been studied at range of bombarding energy 1-1.30 MeV. The 14 N (α, γ)18 F process is important in low energy astrophysics so that a possible source of energy in massive stars which have spent their hydrogen cycle. Using the Wood-saxon potential model, we have been calculated non resonances the astrophysical S-factors for the E 2 transition and our results for Eα = 0.0 MeV is S ≈ 0.5 MeV.b where from experimental is measured to Eα = 0.0 is S ≈ o . 7 MeV.b (Couch et al., 1971) that in comparison with our data good agreement is achieved for the astrophysical S-factor of this process.

  4. Human Factors Engineering #3 Crewstation Assessment for the OH-58F Helicopter

    Science.gov (United States)

    2014-03-01

    limited amount of training provided to the pilots , and hardware/software limitations. The primary hardware and software limitations are listed below...PCI issues identified during the HFE simulation assessments. • Consider using the OH-58F simulator to augment pilot training for the Limited User Test...issues multitasking as scenario workload increased. Increased training will help this junior aviator increase proficiency in working left seat

  5. Crystals structure of Na3Li(TiF6)2

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Popov, D.Yu.; Antokhina, T.F.; Gerasimenko, A.V.; Kajdalova, T.A.; Sergienko, V.I.

    2004-01-01

    Crystals of Na 3 Li(TiF 6 ) 2 (1) were synthesized in aqueous solution and characterized by the elementary and X-ray phase analysis methods. According to X-ray diffraction analysis data compound 1 is crystallized in a tetragonal crystal system with the following parameters: a=5.130(1), c=18.046(4) A, Z=2, space group P4-bar2 1 c. Alternating layers on the basis of dimers made up by octahedrons of TiF 6 and Na(1)F 6 constitute the frame of compound 1 crystal structure. The dimer layers are joined in a continuous frame by Na(2) and Li cations. Coordination polyhedron of Li atom is tetrahedron (Li-F 1.898(3) A) [ru

  6. Features of 3–7-day planetary-wave-type oscillations in F-layer vertical drift and equatorial spread F observed over two low-latitude stations in China

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Z. Zhu

    2017-06-01

    Full Text Available Recent studies on the equatorial atmosphere–ionosphere coupling system have shown that planetary-wave-type oscillations, as an important seeding mechanism for equatorial spread F (ESF, play an important role in ESF irregularity development and its day-to-day variability in the equatorial latitudes. In this study, ionosonde virtual height and ESF measurements over Sanya (18.4° N, 109.6° E; 12.8° N dip latitude and meteor radar neutral-wind measurements over Fuke (19.5° N, 109.1° E; 14° N dip latitude during 2013 are used to investigate the features of planetary-wave-type oscillations in both the lower atmosphere and the ionosphere and their possible influences on ESF occurrence under the weak solar maximum year. The ∼ 3-day and ∼ 7-day planetary-wave-type oscillations have been observed in the neutral zonal winds and the time rate of change in F-layer virtual heights. According to the propagation characteristics, the 3-day and 7-day planetary-wave-type oscillations are basically recognized as ultrafast and fast Kelvin waves, respectively. With increasing heights, the 3-day wave oscillations are gradually amplified, while the 7-day wave oscillations are generally constant. By performing a cross-wavelet transform on the onsets of ESF and the vertical drifts of the F layer, we found that there are simultaneously occurring 7-day and 3-day common wave oscillations between them. The 7-day waves are mainly in the inversion phase, while the 3-day waves are mostly in an in-phase state, indicating that the 7-day waves may play a main role in ESF initiation. Approximate delays of 6 days for the 7-day waves and 5 days for the 3-day waves in their propagation upward from the lower atmosphere to the ionosphere are evaluated with wavelet power spectrum analysis. The estimated upward velocities from these time delays provide consistent evidence that the 7-day and 3-day waves propagate vertically upward with typical Kelvin wave

  7. Investigation into the MgF2-NiF2, CaF2-NiF2, SrF2-NiF2 systems

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Ikrami, D.D.; Petrov, S.V.; Fedorov, P.P.; Ol'khovaya, L.A.; Luginina, A.A.; AN SSSR, Moscow. Inst. Fizicheskikh Problem; AN SSSR, Moscow. Inst. Kristallografii)

    1984-01-01

    Using the methods of differential thermal and X-ray phase analyses the systems MgF 2 -NiF 2 , CaF 2 -NiF 2 , SrF 2 -NiF 2 have been studied. In the system SrF 2 -NiF 2 the only orthorhombic compounds SrNiF 4 (a=14.43; b=3.93; c=5.66 (+-0.01 A)) is formed. SrNiF 4 density constitutes: dsub(X-ray)=4.60+-0.01 g/cm 3 , dsub(exp.)=4.60+-0.03 g/cm 3 . Refraction indices are as follows SrNiF 4 :Ng=1.500; Nsub(m)=1.497; Nsub(p)=1.479. SrNiF 4 magnetic ordering temperature Tsub(N) approximately 100 K

  8. Immunoreactivity of the 14F7 Mab (Raised against N-Glycolyl GM3 Ganglioside as a Positive Prognostic Factor in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Rancés Blanco

    2012-01-01

    Full Text Available Lung carcinoma is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Therefore, numerous studies are focusing on the assessment of other biological and molecular prognostic factors in these tumors. We evaluated the relationship between 14F7 Mab reactivity, pathological features, DNA-content and S-phase fraction (SPF, and their impact in the survival of NSCLC patients. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry optical microscopy assays as well as DNA content and SPF measuring using flow cytometry were performed. The 14F7 reactivity was widely observed in NSCLC sections, no depending of the clinicopathological characteristics. We also obtained differences in the intensity of reaction with 14F7 as well as in the SPF between diploid and aneuploid carcinomas. Patients with diploid tumors showing higher SPF and 14F7 reaction joint to a low mitotic index displayed higher survival rates. Our results are in agreement with the assumption of the possible positive prognostic value of 14F7 staining in NSCLC.

  9. Immunoreactivity of the 14F7 Mab (Raised against N-Glycolyl GM3 Ganglioside) as a Positive Prognostic Factor in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

    Science.gov (United States)

    Blanco, Rancés; Rengifo, Charles E.; Cedeño, Mercedes; Frómeta, Milagros; Rengifo, Enrique; Carr, Adriana

    2012-01-01

    Lung carcinoma is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Therefore, numerous studies are focusing on the assessment of other biological and molecular prognostic factors in these tumors. We evaluated the relationship between 14F7 Mab reactivity, pathological features, DNA-content and S-phase fraction (SPF), and their impact in the survival of NSCLC patients. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry optical microscopy assays as well as DNA content and SPF measuring using flow cytometry were performed. The 14F7 reactivity was widely observed in NSCLC sections, no depending of the clinicopathological characteristics. We also obtained differences in the intensity of reaction with 14F7 as well as in the SPF between diploid and aneuploid carcinomas. Patients with diploid tumors showing higher SPF and 14F7 reaction joint to a low mitotic index displayed higher survival rates. Our results are in agreement with the assumption of the possible positive prognostic value of 14F7 staining in NSCLC. PMID:22482082

  10. Theoretical characterization of the F(2)O(3) molecule by coupled-cluster methods.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Huang, Ming-Ju; Watts, John D

    2010-09-23

    Coupled-cluster calculations with extended basis sets that include noniterative connected triple excitations (CCSD(T)) have been used to study the FOOOF isomer of F(2)O(3). Second-order Moller-Plessett perturbation theory (MP2) and density-functional theory (B3LYP functional) calculations have also been performed for comparison. Two local minima of similar energy, namely, conformers of C(2) and C(s) symmetry have been located. Structures, harmonic vibrational frequencies, and standard enthalpies and free energies of formation have been calculated. The calculated bond lengths of F(2)O(3) are more characteristic of those in F(2)O and a "normal" peroxide than the unusual bond lengths in F(2)O(2). Both conformers have equal F-O and O-O bond lengths, contrary to a recent suggestion of an unsymmetrical structure. The harmonic vibrational frequencies can aid possible identification of gaseous F(2)O(3). The calculated Δ(f)H° and Δ(f)G° are 110 and 173 kJ mol(-1), respectively. These values are based on extrapolation of CCSD(T) results with augmented triple- and quadruple-ζ basis sets and are expected to be within chemical accuracy (i.e., 1 kcal mol(-1) or 4 kJ mol(-1)). F(2)O(3) is calculated to be stable to decomposition to either FO + FOO or F(2) + O(3), but unstable to decomposition to its elements, to F(2)O(2) + (1)/(2)O(2), and to F(2)O + O(2).

  11. Sequence of phase transitions in (NH4)3SiF7.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Mel'nikova, S V; Molokeev, M S; Laptash, N M; Pogoreltsev, E I; Misyul, S V; Flerov, I N

    2017-02-21

    Single crystals of silicon double salt (NH 4 ) 3 SiF 7 = (NH 4 ) 2 SiF 6 ·NH 4 F = (NH 4 ) 3 [SiF 6 ]F were grown and studied by the methods of polarization optics, X-ray diffraction and calorimetry. A sequence of symmetry transformations with the temperature change was established: P4/mbm (Z = 2) (G 1 ) ↔ Pbam (Z = 4) (G 2 ) ↔ P2 1 /c (Z = 4) (G 3 ) ↔ P1[combining macron] (Z = 4) (G 4 ) ↔ P2 1 /c (Z = 8) (G 5 ). Crystal structures of different phases were determined. The experimental data were also interpreted by a group-theoretical analysis of the complete condensate of order parameters taking into account critical and noncritical atomic displacements. Strengthening of the N-HF hydrogen bonds can be a driving force of the observed phase transitions.

  12. Dependence of e31,f on polar axis texture for tetragonal Pb(Zrx,Ti1-x)O3 thin films

    Science.gov (United States)

    Yeager, Charles B.; Ehara, Yoshitaka; Oshima, Naoya; Funakubo, Hiroshi; Trolier-McKinstry, Susan

    2014-09-01

    It was shown by Ouyang et al. [Appl. Phys. Lett. 86, 152901 (2005)] that the piezoelectric e31,f coefficient is largest parallel to the spontaneous polarization in tetragonal PbZrxTi1-xO3 (PZT) films. However, the expected piezoelectric data are typically calculated from phenomenological constants derived from data on ceramic PZT. In this work, the dependence of e31,f on c-axis texture fraction, f001, for {001}PZT thin films was measured by growing films with systematically changed f001 using CaF2, MgO, SrTiO3, and Si substrates. An approximately linear increase in e31,f with f001 was observed for compositions up to 43 mol. % Zr, and 100% c-domain properties were extrapolated. It was demonstrated that c-axis PZT films can achieve e31,f exceeding -12 C/m2 for many tetragonal compositions. The energy harvesting figure of merit, e31,f2/ɛr, for c-axis PZT films surpassed 0.8 C2/m4. This is larger than the figure of merit of gradient-free PZT films grown on Si substrates by a factor of four.

  13. The factorized F-matrices for arbitrary U(1)(N-1) integrable vertex models

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Martins, M.J.; Pimenta, R.A.; Zuparic, M.

    2012-01-01

    We discuss the F-matrices associated to the R-matrix of a general N-state vertex model whose statistical configurations encode N-1U(1) symmetries. The factorization condition is shown for arbitrary weights being based only on the unitarity property and the Yang-Baxter relation satisfied by the R-matrix. Focusing on the N=3 case we are able to conjecture the structure of some relevant twisted monodromy matrix elements for general weights. We apply this result providing the algebraic expressions of the domain wall partition functions built up in terms of the creation and annihilation monodromy fields. For N=3 we also exhibit a R-matrix whose weights lie on a del Pezzo surface and have a rather general structure.

  14. Effect of ball milling time on the hydrogen storage properties of TiF{sub 3}-doped LiAlH{sub 4}

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Liu, Shu-Sheng [Materials and Thermochemistry Laboratory, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 457 Zhongshan Road, Dalian, Liaoning 116023 (China); Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049 (China); Sun, Li-Xian; Zhang, Yao; Zhang, Jian; Chu, Hai-Liang; Fan, Mei-Qiang; Zhang, Tao [Materials and Thermochemistry Laboratory, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 457 Zhongshan Road, Dalian, Liaoning 116023 (China); Xu, Fen [Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116029 (China); Song, Xiao-Yan [College of Materials Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Materials, Chinese Education Ministry, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124 (China); Grolier, Jean Pierre [Laboratory of Thermodynamics of Solutions and Polymers, Blaise Pascal University, 24 Avenue des Landais, 63177-Aubiere Cedex (France)

    2009-10-15

    In the present work, the catalytic effect of TiF{sub 3} on the dehydrogenation properties of LiAlH{sub 4} has been investigated. Decomposition of LiAlH{sub 4} occurs during ball milling in the presence of 4 mol% TiF{sub 3}. Different ball milling times have been used, from 0.5 h to 18 h. With ball milling time increasing, the crystallite sizes of LiAlH{sub 4} get smaller (from 69 nm to 43 nm) and the dehydrogenation temperature becomes lower (from 80 C to 60 C). Half an hour ball milling makes the initial dehydrogenation temperature of doped LiAlH{sub 4} reduce to 80 C, which is 70 C lower than as-received LiAlH{sub 4}. About 5.0 wt.% H{sub 2} can be released from TiF{sub 3}-doped LiAlH{sub 4} after 18 h ball milling in the range of 60 C-145 C (heating rate 2 C min{sup -1}). TiF{sub 3} probably reacts with LiAlH{sub 4} to form the catalyst, TiAl{sub 3}. The mechanochemical and thermochemical reactions have been clarified. However, the rehydrogenation of LiAlH{sub 4}/Li{sub 3}AlH{sub 6} can not be realized under 95 bar H{sub 2} in the presence of TiF{sub 3} because of their thermodynamic properties. (author)

  15. Evolutionary Conservation of pou5f3 Genomic Organization and Its Dynamic Distribution during Embryogenesis and in Adult Gonads in Japanese Flounder Paralichthys olivaceus

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Jinning Gao

    2017-01-01

    Full Text Available Octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (Oct4 is a member of POU (Pit-Oct-Unc transcription factor family Class V that plays a crucial role in maintaining the pluripotency and self-renewal of stem cells. Though it has been deeply investigated in mammals, its lower vertebrate homologue, especially in the marine fish, is poorly studied. In this study, we isolated the full-length sequence of Paralichthys olivaceus pou5f3 (Popou5f3, and we found that it is homologous to mammalian Oct4. We identified two transcript variants with different lengths of 3′-untranslated regions (UTRs generated by alternative polyadenylation (APA. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR, in situ hybridization (ISH and immunohistochemistry (IHC were implemented to characterize the spatial and temporal expression pattern of Popou5f3 during early development and in adult tissues. Our results show that Popou5f3 is maternally inherited, abundantly expressed at the blastula and early gastrula stages, then greatly diminishes at the end of gastrulation. It is hardly detectable from the heart-beating stage onward. We found that Popou5f3 expression is restricted to the adult gonads, and continuously expresses during oogenesis while its dynamics are downregulated during spermatogenesis. Additionally, numerous cis-regulatory elements (CRE on both sides of the flanking regions show potential roles in regulating the expression of Popou5f3. Taken together, these findings could further our understanding of the functions and evolution of pou5f3 in lower vertebrates, and also provides fundamental information for stem cell tracing and genetic manipulation in Paralichthys olivaceus.

  16. Translation initiation factor AteIF(iso4E is involved in selective mRNA translation in Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Ana Valeria Martínez-Silva

    Full Text Available One of the most regulated steps of translation initiation is the recruitment of mRNA by the translation machinery. In eukaryotes, this step is mediated by the 5'end cap-binding factor eIF4E bound to the bridge protein eIF4G and forming the eIF4F complex. In plants, different isoforms of eIF4E and eIF4G form the antigenically distinct eIF4F and eIF(iso4F complexes proposed to mediate selective translation. Using a microarray analysis of polyribosome- and non-polyribosome-purified mRNAs from 15 day-old Arabidopsis thaliana wild type [WT] and eIF(iso4E knockout mutant [(iso4E-1] seedlings we found 79 transcripts shifted from polyribosomes toward non-polyribosomes, and 47 mRNAs with the opposite behavior in the knockout mutant. The translationally decreased mRNAs were overrepresented in root-preferentially expressed genes and proteins from the endomembrane system, including several transporters such as the phosphate transporter PHOSPHATE1 (PHO1, Sucrose transporter 3 (SUC3, ABC transporter-like with ATPase activity (MRP11 and five electron transporters, as well as signal transduction-, protein modification- and transcription-related proteins. Under normal growth conditions, eIF(iso4E expression under the constitutive promoter 35 S enhanced the polyribosomal recruitment of PHO1 supporting its translational preference for eIF(iso4E. Furthermore, under phosphate deficiency, the PHO1 protein increased in the eIF(iso4E overexpressing plants and decreased in the knockout mutant as compared to wild type. In addition, the knockout mutant had larger root, whereas the 35 S directed expression of eIF(iso4E caused shorter root under normal growth conditions, but not under phosphate deficiency. These results indicate that selective translation mediated by eIF(iso4E is relevant for Arabidopsis root development under normal growth conditions.

  17. Effect of concentration variation on 2.0 µm emission of Ho3+-doped SiO2-Al2O3-Na2CO3-SrF2-CaF2 oxyfluorosilicate glasses

    Science.gov (United States)

    Gelija, Devarajulu; Borelli, Deva Prasad Raju

    2018-02-01

    The concentration variation of Ho3+ ion-doped SiO2-Al2O3-Na2CO3-SrF2-CaF2 glasses has been prepared by conventional melt quenching method. The thermal stability of 1 mol % of Ho3+-doped oxyfluorosilicate glass has been calculated using the differential thermal analysis (DTA) spectra. The phenomenological Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters Ωλ ( λ = 2, 4 and 6) were calculated for all concentrations of Ho3+ ions. The luminescence spectra in visible region of Ho3+ ion-doped glasses were recorded under the excitation wavelength of 452 nm. The spectra consists of several intense emission bands (5F4, 5S2) → 5I8 (547 nm), 5F3 → 5I8 (647 nm), 5F5 → 5I7 (660 nm) and (5F4, 5S2) → 5I7 (750 nm) in the range 500-780 nm. The fluorescence emission at ˜2.0 µm (5I7 → 5I8) was observed under the excitation of 488 nm Ar-ion laser. The stimulated emission cross section for 5I7 → 5I8 transition (˜2.0 µm) varies from 8.46 to 9.52 × 10-21 cm2, as calculated by the Fuchtbauer-Ladenburg (FL) theory. However, Mc-Cumber theory was used to calculate emission cross section values about 4.24-5.75 × 10-21 cm2 for the 5I7 → 5I8 transition in all concentrations of Ho3+-doped oxyfluorosilicate glasses. Therefore, these results reveal that the 0.5 mol % of Ho3+-doped oxyfluorosilicate glasses, exhibiting higher emission cross section, has potentially been used for laser applications at ˜ 2.0 µm.

  18. Evaluations of absorbed dose ratio factor of Al2O3 dosemeter in radiotherapy photon beams using cavity theory

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Zhu, J.; Chen, S.; Chen, L.; Liu, X.

    2012-01-01

    The aim of the work was to evaluate the absorbed dose ratio factor f md of an Al 2 O 3 dosemeter to water in photon radiotherapy beams using cavity theory. Burlin theory was used for calculating of this ratio. The effective mass attenuation coefficient β was obtained by comparing Monte Carlo simulations in monoenergetic photon beams. The evaluations of the absorbed dose ratio factor f md were studied for Al 2 O 3 dosemeters of different sizes, which were placed at various depths of the water phantom in different radiation field sizes of Mohan's 6, 10 and 15-MV X-rays. Beyond the build-up region, the variation of f md increases by 0.25 % as the depth increases from 4 to 10 cm. The maximum variation due to different dosemeter sizes is 8.3 %. The difference in the f md due to different radiation field sizes is 1.5 %. The effect of the dosemeter size cannot be neglected. The difference in the f md due to the radiation field sizes of different beams would increase as the dosemeter size increases. (authors)

  19. Theoretical analysis and intensity calculation for the f → d absorption spectrum of U3+ in the LiY F4 crystal

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Ning Lixin; Jiang Ying; Xia Shangda; Tanner, Peter A

    2003-01-01

    The 5f 3 → 5f 2 6d absorption spectrum of U 3+ in LiY F 4 has been well calculated using the model proposed by Reid for calculations of 4f N ↔ 4f N-1 5d spectra. The relevant formulae for the matrix element calculations which were omitted in this model are now described in detail, and the values of the direct and exchange coefficients associated with the f-d Coulomb interactions within the f 2 d configuration are derived and listed. The amount of reduction for the f-d Coulomb interaction parameters from the free-ion values is found to be ∼ 67% , which is much larger than the value of 26% for the isoelectronic Nd 3+ lanthanide ion in the same host

  20. Factors that prolong the 'postmortem interval until finding' (PMI-f) among community-dwelling elderly individuals in Japan: analysis of registration data.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Ito, Tomoko; Tamiya, Nanako; Takahashi, Hideto; Yamazaki, Kentaro; Yamamoto, Hideki; Sakano, Shoji; Kashiwagi, Masayo; Miyaishi, Satoru

    2012-01-01

    To clarify the factors affecting 'postmortem interval until finding' (PMI-f) among elderly unexpected death cases. Cross-sectional study. All area of Yamagata prefecture in Japan. Entering subjects were 5675 elderly cases with age of ≥65 years selected from all 9002 cases of unexpected death from 2002 to 2007 in Yamagata prefecture between 2002 and 2007. Our final study subjects consisted of 3387 cases sampled with several criteria to assess the factors to prolong PMI-f. The outcome was the postmortem interval until finding (PMI-f) as the time from death until finding the body which we defined in this study. 'Living alone' showed the highest adjusted HR (3.73, 95% CI 3.37 to 4.13), also 'unnatural death' (1.50, 1.28 to 1.75), 'found at own home' (1.37, 1.22 to 1.55) and 'younger subjects' (0.99, 0.98 to 0.99). In the model including interactions with the household situation, we found 'male subjects living alone' and 'female subjects living with family' tended to be found later. PMI-f is an effective outcome for quantitative analyses of risk of bodies left. To prevent the elderly dead bodies left for long time, it is necessary to keep regular home-based contact with elderly individuals living alone.

  1. NH4 Be2 BO3 F2 and γ-Be2 BO3 F: Overcoming the Layering Habit in KBe2 BO3 F2 for the Next-Generation Deep-Ultraviolet Nonlinear Optical Materials.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Peng, Guang; Ye, Ning; Lin, Zheshuai; Kang, Lei; Pan, Shilie; Zhang, Min; Lin, Chensheng; Long, Xifa; Luo, Min; Chen, Yu; Tang, Yu-Huan; Xu, Feng; Yan, Tao

    2018-05-12

    KBe 2 BO 3 F 2 (KBBF) is still the only practically usable crystal that can generate deep-ultraviolet (DUV) coherent light by direct second harmonic generation (SHG). However, applications are hindered by layering, leading to difficulty in the growth of thick crystals and compromised mechanical integrity. Despite efforts, it is still a great challenge to discover new nonlinear optical (NLO) materials that overcome the layering while keeping the DUV SHG available. Now, two new DUV NLO beryllium borates have been successfully designed and synthesized, NH 4 Be 2 BO 3 F 2 (ABBF) and γ-Be 2 BO 3 F (γ-BBF), which not only overcome the layering but also can be used as next-generation DUV NLO materials with the shortest type I phase-matching second-harmonic wavelength down to 173.9 nm and 146 nm, respectively. Significantly, γ-BBF is superior to KBBF in all metrics and would be the most outstanding DUV NLO crystal. © 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  2. Factors Associated with the Transition from Drug Abuse to Initiation of Injection Drug Use

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Mosayeb Yarmohamadi Vasel

    2015-06-01

    Full Text Available Objectives: Drug injection carries with it many risks and therefore it is important to understand the initiating factors of injection and its origins. Thus,  the purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with the initiation of injection drug use among substance abusers. Methods:  Study method was a cross-sectional study. The research statistics universe constitutes all people suffering from a substance dependence disorder with a pattern of injection use in Tehran and Hamedan. This study was conducted among 216 individuals with substance dependence disorders who were selected from harm reduction centers in Tehran and Hamedan. The sampling selection method was simply random. The instruments used for data collection included: demographic information, patterns of drug use and initiation of injection scales.  Results: In this study, the average age of initiation to injections was 22.5 years. Factors associated with initiation of drug injection included: acquired more pleasure, easier use, faster effect of injection, ineffective previous use method, curiosity, peer pressure, lack of availability of the drug, poverty, and low quality drugs. Discussion: Results of this study indicate that initiation factors to drug injection are multifaceted (Psychological, Social, Economic and Environmental, therefore, injection interventionists should consider all these factors for prevention, treatment and harm reduction.

  3. Synthesis and characterization of Er3+ doped CaF2 nanoparticles

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Zhi Guanglin; Song Jinghong; Mei Bingchu; Zhou Weibing

    2011-01-01

    Highlights: → Er 3+ :CaF 2 nanoparticles were synthesized by co-precipitation method with particle size of 8-36 nm. → Increasing dopant concentration increases lattice constants and decreases grain size. → Annealing treatment has a remarkable effect on luminescence properties. → Luminescence intensity decrease with the increasing of the dopant concentration. - Abstract: Er 3+ doped CaF 2 nanoparticles were synthesized by a chemical co-precipitation method. Effect of the dopant concentrations on the structure and optical properties of the CaF 2 nanoparticles was investigated. The X-ray powder diffraction and transmission electron microscopy analysis was used to characterize the structure and morphology of the nanoparticles. The nanoparticles with different dopant concentration exhibited a sphere-like morphology with diameters of about 8-36 nm. The incorporation of Er 3+ ions into CaF 2 resulted in the decrease in grain size and deterioration of crystallinity, but enlarged the lattice constants of CaF 2 . Additional annealing treatment at 400 deg. C to the prepared CaF 2 removed the NO 3 - and OH - groups adsorbed on the particles' surfaces, and improved the optical properties of the nanoparticles. The fluorescence intensity, with a maximum at approximately 0.4 mol%, decreased with the increase in doping concentration because of concentration quenching.

  4. Temperature dependence of the ultraviolet luminescence of Pr3+-doped 20Al(PO3)3-80LiF glass scintillator

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Tsuboi, Mizuki; Takeda, Kohei; Nakazato, Tomoharu

    2017-01-01

    The development of scintillator materials for scattered neutrons is essential in studying laser fusion experiments. We have previously investigated and proposed Pr 3+ -doped 20Al(PO 3 ) 3 -80LiF (APLF + Pr) glasses as scintillators for neutron detection. The APLF + Pr glass emissions are then investigated with synchrotron radiation excitation and varying sample temperature. APLF + Pr glasses exhibit luminescence emission located at 200 to 300 nm and 400 nm attributed to the 4f5d → 4f 2 and 4f 2 → 4f 2 ( 1 S 0 → 3 P j + 1 I 6 ) transitions, respectively. In addition, the 200 to 300-nm emission is not substantially affected by temperature, while the 400-nm emission intensities increase with decreasing sample temperature. This temperature dependence is attributed to cross relaxation whose effect can be controlled by the Pr-doping concentration. Our results suggest that doping concentration of APLF + Pr must be optimized and that APLF + Pr glasses must operate a low temperatures for better neutron detection. (author)

  5. Tunable luminescence in Bi{sup 3+} and Eu{sup 3+} co-doped Sr{sub 3}AlO{sub 4}F Oxyfluorides phosphors

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Noh, Minhee [Center for Green Fusion Technology and Department of Engineering in Energy & Applied Chemistry, Silla University, Busan 617-736 (Korea, Republic of); Cho, So-Hye [Center for Materials Architecturing, Institute of Multidisciplinary Convergence of Materials, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 130-650 (Korea, Republic of); Park, Sangmoon, E-mail: spark@silla.ac.kr [Center for Green Fusion Technology and Department of Engineering in Energy & Applied Chemistry, Silla University, Busan 617-736 (Korea, Republic of)

    2015-05-15

    Luminescent materials composed of Sr{sub 33(m+n)/2}Bi{sub m}Eu{sub n}AlO{sub 4}F (m=0.001–0.05, n=0–0.1) were prepared by the solid-state reaction method. The excitation and emission spectra of Sr{sub 33m/2}Bi{sub m}AlO{sub 4}F (m=0.001–0.05) were investigated using photoluminescence spectroscopy; broad-band emission peaks owing to the {sup 3}P{sub 1}→{sup 1}S{sub 0} transitions of the Bi{sup 3+} activator were observed centered near 427 nm. Critical emission quenching, as a function of Bi{sup 3+} content in Sr{sub 33m/2}Bi{sub m}AlO{sub 4}F, was observed at relatively low concentrations of the activator. The quantum efficiency of Sr{sub 2.985}Bi{sub 0.01}AlO{sub 4}F in comparison with sodium salicylate was explored. When Sr{sup 2+} ions in the oxyfluoride host were replaced by Bi{sup 3+} and Eu{sup 3+} ions, the effective s{sup 2}–sp and f–f transitions of the Bi{sup 3+} and Eu{sup 3+} ions, respectively, were simultaneously observed. The diverse excitation and emission photoluminescence spectra and color CIE coordinates, as well as the blue to orange-red emission, obtained using Sr{sub 33(m+n)/2}Bi{sub m}Eu{sub n}AlO{sub 4}F (m=0–0.05, n=0–0.1) phosphors are also discussed. - Highlights: • Sr{sub 33(m+n)/2}Bi{sub m}Eu{sub n}AlO{sub 4}F (m=0.001–0.05, n=0–0.1) phosphors was prepared. • Emission owing to the {sup 3}P{sub 1}→{sup 1}S{sub 0} transitions of the Bi{sup 3+} activator was observed. • Quantum efficiency of Sr{sub 2.985}Bi{sub 0.01}AlO{sub 4}F was explored. • s{sup 2}–sp and f–f transitions of the Bi{sup 3+} and Eu{sup 3+} ions were simultaneously observed. • CIE values including the emissions from blue to red regions were achieved.

  6. Uniqueness of Positive Solutions of Δu+f(u)=0 in N, N<=3

    Science.gov (United States)

    Cortázar, Carmen; Elgueta, Manuel; Felmer, Patricio

    We study the uniqueness of radial ground states for the semilinear elliptic partial differential equation $Δ u+f(u)=0 {(*)}$ in N. We assume that the function f has two zeros, the origin and u0>0. Above u0 the function f is positive, is locally Lipschitz continuous and satisfies convexity and growth conditions of a superlinear nature. Below u0, f is assumed to be non-positive, non-identically zero and merely continuous. Our results are obtained through a careful analysis of the solutions of an associated initial-value problem, and the use of a monotone separation theorem. It is known that, for a large class of functions f, the ground states of (*) are radially symmetric. In these cases our result implies that (*) possesses at most one ground state.

  7. Laser excited fluorescence spectrum of Ho3+:SrF2 single crystal

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Lal, Bansi; Ramachandra Rao, D.

    1980-01-01

    The fluorescence spectrum of Ho 3+ : SrF 2 single crystal excited by the various lines of an Ar + laser, is reported. The three fluorescence groups recorded in the region 5300-7700 A, correspond to the transitions from ( 5 F 4 , 5 S 2 ) to 5 I 8 , 5 F 5 to 5 I 8 , 5 F 3 to 5 I 7 and ( 5 F 4 , 5 S 2 ) to 5 I 7 . Marked changes in the total integrated intensity of the various fluorescence groups with the change in the exciting wavelength are observed. (author)

  8. Magnetic susceptibility of LaxCe1-xF3 single crystals

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Paradowski, M.L.; Pacyna, A.W.; Bombik, A.; Korczak, W.; Korczak, S.Z.

    2000-01-01

    The magnetic susceptibility of La x Ce 1-x F 3 single crystals, for 0 eff and paramagnetic Curie temperature θ p have been obtained, using the Curie-Weiss law in the temperature range 100-300 K. The interconfiguration excited energy E ex , the spin-fluctuation temperature T sf , and the g-values, corresponding to three Kramers doublets in the 2 F 5/2 ground multiplet of Ce 3+ ion in La x Ce 1-x F 3 have been determined, using quantum theory of paramagnetic susceptibility. The mixed-valent and crystal field effects influence significantly the g-values. The effect of the dilution of the paramagnetic Ce 3+ ions with diamagnetic La 3+ ions is also discussed

  9. Peak frequency and linewidth of the optical bands of F2 and F3+ centers in Lif

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Baldacchini, G.; De Nicola, E.; Montereali, R.M.; Scacco, A.; Kalinov, V.

    1999-01-01

    Optical absorption and emission spectra have been measured in LiF crystals colored with γ ray. The optical bands of various samples, suitably treated in order to create different relative concentrations of F 2 and F 3 + defects in the crystal lattice, have been studied in detail at 77 K and at room temperature, and resolved into their components. An accurate determination of the spectroscopic parameters of the absorption and emission bands of the aggregated defects in LiF has been achieved, and a critical comparison with previous data has been performed [it

  10. Upconversion improvement in KLaF{sub 4}:Yb{sup 3+}/Er{sup 3+} nanoparticles by doping Al{sup 3+} ions

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Zhou, Haifang [Fuzhou University, School of Physics and Information Engineering, and Institute of Micro-Nano Devices and Solar Cells, Fuzhou (China); Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Photovoltaic Science and Engineering, Changzhou, Jiangsu (China); Wang, Xiechun; Lai, Yunfeng; Cheng, Shuying; Zheng, Qiao; Yu, Jinlin [Fuzhou University, School of Physics and Information Engineering, and Institute of Micro-Nano Devices and Solar Cells, Fuzhou (China)

    2017-10-15

    Rare-earth ion-doped upconversion (UC) materials show great potential applications in optical and optoelectronic devices due to their novel optical properties. In this work, hexagonal KLaF{sub 4}:Yb{sup 3+}/Er{sup 3+} nanoparticles (NPs) were successfully synthesized by a hydrothermal method, and remarkably enhanced upconversion luminescence in green and red emission bands in KLaF{sub 4}:Yb{sup 3+}/Er{sup 3+} NPs has been achieved by doping Al{sup 3+} ions under 980 nm excitation. Compared to the aluminum-free KLaF{sub 4}:Yb{sup 3+}/Er{sup 3+} NPs sample, the UC fluorescence intensities of the green and red emissions of NPs doped with 10 at.% Al{sup 3+} ions were significantly enhanced by 5.9 and 7.3 times, respectively. Longer lifetimes of the doped samples were observed for the {sup 4}S{sub 3/2} state and {sup 4}F{sub 9/2} state. The underlying reason for the UC enhancement by doping Al{sup 3+} ions was mainly ascribed to distortion of the local symmetry around Er{sup 3+} ions and adsorption reduction of organic ligands on the surface of NPs. In addition, the influence of doping Al{sup 3+} ions on the structure and morphology of the NPs samples was also discussed. (orig.)

  11. Genome-wide profiling of H3K56 acetylation and transcription factor binding sites in human adipocytes.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Kinyui Alice Lo

    Full Text Available The growing epidemic of obesity and metabolic diseases calls for a better understanding of adipocyte biology. The regulation of transcription in adipocytes is particularly important, as it is a target for several therapeutic approaches. Transcriptional outcomes are influenced by both histone modifications and transcription factor binding. Although the epigenetic states and binding sites of several important transcription factors have been profiled in the mouse 3T3-L1 cell line, such data are lacking in human adipocytes. In this study, we identified H3K56 acetylation sites in human adipocytes derived from mesenchymal stem cells. H3K56 is acetylated by CBP and p300, and deacetylated by SIRT1, all are proteins with important roles in diabetes and insulin signaling. We found that while almost half of the genome shows signs of H3K56 acetylation, the highest level of H3K56 acetylation is associated with transcription factors and proteins in the adipokine signaling and Type II Diabetes pathways. In order to discover the transcription factors that recruit acetyltransferases and deacetylases to sites of H3K56 acetylation, we analyzed DNA sequences near H3K56 acetylated regions and found that the E2F recognition sequence was enriched. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by high-throughput sequencing, we confirmed that genes bound by E2F4, as well as those by HSF-1 and C/EBPα, have higher than expected levels of H3K56 acetylation, and that the transcription factor binding sites and acetylation sites are often adjacent but rarely overlap. We also discovered a significant difference between bound targets of C/EBPα in 3T3-L1 and human adipocytes, highlighting the need to construct species-specific epigenetic and transcription factor binding site maps. This is the first genome-wide profile of H3K56 acetylation, E2F4, C/EBPα and HSF-1 binding in human adipocytes, and will serve as an important resource for better understanding adipocyte

  12. A study of low threshold and high gain Nd3+ ions doped SiO2-B2O3-Na2CO3-NaF-CaF2 glasses for NIR laser applications

    Science.gov (United States)

    Megala, Rajesh; Gowthami, T.; John Sushma, N.; Kamala, S.; Deva Prasad Raju, B.

    2018-05-01

    Fluoroborosilicate glasses of composition 35SiO2-25B2O3-10Na2CO3-15NaF-15CaF2-xNd2O3 (where x = 0.1, 0.5. 1.0, 2.0 mol%) were prepared by melt quenching technique and various physical properties have been calculated. From the absorption spectra J-O Intensity parameters Ωλ (λ = 2, 4, 6) and radiative properties are evaluated by using J-O theory. The high values of Ω2 = 4.213 × 10-20 cm2, Ω4 = 5.345 × 10-20 cm2, Ω6 = 5.526 × 10-20 cm2 suggest that among the prepared glasses 0.5 mol% Nd glass is more asymmetric, more covalent and rigid in nature. The emission spectra were recorded with 808 nm laser as excitation source. The strong NIR emissions were observed at 876 nm, 1056 nm, 1328 nm corresponding to the transitions 4F3/2 → 4I9/2, 4F3/2 → 4I11/2, 4F3/2 → 4I13/2 respectively. Stimulated emission cross -section (σemi) and Gain bandwidth (σemi × Δλeff) were calculated. For 0.5 mol% Nd these values are found to be 3.30 × 10-20 cm2, 11 × 10-26 cm2. From the decay curve analysis the lifetime values for 4F3/2 level have been determined and these values are decreased with increase in Nd3+ ions concentration. These results may suggest that the prepared SBNCNd05 (Nd = 0.5 mol%) glass could be useful for 1056 nm laser applications.

  13. Comparison of Positron Emission Tomography Using 2-[18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose and 3-deoxy-3-[18F]-fluorothymidine in Lung Cancer Imaging

    Science.gov (United States)

    Wang, Fu-Li; Tan, Ye-Ying; Gu, Xiang-Min; Li, Tian-Ran; Lu, Guang-Ming; Liu, Gang; Huo, Tian-Long

    2016-01-01

    Background: The detection of solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs) that may potentially develop into a malignant lesion is essential for early clinical interventions. However, grading classification based on computed tomography (CT) imaging results remains a significant challenge. The 2-[18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/CT imaging produces both false-positive and false-negative findings for the diagnosis of SPNs. In this study, we compared 18F-FDG and 3-deoxy-3-[18F]-fluorothymidine (18F-FLT) in lung cancer PET/CT imaging. Methods: The binding ratios of the two tracers to A549 lung cancer cells were calculated. The mouse lung cancer model was established (n = 12), and micro-PET/CT analysis using the two tracers was performed. Images using the two tracers were collected from 55 lung cancer patients with SPNs. The correlation among the cell-tracer binding ratios, standardized uptake values (SUVs), and Ki-67 proliferation marker expression were investigated. Results: The cell-tracer binding ratio for the A549 cells using the 18F-FDG was greater than the ratio using 18F-FLT (P < 0.05). The Ki-67 expression showed a significant positive correlation with the 18F-FLT binding ratio (r = 0.824, P < 0.01). The tumor-to-nontumor uptake ratio of 18F-FDG imaging in xenografts was higher than that of 18F-FLT imaging. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and the accuracy of 18F-FDG for lung cancer were 89%, 67%, and 73%, respectively. Moreover, the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and the accuracy of 18F-FLT for lung cancer were 71%, 79%, and 76%, respectively. There was an obvious positive correlation between the lung cancer Ki-67 expression and the mean maximum SUV of 18F-FDG and 18F-FLT (r = 0.658, P < 0.05 and r = 0.724, P < 0.01, respectively). Conclusions: The 18F-FDG uptake ratio is higher than that of 18F-FLT in A549 cells at the cellular level. 18F-FLT imaging might be superior for the quantitative diagnosis of lung tumor

  14. Strong gravitational lensing in f (χ) = χ{sup 3/2} gravity

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Campigotto, M.C.; Diaferio, A. [Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Torino, Via P. Giuria 1, 10125, Torino (Italy); Hernandez, X. [Instituto de Astronomia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Ciudad de Mexico 04510 (Mexico); Fatibene, L., E-mail: martacostanza.campigotto@to.infn.it, E-mail: antonaldo.diaferio@unito.it, E-mail: xavier@astro.unam.mx, E-mail: lorenzo.fatibene@unito.it [Dipartimento di Matematica, Università di Torino, Via C. Alberto 10, 10123, Torino (Italy)

    2017-06-01

    We discuss the phenomenology of gravitational lensing in the purely metric f (χ) gravity, an f ( R ) gravity where the action of the gravitational field depends on the source mass. We focus on the strong lensing regime in galaxy-galaxy lens systems and in clusters of galaxies. By adopting point-like lenses and using an approximate metric solution accurate to second order of the velocity field v / c , we show how, in the f (χ) = χ{sup 3/2} gravity, the same light deflection can be produced by lenses with masses smaller than in General Relativity (GR); this mass difference increases with increasing impact parameter and decreasing lens mass. However, for sufficiently massive point-like lenses and small impact parameters, f (χ) = χ{sup 3/2} and GR yield indistinguishable light deflection angles: this regime occurs both in observed galaxy-galaxy lens systems and in the central regions of galaxy clusters. In the former systems, the GR and f (χ) masses are compatible with the mass of standard stellar populations and little or no dark matter, whereas, on the scales of the core of galaxy clusters, the presence of substantial dark matter is required by our point-like lenses both in GR and in our approximate f (χ) = χ{sup 3/2} solution. We thus conclude that our approximate metric solution of f (χ) = χ{sup 3/2} is unable to describe the observed phenomenology of the strong lensing regime without the aid of dark matter.

  15. Functional interrelationship between TFII-I and E2F transcription factors at specific cell cycle gene loci.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Shen, Yong; Nar, Rukiye; Fan, Alex X; Aryan, Mahmoud; Hossain, Mir A; Gurumurthy, Aishwarya; Wassel, Paul C; Tang, Ming; Lu, Jianrong; Strouboulis, John; Bungert, Jörg

    2018-01-01

    Transcription factor TFII-I is a multifunctional protein implicated in the regulation of cell cycle and stress-response genes. Previous studies have shown that a subset of TFII-I associated genomic sites contained DNA-binding motifs for E2F family transcription factors. We analyzed the co-association of TFII-I and E2Fs in more detail using bioinformatics, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and co-immunoprecipitation experiments. The data show that TFII-I interacts with E2F transcription factors. Furthermore, TFII-I, E2F4, and E2F6 interact with DNA-regulatory elements of several genes implicated in the regulation of the cell cycle, including DNMT1, HDAC1, CDKN1C, and CDC27. Inhibition of TFII-I expression led to a decrease in gene expression and in the association of E2F4 and E2F6 with these gene loci in human erythroleukemia K562 cells. Finally, TFII-I deficiency reduced the proliferation of K562 cells and increased the sensitivity toward doxorubicin toxicity. The results uncover novel interactions between TFII-I and E2Fs and suggest that TFII-I mediates E2F function at specific cell cycle genes. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  16. Enzymatic hydrolysis of alkali-pretreated rice straw by Trichoderma reesei ZM4-F3

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Zhang, QiuZhuo [Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090 (China); Cai, WeiMin [Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090 (China); School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Minhang District, Shanghai 200240 (China)

    2008-12-15

    To minimize the cost of cellulase production, both pretreatment of the rice straw and on-site enzyme production were realized. Rice straw was first pretreated by 2% NaOH, which could increase cellulose by 54.83%, and decreased hemicellulose by 61.07% and lignin by 36.24%, respectively. Detected by SEM, significant morphological changes were observed in the tissue. Through orthogonal experiments, temperature 35 C, initial pH value 4.5 and the rotation speed of shaking bed 180 rpm were determined to be the optimal conditions for hydrolysis of rice straw by Trichoderma reesei ZM4-F3. After hydrolysis for 96 h, the production of FPA and reducing sugars could achieve 2.231 g l{sup -1} and 12.92 U ml{sup -1}, respectively. Moreover, T. reesei ZM4-F3 can decompose 68.21% of pretreated rice straw after 120 h of hydrolysis. By GC analysis, it showed that glucose is the main component of the enzymatic hydrolysates, which made GC seem to be more effective than the DNS method for analysis of the enzymatic hydrolysates as it can detect the concentration of each kind of monosaccharide more accurately. (author)

  17. Tissue Factor-Factor VII Complex As a Key Regulator of Ovarian Cancer Phenotypes.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Koizume, Shiro; Miyagi, Yohei

    2015-01-01

    Tissue factor (TF) is an integral membrane protein widely expressed in normal human cells. Blood coagulation factor VII (fVII) is a key enzyme in the extrinsic coagulation cascade that is predominantly secreted by hepatocytes and released into the bloodstream. The TF-fVII complex is aberrantly expressed on the surface of cancer cells, including ovarian cancer cells. This procoagulant complex can initiate intracellular signaling mechanisms, resulting in malignant phenotypes. Cancer tissues are chronically exposed to hypoxia. TF and fVII can be induced in response to hypoxia in ovarian cancer cells at the gene expression level, leading to the autonomous production of the TF-fVII complex. Here, we discuss the roles of the TF-fVII complex in the induction of malignant phenotypes in ovarian cancer cells. The hypoxic nature of ovarian cancer tissues and the roles of TF expression in endometriosis are discussed. Arguments will be extended to potential strategies to treat ovarian cancers based on our current knowledge of TF-fVII function.

  18. The reaction of Cs{sub 2}[Tc(NO)F{sub 5}] with BF{sub 3} in acetonitrile. Formation and structure of [{Tc(NO)(CH_3CN)_4}{sub 2}(μ-F)](BF{sub 4}){sub 3}

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Balasekaran, Samundeeswari Mariappan [Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universitaet Berlin (Germany); Department of Chemistry, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV (United States); Hagenbach, Adelheid; Spandl, Johann; Abram, Ulrich [Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universitaet Berlin (Germany)

    2017-10-04

    The deep blue, paramagnetic Cs{sub 2}[Tc{sup II}(NO)F{sub 5}] is formed during reactions of pertechnetate, acetohydroxamic acid, and CsF in aqueous HF. A reaction of Cs{sub 2}[Tc(NO)F{sub 5}] with BF{sub 3}.MeOH in acetonitrile gives yellow blocks of the fluorido-bridged dimer [{Tc"I(NO)(CH_3CN)_4}{sub 2}F](BF{sub 4}){sub 3}. The compound is stable as solid and in acetonitrile solutions. The complex cation contains a bent μ-F{sup -} ligand and two linear nitrosyl groups. (copyright 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

  19. Thermoluminescence property of LiMgF{sub 3} erbium activated phosphor

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Munoz, I.C. [Departamento de Ciencias Quimico Biologicas, Universidad de Sonora, A.P. 130, Hermosillo, Sonora 83000 (Mexico); Cruz-Zaragoza, E., E-mail: ecruz@nucleares.unam.mx [Instituto de Ciencias Nucleares, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, A.P. 70-543, Mexico 04510 D.F. (Mexico); Favalli, A. [Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545 (United States); Furetta, C. [Touro University Rome, Division of Touro College New York, Circne Gianicolense 15-17, 00153 Rome (Italy)

    2012-05-15

    The perovskite-like LiMgF{sub 3}:ErF{sub 3} pellets were obtained from the melt formed by LiF and MgF{sub 2} mixed salts in the stoichiometric ratio. The perovskite material was doped with 1, 2 and 4 mol% of ErF{sub 3} impurity. The pellets samples were {sup 60}Co gamma irradiated and their thermoluminescence (TL) properties were analyzed, i.e., dose-response, fading at RT and under UV irradiation, TL signal reproducibility, and kinetic parameters. The intensity of the TL response against irradiation dose was increased remarkably by the high concentration of impurity, and a linear dose-response was observed in the range of 1-10 Gy. The fading observed at RT was about 10-30% after 24 h from irradiation. All samples were exposed from 1 to 200 Gy gamma dose range. The TL glow peaks were found around 367-376, 438-447, 509-521, and 594-611 K, when the doped samples were 1, 2 and 4 mol% of the erbium impurity concentration. The thermoluminescence kinetics parameters of the glow curves have been analyzed using the Computerized Glow Curve Deconvolution (CGCD) method. - Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Perovskite-like LiMgF{sub 3} pellets were doped with 1, 2, and 4 mol% of ErF{sub 3} impurity. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Thermoluminescence properties and kinetics parameters were analyzed. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Dose-response, fading at RT and under UV irradiation and reproducibility are reported. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Four TL glow peaks were observed between 367 and 611 K, for all samples. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Glow curves have been analyzed using the CGCD method.

  20. Effects of sucrose and cornstarch on 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ)-induced colon and liver carcinogenesis in F344 rats

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Lindecrona, R.H.; Dragsted, Lars Ove; Poulsen, Morten

    2004-01-01

    The purpose of the present study was to compare the effect of sucrose and cornstarch on colon and liver carcinogenesis induced by 0.02% of the food-borne carcinogen 2-amino-3-methylimidazo [4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) in the feed. Male F344 rats were allocated to four groups. Two groups were fed diets...... high in either cornstarch (68%) or sucrose (34% sucrose/34% cornstarch) and were initiated with IQ. The remaining two groups received the same two diets but did not receive any IQ. In both liver and colon, administration of IQ resulted in a higher level of DNA adducts. In animals not dosed with IQ......, sucrose increased the adduct level in both organs but to a lower level than IQ. However, simultaneous administration of IQ and sucrose did not further increase the adduct level. Both IQ and sucrose increased the expression of the DNA-repair enzyme ERCC1 in the liver. In the colon, the number of large...

  1. Signals for the initiation and termination of synthesis of the viral strand of bacteriophage f1

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Dotto, G.P.; Horiuchi, K.; Jakes, K.S.; Zinder, N.D.

    1983-01-01

    In this paper the sequence around the plus origin that is required for efficient plus-strand synthesis as well as that necessary for gene-II-protein recognition is described. Results which demonstrate that the nucleotide sequence of the f1 plus origin contains two overlapping but distinct signals, one for initiation and the other for termination of plus-strand synthesis is presented. 29 references, 6 figures, 1 table

  2. 17 CFR 240.12f-3 - Termination or suspension of unlisted trading privileges.

    Science.gov (United States)

    2010-04-01

    ... unlisted trading privileges. 240.12f-3 Section 240.12f-3 Commodity and Securities Exchanges SECURITIES AND... Regulations Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Unlisted Trading § 240.12f-3 Termination or suspension of unlisted trading privileges. (a) The issuer of any security for which unlisted trading privileges...

  3. Interaction of xenone difluoride with the fluorocomplexes of lanthanides and rubidium of the Rb3M3F6 composition

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Goryachenkov, S.A.; Fadeeva, N.E.; Kiselev, Yu.M.; Martynenko, L.I.; Spitsyn, V.I.

    1984-01-01

    The possibility of preparing rubidium fluorocomplexes of tetravalent lanthanides of the Rb 3 M 4 F 7 composition from Rb 3 M 3 F 6 (M 3 =Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb) with XeF 2 has been studied. By the DTA method it is shown that Ce and Pr salts are fluorinated respectively at approximately 100 and approximately 235 deg C with a noticeable exoeffect. Tb and Dy salts fluorination proceeds with considerable kinetic difficulties. The fluorination products composition, Rb 3 M 4 F 7 (M 4 =Ce, Pr, Tb, Dy) is confirmed by the methods of chemical, IR-spectroscopic and X-ray phase analyses. XeF 2 interaction with Rb 3 M 3 F 6 salts of other lanthanides up to 400 deg C has not been observed

  4. Effect of concentration variation on 2.0 μm emission of Ho3+-doped SiO2-Al2O3-Na2CO3-SrF2-CaF2 oxyfluorosilicate glasses

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Gelija, Devarajulu; Borelli, Deva Prasad Raju

    2018-01-01

    The concentration variation of Ho 3+ ion-doped SiO 2 -Al 2 O 3 -Na 2 CO 3 -SrF 2 -CaF 2 glasses has been prepared by conventional melt quenching method. The thermal stability of 1 mol % of Ho 3+ -doped oxyfluorosilicate glass has been calculated using the differential thermal analysis (DTA) spectra. The phenomenological Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters Ω λ (λ = 2, 4 and 6) were calculated for all concentrations of Ho 3+ ions. The luminescence spectra in visible region of Ho 3+ ion-doped glasses were recorded under the excitation wavelength of 452 nm. The spectra consists of several intense emission bands ( 5 F 4 , 5 S 2 ) → 5 I 8 (547 nm), 5 F 3 → 5 I 8 (647 nm), 5 F 5 → 5 I 7 (660 nm) and ( 5 F 4 , 5 S 2 ) → 5 I 7 (750 nm) in the range 500-780 nm. The fluorescence emission at ∝ 2.0 μm ( 5 I 7 → 5 I 8 ) was observed under the excitation of 488 nm Ar-ion laser. The stimulated emission cross section for 5 I 7 → 5 I 8 transition (∝ 2.0 μm) varies from 8.46 to 9.52 x 10 -21 cm 2 , as calculated by the Fuchtbauer-Ladenburg (FL) theory. However, Mc-Cumber theory was used to calculate emission cross section values about 4.24-5.75 x 10 -21 cm 2 for the 5 I 7 → 5 I 8 transition in all concentrations of Ho 3+ -doped oxyfluorosilicate glasses. Therefore, these results reveal that the 0.5 mol % of Ho 3+ -doped oxyfluorosilicate glasses, exhibiting higher emission cross section, has potentially been used for laser applications at ∝ 2.0 μm. (orig.)

  5. Copy number variations of E2F1: a new genetic risk factor for testicular cancer.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Rocca, Maria Santa; Di Nisio, Andrea; Marchiori, Arianna; Ghezzi, Marco; Opocher, Giuseppe; Foresta, Carlo; Ferlin, Alberto

    2017-03-01

    Testicular germ cell tumor (TGCT) is one of the most heritable forms of cancer. In last years, many evidence suggested that constitutional genetic factors, mainly single nucleotide polymorphisms, can increase its risk. However, the possible contribution of copy number variations (CNVs) in TGCT susceptibility has not been substantially addressed. Indeed, an increasing number of studies have focused on the effect of CNVs on gene expression and on the role of these structural genetic variations as risk factors for different forms of cancer. E2F1 is a transcription factor that plays an important role in regulating cell growth, differentiation, apoptosis and response to DNA damage. Therefore, deficiency or overexpression of this protein might significantly influence fundamental biological processes involved in cancer development and progression, including TGCT. We analyzed E2F1 CNVs in 261 cases with TGCT and 165 controls. We found no CNVs in controls, but 17/261 (6.5%) cases showed duplications in E2F1 Blot analysis demonstrated higher E2F1 expression in testicular samples of TGCT cases with three copies of the gene. Furthermore, we observed higher phosphorylation of Akt and mTOR in samples with E2F1 duplication. Interestingly, normal, non-tumoral testicular tissue in patient with E2F1 duplication showed lower expression of E2F1 and lower AKT/mTOR phosphorylation with respect to adjacent tumor tissue. Furthermore, increased expression of E2F1 obtained in vitro in NTERA-2 testicular cell line induced increased AKT/mTOR phosphorylation. This study suggests for the first time an involvement of E2F1 CNVs in TGCT susceptibility and supports previous preliminary data on the importance of AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in this cancer. © 2017 Society for Endocrinology.

  6. Overall impact of speed-related initiatives and factors on crash outcomes.

    Science.gov (United States)

    D'Elia, A; Newstead, S; Cameron, M

    2007-01-01

    From December 2000 until July 2002 a package of speed-related initiatives and factors took place in Victoria, Australia. The broad aim of this study was to evaluate the overall impact of the package on crash outcomes. Monthly crash counts and injury severity proportions were assessed using Poisson and logistic regression models respectively. The model measured the overall effect of the package after adjusting as far as possible for non-speed road safety initiatives and socio-economic factors. The speed-related package was associated with statistically significant estimated reductions in casualty crashes and suggested reductions in injury severity with trends towards increased reductions over time. From December 2000 until July 2002, three new speed enforcement initiatives were implemented in Victoria, Australia. These initiatives were introduced in stages and involved the following key components: More covert operations of mobile speed cameras, including flash-less operations; 50% increase in speed camera operating hours; and lowering of cameras' speed detection threshold. In addition, during the period 2001 to 2002, the 50 km/h General Urban Speed Limit (GUSL) was introduced (January 2001), there was an increase in speed-related advertising including the "Wipe Off 5" campaign, media announcements were made related to the above enforcement initiatives and there was a speeding penalty restructure. The above elements combine to make up a package of speed-related initiatives and factors. The package represents a broad, long term program by Victorian government agencies to reduce speed based on three linked strategies: more intensive Police enforcement of speed limits to deter potential offenders, i.e. the three new speed enforcement initiatives just described - supported by higher penalties; a reduction in the speed limit on local streets throughout Victoria from 60 km/h to 50 km/h; and provision of information using the mass media (television, radio and billboard) to

  7. Adult Diffuse Astrocytoma in the Medulla Oblongata: Molecular Biological Analyses Including H3F3A Mutation of Histone H3.3.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Uekawa, Ken; Nakamura, Hideo; Shinojima, Naoki; Takezaki, Tatsuya; Yano, Shigetoshi; Kuratsu, Jun-Ichi

    2016-04-01

    Unlike in children, brain stem gliomas in adult are rare and still poorly understood. In addition, most adult brain stem gliomas result predominantly in the pons and are less often found in the medulla oblongata. Here, we report a case of an adult glioma in the medulla oblongata and its molecular biological features. A 46-year-old male presented with gait disturbance, paresthesia, and dysphagia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a diffuse hyper-intensive lesion in the medulla oblongata on a T 2 -weighted image without gadolinium contrast enhancement. We performed an open biopsy and the lesion was pathologically diagnosed as a diffuse astrocytoma. Molecular biological analyses revealed the absence of histone H3.3 mutation (H3F3A K27M), and presence of methylation of O-6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter and a mutation in isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH-1). The patient received local radiotherapy and temozolomide chemotherapy. The patient's symptoms were ameliorated, and MRI showed no tumor growth at 6 months after the initial treatment. Biopsy for brain stem lesions is generally thought to have risk of complications, but if performed minimally, it is useful to diagnose and determine treatment strategy. Obtaining patient characteristics and molecular biological features will provide insight towards therapeutic treatment for adult brain stem gliomas.

  8. Ultraviolet-visible optical isolators based on CeF3 Faraday rotator

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Víllora, Encarnación G.; Shimamura, Kiyoshi; Plaza, Gustavo R.

    2015-01-01

    The first ultraviolet (UV) and visible optical isolators based on CeF 3 are demonstrated. CeF 3 possesses unique properties as Faraday rotator for the UV-visible wavelength region: a wide transparency range (wavelength of >300 nm) and an outstanding Verdet constant. In contrast, currently used terbium-gallium garnets and magneto-optical glasses possess a low transparency in the visible and a small Verdet constant in the UV, respectively. The optical isolator prototypes consist of a CeF 3 rod, a single ring magnet, and a couple of beam splitters. The ring magnets have been designed to guarantee a homogeneous magnetic field; for it, numerical simulations have been carried out. The two prototypes are very compact and operate in the UV at 355 and in the visible at 405 nm, respectively. The performance of these devices indicates the high potential of CeF 3 as a new UV-visible Faraday rotator, specially for shorter wavelengths where at present there are no optical isolators available

  9. Supplementary data: Table 1. QTL for tassel related traits of F2:3 ...

    Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

    User

    Supplementary data: Table 1. QTL for tassel related traits of F2:3 population across and RIL population through single-environment analysis (SEA). Trait. Population. Environment. QTL. Binlocusa. Flanking marker. Peak position. (cM). Range. (cM)b. Ac. Dd. Gene actione. R2(%)f. Subtotal R2. (%)g. F(0.05)h type. TTL. F2:3.

  10. Influenza virus PB1-F2 protein induces cell death through mitochondrial ANT3 and VDAC1.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Dmitriy Zamarin

    2005-09-01

    Full Text Available The influenza virus PB1-F2 is an 87-amino acid mitochondrial protein that previously has been shown to induce cell death, although the mechanism of apoptosis induction has remained unclear. In the process of characterizing its mechanism of action we found that the viral PB1-F2 protein sensitizes cells to apoptotic stimuli such as tumor necrosis factor alpha, as demonstrated by increased cleavage of caspase 3 substrates in PB1-F2-expressing cells. Moreover, treatment of purified mouse liver mitochondria with recombinant PB1-F2 protein resulted in cytochrome c release, loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential, and enhancement of tBid-induced mitochondrial permeabilization, suggesting a possible mechanism for the observed cellular sensitization to apoptosis. Using glutathione-S-transferase pulldowns with subsequent mass spectrometric analysis, we identified the mitochondrial interactors of the PB1-F2 protein and showed that the viral protein uniquely interacts with the inner mitochondrial membrane adenine nucleotide translocator 3 and the outer mitochondrial membrane voltage-dependent anion channel 1, both of which are implicated in the mitochondrial permeability transition during apoptosis. Consistent with this interaction, blockers of the permeability transition pore complex (PTPC inhibited PB1-F2-induced mitochondrial permeabilization. Based on our findings, we propose a model whereby the proapoptotic PB1-F2 protein acts through the mitochondrial PTPC and may play a role in the down-regulation of the host immune response to infection.

  11. Comparison of Model Systems (M+n·[CrX63−] and M3CrX6 + 18MX Based on Quantum-Chemical Calculations (X: F, Cl

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Vyacheslav Kremenetsky

    2016-01-01

    Full Text Available On the basis of quantum-chemical calculations the most stable particle compositions are estimated in such model systems as (M+n·[CrCl6] and M3CrCl6 + 18MCl (M = Na, K, and Cs. In all systems these particles are positively charged. For systems (M+n·[CrCl6], (M+n·[CrF6], M3CrF6 + 18MCl, M3CrF6 + 18MF, and M3CrCl6 + 18MCl (M = Na, K, and Cs a number of energy parameters characterizing the state of the system before and after electron transfer are calculated. The results indicate the possibility of electron transfer from the cathode to the melt system, which is in the initial state. However, this possibility cannot be realized in systems where LUMOs (lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals have purely ligand character. In this case, the preliminary deformation of a cationic shell of electroactive species is required; it transforms the initial system to the transition state. However, in all considered systems the search of the transition state should be carried close to the initial state Pi. This greatly simplifies a problem and transforms it from a purely theoretical sphere to the field of practical tasks that do not require exceptional cost of computer time.

  12. Data of evolutionary structure change: 1F3XD-3EOEC [Confc[Archive

    Lifescience Database Archive (English)

    Full Text Available IQDLK-FGVEQ >HHHHH-HHHH > ATOM 1...bID>3EOE C 3EOEC KHDILNFGIPM ...>HHHIIIII > ATOM 8495 CA LYS C 210 4.419 -1...ETT >E -- E> ATOM 7912 CA ASP C ...ain>D 1F3XD DNAYMEKCDENI > GGG EE E

  13. The E2F transcription factors: key regulators of cell proliferation

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Müller, H; Helin, K

    2000-01-01

    Ever since its discovery, the RB-1 gene and the corresponding protein, pRB, have been a focal point of cancer research. The isolation of E2F transcription factors provided the key to our current understanding of RB-1 function in the regulation of the cell cycle and in tumor suppression....... It is becoming more and more evident that the regulatory circuits governing the cell cycle are very complex and highly interlinked. Certain aspects of RB-1 function, for instance its role in differentiation, cannot be easily explained by the current models of pRB-E2F interaction. One reason is that pRB has...

  14. Site symmetry and crystal field of Ce{sup 3+} luminescent centres in KMgF{sub 3}

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Yamaga, M. [Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Gifu University, Gifu (Japan); Honda, M.; Kawamata, N. [Faculty of Science, Naruto University of Education, Naruto (Japan); Fujita, T.; Shimamura, K.; Fukuda, T. [Institute for Materials Research, Tohoku University, Sendai (Japan)

    2001-04-09

    The electron-spin resonance (ESR) spectra of Ce{sup 3+} in KMgF{sub 3} observed at low temperatures (<20 K) show that two tetragonal and two orthorhombic Ce{sup 3+} centres exist in the absence of a cubic centre. These Ce{sup 3+} centres are strongly associated with substitution of Ce{sup 3+} ions for K{sup +} ions with K{sup +}-ion vacancies at three different sites and for a Mg{sup 2+} ion with a vacancy of the nearest neighbour Mg{sup 2+} ion along the [101] direction as charge compensators. The optical absorption spectrum of Ce{sup 3+} in KMgF{sub 3} measured at room temperature consists of two intense broadbands with peaks at 229 and 237 nm, and two weak bands with peaks at 203 and 211 nm corresponding to the transition from the ground state {sup 2}F{sub 5/2} to the 5d{sup 1} excited states of Ce{sup 3+}. The Ce{sup 3+} luminescence spectrum excited at 229 or 237 nm at room temperature is composed of broadbands with double peaks at 265 and 282 nm, which are due to the ground-state splitting between {sup 2}F{sub 5/2} and {sup 2}F{sub 7/2}. The peak of the weak luminescence band excited at a tail (250-280 nm) of the intense absorption bands is shifted to lower energy. The intense and weak Ce{sup 3+} luminescence bands are assigned to Ce{sup 3+} ions substituting for K{sup +} ions away from and near to K{sup +}-ion vacancies, respectively. The luminescence from Ce{sup 3+} ions substituting for Mg{sup 2+} ions could not be observed at room temperature. (author)

  15. Ab initio study of the lattice dynamics of CsNiF3

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Legut, Dominik; Wdowik, Urszula D

    2010-01-01

    Lattice dynamics of the quasi-one-dimensional ferromagnetic chain-like structure of CsNiF 3 has been studied using density functional theory and the direct method. Investigations were limited to the harmonic approximation. Antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic spin orderings on Ni atoms were considered. It is found that phonons remain practically insensitive to the type of magnetic arrangement. The difference in the calculated Helmholtz free energies between antiferro- and ferromagnetic ordering is too small to provide sufficient information on the preference of the type of magnetic ordering in CsNiF 3 . Calculated acoustic phonons agree very well with the inelastic neutron scattering experiments, while the optical phonons remain in an acceptable agreement with Raman and infrared measurements. Comparison of the experimental heat capacity and the calculated lattice contribution to the heat capacity shows that the magnetic contribution is negligible above 20-30 K. Thermal motions of particular atoms in CsNiF 3 crystals are highly anisotropic with surprisingly high mean-squared vibrations of Cs ions which exceed thermal vibrations of very light F ions. Such a behavior could be explained by the difference of the force constants between the Cs and F sites which overcomes the effect associated with the difference between masses of Cs and F ions. Nickel cations reveal very high on-site force constants, i.e. very low amplitudes of thermal vibrations, as they form some kind of rigid rods in the CsNiF 3 lattice. Calculated elastic constants indicate CsNiF 3 to be rather a soft material.

  16. Drainage characteristics of the 3F MicroStent using a novel film occlusion anchoring mechanism.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Lange, Dirk; Hoag, Nathan A; Poh, Beow Kiong; Chew, Ben H

    2011-06-01

    To determine whether the overall ureteral flow through an obstructed ureter using the 3F MicroStent™ that uses a novel film occlusion anchoring mechanism is comparable to the flow using a conventional 3F and 4.7F Double-J stent. An in vitro silicone ureter model and an ex vivo porcine urinary model (kidney and ureter) were used to measure the overall flow through obstructed and unobstructed ureters with either a 3F Double-J stent (Cook), 3F MicroStent (PercSys), or 4.7F Double-J stent (Cook). Mean flow rates were compared with descriptive statistics. Mean flow rates through the obstructed silicone ureter (12-mm stone) for the 3F MicroStent, 3F Double-J stent, and 4.7F Double-J stent were 326.7±13.3  mL/min, 283.3±19.2  mL/min, and 356.7±14.1  mL/min, respectively. In the obstructed ex vivo porcine ureter model, the flow as a percentage of free flow was 60%, 53%, and 50 %, respectively. In both ureteral models, flow rates of the 3F MicroStent and 4.7F Double-J stents were not statistically different. The 3F MicroStent demonstrated drainage equivalent to a 4.7F Double-J stent, in both in vitro silicone and ex vivo porcine obstructed urinary models. We have demonstrated the crucial first step that this 3F stent, using a novel film occlusion anchoring mechanism, has equivalent, if not slightly improved, drainage rates when compared with its larger counterpart.

  17. Some particularities of impurity center structure in concentrated solid solutions MeF2-GdF3, where Me-Ca2+, Sr2+ and Ba2+

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Karelin, V.V.; Orlov, Yu.N.; Bozhevol'nov, V.E.; Ivanov, L.N.

    1981-01-01

    The monocrystalline CaF 2 -GdF 3 , SrF 2 -GdF 3 and BaF 2 -GdF 3 systems are studied using the methods of EPR, photo-, radio-, cathode- and thermoluminescence. It is shown that the structure of fluorite solid solutions changes considerably with the growth of the rare earth component concentration. At that, in the systems investigated at least three concentration regions can be singled out: (up to 1%; from 1 to 15%, and > 15% GdF 3 ) which are characterized by their certain selection of impurity centres [ru

  18. Initial results of hypoxia imaging using 1-{alpha}-d-(5-deoxy-5-[{sup 18}F]-fluoroarabinofuranosyl)-2-nitroimidazole ({sup 18}F-FAZA)

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Postema, Ernst J.; McEwan, Alexander J.B.; Riauka, Terence A.; Kumar, Piyush; Richmond, Dacia A.; Abrams, Douglas N. [University of Alberta, Department of Oncology, Edmonton, Alberta (Canada); Wiebe, Leonard I. [University of Alberta, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Edmonton, Alberta (Canada)

    2009-10-15

    Tumour hypoxia is thought to play a significant role in the outcome of solid tumour therapy. Positron emission tomography (PET) is the best-validated noninvasive technique able to demonstrate the presence of hypoxia in vivo. The locally developed PET tracer for imaging hypoxia, 1-{alpha}-d-(5-deoxy-5-[{sup 18}F]-fluoroarabinofuranosyl)-2-nitroimidazole ({sup 18}F-FAZA), has been shown to accumulate in experimental models of tumour hypoxia and to clear rapidly from the circulation and nonhypoxic tissues. The safety and general biodistribution patterns of this radiopharmaceutical in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC), small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) or non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), malignant lymphoma, and high-grade gliomas, were demonstrated in this study. Patients with known primary or suspected metastatic HNSCC, SCLC or NSCLC, malignant lymphoma or high-grade gliomas were dosed with 5.2 MBq/kg of {sup 18}F-FAZA, then scanned 2-3 h after injection using a PET or PET/CT scanner. Images were interpreted by three experienced nuclear medicine physicians. The location and relative uptake scores (graded 0 to 4) of normal and abnormal {sup 18}F-FAZA biodistribution patterns, the calculated tumour-to-background (T/B) ratio, and the maximum standardized uptake value were recorded. Included in the study were 50 patients (32 men, 18 women). All seven patients with high-grade gliomas showed very high uptake of {sup 18}F-FAZA in the primary tumour. In six out of nine patients with HNSCC, clear uptake of {sup 18}F-FAZA was observed in the primary tumour and/or the lymph nodes in the neck. Of the 21 lymphoma patients (15 with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and 6 with Hodgkin's disease), 3 demonstrated moderate lymphoma-related uptake. Of the 13 lung cancer patients (12 NSCLC, 1 SCLC), 7 had increased {sup 18}F-FAZA uptake in the primary lung tumour. No side effects of the administration of {sup 18}F-FAZA were observed. This study suggests

  19. The potential association of later initiation of oral/enteral nutrition on euthyroid sick syndrome in burn patients.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Pérez-Guisado, Joaquín; de Haro-Padilla, Jesús M; Rioja, Luis F; Derosier, Leo C; de la Torre, Jorge I

    2013-01-01

    Objective. The aim of this study was to determine if early initiation of oral/enteral nutrition in burn patients minimizes the drop in fT3 levels, reduces the potential for euthyroid sick syndrome (ESS), and shortens the length of hospital stay (LHS). Subjects and Methods. We retrospectively evaluated the statistical association of serum fT3, fT4, and TSH at the first (2nd-5th day) and second sample collection (9th-12th day) after the burn injury in 152 burn patients. Three groups were established depending on time of initiation of the oral/enteral nutrition: 48 h after the injury (Group 3). Results. They were expressed as mean ± standard deviation. We found that LHS and the fT3 levels were statistically different in the 3 groups. The LHS (in days) was, respectively, in each group, 16.77 ± 4.56, 21.98 ± 4.86, and 26.06 ± 5.47. Despite the quantifiable drop in fT3, ESS was present only at the first sample collection (2.61 ± 0.92 days) in Group 3, but there was no group with ESS at the second sample collection (9.89 ± 1.01 days). Our data suggest that early initiation of nutritional supplementation decreases the length of hospitalization and is associated with decreasing fT3 serum concentration depression. Conclusion. Early initiation of oral/enteral nutrition counteracts ESS and improves the LHS in burn patients.

  20. Factors affecting the initial adhesion and retention of the plant pathogen Xylella fastidiosa in the foregut of an insect vector.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Killiny, Nabil; Almeida, Rodrigo P P

    2014-01-01

    Vector transmission of bacterial plant pathogens involves three steps: pathogen acquisition from an infected host, retention within the vector, and inoculation of cells into susceptible tissue of an uninfected plant. In this study, a combination of plant and artificial diet systems were used to determine the importance of several genes on the initial adhesion and retention of the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa to an efficient insect vector. Mutant strains included fimbrial (fimA and pilB) and afimbrial (hxfA and hxfB) adhesins and three loci involved in regulatory systems (rpfF, rpfC, and cgsA). Transmission assays with variable retention time indicated that HxfA and HxfB were primarily important for early adhesion to vectors, while FimA was necessary for both adhesion and retention. The long pilus protein PilB was not deficient in initial adhesion but may be important for retention. Genes upregulated under the control of rpfF are important for both initial adhesion and retention, as transmission rates of this mutant strain were initially low and decreased over time, while disruption of rpfC and cgsA yielded trends similar to that shown by the wild-type control. Because induction of an X. fastidiosa transmissible state requires pectin, a series of experiments were used to test the roles of a polygalacturonase (pglA) and the pectin and galacturonic acid carbohydrates on the transmission of X. fastidiosa. Results show that galacturonic acid, or PglA activity breaking pectin into its major subunit (galacturonic acid), is required for X. fastidiosa vector transmission using an artificial diet system. This study shows that early adhesion and retention of X. fastidiosa are mediated by different factors. It also illustrates that the interpretation of results of vector transmission experiments, in the context of vector-pathogen interaction studies, is highly dependent on experimental design.

  1. Evaluation of stratospheric age of air from CF4, C2F6, C3F8, CHF3, HFC-125, HFC-227ea and SF6; implications for the calculations of halocarbon lifetimes, fractional release factors and ozone depletion potentials

    Science.gov (United States)

    Leedham Elvidge, Emma; Bönisch, Harald; Brenninkmeijer, Carl A. M.; Engel, Andreas; Fraser, Paul J.; Gallacher, Eileen; Langenfelds, Ray; Mühle, Jens; Oram, David E.; Ray, Eric A.; Ridley, Anna R.; Röckmann, Thomas; Sturges, William T.; Weiss, Ray F.; Laube, Johannes C.

    2018-03-01

    In a changing climate, potential stratospheric circulation changes require long-term monitoring. Stratospheric trace gas measurements are often used as a proxy for stratospheric circulation changes via the mean age of air values derived from them. In this study, we investigated five potential age of air tracers - the perfluorocarbons CF4, C2F6 and C3F8 and the hydrofluorocarbons CHF3 (HFC-23) and HFC-125 - and compare them to the traditional tracer SF6 and a (relatively) shorter-lived species, HFC-227ea. A detailed uncertainty analysis was performed on mean ages derived from these new tracers to allow us to confidently compare their efficacy as age tracers to the existing tracer, SF6. Our results showed that uncertainties associated with the mean age derived from these new age tracers are similar to those derived from SF6, suggesting that these alternative compounds are suitable in this respect for use as age tracers. Independent verification of the suitability of these age tracers is provided by a comparison between samples analysed at the University of East Anglia and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. All five tracers give younger mean ages than SF6, a discrepancy that increases with increasing mean age. Our findings qualitatively support recent work that suggests that the stratospheric lifetime of SF6 is significantly less than the previous estimate of 3200 years. The impact of these younger mean ages on three policy-relevant parameters - stratospheric lifetimes, fractional release factors (FRFs) and ozone depletion potentials - is investigated in combination with a recently improved methodology to calculate FRFs. Updates to previous estimations for these parameters are provided.

  2. Reducing disk storage of full-3D seismic waveform tomography (F3DT) through lossy online compression

    Science.gov (United States)

    Lindstrom, Peter; Chen, Po; Lee, En-Jui

    2016-08-01

    Full-3D seismic waveform tomography (F3DT) is the latest seismic tomography technique that can assimilate broadband, multi-component seismic waveform observations into high-resolution 3D subsurface seismic structure models. The main drawback in the current F3DT implementation, in particular the scattering-integral implementation (F3DT-SI), is the high disk storage cost and the associated I/O overhead of archiving the 4D space-time wavefields of the receiver- or source-side strain tensors. The strain tensor fields are needed for computing the data sensitivity kernels, which are used for constructing the Jacobian matrix in the Gauss-Newton optimization algorithm. In this study, we have successfully integrated a lossy compression algorithm into our F3DT-SI workflow to significantly reduce the disk space for storing the strain tensor fields. The compressor supports a user-specified tolerance for bounding the error, and can be integrated into our finite-difference wave-propagation simulation code used for computing the strain fields. The decompressor can be integrated into the kernel calculation code that reads the strain fields from the disk and compute the data sensitivity kernels. During the wave-propagation simulations, we compress the strain fields before writing them to the disk. To compute the data sensitivity kernels, we read the compressed strain fields from the disk and decompress them before using them in kernel calculations. Experiments using a realistic dataset in our California statewide F3DT project have shown that we can reduce the strain-field disk storage by at least an order of magnitude with acceptable loss, and also improve the overall I/O performance of the entire F3DT-SI workflow significantly. The integration of the lossy online compressor may potentially open up the possibilities of the wide adoption of F3DT-SI in routine seismic tomography practices in the near future.

  3. Re(CO)3([18F]FEDA), a novel 18F PET renal tracer: Radiosynthesis and preclinical evaluation.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Lipowska, Malgorzata; Jarkas, Nashwa; Voll, Ronald J; Nye, Jonathon A; Klenc, Jeffrey; Goodman, Mark M; Taylor, Andrew T

    2018-03-01

    Our previous work demonstrated that the 99m Tc renal tracer, 99m Tc(CO) 3 (FEDA) ( 99m Tc-1), has a rapid clearance comparable in rats to that of 131 I-OIH, the radioactive gold standard for the measurement of effective renal plasma flow. The uncharged fluoroethyl pendant group of 99m Tc-1 provides a route to the synthesis of a structurally analogous rhenium-tricarbonyl 18 F renal imaging agent, Re(CO) 3 ([ 18 F]FEDA) ( 18 F-1). Our goal was to develop an efficient one-step method for the preparation of 18 F-1 and to compare its pharmacokinetic properties with those of 131 I-OIH in rats. 18 F-1 was prepared by the nucleophilic 18 F-fluorination of its tosyl precursor. The labeled compound was isolated by HPLC and subsequently evaluated in Sprague-Dawley rats using 131 I-OIH as an internal control and by dynamic PET/CT imaging. Plasma protein binding (PPB) and erythrocyte uptake (RCB) were determined and the urine was analyzed for metabolites. 18 F-1 was efficiently prepared as a single species with high radiochemical purity (>99%) and it displayed high radiochemical stability in vitro and in vivo. PPB was 87% and RCB was 21%. Biodistribution studies confirmed rapid renal extraction and high specificity for renal excretion, comparable to that of 131 I-OIH, with minimal hepatic/gastrointestinal elimination. The activity in the urine, as a percentage of 131 I-OIH, was 92% and 95% at 10 and 60 min, respectively. All other organs (heart, spleen, lungs) showed a negligible tracer uptake (F-1 through the kidneys and into the bladder; there was no demonstrable activity in bone verifying the absence of free [ 18 F]fluoride. 18 F-1 exhibited a high specificity for the kidney, rapid renal excretion comparable to that of 131 I-OIH and high in vivo radiochemical stability. Not only is 18 F-1 a promising PET renal tracer, but it provides a route to the development of a pair of analogous 18 F/ 99m Tc renal imaging agents with almost identical structures and comparable

  4. Risk factors associated with recurrent hemorrhage after the initial improvement of colonic diverticular bleeding.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Nishikawa, Hiroki; Maruo, Takanori; Tsumura, Takehiko; Sekikawa, Akira; Kanesaka, Takashi; Osaki, Yukio

    2013-03-01

    We elucidated risk factors contributing to recurrent hemorrhage after initial improvement of colonic diverticular bleeding. 172 consecutive hospitalized patients diagnosed with colonic diverticular bleeding were analyzed. Recurrent hemorrhage after initial improvement of colonic diverticular bleeding is main outcome measure. We analyzed factors contributing to recurrent hemorrhage risk in univariate and multivariate analyses. The length of the observation period after improvement of colonic diverticular bleeding was 26.4 +/- 14.6 months (range, 1-79 months). The cumulative recurrent hemorrhage rate in all patients at 1 and 2 years was 34.8% and 41.8%, respectively. By univariate analysis, age > 70 years (P = 0.021), BMI > 25 kg/m2 (P = 0.013), the use of anticoagulant drugs (P = 0.034), the use of NSAIDs (P = 0.040), history of hypertension (P = 0.011), history of smoking (P = 0.030) and serum creatinine level > 1.5 mg/dL (P bleeding. By multivariate analysis, age > 70 years (Hazard ratio (HR), 1.905, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.067-3.403, P = 0.029), history of hypertension (HR, 0.493, 95% CI, 0.245-0.993, P = 0.048) and serum creatinine level > 1.5 mg/dL (HR, 95% CI, 0.288-0.964, P = 0.044) were shown to be significant independent risk factors. Close observation after the initial improvement of colonic diverticular bleeding is needed, especially in elderly patients or patients with history of hypertension or renal deficiency.

  5. Noticeable red emission and Raman active modes in nanoscale gadolinium oxyfluoride (Gd{sub 4}O{sub 3}F{sub 6}) systems with Eu{sup 3+} inclusion

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Hazarika, Samiran; Mohanta, Dambarudhar [Tezpur University, Nanoscience and Soft Matter Laboratory, Department of Physics, Tezpur, Assam (India)

    2017-05-15

    Eu{sup 3+} doped gadolinium oxyfluoride (Gd{sub 4}O{sub 3}F{sub 6}, GOF) nanoscale systems have been synthesized following a modified Pechini method. While exhibiting a tetragonal crystal structure, the GOF nanosystem gave an average crystallite size (d) of ∝21-26 nm. The Lotgering factor (L{sub F}), which is a measure of orientation of crystallites along the preferred direction was found to vary between 0.22 and 0.48. In the photoluminescence spectra, ∝595 and ∝613 nm peaks were identified as magnetically driven ({sup 5}D{sub 0} → {sup 7}F{sub 1}) and electrically driven ({sup 5}D{sub 0} → {sup 7}F{sub 2}) transitions with latter (red emission) being strongly manifested with Eu{sup 3+} doping concentration and intrinsic defects. Moreover, several Raman active modes have been probed in the Raman spectra with low frequency peaks (<300 cm{sup -1}) and moderate frequency peaks (∝481 and 567 cm{sup -1}) assigned to observable vibration of heavy atom Gd-Gd pairs and Gd-O groups, respectively. Apart from manifestation of phononic features, inclusion of Eu{sup 3+} in the host lattice would bring new insight on improving the red emission response prior to concentration quenching. (orig.)

  6. An estimation of the structure function xF3 in neutrino-proton scattering

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Aoki, Kenzaburo; Arimoto, Shinsuke; Hoshino, Shigetoshi; Itoh, Nobuhisa; Konno, Toshiharu.

    1981-01-01

    The structure function xF 3 (x, Q 2 ) in the deep-inelastic neutrino-proton scattering was estimated without differentiating with respect to Q 2 in the evolution function. At first, the moment of the non-singlet structure function xF 3 (x, Q 2 ) is defined. Then, the kernel function f(z, Q 2 ) is presented. Finally, the expression for the structure function xF 3 is given. The values of the structure function for various Q 2 are shown in five figures. A peak is seen in each figure, and the highest peak is at about Q 2 = 14GeV 2 . The analysis suggests very small value of xF 3 in small Q 2 region. The kernel function f(x/y, Q 2 ) may be interpreted as the probability of finding a quark of momentum fraction x arising from that of y is quantum chromodynamics. (Kato, T.)

  7. Photon Echoes in the 3P0 ← 3H4 Transition of Pr3+/LaF3

    NARCIS (Netherlands)

    Morsink, Jos B.W.; Wiersma, Douwe A.

    1979-01-01

    Photon-echo quantum beats observed in the two-pulse and three-pulse photon echo of the 3P0 ← 3H4 transition in Pr3+/LaF3 were used to determine the excited-state spin-hamiltonian. In addition we report on the anomalous stimulated photon echo observed in the same transition which in a magnetic field

  8. Factors associated with initial incomplete ablation for benign thyroid nodules after radiofrequency ablation: First results of CEUS evaluation.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Zhao, Chong-Ke; Xu, Hui-Xiong; Lu, Feng; Sun, Li-Ping; He, Ya-Ping; Guo, Le-Hang; Li, Xiao-Long; Bo, Xiao-Wan; Yue, Wen-Wen

    2017-01-01

    To assess the factors associated with initial incomplete ablation (ICA) after radiofrequency ablation for benign thyroid nodules (BTNs). 69 BTNs (mean volume 6.35±5.66 ml, range 1.00-25.04 ml) confirmed by fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in fifty-four patients were treated with ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and the local treatment efficacy was immediately assessed by intra-procedural contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). The RFA was performed with a bipolar electrode (CelonProSurge 150-T20, output power: 20 W). CEUS was performed with a second generation contrast agent under low acoustic power (i.e. coded phase inversion, CPI). Characteristics of clinical factors, findings on conventional gray-scale ultrasound, color-Doppler ultrasound, and CEUS were evaluated preoperatively. Factors associated with initial ICA and initial ICA patterns on CEUS were assessed. Volume reduction ratios (VRRs) of ICA nodules were compared with those with complete ablation (CA). The RFA procedures were accomplished with a mean ablation time and mean total energy deposition of 11.13±3.39 min (range, 5.38-22.13 min) and 12612±4466 J (range, 6310-26130 J) respectively. CEUS detected initial ICA in 21 of 69 (30.8%) BTNs and 16 (76.2%) of the 21 BTNs with initial ICA achieved CA after additional RFA, leading to a final CA rate of 92.8% (64/69). The factors associated with initial ICA were predominantly solid nodule, nodule close to danger triangle area, nodule close to carotid artery, and peripheral blood flow on color-Doppler ultrasound (all P 50% at the 6-month follow-up, among which 7 nodules (10.1%) had VRRs of >90%. There were significant differences in VRRs between ICA nodules and CA nodules at the 3- and 6-month follow-up (all P ultrasound. CEUS assists quick treatment response evaluation and facilitates subsequent additional RFA and final CA of the nodules. Nodules with CA achieve a better outcome in terms of VRR in comparison with

  9. Optically stimulated luminescence properties of Tm{sup 3+} doped KMgF{sub 3} fluoro perovskite

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Camargo, L.; Marcazzo, J. [UNCPBA, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Instituto de Fisica Arroyo Seco, Gral. Pinto 399, B7000GHG Tandil, Buenos Aires (Argentina); Perez C, L.; Cruz Zaragoza, E. [UNAM, Instituto de Ciencias Nucleares, Apdo. Postal 70543, 04510 Ciudad de Mexico (Mexico); Martinez O, S. A., E-mail: jmarcass@exa.unicen.edu.ar [Universidad Pedagogica y Tecnologica de Colombia, Grupo de Fisica Nuclear Aplicada y Simulacion, Av. Central del Norte 39-115, 150003 Tunja, Bocaya (Colombia)

    2017-10-15

    In this work the optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) properties of undoped and Tm{sup 3+} doped KMgF{sub 3} fluoro perovskite have been investigated for the first time. OSL efficiency for stimulation with different wavelengths has been analyzed for each compound. The maximum OSL emission was found with blue light stimulation. The radioluminescence (Rl) spectra have shown two emission peaks at 455 and 360 nm, which can be ascribed to the {sup 1}D{sub 2}-{sup 3}F{sub 4} and {sup 1}D{sub 2}-{sup 3}H{sub 6} transitions of the Tm{sup 3+} cations. It has been found that doping with Thulium 0.5 mol % renders the most intense OSL emission. Furthermore, several dosimetric properties such as OSL response as a function of dose, reproducibility of the OSL signal after several cycles of irradiation readout and the minimum detectable dose have been investigated. Finally, the OSL response of KMgF{sub 3}: Tm{sup 3+} has been compared to that of commercial Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}:C and the possible application of this fluoro perovskite to OSL dosimetry has been evaluated. (Author)

  10. Spectral variations and energy transfer processes on both Er 3+ ion concentration and excitation densities in Yb 3+-Er 3+ codoped LaF3 materials

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Zhang Jisen; Qin Weiping; Zhao Dan; Degejihu; Zhang Jishuang; Wang Yan; Cao Chunyan

    2007-01-01

    In comparison with the up-conversion spectra of Yb 3+ -Er 3+ codopded systems reported previously, the interesting intensity changes of up-conversion luminescence between the violet, the blue, the green and the red on the both Er 3+ ion concentration and excitation density with 978 nm laser diodes as an excitation source were observed in Yb 3+ -Er 3+ codopded LaF 3 powders. In order to clarify the change mechanisms, the up-conversion spectra of LaF 3 : 10 mol% Yb 3+ , 0.5 mol% Er 3+ and LaF 3 : 10 mol% Yb 3+ , 1 mol% Er 3+ were investigated and the results indicated that the cross-relaxation processes between Er 3+ ions and the thermal population of the 2 H 11/2 level play significant roles

  11. 5-tert-Butyl-2-(4'-[{sup 18}F]fluoropropynylphenyl)-1,3-dithiane oxides: potential new GABA{sub A} receptor radioligands

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Li Xuehe; Jung, Yong-Woon; Snyder, Scott E.; Blair, Joseph; Sherman, Philip S.; Desmond, Timothy; Frey, Kirk A. [Department of Radiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 (United States); Kilbourn, Michael R. [Department of Radiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 (United States)], E-mail: mkilbour@umich.edu

    2008-07-15

    As potential new ligands targeting the binding site of {gamma}-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor ionophore, trans-5-tert-butyl-2-(4'-fluoropropynylphenyl)-2-methyl-1,1-dioxo-1, 3-dithiane (1) and cis/trans-5-tert-butyl-2-(4'-fluoropropynylphenyl)-2-methyl-1,1,3, 3-tetroxo-1,3-dithiane (2) were selected for radiolabeling and initial evaluation as in vivo imaging agents for positron emission tomography (PET). Both compounds exhibited identical high in vitro binding affinities (K{sub i}=6.5 nM). Appropriate tosylate-substituted ethynyl precursors were prepared by multistep syntheses involving stepwise sulfur oxidation and chromatographic isolation of desired trans isomers. Radiolabeling was accomplished in one step using nucleophilic [{sup 18}F]fluorination. In vivo biodistribution studies with trans-[{sup 18}F]1 and trans-[{sup 18}F]2 showed significant initial uptake into mouse brain and gradual washout, with heterogeneous regional brain distributions and higher retention in the cerebral cortex and cerebellum and lower retention in the striatum and pons-medulla. These regional distributions of the new radioligands correlated with in vitro and ex vivo measures of standard radioligands binding to the ionophore- and benzodiazepine-binding sites of GABA{sub A} receptor in rodent brain. A comparison of these results with previously prepared radiotracers for other neurochemical targets, including successes and failures as in vivo radioligands, suggests that higher-affinity compounds with increased retention in target brain tissues will likely be needed before a successful radiopharmaceutical for human PET imaging can be identified.

  12. Angular and radial dependence of the energy response factor for LiF-TLD micro-rods in 125I permanent implant source

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Mobit, P.; Badragan, I.

    2006-01-01

    EGSnrc Monte Carlo simulations were used to calculate the angular and radial dependence of the energy response factor for LiF-thermoluminescence dosemeters (TLDs) irradiated with a commercially available 125 I permanent brachytherapy source. The LiF-TLDs were modelled as cylindrical micro-rods of length 6 mm and with diameters of 1 mm and 5 mm. The results show that for a LiF-TLD micro-rod of 1 mm diameter, the energy response relative to 60 Co gamma rays is 1.406 ± 0.3% for a polar angle of 90 deg. and radial distance of 1.0 cm. When the diameter of the micro-rod is increased from 1 to 5 mm, the energy response decreases to 1.32 ± 0.3% at the same point. The variation with position of the energy response factor is not >5% in a 6 cm x 6 cm x 6 cm calculation grid for the 5 mm diameter micro-rod. The results show that there is a change in the photon spectrum with angle and radial distance, which causes the variation of the energy response. (authors)

  13. Study of the efficiency of AgCl, In2O3, Ga2O3, NaF, LiF and SrF2 as spectrographic carriers in the quantitative analysis of eighteen microcompound elements in uranium

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Gomes, R.P.; Lordello, A.R.; Abrao, A.

    1977-01-01

    A comparative study of the efficiency of some spectrochemical carriers (AgCl, In 2 O 3 , Ga 2 O 3 , NaF, LiF and SrF 2 ) is presented for the quantitative spectrographic analysis of Ag, Al, B, Bi, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, P, Pb, Si, Sn, V and Zn in uranium and its compounds. The volatility behaviour of the eighteen elements was verified by means of the moving plate technique for each of the mentioned carriers. The final aim was the selection of the carriers for the determination of trace amounts of the impurities. The best results were obtained with 4% In 2 O 3 , 6% AgCl and 6% NaF in a U 3 O 8 matrix. The sensitivities for some elements were extended to fractions of p.p.m. The precision, accuracy and acceptability of the method were calculated for all elements. The total error values are approximately in the range of 16-45% [pt

  14. Anisotropy of the Mechanical Properties of TbF3 Crystals

    Science.gov (United States)

    Karimov, D. N.; Lisovenko, D. S.; Sizova, N. L.; Sobolev, B. P.

    2018-01-01

    TbF3 (sp. gr. Pnma) crystals up to 40 mm in diameter have been grown from melt by a Bridgman technique. The anisotropy of their mechanical properties is studied for the first time. the technical elasticity constants are calculated, and room-temperature values of Vickers microhardness for the (010) and (100) planes are measured. The shape of indentation impressions is found to correlate with Young's modulus anisotropy for TbF3 crystals.

  15. The incidence of smoking and risk factors for smoking initiation in medical faculty students: cohort study

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Turkay Mehtap

    2006-05-01

    Full Text Available Abstract Background Medical education requires detailed investigation because it is a period during which the attitudes and behaviors of physicians develop. The purpose of this study was to calculate the yearly smoking prevalence and incidence rates of medical faculty students and to identify the risk factors for adopting smoking behaviour. Methods This is a cohort study in which every student was asked about their smoking habits at the time of first registration to the medical faculty, and was monitored every year. Smoking prevalence, yearly incidence of initiation of smoking and average years of smoking were calculated in analysis. Results At the time of registration, 21.8% of the students smoked. At the end of six years, males had smoked for an average of 2.6 ± 3.0 years and females for 1.0 ± 1.8 years (p Conclusion The first 3 years of medical education are the most risky period for initiation of smoking. We found that factors such as being male, having a smoking friend in the same environment and having a high trait anxiety score were related to the initiation of smoking. Targeted smoking training should be mandatory for students in the Medical Faculty.

  16. Luminescent properties of Sr{sub 2.5-3x/2}Ba{sub 0.5}Sm{sub x}AlO{sub 4}F oxyfluorides

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Park, Sangmoon, E-mail: spark@silla.ac.kr [Department of Engineering in Energy and Applied Chemistry, Silla University, Busan 617-736 (Korea, Republic of)

    2012-04-15

    Effective orange Sm{sup 3+}-doped Sr{sub 2.5}Ba{sub 0.5}AlO{sub 4}F phosphors excited at 254 and 408 nm excitation were prepared by the solid-state method. The excitation and emission spectra of Sr{sub 2.5-3x/2}Ba{sub 0.5}Sm{sub x}AlO{sub 4}F and Sr{sub 2.5-3x/2}Ba{sub 0.5}Sm{sub x}AlO{sub 4-{alpha}}F{sub 1-{delta}} (x=0.001{approx}0.1) based on photoluminescence spectroscopy are investigated. The defects in anion-deficient Sr{sub 2.5-3x/2}Ba{sub 0.5}Sm{sub x}AlO{sub 4-{alpha}}F{sub 1-{delta}} (x=0.001, 0.01) are monitored by broad-band photoluminescence emission centered near 480 nm along with the orange emission transitions of Sm{sup 3+}. CIE values and relative luminescent intensities of Sr{sub 2.5-3x/2}Ba{sub 0.5}Sm{sub x}AlO{sub 4}F and Sr{sub 2.5-3x/2}Ba{sub 0.5}Sm{sub x}AlO{sub 4-{alpha}}F{sub 1-{delta}} by changing the Sm{sup 3+} content (x=0.001{approx}0.1) are discussed. - Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Under the excitation of 408 nm competent orange emitting Sr{sub 2.5-3x/2}Ba{sub 0.5}Sm{sub x}AlO{sub 4}F phosphor is initiated. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Sm{sup 3+}-activated oxyfluoride phosphor is quite effective to prepare white-emitting light for near-UV LED applications. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Defects could be visibly created in the Sr{sub 2.5-3x/2}Ba{sub 0.5}Sm{sub x}Al O{sub 4}F host lattices when Sm{sup 3+} ions are doped less than 5 mol %. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The gradual substitution of Sm{sup 3+} contents in oxyfluoride hosts is amenable to change CIE values and desired emitting intensity.

  17. Spectroscopic study of the interaction of Nd+3 with amino acids: phenomenological 4f-4f intensity parameters

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Jerico, Soraya; Carubelli, Celia R.; Massabni, Ana M.G.; Stucchi, Elizabeth B.; Leite, Sergio R. de A.; Malta, Oscar

    1998-01-01

    We have studied behaviour of the phenomenological 4f-4f intensity parameters in compounds of the Nd 3+ ion with glycine, L-aspartic acid, L-glutamic acid, L-histidine, DL-malic acid and Aspartame TM in aqueous solution, as function of the pK values and partial charges on the oxygens of the carboxylate groups of these molecules. The results are discussed and qualitatively interpreted in terms of the forced electric dipole and dynamic coupling mechanisms of the 4f-4f intensities, thus indicating that the forced electric dipole mechanism is dominant. (author)

  18. Ein digitales Textformat für die Literaturwissenschaft: Die Richtlinien der Text Encoding Initiative und ihr Einsatz bei Textkonstitution und Textanalyse

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Christof Schöch

    2016-06-01

    Full Text Available Die stetig voranschreitende Digitalisierung literarischer Texte verschiedenster Sprachen, Epochen und Gattungen stellt die Literaturwissenschaften immer wieder vor die Frage, wie sie diese Entwicklung mitgestalten und zu ihrem Vorteil nutzen können. Dabei ist digital nicht gleich digital, sondern es existiert eine Vielzahl sehr unterschiedlicher, digitaler Repräsentationsformen von Text. Nur wenige dieser Repräsentationsformen werden literaturwissenschaftlichen Anforderungen tatsächlich gerecht, darunter diejenige, die den Richtlinien der Text Encoding Initiative folgt. Der vorliegende Beitrag vergleicht zunächst einige derzeit gängige digitale Repräsentationsformen von Text. Für literaturwissenschaftliche Forschung besonders geeignet erweist sich hierbei eine Repräsentationsform, die den Richtlinien der Text Encoding Initiative folgt. Daher informiert der Beitrag anschließend über deren Nutzen für die literaturwissenschaftliche Arbeit, sowohl im Bereich der wissenschaftlichen Textedition als auch im Bereich der Analyse und Interpretation von Texten. Nur wenn die Literaturwissenschaften in ihrer Breite den Nutzen von offenen, expressiven, flexiblen und standardisierten, langfristig nutzbaren Formaten für die Forschung erkennen, können sie sich mit dem erforderlichen Nachdruck für deren Verbreitung einsetzen und durch die zunehmende Verfügbarkeit von Texten in solchen Formaten für die eigene Forschung und Lehre davon profitieren.

  19. SU(3) breaking in hyperon transition vector form factors

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Shanahan, P.E.; Thomas, A.W.; Young, R.D.; Zanotti, J.M.; Rakow, P.E.L.

    2015-08-01

    We present a calculation of the SU(3)-breaking corrections to the hyperon transition vector form factors to O(p 4 ) in heavy baryon chiral perturbation theory with finite-range regularisation. Both octet and decuplet degrees of freedom are included. We formulate a chiral expansion at the kinematic point Q 2 =-(M B 1 -M B 2 ) 2 , which can be conveniently accessed in lattice QCD. The two unknown low-energy constants at this point are constrained by lattice QCD simulation results for the Σ - →n and Ξ 0 →Σ + transition form factors. Hence we determine lattice-informed values of f 1 at the physical point. This work constitutes progress towards the precise determination of vertical stroke V us vertical stroke from hyperon semileptonic decays.

  20. Superior hydrogen storage kinetics of MgH{sub 2} nanoparticles doped with TiF{sub 3}

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Xie, L. [Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Materials Chemistry and Applications, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871 (China); Liu, Y. [Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Materials Chemistry and Applications, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871 (China); Wang, Y.T. [Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Materials Chemistry and Applications, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871 (China); Zheng, J. [Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Materials Chemistry and Applications, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871 (China); Li, X.G. [Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Materials Chemistry and Applications, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871 (China) and College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871 (China)]. E-mail: xgli@pku.edu.cn

    2007-08-15

    MgH{sub 2} nanoparticles were obtained by hydriding ultrafine magnesium particles which were prepared by hydrogen plasma-metal reaction. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results show that the obtained sample is almost pure MgH{sub 2} phase, without residual magnesium and with an average particle size of {approx}300 nm. Milled with 5 wt.% TiF{sub 3} as a doping precursor in a hydrogen atmosphere, the sample desorbed 4.5 wt.% hydrogen in 6 min under an initial hydrogen pressure of {approx}0.001 bar at 573 K and absorbed 4.2 wt.% hydrogen in 1 min under {approx}20 bar hydrogen at room temperature. Compared with MgH{sub 2} micrometer particles doped with 5 wt.% TiF{sub 3} under the same conditions as the MgH{sub 2} nanoparticles, it is suggested that decrease of particle size is beneficial for enhancing absorption capacity at low temperatures, but has no effect on desorption. In addition, the catalyst was mainly responsible for improving the sorption kinetics and its catalytic mechanism is discussed.

  1. Synthesis and crystal structure of triammine pentafluorido tantalum(V) [TaF{sub 5}(NH{sub 3}){sub 3}

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Baer, Sebastian A.; Kraus, Florian [Department Chemie, Technische Universitaet Muenchen, Lichtenbergstrasse 4, 85747 Garching (Germany); Lozinsek, Matic [Department of Inorganic Chemistry and Technology, Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana (Slovenia)

    2013-07-01

    [Sr(HF){sub 3}(TaF{sub 6}){sub 2}] reacts with liquid ammonia under the formation of colorless crystals of triammine pentafluorido tantalum(V) [TaF{sub 5}(NH{sub 3}){sub 3}] (1). The structure was elucidated by low-temperature X-ray structure analysis. Compound 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2{sub 1}/c with a = 5.1525(6), b = 11.736(1), c = 10.171(1) Aa, β = 94.843(9) , V = 612.8(1) Aa{sup 3} at 123 K with Z = 4. Its structure displays discrete TaF{sub 5}(NH{sub 3}){sub 3} molecules, which are interconnected by N-H..F hydrogen bonds to form a complex three-dimensional network. The title compound is a rare example of a neutral, molecular, eight-coordinate tantalum species. (Copyright copyright 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

  2. F-18 FDG PET with coincidence detection, dual-head gamma camera, initial experience in oncology

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Chu, J.M.G.; Pocock, N.; Quach, T.; Camden, B.M.C. [Liverpool Health Services, Liverpool, NSW (Australia). Department of Nuclear Medicine and Clinical Ultrasound

    1998-06-01

    Full text: The development of Co-incidence Detection (CD) in gamma camera technology has allowed the use of positron radiopharmaceuticals in clinical practice without dedicated PET facilities. We report our initial experience of this technology in Oncological applications. All patients were administered 200 MBq of F- 18 FDG intravenously in a fasting state, with serum glucose below 8.9 mmol/L., and hydration well maintained. Tomography was performed using an ADAC Solus Molecular Co-incidence Detection (MCD) dual-head gamma camera, 60 minutes after administration and immediately after voiding. Tomography of the torso required up to three collections depending on the length of the patient, with each collection requiring 32 steps of 40 second duration, and a 50% overlap. Tomography of the brain required a single collection with 32 steps of 80 seconds. Patients were scanned in the supine position. An iterative reconstruction algorithm was employed without attenuation correction. All patients had histologically confirmed malignancy. Scan findings were correlated with results of all conventional diagnostic imaging procedures that were pertinent to the evaluation and management of each individual patient`s disease. Correlation with tumour type and treatment status was also undertaken. F-18 FDG uptake as demonstrated by CD-PET was increased in tumour bearing sites. The degree of increased uptake varied with tumour type and with treatment status. Our initial experience with CD-PET has been very encouraging, and has led us to undertake prospective short and long term studies to define its role in oncology

  3. Calorimetry of fluorinated products. I. Combustion of ClF3 and ClF5 in hydrogen

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Caton, J.; Barberi, P.

    1975-01-01

    The thermal effects due to combustion of chlorine trifluoride and pentafluoride in hydrogen were measured by means of a suitable bomb calorimeter. The enthalpies of formation of these halides can be determined from this measurement. That of ClF 3 , already fairly well known, was used to set the apparatus fpr the measurement concerning ClF 5 , for which no direct data are available [fr

  4. Study on time characteristics of fast time response inorganic scintillator CeF3

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Hu Mengchun; Zhou Dianzhong; Guo Cun; Ye Wenying

    2003-01-01

    The cerium fluoride (CeF 3 ) is a kind of new fast time response inorganic scintillator. The physical characteristics of CeF 3 are well suitable for detection of domestic pulse γ-rays. The time response of detector composed by phototube with CeF 3 are measured by use of the pulse radiation source with rise time about 0.8 ns, and FWHM time 1.5-2.2 ns. Experiment results show that the rise time is less than 2 ns, FWHM time is about 10 ns, fall time is about 60 ns, average decay time constant is 20-30 ns, respectively for CeF 3

  5. Thermal properties and phase transition in the fluoride, (NH4)3SnF7

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Kartashev, A.V.; Gorev, M.V.; Bogdanov, E.V.; Flerov, I.N.; Laptash, N.M.

    2016-01-01

    Calorimetric, dilatometric and differential thermal analysis studies were performed on (NH 4 ) 3 SnF 7 for a wide range of temperatures and pressures. Large entropy (δS 0 =22 J/mol K) and elastic deformation (δ(ΔV/V) 0 =0.89%) jumps have proven that the Pa-3↔Pm-3m phase transition is a strong first order structural transformation. A total entropy change of ΔS 0 =32.5 J/mol K is characteristic for the order–disorder phase transition, and is equal to the sum of entropy changes in the related material, (NH 4 ) 3 TiF 7 , undergoing transformation between the two cubic phases through the intermediate phases. Hydrostatic pressure decreases the stability of the high temperature Pm-3m phase in (NH 4 ) 3 SnF 7 , contrary to (NH 4 ) 3 TiF 7 , characterised by a negative baric coefficient. The effect of experimental conditions on the chemical stability of (NH 4 ) 3 SnF 7 was observed. - Graphical abstract: Strong first order structural transformation Pa-3↔Pm-3m in (NH 4 ) 3 SnF 7 is associated with very large total entropy change of ΔS 0 =32.5 J/mol K characteristic for the ordering processes and equal to the sum of entropy changes in the related (NH 4 ) 3 TiF 7 undergoing transformation between the same two cubic phases through the intermediate phases. - Highlights: • (NH 4 ) 3 SnF 7 undergoes strong first order Pa-3↔Pm-3m phase transition. • Anomalous behaviour of ΔC p and ΔV/V exists far below phase transition temperature. • Structural distortions are accompanied by huge total entropy change ΔS≈Rln50. • High pressure strongly increases the stability of Pa-3 phase in (NH 4 ) 3 SnF 7 . • Entropy of the Pa-3↔Pm-3m phase transition does not depend on pressure.

  6. Promising half-metallicity in ductile NbF3: a first-principles prediction.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Yang, Bo; Wang, Junru; Liu, Xiaobiao; Zhao, Mingwen

    2018-02-14

    Materials with half-metallicity are long desired in spintronics. Using first-principles calculations, we predicted that the already-synthesized NbF 3 crystal is a promising half-metal with a large exchange splitting and stable ferromagnetism. The mechanical stability, ductility and softness of the NbF 3 crystal were confirmed by its elastic constants and moduli. The Curie temperature (T C = 120 K) estimated from the Monte Carlo simulations based on the 3D Ising model is above the liquid nitrogen temperature (78 K). The ferromagnetism and half-metallicity can be preserved on the surfaces of NbF 3 . The NbOF 2 formed by substituting F with O atoms, however, has an antiferromagnetic ground state and a normal metallic band structure. This work opens an avenue for half-metallic materials and may find applications in spintronic devices.

  7. Initial Assessment of β3-Adrenoceptor-Activated Brown Adipose Tissue in Streptozotocin-Induced Type 1 Diabetes Rodent Model Using [18F]Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Aparna Baranwal

    2015-12-01

    Full Text Available Metabolic activity of brown adipose tissue (BAT is activated by β3-adrenoceptor agonists and norepinephrine transporter (NET blockers and is measurable using [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]FDG positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT in rats. Using the streptozotocin (STZ-treated rat model of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM, we investigated BAT activity in this rat model under fasting and nonfasting conditions using [18F]FDG PET/CT. Drugs that enhance BAT activity may have a potential for therapeutic development in lowering blood sugar in insulin-resistant diabetes. Rats were rendered diabetic by administration of STZand confirmed by glucose measures. [18F]FDG was injected in the rats (fasted or nonfasted pretreated with either saline or β3-adrenoceptor agonist CL316,243 or the NET blocker atomoxetine for PET/CT scans. [18F]FDG metabolic activity was computed as standard uptake values (SUVs in interscapular brown adipose tissue (IBAT and compared across the different drug treatment conditions. Blood glucose levels > 500 mg/dL were established for the STZ-treated diabetic rats. Under fasting conditions, average uptake of [18F]FDG in the IBAT of STZ-treated diabetic rats was approximately 70% lower compared to that of normal rats. Both CL316,243 and atomoxetine activated IBAT in normal rats had an SUV > 5, whereas activation in STZ-treated rats was significantly lower. The agonist CL316,243 activated IBAT up to threefold compared to saline in the fasted STZ-treated rat. In the nonfasted rat, the IBAT activation was up by twofold by CL316243. Atomoxetine had a greater effect on lowering blood sugar levels compared to CL316,243 in the nonfasted rats. A significant reduction in metabolic activity was observed in the STZ-treated diabetic rodent model. Increased IBAT activity in the STZ-treated diabetic rat under nonfasted conditions using the β3-adrenoceptor agonist CL316,243 suggests a potential role of BAT in modulating blood sugar

  8. Factors Associated with Diffusely Increased Splenic F-18 FDG Uptake in Patients with Cholangiocarcinoma

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Kim, Keunyoung; Kim, Seongjang; Kim, Injoo; Kim, Dong Uk; Kim, Heeyoung; Kim, Sojung; Ahn, Sang Hyun [Pusan National Univ. Hospital, Busan (Korea, Republic of)

    2014-06-15

    Although diffuse splenic {sup 18}F-fluorodeoxyglucose (F-18 FDG) uptake exceeding hepatic activity, is considered abnormal, its clinical significance is rarely discussed in the literature. The aim of this study was to determine the contributing factors causing diffusely increased splenic FDG uptake in patients with cholangiocarcinoma. From January 2010 to March 2013, 140 patients (84 men, 56 women) were enrolled in this study. All patients had been diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma and underwent F-18 FDG positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) for the pretreatment staging work up. Clinical records were reviewed retrospectively. Various hematological parameters, C-reactive protein (CRP) level, CEA, CA19-9, pancreatic enzymes and liver function tests were conducted within 2 days after the F-18 FDG PET/CT study. Diffuse splenic uptake was observed in 23 patients (16.4%). Of those, 19 patients (82.6%) underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreastography (ERCP) 7 days before F-18 FDG PET/CT. The CRP level (p <0.001) and white blood cell count (p =0.023) were significantly higher in the group of patients with diffuse splenic FDG uptake. The hemoglobin (p <0.001) and the hematocrit (p <0.001) were significantly lower in patients with diffuse splenic FDG uptake. Pancreatic enzymes, liver function test results, and tumor markers were not significantly different between the patients who did or did not have diffusely increased splenic FDG uptake. The significant factors for diffuse splenic F-18 FDG uptake exceeding hepatic F-18 FDG uptake on multivariate analysis included: performing ERCP before F-18 FDG PET-CT (odds ratio [OR], 77.510; 95% CI, 7.624-132.105), and the presence of leukocytosis (OR, 12.436; 95% CI, 2.438-63.445) or anemia (OR, 1.211; 95% CI, 1.051-1.871). In conclusion, our study demonstrated that concurrent inflammation could be associated with diffusely increased splenic FDG uptake. We suggest that performing ERCP before F-18 FDG PET

  9. Factors Associated with Diffusely Increased Splenic F-18 FDG Uptake in Patients with Cholangiocarcinoma

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Kim, Keunyoung; Kim, Seongjang; Kim, Injoo; Kim, Dong Uk; Kim, Heeyoung; Kim, Sojung; Ahn, Sang Hyun

    2014-01-01

    Although diffuse splenic 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose (F-18 FDG) uptake exceeding hepatic activity, is considered abnormal, its clinical significance is rarely discussed in the literature. The aim of this study was to determine the contributing factors causing diffusely increased splenic FDG uptake in patients with cholangiocarcinoma. From January 2010 to March 2013, 140 patients (84 men, 56 women) were enrolled in this study. All patients had been diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma and underwent F-18 FDG positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) for the pretreatment staging work up. Clinical records were reviewed retrospectively. Various hematological parameters, C-reactive protein (CRP) level, CEA, CA19-9, pancreatic enzymes and liver function tests were conducted within 2 days after the F-18 FDG PET/CT study. Diffuse splenic uptake was observed in 23 patients (16.4%). Of those, 19 patients (82.6%) underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreastography (ERCP) 7 days before F-18 FDG PET/CT. The CRP level (p <0.001) and white blood cell count (p =0.023) were significantly higher in the group of patients with diffuse splenic FDG uptake. The hemoglobin (p <0.001) and the hematocrit (p <0.001) were significantly lower in patients with diffuse splenic FDG uptake. Pancreatic enzymes, liver function test results, and tumor markers were not significantly different between the patients who did or did not have diffusely increased splenic FDG uptake. The significant factors for diffuse splenic F-18 FDG uptake exceeding hepatic F-18 FDG uptake on multivariate analysis included: performing ERCP before F-18 FDG PET-CT (odds ratio [OR], 77.510; 95% CI, 7.624-132.105), and the presence of leukocytosis (OR, 12.436; 95% CI, 2.438-63.445) or anemia (OR, 1.211; 95% CI, 1.051-1.871). In conclusion, our study demonstrated that concurrent inflammation could be associated with diffusely increased splenic FDG uptake. We suggest that performing ERCP before F-18 FDG PET

  10. The upconversion luminescence and magnetism in Yb3+/Ho3+ co-doped LaF3 nanocrystals for potential bimodal imaging

    Science.gov (United States)

    Syamchand, Sasidharanpillai S.; George, Sony

    2016-12-01

    Biocompatible upconversion nanoparticles with multifunctional properties can serve as potential nanoprobes for multimodal imaging. Herein, we report an upconversion nanocrystal based on lanthanum fluoride which is developed to address the imaging modalities, upconversion luminescence imaging and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Lanthanide ions (Yb3+ and Ho3+) doped LaF3 nanocrystals (LaF3 Yb3+/Ho3+) are fabricated through a rapid microwave-assisted synthesis. The hexagonal phase LaF3 nanocrystals exhibit nearly spherical morphology with average diameter of 9.8 nm. The inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis estimated the doping concentration of Yb3+ and Ho3+ as 3.99 and 0.41%, respectively. The nanocrystals show upconversion luminescence when irradiated with near-infrared (NIR) photons of wavelength 980 nm. The emission spectrum consists of bands centred at 542, 645 and 658 nm. The stronger green emission at 542 nm and the weak red emissions at 645 and 658 nm are assigned to 5S2 → 5I8 and 5F5 → 5I8 transitions of Ho3+, respectively. The pump power dependence of luminescence intensity confirmed the two-photon upconversion process. The nanocrystals exhibit paramagnetism due to the presence of lanthanide ion dopant Ho3+ and the magnetization is 19.81 emu/g at room temperature. The nanocrystals exhibit a longitudinal relaxivity ( r 1) of 0.12 s-1 mM-1 and transverse relaxivity ( r 2) of 28.18 s-1 mM-1, which makes the system suitable for developing T2 MRI contrast agents based on holmium. The LaF3 Yb3+/Ho3+ nanocrystals are surface modified by PEGylation to improve biocompatibility and enhance further functionalisation. The PEGylated nanocrystals are found to be non-toxic up to 50 μg/mL for 48 h of incubation, which is confirmed by the MTT assay as well as morphological studies in HeLa cells. The upconversion luminescence and magnetism together with biocompatibility enables the adaptability of the present system as a nanoprobe for potential

  11. Initial and mid-term results of a 4F compatible self-expanding low strut profile nitinol stent in the superficial femoral artery

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Muehlenbruch, G.; Brock, H.; Das, M.; Hohl, C.; Mahnken, A.H.; Wildberger, J.; Guenther, R.W.; Haage, P.

    2007-01-01

    Purpose: To evaluate the initial and mid-term results of a new self-expanding low strut profile nitinol stent for treatment of atherosclerotic lesions stenoses and occlusions in the superficial femoral artery (SFA). Materials and Methods: In 8 patients (4 male, 4 female, mean age 74.8 ± 8.8 years) with SFA lesions and non-satisfying results after PTA treatment alone, 10 self-expanding nitinol Xpert stents were deployed via a 4 F sheath. Stent characteristics and handling were graded by the interventionalist. Fontaine classification, duplex flow measurements and ankle brachial index (ABI) at rest and stress were taken prior and one day after stent placement. Patients were followed 3, 6 and 12 months after the procedure obtaining the same parameters at each appointment. Results: Initial stent treatment was successful in all patients. Stent handling and positioning were rated very good and safe. All patients improved clinically by at least one Fontaine stage (range before treatment: stage IIb to IV). The mean ABI at rest (stress) improved initially from 0.68 (0.70) to 1.07 (0.99). During a mean follow-up period of 8.3 months no case of clinically relevant in-stent stenosis was observed with stable values of ABI at rest and stress. (orig.)

  12. Factors influencing initiation of breast-feeding.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Ekwo, E E; Dusdieker, L B; Booth, B M

    1983-04-01

    We used the critical incidence method to study factors motivating 33 primigravidas and 39 multigravidas to initiate breast-feeding of their infants. Women chose breast-feeding because they believed that it would provide protection to the infant against infection, establish maternal-infant bonding, was convenient, provided better nutrition than cow's milk formula, was emotionally satisfying, and was the natural way to feed infants. The decision to breast-feed was made well in advance of pregnancy by primigravidas and shortly before pregnancy by multigravidas. Friends who had successfully nursed infants were as influential as immediate family members in influencing our study subjects in their decision to breast-feed. Prenatal counseling, though important, may not be the optimal period for motivating women to breast-feed.

  13. 18F-FET and 18F-FCH uptake in human glioblastoma T98G cell lines

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Persico, Marco Giovanni; Buroni, Federica Eleonora; Pasi, Francesca; Lodola, Lorenzo; Aprile, Carlo; Nano, Rosanna; Hodolic, Marina

    2016-01-01

    Despite complex treatment of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, high grade gliomas often recur. Differentiation between post-treatment changes and recurrence is difficult. 18 F-methyl-choline ( 18 F-FCH) is frequently used in staging and detection of recurrent prostate cancer disease as well as some brain tumours; however accumulation in inflammatory tissue limits its specificity. The 18 F-ethyl-tyrosine ( 18 F-FET) shows a specific uptake in malignant cells, resulting from increased expression of amino acid transporters or diffusing through the disrupted blood-brain barrier. 18 F-FET exhibits lower uptake in machrophages and other inflammatory cells. Aim of this study was to evaluate 18 F-FCH and 18 F-FET uptake by human glioblastoma T98G cells. Human glioblastoma T98G or human dermal fibroblasts cells, seeded at a density to obtain 2 × 10 5 cells per flask when radioactive tracers were administered, grew adherent to the plastic surface at 37°C in 5% CO 2 in complete medium. Equimolar amounts of radiopharmaceuticals were added to cells for different incubation times (20 to 120 minutes) for 18 F-FCH and 18 F-FET respectively. The cellular radiotracer uptake was determined with a gamma counter. All experiments were carried out in duplicate and repeated three times. The uptake measurements are expressed as the percentage of the administered dose of tracer per 2 × 10 5 cells. Data (expressed as mean values of % uptake of radiopharmaceuticals) were compared using parametric or non-parametric tests as appropriate. Differences were regarded as statistically significant when p<0.05. A significant uptake of 18 F-FCH was seen in T98G cells at 60, 90 and 120 minutes. The percentage uptake of 18 F-FET in comparison to 18 F-FCH was lower by a factor of more than 3, with different kinetic curves. 18 F-FET showed a more rapid initial uptake up to 40 minutes and 18 F-FCH showed a progressive rise reaching a maximum after 90 minutes. 18 F-FCH and 18 F-FET are candidates

  14. LiY0.3Lu0.7F4: Ce3+,Pr3+ Mixed Crystal as a Perspective Up-Conversionally Pumped UV Active Medium

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Gorieva V.G.

    2015-01-01

    Full Text Available Investigation results of effective population of states of 5d-configuration of Ce3+ ions by energy transfer from Pr3+ ions in LiY0.3Lu0.7F4 (LYLF crystals are discussed. The real concentrations of Pr3+ and Ce3+ ions in LYLF crystals are determined. Such parameters as excited 4f-5d state photoionization cross-section of Pr3+ ions, ground state cross-section of Ce3+ ions at 266 nm wavelengths and energy transfer coefficients of energy transfer from Pr3+ to Ce3+ ions were estimated. The results of pump-probe experiments on 5d-4f transitions of Ce3+ ions in LYLF crystals are presented. The optimal parameters for getting maximal gain on 5d-4f transitions of Ce3+ ions were determined by mathematical modeling.

  15. Growth and magnetooptical properties of anisotropic TbF3 single crystals

    Science.gov (United States)

    Valiev, Uygun V.; Karimov, Denis N.; Burdick, Gary W.; Rakhimov, Rakhim; Pelenovich, Vasiliy O.; Fu, Dejun

    2017-06-01

    This paper investigates the Faraday effect and absorption and luminescence spectra of single-crystal TbF3 measured at 90 K and 300 K. The optical-quality single-phase TbF3 crystals (structural type β-YF3) were grown by the Bridgman technique. Faraday rotation angles were measured at remagnetization along the [100] crystallographic axis. Low temperature optical measurements were carried out along the [100] axis. "Quasi-doublet" sublevels with energy at 0 cm-1, 65 cm-1, and 190 cm-1, and also a singlet sublevel with energy at 114 cm-1 located in the ground 7F6 multiplet were determined from the low temperature luminescence spectra. The Van-Vleck behavior of the magnetic susceptibility χb can be satisfactorily explained by the magnetic mixing of wave functions belonging to the ground and first excited "quasi-doublet" sublevels at 0 and 65 cm-1, respectively. Analysis of the oscillation dependences of the rotation angle showed that the value of the natural birefringence (Δn ≈ 0.0186) remains nearly constant within the wavelength and temperature ranges under investigation. As the temperature decreases, we find significant increases in the oscillation amplitude of the rotation angle and in the Verdet constant V. The spectral dependences V(χ) are linear throughout the temperature range. The magnetooptical activity of TbF3 can be explained by means of the spin- and parity-allowed electric-dipole 4f → 5d transitions in the Tb3+ ions.

  16. Centrosymmetric [N(CH{sub 3}){sub 4}]{sub 2}TiF{sub 6} vs. noncentrosymmetric polar [C(NH{sub 2}){sub 3}]{sub 2}TiF{sub 6}: A hydrogen-bonding effect on the out-of-center distortion of TiF{sub 6} octahedra

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Kim, Eun-ah [Department of Chemistry Education, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 156-756 (Korea, Republic of); Lee, Dong Woo [Department of Chemistry, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 156-756 (Korea, Republic of); Ok, Kang Min, E-mail: kmok@cau.ac.kr [Department of Chemistry, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 156-756 (Korea, Republic of)

    2012-11-15

    The syntheses, structures, and characterization of organically templated zero-dimensional titanium fluoride materials, A{sub 2}TiF{sub 6} (A=[N(CH{sub 3}){sub 4}] or [C(NH{sub 2}){sub 3}]), are reported. Phase pure samples of A{sub 2}TiF{sub 6} were synthesized by either solvothermal reaction method or a simple mixing method. While [N(CH{sub 3}){sub 4}]{sub 2}TiF{sub 6} crystallizes in a centrosymmetric space group, R-3, [C(NH{sub 2}){sub 3}]{sub 2}TiF{sub 6} crystallizes in a noncentrosymmetric polar space group, Cm. The asymmetric out-of-center distortion of TiF{sub 6} octahedra in polar [C(NH{sub 2}){sub 3}]{sub 2}TiF{sub 6} are attributable to the hydrogen-bonding interactions between the fluorine atoms in TiF{sub 6} octahedra and the nitrogen atoms in the [C(NH{sub 2}){sub 3}]{sup +} cation. Powder second-harmonic generation (SHG) measurements on the [C(NH{sub 2}){sub 3}]{sub 2}TiF{sub 6}, using 1064 nm radiation, indicate the material has SHG efficiency of 25 Multiplication-Sign that of {alpha}-SiO{sub 2}, which indicates an average nonlinear optical susceptibility, Left-Pointing-Angle-Bracket d{sub eff} Right-Pointing-Angle-Bracket {sub exp} of 2.8 pm/V. Additional SHG measurements reveal that the material is not phase-matchable (Type 1). The magnitudes of out-of-center distortions and dipole moment calculations for TiF{sub 6} octahedra will be also reported. - Graphical abstract: The out-of-center distortion of TiF{sub 6} octahedron in the polar noncentrosymmetric [C(NH{sub 2}){sub 3}]{sub 2}TiF{sub 6} is attributable to the hydrogen-bonding interactions between the F in TiF{sub 6} octahedron and the H-N in the [C(NH{sub 2}){sub 3}]{sup +}. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Two titanium fluorides materials have been synthesized in high yields. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Hydrogen-bonds are crucial for the out-of-center distortion of TiF{sub 6} octahedra. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer [C(NH{sub 2}){sub 3}]{sub 2}TiF{sub 6} has a SHG efficiency of 25

  17. Niveles de actividad física asociados a factores sociodemograficos, antropométricos y conductuales en universitarios de Cartagena (Colombia

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Shyrley Díaz Cárdenas

    2014-01-01

    Full Text Available Objetivo: Describir el nivel de actividad física y su asociación con factores sociodemográficos, antropométricos y conductuales en universitarios de Cartagena (Colombia. Materiales y métodos: Estudio de corte transversal en 670 universitarios seleccionados por muestreo probabilístico. Se diseñó y aplicó una encuesta estructurada para evaluar el nivel de actividad física (International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ y los factores asociados (aspectos sociodemográficos, antropométricos (talla, peso y conductuales (tiempo libre, movilización, prácticas de deportes. Se estimaron ocurrencias (prevalencias, asociaciones (odd ratios, regresión logística multinomial y razones de verosimilitud para las interacciones entre variables. Resultados: Sesenta y tres por ciento de los universitarios presentaron bajo nivel de actividad física según el IPAQ en los últimos 7 días. Adulto joven (19 a 44 años (OR=1,4; IC 95 %;1,02-2, mujer (OR=2,06; IC 95 %;2,1-4, consumir alimentos tipo mekatos en momentos de estrés (OR=1,6; IC 95 %;1,19-2,2, ver televisión (OR=1,7; IC 95 %; 1,2-2,5, usar el computador en tiempo libre (OR= 2,1; IC 95 %;1,5-3 y no practicar deportes (OR= 5,5; IC 95 %;3,7-9 se encontraron asociados con el bajo nivel de actividad física. El modelo de asociación crudo es el que mejor explica el bajo nivel de actividad física según IPAQ; comparándose los dos modelos a través de las razones de verosimilitud se mantuvieron los siguientes factores: sexo, ver televisión, uso del computador en tiempo libre, práctica de deportes y gasto calórico de acuerdo con el consumo de carbohidratos (valor del modelo; p= 0,000; X2=273. Conclusiones: El sedentarismo y uso de las tecnologías de informática en tiempo libre favorecen bajos niveles de actividad física en universitarios; las universidades pueden invertir en el bienestar estudiantil, a través del diseño de estrategias que ocupen el tiempo libre de sus estudiantes

  18. Factors associated with delays in treatment initiation after tuberculosis diagnosis in two districts of India.

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    Durba Paul

    Full Text Available BACKGROUND: Excessive time between diagnosis and initiation of tuberculosis (TB treatment contributes to ongoing TB transmission and should be minimized. In India, Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP focuses on indicator start of treatment within 7 days of diagnosis for patients with sputum smear-positive PTB for monitoring DOTS implementation. OBJECTIVES: To determine length of time between diagnosis and initiation of treatment and factors associated with delays of more than 7 days in smear-positive pulmonary TB. METHODS: Using existing programme records such as the TB Register, treatment cards, and the laboratory register, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of all patients with smear-positive pulmonary TB registered from July-September 2010 in two districts in India. A random sample of patients with pulmonary TB who experienced treatment delay of more than 7 days was interviewed using structured questionnaire. RESULTS: 2027 of 3411 patients registered with pulmonary TB were smear-positive. 711(35% patients had >7 days between diagnosis and treatment and 262(13% had delays >15 days. Mean duration between TB diagnosis and treatment initiation was 8 days (range = 0-128 days. Odds of treatment delay >7 days was 1.8 times more likely among those who had been previously treated (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.5-2.3 and 1.6 (95% CI 1.3-1.8 times more likely among those diagnosed in health facilities without microscopy centers. The main factors associated with a delay >7 days were: patient reluctance to start a re-treatment regimen, patients seeking second opinions, delay in transportation of drugs to the DOT centers and delay in initial home visits. To conclude, treatment delay >7 days was associated with a number of factors that included history of previous treatment and absence of TB diagnostic services in the local health facility. Decentralized diagnostic facilities and improved referral procedures may reduce such treatment

  19. Knockdown of E2f1 by RNA interference impairs proliferation of rat cells in vitro

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    Luciana dos Reis Vasques

    2010-01-01

    Full Text Available E2F1 plays a key role in cell-cycle regulation in mammals, since its transcription factor activity controls genes required for DNA synthesis and apoptosis. E2F1 deregulation is a common feature among different tumor types and can be a major cause of cell proliferation. Thus, blocking E2F1 expression by RNA interference represents a promising therapeutic approach. In this study, the introduction of specific short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs reduced E2f1 expression by up to 77%, and impaired rat glioma cell proliferation by approximately 70%, as compared to control cells. Furthermore, we investigated the expression of E2f1 target genes, Cyclin A and Cyclin E. Cyclin A was found to be down-regulated, whereas Cyclin E had similar expression to control cells, indicating that gene(s other than E2f1 control its transcription. Other E2f family members, E2f2 and E2f3, which have been classified in the same subgroup of transcriptional activators, were also analyzed. Expression of both E2f2 and E2f3 was similar to control cells, showing no cross-inactivation or up-regulation to compensate for the absence of E2f1. Nevertheless, their expression was insufficient to maintain the initial proliferation potential. Taken together, our results suggest that shE2f1 is a promising therapy to control tumor cell proliferation.

  20. Identification of EhTIF-IA: The putative E. histolytica orthologue of the human ribosomal RNA transcription initiation factor-IA.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Srivastava, Ankita; Bhattacharya, Alok; Bhattacharya, Sudha; Jhingan, Gagan Deep

    2016-03-01

    Initiation of rDNA transcription requires the assembly of a specific multi-protein complex at the rDNA promoter containing the RNA Pol I with auxiliary factors. One of these factors is known as Rrn3P in yeast and Transcription Initiation Factor IA (TIF-IA) in mammals. Rrn3p/TIF-IA serves as a bridge between RNA Pol I and the pre-initiation complex at the promoter. It is phosphorylated at multiple sites and is involved in regulation of rDNA transcription in a growth-dependent manner. In the early branching parasitic protist Entamoeba histolytica, the rRNA genes are present exclusively on circular extra chromosomal plasmids. The protein factors involved in regulation of rDNA transcription in E. histolytica are not known. We have identified the E. histolytica equivalent of TIF-1A (EhTIF-IA) by homology search within the database and was further cloned and expressed. Immuno-localization studies showed that EhTIF-IA co-localized partially with fibrillarin in the peripherally localized nucleolus. EhTIF-IA was shown to interact with the RNA Pol I-specific subunit RPA12 both in vivo and in vitro. Mass spectroscopy data identified RNA Pol I-specific subunits and other nucleolar proteins to be the interacting partners of EhTIF-IA. Our study demonstrates for the first time a conserved putative RNA Pol I transcription factor TIF-IA in E. histolytica.

  1. The Potential Association of Later Initiation of Oral/Enteral Nutrition on Euthyroid Sick Syndrome in Burn Patients

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    Joaquín Pérez-Guisado

    2013-01-01

    Full Text Available Objective. The aim of this study was to determine if early initiation of oral/enteral nutrition in burn patients minimizes the drop in fT3 levels, reduces the potential for euthyroid sick syndrome (ESS, and shortens the length of hospital stay (LHS. Subjects and Methods. We retrospectively evaluated the statistical association of serum fT3, fT4, and TSH at the first (2nd–5th day and second sample collection (9th–12th day after the burn injury in 152 burn patients. Three groups were established depending on time of initiation of the oral/enteral nutrition: 48 h after the injury (Group 3. Results. They were expressed as mean ± standard deviation. We found that LHS and the fT3 levels were statistically different in the 3 groups. The LHS (in days was, respectively, in each group, 16.77±4.56, 21.98±4.86, and 26.06±5.47. Despite the quantifiable drop in fT3, ESS was present only at the first sample collection (2.61±0.92 days in Group 3, but there was no group with ESS at the second sample collection (9.89±1.01 days. Our data suggest that early initiation of nutritional supplementation decreases the length of hospitalization and is associated with decreasing fT3 serum concentration depression. Conclusion. Early initiation of oral/enteral nutrition counteracts ESS and improves the LHS in burn patients.

  2. 111In-BnDTPA-F3: an Auger electron-emitting radiotherapeutic agent that targets nucleolin.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Cornelissen, Bart; Waller, Andrew; Target, Carol; Kersemans, Veerle; Smart, Sean; Vallis, Katherine A

    2012-02-20

    The F3 peptide (KDEPQRRSARLSAKPAPPKPEPKPKKAPAKK), a fragment of the human high mobility group protein 2, binds nucleolin. Nucleolin is expressed in the nuclei of normal cells but is also expressed on the membrane of some cancer cells. The goal was to investigate the use of 111In-labeled F3 peptide for Auger electron-targeted radiotherapy. F3 was labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) for confocal microscopy and conjugated to p-SCN-benzyl-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (BnDTPA) for labeling with 111In to form 111In-BnDTPA-F3. MDA-MB-231-H2N (231-H2N) human breast cancer cells were exposed to 111In-BnDTPA-F3 and used in cell fractionation, γH2AX immunostaining (a marker of DNA double-strand breaks), and clonogenic assays. In vivo, biodistribution studies of 111In-BnDTPA-F3 were performed in 231-H2N xenograft-bearing mice. In tumor growth delay studies, 111In-BnDTPA-F3 (3 μg, 6 MBq/μg) was administered intravenously to 231-H2N xenograft-bearing mice once weekly for 3 weeks. Membrane-binding of FITC-F3 was observed in 231-H2N cells, and there was co-localization of FITC-F3 with nucleolin in the nuclei. After exposure of 231-H2N cells to 111In-BnDTPA-F3 for 2 h, 1.7% of 111In added to the medium was membrane-bound. Of the bound 111In, 15% was internalized, and of this, 37% was localized in the nucleus. Exposure of 231-H2N cells to 111In-BnDTPA-F3 (1 μM, 6 MBq/μg) resulted in a dose-dependent increase in γH2AX foci and in a significant reduction of clonogenic survival compared to untreated cells or cells exposed to unlabeled BnDTPA-F3 (46 ± 4.1%, 100 ± 1.8%, and 132 ± 7.7%, respectively). In vivo, tumor uptake of 111In-BnDTPA-F3 (3 μg, 6 MBq/μg) at 3-h post-injection was 1% of the injected dose per gram (%ID/g), and muscle uptake was 0.5%ID/g. In tumor growth delay studies, tumor growth rate was reduced 19-fold compared to untreated or unlabeled BnDTPA-F3-treated mice (p = 0.023). 111In-BnDTPA-F3 is internalized into 231-H2N cells and translocates

  3. Thermoluminescent kinetic parameters of the perovskite, KMgF{sub 3}, activated with lanthanum; Parametros cineticos termoluminiscentes de la perovskita, KMgF{sub 3}, activada con lantano

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Sepulveda M, F. [ESFM-IPN, 07738 Mexico D.F. (Mexico); Azorin N, J.; Rivera M, T. [UAM-I, 09340 Mexico D.F. (Mexico); Furetta, C.; Sanipoli, C. [Physics Department, Universita di Roma ' ' La Sapienza' ' , Piazzale A. Moro 2, 00185 Roma (Italy)

    2004-07-01

    The thermoluminescent curves induced by the beta radiation in the perovskite KMgF{sub 3} were investigated activated with lanthanum. The classic methods were used to determine the kinetic parameters (the kinetic order b, the activation energy E and the frequency of escape intent s) associated with the peaks of the thermoluminescent curve (Tl) in the KMgF{sub 3} activated with lanthanum after the irradiation with beta rays. The method is based on the position of the thermoluminescent peaks, obtained of the temperature change of the peak in the maximum emission caused by the change in the heating rapidity to which the samples were measured. In this work, the samples in form of pellets were re cooked previously at 400 C during one hour before irradiating them with beta particles. The Tl measures were made with a Tl reader system using three different heating rapidities and storing the glow curves. To calculate the depth of the E traps and the frequency factor s, the parameters of the glow curve were determined experimentally of the shame of the glow curve by means of the mensuration of the shame of the maximum temperature of the peak, T{sub M} like a function of the heating rapidity. The results indicate that the values of the kinetic parameters are very near among if when they are obtained indistinctly of anyone of the different methods. (Author)

  4. 3'-deoxy-3'-[18F]fluorothymidine PET Quantification of Bone Marrow Response to Radiation Dose

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    McGuire, Sarah M.; Menda, Yusuf; Boles Ponto, Laura L.; Gross, Brandie; Buatti, John; Bayouth, John E.

    2011-01-01

    Purpose: The purpose of this study was to quantify the relationship of bone marrow response to radiation dose, using 3'-deoxy-3'-[ 18 F]fluorothymidine ([ 18 F]FLT)-labeled uptake quantified in positron-emission tomography (PET) scans. Methods and Materials: Pre- and post-Week 1 treatment [ 18 F]FLT PET images were registered to the CT images used to create the radiation treatment plan. Changes in [ 18 F]FLT uptake values were measured using profile data of standardized uptake values (SUVs) and doses along the vertebral bodies located at a field border where a range of radiation doses were present for 10 patients. Data from the profile measurements were grouped into 1 Gy dose bins from 1 to 9 Gy to compare SUV changes for all patients. Additionally, the maximum pretreatment, the post-Week 1 treatment, and the dose values located within the C6-T7 vertebrae that straddled the field edge were measured for all patients. Results: Both the profile and the individual vertebral data showed a strong correlation between SUV change and radiation dose. Relative differences in SUVs between bins >1 Gy and 18 F]FLT PET images for identifying active bone marrow and monitoring changes due to radiation dose. Additionally, the change in [ 18 F]FLT uptake observed in bone marrow for different weekly doses suggests potential dose thresholds for reducing bone marrow toxicity.

  5. Negative thermal expansion in TiF{sub 3} from the first-principles prediction

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Wang, Lei [International Laboratory for Quantum Functional Materials of Henan, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001 (China); Yuan, Peng-Fei; Wang, Fei; Sun, Qiang; Liang, Er-Jun [International Laboratory for Quantum Functional Materials of Henan, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001 (China); Center for Clean Energy and Quantum Structures, and School of Physics and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052 (China); Jia, Yu, E-mail: jiayu@zzu.edu.cn [International Laboratory for Quantum Functional Materials of Henan, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001 (China); Center for Clean Energy and Quantum Structures, and School of Physics and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052 (China); Guo, Zheng-Xiao, E-mail: z.x.guo@ucl.ac.uk [Deparment of Chemistry, University College London, London WC1H 0AJ (United Kingdom)

    2014-08-01

    Highlights: • Rhombohedral TiF{sub 3} as a new NTE material is predicted from first-principles calculation. • The NTE mechanism is proposed based on the analysis of vibrational properties. • The rotation coupling of TiF{sub 6} octahedra at low frequencies is most responsible for NTE. - Abstract: In negative thermal expansion (NTE) materials, rhombohedral TiF{sub 3} as a new member is predicted from first-principles calculation. The NTE behavior of rhombohedral TiF{sub 3} occurs at low temperatures. In our work, the NTE mechanism is elaborated in accordance with vibrational modes. It is confirmed that the rigid unit mode (RUM) of internal TiF{sub 6} octahedra in low-frequency optical range is most responsible for the NTE properties.

  6. ITO-free flexible organic photovoltaics with multilayer MoO3/LiF/MoO3/Ag/MoO3 as the transparent electrode

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Chen, Shilin; Dai, Yunjie; Zhang, Hongmei; Zhao, Dewei

    2016-01-01

    We present efficient flexible organic photovoltaics (OPVs) with multiple layers of molybdenum oxide (MoO 3 )/LiF/MoO 3 /Ag/MoO 3 as the transparent electrode, where the thin Ag layer yields high conductivity and the dielectric layer MoO 3 /LiF/MoO 3 has high transparency due to optical interference, leading to improved power conversion efficiency compared with indium tin oxide (ITO) based devices. The MoO 3 contacting organic active layer is used as a buffer layer for good hole extraction. Thus, the multilayer MoO 3 /LiF/MoO 3 /Ag/MoO 3 can improve light transmittance and also facilitate charge carrier extraction. Such an electrode shows excellent mechanical bendability with a 9% reduction of efficiency after 1000 cycles of bending due to the ductile nature of the thin metal layer and dielectric layer used. Our results suggest that the MoO 3 /LiF/MoO 3 /Ag/MoO 3 multilayer electrode is a promising alternative to ITO as an electrode in OPVs. (paper)

  7. In vitro and in vivo antitumor activity of the halogenated boroxine dipotassium-trioxohydroxytetrafluorotriborate (K2[B3O3F4OH]).

    Science.gov (United States)

    Ivankovic, Sinisa; Stojkovic, Ranko; Galic, Zoran; Galic, Borivoj; Ostojic, Jelena; Marasovic, Maja; Milos, Mladen

    2015-06-01

    Dipotassium-trioxohydroxytetrafluorotriborate K2[B3O3F4OH] was listed as a promising new therapeutic for cancer diseases. For in vitro and in vivo investigation of its antitumor effects 4T1 mammary adenocarcinoma, B16F10 melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma SCCVII were used. The detailed in vitro investigation undoubtedly showed that K2[B3O3F4OH] affects the growth of cancer cells. The proliferation of cells depends on the concentration so that aqueous solution of K2[B3O3F4OH], the concentrations of 10(-4) M and less, does not affect cell growth, but the concentrations of 10(-3) M or more, significantly slows cells growth. B16F10 and SCCVII cells show higher sensitivity to the cytotoxic effects of K2[B3O3F4OH] compared to 4T1 cells. Under in vivo conditions, K2[B3O3F4OH] slows the growth of all three tumors tested compared to the control, and the inhibitory effect was most pronounced during the application of the substance. There is almost no difference if K2[B3O3F4OH] was applied intraperitoneally, intratumor, peroral or as ointment. Addition of 5-FU did not further increase the antitumor efficacy of K2[B3O3F4OH].

  8. Aging effect of AlF3 coatings for 193 nm lithography

    Science.gov (United States)

    Zhao, Jia; Wang, Lin; Zhang, Weili; Yi, Kui; Shao, Jianda

    2018-02-01

    As important part of components for 193 nm lithography, AlF3 coatings deposited by resistive heating method acquire advantages like lower optical loss and higher laser damage threshold, but they also possess some disadvantages like worse stability, which is what aging effect focuses on. AlF3 single-layer coatings were deposited; optical property, surface morphology and roughness, and composition were characterized in different periods. Owing to aging effect, refractive index and extinction coefficient increased; larger and larger roughness caused more and more scattering loss, which was in the same order with absorption at 193.4 nm and part of optical loss; from composition analysis, proportional substitution of AlF3 by alumina may account for changes in refractive index as well as absorption.

  9. Dosage-dependent copy number gains in E2f1 and E2f3 drive hepatocellular carcinoma

    NARCIS (Netherlands)

    Kent, Lindsey N.; Bae, Sooin; Tsai, Shih-Yin; Tang, Xing; Srivastava, Arunima; Koivisto, Christopher; Martin, Chelsea K.; Ridolfi, Elisa; Miller, Grace C.; Zorko, Sarah M.; Plevris, Emilia; Hadjiyannis, Yannis; Perez, Miguel; Nolan, Eric; Kladney, Raleigh; Westendorp, Bart; de Bruin, Alain; Fernandez, Soledad; Rosol, Thomas J.; Pohar, Kamal S.; Pipas, James M.; Leone, Gustavo

    2017-01-01

    Disruption of the retinoblastoma (RB) tumor suppressor pathway, either through genetic mutation of upstream regulatory components or mutation of RB1 itself, is believed to be a required event in cancer. However, genetic alterations in the RB-regulated E2F family of transcription factors are

  10. Molecular dynamics analysis of conformational change of paramyxovirus F protein during the initial steps of membrane fusion

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Martín-García, Fernando; Mendieta-Moreno, Jesús Ignacio; Mendieta, Jesús; Gómez-Puertas, Paulino

    2012-01-01

    Highlights: ► Initial conformational change of paramyxovirus F protein is caused only by mechanical forces. ► HRA region undergoes a structural change from a beta + alpha conformation to an extended coil and then to an all-alpha conformation. ► HRS domains of F protein form three single α-helices prior to generation of the coiled coil. -- Abstract: The fusion of paramyxovirus to the cell membrane is mediated by fusion protein (F protein) present in the virus envelope, which undergoes a dramatic conformational change during the process. Unlike hemagglutinin in orthomyxovirus, this change is not mediated by an alteration of environmental pH, and its cause remains unknown. Steered molecular dynamics analysis leads us to suggest that the conformational modification is mediated only by stretching mechanical forces once the transmembrane fusion peptide of the protein is anchored to the cell membrane. Such elongating forces will generate major secondary structure rearrangement in the heptad repeat A region of the F protein; from β-sheet conformation to an elongated coil and then spontaneously to an α-helix. In addition, it is proposed that the heptad repeat A region adopts a final three-helix coiled coil and that this structure appears after the formation of individual helices in each monomer.

  11. Phase transition control, melt growth of (Gd,RE)F{sub 3} single crystal and their luminescent properties

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Yoshikawa, Akira, E-mail: yosikawa@tagen.tohoku.ac.j [Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577 (Japan); New Industry Creation Hatchery Center (NICHe), Tohoku University, 6-6-10 Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8579 (Japan); Jouini, Anis [Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577 (Japan); BerlinSolar GmbH, Magnusstrasse 11, D-12489 Berlin (Germany); Kamada, Kei [Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577 (Japan); Boulon, Georges [Physical Chemistry of Luminescent Materials, Claude Bernard/Lyon 1 University, UMR 5620 CNRS, Villeurbanne (France); Nikl, Martin [Institute of Physics AS CR, Cukrovarnicka 10, Prague 16253 (Czech Republic); Saito, Fumio [Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577 (Japan)

    2009-12-15

    Rare-earth sesquifluorides with no absorption in visible spectral region, such as LaF{sub 3}, GdF{sub 3}, LuF{sub 3}, YF{sub 3}, ScF{sub 3}, are the topic of intense study as a host for luminescence materials. However, except Nd:LaF{sub 3}, they are not studied as a host for laser materials. The main obstacle troubling further study of GdF{sub 3}, LuF{sub 3}, YF{sub 3}, ScF{sub 3} single crystal is the fact that there is first-order phase transition (LaF{sub 3} type{leftrightarrow}{beta}-YF{sub 3} type for GdF{sub 3}, {alpha}-YF{sub 3} type{leftrightarrow}{beta}-YF{sub 3} type for the rest) between the room and melting temperature.To prevent the phase transition, first of all, we have tried to make solid solution between GdF{sub 3} and YF{sub 3} in such a way that the average cation radii can be shifted to the size that does not have phase transition. Ce{sup 3+} perturbed luminescence was observed in the Ce- and Sr-codoped GdF{sub 3}-YF{sub 3} system. Similar solid solution concept was applied to the combination between GdF{sub 3} and YbF{sub 3}. The emission spectrum of Yb{sup 3+} that exhibits broad bands around 1 {mu}m was observed. Room temperature up-conversion luminescence spectra of Pr{sup 3+}-doped Gd{sub 1-x}Yb{sub x}F{sub 3} were studied and visible emission from Pr{sup 3+} was obtained under infrared laser pumping in the Yb{sup 3+} broad absorption band at 935.5 nm.

  12. Spin-spin cross relaxation and spin-Hamiltonian spectroscopy by optical pumping of Pr/sup 3+/:LaF3

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Lukac, M.; Otto, F.W.; Hahn, E.L.

    1989-01-01

    We report the observation of an anticrossing in solid-state laser spectroscopy produced by cross relaxation. Spin-spin cross relaxation between the /sup 141/Pr- and /sup 19/F-spin reservoirs in Pr/sup 3+/:LaF 3 and its influence on the /sup 141/Pr NMR spectrum is detected by means of optical pumping. The technique employed combines optical pumping and hole burning with either external magnetic field sweep or rf resonance saturation in order to produce slow transient changes in resonant laser transmission. At a certain value of the external Zeeman field, where the energy-level splittings of Pr and F spins match, a level repulsion and discontinuity of the Pr/sup 3+/ NMR lines is observed. This effect is interpreted as the ''anticrossing'' of the combined Pr-F spin-spin reservoir energy states. The Zeeman-quadrupole-Hamiltonian spectrum of the hyperfine optical ground states of Pr/sup 3+/:LaF 3 is mapped out over a wide range of Zeeman magnetic fields. A new scheme is proposed for dynamic polarization of nuclei by means of optical pumping, based on resonant cross relaxation between rare spins and spin reservoirs

  13. Analysis of ({sup 7}F{sub 0}){gamma}{sub 1g}{yields}({sup 5}D{sub 2}){gamma}{sub 5g}, {gamma}{sub 3g} and ({sup 7}F{sub 0}){gamma}{sub 1g}{yields}({sup 5}L{sub 6}){gamma}{sub 1g}, a{gamma}{sub 5g} two-photon absorption spectra of Cs{sub 2}NaYF{sub 6}:Eu{sup 3+}

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Ning Lixin; Wang Dianyuan; Xia Shangda [Structure Research Laboratory, Academica Sinica, Department of Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Heifei, Anhui (China); Thorne, Jonathan R.G. [Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford (United Kingdom); Tanner, Peter A. [Department of Biology and Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon (China)

    2002-04-15

    The direct calculation of transition line strengths and relative intensities is presented for two intraconfigurational two-photon absorption (TPA) transitions of Eu{sup 3+} in the cubic Cs{sub 2}NaYF{sub 6} host. Crystal field wavefunctions were utilized for the initial and final f{sup N}-electron states and various approaches were used in constructing all the 4f{sup N-1} 5d{sup 1} intermediate-state wavefunctions. The calculated relative intensities of the ({sup 7}F{sub 0}) {gamma}{sub 1g}{yields}({sup 5}D{sub 2}){gamma}{sub 5g}, {gamma}{sub 3g} TPA transitions are in reasonable agreement with experiment. The neglect of J-mixing in the initial state has only a small effect upon the calculation, whereas the neglect of spin-orbit couplings within the initial and terminal states drastically reduces the calculated transition linestrengths, but does not markedly change the intensity ratios. In the case of the ({sup 7}F{sub 0}){gamma}{sub 1g}{yields}({sup 5}L{sub 6}){gamma}{sub 1g}, a{gamma}{sub 5g} transitions, serious discrepancies between experiment and theory are found if the intermediate states are constructed from a 4f{sup 5} core comprising free ion states and the 5d{sup 1} crystal field states. Satisfactory agreement is, however, found when the 4f{sup 5} crystal field states are utilized in constructing the intermediate states. The contributions to the transition moment have been evaluated for various Hamiltonian terms and the results are discussed. (author)

  14. SdrF, a Staphylococcus epidermidis surface protein, contributes to the initiation of ventricular assist device driveline-related infections.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Carlos Arrecubieta

    2009-05-01

    Full Text Available Staphylococcus epidermidis remains the predominant pathogen in prosthetic-device infections. Ventricular assist devices, a recently developed form of therapy for end-stage congestive heart failure, have had considerable success. However, infections, most often caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis, have limited their long-term use. The transcutaneous driveline entry site acts as a potential portal of entry for bacteria, allowing development of either localized or systemic infections. A novel in vitro binding assay using explanted drivelines obtained from patients undergoing transplantation and a heterologous lactococcal system of surface protein expression were used to identify S. epidermidis surface components involved in the pathogenesis of driveline infections. Of the four components tested, SdrF, SdrG, PIA, and GehD, SdrF was identified as the primary ligand. SdrF adherence was mediated via its B domain attaching to host collagen deposited on the surface of the driveline. Antibodies directed against SdrF reduced adherence of S. epidermidis to the drivelines. SdrF was also found to adhere with high affinity to Dacron, the hydrophobic polymeric outer surface of drivelines. Solid phase binding assays showed that SdrF was also able to adhere to other hydrophobic artificial materials such as polystyrene. A murine model of infection was developed and used to test the role of SdrF during in vivo driveline infection. SdrF alone was able to mediate bacterial adherence to implanted drivelines. Anti-SdrF antibodies reduced S. epidermidis colonization of implanted drivelines. SdrF appears to play a key role in the initiation of ventricular assist device driveline infections caused by S. epidermidis. This pluripotential adherence capacity provides a potential pathway to infection with SdrF-positive commensal staphylococci first adhering to the external Dacron-coated driveline at the transcutaneous entry site, then spreading along the collagen

  15. Adaptation of a haptic robot in a 3T fMRI.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Snider, Joseph; Plank, Markus; May, Larry; Liu, Thomas T; Poizner, Howard

    2011-10-04

    Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) provides excellent functional brain imaging via the BOLD signal with advantages including non-ionizing radiation, millimeter spatial accuracy of anatomical and functional data, and nearly real-time analyses. Haptic robots provide precise measurement and control of position and force of a cursor in a reasonably confined space. Here we combine these two technologies to allow precision experiments involving motor control with haptic/tactile environment interaction such as reaching or grasping. The basic idea is to attach an 8 foot end effecter supported in the center to the robot allowing the subject to use the robot, but shielding it and keeping it out of the most extreme part of the magnetic field from the fMRI machine (Figure 1). The Phantom Premium 3.0, 6DoF, high-force robot (SensAble Technologies, Inc.) is an excellent choice for providing force-feedback in virtual reality experiments, but it is inherently non-MR safe, introduces significant noise to the sensitive fMRI equipment, and its electric motors may be affected by the fMRI's strongly varying magnetic field. We have constructed a table and shielding system that allows the robot to be safely introduced into the fMRI environment and limits both the degradation of the fMRI signal by the electrically noisy motors and the degradation of the electric motor performance by the strongly varying magnetic field of the fMRI. With the shield, the signal to noise ratio (SNR: mean signal/noise standard deviation) of the fMRI goes from a baseline of ~380 to ~330, and ~250 without the shielding. The remaining noise appears to be uncorrelated and does not add artifacts to the fMRI of a test sphere (Figure 2). The long, stiff handle allows placement of the robot out of range of the most strongly varying parts of the magnetic field so there is no significant effect of the fMRI on the robot. The effect of the handle on the robot's kinematics is minimal since it is lightweight (~2

  16. Toxicity of laser irradiated photoactive fluoride PrF3 nanoparticles toward bacteria

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Pudovkin, M S; Korableva, S L; Krasheninnicova, A O; Nizamutdinov, A S; Semashko, V V; Zelenihin, P V; Alakshin, E M; Nevzorova, T A

    2014-01-01

    The article is devoted to exploration of biological effects of crystalline PrF 3 nanoparticles toward Salmonella typhimurium TA 98 bacteria under the laser irradiation. Obtained results show bactericidal activity of PrF 3 nanoparticles and optimal parameters of laser irradiation (power of laser irradiation, wavelength, diameter of the laser spoil, and exposure time) have been found under which the effects of bactericidal activity become the most significant. Survival of bacterial cells under laser irradiation with wavelength 532 nm in colloidal solution of PrF 3 nanoparticles was 39%, 34%, 20% for exposure times 5 minutes, 15 minutes and 30 minutes, correspondingly

  17. Preparation, structure and analysis of the bonding in the molecular entity (OSO)2Li{[AlF(ORF)3]Li[Al(ORF)4]} (RF = C(CF3)3).

    Science.gov (United States)

    Cameron, T Stanley; Nikiforov, Grigory B; Passmore, Jack; Rautiainen, J Mikko

    2010-03-14

    The (SO(2))(2)Li[AlF(OR(F))(3)]Li[Al(OR(F))(4)] (1) (R(F) = C(CF(3))(3)) molecular entity was obtained by thermal decomposition of Li[Al(OR(F))(4)] followed by crystallization from liquid SO(2). 1, containing two SO(2) molecules eta(1)-O coordinated to Li(+), was structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction and NMR spectroscopy in SO(2)(l). Bonding analyses of 1 (bond valency units, AIM analysis, atomic charges, bond orders) show that 1 can be either considered as a Li(OSO)(2)(+) complex stabilized by the large WCA [AlF(OR(F))(3)](-)Li(+)[Al(OR(F))(4)](-) or as consisting of 2 SO(2), 2 Li(+), [AlF(OR(F))(3)](-), and [Al(OR(F))(4)](-) joined by electrostatic interactions into the discrete molecular entity 1. The bonding between Li(+) and SO(2) molecules is shown to be almost completely attributable to monopole-induced dipole electrostatic interactions. Theoretical gas phase lithium ion affinity of SO(2) is determined to be stronger than its silver(I) ion affinity owing largely to the shorter lithium SO(2) contacts in the calculated structures that increase the electrostatic interaction.

  18. The eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 subunit L protein interacts with Flavivirus NS5 and may modulate yellow fever virus replication.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Morais, Ana Ts; Terzian, Ana Cb; Duarte, Danilo Vb; Bronzoni, Roberta Vm; Madrid, Maria Cfs; Gavioli, Arieli F; Gil, Laura Hvg; Oliveira, Amanda G; Zanelli, Cleslei F; Valentini, Sandro R; Rahal, Paula; Nogueira, Mauricio L

    2013-06-22

    Yellow fever virus (YFV) belongs to the Flavivirus genus and causes an important disease. An alarming resurgence of viral circulation and the expansion of YFV-endemic zones have been detected in Africa and South America in recent years. NS5 is a viral protein that contains methyltransferase and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) domains, which are essential for viral replication, and the interactions between NS5 and cellular proteins have been studied to better understand viral replication. The aim of this study was to characterize the interaction of the NS5 protein with eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 subunit L (eIF3L) and to evaluate the role of eIF3L in yellow fever replication. To identify interactions of YFV NS5 with cellular proteins, we performed a two-hybrid screen using the YFV NS5 RdRp domain as bait with a human cDNA library, and RNApol deletion mutants were generated and analyzed using the two-hybrid system for mapping the interactions. The RNApol region involved was segmented into three fragments and analyzed using an eIF3L-expressing yeast strain. To map the NS5 residues that are critical for the interactions, we performed site-direct mutagenesis in segment 3 of the interaction domain (ID) and confirmed the interaction using in vitro assays and in vivo coimmunoprecipitation. The significance of eIF3L for YFV replication was investigated using eIF3L overexpression and RNA interference. In this work, we describe and characterize the interaction of NS5 with the translation factor eIF3L. The interaction between NS5 and eIF3L was confirmed using in vitro binding and in vivo coimmunoprecipitation assays. This interaction occurs at a region (the interaction domain of the RNApol domain) that is conserved in several flaviviruses and that is, therefore, likely to be relevant to the genus. eIF3L overexpression and plaque reduction assays showed a slight effect on YFV replication, indicating that the interaction of eIF3L with YFV NS5 may play a role

  19. Atmospheric abundance and global emissions of perfluorocarbons CF4, C2F6 and C3F8 since 1800 inferred from ice core, firn, air archive and in situ measurements

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    C. M. Trudinger

    2016-09-01

    Full Text Available Perfluorocarbons (PFCs are very potent and long-lived greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, released predominantly during aluminium production and semiconductor manufacture. They have been targeted for emission controls under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Here we present the first continuous records of the atmospheric abundance of CF4 (PFC-14, C2F6 (PFC-116 and C3F8 (PFC-218 from 1800 to 2014. The records are derived from high-precision measurements of PFCs in air extracted from polar firn or ice at six sites (DE08, DE08-2, DSSW20K, EDML, NEEM and South Pole and air archive tanks and atmospheric air sampled from both hemispheres. We take account of the age characteristics of the firn and ice core air samples and demonstrate excellent consistency between the ice core, firn and atmospheric measurements. We present an inversion for global emissions from 1900 to 2014. We also formulate the inversion to directly infer emission factors for PFC emissions due to aluminium production prior to the 1980s. We show that 19th century atmospheric levels, before significant anthropogenic influence, were stable at 34.1 ± 0.3 ppt for CF4 and below detection limits of 0.002 and 0.01 ppt for C2F6 and C3F8, respectively. We find a significant peak in CF4 and C2F6 emissions around 1940, most likely due to the high demand for aluminium during World War II, for example for construction of aircraft, but these emissions were nevertheless much lower than in recent years. The PFC emission factors for aluminium production in the early 20th century were significantly higher than today but have decreased since then due to improvements and better control of the smelting process. Mitigation efforts have led to decreases in emissions from peaks in 1980 (CF4 or early-to-mid-2000s (C2F6 and C3F8 despite the continued increase in global aluminium production; however, these decreases in emissions appear to have recently halted. We see a temporary

  20. Two anionically derivatized scandium oxoselenates(IV): ScF[SeO3] and Sc2O2[SeO3

    Science.gov (United States)

    Greiner, Stefan; Chou, Sheng-Chun; Schleid, Thomas

    2017-02-01

    Scandium fluoride oxoselenate(IV) ScF[SeO3] and scandium oxide oxoselenate(IV) Sc2O2[SeO3] could be synthesized through solid-state reactions. ScF[SeO3] was obtained phase-pure, by reacting mixtures of Sc2O3, ScF3 and SeO2 (molar ratio: 1:1:3) together with CsBr as fluxing agent in corundum crucibles embedded into evacuated glassy silica ampoules after firing at 700 °C for seven days. Sc2O2[SeO3] first emerged as by-product during the attempts to synthesize ScCl[SeO3] following aforementioned synthesis route and could later be reproduced from appropriate Sc2O3/SeO3 mixtures. ScF[SeO3] crystallizes monoclinically in space group P21/m with a=406.43(2), b =661.09(4), c=632.35(4) pm, β=93.298(3)° and Z=2. Sc2O2[SeO3] also crystallizes in the monoclinic system, but in space group P21/n with a=786.02(6), b=527.98(4), c=1086.11(8) pm, β=108.672(3)° for Z=4. The crystal structures of both compounds are strongly influenced by the stereochemically active lone pairs of the ψ1-tetrahedral [SeO3]2- anions. They also show partial structures, where the derivatizing F- or O2- anions play an important role. For ScF[SeO3] chains of the composition 2+∞ 1[FS c 2 / 2 ] form from connected [FSc2]5+ dumbbells, while [OSc3]7+ pyramids and [OSc4]10+ tetrahedra units are condensed to layers according to 2+ ∞ 2[O2Sc2 ] in Sc2O2[SeO3].

  1. High radiochemical yield synthesis of [18F]FLT from 3'-O-nosylated thymidine and its 3-N-BOC-protected analogue

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Yoon, M. K.; Oh, S. J.; Ryu, J. S.; Moon, D. H.

    2002-01-01

    We synthesized 3'-O-nosylate and its 3-N-BOC-protected thymidine derivatives as two precursors for high radiochemical yield synthesis of [ 18 F]FLT and optimized [ 18 F]fluorination conditions. (5'-O-DMTr-2'-deoxy-3'-O-nosyl-β-D-threo-pentofuranosyl)thymidine and its s 3-N-BOD-protected analogue were prepared with 54% and 28% yield, respectively. After drying of [ 18 F]F-, 3'-O-nosylate(10-30 mg) or its 3-N-BOC-protected(11-34 mg) precursor was added to 500 μl of CH3CN, respectively. The mixtures were heated at 100-130 .deg. C for 5-30 min. For hydrolysis, 250-500 μl 1N HCl at 50 .deg. C for 5 min condition was used and 1.5ml of 2M sodium acetate was used for neutralization. Reaction mixture was purified by HPLC. The optimal [ 18 F]fluorination yield of 3'-O-nosylate precursor was 85±5.4% with 34 mg of precursor and a reaction time of 5 min at 130 .deg. C. For 3-N-BOC-protected analogue, [ 18 F]fluorination yield was 82±5.4% with 34 mg of precursor and a reaction time of 5 min at 110. deg. C. After HPLC purification, overall radiochemical yield using each precursors were 40±5.2% and 42±5.4% and radiochemical purity were 98±0.5% and 97±2.1% for two precursors, respectively. Preparation time was 60±10.5 min including HPLC purification for two precursors. From these two precursors, [ 18 F]FLT can be easily prepared with high radiochemical yield. 3-N-BOC-protected precursor required milder [ 18 F]fluorination conditions than 3'-O-nosylate precursor

  2. Local structure of perovskites ReO3 and ScF3 with negative thermal expansion: interpretation beyond the quasiharmonic approximation

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Purans, Juris; Piskunov, Sergei; Bocharov, Dmitry; Kalinko, Aleksandr; Kuzmin, Alexei; Ali, Shehab E.; Rocca, Francesco

    2016-01-01

    We propose an approach beyond the quasiharmonic approximation for interpretation of EXAFS and XRD data and for ab initio calculations of electronic and vibration properties of materials with negative thermal expansion. Ab initio electronic structure and lattice dynamics calculations for cubic and distorted ScF 3 were performed using the linear combination of atomic orbitals (LCAO) method. The band gap obtained in calculations for ScF 3 is equal to 10.54 eV and agree well with the expected value. The calculated infrared spectra of F displaced (FD) cubic ScF 3 allow us to predict that its mean Sc-F-Sc angle within NTE deviates from 180 degree. (paper)

  3. Nicotinic α4β2 receptor imaging agents. Part III. Synthesis and biological evaluation of 3-(2-(S)-azetidinylmethoxy)-5-(3′-18F-fluoropropyl)pyridine (18F-nifzetidine)

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Pichika, Rama; Easwaramoorthy, Balu; Christian, Bradley T.; Shi, Bingzhi; Narayanan, Tanjore K.; Collins, Daphne; Mukherjee, Jogeshwar

    2011-01-01

    Thalamic and extrathalamic nicotinic α4β2 receptors found in the brain have been implicated in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, substance abuse and other disorders. We report here the development of 3-(2-(S)-azetidinylmethoxy)-5-(3′-fluoropropyl)pyridine (nifzetidine) as a new putative high-affinity antagonist for nicotinic α4β2 receptors. Nifzetidine in rat brain homogenate assays containing α4β2 sites labeled with 3 H-cytisine exhibited a binding affinity: Ki=0.67 nM. The fluorine-18 analog, 3-(2-(S)-azetidinylmethoxy)-5-(3′- 18 F-fluoropropyl)pyridine ( 18 F-nifzetidine), was synthesized in 20%–40% yield, and apparent specific activity was estimated to be above 2 Ci/μmol. Rat brain slices indicated selective binding of 18 F-nifzetidine to thalamus, subiculum, striata, cortex and other regions consistent with α4β2 receptor distribution. This selective binding was displaced >85% by 150 μM nicotine. Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging studies of 18 F-nifzetidine in anesthetized rhesus monkey showed slow uptake in the various brain regions. Retention of 18 F-nifzetidine was maximal in the thalamus and lateral geniculate followed by regions of the temporal and frontal cortex. Cerebellum showed the least uptake. Thalamus to cerebellum ratio was about 2.3 at 180 min postinjection and continued to rise. 18 F-Nifzetidine shows promise as a new PET imaging agent for α4β2 nAChR. However, the slow kinetics suggests a need for >3-h PET scans for quantitative studies of the α4β2 nAChRs.

  4. Paclitaxel conjugated Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@LaF{sub 3}:Ce{sup 3+},Tb{sup 3+} nanoparticles as bifunctional targeting carriers for Cancer theranostics application

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Mangaiyarkarasi, Rajendiran; Chinnathambi, Shanmugavel; Karthikeyan, Subramani; Aruna, Prakasarao; Ganesan, Singaravelu, E-mail: sganesan@annauniv.edu

    2016-02-01

    The bi-functional Chitosan functionalized magnetite doped luminescent rare earth nanoparticles (Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@LaF{sub 3}: Ce{sup 3+},Tb{sup 3+}/chi NPs) as a carrier of paclitaxel (PTX) drug was designed using a co-precipitation and facile direct precipitation method. The synthesized nanoparticles are spherical in shape with a typical diameter of 19–37 nm respectively. They are water soluble, super paramagnetic and biocompatible, in which the amino groups on the nanoparticles surface are used for the conjugation with an anticancer drug, paclitaxel. The nature of PTX binding with Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@LaF{sub 3}: Ce{sup 3+},Tb{sup 3+}/chi nanoparticles were studied using X-ray diffraction, vibrating sample magnetometer and scanning electron micrograph. The nature of interactions between PTX and Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@LaF{sub 3}: Ce{sup 3+},Tb{sup 3+}/chi NPs due to complex formation were conceded out by various spectroscopic methods viz., UV–visible, steady state and excited state fluorescence spectroscopy. The photo-physical characterization reveals that the adsorption and release of PTX from Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@LaF{sub 3}:Tb{sup 3+}/chi nanoparticles is quicker when compared with other nanoparticles and also confirms that this may be due to the hydrogen bond formation between the hydroxyl group of drug and amino group of nanoparticles respectively. The maximum loading capacity and entrapment efficiency of 83.69% and 80.51% were attained at a ratio of 5:8 of PTX and Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@LaF{sub 3}: Ce{sup 3+},Tb{sup 3+}/chi NPs respectively. In addition with that, antitumoral activity study of PTX conjugated Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@LaF{sub 3}:Tb{sup 3+}/chi nanoparticles exhibits increased cytotoxic effects on A549 lung cancer cell lines than that of unconjugated PTX. - Highlights: • Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@LaF{sub 3}: Ce{sup 3+},Tb{sup 3+}/chi nanoparticles as a carrier of paclitaxel. • These particles are water soluble, super paramagnetic and biocompatible. • The maximum

  5. Factors affecting 18 F FDOPA standardized uptake value in patients with primary brain tumors after treatment

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Chiaravalloti, Agostino; Fiorentini, Alessandro; Villani, Veronica; Carapella, Carmine; Pace, Andrea; Di Pietro, Barbara; Di Russo, Carmen; Palumbo, Barbara; Floris, Roberto; Schillaci, Orazio

    2015-01-01

    Aim: To investigate the factors affecting 18 F FDOPA uptake in patients with primary brain tumors (PBT) after treatment. Materials and methods: 97 patients with PBT (6 were grade I, 40 were grade II, 29 were grade III and 22 were grade IV) underwent 18 F FDOPA positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) after treatment. Intervals from surgery, chemotherapy (CHT) and radiotherapy (RT) were 41.48 (± 42.27), 16.04 (± 29.08) and 28.62 (± 34.49) months respectively. Results: 18 F FDOPA uptake in the site of recurrence was not related to the interval from surgery and CHT while a significant relationship has been found with the interval from RT and tumor grade. Conclusions: The results of our study show that the interval from RT and the grade of PBT should be considered carefully when evaluating brain PET/CT scans since these factors could directly affect 18 F FDOPA uptake

  6. Recombinant nematode anticoagulant protein c2, an inhibitor of tissue factor/factor VIIa, attenuates coagulation and the interleukin-10 response in human endotoxemia

    NARCIS (Netherlands)

    de Pont, A. C. J. M.; Moons, A. H. M.; de Jonge, E.; Meijers, J. C. M.; Vlasuk, G. P.; Rote, W. E.; Büller, H. R.; van der Poll, T.; Levi, M. [=Marcel M.

    2004-01-01

    The tissue factor-factor (F)VIIa complex (TF/FVIIa) is responsible for the initiation of blood coagulation under both physiological and pathological conditions. Recombinant nematode anticoagulant protein c2 (rNAPc2) is a potent inhibitor of TF/FVIIa. mechanistically distinct from tissue factor

  7. The RNA recognition motif of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3g (eIF3g) is required for resumption of scanning of posttermination ribosomes for reinitiation on GCN4 and together with eIF3i stimulates linear scanning.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Cuchalová, Lucie; Kouba, Tomás; Herrmannová, Anna; Dányi, István; Chiu, Wen-Ling; Valásek, Leos

    2010-10-01

    Recent reports have begun unraveling the details of various roles of individual eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 (eIF3) subunits in translation initiation. Here we describe functional characterization of two essential Saccharomyces cerevisiae eIF3 subunits, g/Tif35 and i/Tif34, previously suggested to be dispensable for formation of the 48S preinitiation complexes (PICs) in vitro. A triple-Ala substitution of conserved residues in the RRM of g/Tif35 (g/tif35-KLF) or a single-point mutation in the WD40 repeat 6 of i/Tif34 (i/tif34-Q258R) produces severe growth defects and decreases the rate of translation initiation in vivo without affecting the integrity of eIF3 and formation of the 43S PICs in vivo. Both mutations also diminish induction of GCN4 expression, which occurs upon starvation via reinitiation. Whereas g/tif35-KLF impedes resumption of scanning for downstream reinitiation by 40S ribosomes terminating at upstream open reading frame 1 (uORF1) in the GCN4 mRNA leader, i/tif34-Q258R prevents full GCN4 derepression by impairing the rate of scanning of posttermination 40S ribosomes moving downstream from uORF1. In addition, g/tif35-KLF reduces processivity of scanning through stable secondary structures, and g/Tif35 specifically interacts with Rps3 and Rps20 located near the ribosomal mRNA entry channel. Together these results implicate g/Tif35 and i/Tif34 in stimulation of linear scanning and, specifically in the case of g/Tif35, also in proper regulation of the GCN4 reinitiation mechanism.

  8. Novel Eicosapentaenoic Acid-derived F3-isoprostanes as Biomarkers of Lipid Peroxidation*

    Science.gov (United States)

    Song, Wen-Liang; Paschos, Georgios; Fries, Susanne; Reilly, Muredach P.; Yu, Ying; Rokach, Joshua; Chang, Chih-Tsung; Patel, Pranav; Lawson, John A.; FitzGerald, Garret A.

    2009-01-01

    Isoprostanes (iPs) are prostaglandin (PG) isomers generated by free radical-catalyzed peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Urinary F2-iPs, PGF2α isomers derived from arachidonic acid (AA) are used as indices of lipid peroxidation in vivo. We now report the characterization of two major F3-iPs, 5-epi-8,12-iso-iPF3α-VI and 8,12-iso-iPF3α-VI, derived from the ω-3 fatty acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Although the potential therapeutic benefits of EPA receive much attention, a shift toward a diet rich in ω-3 PUFAs may also predispose to enhanced lipid peroxidation. Urinary 5-epi-8,12-iso-iPF3α-VI and 8,12-iso-iPF3α-VI are highly correlated and unaltered by cyclooxygenase inhibition in humans. Fish oil dose-dependently elevates urinary F3-iPs in mice and a shift in dietary ω-3/ω-6 PUFAs is reflected by an increasing slope [m] of the line relating urinary 8, 12-iso-iPF3α-VI and 8,12-iso-iPF2α-VI. Administration of bacterial lipopolysaccharide evokes a reversible increase in both urinary 8,12-iso-iPF3α-VI and 8,12-iso-iPF2α-VI in humans on an ad lib diet. However, while excretion of the iPs is highly correlated (R2 median = 0.8), [m] varies by an order of magnitude, reflecting marked inter-individual variability in the relative peroxidation of ω-3 versus ω-6 substrates. Clustered analysis of F2- and F3-iPs refines assessment of the oxidant stress response to an inflammatory stimulus in vivo by integrating variability in dietary intake of ω-3/ω-6 PUFAs. PMID:19520854

  9. Identification of controlling factors for the initiation of corrosion of fresh concrete sewers.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Jiang, Guangming; Sun, Xiaoyan; Keller, Jurg; Bond, Philip L

    2015-09-01

    The development of concrete corrosion in new sewer pipes undergoes an initiation process before reaching an active corrosion stage. This initiation period is assumed to last several months to years but the key factors affecting the process, and its duration, are not well understood. This study is therefore focused on this initial stage of the corrosion process and the effect of key environmental factors. Such knowledge is important for the effective management of corrosion in new sewers, as every year of life extension of such systems has a very high financial benefit. This long-term (4.5 year) study has been conducted in purpose-built corrosion chambers that closely simulated the sewer environment, but with control of three key environmental factors being hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas phase concentration, relative humidity and air temperature. Fresh concrete coupons, cut from an industry-standard sewer pipe, were exposed to the corrosive conditions in the chambers, both in the gas phase and partially submerged in wastewater. A total of 36 exposure conditions were investigated to determine the controlling factors by regular retrieval of concrete coupons for detailed analysis of surface pH, sulfur compounds (elemental sulfur and sulfate) and concrete mass loss. Corrosion initiation times were thus determined for different exposure conditions. It was found that the corrosion initiation time of both gas-phase and partially-submerged coupons was positively correlated with the gas phase H2S concentration, but only at levels of 10 ppm or below, indicating that sulfide oxidation rate rather than the H2S concentration was the limiting factor during the initiation stage. Relative humidity also played a role for the corrosion initiation of the gas-phase coupons. However, the partially-submerged coupons were not affected by humidity as these coupons were in direct contact with the sewage and hence did have sufficient moisture to enable the microbial processes to proceed. The

  10. Actividad física global de pacientes con factores de riesgo cardiovascular aplicando el "International Physical Activity Questionaire (IPAQ.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Angélica Zhang-Xu

    2011-07-01

    Full Text Available Objetivo: Determinar el nivel de actividad física global de los pacientes con factores de riesgo cardiovascular, mediante el cuestionario IPAQ. Material y métodos: Estudio tipo serie de casos. La población estuvo compuesta por pacientes con hipertensión arterial, obesidad y diabetes mellitus entre 35 y 69 años de edad. Se utilizó el IPAQ para medir el nivel de actividad física. Resultados: De 180 entrevistados, 122 (67,8% fueron del sexo femenino. La edad media fue 56,9 ± 8,8 años, el IMC promedio fue 29,0 ± 5,2 (18,6 - 48,5. Ciento nueve (60,5% pacientes tenían un solo factor de riesgo cardiovascular modificable por medio de actividad física, 59 (32,8% dos factores y 12 (6,7% tres factores. El tiempo promedio de diagnóstico en meses fue 34,6 (hipertensos y 51,1 (diabéticos. El nivel de actividad física fue trabajo en 30 (16,7% pacientes, en 80 (44,4% moderado y en 70 (38,9% alto. No hubo diferencias en el nivel de actividad física según la edad y sexo. Se encontró diferencia significativa en los pacientes con hipertensión quienes tenían actividad moderada (p=0,02 en los hipertensos obesos quienes tenían actividad físca alta (p=0,07. Conclusión: El nivel de actividad física global de los pacientes con factores de riesgo cardiovascular seleccionados fue predominantemente moderado y alto.(Rev Med Hered 2011;22:115-120.

  11. The unit group of group algebra $F_qSL(2;Z_3$

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Swati Maheshwari

    2016-01-01

    Full Text Available Let $\\F_q$ be a finite field of characteristic $p$ having $q$ elements, where $q = p^k$ and $p\\ge 5$. Let $ SL(2,\\Z_3$ be the special linear group of $2\\times2$ matrices with determinant $1$ over $\\Z_3$. In this note we establish the structure of the unit group of $\\F_q SL(2,\\Z_3$.

  12. File list: Oth.EmF.10.Ddit3.AllCell [Chip-atlas[Archive

    Lifescience Database Archive (English)

    Full Text Available Oth.EmF.10.Ddit3.AllCell mm9 TFs and others Ddit3 Embryonic fibroblast SRX119350,SR...X119351 http://dbarchive.biosciencedbc.jp/kyushu-u/mm9/assembled/Oth.EmF.10.Ddit3.AllCell.bed ...

  13. File list: Oth.EmF.50.Ddit3.AllCell [Chip-atlas[Archive

    Lifescience Database Archive (English)

    Full Text Available Oth.EmF.50.Ddit3.AllCell mm9 TFs and others Ddit3 Embryonic fibroblast SRX119350,SR...X119351 http://dbarchive.biosciencedbc.jp/kyushu-u/mm9/assembled/Oth.EmF.50.Ddit3.AllCell.bed ...

  14. Understanding overpressure in the FAA aerosol can test by C3H2F3Br (2-BTP).

    Science.gov (United States)

    Linteris, Gregory Thomas; Babushok, Valeri Ivan; Pagliaro, John Leonard; Burgess, Donald Raymond; Manion, Jeffrey Alan; Takahashi, Fumiaki; Katta, Viswanath Reddy; Baker, Patrick Thomas

    2016-05-01

    Thermodynamic equilibrium calculations, as well as perfectly-stirred reactor (PSR) simulations with detailed reaction kinetics, are performed for a potential halon replacement, C 3 H 2 F 3 Br (2-BTP, C 3 H 2 F 3 Br, 2-Bromo-3,3,3-trifluoropropene), to understand the reasons for the unexpected enhanced combustion rather than suppression in a mandated FAA test. The high pressure rise with added agent is shown to depend on the amount of agent, and is well-predicted by an equilibrium model corresponding to stoichiometric reaction of fuel, oxygen, and agent. A kinetic model for the reaction of C 3 H 2 F 3 Br in hydrocarbon-air flames has been applied to understand differences in the chemical suppression behavior of C 3 H 2 F 3 Br vs. CF 3 Br in the FAA test. Stirred-reactor simulations predict that in the conditions of the FAA test, the inhibition effectiveness of C 3 H 2 F 3 Br at high agent loadings is relatively insensitive to the overall stoichiometry (for fuel-lean conditions), and the marginal inhibitory effect of the agent is greatly reduced, so that the mixture remains flammable over a wide range of conditions. Most important, the flammability of the agent-air mixtures themselves (when compressively preheated), can support low-strain flames which are much more difficult to extinguish than the easy-to extinguish, high-strain primary fireball from the impulsively released fuel mixture. Hence, the exothermic reaction of halogenated hydrocarbons in air should be considered in other situations with strong ignition sources and low strain flows, especially at preheated conditions.

  15. Analysis of the interacting partners eIF4F and 3'-CITE required for Melon necrotic spot virus cap-independent translation.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Miras, Manuel; Truniger, Verónica; Querol-Audi, Jordi; Aranda, Miguel A

    2017-06-01

    We have shown previously that the translation of Melon necrotic spot virus (MNSV, family Tombusviridae, genus Carmovirus) RNAs is controlled by a 3'-cap-independent translation enhancer (CITE), which is genetically and functionally dependent on the eukaryotic translation initiation factor (eIF) 4E. Here, we describe structural and functional analyses of the MNSV-Mα5 3'-CITE and its translation initiation factor partner. We first mapped the minimal 3'-CITE (Ma5TE) to a 45-nucleotide sequence, which consists of a stem-loop structure with two internal loops, similar to other I-shaped 3'-CITEs. UV crosslinking, followed by gel retardation assays, indicated that Ma5TE interacts in vitro with the complex formed by eIF4E + eIF4G 980-1159 (eIF4F p20 ), but not with each subunit alone or with eIF4E + eIF4G 1003-1092 , suggesting binding either through interaction with eIF4E following a conformational change induced by its binding to eIF4G 980-1159 , or through a double interaction with eIF4E and eIF4G 980-1159 . Critical residues for this interaction reside in an internal bulge of Ma5TE, so that their mutation abolished binding to eIF4E + eIF4G 1003-1092 and cap-independent translation. We also developed an in vivo system to test the effect of mutations in eIF4E in Ma5TE-driven cap-independent translation, showing that conserved amino acids in a positively charged RNA-binding motif around amino acid position 228, implicated in eIF4E-eIF4G binding or belonging to the cap-recognition pocket, are essential for cap-independent translation controlled by Ma5TE, and thus for the multiplication of MNSV. © 2016 BSPP AND JOHN WILEY & SONS LTD.

  16. Radiosynthesis of the adenosine A3 receptor ligand 5-(2-[18F]fluoroethyl) 2,4-diethyl-3-(ethylsulfanylcarbonyl)-6-phenylpyridine-5-carboxylate ([18F]FE rate at SUPPY)

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Wadsak, W.; Mien, L.K.; Shanab, K.; Spreitzer, H.; Weber, K.; Schmidt, B.; Haeusler, D.; Sindelar, K.M.; Ettlinger, D.E.; Dudczak, R.; Kletter, K.; Keppler, B.K.; Viernstein, H.; Mitterhauser, M.

    2008-01-01

    Since to date very limited information on the distribution and function of the adenosine A 3 receptor is available, the development of a suitable radioligand is needed. Such a selective radioligand can then be used for quantitative autoradiography, preclinical studies in animals and subsequent human PET applications. Recently, a promising candidate compound, 5-(2-fluoroethyl) 2,4-diethyl-3-(ethylsulfanylcarbonyl)-6-phenylpyridine-5-carboxylate (FE rate at SUPPY), has been presented. The successful preparation of a suitable labelling precursor and the evaluation and optimization of the radiosynthesis of [ 18 F]FE rate at SUPPY is presented herewith. For satisfactory yields, a reaction temperature of 75 C has to be applied for at least 20 min using 8-10 mg of precursor. Until now, 15 complete high-scale radiosyntheses were performed. Starting from an average of 51 ± 12 GBq (average ±SD; range: 30-67 GBq) [ 18 F]fluoride, 9.4 ± 3.6 GBq of formulated [ 18 F]FE rate at SUPPY (32.3 ± 12.4%, based on [ 18 F]fluoride, corrected for decay) were prepared in < 105 min. (orig.)

  17. Semaphorin SEMA3F and VEGF Have Opposing Effects on Cell Attachment and Spreading

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Patrick Nasarre

    2003-01-01

    Full Text Available SEMA3F, isolated from a 3p21.3 deletion, has antitumor activity in transfected cells, and protein expression correlates with tumor stage and histology. In primary tumors, SEMA3F and VEGF surface staining is inversely correlated. Coupled with SEMA3F at the leading edge of motile cells, we previously suggested that both proteins competitively regulate cell motility and adhesion. We have investigated this using the breast cancer cell line, MCF7. SEMA3F inhibited cell attachment and spreading as evidenced by loss of lamellipodia extensions, membrane ruffling, and cell-cell contacts, with cells eventually rounding-up and detaching. In contrast, VEGF had opposite effects. Although SEMA3F binds NRP2 with 10-fold greater affinity than NRP1, the effects in MCF7 were mediated by NRP1. This was determined by receptor expression and blocking of anti-NRP1 antibodies. Similar effects, but through NRP2, were observed in the C100 breast cancer cell line. Although we were unable to demonstrate changes in total GTPbound Rac1 or RhoA, we did observe changes in the localization of Rac1-GFP using time lapse microscopy. Following SEMA3F, Rac1 moved to the base of lamellipodia and — with their collapse — to the membrane. These results support the concept that SEMA3F and VEGF have antagonistic actions affecting motility in primary tumor cell.

  18. Preparation and up-conversion luminescence of SrAlF{sub 5}:Yb{sup 3+}/Er{sup 3+} nanorods

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Zhao, Jun [College of Life Science, Dalian Nationalities University, Dalian, Liaoning 116600 (China); Department of Physics, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian, Liaoning 116026 (China); Hua, Ruinian, E-mail: rnhua@dlnu.edu.cn [College of Life Science, Dalian Nationalities University, Dalian, Liaoning 116600 (China); Zhang, Wei; Feng, Zhiqing; Tang, Dongxin; Na, Liyan [College of Life Science, Dalian Nationalities University, Dalian, Liaoning 116600 (China); Chen, Baojiu, E-mail: chenmbj@sohu.com [Department of Physics, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian, Liaoning 116026 (China)

    2014-03-05

    Graphical abstract: The SrAlF{sub 5} nanorods co-doped with various Yb{sup 3+}/Er{sup 3+} concentrations was synthetized via a microemulsion-hydrothermal process for the first time. It was found that the optimum doping concentration of Yb{sup 3+} and Er{sup 3+} in SrAlF{sub 5} matrix was about 4 mol%. Furthermore, the temperature effect of upconversion luminescence was investigated. It was also found that the post heat-treatment could greatly improve upconversion luminescence. Highlights: • SrAlF{sub 5}:Yb{sup 3+}/Er{sup 3+} nanorods were synthesized via a microemulsion-hydrothermal process. • Crystal structure and morphology were characterized by using XRD and FESEM. • The upconversion luminescence intensity depend on LD working current was studied. • The post heat-treatment could greatly improve upconversion luminescence. -- Abstract: Yb{sup 3+} and Er{sup 3+} co-doped SrAlF{sub 5} nanorods with average diameter of 35 nm and average length of 400 nm were synthesized via a microemulsion-hydrothermal process, and their crystal structure and morphology were characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), respectively. The optimum doping concentration of Yb{sup 3+}/Er{sup 3+} in SrAlF{sub 5} matrix was about 4 mol%. The upconversion luminescence intensity dependence on the laser diode (LD) working current was studied and the possible upconversion mechanism was analyzed. Furthermore, the temperature effect of upconversion luminescence was investigated. It was also found that the post heat-treatment could greatly improve upconversion luminescence.

  19. Primary Hepatosplenic B-cell Lymphoma: Initial Diagnosis and Assessment of Therapeutic Response with F-18 FDG PET/CT

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Kang, Sung Min; Lee, Hong Je; Seo, Ji Hyoung; Lee, Sang Woo; Ahn, Byeong Cheol; Lee, Jae Tae

    2008-01-01

    A 52-year-old woman with a history of general weakness, fatigue, weight loss, elevated serum levels of liver transaminase enzyme for three months underwent an F-18 FDG PET/CT to evaluate a cause of the hepatosplenomegaly found on abdominal ultrasonography. Initial PET/CT revealed markedly enlarged liver and spleen with intense FDG uptake. Otherwise, there were no areas of abnormal FDG uptake in whole body image. Histological evaluation by a hepatic needle biopsy demonstrated diffuse large B cell type lymphoma and final diagnosis for this patient was hepatosplenic B-cell lymphoma. She received five cycles of CHOP chemotherapy, and second PET/CT was followed after then. Follow-up PET-CT revealed normal sized liver with disappearance of abnormal FDG uptake. Hepatosplenic B-cell lymphoma is relatively rare and mostly presents as single or multiple nodules. Diffuse type hepatosplenic lymphoma is extremely rare and poorly recognized entity. The diagnosis is very difficult and complicated by the presence of misleading symptoms.4 In this rare hepatosplenic B-cell lymphoma case, F-18 FDG PET/CT provided a initial diagnostic clue of hepatosplenic lymphoma and an accurate chemotherapy response

  20. Primary Hepatosplenic B-cell Lymphoma: Initial Diagnosis and Assessment of Therapeutic Response with F-18 FDG PET/CT

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Kang, Sung Min; Lee, Hong Je; Seo, Ji Hyoung; Lee, Sang Woo; Ahn, Byeong Cheol; Lee, Jae Tae [Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu (Korea, Republic of)

    2008-08-15

    A 52-year-old woman with a history of general weakness, fatigue, weight loss, elevated serum levels of liver transaminase enzyme for three months underwent an F-18 FDG PET/CT to evaluate a cause of the hepatosplenomegaly found on abdominal ultrasonography. Initial PET/CT revealed markedly enlarged liver and spleen with intense FDG uptake. Otherwise, there were no areas of abnormal FDG uptake in whole body image. Histological evaluation by a hepatic needle biopsy demonstrated diffuse large B cell type lymphoma and final diagnosis for this patient was hepatosplenic B-cell lymphoma. She received five cycles of CHOP chemotherapy, and second PET/CT was followed after then. Follow-up PET-CT revealed normal sized liver with disappearance of abnormal FDG uptake. Hepatosplenic B-cell lymphoma is relatively rare and mostly presents as single or multiple nodules. Diffuse type hepatosplenic lymphoma is extremely rare and poorly recognized entity. The diagnosis is very difficult and complicated by the presence of misleading symptoms.4 In this rare hepatosplenic B-cell lymphoma case, F-18 FDG PET/CT provided a initial diagnostic clue of hepatosplenic lymphoma and an accurate chemotherapy response.

  1. Synthesis and performances of Li-Rich@AlF3@Graphene as cathode of lithium ion battery

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Chen, Dongrui; Tu, Wenqiang; Chen, Min; Hong, Pengbo; Zhong, Xiaoxin; Zhu, Yunmin; Yu, Qipeng; Li, Weishan

    2016-01-01

    Highlights: • Li-Rich@AlF 3 @Graphene was developed as cathode of lithium ion battery. • Coating of 2 nm AlF 3 does not cause capacity loss but is beneficial to rate capability. • Concurrent AlF 3 coating and graphene wrapping significantly improve Li-Rich performance. - Abstract: A novel composite of layered lithium-rich oxide with AlF 3 and graphene, Li-Rich@AlF 3 @Graphene, is synthesized as high performance cathode of lithium ion battery in terms of rate capability and cyclic stability. Physical characterizations from X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope, demonstrate that the layered lithium-rich oxide in Li-Rich@AlF 3 @Graphene is composed of uniform nanoparticles of 100 nm, which are coated with a layer of 2 nm AlF 3 and wrapped with graphene sheets. Charge/discharge tests indicate that the naked lithium-rich oxide exhibits poor cyclic stability and rate capability as cathode of lithium ion battery, which can be improved to some extent by the only contribution of AlF 3 but significantly by the concurrent contribution of AlF 3 and graphene.

  2. The halo bispectrum in N-body simulations with non-Gaussian initial conditions

    Science.gov (United States)

    Sefusatti, E.; Crocce, M.; Desjacques, V.

    2012-10-01

    We present measurements of the bispectrum of dark matter haloes in numerical simulations with non-Gaussian initial conditions of local type. We show, in the first place, that the overall effect of primordial non-Gaussianity on the halo bispectrum is larger than on the halo power spectrum when all measurable configurations are taken into account. We then compare our measurements with a tree-level perturbative prediction, finding good agreement at large scales when the constant Gaussian bias parameter, both linear and quadratic, and their constant non-Gaussian corrections are fitted for. The best-fitting values of the Gaussian bias factors and their non-Gaussian, scale-independent corrections are in qualitative agreement with the peak-background split expectations. In particular, we show that the effect of non-Gaussian initial conditions on squeezed configurations is fairly large (up to 30 per cent for fNL = 100 at redshift z = 0.5) and results from contributions of similar amplitude induced by the initial matter bispectrum, scale-dependent bias corrections as well as from non-linear matter bispectrum corrections. We show, in addition, that effects at second order in fNL are irrelevant for the range of values allowed by cosmic microwave background and galaxy power spectrum measurements, at least on the scales probed by our simulations (k > 0.01 h Mpc-1). Finally, we present a Fisher matrix analysis to assess the possibility of constraining primordial non-Gaussianity with future measurements of the galaxy bispectrum. We find that a survey with a volume of about 10 h-3 Gpc3 at mean redshift z ≃ 1 could provide an error on fNL of the order of a few. This shows the relevance of a joint analysis of galaxy power spectrum and bispectrum in future redshift surveys.

  3. Initial 12-h operative fluid volume is an independent risk factor for pleural effusion after hepatectomy.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Cheng, Xiang; Wu, Jia-Wei; Sun, Ping; Song, Zi-Fang; Zheng, Qi-Chang

    2016-12-01

    Pleural effusion after hepatectomy is associated with significant morbidity and prolonged hospital stays. Several studies have addressed the risk factors for postoperative pleural effusion. However, there are no researches concerning the role of the initial 12-h operative fluid volume. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the initial 12-h operative fluid volume during liver resection is an independent risk factor for pleural effusion after hepatectomy. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 470 patients consecutively undergoing elective hepatectomy between January 2011 and December 2012. We prospectively collected and retrospectively analyzed baseline and clinical data, including preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative variables. Univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out to identify whether the initial 12-h operative fluid volume was an independent risk factor for pleural effusion after hepatectomy. The multivariate analysis identified 2 independent risk factors for pleural effusion: operative time [odds ratio (OR)=10.2] and initial 12-h operative fluid volume (OR=1.0003). Threshold effect analyses revealed that the initial 12 h operative fluid volume was positively correlated with the incidence of pleural effusion when the initial 12-h operative fluid volume exceeded 4636 mL. We conclude that the initial 12-h operative fluid volume during liver resection and operative time are independent risk factors for pleural effusion after hepatectomy. Perioperative intravenous fluids should be restricted properly.

  4. Novel and easy access to highly luminescent Eu and Tb doped ultra-small CaF2, SrF2 and BaF2 nanoparticles - structure and luminescence.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Ritter, Benjamin; Haida, Philipp; Fink, Friedrich; Krahl, Thoralf; Gawlitza, Kornelia; Rurack, Knut; Scholz, Gudrun; Kemnitz, Erhard

    2017-02-28

    A universal fast and easy access at room temperature to transparent sols of nanoscopic Eu 3+ and Tb 3+ doped CaF 2 , SrF 2 and BaF 2 particles via the fluorolytic sol-gel synthesis route is presented. Monodisperse quasi-spherical nanoparticles with sizes of 3-20 nm are obtained with up to 40% rare earth doping showing red or green luminescence. In the beginning luminescence quenching effects are only observed for the highest content, which demonstrates the unique and outstanding properties of these materials. From CaF 2 :Eu10 via SrF 2 :Eu10 to BaF 2 :Eu10 a steady increase of the luminescence intensity and lifetime occurs by a factor of ≈2; the photoluminescence quantum yield increases by 29 to 35% due to the lower phonon energy of the matrix. The fast formation process of the particles within fractions of seconds is clearly visualized by exploiting appropriate luminescence processes during the synthesis. Multiply doped particles are also available by this method. Fine tuning of the luminescence properties is achieved by variation of the Ca-to-Sr ratio. Co-doping with Ce 3+ and Tb 3+ results in a huge increase (>50 times) of the green luminescence intensity due to energy transfer Ce 3+ → Tb 3+ . In this case, the luminescence intensity is higher for CaF 2 than for SrF 2 , due to a lower spatial distance of the rare earth ions.

  5. Glass transition and composite formation in InF{sub 3}-containing oxyfluoroniobate system

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Savchenko, N. N.; Ignatieva, L. N.; Marchenko, Yu. V. [Institute of Chemistry FEB RAS, Vladivostok (Russian Federation); Bouznik, V. M. [All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Aviation Materials (Russian Federation)

    2016-05-18

    The glasses in the system MnNbOF{sub 5}-BaF{sub 2}-InF{sub 3} have been firstly synthesized and studied. The thermal parameters of these glasses are analyzed. It was stated that glass of the composition 40MnNbOF{sub 5}-40BaF{sub 2}-20InF{sub 3} is the most thermal stable in the system under study. By X-ray analysis the compositions of the crystalline phases obtained at the glass thermal treatment were determined: the main phases are Ba{sub 3}In{sub 2}F{sub 12} and BaNbOF{sub 5}. By Raman and IR spectra analysis it was stated that the networks of glasses in the system are built by the structural type of the glasses in NbO{sub 2}F-BaF{sub 2} system: (NbO{sub n}F{sub m}) polyhedra joined oxygen bridges. Indium trifluoride forms InF{sub 6} polyhedra, which are embeded between oxyfluoroniobate ions, forming a common networks or forms its own layers from InF{sub 6} polyhedra. IR-spectroscopy method showed that at devitrification of the sample 30MnNbOF{sub 5}-50BaF{sub 2}-20InF{sub 3} the band position and shape change in going from glass state to crystalline. The bands in the range 900–700 cm{sup −1} shift into the low-frequency range and transformed into narrow peaks characteristic for the crystalline state. It was determined that for this sample the IR-spectroscopy method fixes the presence of the crystalline phases at 340°C without time of exposure, despite the fact that X-ray analysis shows an amorphous state for this sample at the same temperature. It was suggested, that controlling the composition and conditions of annealing of the glasses it can be obtain the transparent glass-ceramics of definite composition.

  6. Eukaryotic Initiation Factor 4H Is under Transcriptional Control of p65/NF-κB

    Science.gov (United States)

    Fiume, Giuseppe; Rossi, Annalisa; de Laurentiis, Annamaria; Falcone, Cristina; Pisano, Antonio; Vecchio, Eleonora; Pontoriero, Marilena; Scala, Iris; Scialdone, Annarita; Masci, Francesca Fasanella; Mimmi, Selena; Palmieri, Camillo; Scala, Giuseppe; Quinto, Ileana

    2013-01-01

    Protein synthesis is mainly regulated at the initiation step, allowing the fast, reversible and spatial control of gene expression. Initiation of protein synthesis requires at least 13 translation initiation factors to assemble the 80S ribosomal initiation complex. Loss of translation control may result in cell malignant transformation. Here, we asked whether translational initiation factors could be regulated by NF-κB transcription factor, a major regulator of genes involved in cell proliferation, survival, and inflammatory response. We show that the p65 subunit of NF-κB activates the transcription of eIF4H gene, which is the regulatory subunit of eIF4A, the most relevant RNA helicase in translation initiation. The p65-dependent transcriptional activation of eIF4H increased the eIF4H protein content augmenting the rate of global protein synthesis. In this context, our results provide novel insights into protein synthesis regulation in response to NF-κB activation signalling, suggesting a transcription-translation coupled mechanism of control. PMID:23776612

  7. Qualification of the code d{sup 3}f++

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Schneider, Anke; Gehrke, Anne; Kroehn, Klaus-Peter; Zhao, Hong

    2017-02-15

    The code d{sup 3}f++ is a modern tool for modelling density-driven flow and nuclide transport in the far field of repositories for hazardous material in deep geological formations. It is applicable in porous media as well as in fractured rock or mudstone, for modelling salt- and heat transport as well as a free groundwater surface. The objective of this work is proving the capability of code d{sup 3}f++ to simulate correctly density-driven flow and pollutant transport in large scale, complex geological situations in order to improve the confidence in groundwater modeling in general. The applications presented in this report are related to haline and thermohydraulic groundwater flow and transport in porous or fractured media. Among them are laboratory and field experiments as well as real site studies. The d{sup 3}f++ results are verified by measurements or compared to the results of other density-driven flow codes. Three applications presented are related to Task 8 defined by the Task Force on Groundwater Flow and Transport of Solutes (TF GWFTS) of SKB to investigate the hydraulic interaction of the fractured, granitic host rock and the bentonite clay buffer in a deep geological repository at the Hard Rock Laboratory (HRL) at Aespoe. Presented are the results from work on the Buffer-Rock-Interaction-Experiment (BRIE) in the frame- work of Tasks 8c and 8d and on the Prototype Repository in the framework of Task 8e. Another application refers to a thermal injection and storage experiment in the Borden field research site. These works are focused on heat flow and free surface modeling. A 2d benchmark based on a laboratory experiment concerning formation and degradation of a freshwater gave the possibility to compare the results of various density-driven flow codes. The Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) is a repository for transuranic waste in New Mexico, USA. A 6,000 km{sup 2}, basin scale model of the WIPP-Site overburden is present- ed here with the objective to

  8. Synthesis and Physical Properties of the Oxofluoride Cu2(SeO3)F2.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Mitoudi-Vagourdi, Eleni; Papawassiliou, Wassilios; Müllner, Silvia; Jaworski, Aleksander; Pell, Andrew J; Lemmens, Peter; Kremer, Reinhard K; Johnsson, Mats

    2018-04-16

    Single crystals of the new compound Cu 2 (SeO 3 )F 2 were successfully synthesized via a hydrothermal method, and the crystal structure was determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. The compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pnma with the unit cell parameters a = 7.066(4) Å, b = 9.590(4) Å, and c = 5.563(3) Å. Cu 2 (SeO 3 )F 2 is isostructural with the previously described compounds Co 2 TeO 3 F 2 and CoSeO 3 F 2 . The crystal structure comprises a framework of corner- and edge-sharing distorted [CuO 3 F 3 ] octahedra, within which [SeO 3 ] trigonal pyramids are present in voids and are connected to [CuO 3 F 3 ] octahedra by corner sharing. The presence of a single local environment in both the 19 F and 77 Se solid-state MAS NMR spectra supports the hypothesis that O and F do not mix at the same crystallographic positions. Also the specific phonon modes observed with Raman scattering support the coordination around the cations. At high temperatures the magnetic susceptibility follows the Curie-Weiss law with Curie temperature of Θ = -173(2) K and an effective magnetic moment of μ eff ∼ 2.2 μ B . Antiferromagnetic ordering below ∼44 K is indicated by a peak in the magnetic susceptibility. A second though smaller peak at ∼16 K is tentatively ascribed to a magnetic reorientation transition. Both transitions are also confirmed by heat capacity measurements. Raman scattering experiments propose a structural phase instability in the temperature range 6-50 K based on phonon anomalies. Further changes in the Raman shift of modes at ∼46 K and ∼16 K arise from transitions of the magnetic lattice in accordance with the susceptibility and heat capacity measurements.

  9. Preliminary 19F-MRS Study of Tumor Cell Proliferation with 3′-deoxy-3′-fluorothymidine and Its Metabolite (FLT-MP

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    In Ok Ko

    2017-01-01

    Full Text Available The thymidine analogue 3′-deoxy-3′-[18F]fluorothymidine, or [18F]fluorothymidine ([18F]FLT, is used to measure tumor cell proliferation with positron emission tomography (PET imaging technology in nuclear medicine. FLT is phosphorylated by thymidine kinase 1 (TK1 and then trapped inside cells; it is not incorporated into DNA. Imaging with 18F-radiolabeled FLT is a noninvasive technique to visualize cellular proliferation in tumors. However, it is difficult to distinguish between [18F]FLT and its metabolites by PET imaging, and quantification has not been attempted using current imaging methods. In this study, we successfully acquired in vivo F19 spectra of natural or nonradioactive 3′-deoxy-3′-fluorothymidine ([19F]FLT and its monophosphate metabolite (FLT-MP in a tumor xenograft mouse model using 9.4T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI. This preliminary result demonstrates that 19F magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS with FLT is suitable for the in vivo assessment of tumor aggressiveness and for early prediction of treatment response.

  10. Violencia física marital en Barranquilla (Colombia: prevalencia y factores de riesgo Marital violence in Barranquilla (Colombia: prevalence and risk factors

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    R. Tuesca

    2003-07-01

    Full Text Available Objetivos: Determinar la prevalencia de maltrato físico marital en mujeres en edad fértil que viven con su pareja, así como identificar factores personales, socioeconómicos y de función familiar que se relacionen con el maltrato. Métodos: Estudio transversal sobre una muestra aleatoria de 275 mujeres en edad fértil del barrio Carlos Meissel, de la ciudad de Barranquilla, Colombia. La información se obtuvo mediante entrevista personal en el hogar a partir de un cuestionario estructurado y siguiendo las recomendaciones éticas y de seguridad para la investigación sobre violencia doméstica contra mujeres de la Organización Mundial de la Salud. En el cuestionario se recogen datos sobre características personales, consumo habitual de alcohol y drogas, función familiar (según test de Apgar Familiar, características socioeconómicas y antecedentes de maltrato físico durante los 12 meses previos a la entrevista. Resultados: La prevalencia de maltrato marital fue del 22,9%, y el grupo de 25-29 años es el más afectado (33,3%. Se asociaron con el maltrato físico el consumo habitual de alcohol en las mujeres (odds ratio, OR = 6,02; intervalo de confianza del 95%, IC del 95%, 1,7-22,2 y en el cónyuge (OR = 10,11; IC del 95%, 5,1-20,1 y el consumo de sustancias psicoactivas en el cónyuge (OR = 11.01; IC del 95%, 4,2-29,5. Los ingresos mensuales por debajo de 300.000 pesos colombianos (140 euros también se asociaron con maltrato, así como presencia de disfunción familiar moderada o grave (OR = 16,9; IC del 95%, 4,8-59,0; OR = 81,6; IC del 95%, 18,8-35,5, respectivamente. Conclusiones: La naturaleza transversal del estudio limita la interpretación de los resultados. Sin embargo, se ha observado que en las mujeres de la muestra estudiada en este estudio el maltrato físico de la mujer por parte de su pareja se asocia con factores potencialmente modificables.Objective: To determine the prevalence of violence against women of fertile age

  11. Polarized 3-folds in a codimension 10 weighted homogeneous F4 variety

    Science.gov (United States)

    Qureshi, Muhammad Imran

    2017-10-01

    We describe the construction of a codimension 10 weighted homogeneous variety wΣF4(μ , u) corresponding to the exceptional Lie group F4 by explicit computation of its graded ring structure. We give a formula for the Hilbert series of the generic weighted wΣF4(μ , u) in terms of representation theoretic data of F4. We also construct some families of polarized 3-folds in codimension 10 whose general member is a weighted complete intersection of some wΣF4(μ , u) .

  12. Core polarization and 3/2 states of some f-p shell nuclei

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Shelly, S.

    1976-01-01

    The energies, wavefunctions, spectroscopic factors and M1 transition strengths have been calculated for the 3/2 - states excited via single proton transfer to 2p3/2 orbit of the target nuclei 50 Ti, 52 Cr, 54 Fe and 56 Fe. The calculations have been done by using the Kuo and Brown interaction in the entire four shell space as well as the shrunk Kuo and Brown interaction calculated in (1f7/2-2p3/2) space. The salient feature of the calculation is that whereas the systematics of single particle strength distribution are well reproduced, the energy splitting between the calculated T> centroid and the centroid of T> states is always much smaller than that observed experimentally. It has been found, however, that the modified KB interaction widens the energy gap between the T> centroid and the centroid of T> states without appreciably affecting the final wave-functions. (author)

  13. A simplified one-pot synthesis of 9-[(3-[18F]Fluoro-1-hydroxy-2-propoxy)methyl]guanine([18F]FHPG) and 9-(4-[18F]Fluoro-3-hydroxymethylbutyl)guanine ([18F]FHBG) for gene therapy

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Shiue, Grace G.; Shiue, Chyng-Yann; Lee, Roland L.; MacDonald, Douglas; Hustinx, Roland; Eck, Stephen L.; Alavi, Abass A.

    2001-01-01

    9-[(3-[ 18 F]Fluoro-1-hydroxy-2-propoxy)methyl]guanine ([ 18 F]FHPG, 2) has been synthesized by nucleophilic substitution of N 2 -(p-anisyldiphenylmethyl)-9-{[1-(p-anisyldiphenylmethoxy)-3 -toluenesulfonyloxy-2-propoxy]methyl}guanine (1) with potassium [ 18 F]fluoride/Kryptofix 2.2.2 followed by deprotection with 1 N HCl and purification with different methods in variable yields. When both the nucleophilic substitution and deprotection were carried out at 90 deg. C and the product was purified by HPLC (method A), the yield of compound 2 was 5-10% and the synthesis time was 90 min from EOB. However, if both the nucleophilic substitution and deprotection were carried out at 120 deg. C and the product was purified by HPLC, the yield of compound 2 decreased to 2%. When compound 2 was synthesized at 90 deg. C and purified by Silica Sep-Pak (method B), the yield increased to 10-15% and the synthesis time was 60 min from EOB. Similarly, 9-(4-[ 18 F]fluoro-3-hydroxymethylbutyl)guanine ([ 18 F]FHBG, 4) was synthesized with method A and method B in 9% and 10-15% yield, respectively, in a synthesis time of 90 and 60 min, respectively, from EOB. Compound 2 was relatively unstable in acidic medium at 120 deg. C while compound 4 was stable under the same condition. Both compound 2 and compound 4 had low lipid/water partition coefficient (0.126±0.022, n=5 and 0.165±0.023, n=5, respectively). Although it contains non-radioactive ganciclovir (∼5-30 μg) as a chemical by-product, compound 2 synthesized by method B has a similar uptake in 9L glioma cells as that synthesized by method A, and is a potential tracer for imaging herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene expression in tumors using PET. Similarly, compound 4 synthesized by method B contains ∼10-25 μg of penciclovir as a chemical by-product. Thus, the simplified one pot synthesis (method B) is a useful method for synthesizing both compound 2 and compound 4 in good yield for routine clinical use, and the method is

  14. Task-specific feature extraction and classification of fMRI volumes using a deep neural network initialized with a deep belief network: Evaluation using sensorimotor tasks.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Jang, Hojin; Plis, Sergey M; Calhoun, Vince D; Lee, Jong-Hwan

    2017-01-15

    Feedforward deep neural networks (DNNs), artificial neural networks with multiple hidden layers, have recently demonstrated a record-breaking performance in multiple areas of applications in computer vision and speech processing. Following the success, DNNs have been applied to neuroimaging modalities including functional/structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron-emission tomography data. However, no study has explicitly applied DNNs to 3D whole-brain fMRI volumes and thereby extracted hidden volumetric representations of fMRI that are discriminative for a task performed as the fMRI volume was acquired. Our study applied fully connected feedforward DNN to fMRI volumes collected in four sensorimotor tasks (i.e., left-hand clenching, right-hand clenching, auditory attention, and visual stimulus) undertaken by 12 healthy participants. Using a leave-one-subject-out cross-validation scheme, a restricted Boltzmann machine-based deep belief network was pretrained and used to initialize weights of the DNN. The pretrained DNN was fine-tuned while systematically controlling weight-sparsity levels across hidden layers. Optimal weight-sparsity levels were determined from a minimum validation error rate of fMRI volume classification. Minimum error rates (mean±standard deviation; %) of 6.9 (±3.8) were obtained from the three-layer DNN with the sparsest condition of weights across the three hidden layers. These error rates were even lower than the error rates from the single-layer network (9.4±4.6) and the two-layer network (7.4±4.1). The estimated DNN weights showed spatial patterns that are remarkably task-specific, particularly in the higher layers. The output values of the third hidden layer represented distinct patterns/codes of the 3D whole-brain fMRI volume and encoded the information of the tasks as evaluated from representational similarity analysis. Our reported findings show the ability of the DNN to classify a single fMRI volume based on the

  15. Effects of dipotassium-trioxohydroxytetrafluorotriborate, K2[B3O3F4OH], on cell viability and gene expression of common human cancer drug targets in a melanoma cell line.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Pojskic, Lejla; Haveric, Sanin; Lojo-Kadric, Naida; Hadzic, Maida; Haveric, Anja; Galic, Zoran; Galic, Borivoj; Vullo, Daniela; Supuran, Claudiu T; Milos, Mladen

    2016-12-01

    Recently it was found that dipotassium-trioxohydroxytetrafluorotriborate, K2(B3O3F4OH), is a potent and highly specific inhibitor of precancerous cell processes. We conducted gene expression profiling of human melanoma cells before and after treatment with two concentrations (0.1 and 1 mM) of this boron inorganic derivative in order to assess its effects on deregulation of genes associated with tumor pathways. Parallel trypan blue exclusion assay was performed to assess the cytotoxicity effects of this chemical. Treatment with K2(B3O3F4OH) induced a significant decrease of cell viability in melanoma cellline at both tested concentrations. Furthermore, these treatments caused deregulation of more than 30 genes known as common anti-tumor drug targets. IGF-1 and hTERT were found to be significantly downregulated and this result may imply potential use of K2(B3O3F4OH) as an inhibitor or human telomerase and insulin-like growth factor 1, both of which are associated with various tumor pathways.

  16. Pou1f1, the key transcription factor related to somatic growth in tilapia (Orechromis niloticus), is regulated by two independent post-transcriptional regulation mechanisms.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Wang, Dongfang; Qin, Jingkai; Jia, Jirong; Yan, Peipei; Li, Wensheng

    2017-01-29

    This study aims to determine the post-transcriptional regulation mechanism of the transcription factor pou1f1 (pou class 1 homeobox 1), which is the key gene for pituitary development, somatic growth in vertebrates, and transcription of several hormone genes in teleost fish. MicroRNA miR-223-3p was identified as a bona fide target of pou1f; overexpression of miR-223-3p in primary pituitary cells led to the down-regulation of pou1f1 and downstream genes, and inhibition of miR-223-3p led to the up-regulation of pou1f1 in Nile tilapia dispersed primary pituitary cells. An adenylate-uridylate-rich element (AU-Rich element) was found in the 3'UTR of pou1f1 mRNA, and deletion of the AU-Rich element led to slower mRNA decay and therefore more protein output. A potential mutual relationship between miR-223-3p and the AU-rich element was also investigated, and the results demonstrated that with or without the AU-Rich element, miR-223-3p induced the up-regulation of a reporter system under serum starvation conditions, indicating that miR-223-3p and the AU-Rich element function independent of each other. This study is the first to investigate the post-transcriptional mechanism of pou1f1, which revealed that miR-223-3p down-regulated pou1f1 and downstream gene expressions, and the AU-Rich element led to rapid decay of pou1f1 mRNA. MicroRNA miR-223-3p and the AU-Rich element co-regulated the post-transcriptional expression of pou1f1 independently in Nile tilapia, demonstrating that pou1f1 is under the control of a dual post-transcription regulation mechanism. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  17. Spectroscopic study of the interaction of Nd{sup +3} with amino acids: phenomenological 4f-4f intensity parameters

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Jerico, Soraya; Carubelli, Celia R.; Massabni, Ana M.G.; Stucchi, Elizabeth B.; Leite, Sergio R. de A. [UNESP, Araraquara, SP (Brazil). Inst. de Quimica; Malta, Oscar [Pernambuco Univ., Recife, PE (Brazil). Dept. de Quimica Fundamental

    1998-10-01

    We have studied behaviour of the phenomenological 4f-4f intensity parameters in compounds of the Nd{sup 3+} ion with glycine, L-aspartic acid, L-glutamic acid, L-histidine, DL-malic acid and Aspartame{sup TM} in aqueous solution, as function of the pK values and partial charges on the oxygens of the carboxylate groups of these molecules. The results are discussed and qualitatively interpreted in terms of the forced electric dipole and dynamic coupling mechanisms of the 4f-4f intensities, thus indicating that the forced electric dipole mechanism is dominant. (author)

  18. Thermoluminescent kinetic parameters of the perovskite, KMgF3, activated with lanthanum

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Sepulveda M, F.; Azorin N, J.; Rivera M, T.; Furetta, C.; Sanipoli, C.

    2004-01-01

    The thermoluminescent curves induced by the beta radiation in the perovskite KMgF 3 were investigated activated with lanthanum. The classic methods were used to determine the kinetic parameters (the kinetic order b, the activation energy E and the frequency of escape intent s) associated with the peaks of the thermoluminescent curve (Tl) in the KMgF 3 activated with lanthanum after the irradiation with beta rays. The method is based on the position of the thermoluminescent peaks, obtained of the temperature change of the peak in the maximum emission caused by the change in the heating rapidity to which the samples were measured. In this work, the samples in form of pellets were re cooked previously at 400 C during one hour before irradiating them with beta particles. The Tl measures were made with a Tl reader system using three different heating rapidities and storing the glow curves. To calculate the depth of the E traps and the frequency factor s, the parameters of the glow curve were determined experimentally of the shame of the glow curve by means of the mensuration of the shame of the maximum temperature of the peak, T M like a function of the heating rapidity. The results indicate that the values of the kinetic parameters are very near among if when they are obtained indistinctly of anyone of the different methods. (Author)

  19. Radiosynthesis and initial evaluation of [18F]-FEPPA for PET imaging of peripheral benzodiazepine receptors

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Wilson, Alan A.; Garcia, Armando; Parkes, Jun; McCormick, Patrick; Stephenson, Karin A.; Houle, Sylvain; Vasdev, Neil

    2008-01-01

    Introduction: A novel [ 18 F]-radiolabelled phenoxyanilide, [ 18 F]-FEPPA, has been synthesized and evaluated, in vitro and ex vivo, as a potential positron emission tomography imaging agent for the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR). Methods: [ 18 F]-FEPPA and two other radiotracers for imaging PBR, namely [ 11 C]-PBR28 and [ 11 C]-PBR28-d3, were synthesised and evaluated in vitro and ex vivo as potential PBR imaging agents. Results: [ 18 F]-FEPPA is efficiently prepared in one step from its tosylate precursor and [ 18 F]-fluoride in high radiochemical yields and at high specific activity. FEPPA displayed a K i of 0.07 nM for PBR in rat mitochondrial membrane preparations and a suitable lipophilicity for brain penetration (log P of 2.99 at pH 7.4). Upon intravenous injection into rats, [ 18 F]-FEPPA showed moderate brain uptake [standard uptake value (SUV) of 0.6 at 5 min] and a slow washout (SUV of 0.35 after 60 min). Highest uptake of radioactivity was seen in the hypothalamus and olfactory bulb, regions previously reported to be enriched in PBR in rat brain. Analysis of plasma and brain extracts demonstrated that [ 18 F]-FEPPA was rapidly metabolized, but no lipophilic metabolites were observed in either preparation and only 5% radioactive metabolites were present in brain tissue extracts. Blocking studies to determine the extent of specific binding of [ 18 F]-FEPPA in rat brain were problematic due to large perturbations in circulating radiotracer and the lack of a reference region. Conclusions: Further evaluation of the potential of [ 18 F]-FEPPA will require the employment of rigorous kinetic models and/or appropriate animal models

  20. Multifunctional hydroxyapatite/Na(Y/Gd)F4:Yb3+,Er3+ composite fibers for drug delivery and dual modal imaging.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Liu, Min; Liu, Hui; Sun, Shufen; Li, Xuejiao; Zhou, Yanmin; Hou, Zhiyao; Lin, Jun

    2014-02-04

    Porous hydroxyapatite (HAp) composite fibers functionalized with up-conversion (UC) luminescent and magnetic Na(Y/Gd)F4:Yb(3+),Er(3+) nanocrystals (NCs) have been fabricated via electrospinning. After transferring hydrophobic oleic acid-capped Na(Y/Gd)F4:Yb(3+),Er(3+) NCs into aqueous solution, these water-dispersible NCs were dispersed into precursor electrospun solution containing CTAB. Na(Y/Gd)F4:Yb(3+),Er(3+)@HAp composite fibers were fabricated by the high temperature treatment of the electrospun Na(Y/Gd)F4:Yb(3+),Er(3+) NCs decorated precursor fibers. The biocompatibility test on MC 3T3-E1 cells using MTT assay shows that the HAp composite fibers have negligible cytotoxity, which reveals the HAp composite fibers could be a drug carrier for drug delivery. Because the contrast brightening is enhanced at increased concentrations of Gd(3+), the HAp composite fibers can serve as T1 magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents. In addition, the composites uptaken by MC 3T3-E1 cells present the UC luminescent emission of Er(3+) under the excitation of a 980 nm near-infrared laser. The above findings reveal Na(Y/Gd)F4:Yb(3+),Er(3+)@HAp composite fibers have potential applications in drug storage/release and magnetic resonance/UC luminescence imaging.

  1. Using a minigene approach to characterize a novel splice site mutation in human F7 gene causing inherited factor VII deficiency in a Chinese pedigree.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Yu, T; Wang, X; Ding, Q; Fu, Q; Dai, J; Lu, Y; Xi, X; Wang, H

    2009-11-01

    Factor VII deficiency which transmitted as an autosomal recessive disorder is a rare haemorrhagic condition. The aim of this study was to identify the molecular genetic defect and determine its functional consequences in a Chinese pedigree with FVII deficiency. The proband was diagnosed as inherited coagulation FVII deficiency by reduced plasma levels of FVII activity (4.4%) and antigen (38.5%). All nine exons and their flanking sequence of F7 gene were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the proband and the PCR products were directly sequenced. The compound heterozygous mutations of F7 (NM_000131.3) c.572-1G>A and F7 (NM_000131.3) c.1165T>G; p.Cys389Gly were identified in the proband's F7 gene. To investigate the splicing patterns associated with F7 c.572-1G>A, ectopic transcripts in leucocytes of the proband were analyzed. F7 minigenes, spanning from intron 4 to intron 7 and carrying either an A or a G at position -1 of intron 5, were constructed and transiently transfected into human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293T cells, followed by RT-PCR analysis. The aberrant transcripts from the F7 c.572-1G>A mutant allele were not detected by ectopic transcription study. Sequencing of the RT-PCR products from the mutant transfectant demonstrated the production of an erroneously spliced mRNA with exon 6 skipping, whereas a normal splicing occurred in the wide type transfectant. The aberrant mRNA produced from the F7 c.572-1G>A mutant allele is responsible for the factor VII deficiency in this pedigree.

  2. Mammalian poly(A)-binding protein is a eukaryotic translation initiation factor, which acts via multiple mechanisms.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Kahvejian, Avak; Svitkin, Yuri V; Sukarieh, Rami; M'Boutchou, Marie-Noël; Sonenberg, Nahum

    2005-01-01

    Translation initiation is a multistep process involving several canonical translation factors, which assemble at the 5'-end of the mRNA to promote the recruitment of the ribosome. Although the 3' poly(A) tail of eukaryotic mRNAs and its major bound protein, the poly(A)-binding protein (PABP), have been studied extensively, their mechanism of action in translation is not well understood and is confounded by differences between in vivo and in vitro systems. Here, we provide direct evidence for the involvement of PABP in key steps of the translation initiation pathway. Using a new technique to deplete PABP from mammalian cell extracts, we show that extracts lacking PABP exhibit dramatically reduced rates of translation, reduced efficiency of 48S and 80S ribosome initiation complex formation, and impaired interaction of eIF4E with the mRNA cap structure. Supplementing PABP-depleted extracts with wild-type PABP completely rectified these deficiencies, whereas a mutant of PABP, M161A, which is incapable of interacting with eIF4G, failed to restore translation. In addition, a stronger inhibition (approximately twofold) of 80S as compared to 48S ribosome complex formation (approximately 65% vs. approximately 35%, respectively) by PABP depletion suggests that PABP plays a direct role in 60S subunit joining. PABP can thus be considered a canonical translation initiation factor, integral to initiation complex formation at the 5'-end of mRNA.

  3. How the early sporulation sigma factor sigmaF delays the switch to late development in Bacillus subtilis.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Karmazyn-Campelli, Céline; Rhayat, Lamya; Carballido-López, Rut; Duperrier, Sandra; Frandsen, Niels; Stragier, Patrick

    2008-03-01

    Sporulation in Bacillus subtilis is a primitive differentiation process involving two cell types, the forespore and the mother cell. Each cell implements two successive transcription programmes controlled by specific sigma factors. We report that activity of sigma(G), the late forespore sigma factor, is kept in check by Gin, the product of csfB, a gene controlled by sigma(F), the early forespore sigma factor. Gin abolishes sigma(G) transcriptional activity when sigma(G) is artificially synthesized during growth, but has no effect on sigma(F). Gin interacts strongly with sigma(G) but not with sigma(F) in a yeast two-hybrid experiment. The absence of Gin allows sigma(G) to be active during sporulation independently of the mother-cell development to which it is normally coupled. Premature sigma(G) activity leads to the formation of slow-germinating spores, and complete deregulation of sigma(G) synthesis is lethal when combined with gin inactivation. Gin allows sigma(F) to delay the switch to the late forespore transcription programme by preventing sigma(G) to take over before the cell has reached a critical stage of development. A similar strategy, following a completely unrelated route, is used by the mother cell.

  4. An electron paramagnetic resonance study on Sm{sup 3+} and Yb{sup 3+} in KY{sub 3}F{sub 10} crystals

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Yamaga, M. [Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Gifu University, Gifu (Japan); Honda, M. [Faculty of Science, Naruto University of Education, Naruto, Tokushima (Japan); Wells, J.P.R. [FELIX Free Electron Laser Facility, FOM-Institute for Plasma Physics, Rijnhuizen, Nieuwegein (Netherlands); Han, T.P.J.; Gallagher, H.G. [Department of Physics and Applied Physics, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow (United Kingdom)

    2000-10-09

    Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of Sm{sup 3+} and Yb{sup 3+} ions in KY{sub 3}F{sub 10} single crystals have been measured at X-band microwave frequencies and low temperatures. The EPR lines have been fitted to a tetragonal spin Hamiltonian to determine effective g-values (g{sub parallel},g{sub perpendicular}). The observed g-values, (g{sub parallel} = 0.714(2),g{sub perpendicular} = 0.11(1)), for Sm{sup 3+} are in agreement with those calculated via crystal-field J-mixing of the first excited-state multiplet {sup 6}H{sub 7/2} into the groundstate multiplet {sup 6}H{sub 5/2} of Sm{sup 3+} as the second-order perturbation. On the other hand, the observed g-values, (g{sub parallel}=5.363(5), g{sub perpendicular}=1.306(2)) for Yb{sup 3+} are coincident with those calculated via mixing in only the groundstate multiplet {sup 2}F{sub 7/2} as the first-order perturbation because the first excited-state multiplet {sup 2}F{sub 5/2} lies above {approx}10,000 cm{sup -1} from the groundstate. The groundstate eigenfunctions of Sm{sup 3+} and Yb{sup 3+} obtained from the EPR results are close to those calculated from a C{sub 4v} symmetry crystal-field analysis applied to their optical transitions. The distortions of the Sm{sup 3+} and Yb{sup 3+} complexes in KY{sub 3}F{sub 10} are discussed in the term of the crystal-field Hamiltonian in comparison with LiYF{sub 4}. (author)

  5. Optical characterization of Tm3+ doped Bi2O3-GeO2-Ga2O3 glasses in absence and presence of BaF2

    Science.gov (United States)

    Han, Kexuan; Zhang, Peng; Wang, Shunbin; Guo, Yanyan; Zhou, Dechun; Yu, Fengxia

    2016-01-01

    In this paper, Two new Bi2O3-GeO2-Ga2O3 glasses (one presence of BaF2) doped with 1mol% Tm2O3 were prepared by melt-quenching technique. Differential thermal analysis (DTA), the absorption, Raman, IR spectra and fluorescence spectra were measured. The Judd–Ofelt intensity parameters, emission cross section, absorption cross section, and gain coefficient of Tm3+ ions were comparatively investigated. After the BaF2 introduced, the glass showed a better thermal stability, lower phonon energy and weaker OH− absorption coefficient, meanwhile, a larger ~1.8 μm emission cross section σem (7.56 × 10−21 cm2) and a longer fluorescence lifetime τmea (2.25 ms) corresponding to the Tm3+: 4F3 → 3H6 transition were obtained, which is due to the addition of fluoride in glass could reduce the quenching rate of hydroxyls and raise the cross-relaxation (3H6 + 3H4 → 3F4 + 3F4) rate. Our results suggest that the Tm3+ doped Bi2O3-GeO2-Ga2O3 glass with BaF2 might be potential to the application in efficient ~1.8 μm lasers system. PMID:27506152

  6. Optical characterization of Tm(3+) doped Bi2O3-GeO2-Ga2O3 glasses in absence and presence of BaF2.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Han, Kexuan; Zhang, Peng; Wang, Shunbin; Guo, Yanyan; Zhou, Dechun; Yu, Fengxia

    2016-08-10

    In this paper, Two new Bi2O3-GeO2-Ga2O3 glasses (one presence of BaF2) doped with 1mol% Tm2O3 were prepared by melt-quenching technique. Differential thermal analysis (DTA), the absorption, Raman, IR spectra and fluorescence spectra were measured. The Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters, emission cross section, absorption cross section, and gain coefficient of Tm(3+) ions were comparatively investigated. After the BaF2 introduced, the glass showed a better thermal stability, lower phonon energy and weaker OH(-) absorption coefficient, meanwhile, a larger ~1.8 μm emission cross section σem (7.56 × 10(-21) cm(2)) and a longer fluorescence lifetime τmea (2.25 ms) corresponding to the Tm(3+): (4)F3 → (3)H6 transition were obtained, which is due to the addition of fluoride in glass could reduce the quenching rate of hydroxyls and raise the cross-relaxation ((3)H6 + (3)H4 → (3)F4 + (3)F4) rate. Our results suggest that the Tm(3+) doped Bi2O3-GeO2-Ga2O3 glass with BaF2 might be potential to the application in efficient ~1.8 μm lasers system.

  7. Modelling zwitterions in solution: 3-fluoro-γ-aminobutyric acid (3F-GABA).

    Science.gov (United States)

    Cao, Jie; Bjornsson, Ragnar; Bühl, Michael; Thiel, Walter; van Mourik, Tanja

    2012-01-02

    The conformations and relative stabilities of folded and extended 3-fluoro-γ-aminobutyric acid (3F-GABA) conformers were studied using explicit solvation models. Geometry optimisations in the gas phase with one or two explicit water molecules favour folded and neutral structures containing intramolecular NH···O-C hydrogen bonds. With three or five explicit water molecules zwitterionic minima are obtained, with folded structures being preferred over extended conformers. The stability of folded versus extended zwitterionic conformers increases on going from a PCM continuum solvation model to the microsolvated complexes, though extended structures become less disfavoured with the inclusion of more water molecules. Full explicit solvation was studied with a hybrid quantum-mechanical/molecular-mechanical (QM/MM) scheme and molecular dynamics simulations, including more than 6000 TIP3P water molecules. According to free energies obtained from thermodynamic integration at the PM3/MM level and corrected for B3LYP/MM total energies, the fully extended conformer is more stable than folded ones by about -4.5 kJ mol(-1). B3LYP-computed (3)J(F,H) NMR spin-spin coupling constants, averaged over PM3/MM-MD trajectories, agree best with experiment for this fully extended form, in accordance with the original NMR analysis. The seeming discrepancy between static PCM calculations and experiment noted previously is now resolved. That the inexpensive semiempirical PM3 method performs so well for this archetypical zwitterion is encouraging for further QM/MM studies of biomolecular systems. Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  8. 38 CFR 3.161 - Expedited Claims Adjudication Initiative-Pilot Program.

    Science.gov (United States)

    2010-07-01

    ... Adjudication Initiative-Pilot Program. 3.161 Section 3.161 Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief DEPARTMENT... Claims § 3.161 Expedited Claims Adjudication Initiative—Pilot Program. Rules pertaining to the Expedited Claims Adjudication Initiative Pilot Program are set forth in part 20, subpart P, of this chapter...

  9. Data of evolutionary structure change: 1RAAA-3GD5F [Confc[Archive

    Lifescience Database Archive (English)

    Full Text Available 1RAAA-3GD5F 1RAA 3GD5 A F ANPLYQKHIISINDLSRDDLNLVLATAAKLKANPQPELL...ARGAHILYTDVWTHR---LQLFEQ----YQINAALLNCAAAEAIVLHCLPAHRGEEITDEVMEGPRSRIWDEAENRLHAQK...ex> 1RAA A 1RAAA DML...> A 1RAAA PLPRV--DEIA...dbChain> 1RAAA TEFSGNVPVLN HHHH

  10. Accurate ab initio potential energy surface, thermochemistry, and dynamics of the F{sup −} + CH{sub 3}F S{sub N}2 and proton-abstraction reactions

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Szabó, István; Telekes, Hajnalka; Czakó, Gábor, E-mail: czako@chem.elte.hu [Laboratory of Molecular Structure and Dynamics, Institute of Chemistry, Eötvös University, H-1518 Budapest 112, P.O. Box 32 (Hungary)

    2015-06-28

    We develop a full-dimensional global analytical potential energy surface (PES) for the F{sup −} + CH{sub 3}F reaction by fitting about 50 000 energy points obtained by an explicitly correlated composite method based on the second-order Møller–Plesset perturbation-F12 and coupled-cluster singles, doubles, and perturbative triples-F12a methods and the cc-pVnZ-F12 [n = D, T] basis sets. The PES accurately describes the (a) back-side attack Walden inversion mechanism involving the pre- and post-reaction (b) ion-dipole and (c) hydrogen-bonded complexes, the configuration-retaining (d) front-side attack and (e) double-inversion substitution pathways, as well as (f) the proton-abstraction channel. The benchmark quality relative energies of all the important stationary points are computed using the focal-point analysis (FPA) approach considering electron correlation up to coupled-cluster singles, doubles, triples, and perturbative quadruples method, extrapolation to the complete basis set limit, core-valence correlation, and scalar relativistic effects. The FPA classical(adiabatic) barrier heights of (a), (d), and (e) are −0.45(−0.61), 46.07(45.16), and 29.18(26.07) kcal mol{sup −1}, respectively, the dissociation energies of (b) and (c) are 13.81(13.56) and 13.73(13.52) kcal mol{sup −1}, respectively, and the endothermicity of (f) is 42.54(38.11) kcal mol{sup −1}. Quasiclassical trajectory computations of cross sections, scattering (θ) and initial attack (α) angle distributions, as well as translational and internal energy distributions are performed for the F{sup −} + CH{sub 3}F(v = 0) reaction using the new PES. Apart from low collision energies (E{sub coll}), the S{sub N}2 excitation function is nearly constant, the abstraction cross sections rapidly increase with E{sub coll} from a threshold of ∼40 kcal mol{sup −1}, and retention trajectories via double inversion are found above E{sub coll} = ∼ 30 kcal mol{sup −1}, and at E{sub coll} =

  11. Factores asociados a violencia física reciente de pareja hacia la mujer en el Perú, 2004-2007 Factors associated to recent intimate partner physical violence against women in Peru, 2004-2007

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Dora Blitchtein-Winicki

    2012-03-01

    Full Text Available Objetivos. Identificar los factores asociados de violencia física reciente (en el último año de pareja, hacia la mujer en el Perú. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó un análisis secundario de la encuesta demográfica y de salud familiar (ENDES 2004-2007. Se incluyó a 12 257 mujeres unidas o casadas que respondieron al módulo de violencia, con esta información se realizó la categorización de antecedente de violencia física infringida por la pareja. Se llevaron a cabo análisis descriptivos y regresiones logísticas univariadas y multivariadas para muestras complejas. Resultados. La prevalencia de violencia física a nivel nacional fue de 14,5%, con variación entre regiones geográficas (9,7 a 18,9%. El factor asociado con un mayor riesgo es que la pareja se embriague con frecuencia (OR: 7,2; IC 95%: 5,4-9,6 y que la pareja controle o limite las visitas de la mujer a familiares o amigos (OR: 4,1; IC 95%: 3,3-5,0; otros factores asociados son el antecedente de agresión física del padre hacia la madre, el haber tenido uniones previas de pareja, ser conviviente, tener mayor nivel de educación que la pareja o el desbalance en la toma de decisiones en la pareja. Entre los factores asociados con un menor riesgo, estuvieron la comunicación y respeto dentro de la pareja (OR: 0,3; IC 95%: 0,2-0,3 y el que la mujer tenga algún tipo de seguro de salud. Conclusiones. Diversos factores individuales, de relaciones de pareja u otros factores, están asociadas con una mayor probabilidad de violencia de pareja contra la mujer. Otros factores, como la comunicación y el respeto en la parej a, podrían tener carácter protector.Objectives. To identify factors associated to recent (during the last year intimate partner physical violence against women in Peru. Materials and methods. Using the demographic and Family Health National Survey (ENDES 2004- 2007 a secondary analysis was performed. 12,257 women married or living with a couple who answered the

  12. Facile Template-Free Fabrication of the hollow sea cucumber-like TbF{sub 3} and luminescent properties

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Gao, Yu, E-mail: gaoy777@126.com [College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenyang University of Chemical Technology, Shenyang, 100142 (China); Shi, Shan; Fang, Qinghong; Yang, Feng [College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenyang University of Chemical Technology, Shenyang, 100142 (China); Xu, Zhenhe [College of Applied Chemistry, Shenyang University of Chemical Technology, Shenyang, 100142 (China)

    2014-12-15

    Graphical abstract: Hollow sea cucumber-like TbF{sub 3} has been prepared via a facile hydrothermal route. The possible growth mechanism and the luminescent properties of the as-prepared sample have been discussed. - Highlights: • TbF3 particles were prepared by a facile hydrothermal route. • TbF3 product show strong green emission. • This method may be more widely applicable in the design of other rare-earth compounds. - Abstract: Hollow sea cucumber-like TbF{sub 3} was successfully fabricated by a self-assembled hydrothermal method. The crystal structure, morphology and photoluminescence properties of the as-prepared TbF{sub 3} crystals were investigated. The results revealed that the as-prepared TbF{sub 3} sample has orthorhombic structure and composed of monodispersed 3D hollow sea cucumber-like particles. The possible formation mechanism for sea cucumber-like TbF{sub 3} is presented in detail. Additionally, the as-prepared sample possesses property of down-conversion photoluminescence. The excitation spectrum of TbF{sub 3} sample was obtained by monitoring the emission of Tb{sup 3+} at 545 nm was composed of the characteristics f–f transition lines within the Tb{sup 3+} 4f{sup 8} configuration. Under the UV light irradiation, the emission spectrum exhibited four obvious lines centered at 491, 545, 588, and 620 nm, which was corresponding to the {sup 5}D{sub 4} → {sup 7}F{sub J} (J = 6, 5, 4, 3) transitions of the Tb{sup 3+} ions in the TbF{sub 3} nanoparticles.

  13. Third-order QCD corrections to the charged-current structure function F3

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Moch, S.; Vermaseren, J.A.M.; Vogt, A.

    2008-12-01

    We compute the coefficient function for the charge-averaged W ± -exchange structure function F 3 in deep-inelastic scattering (DIS) to the third order in massless perturbative QCD. Our new three-loop contribution to this quantity forms, at not too small values of the Bjorken variable x, the dominant part of the next-to-next-to-next-to-leading order corrections. It thus facilitates improved determinations of the strong coupling α s and of 1/Q 2 power corrections from scaling violations measured in neutrino-nucleon DIS. The expansion of F 3 in powers of α s is stable at all values of x relevant to measurements at high scales Q 2 . At small x the third-order coefficient function is dominated by diagrams with the colour structure d abc d abc not present at lower orders. At large x the coefficient function for F 3 is identical to that of F 1 up to terms vanishing for x→1. (orig.)

  14. Growth of hexagonal NaGdF{sub 4} nanocrystals based on cubic Ln{sup 3+}: CaF{sub 2} precursors and the multi-color upconversion emissions

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Lei, Lei; Chen, Daqin, E-mail: dqchen@fjirsm.ac.cn; Yu, Yunlong; Zhang, Rui; Ling, Hang; Xu, Ju; Huang, Feng; Wang, Yuansheng, E-mail: yswang@fjirsm.ac.cn

    2014-04-05

    Graphical abstract: We reported a novel hetero-valence cation exchange route to synthesize Ln: NaGdF4 upconversion nanocrystals for the first time. -- Highlights: • The Ln3+: NaGdF4 nanocrystals were synthesized based on the Ln3+: CaF2 precursors. • The microstructures of nanocrystals were characterized. • The multi-color upconversion emissions were easily realized. -- Abstract: Lanthanide-doped upconversion nanomaterials have attracted great attention recently for their potential applications in the fields of bio-label, three-dimensional display, solar cell and so on. In this article, we report a new strategy to prepare hexagonal Ln{sup 3+}:NaGdF{sub 4} upconversion nanocrystals. Unlike the routine way of synthesizing NaGdF{sub 4} nanocrystals through nucleation and growth, the formation of hexagonal NaGdF{sub 4} nanocrystals herein is realized based on the Ln{sup 3+}-doped cubic CaF{sub 2} precursors, following a hetero-valence cation exchange process between Gd{sup 3+}/Na{sup +} and Ca{sup 2+}. Evidently, Ln{sup 3+} dopants in the CaF{sub 2} precursors are retained in the finally formed hexagonal NaGdF{sub 4} nanocrystals and, subsequently, multi-color upconversion emissions are easily realized by simply adjusting the Ln{sup 3+} dopant species and contents in the CaF{sub 2} precursors. This novel hetero-valence cation exchange route may open up a new pathway to synthesize nanomaterials that cannot be fabricated directly.

  15. Optical thermometry based on green upconversion emission in Er3+/Yb3+ codoped BaGdF5 glass ceramics

    Science.gov (United States)

    Wu, Ting; Zhao, Shilong; Lei, Ruoshan; Huang, Lihui; Xu, Shiqing

    2018-02-01

    Er3+/Yb3+ codoped BaGdF5 glass ceramics have been prepared and used to develop a portable all-fiber temperature sensor based on fluorescence intensity ratio technique. XRD and TEM results affirm the generation of BaGdF5 nanocrystals in the borosilicate glass. Eu3+ ions are used as spectral probe to investigate external environment around rare earth (RE) ions. Intense green upconversion emissions from Er3+ ions are detected in the BaGdF5 glass ceramics and their intensity are enhanced about three orders of magnitude after heat treatment, which is attributed to the enrichment of RE ions in the BaGdF5 phase. Based on green upconversion emission from Er3+ ions, the temperature sensing property of the portable all-fiber temperature sensor is studied. The maximum absolute sensitivity is 15.5 × 10-4 K-1 at 567 K and the relative sensitivity is 1.28% K-1 at 298 K, respectively.

  16. Cleanup Verification Package for the 118-F-3, Minor Construction Burial Ground

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Appel, M.J.

    2007-01-01

    This cleanup verification package documents completion of remedial action for the 118-F-3, Minor Construction Burial Ground waste site. This site was an open field covered with cobbles, with no vegetation growing on the surface. The site received irradiated reactor parts that were removed during conversion of the 105-F Reactor from the Liquid 3X to the Ball 3X Project safety systems and received mostly vertical safety rod thimbles and step plugs

  17. Parametric Instability, Inverse Cascade, and the 1/f Range of Solar-Wind Turbulence.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Chandran, Benjamin D G

    2018-02-01

    In this paper, weak turbulence theory is used to investigate the nonlinear evolution of the parametric instability in 3D low- β plasmas at wavelengths much greater than the ion inertial length under the assumption that slow magnetosonic waves are strongly damped. It is shown analytically that the parametric instability leads to an inverse cascade of Alfvén wave quanta, and several exact solutions to the wave kinetic equations are presented. The main results of the paper concern the parametric decay of Alfvén waves that initially satisfy e + ≫ e - , where e + and e - are the frequency ( f ) spectra of Alfvén waves propagating in opposite directions along the magnetic field lines. If e + initially has a peak frequency f 0 (at which fe + is maximized) and an "infrared" scaling f p at smaller f with -1 scaling throughout a range of frequencies that spreads out in both directions from f 0 . At the same time, e - acquires an f -2 scaling within this same frequency range. If the plasma parameters and infrared e + spectrum are chosen to match conditions in the fast solar wind at a heliocentric distance of 0.3 astronomical units (AU), then the nonlinear evolution of the parametric instability leads to an e + spectrum that matches fast-wind measurements from the Helios spacecraft at 0.3 AU, including the observed f -1 scaling at f3 × 10 -4 Hz. The results of this paper suggest that the f -1 spectrum seen by Helios in the fast solar wind at f3 × 10 -4 Hz is produced in situ by parametric decay and that the f -1 range of e + extends over an increasingly narrow range of frequencies as r decreases below 0.3 AU. This prediction will be tested by measurements from the Parker Solar Probe .

  18. Routinely automated production of 3'-deoxy-3'-[18F] fluorothymidine as a specific molecular imaging probe of tumor cell proliferation

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Wang Mingwei; Zhang Yingjian; Zhang Yongping

    2011-01-01

    This work was aimed at developing a routine for automated production of 3'-deoxy-3'-[ 18 F]fluorothymidine ( 18 F-FLT), a specific molecular imaging probe of tumor cell proliferation, using one-pot two-step strategy and an upgraded Explora GN module integrated with a semi-preparative HPLC system. Firstly, the nucleophilic [ 18 F] radiofluorination of precursor BDNT with activated 18 F ion was carried out at 120 degree C for 5 min to yield the labeled intermediate 18 F-BDFT. Secondly, the acidic hydrolysis of 18 F-BDFT was run at 110 degree C for 5 min to produce 18 F-FLT after addition of HCl, and 18 F-FLT was purified by HPLC. This automated production of 18 F-FLT is of fast, reliable and multi-run features, being completed within 65 min with radiochemical yield of 15%-25% (without decay correction). The quality control of 18 F-FLT was identical with the radiopharmaceutical requirements, especiallly the radiochemical purity of greater than 99% and high chemical purity and specific activity own to HPLC purification. (authors)

  19. Nuclear effects in the F3 structure function for finite and asymptotic Q2

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Kulagin, S.A.

    1998-01-01

    We study nuclear effects in the structure function F 3 which describes the parity violating part of the charged-current neutrino nucleon deep inelastic scattering. Starting from a covariant approach we derive a factorized expression for the nuclear structure function in terms of the nuclear spectral function and off-shell nucleon structure functions valid for arbitrary momentum transfer Q and in the limit of weak nuclear binding, i.e. when a nucleus can be treated as a non-relativistic system. We develop a systematic expansion of nuclear structure functions in terms of a Q -2 series caused by nuclear effects (''nuclear twist'' series). Basing ourselves on this expansion we calculate nuclear corrections to the Gross-Llewellyn-Smith sum rule as well as to higher moments of F 3 . We show that corrections to the GLS sum rule due to nuclear effects cancel out in the Bjorken limit and calculate the corresponding Q -2 correction. Special attention is paid to the discussion of the off-shell effects in the structure functions. A sizable impact of these effects both on the Q 2 and x dependence of nuclear structure functions is found. (orig.)

  20. Impact of calcium ion on cytotoxic effect of the boroxine derivative, K2[B3O3F4OH].

    Science.gov (United States)

    Ivankovic, Sinisa; Stojkovic, Ranko; Maksimovic, Milka; Galic, Borivoj; Milos, Mladen

    2016-01-01

    The effect of Ca 2+ ions on the cytotoxic ability of boron heterocyclic compound dipotassium-trioxohydroxytetrafluorotriborate (K 2 [B 3 O 3 F 4 OH]), on in vitro tumor cells (mammary adenocarcinoma 4T1, melanoma B16F10 and squamous cell carcinoma SCCVII) and non-tumoral fibroblast cells (mouse dermal L929 and hamster lung V79) was examined. At small concentrations of Ca 2+ ions (0.42 mM), K 2 [B 3 O 3 F 4 OH] (3.85 mM) has a very strong cytotoxic effect on all cancer cells tested (89.1, 85.6 and 84.6%) and significantly less effect on normal cells (19.5 and 24.2%), respectively. Applying larger concentrations of Ca 2+ ions (9.42-72.42 mM), at the same concentration of K 2 [B 3 O 3 F 4 OH], no significant cytotoxic effect was detected on cancer cells and normal cells investigated. The selective ability of K 2 [B 3 O 3 F 4 OH], in the medium with a low concentration of Ca 2+ ions has a strong cytotoxic effect on cancer cells and very weak effect in normal cells, opens up the possibility of its application in antitumor therapy.

  1. Gender differences in the factors predicting initial engagement at cardiac rehabilitation.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Galdas, Paul Michael; Harrison, Alexander Stephen; Doherty, Patrick

    2018-01-01

    To determine whether there are gender differences in the factors that predict attendance at the initial cardiac rehabilitation baseline assessment (CR engagement) after referral. Using data from the National Audit of Cardiac Rehabilitation, we analysed data on 95 638 patients referred to CR following a cardiovascular diagnosis/treatment between 2013 and 2016. Eighteen factors that have been shown in previous research to be important predictors of CR participation were investigated and grouped into four categories: sociodemographic factors, cardiac risk factors, patient medical status and service-level factors. Logistic binary regression models were built for male patients and female patients, assessing the likelihood for CR engagement. Each included predictors such as age, number of comorbidities and social deprivation score. There were no important differences in the factors that predict the likelihood of CR engagement in men and women. Seven factors associated with a reduced probability of CR engagement, and eight factors associated with increased probability, were identified. Fourteen of the 15 factors identified as predicting the likelihood for engagement/non-engagement were the same for both men and women. Increasing age, being South Asian or non-white ethnicity (other than Black) and being single were all associated with a reduced likelihood of attending an initial CR baseline assessment in both men and women. Male patients with diabetes were 11% less likely to engage with CR; however, there was no significant association in women. Results showed that the overwhelmingly important determinant of CR engagement observed in both men and women was receiving an invitation to attend an assessment session (OR 4.223 men/4.033women; pgender differences in predictors of CR uptake should probably be more nuanced and informed by the stage of the patient care pathway.

  2. Production and Characterization of Fengycin by Indigenous Bacillus subtilis F29-3 Originating from a Potato Farm

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Shan-Yu Chen

    2010-11-01

    Full Text Available Fengycin, a lipopeptide biosurfactant, was produced by indigenous Bacillus subtilis F29-3 isolated from a potato farm. Although inhibiting the growth of filamentous fungi, the fengycin is ineffective against yeast and bacteria. In this study, fengycin was isolated from fermentation broth of B. subtilis F29-3 via acidic precipitation (pH 2.0 with 5 N HCl followed by purification using ultrafiltration and nanofiltration. The purified fengycin product was characterized qualitatively by using fast atom bombardment-mass spectrometer, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer, 13C-nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer and matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight, followed by quantitative analysis using reversed-phase HPLC system. This study also attempted to increase fengycin production by B. subtilis F29-3 in order to optimize the fermentation medium constituents. The fermentation medium composition was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM to increase fengycin production from B. subtilis F29-3. According to results of the five-level four-factor central composite design, the composition of soybean meal, NaNO3, MnSO4·4H2O, mannitol-mannitol, soybean meal-mannitol, soybean meal‑soybean meal, NaNO3-NaNO3 and MnSO4·4H2O-MnSO4·4H2O significantly affected production. The simulation model produced a coefficient of determination (R2 of 0.9043, capable of accounting for 90.43% variability of the data. Results of the steepest ascent and central composite design indicated that 26.2 g/L of mannitol, 21.9 g/L of soybean meal, 3.1 g/L of NaNO3 and 0.2 g/L of MnSO4·4H2O represented the optimal medium composition, leading to the highest production of fengycin. Furthermore, the optimization strategy increased the fengycin production from 1.2 g/L to 3.5 g/L.

  3. Photoemission study of 5f localization in UPd/sub 3-x/(Pt,Rh)/sub x/

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Arko, A.J.; Koelling, D.D.; Dunlap, B.D.; Mitchell, A.W.

    1987-10-01

    Photoemission measurements in the two systems UPd/sub 3-x/(Pt,Rh)/sub x/ show that the 5f spectra are consistent with localized 5f electrons (peak in spectral weight is below E/sub F/ for all x within the double hexagonal DO 24 phase) while at both phase transitions the 5f peaks lock in at E/sub F/ consistent with intinerancy. A satellite 5f peak representative of d-screening is observed in both localized and itinerant systems. 17 refs., 3 figs

  4. Understanding overpressure in the FAA aerosol can test by C3H2F3Br (2-BTP)✩

    Science.gov (United States)

    Linteris, Gregory Thomas; Babushok, Valeri Ivan; Pagliaro, John Leonard; Burgess, Donald Raymond; Manion, Jeffrey Alan; Takahashi, Fumiaki; Katta, Viswanath Reddy; Baker, Patrick Thomas

    2018-01-01

    Thermodynamic equilibrium calculations, as well as perfectly-stirred reactor (PSR) simulations with detailed reaction kinetics, are performed for a potential halon replacement, C3H2F3Br (2-BTP, C3H2F3Br, 2-Bromo-3,3,3-trifluoropropene), to understand the reasons for the unexpected enhanced combustion rather than suppression in a mandated FAA test. The high pressure rise with added agent is shown to depend on the amount of agent, and is well-predicted by an equilibrium model corresponding to stoichiometric reaction of fuel, oxygen, and agent. A kinetic model for the reaction of C3H2F3Br in hydrocarbon-air flames has been applied to understand differences in the chemical suppression behavior of C3H2F3Br vs. CF3Br in the FAA test. Stirred-reactor simulations predict that in the conditions of the FAA test, the inhibition effectiveness of C3H2F3Br at high agent loadings is relatively insensitive to the overall stoichiometry (for fuel-lean conditions), and the marginal inhibitory effect of the agent is greatly reduced, so that the mixture remains flammable over a wide range of conditions. Most important, the flammability of the agent-air mixtures themselves (when compressively preheated), can support low-strain flames which are much more difficult to extinguish than the easy-to extinguish, high-strain primary fireball from the impulsively released fuel mixture. Hence, the exothermic reaction of halogenated hydrocarbons in air should be considered in other situations with strong ignition sources and low strain flows, especially at preheated conditions. PMID:29628525

  5. Generational comparisons (F1 versus F3) of vinclozolin induced epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of sperm differential DNA methylation regions (epimutations) using MeDIP-Seq.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Beck, Daniel; Sadler-Riggleman, Ingrid; Skinner, Michael K

    2017-07-01

    Environmentally induced epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of disease and phenotypic variation has been shown to involve DNA methylation alterations in the germline (e.g. sperm). These differential DNA methylation regions (DMRs) are termed epimutations and in part transmit the transgenerational phenotypes. The agricultural fungicide vinclozolin exposure of a gestating female rat has previously been shown to promote transgenerational disease and epimutations in F3 generation (great-grand-offspring) animals. The current study was designed to investigate the actions of direct fetal exposure on the F1 generation rat sperm DMRs compared to the F3 transgenerational sperm DMRs. A protocol involving methylated DNA immunoprecipitation (MeDIP) followed by next-generation sequencing (Seq) was used in the current study. Bioinformatics analysis of the MeDIP-Seq data was developed and several different variations in the bioinformatic analysis were evaluated. Observations indicate needs to be considered. Interestingly, the F1 generation DMRs were found to be fewer in number and for the most part distinct from the F3 generation epimutations. Observations suggest the direct exposure induced F1 generation sperm DMRs appear to promote in subsequent generations alterations in the germ cell developmental programming that leads to the distinct epimutations in the F3 generation. This may help explain the differences in disease and phenotypes between the direct exposure F1 generation and transgenerational F3 generation. Observations demonstrate a distinction between the direct exposure versus transgenerational epigenetic programming induced by environmental exposures and provide insights into the molecular mechanisms involved in the epigenetic transgenerational inheritance phenomenon.

  6. Optimizing AlF{sub 3} atomic layer deposition using trimethylaluminum and TaF{sub 5}: Application to high voltage Li-ion battery cathodes

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Jackson, David H. K., E-mail: david.jackson@wisc.edu; Kuech, Thomas F. [Materials Science Program, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706 and Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706 (United States); Laskar, Masihhur R.; Ellis, Ryan G. [Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706 (United States); Fang, Shuyu; Hamers, Robert J. [Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706 (United States); Xu, Shenzhen; Li, Xiaoqing; Morgan, Dane [Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706 (United States); Dreibelbis, Mark [Core R& D, Inorganic Materials and Heterogeneous Catalysis, The Dow Chemical Company, Midland, Michigan 48674 (United States); Babcock, Susan E. [Materials Science Program, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706 and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706 (United States); Mahanthappa, Mahesh K. [Materials Science Program, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706 and Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706 (United States)

    2016-05-15

    Atomic layer deposition (ALD) of conformal AlF{sub 3} coatings onto both flat silicon substrates and high-voltage LiNi{sub 0.5}Mn{sub 0.3}Co{sub 0.2}O{sub 2} (NMC) Li-ion battery cathode powders was investigated using a Al(CH{sub 3}){sub 3}/TaF{sub 5} precursor combination. This optimized approach employs easily handled ALD precursors, while also obviating the use of highly toxic HF(g). In studies conducted on planar Si wafers, the film's growth mode was dictated by a competition between the desorption and decomposition of Ta reaction byproducts. At T ≥ 200 °C, a rapid decomposition of the Ta reaction byproducts to TaC led to continuous deposition and high concentrations of TaC in the films. A self-limited ALD growth mode was found to occur when the deposition temperature was reduced to 125 °C, and the TaF{sub 5} exposures were followed by an extended purge. The lower temperature process suppressed conversion of TaF{sub x}(CH{sub 3}){sub 5−x} to nonvolatile TaC, and the long purges enabled nearly complete TaF{sub x}(CH{sub 3}){sub 5−x} desorption, leaving behind the AlF{sub 3} thin films. NMC cathode powders were coated using these optimized conditions, and coin cells employing these coated cathode particles exhibited significant improvements in charge capacity fade at high discharge rates.

  7. Factors Associated with Initiation of Ecstasy Use among US Adolescents: Findings from a National Survey

    Science.gov (United States)

    Wu, Ping; Liu, Xinhua; Fan, Bin

    2009-01-01

    Aims To investigate adolescent pathways to ecstasy use by (1) examining how early onsets of smoking, drinking, and marijuana use are related to a child’s risk of initiation of ecstasy use and (2) assessing the influence of other individual and parental factors on ecstasy use initiation. Methods Data on 6,426 adolescents (12–17 years old at baseline) from the National Survey of Parents and Youth (NSPY), a longitudinal, nationally-representative household survey of youth and their parents, were used in the analyses. Information on youth substance use, including ecstasy use, as well as familial and parental characteristics, was available. Results Initiation of ecstasy use is predicted by an adolescent’s early initiation of smoking, drinking, or marijuana use. In particular, early initiation either of marijuana use, or of both smoking and drinking, increases a child’s risk for ecstasy use initiation. Among the familial and parental variables, parent drug use emerged as significantly predictive of child initiation of ecstasy use; living with both parents and close parental monitoring, on the other hand, are negatively associated with ecstasy use initiation, and may be protective against it. At the individual level, sensation seeking tendencies and positive attitudes toward substance use, as well as close associations with deviant peers, are predictive of adolescent initiation of ecstasy use. Conclusion Our findings on the risk and protective factors for initiation of ecstasy use, especially with regard to factors that are modifiable, will be useful for prevention programs targeting youth use not only of ecstasy, but also of other drugs. PMID:19781862

  8. E2F3a gene expression has prognostic significance in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Wang, Kai-Ling; Mei, Yan-Yan; Cui, Lei; Zhao, Xiao-Xi; Li, Wei-Jing; Gao, Chao; Liu, Shu-Guang; Jiao, Ying; Liu, Fei-Fei; Wu, Min-Yuan; Ding, Wei; Li, Zhi-Gang

    2014-10-01

    To study E2F3a expression and its clinical significance in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). We quantified E2F3a expression at diagnosis in 148 children with ALL by real-time PCR. In the test cohort (n = 48), receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to find the best cut-off point to divide the patients into E2F3a low- and high-expression groups. The prognostic significance of E2F3a expression was investigated in the test cohort and confirmed in the validation cohort (n = 100). The correlations of E2F3a expression with the clinical features and treatment outcome of these patients were analyzed. ROC curve analysis indicated that the best cut-off point of E2F3a expression was 0.3780. In the test cohort, leukemia-free survival (LFS) and event-free survival (EFS) of the low-expression group were lower than those of the high-expression group (log rank: P = 0.026 for both). This finding was verified in the validation cohort. LFS, EFS, and overall survival were also lower in the low-expression group than in the high-expression group (log rank, P = 0.015, 0.008, and 0.002 respectively). E2F3a low expression was correlated with the existence of BCR-ABL fusion. An algorithm composed of E2F3a expression and minimal residual disease (MRD) could predict relapse or induction failure more precisely than current risk stratification. These results were still significant in the ALL patients without BCR-ABL fusion. Low expression of E2F3a was associated with inferior prognosis in childhood ALL. An algorithm composed of E2F3a expression and MRD could predict relapse or induction failure more precisely than that of the current risk stratification. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  9. Ho3+/Yb3+ co-doped TeO2-BaF2-Y2O3 glasses for ∼1.2 μm laser applications

    Science.gov (United States)

    Wang, Shunbin; Li, Chengzhi; Yao, Chuanfei; Jia, Shijie; Jia, Zhixu; Qin, Guanshi; Qin, Weiping

    2017-02-01

    Intense ∼1.2 μm fluorescence is observed in Ho3+/Yb3+ co-doped TeO2-BaF2-Y2O3 glasses under 915 nm laser diode excitation. The 1.2 μm emission can be ascribed to the transition 5I6→5I8 of Ho3+. With the introducing of BaF2, the content of OH in the glasses drops markedly, and the 1.2 μm emission intensity increases gradually as increasing the concentration percentage of BaF2. Furthermore, microstructured fibers based on the TeO2-BaF2-Y2O3 glasses are fabricated by using a rod-in-tube method, and a relative positive gain of ∼9.42 dB at 1175.3 nm is obtained in a 5 cm long fiber.

  10. Thermal Actuation Based 3-DoF Non-Resonant Microgyroscope Using MetalMUMPs

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Muhammad Masood ul Hassan

    2009-04-01

    Full Text Available High force, large displacement and low voltage consumption are a primary concern for microgyroscopes. The chevron-shaped thermal actuators are unique in terms of high force generation combined with the large displacements at a low operating voltage in comparison with traditional electrostatic actuators. A Nickel based 3-DoF micromachined gyroscope comprising 2-DoF drive mode and 1-DoF sense mode oscillator utilizing the chevron-shaped thermal actuators is presented here. Analytical derivations and finite element simulations are carried out to predict the performance of the proposed device using the thermo-physical properties of electroplated nickel. The device sensitivity is improved by utilizing the dynamical amplification of the oscillation in 2-DoF drive mode using an active-passive mass configuration. A comprehensive theoretical description, dynamics and mechanical design considerations of the proposed gyroscopes model are discussed in detail. Parametric optimization of gyroscope, its prototype modeling and fabrication using MetalMUMPs has also been investigated. Dynamic transient simulation results predicted that the sense mass of the proposed device achieved a drive displacement of 4.1µm when a sinusoidal voltage of 0.5V is applied at 1.77 kHz exhibiting a mechanical sensitivity of 1.7μm /o/s in vacuum. The wide bandwidth frequency response of the 2-DoF drive mode oscillator consists of two resonant peaks and a flat region of 2.11 kHz between the peaks defining the operational frequency region. The sense mode resonant frequency can lie anywhere within this region and therefore the amplitude of the response is insensitive to structural parameter variations, enhancing device robustness against such variations. The proposed device has a size of 2.2 x 2.6 mm2, almost one third in comparison with existing M-DoF vibratory gyroscope with an estimated power consumption of 0.26 Watts. These predicted results illustrate that the chevron

  11. Factors affecting ¹⁸F FDOPA standardized uptake value in patients with primary brain tumors after treatment.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Chiaravalloti, Agostino; Fiorentini, Alessandro; Villani, Veronica; Carapella, Carmine; Pace, Andrea; Di Pietro, Barbara; Di Russo, Carmen; Palumbo, Barbara; Floris, Roberto; Schillaci, Orazio

    2015-04-01

    To investigate the factors affecting (18)F FDOPA uptake in patients with primary brain tumors (PBT) after treatment. 97 patients with PBT (6 were grade I, 40 were grade II, 29 were grade III and 22 were grade IV) underwent (18)F FDOPA positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) after treatment. Intervals from surgery, chemotherapy (CHT) and radiotherapy (RT) were 41.48 (±42.27), 16.04 (±29.08) and 28.62 (±34.49) months respectively. (18)F FDOPA uptake in the site of recurrence was not related to the interval from surgery and CHT while a significant relationship has been found with the interval from RT and tumor grade. The results of our study show that the interval from RT and the grade of PBT should be considered carefully when evaluating brain PET/CT scans since these factors could directly affect (18)F FDOPA uptake. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  12. Methylated DNMT1 and E2F1 are targeted for proteolysis by L3MBTL3 and CRL4DCAF5 ubiquitin ligase.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Leng, Feng; Yu, Jiekai; Zhang, Chunxiao; Alejo, Salvador; Hoang, Nam; Sun, Hong; Lu, Fei; Zhang, Hui

    2018-04-24

    Many non-histone proteins are lysine methylated and a novel function of this modification is to trigger the proteolysis of methylated proteins. Here, we report that the methylated lysine 142 of DNMT1, a major DNA methyltransferase that preserves epigenetic inheritance of DNA methylation patterns during DNA replication, is demethylated by LSD1. A novel methyl-binding protein, L3MBTL3, binds the K142-methylated DNMT1 and recruits a novel CRL4 DCAF5 ubiquitin ligase to degrade DNMT1. Both LSD1 and PHF20L1 act primarily in S phase to prevent DNMT1 degradation by L3MBTL3-CRL4 DCAF5 . Mouse L3MBTL3/MBT-1 deletion causes accumulation of DNMT1 protein, increased genomic DNA methylation, and late embryonic lethality. DNMT1 contains a consensus methylation motif shared by many non-histone proteins including E2F1, a key transcription factor for S phase. We show that the methylation-dependent E2F1 degradation is also controlled by L3MBTL3-CRL4 DCAF5 . Our studies elucidate for the first time a novel mechanism by which the stability of many methylated non-histone proteins are regulated.

  13. Understanding the insight into the mechanisms and dynamics of the Cl-initiated oxidation of (CH3)3CC(O)X and the subsequent reactions in the presence of NO and O2 (X = F, Cl, and Br).

    Science.gov (United States)

    Bai, Feng-Yang; Lv, Shuang; Ma, Yuan; Liu, Chun-Yu; He, Chun-Fang; Pan, Xiu-Mei

    2017-03-01

    In this work, the density functional and high-level ab initio theories are adopted to investigate the mechanisms and kinetics of reaction of (CH 3 ) 3 CC(O)X (X = F, Cl, and Br) with atomic chlorine. Rate coefficients for the reactions of chlorine atom with (CH 3 ) 3 CC(O)F (k 1 ), (CH 3 ) 3 CC(O)Cl (k 2 ), and (CH 3 ) 3 CC(O)Br (k 3 ) are calculated using canonical variational transition state theory coupled with small curvature tunneling method over a wide range of temperatures from 250 to 1000 K. The dynamic calculations are performed by the variational transition state theory with the interpolated single-point energies method at the CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVDZ//B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory. Computed rate constant is in good line with the available experimental value. The rate constants for the title reactions are in this order: k 1 Br) are estimated, and it shows that (CH 3 ) 3 CC(O)F have larger GWP value than that of (CH 3 ) 3 CC(O)Cl and (CH 3 ) 3 CC(O)Br. Due to the presence of Cl and Br atoms, the environmental impact of (CH 3 ) 3 CC(O)Cl and (CH 3 ) 3 CC(O)Br may be given more concerns. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  14. f-f Magnetic polaron Wigner glass and anomalous superconductivity in U sub 1 sub - sub x Th sub x Be sub 1 sub 3

    CERN Document Server

    Kasuya, T

    2000-01-01

    Mechanisms of the anomalous properties in the heavy fermion superconductor UBe sub 1 sub 3 and its alloys, in particular for the Th dopings, are studied in detail based on the fundamental electronic states to be consistent with all the crucial experimental results. As the reference systems for the magnetic polaron formation, Ce monopnictides, as well as USb and UTe, are mentioned. From detailed systematic studies of the dilute alloy systems, it is postulated that the 5f states in UBe sub 1 sub 3 split into the well-localized core 5f GAMMA sup 2 sub 7 singlet state and other delocalized 5f states situated around the Fermi energy forming the f-f magnetic polarons through the strong intra-atomic ferromagnetic f-f exchange interaction. The accompanied lattice polarons are also shown to play important roles. In the p-d band states, the f-f exchange interaction and the intersite p-f mixing interactions for the p-f Kondo state are of nearly equal strengths causing a rich variety of delicately balanced states. For th...

  15. Hemin potentiates nitric oxide-mediated nitrosation of 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) to 2-nitrosoamino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Lakshmi, Vijaya M; Clapper, Margie L; Chang, Wen-Chi; Zenser, Terry V

    2005-03-01

    Heme has been reported to be an important contributor to endogenous N-nitrosation within the colon and to the enhanced incidence of colon cancer observed with increased intake of red meat. This study uses the heterocyclic amine 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) as a target to evaluate hemin potentiation of nitric oxide (NO)-mediated nitrosation. Formation of 14C-2-nitrosoamino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (N-NO-IQ) was monitored by HPLC following incubation of 10 microM IQ with the NO donor spermine NONOate (1.2 microM NO/min) at pH 7.4 in the presence or absence of hemin. N-NO-IQ formation due to autoxidation of NO was at the limit of detection (0.1 microM) and increased 22-fold in the presence of 10 microM hemin and an in situ system for generating H2O2 (glucose oxidase/glucose). A linear increase in N-NO-IQ formation was observed from 1 to 10 microM hemin. Significant nitrosamine formation occurred at fluxes of NO and H2O2 as low as 0.024 and 0.25 microM/min, respectively. Potentiation by hemin was not affected by a 400-fold excess flux of H2O2 over NO or a 4.8-fold excess flux of NO over H2O2. Reactive nitrogen species produced by hemin potentiation had a 46-fold greater affinity for IQ than those produced by autoxidation. Azide inhibited autoxidation, suggesting involvement of the nitrosonium ion, NO+. Hemin potentiation was inhibited by NADH, but not azide, suggesting oxidative nitrosylation with NO2* or a NO2*-like species. IQ and 2,3-diaminonaphthylene were much better targets for nitrosation than the secondary amine morpholine. Apc(min) mice with dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis demonstrated increased levels of urinary nitrite and nitrate consistent with increased expression of iNOS and NO synthesis. As reported previously, identical conditions increased fecal N-nitroso compounds. Thus, hemin potentiation of NO-mediated nitrosation of heterocyclic amines provides a testable mechanism by which red meat consumption can generate N

  16. Quantification of [18F]FDOPA and [18F]-3-OMFD in pig serum - a new TLC method in comparison with HPLC

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Pawelke, B.; Fuechtner, F.; Bergmann, R.; Brust, P.

    2002-01-01

    A novel TLC method for convenient quantification of [ 18 F]FDOPA and [ 18 F]-3-OMFD in routine operation was developed and the results assessed in comparison with an HPLC analysis. The two methods were found to correlate well. [ 18 F]fluoride which resisted determination on HPLC RP-18 columns was also quantified by TLC. (orig.)

  17. Crystal structures of KM(AsF{sub 6}){sub 3} (M{sup 2+} = Mg, Co, Mn, Zn), KCu(SbF{sub 6}){sub 3} and [Co(HF){sub 2}]Sr[Sr(HF)]{sub 2}-[Sr(HF){sub 2}]{sub 2}[AsF{sub 6}]{sub 12}

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Mazej, Zoran; Goreshnik, Evgeny [Jozef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana (Slovakia). Dept. of Inorganic Chemisrty and Technology

    2015-05-01

    The KM(AsF{sub 6}){sub 3} (M{sup 2+} = Mg, Co, Mn, Zn) and KCu(SbF{sub 6}){sub 3} compounds crystallize isotypically to previously known KNi(AsF{sub 6}){sub 3}. The main features of the structure of these compounds are rings of MF{sub 6} octahedra sharing apexes with AsF{sub 6} octahedra connected into infinite tri-dimensional frameworks. In this arrangement cavities are formed where K{sup +} cations are placed. Single crystals of CoSr{sub 5}(AsF{sub 6}){sub 12}.8HF were obtained as one of the products after the crystallization of 3KF/CoF{sub 2}/SrF{sub 2} mixture in the presence of AsF{sub 5} in anhydrous HF. The CoSr{sub 5}(AsF{sub 6}){sub 12}.8HF is monoclinic, C/2c (No.15), with a = 26.773(5) Aa, b = 10.087(2) Aa, c = 21.141(5) Aa, β = 93.296(13) {sup circle}, V = 5699.9(19) Aa{sup 3} at 200 K, and Z = 4. There are three crystallographically non-equivalent Sr{sup 2+} cations in the crystal structure of CoSr{sub 5}(AsF{sub 6}){sub 12}.8HF. The Sr1 is coordinated by ten fluorine atoms from eight different [AsF{sub 6}]- anions, meanwhile Sr2 and Sr3 are bound to nine fluorine atoms provided by one HF and eight AsF{sub 6} units or by two HF and six AsF{sub 6} units, respectively. The Co{sup 2+} is coordinated distorted-octahedrally by six fluorine atoms from two HF molecules and four different AsF{sub 6} units. All those moieties in the crystal structure of [Co(HF){sub 2}]Sr[Sr(HF)]{sub 2}[Sr(HF){sub 2}]{sub 2}[AsF{sub 6}]{sub 12} are connected into tridimensional framework. The CoSr{sub 5}(AsF{sub 6}){sub 12}.8HF is a unique example of compound where HF molecules are directly bound via fluorine atoms to two different metal centres.

  18. Ab initio dynamics trajectory study of the heterolytic cleavage of H2 by a Lewis acid [B(C6F5)3] and a Lewis base [P(tBu)3

    Science.gov (United States)

    Pu, Maoping; Privalov, Timofei

    2013-04-01

    Activation of H2 by a "frustrated Lewis pair" (FLP) composed of B(C6F5)3 and P(tBu)3 species has been explored with high level direct ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations at finite temperature (T = 300 K) in gas phase. The initial geometrical conditions for the AIMD trajectory calculations, i.e., the near attack conformations of FLP + H2, were devised using the host-guest model in which suitable FLP conformations were obtained from the dynamics of the B(C6F5)3/P(tBu)3 pair in gas phase. AIMD trajectory calculations yielded microscopic insight into effects which originate from nuclear motion in the reacting complex, e.g., the alternating compression/elongation of the boron-phosphorous distance and the change of the pyramidality of boron in B(C6F5)3. The ensemble averaged trajectory analysis has been compared with the minimum energy path (MEP) description of the reaction. Similar to MEP, AIMD shows that an attack of the acid/base pair on the H-H bond gives rise to the polarization of the H2 molecule and as a consequence generates a large dipole moment of the reacting complex. The MEP and AIMD portrayals of the reaction are fundamentally different in terms of the magnitude of the motion of nuclei in B(C6F5)3 and P(tBu)3 during the H2 cleavage. In the AIMD trajectory simulations, geometries of B(C6F5)3 and P(tBu)3 appear as nearly "frozen" on the short time scale of the H2 cleavage. This is contrary to the MEP picture. Several of the concepts which arise from this work, e.g., separation of time scales of nuclear motion and the time-dependence of the donor-acceptor interactions in the reacting complex, are important for the understanding of chemical reactivity and catalysis.

  19. Ab Initio Theoretical Studies on the Kinetics of Hydrogen Abstraction Type Reactions of Hydroxyl Radicals with CH3CCl2F and CH3CClF2

    Science.gov (United States)

    Saheb, Vahid; Maleki, Samira

    2018-03-01

    The hydrogen abstraction reactions from CH3Cl2F (R-141b) and CH3CClF2 (R-142b) by OH radicals are studied theoretically by semi-classical transition state theory. The stationary points for the reactions are located by using KMLYP density functional method along with 6-311++G(2 d,2 p) basis set and MP2 method along with 6-311+G( d, p) basis set. Single-point energy calculations are performed by the CBS-Q and G4 combination methods on the geometries optimized at the KMLYP/6-311++G(2 d,2 p) level of theory. Vibrational anharmonicity coefficients, x ij , which are needed for semi-classical transition state theory calculations, are computed at the KMLYP/6-311++G(2 d,2 p) and MP2/6-311+G( d, p) levels of theory. The computed barrier heights are slightly sensitive to the quantum-chemical method. Thermal rate coefficients are computed over the temperature range from 200 to 2000 K and they are shown to be in accordance with available experimental data. On the basis of the computed rate coefficients, the tropospheric lifetime of the CH3CCl2F and CH3CClF2 are estimated to be about 6.5 and 12.0 years, respectively.

  20. Targeting Synthetic Lethal Interactions between Myc and the eIF4F Complex Impedes Tumorigenesis

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Chen-Ju Lin

    2012-04-01

    Full Text Available The energetically demanding process of translation is linked to multiple signaling events through mTOR-mediated regulation of eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF4F complex assembly. Disrupting mTOR constraints on eIF4F activity can be oncogenic and alter chemotherapy response, making eIF4F an attractive antineoplastic target. Here, we combine a newly developed inducible RNAi platform and pharmacological targeting of eIF4F activity to define a critical role for endogenous eIF4F in Myc-dependent tumor initiation. We find elevated Myc levels are associated with deregulated eIF4F activity in the prelymphomatous stage of the Eμ-Myc lymphoma model. Inhibition of eIF4F is synthetic lethal with elevated Myc in premalignant pre-B/B cells resulting in reduced numbers of cycling pre-B/B cells and delayed tumor onset. At the organismal level, eIF4F suppression affected a subset of normal regenerating cells, but this was well tolerated and rapidly and completely reversible. Therefore, eIF4F is a key Myc client that represents a tumor-specific vulnerability.