Red meat-derived heterocyclic amines increase risk of colon cancer: a population-based case-control study

PubMed Central

Helmus, Drew S.; Thompson, Cheryl L.; Zelenskiy, Svetlana; Tucker, Thomas C.; Li, Li

2014-01-01

Formation of mutagenic heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is one pathway believed to drive the association of colon cancer with meat consumption. Limited data exist on the associations of individual HCAs and PAHs in red or white meat with colon cancer. Analyzing data from a validated meat preparation questionnaire completed by 1,062 incident colon cancer cases and 1,645 population controls from an ongoing case-control study, risks of colon cancer were estimated using unconditional logistic regression models, comparing the fourth to the first quartile of mutagen estimates derived from a CHARRED based food frequency questionnaire. Total dietary intake of 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx) (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.88, 95% CI = 1.45–2.43, Ptrend < 0.0001), 2-amino-3,4,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (DiMeIQx) (aOR = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.34–2.23, Ptrend < 0.0001) and meat-derived mutagenic activity (aOR = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.42–2.39, Ptrend < 0.0001) were statistically significantly associated with colon cancer risk. Meat type specific analyses revealed statistically significant associations for red meat-derived MeIQx, DiMeIQx and mutagenic activity, but not for the same mutagens derived from white meat. Our study adds evidence supporting red meat-derived, but not white-meat derived HCAs and PAHs, as an important pathway for environmental colon cancer carcinogenesis. PMID:24168237

GACD: Integrated Software for Genetic Analysis in Clonal F1 and Double Cross Populations.

PubMed

Zhang, Luyan; Meng, Lei; Wu, Wencheng; Wang, Jiankang

2015-01-01

Clonal species are common among plants. Clonal F1 progenies are derived from the hybridization between 2 heterozygous clones. In self- and cross-pollinated species, double crosses can be made from 4 inbred lines. A clonal F1 population can be viewed as a double cross population when the linkage phase is determined. The software package GACD (Genetic Analysis of Clonal F1 and Double cross) is freely available public software, capable of building high-density linkage maps and mapping quantitative trait loci (QTL) in clonal F1 and double cross populations. Three functionalities are integrated in GACD version 1.0: binning of redundant markers (BIN); linkage map construction (CDM); and QTL mapping (CDQ). Output of BIN can be directly used as input of CDM. After adding the phenotypic data, the output of CDM can be used as input of CDQ. Thus, GACD acts as a pipeline for genetic analysis. GACD and example datasets are freely available from www.isbreeding.net. © The American Genetic Association. 2015. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Temporal and spatial deviation in F2 peak parameters derived from FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Sanjay; Singh, R. P.; Tan, Eng Leong; Singh, A. K.; Ghodpage, R. N.; Siingh, Devendraa

2016-06-01

The plasma frequency profiles derived from the Constellation of Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere and Climate (COSMIC) radio occultation measurements are compared with ground-based ionosonde data during the year 2013. Equatorial and midlatitude five stations located in the Northern and Southern Hemisphere are considered: Jicamarca, Jeju, Darwin, Learmonth, and Juliusruh. The aim is to validate the COSMIC-derived data with ground-based measurements and to estimate the difference in plasma frequency (which represents electron density) and height of F2 layer peak during the daytime/nighttime and during different seasons by comparing the two data sets. Analysis showed that the nighttime data are better correlated than the daytime, and the maximum difference occurs at the equatorial ionospheric anomaly (EIA) station as compared to lower and midlatitude stations during the equinox months. The difference between daytime and nighttime correlations becomes insignificant at midlatitude stations. The statistical analysis of computed errors in foF2 (hmF2) showed Gaussian nature with the most probable error range of ±15% (±10%) at the equatorial and EIA stations, ±9% (±7%) outside the EIA region which reduced to ±8% (±6%) at midlatitude stations. The reduction in error at midlatitudes is attributed to the decrease in latitudinal electron density gradients. Comparing the analyzed data during the three geomagnetic storms and quiet days of the same months, it is observed that the differences are significantly enhanced during storm periods and the magnitude of difference in foF2 increases with the intensity of geomagnetic storm.

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

PubMed

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.

Soluble Dinaphtho[2,3-b:2',3'-f]thieno[3,2-b]thiophene Derivatives for Solution-Processed Organic Field-Effect Transistors.

PubMed

Sawamoto, Masanori; Kang, Myeong Jin; Miyazaki, Eigo; Sugino, Hiroyoshi; Osaka, Itaru; Takimiya, Kazuo

2016-02-17

We demonstrate a new approach to solution-processable dinaphtho[2,3-b:2',3'-f]thieno[3,2-b]thiophene (DNTT) derivatives that can afford good thin-film transistors having mobilities higher than 0.1 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1). The key molecular design strategy is the introduction of one branched alkyl group at the edge of the DNTT core, which improves solubility while retaining semiconducting characteristics in the thin-film state. Dialkylation, i.e., the introduction of two branched alkyl groups on the DNTT core, had a detrimental effect on the semiconducting properties. Although the physicochemical properties of the mono- and dialkylated derivatives at the molecular level were almost the same, the thin-film absorption spectra and the ionization potentials (IPs) were markedly different, indicating that the intermolecular interaction in the thin-film state was affected by the number of alkyl groups. Indeed, the packing structures of the monoalkylated DNTTs in the thin-film state, which were estimated from the XRD patterns, were similar to that of parent DNTT, indicating the existence of the lamella structure with the herringbone packing motif. In sharp contrast, the XRD patterns of the dialkylated DNTT thin films showed poor crystallinity, and the packing structures were significantly different from that of parent DNTT. All the results of structural characterization in the thin-film state and evaluation of device characteristics of the DNTT derivatives with branched alkyl groups indicate that the introduction of a branched alkyl group in the molecular long-axis direction is an effective way to solubilize the rigid, largely π-extended organic semiconducting core without interfering with the semiconducting characteristics in the thin-film state.

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)].

PubMed

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.

Characterization of the Recombinant Inbred Line Population Derived from the Cross of Nipponbare/9311

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

As a part of the project entitled “Understanding the rice epigenome: From genes to genomes” funded by the National Science Foundation, a mapping population of 480 F6-8 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross of Nipponbare with 9311 (Nip/9311) was developed. Phenotyping important agronom...

Novel domain-specific POU3F4 mutations are associated with X-linked deafness: examples from different populations.

PubMed

Bademci, Guney; Lasisi, Akeem; Yariz, Kemal O; Montenegro, Paola; Menendez, Ibis; Vinueza, Rodrigo; Paredes, Rosario; Moreta, Germania; Subasioglu, Asli; Blanton, Susan; Fitoz, Suat; Incesulu, Armagan; Sennaroglu, Levent; Tekin, Mustafa

2015-02-25

Mutations in the POU3F4 gene cause X-linked deafness type 3 (DFN3), which is characterized by inner ear anomalies. Three Turkish, one Ecuadorian, and one Nigerian families were included based on either inner ear anomalies detected in probands or X-linked family histories. Exome sequencing and/or Sanger sequencing were performed in order to identify the causative DNA variants in these families. Four novel, c.707A>C (p.(Glu236Ala)), c.772delG (p.(Glu258ArgfsX30)), c.902C>T (p.(Pro301Leu)), c.987T>C (p.(Ile308Thr)), and one previously reported mutation c.346delG (p.(Ala116ProfsX26)) in POU3F4, were identified. All mutations identified are predicted to affect the POU-specific or POU homeo domains of the protein and co-segregated with deafness in all families. Expanding the spectrum of POU3F4 mutations in different populations along with their associated phenotypes provides better understanding of their clinical importance and will be helpful in clinical evaluation and counseling of the affected individuals.

Modiolide and pyrone derivatives from the sea fan-derived fungus Curvularia sp. PSU-F22.

PubMed

Trisuwan, Kongkiat; Rukachaisirikul, Vatcharin; Phongpaichit, Souwalak; Preedanon, Sita; Sakayaroj, Jariya

2011-05-01

Investigation of secondary metabolites from the sea fan-derived fungus Curvularia sp. PSU-F22 resulted in isolation of three new metabolites, curvulapyrone (1), curvulalide (2) and curvulalic acid (3) together with six known compounds, modiolides A (4) and B (5), pyrenolide A (6), stagonolide E (7), mycoepoxydiene (8), and deacetylmycoepoxydiene (9). Their antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, methicillin-resistant S. aureus and Microsporum gypseum SH-MU-4 were examined.

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)(+)).

PubMed

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

Nd3+-doped TeO2-PbF2-AlF3 glasses for laser applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lalla, E. A.; Rodríguez-Mendoza, U. R.; Lozano-Gorrín, A. D.; Sanz-Arranz, A.; Rull, F.; Lavín, V.

2016-01-01

A study of the optical properties of Nd3+ ion in TeO2-PbF2-AlF3 glasses has been carried out for different Nd3+ concentrations. Based on the Judd-Ofelt theory, intensity parameters and radiative properties were determined from the absorption spectra. Focusing on the suitability of this host for laser applications, the spectroscopic quality factor χ was obtained with a value of 1.07, a value of the order of other compositions proposed as laser hosts. For the most intense emission corresponding with the 4F3/2 → 4I11/2 transition (1.06 μm), the absorption and emission and have been calculated with values of 1.20 × 10-20 cm2, 2.08 × 10-20 cm2. A positive value for the gain cross-sections has been found for a population inversion factor γ of 0.4 in the spectral range from 1060 to 1110 nm. All these results suggest the potentially use of this system as a laser host.

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

PubMed

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. .

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

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

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

2013-10-01

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 TbF3@CeF3 and TbF3@CeF3@SiO2 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 SiO2 shell. X-ray diffraction patterns confirmed the trigonal crystal structure of TbF3@CeF3 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 Tb3+ 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 SiO2 shell.

26 CFR 1.61-3 - Gross income derived from business.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... section 162 (c), (f), or (g) in the case of a business expense. The cost of goods sold should be... 26 Internal Revenue 2 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Gross income derived from business. 1.61-3... Taxable Income § 1.61-3 Gross income derived from business. (a) In general. In a manufacturing...

Diphenyl ethers from a marine-derived isolate of Aspergillus sp. CUGB-F046.

PubMed

Xu, Xiuli; Yang, Haijin; Xu, Huitao; Yin, Liyuan; Chen, Zhengkun; Shen, Huihui

2018-04-01

One new diphenyl ether, diorcinol K (1), along with three known compounds, diorcinols D (2), F (3) and I (4) were isolated from the fermentation media of a marine-derived fungus Aspergillus sp. CUGB-F046 which was isolated from a sediment sample collected from the Bohai Sea, China. Their structures were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic methods. Compounds 1, 2 and 4 displayed significant antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus with MIC values of 3.125, 6.25 and 6.25 μg/mL, respectively.

The laser-diode-excited 5 d-4 f luminescence of Ce3+ and Pr3+ ions embedded into a BaR2F8 matrix

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pushkar', A. A.; Uvarova, T. V.; Kozlova, N. S.; Kuznetsov, S. Yu.; Uvarova, A. G.

2013-06-01

We show the possibility of obtaining UV luminescence from 5 d-4 f transitions of rare-earth ions in the BaY2F8: (Yb3+, Pr3+, Ce3+) crystal under upconversion excitation by standard laser diodes with lasing wavelengths of 960, 808, and 840 nm. Various upconversion mechanisms of pumping for populating the higher-lying energy levels of the active ions, as well as methods of adaptation of the active medium BaY2F8: (Yb3+, Pr3+, Ce3+) to these mechanisms, are considered.

Restoration of pseudo-self-compatibility (PSC) in derivatives of a high-PSC × no-PSC cross in Nemesia strumosa Benth.

PubMed

Robacker, C D; Ascher, P D

1978-05-01

Mean PSC increased following each generation of recurrent selection in F1, F2 and F3 Nemesia strumosa families derived from a cross of a 100% PSC plant to an unrelated 0% PSC plant. The first 100% PSC individuals occurred in the F4. Populations derived through sib pollination tended to have higher PSC means than lines derived through self pollination. One F3 family showed a three-fold higher PSC level when pollinated in the green-house than when pollinated in the growth chamber, while another F3 family similarly pollinated showed no change in PSC.

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)(+).

PubMed

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

Dynamics of monochromatically generated nonequilibrium phonons in LaF3:Pr3+

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tolbert, W. A.; Dennis, W. M.; Yen, W. M.

1990-07-01

The temporal evolution of nonequilibrium phonon populations in LaF3:Pr3+ is investigated at low temperatures (1.8 K) utilizing pulsed, tunable, monochromatic generation and time-resolved, tunable, narrow-band detection. High occupation number, narrow-band phonon populations are generated via far-infrared pumping of defect-induced one-phonon absorption. Time-resolved, frequency-selective detection is provided by optical sideband absorption. Nonequilibrium phonon decay times are measured and attributed to anharmonic decay.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 2-fluoro and 3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl-piperazinylalkyl derivatives of 1H-imidazo[2,1-f]purine-2,4(3H,8H)-dione as potential antidepressant agents.

PubMed

Zagórska, Agnieszka; Bucki, Adam; Kołaczkowski, Marcin; Siwek, Agata; Głuch-Lutwin, Monika; Starowicz, Gabriela; Kazek, Grzegorz; Partyka, Anna; Wesołowska, Anna; Słoczyńska, Karolina; Pękala, Elżbieta; Pawłowski, Maciej

2016-01-01

A series of 2-fluoro and 3-trifluoromethylphenylpiperazinylalkyl derivatives of 1H-imidazo[2,1-f]purine-2,4(3H,8H)-dione (4-21) were synthesized and evaluated for their serotonin (5-HT 1A /5-HT 7 ) receptor affinity and phosphodiesterase (PDE4B and PDE10A) inhibitor activity. The study enabled the identification of potent 5-HT 1A , 5-HT 7 and mixed 5-HT 1A /5-HT 7 receptor ligands with weak inhibitory potencies for PDE4B and PDE10A. The tests have been completed with the determination of lipophilicity and metabolic stability using micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) system and human liver microsomes (HLM) model. In preliminary pharmacological in vivo studies, selected compound 8-(5-(4-(2-fluorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl)pentyl)-1,3,7-trimethyl-1H-imidazo[2,1-f]purine-2,4(3H,8H)-dione (9) behaved as a potential antidepressant in forced swim test (FST) in mice. Moreover, potency of antianxiety effects evoked by 9 (2.5 mg/kg) is greater than that of the reference anxiolytic drug, diazepam. Molecular modeling revealed that fluorinated arylpiperazinylalkyl derivatives of 1H-imidazo[2,1-f]purine-2,4(3H,8H)-dione have major significance for the provision of lead compounds for antidepressant and/or anxiolytic application.

Impact of calcium ion on cytotoxic effect of the boroxine derivative, K2[B3O3F4OH].

PubMed

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.

Supersonic aerodynamic characteristics of an advanced F-16 derivative aircraft configuration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fox, Mike C.; Forrest, Dana K.

1993-01-01

A supersonic wind tunnel investigation was conducted in the NASA Langley Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel on an advanced derivative configuration of the United States Air Force F-16 fighter. Longitudinal and lateral directional force and moment data were obtained at Mach numbers of 1.60 to 2.16 to evaluate basic performance parameters and control effectiveness. The aerodynamic characteristics for the F-16 derivative model were compared with the data obtained for the F-16C model and also with a previously tested generic wing model that features an identical plan form shape and similar twist distribution.

Calculating second derivatives of population growth rates for ecology and evolution

PubMed Central

Shyu, Esther; Caswell, Hal

2014-01-01

1. Second derivatives of the population growth rate measure the curvature of its response to demographic, physiological or environmental parameters. The second derivatives quantify the response of sensitivity results to perturbations, provide a classification of types of selection and provide one way to calculate sensitivities of the stochastic growth rate. 2. Using matrix calculus, we derive the second derivatives of three population growth rate measures: the discrete-time growth rate λ, the continuous-time growth rate r = log λ and the net reproductive rate R0, which measures per-generation growth. 3. We present a suite of formulae for the second derivatives of each growth rate and show how to compute these derivatives with respect to projection matrix entries and to lower-level parameters affecting those matrix entries. 4. We also illustrate several ecological and evolutionary applications for these second derivative calculations with a case study for the tropical herb Calathea ovandensis. PMID:25793101

Linkage mapping in a watermelon population segregating for fusarium wilt resistance

Treesearch

Leigh K. Hawkins; Fenny Dane; Thomas L. Kubisiak; Billy B. Rhodes; Robert L. Jarret

2001-01-01

Isozyme, randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), and simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers were used to generate a linkage map in an F2 and F3 watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thumb.) Matsum. & Nakai) population derived from a cross between the fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f....

Properties of AlF3 and LaF3 films at 193nm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xue, Chunrong; Shao, Jianda

2010-10-01

In order to develop low loss, high-performance 193nm Fluoride HR mirrors and anti-reflection coatings, LaF3 and AlF3 materials, used for a single-layer coating, were deposited by a molybdenum boat evaporation process. Various microstructures that formed under different substrate temperatures and with deposition rates were investigated. The relation between these microstructures (including cross section morphology, surface roughness and crystalline structure), the optical properties (including refractive index and optical loss) and mechanical properties (stress) were investigated. Furthermore, AlF3 used as a low-index material and LaF3 used as a high-index material were designed and deposited for multilayer coatings. Transmittance, reflectance, stress, and the laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) were studied. It is shown that AlF3 and LaF3 thin films, deposited on the substrate at a temperature of 300 °C, obtained good quality thin films with high transmittance and little optical loss at 193 nm. For multilayer coatings, the absorption mainly comes from LaF3. Based on these studies, The thickness of 193nm films was controled by a 1/3 baffle with pre-coating technology. the LaF3/AlF3 AR coantings and HR mirrors at 193nm were designed and deposited. Under the present experimental conditions, the reflectance of LaF3/AlF3 HR mirror is up to 96%, and its transmittance is 1.5%. the LaF3/AlF3 AR coanting's residual reflectance is less than 0.14%, and single-sided transmittance is 93.85%. To get a high-performance 193nm AR coating, super-polished substrate is the best choice.

Novel 3-Substituted 7-Phenylpyrrolo[3,2-f]quinolin-9(6H)-ones as Single Entities with Multitarget Antiproliferative Activity.

PubMed

Carta, Davide; Bortolozzi, Roberta; Hamel, Ernest; Basso, Giuseppe; Moro, Stefano; Viola, Giampietro; Ferlin, Maria Grazia

2015-10-22

A series of chemically modified 7-phenylpyrrolo[3,2-f]quinolinones was synthesized and evaluated as anticancer agents. Among them, the most cytotoxic (subnanomolar GI50 values) amidic derivative 5f was shown to act as an inhibitor of tubulin polymerization (IC50, 0.99 μM) by binding to the colchicine site with high affinity. Moreover, 5f induced cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle in a concentration dependent manner, followed by caspase-dependent apoptotic cell death. Compound 5f also showed lower toxicity in nontumoral cells, suggesting selectivity toward cancer cells. Additional experiments revealed that 5f inhibited the enzymatic activity of multiple kinases, including AURKA, FLT3, GSK3A, MAP3K, MEK, RSK2, RSK4, PLK4, ULK1, and JAK1. Computational studies showed that 5f can be properly accommodated in the colchicine binding site of tubulin as well as in the ATP binding clefts of all examined kinases. Our data indicate that the excellent antiproliferative profile of 5f may be derived from its interactions with multiple cellular targets.

Negative ion electron impact studies of arsenic trihalides: AsF/sub 3/, AsCl/sub 3/, and AsBr/sub 3/

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pabst, R.E.; Bennett, S.L.; Margrave, J.L.

1976-08-15

Low energy eleAsF/sup 2/-tron impact of AsF/sub 3/, AsCl/sub 3/, and AsBr/sub 3/ gases gave many ions by dissociative resonance capture. Appearance potentials have been determined by deconvolution of the capture curves, and translational energies of the majority of the ions have been measured through the resonance processes. The X/sup -/ ions are formed along with electronically excited neutral AsX/sub 2/, and the results allow the electronic transition energies to be determined: 7.3, 4.3, and 2.6 eV for AsF/sub 2/, AsCl/sup 2/, and AsBr/sup 2/, respectively. From the processes giving AsX/sup -2/+X, the experimental data allow the heats of formationmore » of the negative ions ..delta..H/subf/(AsX/sup -2/) to be derived: -129.7, -65.3, and -72.5 kcal mole/sup -1/ for AsF/sup -2/, AsCl/sup -2/, and AsBr/sup -2/, respectively. The ions AsCl/sup -/ and AsBr/sup -/ appear to be formed along with electronically excited X/sub 2/ neutral: ..delta..H/subf/(AsCl/sup -/) =-2.2 kcal mole/sup -1/ and ..delta..H/subf/(AsBr/sup -/) =1.7 kcal mole/sup -1/ are derived. The ions X/sup -2/ appear to be formed with electronically excited AsX neutral, allowing the electronic transition energies to be derived: E*/sub el/(AsBr) >0.6 eV and E*/sub el/(AsCl) =2.5 eV. (AIP)« less

Identification of trait-improving quantitative trait loci for grain yield components from a dent corn inbred line in an advanced backcross BC2F2 population and comparison with its F2:3 population in popcorn.

PubMed

Li, Y L; Niu, S Z; Dong, Y B; Cui, D Q; Wang, Y Z; Liu, Y Y; Wei, M G

2007-06-01

Normal maize germplasm could be used to improve the grain yield of popcorn inbreds. Our first objective was to locate genetic factors associated with trait variation and make first assessment on the efficiency of advanced backcross quantitative trait locus (AB-QTL) analysis for the identification and transfer of favorable QTL alleles for grain yield components from the dent corn inbred. A second objective was to compare the detection of QTL in the BC2F2 population with results using F(2:3) lines of the same parents. Two hundred and twenty selected BC2F2 families developed from a cross between Dan232 and an elite popcorn inbred N04 were evaluated for six grain yield components under two environments, and genotyped by means of 170 SSR markers. Using composite interval mapping (CIM), a total of 19 significant QTL were detected. Eighteen QTL had favorable alleles contributed by the dent corn parent Dan232. Sixteen of these favorable QTL alleles were not in the same or near marker intervals with QTL for popping characteristics. Six QTL were also detected in the F(2:3) population. Improved N04 could be developed from 210 and 208 families with higher grain weight per plant and/or 100-grain weight, respectively, and 35 families with the same or higher popping expansion volume than N04. In addition, near isogenic lines containing detected QTL (QTL-NILs) for grain weight per plant and/or 100-grain weight could be obtained from 12 families. Our study demonstrated that the AB-QTL method can be applied to identify and manipulate favorable QTL alleles from normal corn inbreds and combine QTL detection and popcorn breeding efficiently.

Subsonic stability and control derivatives for an unpowered, remotely piloted 3/8-scale F-15 airplane model obtained from flight test

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Iliff, K. W.; Maine, R. E.; Shafer, M. F.

1976-01-01

In response to the interest in airplane configuration characteristics at high angles of attack, an unpowered remotely piloted 3/8-scale F-15 airplane model was flight tested. The subsonic stability and control characteristics of this airplane model over an angle of attack range of -20 to 53 deg are documented. The remotely piloted technique for obtaining flight test data was found to provide adequate stability and control derivatives. The remotely piloted technique provided an opportunity to test the aircraft mathematical model in an angle of attack regime not previously examined in flight test. The variation of most of the derivative estimates with angle of attack was found to be consistent, particularly when the data were supplemented by uncertainty levels.

Efficient QTL detection for nonhost resistance in wild lettuce: backcross inbred lines versus F2 population

PubMed Central

Pelgrom, K.; Stam, P.; Lindhout, P.

2008-01-01

In plants, several population types [F2, recombinant inbred lines, backcross inbred lines (BILs), etc.] are used for quantitative trait locus (QTL) analyses. However, dissection of the trait of interest and subsequent confirmation by introgression of QTLs for breeding purposes has not been as successful as that predicted from theoretical calculations. More practical knowledge of different QTL mapping approaches is needed. In this recent study, we describe the detection and mapping of quantitative resistances to downy mildew in a set of 29 BILs of cultivated lettuce (L. sativa) containing genome segments introgressed from wild lettuce (L. saligna). Introgression regions that are associated with quantitative resistance are considered to harbor a QTL. Furthermore, we compare this with results from an already existing F2 population derived from the same parents. We identified six QTLs in our BIL approach compared to only three in the F2 approach, while there were two QTLs in common. We performed a simulation study based on our actual data to help us interpret them. This revealed that two newly detected QTLs in the BILs had gone unnoticed in the F2, due to a combination of recessiveness of the trait and skewed segregation, causing a deficit of the wild species alleles. This study clearly illustrates the added value of extended genetic studies on two different population types (BILs and F2) to dissect complex genetic traits. PMID:18251002

Inter- and intraconfigurational luminescence of Er3+ ions in BaY2F8 under VUV excitation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kirm, M.; Lichtenberg, H.; Makhov, V. N.; Negodin, E.; Ouvarova, T. V.; Suljoti, E.; True, M.; Zimmerer, G.

Using energy- and time-resolved spectroscopy the luminescence properties of Er3+ doped BaY2F8 crystals were investigated at 10 K under VUV synchrotron radiation excitation. Radiative intraconfigurational f - f and interconfigurational d - f transitions in Er3+ ions were observed under f - d excitation. Whereas the onset of S-4(3/2) population via f - d excitation starts at 59 900 cm(-1) , efficient excitation of emissions arising from the P-2(3/2) state begins only above 67 000 cm(-1) in VUV region. Such behaviour can be explained by a cross-relaxation process of the type (F-2(2)(5/2) , I-4(15/2))-->(P-2(3/2) , P-2(3/2)) taking place within f -states of Er3+ ions finally populating the emitting P-2(3/2) state.

Thomas-Reiche-Khun populations in X-CH 3 and X-C 2H 5 series of molecules

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zitto, M. E.; Caputo, M. C.; Ferraro, M. B.; Lazzeretti, P.

2000-09-01

Calculations of nuclear electric shieldings, equivalent to dipole moment geometric derivatives, and related to atomic polar tensors, are presented for X-CH 3 and X-C 2H 5 molecules with X=NH 2, OH and F. The electric shielding tensors satisfy a constraint for the electrostatic equilibrium, i.e., the mixed length-acceleration Thomas-Reiche-Khun sum rule, which gives important indications on the reliability of theoretical predictions of IR intensities and leads to the definition of atomic populations. Numerical evidence was found for the additivity and transferability of atomic populations, within the X-substituted alkane series.

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

PubMed

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)].

Long-lived self-renewing bone marrow-derived macrophages displace embryo-derived cells to inhabit adult serous cavities

PubMed Central

Bain, Calum C.; Hawley, Catherine A.; Garner, Hannah; Scott, Charlotte L.; Schridde, Anika; Steers, Nicholas J.; Mack, Matthias; Joshi, Anagha; Guilliams, Martin; Mowat, Allan Mc I.; Geissmann, Frederic; Jenkins, Stephen J.

2016-01-01

Peritoneal macrophages are one of the most studied macrophage populations in the body, yet the composition, developmental origin and mechanisms governing the maintenance of this compartment are controversial. Here we show resident F4/80hiGATA6+ macrophages are long-lived, undergo non-stochastic self-renewal and retain cells of embryonic origin for at least 4 months in mice. However, Ly6C+ monocytes constitutively enter the peritoneal cavity in a CCR2-dependent manner, where they mature into short-lived F4/80loMHCII+ cells that act, in part, as precursors of F4/80hiGATA6+ macrophages. Notably, monocyte-derived F4/80hi macrophages eventually displace the embryonic population with age in a process that is highly gender dependent and not due to proliferative exhaustion of the incumbent embryonic population, despite the greater proliferative activity of newly recruited cells. Furthermore, although monocyte-derived cells acquire key characteristics of the embryonic population, expression of Tim4 was impaired, leading to cumulative changes in the population with age. PMID:27292029

Genetic differentiation in Pyrenophora teres f. teres populations from Syria and Tunisia as assessed by AFLP markers.

PubMed

Bouajila, A; Zoghlami, N; Murad, S; Baum, M; Ghorbel, A; Nazari, K

2013-06-01

To investigate the level of genetic differentiation and diversity among Pyrenophora teres isolate populations originating from different agro-ecological areas of Syria and Tunisia and to determine the potential of AFLP profiling in genotyping Pyrenophora teres f. teres. In this study, AFLP markers have been employed to identify patterns of population structure in 20 Pyrenophora teres f. teres populations from Syria and Tunisia. Ninety-four isolates were studied by the use of a protocol that involved stringent PCR amplification of fragments derived from digestion of genomic DNA with restriction enzymes EcoRI and MesI. Based on 401 amplified polymorphic DNA markers (AFLP), variance analyses indicated that most of the variation was partitioned within rather than between populations. Genotypic diversity (GD) was high for populations from Rihane, local landraces and different agro-ecological zones (GD = 0·75-0·86). There was high genetic differentiation among pathogen populations from different host populations in Syria (Gst  = 0·31, ht = 0·190) and Tunisia (Gst  = 0·39, ht = 0·263), which may be partly explained by the low gene flow around the areas sampled. A phenetic tree revealed three groups with high bootstrap values (55, 68, 76) and reflected the grouping of isolates based on host, or agro-ecological areas. AFLP profiling is an effective method for typing the genetically diverse pathogen Pyrenophora teres f. teres. The study represents a comparative analysis of the genetic diversity in P. teres isolates from two countries spanning two continents and also shows that several distinct P. teres genotypes may be found in a given environment. The implications of these findings for Pyrenophora teres f. teres evolutionary potential and net blotch-resistance breeding in Syria and Tunisia were also discussed. © 2012 The Society for Applied Microbiology.

Evaluation of limited blood sampling population input approaches for kinetic quantification of [18F]fluorothymidine PET data.

PubMed

Contractor, Kaiyumars B; Kenny, Laura M; Coombes, Charles R; Turkheimer, Federico E; Aboagye, Eric O; Rosso, Lula

2012-03-24

Quantification of kinetic parameters of positron emission tomography (PET) imaging agents normally requires collecting arterial blood samples which is inconvenient for patients and difficult to implement in routine clinical practice. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a population-based input function (POP-IF) reliant on only a few individual discrete samples allows accurate estimates of tumour proliferation using [18F]fluorothymidine (FLT). Thirty-six historical FLT-PET data with concurrent arterial sampling were available for this study. A population average of baseline scans blood data was constructed using leave-one-out cross-validation for each scan and used in conjunction with individual blood samples. Three limited sampling protocols were investigated including, respectively, only seven (POP-IF7), five (POP-IF5) and three (POP-IF3) discrete samples of the historical dataset. Additionally, using the three-point protocol, we derived a POP-IF3M, the only input function which was not corrected for the fraction of radiolabelled metabolites present in blood. The kinetic parameter for net FLT retention at steady state, Ki, was derived using the modified Patlak plot and compared with the original full arterial set for validation. Small percentage differences in the area under the curve between all the POP-IFs and full arterial sampling IF was found over 60 min (4.2%-5.7%), while there were, as expected, larger differences in the peak position and peak height.A high correlation between Ki values calculated using the original arterial input function and all the population-derived IFs was observed (R2 = 0.85-0.98). The population-based input showed good intra-subject reproducibility of Ki values (R2 = 0.81-0.94) and good correlation (R2 = 0.60-0.85) with Ki-67. Input functions generated using these simplified protocols over scan duration of 60 min estimate net PET-FLT retention with reasonable accuracy.

Benzene-1,3-dicarboxylic acid 2,5-dimethylpyrrole derivatives as multiple inhibitors of bacterial Mur ligases (MurC-MurF).

PubMed

Perdih, Andrej; Hrast, Martina; Barreteau, Hélène; Gobec, Stanislav; Wolber, Gerhard; Solmajer, Tom

2014-08-01

Enzymes catalyzing the biosynthesis of bacterial peptidoglycan represent traditionally a collection of highly selective targets for novel antibacterial drug design. Four members of the bacterial Mur ligase family-MurC, MurD, MurE and MurF-are involved in the intracellular steps of peptidoglycan biosynthesis, catalyzing the synthesis of the peptide moiety of the Park's nucleotide. In our previous virtual screening campaign, a chemical class of benzene-1,3-dicarboxylic acid 2,5-dimethylpyrrole derivatives exhibiting dual MurD/MurE inhibition properties was discovered. In the present study we further investigated this class of compounds by performing inhibition assays on all four Mur ligases (MurC-MurF). Furthermore, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation studies of one of the initially discovered compound 1 were performed to explore its geometry as well as its energetic behavior based on the Linear Interaction Energy (LIE) method. Further in silico virtual screening (VS) experiments based on the parent active compound 1 were conducted to optimize the discovered series. Selected hits were assayed against all Escherichia coli MurC-MurF enzymes in biochemical inhibition assays and molecules 10-14 containing benzene-1,3-dicarboxylic acid 2,5-dimethylpyrrole coupled with five member-ring rhodanine moiety were found to be multiple inhibitors of the whole MurC-MurF cascade of bacterial enzymes in the micromolar range. Steady-state kinetics studies suggested this class to act as competitive inhibitors of the MurD enzyme towards d-Glu. These compounds represent novel valuable starting point in the development of novel antibacterial agents. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Flight-Determined, Subsonic, Lateral-Directional Stability and Control Derivatives of the Thrust-Vectoring F-18 High Angle of Attack Research Vehicle (HARV), and Comparisons to the Basic F-18 and Predicted Derivatives

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Iliff, Kenneth W.; Wang, Kon-Sheng Charles

1999-01-01

The subsonic, lateral-directional, stability and control derivatives of the thrust-vectoring F-1 8 High Angle of Attack Research Vehicle (HARV) are extracted from flight data using a maximum likelihood parameter identification technique. State noise is accounted for in the identification formulation and is used to model the uncommanded forcing functions caused by unsteady aerodynamics. Preprogrammed maneuvers provided independent control surface inputs, eliminating problems of identifiability related to correlations between the aircraft controls and states. The HARV derivatives are plotted as functions of angles of attack between 10deg and 70deg and compared to flight estimates from the basic F-18 aircraft and to predictions from ground and wind tunnel tests. Unlike maneuvers of the basic F-18 aircraft, the HARV maneuvers were very precise and repeatable, resulting in tightly clustered estimates with small uncertainty levels. Significant differences were found between flight and prediction; however, some of these differences may be attributed to differences in the range of sideslip or input amplitude over which a given derivative was evaluated, and to differences between the HARV external configuration and that of the basic F-18 aircraft, upon which most of the prediction was based. Some HARV derivative fairings have been adjusted using basic F-18 derivatives (with low uncertainties) to help account for differences in variable ranges and the lack of HARV maneuvers at certain angles of attack.

Fabrication and Sintering Behavior of Er:SrF2 Transparent Ceramics using Chemically Derived Powder

PubMed Central

Liu, Jun; Liu, Peng; Wang, Jun; Xu, Xiaodong; Li, Dongzhen; Zhang, Jian; Nie, Xinming

2018-01-01

In this paper, we report the fabrication of high-quality 5 at. % Er3+ ions doped SrF2 transparent ceramics, the potential candidate materials for a mid-infrared laser-gain medium by hot-pressing at 700 °C for 40 h using a chemically-derived powder. The phase structure, densification, and microstructure evolution of the Er:SrF2 ceramics were systematically investigated. In addition, the grain growth kinetic mechanism of Er:SrF2 was clarified. The results showed lattice diffusion to be the grain growth mechanism in the Er:SrF2 transparent ceramic of which highest in-line transmittance reached 92% at 2000 nm, i.e., very close to the theoretical transmittance value of SrF2 single crystal. Furthermore, the emission spectra showed that the strongest emission band was located at 2735 nm. This means that it is possible to achieve a laser output of approximately 2.7 μm in the 5 at. % Er3+ ions doped SrF2 transparent ceramics. PMID:29565322

Thermodynamic assessment of the LiF-ThF4-PuF3-UF4 system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

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

2015-07-01

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 (LiF-ThF4-PuF3 and LiF-UF4-PuF3) have been assessed for the first time. The similarities between CeF3/PuF3 and ThF4/UF4 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 ThF4 by UF4 in the salt.

High CD49f expression is associated with osteosarcoma tumor progression: a study using patient-derived primary cell cultures.

PubMed

Penfornis, Patrice; Cai, David Z; Harris, Michael R; Walker, Ryan; Licini, David; Fernandes, Joseph D A; Orr, Griffin; Koganti, Tejaswi; Hicks, Chindo; Induru, Spandana; Meyer, Mark S; Khokha, Rama; Barr, Jennifer; Pochampally, Radhika R

2014-08-01

Overall prognosis for osteosarcoma (OS) is poor despite aggressive treatment options. Limited access to primary tumors, technical challenges in processing OS tissues, and the lack of well-characterized primary cell cultures has hindered our ability to fully understand the properties of OS tumor initiation and progression. In this study, we have isolated and characterized cell cultures derived from four central high-grade human OS samples. Furthermore, we used the cell cultures to study the role of CD49f in OS progression. Recent studies have implicated CD49f in stemness and multipotency of both cancer stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells. Therefore, we investigated the role of CD49f in osteosarcomagenesis. First, single cell suspensions of tumor biopsies were subcultured and characterized for cell surface marker expression. Next, we characterized the growth and differentiation properties, sensitivity to chemotherapy drugs, and anchorage-independent growth. Xenograft assays showed that cell populations expressing CD49f(hi) /CD90(lo) cell phenotype produced an aggressive tumor. Multiple lines of evidence demonstrated that inhibiting CD49f decreased the tumor-forming ability. Furthermore, the CD49f(hi) /CD90(lo) cell population is generating more aggressive OS tumor growth and indicating this cell surface marker could be a potential candidate for the isolation of an aggressive cell type in OSs. © 2014 The Authors. Cancer Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Abelian F-theory models with charge-3 and charge-4 matter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Raghuram, Nikhil

2018-05-01

This paper analyzes U(1) F-theory models admitting matter with charges q = 3 and 4. First, we systematically derive a q = 3 construction that generalizes the previous q = 3 examples. We argue that U(1) symmetries can be tuned through a procedure reminiscent of the SU( N ) and Sp( N ) tuning process. For models with q = 3 matter, the components of the generating section vanish to orders higher than 1 at the charge-3 matter loci. As a result, the Weierstrass models can contain non-UFD structure and thereby deviate from the standard Morrison-Park form. Techniques used to tune SU( N ) models on singular divisors allow us to determine the non-UFD structures and derive the q = 3 tuning from scratch. We also obtain a class of a q=4 models by deforming a prior U(1) × U(1) construction. To the author's knowledge, this is the first published F-theory example with charge-4 matter. Finally, we discuss some conjectures regarding models with charges larger than 4.

Haenamindole, an unusual diketopiperazine derivative from a marine-derived Penicillium sp. KCB12F005.

PubMed

Kim, Jong Won; Ko, Sung-Kyun; Son, Sangkeun; Shin, Kee-Sun; Ryoo, In-Ja; Hong, Young-Soo; Oh, Hyuncheol; Hwang, Bang Yeon; Hirota, Hiroshi; Takahashi, Shunji; Kim, Bo Yeon; Osada, Hiroyuki; Jang, Jae-Hyuk; Ahn, Jong Seog

2015-11-15

During the chemical investigation of marine-derived fungus, an unusual diketopiperazine (DKP) alkaloid, haenamindole (1), was isolated from a culture of the marine-derived fungus Penicillium sp. KCB12F005. The structure of 1, which possesses benzyl-hydroxypiperazindione and phenyl-pyrimidoindole rings system in the molecule, was elucidated by analysis of NMR and MS data. The stereochemistry of 1 was determined by ROESY and advanced Marfey's method. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Energy-transfer processes in Yb:Tm-doped KY3F10, LiYF4, and BaY2F8 single crystals for laser operation at 1.5 and 2.3 μm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Braud, A.; Girard, S.; Doualan, J. L.; Thuau, M.; Moncorgé, R.; Tkachuk, A. M.

2000-02-01

Energy-transfer processes have been quantitatively studied in various Tm:Yb-doped fluoride crystals. A comparison between the three host crystals which have been examined (KY3F10, LiYF4, and BaY2F8) shows clearly that the efficiency of the Yb-->Tm energy transfers is larger in KY3F10 than in LiYF4 or BaY2F8. The dependence of the energy-transfer parameters upon the codopant concentrations has been experimentally measured and compared with the results calculated on the basis of migration-assisted energy-transfer models. Using these energy-transfer parameters and a rate equation model, we have performed a theoretical calculation of the laser thresholds for the 3H4-->3F4 and 3H4-->3H5 laser transitions of the Tm ion around 1.5 and 2.3 μm, respectively. Laser experiments performed at 1.5 μm in Yb:Tm:LiYF4 then led to laser threshold values in good agreement with those derived theoretically. Based on these results, optimized values for the Yb and Tm dopant concentrations for typical values of laser cavity and pump modes were finally derived to minimize the threshold pump powers for the laser transitions around 1.5 and 2.3 μm.

Synthesis of [18F]-labelled Maltose Derivatives as PET Tracers for Imaging Bacterial Infection

PubMed Central

Namavari, Mohammad; Gowrishankar, Gayatri; Hoehne, Aileen; Jouannot, Erwan; Gambhir, Sanjiv S

2015-01-01

Purpose To develop novel positron emission tomography (PET) agents for visualization and therapy monitoring of bacterial infections. Procedures It is known that maltose and maltodextrins are energy sources for bacteria. Hence, 18F-labelled maltose derivatives could be a valuable tool for imaging bacterial infections. We have developed methods to synthesize 4-O-(α-D-glucopyranosyl)-6-deoxy-6-[18F]fluoro-D-glucopyranoside (6-[18F]fluoromaltose) and 4-O-(α-D-glucopyranosyl)-1-deoxy-1-[18F]fluoro-D-glucopyranoside (1-[18F]fluoromaltose) as bacterial infection PET imaging agents. 6-[18F]fluoromaltose was prepared from precursor 1,2,3-tri-O-acetyl-4-O-(2′,3′,-di-O-acetyl-4′,6′-benzylidene-α-D-glucopyranosyl)-6-deoxy-6-nosyl-D-glucopranoside (5). The synthesis involved the radio-fluorination of 5 followed by acidic and basic hydrolysis to give 6-[18F]fluoromaltose. In an analogous procedure, 1-[18F]fluoromaltose was synthesized from 2,3, 6-tri-O-acetyl-4-O-(2′,3′,4′,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl)-1-deoxy-1-O-triflyl-D-glucopranoside (9). Stability of 6-[18F]fluoromaltose in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and human and mouse serum at 37 °C was determined. Escherichia coli uptake of 6-[18F]fluoromaltose was examined. Results A reliable synthesis of 1- and 6-[18F]fluoromaltose has been accomplished with 4–6 and 5–8 % radiochemical yields, respectively (decay-corrected with 95 % radiochemical purity). 6-[18F]fluoromaltose was sufficiently stable over the time span needed for PET studies (~96 % intact compound after 1-h and ~65 % after 2-h incubation in serum). Bacterial uptake experiments indicated that E. coli transports 6-[18F]fluoromaltose. Competition assays showed that the uptake of 6-[18F]fluoromaltose was completely blocked by co-incubation with 1 mM of the natural substrate maltose. Conclusion We have successfully synthesized 1- and 6-[18F]fluoromaltose via direct fluorination of appropriate protected maltose precursors. Bacterial uptake

Synthesis and evaluation of an 18 F-labeled trifluoroborate derivative of 2-nitroimidazole for imaging tumor hypoxia with positron emission tomography.

PubMed

Nunes, Paulo Sérgio Gonçalves; Zhang, Zhengxing; Kuo, Hsiou-Ting; Zhang, Chengcheng; Rousseau, Julie; Rousseau, Etienne; Lau, Joseph; Kwon, Daniel; Carvalho, Ivone; Bénard, François; Lin, Kuo-Shyan

2018-04-01

2-Nitroimidazole-based hypoxia imaging tracers such as 18 F-FMISO are normally imaged at late time points (several hours post-injection) due to their slow clearance from background tissues. Here, we investigated if a hydrophilic zwitterion-based ammoniomethyl-trifluoroborate derivative of 2-nitroimidazole, 18 F-AmBF 3 -Bu-2NI, could have the potential to image tumor hypoxia at earlier time points. AmBF 3 -Bu-2NI was prepared in 4 steps. 18 F labeling was conducted via 18 F- 19 F isotope exchange reaction, and 18 F-AmBF 3 -Bu-2NI was obtained in 14.8 ± 0.4% (n = 3) decay-corrected radiochemical yield with 24.5 ± 5.2 GBq/μmol specific activity and >99% radiochemical purity. Imaging and biodistribution studies in HT-29 tumor-bearing mice showed that 18 F-AmBF 3 -Bu-2NI cleared quickly from blood and was excreted via the hepatobiliary and renal pathways. However, the tumor was not visualized in PET images until 3 hours post-injection due to low tumor uptake (0.54 ± 0.13 and 0.19 ± 0.04%ID/g at 1 and 3 hours post-injection, respectively). The low tumor uptake is likely due to the highly hydrophilic motif of ammoniomethyl-trifluoroborate that prevents free diffusion of 18 F-AmBF 3 -Bu-2NI across the cell membrane. Our results suggest that highly hydrophilic 18 F-labeled ammoniomethyl-trifluoroborate derivatives might not be suitable for imaging intracellular targets including nitroreductase, a common tumor hypoxia imaging target. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PB1-F2 Peptide Derived from Avian Influenza A Virus H7N9 Induces Inflammation via Activation of the NLRP3 Inflammasome*

PubMed Central

Pinar, Anita; Dowling, Jennifer K.; Bitto, Natalie J.; Robertson, Avril A. B.; Latz, Eicke; Stewart, Cameron R.; Drummond, Grant R.; Cooper, Matthew A.; McAuley, Julie L.; Tate, Michelle D.; Mansell, Ashley

2017-01-01

The emergence of avian H7N9 influenza A virus in humans with associated high mortality has highlighted the threat of a potential pandemic. Fatal H7N9 infections are characterized by hyperinflammation and increased cellular infiltrates in the lung. Currently there are limited therapies to address the pathologies associated with H7N9 infection and the virulence factors that contribute to these pathologies. We have found that PB1-F2 derived from H7N9 activates the NLRP3 inflammasome and induces lung inflammation and cellular recruitment that is NLRP3-dependent. We have also shown that H7N9 and A/Puerto Rico/H1N1 (PR8)PB1-F2 peptide treatment induces significant mitochondrial reactive oxygen production, which contributes to NLRP3 activation. Importantly, treatment of cells or mice with the specific NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950 significantly reduces IL-1β maturation, lung cellular recruitment, and cytokine production. Together, these results suggest that PB1-F2 from H7N9 avian influenza A virus may be a major contributory factor to disease pathophysiology and excessive inflammation characteristic of clinical infections and that targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome may be an effective means to reduce the inflammatory burden associated with H7N9 infections. PMID:27913620

PB1-F2 Peptide Derived from Avian Influenza A Virus H7N9 Induces Inflammation via Activation of the NLRP3 Inflammasome.

PubMed

Pinar, Anita; Dowling, Jennifer K; Bitto, Natalie J; Robertson, Avril A B; Latz, Eicke; Stewart, Cameron R; Drummond, Grant R; Cooper, Matthew A; McAuley, Julie L; Tate, Michelle D; Mansell, Ashley

2017-01-20

The emergence of avian H7N9 influenza A virus in humans with associated high mortality has highlighted the threat of a potential pandemic. Fatal H7N9 infections are characterized by hyperinflammation and increased cellular infiltrates in the lung. Currently there are limited therapies to address the pathologies associated with H7N9 infection and the virulence factors that contribute to these pathologies. We have found that PB1-F2 derived from H7N9 activates the NLRP3 inflammasome and induces lung inflammation and cellular recruitment that is NLRP3-dependent. We have also shown that H7N9 and A/Puerto Rico/H1N1 (PR8)PB1-F2 peptide treatment induces significant mitochondrial reactive oxygen production, which contributes to NLRP3 activation. Importantly, treatment of cells or mice with the specific NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950 significantly reduces IL-1β maturation, lung cellular recruitment, and cytokine production. Together, these results suggest that PB1-F2 from H7N9 avian influenza A virus may be a major contributory factor to disease pathophysiology and excessive inflammation characteristic of clinical infections and that targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome may be an effective means to reduce the inflammatory burden associated with H7N9 infections. © 2017 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

Augmentor performance of an F100 engine model derivative engine in an F-15 airplane

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Walton, James T.; Burcham, Frank W., Jr.

1986-01-01

The transient performance of the F100 engine model derivative (EMD) augmentor was evaluated in an F-15 airplane. The augmentor was a newly designed 16-segment augmentor. It was tested with a segment-1 sprayring with 90 deg fuel injection, and later with a modified segment-1 sprayring with centerline fuel injection. With the 90 deg injection, no-lights occurred at high altitudes with airspeeds of 175 knots or less; however, the results were better than when using the standard F100-PW-100 engine. With the centerline fuel injection, all transients were successful to an altitude of 15,500 meters and an airspeed of 150 knots: no failures to light, blowouts, or stalls occurred. For a first flight evaluation, the augmentor transient performance was excellent.

Gap Fill Materials Using Cyclodextrin Derivatives in ArF Lithography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takei, Satoshi; Shinjo, Tetsuya; Sakaida, Yasushi; Hashimoto, Keisuke

2007-11-01

High planarizing gap fill materials based on β-cyclodextrin in ArF photoresist under-layer materials have been developed for fast etching in CF4 gas. Gap fill materials used in the via-first dual damascene process need to have high etch rates to prevent crowning or fencing on top of the trench after etching and a small thickness bias between the dense and blanket areas to minimize issues observed during trench lithography by narrowing the process latitude. Cyclodextrin is a circular oligomer with a nanoscale porous structure that has a high number of oxygen atoms, as calculated using the Ohnishi parameter, providing high etch rates. Additionally, since gap fill materials using cyclodextrin derivatives have low viscosities and molecular weights, they are expected to exhibit excellent flow properties and minimal thermal shrinkage during baking. In this paper, we describe the composition and basic film properties of gap fill materials; planarization in the via-first dual damascene process and etch rates in CF4 gas compared with dextrin with α-glycoside bonds in polysaccharide, poly(2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate) and poly(4-hydroxystyrene). The β-cyclodextrin used in this study was obtained by esterifying the hydroxyl groups of dextrin resulting in improved wettability on via substrates and solubility in photoresist solvents such as propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate and ethyl lactate. Gap fill materials using cyclodextrin derivatives showed good planarization and via filling performance without observing voids in via holes. In addition to superior via filling performance, the etch rate of gap fill materials using β-cyclodextrin derivatives was 2.8-2.9 times higher than that of an ArF photoresist, evaluated under CF4 gas conditions by reactive ion etching. These results were attributed to the combination of both nanoscale porous structures and a high density of oxygen atoms in our gap fill materials using cyclodextrin

Human umbilical cord blood-derived f-macrophages retain pluripotentiality after thrombopoietin expansion

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhao Yong; Mazzone, Theodore

2005-11-01

We have previously characterized a new type of stem cell from human peripheral blood, termed fibroblast-like macrophage (f-M{phi}). Here, using umbilical cord blood as a source, we identified cells with similar characteristics including expression of surface markers (CD14, CD34, CD45, CD117, and CD163), phagocytosis, and proliferative capacity. Further, thrombopoietin (TPO) significantly stimulated the proliferation of cord blood-derived f-M{phi} (CB f-M{phi}) at low dosage without inducing a megakaryocytic phenotype. Additional experiments demonstrated that TPO-expanded cord blood-derived f-M{phi} (TCB f-M{phi}) retained their surface markers and differentiation ability. Treatment with vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) gave rise to endothelial-like cells, expressing Flt-1,more » Flk-1, von Willebrand Factor (vWF), CD31, acetylated low density lipoprotein internalization, and the ability to form endothelial-like cell chains. In the presence of lipopolyssacharide (LPS) and 25 mM glucose, the TCB f-M{phi} differentiated to express insulin mRNA, C-peptide, and insulin. In vitro functional analysis demonstrated that these insulin-positive cells could release insulin in response to glucose and other secretagogues. These findings demonstrate a potential use of CB f-M{phi} and may lead to develop new therapeutic strategy for treating dominant disease.« less

Estimation of paclitaxel biodistribution and uptake in human-derived xenografts in vivo with (18)F-fluoropaclitaxel.

PubMed

Gangloff, Anne; Hsueh, Wei-Ann; Kesner, Amanda L; Kiesewetter, Dale O; Pio, Betty S; Pegram, Mark D; Beryt, Malgorzata; Townsend, Allison; Czernin, Johannes; Phelps, Michael E; Silverman, Daniel H S

2005-11-01

Paclitaxel (PAC) is widely used as a chemotherapy drug in the treatment of various malignancies, including breast, ovarian, and lung cancers. We examined the biodistribution of (18)F-fluoropaclitaxel ((18)F-FPAC) in mice with and without human breast cancer tumor xenografts by use of small-animal-dedicated PET (microPET) and clinically practical semiquantitative methods. We compared the PET data to data derived from direct harvesting and analysis of blood, organs, and breast carcinoma xenografts. PET data were acquired after tail vein injection of (18)F-FPAC in nude mice. Tracer biodistribution in reconstructed images was quantified by region-of-interest analysis. Biodistribution also was assessed by harvesting and analysis of dissected organs, tumors, and blood after coadministration of (18)F-FPAC and (3)H-PAC. (18)F content in each tissue was assessed with a gamma-well counter, and (3)H content was quantified by scintillation counting of solubilized tissue after (18)F radioactive decay. The distributions of (18)F-FPAC and (3)H-PAC were very similar, with the highest concentrations in the small intestine, the lowest concentrations in the brain, and intermediate concentrations in tumor. Uptake in these and other tissues was not inhibited by the presence of more pharmacologic doses of unlabeled PAC. Administration of the P-glycoprotein modulator cyclosporine doubled the uptake of both (18)F-FPAC and (3)H-PAC into tumor. PET studies with (18)F-FPAC can be used in conjunction with clinically practical quantification methods to yield estimates of PAC uptake in breast cancer tumors and normal organs noninvasively.

Synthesis and evaluation of novel 18 F-labeled quinazoline derivatives with low lipophilicity for tumor PET imaging.

PubMed

Chong, Yan; Chang, Jin; Zhao, Wenwen; He, Yong; Li, Yuqiao; Zhang, Huabei; Qi, Chuanmin

2018-02-01

Four novel 18 F-labeled quinazoline derivatives with low lipophilicity, [ 18 F]4-(2-fluoroethoxy)-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline ([ 18 F]I), [ 18 F]4-(3-((4-(2-fluoroethoxy)-7-methoxyquinazolin-6-yl)oxy)propyl)morpholine ([ 18 F]II), [ 18 F]4-(2-fluoroethoxy)-7-methoxy-6-(2-methoxyethoxy)quinazoline ([ 18 F]III), and [ 18 F]4-(2-fluoroethoxy)-6,7-bis(2-methoxyethoxy)quinazoline ([ 18 F]IV), were synthesized via a 2-step radiosynthesis procedure with an overall radiochemical yield of 10% to 38% (without decay correction) and radiochemical purities of >98%. The lipophilicity and stability of labeled compounds were tested in vitro. The log P values of the 4 radiotracers ranged from 0.52 to 1.07. We then performed ELISA to measure their affinities to EGFR-TK; ELISA assay results indicated that each inhibitor was specifically bounded to EGFR-TK in a dose-dependent manner. The EGFR-TK autophosphorylation IC 50 values of [ 18 F]I, [ 18 F]II, [ 18 F]III, and [ 18 F]IV were 7.732, 0.4698, 0.1174, and 0.1176 μM, respectively. All labeled compounds were evaluated via cellular uptake and blocking studies in HepG2 cell lines in vitro. Cellular uptake and blocking experiment results indicated that [ 18 F]I and [ 18 F]III had excellent cellular uptake at 120-minute postinjection in HepG2 carcinoma cells (51.80 ± 3.42%ID/mg protein and 27.31 ± 1.94%ID/mg protein, respectively). Additionally, biodistribution experiments in S180 tumor-bearing mice in vivo indicated that [ 18 F]I had a very fast clearance in blood and a relatively high uptake ratio of tumor to blood (4.76) and tumor to muscle (1.82) at 60-minute postinjection. [ 18 F]III had a quick clearance in plasma, and its highest uptake ratio of tumor to muscle was 2.55 at 15-minute postinjection. These experimental results and experiences were valuable for the further exploration of novel radiotracers of quinazoline derivatives. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Cancer stemness and metastatic potential of the novel tumor cell line K3: an inner mutated cell of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

PubMed

Qian, Hui; Ding, Xiaoqing; Zhang, Jiao; Mao, Fei; Sun, Zixuan; Jia, Haoyuan; Yin, Lei; Wang, Mei; Zhang, Xu; Zhang, Bin; Yan, Yongmin; Zhu, Wei; Xu, Wenrong

2017-06-13

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transplantation has been used for therapeutic applications in various diseases. Here we report MSCs can malignantly transform in vivo. The novel neoplasm was found on the tail of female rat after injection with male rat bone marrow-derived MSCs (rBM-MSCs) and the new tumor cell line, K3, was isolated from the neoplasm. The K3 cells expressed surface antigens and pluripotent genes similar to those of rBM-MSCs and presented tumor cell features. Moreover, the K3 cells contained side population cells (SP) like cancer stem cells (CSCs), which might contribute to K3 heterogeneity and tumorigenic capacity. To investigate the metastatic potential of K3 cells, we established the nude mouse models of liver and lung metastases and isolated the corresponding metastatic cell lines K3-F4 and K3-B6. Both K3-F4 and K3-B6 cell lines with higher metastatic potential acquired more mesenchymal and stemness-related features. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition is a potential mechanism of K3-F4 and K3-B6 formation.

Development of Derivatives of 3, 3′-Diindolylmethane as Potent Leishmania donovani Bi-Subunit Topoisomerase IB Poisons

PubMed Central

Sengupta, Souvik; Mandal, Madhumita; Jaisankar, Parasuraman; D'Annessa, Ilda; Desideri, Alessandro; Majumder, Hemanta K.

2011-01-01

Background The development of 3, 3′-diindolyl methane (DIM) resistant parasite Leishmania donovani (LdDR50) by adaptation with increasing concentrations of the drug generates random mutations in the large and small subunits of heterodimeric DNA topoisomerase I of Leishmania (LdTOP1LS). Mutation of large subunit of LdTOP1LS at F270L is responsible for resistance to DIM up to 50 µM concentration. Methodology/Principal Findings In search of compounds that inhibit the growth of the DIM resistant parasite and inhibit the catalytic activity of mutated topoisomerase I (F270L), we have prepared three derivatives of DIM namely DPDIM (2,2′-diphenyl 3,3′-diindolyl methane), DMDIM (2,2′-dimethyl 3,3′-diindolyl methane) and DMODIM (5,5′-dimethoxy 3,3′-diindolyl methane) from parent compound DIM. All the compounds inhibit the growth of DIM resistant parasites, induce DNA fragmentation and stabilize topo1-DNA cleavable complex with the wild type and mutant enzyme. Conclusion The results suggest that the three derivatives of DIM can act as promising lead molecules for the generation of new anti-leishmanial agents. PMID:22174820

Equations of state of anhydrous AlF3 and AlI3: Modeling of extreme condition halide chemistry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stavrou, Elissaios; Zaug, Joseph M.; Bastea, Sorin; Crowhurst, Jonathan C.; Goncharov, Alexander F.; Radousky, Harry B.; Armstrong, Michael R.; Roberts, Sarah K.; Plaue, Jonathan W.

2015-06-01

Pressure dependent angle-dispersive x-ray powder diffraction measurements of alpha-phase aluminum trifluoride (α-AlF3) and separately, aluminum triiodide (AlI3) were conducted using a diamond-anvil cell. Results at 295 K extend to 50 GPa. The equations of state of AlF3 and AlI3 were determined through refinements of collected x-ray diffraction patterns. The respective bulk moduli and corresponding pressure derivatives are reported for multiple orders of the Birch-Murnaghan (B-M), finite-strain (F-f), and higher pressure finite-strain (G-g) EOS analysis models. Aluminum trifluoride exhibits an apparent isostructural phase transition at approximately 12 GPa. Aluminum triiodide also undergoes a second-order atomic rearrangement: applied stress transformed a monoclinically distorted face centered cubic (fcc) structure into a standard fcc structural arrangement of iodine atoms. Results from semi-empirical thermochemical computations of energetic materials formulated with fluorine containing reactants were obtained with the aim of predicting the yield of halogenated products.

The phase diagrams of KCaF3 and NaMgF3 by ab initio simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

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

The roles of 4f- and 5f-orbitals in bonding: A magnetochemical, crystal field, density functional theory, and multi-reference wavefunction study

DOE PAGES

Lukens, Wayne W.; Speldrich, Manfred; Yang, Ping; ...

2016-05-31

The electronic structures of 4f 3/5f 3 Cp" 3M and Cp" 3M·alkylisocyanide complexes, where Cp" is 1,3-bis-(trimethylsilyl)cyclopentadienyl, are explored with a focus on the splitting of the f-orbitals, which provides information about the strengths of the metal–ligand interactions. While the f-orbital splitting in many lanthanide complexes has been reported in detail, experimental determination of the f-orbital splitting in actinide complexes remains rare in systems other than halide and oxide compounds, since the experimental approach, crystal field analysis, is generally significantly more difficult for actinide complexes than for lanthanide complexes. In this study, a set of analogous neodymium(III) and uranium(III) tris-cyclopentadienylmore » complexes and their isocyanide adducts was characterized by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and magnetic susceptibility. The crystal field model was parameterized by combined fitting of EPR and susceptibility data, yielding an accurate description of f-orbital splitting. The isocyanide derivatives were also studied using density functional theory, resulting in f-orbital splitting that is consistent with crystal field fitting, and by multi-reference wavefunction calculations that support the electronic structure analysis derived from the crystal-field calculations. The results highlight that the 5f-orbitals, but not the 4f-orbitals, are significantly involved in bonding to the isocyanide ligands. The main interaction between isocyanide ligand and the metal center is a σ-bond, with additional 5f to π* donation for the uranium complexes. As a result, while interaction with the isocyanide π*-orbitals lowers the energies of the 5f xz2 and 5f yz2-orbitals, spin–orbit coupling greatly reduces the population of 5f xz2 and 5f yz2 in the ground state.« less

Down-shifting in Ce3+-Tb3+ co-doped SiO2-LaF3 nano-glass-ceramics for photon conversion in solar cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Velázquez, J. J.; Rodríguez, V. D.; Yanes, A. C.; del-Castillo, J.; Méndez-Ramos, J.

2012-10-01

95SiO2-5LaF3 sol-gel derived nano-glass-ceramics single doped with Ce3+ or Tb3+ and co-doped with Ce3+-Tb3+ were synthesized by thermal treatment of precursor glasses. Precipitation of LaF3 nanocrystals during ceramming process was confirmed by X-ray diffraction with mean size ranging from 12 to 15 nm. An exhaustive spectroscopic analysis has been carried out. As a result, it was found that the green emission of Tb3+ ions was greatly enhanced through down shifting process, due to efficient energy transfer from Ce3+ to Tb3+ ions in the glass-ceramics, which is favored by the reduction of the interionic distances when the dopant ions are partitioned into LaF3 nanocrystals. These results suggest the use of these materials to improve the efficiency of solar cells.

New 1H-Benzo[f]indazole-4,9-diones Conjugated with C-Protected Amino Acids and Other Derivatives: Synthesis and in Vitro Antiproliferative Evaluation.

PubMed

Molinari, Aurora; Oliva, Alfonso; Arismendi-Macuer, Marlene; Guzmán, Leda; Fuentealba, Mauricio; Knox, Marcela; Vinet, Raúl; San Feliciano, Arturo

2015-12-08

1H-Benzo[f]indazole-4,9-dione derivatives conjugated with C-protected amino acids (glycine, l-alanine, l-phenylalanine and l-glutamic acid) 6a-l were prepared by chemically modifying the prenyl substituent of 3-methyl-7-(4-methylpent-3-enyl)-1H-benzo[f]indazole-4,9-dione 2 through epoxidation, degradative oxidation, oxidation and N-acyl condensation reactions. The chemical structures of the synthesized compounds were elucidated by analyzing their IR, ¹H-NMR and (13)C-NMR spectral data together with elemental analysis for carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen. The preliminary in vitro antiproliferative activity of the synthesized derivatives was evaluated on KATO-III and MCF-7 cell lines using a cell proliferation assay. The majority of the derivatives exhibited significant antiproliferative activity with IC50 values ranging from 25.5 to 432.5 μM. These results suggest that 1H-benzo[f]indazole-4,9-dione derivatives are promising molecules to be researched for developing new anticancer agents.

SDF7, a group of Scoparia dulcis Linn. derived flavonoid compounds, stimulates glucose uptake and regulates adipocytokines in 3T3-F442a adipocytes.

PubMed

Beh, Joo Ee; Khoo, Li Teng; Latip, Jalifah; Abdullah, Mohd Paud; Alitheen, Noorjahan Baru Mohamed; Adam, Zainah; Ismail, Amin; Hamid, Muhajir

2013-10-28

Adipocytes are major tissues involved in glucose uptake second to skeletal muscle and act as the main adipocytokines mediator that regulates glucose uptake mechanism and cellular differentiation. The objective of this study were to examine the effect of the SDF7, which is a fraction consists of four flavonoid compounds (quercetin: p-coumaric acid: luteolin: apigenin=8: 26: 1: 3) from Scoparia dulcis Linn., on stimulating the downstream components of insulin signalling and the adipocytokines expression on different cellular fractions of 3T3-F442a adipocytes. Morphology and lipid accumulation of differentiated 3T3-F442a adipocytes by 100 nM insulin treated with different concentrations of SDF7 and rosiglitazone were examined followed by the evaluation of glucose uptake activity expressions of insulin signalling downstream components (IRS-1, PI3-kinase, PKB, PKC, TC10 and GLUT4) from four cellular fractions (plasma membrane, cytosol, high density microsome and low density microsome). Next, the expression level of adipocytokines (TNF-α, adiponectin and leptin) and immunoblotting of treated 3T3-F442 adipocytes was determined at 30 min and 480 min. Glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) translocation of 3T3-F442a adipocytes membrane was also determined. Lastly, mRNA expression of adiponectin and PPAR-γ of 3T3-F442a adipocytes were induced and compared with basal concentration. It was found that SDF7 was able to induce adipocytes differentiation with great extends of morphological changes, lipid synthesis and lipid stimulation in vitro. SDF7 stimulation of glucose transport on 3T3-F442a adipocytes are found to be dose independent, time-dependent and plasma membrane GLUT4 expression-dependent. Moreover, SDF7 are observed to be able to suppress TNF-α and leptin expressions that were mediated by 3T3-F442a adipocytes, while stimulated adiponectin secretion on the cells. There was a significant expression (p<0.01) of protein kinase C and small G protein TC10 on 3T3-F442a adipocytes

Health Span-Extending Activity of Human Amniotic Membrane- and Adipose Tissue-Derived Stem Cells in F344 Rats

PubMed Central

Kim, Dajeong; Kyung, Jangbeen; Park, Dongsun; Choi, Ehn-Kyoung; Kim, Kwang Sei; Shin, Kyungha; Lee, Hangyoung; Shin, Il Seob; Kang, Sung Keun

2015-01-01

Aging brings about the progressive decline in cognitive function and physical activity, along with losses of stem cell population and function. Although transplantation of muscle-derived stem/progenitor cells extended the health span and life span of progeria mice, such effects in normal animals were not confirmed. Human amniotic membrane-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AMMSCs) or adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) (1 × 106 cells per rat) were intravenously transplanted to 10-month-old male F344 rats once a month throughout their lives. Transplantation of AMMSCs and ADMSCs improved cognitive and physical functions of naturally aging rats, extending life span by 23.4% and 31.3%, respectively. The stem cell therapy increased the concentration of acetylcholine and recovered neurotrophic factors in the brain and muscles, leading to restoration of microtubule-associated protein 2, cholinergic and dopaminergic nervous systems, microvessels, muscle mass, and antioxidative capacity. The results indicate that repeated transplantation of AMMSCs and ADMSCs elongate both health span and life span, which could be a starting point for antiaging or rejuvenation effects of allogeneic or autologous stem cells with minimum immune rejection. Significance This study demonstrates that repeated treatment with stem cells in normal animals has antiaging potential, extending health span and life span. Because antiaging and prolonged life span are issues currently of interest, these results are significant for readers and investigators. PMID:26315571

Health Span-Extending Activity of Human Amniotic Membrane- and Adipose Tissue-Derived Stem Cells in F344 Rats.

PubMed

Kim, Dajeong; Kyung, Jangbeen; Park, Dongsun; Choi, Ehn-Kyoung; Kim, Kwang Sei; Shin, Kyungha; Lee, Hangyoung; Shin, Il Seob; Kang, Sung Keun; Ra, Jeong Chan; Kim, Yun-Bae

2015-10-01

Aging brings about the progressive decline in cognitive function and physical activity, along with losses of stem cell population and function. Although transplantation of muscle-derived stem/progenitor cells extended the health span and life span of progeria mice, such effects in normal animals were not confirmed. Human amniotic membrane-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AMMSCs) or adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) (1×10(6) cells per rat) were intravenously transplanted to 10-month-old male F344 rats once a month throughout their lives. Transplantation of AMMSCs and ADMSCs improved cognitive and physical functions of naturally aging rats, extending life span by 23.4% and 31.3%, respectively. The stem cell therapy increased the concentration of acetylcholine and recovered neurotrophic factors in the brain and muscles, leading to restoration of microtubule-associated protein 2, cholinergic and dopaminergic nervous systems, microvessels, muscle mass, and antioxidative capacity. The results indicate that repeated transplantation of AMMSCs and ADMSCs elongate both health span and life span, which could be a starting point for antiaging or rejuvenation effects of allogeneic or autologous stem cells with minimum immune rejection. This study demonstrates that repeated treatment with stem cells in normal animals has antiaging potential, extending health span and life span. Because antiaging and prolonged life span are issues currently of interest, these results are significant for readers and investigators. ©AlphaMed Press.

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).

PubMed

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

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)].

PubMed

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

Equations of state of anhydrous AlF 3 and AlI 3 : Modeling of extreme condition halide chemistry

DOE PAGES

Stavrou, Elissaios; Zaug, Joseph M.; Bastea, Sorin; ...

2015-06-04

Pressure dependent angle-dispersive x-ray powder diffraction measurements of alpha-phase aluminum trifluoride (α-AlF 3) and separately, aluminum triiodide (AlI 3) were conducted using a diamond-anvil cell. Results at 295 K extend to 50 GPa. The equations of state of AlF 3 and AlI 3 were determined through refinements of collected x-ray diffraction patterns. The respective bulk moduli and corresponding pressure derivatives are reported for multiple orders of the Birch-Murnaghan (B-M), finite-strain (F-f), and higher pressure finite-strain (G-g) EOS analysis models. Aluminum trifluoride exhibits an apparent isostructural phase transition at approximately 12 GPa. Aluminum triiodide also undergoes a second-order atomic rearrangement: appliedmore » stress transformed a monoclinically distorted face centered cubic (fcc) structure into a standard fcc structural arrangement of iodine atoms. In conclusion, results from semi-empirical thermochemical computations of energetic materials formulated with fluorine containing reactants were obtained with the aim of predicting the yield of halogenated products.« less

Equations of state of anhydrous AlF 3 and AlI 3 : Modeling of extreme condition halide chemistry

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Stavrou, Elissaios; Zaug, Joseph M.; Bastea, Sorin

Pressure dependent angle-dispersive x-ray powder diffraction measurements of alpha-phase aluminum trifluoride (α-AlF 3) and separately, aluminum triiodide (AlI 3) were conducted using a diamond-anvil cell. Results at 295 K extend to 50 GPa. The equations of state of AlF 3 and AlI 3 were determined through refinements of collected x-ray diffraction patterns. The respective bulk moduli and corresponding pressure derivatives are reported for multiple orders of the Birch-Murnaghan (B-M), finite-strain (F-f), and higher pressure finite-strain (G-g) EOS analysis models. Aluminum trifluoride exhibits an apparent isostructural phase transition at approximately 12 GPa. Aluminum triiodide also undergoes a second-order atomic rearrangement: appliedmore » stress transformed a monoclinically distorted face centered cubic (fcc) structure into a standard fcc structural arrangement of iodine atoms. In conclusion, results from semi-empirical thermochemical computations of energetic materials formulated with fluorine containing reactants were obtained with the aim of predicting the yield of halogenated products.« less

Multi-heteroatom doped carbon coated Na3V2(PO4)3 derived from ionic liquids.

PubMed

Zhang, Lu-Lu; Zhou, Ying-Xian; Li, Tao; Ma, Di; Yang, Xue-Lin

2018-03-28

Multi-heteroatom (N, S and F) doped carbon coated Na 3 V 2 (PO 4 ) 3 (labeled as NVP/C-ILs) derived from an ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([EMIM]TF2N) has been successfully fabricated. The as-prepared Na 3 V 2 (PO 4 ) 3 particles are well dispersed and closely coated with a multi-heteroatom (N, S and F) doped carbon layer. As a cathode for sodium-ion batteries, the NVP/C-ILs electrode exhibits high reversible specific capacity (117.5 mA h g -1 at 1C), superior rate performance (93.4 mA h g -1 at 10C) and excellent cycling stability (∼95% capacity retention ratio at 10C over 1000 cycles). The impressive electrochemical performance of NVP/C-ILs can be attributed to effectively conductive networks for electrons and Na + ions induced by a joint effect of N, S and F doping on carbon. The use of multi-heteroatom doped carbon coated Na 3 V 2 (PO 4 ) 3 provides a facile and effective strategy for the fabrication of high performance electrode materials with low intrinsic electrical conductivity.

M2-F3 on lakebed

NASA Image and Video Library

1970-06-19

The M2-F3 Lifting Body is seen here on the lakebed next to the NASA Flight Research Center (later the Dryden Flight Research Center), Edwards, California. Redesigned and rebuilt from the M2-F2, the M2-F3 featured as its most visible change a center fin for greater stability. While the M2-F3 was still demanding to fly, the center fin eliminated the high risk of pilot induced oscillation (PIO) that was characteristic of the M2-F2.

Multiple bidirectional alterations of phenotype and changes in proliferative potential during the in vitro and in vivo passage of clonal mast cell populations derived from mouse peritoneal mast cells

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kanakura, Y.; Thompson, H.; Nakano, T.

1988-09-01

Mouse peritoneal mast cells (PMC) express a connective tissue-type mast cell (CTMC) phenotype, including reactivity with the heparin-binding fluorescent dye berberine sulfate and incorporation of (35S) sulfate predominantly into heparin proteoglycans. When PMC purified to greater than 99% purity were cultured in methylcellulose with IL-3 and IL-4, approximately 25% of the PMC formed colonies, all of which contained both berberine sulfate-positive and berberine sulfate-negative mast cells. When these mast cells were transferred to suspension culture, they generated populations that were 100% berberine sulfate-negative, a characteristic similar to that of mucosal mast cells (MMC), and that synthesized predominantly chondroitin sulfate (35S)more » proteoglycans. When ''MMC-like'' cultured mast cells derived from WBB6F1-+/+ PMC were injected into the peritoneal cavities of mast cell-deficient WBB6F1-W/Wv mice, the adoptively transferred mast cell population became 100% berberine sulfate-positive. In methylcellulose culture, these ''second generation PMC'' formed clonal colonies containing both berberine sulfate-positive and berberine sulfate-negative cells, but exhibited significantly less proliferative ability than did normal +/+ PMC. Thus, clonal mast cell populations initially derived from single PMC exhibited multiple and bidirectional alterations between CTMC-like and MMC-like phenotypes. However, this process was associated with a progressive diminution of the mast cells' proliferative ability.« less

Preliminary flight evaluation of F100 engine model derivative airstart capability in an F-15 airplane

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cho, T. K.; Burcham, F. W., Jr.

1984-01-01

A series of airstarts was conducted in an F-15 airplane with two prototype F100 engine model derivative (EMD) engines equipped with digital electronic engine control (DEEC) systems. The airstart envelope and time required for airstarts were defined. The success of an airstart is most heavily dependent on airspeed. Spooldown airstarts at 200 knots and higher were all successful. Spooldown airstart times ranged from 53 sec at 250 knots to 170 sec at 175 knots. Jet fuel starter (JFS) assisted airstarts were conducted at 175 knots at two altitudes, and airstart times were 50 and 60 sec, significantly faster than unassisted airstart. The effect of altitude on airstarts was small. In addition, the airstart characteristics of the two test engines were found to closely resemble each other. The F100 EMD airstart characteristics were very similar to the DEEC equipped F100 engine tested previously. Finally, the time required to spool down from intermediate power compressor rotor speed to a given compressor rotor speed was found to be a strong function of altitude and a weaker function of airspeed.

Ce3+-doped LaF3 nanoparticles: Wet-chemical synthesis and photo-physical characteristics "optical properties of LaF3:Ce nanomaterials"

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tabatabaee, F.; Sabbagh Alvani, A. A.; Sameie, H.; Moosakhani, S.; Salimi, R.; Taherian, M.

2014-01-01

The most effective process parameters were determined to synthesize spherical LaF3 nanoparticles with controllable size based on ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) via co-precipitation technique. Thermogravimetricdifferential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering and FT-IR spectroscopy were used to characterize the resulting powders. Detailed investigations revealed that the optimal LaF3 host nano-material was obtained when NH4F was used as a fluoride source in the presence of EDTA at pH = 5. Furthermore, photoluminescence spectra showed an intense double emission peak at 289 and 302 nm for cerium-doped LaF3 nanocrystals excited at 253 nm, which was assigned to the well-known 5d→4f (2F5/2 and 2F7/2) transitions of Ce3+ levels due to luminescence center mechanism. The experimental results indicate that the synthesized LaF3:0.05Ce powders with a band gap of 5.3 eV are promising phosphors for high density scintillators.

Salivary cortisol in a middle-aged community sample: results from 990 men and women of the KORA-F3 Augsburg study.

PubMed

Lederbogen, Florian; Kühner, Christine; Kirschbaum, Clemens; Meisinger, Christa; Lammich, Josefine; Holle, Rolf; Krumm, Bertram; von Lengerke, Thomas; Wichmann, Heinz-Erich; Deuschle, Michael; Ladwig, Karl-Heinz

2010-09-01

Analysis of salivary cortisol concentrations and derived indices is increasingly used in clinical and scientific medicine. However, comprehensive data on these parameters in the general population are scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentrations of salivary cortisol in a large middle-aged community sample and to identify major factors associated with altered hormone levels. We conducted a cross-sectional study within the Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg (KORA)-F3 study. A total of 1484 participants aged 50-69 years (52% women) had agreed to provide four saliva samples during a regular weekday. We measured salivary cortisol concentrations at wake-up (F0), (1/2) h (F(1/2)), 8 h (F8), and 14 h (F14) after waking. We calculated cortisol awakening response (CAR), slope, and area under the curve (AUC(G)) of the circadian cortisol secretion. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were evaluated by interview and questionnaires, sampling conditions by protocol. In total, 1208 participants returned saliva samples, exclusion criteria left 990 subjects for final analyses. Salivary cortisol levels were (means+/-s.d.) F0=13.7+/-7.6, F(1/2)=20.5+/-9.8, F8=5.4+/-3.3, and F14=2.0+/-1.8 nmol/l. Earlier sampling times were associated with higher CAR and smaller slope. Cortisol secretion was also influenced by gender and smoking habits. Higher perceived social support was associated with lower AUC(G) and smaller slope. We provide data on salivary cortisol concentrations in a large middle-aged community sample. Gender, sampling time, smoking habits, and perceived social support appeared as determinants of cortisol secretion.

Activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome by IAV virulence protein PB1-F2 contributes to severe pathophysiology and disease.

PubMed

McAuley, Julie L; Tate, Michelle D; MacKenzie-Kludas, Charley J; Pinar, Anita; Zeng, Weiguang; Stutz, Andrea; Latz, Eicke; Brown, Lorena E; Mansell, Ashley

2013-01-01

The ability for a host to recognize infection is critical for virus clearance and often begins with induction of inflammation. The PB1-F2 of pathogenic influenza A viruses (IAV) contributes to the pathophysiology of infection, although the mechanism for this is unclear. The NLRP3-inflammasome has been implicated in IAV pathogenesis, but whether IAV virulence proteins can be activators of the complex is unknown. We investigated whether PB1-F2-mediated activation of the NLRP3-inflammasome is a mechanism contributing to overt inflammatory responses to IAV infection. We show PB1-F2 induces secretion of pyrogenic cytokine IL-1β by activating the NLRP3-inflammasome, contributing to inflammation triggered by pathogenic IAV. Compared to infection with wild-type virus, mice infected with reverse engineered PB1-F2-deficient IAV resulted in decreased IL-1β secretion and cellular recruitment to the airways. Moreover, mice exposed to PB1-F2 peptide derived from pathogenic IAV had enhanced IL-1β secretion compared to mice exposed to peptide derived from seasonal IAV. Implicating the NLRP3-inflammasome complex specifically, we show PB1-F2 derived from pathogenic IAV induced IL-1β secretion was Caspase-1-dependent in human PBMCs and NLRP3-dependent in mice. Importantly, we demonstrate PB1-F2 is incorporated into the phagolysosomal compartment, and upon acidification, induces ASC speck formation. We also show that high molecular weight aggregated PB1-F2, rather than soluble PB1-F2, induces IL-1β secretion. Furthermore, NLRP3-deficient mice exposed to PB1-F2 peptide or infected with PB1-F2 expressing IAV were unable to efficiently induce the robust inflammatory response as observed in wild-type mice. In addition to viral pore forming toxins, ion channel proteins and RNA, we demonstrate inducers of NLRP3-inflammasome activation may include disordered viral proteins, as exemplified by PB1-F2, acting as host pathogen 'danger' signals. Elucidating immunostimulatory PB1-F2 mediation

Endogenous axon guiding chemorepulsant semaphorin-3F inhibits the growth and metastasis of colorectal carcinoma.

PubMed

Wu, Feng; Zhou, Qi; Yang, Jing; Duan, Guang-jie; Ou, Juan-juan; Zhang, Rong; Pan, Feng; Peng, Qiu-ping; Tan, Hong; Ping, Yi-fang; Cui, You-hong; Qian, Cheng; Yan, Xiao-chu; Bian, Xiu-wu

2011-05-01

To elucidate the role of Semaphorin-3F (SEMA3F), originally described as an axon guiding chemorepulsant implicated in nerve development, in the progression of colorectal carcinoma. SEMA3F and its receptor NRP2 were examined in 72 cases of human colorectal carcinoma specimens and cell lines LoVo, SW480, and SW620 with immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. SEMA3F mRNA expression in the frozen tissue specimens and cell lines was examined with quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR. Confocal laser scanning microscopy was used for detection of cellular localization of the proteins by immunofluorescent staining. MTT assay, flow cytometry, cell adhesion and migration, and xenografts were used to evaluate biological significance of SEMA3F. SEMA3F was significantly reduced in colorectal carcinoma tissues and cell lines. Overexpression of SEMA3F resulted in reduced proliferation, adhesion to fibronectin, and migratory capability as well as reduced S-phase population and integrin αvβ3 expression of SW480 colon cancer cells. In addition, SEMA3F-overexpressing cells exhibited diminished tumorigenesis when transplanted orthotopically in nude mice and reduced liver metastases. Moreover, transfection of siRNA targeting SEMA3F in colon cancer cells increased their tumorigenicity in vivo. Endogenous SEMA3F acts as a suppressor of the growth and metastasis of human colorectal cancer cells. ©2011 AACR.

Genome-Wide Analysis of DNA Methylation and Fine Particulate Matter Air Pollution in Three Study Populations: KORA F3, KORA F4, and the Normative Aging Study.

PubMed

Panni, Tommaso; Mehta, Amar J; Schwartz, Joel D; Baccarelli, Andrea A; Just, Allan C; Wolf, Kathrin; Wahl, Simone; Cyrys, Josef; Kunze, Sonja; Strauch, Konstantin; Waldenberger, Melanie; Peters, Annette

2016-07-01

fine particulate matter air pollution in three study populations: KORA F3, KORA F4, and the Normative Aging Study. Environ Health Perspect 124:983-990; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1509966.

Luminosity and Stellar Mass Functions from the 6dF Galaxy Survey

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Colless, M.; Jones, D. H.; Peterson, B. A.; Campbell, L.; Saunders, W.; Lah, P.

2007-12-01

The completed 6dF Galaxy Survey includes redshifts for over 124,000 galaxies. We present luminosity functions in optical and near-infrared passbands that span a range of 10^4 in luminosity. These luminosity functions show systematic deviations from the Schechter form. The corresponding luminosity densities in the optical and near-infrared are consistent with an old stellar population and a moderately declining star formation rate. Stellar mass functions, derived from the K band luminosities and simple stellar population models selected by b_J-r_F colour, lead to an estimate of the present-day stellar mass density of ρ_* = (5.00 ± 0.11) × 10^8 h M_⊙ Mpc^{-3}, corresponding to Ω_* h = (1.80 ± 0.04) × 10^{-3}.

Estimating the effects of 17α-ethinylestradiol on stochastic population growth rate of fathead minnows: a population synthesis of empirically derived vital rates

USGS Publications Warehouse

Schwindt, Adam R.; Winkelman, Dana L.

2016-01-01

Urban freshwater streams in arid climates are wastewater effluent dominated ecosystems particularly impacted by bioactive chemicals including steroid estrogens that disrupt vertebrate reproduction. However, more understanding of the population and ecological consequences of exposure to wastewater effluent is needed. We used empirically derived vital rate estimates from a mesocosm study to develop a stochastic stage-structured population model and evaluated the effect of 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), the estrogen in human contraceptive pills, on fathead minnow Pimephales promelas stochastic population growth rate. Tested EE2 concentrations ranged from 3.2 to 10.9 ng L−1 and produced stochastic population growth rates (λ S ) below 1 at the lowest concentration, indicating potential for population decline. Declines in λ S compared to controls were evident in treatments that were lethal to adult males despite statistically insignificant effects on egg production and juvenile recruitment. In fact, results indicated that λ S was most sensitive to the survival of juveniles and female egg production. More broadly, our results document that population model results may differ even when empirically derived estimates of vital rates are similar among experimental treatments, and demonstrate how population models integrate and project the effects of stressors throughout the life cycle. Thus, stochastic population models can more effectively evaluate the ecological consequences of experimentally derived vital rates.

Estimating the effects of 17α-ethinylestradiol on stochastic population growth rate of fathead minnows: a population synthesis of empirically derived vital rates.

PubMed

Schwindt, Adam R; Winkelman, Dana L

2016-09-01

Urban freshwater streams in arid climates are wastewater effluent dominated ecosystems particularly impacted by bioactive chemicals including steroid estrogens that disrupt vertebrate reproduction. However, more understanding of the population and ecological consequences of exposure to wastewater effluent is needed. We used empirically derived vital rate estimates from a mesocosm study to develop a stochastic stage-structured population model and evaluated the effect of 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), the estrogen in human contraceptive pills, on fathead minnow Pimephales promelas stochastic population growth rate. Tested EE2 concentrations ranged from 3.2 to 10.9 ng L(-1) and produced stochastic population growth rates (λ S ) below 1 at the lowest concentration, indicating potential for population decline. Declines in λ S compared to controls were evident in treatments that were lethal to adult males despite statistically insignificant effects on egg production and juvenile recruitment. In fact, results indicated that λ S was most sensitive to the survival of juveniles and female egg production. More broadly, our results document that population model results may differ even when empirically derived estimates of vital rates are similar among experimental treatments, and demonstrate how population models integrate and project the effects of stressors throughout the life cycle. Thus, stochastic population models can more effectively evaluate the ecological consequences of experimentally derived vital rates.

Denticity and Mobility of the Carbonate Groups in AMCO 3 F Fluorocarbonates: A Study on KMnCO 3 F and High Temperature KCaCO 3 F Polymorph

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rousse, Gwenaelle; Ahouari, Hania; Pomjakushin, Vladimir

We report on a thorough structural study on two members of layered fluorocarbonates KMCO3F (M = Ca, Mn). The Ca-based member demonstrates a phase transition at ~320 °C, evidenced for the first time. The crystal structure of the high temperature phase (HT-KCaCO3F) was solved using neutron powder diffraction. A new Mn-based phase KMnCO3F was synthesized, and its crystal structure was solved from electron diffraction tomography data and refined from a combination of X-ray synchrotron and neutron powder diffraction. In contrast to other members of the fluorocarbonate family, the carbonate groups in the KMnCO3F and HT-KCaCO3F structures are not fixed tomore » two distinct orientations corresponding to mono- and bidentate coordinations of the M cation. In KMnCO3F, the carbonate group can be considered as nearly “monodentate”, forming one short (2.14 Å) and one long (3.01 Å) Mn–O contact. This topology provides more flexibility to the MCO3 layer and enables diminishing the mismatch between the MCO3 and KF layers. This conclusion is corroborated by the HT-KCaCO3F structure, in which the carbonate groups can additionally be tilted away from the layer plane thus relieving the strain arising from geometrical mismatch between the layers. The correlation between denticity of the carbonate groups, their mobility, and cation size variance is discussed. KMnCO3 orders antiferromagnetically below TN = 40 K.« less

Infrared spectroscopy of solid normal hydrogen doped with CH3F and O2 at 4.2 K: CH3F:O2 complex and CH3F migration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abouaf-Marguin, L.; Vasserot, A.-M.

2011-04-01

Double doping of solid normal hydrogen with CH3F and O2 at about 4.2 K gives evidence of (ortho-H2)n:CH3F clusters and of O2:CH3F complex formation. FTIR analysis of the time evolution of the spectra in the region of the v3 C-F stretching mode indicates that these clusters behave very differently from (ortho-H2)n:H2O clusters. The main point is the observed migration of CH3F molecules in solid para-H2 at 4.2 K which differs from that of H2O under identical experimental conditions. This is confirmed by an increase over time of the integrated intensity of the CH3F:O2 complex with a rate constant K = 2.7(2) . 10-4 s-1.

Using the Lewis Acid Me3 Si-F-Al(ORF )3 To Prepare Phosphino-Phosphonium Cations with the Least-Coordinating Anion [(RF O)3 Al-F-Al(ORF )3 ].

PubMed

Possart, Josephine; Martens, Arthur; Schleep, Mario; Ripp, Alexander; Scherer, Harald; Kratzert, Daniel; Krossing, Ingo

2017-09-07

By reaction of two equivalents of Me 3 Si-F-Al(OR F ) 3 1 with an equimolar amount of PPh 2 Cl, the salt [Ph 2 P-PPh 2 Cl] + [(R F O) 3 Al-F-Al(OR F ) 3 ] - 2 is prepared smoothly in 91 % yield (NMR, XRD). The synthesis of [Ph 2 P-PPh 3 ] + [(R F O) 3 Al-F-Al(OR F ) 3 ] - 3 is best achieved by a two-step reaction: first, two equivalents of 1 react with one PPh 3 to give [Me 3 Si-PPh 3 ] + [(R F O) 3 Al-F-Al(OR F ) 3 ] - 4 (NMR, XRD), which, upon reaction with PPh 2 Cl, yields pure 3 and Me 3 SiCl (NMR, XRD). Typically, a stoichiometry of two equivalents of 1 with respect to one equivalent of the chloride donor should be used. Otherwise, the residual strong Lewis acidity of the [(R F O) 3 Al-F-Al(OR F ) 3 ] - anion in the presence of the [F-Al(OR F ) 3 ] - anion-that forms with less than two equivalents of 1-leads to further chloride exchange reactions that complicate work-up. This route presents the easiest way to introduce the least-coordinating [(R F O) 3 Al-F-Al(OR F ) 3 ] - anion into a system. We expect a wide use of this route in all areas, in which chloride-bond heterolysis in combination with very weakly coordinating anions is desirable. Additionally, we performed calculations on the bond dissociation mechanisms of [R 2 P-PMe 3 ] + and the isoelectronic Me 2 P-SiMe 3 and Me 2 Si-PMe 3 in dependence of the solvent permittivity. These calculations show, especially for the neutral reference compounds, a heavy influence of the solvent on the dissociation mechanism, which is why we suggest investigating these properties in solution instead of gas phase. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Ab initio study of dynamical E × e Jahn-Teller and spin-orbit coupling effects in the transition-metal trifluorides TiF3, CrF3, and NiF3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mondal, Padmabati; Opalka, Daniel; Poluyanov, Leonid V.; Domcke, Wolfgang

2012-02-01

Multiconfiguration ab initio methods have been employed to study the effects of Jahn-Teller (JT) and spin-orbit (SO) coupling in the transition-metal trifluorides TiF3, CrF3, and NiF3, which possess spatially doubly degenerate excited states (ME) of even spin multiplicities (M = 2 or 4). The ground states of TiF3, CrF3, and NiF3 are nondegenerate and exhibit minima of D3h symmetry. Potential-energy surfaces of spatially degenerate excited states have been calculated using the state-averaged complete-active-space self-consistent-field method. SO coupling is described by the matrix elements of the Breit-Pauli operator. Linear and higher order JT coupling constants for the JT-active bending and stretching modes as well as SO-coupling constants have been determined. Vibronic spectra of JT-active excited electronic states have been calculated, using JT Hamiltonians for trigonal systems with inclusion of SO coupling. The effect of higher order (up to sixth order) JT couplings on the vibronic spectra has been investigated for selected electronic states and vibrational modes with particularly strong JT couplings. While the weak SO couplings in TiF3 and CrF3 are almost completely quenched by the strong JT couplings, the stronger SO coupling in NiF3 is only partially quenched by JT coupling.

Ca(5)Zr(3)F(22).

PubMed

Oudahmane, Abdelghani; El-Ghozzi, Malika; Avignant, Daniel

2012-04-01

Single crystals of Ca(5)Zr(3)F(22), penta-calcium trizirconium docosafluoride, were obtained unexpectedly by solid-state reaction between CaF(2) and ZrF(4) in the presence of AgF. The structure of the title compound is isotypic with that of Sr(5)Zr(3)F(22) and can be described as being composed of layers with composition [Zr(3)F(20)](8-) made up from two different [ZrF(8)](4-) square anti-prisms (one with site symmetry 2) by corner-sharing. The layers extending parallel to the (001) plane are further linked by Ca(2+) cations, forming a three-dimensional network. Amongst the four crystallographically different Ca(2+) ions, three are located on twofold rotation axes. The Ca(2+) ions exhibit coordination numbers ranging from 8 to 12, depending on the cut off, with very distorted fluorine environments. Two of the Ca(2+) ions occupy inter-stices between the layers whereas the other two are located in void spaces of the [Zr(3)F(20)](8-) layer and alternate with the two Zr atoms along [010]. The crystal under investigation was an inversion twin.

18F-FDG or 3'-deoxy-3'-18F-fluorothymidine to detect transformation of follicular lymphoma.

PubMed

Wondergem, Marielle J; Rizvi, Saiyada N F; Jauw, Yvonne; Hoekstra, Otto S; Hoetjes, Nikie; van de Ven, Peter M; Boellaard, Ronald; Chamuleau, Martine E D; Cillessen, Saskia A G M; Regelink, Josien C; Zweegman, Sonja; Zijlstra, Josée M

2015-02-01

Considering the different treatment strategy for transformed follicular lymphoma (TF) as opposed to follicular lymphoma (FL), diagnosing transformation early in the disease course is important. There is evidence that (18)F-FDG has utility as a biomarker of transformation. However, quantitative thresholds may require inclusion of homogeneous non-Hodgkin lymphoma subtypes to account for differences in tracer uptake per subtype. Moreover, because proliferation is a hallmark of transformation, 3'-deoxy-3'-(18)F-fluorothymidine ((18)F-FLT) might be superior to (18)F-FDG in this setting. To define the best tracer for detection of TF, we performed a prospective a head-to-head comparison of (18)F-FDG and (18)F-FLT in patients with FL and TF. (18)F-FDG and (18)F-FLT PET scans were obtained in 17 patients with FL and 9 patients with TF. We measured the highest maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), defined as the lymph node with the highest uptake per patient, and SUVrange, defined as the difference between the SUVmax of the lymph node with the highest and lowest uptake per patient. To reduce partial-volume effects, only lymph nodes larger than 3 cm(3) (A50 isocontour) were analyzed. Scans were acquired 1 h after injection of 185 MBq of (18)F-FDG or (18)F-FLT. To determine the discriminative ability of SUVmax and SUVrange of both tracers for TF, receiver-operating-characteristic curve analysis was performed. The highest SUVmax was significantly higher for TF than FL for both (18)F-FDG and (18)F-FLT (P < 0.001). SUVrange was significantly higher for TF than FL for (18)F-FDG (P = 0.029) but not for (18)F-FLT (P = 0.075). The ability of (18)F-FDG to discriminate between FL and TF was superior to that of (18)F-FLT for both the highest SUVmax (P = 0.039) and the SUVrange (P = 0.012). The cutoff value for the highest SUVmax of (18)F-FDG aiming at 100% sensitivity with a maximum specificity was found to be 14.5 (corresponding specificity, 82%). For (18)F-FLT, these values were

Optical Temperature Sensor Based on Infrared Excited Green Upconversion Emission in Hexagonal Phase NaLuF4:Yb3+/Er3+ Nanorods.

PubMed

Li, Dongyu; Tian, Linlin; Huang, Zhen; Shao, Lexi; Quan, Jun; Wang, Yuxiao

2016-04-01

Hexagonal phase NaLuF4:Yb3+/Er3+ nanorods were synthesized hydrothermally. An analysis of the intense green upconversion emissions at 525 nm and 550 nm in hexagonal phase NaLuF4:Yb3/+Er3+ nanorods under excitation power density of 4.2 W/cm2 available from a diode laser emitting at 976 nm, have been undertaken. Fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) variation of temperature-sensitive green upconversion emissions at 525 nm and 550 nm in this material was recorded in the physiological range from 295 to 343 K. The maximum sensitivity derived from the FIR technique of the green upconversion emissions is approximately 0.0044 K-1. Experimental results implied that hexagonal phase NaLuF4:Yb3/+Er3+ nanorods was a potential candidate for optical temperature sensor.

Selective Cytotoxicity of 1,3,4-Thiadiazolium Mesoionic Derivatives on Hepatocarcinoma Cells (HepG2)

PubMed Central

Valdameri, Glaucio; Rocha, Maria Eliane Merlin; Martinez, Glaucia Regina; Noleto, Guilhermina Rodrigues; Acco, Alexandra; Alves de Souza, Carlos Eduardo; Echevarria, Aurea; Moretto dos Reis, Camilla; Di Pietro, Attilio; Suter Correia Cadena, Sílvia Maria

2015-01-01

In this work, we evaluated the cytotoxicity of mesoionic 4-phenyl-5-(2-Y, 4-X or 4-X-cinnamoyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazolium-2-phenylamine chloride derivatives (MI-J: X=OH, Y=H; MI-D: X=NO2, Y=H; MI-4F: X=F, Y=H; MI-2,4diF: X=Y=F) on human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2), and non-tumor cells (rat hepatocytes) for comparison. MI-J, M-4F and MI-2,4diF reduced HepG2 viability by ~ 50% at 25 μM after 24-h treatment, whereas MI-D required a 50 μM concentration, as shown by 3-(4,5-dimethythiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assays. The cytotoxicity was confirmed with lactate dehydrogenase assay, of which activity was increased by 55, 24 and 16% for MI-J, MI-4F and MI-2,4diF respectively (at 25 μM after 24 h). To identify the death pathway related to cytotoxicity, the HepG2 cells treated by mesoionic compounds were labeled with both annexin V and PI, and analyzed by flow cytometry. All compounds increased the number of doubly-stained cells at 25 μM after 24 h: by 76% for MI-J, 25% for MI-4F and MI-2,4diF, and 11% for MI-D. It was also verified that increased DNA fragmentation occurred upon MI-J, MI-4F and MI-2,4diF treatments (by 12%, 9% and 8%, respectively, at 25 μM after 24 h). These compounds were only weakly, or not at all, transported by the main multidrug transporters, P-glycoprotein, ABCG2 and MRP1, and were able to slightly inhibit their drug-transport activity. It may be concluded that 1,3,4-thiadiazolium compounds, especially the hydroxy derivative MI-J, constitute promising candidates for future investigations on in-vivo treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. PMID:26083249

Removal potential of toxic 2378-substituted PCDD/F from incinerator flue gases by waste-derived activated carbons.

PubMed

Hajizadeh, Yaghoub; Onwudili, Jude A; Williams, Paul T

2011-06-01

The application of activated carbons has become a commonly used emission control protocol for the removal or adsorption of persistent organic pollutants from the flue gas streams of waste incinerators. In this study, the 2378-substituted PCDD/F removal efficiency of three types of activated carbons derived from the pyrolysis of refuse derived fuel, textile waste and scrap tyre was investigated and compared with that of a commercial carbon. Experiments were carried out in a laboratory scale fixed-bed reactor under a simulated flue gas at 275°C with a reaction period of four days. The PCDD/F in the solid matrices and exhaust gas, were analyzed using gas chromatography coupled with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. In the absence of activated carbon adsorbent, there was a significant increase in the concentration of toxic PCDD/F produced in the reacted flyash, reaching up to 6.6 times higher than in the raw flyash. In addition, there was a substantial release of PCDD/F into the gas phase, which was found in the flue gas trapping system. By application of the different commercial, refuse derived fuel, textile and tyre activated carbons the total PCDD/F toxic equivalent removal efficiencies in the exhaust gas stream were 58%, 57%, 64% and 52%, respectively. In general, the removal of the PCDDs was much higher with an average of 85% compared to PCDFs at 41%. Analysis of the reacted activated carbons showed that there was some formation of PCDD/F, for instance, a total of 60.6 μg I-TEQ kg(-1) toxic PCDD/F was formed in the refuse derived fuel activated carbon compared to 34 μg I-TEQ kg(-1) in the commercial activated carbon. The activated carbons derived from the pyrolysis of waste, therefore, showed good potential as a control material for PCDD/F emissions in waste incinerator flue gases. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Solubility of uranium oxide in molten salt electrolysis bath of LiF-BaF2 with LaF3 additive

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alangi, Nagaraj; Mukherjee, Jaya; Gantayet, L. M.

2016-03-01

The solubility of UO2 in the molten mixtures of equimolar LiF-BaF2(1:1) with LaF3 as additive was studied in the range of 1423 K-1523 K. The molten fluoride salt mixture LiF-BaF2 LaF3 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 LaF3 in the equimolar LiF-BaF2(1:1) base fluoride salt bath. Solubility of UO2 increased with rise in LaF3 concentration in the molten fluoride in the temperature range of 1423 K-1523 K. At a given concentration of LaF3, the UO2 solubility increased monotonously with temperature. With mixed solvent, when UF4 was added as a replacement of part of LaF3 in LiF-BaF2(1:1)-10 wt% LaF3 and LiF-BaF2(1:1)-30 wt% LaF3, there was an enhancement of solubility of UO2.

Expression of a tetraheme protein, Desulfovibrio vulgaris Miyazaki F cytochrome c(3), in Shewanella oneidensis MR-1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ozawa, K.; Tsapin, A. I.; Nealson, K. H.; Cusanovich, M. A.; Akutsu, H.

2000-01-01

Cytochrome c(3) from Desulfovibrio vulgaris Miyazaki F was successfully expressed in the facultative aerobe Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 under anaerobic, microaerophilic, and aerobic conditions, with yields of 0.3 to 0.5 mg of cytochrome/g of cells. A derivative of the broad-host-range plasmid pRK415 containing the cytochrome c(3) gene from D. vulgaris Miyazaki F was used for transformation of S. oneidensis MR-1, resulting in the production of protein product that was indistinguishable from that produced by D. vulgaris Miyazaki F, except for the presence of one extra alanine residue at the N terminus.

[18F]Fluorophenylazocarboxylates: Design and Synthesis of Potential Radioligands for Dopamine D3 and μ-Opioid Receptor

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

18F-Labeled building blocks from the type of [18F]fluorophenylazocarboxylic-tert-butyl esters offer a rapid, mild, and reliable method for the 18F-fluoroarylation of biomolecules. Two series of azocarboxamides were synthesized as potential radioligands for dopamine D3 and the μ-opioid receptor, revealing compounds 3d and 3e with single-digit and sub-nanomolar affinity for the D3 receptor and compound 4c with only micromolar affinity for the μ-opioid receptor, but enhanced selectivity for the μ-subtype in comparison to the lead compound AH-7921. A “minimalist procedure” without the use of a cryptand and base for the preparation of 4-[18F]fluorophenylazocarboxylic-tert-butyl ester [18F]2a was established, together with the radiosynthesis of methyl-, methoxy-, and phenyl-substituted derivatives ([18F]2b–f). With the substituted [18F]fluorophenylazocarbylates in hand, two prototype azocarboxylates radioligands were synthesized by 18F-fluoroarylation, namely the methoxy azocarboxamide [18F]3d as the D3 receptor radioligand and [18F]4a as a prototype structure of the μ-opioid receptor radioligand. By introducing the new series of [18F]fluorophenylazocarboxylic-tert-butyl esters, the method of 18F-fluoroarylation was significantly expanded, thereby demonstrating the versatility of 18F-labeled phenylazocarboxylates for the design of potential radiotracers for positron emission tomography . PMID:29479577

An improved 2D MoF method by using high order derivatives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Xiang; Zhang, Xiong

2017-11-01

The MoF (Moment of Fluid) method is one of the most accurate approaches among various interface reconstruction algorithms. Alike other second order methods, the MoF method needs to solve an implicit optimization problem to obtain the optimal approximate interface, so an iteration process is inevitable under most circumstances. In order to solve the optimization efficiently, the properties of the objective function are worthy of studying. In 2D problems, the first order derivative has been deduced and applied in the previous researches. In this paper, the high order derivatives of the objective function are deduced on the convex polygon. We show that the nth (n ≥ 2) order derivatives are discontinuous, and the number of the discontinuous points is two times the number of the polygon edge. A rotation algorithm is proposed to successively calculate these discontinuous points, thus the target interval where the optimal solution is located can be determined. Since the high order derivatives of the objective function are continuous in the target interval, the iteration schemes based on high order derivatives can be used to improve the convergence rate. Moreover, when iterating in the target interval, the value of objective function and its derivatives can be directly updated without explicitly solving the volume conservation equation. The direct update makes a further improvement of the efficiency especially when the number of edges of the polygon is increasing. The Halley's method, which is based on the first three order derivatives, is applied as the iteration scheme in this paper and the numerical results indicate that the CPU time is about half of the previous method on the quadrilateral cell and is about one sixth on the decagon cell.

Orange and red upconversion laser pumped by an avalanche mechanism in Pr3+, Yb3+:BaY2F8

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Osiac, E.; Heumann, E.; Huber, G.; Kück, S.; Sani, E.; Toncelli, A.; Tonelli, M.

2003-06-01

The letter reports on upconverted orange (607.5 nm, 3P0→3H6) and red (638.7 nm, 3P0→3F2) laser oscillation at room temperature observed in Pr3+, Yb3+:BaY2F8 under excitation at 822 or 841 nm at 300 K. The upconversion mechanism that populates the emitting level is an avalanche excitation mechanism. Output powers up to 55 mW and slope efficiencies up to 27% were demonstrated at 607.5 nm. At 638.7 nm, the maximum output power was 26 mW with a slope efficiency of about 13.5%.

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

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

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.

Equations of state of anhydrous AlF{sub 3} and AlI{sub 3}: Modeling of extreme condition halide chemistry

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Stavrou, Elissaios, E-mail: stavrou1@llnl.gov; Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, P.O. Box 808 L-350, Livermore, California 94550; Zaug, Joseph M., E-mail: zaug1@llnl.gov

Pressure dependent angle-dispersive x-ray powder diffraction measurements of alpha-phase aluminum trifluoride (α-AlF{sub 3}) and separately, aluminum triiodide (AlI{sub 3}) were conducted using a diamond-anvil cell. Results at 295 K extend to 50 GPa. The equations of state of AlF{sub 3} and AlI{sub 3} were determined through refinements of collected x-ray diffraction patterns. The respective bulk moduli and corresponding pressure derivatives are reported for multiple orders of the Birch-Murnaghan (B-M), finite-strain (F-f), and higher pressure finite-strain (G-g) EOS analysis models. Aluminum trifluoride exhibits an apparent isostructural phase transition at approximately 12 GPa. Aluminum triiodide also undergoes a second-order atomic rearrangement: appliedmore » stress transformed a monoclinically distorted face centered cubic (fcc) structure into a standard fcc structural arrangement of iodine atoms. Results from semi-empirical thermochemical computations of energetic materials formulated with fluorine containing reactants were obtained with the aim of predicting the yield of halogenated products.« less

Facial morphologies of an adult Egyptian population and an adult Houstonian white population compared using 3D imaging.

PubMed

Seager, Dennis Craig; Kau, Chung How; English, Jeryl D; Tawfik, Wael; Bussa, Harry I; Ahmed, Abou El Yazeed M

2009-09-01

To compare the facial morphologies of an adult Egyptian population with those of a Houstonian white population. The three-dimensional (3D) images were acquired via a commercially available stereophotogrammetric camera capture system. The 3dMDface System photographed 186 subjects from two population groups (Egypt and Houston). All of the participants from both population groups were between 18 and 30 years of age and had no apparent facial anomalies. All facial images were overlaid and superimposed, and a complex mathematical algorithm was performed to generate a composite facial average (one male and one female) for each subgroup (EGY-M: Egyptian male subjects; EGY-F: Egyptian female subjects; HOU-M: Houstonian male subjects; and HOU-F: Houstonian female subjects). The computer-generated facial averages were superimposed based on a previously validated superimposition method, and the facial differences were evaluated and quantified. Distinct facial differences were evident between the subgroups evaluated, involving various regions of the face including the slant of the forehead, and the nasal, malar, and labial regions. Overall, the mean facial differences between the Egyptian and Houstonian female subjects were 1.33 +/- 0.93 mm, while the differences in Egyptian and Houstonian male subjects were 2.32 +/- 2.23 mm. The range of differences for the female population pairings and the male population pairings were 14.34 mm and 13.71 mm, respectively. The average adult Egyptian and white Houstonian face possess distinct differences. Different populations and ethnicities have different facial features and averages.

Frequency of Cry1F Non-Recessive Resistance Alleles in North Carolina Field Populations of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

PubMed Central

Li, Guoping; Reisig, Dominic; Miao, Jin; Gould, Fred; Huang, Fangneng; Feng, Hongqiang

2016-01-01

Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a target species of transgenic corn (Zea mays L.) that expresses single and pyramided Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxin. In 2014, S. frugiperda were collected from a light trap in North Carolina, and a total of 212 F1/F2 isofemale lines of S. frugiperda were screened for resistance to Bt and non-Bt corn. All of the 212 isolines were susceptible to corn tissue expressing Cry1A.105 + Cry2Ab, Cry1F + Cry1A.105 + Cry2Ab, and Cry1F + Cry1Ab + Vip3Aa20. Growth rate bioassays were performed to isolate non-recessive Bt resistance alleles. Seven individuals out of the 212 isofemale lines carried major non-recessive alleles conferring resistance to Cry1F. A pooled colony was created from the seven individuals. This colony was 151.21 times more resistant to Cry1F than a known-susceptible population and was also resistant to Cry1A.105, but was not resistant to Cry2Ab and Vip3Aa20. The results demonstrate that field populations of S. frugiperda collected from North Carolina are generally susceptible to Cry1F, but that some individuals carry resistant alleles. The data generated in this study can be used as baseline data for resistance monitoring. PMID:27119741

Frequency of Cry1F Non-Recessive Resistance Alleles in North Carolina Field Populations of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

PubMed

Li, Guoping; Reisig, Dominic; Miao, Jin; Gould, Fred; Huang, Fangneng; Feng, Hongqiang

2016-01-01

Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a target species of transgenic corn (Zea mays L.) that expresses single and pyramided Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxin. In 2014, S. frugiperda were collected from a light trap in North Carolina, and a total of 212 F1/F2 isofemale lines of S. frugiperda were screened for resistance to Bt and non-Bt corn. All of the 212 isolines were susceptible to corn tissue expressing Cry1A.105 + Cry2Ab, Cry1F + Cry1A.105 + Cry2Ab, and Cry1F + Cry1Ab + Vip3Aa20. Growth rate bioassays were performed to isolate non-recessive Bt resistance alleles. Seven individuals out of the 212 isofemale lines carried major non-recessive alleles conferring resistance to Cry1F. A pooled colony was created from the seven individuals. This colony was 151.21 times more resistant to Cry1F than a known-susceptible population and was also resistant to Cry1A.105, but was not resistant to Cry2Ab and Vip3Aa20. The results demonstrate that field populations of S. frugiperda collected from North Carolina are generally susceptible to Cry1F, but that some individuals carry resistant alleles. The data generated in this study can be used as baseline data for resistance monitoring.

Improved organic p-i-n type solar cells with n-doped fluorinated hexaazatrinaphthylene derivatives HATNA-F{sub 6} and HATNA-F{sub 12} as transparent electron transport material

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Selzer, Franz, E-mail: franz.selzer@iapp.de; Falkenberg, Christiane, E-mail: Christiane.Falkenberg@heliatek.com; Leo, Karl, E-mail: karl.leo@iapp.de

2014-02-07

We study new electron transport materials (ETM) to replace the reference material C{sub 60} in p-i-n type organic solar cells. A comprehensive material characterization is performed on two fluorinated hexaazatrinaphthylene derivatives, HATNA-F{sub 6} and HATNA-F{sub 12}, to identify the most promising material for the application in devices. We find that both HATNA derivatives are equally able to substitute C{sub 60} as ETM as they exhibit large optical energy gaps, low surface roughness, and sufficiently high electron mobilities. Furthermore, large electron conductivities of 3.5×10{sup −5} S/cm and 2.0×10{sup −4} S/cm are achieved by n-doping with 4 wt. % W{sub 2}(hpp){sub 4}. HOMO levels of (7.72 ± 0.05) eVmore » and (7.73 ± 0.05) eV are measured by ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy and subsequently used for estimating LUMO values of (4.2 ± 0.8) eV and (4.3 ± 0.8) eV. Both fluorinated HATNA derivatives are successfully applied in p-i-n type solar cells. Compared to identical reference devices comprising the standard material C{sub 60}, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) can be increased from 2.1 % to 2.4 % by using the new fluorinated HATNA derivatives.« less

Genetic basis for body size variation between an anadromous and two derived lacustrine populations of threespine stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus in southwest Alaska

PubMed Central

Bowles, Ella; Johnston, Rebecca A.; Vanderzwan, Stevi L.; Rogers, Sean M.

2016-01-01

Abstract Body size is a highly variable trait among geographically separated populations. Size-assortative reproductive isolation has been linked to recent adaptive radiations of threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) into freshwater, but the genetic basis of the commonly found size difference between anadromous and derived lacustrine sticklebacks has not been tested. We studied the genetic basis of size differences between recently diverging stickleback lineages in southwest Alaska using a common environment experiment. We crossed stickleback within one anadromous (Naknek River) and one lake (Pringle Lake) population and between the anadromous and two lake populations (Pringle and JoJo Lakes), and raised them in a salinity of 4–6 ppt. The F1 anadromous and freshwater forms differed significantly in size, whereas hybrids were intermediate or exhibited dominance toward the anadromous form. Additionally, the size of freshwater F1s differed from their wild counterparts, with within-population F1s from Pringle Lake growing larger than their wild counterparts, while there was no size difference between lab-raised and wild anadromous fish. Sexual dimorphism was always present in anadromous fish, but not in freshwater, and not always in the hybrid crosses. These results, along with parallel changes among anadromous and freshwater forms in other regions, suggest that this heritable trait is both plastic and may be under divergent and/or sexual selection. PMID:29491893

Genetic basis for body size variation between an anadromous and two derived lacustrine populations of threespine stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus in southwest Alaska.

PubMed

Bowles, Ella; Johnston, Rebecca A; Vanderzwan, Stevi L; Rogers, Sean M

2016-02-01

Body size is a highly variable trait among geographically separated populations. Size-assortative reproductive isolation has been linked to recent adaptive radiations of threespine stickleback ( Gasterosteus aculeatus ) into freshwater, but the genetic basis of the commonly found size difference between anadromous and derived lacustrine sticklebacks has not been tested. We studied the genetic basis of size differences between recently diverging stickleback lineages in southwest Alaska using a common environment experiment. We crossed stickleback within one anadromous (Naknek River) and one lake (Pringle Lake) population and between the anadromous and two lake populations (Pringle and JoJo Lakes), and raised them in a salinity of 4-6 ppt. The F1 anadromous and freshwater forms differed significantly in size, whereas hybrids were intermediate or exhibited dominance toward the anadromous form. Additionally, the size of freshwater F1s differed from their wild counterparts, with within-population F1s from Pringle Lake growing larger than their wild counterparts, while there was no size difference between lab-raised and wild anadromous fish. Sexual dimorphism was always present in anadromous fish, but not in freshwater, and not always in the hybrid crosses. These results, along with parallel changes among anadromous and freshwater forms in other regions, suggest that this heritable trait is both plastic and may be under divergent and/or sexual selection.

Feasibility of myocardial PET imaging using a benzylguanidine analog: meta-(3-[18F]fluoropropyl)benzylguanidine ([18F]mFPBG).

PubMed

Woo, Sang-Keun; Moon, Byung Seok; Kim, Bom Sahn; Kim, Min Hwan; Lee, Yong Jin; Jung, Jae Ho; Lee, Kyo Chul; Seo, Youngho; Kim, Wook; Lim, Sang Moo; Lee, Byung Chul; Kim, Sang Eun

2018-05-03

Global and regional sympathetic activity in the heart can be evaluated using [ 123 I]meta-iodobenzylguanidine ([ 123 I]mIBG) imaging. However, [ 123 I]mIBG is associated with low image spatial resolution and sensitivity in cardiac imaging. We investigated the capability of an F-18-labeled mIBG derivative, meta-(3-[ 18 F]fluoropropyl)benzylguanidine ([ 18 F]mFPBG), for identifying ischemic and viable myocardium in a rat model of myocardial infarction. The ex vivo biodistribution and in vivo metabolic stability of [ 18 F]mFPBG were investigated in Sprague-Dawley rats. Selective cardiac adrenergic activation was confirmed via a blocking experiment involving pretreatment with desipramine (2 mg kg -1 ), followed by the administration of [ 18 F]mFPBG. Imaging properties of [ 18 F]mFPBG were compared with those of traditional cardiac imaging radiotracers ([ 123 I]mIBG and [ 99m Tc]MIBI) in a rat model of myocardial infarction. Non-invasive image-based measurements of infarct sizes were then compared with histological findings by using Bland-Altman analysis. The differences in infarct sizes determined using histological analysis and [ 18 F]mFPBG PET were -2.55 ± 4.99% (range: -12.33 to 7.22), -2.35 ± 3.32% (range: -8.87 to 4.16), and -3.15 ± 6.16% (range: -15.24 to 8.93) at 5, 20, and 40 min, respectively. Furthermore, [ 18 F]mFPBG PET was superior to traditional imaging methods in assessing the degree of ischemia in areas of myocardial infarction, as well as the actual infarct size. Compared to [ 123 I]mIBG, [ 18 F]mFPBG showed improved spatial resolution and sensitivity in a rat model of myocardial infarction. This result suggested that [ 18 F]mFPBG is a promising cardiac PET imaging agent for potential diagnostic application in PET cardiology. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

F-aggregate centers formation in BaLiF3 crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prado, L.; Gomes, L.; Baldochi, S. L.; Morato, S. P.; Vieira, N. D.

The kinetics of F-aggregate centers formation is investigated in the inverted fluoroperovskite of BaLiF3 submitted to electron-irradiation. By studies of the changes in the absorption spectra during storage of samples in the dark, at room temperature, it was possible to verify a surprising and interesting dependence on defect formation with the crystal growth direction. In spite of its cubic structure, crystals grown in the <100> and <111> directions and submitted to the same conditions of irradiation, showed in particular, to enhance the production of a defect absorbing at 630 nm in <100> crystals which we believe to correspond to F+2-centers in BaLiF3

Disease-associated mutations in CNGB3 promote cytotoxicity in photoreceptor-derived cells

PubMed Central

Liu, Chunming; Sherpa, Tshering

2013-01-01

Purpose To determine if achromatopsia associated F525N and T383fsX mutations in the CNGB3 subunit of cone photoreceptor cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels increases susceptibility to cell death in photoreceptor-derived cells. Methods Photoreceptor-derived 661W cells were transfected with cDNA encoding wild-type (WT) CNGA3 subunits plus WT or mutant CNGB3 subunits, and incubated with the membrane-permeable CNG channel activators 8-(4-chlorophenylthio) guanosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (CPT-cGMP) or CPT-adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (CPT-cAMP). Cell viability under these conditions was determined by measuring lactate dehydrogenase release. Channel ligand sensitivity was calibrated by patch-clamp recording after expression of WT or mutant channels in Xenopus oocytes. Results Coexpression of CNGA3 with CNGB3 subunits containing F525N or T383fsX mutations produced channels exhibiting increased apparent affinity for CPT-cGMP compared to WT channels. Consistent with these effects, cytotoxicity in the presence of 0.1 μM CPT-cGMP was enhanced relative to WT channels, and the increase in cell death was more pronounced for the mutation with the largest gain-of-function effect on channel gating, F525N. Increased susceptibility to cell death was prevented by application of the CNG channel blocker L-cis-diltiazem. Increased cytotoxicity was also found to be dependent on the presence of extracellular calcium. Conclusions These results indicate a connection between disease-associated mutations in cone CNG channel subunits, altered CNG channel-activation properties, and photoreceptor cytotoxicity. The rescue of cell viability via CNG channel block or removal of extracellular calcium suggests that cytotoxicity in this model depends on calcium entry through hyperactive CNG channels. PMID:23805033

Genome-Wide Analysis of DNA Methylation and Fine Particulate Matter Air Pollution in Three Study Populations: KORA F3, KORA F4, and the Normative Aging Study

PubMed Central

Panni, Tommaso; Mehta, Amar J.; Schwartz, Joel D.; Baccarelli, Andrea A.; Just, Allan C.; Wolf, Kathrin; Wahl, Simone; Cyrys, Josef; Kunze, Sonja; Strauch, Konstantin; Waldenberger, Melanie; Peters, Annette

2016-01-01

, Waldenberger M, Peters A. 2016. A genome-wide analysis of DNA methylation and fine particulate matter air pollution in three study populations: KORA F3, KORA F4, and the Normative Aging Study. Environ Health Perspect 124:983–990; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1509966 PMID:26731791

M2-F3 on lakebed

NASA Image and Video Library

1970-06-19

The M2-F3 Lifting Body is seen here on the lakebed at the NASA Flight Research Center (FRC--later the Dryden Flight Research Center), Edwards, California. After a three-year-long redesign and rebuilding effort, the M2-F3 was ready to fly. The May 1967 crash of the M2-F2 had damaged both the external skin and the internal structure of the lifting body. At first, it seemed that the vehicle had been irreparably damaged, but the original manufacturer, Northrop, did the repair work and returned the redesigned M2-F3 with a center fin for stability to the FRC.

[Primary study on fluro [ 19F] berberine derivative for human hepatocellular carcinoma targetting in vitro].

PubMed

Zhang, Tong; Wu, Xiaoai; Cai, Huawei; Liang, Meng; Fan, Chengzhong

2017-04-01

[ 18 F]HX-01, a Fluorine-18 labeled berberine derivative, is a potential positron emission tomography (PET) tumor imaging agent, while [ 19 F]HX-01 is a nonradioactive reference substance with different energy state and has the same physical and chemical properties. In order to collect data for further study of [ 18 F]HX-01 PET imaging of hepatocellular carcinoma in vivo , this study compared the uptake of [ 19 F]HX-01 by human hepatocellular carcinoma and normal hepatocytes in vitro . The target compound, [ 19 F]HX-01, was synthesized in one step using berberrubine and 3-fluoropropyl 4-methylbenzenesulfonate. Cellular uptake and localization of [ 19 F]HX-01 were performed by a fluorescence microscope in human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2, SMMC-7721 and human normal hepatocyte HL-7702. Cellular proliferation inhibition and cell cytotoxicity assay of the [ 19 F]HX-01 were conducted using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) on HepG2, SMMC-7721 and HL-7702 cells. Fluorescent microscopy showed that the combining ability of [ 19 F]HX-01 to the carcinoma SMMC-7721 and HepG2 was higher than that to the normal HL-7702. Cellular proliferation inhibition assay demonstrated that [ 19 F]HX-01 leaded to a dose-dependent inhibition on SMMC-7721, HepG2, and HL-7702 proliferation. Cell cytotoxicity assay presented that the cytotoxicity of [ 19 F]HX-01 to SMMC-7721 and HepG2 was obviously higher than that to HL-7702. This in vitro study showed that [ 19 F]HX-01 had a higher selectivity on human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (SMMC-7721, HepG2) but has less toxicity to normal hepatocytes (HL-7702). This could set up the idea that the radioactive reference substance [ 18 F]HX-01 may be worthy of further development as a potential molecular probe targeting human hepatocellular carcinoma using PET.

(R)-N-Methyl-3-(3′-[18F]fluoropropyl)phenoxy)-3-phenylpropanamine (18F-MFP3) as a potential PET imaging agent for norepinephrine transporter

PubMed Central

Nguyen, Vivien L.; Pichika, Rama; Bhakta, Paayal H.; Kant, Ritu; Mukherjee, Jogeshwar

2010-01-01

A decline of norepinephrine transporter (NET) level is associated with several psychiatric and neurological disorders. Therefore positron emission tomography (PET) imaging agents are greatly desired to study the NET pathway. We have developed a C-fluoropropyl analog of nisoxetine: (R)-N-methyl-3-(3′-[18F]fluoropropyl)phenoxy)-3-phenylpropanamine (18F-MFP3) as a new potential PET radiotracer for NET with the advantage of the longer half-life of fluorine-18 (110 min compared with carbon-11 (20 min). Synthesis of (R)-N-methyl-3-(3′-fluoropropyl)phenoxy)-3-phenylpropanamine (MFP3) was achieved in five steps starting from (S)-N-methyl-3-ol-3-phenylpropanamine in approx. 3–5% overall yields. In vitro binding affinity of nisoxetine and MFP3 in rat brain homogenates labeled with 3H-nisoxetine gave Ki values of 8.02 nM and 23 nM, respectively. For radiosynthesis of 18F-MFP3, fluorine-18 was incorporated into a tosylate precursor, followed by the deprotection of the N-BOC-protected amine group with a 15% decay corrected yield in 2.5 h. Reverse-phase chromatographic purification provided 18F-MFP3 in specific activities of >2000 Ci/mmol. Fluorine-18 labeled 18F-MFP3 has been produced in modest radiochemical yields and in high specific activities. Evaluation of 18F-MFP3 in animal imaging studies is in progress in order to validate this new fluorine-18 radiotracer for PET imaging of NET. PMID:20495670

Characterization of EST-derived and non-EST simple sequence repeats in an F₁ hybrid population of Vitis vinifera L.

PubMed

Kayesh, E; Bilkish, N; Liu, G S; Chen, W; Leng, X P; Fang, J G

2014-03-31

Among different classes of molecular markers, expressed sequence tags (ESTs) are a new resource for developing simple sequence repeat (SSR) functional markers for genotyping and genetic mapping in F1 hybrid populations of Vitis vinifera L. Recently, because of the availability of an enormous amount of data for ESTs in the public domain, the emphasis has shifted from genomic SSRs to EST-SSRs, which belong to transcribed regions of the genome and may have a role in gene expression or function. The objective of this study was to assess the polymorphisms among 94 F1 hybrids from "Early Rose" and "Red Globe" using 25 EST-derived and 25 non-EST SSR markers. A total collection of 362,375 grape ESTs that were retrieved from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) and 2522 EST-SSR sequences were identified. From them, 205 primer pairs were randomly selected, including 176 pairs that were EST-derived and 29 non-EST SSR primer pairs, for polymerase chain reaction amplification. A total of 131 alleles were amplified using 50 pairs of primers; 78 alleles were amplified using EST-derived SSR primers and 53 were from non-EST SSR primers. At most, 6 and 5 alleles were amplified by EST-derived and non-EST SSR primers, respectively. The EST-derived SSR markers showed a maximum polymorphic information content (PIC) value of 1 and a minimum of 0.33 while non-EST SSR markers had maximum and minimum PIC values of 1 and 0.25, respectively. The average PIC value was 0.56 for EST-derived SSR markers and 0.45 for non-EST SSR markers.

Investigation on the preparation and luminescence emission of LaF{sub 3}:Eu{sup 3+}@LaF{sub 3}/SiO{sub 2} core-shell nanostructure

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shao, Jun, E-mail: jun-shao@snnu.edu.cn; Wang, Zhaojin; Wang, Ruibo

LaF{sub 3}:Eu{sup 3+}, LaF{sub 3}:Eu{sup 3+}@LaF{sub 3}, LaF{sub 3}:Eu{sup 3+}@CeF{sub 3} and LaF{sub 3}:Eu{sup 3+}@SiO{sub 2} nanoparticles were successfully synthesized via hydrothermal route and modified Stöber method. The surface property of LaF{sub 3}:Eu{sup 3+} particle was successfully modified by coating LaF{sub 3} and SiO{sub 2} shell onto the particle, which resulted in the change of the surface property and luminescence emission of LaF{sub 3}:Eu{sup 3+}. It was found that the surface quenchers were decreased and thus the nonradiative pathways were reduced with core/shell structure, which not only enhanced the yellow emission of the sample, but also changed the intensity ratiomore » of the yellow to orange emission. The dependence of the shell property and shell thickness on the luminescence emission spectra were investigated systematically. The current investigation can provide useful information for developing applications in biological imaging, detection, and sensing and other aspects.« less

Multimodality Molecular Imaging of [18F]-Fluorinated Carboplatin Derivative Encapsulated in [111In]-Labeled Liposomes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lamichhane, Narottam

Platinum based chemotherapy is amongst the mainstream DNA-damaging agents used in clinical cancer therapy today. Agents such as cisplatin, carboplatin are clinically prescribed for the treatment of solid tumors either as single agents, in combination, or as part of multi-modality treatment strategy. Despite the potent anti-tumor activity of these drugs, overall effectiveness is still hampered by inadequate delivery and retention of drug in tumor and unwanted normal tissue toxicity, induced by non-selective accumulation of drug in normal cells and tissues. Utilizing molecular imaging and nanoparticle technologies, this thesis aims to contribute to better understanding of how to improve the profile of platinum based therapy. By developing a novel fluorinated derivative of carboplatin, incorporating a Flourine-18 (18F) moiety as an inherent part of the molecule, quantitative measures of drug concentration in tumors and normal tissues can be directly determined in vivo and within the intact individual environment. A potential impact of this knowledge will be helpful in predicting the overall response of individual patients to the treatment. Specifically, the aim of this project, therefore, is the development of a fluorinated carboplatin drug derivative with an inherent positron emission tomography (PET) imaging capability, so that the accumulation of the drug in the tumor and normal organs can be studied during the course of therapy . A secondary objective of this research is to develop a proof of concept for simultaneous imaging of a PET radiolabeled drug with a SPECT radiolabeled liposomal formulation, enabling thereby bi-modal imaging of drug and delivery vehicle in vivo. The approach is challenging because it involves development in PET radiochemistry, PET and SPECT imaging, drug liposomal encapsulation, and a dual-modal imaging of radiolabeled drug and radiolabeled vehicle. The principal development is the synthesis of fluorinated carboplatin 19F-FCP using 2

Oxygen Plasma-Fragmented KMnF3 Nanoparticle Benefits Contrast Enhancement for MR Imaging of a Patient-derived Tumor Xenograft Model.

PubMed

Fu, Xin; Yu, Lulu; Li, Yanshu; Zhang, Yu; Xiao, Xiaoping; Zhang, Jinsheng; Shu, Ting; Jing, Cai; Tang, Qun

2018-06-11

Magnetic nanoparticles are emerging as promising candidates for next-generation of imaging contrast agents and its performance was largely dependent on physico-chemistry properties. In this paper, A new type of "top down" fabrication technique was developed to synthesize ultrasmall magnetic nanoparticle as contrast enhancer. In detailed, home-made oxygen plasma generator fragments larger KMnF3 nanoparticle (22 nm) into smaller (<5 nm) particle with enhanced hydrophilicity, as massive activated oxygen species produced during plasma could severally etch the nanoparticle, and VUV light irradiated it heavily as well, leaving it weak crystallinity, even splitting into ultrafine particle, also its surface transformed from hydrophobic to hydrophilic by oxidizing the passivated ligand, evidenced from the spectroscopy and microscopy. The fragmented nanoparticle is characteristic of unprecedented high longitudinal relaxivity (r1=35.52 mM-1.s-1) and appropriate biocompatibility. In healthy mouse, the ultrafine nanoparticle did not exert observable toxicity, evaluated by histology of the main organ and hemogram analysis, including kidney and liver function analysis. More interesting, the ultrasmall NP has very long circulation time, as its blood half time is around 20 hours. When applied as a contrast enhancer for MR imaging of patient-derived tumor xenograft model, the accumulation of KMnF3 nanoparticle within the tumor can be as high as averaged 12.13%ID per gram, which greatly shortens relaxation time of the tumor, therefore control-to-noise ratio got significant enhancement, relative to the same dosage of Gd-DTPA (Magvenist) (P<0.001). Our primary results demonstrate that fragmentation of nanoparticle via our home-made O2 plasma technique might be an effective route to fabricate ultrasmall NPs, and benefit their contrast effect as applied as MRI enhancer for clinical diagnosis of tumor. © 2018 IOP Publishing Ltd.

Evaluation of Daptomycin Non-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus for Stability, Population Profiles, mprF Mutations, and Daptomycin Activity.

PubMed

Steed, Molly E; Hall, Ashley D; Salimnia, Hossein; Kaatz, Glenn W; Kaye, Keith S; Rybak, Michael J

2013-12-01

Despite studies examining daptomycin non-susceptible (DNS) Staphylococcus aureus, examination of the stability and population profiles is limited. The objective was to evaluate the stability, population profiles, and daptomycin activity against DNS isolates. The stability of 12 consecutive clinical DNS strains was evaluated by minimum inhibitory concentration (MICs) and population analysis profiles before and after 5 days of serial passage. Two pairs of DNS S. aureus having the same daptomycin MIC but different daptomycin population profiles were evaluated via an in vitro pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) model of simulated endocardial vegetations for 96 h against daptomycin 6 and 10 mg/kg/day. The sequence of mprF was determined for these isolates before and after 96 h of daptomycin exposure in the in vitro PK/PD model. Daptomycin MIC values were 2-4 mg/L (via Microscan) for the 12 clinical isolates; 9 were confirmed DNS and 3 were within 1 tube dilution of Microscan (daptomycin MIC 1 mg/L). All were stable to serial passage. There was variation in the isolates susceptibility to daptomycin on population analysis (daptomycin population AUC 14.01-26.85). The killing patterns of daptomycin 6 and 10 mg/kg/day differed between isolates with a left-shift and right-shift population profile to daptomycin. Two strains developed additional mprF mutations during daptomycin exposure in the in vitro PK/PD model resulting in P314L, L826F, S337L and a novel Q326Stop mutation. The collection of DNS isolates was stable and displayed variation in susceptibility to daptomycin on population profile. Further research examining this clinical relevance is warranted.

Genetic control of soybean seed oil: I. QTL and genes associated with seed oil concentration in RIL populations derived from crossing moderately high-oil parents.

PubMed

Eskandari, Mehrzad; Cober, Elroy R; Rajcan, Istvan

2013-02-01

Soybean seed is a major source of oil for human consumption worldwide and the main renewable feedstock for biodiesel production in North America. Increasing seed oil concentration in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] with no or minimal impact on protein concentration could be accelerated by exploiting quantitative trait loci (QTL) or gene-specific markers. Oil concentration in soybean is a polygenic trait regulated by many genes with mostly small effects and which is negatively associated with protein concentration. The objectives of this study were to discover and validate oil QTL in two recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations derived from crosses between three moderately high-oil soybean cultivars, OAC Wallace, OAC Glencoe, and RCAT Angora. The RIL populations were grown across several environments over 2 years in Ontario, Canada. In a population of 203 F(3:6) RILs from a cross of OAC Wallace and OAC Glencoe, a total of 11 genomic regions on nine different chromosomes were identified as associated with oil concentration using multiple QTL mapping and single-factor ANOVA. The percentage of the phenotypic variation accounted for by each QTL ranged from 4 to 11 %. Of the five QTL that were tested in a population of 211 F(3:5) RILs from the cross RCAT Angora × OAC Wallace, a "trait-based" bidirectional selective genotyping analysis validated four QTL (80 %). In addition, a total of seven two-way epistatic interactions were identified for oil concentration in this study. The QTL and epistatic interactions identified in this study could be used in marker-assisted introgression aimed at pyramiding high-oil alleles in soybean cultivars to increase oil concentration for biodiesel as well as edible oil applications.

F8U-3 aircraft

NASA Image and Video Library

1959-09-10

Crusader on runway. Navy aircraft number 6340. L59-6101 caption: The Navy's Vought XF8U-3 Supersonic Fighter was an entirely new design as compared to the earlier F8U Crusader series. This jet plane lost in competition with the McDonnell F4H, however, and was never put into production. Langley used the XF8U-3 in some of the first flight measurements of sonic boom intensity. Photograph published in Engineer in Charge A History of the Langley Aeronautical Laboratory, 1917-1958 by James R. Hansen. Page 507. Caption: Chance Vought F8U-3 airplane used in sonic boom investigation at Wallops, June-August 1959. Photograph published in A New Dimension Wallops Island Flight Test Range: The First Fifteen Years by Joseph Shortal. A NASA publication. Page 672.

Picosecond acoustic phonon dynamics in LaF3:Pr3+

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kirkpatrick, Sean M.; Yang, Ho-Soon; Dennis, W. M.

1998-09-01

A plasma switching technique is used to generate subnanosecond, far-infrared (FIR) pulses with frequency 113 cm-1. The generation of subnanosecond FIR pulses enables us to improve the time resolution of phonon spectroscopic measurements from 50 ns to 350 ps. As an application of this technique, we investigate the subnanosecond dynamics of high-frequency phonons in 0.5% LaF3:Pr3+. In particular, we report on the generation and detection of a subnanosecond nonequilibrium phonon population at 113 cm-1, and the temporal evolution of the resulting decay products. The frequency dependence of the phonon relaxation rates of acoustic phonons in this material is found to deviate from the ω5 frequency dependence predicted by an isotropic model with linear dispersion. A more realistic model based on the actual dispersion curves of the material is presented and compared with the data.

Nicotinic α4β2 receptor imaging agents. Part IV. Synthesis and biological evaluation of 3-(2-(S)-3,4-dehydropyrrolinyl methoxy)-5-(3'-¹⁸F-fluoropropyl)pyridine (¹⁸F-Nifrolene) using PET.

PubMed

Pichika, Rama; Kuruvilla, Sharon A; Patel, Narmisha; Vu, Kenny; Sinha, Sangamitra; Easwaramoorthy, Balu; Narayanan, Tanjore K; Shi, Bingzhi; Christian, Bradley; Mukherjee, Jogeshwar

2013-01-01

Imaging agents for nicotinic α4β2 receptors in the brain have been under way for studying various CNS disorders. Previous studies from our laboratories have reported the successful development of agonist, ¹⁸F-nifene. In attempts to develop potential antagonists, ¹⁸F-nifrolidine and ¹⁸F-nifzetidine were previously reported. Further optimization of these fluoropropyl derivatives has now been carried out resulting in 3-(2-(S)-3,4-dehydropyrrolinylmethoxy)-5-(3'-Fluoropropyl)pyridine (nifrolene) as a new high affinity agent for nicotinic α4β2 receptors. Nifrolene in rat brain homogenate assays--labeled with ³H-cytisine--exhibited a binding affinity of 0.36 nM. The fluorine-18 analog, ¹⁸F-nifrolene, was synthesized in approximately 10%-20% yield and specific activity was estimated to be >2000 Ci/mmol. Rat brain slices indicated selective binding to anterior thalamic nuclei, thalamus, subiculum, striata, cortex and other regions consistent with α4β2 receptor distribution. This selective binding was displaced >90% by 300 μM nicotine. Thalamus to cerebellum ratio (>10) was the highest for ¹⁸F-nifrolene with several other regions showing selective binding. In vivo rat PET studies exhibited rapid uptake of ¹⁸F-nifrolene in the brain with specific retention in the thalamus and other brain regions while clearing out from the cerebellum. Thalamus to cerebellum ratio value in the rat was >4. Administration of nicotine caused a rapid decline in the thalamic ¹⁸F-nifrolene suggesting reversible binding to nicotinic receptors. PET imaging studies of ¹⁸F-nifrolene in anesthetized rhesus monkey revealed highest binding in the thalamus followed by regions of the lateral cingulated and temporal cortex. Cerebellum showed the least binding. Thalamus to cerebellum ratio in the monkey brain was >3 at 120 min. These ratios of ¹⁸F-nifrolene are higher than measured for ¹⁸F-nifrolidine and ¹⁸F-nifzetidine. ¹⁸F-Nifrolene thus shows promise as a new

Optical properties in the visible luminescence of SiO2:B2O3:CaO:GdF3 glass scintillators containing CeF3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, J. M.; Kim, H. J.; Karki, Sujita; Kaewkhao, J.; Damdee, B.; Kothan, S.; Kaewjaeng, S.

2017-12-01

CeF3-doped silicaborate-calcium-gadolinium glass scintillators, with the formula 10SiO2:(55-x)B2O3:10CaO:25GdF3:xCeF3, were fabricated by the melt-quenching technique. The doping concentration of the CeF3 was from 0.00 mol% to 0.20 mol%. The optical properties of the CeF3 doped glass scintillators were studied by using various radiation sources. The transition state of the CeF3-doped glass scintillators studied by using the absorption and photo-luminescence spectrum results. The X-ray, photo, proton and laser-induced luminescence spectra were also studied to understand the luminescence mechanism under various conditions. To understand the temperature dependence, the laser-induced luminescence and the decay component of the CeF3-doped glass scintillator were studied while the temperature was varied from 300 K to 10 K. The emission wavelength spectrum showed from 350 nm to 55 nm under various radiation sources. Also the CeF3-doped glass scintillator have one decay component as 34 ns at room temperature.

Surfactant-free synthesis, luminescent properties, and drug-release properties of LaF3 and LaCO3F hollow microspheres.

PubMed

Lv, Ruichan; Gai, Shili; Dai, Yunlu; He, Fei; Niu, Na; Yang, Piaoping

2014-01-21

Uniform LaF3 and LaCO3F hollow microspheres were successfully synthesized through a surfactant-free route by employing La(OH)CO3 colloidal microspheres as a sacrificial template and NaBF4 as the fluorine source. The synthetic process consists of two steps: the preparation of a La(OH)CO3 precursor via a facile urea-based precipitation and the following formation of lanthanide fluoride hollow microspheres under aqueous conditions at low temperature (50 °C) and short reaction time (3 h), without using any surfactant and catalyst. The formation of hollow spheres with controlled size can be assigned to the Kirkendall effect. It is found that the phase and structure of the products can be simply tuned by changing the pH values of the solution. Time-dependent experiments were employed to study the possible formation process. N2 adsorption/desorption results indicate the mesoporous nature of LaF3 hollow spheres. Yb(3+)/Er(3+) (Ho(3+)) and Yb(3+)/Tm(3+)-doped LaF3 hollow spheres exhibit characteristic up-conversion (UC) emissions of Er(3+) (Ho(3+)) and Tm(3+) under 980 nm laser-diode excitation, and Ce(3+)/Tb(3+)-doped LaF3 and LaCO3F emit bright yellow-green and near-white light under UV irradiation, respectively. In particular, LaF3:Yb/Er and LaCO3F:Ce/Tb hollow microspheres exhibit obvious sustained and pH-dependent doxorubicin release properties. The luminescent properties of the carriers allow them to be tracked or monitored during the release or therapy process, suggesting their high potential in the biomedical field.

Die Interhalogenkationen [Br2F5]+ und [Br3F8].

PubMed

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.

QTL analysis of cotton fiber length in advanced backcross populations derived from a cross between Gossypium hirsutum and G. mustelinum.

PubMed

Wang, Baohua; Draye, Xavier; Zhuang, Zhimin; Zhang, Zhengsheng; Liu, Min; Lubbers, Edward L; Jones, Don; May, O Lloyd; Paterson, Andrew H; Chee, Peng W

2017-06-01

QTLs for fiber length mapped in three generations of advanced backcross populations derived from crossing Gossypium hirsutum and Gossypium mustelinum showed opportunities to improve elite cottons by introgression from wild relatives. The molecular basis of cotton fiber length in crosses between Gossypium hirsutum and Gossypium mustelinum was dissected using 21 BC 3 F 2 and 12 corresponding BC 3 F 2:3 and BC 3 F 2:4 families. Sixty-five quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were detected by one-way analysis of variance. The QTL numbers detected for upper-half mean length (UHM), fiber uniformity index (UI), and short fiber content (SFC) were 19, 20, and 26 respectively. Twenty-three of the 65 QTLs could be detected at least twice near adjacent markers in the same family or near the same markers across different families/generations, and 32 QTLs were detected in both one-way variance analyses and mixed model-based composite interval mapping. G. mustelinum alleles increased UHM and UI and decreased SFC for five, one, and one QTLs, respectively. In addition to the main-effect QTLs, 17 epistatic QTLs were detected which helped to elucidate the genetic basis of cotton fiber length. Significant among-family genotypic effects were detected at 18, 16, and 16 loci for UHM, UI, and SFC, respectively. Six, two, and two loci showed genotype × family interaction for UHM, UI and SFC, respectively, illustrating complexities that might be faced in introgression of exotic germplasm into cultivated cotton. Co-location of many QTLs for UHM, UI, and SFC accounted for correlations among these traits, and selection of these QTLs may improve the three traits simultaneously. The simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers associated with G. mustelinum QTLs will assist breeders in transferring and maintaining valuable traits from this exotic source during cultivar development.

Geographical and Temporal Variability in Susceptibility to Cry1F Toxin From Bacillus thuringiensis in Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Populations in Brazil.

PubMed

Farias, Juliano R; Horikoshi, Renato J; Santos, Antonio C; Omoto, Celso

2014-12-01

The genetically modified maize TC1507 event with the cry1F gene (Cry1F maize) has been used to control Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Brazil since the 2009-2010 cropping season. As part of the insect resistance management program, we conducted studies to determine the baseline susceptibility to Cry1F before the widespread planting of Cry1F maize. Subsequently, we evaluated the geographical and temporal variability of susceptibility to this toxin in populations of S. frugiperda collected from major maize-growing regions in Brazil. The baseline susceptibility to Cry1F was determined using a diet-overlay bioassay for a susceptible reference population and four field populations of S. frugiperda. We then monitored the susceptibility to Cry1F in 43 populations of S. frugiperda sampled in nine States of Brazil between 2011 and 2013. In the baseline study, the MIC50 (the concentration that inhibits molting to second instars in 50% of individuals) ranged from 3.59 to 72.47 ng Cry1F toxin per centimeter square. Based on the upper limit of the MIC99 value of the joint analysis from the baseline susceptibility data, the concentrations of 200 and 2,000 ng of Cry1F toxin per centimeter square were defined as diagnostic concentrations for potentially resistant individuals, and these were used to monitor the susceptibility of S. frugiperda to Cry1F. Survival at 2,000 ng Cry1F toxin per centimeter square increased significantly throughout the cropping seasons in S. frugiperda populations from São Paulo, Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul, Bahia, Mato Grosso, Goiás, Mato Grosso do Sul, and Paraná. The highest survival (>50%) was reached in populations collected from Bahia, Mato Grosso, Goiás, Mato Grosso do Sul, and Paraná during the 2012-2013 cropping season. Therefore, a significant decrease in susceptibility to Cry1F was detected in S. frugiperda throughout cropping seasons, especially in regions with intensive maize production in Brazil

Nd3+, Y3+-codoped SrF2 laser ceramics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Weiwei; Mei, Bingchu; Song, Jinghong

2015-09-01

0.15 at.% Nd3+, 5 at.% Y3+-codoped SrF2 laser ceramic based on single crystal was prepared by extensive plastic deformation. Microstructure, optical and laser properties of the Nd3+, Y3+:SrF2 ceramic were investigated. The lasing of Nd3+, Y3+-codoped SrF2 ceramics with diode pumping have been observed and true CW laser operation around 1057 nm and 1050 nm was obtained with a slope efficiency of 31.9%. In particular, the fracture toughness of the ceramic is 0.98 MPa m1/2, which is approximately two times higher than that of single crystal.

NASA Orbital Debris Large-Object Baseline Population in ORDEM 3.0

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Krisco, Paula H.; Vavrin, A. B.; Anz-Meador, P. D.

2013-01-01

The NASA Orbital Debris Program Office (ODPO) has created and validated high fidelity populations of the debris environment for the latest Orbital Debris Engineering Model (ORDEM 3.0). Though the model includes fluxes of objects 10 um and larger, this paper considers particle fluxes for 1 cm and larger debris objects from low Earth orbit (LEO) through Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). These are validated by several reliable radar observations through the Space Surveillance Network (SSN), Haystack, and HAX radars. ORDEM 3.0 populations were designed for the purpose of assisting, debris researchers and sensor developers in planning and testing. This environment includes a background derived from the LEO-to-GEO ENvironment Debris evolutionary model (LEGEND) with a Bayesian rescaling as well as specific events such as the FY-1C anti-satellite test, the Iridium 33/Cosmos 2251 accidental collision, and the Soviet/Russian Radar Ocean Reconnaissance Satellite (RORSAT) sodium-potassium droplet releases. The environment described in this paper is the most realistic orbital debris population larger than 1 cm, to date. We describe derivations of the background population and added specific populations. We present sample validation charts of our 1 cm and larger LEO population against Space Surveillance Network (SSN), Haystack, and HAX radar measurements.

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

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

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.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 2-arylimino-3-pyridin-thiazolineone derivatives as antibacterial agents.

PubMed

Cai, Ming-Guang; Wu, Yang; Chang, Jun

2016-05-15

With an intention to find more potent antibacterial agents, four halogen disubstituted thiazolineone derivatives (2a-d), five halogen monosubstituted thiazolineone derivatives (2e-i), and eleven 2-arylimino-3-pyridin-thiazolineone derivatives (2j-t) were synthesized and screened for their antibacterial activity, bactericidal activity, cytotoxicity, and erythrocyte hemolysis. Most of the synthesized derivatives showed antibacterial activity in inhibiting the growth of S. epidermidis and MRSA, and exhibited safety in the cytotoxicity study on the Vero cells and hemolytic activities test on healthy human erythrocytes. 2-Arylimino-3-pyridin-thiazolineone derivatives not only improved the clog P, but also showed potent antibacterial activity in inhibiting the growth of S. epidermidis and MRSA. In particularly, several compounds (2f, 2i, 2r and 2t) showed bactericidal activity, in which compound 2r displayed the best inhibitory capacity among the synthesized compounds, and further druggability research is on going. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

YAG:Er3+, CaF2:Er3+, and Er2O3 Emission Spectra Under Laser and Laser Thermal Excitation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marchenko, V. M.

2018-05-01

Experimental luminescence and selective-emission (SE) spectra of YAG:Er3+ (10 at.%) and CaF2:Er3+ (1 at.%) single crystals and Er2O3 polycrystal under laser and laser thermal excitation of the Er3+-ion multiplets are compared. Luminescence spectra under resonant excitation are determined by multiplet population relaxation with the corresponding radiative and nonradiative probabilities. The form of the SE spectra is determined by the thermal population of the multiplets and the probabilities of only radiative transitions. The SE band at 800 nm (4I9/2 → 4I15/2) is an indicator of high-temperature thermal emission of Er3+ ions. The absence of this band in luminescence spectra is explained by the short lifetime of the τ(4I9/2) level of 53 ns at T = 300 K.

RECEPTOR AFFINITY AND PHOSPHODIESTERASES 4B AND 10A ACTIVITY OF OCTAHYDRO- AND 6,7-DIMETHOXY-3,4-DIHYDRO- ISOQUINOLIN-2(1H)-YL-ALKYL DERIVATIVES OF IMIDAZO- AND PYRIMIDINO[2,1-f]PURINES.

PubMed

Zagórska, Agnieszka; Gryzło, Beata; Satała, Grzegorz; Bojarski, Andrzej J; Głuch-Lutwin, Monika; Mordyl, Barbara; Kazek, Grzegorz; Pawłowski, Maciej

2016-01-01

A series of octahydro- and 6,7-dimethoxy-3,4-dihydro- isoquinolin-2(1H)-yl-alkyl derivatives of imidazo- and pyrimidino[2,1-f]purines were synthesized and biologically evaluated in in vitro competition binding experiments for serotonin 5-HT(1A), 5-HT(6), 5-HT(7), and dopamine D2 receptors and inhibitory potencies for phosphodiesterases - PDE4B1 and PDE10A. The structure-activity relationships allowed to determine the structural features responsible for receptor and enzyme activity. Compound 5 (8-(4-(6,7-dimethoxy-3,4-dihydroiso- quinolin-2(1H)butyl)1,3-dimethyl-H-imidazo[2,1-f]purine-2,4(3H,8H)-dione) could be regarded as promising structure for further modification and detailed mechanistic study for obtained hybrid ligands.

Seasonal and Solar Activity Variations of f3 Layer and StF-4 F-Layer Quadruple Stratification) Near the Equatorial Region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tardelli, A.; Fagundes, P. R.; Pezzopane, M.; Kavutarapu, V.

2016-12-01

The ionospheric F-layer shape and electron density peak variations depend on local time, latitude, longitude, season, solar cycle, geomagnetic activity, and electrodynamic conditions. In particular, the equatorial and low latitude F-layer may change its shape and peak height in a few minutes due to electric fields induced by propagation of medium-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs) or thermospheric - ionospheric coupling. This F-layer electrodynamics feature characterizing the low latitudes is one of the most remarkable ionospheric physics research field. The study of multiple-stratification of the F-layer has the initial records in the mid of the 20th century. Since then, many studies were focused on F3 layer. The diurnal, seasonal and solar activity variations of the F3 layer characteristics have been investigated by several researchers. Recently, investigations on multiple-stratifications of F-layer received an important boost after the quadruple stratification (StF-4) was observed at Palmas (10.3°S, 48.3°W; dip latitude 5.5°S - near equatorial region), Brazil (Tardelli & Fagundes, JGR, 2015). This study present the latest findings related with the seasonal and solar activity characteristics of the F3 layer and StF-4 near the equatorial region during the period from 2002 to 2006. A significant connection between StF-4 and F3 layer has been noticed, since the StF-4 is always preceded and followed by an F3 layer appearance. However, the F3 layer and StF-4 present different seasonal and solar cycle variations. At a near equatorial station Palmas, the F3 layer shows the maximum and minimum occurrence during summer and winter seasons respectively. On the contrary, the StF-4 presents the maximum and minimum occurrence during winter and summer seasons respectively. While the F3 layer occurrence is not affected by solar cycle, the StF-4 appearance is instead more frequent during High Solar Activity (HSA).

Structure, Stability, and Thermochemistry of the Fullerene Derivatives C64X6 (X = H, F, Cl)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Lei; Shao, Xueguang; Cai, Wensheng

2009-09-01

The geometrical structures, electronic properties, and stabilities of the unconventional fullerene derivatives C64X6 (X = H, F, Cl) have been systematically studied by the first-principle calculations based on the density functional theory. The fullerene derivatives 1911(2)-C64X6 generated from the pineapple-shaped C64X4 are predicted to possess the lowest energies. The other two X atoms are added to the carbon atoms with the highest local strain assessed by the pyramidalization angles. The calculations of the nucleus-independent chemical shifts suggest that the aromaticity of C64X6 affects the stability order of the derivative isomers. To address why C64H6 was not observed in the experimental study of Wang et al. (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2006, 128, 6605) and if the halogenated derivatives C64X6 (X = F, Cl) can be synthesized, thermochemical analysis of the reaction C64X4 + X2 → C64X6 was also performed. The results indicate that the formation of C64H6 and C64Cl6 is not favored at high temperatures. The former may be a reason why C64H6 was not found in the experiment. In sharp contrast, the Gibbs free energy change to form C64F6 is found to be -23.29 kcal/mol at 2000 K, suggesting that this compound may be formed and detected in experiments. The NMR and IR spectra of 1911(2)-C64F6 are sequentially calculated and presented to facilitate future experimental identification.

HLA-F polymorphisms in a Euro-Brazilian population from Southern Brazil.

PubMed

Manvailer, L F S; Wowk, P F; Mattar, S B; da Siva, J S; da Graça Bicalho, M; Roxo, V M M S

2014-12-01

HLA-F is a non-classical major histocompatibility complex (MHC) gene. It codes class Ib MHC molecules with restricted distribution and less nucleotide variations than MHC class Ia genes. Of the 22 alleles registered on the IMGT database only four alleles encode for proteins that differ in their primary structure. To estimate genotype and allele frequencies, this study targeted on known protein coding regions of the HLA-F gene. Genotyping was performed by Sequence Base Typing (SBT). The sample was composed by 199-unrelated bone marrow donors from the Brazilian Bone Marrow Donor Registry (REDOME), Euro-Brazilians, from Southern Brazil. About 1673 bp were analyzed. The most frequent allele was HLA-F*01:01 (87.19%), followed by HLA-F*01:03 (12.31%), HLA-F*01:02 (0.25%) and HLA-F*01:04 (0.25%). Significant linkage disequilibrium (LD) was verified between HLA-F and HLA classes I and II alleles. This is the first study regarding HLA-F polymorphisms in a Euro-Brazilian population contributing to the Southern Brazilian genetic characterization. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Tandem-multimeric F3-gelonin fusion toxins for enhanced anti-cancer activity for prostate cancer treatment.

PubMed

Shin, Meong Cheol; Min, Kyoung Ah; Cheong, Heesun; Moon, Cheol; Huang, Yongzhuo; He, Huining; Yang, Victor C

2017-05-30

Despite significant progress in prostate cancer treatment, yet, it remains the leading diagnosed cancer and is responsible for high incidence of cancer related deaths in the U.S. Because of the insufficient efficacy of small molecule anti-cancer drugs, significant interest has been drawn to more potent macromolecular agents such as gelonin, a plant-derived ribosome inactivating protein (RIP) that efficiently inhibits protein translation. However, in spite of the great potency to kill tumor cells, gelonin lacks ability to internalize tumor cells and furthermore, cannot distinguish between tumor and normal cells. To address this challenge, we genetically engineered gelonin fusion proteins with varied numbers of F3 peptide possessing homing ability to various cancer cells and angiogenic blood vessels. The E. coli produced F3-gelonin fusion proteins possessed equipotent activity to inhibit protein translation in cell-free protein translation systems to unmodified gelonin; however, they displayed higher cell uptake that led to significantly augmented cytotoxicity. Compared with gelonin fusion with one F3 peptide (F3-Gel), tandem-multimeric F3-gelonins showed even greater cell internalization and tumor cell killing ability. Moreover, when tested against LNCaP s.c. xenograft tumor bearing mice, more significant tumor growth inhibition was observed from the mice treated with tandem-multimeric F3-gelonins. Overall, this research demonstrated the potential of utilizing tandem multimeric F3-modified gelonin as highly effective anticancer agents to overcome the limitations of current chemotherapeutic drugs. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

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

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

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.

Structure and up-conversion luminescence in sol-gel derived Er 3+-Yb 3+ co-doped SiO 2:PbF 2 nano-glass-ceramics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

del-Castillo, J.; Yanes, A. C.; Méndez-Ramos, J.; Tikhomirov, V. K.; Rodríguez, V. D.

2009-11-01

Transparent oxyfluoride nano-glass-ceramics 90(SiO 2)10(PbF 2) co-doped with 0.3 Yb 3+ and 0.1 Er 3+ (mol%) have been prepared by thermal treatment of precursor sol-gel glasses. X-ray diffraction and high resolution transmission electron microscopy analysis pointed out a precipitation of cubic β-PbF 2 nanocrystals of certain diameter in nano-glass-ceramics varying from 10 to 20 nm depending on heat treatment conditions. The incorporation of Yb 3+ and Er 3+ dopants in these nanocrystals has been confirmed by signatures of luminescence spectroscopy. Up-conversion luminescence pumped at 980 nm has been detected. Colour tuneability of up-conversion luminescence varying pump power has been analyzed in terms of standard chromaticity diagram. This tuneability opens applications for up-conversion phosphors and three-dimensional optical recording.

Investigation of the structural, mechanical, dynamical and thermal properties of CsCaF3 and CsCdF3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salmankurt, Bahadır; Duman, Sıtkı

2016-04-01

The structural, mechanical, dynamical and thermal properties of CsCaF3 and CsCdF3 are presented by using an ab initio pseudopotential method and a linear response scheme, within the generalized gradient approximation. The obtained structural and mechanical properties are in good agreement with other available theoretical and experimental studies. The calculated elastic constants of these materials obey the cubic stability conditions. It has been found that CsCaF3 is brittle whereas CsCdF3 has ductile manner. The full phonon dispersion curves of these materials are reported for the first time in the literature. We have found that calculated phonon modes are positive along the all symmetry directions, indicating that these materials are dynamically stable at the cubic structure. The obtained zone-center phonon modes for CsCaF3 (IR data) are found to be 83 (98) cm-1, 104 (115) cm-1, 120 cm-1, 180 (192) cm-1, 231 (250.5) cm-1, 361 (374) cm-1, 446 (449) cm-1. Also, we have calculated internal energy, Helmholtz free energy, constant-volume specific heat, entropy and Debye temperature as function of temperature. At the 300 K, specific heats are calculated to be 113.36 J mol-1 K-1 and 115.58 J mol-1 K-1 for CsCaF3 and CsCdF3 ,respectively, which are lower than Doulong-Petit limit (12 472 J mol-1 K-1).

Photoluminescence of RbCaF3:Mn2+: the influence of phase transitions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marcode Lucas, M. C.; Rodriguez, F.; Moreno, M.

1993-03-01

Precise photoluminescence measurements on an RbCaF3:Mn2+ sample containing only 400 p.p.m. of Mn2+ have been carried out in the 10-300 K temperature range. The results are compared with those obtained in other fluoroperovskites doped with Mn2+. The analysis of the 6A1g(S) to 4T1g(G) excitation peak at room temperature leads to a Mn2+-F- distance R=213.3 pm which is close to that derived from the experimental isotropic superhyperfine constant, As. The plot of the first moment of the emission band, M1, against temperature reveals a slight but sensible change of slope at T=193 K which is associated with the Oh1 to D4h18 structural phase transition of the host lattice. Furthermore, at T=40 K, M1 undergoes an abrupt increase of approximately 100 cm-1. This fact supports the existence of another phase transition involving an increase Delta R/R approximately=0.2% upon cooling, and thus a situation which is similar to that detected in the structural phase transition of KMnF3 at Tc3=81.5 K. To the authors' knowledge this is the first time that clear evidence of both phase transitions in RbCaF3 has been achieved through an optical probe. Finally the variation of the 4A1g(G), 4Eg(G) peak, E3, along the fluoroperovskite series is analysed.

Structural Studies of CH_3SiF_2-X (x = Nco, Cl) by Microwave Spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guirgis, Gamil A.; Gause, Korreda K.; Seifert, Nathan A.; Zaleski, Daniel P.; Pate, Brooks H.; Palmer, Michael H.; Peebles, Rebecca A.; Peebles, Sean A.; Elmuti, Lena F.; Obenchain, Daniel A.

2012-06-01

The structures of CH_3SiF_2-NCO and CH_3SiF_2-Cl have been studied by molecular rotational spectroscopy in the 6.5-18 GHz band. The rotational spectrum was measured by cavity Fourier transform microwave (FTMW) and chirped-pulse FTMW spectroscopy. The experiment targeted the study of CH_3SiF_2-NCO, but CH_3SiF_2-Cl was also observed as an impurity. Due to the dynamic range achieved on these spectra, all isotopologs with natural abundance ≥0.2% were assigned, which includes two doubly-substituted isotopologs for the chloride (29Si/37Cl and 30Si/37Cl). Strategies for obtaining the molecular structure for these two molecules using either a Kraitchman analysis (to obtain a partial substitution structure) or r_0 analysis (with additional constraints on the structure supplied by the theoretical structure) will be discussed. Derived structural parameters for the CH_3-SiF_2-X base structure are the same for the two compounds. The hyperfine and internal rotation effects in the spectra have been analyzed for all isotopologs and the Hamiltonian parameters are in very good agreement with ab initio results. The barriers to methyl group internal rotation for the two compounds 446(50) cm-1 and 463(3) cm-1 and are independent of the isotopic structure of the heavy atom frame.

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

PubMed Central

Li, Hui; Hao, Shuwei; Yang, Chunhui; Chen, Guanying

2017-01-01

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. PMID:28336867

12 CFR 563f.3 - Prohibitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 6 2014-01-01 2012-01-01 true Prohibitions. 563f.3 Section 563f.3 Banks and... total assets of $50 million or more. (c) Major assets. A management official of a depository... assets exceeding $1.5 billion (or any affiliate of such an organization), regardless of the location of...

12 CFR 563f.3 - Prohibitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 6 2013-01-01 2012-01-01 true Prohibitions. 563f.3 Section 563f.3 Banks and... total assets of $50 million or more. (c) Major assets. A management official of a depository... assets exceeding $1.5 billion (or any affiliate of such an organization), regardless of the location of...

12 CFR 563f.3 - Prohibitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 6 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Prohibitions. 563f.3 Section 563f.3 Banks and... total assets of $50 million or more. (c) Major assets. A management official of a depository... assets exceeding $1.5 billion (or any affiliate of such an organization), regardless of the location of...

Enhancement of red upconversion emission of cubic phase NaLuF{sub 4}: Yb{sup 3+}/Ho{sup 3+}/Ce{sup 3+} nanocrystals

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

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

Highlights: • The upconversion emission of Ho{sup 3+} ions was tuned from green to red. • The upconversion mechanism of Ho{sup 3+} ions was discussed based on emission spectrum. • The conversion efficiency between Ho{sup 3+} and Ce{sup 3+} were studied and calculated. - Abstract: The red upconversion emission of lanthanide-doped fluoride nanocrystals have great potential applications in color display and anticounterfeiting applications, especially for biological imaging and biomedical. In this work, a significant enhancement of red upconversion emission of Ho{sup 3+} ions was successfully obtained in the cubic phase NaLuF{sub 4} nanocrystals through codoping Ce{sup 3+} ions under NIRmore » 980 nm excitation. The ratio of red-to-green emission of Ho{sup 3+} ions was enhanced about 10-fold, which is due to two efficient cross relaxation processes derived from Ho{sup 3+} and Ce{sup 3+} ions promoted the red emission and quenched the green emission. The upconversion emission and luminescent colors of NaLuF{sub 4}: Yb{sup 3+}/Ho{sup 3+} nanocrystals were carefully investigated by a confocal microscopy setup. The possible upconversion emission mechanism and conversion efficiency of cross relaxation between Ho{sup 3+} and Ce{sup 3+} ions were discussed in detail. The current study suggests that strong red emission of NaLuF{sub 4}: Yb{sup 3+}/Ho{sup 3+}/Ce{sup 3+} nanomaterials can be used for color display and anticounterfeiting techniques.« less

Ancestral populations perform better in a novel environment: domestication of medfly populations from five global regions

PubMed Central

Diamantidis, Alexandros D.; Carey, James R.; Nakas, Christos T.; Papadopoulos, Nikos T.

2010-01-01

Geographically isolated populations of a species may differ in several aspects of life-history, morphology, behavior, and genetic structure as a result of adaptation in ecologically diverse habitats. We used a global invasive species, the Mediterranean fruit fly to investigate, whether adaptation to a novel environment differs among geographically isolated populations that vary in major life history components such as life span and reproduction. We used wild populations from five global regions (Kenya, Hawaii, Guatemala, Portugal, and Greece). Adult demographic traits were monitored in F2, F5, F7 and F9 generations in captivity. Although domestication in constant laboratory conditions had a different effect on the mortality and reproductive rates of the different populations, a general trend of decreasing life span and age of first reproduction was observed for most medfly populations tested. However, taking into account longevity of both sexes, age-specific reproductive schedules, and average reproductive rates we found that the ancestral Kenyan population kept the above life history traits stable during domestication compared to the other populations tested. These findings provide important insights in the life-history evolution of this model species, and suggest that ancestral medfly populations perform better than the derived – invasive ones in a novel environment. PMID:21278856

Population ecology of the mallard: VII. Distribution and derivation of the harvest

USGS Publications Warehouse

Munro, Robert E.; Kimball, Charles F.

1982-01-01

This is the seventh in a series of comprehensive reports on population ecology of the mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) in North America. Banding records for 1961-1975 were used, together with information from previous reports in this series, to estimate annual and average preseason age and sex structure of the mallard population and patterns of harvest distribution and derivation. Age ratios in the pre-season population averaged 0.98 immatures per adult and ranged from 0.75 to 1.44. The adult male per female ration averaged 1.42. The young male per female ratio average 1.01. Geographic and annual differences in recovery distributions were associated with age, sex, and years after banding. Such variation might indicate that survival or band recovery rates, or both, change as a function of number of years after banding, and that estimates of these rates might thus be affected. Distribution of the mallard harvest from 16 major breeding ground reference areas to States, Provinces, and flyways is tabulated and illustrated. Seasonal (weekly) breeding ground derivation of the harvest within States and Provinces from the 16 reference areas also is tabulated. Harvest distributions, derivation, and similarity of derivation between harvest areas are summarily illustrated with maps. Derivation of harvest appears to be consistent throughout the hunting season in the middle and south central United States, encompassing States in both the Central and Mississippi flyways. However, weekly derivation patterns for most northern States suggest that early dates of hunting result in relatively greater harvest of locally derived mallard, in contrast to birds from more northern breeding areas.

The derived population of luminous supersoft X-ray sources

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Di Stefano, R.STEFANO; Rappaport, S.

1994-01-01

The existence of a new class of astrophysical object, luminous supersoft X-ray sources, has been established through ROSAT satellite observations and analysis during the past approximately 3 yr. Because most of the radiation emitted by supersoft sources spans a range of wavelengths readily absorbed by interstellar gas, a substantial fraction of these sources may not be detectable with present satellite instrumentation. It is therefore important to derive a reliable estimate of the underlying population, based on the approximately 30 sources that have been observed to date. The work reported here combines the observational results with a theoretical analysis, to obtain an estimate of the total number of sources likely to be present in M31, the Magellanic Clouds, and in our own Galaxy. We find that in M31, where approximately 15 supersoft sources have been identified and roughly an equal number of sources are being investigated as supersoft candidates, there are likely to be approximately 2500 active supersoft sources at the present time. In our own Galaxy, where about four supersoft sources have been detected in the Galactic plane, there are likely to be approximately 1000 active sources. Similarly, with about six and about four (nonforeground) sources observed in the Large (LMC) and Small Magellanic Clouds (SMC), respectively, there should be approximately 30 supersoft sources in the LMC, and approximately 20 in the SMC. The likely uncertainties in the numbers quoted above, and the properties of observable sources relative to those of the total underlying population, are also derived in detail. These results can be scaled to estimate the numbers of supersoft sources likely to be present in other galaxies. The results reported here on the underlying population of supersoft X-ray sources are in good agreement with the results of a prior population synthesis study of the white dwarf accretor model for luminous supersoft X-ray sources. It should be emphasized, however

Rate coefficients for the reaction of O(1D) with the atmospherically long-lived greenhouse gases NF3, SF3CF3, CHF3, C2F6, c-C3F8, n-C5F12, and n-C6F14

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baasandorj, M.; Hall, B. D.; Burkholder, J. B.

2012-09-01

The contribution of atmospherically persistent (long-lived) greenhouse gases to the radiative forcing of Earth has increased over the past several decades. The impact of highly fluorinated saturated compounds, in particular perfluorinated compounds, on climate change is a concern because of their long atmospheric lifetimes, which are primarily determined by stratospheric loss processes, as well as their strong absorption in the infrared "window" region. A potentially key stratospheric loss process for these compounds is their gas-phase reaction with electronically excited oxygen atoms, O(1D). Therefore, accurate reaction rate coefficient data is desired for input to climate change models. In this work, rate coefficients, k, were measured for the reaction of O(1D) with several key long-lived greenhouse gases, namely NF3, SF5CF3, CHF3 (HFC-23), C2F6, c-C4F8, n-C5F12, and n-C6F14. Room temperature rate coefficients for the total reaction, kTot, corresponding to loss of O(1D), and reactive channel, kR, corresponding to the loss of the reactant compound, were measured for NF3 and SF5CF3 using competitive reaction and relative rate methods, respectively. kR was measured for the CHF3 reaction and improved upper-limits were determined for the perfluorinated compounds included in this study. For NF3, kTot was determined to be (2.55 ± 0.38) × 10-11 cm3 molecule-1 s-1 and kR, which was measured using CF3Cl, N2O, CF2ClCF2Cl (CFC-114), and CF3CFCl2 (CFC-114a) as reference compounds, was determined to be (2.21 ± 0.33) × 10-11 cm3 molecule-1 s-1 corresponding to a reactive branching ratio of 0.87 ± 0.13. For SF5CF3, kTot = (3.24 ± 0.50) × 10-13 cm3 molecule-1 s-1 and kR < 5.8 × 10-14 cm3 molecule-1 s-1 were measured, where kR is a factor of three lower than the current recommendation of kTot for use in atmospheric modeling. For CHF3, kR was determined to be (2.35 ± 0.35) × 10-12 cm3 molecule-1 s-1, which corresponds to a reactive channel yield of 0.26 ± 0.04, and

Investigation of luminescent properties of LaF3:Nd3+ nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wyrwas, Marek; Miluski, Piotr; Zmojda, Jacek; Kochanowicz, Marcin; Jelen, Piotr; Sitarz, Maciej; Dorosz, Dominik

2015-09-01

Lanthanum fluoride nanoparticles doped with Nd3+ ions obtained via solvothermal method have been presented. Doped nanoparticles were prepared in two-step method. Firstly rare-earth chlorides were synthesized from oxides and then they were used to prepare LaF3 particles. The luminescence spectra shows typical for crystalline materials Stark splitting at 880 nm corresponding 4F3/2 to 4I9/2 level transition and 1060 nm matching 4F3/2 to 4I11/2 level transition. The highest luminescence intensity was achieved for sample doped with 0.75% wt. of Nd3+, and the longest decay time for sample doped with 0.5% wt. which reached 328 μs. The XRD pattern analysis confirmed that obtained material consists of crystalline LaF3, the grain size was estimated from Sherrer's formula and equaled about 25nm.

F2-isoprostanes and F4-neuroprostanes as markers of intracranial aneurysm development.

PubMed

Syta-Krzyżanowska, Anna; Jarocka-Karpowicz, Iwona; Kochanowicz, Jan; Turek, Grzegorz; Rutkowski, Robert; Gorbacz, Krzysztof; Mariak, Zenon; Skrzydlewska, Elżbieta

2018-04-24

Intracranial aneurysms are common, occurring in about 1-2% of the population. Saccular aneurysm is a pouch-like pathological dilatation of an intracranial artery that develops when the cerebral artery wall becomes too weak to resist hemodynamic pressure and distends. The aim of this study was to determine whether the development of intracranial aneurysms and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) affects neuronal phospholipid metabolism, and what influence different invasive treatments have on brain free radical phospholipid metabolism. The level of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) cyclization products - F2-isoprostanes and F4-neuroprostanes - was examined using liquid chromatography - mass spectrometry (LC-MS) in the plasma of patients with brain aneurysm and resulting subarachnoid hemorrhage. It was revealed that an aneurysm leads to the enhancement of lipid peroxidation with a significant increase in plasma F2-isoprostanes and F4-neuroprostanes (more than 3-fold and 11-fold, respectively) in comparison to healthy subjects. The rupture of an aneurysm results in hemorrhage and an additional increase in examined prostaglandin derivatives. The embolization and clipping of aneurysms contribute to a gradual restoration of metabolic homeostasis in brain cells, which is visible in the decrease in PUFA cyclization products. The results indicate that aneurysm development is associated with enhanced inflammation and oxidative stress, factors which favor lipid peroxidation, particularly in neurons, whose membranes are rich in docosahexaenoic acid, a precursor of F4-neuroprostanes.

A High Pressure Post-Perovskite Phase Transition in NaMgF3--a MgSiO3 Analog Material

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martin, C.; Liu, H.; Crichton, W.; Parise, J. B.

2005-12-01

Since Murakami et al. (2004) identified a perovskite (pv, Pbnm) to post-perovskite (ppv, Cmcm) structural phase transition in MgSiO3, the transition has been reported to occur in many oxides at ultra-high pressures (>60 GPa). The layered ppv structure is rapidly shaping a better understanding of seismic anisotropy in the controversial D" region of the lower mantle. While the ppv unit cell may be derived from indexing of the powder pattern, the structure adopted at high pressure is experimentally ill-constrained due to compromised powder diffraction statistics typically obtained from small sample volumes at extreme conditions in the diamond anvil cell. NaMgF3, a structural analog material to MgSiO3 pv, exhibits a large compressibility and presents the possibility of reducing the pv-ppv transition pressure, allowing for improved powder statistics from a larger sample volume. In accordance with our previous theoretical and experimental evidence (Liu et al., 2005; Parise et al., 2004), we have observed a phase transition in NaMgF3 during two recent independent high pressure trials utilizing monochromatic x-ray diffraction and in-situ laser heating in the diamond anvil cell at pressures as low as 30 GPa. From our analysis thus far, we have found the unit cell of the high pressure phase cannot be indexed according to pv (Pbnm) or close permutations of ppv (Cmcm) unit cells predicted for NaMgF3 or unit cells observed for ppv MgSiO3 and MgGeO3. In addition, we have precluded a breakdown to high pressure phases of NaF and MgF3 as an explanation for the observed data. Upon pressure release, we observe diffraction peaks from the high pressure phase in the absence of pv NaMgF3, suggesting the high pressure structure is quenchable to ambient conditions. The results of the work in progress will be presented at the meeting.

17 CFR 240.15c3-1f - Optional market and credit risk requirements for OTC derivatives dealers (Appendix F to 17 CFR...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... less than six months. Historical data sets must be updated at least every three months and reassessed... model which at a minimum must adhere to the criteria set forth in paragraph (e) of this Appendix F. The... theoretical pricing model contains the minimum pricing factors set forth in Appendix A (§ 240.15c3-1a). The...

Penicyclones A-E, Antibacterial Polyketides from the Deep-Sea-Derived Fungus Penicillium sp. F23-2.

PubMed

Guo, Wenqiang; Zhang, Zhenzhen; Zhu, Tianjiao; Gu, Qianqun; Li, Dehai

2015-11-25

Five new ambuic acid analogues, penicyclones A-E (1-5), were isolated from the extract of the deep-sea-derived fungus Penicillium sp. F23-2. The structures including the absolute configurations were established by interpretation of NMR and MS data, as well as the application of ECD, X-ray crystallography, and a chemical conversion, as well as the TDDFT-ECD calculations. Penicyclones A-E (1-5) exhibited antimicrobial activity against the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus with MIC values ranging from 0.3 to 1.0 μg/mL.

Directionally solidified Eu doped CaF2/Li3AlF6 eutectic scintillator for neutron detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kamada, Kei; Hishinuma, Kousuke; Kurosawa, Shunsuke; Shoji, Yasuhiro; Pejchal, Jan; Ohashi, Yuji; Yokota, Yuui; Yoshikawa, Akira

2015-12-01

Eu doped CaF2/Li3AlF6 eutectics were grown by μ-PD method. The directionally solidified eutectic with well-aligned 600 nm diameter Eu:CaF2 scintillator fibers surrounded with Li3AlF6 was prepared. The grown eutectics showed an emission peak at 422 nm ascribed to Eu2+ 4f-5d transition from Eu:CaF2 scintillation fiber. Li concentration in the Eu:CaF2-Li3AlF6 eutectic is around 0.038 mol/cm3,which is two times higher than that of LiCaAlF6 single crystal (0.016 mol/cm3). The light yield of Eu:CaF2-Li3AlF6 eutectic was around 7000 ph/neutron. The decay time was about 550 ns (89%) and 1450 ns (11%).

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

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

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

2016-08-01

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 GW approximation. The GW 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.

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

PubMed

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.

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

DOEpatents

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.

Theoretical studies of the dependence of EPR g-factors on local structure for the trigonal Er3+-VK centres in KMgF3 and KZnF3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chai, Rui-Peng; Kuang, Xiao-Yu; Liang, Liang; Yu, Geng-Hua

2015-05-01

The dependence of the EPR g-factors on the local structural parameter for a 4f11 configuration ion Er3+ in a trigonal crystal-field has been studied by diagonalizing the 364×364 complete energy matrices. Our studies indicate that the EPR spectra of the trigonal Er3+-VK centers in KMgF3 and KZnF3 may be attributed to the translation of the cubic Kramers doublet Γ7. Furthermore, the EPR g-factors of the trigonal Er3+-VK centers may be interpreted reasonably by the shifts ΔZ≈0.340 Å and ΔZ≈0.303 Å of the Er3+ ions toward the charge compensator VK along the C3 axis for the KMgF3:Er3+ and the KZnF3:Er3+ systems respectively.

Connection between Dynamically Derived Initial Mass Function Normalization and Stellar Population Parameters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McDermid, Richard M.; Cappellari, Michele; Alatalo, Katherine; Bayet, Estelle; Blitz, Leo; Bois, Maxime; Bournaud, Frédéric; Bureau, Martin; Crocker, Alison F.; Davies, Roger L.; Davis, Timothy A.; de Zeeuw, P. T.; Duc, Pierre-Alain; Emsellem, Eric; Khochfar, Sadegh; Krajnović, Davor; Kuntschner, Harald; Morganti, Raffaella; Naab, Thorsten; Oosterloo, Tom; Sarzi, Marc; Scott, Nicholas; Serra, Paolo; Weijmans, Anne-Marie; Young, Lisa M.

2014-09-01

We report on empirical trends between the dynamically determined stellar initial mass function (IMF) and stellar population properties for a complete, volume-limited sample of 260 early-type galaxies from the ATLAS3D project. We study trends between our dynamically derived IMF normalization αdyn ≡ (M/L)stars/(M/L)Salp and absorption line strengths, and interpret these via single stellar population-equivalent ages, abundance ratios (measured as [α/Fe]), and total metallicity, [Z/H]. We find that old and alpha-enhanced galaxies tend to have on average heavier (Salpeter-like) mass normalization of the IMF, but stellar population does not appear to be a good predictor of the IMF, with a large range of αdyn at a given population parameter. As a result, we find weak αdyn-[α/Fe] and αdyn -Age correlations and no significant αdyn -[Z/H] correlation. The observed trends appear significantly weaker than those reported in studies that measure the IMF normalization via the low-mass star demographics inferred through stellar spectral analysis.

Radiosynthesis binding affinity and biodistribution of 3-[F-18]fluoro-N-({alpha},{alpha},{alpha}-trifluoro-m-tolyl)piperazine (FTFMPP), a radioligand for the Serotonin system

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mishani, E.; Cristel, M.E.; McCarthy, T.J.

1996-05-01

The serotonin agonist N({alpha},{alpha},{alpha}-trifluoro-m-tolyl)piperazine (TFMPP) is a potent ligand for the serotonin system. Angelini and co-workers previously synthesized the c.a [F-18]TFMPP but the low specific activity (less than 0.2GBq/mmol) limited the application of this ligand. We have recently reported the formation of phenylpiperazines by a novel alumina supported bis-alkylation. We report the application of this method and biological evaluation of 3-[F-18]FTFMPP, a fluoro derivative of TFMPP. Reaction of [F-18]fluoride with 3,5-dinitrobenzotrifluoride gave the 3-[F-18]fluoro-5-nitrobenzotrifluoride in 70% yield. Reduction of the nitro group with Raney nickel and hydrazine hydrate gave the [F-18]aniline derivative in 70% yield. Finally, the phenylpiperazine was constructedmore » by reaction of the [F-18]aniline derivative with bis-2-bromoethyl-N-(ethoxy carbonyl)amine on basic alumina (pH=9) as a solid support. After extraction of the activity with basic MeOH and HPLC purification on normal phase the final product- [F-18]FTFMPP was obtained in 50% yield (98% radiochemical purity). The specific activity of the final product was 100GBq/mmol. The binding affinity of FTFMPP to 5-HT receptor was determined (Ki = 80-100 nM) and found to be similar to the binding affinity of the TFMPP (160-180 nM). The biodistribution of [F-18]FTFMPP was performed in rats.« less

Luminescent properties of Ln3+ doped tellurite glasses containing AlF3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

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.

Two novel nonlinear optical carbonates in the deep-ultraviolet region: KBeCO3F and RbAlCO3F2

PubMed Central

Kang, Lei; Lin, Zheshuai; Qin, Jingui; Chen, Chuangtian

2013-01-01

With the rapid developments of the all-solid-state deep-ultraviolet (deep-UV) lasers, the good nonlinear optical (NLO) crystal applied in this spectral region is currently lacking. Here, we design two novel NLO carbonates KBeCO3F and RbAlCO3F2 from the first-principles theory implemented in the molecular engineering expert system especially for NLO crystals. Both structurally stable crystals possess very large energy band gaps and optical anisotropy, so they would become the very promising deep-UV NLO crystals alternative to KBBF. Recent experimental results on MNCO3F (M = K, Rb, Cs; N = Ca, Sr, Ba) not only confirm our calculations, but also suggest that the synthesis of the KBeCO3F and RbAlCO3F2 crystals is feasible. PMID:23455618

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

PubMed

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.

New analogues of brefeldin A from sediment-derived fungus Penicillium sp. DT-F29.

PubMed

Hu, Zhi-Fei; Qin, Le-Le; Ding, Wan-Jing; Liu, Yu; Ma, Zhong-Jun

2016-10-01

Four new analogues of brefeldin A named 7, 7-dimethoxybrefeldin C (3), 6β-hydroxybrefeldin C (4), 4-epi-15-epi-brefeldin A (5), 4-epi-8α-hydroxy-15-epi-brefeldin C (6), together with four known analogues (1, 7-9) were isolated from a fermentation of the sediment-derived fungus Penicillium sp. DT-F29. The structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic and chemical methods. In the bioactivity assays, only compounds 1 and 8 showed significant inhibitory activities against human lung adenocarcinoma cell. In addition, compound 1 was first reported for the potent ability to reactivate latent HIV with EC50 value of 0.03 μM.

Laser-induced fluorescence studies of excited Sr reactions: II. Sr(3P1)+CH3F, C2H5F, C2H4F2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Teule, J. M.; Janssen, M. H. M.; Bulthuis, J.; Stolte, S.

1999-06-01

The vibrational and rotational energy distributions of ground state SrF(X 2Σ) formed in the reactions of electronically excited Sr(3P1) with methylfluoride, ethylfluoride, and 1,1-difluoroethane have been studied by laser-induced fluorescence. Although the reactions of ground state Sr with these reactants are exothermic, no SrF products are observed for those reactions in this study. The fraction of available energy disposed into the sum of rotational and vibrational energy of the SrF(X 2Σ) product is approximately the same for all three reactions, i.e., 40%. The reaction of Sr(3P1) with CH3F results in very low vibrational excitation in the SrF reaction product. The product vibration increases in going to C2H5F and C2H4F2. It is concluded that the alkyl group influences the energy disposal mechanism in these reactions, and some suggestions are given for a partial explanation of the observations.

Synthesis and Evaluation of New 1,3,4-Thiadiazole Derivatives as Antinociceptive Agents.

PubMed

Altıntop, Mehlika Dilek; Can, Özgür Devrim; Demir Özkay, Ümide; Kaplancıklı, Zafer Asım

2016-08-01

In the current work, new 1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives were synthesized and investigated for their antinociceptive effects on nociceptive pathways of nervous system. The effects of these compounds against mechanical, thermal and chemical stimuli were evaluated by tail-clip, hot-plate and acetic acid-induced writhing tests, respectively. In addition, activity cage was performed to assess the locomotor activity of animals. The obtained data indicated that compounds 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3g and 3h increased the reaction times of mice both in the hot-plate and tail-clip tests, indicating the centrally mediated antinociceptive activity of these compounds. Additionally, the number of writhing behavior was significantly decreased by the administration of compounds 3a, 3c, 3e and 3f, which pointed out the peripherally mediated antinociceptive activity induced by these four compounds. According to the activity cage tests, compounds 3a, 3c and 3f significantly decreased both horizontal and vertical locomotor activity of mice. Antinociceptive behavior of these three compounds may be non-specific and caused by possible sedative effect or motor impairments.

A sintering study on the β-spodumene-based glass ceramics prepared from gel-derived precursor powders with LiF additive

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Moo-Chin; Wu, Nan-Chung; Yang, Sheng; Wen, Shaw-Bing

2002-01-01

Beta-spodumene (Li2O·Al2O3·4SiO2, LAS) powders were prepared by a sol-gel process using Si(OC2H5)4, Al(OC4H9)3, and LiNO3 as precursors and LiF as a sintering aid agent. Dilatometry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), and electron diffraction (ED) were utilized to study the sintering, phase transformation, microstructure, and properties of the β-spodumene glass-ceramics prepared from the gel-derived precursor powders with and without LiF additives. For the LAS precursor powders containing no LiF, the only crystalline phase obtained was β-spodumene. For the pellets containing less than 4 wt pct LiF and sintered at 1050 °C for 5 hours the crystalline phases were β-spodumene and β-eucryptite (Li2O·Al2O3·2SiO2). When the LiF content was 5 wt pct and the sintering process was carried out at 1050 °C for 5 hours, the crystalline phases were β-spodumene, β-eucryptite (triclinic), and eucryptite (rhombohedral (hex.)) phases. With the LiF additive increased from 0.5 to 4 wt pct and sintering at 1050 °C for 5 hours, the open porosity of the sintered bodies decrease from 30 to 2.1 pct. The grains size is about to 4 to 5 µm when pellect LAS compact contains LiF 3 wt pct as sintered at 1050 °C for 5 hours. The grains size grew to 8 to 25 µm with a remarkable discontinuous grain growth for pellet LAS compact contain LiF 5 wt pct sintered at 1050 °C for 5 hours. Relative densities greater than 90 pct could be obtained for the LAS precursor powders with LiF > 2 wt pct when sintered at 1050 °C for 5 hours. The coefficient of thermal expansion of the sintered bodies decreased from 8.3 × 10-7 to 5.2 × 10-7/°C (25 °C to 900 °C) as the LiF addition increased from 0 to 5 wt pct.

Phenotypic and molecular characterization of a tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) F2 population segregation for improving shelf life.

PubMed

Yogendra, K N; Ramanjini Gowda, P H

2013-02-27

Breeding for better quality fruits is a major focus for tomatoes, which are continuously subjected to post-harvest losses. Several methods have been used to improve the fruit shelf life of tomatoes, including the use of ripening gene mutants of Solanum lycopersicum. We developed extended shelf-life tomato hybrids with better quality fruits using ripening mutants. Nine tomato crosses were developed using 3 fruit ripening gene mutants of S. lycopersicum [alcobaca (alc), non-ripening, and ripening inhibitor] and 3 agronomically superior Indian cultivars ('Sankranti', 'Vaibhav', and 'Pusaruby') with short shelf life. The hybrid progenies developed from alc x 'Vaibhav' had the highest extended shelf life (up to 40 days) compared with that of other varieties and hybrids. Further, the F(2) progenies of alc x 'Vaibhav' were evaluated for fruit quality traits and yield parameters. A wide range of genetic variability was observed in shelf life (5-106 days) and fruit firmness (0.55-10.65 lbs/cm(2)). The potential polymorphic simple sequence repeat markers underlying shelf life traits were identified in an F(2) mapping population. The marker association with fruit quality traits and yield was confirmed with single-marker analysis and composite interval mapping. The genetic parameters analyzed in the parents and F(1) and F(2) populations indicated that the cross between the cultivar 'Vaibhav' and ripening gene mutant alc yielded fruit with long shelf life and good quality.

Anionic ordering and thermal properties of FeF3·3H2O.

PubMed

Burbano, Mario; Duttine, Mathieu; Borkiewicz, Olaf; Wattiaux, Alain; Demourgues, Alain; Salanne, Mathieu; Groult, Henri; Dambournet, Damien

2015-10-05

Iron fluoride trihydrate can be used to prepare iron hydroxyfluoride with the hexagonal-tungsten-bronze (HTB) type structure, a potential cathode material for batteries. To understand this phase transformation, a structural description of β-FeF3·3H2O is first performed by means of DFT calculations and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The structure of this compound consists of infinite chains of [FeF6]n and [FeF2(H2O)4]n. The decomposition of FeF3·3H2O induces a collapse and condensation of these chains, which lead to the stabilization, under specific conditions, of a hydroxyfluoride network FeF3-x(OH)x with the HTB structure. The release of H2O and HF was monitored by thermal analysis and physical characterizations during the decomposition of FeF3·3H2O. An average distribution of FeF4(OH)2 distorted octahedra in HTB-FeF3-x(OH)x was obtained subsequent to the thermal hydrolysis/olation of equatorial anionic positions involving F(-) and H2O. This study provides a clear understanding of the structure and thermal properties of FeF3·3H2O, a material that can potentially bridge the recycling of pickling sludge from the steel industry by preparing battery electrodes.

Theoretical and experimental studies of the Nd3+ 4f3<-->4f25d transitions in monoclinic Nd:BaY2F8 crystal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Collombet, Annabelle; Guyot, Yannick; Joubert, Marie-France; Margerie, Jean; Moncorgé, Richard; Tkachuk, Alexandra

2004-11-01

Experimental spectroscopic results related to Nd3+-doped BaY2F8, are presented that include vacuum-ultraviolet ground-state absorption and excitation spectra as well as polarized emission and excited-state absorption spectra recorded in the near-ultraviolet spectral range at room and low temperatures. Calculations were performed to determine the positions of the 4f25d sublevels and the intensities and polarizations of the 4f3<-->4f25d optical transitions of the Nd3+ ions in the C2 symmetry sites of the biaxial host crystal. The simulated spectra agree well with the experimental spectra; in particular, the model that was used successfully reproduced the differences between the polarized spectra on one hand and between the spectra recorded at low and room temperatures on the other hand.

Defect Structures of La1 - y Sr y F3 - y , La1 - y Ba y F3 - y , and Nd1 - y Ca y F3 - y ( y = 0.05, 0.10) Nonstoichiometric Tysonite Phases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chernaya, T. S.; Verin, I. A.; Khrykina, O. N.; Bolotina, N. B.

2018-01-01

Characteristic features of defect structures of La1 - y Sr y F3 - y , La1 - y Ba y F3 - y , and Nd1 - y Ca y F3 - y ( y = 0.05, 0.10) nonstoichiometric phases of different compositions are determined from X-ray diffraction data. Interest in subtle details of their structure is determined by the possibility of ion transport over fluorine vacancies and by a strong compositional dependence of the ionic conductivity. The La0.95Sr0.05F2.95, La0.95Ba0.05F2.95, and Nd0.95Ca0.05F2.95 phases, as well as the La0.9Ba0.1F2.9 phase, crystallize as β-LaF3 (sp. gr. P3̅c1, Z = 6). The La0.9Sr0.1F2.9 and Nd0.9Ca0.1F2.9 phases lose their superstructure and are described by a cell whose volume is three times smaller (sp. gr. P63/ mmc, Z = 2). Defects of crystal structure R1 - y M y F3 - y are not exhausted by vacancies in fluorine positions. All crystals with a "large" cell are twinned according to the merohedral twin law. The majority of atomic positions in models with a "small" cell are split by group symmetry elements and are occupied statistically.

Dynamics of the C/H and C/F exchanges in the reaction of 3P carbon atoms with vinyl fluoride

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Shih-Huang; Chen, Wei-Kan; Chin, Chih-Hao; Huang, Wen-Jian

2013-08-01

Two product channels C3H2F + H and C3H3 + F were identified in the reaction of C(3P) atoms with vinyl fluoride (C2H3F) at collision energy 3.7 kcal mol-1 in a crossed molecular-beam apparatus using selective photoionization. Time-of-flight (TOF) spectra of products C3H2F and C3H3 were measured at 12-16 laboratory angles as well as a TOF spectrum of atomic F, a counter part of C3H3, was recorded at single laboratory angle. From the best simulation of product TOF spectra, translational-energy distributions at seven scattering angles and a nearly isotropic (forward and backward peaked) angular distribution were derivable for exit channel C3H2F + H (C3H3 + F) that has average kinetic-energy release of 14.5 (4.9) kcal mol-1. Products C3H2F + H and C3H3 + F were estimated to have a branching ratio of ˜53:47. Furthermore, TOF spectra and photoionization spectra of products C3H2F and C3H3 were measured at laboratory angle 62° with photoionization energy ranging from 7 eV to 11.6 eV. The appearance of TOF spectra is insensitive to photon energy, implying that only single species overwhelmingly contributes to products C3H2F and C3H3. HCCCHF (H2CCCH) was identified as the dominant species based on the measured ionization threshold of 8.3 ± 0.2 (8.6 ± 0.2) eV and the maximal translational-energy release. The C/H and C/F exchange mechanisms are stated.

Detection of Histone H3 mutations in cerebrospinal fluid-derived tumor DNA from children with diffuse midline glioma.

PubMed

Huang, Tina Y; Piunti, Andrea; Lulla, Rishi R; Qi, Jin; Horbinski, Craig M; Tomita, Tadanori; James, C David; Shilatifard, Ali; Saratsis, Amanda M

2017-04-17

Diffuse midline gliomas (including diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, DIPG) are highly morbid glial neoplasms of the thalamus or brainstem that typically arise in young children and are not surgically resectable. These tumors are characterized by a high rate of histone H3 mutation, resulting in replacement of lysine 27 with methionine (K27M) in genes encoding H3 variants H3.3 (H3F3A) and H3.1 (HIST1H3B). Detection of these gain-of-function mutations has clinical utility, as they are associated with distinct tumor biology and clinical outcomes. Given the paucity of tumor tissue available for molecular analysis and relative morbidity of midline tumor biopsy, CSF-derived tumor DNA from patients with diffuse midline glioma may serve as a viable alternative for clinical detection of histone H3 mutation. We demonstrate the feasibility of two strategies to detect H3 mutations in CSF-derived tumor DNA from children with brain tumors (n = 11) via either targeted Sanger sequencing of H3F3A and HIST1H3B, or H3F3A c.83 A > T detection via nested PCR with mutation-specific primers. Of the six CSF specimens from children with diffuse midline glioma in our cohort, tumor DNA sufficient in quantity and quality for analysis was isolated from five (83%), with H3.3K27M detected in four (66.7%). In addition, H3.3G34V was identified in tumor DNA from a patient with supratentorial glioblastoma. Test sensitivity (87.5%) and specificity (100%) was validated via immunohistochemical staining and Sanger sequencing in available matched tumor tissue specimens (n = 8). Our results indicate that histone H3 gene mutation is detectable in CSF-derived tumor DNA from children with brain tumors, including diffuse midline glioma, and suggest the feasibility of "liquid biopsy" in lieu of, or to complement, tissue diagnosis, which may prove valuable for stratification to targeted therapies and monitoring treatment response.

Anionic ordering and thermal properties of FeF 3·3H 2O

DOE PAGES

Burbano, Mario; Duttine, Mathieu; Borkiewicz, Olaf; ...

2015-09-17

In this study, iron fluoride tri-hydrate can be used to prepare iron hydroxyfluoride with the Hexagonal-Tungsten-Bronze (HTB) type structure, a potential cathode material for batteries. To understand this phase transformation, a structural description of β-FeF 3·3H 2O is first performed by means of DFT calculations and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The structure of this compound consists of infinite chains of [FeF 6]n and [FeF 2(H2O) 4] n. The decomposition of FeF 3·3H 2O induces a collapse and condensation of these chains, which lead to the stabilization, under specific conditions, of a hydroxyfluoride network FeF 3-x(OH) x with the HTB structure. The releasemore » of H 2O and HF was monitored by thermal analysis and physical characterizations during the decomposition of FeF 3·3H 2O. An average distribution of FeF 4(OH) 2 distorted octahedra in HTB-FeF 3-x(OH) x was obtained subsequent to the thermal hydrolysis/olation of equatorial anionic positions involving F- and H 2O. This study provides a clear understanding of the structure and thermal properties of FeF 3·3H 2O, a material that can potentially bridge the recycling of pickling sludge from the steel industry by preparing battery electrodes.« less

Processing of zero-derived words in English: an fMRI investigation.

PubMed

Pliatsikas, Christos; Wheeldon, Linda; Lahiri, Aditi; Hansen, Peter C

2014-01-01

Derivational morphological processes allow us to create new words (e.g. punish (V) to noun (N) punishment) from base forms. The number of steps from the basic units to derived words often varies (e.g., nationalityderivations cause more brain activity than simple ones (Meinzer, Lahiri, Flaisch, Hannemann, & Eulitz, 2009). However, all studies to date have investigated derivational processes in which morphological complexity is related to a change in surface form. It is therefore unclear whether the effects reported are attributable to underlying morphological complexity or to the processing of multiple surface morphemes. Here we report the first study to investigate morphological processing where derivational steps are not overtly marked (e.g., bridge-N>bridge-V) i.e., zero-derivation (Aronoff, 1980). We compared the processing of one-step (soakingderivations together with monomorphemic control words (grumble) in an fMRI experiment. Participants were presented with derived forms of words (soaking, bridging) in a lexical decision task. Although the surface derived -ing forms can be contextually participles, gerunds, or even nouns, they are all derived from verbs since the suffix -ing can only be attached to verb roots. Crucially, the verb root is the basic form for the one-step words, whereas for the two-step words the verb root is zero derived from a basic noun. Significantly increased brain activity was observed for complex (one-step and two-step) versus simple (zero-step) forms in regions involved in morphological processing, such as the left inferior frontal gyrus (LIFG). Critically, activation was also more pronounced for two-step compared to one-step forms. Since both types of derived words have the same surface structure, our findings suggest that morphological processing is based on underlying morphological complexity, independent of overt

Asymmetric supercapacitors utilizing highly porous metal-organic framework derived Co3O4 nanosheets grown on Ni foam and polyaniline hydrogel derived N-doped nanocarbon electrode materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fan, Xin; Chen, Weiliang; Pang, Shuhua; Lu, Wei; Zhao, Yu; Liu, Zheng; Fang, Dong

2017-12-01

In the present work, asymmetric supercapacitors (ASCs) are assembled using a highly conductive N-doped nanocarbon (NDC) material derived from a polyaniline hydrogel as a cathode, and Ni foam covered with flower-like Co3O4 nanosheets (Co3O4-Ni) prepared from a zeolitic imidazolate metal-organic framework as a single precursor serves as a high gravimetric capacitance anode. At a current of 0.2 A g-1, the Co3O4-Ni electrode provides a gravimetric capacitance of 637.7 F g-1, and the NDC electrode provides a gravimetric capacitance of 359.6 F g-1. The ASC assembled with an optimal active material loading operates within a wide potential window of 0-1.1 V, and provides a high areal capacitance of 25.7 mF cm-2. The proposed ASC represents a promising strategy for designing high-performance supercapacitors.

The spatial epidemiology of cocaine, methamphetamine and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) use: a demonstration using a population measure of community drug load derived from municipal wastewater.

PubMed

Banta-Green, Caleb J; Field, Jennifer A; Chiaia, Aurea C; Sudakin, Daniel L; Power, Laura; de Montigny, Luc

2009-11-01

To determine the utility of community-wide drug testing with wastewater samples as a population measure of community drug use and to test the hypothesis that the association with urbanicity would vary for three different stimulant drugs of abuse. Single-day samples were obtained from a convenience sample of 96 municipalities representing 65% of the population of the State of Oregon. Chemical analysis of 24-hour composite influent samples for benzoylecgonine (BZE, a cocaine metabolite), methamphetamine and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). The distribution of community index drug loads accounting for total wastewater flow (i.e. dilution) and population are reported. The distribution of wastewater-derived drug index loads was found to correspond with expected epidemiological drug patterns. Index loads of BZE were significantly higher in urban areas and below detection in many rural areas. Conversely, methamphetamine was present in all municipalities, with no significant differences in index loads by urbanicity. MDMA was at quantifiable levels in fewer than half the communities, with a significant trend towards higher index loads in more urban areas. CONCLUSION; This demonstration provides the first evidence of the utility of wastewater-derived community drug loads for spatial analyses. Such data have the potential to improve dramatically the measurement of the true level and distribution of a range of drugs. Drug index load data provide information for all people in a community and are potentially applicable to a much larger proportion of the total population than existing measures.

Combinatorial compatibility as habit-controlling factor in lysozyme crystallization I. Monomeric and tetrameric F faces derived graph-theoretically

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Strom, C. S.; Bennema, P.

1997-03-01

A series of two articles discusses possible morphological evidence for oligomerization of growth units in the crystallization of tetragonal lysozyme, based on a rigorous graph-theoretic derivation of the F faces. In the first study (Part I), the growth layers are derived as valid networks satisfying the conditions of F slices in the context of the PBC theory using the graph-theoretic method implemented in program FFACE [C.S. Strom, Z. Krist. 172 (1985) 11]. The analysis is performed in monomeric and alternative tetrameric and octameric formulations of the unit cell, assuming tetramer formation according to the strongest bonds. F (flat) slices with thickness Rdhkl ( {1}/{2} < R ≤ 1 ) are predicted theoretically in the forms 1 1 0, 0 1 1, 1 1 1. The relevant energies are established in the broken bond model. The relation between possible oligomeric specifications of the unit cell and combinatorially feasible F slice compositions in these orientations is explored.

A dynamic urban air pollution population exposure assessment study using model and population density data derived by mobile phone traffic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gariazzo, Claudio; Pelliccioni, Armando; Bolignano, Andrea

2016-04-01

A dynamic city-wide air pollution exposure assessment study has been carried out for the urban population of Rome, Italy, by using time resolved population distribution maps, derived by mobile phone traffic data, and modelled air pollutants (NO2, O3 and PM2.5) concentrations obtained by an integrated air dispersion modelling system. More than a million of persons were tracked during two months (March and April 2015) for their position within the city and its surroundings areas, with a time resolution of 15 min and mapped over an irregular grid system with a minimum resolution of 0.26 × 0.34 Km2. In addition, demographics information (as gender and age ranges) were available in a separated dataset not connected with the total population one. Such BigData were matched in time and space with air pollution model results and then used to produce hourly and daily resolved cumulative population exposures during the studied period. A significant mobility of population was identified with higher population densities in downtown areas during daytime increasing of up to 1000 people/Km2 with respect to nigh-time one, likely produced by commuters, tourists and working age population. Strong variability (up to ±50% for NO2) of population exposures were detected as an effect of both mobility and time/spatial changing in pollutants concentrations. A comparison with the correspondent stationary approach based on National Census data, allows detecting the inability of latter in estimating the actual variability of population exposure. Significant underestimations of the amount of population exposed to daily PM2.5 WHO guideline was identified for the Census approach. Very small differences (up to a few μg/m3) on exposure were detected for gender and age ranges population classes.

Antigenic Diversity of Hepatitis B Virus Strains of Genotype F in Amerindians and Other Population Groups from Venezuela

PubMed Central

Blitz, Linda; Pujol, Flor H.; Swenson, Paul D.; Porto, Leticia; Atencio, Ricardo; Araujo, Mary; Costa, Luciana; Monsalve, Diana Callejas; Torres, Jaime R.; Fields, Howard A.; Lambert, Steve; Van Geyt, Caroline; Norder, Helene; Magnius, Lars O.; Echevarría, José M.; Stuyver, Lieven

1998-01-01

The adw4 subtype of hepatitis B virus (HBV) belongs to a unique genomic group (genotype F) representing the original HBV strains from the New World. Data regarding the prevalence of this subtype among HBV carriers in South America are, however, scarce, and those concerning HBV genotype F are based on only a few samples from Latin America. In this study, serum samples were obtained from 141 hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers from Amerindians and urban populations from Venezuela. The HBsAg subtype was identified with monoclonal antibodies in 105 samples, and the HBV genotype was identified by reverse-phase hybridization with DNA fragments in 58 samples. The adw4 subtype was highly prevalent in the population studied (75%); among the Amerindians, the prevalence was 97%. The adw2 subtype was also present (10%), while other subtypes (ayw3 and ayw4) were only occasionally found. The HBV subtype was associated with the expected genotype in most cases (80%), and thus genotype F was highly prevalent. Sequencing of viral strains that gave genotypes unpredicted by the HBsAg subtyping confirmed seven of them as belonging to not previously described genotype-subtype associations: namely, adw2 and ayw4 within genotype F. PMID:9508289

A human brain atlas derived via n-cut parcellation of resting-state and task-based fMRI data

PubMed Central

James, G. Andrew; Hazaroglu, Onder; Bush, Keith A.

2015-01-01

The growth of functional MRI has led to development of human brain atlases derived by parcellating resting-state connectivity patterns into functionally independent regions of interest (ROIs). All functional atlases to date have been derived from resting-state fMRI data. But given that functional connectivity between regions varies with task, we hypothesized that an atlas incorporating both resting-state and task-based fMRI data would produce an atlas with finer characterization of task-relevant regions than an atlas derived from resting-state alone. To test this hypothesis, we derived parcellation atlases from twenty-nine healthy adult participants enrolled in the Cognitive Connectome project, an initiative to improve functional MRI’s translation into clinical decision-making by mapping normative variance in brain-behavior relationships. Participants underwent resting-state and task-based fMRI spanning nine cognitive domains: motor, visuospatial, attention, language, memory, affective processing, decision-making, working memory, and executive function. Spatially constrained n-cut parcellation derived brain atlases using (1) all participants’ functional data (Task) or (2) a single resting-state scan (Rest). An atlas was also derived from random parcellation for comparison purposes (Random). Two methods were compared: (1) a parcellation applied to the group’s mean edge weights (mean), and (2) a two-stage approach with parcellation of individual edge weights followed by parcellation of mean binarized edges (two-stage). The resulting Task and Rest atlases had significantly greater similarity with each other (mean Jaccard indices JI= 0.72–0.85) than with the Random atlases (JI=0.59–0.63; all p<0.001 after Bonferroni correction). Task and Rest atlas similarity was greatest for the two-stage method (JI=0.85), which has been shown as more robust than the mean method; these atlases also better reproduced voxelwise seed maps of the left dorsolateral prefrontal

A human brain atlas derived via n-cut parcellation of resting-state and task-based fMRI data.

PubMed

James, George Andrew; Hazaroglu, Onder; Bush, Keith A

2016-02-01

The growth of functional MRI has led to development of human brain atlases derived by parcellating resting-state connectivity patterns into functionally independent regions of interest (ROIs). All functional atlases to date have been derived from resting-state fMRI data. But given that functional connectivity between regions varies with task, we hypothesized that an atlas incorporating both resting-state and task-based fMRI data would produce an atlas with finer characterization of task-relevant regions than an atlas derived from resting-state alone. To test this hypothesis, we derived parcellation atlases from twenty-nine healthy adult participants enrolled in the Cognitive Connectome project, an initiative to improve functional MRI's translation into clinical decision-making by mapping normative variance in brain-behavior relationships. Participants underwent resting-state and task-based fMRI spanning nine cognitive domains: motor, visuospatial, attention, language, memory, affective processing, decision-making, working memory, and executive function. Spatially constrained n-cut parcellation derived brain atlases using (1) all participants' functional data (Task) or (2) a single resting-state scan (Rest). An atlas was also derived from random parcellation for comparison purposes (Random). Two methods were compared: (1) a parcellation applied to the group's mean edge weights (mean), and (2) a two-stage approach with parcellation of individual edge weights followed by parcellation of mean binarized edges (two-stage). The resulting Task and Rest atlases had significantly greater similarity with each other (mean Jaccard indices JI=0.72-0.85) than with the Random atlases (JI=0.59-0.63; all p<0.001 after Bonferroni correction). Task and Rest atlas similarity was greatest for the two-stage method (JI=0.85), which has been shown as more robust than the mean method; these atlases also better reproduced voxelwise seed maps of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex during

Estimation of Stability and Control Derivatives of an F-15

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, Mark; Moes, Tim

2006-01-01

A technique for real-time estimation of stability and control derivatives (derivatives of moment coefficients with respect to control-surface deflection angles) was used to support a flight demonstration of a concept of an indirect-adaptive intelligent flight control system (IFCS). Traditionally, parameter identification, including estimation of stability and control derivatives, is done post-flight. However, for the indirect-adaptive IFCS concept, parameter identification is required during flight so that the system can modify control laws for a damaged aircraft. The flight demonstration was carried out on a highly modified F-15 airplane (see Figure 1). The main objective was to estimate the stability and control derivatives of the airplane in nearly real time. A secondary goal was to develop a system to automatically assess the quality of the results, so as to be able to tell a learning neural network which data to use. Parameter estimation was performed by use of Fourier-transform regression (FTR) a technique developed at NASA Langley Research Center. FTR is an equation- error technique that operates in the frequency domain. Data are put into the frequency domain by use of a recursive Fourier transform for a discrete frequency set. This calculation simplifies many subsequent calculations, removes biases, and automatically filters out data beyond the chosen frequency range. FTR as applied here was tailored to work with pilot inputs, which produce correlated surface positions that prevent accurate parameter estimates, by replacing half the derivatives with predicted values. FTR was also set up to work only on a recent window of data, to accommodate changes in flight condition. A system of confidence measures was developed to identify quality-parameter estimates that a learning neural network could use. This system judged the estimates primarily on the basis of their estimated variances and of the level of aircraft response. The resulting FTR system was implemented

MEMS 3-DoF gyroscope design, modeling and simulation through equivalent circuit lumped parameter model

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mian, Muhammad Umer, E-mail: umermian@gmail.com; Khir, M. H. Md.; Tang, T. B.

Pre-fabrication, behavioural and performance analysis with computer aided design (CAD) tools is a common and fabrication cost effective practice. In light of this we present a simulation methodology for a dual-mass oscillator based 3 Degree of Freedom (3-DoF) MEMS gyroscope. 3-DoF Gyroscope is modeled through lumped parameter models using equivalent circuit elements. These equivalent circuits consist of elementary components which are counterpart of their respective mechanical components, used to design and fabricate 3-DoF MEMS gyroscope. Complete designing of equivalent circuit model, mathematical modeling and simulation are being presented in this paper. Behaviors of the equivalent lumped models derived for themore » proposed device design are simulated in MEMSPRO T-SPICE software. Simulations are carried out with the design specifications following design rules of the MetalMUMPS fabrication process. Drive mass resonant frequencies simulated by this technique are 1.59 kHz and 2.05 kHz respectively, which are close to the resonant frequencies found by the analytical formulation of the gyroscope. The lumped equivalent circuit modeling technique proved to be a time efficient modeling technique for the analysis of complex MEMS devices like 3-DoF gyroscopes. The technique proves to be an alternative approach to the complex and time consuming couple field analysis Finite Element Analysis (FEA) previously used.« less

Optical temperature sensing of NaYbF4: Tm3+@SiO2 core-shell micro-particles induced by infrared excitation.

PubMed

Wang, Xiangfu; Zheng, Jin; Xuan, Yan; Yan, Xiaohong

2013-09-09

NaYbF(4):Tm3+@SiO(2) core-shell micro-particles were synthesized by a hydrothermal method and subsequent ultrasonic coating process. Optical temperature sensing has been observed in NaYbF4: Tm(3+)@SiO(2)core-shell micro-particles with a 980 nm infrared laser as excitation source.The fluorescence intensity ratios, optical temperature sensitivity, and temperature dependent population re-distribution ability from the thermally coupled (1)D(2)/(1)G(4) and (3)F(2) /(3)H(4) levels of the Tm(3+) ion have been analyzed as a function of temperature in the range of 100~700 K in order to check its availability as a optical temperature sensor. A better behavior as a lowtemperature sensor has been obtained with a minimum sensitivity of 5.4 × 10(-4) K(-1) at 430 K. It exhibits temperature induced population re-distribution from (1)D(2) /(1)G(4) thermally coupled levels at higher temperature range.

Census of Population and Housing, 1980: Summary Tape File 1F, School Districts. Technical Documentation.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bureau of the Census (DOC), Washington, DC. Data User Services Div.

This report provides technical documentation associated with a 1980 Census of Population and Housing Summary Tape File 1F--the School Districts File. The file contains complete-count data of population and housing aggregated by school district. Population items tabulated include age, race (provisional data), sex, marital status, Spanish origin…

Discovery of novel acetanilide derivatives as potent and selective beta3-adrenergic receptor agonists.

PubMed

Maruyama, Tatsuya; Onda, Kenichi; Hayakawa, Masahiko; Matsui, Tetsuo; Takasu, Toshiyuki; Ohta, Mitsuaki

2009-06-01

In the search for potent and selective human beta3-adrenergic receptor (AR) agonists as potential drugs for the treatment of obesity and noninsulin-dependent (type II) diabetes, a novel series of acetanilide-based analogues were prepared and their biological activities were evaluated at the human beta3-, beta2-, and beta1-ARs. Among these compounds, 2-pyridylacetanilide (2f), pyrimidin-2-ylacetanilide (2u), and pyrazin-2-ylacetanilide (2v) derivatives exhibited potent agonistic activity at the beta3-AR with functional selectivity over the beta1- and beta2-ARs. In particular, compound 2u was found to be the most potent and selective beta3-AR agonist with an EC(50) value of 0.11 microM and no agonistic activity for either the beta1- or beta2-AR. In addition, 2f, 2u, and 2v showed significant hypoglycemic activity in a rodent diabetic model.

Twinned or not twinned, that is the question: crystallization and preliminary crystallographic analysis of the 2F1(3)F1 module pair of human fibronectin.

PubMed

Rudiño-Piñera, Enrique; Schwarz-Linek, Ulrich; Potts, Jennifer R; Garman, Elspeth F

2004-07-01

Human fibronectin (Fn) is a large multidomain protein found in the extracellular matrix and plasma. It is involved in many cellular processes, including cell adhesion and migration during embryogenesis and wound healing. The ability to bind Fn is a characteristic that has been demonstrated for a number of pathogens. For Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes in particular, Fn-binding bacterial proteins (FnBPs) have been shown to mediate not only bacterial adhesion to host cells but also the uptake of bacteria by the cells. FnBPs interact with the amino-terminal region of Fn, where five type I ((1-5)F1) Fn modules are located. Although the structures of two F1 module pairs have been determined by NMR, no X-ray structures have been reported. To explore the conformational interactions between modules and the binding properties of FnBPs, the (2)F1(3)F1 module pair was crystallized using the vapour-diffusion method at 298 K. 12 X-ray diffraction data sets have been collected: six on an in-house rotating anode (three native, one Pt derivative and two peptide-bound) and six at synchrotron-radiation sources (two native and four derivative). Following analysis of these data, some of which have very high multiplicity (up to 50), probable space-group assignments were made (P42(1)2, P4(1)2(1)2 or P4(3)2(1)2) and the possibly twinned nature of the crystals was investigated using six different tests. The results presented here suggest that the crystals are not twinned.

17 CFR 240.15c3-1f - Optional market and credit risk requirements for OTC derivatives dealers (Appendix F to 17 CFR...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... would be determined. (iii) Internal risk management control systems. An OTC derivatives dealer shall provide a comprehensive description of its internal risk management control systems and how those systems... internal risk management control systems that meet the requirements set forth in § 240.15c3-4; and (ii) Has...

17 CFR 240.15c3-1f - Optional market and credit risk requirements for OTC derivatives dealers (Appendix F to 17 CFR...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... would be determined. (iii) Internal risk management control systems. An OTC derivatives dealer shall provide a comprehensive description of its internal risk management control systems and how those systems... internal risk management control systems that meet the requirements set forth in § 240.15c3-4; and (ii) Has...

Maritime patrol aircraft engine study, General Electric Derivative Engines. Volume IV. Apendix C: performance data, F404/T1 study A1 turboprop. Final report, October 1978-April 1979

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hirschkron, R.; Davis, R.H.; Warren, R.E.

1979-04-30

This study developed data on General Electric common core derivative engines for use in Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) concept formulation studies. The study included the screening of potential General Electric turbofan and turboprop/turboshaft engines and the preparation of technical and planning information on three of the most promising engine candidates. Screening of General Electric derivative candidates was performed utilizing an analytical MPA model using synthesized mission profiles to rank the candidates in terms of fuel consumption, weight, cost and complexity. The three turboprop engines selected for further study were as follows: TF34 growth derivative version with boost and new LPTmore » (TF34/T7 Study A1), F404 derivative with booster stages and new LPT (F404/T1 Study A1), and GE27 scaled and boosted study engine (GE27/T3 Study A1). Volume I summarizes the screening analysis and contains technical, planning, installation, cost and development data for the three selected turboprop engines. Volumes II, III and IV of this report contain the detailed performance data estimates for the GE27/T3 Study A1, TF34/T7 Study A1 and F404/T1 Study A1 turboprop engines, respectively.« less

Isolation and structures of sulfonium salts derived from thioethers: [{o-C(6)H(4)(CH(2)SMe)(2)}H][NbF(6)] and [{[9]aneS(3)}H][NbF(6)].

PubMed

Jura, Marek; Levason, William; Reid, Gillian; Webster, Michael

2009-10-07

Two very unusual sulfonium salts, [{o-C(6)H(4)(CH(2)SMe)(2)}H][NbF(6)] and [{[9]aneS(3)}H][NbF(6)], obtained from reaction of the thioethers with NbF(5) in CH(2)Cl(2) solution, are reported and their structures described; the eight-coordinate tetrafluoro Nb(v) cation of the dithioether is obtained from the same reaction.

Role of Acentric Displacements on the Crystal Structure and Second-Harmonic Generating Properties of RbPbCO3F and CsPbCO3F

PubMed Central

2015-01-01

Two lead fluorocarbonates, RbPbCO3F and CsPbCO3F, were synthesized and characterized. The materials were synthesized through solvothermal and conventional solid-state techniques. RbPbCO3F and CsPbCO3F were structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and exhibit three-dimensional (3D) crystal structures consisting of corner-shared PbO6F2 polyhedra. For RbPbCO3F, infrared and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy and thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis measurements were performed. RbPbCO3F is a new noncentrosymmetric material and crystallizes in the achiral and nonpolar space group P6̅m2 (crystal class 6̅m2). Powder second-harmonic generation (SHG) measurements on RbPbCO3F and CsPbCO3F using 1064 nm radiation revealed an SHG efficiency of approximately 250 and 300 × α-SiO2, respectively. Charge constants d33 of approximately 72 and 94 pm/V were obtained for RbPbCO3F and CsPbCO3F, respectively, through converse piezoelectric measurements. Electronic structure calculations indicate that the nonlinear optical response originates from the distorted PbO6F2 polyhedra, because of the even–odd parity mixing of the O 2p states with the nearly spherically symmetric 6s electrons of Pb2+. The degree of inversion symmetry breaking is quantified using a mode-polarization vector analysis and is correlated with cation size mismatch, from which it is possible to deduce the acentric properties of 3D alkali-metal fluorocarbonates. PMID:24867361

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.

PubMed

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

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

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

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.

Comparison of 18F-Labeled Fluoroalkylphosphonium Cations with 13N-NH3 for PET Myocardial Perfusion Imaging.

PubMed

Kim, Dong-Yeon; Kim, Hyeon Sik; Reder, Sybille; Zheng, Jin Hai; Herz, Michael; Higuchi, Takahiro; Pyo, A Young; Bom, Hee-Seung; Schwaiger, Markus; Min, Jung-Joon

2015-10-01

Despite substantial advances in the diagnosis of cardiovascular disease, there is a need for 18F-labeled myocardial perfusion agents for the diagnosis of ischemic heart disease because current PET tracers for myocardial perfusion imaging have a short half-life that limits their widespread clinical use in PET. Thus, 18F-labeled fluoroalkylphosphonium derivatives (18F-FATPs), including (5-18F-fluoropentyl)triphenylphosphonium cation (18F-FPTP), (6-18F-fluorohexyl)triphenylphosphonium cation (18F-FHTP), and (2-(2-18F-fluoroethoxy)ethyl)triphenylphosphonium cation (18F-FETP), were synthesized. The myocardial extraction and image quality of the 18F-FATPs were compared with those of 13N-NH3 in rat models. The first-pass extraction fraction (EF) values of the 18F-FATPs (18F-FPTP, 18F-FHTP, 18F-FETP) and 13N-NH3 were measured in isolated rat hearts perfused with the Langendorff method (flow velocities, 0.5, 4.0, 8.0, and 16.0 mL/min). Normal and myocardial infarction rats were imaged with small-animal PET after intravenous injection of 37 MBq of 18F-FATPs and 13N-NH3. To determine pharmacokinetics, a region of interest was drawn around the heart, and time-activity curves of the 18F-FATPs and 13N-NH3 were generated to obtain the counts per pixel per second. Defect size was analyzed on the basis of polar map images of 18F-FATPs and 13N-NH3. The EF values of 18F-FATPs and 13N-NH3 were comparable at low flow velocity (0.5 mL/min), whereas at higher flows EF values of 18F-FATPs were significantly higher than those of 13N-NH3 (4.0, 8.0, and 16.0 mL/min, P<0.05). Myocardium-to-liver ratios of 18F-FPTP, 18F-FHTP, 18F-FETP, and 13N-NH3 were 2.10±0.30, 4.36±0.20, 3.88±1.03, and 0.70±0.09, respectively, 10 min after injection, whereas myocardium-to-lung ratios were 5.00±0.25, 4.33±0.20, 7.98±1.23, and 2.26±0.14, respectively. Although 18F-FATPs and 13N-NH3 sharply delineated myocardial perfusion defects, defect size on the 13N-NH3 images was significantly smaller than on the

Synthesis of Pyridine and Spiropyridine Derivatives Derived from 2-aminoprop- 1-ene-1,1,3-tricarbonitrile Together with their c-Met Kinase and Antiproliferative Evaluations.

PubMed

Mohareb, Rafat M; Abouzied, Amr S; Abbas, Nermeen S

2018-02-07

Among a wide range of pyridines, 3-cyanopyridines acquired a special attention due to their wide range of pharmacological activities especially the therapeutic activities. Many pharmacological drugs containing the pyridine nucleus were known in the market. The aim of this work was to synthesize target molecules not only possess anti-tumor activities but also kinase inhibitors. To achieve this goal, our strategy was to synthesize a series of 3-cyanopyridine derivatives using 2-aminoprop-1-ene-1,1,3-tricarbonitrile (1) as the key starting material for many heterocyclization reactions. Muticoponent reactions were adopted using compound 1 to get different pyridine derivatives that were capable for different heterocyclization reactions. Antiproliferative evaluations and c-Met kinase, Pim-1 kinse inhibitions were perform where some compounds gave high activities. Compounds that showed high antiprolifeative activity were tested gor c-Met-independent and the results showed that compounds 5c, 5e, 5f, 7c, 7f and 16d were more active than foretinib. The Pim-1 kinase inhibition activity of some selected compounds showed that compounds 5e and 16c were high potent to inhibit Pim-1 activity. Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.org.

Mid-infrared lasing from Ho(3+) in bulk InF(3) glass.

PubMed

Berrou, Antoine; Kieleck, Christelle; Eichhorn, Marc

2015-04-15

We report on an Ho³⁺:InF₃ glass laser pumped by a Cr³⁺:LiSAF laser emitting at 889 nm. Ho³⁺:InF₃ glass is a promising material for direct mid-infrared lasers around 4 μm. To evaluate the performances of this new material, we compared it to an Ho³⁺:BYF crystalline laser pumped by the same source. At 650 mJ pump energy, 7.2 mJ (46 mJ) was obtained with Ho³⁺:InF₃ (Ho³⁺:BYF), respectively. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first reported laser activity in this type of glass.

Antidepressent Effect of Two New Benzyl Derivatives from Wild Strawberry Fragaria vesca var. nubicola Lindl. ex Hook.f.

PubMed

Naz, Sadia; Farooq, Umar; Khan, Ajmal; Khan, Haroon; Karim, Nasiara; Sarwar, Rizwana; Hussain, Javid; Rauf, Abdur

2017-01-01

Two new benzyl derivatives were isolated from ethyl acetate fraction of wild strawberry, Fragaria vesca var. nubicola Lindl. ex Hook.f. The structures of these compounds were elucidated to be 5-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenethyl)-7-methoxy-2H-chromen-3-ol ( 1 ) and 5-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenethyl)-4,7-dimethoxy-2H-chromen-3-ol ( 2 ) based on spectroscopic data through IR, UV, 1 H-NMR, 13 C-NMR along with two dimensional (2D) techniques HMBC, HMQC, and COSY. Both compounds 1 and 2 were studied in tail suspension and forced swim tests for antidepressant like effects. A significant dose dependent antidepressant like effect was observed by causing spontaneous anti-immobility at various test doses upon intraperitoneal administration.

3D-segmentation of the 18F-choline PET signal for target volume definition in radiation therapy of the prostate.

PubMed

Ciernik, I Frank; Brown, Derek W; Schmid, Daniel; Hany, Thomas; Egli, Peter; Davis, J Bernard

2007-02-01

Volumetric assessment of PET signals becomes increasingly relevant for radiotherapy (RT) planning. Here, we investigate the utility of 18F-choline PET signals to serve as a structure for semi-automatic segmentation for forward treatment planning of prostate cancer. 18F-choline PET and CT scans of ten patients with histologically proven prostate cancer without extracapsular growth were acquired using a combined PET/CT scanner. Target volumes were manually delineated on CT images using standard software. Volumes were also obtained from 18F-choline PET images using an asymmetrical segmentation algorithm. PTVs were derived from CT 18F-choline PET based clinical target volumes (CTVs) by automatic expansion and comparative planning was performed. As a read-out for dose given to non-target structures, dose to the rectal wall was assessed. Planning target volumes (PTVs) derived from CT and 18F-choline PET yielded comparable results. Optimal matching of CT and 18F-choline PET derived volumes in the lateral and cranial-caudal directions was obtained using a background-subtracted signal thresholds of 23.0+/-2.6%. In antero-posterior direction, where adaptation compensating for rectal signal overflow was required, optimal matching was achieved with a threshold of 49.5+/-4.6%. 3D-conformal planning with CT or 18F-choline PET resulted in comparable doses to the rectal wall. Choline PET signals of the prostate provide adequate spatial information amendable to standardized asymmetrical region growing algorithms for PET-based target volume definition for external beam RT.

Genetic diversity and population genetic analysis of bovine MHC class II DRB3.2 locus in three Bos indicus cattle breeds of Southern India.

PubMed

Das, D N; Sri Hari, V G; Hatkar, D N; Rengarajan, K; Saravanan, R; Suryanarayana, V V S; Murthy, L K

2012-12-01

The present study was performed to evaluate the genetic polymorphism of BoLA-DRB3.2 locus in Malnad Gidda, Hallikar and Ongole South Indian Bos indicus cattle breeds, employing the PCR-RFLP technique. In Malnad Gidda population, 37 BoLA-DRB3.2 alleles were detected, including one novel allele DRB3*2503 (GenBank: HM031389) that was observed in the frequency of 1.87%. In Hallikar and Ongole populations, 29 and 21 BoLA-DRB3.2 alleles were identified, respectively. The frequencies of the most common BoLA-DRB3.2 alleles (with allele frequency > 5%), in Malnad Gidda population, were DRB3.2*15 (10.30%), DRB3*5702 (9.35%), DRB3.2*16 (8.41%), DRB3.2*23 (7.01%) and DRB3.2*09 (5.61%). In Hallikar population, the most common alleles were DRB3.2*11 (13.00%), DRB3.2*44 (11.60%), DRB3.2*31 (10.30%), DRB3.2*28 (5.48%) and DRB3.2*51 (5.48%). The most common alleles in Ongole population were DRB3.2*15 (22.50%), DRB3.2*06 (20.00%), DRB3.2*13 (13.30%), DRB3.2*12 (9.17%) and DRB3.2*23 (7.50%). A high degree of heterozygosity observed in Malnad Gidda (H(O) = 0.934, H(E) = 0.955), Hallikar (H(O) = 0.931, H(E) = 0.943) and Ongole (H(O) = 0.800, H(E) = 0.878) populations, along with F(IS) values close to F(IS) zero (Malnad Gidda: F(IS) = 0.0221, Hallikar: F(IS) = 0.0127 and Ongole: F(IS) = 0.0903), yielded nonsignificant P-values with respect to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium probabilities revealing, no perceptible inbreeding, greater genetic diversity and characteristic population structure being preserved in the three studied cattle populations. The phylogenetic tree constructed based on the frequencies of BoLA-DRB3.2 alleles observed in 10 Bos indicus and Bos taurus cattle breeds revealed distinct clustering of specific Bos indicus cattle breeds, along with unique genetic differentiation observed among them. The results of this study demonstrated that the BoLA-DRB3.2 is a highly polymorphic locus, with significant breed-specific genetic diversities being present amongst the three studied

Genetic analysis and identification of SSR markers associated with rice blast disease in a BC2F1 backcross population.

PubMed

Hasan, N; Rafii, M Y; Abdul Rahim, H; Nusaibah, S A; Mazlan, N; Abdullah, S

2017-01-23

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) blast disease is one of the most destructive rice diseases in the world. The fungal pathogen, Magnaporthe oryzae, is the causal agent of rice blast disease. Development of resistant cultivars is the most preferred method to achieve sustainable rice production. However, the effectiveness of resistant cultivars is hindered by the genetic plasticity of the pathogen genome. Therefore, information on genetic resistance and virulence stability are vital to increase our understanding of the molecular basis of blast disease resistance. The present study set out to elucidate the resistance pattern and identify potential simple sequence repeat markers linked with rice blast disease. A backcross population (BC 2 F 1 ), derived from crossing MR264 and Pongsu Seribu 2 (PS2), was developed using marker-assisted backcross breeding. Twelve microsatellite markers carrying the blast resistance gene clearly demonstrated a polymorphic pattern between both parental lines. Among these, two markers, RM206 and RM5961, located on chromosome 11 exhibited the expected 1:1 testcross ratio in the BC 2 F 1 population. The 195 BC 2 F 1 plants inoculated against M. oryzae pathotype P7.2 showed a significantly different distribution in the backcrossed generation and followed Mendelian segregation based on a single-gene model. This indicates that blast resistance in PS2 is governed by a single dominant gene, which is linked to RM206 and RM5961 on chromosome 11. The findings presented in this study could be useful for future blast resistance studies in rice breeding programs.

A theoretical study of hydrogen- and lithium-bonded complexes of F-H∕Li and Cl-H∕Li with NF3, NH3, and NH2(CH3).

PubMed

McDowell, Sean A C; St Hill, Janine A S

2011-10-28

Hydrogen- and lithium-bonded complexes of A-H∕Li (A = F, Cl) with the amine analogues NF(3), NH(3), and NH(2)(CH(3)) were studied at the MP2∕6-311++G(d,p) level of theory. Bond extensions and redshifts were obtained for the H-bonded complexes, while bond extensions and blueshifts were obtained for the Li-bonded species. The variation of these and other properties with the basicity of the amines was investigated and rationalized by comparing the ab initio results with predictions from a model derived from perturbation theory.

A computational study of hydrogen-bonded X3CH⋯YZ (X = Cl, F, NC; YZ = FLi, BF, CO, N2) complexes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McDowell, Sean A. C.

2018-03-01

An MP2/6-311++G(3df,3pd) computational study of a series of hydrogen-bonded complexes X3CH⋯YZ (X = Cl, F, NC; YZ = FLi, BF, CO, N2) was undertaken to assess the trends in the relative stability and other molecular properties with variation of both the X group and the chemical hardness of the Y atom of YZ. The red- and blue-shifting propensities of the proton donor X3CH were investigated by considering the Csbnd H bond length change and its associated vibrational frequency shift. The proton donor Cl3CH, which has a positive dipole moment derivative with respect to Csbnd H bond extension, tends to form red-shifted complexes, this tendency being modified by the hardness (and dipole moment) associated with the proton acceptor. On the other hand, F3CH has a negative dipole moment derivative and tends to form blue-shifted complexes, suggesting that as X becomes more electron-withdrawing, the proton donor should have a negative dipole moment derivative and form blue-shifted complexes. Surprisingly, the most polar proton donor (NC)3CH was found to have a positive dipole moment derivative and produces red-shifted complexes. A perturbative model was found useful in rationalizing the trends for the Csbnd H bond length change and associated frequency shift.

Scintillation properties of Nd 3+, Tm 3+, and Er 3+ doped LuF 3 scintillators in the vacuum ultra violet region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yanagida, Takayuki; Kawaguchi, Noriaki; Fukuda, Kentaro; Kurosawa, Shunsuke; Fujimoto, Yutaka; Futami, Yoshisuke; Yokota, Yuui; Taniue, Kojiro; Sekiya, Hiroyuki; Kubo, Hidetoshi; Yoshikawa, Akira; Tanimori, Toru

2011-12-01

In order to develop novel vacuum ultra violet (VUV) emitting scintillators, we grew Nd 0.5%, Tm 0.5%, and Er 0.5% doped LuF3 scintillators by the μ-pulling down method, because LuF3 has a very wide band gap and Nd3+, Tm3+, and Er3+ 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 Nd3+, Tm3+, and Er3+ doped LuF3, respectively. Using PMT R8778 (Hamamatsu), we measured their light yields under 241Am α-ray excitation. Compared with Nd:LaF3 scintillator, which has 33 photoelectrons/5.5 MeV α, Nd:LuF3 and Tm:LuF3 showed 900±90 and 170±20 ph/5.5 MeV-α, respectively. Only for the Nd doped one, we can detect 137Cs 662 keV γ-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:LuF3 turned out to be 7.63 ns.

Extraction of Lateral-Directional Stability and Control Derivatives for the Basic F-18 Aircraft at High Angles of Attack

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Iliff, Kenneth W.; Wang, Kon-Sheng Charles

1997-01-01

The results of parameter identification to determine the lateral-directional stability and control derivatives of an F-18 research aircraft in its basic hardware and software configuration are presented. The derivatives are estimated from dynamic flight data using a specialized identification program developed at NASA Dryden Flight Research Center. The formulation uses the linearized aircraft equations of motions in their continuous/discrete form and a maximum likelihood estimator that accounts for both state and measurement noise. State noise is used to model the uncommanded forcing function caused by unsteady aerodynamics, such as separated and vortical flows, over the aircraft. The derivatives are plotted as functions of angle of attack between 3 deg and 47 deg and compared with wind-tunnel predictions. The quality of the derivative estimates obtained by parameter identification is somewhat degraded because the maneuvers were flown with the aircraft's control augmentation system engaged, which introduced relatively high correlations between the control variables and response variables as a result of control motions from the feedback control system.

The 3F condensation polyimides: Review and update

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Alston, William B.; Gratz, Roy F.

1989-01-01

Nine new condensation polyimides containing the phenyltrifluoroethylidene (3F) linkage were synthesized by the amic-acid route. Several other polyimides, including some with hexafluoroisopropylidene (6F) linkage, were also prepared as controls. Amic-acid solutions were characterized by determining their inherent viscosities prior to thermal conversion into polyimide films. Glass transition temperatures (T sub g), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and isothermal weight loss data (at 316, 371, and 371 C under 0.5 MPa air pressure) were obtained for the films. The films were pulverized into molding powders which, in turn, were thermally processed under pressure into neat resin disks. The disks were also characterized by T sub g's and 316 and 371 C isothermal weight losses. The film study identified two new polyimides with T sub g's greater than 371 C and two new polyimides with low rates of weight loss. The resin disks exhibited the same overall trends in T sub g and weight loss as the respective films, however the weight loss per unit surface area was always greater, presumably due to molecular degradation induced during preparation of the molding powders. The overall results indicate that polyimides containing the 3F linkage have T sub g's and thermo-oxidative stability comparable to polyimides containing the 6F group. Alternate technology was also shown by the synthesis of two new polyalkyl substituted 3F diamines and five more new 3F polymers. Their potential as photoresists was demonstrated by T sub g advancement after ultraviolet exposure. Last, four U.S. patents on 3F monomers and polymers were issued and up to eight more are pending.

Synthesis of the complex fluoride LiBaF 3 and optical spectroscopy properties of LiBaF 3: M( M=Eu,Ce) through a solvothermal process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hua, Ruinian; Lei, Bingfu; Xie, Demin; Shi, Chunshan

2003-11-01

The complex fluoride LiBaF 3 and LiBaF 3: M( M=Eu, Ce) is solvothermally synthesized at 180°C and characterized by means of X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and infrared spectroscopy. In the solvothermal process, the solvents, molar ratios of initial mixtures and reaction temperature play important roles in the formation of products. The excitation and emission spectra of the LiBaF 3: M( M=Eu,Ce) have been measured by fluorescence spectrophotometer. In the LiBaF 3:Eu emission spectra, there is one sharp line emission located at 360 nm arising from f→ f transition of Eu 2+ in the host lattice, and typical doublet 5 d-4 f emission of Ce 3+ in LiBaF 3 powder is shown.

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

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, K. M.; Kim, J. Y.; Kwon, H. W.; Kim, D. H.; Lee, J. G.; Yu, J. H.

2017-05-01

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 μ Ω .cm compared to 190 μ Ω .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.

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

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

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

2012-03-01

Room-temperature modification of potassium oxyfluorotungstate, G2-K3WO3F3, 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 Eg=4.32 eV have been obtained for G2-K3WO3F3 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-K3WO3F3 is predicted to possess the relatively large nonlinear optical coefficients.

White phosphor using Yb3+-sensitized Er3+-and Tm3+-doped sol-gel derived lead-fluorosilicate transparent glass ceramic excited at 980 nm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tavares, M. C. P.; da Costa, E. B.; Bueno, L. A.; Gouveia-Neto, A. S.

2018-01-01

Generation of primary colors and white light through frequency upconversion using sol-gel derived 80SiO2:20PbF2 vitroceramic phosphors doped with Er3+, Er3+/Yb3+, Tm3+/Yb3+, and Er3+/Tm3+/Yb3+ excited at 980 nm is demonstrated. For Er3+ and Er3+/Yb3+ doped samples emissions were obtained in the blue (410 nm), green (530, and 550 nm) and red (670 nm) regions, corresponding to the 2H9/2 → 4I15/2,2H11/2 → 4I15/2, 4S3/2 → 4I152 and 4F9/2 → 4I15/2 transitions of Er3+, respectively. The codoping with Yb3+ ions altered the spectral profile of most of the emissions compared to the single doped samples, resulting in changes in the emitted color, in addition to a significant increase in the emission intensity. In Tm3+/Yb3+ co-doped samples visible emissions in the blue (480 nm), and red (650 nm), corresponding to transitions 1G4 → 3H6 and 1G4 → 3F4 of Tm3+, respectively, were obtained. The emission intensity around 480 nm overcome the red emission, and luminescence showed a predominantly blue tone. White light with CIE-1931 coordinates (0.36; 0.34) was produced by homogeneously mixing up powders of heat treated at 400 °C co-doped samples 5.0Er3+/5.0Yb3+ and 0.5Tm3+/2.5Yb3+ in the mass ratio of 13%, and 87%, respectively. The measured emission spectrum for a sample resulting from the mixture showed a profile with very good agreement with the spectrum found from the superimposition of the spectra of the co-doped samples.

Macrocyclic {3d-4f} SMMs as building blocks for 1D-polymers: selective bridging of 4f ions by use of an O-donor ligand.

PubMed

Dhers, Sébastien; Feltham, Humphrey L C; Rouzières, Mathieu; Clérac, Rodolphe; Brooker, Sally

2016-11-15

Crystallisation of the tetranuclear 3d-4f Single-Molecule Magnet (SMM) [CuTb III (L Et )(NO 3 ) 3 (MeOH)]·MeOH (1) with Na 2 [tpa] (tpa = terephthalate and H 6 L Et is the [3 + 3] imine macrocycle derived from 1,4-diformyl-2,3-dihydroxybenzene and 1,2-diaminoethane) gives a structurally characterised one-dimensional cationic polymer {[CuTb III (L Et )(tpa)(H 2 O) 3 ](NO 3 )·0.5H 2 O·0.25MeOH} n (2). A comparative study of the static and dynamic magnetic properties of 2 and its precursor, 1, is reported.

Acute toxicity of sodium formononetin-3'-sulphonate (Sul-F) in Sprague-Dawley rats and Beagle dogs.

PubMed

Li, Guisheng; Yang, Menglin; Hao, Xinmiao; Li, Chunmei; Gao, Yonglin; Tao, Jun

2015-11-01

Sodium formononetin-3'-sulphonate (Sul-F, C16H12O7SNa), a water-soluble derivate of formononetin, provided significant neuroprotective and cardioprotective effects in vitro and in vivo. The aim of this study was to evaluate acute toxicity of Sul-F after intravenous administration in rats and dogs. Animals were intravenously administered Sul-F at the maximum dosage of 2000 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg in rats and dogs, respectively. After treatment, rats and dogs were monitored for 14 days. Body weight, clinical signs, the hematological and biochemical findings, and pathological examination were performed. The results showed that no Sul-F related clinical signs of toxicity or mortality were observed in rats. Of note, the transient vomiting was found in dogs after Sul-F administration 15-20 min. In addition, a white crystal, non-metabolic Sul-F, was found after urine volatilization in Sul-F treated animals (rats and dogs). However, neither biochemical findings nor histopathological changes due to Sul-F treatment were found in tests. In summary, the present study results provided practical guidance for selecting a safe dosage for Sul-F further studies and clinical trials in the future. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

TL and PL studies on cubic fluoroperovskite single crystal (KMgF3: Eu2+, Ce3+)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Daniel, D. Joseph; Madhusoodanan, U.; Annalakshmi, O.; Ramasamy, P.

2014-04-01

The perovskite-like KMgF3 polycrystalline compounds were synthesized by standard solid state reaction technique. Phase purity of the synthesized compounds was analyzed by powder X-ray diffraction technique. Single crystals of (0.2 mol% of EuF3 and CeF3) Co-doped KMgF3 have been grown from melt by using a vertical Bridgman-Stockbarger method. Thermoluminescence (TL) characteristics of KMgF3 samples doped with Eu2+ and Ce3+ have been studied after β-ray irradiation. At ambient conditions the photoluminescence spectra consisted of sharp line peaked of Eu2+ at 360 nm attributed to the f → f transition (6P7/2→8S7/2) could only be observed due to the energy transfer from Ce3+ to Eu2+.

New fluoroprostaglandin F(2alpha) derivatives with prostanoid FP-receptor agonistic activity as potent ocular-hypotensive agents.

PubMed

Nakajima, Tadashi; Matsugi, Takeshi; Goto, Wakana; Kageyama, Masaaki; Mori, Nobuaki; Matsumura, Yasushi; Hara, Hideaki

2003-12-01

To find new prostanoid FP-receptor agonists possessing potent ocular-hypotensive effects with minimal side effects, we evaluated the agonistic activities of newly synthesized prostaglandin F(2alpha) derivatives for the prostanoid FP-receptor both in vitro and in vivo. The iris constrictions induced by the derivatives and their effects on melanin content were examined using cat isolated iris sphincters and cultured B16 melanoma cells, respectively. The effects of derivative ester forms on miosis and intraocular pressure (IOP) were evaluated in cats and cynomolgus monkeys, respectively. Of these derivatives, 6 out of 12 compounds were more potent iris constrictors, with EC(50) values of 0.6 to 9.4 nM, than a carboxylic acid of latanoprost (EC(50)=13.6 nM). A carboxylic acid of latanoprost (100 microM) significantly increased the melanin content of cultured B16 melanoma cells, but some 15,15-difluoro derivatives, such as AFP-157 and AFP-172, did not. Topically applied AFP-168, AFP-169 and AFP-175 (isopropyl ester, methyl ester and ethyl ester forms, respectively, of AFP-172) induced miosis in cats more potently than latanoprost. AFP-168 (0.0005%) reduced IOP to the same extent as 0.005% latanoprost (for at least 8 h). These findings indicate that 15,15-difluoroprostaglandin F(2alpha) derivatives, especially AFP-168, have more potent prostanoid FP-receptor agonistic activities than latanoprost. Hence, AFP-168 may be worthy of further evaluation as an ocular-hypotensive agent.

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

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

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.

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

PubMed

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.

Upconversion improvement in KLaF4:Yb3+/Er3+ nanoparticles by doping Al3+ ions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Haifang; Wang, Xiechun; Lai, Yunfeng; Cheng, Shuying; Zheng, Qiao; Yu, Jinlin

2017-10-01

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 KLaF4:Yb3+/Er3+ nanoparticles (NPs) were successfully synthesized by a hydrothermal method, and remarkably enhanced upconversion luminescence in green and red emission bands in KLaF4:Yb3+/Er3+ NPs has been achieved by doping Al3+ ions under 980 nm excitation. Compared to the aluminum-free KLaF4:Yb3+/Er3+ NPs sample, the UC fluorescence intensities of the green and red emissions of NPs doped with 10 at.% Al3+ ions were significantly enhanced by 5.9 and 7.3 times, respectively. Longer lifetimes of the doped samples were observed for the 4S3/2 state and 4F9/2 state. The underlying reason for the UC enhancement by doping Al3+ ions was mainly ascribed to distortion of the local symmetry around Er3+ ions and adsorption reduction of organic ligands on the surface of NPs. In addition, the influence of doping Al3+ ions on the structure and morphology of the NPs samples was also discussed.

Structure and migration in U.S. Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici populations

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

While wheat powdery mildew occurs throughout the south-central and eastern U.S.A, epidemics are especially damaging in the Mid-Atlantic states. The structure of the U.S. Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici population was assessed based on a sample of 238 single-spored isolates. The isolates were coll...

Deriving Global OH Abundance and Atmospheric Lifetimes for Long-Lived Gases: A Search for CH3CCl3 Alternatives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liang, Qing; Chipperfield, Martyn P.; Fleming, Eric L.; Abraham, N. Luke; Braesicke, Peter; Burkholder, James B.; Daniel, John S.; Dhomse, Sandip; Fraser, Paul J.; Hardiman, Steven C.; Jackman, Charles H.; Kinnison, Douglas E.; Krummel, Paul B.; Montzka, Stephen A.; Morgenstern, Olaf; McCulloch, Archie; Mühle, Jens; Newman, Paul A.; Orkin, Vladimir L.; Pitari, Giovanni; Prinn, Ronald G.; Rigby, Matthew; Rozanov, Eugene; Stenke, Andrea; Tummon, Fiona; Velders, Guus J. M.; Visioni, Daniele; Weiss, Ray F.

2017-11-01

An accurate estimate of global hydroxyl radical (OH) abundance is important for projections of air quality, climate, and stratospheric ozone recovery. As the atmospheric mixing ratios of methyl chloroform (CH3CCl3) (MCF), the commonly used OH reference gas, approaches zero, it is important to find alternative approaches to infer atmospheric OH abundance and variability. The lack of global bottom-up emission inventories is the primary obstacle in choosing a MCF alternative. We illustrate that global emissions of long-lived trace gases can be inferred from their observed mixing ratio differences between the Northern Hemisphere (NH) and Southern Hemisphere (SH), given realistic estimates of their NH-SH exchange time, the emission partitioning between the two hemispheres, and the NH versus SH OH abundance ratio. Using the observed long-term trend and emissions derived from the measured hemispheric gradient, the combination of HFC-32 (CH2F2), HFC-134a (CH2FCF3, HFC-152a (CH3CHF2), and HCFC-22 (CHClF2), instead of a single gas, will be useful as a MCF alternative to infer global and hemispheric OH abundance and trace gas lifetimes. The primary assumption on which this multispecies approach relies is that the OH lifetimes can be estimated by scaling the thermal reaction rates of a reference gas at 272 K on global and hemispheric scales. Thus, the derived hemispheric and global OH estimates are forced to reconcile the observed trends and gradient for all four compounds simultaneously. However, currently, observations of these gases from the surface networks do not provide more accurate OH abundance estimate than that from MCF.

Dependence of e31,f on polar axis texture for tetragonal Pb(Zrx,Ti1-x)O3 thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

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.

The ALHAMBRA survey: 2D analysis of the stellar populations in massive early-type galaxies at z < 0.3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

San Roman, I.; Cenarro, A. J.; Díaz-García, L. A.; López-Sanjuan, C.; Varela, J.; González Delgado, R. M.; Sánchez-Blázquez, P.; Alfaro, E. J.; Ascaso, B.; Bonoli, S.; Borlaff, A.; Castander, F. J.; Cerviño, M.; Fernández-Soto, A.; Márquez, I.; Masegosa, J.; Muniesa, D.; Pović, M.; Viironen, K.; Aguerri, J. A. L.; Benítez, N.; Broadhurst, T.; Cabrera-Caño, J.; Cepa, J.; Cristóbal-Hornillos, D.; Infante, L.; Martínez, V. J.; Moles, M.; del Olmo, A.; Perea, J.; Prada, F.; Quintana, J. M.

2018-01-01

We present a technique that permits the analysis of stellar population gradients in a relatively low-cost way compared to integral field unit (IFU) surveys. We developed a technique to analyze unresolved stellar populations of spatially resolved galaxies based on photometric multi-filter surveys. This technique allows the analysis of vastly larger samples and out to larger galactic radii. We derived spatially resolved stellar population properties and radial gradients by applying a centroidal Voronoi tessellation and performing a multicolor photometry spectral energy distribution fitting. This technique has been successfully applied to a sample of 29 massive (M⋆ > 1010.5M⊙) early-type galaxies at z < 0.3 from the ALHAMBRA survey. We produced detailed 2D maps of stellar population properties (age, metallicity, and extinction), which allow us to identify galactic features. Radial structures were studied, and luminosity-weighted and mass-weighted gradients were derived out to 2-3.5 Reff. We find that the spatially resolved stellar population mass, age, and metallicity are well represented by their integrated values. We find the gradients of early-type galaxies to be on average flat in age (∇log AgeL = 0.02 ± 0.06 dex/Reff) and negative in metallicity (∇[Fe/H]L = -0.09 ± 0.06 dex/Reff). Overall,the extinction gradients are flat (∇Av = -0.03 ± 0.09 mag/Reff ) with a wide spread. These results are in agreement with previous studies that used standard long-slit spectroscopy, and with the most recent IFU studies. According to recent simulations, these results are consistent with a scenario where early-type galaxies were formed through major mergers and where their final gradients are driven by the older ages and higher metallicity of the accreted systems. We demonstrate the scientific potential of multi-filter photometry to explore the spatially resolved stellar populations of local galaxies and confirm previous spectroscopic trends from a complementary

The Y-chromosome haplogroup C3*-F3918, likely attributed to the Mongol Empire, can be traced to a 2500-year-old nomadic group.

PubMed

Zhang, Ye; Wu, Xiyan; Li, Jiawei; Li, Hongjie; Zhao, Yongbin; Zhou, Hui

2018-02-01

The Mongol Empire had a significant role in shaping the landscape of modern populations. Many populations living in Eurasia may have been the product of population mixture between ancient Mongolians and natives following the expansion of Mongol Empire. Geneticists have found that most of these populations carried the Y-haplogroup C3* (C-M217). To trace the history of haplogroup (Hg) C3* and to further understand the origin and development of Mongolians, ancient human remains from the Jinggouzi, Chenwugou and Gangga archaeological sites, which belonged to the Donghu, Xianbei and Shiwei, respectively, were analysed. Our results show that nine of the eleven males of the Gangga site, two of the eight males of Chengwugou site and all of the twelve males of Jinggouzi site were found to have mutations at M130 (Hg C), M217 (Hg C3), L1373 (C2b, ISOGG2015), with the absence of mutations at M93 (Hg C3a), P39 (Hg C3b), M48 (Hg C3c), M407 (Hg C3d) and P62 (Hg C3f). These samples were attributed to the Y-chromosome Hg C3* (Hg C2b, ISOGG2015), and most of them were further typed as Hg C2b1a based on the mutation at F3918. Finally, we inferred that the Y-chromosome Hg C3*-F3918 can trace its origins to the Donghu ancient nomadic group.

C_7F_16/He rf plasma CVD of a-C:F films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hokoi, Kohji; Akazawa, Masamichi; Sugawara, Hirotake; Sakai, Yosuke

2000-10-01

Fluorinated carbon is one of the most promissing materials with low dielectric constant ɛr and high dielectric strength V_b. We have deposited a-C:F films by rf (13.56 MHz) plasma enhanced CVD method using the following liquid materials; C_7F_16, (C_3F_7)_3N/(C_4F_9)_3N and C_8F_18/C_8F_16O.(C. P. Lungu et al.), Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 38, L1544--6 (1999) The films showed ɛr values in a range of 1.9--3.0 and V_b>2 MV/cm. In this work, we added He (3 Pa) to C_7F_16 (60 Pa) plasmas, expecting that He atoms in the metastable excited state (He*, 19.8 eV) would promote C_7F_16 decomposition in gas phase or activation of the film surface during deposition. The films with the thickness up to 2300 nm were deposited on unheated Si substrate with an rf power of 100 W. The deposition rate derived from the film thickness measurement by SEM and ellipsometry was about 230 nm/min. This value is roughly two times as large as that of the films deposited by C_7F_16 (60 Pa) plasmas without He. We discuss the mechanism that leads to such a significant increase in the deposition rate.

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

PubMed

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.

40 CFR Table F-3 to Subpart F of... - Critical Parameters of Idealized Ambient Particle Size Distributions

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... Ambient Particle Size Distributions F Table F-3 to Subpart F of Part 53 Protection of Environment... Ambient Particle Size Distributions Idealized Distribution Fine Particle Mode MMD (µm) Geo. Std. Dev. Conc. (µg/m3) Coarse Particle Mode MMD (µm) Geo. Std. Dev. Conc. (µg/m3) PM2.5/PM10 Ratio FRM Sampler...

40 CFR Table F-3 to Subpart F of... - Critical Parameters of Idealized Ambient Particle Size Distributions

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... Ambient Particle Size Distributions F Table F-3 to Subpart F of Part 53 Protection of Environment... Ambient Particle Size Distributions Idealized Distribution Fine Particle Mode MMD (µm) Geo. Std. Dev. Conc. (µg/m 3) Coarse Particle Mode MMD (µm) Geo. Std. Dev. Conc. (µg/m 3) PM 2.5/PM 10 Ratio FRM Sampler...

40 CFR Table F-3 to Subpart F of... - Critical Parameters of Idealized Ambient Particle Size Distributions

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... Ambient Particle Size Distributions F Table F-3 to Subpart F of Part 53 Protection of Environment... Ambient Particle Size Distributions Idealized Distribution Fine Particle Mode MMD (µm) Geo. Std. Dev. Conc. (µg/m3) Coarse Particle Mode MMD (µm) Geo. Std. Dev. Conc. (µg/m3) PM2.5/PM10 Ratio FRM Sampler...

40 CFR Table F-3 to Subpart F of... - Critical Parameters of Idealized Ambient Particle Size Distributions

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... Ambient Particle Size Distributions F Table F-3 to Subpart F of Part 53 Protection of Environment... Ambient Particle Size Distributions Idealized Distribution Fine Particle Mode MMD (µm) Geo. Std. Dev. Conc. (µg/m3) Coarse Particle Mode MMD (µm) Geo. Std. Dev. Conc. (µg/m3) PM2.5/PM10 Ratio FRM Sampler...

40 CFR Table F-3 to Subpart F of... - Critical Parameters of Idealized Ambient Particle Size Distributions

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... Ambient Particle Size Distributions F Table F-3 to Subpart F of Part 53 Protection of Environment... Ambient Particle Size Distributions Idealized Distribution Fine Particle Mode MMD (µm) Geo. Std. Dev. Conc. (µg/m3) Coarse Particle Mode MMD (µm) Geo. Std. Dev. Conc. (µg/m3) PM 2.5/PM 10 Ratio FRM Sampler...

Synthesis and Monkey-PET Study of (R)- and (S)-18F-Labeled 2-Arylbenzoheterocyclic Derivatives as Amyloid Probes with Distinctive in Vivo Kinetics.

PubMed

Yang, Yanping; Wang, Xuedan; Yang, Hui; Fu, Hualong; Zhang, Jinming; Zhang, Xiaojun; Dai, Jiapei; Zhang, Zhiyong; Lin, Chunping; Guo, Yuzhi; Cui, Mengchao

2016-11-07

This study describes an effective strategy to improve pharmacokinetics of Aβ imaging agents, offering a novel class of (R)- and (S)- 18 F-labeled 2-arylbenzoheterocyclic derivatives which bear an additional chiral hydroxyl group on the side chain. These ligands displayed binding abilities toward Aβ aggregates with K i values ranging from 3.2 to 195.6 nM. Chirality-related discrepancy was observed in biodistribution, and (S)-2-phenylbenzoxazole enantiomers exhibited vastly improved brain clearance with washout ratios higher than 20. Notably, (S)-[ 18 F]28 possessed high binding potency (K i = 7.6 nM) and exceptional brain kinetics (9.46% ID/g at 2 min, brain 2min /brain 60min = 27.8) that is superior to well-established [ 18 F]AV45. The excellent pharmacokinetics and low nonspecific binding of (S)-[ 18 F]28 were testified by dynamic PET/CT scans in monkey brains. In addition, (S)-[ 18 F]28 clearly labeled Aβ plaques both in vitro and ex vivo. These results might qualify (S)-[ 18 F]28 to detect Aβ plaques with high signal-to-noise ratio.

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

PubMed

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.

Magnetic properties of MnF3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choi, Baeksoon; Kim, Changsoo; Park, Sejun; Lee, Soonchil

2015-03-01

MnF3 which is A-type antiferromagnetic material has been reported to show the negative thermal expansion (NTE) below Neel temperature. In this work, the temperature and magnetic field dependence of the magnetization of MnF3 was measured to find the spin order. The M(T) curve measured by NMR fits well with the theory for antiferromagnet with anisotropy, T2 e(-βG), and the measured energy gab(EG) is about 30 K. The M(H) curve shows that a ferromagnetic phase is mixed with the antiferromagnetic phase below the transition temperature. From the comparison of the M(H) curve at 30 K with theory, the relation between Ka and J1 was obtained which is given by Ka ~ 1.9 J1 + 10 . 3 in absolute temperature unit.

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

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kaler, Sanbir S.; Lou, Qiaowei; Donnelly, Vincent M., E-mail: vmdonnelly@uh.edu

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 decreasedmore » 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.« less

Hormonal Regulation and Distinct Functions of Semaphorin-3B and Semaphorin-3F in Ovarian Cancer

PubMed Central

Joseph, Doina; Ho, Shuk-Mei; Syed, Viqar

2009-01-01

Semaphorins comprise a family of molecules that influence neuronal growth and guidance. Class-3 semaphorins, semaphorin-3B (SEMA3B) and semaphorin-3F (SEMA3F) illustrate their effects by forming a complex with neuropilins (NP-1 or NP-2) and plexins. We examined the status and regulation of semaphorins and their receptors in human ovarian cancer cells. A significantly reduced expression of SEMA3B (83 kD), SEMA3F (90 kD), and plexin-A3 was observed in ovarian cancer (OVCA) cell lines when compared to normal human ovarian surface epithelial (HOSE) cells. The expression of NP-1, NP-2 and plexin-A1 was not altered in HOSE and OVCA cells. The decreased expression of SEMA3B, SEMA3F, and plexin-A3 was confirmed in stage 3 ovarian tumors. Treatment of OVCA cells with luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and estrogen induced a significant upregulation of SEMA3B, whereas SEMA3F was upregulated only by estrogen. Co-treatment of cell lines with a hormone and its specific antagonist blocked the effect of the hormone. Ectopic expression of SEMA3B or SEMA3F reduced soft-agar colony formation, adhesion, and cell invasion of OVCA cell cultures. Forced expression of SEMA3B, but not SEMA3F, inhibited viability of OVCA cells. Overexpression of SEMA3B and SEMA3F reduced focal adhesion kinase (FAK) phosphorylation and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9 expression in OVCA cells. Forced expression of SEMA3F, but not SEMA3B in OVCA cells, significantly inhibited endothelial cell tube formation. Collectively, our results suggest loss of SEMA3 expression could be a hallmark of cancer progression. Furthermore, gonadotropin- and/or estrogen-mediated maintenance of SEMA3 expression could control ovarian cancer angiogenesis and metastasis. PMID:20124444

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

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

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

2012-11-01

The syntheses, structures, and characterization of organically templated zero-dimensional titanium fluoride materials, A2TiF6 (A[N(CH3)4] or [C(NH2)3]), are reported. Phase pure samples of A2TiF6 were synthesized by either solvothermal reaction method or a simple mixing method. While [N(CH3)4]2TiF6 crystallizes in a centrosymmetric space group, R-3, [C(NH2)3]2TiF6 crystallizes in a noncentrosymmetric polar space group, Cm. The asymmetric out-of-center distortion of TiF6 octahedra in polar [C(NH2)3]2TiF6 are attributable to the hydrogen-bonding interactions between the fluorine atoms in TiF6 octahedra and the nitrogen atoms in the [C(NH2)3]+ cation. Powder second-harmonic generation (SHG) measurements on the [C(NH2)3]2TiF6, using 1064 nm radiation, indicate the material has SHG efficiency of 25× that of α-SiO2, which indicates an average nonlinear optical susceptibility, 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 TiF6 octahedra will be also reported.

Monomer Derived Poly(Furfuryl)/BaTiO3 0-3 Nanocomposite Capacitors: Maximization of the Effective Permittivity Through Control at the Interface.

PubMed

Pearsall, Frederick A; Lombardi, Julien; O'Brien, Stephen

2017-11-22

Frequency stable, high permittivity nanocomposite capacitors produced under mild processing conditions offer an attractive replacement to MLCCs derived from conventional ceramic firing. Here, 0-3 nanocomposites were prepared using gel-collection derived barium titanate nanocrystals, suspended in a poly(furfuryl alcohol) matrix, resulting in a stable, high effective permittivity, low loss dielectric. The nanocrystals are produced at 60 °C, emerging as fully crystallized cubic BTO, 8 nm, paraelectric with a highly functional surface that enables both suspension and chemical reaction in organic solvents. The nanocrystals were suspended in furfuryl alcohol inside a uniquely prepared mold, in which volume fraction of nanocrystal filler (ν f ) could be varied. Polymerization of the matrix in situ at 70-90 °C resulted in a nanocomposite with a higher than anticipated effective permittivity (up to 50, with ν f only 0.41, 0.5-2000 kHz), exceptional stability as a function of frequency, and very favorable dissipation factors (tan δ < 0.01, ν f < 0.41; tan δ < 0.05, ν f < 0.5). The increased permittivity is attributed to the covalent attachment of the poly(furfuryl alcohol) matrix to the surface of the nanocrystals, homogenizing the particle-matrix interface, limiting undercoordinated surface sites and reducing void space. XPS and FTIR confirmed strong interfacial interaction between matrix and nanocrystal surface. Effective medium approximations were used to compare this with similar nanocomposite systems. It was found that the high effective permittivity could not be attributed to the combination of two components alone, rather the creation of a hybrid nanocomposite possessing its own dielectric behavior. A nondispersive medium was selected to focus on the frequency dependent permittivity of the 8 nm barium titanate nanocrystals. Experimental corroboration with known theory is evident until a specific volume fraction (ν f ≈ 0.3) where, due to a sharp increase in

Genetic diversity of the merozoite surface protein-3 gene in Plasmodium falciparum populations in Thailand.

PubMed

Pattaradilokrat, Sittiporn; Sawaswong, Vorthon; Simpalipan, Phumin; Kaewthamasorn, Morakot; Siripoon, Napaporn; Harnyuttanakorn, Pongchai

2016-10-21

An effective malaria vaccine is an urgently needed tool to fight against human malaria, the most deadly parasitic disease of humans. One promising candidate is the merozoite surface protein-3 (MSP-3) of Plasmodium falciparum. This antigenic protein, encoded by the merozoite surface protein (msp-3) gene, is polymorphic and classified according to size into the two allelic types of K1 and 3D7. A recent study revealed that both the K1 and 3D7 alleles co-circulated within P. falciparum populations in Thailand, but the extent of the sequence diversity and variation within each allelic type remains largely unknown. The msp-3 gene was sequenced from 59 P. falciparum samples collected from five endemic areas (Mae Hong Son, Kanchanaburi, Ranong, Trat and Ubon Ratchathani) in Thailand and analysed for nucleotide sequence diversity, haplotype diversity and deduced amino acid sequence diversity. The gene was also subject to population genetic analysis (F st ) and neutrality tests (Tajima's D, Fu and Li D* and Fu and Li' F* tests) to determine any signature of selection. The sequence analyses revealed eight unique DNA haplotypes and seven amino acid sequence variants, with a haplotype and nucleotide diversity of 0.828 and 0.049, respectively. Neutrality tests indicated that the polymorphism detected in the alanine heptad repeat region of MSP-3 was maintained by positive diversifying selection, suggesting its role as a potential target of protective immune responses and supporting its role as a vaccine candidate. Comparison of MSP-3 variants among parasite populations in Thailand, India and Nigeria also inferred a close genetic relationship between P. falciparum populations in Asia. This study revealed the extent of the msp-3 gene diversity in P. falciparum in Thailand, providing the fundamental basis for the better design of future blood stage malaria vaccines against P. falciparum.

Notizen: Non-coincidence of Isotropic and Anisotropic Raman Spectra of the v3 Mode of the CH3F/CD3F System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Newberg, I. L.; Gee, C. M.; Thurmond, G. D.; Yen, H. W.

1990-12-01

It has been proved with the aid of CH3F/CD3F mixtures that the remarkably large non-coincidence effect in the Raman scattering spectrum of the v3 mode of liquid methyl fluoride is due to intermolecular vibrational coupling mediated mainly by transition dipole interaction. The amount of the effect and its temperature and mole fraction dependence are - at least qualitatively - in agreement with Logan's theoretical concept. The rather different behaviour of the isotopic species and the asymmetry and narrow width of the isotropic band, however, raise new questions which require further investigations.

Concurrent Isolation of 3 Distinct Cardiac Stem Cell Populations From a Single Human Heart Biopsy.

PubMed

Monsanto, Megan M; White, Kevin S; Kim, Taeyong; Wang, Bingyan J; Fisher, Kristina; Ilves, Kelli; Khalafalla, Farid G; Casillas, Alexandria; Broughton, Kathleen; Mohsin, Sadia; Dembitsky, Walter P; Sussman, Mark A

2017-07-07

The relative actions and synergism between distinct myocardial-derived stem cell populations remain obscure. Ongoing debates on optimal cell population(s) for treatment of heart failure prompted implementation of a protocol for isolation of multiple stem cell populations from a single myocardial tissue sample to develop new insights for achieving myocardial regeneration. Establish a robust cardiac stem cell isolation and culture protocol to consistently generate 3 distinct stem cell populations from a single human heart biopsy. Isolation of 3 endogenous cardiac stem cell populations was performed from human heart samples routinely discarded during implantation of a left ventricular assist device. Tissue explants were mechanically minced into 1 mm 3 pieces to minimize time exposure to collagenase digestion and preserve cell viability. Centrifugation removes large cardiomyocytes and tissue debris producing a single cell suspension that is sorted using magnetic-activated cell sorting technology. Initial sorting is based on tyrosine-protein kinase Kit (c-Kit) expression that enriches for 2 c-Kit + cell populations yielding a mixture of cardiac progenitor cells and endothelial progenitor cells. Flowthrough c-Kit - mesenchymal stem cells are positively selected by surface expression of markers CD90 and CD105. After 1 week of culture, the c-Kit + population is further enriched by selection for a CD133 + endothelial progenitor cell population. Persistence of respective cell surface markers in vitro is confirmed both by flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry. Three distinct cardiac cell populations with individualized phenotypic properties consistent with cardiac progenitor cells, endothelial progenitor cells, and mesenchymal stem cells can be successfully concurrently isolated and expanded from a single tissue sample derived from human heart failure patients. © 2017 American Heart Association, Inc.

40 CFR 721.10340 - Potassium zinc fluoride (KZnF3).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 32 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Potassium zinc fluoride (KZnF3). 721... Substances § 721.10340 Potassium zinc fluoride (KZnF3). (a) Chemical substance and significant new uses subject to reporting. (1) The chemical substance identified as potassium zinc fluoride (KZnF3) (PMN P-04...

40 CFR 721.10340 - Potassium zinc fluoride (KZnF3).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 31 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Potassium zinc fluoride (KZnF3). 721... Substances § 721.10340 Potassium zinc fluoride (KZnF3). (a) Chemical substance and significant new uses subject to reporting. (1) The chemical substance identified as potassium zinc fluoride (KZnF3) (PMN P-04...

40 CFR 721.10340 - Potassium zinc fluoride (KZnF3).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 32 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Potassium zinc fluoride (KZnF3). 721... Substances § 721.10340 Potassium zinc fluoride (KZnF3). (a) Chemical substance and significant new uses subject to reporting. (1) The chemical substance identified as potassium zinc fluoride (KZnF3) (PMN P-04...

Derivatives of Horn hypergeometric functions with respect to their parameters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ancarani, L. U.; Del Punta, J. A.; Gasaneo, G.

2017-07-01

The derivatives of eight Horn hypergeometric functions [four Appell F1, F2, F3, and F4, and four (degenerate) confluent Φ1, Φ2, Ψ1, and Ξ1] with respect to their parameters are studied. The first derivatives are expressed, systematically, as triple infinite summations or, alternatively, as single summations of two-variable Kampé de Fériet functions. Taking advantage of previously established expressions for the derivative of the confluent or Gaussian hypergeometric functions, the generalization to the nth derivative of Horn's functions with respect to their parameters is rather straightforward in most cases; the results are expressed in terms of n + 2 infinite summations. Following a similar procedure, mixed derivatives are also treated. An illustration of the usefulness of the derivatives of F1, with respect to the first and third parameters, is given with the study of autoionization of atoms occurring as part of a post-collisional process. Their evaluation setting the Coulomb charge to zero provides the coefficients of a Born-like expansion of the interaction.

Spinosad resistance in female Musca domestica L. from a field-derived population.

PubMed

Markussen, Mette D K; Kristensen, Michael

2012-01-01

Bait-formulated spinosad is currently being introduced for housefly (Musca domestica L.) control around the world. Spinosad resistance was evaluated in a multiresistant field population and strains derived from this by selection with insecticides. Constitutive and spinosad-induced expression levels of three cytochrome P450 genes, CYP6A1, CYP6D1 and CYP6D3, previously reported to be involved in insecticide resistance, were examined. In 2004 a baseline for spinosad toxicity of Danish houseflies where all field populations were considered to be susceptible was established. In the present study, females of a multiresistant field population 791a were, however, 27-fold spinosad resistant at LC(50), whereas 791a male houseflies were susceptible. Strain 791a was selected with spinosad, thiamethoxam, fipronil and imidacloprid, resulting in four strains with individual characteristics. Selection of 791a with spinosad did not alter spinosad resistance in either males or females, but counterselected against resistance to the insecticides thiamethoxam and imidacloprid targeting nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. A synergist study with piperonyl butoxide, as well as gene expression studies of CYP6A1, CYP6D1 and CYP6D3, indicated a partial involvement of cytochrome P450 genes in spinosad resistance. This study reports female-linked spinosad resistance in Danish houseflies. Negative cross-resistance was observed between spinosad and neonicotinoids in one multiresistant housefly strain. Spinosad resistance involved alterations of cytochrome P450 gene expression. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry.

¹¹¹In-anti-F4/80-A3-1 antibody: a novel tracer to image macrophages.

PubMed

Terry, Samantha Y A; Boerman, Otto C; Gerrits, Danny; Franssen, Gerben M; Metselaar, Josbert M; Lehmann, Steffi; Oyen, Wim J G; Gerdes, Christian A; Abiraj, Keelara

2015-08-01

Here, the expression of F4/80 on the cell surface of murine macrophages was exploited to develop a novel imaging tracer that could visualize macrophages in vivo. The immunoreactive fraction and IC50 of anti-F4/80-A3-1, conjugated with diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) and radiolabelled with (111)In, were determined in vitro using murine bone marrow-derived macrophages. In vivo biodistribution studies were performed with (111)In-anti-F4/80-A3-1 and isotype-matched control antibody (111)In-rat IgG2b at 24 and 72 h post-injection (p.i.) in SCID/Beige mice bearing orthotopic MDA-MB-231 xenografts. In some studies mice were also treated with liposomal clodronate. Macrophage content in tissues was determined immunohistochemically. Micro-single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/CT images were also acquired. In vitro binding assays showed that (111)In-anti-F4/80-A3-1 specifically binds F4/80 receptor-positive macrophages. The immunoreactivity of anti-F4/80-A3-1 was 75 % and IC50 was 0.58 nM. In vivo, injection of 10 or 100 μg (111)In-anti-F4/80-A3-1 resulted in splenic uptake of 78 %ID/g and 31 %ID/g, respectively, and tumour uptake of 1.38 %ID/g and 4.08 %ID/g, respectively (72 h p.i.). Liposomal clodronate treatment reduced splenic uptake of 10 μg (111)In-anti-F4/80-A3-1 from 248 %ID/g to 114 %ID/g and reduced (111)In-anti-F4/80-A3-1 uptake in the liver and femur (24 h p.i.). Tracer retention in the blood and tumour uptake increased (24 h p.i.). Tumour uptake of (111)In-anti-F4/80-A3-1 was visualized by microSPECT/CT. Macrophage density in the spleen and liver decreased in mice treated with liposomal clodronate. Uptake of (111)In-rat IgG2b was lower in the spleen, liver and femur when compared to (111)In-anti-F4/80-A3-1. Radiolabelled anti-F4/80-A3-1 antibodies specifically localize in tissues infiltrated by macrophages in mice and can be used to visualize tumours. The liver and spleen act as antigen sink organs for macrophage-specific tracers.

Design, synthesis, and antimelanogenic effects of (2-substituted phenyl-1,3-dithiolan-4-yl)methanol derivatives

PubMed Central

Kim, Do Hyun; Kim, Su Jeong; Ullah, Sultan; Yun, Hwi Young; Chun, Pusoon; Moon, Hyung Ryong

2017-01-01

The authors designed and synthesized 17 (2-substituted phenyl-1,3-dithiolan-4-yl) methanol (PDTM) derivatives to find a new chemical scaffold, showing excellent tyrosinase-inhibitory activity. Their tyrosinase-inhibitory activities were evaluated against mushroom tyrosinase at 50 μM, and five of the PDTM derivatives (PDTM3, PDTM7–PDTM9, and PDTM13) were found to inhibit mushroom tyrosinase more than kojic acid or arbutin, the positive controls. Of seventeen PDTMs, PDTM3 (half-maximal inhibitory concentration 13.94±1.76 μM), with a 2,4-dihydroxyphenyl moiety, exhibited greatest inhibitory effects (kojic acid half-maximal inhibitory concentration 18.86±2.14 μM). Interestingly, PDTM compounds with no hydroxyl group, PDTM7–PDTM9, also had stronger inhibitory activities than kojic acid. In silico studies of interactions between tyrosinase and the five PDTMs suggested their binding affinities were closely related to their tyrosinase-inhibitory activities. Cell-based experiments performed using B16F10 mouse-skin melanoma cells showed that PDTM3 effectively inhibited melanogenesis and cellular tyrosinase activity. A cell-viability study conducted using B16F10 cells indicated that the antimelanogenic effect of PDTM3 was not attributable to its cytotoxicity. Kinetic studies showed PDTM3 competitively inhibited tyrosinase, indicating binding to the tyrosinase-active site. We found that PDTM3 with a new chemical scaffold could be a promising candidate for skin-whitening agents, and that the 1,3-dithiolane ring could be used as a chemical scaffold for potent tyrosinase inhibition. PMID:28352157

220D-F2 from Rubus ulmifolius kills Streptococcus pneumoniae planktonic cells and pneumococcal biofilms.

PubMed

Talekar, Sharmila J; Chochua, Sopio; Nelson, Katie; Klugman, Keith P; Quave, Cassandra L; Vidal, Jorge E

2014-01-01

Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) forms organized biofilms to persist in the human nasopharynx. This persistence allows the pneumococcus to produce severe diseases such as pneumonia, otitis media, bacteremia and meningitis that kill nearly a million children every year. While bacteremia and meningitis are mediated by planktonic pneumococci, biofilm structures are present during pneumonia and otitis media. The global emergence of S. pneumoniae strains resistant to most commonly prescribed antibiotics warrants further discovery of alternative therapeutics. The present study assessed the antimicrobial potential of a plant extract, 220D-F2, rich in ellagic acid, and ellagic acid derivatives, against S. pneumoniae planktonic cells and biofilm structures. Our studies first demonstrate that, when inoculated together with planktonic cultures, 220D-F2 inhibited the formation of pneumococcal biofilms in a dose-dependent manner. As measured by bacterial counts and a LIVE/DEAD bacterial viability assay, 100 and 200 µg/ml of 220D-F2 had significant bactericidal activity against pneumococcal planktonic cultures as early as 3 h post-inoculation. Quantitative MIC's, whether quantified by qPCR or dilution and plating, showed that 80 µg/ml of 220D-F2 completely eradicated overnight cultures of planktonic pneumococci, including antibiotic resistant strains. When preformed pneumococcal biofilms were challenged with 220D-F2, it significantly reduced the population of biofilms 3 h post-inoculation. Minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC)50 was obtained incubating biofilms with 100 µg/ml of 220D-F2 for 3 h and 6 h of incubation. 220D-F2 also significantly reduced the population of pneumococcal biofilms formed on human pharyngeal cells. Our results demonstrate potential therapeutic applications of 220D-F2 to both kill planktonic pneumococcal cells and disrupt pneumococcal biofilms.

Effect of control logic modifications on airstart performance of F100 engine model derivative engines in an F-15 airplane

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Crawford, D. B.; Burcham, F. W., Jr.

1984-01-01

A series of airstarts were conducted in an F-15 airplane with two prototype Pratt and Whitney F100 Engine Model Derivative engines equipped with Digital Electronic Engine Control (DEEC) systems. The airstart envelope and the time required for airstarts were defined. Comparisons were made between the original airstart logic, and modified logic which was designed to improve the airstart capability. Spooldown airstarts with the modified logic were more successful at lower altitudes than were those with the original logic. Spooldown airstart times ranged from 33 seconds at 250 knots to 83 seconds at 175 knots. The modified logic improved the airstart time from 31% to 53%, with the most improved times at slower airspeeds. Jet fuel starter (JFS)-assisted airstarts were conducted at 7000 m and airstart times were significantly faster than unassisted airstarts. The effect of altitude on airstart times was small.

Magnetic and luminescent properties of multifunctional GdF3:Eu3+ nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wong, Hon-Tung; Chan, H. L. W.; Hao, J. H.

2009-07-01

Multifunctional GdF3:Eu3+ nanoparticles were synthesized using a hydrothermal method. Photoluminescent excitation and emission spectra, and lifetime were measured. The average lifetime of the nanoparticles is about 11 ms. The nanoparticle exhibits paramagnetism at both 293 and 77 K, ascribing to noninteracting localized nature of the magnetic moment in the compound. The magnetic properties of GdF3:Eu3+ is intrinsic to the Gd3+ ions, which is unaffected by the doping concentration of the Eu3+ luminescent centers. A measured magnetization of approximately 2 emu/g is close to reported values of other nanoparticles for bioseparation.

Synthesis, antifungal activity and docking study of 2-amino-4H-benzochromene-3-carbonitrile derivatives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mirjalili, BiBi Fatemeh; Zamani, Leila; Zomorodian, Kamiar; Khabnadideh, Soghra; Haghighijoo, Zahra; Malakotikhah, Zahra; Ayatollahi Mousavi, Seyyed Amin; Khojasteh, Shaghayegh

2016-07-01

Pathogenic fungi are associated with diseases ranging from simple dermatosis to life-threatening infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients. During the past two decades, resistance to established antifungal drugs has increased dramatically and has made it crucial to identify novel antimicrobial compounds. Here, we selected 12 new compounds of 2-amino-4H-benzochromene-3-carbonitrile drivetives (C1-C12) for synthesis by using nano-TiCl4.SiO2 as efficient and green catalyst, then nine of synthetic compounds were evaluated against different species of fungi, positive gram and negative gram of bacteria. Standard and clinical strains of antibiotics sensitive and resistant fungi and bacteria were cultured in appropriate media. Biological activity of the 2-amino-4H-benzochromene-3-carbonitrile derivatives against fungi and bacteries were estimated by the broth micro-dilution method as recommended by clinical and laboratory standard institute (CLSI). In addition minimal fangicidal and bactericial concenteration of the compounds were also determined. Considering our results showed that compound 2-amino-4-(4-methyl benzoate)-4H-benzo[f]chromen-3-carbonitrile (C9) had the most antifungal activity against Aspergillus clavatus, Candida glabarata, Candida dubliniensis, Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis at concentrations ranging from 8 to ≤128 μg/mL. Also compounds 2-amino-4-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-4H-benzo[f]chromen-3-carbonitrile (C4) and 2-amino-4-(4-isopropylphenyl)-4H-benzo[f]chromen-3-carbonitrile (C3) had significant inhibitory activities against Epidermophyton floccosum following 2-amino-4-(4-methylbenzoate)-4H-benzo[f]chromen-3-carbonitrile (C9), respectively. Docking simulation was performed to insert compounds C3, C4 and C9 in to CYP51 active site to determine the probable binding model.

Pharmacokinetics, Biodistribution, and Toxicity Evaluation of Anti-SEMA3A (F11) in In Vivo Models.

PubMed

Lee, Jaehyun; Kim, Donggeon; Son, Eunju; Yoo, Su-Ji; Sa, Jason K; Shin, Yong Jae; Yoon, Yeup; Nam, DO-Hyun

2018-05-01

The aim of our study was to investigate the pharmacokinetics (PK), tissue distribution and toxicity of F11 antibody to semaphorin 3A in mouse models and explore its anti-angiogenic and tumor-inhibitory effect. Patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models were established via subcutaneous implantation of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cells and treated with F11. F11 significantly attenuated tumor growth and angiogenesis in the GBM PDX model. Within the range of administered doses, the PK of F11 in serum demonstrated a linear fashion, consistent with general PK profiles of soluble antigen-targeting antibodies. Additionally, the clearance level was detected at between 4.63 and 7.12 ml/d/kg, while the biological half-life was measured at 6.9 and 9.4 days. Tissue distribution of F11 in kidney, liver and heart was consistent with previously reported antibody patterns. However, the presence of F11 in the brain was an interesting finding. Collectively, our results revealed angiogenic and tumor-inhibitory effect of F11 antibody and its potential therapeutic use within a clinical framework based on PK, biodistribution and toxicity evaluation in mouse models. Copyright© 2018, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.

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

PubMed

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.

Real-Time Stability and Control Derivative Extraction From F-15 Flight Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, Mark S.; Moes, Timothy R.; Morelli, Eugene A.

2003-01-01

A real-time, frequency-domain, equation-error parameter identification (PID) technique was used to estimate stability and control derivatives from flight data. This technique is being studied to support adaptive control system concepts currently being developed by NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration), academia, and industry. This report describes the basic real-time algorithm used for this study and implementation issues for onboard usage as part of an indirect-adaptive control system. A confidence measures system for automated evaluation of PID results is discussed. Results calculated using flight data from a modified F-15 aircraft are presented. Test maneuvers included pilot input doublets and automated inputs at several flight conditions. Estimated derivatives are compared to aerodynamic model predictions. Data indicate that the real-time PID used for this study performs well enough to be used for onboard parameter estimation. For suitable test inputs, the parameter estimates converged rapidly to sufficient levels of accuracy. The devised confidence measures used were moderately successful.

Investigation of the Fe{sup 3+} centers in perovskite KMgF{sub 3} through a combination of ab initio (density functional theory) and semi-empirical (superposition model) calculations

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Emül, Y.; Department of Software Engineering, Cumhuriyet University, 58140 Sivas; Erbahar, D.

2015-08-14

Analyses of the local crystal and electronic structure in the vicinity of Fe{sup 3+} centers in perovskite KMgF{sub 3} crystal have been carried out in a comprehensive manner. A combination of density functional theory (DFT) and a semi-empirical superposition model (SPM) is used for a complete analysis of all Fe{sup 3+} centers in this study for the first time. Some quantitative information has been derived from the DFT calculations on both the electronic structure and the local geometry around Fe{sup 3+} centers. All of the trigonal (K-vacancy case, K-Li substitution case, and normal trigonal Fe{sup 3+} center case), FeF{sub 5}Omore » cluster, and tetragonal (Mg-vacancy and Mg-Li substitution cases) centers have been taken into account based on the previously suggested experimental and theoretical inferences. The collaboration between the experimental data and the results of both DFT and SPM calculations provides us to understand most probable structural model for Fe{sup 3+} centers in KMgF{sub 3}.« less

Estimates of effective population size and inbreeding in South African indigenous chicken populations: implications for the conservation of unique genetic resources.

PubMed

Mtileni, Bohani; Dzama, Kennedy; Nephawe, Khathutshelo; Rhode, Clint

2016-06-01

Conservation of locally adapted indigenous livestock breeds has become an important objective in sustainable animal breeding, as these breeds represent a unique genetic resource. Therefore, the Agricultural Research Council of South Africa initiated a conservation programme for four South African indigenous chicken breeds. The evaluation and monitoring of the genetic constitution of these conservation flocks is important for proper management of the conservation programme. Using molecular genetic analyses, the effective population sizes and relatedness of these conservation flocks were compared to village (field) chicken populations from which they were derived. Genetic diversity within and between these populations are further discussed within the context of population size. The conservation flocks for the respective breeds had relatively small effective population sizes (point estimate range 38.6-78.6) in comparison to the field populations (point estimate range 118.9-580.0). Furthermore, evidence supports a transient heterozygous excess, generally associated with the occurrence of a recent population bottleneck. Genetic diversity, as measured by the number of alleles, heterozygosity and information index, was also significantly reduced in the conservation flocks. The average relatedness amongst the conservation flocks was high, whilst it remained low for the field populations. There was also significant evidence for population differentiation between field and conservation populations. F st estimates for conservation flocks were moderate to high with a maximum reached between VD_C and VD_F (0.285). However, F st estimates for field population were excessively low between the NN_C and EC_F (0.007) and between EC_F and OV_F (0.009). The significant population differentiation of the conservation flocks from their geographically correlated field populations of origin is further supported by the analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA), with 10.51 % of genetic

Morphoagronomic characterization and genetic diversity of a common bean RIL mapping population derived from the cross Rudá x AND 277.

PubMed

Silva, L C; Batista, R O; Anjos, R S R; Souza, M H; Carneiro, P C S; Souza, T L P O; Barros, E G; Carneiro, J E S

2016-07-29

Recombinant inbred lines (RILs) are a valuable resource for building genetic linkage maps. The presence of genetic variability in the RILs is essential for detecting associations between molecular markers and loci controlling agronomic traits of interest. The main goal of this study was to quantify the genetic diversity of a common bean RIL population derived from a cross between Rudá (Mesoamerican gene pool) and AND 277 (Andean gene pool). This population was developed by the single seed descent method from 500 F2 plants until the F10 generation. Seven quantitative traits were evaluated in the field in 393 RILs, the parental lines, and five control cultivars. The plants were grown using a randomized block design with additional controls and three replicates. Significant differences were observed among the RILs for all evaluated traits (P < 0.01). A comparison of the RILs and parental lines showed significant differences (P < 0.01) for the number of days to flowering (DFL) and to harvest (DH), productivity (PROD) and mass of 100 beans (M100); however, there were no significant differences for plant architecture, degree of seed flatness, or seed shape. These results indicate the occurrence of additive x additive epistatic interactions for DFL, DH, PROD, and M100. The 393 RILs were shown to fall into 10 clusters using Tocher's method. This RIL population clearly contained genetic variability for the evaluated traits, and this variability will be crucial for future studies involving genetic mapping and quantitative trait locus identification and analysis.

Distribution analysis for F100(3) engine

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Walter, W. A.; Shaw, M.

1980-01-01

The F100(3) compression system response to inlet circumferential distortion was investigated using an analytical compressor flow model. Compression system response to several types of distortion, including pressure, temperature, and combined pressure/temperature distortions, was investigated. The predicted response trends were used in planning future F100(3) distortion tests. Results show that compression system response to combined temperature and pressure distortions depends upon the relative orientation, as well as the individual amplitudes and circumferential extents of the distortions. Also the usefulness of the analytical predictions in planning engine distortion tests is indicated.

Comparative disposition of (R)-(+)-pulegone in B6C3F1 mice and F344 rats.

PubMed

Chen, L-J; Lebetkin, E H; Burka, L T

2003-07-01

Pulegone is a monoterpene ketone that is usually associated with the herb pennyroyal but is also found in the essential oils from many other mint species. It is the major constituent of pennyroyal oil. Pennyroyal is used as a flavoring and fragrance and as an herbal medicine to induce menstruation and abortion. A disposition study of 14C-pulegone in B6C3F1 mice and F344 rats has been conducted at doses from 0.8 to 80 mg/kg. Mice excrete 85 to 100% of the dose in 24 h. Rats excrete only 59 to 81% of the administered radioactivity in the same time, primarily in urine and feces, with a trace in respired air. Consequently, tissue concentrations are lower in mice than in rats. Male rats tend to have higher tissue concentrations, especially in kidney, than female rats have, but this sex difference is not seen in mice. The residual radioactivity at 24 h demonstrates potential for accumulation of pulegone-derived material in several tissues following multiple doses. The metabolic profile is complex in both species, with at least three pathways involving hydroxylation, reduction, or conjugation with glutathione as first steps. Mercapturic acid pathway metabolites were detected in bile in mice and both bile and urine in rats.

E2f1–3 Are Critical for Myeloid Development*

PubMed Central

Trikha, Prashant; Sharma, Nidhi; Opavsky, Rene; Reyes, Andres; Pena, Clarissa; Ostrowski, Michael C.; Roussel, Martine F.; Leone, Gustavo

2011-01-01

Hematopoietic development involves the coordinated activity of differentiation and cell cycle regulators. In current models of mammalian cell cycle control, E2f activators (E2f1, E2f2, and E2f3) are portrayed as the ultimate transcriptional effectors that commit cells to enter and progress through S phase. Using conditional gene knock-out strategies, we show that E2f1–3 are not required for the proliferation of early myeloid progenitors. Rather, these E2fs are critical for cell survival and proliferation at two distinct steps of myeloid development. First, E2f1–3 are required as transcriptional repressors for the survival of CD11b+ myeloid progenitors, and then they are required as activators for the proliferation of CD11b+ macrophages. In bone marrow macrophages, we show that E2f1–3 respond to CSF1-Myc mitogenic signals and serve to activate E2f target genes and promote their proliferation. Together, these findings expose dual functions for E2f1–3 at distinct stages of myeloid development in vivo, first as repressors in cell survival and then as activators in cell proliferation. In summary, this work places E2f1–3 in a specific signaling cascade that is critical for myeloid development in vivo. PMID:21115501

Neurovirulent Vaccine-Derived Polioviruses in Sewage from Highly Immune Populations

PubMed Central

Shulman, Lester M.; Manor, Yossi; Sofer, Danit; Handsher, Rachel; Swartz, Tiberio; Delpeyroux, Francis; Mendelson, Ella

2006-01-01

Background Vaccine-derived polioviruses (VDPVs) have caused poliomyelitis outbreaks in communities with sub-optimal vaccination. Israeli environmental surveillance of sewage from populations with high (>95%) documented vaccine coverage of confirmed efficacy identified two separate evolutionary clusters of VDPVs: Group 1 (1998–2005, one system, population 1.6×106) and Group 2 (2006, 2 systems, populations 0.7×106 and 5×104). Principal Findings Molecular analyses support evolution of nine Group 1 VDPVs along five different lineages, starting from a common ancestral type 2 vaccine-derived Sabin-2/Sabin-1 recombinant strain, and independent evolution of three Group 2 VDPVs along one lineage starting from a different recombinant strain. The primary evidence for two independent origins was based on comparison of unique recombination fingerprints, the number and distribution of identical substitutions, and evolutionary rates. Geometric mean titers of neutralizing antibodies against Group 1 VDPVs were significantly lower than against vaccine strains in all age-group cohorts tested. All individuals had neutralizing titers >1∶8 against these VDPVs except 7% of the 20–50 year cohort. Group 1 VDPVs were highly neurovirulent in a transgenic mouse model. Intermediate levels of protective immunity against Group 2 VDPVs correlated with fewer (5.0+1.0) amino acid substitutions in neutralizing antigenic sites than in Group 1 VDPV's (12.1±1.5). Significance VDPVs that revert from live oral attenuated vaccines and reacquire characteristics of wild-type polioviruses not only threaten populations with poor immune coverage, but are also a potential source for re-introduction of poliomyelitis into highly immune populations through older individuals with waning immunity. The presence of two independently evolved groups of VDPVs in Israel and the growing number of reports of environmental VDPV elsewhere make it imperative to determine the global frequency of environmental VDPV

Room temperature organic magnets derived from sp3 functionalized graphene.

PubMed

Tuček, Jiří; Holá, Kateřina; Bourlinos, Athanasios B; Błoński, Piotr; Bakandritsos, Aristides; Ugolotti, Juri; Dubecký, Matúš; Karlický, František; Ranc, Václav; Čépe, Klára; Otyepka, Michal; Zbořil, Radek

2017-02-20

Materials based on metallic elements that have d orbitals and exhibit room temperature magnetism have been known for centuries and applied in a huge range of technologies. Development of room temperature carbon magnets containing exclusively sp orbitals is viewed as great challenge in chemistry, physics, spintronics and materials science. Here we describe a series of room temperature organic magnets prepared by a simple and controllable route based on the substitution of fluorine atoms in fluorographene with hydroxyl groups. Depending on the chemical composition (an F/OH ratio) and sp 3 coverage, these new graphene derivatives show room temperature antiferromagnetic ordering, which has never been observed for any sp-based materials. Such 2D magnets undergo a transition to a ferromagnetic state at low temperatures, showing an extraordinarily high magnetic moment. The developed theoretical model addresses the origin of the room temperature magnetism in terms of sp 2 -conjugated diradical motifs embedded in an sp 3 matrix and superexchange interactions via -OH functionalization.

Room temperature organic magnets derived from sp3 functionalized graphene

PubMed Central

Tuček, Jiří; Holá, Kateřina; Bourlinos, Athanasios B.; Błoński, Piotr; Bakandritsos, Aristides; Ugolotti, Juri; Dubecký, Matúš; Karlický, František; Ranc, Václav; Čépe, Klára; Otyepka, Michal; Zbořil, Radek

2017-01-01

Materials based on metallic elements that have d orbitals and exhibit room temperature magnetism have been known for centuries and applied in a huge range of technologies. Development of room temperature carbon magnets containing exclusively sp orbitals is viewed as great challenge in chemistry, physics, spintronics and materials science. Here we describe a series of room temperature organic magnets prepared by a simple and controllable route based on the substitution of fluorine atoms in fluorographene with hydroxyl groups. Depending on the chemical composition (an F/OH ratio) and sp3 coverage, these new graphene derivatives show room temperature antiferromagnetic ordering, which has never been observed for any sp-based materials. Such 2D magnets undergo a transition to a ferromagnetic state at low temperatures, showing an extraordinarily high magnetic moment. The developed theoretical model addresses the origin of the room temperature magnetism in terms of sp2-conjugated diradical motifs embedded in an sp3 matrix and superexchange interactions via –OH functionalization. PMID:28216636

Genetic analysis of virulence in the Pyrenophora teres f. teres population BB25 x FGOH04Ptt021

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Pyrenophora teres f. teres is the causal agent of net form net blotch (NFNB) of barley. In order to map the genetics of avirulence/virulence in P. teres f. teres, a fungal population was developed using P. teres f. teres isolates BB25 (Denmark) and FGOH04Ptt-21 (North Dakota, USA) due to these two i...

Vacuum ultraviolet thin films. I - Optical constants of BaF2, CaF2, LaF3, MgF2, Al2O3, HfO2, and SiO2 thin films. II - Vacuum ultraviolet all-dielectric narrowband filters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zukic, Muamer; Torr, Douglas G.; Spann, James F.; Torr, Marsha R.

1990-01-01

An iteration process matching calculated and measured reflectance and transmittance values in the 120-230 nm VUV region is presently used to ascertain the optical constants of bulk MgF2, as well as films of BaF2, CaF2, LaF3, MgF2, Al2O3, HfO2, and SiO2 deposited on MgF2 substrates. In the second part of this work, a design concept is demonstrated for two filters, employing rapidly changing extinction coefficients, centered at 135 nm for BaF2 and 141 nm for SiO2. These filters are shown to yield excellent narrowband spectral performance in combination with narrowband reflection filters.

CsFe3(SeO3)2F6 with S = 5/2 Cube Tile Lattice.

PubMed

Lu, Hongcheng; Kageyama, Hiroshi

2018-05-21

A layered iron selenite fluoride CsFe 3 (SeO 3 ) 2 F 6 1 was hydrothermally synthesized. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies show that 1 has a trigonal ( P3̅ m1) lattice, where [Fe 3 (SeO 3 ) 2 F 6 ] - blocks of three iron sublayers are separated by Cs cations. Within the block, only Fe(2)F 6 and Fe(1)O 3 F 3 octahedra are magnetically connected via superexchange Fe(1) -F -Fe(2) pathways, giving an S = 5/2 cube tile (dice) lattice. At low magnetic field, 1 exhibits an antiferromagnetic transition at ∼130 K, where ferrimagnetic cube tile layers are arranged in a staggered manner. At low temperatures, we observed a field-induced transition to a ferrimagnetic state with a one-third magnetization plateau.

A 90-day subchronic toxicity study with sodium formononetin-3'-sulphonate (Sul-F) delivered to dogs via intravenous administration.

PubMed

Li, Chunmei; Li, Guisheng; Gao, Yonglin; Sun, Chengfeng; Wang, Xiaoyan

2016-06-01

Sodium formononetin-3'-sulphonate (Sul-F) is a water-soluble derivate of formononetin, and an increasing number of studies have shown that Sul-F not only possesses favorable water solubility but also exhibits good lipid-lowering and bioactivities. In the current study, the toxicity of Sul-F was evaluated in dogs after 90-day intravenous infusion. Dogs were treated with Sul-F at dose of 0, 33.3, 100, and 300 mg/kg, and observed for 90-day followed by 28-day recovery period. Weekly measurement of body weight, temperature and food consumption were conducted. Ophthalmoscopy, ECG examination, urinalysis, serum biochemistry and hematology examination were performed at pre-test, on days 45 and 90, and following by 28-day recovery period. Histological examination was performed on day 90 and 28-day recovery period. No mortality, ophthalmic abnormalities or treatment-related findings in body weight, clinical chemistry, hematology, and histopathological examination were detected. However, a white crystal (non-metabolic Sul-F), transient vomiting and recoverable vascular stimulation were observed in 300 mg/kg/day Sul-F treated dogs. Under the conditions, the no-observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) for Sul-F was 100 mg/kg in dogs. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Comprehensive behavioral phenotyping of a new Semaphorin 3 F mutant mouse.

PubMed

Matsuda, Ikuo; Shoji, Hirotaka; Yamasaki, Nobuyuki; Miyakawa, Tsuyoshi; Aiba, Atsu

2016-02-09

Semaphorin 3 F (Sema3F) is a secreted type of the Semaphorin family of axon guidance molecules. Sema3F and its receptor neuropilin-2 (Npn-2) are expressed in a mutually exclusive manner in the embryonic mouse brain regions including olfactory bulb, hippocampus, and cerebral cortex. Sema3F is thought to have physiological functions in the formation of neuronal circuitry and its refinement. However, functional roles of Sema3F in the brain remain to be clarified. Here, we examined behavioral effects of Sema3F deficiency through a comprehensive behavioral test battery in Sema3F knockout (KO) male mice to understand the possible functions of Sema3F in the brain. Male Sema3F KO and wild-type (WT) control mice were subjected to a battery of behavioral tests, including neurological screen, rotarod, hot plate, prepulse inhibition, light/dark transition, open field, elevated plus maze, social interaction, Porsolt forced swim, tail suspension, Barnes maze, and fear conditioning tests. In the open field test, Sema3F KO mice traveled shorter distance and spent less time in the center of the field than WT controls during the early testing period. In the light/dark transition test, Sema3F KO mice also exhibited decreased distance traveled, fewer number of transitions, and longer latency to enter the light chamber compared with WT mice. In addition, Sema3F KO mice traveled shorter distance than WT mice in the elevated plus maze test, although there were no differences between genotypes in open arm entries and time spent in open arms. Similarly, Sema3F KO mice showed decreased distance traveled in the social interaction test. Sema3F KO mice displayed reduced immobility in the Porsolt forced swim test whereas there was no difference in immobility between genotypes in the tail suspension test. In the fear conditioning test, Sema3F KO mice exhibited increased freezing behavior when exposed to a conditioning context and an altered context in absence of a conditioned stimulus. In the

Mechanism of Enhanced HIV Restriction by Virion Coencapsidated Cytidine Deaminases APOBEC3F and APOBEC3G.

PubMed

Ara, Anjuman; Love, Robin P; Follack, Tyson B; Ahmed, Khawaja A; Adolph, Madison B; Chelico, Linda

2017-02-01

The APOBEC3 (A3) enzymes, A3G and A3F, are coordinately expressed in CD4 + T cells and can become coencapsidated into HIV-1 virions, primarily in the absence of the viral infectivity factor (Vif). A3F and A3G are deoxycytidine deaminases that inhibit HIV-1 replication by inducing guanine-to-adenine hypermutation through deamination of cytosine to form uracil in minus-strand DNA. The effect of the simultaneous presence of both A3G and A3F on HIV-1 restriction ability is not clear. Here, we used a single-cycle infectivity assay and biochemical analyses to determine if coencapsidated A3G and A3F differ in their restriction capacity from A3G or A3F alone. Proviral DNA sequencing demonstrated that compared to each A3 enzyme alone, A3G and A3F, when combined, had a coordinate effect on hypermutation. Using size exclusion chromatography, rotational anisotropy, and in vitro deamination assays, we demonstrate that A3F promotes A3G deamination activity by forming an A3F/G hetero-oligomer in the absence of RNA which is more efficient at deaminating cytosines. Further, A3F caused the accumulation of shorter reverse transcripts due to decreasing reverse transcriptase efficiency, which would leave single-stranded minus-strand DNA exposed for longer periods of time, enabling more deamination events to occur. Although A3G and A3F are known to function alongside each other, these data provide evidence for an A3F/G hetero-oligomeric A3 with unique properties compared to each individual counterpart. The APOBEC3 enzymes APOBEC3F and APOBEC3G act as a barrier to HIV-1 replication in the absence of the HIV-1 Vif protein. After APOBEC3 enzymes are encapsidated into virions, they deaminate cytosines in minus-strand DNA, which forms promutagenic uracils that induce transition mutations or proviral DNA degradation. Even in the presence of Vif, footprints of APOBEC3-catalyzed deaminations are found, demonstrating that APOBEC3s still have discernible activity against HIV-1 in infected

Agronomic performance of F1, F2 and F3 hybrids between weedy rice and transgenic glufosinate-resistant rice.

PubMed

Song, Xiaoling; Wang, Zhou; Qiang, Sheng

2011-08-01

Studies of hybrid fitness, of which agronomic performance may be an indicator, can help in evaluating the potential for introgression of a transgene from a transgenic crop to wild relatives. The objective of this study was to assess the agronomic performance of reciprocal hybrids between two transgenic glufosinate-resistant rice lines, Y0003 and 99-t, and two weedy rice accessions, WR1 and WR2, in the greenhouse. F1 hybrids displayed heterosis in height, flag leaf area and number of spikelets per panicle. The agronomic performance of F1 between WR1 and Y0003 was not affected by crossing direction. The tiller and panicle numbers of F1 individuals were higher than their F2 counterparts. However, these traits did not change significantly from the F2 to the F3 generation or in hybrids with weedy rice as maternal or paternal plants. For all hybrids, the in vitro germination rates of fresh pollen were similar and significantly lower than those of their parents, seed sets were similar to or of lower value than those of weedy rice parents and seed shattering characteristics were partially suppressed, but the survival of hybrids over winter in the field was similar to that of weedy rice parents. All F1, F2 and F3 hybrids had similar composite agronomic performance to weedy rice parents. There was no significant decrease in the composite agronomic performance of any of the hybrids compared with weedy rice. This implies that gene flow from transgenic cultivated rice to weedy rice could occur under natural conditions. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry.

Germylenes: structures, electron affinities, and singlet-triplet gaps of the conventional XGeCY(3) (X = H, F, Cl, Br, and I; Y = F and Cl) species and the unexpected cyclic XGeCY(3) (Y = Br and I) systems.

PubMed

Bundhun, Ashwini; Abdallah, Hassan H; Ramasami, Ponnadurai; Schaefer, Henry F

2010-12-23

A systematic investigation of the X-Ge-CY(3) (X = H, F, Cl, Br, and I; Y = F, Cl, Br, and I) species is carried out using density functional theory. The basis sets used for all atoms (except iodine) in this work are of double-ζ plus polarization quality with additional s- and p-type diffuse functions, and denoted DZP++. Vibrational frequency analyses are performed to evaluate zero-point energy corrections and to determine the nature of the stationary points located. Predicted are four different forms of neutral-anion separations: adiabatic electron affinity (EA(ad)), zero-point vibrational energy corrected EA(ad(ZPVE)), vertical electron affinity (EA(vert)), and vertical detachment energy (VDE). The electronegativity (χ) reactivity descriptor for the halogens (X = F, Cl, Br, and I) is used as a tool to assess the interrelated properties of these germylenes. The topological position of the halogen atom bound to the divalent germanium center is well correlated with the trend in the electron affinities and singlet-triplet gaps. For the expected XGeCY(3) structures (X = H, F, Cl, Br, and I; Y = F and Cl), the predicted trend in the electron affinities is well correlated with simpler germylene derivatives (J. Phys. Chem. A 2009, 113, 8080). The predicted EA(ad(ZPVE)) values with the BHLYP functional range from 1.66 eV (FGeCCl(3)) to 2.20 eV (IGeCF(3)), while the singlet-triplet splittings range from 1.28 eV (HGeCF(3)) to 2.22 eV (FGeCCl(3)). The XGeCY(3) (Y = Br and I) species are most often characterized by three-membered cyclic systems involving the divalent germanium atom, the carbon atom, and a halogen atom.

Accuracy of genomic breeding values in multibreed beef cattle populations derived from deregressed breeding values and phenotypes.

PubMed

Weber, K L; Thallman, R M; Keele, J W; Snelling, W M; Bennett, G L; Smith, T P L; McDaneld, T G; Allan, M F; Van Eenennaam, A L; Kuehn, L A

2012-12-01

Genomic selection involves the assessment of genetic merit through prediction equations that allocate genetic variation with dense marker genotypes. It has the potential to provide accurate breeding values for selection candidates at an early age and facilitate selection for expensive or difficult to measure traits. Accurate across-breed prediction would allow genomic selection to be applied on a larger scale in the beef industry, but the limited availability of large populations for the development of prediction equations has delayed researchers from providing genomic predictions that are accurate across multiple beef breeds. In this study, the accuracy of genomic predictions for 6 growth and carcass traits were derived and evaluated using 2 multibreed beef cattle populations: 3,358 crossbred cattle of the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center Germplasm Evaluation Program (USMARC_GPE) and 1,834 high accuracy bull sires of the 2,000 Bull Project (2000_BULL) representing influential breeds in the U.S. beef cattle industry. The 2000_BULL EPD were deregressed, scaled, and weighted to adjust for between- and within-breed heterogeneous variance before use in training and validation. Molecular breeding values (MBV) trained in each multibreed population and in Angus and Hereford purebred sires of 2000_BULL were derived using the GenSel BayesCπ function (Fernando and Garrick, 2009) and cross-validated. Less than 10% of large effect loci were shared between prediction equations trained on (USMARC_GPE) relative to 2000_BULL although locus effects were moderately to highly correlated for most traits and the traits themselves were highly correlated between populations. Prediction of MBV accuracy was low and variable between populations. For growth traits, MBV accounted for up to 18% of genetic variation in a pooled, multibreed analysis and up to 28% in single breeds. For carcass traits, MBV explained up to 8% of genetic variation in a pooled, multibreed analysis and up to 42% in

ICLUS v1.3 Population Projections

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Climate and land-use change are major components of global environmental change with feedbacks between these components. The consequences of these interactions show that land use may exacerbate or alleviate climate change effects. Based on these findings it is important to use land-use scenarios that are consistent with the specific assumptions underlying climate-change scenarios. The Integrated Climate and Land-Use Scenarios (ICLUS) project developed land-use outputs that are based on a downscaled version of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on Emissions Scenarios (SRES) social, economic, and demographic storylines. ICLUS outputs are derived from a pair of models. A demographic model generates county-level population estimates that are distributed by a spatial allocation model (SERGoM v3) as housing density across the landscape. Land-use outputs were developed for the four main SRES storylines and a baseline (base case). The model is run for the conterminous USA and output is available for each scenario by decade to 2100. In addition to housing density at a 1 hectare spatial resolution, this project also generated estimates of impervious surface at a resolution of 1 square kilometer. This shapefile holds population data for all counties of the conterminous USA for all decades (2010-2100) and SRES population growth scenarios (A1, A2, B1, B2), as well as a 'base case' (BC) scenario, for use in the Integrated Climate and Land Use

Optical emission spectroscopic studies and comparisons of CH{sub 3}F/CO{sub 2} and CH{sub 3}F/O{sub 2} inductively coupled plasmas

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lou, Qiaowei; Kaler, Sanbir; Donnelly, Vincent M., E-mail: vmdonnelly@uh.edu

2015-03-15

A CH{sub 3}F/CO{sub 2} inductively coupled plasma (ICP), sustained in a compact plasma reactor, was investigated as a function of power (5–400 W) and feed gas composition, at a pressure of 10 mTorr, using optical emission spectroscopy and rare gas actinometry. Number densities of H, F, and O increased rapidly between 74% and 80% CO{sub 2}, ascribed to the transition from polymer-covered to polymer-free reactor walls, similar to that found previously in CH{sub 3}F/O{sub 2} ICPs at 48% O{sub 2}. Below 40% O{sub 2} or CO{sub 2}, relative emission intensity ratios were almost identical for most key species in CH{sub 3}F/O{submore » 2} and CH{sub 3}F/CO{sub 2} ICPs except for higher OH/Xe (a qualitative measure of OH and H{sub 2}O densities) over the full range of CH{sub 3}F/O{sub 2} composition. The number density of H, F, and O increased with power in CH{sub 3}F/CO{sub 2} (20%/80%) plasmas (polymer-free walls), reaching 4.0, 0.34, and 1.6 × 10{sup 13}/cm{sup 3}, respectively, at 300 W. The CO number density increased with power and was estimated, based on self-actinometry, to be 8.8 × 10{sup 13}/cm{sup 3} at 300 W. The CO{sub 2} number density was independent of power below 40 W (where very little decomposition occurred), and then decreased rapidly with increasing power, reaching 2.8 × 10{sup 13}/cm{sup 3} at 300 W, corresponding to 83% dissociation. Films deposited on p-Si, 10 cm from the open, downstream end of the plasma reactor, were analyzed by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Between 10% and 40% CO{sub 2} or O{sub 2} addition to CH{sub 3}F, film deposition rates fell and O content in the films increased. Faster deposition rates in CH{sub 3}F/CO{sub 2} plasmas were ascribed mainly to a larger thermodynamic driving force to form solid carbon, compared with CH{sub 3}F/O{sub 2} plasmas. Oxygen content in the films increased with increasing CO{sub 2} or O{sub 2} addition, but for the same deposition rate, no substantial differences

Synthesis and Anticancer Activity of 3-(Substituted Aroyl)-4-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrrole Derivatives.

PubMed

Zhan, Xiao-Ping; Lan, Lan; Wang, Shuai; Zhao, Kai; Xin, Yu-Xuan; Qi, Qi; Wang, Yao-Lin; Mao, Zhen-Min

2017-02-01

A series of 3-(substituted aroyl)-4-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrrole derivatives were synthesized and determined for their anticancer activity against eleven cancer cell lines and two normal tissue cell lines using MTT assay. Among the synthesized compounds, compound 3f was the most potent compound against A375, CT-26, HeLa, MGC80-3, NCI-H460 and SGC-7901 cells (IC 50  = 8.2 - 31.7 μm); 3g, 3n and 3a were the most potent compounds against CHO (IC 50  = 8.2 μm), HCT-15 (IC 50  = 21 μm) and MCF-7 cells (IC 50  = 18.7 μm), respectively. Importantly, all the target compounds showed no cytotoxicity towards the normal tissue cell (IC 50  > 100 μm). Thus, these compounds with the potent anticancer activity and low toxicity have potential for the development of new anticancer chemotherapy agents. © 2017 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.

Effectiveness of Genomic Prediction of Maize Hybrid Performance in Different Breeding Populations and Environments

PubMed Central

Windhausen, Vanessa S.; Atlin, Gary N.; Hickey, John M.; Crossa, Jose; Jannink, Jean-Luc; Sorrells, Mark E.; Raman, Babu; Cairns, Jill E.; Tarekegne, Amsal; Semagn, Kassa; Beyene, Yoseph; Grudloyma, Pichet; Technow, Frank; Riedelsheimer, Christian; Melchinger, Albrecht E.

2012-01-01

Genomic prediction is expected to considerably increase genetic gains by increasing selection intensity and accelerating the breeding cycle. In this study, marker effects estimated in 255 diverse maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids were used to predict grain yield, anthesis date, and anthesis-silking interval within the diversity panel and testcross progenies of 30 F2-derived lines from each of five populations. Although up to 25% of the genetic variance could be explained by cross validation within the diversity panel, the prediction of testcross performance of F2-derived lines using marker effects estimated in the diversity panel was on average zero. Hybrids in the diversity panel could be grouped into eight breeding populations differing in mean performance. When performance was predicted separately for each breeding population on the basis of marker effects estimated in the other populations, predictive ability was low (i.e., 0.12 for grain yield). These results suggest that prediction resulted mostly from differences in mean performance of the breeding populations and less from the relationship between the training and validation sets or linkage disequilibrium with causal variants underlying the predicted traits. Potential uses for genomic prediction in maize hybrid breeding are discussed emphasizing the need of (1) a clear definition of the breeding scenario in which genomic prediction should be applied (i.e., prediction among or within populations), (2) a detailed analysis of the population structure before performing cross validation, and (3) larger training sets with strong genetic relationship to the validation set. PMID:23173094

Effectiveness of genomic prediction of maize hybrid performance in different breeding populations and environments.

PubMed

Windhausen, Vanessa S; Atlin, Gary N; Hickey, John M; Crossa, Jose; Jannink, Jean-Luc; Sorrells, Mark E; Raman, Babu; Cairns, Jill E; Tarekegne, Amsal; Semagn, Kassa; Beyene, Yoseph; Grudloyma, Pichet; Technow, Frank; Riedelsheimer, Christian; Melchinger, Albrecht E

2012-11-01

Genomic prediction is expected to considerably increase genetic gains by increasing selection intensity and accelerating the breeding cycle. In this study, marker effects estimated in 255 diverse maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids were used to predict grain yield, anthesis date, and anthesis-silking interval within the diversity panel and testcross progenies of 30 F(2)-derived lines from each of five populations. Although up to 25% of the genetic variance could be explained by cross validation within the diversity panel, the prediction of testcross performance of F(2)-derived lines using marker effects estimated in the diversity panel was on average zero. Hybrids in the diversity panel could be grouped into eight breeding populations differing in mean performance. When performance was predicted separately for each breeding population on the basis of marker effects estimated in the other populations, predictive ability was low (i.e., 0.12 for grain yield). These results suggest that prediction resulted mostly from differences in mean performance of the breeding populations and less from the relationship between the training and validation sets or linkage disequilibrium with causal variants underlying the predicted traits. Potential uses for genomic prediction in maize hybrid breeding are discussed emphasizing the need of (1) a clear definition of the breeding scenario in which genomic prediction should be applied (i.e., prediction among or within populations), (2) a detailed analysis of the population structure before performing cross validation, and (3) larger training sets with strong genetic relationship to the validation set.

Insertion of rare gas atoms into BF3 and AlF3 molecules: An ab initio investigation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jayasekharan, T.; Ghanty, T. K.

2006-12-01

The structure, stability, charge redistribution, and harmonic vibrational frequencies of rare gas inserted group III-B fluorides with the general formula F -Rg-MF2 (where M =B and Al; Rg =Ar, Kr, and Xe) have been investigated using ab initio quantum chemical methods. The Rg atom is inserted in one of the M -F bond of MF3 molecules, and the geometries are optimized for ground as well as transition states using the MP2 method. It has been found that Rg inserted F -Rg-M portion is linear in both F -Rg-BF2 and F -Rg-AlF2 species. The binding energies corresponding to the lowest energy fragmentation products MF3+Rg (two-body dissociation) have been computed to be -670.4, -598.8, -530.7, -617.0, -562.1, and -494.0kJ /mol for F -Ar-BF2, F -Kr-BF2, F -Xe-BF2, F -Ar-AlF2, F -Kr-AlF2, and F -Xe-AlF2 species, respectively. The dissociation energies corresponding to MF2+Rg +F fragments (three-body dissociation) are found to be positive with respect to F -Rg-MF2 species, and the computed values are 56.3, 127.8, and 196.0kJ/mol for F -Ar-BF2, F -Kr-BF2, and F -Xe-BF2 species, respectively. The corresponding values for F -Ar-AlF2, F -Kr-AlF2, and F -Xe-AlF2 species are also found to be positive. The decomposition of F -Rg-MF2 species into the MF3+Rg (two-body dissociation) channel typically proceeds via a transition state involving F -Rg-M out-of-plane bending mode. The transition state barrier heights are 35.5, 62.7, 89.8, 22.0, 45.6, and 75.3kJ/mol for F -Ar-BF2, F -Kr-BF2, F -Xe-BF2, F -Ar-AlF2, F -Kr-AlF2, and F -Xe-AlF2 species, respectively. The calculated geometrical parameters and the energy values suggest that these species are metastable and may be prepared and characterized using low temperature matrix isolation techniques, and are possibly the next new candidates for gas phase or matrix experiments.