Mutational analysis of the major soybean UreF paralogue involved in urease activation.

PubMed

Polacco, Joe C; Hyten, David L; Medeiros-Silva, Mônica; Sleper, David A; Bilyeu, Kristin D

2011-06-01

The soybean genome duplicated ∼14 and 45 million years ago and has many paralogous genes, including those in urease activation (emplacement of Ni and CO(2) in the active site). Activation requires the UreD and UreF proteins, each encoded by two paralogues. UreG, a third essential activation protein, is encoded by the single-copy Eu3, and eu3 mutants lack activity of both urease isozymes. eu2 has the same urease-negative phenotype, consistent with Eu2 being a single-copy gene, possibly encoding a Ni carrier. Unexpectedly, two eu2 alleles co-segregated with missense mutations in the chromosome 2 UreF paralogue (Ch02UreF), suggesting lack of expression/function of Ch14UreF. However, Ch02UreF and Ch14UreF transcripts accumulate at the same level. Further, it had been shown that expression of the Ch14UreF ORF complemented a fungal ureF mutant. A third, nonsense (Q2*) allelic mutant, eu2-c, exhibited 5- to 10-fold more residual urease activity than missense eu2-a or eu2-b, though eu2-c should lack all Ch02UreF protein. It is hypothesized that low-level activation by Ch14UreF is 'spoiled' by the altered missense Ch02UreF proteins ('epistatic dominant-negative'). In agreement with active 'spoiling' by eu2-b-encoded Ch02UreF (G31D), eu2-b/eu2-c heterozygotes had less than half the urease activity of eu2-c/eu2-c siblings. Ch02UreF (G31D) could spoil activation by Chr14UreF because of higher affinity for the activation complex, or because Ch02UreF (G31D) is more abundant than Ch14UreF. Here, the latter is favoured, consistent with a reported in-frame AUG in the 5' leader of Chr14UreF transcript. Translational inhibition could represent a form of 'functional divergence' of duplicated genes.

Functionalized rare earth-doped nanoparticles for breast cancer nanodiagnostic using fluorescence and CT imaging.

PubMed

Jain, Akhil; Fournier, Pierrick G J; Mendoza-Lavaniegos, Vladimir; Sengar, Prakhar; Guerra-Olvera, Fernando M; Iñiguez, Enrique; Kretzschmar, Thomas G; Hirata, Gustavo A; Juárez, Patricia

2018-03-22

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women and represents 14% of death in women around the world. The standard diagnosis method for breast tumor is mammography, which is often related with false-negative results leading to therapeutic delays and contributing indirectly to the development of metastasis. Therefore, the development of new tools that can detect breast cancer is an urgent need to reduce mortality in women. Here, we have developed Gd 2 O 3 :Eu 3+ nanoparticles functionalized with folic acid (FA), for breast cancer detection. Gd 2 O 3 :Eu 3+ nanoparticles were synthesized by sucrose assisted combustion synthesis and functionalized with FA using EDC-NHS coupling. The FA-conjugated Gd 2 O 3 :Eu 3+ nanoparticles exhibit strong red emission at 613 nm with a quantum yield of ~ 35%. In vitro cytotoxicity studies demonstrated that the nanoparticles had a negligible cytotoxic effect on normal 293T and T-47D breast cancer cells. Cellular uptake analysis showed significantly higher internalization of FA-conjugated RE nanoparticles into T-47D cells (Folr hi ) compared to MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells (Folr lo ). In vivo confocal and CT imaging studies indicated that FA-conjugated Gd 2 O 3 :Eu 3+ nanoparticles accumulated more efficiently in T-47D tumor xenograft compared to the MDA-MB-231 tumor. Moreover, we found that FA-conjugated Gd 2 O 3 :Eu 3+ nanoparticles were well tolerated at high doses (300 mg/kg) in CD1 mice after an intravenous injection. Thus, FA-conjugated Gd 2 O 3 :Eu 3+ nanoparticles have great potential to detect breast cancer. Our findings provide significant evidence that could permit the future clinical application of FA-conjugated Gd 2 O 3 :Eu 3+ nanoparticles alone or in combination with the current detection methods to increase its sensitivity and precision.

Quantifying the negative impact of brain drain on the integration of European science

PubMed Central

Doria Arrieta, Omar A.; Pammolli, Fabio; Petersen, Alexander M.

2017-01-01

The 2004/2007 European Union (EU) enlargement by 12 member states offers a unique opportunity to quantify the impact of EU efforts to expand and integrate the scientific competitiveness of the European Research Area (ERA). We apply two causal estimation schemes to cross-border collaboration data extracted from millions of academic publications from 1996 to 2012, which are disaggregated across 14 subject areas and 32 European countries. Our results illustrate the unintended consequences following the 2004/2007 enlargement, namely, its negative impact on cross-border collaboration in science. First, we use the synthetic control method to show that levels of European cross-border collaboration would have been higher without EU enlargement, despite the 2004/2007 EU entrants gaining access to EU resources incentivizing cross-border integration. Second, we implement a difference-in-difference panel regression, incorporating official intra-European high-skilled mobility statistics, to identify migration imbalance—principally from entrant to incumbent EU member states—as a major factor underlying the divergence in cross-border integration between Western and Eastern Europe. These results challenge central tenets underlying ERA integration policies that unifying labor markets will increase the international competitiveness of the ERA, thereby calling attention to the need for effective home-return incentives and policies. PMID:28439544

Quantifying the negative impact of brain drain on the integration of European science.

PubMed

Doria Arrieta, Omar A; Pammolli, Fabio; Petersen, Alexander M

2017-04-01

The 2004/2007 European Union (EU) enlargement by 12 member states offers a unique opportunity to quantify the impact of EU efforts to expand and integrate the scientific competitiveness of the European Research Area (ERA). We apply two causal estimation schemes to cross-border collaboration data extracted from millions of academic publications from 1996 to 2012, which are disaggregated across 14 subject areas and 32 European countries. Our results illustrate the unintended consequences following the 2004/2007 enlargement, namely, its negative impact on cross-border collaboration in science. First, we use the synthetic control method to show that levels of European cross-border collaboration would have been higher without EU enlargement, despite the 2004/2007 EU entrants gaining access to EU resources incentivizing cross-border integration. Second, we implement a difference-in-difference panel regression, incorporating official intra-European high-skilled mobility statistics, to identify migration imbalance-principally from entrant to incumbent EU member states-as a major factor underlying the divergence in cross-border integration between Western and Eastern Europe. These results challenge central tenets underlying ERA integration policies that unifying labor markets will increase the international competitiveness of the ERA, thereby calling attention to the need for effective home-return incentives and policies.

Structural, magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of EuMnO3 perovskite manganite: A comprehensive MCE study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Phebe Kokila, I.; Kanagaraj, M.; Sathish Kumar, P.; Peter, Sebastian C.; Sekar, C.; Annal Therese, Helen

2018-02-01

Pervoskite manganite EuMnO3 synthesized by solid-state route was studied for their structural and magnetocaloric properties. EuMnO3 formed a single phase compound in orthorhombic crystal structure with a space group of Pbnm. The zero field cooling and field cooling magnetic responses exhibit an optimal Neel temperature (TN) of 57 K. A stronger magnetic coupling between the EuMnO3 particles are observed by a delay in reaching TN. The magnetocaloric effect analyzed extensively from the negative entropy (-ΔSm) change of 15.23 JKg-1K-1 for EuMnO3, exhibited a Relative Cooling Power (RCP) of ˜211 JKg-1 at 1.2 T proposing EuMnO3 as a potential magnetic refrigerant.

Ancient xenocrystic zircon in young volcanic rocks of the southern Lesser Antilles island arc

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rojas-Agramonte, Yamirka; Williams, Ian S.; Arculus, Richard; Kröner, Alfred; García-Casco, Antonio; Lázaro, Concepción; Buhre, Stephan; Wong, Jean; Geng, Helen; Echeverría, Carlos Morales; Jeffries, Teresa; Xie, Hangqian; Mertz-Kraus, Regina

2017-10-01

The Lesser Antilles arc is one of the best global examples in which to examine the effects of the involvement of subducted sediment and crustal assimilation in the generation of arc crust. Most of the zircon recovered in our study of igneous and volcaniclastic rocks from Grenada and Carriacou (part of the Grenadines chain) is younger than 2 Ma. Within some late Paleogene to Neogene ( 34-0.2 Ma) lavas and volcaniclastic sediments however, there are Paleozoic to Paleoarchean ( 250-3469 Ma) xenocrysts, and Late Jurassic to Precambrian zircon ( 158-2667 Ma) are found in beach and river sands. The trace element characteristics of zircon clearly differentiate between different types of magmas generated in the southern Lesser Antilles through time. The zircon population from the younger arc (Miocene, 22-19 Ma, to Present) has minor negative Eu anomalies, well-defined positive Ce anomalies, and a marked enrichment in heavy rare earth elements (HREE), consistent with crystallization from very oxidized magmas in which Eu2 + was in low abundance. In contrast, zircon from the older arc (Eocene to mid-Oligocene, 30-28 Ma) has two different REE patterns: 1) slight enrichment in the light (L)REE, small to absent Ce anomalies, and negative Eu anomalies and 2) enriched High (H)REE, positive Ce anomalies and negative Eu anomalies (a similar pattern is observed in the xenocrystic zircon population). The combination of positive Ce and negative Eu anomalies in the zircon population of the older arc indicates crystallization from magmas that were variably, but considerably less oxidized than those of the younger arc. All the igneous zircon has positive εHf(t), reflecting derivation from a predominantly juvenile mantle source. However, the εHf(t) values vary significantly within samples, reflecting considerable Hf isotopic heterogeneity in the source. The presence of xenocrystic zircon in the southern Lesser Antilles is evidence for the assimilation of intra-arc crustal sediments and/or the recycling and incorporation of sediments into the magma sources in the mantle wedge. Most likely however, primitive magmas stalling and fractionating during their ascent through the Antilles crust entrained ancient zircon. This is evidence by the geochemistry of the study samples, which is inconsistent with any involvement of partially melted subducted sediment. Paleogeographic reconstructions show that the old zircon could derive from distant regions such as the Eastern Andean Cordillera of Colombia, the Merida Andes, and the northern Venezuela coastal ranges, transported for example by the Proto-Maracaibo River precursor of the Orinoco River.

REE Partitioning in Lunar Minerals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rapp, J. F.; Lapen, T. J.; Draper, D. S.

2015-01-01

Rare earth elements (REE) are an extremely useful tool in modeling lunar magmatic processes. Here we present the first experimentally derived plagioclase/melt partition coefficients in lunar compositions covering the entire suite of REE. Positive europium anomalies are ubiquitous in the plagioclase-rich rocks of the lunar highlands, and complementary negative Eu anomalies are found in most lunar basalts. These features are taken as evidence of a large-scale differentiation event, with crystallization of a global-scale lunar magma ocean (LMO) resulting in a plagioclase flotation crust and a mafic lunar interior from which mare basalts were subsequently derived. However, the extent of the Eu anomaly in lunar rocks is variable. Fagan and Neal [1] reported highly anorthitic plagioclase grains in lunar impact melt rock 60635,19 that displayed negative Eu anomalies as well as the more usual positive anomalies. Indeed some grains in the sample are reported to display both positive and negative anomalies. Judging from cathodoluminescence images, these anomalies do not appear to be associated with crystal overgrowths or zones.

Enhanced free energy of extraction of Eu3+ and Am3+ ions towards diglycolamide appended calix[4]arene: insights from DFT-D3 and COSMO-RS solvation models.

PubMed

Ali, Sk Musharaf

2017-08-22

Density functional theory in conjunction with COSMO and COSMO-RS solvation models employing dispersion correction (DFT-D3) has been applied to gain an insight into the complexation of Eu 3+ /Am 3+ with diglycolamide (DGA) and calix[4]arene appended diglycolamide (CAL4DGA) in ionic liquids by studying structures, energetics, thermodynamics and population analysis. The calculated Gibbs free energy for both Eu 3+ and Am 3+ ions with DGA was found to be smaller than that with CAL4DGA. The entropy of complexation was also found to be reduced to a large extent with DGA compared to complexation with CAL4DGA. The solution phase free energy was found to be negative and was higher for Eu 3+ ion. The entropy of complexation was not only found to be further reduced but also became negative in the case of DGA alone. Though the entropy was found to be negative it could not outweigh the high negative enthalpic contribution. The same trend was observed in the solution where the free energy of extraction, ΔG, for Eu 3+ ions was shown to be higher than that for Am 3+ ions towards free DGA. But the values of ΔG and ΔΔG(= ΔG Eu -ΔG Am ) were found to be much higher with CAL4DGA (-12.58 kcal mol -1 ) in the presence of nitrate ions compared to DGA (-1.69 kcal mol -1 ) due to enhanced electronic interaction and positive entropic contribution. Furthermore, both the COSMO and COSMO-RS models predict very close values of ΔΔΔG (= ΔΔG CAL4DGA - ΔΔG nDGA ), indicating that both solvation models could be applied for evaluating the metal ion selectivity. The value of the reaction free energy was found to be higher after dispersion correction. The charge on the Eu and Am atoms for the complexes with DGA and CAL4DGA indicates the charge-dipole type interaction leading to strong binding energy. The present theoretical results support the experimental findings and thus might be of importance in the design of functionalized ligands.

Geochemistry and tectonic setting of the Paleoproterozoic metavolcanic rocks from the Chirano Gold District, Sefwi belt, Ghana

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Senyah, Gloria A.; Dampare, Samuel B.; Asiedu, Daniel K.

2016-10-01

Major and trace elements, including rare earth elements (REEs) data are presented for metavolcanic rocks of the Paleoproterozoic Birimian Sefwi belt to determine the geochemical characteristics as well as the possible tectonic setting of emplacement of these rocks. In order to accomplish the aim of the study, the petrographical characteristics of the rocks were examined coupled with analysis of the rocks for their whole-rock major and trace elements contents by ICP-AES and ICP-MS methods respectively. The rocks have been classified as basalt/basaltic andesites and dolerites based on their textural and mineralogical compositions. It is observed that the rocks have suffered various degrees of alteration evident in the overprinting of primary minerals such as pyroxenes and plagioclase by chlorite, epidote, sericite and others. Generally, the rocks are moderately deformed and may have experienced at least greenschist metamorphism. The basalt/basaltic andesites are derivative magmas [Mg# (20-51), Cr (10-220 ppm) and Ni (5-137 ppm)], and show flat REE to fractionated REE patterns with (La/Sm)N = 1.36-3.90, (La/Yb)N = 1.17-5.32 and strong negative to non-existent Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.51-1.03). N-MORB-normalised multi-element diagrams show that the rocks have geochemical patterns characterised by enrichment in LILE relative to HFSE and in LREE relative to HREE. The basalt/basaltic andesites exhibit characteristics of subduction zone-related magmas, such as pronounced negative Nb-Ta anomalies, slightly negative Hf and variable negative Ti anomalies. The dolerites do not vary much from the basalts and basaltic andesites. The MgO and Fe2O3 values of the dolerite range from 2.97 to 6.93 and 5.98 to 14.35 wt.% respectively, corresponding to Mg#s of 38-62. LREEs enrichment over HREEs with (La/Sm)N ranging from 0.61 to 4.61 and (Gd/Yb)N ranging from 0.99 to 2.91 is also typical of these rocks. The dolerites also exhibit quite invariable Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.81-1.00) and display a pronounced Nb-Ta trough and a minor negative Ti anomaly, suggesting arc characteristics. The metavolcanic rocks from the study area generally exhibit subduction-related setting characteristics with evidence of a sub-lithospheric contamination.

Abnormal Eu behavior at formation of H2O- and Cl-bearing fluids during degassing of granite magmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lukanin, Oleg

2010-05-01

One of the important features of REE behavior in the process of decompression degassing of granite melts is the presence of europium anomalies in REE spectrum of forming fluid phase. Negative Eu anomaly in REE spectrum of fluids enriched by chlorine that were formed under high pressures at early stages of degassing relative to REE spectrum of granite melts may take place. Negative Eu anomaly in fluid is replaced by positive one with pressure decrease and decline of Cl concentration in fluid [1, 2]. Observable unique features of europium redistribution between fluid and melt find an explanation in such a fact that Eu in contrast to the other REE under oxidation-reduction conditions, being typical for magmatic process, is present in acidic silica-alumina melts in two valency forms Eu3+ and Eu2+ whereas the dominant form for the other REE in such a melts is (REE)3+ [3, 4]. From the analysis of melt-fluid exchange reactions with participation of two valency forms of europium Eu3+ and Eu2+ follows that the total distribution coefficient of Eu between fluid and melt D(Eu)f-m is equal as a first approximation to [5, 6]: D(Eu)f-m = a1α [C(Cl)f]3 + a2 (1 - α)[C(Cl)f]2, where C(Cl)f - the concentration of Cl in fluid, α = Eu3+/(Eu3+ + Eu2+), i.e. fraction of Eu3+ from the general amount of europium in the melt, and, a1anda2- constants that can be approximately estimated from empirical data upon Eu fluid/melt distribution. The equation given allows to estimate the influence of oxidizing condition of europium on sign and size of Eu anomaly, which is expressed by Eu/Eu# ratio, where Eu is real concentration of europium in fluid being in equilibrium with melt with constant Eu3+/(Eu3+ + Eu2+) ratio, and Eu# is possible "virtual" concentration of europium that could be in the same fluid provided that all europium as other REE as well were exclusively present in trivalent form. The sign and size of Eu anomaly in fluid depends upon Cl concentration in fluid and Eu3+/Eu2+ ratio in melt. The abnormal behavior of Eu shows itself the stronger, the lower fO2and, accordingly, the more fraction of Eu2+is present in melt. The work is supported of the Geosciences Department of the Russian Academy of Science (the program 2- 2010) and RFBR (grant 08-05-00022). References [1] Reed M.J., Candela Ph.A., Piccoli Ph.M. Contrib. Mineral. Petrol. 2000. V. 140. P. 251-262. [2] Lukanin O.A., Dernov-Pegarev V.F. Vestnik Otd. Nauk Zemle RAN, No 1(25)'2007 URL: http://www.scgis.ru/russian/cp1251/h_dgggms/1-2007/informbul-1_2007/term-30e.pdf [3] Drake M.J. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta. 1975. V. 39. P. 55-64. [4] Wilke M. Behrens H. Contrib. Mineral. Petrol. 1999. V. 137. P. 102-114. [5] Lukanin O.A. Vestnik Otd. Nauk o Zemle RAN, No 1(26)'2008. URL: http://www.scgis.ru/russian/cp1251/h_dgggms/1-2008/informbul-1_2008/magm-20e.pdf [6] Lukanin O.A., Dernov-Pegarev V.F. Geochemistry International, 2010 (in press)

Spectroelectrochemistry of EuCl 3 in Four Molten Salt Eutectics; 3 LiCl−NaCl, 3 LiCl−2 KCl, LiCl−RbCl, and 3 LiCl−2 CsCl; at 873 K

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

Schroll, Cynthia A.; Chatterjee, Sayandev; Levitskaia, Tatiana

Key electrochemical properties affecting pyroprocessing of nuclear fuel were examined in four eutectic melts using using Eu3+/2+ as a representative probe. We report the electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical behavior of EuCl3 in four molten salt eutectics (3 LiCl – NaCl, 3 LiCl – 2 KCl, LiCl – RbCl and 3 LiCl – 2 CsCl) at 873 K. Cyclic voltammetry was used to determine the redox potential for Eu3+/2+ and the applied potentials for spectroelectrochemistry. Single step chronoabsorptometry and thin-layer spectroelectrochemistry were used to obtain the number of electrons transferred, redox potentials and diffusion coefficients for Eu3+ in each eutectic melt. Themore » redox potentials determined by thin-layer spectroelectrochemistry were extremely close to those obtained using cyclic voltammetry. The redox potential for Eu3+/2+ was most positive in the 3 LiCl - NaCl melt, showed a negative shift in the 3 LiCl - 2 KCl melt, and was the most negative in the LiCl - RbCl and 3 LiCl - 2 CsCl eutectics. The diffusion coefficient for Eu3+ followed this same trend; it was the largest in the 3 LiCl - NaCl melt and the smallest in the LiCl - RbCl and 3 LiCl - 2 CsCl melts. The basic one-electron reversible electron transfer for Eu3+/2+ was not changed by melt composition.« less

The challenge of carbon dioxide removal for EU policy-making

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scott, Vivian; Geden, Oliver

2018-05-01

Most scenarios to meet the Paris Agreement require negative emissions technologies. The EU has assumed a global leadership role in mitigation action and low-carbon energy technology development and deployment, but carbon dioxide removal presents a serious challenge to its low-carbon policy paradigm and experience.

Application of New Partition Coefficients to Modeling Plagioclase

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fagan, A. L.; Neal, C. R.; Rapp, J. F.; Draper, D. S.; Lapen, T. J.

2017-01-01

Previously, studies that determined the partition coefficient for an element, i, between plagioclase and the residual basaltic melt (Di plag) have been conducted using experimental conditions dissimilar from the Moon, and thus these values are not ideal for modeling plagioclase fractionation in a lunar system. However, recent work [1] has determined partition coefficients for plagioclase at lunar oxygen fugacities, and resulted in plagioclase with Anorthite contents =An90; these are significantly more calcic than plagioclase in previous studies, and the An content has a profound effect on partition coefficient values [2,3]. Plagioclase D-values, which are dependent on the An content of the crystal [e.g., 2-6], can be determined using published experimental data and the correlative An contents. Here, we examine new experimental data from [1] to ascertain their effect on the calculation of equilibrium liquids from Apollo 16 sample 60635,2. This sample is a coarse grained, subophitic impact melt composed of 55% plagioclase laths with An94.4-98.7 [7,8], distinctly more calcic than of previous partition coefficient studies (e.g., [3-6, 9-10]). Sample 60635,2 is notable as having several plagioclase trace element analyses containing a negative Europium anomaly (-Eu) in the rare-earth element (REE) profile, rather than the typical positive Eu anomaly (+Eu) [7-8] (Fig. 1). The expected +Eu is due to the similarity in size and charge with Ca2+, thereby allowing Eu2+ to be easily taken up by the plagioclase crystal structure, in contrast to the remaining REE3+. Some 60635,2 plagioclase crystals only have +Eu REE profiles, some only have -Eu REE profiles, and some +Eu and -Eu analyses in different areas on a single crystal [7, 8]. Moreover, there does not seem to be any core-rim association with the +Eu or -Eu analyses, nor does there appear to be a correlation between the size, shape, or location of a particular crystal within the sample and the sign of its Eu anomaly, which suggests a complex evolution. In order to investigate this sample further, we can calculate the equilibrium liquids, but with An contents distinct from previous experimental studies, we must calculate the appropriate partition coefficients for each trace element analysis.

Direct excitation luminescence spectroscopy of Eu(III) complexes of 1,4,7-tris(carbamoylmethyl)-1,4,7,10- tetraazacyclododecane derivatives and kinetic studies of their catalytic cleavage of an RNA analog.

PubMed

Nwe, Kido; Richard, John P; Morrow, Janet R

2007-11-28

The macrocycles 1,4,7-tris(carbamoylmethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetrazacyclododecane (1), 1,4,7-tris[(N-ethyl)carbamoylmethyl]-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane (2), 1,4,7-tris[(N,N-diethyl)carbamoylmethyl]-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane (3) and their Eu(III) complexes are prepared. Studies using direct Eu(III) excitation luminescence spectroscopy show that all three Eu(III) complexes exhibit only one predominant isomer with two bound waters under neutral to mildly basic conditions (Eu(X)(H(2)O)(2) for X = 1-3). There are no detectable ligand ionizations over the pH range 5.0-8.0 for Eu(3), 5.0-8.5 for Eu(2) or 5.0-9.5 for Eu(1). The three Eu(III) complexes show a linear dependence of second-order rate constants for the cleavage of 4-nitrophenyl-2-hydroxyethylphosphate (HpPNP) on pH in the range 6.5-8.0 for Eu(3), 7.0-8.5 for Eu(2) and 7.0-9.0 for Eu(1). This pH-rate profile is consistent with the Eu(III) complex-substrate complex being converted to the active form by loss of a proton and with Eu(III) water pK(a) values that are higher than 8.0 for Eu(3), 8.5 for Eu(2) and 9.0 for Eu(1). Inhibition studies show that Eu() binds strongly to the dianionic ligand methylphosphate (K(d) = 0.28 mM), and more weakly to diethylphosphate (K(d) = 7.5 mM), consistent with a catalytic role of the Eu(III) complexes in stabilizing the developing negative charge on the phosphorane transition state.

MORB mantle hosts the missing Eu (Sr, Nb, Ta and Ti) in the continental crust: New perspectives on crustal growth, crust-mantle differentiation and chemical structure of oceanic upper mantle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Niu, Yaoling; O'Hara, Michael J.

2009-09-01

We have examined the high quality data of 306 mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB) glass samples from the East Pacific Rise (EPR), near-EPR seamounts, Pacific Antarctic Ridge (PAR), near-PAR seamounts, Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR), and near-MAR seamounts. The data show a correlated variation between Eu/Eu* and Sr/Sr*, and both decrease with decreasing MgO, pointing to the effect of plagioclase crystallization. The observation that samples with MgO > 9.5 wt.% (before plagioclase on the liquidus) show Eu/Eu* > 1 and Sr/Sr* > 1 and that none of the major phases (i.e., olivine, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene, spinel and garnet) in the sub-ridge mantle melting region can effectively fractionate Eu and Sr from otherwise similarly incompatible elements indicates that the depleted MORB mantle (DMM) possesses excess Sr and Eu, i.e., [Sr/Sr*]DMM > 1 and [Eu/Eu*]DMM > 1. Furthermore, the well-established observation that DNb ≈ DTh, DTa ≈ DU and DTi ≈ DSm during MORB mantle melting, yet primitive MORB melts all have [Nb/Th]PMMORB > 1, [Ta/U]PMMORB > 1 and [Ti/Sm]PMMORB > 1 (where PM indicates primitive mantle normalized), also points to the presence of excess Nb, Ta and Ti in the DMM, i.e., [Nb/Th]PMDMM > 1, [Ta/U]PMDMM > 1 and [Ti/Sm]PMDMM > 1. The excesses of Eu, Sr, Nb, Ta and Ti in the DMM complement the well-known deficiencies of these elements in the bulk continental crust (BCC). These new observations, which support the notion that the DMM and BCC are complementary in terms of the overall abundances of incompatible elements, offer new insights into the crust-mantle differentiation. These observations are best explained by partial melting of amphibolite of MORB protolith during continental collision, which produces andesitic melts with a remarkable compositional (major and trace element abundances as well as key elemental ratios) similarity to the BCC, as revealed by andesites in southern Tibet produced during the India-Asia continental collision. An average amphibolite of MORB protolith consists of ~ 66.4% amphibole, ~ 29.2% plagioclase and 4.4% ilmenite. In terms of simple modal melting models, the bulk distribution coefficient ratios D2Eu/(Sm + Gd) = 1.21, D2Sr/(Pr + Nd) = 1.04, DNb/Th = 44, DTa/U = 57, DTi/Sm = 3.39 and DNb/Ta = 1.30 readily explains the small but significant negative Eu and Sr anomalies, moderate negative Ti anomaly and huge negative Nb and Ta anomalies as well as the more sub-chondritic Nb/Ta ratio in the syncollisional andesitic melt that is characteristic of and contributes to the continental crust mass. These results support the hypothesis that continental collision zones are primary sites of net continental crust growth, whereas the standard "island arc" model has many more difficulties than certainties. That is, it is the continental collision (vs. "island arc magmatism" or "episodic super mantle avalanche events") that produces and preserves the juvenile crust, and hence maintains net continental growth. The data also allow us to establish the robust composition of depleted and most primitive (or "primary") MORB melt with 13% MgO. This, together with the estimated positive Eu and Sr anomalies in the DMM, further permits estimation that the DMM may occupy the uppermost ~ 680 km of the convective mantle following the tradition that the DMM lies in the shallowest mantle. However, the tradition may be in error. The seismic low velocity zone (LVZ) may be compositionally stratified with small melt fractions concentrated towards the interface with the growing lithosphere because of buoyancy. Such small melt fractions, enriched in volatiles and incompatible elements, continue to metasomatize the growing lithosphere before it reaches the full thickness after ~ 70 Myrs. Hence, the oceanic mantle lithosphere is a huge enriched geochemical reservoir. On the other hand, deep portions of the LVZ, which are thus relatively depleted, become the primary source feeding the ridge because of ridge-suction-driven lateral material supply to form the crust and much of the lithosphere at and in the vicinity of the ridge.

Rare earth element metasomatism in hydrothermal systems: The Willsboro-Lewis wollastonite ores, New York, USA

USGS Publications Warehouse

Whitney, P.R.; Olmsted, J.F.

1998-01-01

Wollastonite ores and garnet-pyroxene skarns in the Willsboro-Lewis district, New York, USA were formed in a complex hydrothermal system associated with the emplacement of a large anorthosite pluton. Contact-metamorphic marbles were replaced by wollastonite, garnet, and clinopyroxene during infiltration metasomatism involving large volumes of water of chiefly meteoric origin. Rare earth elements (REE) in these rocks show large departures from the protolith REE distribution, indicative of substantial REE mobility. Three types of chondrite-normalized REE distribution patterns are present. The most common, found in ores and skarns containing andradite-rich garnet, is convex-up in the light REE (LREE) with a maximum at Pr and a positive Eu anomaly. Europium anomalies and Pr/Yb ratios are correlated with X(Ad) in garnet. This pattern (type C) results from uptake of REE from hydrothermal fluids by growing crystals of calcsilicate minerals, principally andradite, with amounts of LREE controlled by the difference in ionic radius between Ca++ and REE3+ in garnet X sites. The Eu anomaly results either from prior interaction of the fluids with plagioclase-rich, Eu-positive anorthositic rocks in and near the ore zone, or by enrichment of divalent Eu on growth surfaces of garnet followed by entrapment, or both. Relative enrichment in heavy REE (type H) occurs in ores and skarn where calcsilicates, including grossularitic garnet, in contact-metamorphic marble have been concentrated by dissolution of calcite. In most cases a negative Eu anomaly is inherited from the marble protolith. Skarns containing titanite and apatite exhibit high total REE, relative light REE enrichment, and negative Eu anomalies (type L). These appear to be intrusive igneous rocks (ferrodiorites or anorthositic gabbros) that have been converted to skarn by Ca metasomatism. REE, sequestered in titanite, apatite, and garnet, preserve the approximate REE distribution pattern of the igneous protolith. Post-ore granulite facies metamorphism homogenized zoned mineral grains without causing complete intergranular reequilibration and does not appear to have significantly affected the whole-rock REE distributions. These results demonstrate that extensive REE metasomatism can occur in hydrothermal systems at shallow to intermediate depths and that REE geochemistry may be useful in discerning the origin of skarns and skarn-related ore deposits.

Chemical data and statistical interpretations for rocks and ores from the Ranger uranium mine, Northern Territory, Australia

USGS Publications Warehouse

Nash, J. Thomas; Frishman, David

1983-01-01

Analytical results for 61 elements in 370 samples from the Ranger Mine area are reported. Most of the rocks come from drill core in the Ranger No. 1 and Ranger No. 3 deposits, but 20 samples are from unmineralized drill core more than 1 km from ore. Statistical tests show that the elements Mg, Fe, F, Be, Co, Li, Ni, Pb, Sc, Th, Ti, V, CI, As, Br, Au, Ce, Dy, La Sc, Eu, Tb, Yb, and Tb have positive association with uranium, and Si, Ca, Na, K, Sr, Ba, Ce, and Cs have negative association. For most lithologic subsets Mg, Fe, Li, Cr, Ni, Pb, V, Y, Sm, Sc, Eu, and Yb are significantly enriched in ore-bearing rocks, whereas Ca, Na, K, Sr, Ba, Mn, Ce, and Cs are significantly depleted. These results are consistent with petrographic observations on altered rocks. Lithogeochemistry can aid exploration, but for these rocks requires methods that are expensive and not amenable to routine use.

Rare earth elements in intertidal sediments of Bohai Bay, China: concentration, fractionation and the influence of sediment texture.

PubMed

Zhang, Yong; Gao, Xuelu; Arthur Chen, Chen-Tung

2014-07-01

Surface sediments from intertidal Bohai Bay were assessed using a four-step sequential extraction procedure to determine their concentrations of rare earth elements (REEs) and the chemical forms in which those elements were present. The normalized ratios La/Gd and La/Yb showed that LREE contents were not significantly higher than the middle REEs or HREE contents. A negative Ce anomaly and positive Eu were observed in sand and silty sand sediments, whereas no significant Ce or Eu anomaly was found in clayey silt sediments. Residual fraction of REEs accounted for the majority of their total concentrations. Middle REEs were more easily leached than other REEs, especially in clayey silt sediment. REEs contents in the surface sediment from the intertidal Bohai Sea were consistent with data from the upper continental crust and China shallow sea sediments, indicating that they were generally unaffected by heavily anthropogenic effects from adjacent areas. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Subacute ruminal acidosis affects fermentation and endotoxin concentration in the rumen and relative expression of the CD14/TLR4/MD2 genes involved in lipopolysaccharide systemic immune response in dairy cows.

PubMed

Stefanska, B; Człapa, W; Pruszynska-Oszmałek, E; Szczepankiewicz, D; Fievez, V; Komisarek, J; Stajek, K; Nowak, W

2018-02-01

The first objective of this study was to investigate the effects of subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) on fermentation, ruminal free lipopolysaccharides (LPS), and expression of the cluster of differentiation 14 (CD14), toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), and myeloid differentiation protein 2 (MD2) complex in white blood cells involved in the systemic immune response in dairy cows. The second objective was a study of whether increased expression of the LPS receptor complex led to increases in the concentrations of plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and serum Ca. Three hundred five dairy cows located in 13 Polish high-yielding dairy commercial farms were selected according to their days in milk (40-150 d; average = 75), 305-d milk yield (10,070-12,041 kg; average = 10,940), and number of lactations (primiparous, n = 139 and multiparous, n = 166). Next, the herds were segregated into 3 groups based on the percentages of cows with an assigned value of ruminal fluid pH: SARA-positive, SARA-risk, and SARA-negative herds. Moreover, 305 selected dairy cows were divided according to the classification based on ruminal fluid pH into 3 groups as healthy (pH >5.81), risk (pH 5.8-5.6) and acidotic cows (pH <5.6). Rumen fluid samples were collected via rumenocentesis. In the AC group, we recorded higher concentrations of ruminal free LPS [4.57 Log 10 endotoxin units (EU)/mL; 42,206 EU/mL] compared with the healthy group (4.48 Log 10 EU/mL; 34,179 EU/mL). Similarly, the concentration of ruminal free LPS was higher in SARA-positive herds (4.60 Log 10 EU/mL; 43,000 EU/mL) compared with SARA-negative herds (4.47 Log 10 EU/mL; 32,225 EU/mL). The relative mRNA abundance of genes associated with the function of LPS receptors, such as CD14, TLR4, and MD2, in white blood cells differed between all experimental groups on both cow and herd levels. In the acidotic group, we recorded higher concentrations of HDL (78.16 vs. 68.32 mg/dL) and serum amyloid A (10.80 vs. 9.16 µg/mL) and lower concentrations of Ca (8.26 vs. 10.16 mg/dL) and haptoglobin (470.19 vs. 516.85 ng/mL) compared with the healthy group. Similar results were obtained in the SARA herd status analysis, but the concentration of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein differed statistically. Moreover, the pH of ruminal fluid was negatively correlated with relative mRNA abundance of genes such as CD14, TLR4, MD2, and concentrations of serum HDL and serum amyloid A, although positively correlated with serum Ca. The results indicated that decreases in ruminal fluid pH increased the release of free LPS into the rumen and stimulated the expression of the LPS receptor complex and immune response. Moreover, an increase in the expression of the LPS receptor led to higher concentrations of plasma HDL and lower serum Ca, which may be a protective mechanism against endotoxemia. However, the biological significance of these results needs to be investigated further in larger field trials. Copyright © 2018 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Employment Condition, Economic Deprivation and Self-Evaluated Health in Europe: Evidence from EU-SILC 2009-2012.

PubMed

Bacci, Silvia; Pigini, Claudia; Seracini, Marco; Minelli, Liliana

2017-02-03

Background : The mixed empirical evidence about employment conditions (i.e., permanent vs. temporary job, full-time vs. part-time job) as well as unemployment has motivated the development of conceptual models with the aim of assessing the pathways leading to effects of employment status on health. Alongside physically and psychologically riskier working conditions, one channel stems in the possibly severe economic deprivation faced by temporary workers. We investigate whether economic deprivation is able to partly capture the effect of employment status on Self-evaluated Health Status (SHS). Methods : Our analysis is based on the European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC) survey, for a balanced sample from 26 countries from 2009 to 2012. We estimate a correlated random-effects logit model for the SHS that accounts for the ordered nature of the dependent variable and the longitudinal structure of the data. Results and Discussion : Material deprivation and economic strain are able to partly account for the negative effects on SHS from precarious and part-time employment as well as from unemployment that, however, exhibits a significant independent negative association with SHS. Conclusions : Some of the indicators used to proxy economic deprivation are significant predictors of SHS and their correlation with the employment condition is such that it should not be neglected in empirical analysis, when available and further to the monetary income.

Employment Condition, Economic Deprivation and Self-Evaluated Health in Europe: Evidence from EU-SILC 2009–2012

PubMed Central

Bacci, Silvia; Pigini, Claudia; Seracini, Marco; Minelli, Liliana

2017-01-01

Background: The mixed empirical evidence about employment conditions (i.e., permanent vs. temporary job, full-time vs. part-time job) as well as unemployment has motivated the development of conceptual models with the aim of assessing the pathways leading to effects of employment status on health. Alongside physically and psychologically riskier working conditions, one channel stems in the possibly severe economic deprivation faced by temporary workers. We investigate whether economic deprivation is able to partly capture the effect of employment status on Self-evaluated Health Status (SHS). Methods: Our analysis is based on the European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC) survey, for a balanced sample from 26 countries from 2009 to 2012. We estimate a correlated random-effects logit model for the SHS that accounts for the ordered nature of the dependent variable and the longitudinal structure of the data. Results and Discussion: Material deprivation and economic strain are able to partly account for the negative effects on SHS from precarious and part-time employment as well as from unemployment that, however, exhibits a significant independent negative association with SHS. Conclusions: Some of the indicators used to proxy economic deprivation are significant predictors of SHS and their correlation with the employment condition is such that it should not be neglected in empirical analysis, when available and further to the monetary income. PMID:28165375

Ring trial among National Reference Laboratories for parasites to detect Trichinella spiralis larvae in pork samples according to the EU directive 2075/2005.

PubMed

Marucci, Gianluca; Pezzotti, Patrizio; Pozio, Edoardo

2009-02-23

To control Trichinella spp. infection in the European Union, all slaughtered pigs should be tested by one of the approved digestion methods described in EU directive 2075/2005. The aim of the present work was to evaluate, by a ring trial, the sensitivity of the digestion method used at the National Reference Laboratories for Parasites (NRLP). These Laboratories are responsible for the quality of the detection method in their own country. Of the 27 EU countries, only three (Hungary, Luxembourg and Malta) did not participate in the ring trial. Each participating laboratory received 10 samples of 100g of minced pork containing 3-5 larvae (3 samples), 10-20 larvae (3 samples), 30-50 larvae (3 samples), and one negative control. In each positive sample, there were living Trichinella spiralis larvae without the collagen capsule, obtained by partial artificial digestion of muscle tissue from infected mice. No false positive sample was found in any laboratories, whereas nine laboratories (37.5%) failed to detect some positive samples with the percentage of false negatives ranging from 11 to 100%. The variation between expected and reported larval counts observed among the participating laboratories was statistically significant. There was a direct correlation between the consistency of the results and the use of a validated/accredited digestion method. Conversely, there was no correlation between the consistency of the results and the number of digestions performed yearly by the NRLP. These results support the importance of validating the test.

The effects of economic and political integration on power plants’ carbon emissions in the post-soviet transition nations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jorgenson, Andrew K.; Longhofer, Wesley; Grant, Don; Sie, Amanda; Giedraitis, Vincentas

2017-04-01

The combustion of fossil fuels for electricity generation, which accounts for a significant share of the world’s CO2 emissions, varies by macro-regional context. Here we use multilevel regression modeling techniques to analyze CO2 emissions levels in the year 2009 for 1360 fossil-fuel power plants in the 25 post-Soviet transition nations in Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia. We find that various facility-level factors are positively associated with plant-level emissions, including plant size, age, heat rate, capacity utilization rate, and coal as the primary fuel source. Results further indicate that plant-level emissions are lower, on average, in the transition nations that joined the European Union (EU), whose market reforms and environmental directives are relevant for emissions reductions. These negative associations between plant-level emissions and EU accession are larger for the nations that joined the EU in 2004 relative to those that joined in 2007. The findings also suggest that export-oriented development is positively associated with plant-level CO2 emissions in the transition nations. Our results highlight the importance in macro-regional assessments of the conjoint effects of political and economic integration for facility-level emissions.

Internet Effects in Times of Political Crisis

PubMed Central

Baccini, Leonardo; Sudulich, Laura; Wall, Matthew

2016-01-01

This paper evaluates the influence of online news consumption on attitudes toward the European Union in a context of protracted economic crisis. Using data from the 2011 Irish National Election Study, we combine location-specific information on broadband availability with respondent geo-location data, which facilitates causal inference about the effects of online news consumption via instrumental variable models. Results show that Irish citizens who source political information online are more prone to blame the EU for the poor state of the economy than those who do not. There is evidence of preference reinforcement among those with negative predispositions toward the EU, but not among pro-EU citizens. We complement this analysis with a study of voting behavior in the European Fiscal Compact Referendum, employing a similar methodological approach. The results from this second survey confirm the anti-EU influence of online news consumption among Irish citizens, although evidence suggests a pro-EU effect among voters who browsed the website of the politically neutral Irish Referendum Commission. Our paper contributes to the literature on public opinion, the EU, and political attitudes in times of crisis. PMID:27274571

Endotoxin predictors and associated respiratory outcomes differ with climate regions in the U.S.

PubMed

Mendy, Angelico; Wilkerson, Jesse; Salo, Pӓivi M; Cohn, Richard D; Zeldin, Darryl C; Thorne, Peter S

2018-03-01

Although endotoxin is a recognized cause of environmental lung disease, how its relationship with respiratory outcomes varies with climate is unknown. To examine the endotoxin predictors as well as endotoxin association with asthma, wheeze, and sensitization to inhalant allergens in various US climate regions. We analyzed data on 6963 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Endotoxin measurements of house dust from bedroom floor and bedding were performed at the University of Iowa. Linear and logistic regression analyses were used to identify endotoxin predictors and assess endotoxin association with health outcomes. The overall median house dust endotoxin was 16.2 EU/mg; it was higher in mixed-dry/hot-dry regions (19.7 EU/mg) and lower in mixed-humid/marine areas (14.8 EU/mg). Endotoxin predictors and endotoxin association with health outcomes significantly differed across climate regions. In subarctic/very cold/cold regions, log 10 -endotoxin was significantly associated with higher prevalence of wheeze outcomes (OR:1.48, 95% CI:1.19-1.85 for any wheeze, OR:1.48, 95% CI:1.22-1.80 for exercise-induced wheeze, OR:1.50, 95% CI:1.13-1.98 for prescription medication for wheeze, and OR:1.95, 95% CI:1.50-2.54 for doctor/ER visit for wheeze). In hot-humid regions, log 10 -endotoxin was positively associated with any wheeze (OR:1.66, 95% CI:1.04-2.65) and current asthma (OR:1.56, 95% CI:1.11-2.18), but negatively with sensitization to any inhalant allergens (OR:0.83, 95% CI:0.74-0.92). Endotoxin predictors and endotoxin association with asthma and wheeze differ across U.S. climate regions. Endotoxin is associated positively with wheeze or asthma in cold and hot-humid regions, but negatively with sensitization to inhalant allergens in hot-humid climates. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Coagulation behavior of humic acid in aqueous solutions containing Cs+, Sr2+ and Eu3+: DLS, EEM and MD simulations.

PubMed

Tan, Liqiang; Tan, Xiaoli; Mei, Huiyang; Ai, Yuejie; Sun, Lu; Zhao, Guixia; Hayat, Tasawar; Alsaedi, Ahmed; Chen, Changlun; Wang, Xiangke

2018-05-01

The coagulation behaviors of humic acid (HA) with Cs + (10-500 mM), Sr 2+ (0.8-10.0 mM) and Eu 3+ (0.01-1.0 mM) at different pH values (2.8, 7.1 and 10.0) were acquired through a dynamic light scattering (DLS) technique combined with spectroscopic analysis and molecular dynamic (MD) simulations. The coagulation rate and the average hydrodynamic diameter () increased significantly as the concentration of nuclides increased. could be scaled to time t as ∝ t a at higher Sr 2+ concentrations, which shows that HA coagulation is consistent with the diffusion-limited colloid aggregation (DLCA) model. Trivalent Eu 3+ induced HA coagulation at a much lower concentration than bivalent Sr 2+ and monovalent Cs + . The coagulation value ratio of Sr 2+ and Eu 3+ to Cs + is almost proportional to Z -6 , indicating that the HA coagulation process is generally consistent with the Schulze-Hardy rule. Spectroscopic analysis indicated that the complexation between nuclides and carboxylic/phenolic groups of HA molecules played important roles in the coagulation of HA. MD modelling suggested that Sr 2+ and Eu 3+ ions increased the coagulation process through the formation of intra- or inter-molecular bridges between negatively charged HA molecules, whereas for Cs + , no inter-molecular bridges were formed. This work offers new insight into the interactions between HA and radionuclides and provides a prediction for the roles of HA in the transportation and elimination of radionuclides in severely polluted environments. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Europium anomalies in plagioclase-free deep arc cumulates constrain the redox evolution of arc magmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, M.; Erdman, M.; Eldridge, G.; Lee, C. T.

2017-12-01

Arc lavas are generally more oxidized than mid-ocean-ridge basalts, but how arc lavas acquire their oxidized signatures remains poorly understood. Iron oxidation state in melts have been used to suggest that fluids released from subducted slab may oxidize the sub-arc mantle and produce oxidized arc magmas from the source (e.g., Carmichael, 1991; Kelley and Cottrell), but redox-sensitive trace element and Fe isotope signatures of basalts also suggest that oxidation may happen during magma differentiation (e.g., Dauphas et al., 2009; Lee et al., 2005, 2010). One potential problem, however, is that all of these studies, represent indirect constraints on the primary, pre-erupted magma oxidation state. Here, we examine the Eu systematics of primitive, deep-seated (>45-80 km) arc cumulates, which provide the most direct constraint on arc magmas before they rise into the crust. The ratio of Eu2+/Eu3+ is a function of fo2, temperature and composition. Eu2+ is more incompatible than Eu3+ except in plagioclase. Combining Eu partitioning in minerals and experimentally calibrated Eu oxybarometer (Burnham et al., 2015) allows the application of mineral Eu anomalies in constraining magma redox conditions. The cumulates are represented by garnet-bearing pyroxenites from Arizona, USA and are arc cumulates. Because they derive from depths > 60 km, plagioclase was never present during their petrogenesis, hence any Eu anomalies reflect the effects of oxygen fugacity. We find that the most primitive cumulates have negative Eu anomalies in garnet and clinopyroxene (Eu/Eu*<1), despite the fact that depths of differentiation were too high to stabilize plagioclase. We further show that garnet and clinopyroxene Eu/Eu* increases with differentiation (decreasing Mg#), consistent with Eu2+ being more incompatible than Eu3+. Based on the Eu oxybarometer calibrated by Burnham et al. (2015), the Eu deficits in the most primitive cumulate (Mg# = 77) suggest crystallization at Dlogfo2 of FMQ-1, similar to that of mid-ocean-ridge basalts. Crystal fractionation modelling shows that the increasing Eu/Eu* in the evolved cumulates require fo2 to increase by at least 2 log units as the fractionated cumulate Mg# decreases from 77 to 53. These observations suggest that the oxidized nature of arc magmas occurs during intracrustal differentiation.

Theoretical studies on structural, magnetic, and spintronic characteristics of sandwiched Eu(n)COT(n+1) (n = 1-4) clusters.

PubMed

Zhang, Xiuyun; Ng, Man-Fai; Wang, Yanbiao; Wang, Jinlan; Yang, Shuo-Wang

2009-09-22

Europium (Eu)-cyclootetatrene (COT = C(8)H(8)) multidecker clusters (Eu(n)COT(n+1), n = 1-4) are studied by relativistic density functional theory calculations. These clusters are found to be thermodynamically stable with freely rotatable COT rings, and their total magnetic moments (MMs) increase linearly along with the number of Eu atoms. Each Eu atom contributes about 7 mu(B) to the cluster. Meanwhile, the internal COT rings have little MM contribution while the external COT rings have about 1 mu(B) MM aligned in opposite direction to that of the Eu atoms. The total MM of the Eu(n)COT(n+1) clusters can thus be generalized as 7n - 2 mu(B) where n is the number of Eu atoms. Besides, the ground states of these clusters are ferromagnetic and energetically competitive with the antiferromagnetic states, meaning that their spin states are very unstable, especially for larger clusters. More importantly, we uncover an interesting bonding characteristic of these clusters in which the interior ionic structure is capped by two hybrid covalent-ionic terminals. We suggest that such a characteristic makes the Eu(n)COT(n+1) clusters extremely stable. Finally, we reveal that for the positively charged clusters, the hybrid covalent-ionic terminals will tip further toward the interior part of the clusters to form deeper covalent-ionic caps. In contrast, the negatively charged clusters turn to pure ionic structures.

[Gender, paid work, domestic chores and health in Spain].

PubMed

Artazcoz, Lucía; Escribà-Agüir, Vicenta; Cortès, Imma

2004-01-01

The present study reviews gender-related differences and inequalities in paid work and domestic chores in Spain. The impact of both types of work on health are analyzed and the main policies of the European Union (EU) and Spain to achieve gender equality at work are described. In Spain, fewer women are in paid work than in other EU countries. The labor market displays horizontal segregation (men and women work in different sectors), as well as vertical segregation (men hold more senior positions), leading to gender-related differences in employment conditions and exposure to occupational hazards. The precariousness of work is significantly higher in women (19% unemployment in women versus 9% in men) and women are more likely than men to have temporary contracts. Men are more frequently exposed to physical risks and suffer a greater number of occupational accidents; women, especially manual workers, are more frequently exposed to psychosocial risks. Most domestic chores continue to be performed by women, even by working women, which negatively affects their health. The EU has made an increase in female employment a priority, which means that from 2000-2010 Spain should create 3 million jobs for women and implement work/family policies. Achieving gender equality at work requires employment policies that would guarantee equal opportunities for both sexes, as well as shared responsibility for domestic chores between men and women. In Spain, moreover, there is an urgent need to significantly increase public childcare facilities and resources for the care of other dependent individuals.

Internet Effects in Times of Political Crisis: Online Newsgathering and Attitudes toward the European Union.

PubMed

Baccini, Leonardo; Sudulich, Laura; Wall, Matthew

2016-01-01

This paper evaluates the influence of online news consumption on attitudes toward the European Union in a context of protracted economic crisis. Using data from the 2011 Irish National Election Study, we combine location-specific information on broadband availability with respondent geo-location data, which facilitates causal inference about the effects of online news consumption via instrumental variable models. Results show that Irish citizens who source political information online are more prone to blame the EU for the poor state of the economy than those who do not. There is evidence of preference reinforcement among those with negative predispositions toward the EU, but not among pro-EU citizens. We complement this analysis with a study of voting behavior in the European Fiscal Compact Referendum, employing a similar methodological approach. The results from this second survey confirm the anti-EU influence of online news consumption among Irish citizens, although evidence suggests a pro-EU effect among voters who browsed the website of the politically neutral Irish Referendum Commission. Our paper contributes to the literature on public opinion, the EU, and political attitudes in times of crisis.

Metamagnetism, sign reversal and low temperature magnetocaloric effect in single-crystalline EuV2Al20

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramesh Kumar, K.; Nair, Harikrishnan S.; Bhattacharyya, A.; Thamizhavel, A.; Strydom, André M.

2018-04-01

The Frank-Kasper cage compound EuV2Al20 crystallizes in the cubic structure with Fd 3 ‾ m space group and exhibits unusual magnetic and transport properties. The system undergoes an antiferromagnetic transition below 5.6 K wherein the Eu2+ moments are aligned anti-parallel along 〈1 1 1〉 direction and the system exhibits a weak metamagetic transition at the field of 1 T. Arrott plots (M2 vs H / M) show a "S" shaped variation in the low fields below TN and the plausible reason for the occurrence of negative slope is discussed. Isothermal magnetic entropy change is estimated from both magnetization and heat capacity measurements invoking the Maxwell's thermodynamic relations. Temperature variation of ΔSm showed a weak negative minimum and a sign reversal at the field value of 1 T due to field induced metamagnetic transition. Universal master curve is constructed by rescaling the ΔSm vs T curves in the context of analysing the nature of the magnetic transition.

Petrology and geochemistry of charnockites (felsic ortho-granulites) from the Kerala Khondalite Belt, Southern India: Evidence for intra-crustal melting, magmatic differentiation and episodic crustal growth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ravindra Kumar, G. R.; Sreejith, C.

2016-10-01

The Kerala Khondalite Belt (KKB) of the southern India encompasses volumetrically significant magmatic components. Among these, orthopyroxene-bearing, felsic ortho-granulites, popularly known as charnockites in Indian context, constitute an important lithology. In contrast to the well-known phenomena of arrested charnockitization, the geochemical characteristics and petrogenesis of these ortho-granulite suites remain poorly studied, leaving geodynamic models envisaged for the KKB highly conjectural. In this paper, we try to bridge this gap with detailed results on orthopyroxene-bearing, felsic ortho-granulites spread over the entire KKB and propose a new petrogenetic and crustal evolution model. Based on geochemical characteristics, the orthopyroxene-bearing, felsic ortho-granulites (charnockites sensu lato) of KKB are classified into (1) tonalitic (TC), (2) granitic (GC), and (3) augen (AC) suites. Members of the TC follow sodic (characterized by decreasing CaO/Na2O), whereas those of the GC and AC follow calc-alkaline trends of differentiation. Geochemical patterns of the TC resemble those of the Archaean tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite (TTG) suites, with slightly magnesian character (average Mg# = 33), moderate LREE (average LaN = 154), low HREE (average YbN = 6) and Y (1-53 ppm; average 11 ppm). The TC is also characterized by positive to slightly negative europium anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.7 to 1.67). The GC and AC suites, on the other hand, resemble post-Archaean arc-related granites. The GC displays ferroan nature (average Mg# = 22), low to moderate degrees of REE fractionation (average [La/Yb]N = 34.84), high contents of Y (5-128 ppm; average 68), and low Sr/Y (1-98) ratios. Significant negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.18-0.91; average 0.50) and low Sr (65-690 ppm) are also noted in the GC. Similar chemical characteristics are shown by the AC, with ferroan nature (average Mg# = 21), low to moderate degrees of REE fractionation (average [La/Yb]N = 26), high contents of Y (71-99 ppm; average 87), and low Sr/Y (average 2) ratios with significant negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.03-0.31; average 0.23) and low Sr (average 160 ppm) contents. The protoliths of the TC are interpreted as being derived from partial melting of thickened oceanic-arc crust composed of Archaean mafic composite source rocks (i.e., eclogite and/or garnet amphibolite) with a garnet amphibolite residue. Geochemical features of the GC, such as high Rb/Sr (average 1.80) and Ba/Sr ratios (average values > 6), are considered as evidence for crustal reworking in their genesis, suggesting remelting of a quartzo-feldspathic (TTG) source, within the plagioclase stability fields. The geochemical features of the felsic ortho-granulite suite, substantiated with published geochronological data on members of the TC, GC, and AC suites, suggest a four-stage crustal evolution of the KKB. The first stage is marked by the formation of an over-thickened oceanic-arc. Zircon Hfc model ages of the TC and GC suites constrain the time of this juvenile magmatic crust-forming event as Meso- to Neoarchaean (2.8 to 2.6 Ga). The second stage corresponds to the production of TTG magmas by melting of the over-thickened oceanic-arc crust, subsequent to basaltic underplating during Palaeoproterozoic (ca. 2.1 Ga). The third stage was initiated by a transition in subduction style from shallow to steep due to continent-arc accretion. This stage is marked by the formation of granitic magmas through partial melting of the TTG crust and their differentiation into GC and TC. The zircon crystallization ages (1.89 and 1.85 Ga) of the GC indicate arc accretion occurred during the Palaeoproterozoic. The fourth stage of crustal evolution is correlated with the Mesoproterozoic ( 1.5 Ga) emplacement of megacrystic K-feldspar granites (protoliths to the AC and augen gneisses). The distinct petrography, geochemistry and crystallization ages of the AC suggests recurrence of megacrystic, high-K calc-alkaline granitoids as the product of final phases of crustal-remelting marking subduction cessation. All these magmatic events are fairly well correlated with the major episodes of crustal growth observed in the once contiguous continental fragments (Sri Lanka and Madagascar) and worldwide events (2.7, 1.9, and 1.2 Ga) implying similar episodic nature in the lower crustal evolution of the KKB.

Functionalisation of lanthanide complexes via microwave-enhanced Cu(I)-catalysed azide-alkyne cycloaddition.

PubMed

Szíjjártó, Csongor; Pershagen, Elias; Borbas, K Eszter

2012-07-07

Cu(I)-catalysed azide-alkyne cycloaddition reactions were used to functionalise lanthanide(III)-complexes (Ln; La, Eu and Tb) incorporating alkyne or azide reactive groups. Microwave irradiation significantly accelerated the reactions, enabling full conversion to the triazole products in some cases in 5 min. Alkyl and aryl azides and alkyl and aryl alkynes could all serve as coupling partners. These reaction conditions proved efficient for cyclen-tricarboxylates and previously unreactive cyclen-tris-primary amide chelates. The synthesis of heterobimetallic (Eu/Tb, EuTb17 and Eu/La, EuLa17) and heterotrimetallic (Eu/La/Eu) complexes was achieved in up to 60% isolated yield starting from coumarin 2-appended alkynyl complexes Tb16 or La16 and an azido-Eu complex Eu4, and bis-alkynyl La-complex La5 and Eu4, respectively. EuTb17 displayed dual Eu(III) and Tb(III)-emission upon antenna-centred excitation.

A new LDMI decomposition approach to explain emission development in the EU: individual and set contribution.

PubMed

Madaleno, Mara; Moutinho, Victor

2017-04-01

This study breaks down carbon emissions into six effects within the current 28 European Union (EU) countries group, thereafter, they are divided into two different groups (the first 15 countries (EU-15) and the last 13 entering the EU (EU13)). Country-specific highlights are also examined. It analyses the evolution of the effects using a data span that runs from 1990 to 2014, to determine which of them had more impact on the intensity of emissions, while also breaking down the complete period into two distinct periods (before the Kyoto protocol (1990-2004) and after Kyoto (2005-2014)). In order to add more knowledge to the current literature, both the additive and multiplicative decomposition techniques were used to examine carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions and the selected six components: carbon intensity, fossil fuel consumption, energy intensity, oil imports intensity, oil dependence, and population effect. Results point to different adapting velocities for Kyoto targets and necessary compromises. The different velocities were translated into different positive and negative impacts in the change of behavior of CO 2 emissions throughout Europe. A stress in the fluctuations in CO 2 variations before and after Kyoto and between the two different groups of EU countries could be noticed. Moreover, energy intensity and per capita dependence of oil products were identified as the major responsible components for the total and negative changes of emissions in recent years. A decrease in total changes of emissions is observed due to the fossil fuel energy consumption effect and total petroleum products effects. It is possible to infer from here that increased renewable capacity is contributing in a positive way to eco-efficiency, and should therefore be accounted for in national policymakers' decisions in the strongest way possible. Results also seem to indicate that per capita dependence of oil products has decreased, despite oil imports intensity constancy and increased renewable capacity, however, with clear heterogeneous effects, worthy of consideration when defining policies.

Mutational analysis of the major soybean UreF paralogue involved in urease activation

PubMed Central

Polacco, Joe C.; Hyten, David L.; Medeiros-Silva, Mônica; Sleper, David A.; Bilyeu, Kristin D.

2011-01-01

The soybean genome duplicated ∼14 and 45 million years ago and has many paralogous genes, including those in urease activation (emplacement of Ni and CO2 in the active site). Activation requires the UreD and UreF proteins, each encoded by two paralogues. UreG, a third essential activation protein, is encoded by the single-copy Eu3, and eu3 mutants lack activity of both urease isozymes. eu2 has the same urease-negative phenotype, consistent with Eu2 being a single-copy gene, possibly encoding a Ni carrier. Unexpectedly, two eu2 alleles co-segregated with missense mutations in the chromosome 2 UreF paralogue (Ch02UreF), suggesting lack of expression/function of Ch14UreF. However, Ch02UreF and Ch14UreF transcripts accumulate at the same level. Further, it had been shown that expression of the Ch14UreF ORF complemented a fungal ureF mutant. A third, nonsense (Q2*) allelic mutant, eu2-c, exhibited 5- to 10-fold more residual urease activity than missense eu2-a or eu2-b, though eu2-c should lack all Ch02UreF protein. It is hypothesized that low-level activation by Ch14UreF is ‘spoiled’ by the altered missense Ch02UreF proteins (‘epistatic dominant-negative’). In agreement with active ‘spoiling’ by eu2-b-encoded Ch02UreF (G31D), eu2-b/eu2-c heterozygotes had less than half the urease activity of eu2-c/eu2-c siblings. Ch02UreF (G31D) could spoil activation by Chr14UreF because of higher affinity for the activation complex, or because Ch02UreF (G31D) is more abundant than Ch14UreF. Here, the latter is favoured, consistent with a reported in-frame AUG in the 5' leader of Chr14UreF transcript. Translational inhibition could represent a form of ‘functional divergence’ of duplicated genes. PMID:21430294

Effect of tasting and information on consumer opinion about pig castration.

PubMed

Kallas, Zein; Gil, José Maria; Panella-Riera, Nuria; Blanch, Marta; Font-i-Furnols, Maria; Chevillon, Patrick; De Roest, Kees; Tacken, Gemma; Oliver, Maria Angels

2013-10-01

Our research explored the relative importance of pig castration amongst other aspects of animal welfare, and the potential impact of information and sensory experiences on European Union (EU) consumers' preferences. The EU is considering a future ban on surgical pig castration by 2018 which may affect markets and consumers' preferences. We carried out an empirical study using consumer-level data obtained from questionnaires completed in a controlled environment by a total of 825 consumers. The experiment was carried out in six EU countries (Spain, United Kingdom, The Netherlands, France, Italy and Germany) which account for 66.0% of the EU-27's and 76.3% of the EU-15's meat production. Results show that consumers do not perceive pig castration to be a relevant aspect of animal welfare nor its relationship with meat quality. Consumers with healthy life styles, concerned about animal welfare and who have had a negative sensory experience with boar meat are willing to accept paying more to avoid boar taint. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Rare earth elements (REE) and yttrium in stream waters, stream sediments, and Fe Mn oxyhydroxides: Fractionation, speciation, and controls over REE + Y patterns in the surface environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leybourne, Matthew I.; Johannesson, Karen H.

2008-12-01

We have collected ˜500 stream waters and associated bed-load sediments over an ˜400 km 2 region of Eastern Canada and analyzed these samples for Fe, Mn, and the rare earth elements (REE + Y). In addition to analyzing the stream sediments by total digestion (multi-acid dissolution with metaborate fusion), we also leached the sediments with 0.25 M hydroxylamine hydrochloride (in 0.05 M HCl), to determine the REE + Y associated with amorphous Fe- and Mn-oxyhydroxide phases. We are thus able to partition the REE into "dissolved" (<0.45 μm), labile (hydroxylamine) and detrital sediment fractions to investigate REE fractionation, and in particular, with respect to the development of Ce and Eu anomalies in oxygenated surface environments. Surface waters are typically LREE depleted ([La/Sm] NASC ranges from 0.16 to 5.84, average = 0.604, n = 410; where the REE are normalized to the North America Shale Composite), have strongly negative Ce anomalies ([Ce/Ce ∗] NASC ranges from 0.02 to 1.25, average = 0.277, n = 354), and commonly have positive Eu anomalies ([Eu/Eu ∗] NASC ranges from 0.295 to 1.77, average = 0.764, n = 84). In contrast, the total sediment have flatter REE + Y patterns relative to NASC ([La/Sm] NASC ranges from 0.352 to 1.12, average = 0.778, n = 451) and are slightly middle REE enriched ([Gd/Yb] NASC ranges from 0.55 to 3.75, average = 1.42). Most total sediments have negative Ce and Eu anomalies ([Ce/Ce ∗] NASC ranges from 0.097 to 2.12, average = 0.799 and [Eu/Eu ∗] NASC ranges from 0.39 to 1.43, average = 0.802). The partial extraction sediments are commonly less LREE depleted than the total sediments ([La/Sm] NASC ranges from 0.24 to 3.31, average = 0.901, n = 4537), more MREE enriched ([Gd/Yb] NASC ranges from 0.765 to 6.28, average = 1.97) and Ce and Eu anomalies (negative and positive) are more pronounced. The partial extraction recovered, on average ˜20% of the Fe in the total sediment, ˜80% of the Mn, and 21-29% of the REEs (Ce = 19% and Y = 32%). Comparison between REEs in water, partial extraction and total sediment analyses indicates that REEs + Y in the stream sediments have two primary sources, the host lithologies (i.e., mechanical dispersion) and hydromorphically transported (the labile fraction). Furthermore, Eu appears to be more mobile than the other REE, whereas Ce is preferentially removed from solution and accumulates in the stream sediments in a less labile form than the other REEs + Y. Despite poor statistical correlations between the REEs + Y and Mn in either the total sediment or partial extractions, based on apparent distribution coefficients and the pH of the stream waters, we suggest that either sediment organic matter and/or possibly δ-MnO 2/FeOOH are likely the predominant sinks for Ce, and to a lesser extent the other REE, in the stream sediments.

Association of Endotoxins and Colon Polyp: A Case-Control Study

PubMed Central

Lee, Kang-Kon

2012-01-01

Endotoxins are known to be associated with the occurrence of various chronic diseases. This study was conducted to investigate the role of endotoxins in the pathogenesis of colon polyps through a case-control study. A total of 145 subjects (74 subjects in the polyp group and 71 subjects in the control group) had undergone a colonoscopy. Age, body mass index (BMI) and endotoxin levels were found to be significantly higher in the polyp group than in the control group. The endotoxin level was still significantly higher in the polyp group than in the control group, even after age and BMI had been adjusted (polyp group 0.108 ± 0.007 EU/mL, control group 0.049 ± 0.008 EU/mL, P < 0.001). In subgroup analysis, the endotoxin level significantly increased in accordance with the number of colon polyps (one-polyp group, 0.088 ± 0.059 EU/mL; two-polyp group, 0.097 ± 0.071 EU/mL; three-or-more-polyp group, 0.149 ± 0.223 EU/mL). The endotoxin levels also significantly increased in groups with tubular adenoma with high-grade dysplasia (hyperplastic polyp group, 0.109 ± 0.121 EU/mL; tubular adenoma with low grade dysplasia group, 0.103 ± 0.059 EU/mL; tubular adenoma with high grade dysplasia group, 2.915 ± 0.072 EU/mL). In conclusion, the serum level of endotoxins is quantitatively correlated with colon polyps. PMID:22969253

Upper Miocene-Pliocene provenance evolution of the Central Canyon in northwestern South China Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cui, Yuchi; Shao, Lei; Qiao, Peijun; Pei, Jianxiang; Zhang, Daojun; Tran, Huyen

2018-06-01

Provenance studies of the Central Canyon, Qiongdongnan Basin has provided significant insights into paleographic and sedimentology research of the South China Sea (SCS). A suite of geochemical approaches mainly including rare earth elemental (REE) analysis and detrital zircon U-Pb dating has been systematically applied to the "source-to-sink" system involving our upper Miocene-Pliocene Central Canyon sediments and surrounding potential source areas. Based on samples tracing the entire course of the Central Canyon, REE distribution patterns indicate that the western channel was generally characterized by positive Eu anomalies in larger proportion, in contrast to the dominance of negative values of its eastern side during late Miocene-Pliocene. Additionally, for the whole canyon and farther regions of Qiongdongnan Basin, the number of samples bearing negative Eu anomalies tended to increase within younger geological strata. On the other hand, U-Pb geochronology results suggest a wide Proterozoic to Mesozoic age range with peak complexity in Yanshanian, Indosinian, Caledonian and Jinningian periods. However in detail, age combination of most western samples displayed older-age signatures than the eastern. To make it more evidently, western boreholes of the Central Canyon are mainly characterized with confined Indosinian and Caledonian clusters which show great comparability with mafic-to-ultramafic source of Kontum Massif of Central Vietnam, while eastern samples largely bear with distinguishable Yanshanian and Indosinian peaks which more resemble with Hainan Island. Based on geochemistry and geochronology analyses, two significant suppliers and sedimentary infilling processes are generated: (1) the Indosinian collision orogenic belt in central-northern Vietnam, Indochina has ever played significant role in Central Canyon sedimentary evolution, (2) Hainan Island once as a typical provenance restricted within eastern Central Canyon, has been enlarging its influence into the whole channel, even into the farther western regions of Qiongdongnan Basin.

Red palm oil supplementation does not increase blood glucose or serum lipids levels in Wistar rats with different thyroid status.

PubMed

Rauchová, H; Vokurková, M; Pavelka, S; Vaněčková, I; Tribulová, N; Soukup, T

2018-05-04

Red palm oil (RPO) is a rich natural source of antioxidant vitamins, namely carotenes, tocopherols and tocotrienols. However, it contains approximately 50 % saturated fatty acids the regular consumption of which could negatively modify lipid profile. The aim of our study was to test whether 7 weeks of RPO supplementation (1 g/kg body weight/day) would affect blood glucose and lipid metabolism in adult male Wistar rats with altered thyroid status. We induced hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism in rats by oral administration of either methimazole or mixture of thyroid hormones. Different thyroid status (EU - euthyroid, HY - hypothyroid and HT - hyperthyroid) was characterized by different serum thyroid hormones levels (total and free thyroxine and triiodothyronine), changes in the activity of a marker enzyme of thyroid status - liver mitochondrial glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, and altered absolute and relative heart weights. Fasting blood glucose levels were higher in HT rats in comparison with EU and HY rats, but the changes caused by RPO supplementation were not significant. The achievement of the HY status significantly increased serum levels of total cholesterol, as well as with high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol: 2.43+/-0.15, 1.48+/-0.09, 0.89+/-0.08 mmol/l, compared to EU: 1.14+/-0.06, 0.77+/-0.06, 0.34+/-0.05 mmol/l and HT: 1.01+/-0.06, 0.69+/-0.04, 0.20+/-0.03 mmol/l, respectively. RPO supplementation did not increase significantly levels of blood lipids but tended to increase glutathione levels in the liver. In conclusion, RPO supplementation did not induce the presumed deterioration of glucose and lipid metabolism in rats with three well-characterized alterations in thyroid status.

Early paleozoic granodioritic plutons in the Shedong W-Mo ore district, Guangxi, southern China: Products of re-melting of middle Proterozoic crust due to magma underplating

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Xingzhou; Kang, Zhiqiang; Xu, Jifeng; Feng, Zuohai; Pang, Chongjin; Fang, Guicong; Wu, Jiachang; Xiong, Songquan

2017-06-01

The Shedong W-Mo ore district in the south-central Dayaoshan Uplift of Guangxi, southern China hosts the Baoshan and Pingtoubei deposits, both of which occur in granodioritic plutons. Zircon U-Pb dating of granodiorites and its mafic microgranular enclaves (MMEs) in the Baoshan deposit yielded ages of 439.8 ± 3.2 and 441.1 ± 2.2 Ma, respectively. Granodiorites have moderate SiO2 (54.5-63.0 wt.%) and high Al2O3 (15.4-17.8 wt.%) contents, wide variations in major element ratios, significant rare earth element fractionation, and small negative Eu anomalies. They are rich in Th, U, Zr, and Hf, and depleted in Ba, Nb, and Ti. Their initial 87Sr/86Sr, εNd(t), and εHf(t) values are in the range of 0.7086-0.7091, -5.2 to -6.6 and -6.3 to +1.6, respectively. Rounded or lenticular MMEs have relatively low silica and high mafic components, depletion in Eu, Sr, and Zr, and marked negative Eu anomalies. Rb/Sr and Nb/Ta ratios, and εNd(t) and εHf(t) values of the MMEs are higher than those of host granodiorites, indicating a different magmatic source. Zircon U-Pb dating of the unexposed granodiorite porphyry in the Pingtoubei deposit yielded an age of 440.0 ± 1.7 Ma. The granodiorite porphyries have high SiO2 and low K2O, FeOT, and MgO contents, with similar trace element features to the granodiorites at the Baoshan deposit, although the former has small negative Eu anomalies. Its initial 87Sr/86Sr values range from 0.7162 to 0.7173, εNd(t) values from -8.7 to -12.3, and εHf(t) values from -7.8 to +1.3, indicative of a crustal source. Nd and Hf two-stage model ages of the granodiorites, MMEs, and granodiorite porphyries have a narrow range between 1.3 and 2.2 Ga. We propose that the granodiorites and MMEs at the Baoshan deposit were produced through re-melting of middle Proterozoic crust as a result of underplating of mantle-derived magmas in a transitional compression-to-extension tectonic setting. Mantle-derived magmas provided the heat and material for the formation of the granodiorites and MMEs.

Simple method for determining binding energies of fullerene and complex atomic negative ions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Felfli, Zineb; Msezane, Alfred

2017-04-01

A robust potential which embeds fully the vital core polarization interaction has been used in the Regge pole method to explore low-energy electron scattering from C60, Eu and Nb through the total cross sections (TCSs) calculations. From the characteristic dramatically sharp resonances in the TCSs manifesting negative ion formation in these systems, we extracted the binding energies for the C60, Euand Nbanions they are found to be in outstanding agreement with the measured electron affinities of C60, Eu and Nb. Common among these considered systems, including the standard atomic Au is the formation of their ground state negative ions at the second Ramsauer-Townsend (R-T) minima of their TCSs. Indeed, this is a signature of all the fullerenes and complex atoms considered thus far. Shape resonances, R-T minima and binding energies of the resultant anions are presented. This work was supported by U.S. DOE, Basic Energy Sciences, Office of Energy Research.

Metallic behavior induced by potassium doping of the trigonal antiferromagnetic insulator EuMn 2 As 2

DOE PAGES

Anand, V. K.; Johnston, D. C.

2016-07-22

Here, we report magnetic susceptibility χ, isothermal magnetization M, heat capacity C p, and electrical resistivity ρ measurements on undoped EuMn 2As 2 and K-doped Eu 0.96K 0.04Mn 2As 2 and Eu 0.93K 0.07Mn 2As 2 single crystals with the trigonal CaAl 2Si 2-type structure as a function of temperature T and magnetic field H. EuMn 2As 2 has an insulating ground state with an activation energy of 52 meV and exhibits antiferromagnetic (AFM) ordering of the Eu +2 spins S=7/2 at T N1=15 K from C p(T) and χ(T) data with a likely spin-reorientation transition at T N2=5.0 K.more » The Mn +2 3d 5 spins-5/2 exhibit AFM ordering at T N=142 K from all three types of measurements. The M(H) isotherm and χ(T) data indicate that the Eu AFM structure is both noncollinear and noncoplanar. The AFM structure of the Mn spins is also unclear. A 4% substitution of K for Eu in Eu 0.96K 0.04Mn 2As 2 is sufficient to induce a metallic ground state. We found evidence for a difference in the AFM structure of the Eu moments in the metallic crystals from that of undoped EuMn 2As 2 versus both T and H. For metallic Eu 0.96K 0.04Mn 2As 2 and Eu 0.93K 0.07Mn 2As 2, an anomalous S-shape T dependence of ρ related to the Mn magnetism is found. Upon cooling from 200 K, ρ exhibits a strong negative curvature, reaches maximum positive slope at the Mn T N≈150 K, and then continues to decrease but more slowly below T N. Finally, this suggests that dynamic short-range AFM order of the Mn spins above the Mn T N strongly suppresses the resistivity, contrary to the conventional decrease of ρ that is only observed upon cooling below T N of an antiferromagnet.« less

Health professional mobility in the European Union: Exploring the equity and efficiency of free movement.

PubMed

Glinos, Irene A

2015-12-01

The WHO Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel is a landmark in the health workforce migration debate. Yet its principles apply only partly within the European Union (EU) where freedom of movement prevails. The purpose of this article is to explore whether free mobility of health professionals contributes to "equitably strengthen health systems" in the EU. The article proposes an analytical tool (matrix), which looks at the effects of health professional mobility in terms of efficiency and equity implications at three levels: for the EU, for destination countries and for source countries. The findings show that destinations as well as sources experience positive and negative effects, and that the effects of mobility are complex because they change, overlap and are hard to pin down. The analysis suggests that there is a risk that free health workforce mobility disproportionally benefits wealthier Member States at the expense of less advantaged EU Member States, and that mobility may feed disparities as flows redistribute resources from poorer to wealthier EU countries. The article argues that the principles put forward by the WHO Code appear to be as relevant within the EU as they are globally. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

Differences in the progress of the biopesticide revolution between the EU and other major crop-growing regions.

PubMed

Balog, Adalbert; Hartel, Tibor; Loxdale, Hugh D; Wilson, Kenneth

2017-11-01

The five-year value in the compound annual growth rate of the biopesticides sector is predicted to be 16% by 2017 and to produce a global market worth $US 10 billion. Despite this, several impediments occur within the EU that negatively affect biopesticide research and innovation. At present, there are fewer biopesticide-active substances registered in the EU compared with the United States, India, Brazil and China. The relatively low level of biopesticide research in the EU (6880 ISI papers) versus the United States (18 839), India (9501) and China (7875) relates to the greater complexity of EU-based biopesticide regulations compared with these other countries. In this light, it is worth noting that tensions may exist between regulators that emphasise the beneficial nature of biopesticides in environmentally friendly crop management and those that adopt a more technologically based approach dependent on a chemical-pesticide-driven model. Compared with the other aforementioned countries, far fewer biopesticide products are available in the EU market, mainly as a direct result of the severe regulatory factors present there. The extent to which this trend will continue depends largely on a range of interacting political and/or regulatory decisions that influence environmentally friendly agricultural industries. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Seasonal variation in airborne endotoxin levels in indoor environments with different micro-environmental factors in Seoul, South Korea.

PubMed

Hwang, Sung Ho; Park, Dong Jin; Park, Wha Me; Park, Dong Uk; Ahn, Jae Kyoung; Yoon, Chung Sik

2016-02-01

This study evaluated the variation over a year in airborne endotoxin levels in the indoor environment of five university laboratories in Seoul, South Korea, and examined the micro-environmental factors that influenced endotoxin levels. These included temperature, relative humidity, CO2, CO, illumination, and wind velocity. A total of 174 air samples were collected and analyzed using the kinetic limulus amebocyte lysate assay. Endotoxin levels ranged from <0.001 to 8.90EU/m(3), with an overall geometric mean of 0.240EU/m(3). Endotoxin levels showed significantly negative correlation with temperature (r=-0.529, p<0.001), CO2 (r=-0.213, p<0.001) and illumination (r=-0.538, p<0.001). Endotoxin levels tended to be higher in winter. Endotoxin levels in laboratories with rabbits were significantly higher than those of laboratories with mice. Multivariate regression analysis showed that the environmental factors affecting endotoxin levels were temperature (coefficient=-0.388, p<0.001) and illumination (coefficient=-0.370, p<0.001). Strategies aimed at reducing airborne endotoxin levels in the indoor environments may be most effective if they focus on illumination. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Eu9Cd4-xCM2+x-y□ySb9: Ca9Mn4Bi9-type structure stuffed with coinage metals (Cu, Ag, and Au) and the challenges with classical valence theory in describing these possible zintl phases.

PubMed

Kazem, Nasrin; Hurtado, Antonio; Klobes, Benedikt; Hermann, Raphaël P; Kauzlarich, Susan M

2015-02-02

The synthesis, crystal structure, magnetic properties, and europium Mössbauer spectroscopy of the new members of the 9-4-9 Zintl family of Eu(9)Cd(4-x)CM(2+x-y)□(y)Sb(9) (CM = coinage metal: Au, Ag, and Cu) are reported. These compounds crystallize in the Ca(9)Mn(4)Bi(9) structure type (9-4-9) with the 4g interstitial site almost half-occupied by coinage metals; these are the first members in the 9-4-9 family where the interstitial positions are occupied by a monovalent metal. All previously known compounds with this structure type include divalent interstitials where these interstitials are typically the same as the transition metals in the anionic framework. Single-crystal magnetic susceptibility data indicate paramagnetic behavior for all three compounds with antiferromagnetic ordering below 10 K (at 100 Oe) that shifts to lower temperature (<7 K) by applying a 3 T magnetic field. (151)Eu Mössbauer spectra were collected on polycrystalline powder samples of Eu(9)Cd(4-x)CM(2+x-y)□(y)Sb(9) at 50 and 6.5 K in order to evaluate the valence of Eu cations. Although the Zintl formalism states that the five crystallographically distinct Eu sites in Eu(9)Cd(4-x)CM(2+x-y)□(y)Sb9 should bear Eu(2+), the Mössbauer spectral isomer shifts are clearly indicative of both 2+ and 3+ valence of the Eu cations with the Cu- and Au-containing compounds showing higher amounts of Eu(3+). This electronic configuration leads to an excess of negative charge in these compounds that contradicts the expected valence-precise requirement of Zintl phases. The spectra obtained at 6.5 K reveal magnetic ordering for both Eu(2+) and Eu(3+). The field dependence of Eu(2+) indicates two distinct magnetic sublattices, with higher and lower fields, and of a small field for Eu(3+). The site symmetry of the five Eu sites is not distinguishable from the Mössbauer data.

[Rare earth elements contents and distribution characteristics in nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissue].

PubMed

Zhang, Xiangmin; Lan, Xiaolin; Zhang, Lingzhen; Xiao, Fufu; Zhong, Zhaoming; Ye, Guilin; Li, Zong; Li, Shaojin

2016-03-01

To investigate the rare earth elements(REEs) contents and distribution characteristics in nasopharyngeal carcinoma( NPC) tissue in Gannan region. Thirty patients of NPC in Gannan region were included in this study. The REEs contents were measured by tandem mass spectrometer inductively coupled plasma(ICP-MS/MS) in 30 patients, and the REEs contents and distribution were analyzed. The average standard deviation value of REEs in lung cancer and normal lung tissues was the minimum mostly. Light REEs content was higher than the medium REEs, and medium REEs content was higher than the heavy REEs content. REEs contents changes in nasopharyngeal carcinoma were variable obviously, the absolute value of Nd, Ce, Pr, Gd and other light rare earth elements were variable widely. The degree of changes on Yb, Tb, Ho and other heavy rare earth elements were variable widely, and there was presence of Eu, Ce negative anomaly(δEu=0. 385 5, δCe= 0. 523 4). The distribution characteristic of REEs contents in NPC patients is consistent with the parity distribution. With increasing atomic sequence, the content is decline wavy. Their distribution patterns were a lack of heavy REEs and enrichment of light REEs, and there was Eu , Ce negative anomaly.

Eucommia ulmoides Ameliorates Glucotoxicity by Suppressing Advanced Glycation End-Products in Diabetic Mice Kidney

PubMed Central

Do, Moon Ho; Hur, Jinyoung; Choi, Jiwon; Kim, Mina; Kim, Min Jung; Kim, Yoonsook; Ha, Sang Keun

2018-01-01

Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. (EU), also known as Du-Zhong, is a medicinal herb commonly used in Asia to treat hypertension and diabetes. Despite evidence of the protective effects of EU against diabetes, its precise effects and mechanisms of action against advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) are unclear. In this study, we evaluated the effects of EU on AGEs-induced renal disease and explored the possible underlying mechanisms using streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice. STZ-induced diabetic mice received EU extract (200 mg/kg) orally for 6 weeks. EU treatment did not change blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in diabetic mice. However, the EU-treated group showed a significant increase in the protein expression and activity of glyoxalase 1 (Glo1), which detoxifies the AGE precursor, methylglyoxal (MGO). EU significantly upregulated nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression but downregulated that of receptor for AGE (RAGE). Furthermore, histological and immunohistochemical analyses of kidney tissue showed that EU reduced periodic acid–Schiff (PAS)-positive staining, AGEs, and MGO accumulation in diabetic mice. Based on these findings, we concluded that EU ameliorated the renal damage in diabetic mice by inhibiting AGEs formation and RAGE expression and reducing oxidative stress, through the Glo1 and Nrf2 pathways. PMID:29495397

Eucommia ulmoides Ameliorates Glucotoxicity by Suppressing Advanced Glycation End-Products in Diabetic Mice Kidney.

PubMed

Do, Moon Ho; Hur, Jinyoung; Choi, Jiwon; Kim, Mina; Kim, Min Jung; Kim, Yoonsook; Ha, Sang Keun

2018-02-26

Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. (EU), also known as Du-Zhong, is a medicinal herb commonly used in Asia to treat hypertension and diabetes. Despite evidence of the protective effects of EU against diabetes, its precise effects and mechanisms of action against advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) are unclear. In this study, we evaluated the effects of EU on AGEs-induced renal disease and explored the possible underlying mechanisms using streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice. STZ-induced diabetic mice received EU extract (200 mg/kg) orally for 6 weeks. EU treatment did not change blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in diabetic mice. However, the EU-treated group showed a significant increase in the protein expression and activity of glyoxalase 1 (Glo1), which detoxifies the AGE precursor, methylglyoxal (MGO). EU significantly upregulated nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression but downregulated that of receptor for AGE (RAGE). Furthermore, histological and immunohistochemical analyses of kidney tissue showed that EU reduced periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive staining, AGEs, and MGO accumulation in diabetic mice. Based on these findings, we concluded that EU ameliorated the renal damage in diabetic mice by inhibiting AGEs formation and RAGE expression and reducing oxidative stress, through the Glo1 and Nrf2 pathways.

Acute phase response in lactating dairy cows during hyperinsulinemic hypoglycaemic and hyperinsulinemic euglycaemic clamps and after intramammary LPS challenge.

PubMed

De Matteis, L; Bertoni, G; Lombardelli, R; Wellnitz, O; Van Dorland, H A; Vernay, M C M B; Bruckmaier, R M; Trevisi, E

2017-06-01

The link between energy availability, turnover of energy substrates and the onset of inflammation in dairy cows is complex and poorly investigated. To clarify this, plasma inflammatory variables were measured in mid-lactating dairy cows allocated to three groups: hyperinsulinemic hypoglycaemic clamp, induced by insulin infusion (HypoG, n = 5); hyperinsulinemic euglycaemic clamp, induced by insulin and glucose infusion (EuG; n = 6); control, receiving a saline solution infusion (NaCl; n = 6). At 48 h after the start of i.v. infusions, two udder quarters per cow were challenged with 200 μg of E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Individual blood samples were taken before clamps, before LPS challenge (i.e. 48 h after clamps) and 6.5 h after. At 48 h, positive acute phase proteins (posAPP) did not differ among groups, whereas albumin and cholesterol (index of lipoproteins), negative APP (negAPP), were lower (p < 0.05) in EuG compared to NaCl and HypoG. The concentration of IL-6 was greater in EuG (p < 0.05) but only vs. HypoG. At 6.5 h following LPS challenge, IL-6 increased in the NaCl and EuG clamps (p < 0.05), while TNF-α increased (p < 0.05) in the EuG only. Among the posAPP, haptoglobin markedly increased in EuG (p < 0.05), but not in NaCl (p = 0.76) and in HypoG; ceruloplasmin tended to decline during LPS challenge, the reduction was significant when all animals were considered (p < 0.05). Conversely, all the negAPP showed a marked reduction 6.5 h after LPS challenge in the three groups. In conclusion, EuG caused an inflammatory status after 48-h infusion (i.e. decrease of negAPP) and induced a quicker acute phase response (e.g. marked rise of TNF-α, IL-6) after the intramammary LPS challenge. These data suggest that the simultaneous high availability of glucose and insulin at the tissue-level makes dairy cows more susceptible to inflammatory events. In contrast, HypoG seems to attenuate the inflammatory response. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition © 2016 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

Impact of the European clinical trials directive on prospective academic clinical trials associated with BMT.

PubMed

Frewer, L J; Coles, D; van der Lans, I A; Schroeder, D; Champion, K; Apperley, J F

2011-03-01

The European Clinical Trials Directive (EU 2001; 2001/20/EC) was introduced to improve the efficiency of commercial and academic clinical trials. Concerns have been raised by interested organizations and institutions regarding the potential for negative impact of the Directive on non-commercial European clinical research. Interested researchers within the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) were surveyed to determine whether researcher experiences confirmed this view. Following a pilot study, an internet-based questionnaire was distributed to individuals in key research positions in the European haemopoietic SCT community. Seventy-one usable questionnaires were returned from participants in different EU member states. The results indicate that the perceived impact of the European Clinical Trials Directive has been negative, at least in the research areas of interest to the EBMT.

Occult hepatitis C virus infection in patients in whom the etiology of persistently abnormal results of liver-function tests is unknown.

PubMed

Castillo, Inmaculada; Pardo, Margarita; Bartolomé, Javier; Ortiz-Movilla, Nuria; Rodríguez-Iñigo, Elena; de Lucas, Susana; Salas, Clara; Jiménez-Heffernan, Jose A; Pérez-Mota, Arturo; Graus, Javier; López-Alcorocho, Juan Manuel; Carreño, Vicente

2004-01-01

There are patients in whom the etiology of long-standing abnormal results of liver-function tests is unknown (ALF-EU) after exclusion of all known causes of liver diseases. We analyzed the presence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA in liver-biopsy specimens from 100 patients who were negative for anti-HCV antibodies and for serum HCV RNA and who had ALF-EU. HCV RNA status was tested by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and by in situ hybridization, in liver and peripheral-blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). HCV RNA was detected in liver-biopsy specimens from 57 of 100 patients negative for anti-HCV antibodies and for serum HCV RNA (i.e., who had occult HCV infection). HCV RNA of negative polarity was found in the liver of 48 (84.2%) of these 57 patients with occult HCV infection. Nucleotide-sequence analysis confirmed the specificity of detection of HCV RNA and that patients were infected with the HCV 1b genotype. Of these 57 patients with intrahepatic HCV RNA, 40 (70%) had viral RNA in their PBMCs. With regard to liver histology, patients with occult HCV infection were more likely to have necroinflammatory activity (P=.017) and fibrosis (P=.022) than were patients without intrahepatic HCV RNA. Patients with ALF-EU may have intrahepatic HCV RNA in the absence of anti-HCV antibodies and of serum HCV RNA.

Geochemical constraints on the origin of Doushantuo cap carbonates in the Yangtze Gorges area, South China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Qinxian; Lin, Zhijia; Chen, Duofu

2014-05-01

Marinoan cap carbonates have been suggested to be primarily deposited in glacial meltwater and upwelled seawater. However, elemental geochemistry evidence for this depositional model is lacking. Here, we report high-spatial-resolution measurements of major, trace and rare earth elements of the Doushantuo cap carbonates from the Jiulongwan section in the Yangtze Gorges area, South China. Our results show that: 1) the basal cap carbonates display slight MREE enrichment, weak positive La anomalies, near-chondritic Y/Ho ratios, and slight negative Ce anomalies; 2) the lower-middle cap carbonates show slight LREE depletion or MREE enrichment, weak positive La and Eu anomalies, supra-chondritic Y/Ho ratios, and slight negative Ce anomalies; 3) the upper-middle cap carbonates have consistent enrichment of P, Fe, and trace metals, slight LREE depletion, and weak positive Ce, La and Eu anomalies; and 4) the upper cap carbonates exhibit LREE enrichment, weak positive La and Eu anomalies, supra-chondritic Y/Ho ratios, and mild negative Ce anomalies. These findings indicate that the Doushantuo cap carbonates did not precipitate from normal contemporaneous seawater, rather, the basal cap carbonates were deposited in oxygenated, relatively pure deglacial meltwater; the lower-middle cap carbonates in oxygenated brackish water; the upper-middle cap carbonates in upwelled anoxic brine water; and the upper cap carbonates in oxygenated brackish water. Our depositional model is consistent with the proposed sequence of events after the meltdown of Marinoan glaciation by Shields (2005).

Early Proterozoic crustal evolution: Geochemical and NdPb isotopic evidence from metasedimentary rocks, southwestern North America

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McLennan, S. M.; Hemming, S. R.; Taylor, S. R.; Eriksson, K. A.

1995-03-01

Early Proterozoic (1.8-1.7 Ga) metasedimentary rocks in northern New Mexico and southern Colorado, USA, can be divided into turbidite successions (commonly volcanogenic) associated with mafic/felsic metavolcanic successions (e.g., Irving Fm.) and stable shelf quartzite-pelite successions of shallow marine origin (e.g., Hondo Gp.). Metapelites from the turbidite successions reported here have low K2O/Na2O, low Th/U (<3.0), low to moderate Th/Sc (0.1-0.6), and slight negative Eu-anomalies, although regionally, negative Eu-anomalies in such rocks are common. At the time of sedimentation (ca. 1.7-1.8 Ga), ɛNd values were in the range +3 to +7, indistinguishable from associated metavolcanic and plutonic rocks. Similarly, lead isotopic data scatter about a 1.7 Ga reference isochron. Low κ (232Th/238U) values for the Irving Formation are consistent with derivation from crustal sources similar to the southern Colorado/northern New Mexico lead isotope crustal province. These data are further consistent with a volcanic arc related origin. In contrast, stable shelf metapelites have high K2O/Na2O, variable but commonly high Th/U (2.0-7.0), moderate to high Th/Sc (0.5-1.4), and substantial negative Eu-anomalies. Although compositions are rather variable, they are typical of post-Archean shales. Neodymium isotopes are surprisingly radiogenic with ɛNd(1.7 Ga) in the range -0.2 to +4. Lead isotopic data for the least radiogenic samples also are consistent with a dominantly juvenile source and on a 207Pb/204Pb vs. 206Pb/204Pb diagram, data scatter slightly above the 1.7 Ga reference isochron, suggesting minor components of significantly older material. Lead isotopic systematics suggest that a major component of the provenance was derived from the immediately associated metavolcanic-plutonic terranes, consistent with suggestions of a first-cycle origin, but with an Archean component. Isotopic data restrict the Archean component to about 10%, on average, and no more than 25% in any sample. This older crustal component may be derived either by direct erosion of Archean rocks, such as the Wyoming Province, or indirectly through assimilation into Early Proterozoic igneous rocks. Although the stable shelf sedimentary rocks are derived from a provenance with similar ages as the volcanogenic turbidites, the geochemical characteristics of the provenance are significantly different. Accordingly, these data are consistent with especially rapid and widespread crustal growth and evolution in southwestern North America during the period 1.9-1.7 Ga. Several samples from the Hondo Group and Uncompahgre Formation have REE patterns that are rotated to LREE depletion and perhaps HREE enrichment. The change in REEs correlate with Mo, U, and V abundances and Pb isotopic characteristics suggesting sedimentary processes similar to those operating in black shales affected these REE patterns. REE patterns and Th/U ratios of Early Proterozoic volcanogenic turbidites examined in this and other studies differ on average from turbidites found in Archean greenstone belts. Negative Eu-anomalies are common, HREE-depletion is seen but comparatively rare, and Th/U ratios are commonly below 3.0. Accordingly, these data are consistent with models suggesting that the upper crust had a different composition in the Archean.

In Situ Trace Element Measurements on Roda and the Origin of Diogenites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mittlefehldt, David W.; Herrin, J. S.

2011-01-01

The origin of diogenites remains poorly understood. A recent model interprets many diogenites to have been formed from melts that were derived by remelting initial magma ocean cumulates, and these penultimate parent melts were then contaminated by melts derived from remelting of the basaltic (eucritic) crust to form the ultimate diogenite parent melts [1] (hereafter the remelting model). This is a very complicated petrogenesis that has profound implications for the geological evolution of 4 Vesta if correct. This model was developed based on trace element analyses of bulk rock samples that had been leached in acids to remove phosphates; the compositions of the residues were interpreted to be close to those of cumulus orthopyroxenes plagioclase, chromite and olivine [1]. In situ measurements of phases in diogenites can be used to test this model. We have begun a campaign of laser ablation ICP-MS of orthopyroxene grains in diogenites for this purpose. Here we report our first results on one diogenite, Roda. We have determined a suite of trace lithophile elements on nine, mm-sized pyroxene grains separated from Roda that have previously been studied [2, 3]. A key observation supporting the remelting model is the very low Eu/Eu* of leached residues; values too low to represent orthopyroxene that crystallized from melts with chondritic Sm/Eu and Gd/Eu [1]. (Eu* = Eu interpolated from REE diagrams.) Crustal remelts have low Sm/Eu and Gd/Eu, and orthopyroxenes that crystallized from parent melts contaminated by them would have very low Eu/Eu* [1]. Roda grains have Eu/Eu* of 0.243 to 0.026; the latter a value lower than any measured on bulk diogenite leached residues (0.041) [1]. There is a general negative correlation between Eu/Eu* and some incompatible elements (Zr, Nb, Hf), but not others (LREE). This appears inconsistent with the remelting model as it would suggest an evolving parent melt with La de-creasing as Zr increased and Eu/Eu* decreased. Grain R-15 includes trace-element-rich trapped melt phases [2, 3]. This grain has the highest Eu/Eu* and LREE contents, indicating that the trapped melt had a high Eu/Eu*. Thus, our first data on one diogenite do not provide support for the remelting model [1]. Roda is unusual in that its orthopyroxene grains show wide ranges in trace element contents [4]. Previous in situ REE analyses of grain R-15 did not reveal evidence for subsolidus equilibration with trace-element-rich trapped melt phases, and led to the suggestion that Roda may be polymict, with different grains representing different lithologies of diverse compositions [3]. Thus, based on our results on Roda, it is perhaps premature to abandon the remelting model. In situ measurements on a suite of diogenites is planned to further address this issue.

Tetrad effects in REE abundance patterns of chondrules from CM meteorites: Implications for aqueous alteration on the CM parent asteroid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Inoue, Mutsuo; Nakamura, Noboru; Kimura, Makoto

2009-09-01

Lanthanide tetrad effect in bulk chondrules from two moderately altered CM chondrites, Murchison and Yamato-793321 (Y-793321), are reported for the first time. Twenty-three chondrules were petrographically characterized and analyzed for 10 rare earth elements (REE) and other trace and major elements (Ba, Sr, Rb, K, Ca, Mg and Fe) using the precise isotope dilution technique. The results indicate systematic depletion (several times) of alkali and alkaline earths compared to CV and CO chondrules. Most of the porphyritic olivine (8 PO) and olivine-pyroxene (4 POP), porphyritic and radial pyroxene (2 PP, 1 RP), and granular olivine (1 GO) chondrules show a light-REE (L-REE) depleted, heavy-REE (H-REE) smoothly fractionated pattern composed of four (upward convex) segments possessing a relatively large negative Eu anomaly (CI-normalized La/Sm, Lu/Er and Eu/Eu* ratios = 0.3-1: Eu*, normal value). On the other hand, all barred-olivine (5 BO) chondrules, a few PO and POP indicate almost a flat L-REE pattern. In addition, regardless of their textural types, nearly half of the chondrules have a variable degree of Ce and Yb anomalies, and/or L/H-REE discontinuity, which is similar to CV and CO chondrules. The observed L- and H-convex REE patterns accompanied with the negative Eu anomaly is the first known case for chondrules as well as meteoritic materials, but have been previously reported for geological samples such as sedimentary rocks, late stage igneous and metamorphic rocks, and are explained as the lanthanide tetrad effect, which plausibly results from fluid-rock interaction. We suggest that the marked REE fractionations occurred by the selective incorporation of L-, H-REEs and Eu into alteration products in the matrix during alteration processes on the CM parent body, but that the gas/solid REE fractionation characteristics established in the nebula have basically remained unchanged. We suggest that the tetrad effects observed here represent a new index of physico-chemical conditions of fluid-rock interactions prevalent on the CM parent body.

(De)coupled zircon metamictization, radiation damage, and He diffusivity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ault, A. K.; Guenthner, W.; Reiners, P. W.; Moser, A. C.; Miller, G. H.; Refsnider, K. A.

2017-12-01

We develop and apply a new protocol for targeting crystals for the zircon (U-Th)/He (He) thermochronometry to maximize effective U (eU) and corresponding closure temperature variability to develop zircon He date-eU correlations observed in some datasets. Our approach exploits visual proxies for radiation damage accumulation (metamictization) during zircon selection. We show that by purposefully targeting a spectrum of zircon textures from pristine to metamict grains, it is possible to generate broad eU variation in suites of zircon from a single sample and zircon He date-eU-metamictization trends that can be exploited to resolve increasingly complex thermal histories. We present plane light photographs, eU concentration, and zircon He results from 59 individual zircons from nine crystalline rock samples. Six of the nine samples come from exposed Proterozoic granitoids on SE Baffin Island, Canada; Boulder Creek, CO; Sandia Mountains, NM; and Mecca Hills, CA. We report data from three Archean Baffin samples to compare with the Proterozoic Baffin sample date-eU-metamictization trend. In each Proterozoic sample, target zircons display a spectrum of metamictization from pristine, transparent crystals to purple-brown, translucent grains. Progressive loss of transparency and increase in discoloration consistently corresponds to an increase in eU in all samples. Individual zircon eU varies from 89-1885 ppm and, within each sample, the total eU spread is 538 ppm to 1374 ppm. For any given eU value, the Archean zircon appear comparatively more metamict than the Proterozoic Baffin grains and samples collectively define a 1681 ppm range in eU, with more restrictive intrasample eU spreads (199-1120 ppm). Proterozoic samples from Baffin, Sandia, and Front Range yield negative zircon He date-eU correlations with intrasample date ranges of 90-783 Ma. Increasing eU and younger dates correspond with increasing metamictization. In contrast, all three Proterozoic Mecca Hills samples yield uniform 25 Ma zircon He dates over 1800 ppm eU. We apply simple thermal history models that account for the coevolution of zircon radiation damage and He-diffusivity to demonstrate that visible zircon metamictization and He diffusivity can be either coupled or decoupled depending on a sample's thermal history.

Facile construction of vertically aligned EuS-ZnO hybrid core shell nanorod arrays for visible light driven photocatalytic properties

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

Ranjith, K. S.; Kumar, D. Ranjith; Kumar, R. T. Rajendra, E-mail: rtrkumar@buc.edu.in

2015-06-24

We demonstrated the development of coupled semiconductor in the form of hybrid heterostructures for significant advancement in catalytic functional materials. In this article, we report the preparation of vertically aligned core shell ZnO-EuS nanorod photocatalyst arrays by a simple chemical solution process followed by sulfudation process. The XRD pattern confirmed formation of the hexagonal wurtzite structure of ZnO and cubic nature of the EuS. Cross sectional FESEM images show vertical rod array structure, and the size of the nanorods ranges from 80 to 120 nm. UV-Vis DRS spectra showed that the optical absorption of ZnO was significantly enhanced to the visiblemore » region by modification with EuS surfaces. TEM study confirmed that the surface of ZnO was drastically improved by the modification with EuS nanoparticle. The catalytic activity of EuS−ZnO core shell nanorod arrays were evaluated by the photodegradation of Methylene Blue (MB) dye under visible irradiation. The results revealed that the photocatalytic activity of EuS−ZnO was much higher than that of ZnO under natural sunlight. EuS−ZnO was found to be stable and reusable without appreciable loss of catalytic activity up to four consecutive cycles.« less

Intraoperative endovascular ultrasonography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eton, Darwin; Ahn, Samuel S.; Baker, J. D.; Pensabene, Joseph; Yeatman, Lawrence S.; Moore, Wesley S.

1991-05-01

The early experience using intra-operative endovascular ultrasonography (EU) is reported in eight patients undergoing lower extremity revasularization. In four patients, intra-operative EU successfully characterized inflow stenoses that were inadequately imaged with pre- operative arteriography. Two patients were found to have hemodynamically significant inflow stenoses, and were treated with intra-operative balloon angioplasty followed by repeat EU. The other two patients were found to have non-hemodynamically significant inflow stenoses requiring no treatment. Additional outflow procedures were required in all four patients. In the remaining four patients, EU was used to evaluate the completeness of TEC rotary atherectomy, of Hall oscillatory endarterectomy, of thrombectomy of the superficial femoral and popliteal arteries, and of valve lysis during in situ saphenous vein grafting, respectively. In the latter case, the valve leaflets were not clearly seen. In the other cases, EU assisted the surgeon. Angioscopy and angiography were available for comparison. In one case, angioscopy failed because of inability to clear the field while inspecting retrograde the limb of an aorto-bi-femoral graft. EU however was possible. No complications of EU occurred. EU is a safe procedure indicated when characterization of a lesion is needed prior to an intervention or when evaluation of the intervention's success is desired. We did not find it useful in valve lysis for in-site grafting.

Petrogenesis and geodynamic implications of Ediacaran highly fractionated A-type granitoids in the north Arabian-Nubian Shield (Egypt): Constraints from whole-rock geochemistry and Sr-Nd isotopes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sami, Mabrouk; Ntaflos, Theodoros; Farahat, Esam S.; Mohamed, Haroun A.; Hauzenberger, Christoph; Ahmed, Awaad F.

2018-04-01

Mineral chemistry, whole-rock geochemical and Sr-Nd isotopic data are reported for the Abu-Diab granitoids in the northern Arabian-Nubian Shield (ANS) of Egypt, to investigate their petrogenesis and geodynamic significance. Gabal Abu-Diab constitute a multiphase pluton, consisting largely of two-mica granites (TMGs) enclosing microgranular enclaves and intruded by garnet bearing muscovite granites (GMGs) and muscovite granites (MGs). The granitoids are weakly peraluminous (A/CNK = 1.01-1.12) and show high SiO2 (>72.9 wt%) and alkali (K2O + Na2O = 8.60-9.13) contents. The geochemical features show that they are post-collisional and highly fractionated A-type granitoids. Compared to their host TMGs, the microgranular enclaves are strongly peraluminous (A/CNK = 1.18-1.24) with lower SiO2 and higher abundances of trace elements. The TMGs are depleted in Ba, Nb, P and Ti and are enriched in LREEs relative to HREEs with weakly negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.45-0.64). In contrast, the GMGs and MGs are extremely depleted in Ba, Sr and Ti and have tetrad-type REE patterns (TE1-3 = 1.1-1.3) with strongly pronounced negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.03-0.26), similar to rare metals bearing granites. The Ediacaran (585 ± 24 Ma) TMGs, are characterized by restricted and relatively low initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.70337-0.70382) that suggests their derivation from a depleted mantle source, with little contamination from the older continental crust. In contrast, the GMGs and MGs have extremely high 87Rb/86Sr and 87Sr/86Sr ratios that reflect the disturbance of the Rb-Sr isotopic system and may give an indication for magmatic-fluid interaction. However, all the granitoids display positive εNd(t) (4.41-6.57) and depleted mantle model ages TDM2 between 777 and 956 Ma, which indicate their derivation from a Neoproterozoic juvenile magma sources and preclude the occurrence of pre-Neoproterozoic crustal rocks in the ANS. The microgranular enclaves represent globules of hot mafic magma that have injected and partly mixed with the colder and more felsic TMGs magma. Geochemical and isotopic data along with petrogenetic modelling, suggest that the TMGs were formed by low degrees of partial melting of the pre-existing I-type granodiorites, followed by extensive fractional crystallization and fluid fractionation to produce the geochemically specialized rare metals GMGs and MGs in the margin of Abu-Diab pluton. During the post-collisional stage of ANS and due to lithospheric delamination processes, the underplated fluid/volatile rich mantle magma had interplated and migrated upward to shallow crustal levels, through extensional faults/shear zones, and enhanced the partial melting and fractionation of granodiorites to eventually form Abu-Diab A-type granitoids.

Economic Valuation for Improved Water Quality: Analyzing the Public's Preferences Using Geospatial Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsagarakis, Konstantinos P.; Mavragani, Amaryllis; Gemitzi, Alexandra

2017-04-01

As the subject of water quality in the European Union is becoming all the more important, public awareness is of significant importance in exploring ways towards the implementation of better water quality. Over the last decade, significant steps towards this direction have been employed in EU, such as Directive 2008/105/EC and Directive 2013/39/EU and Groundwater Directive and Decision 2015/495. What has been suggested so far is that public participation and information levels are relatively low in some EU countries. This paper focuses on providing a review on economic valuation in EU and in regions with degradated waters by applying geospatial techniques. Overall, it is shown that public awareness and information levels are crucial in better assessing the issues that arise due to water quality, and help better implement EU legislation.

Formation of collapsed tetragonal phase in EuCo₂As₂ under high pressure.

PubMed

Bishop, Matthew; Uhoya, Walter; Tsoi, Georgiy; Vohra, Yogesh K; Sefat, Athena S; Sales, Brian C

2010-10-27

The structural properties of EuCo₂As₂ have been studied up to 35 GPa, through the use of x-ray diffraction in a diamond anvil cell at a synchrotron source. At ambient conditions, EuCo₂As₂ ) (I4/mmm) has a tetragonal lattice structure with a bulk modulus of 48 ± 4 GPa. With the application of pressure, the a axis exhibits negative compressibility with a concurrent sharp decrease in c-axis length. The anomalous compressibility of the a axis continues until 4.7 GPa, at which point the structure undergoes a second-order phase transition to a collapsed tetragonal (CT) state with a bulk modulus of 111 ± 2 GPa. We found a strong correlation between the ambient pressure volume of 122 parents of superconductors and the corresponding tetragonal to collapsed tetragonal phase transition pressures.

Eu oxidation state in fluorozirconate-based glass ceramics

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

Henke, B.; Passlick, C.; Keil, P.

2009-12-01

The influence of InF{sub 3} doping and remelting on Eu-doped fluorozirconate-based glass ceramics was investigated using near-edge x-ray absorption and optical spectroscopy. It was found that the addition of InF{sub 3} to the melt decreases the Eu{sup 2+}/Eu{sup 3+} mole ratio, while remelting leads to a significant change in the Eu{sup 2+}/Eu{sup 3+} ratio in favor of Eu{sup 2+}. Photoluminescence spectroscopy shows that additional annealing steps lead to the formation of BaCl{sub 2} nanoparticles in the glass. In as-made glass ceramics containing InF{sub 3}, a phase transition of the nanoparticles from hexagonal to orthorhombic structure is observed. This phase transitionmore » is not observed in the remelted glasses studied here.« less

Amphiphilic complexes of Ho(iii), Dy(iii), Tb(iii) and Eu(iii) for optical and high field magnetic resonance imaging.

PubMed

Harris, Michael; Henoumont, Céline; Peeters, Wannes; Toyouchi, Shuichi; Vander Elst, Luce; Parac-Vogt, Tatjana N

2018-05-29

Lanthanides, holmium(iii), dysprosium(iii), and terbium(iii), were coordinated to an amphiphilic DOTA bis-coumarin derivative and then further assembled with an amphiphilic europium(iii) DTPA bis-coumarin derivative into mono-disperse micelles. The self-assembled micelles were characterized and assessed for their potential as bimodal contrast agents for high field magnetic resonance and optical imaging applications. All micelles showed a high transverse relaxation (r2) of 46, 34, and 30 s-1 mM-1 at 500 MHz and 37 °C for Dy(iii), Ho(iii) and Tb(iii), respectively, which is a result of the high magnetic moment of these lanthanides and the long rotational correlation time of the micelles. The quantum yield in aqueous solution ranged from 1.8% for Tb/Eu to 1.4% for Dy/Eu and 1.0% for the Ho/Eu micelles. Multi-photon excited emission spectroscopy has shown that due to the two-photon absorption of the coumarin chromophore the characteristic Eu(iii) emission could be observed upon excitation at 800 nm, demonstrating the usefulness of the system for in vivo fluorescence imaging applications. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example reporting the potential of a holmium(iii) chelate as a negative MRI contrast agent.

Selective remediation of contaminated sites using a two-level multiphase strategy and geostatistics.

PubMed

Saito, Hirotaka; Goovaerts, Pierre

2003-05-01

Selective soil remediation aims to reduce costs by cleaning only the fraction of an exposure unit (EU) necessary to lower the average concentration below the regulatory threshold. This approach requires a prior stratification of each EU into smaller remediation units (RU) which are then selected according to various criteria. This paper presents a geostatistical framework to account for uncertainties attached to both RU and EU average concentrations in selective remediation. The selection of RUs is based on their impact on the postremediation probability for the EU average concentration to exceed the regulatory threshold, which is assessed using geostatistical stochastic simulation. Application of the technique to a set of 600 dioxin concentrations collected at Piazza Road EPA Superfund site in Missouri shows a substantial decrease in the number of RU remediated compared with single phase remediation. The lower remediation costs achieved by the new strategy are obtained to the detriment of a higher risk of false negatives, yet for this data set this risk remains below the 5% rate set by EPA region 7.

Reducing the risk of invasive forest pests and pathogens: Combining legislation, targeted management and public awareness.

PubMed

Klapwijk, Maartje J; Hopkins, Anna J M; Eriksson, Louise; Pettersson, Maria; Schroeder, Martin; Lindelöw, Åke; Rönnberg, Jonas; Keskitalo, E Carina H; Kenis, Marc

2016-02-01

Intensifying global trade will result in increased numbers of plant pest and pathogen species inadvertently being transported along with cargo. This paper examines current mechanisms for prevention and management of potential introductions of forest insect pests and pathogens in the European Union (EU). Current European legislation has not been found sufficient in preventing invasion, establishment and spread of pest and pathogen species within the EU. Costs associated with future invasions are difficult to estimate but past invasions have led to negative economic impacts in the invaded country. The challenge is combining free trade and free movement of products (within the EU) with protection against invasive pests and pathogens. Public awareness may mobilise the public for prevention and detection of potential invasions and, simultaneously, increase support for eradication and control measures. We recommend focus on commodities in addition to pathways, an approach within the EU using a centralised response unit and, critically, to engage the general public in the battle against establishment and spread of these harmful pests and pathogens.

The tension between cross-border cooperation in the European Area of Freedom, Security and Justice and the fundamental rights of mentally ill offenders in detention.

PubMed

Meysman, Michaël

2016-01-01

In two recent judgements, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has given an alarming signal regarding the placement, care and treatment of mentally disordered offenders in Belgium. This article analyses these judgements and the Court's assessment that Belgium faces a structural problem regarding the detention of people with a mental illness in prison. By exploring other recent ECtHR decisions across the EU and combining this with an analysis of international norms and standards, it contends that there is something amiss regarding the post-trial approach towards mentally disordered offenders in an EU-wide context. The potential hazards of this situation, from both an individual and an EU perspective are then presented by analysing the EU Framework Decision on the transfer of prisoners (which aims to facilitate offender rehabilitation) and the EU Court of Justice's interpretation of the relationship between instruments like the Framework Decision that are based on mutual recognition and fundamental rights. Lastly, the EU's initiative for enhancing procedural rights in criminal proceedings through the Roadmap trajectory, and the subsequent Commission Recommendation of 27 November 2013, are scrutinized. Based on this research, the article pinpoints the flaws and vacuums that currently exist for mentally disordered offenders, and the negative outcome this may have on the legitimacy and effectiveness of the European Area of Freedom, Security and Justice. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Natural Convection Cooling of the Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator Engineering Unit

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lewandowski, Edward J.; Hill, Dennis

2011-01-01

After fueling and prior to launch, the Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG) will be stored for a period of time then moved to the launch pad for integration with the space probe and mounting on the launch vehicle. During this time, which could be as long as 3 years, the ASRG will operate continuously with heat rejected from the housing and fins. Typically, the generator will be cooled by forced convection using fans. During some of the ground operations, maintaining forced convection may add significant complexity, so allowing natural convection may simplify operations. A test was conducted on the ASRG Engineering Unit (EU) to quantify temperatures and operating parameters with natural convection only and determine if the EU could be safely operated in such an environment. The results show that with natural convection cooling the ASRG EU Stirling convertor pressure vessel temperatures and other parameters had significant margins while the EU was operated for several days in this configuration. Additionally, an update is provided on ASRG EU testing at NASA Glenn Research Center, where the ASRG EU has operated for over 16,000 hr and underwent extensive testing.

Europeanisation of health systems: a qualitative study of domestic actors in a small state.

PubMed

Azzopardi-Muscat, Natasha; Sorensen, Kristine; Aluttis, Christoph; Pace, Roderick; Brand, Helmut

2016-04-14

Health systems are not considered to be significantly influenced by European Union (EU) policies given the subsidiarity principle. Yet, recent developments including the patients' rights and cross-border directive (2011/24 EU), as well as measures taken following the financial crisis, appear to be increasing the EU's influence on health systems. The aim of this study is to explore how health system Europeanisation is perceived by domestic stakeholders within a small state. A qualitative study was conducted in the Maltese health system using 33 semi-structured interviews. Inductive analysis was carried out with codes and themes being generated from the data. EU membership brought significant public health reforms, transformation in the regulation of medicines and development of specialised training for doctors. Health services financing and delivery were primarily unaffected. Stakeholders positively perceived improvements to the policy-making process, networking opportunities and capacity building as important benefits. However, the administrative burden and the EU's tendency to adopt a 'one size fits all' approach posed considerable challenges. The lack of power and visibility for health policy at the EU level is a major disappointment. A strong desire exists for the EU to exercise a more effective role in ensuring access to affordable medicines and preventing non-communicable diseases. However, the EU's interference with core health system values is strongly resisted. Overall domestic stakeholders have a positive outlook regarding their health system Europeanisation experience. Whilst welcoming further policy developments at the EU level, they believe that improved consideration must be given to the specificities of small health systems.

Temporal Trends (1999-2015) in the Impact Factor of Biomedical Journals Published by US and EU Scientific Societies.

PubMed

Falagas, Matthew E; Kyriakidou, Margarita; Spais, George; Argiti, Efstathia; Vardakas, Konstantinos Z

2018-04-19

The impact factor has emerged as the most popular index of scientific journals' resonance. In this study we aimed to examine the impact factor trends of journals published by scientific bodies in the United States of America (USA) and Europe (EU). We randomly chose 11 categories of Journal of Citation Reports and created three research classes: clinical medicine, laboratory medicine, and basic science. The impact factor values for the years 1999-2015 were abstracted, and the impact factor of US and EU journals was studied through the years. A total of 265 journals were included in the final analysis. The impact factor of US journals was higher than that of EU journals throughout the study period. In addition, for both US and EU journals the median impact factor increased throughout the study period. The rate of annual change in the impact factor throughout the study period was lower for US than EU journals (1.85% versus 3.55%, P=0.019). A higher median annual increase was seen in the impact factor during the period 1999-2008 compared to the period 2009-2015 for both US (P<0.001) and EU (P=0.001) journals. In fact, during the second period the US median impact factor value did not show significant changes (P=0.31), while the EU median impact factor continued to increase (P<0.001). The impact factor of EU journals increased at a significantly higher rate than and approached that of the US journals during the last 16 years.

Adsorption of Eu(III) onto TiO2: effect of pH, concentration, ionic strength and soil fulvic acid.

PubMed

Tan, Xiaoli; Fang, Ming; Li, Jiaxing; Lu, Yi; Wang, Xiangke

2009-08-30

The effects of pH, initial Eu(III) concentration, ionic strength and fulvic acid (FA) on the adsorption of Eu(III) on TiO(2) are investigated by using batch techniques. The results indicate that the presence of FA strongly enhances the adsorption of Eu(III) on TiO(2) at low pH values. Besides, the adsorption of Eu(III) on TiO(2) is significantly dependent on pH values and independent of ionic strength. The adsorption of Eu(III) on TiO(2) is attributed to inner-sphere surface complexation. The diffuse layer model (DLM) is applied to simulate the adsorption data, and fits the experimental data well with the aid of FITEQL 3.2. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is performed to study the species of Eu(III) adsorbed on the surfaces of TiO(2)/FA-TiO(2) hybrids at a molecular level, which suggest that FA act as "bridge" between Eu(III) and TiO(2) particles to enhance the ability to adsorb Eu(III) in solution.

Sorption and complexation of Eu(III) on alumina: effects of pH, ionic strength, humic acid and chelating resin on kinetic dissociation study.

PubMed

Wang, X; Xu, D; Chen, L; Tan, X; Zhou, X; Ren, A; Chen, Ch

2006-04-01

The effects of pH (pH=2-12), ionic strength (0.01-2 mol/l NaNO(3)) and humic acid on the sorption and complexation of Eu(III) on alumina were investigated by using batch techniques. The experiments were carried out at room temperature and under ambient conditions. The results indicate that the sorption of Eu(III) on alumina is strongly influenced by humic acid. The sorption of Eu(III) on alumina is significantly dependent on pH values and independent of ionic strength. The sorption of Eu(III) on alumina may be attributed to surface complexation. The species of Eu(III) on HA-alumina colloids is dominated by both HA and alumina, and the addition sequences of HA or Eu(III) to the ternary system do not influence the sorption of Eu(III) to HA-coated alumina. Kinetic dissociation of Eu(III) from bare and HA-coated alumina was also studied by using the chelating resin. The result was discussed by a pseudo-first-order kinetics model.

Effect of annealing on structural and luminescence properties of Eu3+ doped NaYF4 phosphor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pathak, Trilok K.; Kumar, Ashwini; Swart, H. C.; Kroon, R. E.

2018-04-01

Eu3+ doped NaYF4 phosphors have been synthesized by the combustion method. The effect of annealing on the structural, morphological and luminescence properties has been investigated. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the Eu3+ doped NaYF4 phosphors consisted of mixed phases: α-phase and β-phase which were affected by the annealing of the phosphor. The surface morphology showed a significant change with annealing in the Eu3+ doped NaYF4 phosphors. The elemental mapping and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy spectra proved the formation of the desired materials. The photoluminescence spectra illustrated the optical properties of Eu3+ in the as-prepared and annealed Eu3+ doped NaYF4 phosphors. The intensity of the peaks 5D0 → 7F2 and 5D0 → 7F1 varied in as-prepared and annealed samples. The lifetime of the Eu3+ luminescence at 615 nm was also weakly affected by the Eu3+ doping and annealing temperature.

Interface Engineering to Create a Strong Spin Filter Contact to Silicon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Caspers, C.; Gloskovskii, A.; Gorgoi, M.; Besson, C.; Luysberg, M.; Rushchanskii, K. Z.; Ležaić, M.; Fadley, C. S.; Drube, W.; Müller, M.

2016-03-01

Integrating epitaxial and ferromagnetic Europium Oxide (EuO) directly on silicon is a perfect route to enrich silicon nanotechnology with spin filter functionality. To date, the inherent chemical reactivity between EuO and Si has prevented a heteroepitaxial integration without significant contaminations of the interface with Eu silicides and Si oxides. We present a solution to this long-standing problem by applying two complementary passivation techniques for the reactive EuO/Si interface: (i) an in situ hydrogen-Si (001) passivation and (ii) the application of oxygen-protective Eu monolayers-without using any additional buffer layers. By careful chemical depth profiling of the oxide-semiconductor interface via hard x-ray photoemission spectroscopy, we show how to systematically minimize both Eu silicide and Si oxide formation to the sub-monolayer regime-and how to ultimately interface-engineer chemically clean, heteroepitaxial and ferromagnetic EuO/Si (001) in order to create a strong spin filter contact to silicon.

EU Strategies to Encourage Youth Entrepreneurship: Evidence from Higher Education in Greece

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Karanassios, Nikolaos; Pazarskis, Michail; Mitsopoulos, Konstantinos; Christodoulou, Petros

2006-01-01

The authors present and discuss significant aspects of youth entrepreneurship in the European Union (EU) and, especially, in higher education institutions in Greece. The structure of this paper is as follows. First, the study introduces a conceptual basis for entrepreneurship as defined in the EU and looks at entrepreneurship in the context of…

Comparison of the partitioning behaviours of yttrium, rare earth elements, and titanium between hydrogenetic marine ferromanganese crusts and seawater

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bau, M.; Koschinsky, A.; Dulski, P.; Hein, J.R.

1996-01-01

In order to evaluate details of the partitioning behaviours of Y, rare earth elements (REEs), and Ti between inorganic metal oxide surfaces and seawater, we studied the distribution of these elements in hydrogenetic marine ferromanganese (Fe-Mn) crusts from the Central Pacific Ocean. Nonphosphatized Fe-Mn crusts display shale-normalized rare earths and yttrium (REYSN) patterns (Y inserted between Dy and Ho) that are depleted in light REEs (LREEs) and which show negative anomalies for YSN, and positive anomalies for LaSN, EuSN, GdSN, and in most cases, CeSN. They show considerably smaller Y/ Ho ratios than seawater or common igneous and clastic rocks, indicating that Y and Ho are fractionated in the marine environment. Compared to P-poor crusts, REYSN patterns of phosphatized Fe-Mn crusts are similar, but yield pronounced positive YSN anomalies, stronger positive LaSN anomalies, and enrichment of the HREEs relative to the MREEs. The data suggest modification of REY during phosphatization and indicate that studies requiring primary REY distributions or isotopic ratios should be restricted to nonphosphatized (layers of) Fe-Mn crusts. Apparent bulk coefficients, KMD, describing trace metal partitioning between nonphosphatized hydrogenetic Fe-Mn crusts and seawater, are similar for Pr to Eu and decrease for Eu to Yb. Exceptionally high values of KCeD, which are similar to those of Ti, result from oxidative scavenging of Ce and support previous suggestions that Ce(IV) is a hydroxide-dominated element in seawater. Yttrium and Gd show lower KD values than their respective neighbours in the REY series. Results of modelling the exchange equilibrium between REY dissolved in seawater and REY sorbed on hydrous Fe-Mn oxides corroborate previous studies that suggested the surface complexation of REY can be approximated by their first hydroxide binding constant. Negative "anomalies" occur for stabilities of bulk surface complexes of Gd, La, and particularly Y. The differences in inorganic surface complex stability between Y and Ho and between Gd and its REE neighbours are similar to those shown by the stabilities of complexes with aminocarboxylic acids and are significantly larger than those shown by stabilities of complexes with carboxylic acids. Hence, sorption of Y and REEs onto hydrous Fe-Mn oxides may contribute significantly to the positive YSN and GdSN anomalies in seawater.

Eu 2+ –Eu 3+ valence transition in double, Eu-, and Na-doped PbSe from transport, magnetic, and electronic structure studies

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

Wiendlocha, Bartlomiej; Kim, SunPhil; Lee, Yeseul

The Eu atoms in Pb 1-xEu xSe have long been assumed to be divalent. We show that p-type doping of this magnetic semiconductor alloy with Na can modify the effective Eu valence: a mixed, Eu 2+–Eu 3+ state appears in Pb 1-x-yEu xNa ySe at particular values of y. Magnetization, carrier concentration, resistivity, and thermopower of Pb 1-x-yEu xNa ySe are reported for a number of samples with different x and y. A pronounced increase in thermopower at a given carrier concentration was identified and attributed to the presence of enhanced ionized impurity scattering. A strong decrease in the holemore » concentration is observed in Pb1-yNaySe when Eu is added to the system, which we attribute to a Eu 2+–Eu 3+ self-ionization process. This is evidenced by magnetization measurements, which reveal a significant reduction of the magnetic moment of Pb 1-xEu xSe upon alloying with Na. Further, a deviation of magnetization from a purely paramagnetic state, described by a Brillouin function, identifies antiferromagnetic interactions between the nearest-neighbor Eu atoms: a value of J ex/k B = -0.35 K was found for the exchange coupling parameter. The conclusion of a Eu 2+–Eu 3+ self-ionization process being in effect is supported further by the electronic structure calculations, which show that an instability of the 4f 7 configuration of the Eu 2+ ion appears with Na doping. In conclusion, schematically, it was found that the Eu 4f levels form states near enough to the Fermi energy that hole doping can lower the Fermi energy and trigger a reconfiguration of a 4f electronic shell.« less

Eu 2+ –Eu 3+ valence transition in double, Eu-, and Na-doped PbSe from transport, magnetic, and electronic structure studies

DOE PAGES

Wiendlocha, Bartlomiej; Kim, SunPhil; Lee, Yeseul; ...

2017-03-27

The Eu atoms in Pb 1-xEu xSe have long been assumed to be divalent. We show that p-type doping of this magnetic semiconductor alloy with Na can modify the effective Eu valence: a mixed, Eu 2+–Eu 3+ state appears in Pb 1-x-yEu xNa ySe at particular values of y. Magnetization, carrier concentration, resistivity, and thermopower of Pb 1-x-yEu xNa ySe are reported for a number of samples with different x and y. A pronounced increase in thermopower at a given carrier concentration was identified and attributed to the presence of enhanced ionized impurity scattering. A strong decrease in the holemore » concentration is observed in Pb1-yNaySe when Eu is added to the system, which we attribute to a Eu 2+–Eu 3+ self-ionization process. This is evidenced by magnetization measurements, which reveal a significant reduction of the magnetic moment of Pb 1-xEu xSe upon alloying with Na. Further, a deviation of magnetization from a purely paramagnetic state, described by a Brillouin function, identifies antiferromagnetic interactions between the nearest-neighbor Eu atoms: a value of J ex/k B = -0.35 K was found for the exchange coupling parameter. The conclusion of a Eu 2+–Eu 3+ self-ionization process being in effect is supported further by the electronic structure calculations, which show that an instability of the 4f 7 configuration of the Eu 2+ ion appears with Na doping. In conclusion, schematically, it was found that the Eu 4f levels form states near enough to the Fermi energy that hole doping can lower the Fermi energy and trigger a reconfiguration of a 4f electronic shell.« less

Trace element geochemistry of altered volcanic ash layers (tonsteins) in late Permian coal-bearing formations of eastern Yunnan and western Guizhou Provinces, China

USGS Publications Warehouse

Zhou, Y.; Bohor, B.F.; Ren, Y.

2000-01-01

Trace element compositions were determined (by instrumental neutron activation analysis; INAA) in 30 samples of synsedimentary volcanic ash-derived tonsteins and detrital claystones from coal seams within the late Permian coal-bearing formation of eastern Yunnan and western Guizhou Provinces, China. The characteristics of trace-element geochemistry in the tonsteins can be distinguished from those of detrital claystones because of the former's unique volcanic-ash origin. The detrital claystones are characterized by their relatively high content of V, Ti, Sc, Cr, Co and Ni, relatively low content of Th and U, Th/U ratio, and small negative Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu* 0.63-0.93). Overall, these trace element characteristics are consistent with a mafic source similar to the composition of basalt rocks in the erosional region on the western edge of the study area. In contrast, the tonsteins are low in V, Ti, Sc, Cr, Co and Ni contents and have a high Th/U ratio with a distinct negative Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu* normally in the range of 0.2-0.4), consistent with a silicic magmatic source. Within the group of tonsteins, those from the lower section (P2.1) of the coal-bearing formation are relatively high in Ti, Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta and rare earth elements (REE), as compared to those from the middle and upper sections (P2.2+3). In trace-element discrimination diagrams (scatter plots) of Hf-Ta, Ti-Ta, Ti-V, Hf-Sc, Lu-Hf and Lu-Th, tonsteins from the P2.1 horizon always fall in isolated distribution areas, separate from the tonsteins of the P2.2+3 horizon. These results suggest that the source materials of tonsteins from the two separate horizons were probably derived from volcanic ash falls of two distinctly different natures. Based on a comparison of the concentrations and assemblages of trace elements between various magmatic rocks, the source materials of tonsteins from P2.1 horizon were mostly composed of calc-alkalic, silica-poor volcanic ash (similar to rhyodacitic magma), whereas those from P2.+3 were apparently more siliceous and K-rich (rhyolitic magma). Thus, tonsteins from the two different horizons are characterized by unique geochemical properties, which remain constant over a wide lateral extent. Integration of trace-elemental compositions with mineralogical and textural observations makes possible the establishment of tonstein stratigraphy, thus, facilitating more precise and reliable coal-seam correlations. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.Trace element compositions were determined in 30 samples of synsedimentary volcanic ash-derived tonsteins and detrital claystones from coal seams within the late Permian coal-bearing formation of eastern Yunnan and western Guizhou Provinces, China. The characteristics of trace-element geochemistry in the tonsteins can be distinguished from those of detrital claystones because of the former's unique volcanic-ash origin. The detrital claystones are characterized by their relatively high content of V, Ti, Sc, CR, Co and Ni, relatively low content of Th and U, Th/U ratio, and small negative Eu anomaly.

Influence of metal loading and humic acid functional groups on the complexation behavior of trivalent lanthanides analyzed by CE-ICP-MS.

PubMed

Kautenburger, Ralf; Hein, Christina; Sander, Jonas M; Beck, Horst P

2014-03-13

The complexation behavior of Aldrich humic acid (AHA) and a modified humic acid (AHA-PB) with blocked phenolic hydroxyl groups for trivalent lanthanides (Ln) is compared, and their influence on the mobility of Ln(III) in an aquifer is analyzed. As speciation technique, capillary electrophoresis (CE) was hyphenated with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). For metal loading experiments 25 mg L(-1) of AHA and different concentrations (cLn(Eu+Gd)=100-6000 μg L(-1)) of Eu(III) and Gd(III) in 10mM NaClO4 at pH 5 were applied. By CE-ICP-MS, three Ln-fractions, assumed to be uncomplexed, weakly and strongly AHA-complexed metal can be detected. For the used Ln/AHA-ratios conservative complex stability constants log βLnAHA decrease from 6.33 (100 μg L(-1) Ln(3+)) to 4.31 (6000 μg L(-1) Ln(3+)) with growing Ln-content. In order to verify the postulated weaker and stronger humic acid binding sites for trivalent Eu and Gd, a modified AHA with blocked functional groups was used. For these experiments 500 μg L(-1) Eu and 25 mg L(-1) AHA and AHA-PB in 10mM NaClO4 at pH-values ranging from 3 to 10 have been applied. With AHA-PB, where 84% of the phenolic OH-groups and 40% of the COOH-groups were blocked, Eu complexation was significantly lower, especially at the strong binding sites. The log β-values decrease from 6.11 (pH 10) to 5.61 at pH 3 (AHA) and for AHA-PB from 6.01 (pH 7) to 3.94 at pH 3. As a potential consequence, particularly humic acids with a high amount of strong binding sites (e.g. phenolic OH- and COOH-groups) can be responsible for a higher metal mobility in the aquifer due to the formation of dissolved negatively charged metal-humate species. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Geochemical Evidence for Recent Hydrothermal Alteration of Marine Sediments in Mid-Okinawa Trough, Southwest Japan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tanaka, A.; Abe, G.; Yamaguchi, K. E.

2014-12-01

Recent studies have shown that submarine hydrothermal system supports diverse microbial life. Bio-essential metals supporting such microbial communities were released from basalts by high-temperature water-rock interaction in deeper part of the oceanic crust and carried by submarine fluid flow. Its total quantity in global hydrothermal settings has been estimated to be on the order of ~1019 g/yr, which is surprisingly on the same order of the total river flows (Urabe et al., 2011). Therefore, it is important to explore how submarine river system works, i.e., to understand mechanism and extent of elemental transport, which should lead to understanding of the roles of hydrothermal circulation in oceanic crust in controlling elemental budget in the global ocean and geochemical conditions to support deep hot biosphere. 　We performed REE analysis of marine sediments influenced by submarine hydrothermal activity in Mid-Okinawa Trough. The sediment samples used in this study are from IODP site at Iheya North region and JADE site at Izena region. The samples show alternation between volcanic and clastic sediments. Hydrothermal fluids of this area contain elevated concentrations of volatile components such as H2, CO2, CH4, NH4+, and H2S, supporting diverse chemoautotrophic microbial community (Nakagawa et al., 2005). The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of hydrothermal activity on the REE signature of the sediments. Chondrite-normalized REE patterns of the samples show relative enrichment of light over heavy REEs, weak positive Ce anomalies, and variable degrees of negative Eu anomalies. The REE patterns suggest the sediments source was mainly basalt, suggesting insignificant input of continental materials. Negative Eu anomalies found in the IODP site become more pronounced with increasing depth, suggesting progressive increase of hydrothermal alteration where Eu was reductively dissolved into fluids by decomposition of feldspars. Contrary, at the JADE site, magnitude of negative Eu anomalies was variable independent of the sediment depth. This suggests changes in the redox conditions, most likely due to occasional invasions of O2-bearing seawater into sediments. Different regimes of hydrothermal fluid flows govern the chemical environments of marine sediments in active hydrothermal areas.

Tunable Yellow-Red Photoluminescence and Persistent Afterglow in Phosphors Ca4LaO(BO3)3:Eu3+ and Ca4EuO(BO3)3.

PubMed

Chen, Zhen; Pan, Yuexiao; Xi, Luqing; Pang, Ran; Huang, Shaoming; Liu, Guokui

2016-11-07

In most Eu 3+ activated phosphors, only red luminescence from the 5 D 0 is obtainable, and efficiency is limited by concentration quenching. Herein we report a new phosphor of Ca 4 LaO(BO 3 ) 3 :Eu 3+ (CLBO:Eu) with advanced photoluminescence properties. The yellow luminescence emitted from the 5 D 1,2 states is not thermally quenched at room temperature. The relative intensities of the yellow and red emission bands depend strongly on the Eu 3+ doping concentration. More importantly, concentration quenching of Eu 3+ photoluminescence is absent in this phosphor, and the stoichiometric compound of Ca 4 EuO(BO 3 ) 3 emits stronger luminescence than the Eu 3+ doped compounds of CLBO:Eu; it is three times stronger than that of a commercial red phosphor of Y 2 O 3 :Eu 3+ . Another beneficial phenomenon is that ligand-to-metal charge transfer (CT) transitions occur in the long UV region with the lowest charge transfer band (CTB) stretched down to about 3.67 eV (∼330 nm). The CT transitions significantly enhance Eu 3+ excitation, and thus result in stronger photoluminescence and promote trapping of excitons for persistent afterglow emission. Along with structure characterization, optical spectra and luminescence dynamics measured under various conditions as a function of Eu 3+ doping, temperature, and excitation wavelength are analyzed for a fundamental understanding of electronic interactions and for potential applications.

The Northeast Kingdom batholith, Vermont: magmatic evolution and geochemical constraints on the origin of Acadian granitic rocks

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ayuso, R.A.; Arth, Joseph G.

1992-01-01

Five Devonian plutons (West Charleston, Echo Pond, Nulhegan, Derby, and Willoughby) that constitute the Northeast Kingdom batholith in Vermont show wide ranges in elemental abundances and ratios consistent with major crustal contributions during their evolution. The batholith consists of metaluminous quartz gabbro, diorite and quartz monzodiorite, peraluminous granodiorite and granite, and strongly peraluminous leucogranite. Contents of major elements vary systematically with increasingSiO40) and have small negative Eu anomalies. The strongly peraluminous Willoughby leucogranite has unique trace-element abundances and ratios relative to the rest of the batholith, including low contents of Hf, Zr, Sr, and Ba, low values of K/Rb (80-164), Th/Ta (<9), Rb/Cs (7-40), K/Cs (0.1-0.5), Ce/Pb (0.5-4), high values of Rb/Sr (1-18) low to moderate REE contents and light-REE enriched patterns (with small negative Eu anomalies). Flat REE patterns (with large negative Eu anomalies) are found in a small, hydrothermally-altered area characterized by high abundances of Sn (up to 26 ppm), Rb (up to 670 ppm), Li (up to 310 ppm), Ta (up to 13.1 ppm), and U (up to 10 ppm). There is no single mixing trend, fractional crystallization assemblage, or assimilationscheme that accounts for all trace elementvariations from quartz gabbro to granite in the Northeast Kingdom batholith. The plutons originated by mixing mantle-derived components and crustal melts generated at different levels in the heterogeneous lithosphere in a continental collisional environment. Hybrid rocks in the batholith evolved by fractional crystallization and assimilation of country rocks (<50% by mass), and some of the leucogranitic rocks were subsequently disturbed by a mild hydrothermal event that resulted in the deposition of small amounts of sulfide minerals. ?? 1992 Springer-Verlag.

Luminescence recognition of different organophosphorus pesticides by the luminescent Eu(III)-pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid probe.

PubMed

Azab, Hassan A; Duerkop, Axel; Anwar, Z M; Hussein, Belal H M; Rizk, Moustafa A; Amin, Tarek

2013-01-08

Luminescence quenching of a novel long lived Eu(III)-pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid probe of 1:2 stoichiometric ratio has been studied in 0.10 volume fraction ethanol-water mixture at pH 7.5 (HEPES buffer) in the presence of the organophosphorus pesticides chlorfenvinphos (P1), malathion (P2), azinphos (P3), and paraxon ethyl (P4). The luminescence intensity of Eu(III)-(PDCA)(2) probe decreases as the concentration of the pesticide increases. It was observed that the quenching due to P3 and P4 proceeds via both diffusional and static quenching processes. Direct methods for the determination of the pesticides under investigation have been developed using the luminescence quenching of Eu(III)-pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid probe in solution. The linear range for determination of the selected pesticides is 1.0-35.0 μM. The detection limits were 0.24-0.55 μM for P3, P4, and P1 and 2.5 μM for P2, respectively. The binding constants (K), and thermodynamic parameters of the OPs with Eu(III)-(PDCA)(2) were evaluated. Positive and negative values of entropy (ΔS) and enthalpy (ΔH) changes for Eu(III)-(PDCA)(2)-P1 ternary complex were calculated. As the waters in this study do not contain the above mentioned OPs over the limit detectable by the method, a recovery study was carried out after the addition of the adequate amounts of the organophosphorus pesticides under investigation. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

[Bacterial biofilms on PVC tubing's inner surface of hemodialysis water treatment system].

PubMed

Yang, Sha; Jia, Ke; Peng, Youming; Liu, Hong; Liu, Yinghong; Chen, Xing; Liu, Fuyou

2009-10-01

To determine the morphology, bacteria and endotoxin content of biofilms on the inner surface of PVC tubes in hemodialysis water treatment system. We dissolved biofilms of segments before and after reverse osmosis machine for bacterial count and identification. We studied biofilm structure of segments before and after reverse osmosis machine with eyes and scanning electron microscope. Biofilms of all 7 segments were dissolved for qualitative and quantitative assay of endotoxin. The inner surface of segment before reverse osmosis machine was homogeneously distributed with activated carbon powder deposition. The segment after reverse osmosis machine was normal. With scanning electron microscope, biofilm with successive surface and sandwich was found on the inner surface of segment before reverse osmosis machine, formed by clustering bacillus, activated carbon powder and some coccus. Bacteria of the same shape and length were found on segment after reverse osmosis machine, but fewer and looser. Bacterial culture and identification showed the former was mostly gram-negative bacillus, the latter was only a few micrococcus. Endotoxin of biofilm was between 2.0 EU/mL and 4.0 EU/mL. Quantitative assay showed: segment after softener (2.821+/-0.807) EU/mL; segment after active charcoal canister(3.635+/-0.427) EU/mL; segment before reverse osmosis machine (3.687+/-0.271) EU/mL; segment after reverse osmosis machine (2.041+/-0.295) EU/mL; exit of power pump (1.983+/-0.390)EU/mL;the 1st dead space (2.373+/-0.535) EU/mL; and the 2nd dead space (2.858+/-0.690)EU/mL. Biofilms are found on the inner surface of segment before and after reverse osmosis machine. Endotoxin level from high to low is as follows: segment before reverse osmosis machine, segment after active charcoal canister, the 2nd dead space, segment after softener, the 1st dead space, segment after reverse osmosis machine, exit of power pump. The character of the bacteria and endotoxin of the biofilm can help us find better ways to control them.

Temporal Trends (1999–2015) in the Impact Factor of Biomedical Journals Published by US and EU Scientific Societies

PubMed Central

Falagas, Matthew E.; Kyriakidou, Margarita; Spais, George; Argiti, Efstathia; Vardakas, Konstantinos Z.

2018-01-01

Objective The impact factor has emerged as the most popular index of scientific journals’ resonance. In this study we aimed to examine the impact factor trends of journals published by scientific bodies in the United States of America (USA) and Europe (EU). Methods We randomly chose 11 categories of Journal of Citation Reports and created three research classes: clinical medicine, laboratory medicine, and basic science. The impact factor values for the years 1999–2015 were abstracted, and the impact factor of US and EU journals was studied through the years. Results A total of 265 journals were included in the final analysis. The impact factor of US journals was higher than that of EU journals throughout the study period. In addition, for both US and EU journals the median impact factor increased throughout the study period. The rate of annual change in the impact factor throughout the study period was lower for US than EU journals (1.85% versus 3.55%, P=0.019). A higher median annual increase was seen in the impact factor during the period 1999–2008 compared to the period 2009–2015 for both US (P<0.001) and EU (P=0.001) journals. In fact, during the second period the US median impact factor value did not show significant changes (P=0.31), while the EU median impact factor continued to increase (P<0.001). Conclusion The impact factor of EU journals increased at a significantly higher rate than and approached that of the US journals during the last 16 years. PMID:29517962

NMR study of heavy fermion compound EuNi2P2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Magishi, K.; Watanabe, R.; Hisada, A.; Saito, T.; Koyama, K.; Fujiwara, T.

2015-03-01

We report the results of 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements on heavy fermion compound EuNi2P2 in order to investigate the magnetic properties at low temperatures from a microscopic view point. The Knight shift has a negative value in an entire temperature range, and the absolute value increases with decreasing temperature but exhibits a broad maximum around 40 K, which is similar to the behavior of the magnetic susceptibility. Also, the nuclear spin-lattice relaxation rate 1/T1 is almost constant at high temperatures above 200 K, which is reminiscent of the relaxation mechanism dominated by the interaction of the 31P nucleus with fluctuating Eu-4f moments. Below 200 K, 1/T1 gradually decreases on cooling due to the change of the valence in the Eu ion. At low temperatures, 1/T1 does not obey the Korringa relation, in contrast to typical heavy fermion compounds. The nuclear spin-spin relaxation rate 1/T2 shows the similar behavior as 1/T1 at high temperatures. But, below 50 K, 1/T2 increases upon cooling due to the development of the magnetic excitation.

Eu(III) sorption to TiO2 (anatase and rutile): batch, XPS, and EXAFS studies.

PubMed

Tan, Xiaoli; Fan, Qiaohui; Wang, Xiangke; Grambow, Bernd

2009-05-01

The sorption of Eu(III) on anatase and rutile was studied as a function of ionic strength, humic acid (HA, 7.5 mg/L), and electrolyte anions over a large range of pH (2-12). The presence of HA significantly affected Eu(III) sorption to anatase and rutile. The sorption of Eu(III) on anatase and rutile was independent of ionic strength. Results of an X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis showed that Eu(III) was chemically present within the near-surface of TiO2 due to the formation of triple bond SOEu and triple bond SOHAEu complexes. An extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) technique was applied to characterize the local structural environment of the adsorbed Eu(III), and the results indicated that Eu(III) was bound to about seven or eight O atoms at a distance of about 2.40 A. The functional groups of surface-bound HA were expected to be involved in the sorption process. The measured Eu-Ti distance confirmed the formation of inner-sphere sorption complexes on a TiO2 surface.

Relationship between Eu{sup 3+} reduction and glass polymeric structure in Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}-modified borate glasses under air atmosphere

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

Jiao, Qing; Yu, Xue; Xu, Xuhui

2013-06-15

The reduction of Eu{sup 3+} to Eu{sup 2+} is realized efficiently in Eu{sub 2}O{sub 3}-doped borate glasses prepared under air condition by melting-quenching method. Luminescent spectra show an increasing tendency of Eu{sup 2+} emission with increasing Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} concentration in B{sub 2}O{sub 3}–Na{sub 2}O glasses. It is interesting that significant enhancement appeared of Eu{sup 2+} luminescence in the Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}-rich sample comparing to the samples of Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} less than 6 mol%. FTIR and Raman scattering measurements indicated that some new vibration modes assigned to the low-polymerized structure groups decomposed from the slight Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} dopantmore » samples. These results demonstrated that the polymerization of the glass structure decreased with increasing incorporation of Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} into the borate glasses, linking to the efficiency of Eu{sup 3+} self-reduction in air at high temperature. - graphical abstract: A novel europium valence reduction phenomenon occurred in Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} modified borate glasses, FTIR and Raman measurements revealed that high polymeric groups were destroyed to low polymery structures with Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} addition. - Highlights: • The efficient reduction of Eu{sup 3+} to Eu{sup 2+} is observed in the B{sub 2}O{sub 3}–Na{sub 2}O glasses. • Eu{sup 2+} luminescence is significant enhanced in the Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}-rich glasses. • The introduction of Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} changed the network structure of the borate glasses. • High polymeric borate groups in the glass matrix may be destroyed to the lower ones.« less

Interface Engineering to Create a Strong Spin Filter Contact to Silicon

PubMed Central

Caspers, C.; Gloskovskii, A.; Gorgoi, M.; Besson, C.; Luysberg, M.; Rushchanskii, K. Z.; Ležaić, M.; Fadley, C. S.; Drube, W.; Müller, M.

2016-01-01

Integrating epitaxial and ferromagnetic Europium Oxide (EuO) directly on silicon is a perfect route to enrich silicon nanotechnology with spin filter functionality. To date, the inherent chemical reactivity between EuO and Si has prevented a heteroepitaxial integration without significant contaminations of the interface with Eu silicides and Si oxides. We present a solution to this long-standing problem by applying two complementary passivation techniques for the reactive EuO/Si interface: (i) an in situ hydrogen-Si (001) passivation and (ii) the application of oxygen-protective Eu monolayers–without using any additional buffer layers. By careful chemical depth profiling of the oxide-semiconductor interface via hard x-ray photoemission spectroscopy, we show how to systematically minimize both Eu silicide and Si oxide formation to the sub-monolayer regime–and how to ultimately interface-engineer chemically clean, heteroepitaxial and ferromagnetic EuO/Si (001) in order to create a strong spin filter contact to silicon. PMID:26975515

Scientific collaboration between 'old' and 'new' member states: Did joining the European Union make a difference?

PubMed

Makkonen, Teemu; Mitze, Timo

This paper provides new insights on the effects of the enlargement of the European Union (EU) and European integration by investigating the issue of scientific collaboration within the new EU member states vis - à - vis the old EU member states. The question addressed is whether the EU membership following the two enlargement waves 2004 and 2007 has significantly increased the co-publication intensity of the new member states with other member countries. The empirical results based on data collected from the Web of Science database and Difference-in-Difference estimations point towards a conclusion that joining the EU indeed has had an additional positive impact on the co-publication intensity between the new and old member states and, in particular, within the new member states themselves. These results give tentative support for the successfulness of the EU's science policies in achieving a common 'internal market' in research. We also find evidence for early anticipation effects of the consecutive EU accession.

Carbon prices and incentives for technological development.

PubMed

Lundgren, Tommy; Marklund, Per-Olov; Samakovlis, Eva; Zhou, Wenchao

2015-03-01

There is concern that the carbon prices generated through climate policies are too low to create the incentives necessary to stimulate technological development. This paper empirically analyzes how the Swedish carbon dioxide (CO2) tax and the European Union emission trading system (EU ETS) have affected productivity development in the Swedish pulp and paper industry 1998-2008. A Luenberger total factor productivity (TFP) indicator is computed using data envelopment analysis. The results show that climate policy had a modest impact on technological development in the pulp and paper industry, and if significant it was negative. The price of fossil fuels, on the contrary, seems to have created important incentives for technological development. Hence, the results suggest that the carbon prices faced by the industry through EU ETS and the CO2 tax have been too low. Even though the data for this study is specific for Sweden, the models and results are applicable internationally. When designing policy to mitigate CO2 emissions, it is vital that the policy creates a carbon price that is high enough - otherwise the pressure on technological development will not be sufficiently strong. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Rare Earth Element Concentrations and Fractionation Patterns Along Groundwater Flow Paths in Two Different Aquifer Types (i.e., Sand vs. Carbonate)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johannesson, K. H.; Tang, J.

2003-12-01

Groundwater samples were collected in two different types of aquifer (i.e., Carrizo Sand Aquifer, Texas and Upper Floridan carbonate Aquifer, west-central Florida) to study the concentrations, fractionation, and speciation of rare earth elements (REE) along groundwater flow paths in each aquifer. Major solutes and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) were also measured in these groundwaters. The Carrizo Sand aquifer was sampled in October 2002 and June 2003, whereas, to date, we have only sampled the Floridan once (i.e., June 2003). The data reveal no significant seasonal differences in major solute and REE concentrations for the Carrizo. In Carrizo sand aquifer, groundwaters from relatively shallow wells (i.e., less than 167 m) in the recharge zone are chiefly Ca-Na-HCO3-Cl type waters. With flow down-gradient the groundwaters shift composition to the Na-HCO3 waters. pH and alkalinity initially decrease with flow away from the recharge zone before increasing again down-gradient. DOC is generally low (0.65 mg/L) along the flow path. REE concentrations are highest in groundwaters from the recharge zone (Nd 40.5 pmol/kg), and decrease substantially with flow down-gradient reaching relatively low and stable values (Nd 4.1-8.6 pmol/kg) roughly 10 km from the recharge zone. Generally, Carrizo groundwaters exhibit HREE-enriched shale-normalized patterns. The HREE enrichments are especially strong for waters from the recharge zone [(Yb/Nd)SN =1.7-5.6], whereas down-gradient (deep) groundwaters have flatter patterns [(Yb/Nd)SN =0.7-2.5]. All groundwaters have slightly positive Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* 0.09-0.14) and negative Ce anomalies (Ce/Ce* -0.85 - -0.07). In the Upper Floridan Aquifer, Ca, Mg, SO4, and Cl concentrations generally increase along groundwater flow path, whereas pH and alkalinity generally decrease. DOC is higher (0.64 - 2.29 mg/L) than in the Carrizo and initially increases along the flow path and then decreases down-gradient. LREE (Nd) concentrations generally increase along groundwater flow path, however, MREE (Gd) exhibit little change and HREE (Yb) concentrations tend to decreases along the flow path. Floridan groundwaters have HREE enriched shale-normalized patterns, although (Yb/Nd)SN values decrease along groundwater flow path. Thus, REE patterns of Floridan groundwaters tend to flatten with flow down-gradient. All groundwaters show positive Eu anomalies (0.06 - 0.17) and negative Ce anomalies (-0.12 - -0.63).

Red photoluminescent property and modification of WO3:Eu3+ inverse opal for blue light converted LEDs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ruan, Jiufeng; Yang, Zhengwen; Huang, Anjun; Chai, Zhuangzhuang; Qiu, Jianbei; Song, Zhiguo

2018-01-01

Blue light converted light-emitting diodes is of great significance as a candidate for next generation lighting. In this work, the WO3:Eu3+ inverse opal photonic crystals were prepared and their luminescence properties were studied. The results demonstrated that the main excitation peak of WO3:Eu3+ inverse opals were located at 465 nm. The red luminescence peak at the 613 nm was observed in the WO3:Eu3+ inverse opal upon 465 nm excitation, exhibiting better red color purity. The influence of photonic band gap on the photoluminescence of WO3:Eu3+ inverse opal was obtained. When the red luminescence peak is in the regions of the photonic band gap and the edge of the band-gap, the red luminescence suppression and enhancement was observed respectively. The WO3:Eu3+ inverse opals may be a promising candidate for the blue light converted LEDs.

Export competitiveness of dairy products on global markets: the case of the European Union countries.

PubMed

Bojnec, Š; Fertő, I

2014-10-01

This paper analyzed the export competitiveness of dairy products of the European Union (EU) countries (EU-27) on intra-EU, extra-EU, and global markets, using the revealed comparative advantage index over the 2000-2011 period. The results indicated that about half of the EU-27 countries have had competitive exports in a certain segment of dairy products. The results differed by level of milk processing and for intra-EU and extra-EU markets, and did so over the analyzed years. Belgium, Denmark, France, Ireland, and the Netherlands are old EU-15 countries with competitive dairy exports (from the lowest to the highest according to the level of milk processing). The majority of the new EU-12 countries have faced difficulties in maintaining their level of export competitiveness, at least for some dairy products and market segments. The more competitive EU-12 countries in dairy exports were the Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania) and Poland. The duration of export competitiveness differed across the dairy groups of products according to the level of milk processing, indicating the importance of dairy chain product differentiation for export competitiveness and specialization. The export competitiveness of the higher level of processed milk products for final consumption can be significant for export dairy chain competitiveness on global markets. Copyright © 2014 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Rare earth substitutional impurities in germanium: A hybrid density functional theory study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Igumbor, E.; Omotoso, E.; Tunhuma, S. M.; Danga, H. T.; Meyer, W. E.

2017-10-01

The Heyd, Scuseria, and Ernzerhof (HSE06) hybrid functional by means of density functional theory has been used to model the electronic and structural properties of rare earth (RE) substitutional impurities in germanium (REGe) . The formation and charge state transition energies for the REGe (RE = Ce, Pr, Er and Eu) were calculated. The energy of formation for the neutral charge state of the REGe lies between -0.14 and 3.13 eV. The formation energy result shows that the Pr dopant in Ge (PrGe) has the lowest formation energy of -0.14 eV, and is most energetically favourable under equilibrium conditions. The REGe induced charge state transition levels within the band gap of Ge. Shallow acceptor levels were induced by both the Eu (EuGe) and Pr (PrGe) dopants in Ge. The CeGe and ErGe exhibited properties of negative-U ordering with effective-U values of -0.85 and -1.07 eV, respectively.

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

Li, Maoying; Zhang, Zhenyi; Cao, Tieping

Graphical abstract: Nanofibers and nanoribbons of poly (methyl methacrylate)/Eu{sup 3+} ions composites were successfully prepared by using a simple electrospinning technique. And the photoluminescence properties of the above PMMA/Eu{sup 3+} ions composites were studied. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Nanofibers and nanoribbons of PMMA/Eu{sup 3+} ions composites are fabricated by electrospinning. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Photoluminescence properties of as-electrospun PMMA/Eu{sup 3+} ions composites are studied. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The ratios of electric- and magnetic-dipole transitions are enhanced by increasing electrospinning voltage. -- Abstract: Nanofibers and nanoribbons of poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/Eu{sup 3+} ions composites with different concentration of Eu{sup 3+} ions were successfully prepared by using a simplemore » electrospinning technique. From the results of scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, we found that the morphology of the as-electrospun PMMA/Eu{sup 3+} ions composites could be changed from fiber to ribbon structure by adjusting the concentration of Eu{sup 3+} ions in the electrospun precursor solution. The coordination between the Eu{sup 3+} ions and PMMA molecules were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential thermal analysis. The photoluminescence (PL) properties of the as-electrospun PMMA/Eu{sup 3+} ions composites were studied in comparison to those of the Eu(NO{sub 3}){sub 3} powder. It was showed that the {sup 5}D{sub 0}-{sup 7}F{sub J} (J = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4) emission appeared in the PL spectra of the as-electrospun PMMA/Eu{sup 3+} ions composites, whereas the {sup 5}D{sub 0}-{sup 7}F{sub 0} emission was completely absent in the PL spectra of Eu(NO{sub 3}){sub 3} powder due to the different local environments surrounding Eu{sup 3+} ions. It was interesting to note that the intensity ratios of the electric-dipole and magnetic-dipole transitions for the PMMA/Eu{sup 3+} ions composites could be enhanced significantly by increasing electrospinning voltage.« less

Geochemistry of Zr, Hf, and REE in a wide spectrum of Eh and water composition: The case of Dead Sea Fault system (Israel)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Censi, P.; Raso, M.; Yechieli, Y.; Ginat, H.; Saiano, F.; Zuddas, P.; Brusca, L.; D'Alessandro, W.; Inguaggiato, C.

2017-03-01

Along the Jordan Valley-Dead Sea Fault area several natural waters in springs, wells, and catchments occur. The chemical-physical characters of the studied waters allowed for the first time the investigation of the Zr and Hf geochemical behavior, apart from REE, extended to a wide range of Eh, temperature, salinity, and pH conditions. The results of this study indicate that the dissolved Zr and Hf distribution in natural waters is strongly influenced by redox conditions since these in turn drive the deposition of Fe-oxyhydroxides or pyrite. In oxidizing waters saturated or oversaturated in Fe-oxyhydroxides (Group 1), superchondritic Zr/Hf values are measured. On the contrary, in waters where Eh < 0 values occur (Group 2), chondritic Zr/Hf values are found. Superchondritic Zr/Hf values are produced by the preferential Hf scavenging onto Fe-oxyhydroxides that is inhibited under reducing conditions consistent with the water oversaturation relative to pyrite. Redox conditions also influence the amplitude of Ce and Eu anomalies. Oxidized Group-1 waters show negative Ce anomalies related to the oxidative Ce scavenging as CeO2 onto Fe-oxyhydroxide. Reduced Group-2 waters show positive Eu anomaly values consistent with the larger Eu2+ concentration relative to Eu3+ in these waters suggested by model calculations. The higher stability of Eu2+ with respect to its trivalent neighbors along the REE series can explain the above mentioned positive Eu anomaly values. The middle-REE enrichment observed in shale-normalized REE patterns of studied waters can be ascribed to carbonate and/or gypsum dissolution.

Foods from black market at EU border as a neglected route of potential methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus transmission.

PubMed

Oniciuc, Elena-Alexandra; Ariza-Miguel, Jaime; Bolocan, Andrei-Sorin; Diez-Valcarce, Marta; Rovira, Jordi; Hernández, Marta; Fernández-Natal, Isabel; Nicolau, Anca Ioana; Rodríguez-Lázaro, David

2015-09-16

The illegal entrance of foods to EU through black markets at the EU borders can constitute a neglected route of dissemination of foodborne pathogens, and in particular of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). In this study, we have assessed the presence of MRSA in foods sold in a black market at an EU border (the southeast part of Romania, on the border with Republic of Moldavia). We performed a search for MRSA among 200 food samples collected from 2012 to 2013. All S. aureus were studied by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. MRSA isolates were further characterized by multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and SCCmec typing, and tested for the presence of Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) virulence factors. Overall, 32 S. aureus isolates were recovered from 16 food samples (8%). One isolate detected in a pork lard sample was MRSA (0.5%). PFGE with the restriction enzyme SmaI revealed 12 genotypes among the 32 S. aureus isolates. The MRSA isolate belonged to sequence type 398, harbored SCCmec type V, tested negative for the presence of the PVL genes and was resistant to ciprofloxacin, tetracycline and cefazolin, besides all β-lactams. Among 31 methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA), 29% were resistant to penicillin, 9.7% to tetracycline and 3.2% to ciprofloxacin. In conclusion, in this study we report the presence of livestock-associated MRSA in foods sold in a black market at an EU border: ST398-MRSA-V. These results confirm the potential role of food in the dissemination of MRSA lineages among population, and the potential role of illegally introduced food to EU in the prevalence and evolution of MRSA clones in the community. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Analyzing key constraints to biogas production from crop residues and manure in the EU-A spatially explicit model.

PubMed

Einarsson, Rasmus; Persson, U Martin

2017-01-01

This paper presents a spatially explicit method for making regional estimates of the potential for biogas production from crop residues and manure, accounting for key technical, biochemical, environmental and economic constraints. Methods for making such estimates are important as biofuels from agricultural residues are receiving increasing policy support from the EU and major biogas producers, such as Germany and Italy, in response to concerns over unintended negative environmental and social impacts of conventional biofuels. This analysis comprises a spatially explicit estimate of crop residue and manure production for the EU at 250 m resolution, and a biogas production model accounting for local constraints such as the sustainable removal of residues, transportation of substrates, and the substrates' biochemical suitability for anaerobic digestion. In our base scenario, the EU biogas production potential from crop residues and manure is about 0.7 EJ/year, nearly double the current EU production of biogas from agricultural substrates, most of which does not come from residues or manure. An extensive sensitivity analysis of the model shows that the potential could easily be 50% higher or lower, depending on the stringency of economic, technical and biochemical constraints. We find that the potential is particularly sensitive to constraints on the substrate mixtures' carbon-to-nitrogen ratio and dry matter concentration. Hence, the potential to produce biogas from crop residues and manure in the EU depends to large extent on the possibility to overcome the challenges associated with these substrates, either by complementing them with suitable co-substrates (e.g. household waste and energy crops), or through further development of biogas technology (e.g. pretreatment of substrates and recirculation of effluent).

Rapid culture-independent microbial analysis aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

PubMed

Maule, Jake; Wainwright, Norm; Steele, Andrew; Monaco, Lisa; Morris, Heather; Gunter, Daniel; Damon, Michael; Wells, Mark

2009-10-01

A new culture-independent system for microbial monitoring, called the Lab-On-a-Chip Application Development Portable Test System (LOCAD-PTS), was operated aboard the International Space Station (ISS). LOCAD-PTS was launched to the ISS aboard Space Shuttle STS-116 on December 9, 2006, and has since been used by ISS crews to monitor endotoxin on cabin surfaces. Quantitative analysis was performed within 15 minutes, and sample return to Earth was not required. Endotoxin (a marker of Gram-negative bacteria) was distributed throughout the ISS, despite previous indications that mostbacteria on ISS surfaces were Gram-positive [corrected].Endotoxin was detected at 24 out of 42 surface areas tested and at every surface site where colony-forming units (cfu) were observed, even at levels of 4-120 bacterial cfu per 100 cm(2), which is below NASA in-flight requirements (<10,000 bacterial cfu per 100 cm(2)). Absent to low levels of endotoxin (<0.24 to 1.0 EU per 100 cm(2); defined in endotoxin units, or EU) were found on 31 surface areas, including on most panels in Node 1 and the US Lab. High to moderate levels (1.01 to 14.7 EU per 100 cm(2)) were found on 11 surface areas, including at exercise, hygiene, sleeping, and dining facilities. Endotoxin was absent from airlock surfaces, except the Extravehicular Hatch Handle (>3.78 EU per 100 cm(2)). Based upon data collected from the ISS so far, new culture-independent requirements (defined in EU) are suggested, which are verifiable in flight with LOCAD-PTS yet high enough to avoid false alarms. The suggested requirements are intended to supplement current ISS requirements (defined in cfu) and would serve a dual purpose of safeguarding crew health (internal spacecraft surfaces <20 EU per 100 cm(2)) and monitoring forward contamination during Constellation missions (surfaces periodically exposed to the external environment, including the airlock and space suits, <0.24 EU per 100 cm(2)).

Rapid Culture-Independent Microbial Analysis Aboard the International Space Station (ISS)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maule, Jake; Wainwright, Norm; Steele, Andrew; Monaco, Lisa; Morris, Heather; Gunter, Daniel; Damon, Michael; Wells, Mark

2009-10-01

A new culture-independent system for microbial monitoring, called the Lab-On-a-Chip Application Development Portable Test System (LOCAD-PTS), was operated aboard the International Space Station (ISS). LOCAD-PTS was launched to the ISS aboard Space Shuttle STS-116 on December 9, 2006, and has since been used by ISS crews to monitor endotoxin on cabin surfaces. Quantitative analysis was performed within 15 minutes, and sample return to Earth was not required. Endotoxin (a marker of Gram-negative bacteria and fungi) was distributed throughout the ISS, despite previous indications that most bacteria on ISS surfaces were Gram-positive. Endotoxin was detected at 24 out of 42 surface areas tested and at every surface site where colony-forming units (cfu) were observed, even at levels of 4-120 bacterial cfu per 100 cm2, which is below NASA in-flight requirements (<10,000 bacterial cfu per 100 cm2). Absent to low levels of endotoxin (<0.24 to 1.0 EU per 100 cm2; defined in endotoxin units, or EU) were found on 31 surface areas, including on most panels in Node 1 and the US Lab. High to moderate levels (1.01 to 14.7 EU per 100 cm2) were found on 11 surface areas, including at exercise, hygiene, sleeping, and dining facilities. Endotoxin was absent from airlock surfaces, except the Extravehicular Hatch Handle (>3.78 EU per 100 cm2). Based upon data collected from the ISS so far, new culture-independent requirements (defined in EU) are suggested, which are verifiable in flight with LOCAD-PTS yet high enough to avoid false alarms. The suggested requirements are intended to supplement current ISS requirements (defined in cfu) and would serve a dual purpose of safeguarding crew health (internal spacecraft surfaces <20 EU per 100 cm2) and monitoring forward contamination during Constellation missions (surfaces periodically exposed to the external environment, including the airlock and space suits, <0.24 EU per 100 cm2).

Progress on the Europium Neutron-Capture Study using DANCE

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

Agvaanluvsan, U; Becker, J A; Macri, R A

2006-09-05

The accurate measurement of neutron-capture cross sections of the Eu isotopes is important for many reasons including nuclear astrophysics and nuclear diagnostics. Neutron capture excitation functions of {sup 151,153}Eu targets were measured recently using a 4{pi} {gamma}-ray calorimeter array DANCE located at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center for E{sub n} = 0.1-100 keV. The progress on the data analysis efforts is given in the present paper. The {gamma}-ray multiplicity distributions for the Eu targets and Be backing are significantly different. The {gamma}-ray multiplicity distribution is found to be the same for different neutron energies for both {sup 151}Eu andmore » {sup 153}Eu. The statistical simulation to model the {gamma}-ray decay cascade is summarized.« less

Lanthanoplatins: emissive Eu(iii) and Tb(iii) complexes staining nucleoli targeted through Pt-DNA crosslinking.

PubMed

Singh, Khushbu; Singh, Swati; Srivastava, Payal; Sivakumar, Sri; Patra, Ashis K

2017-06-01

Two highly luminescent water-soluble heterometallic LnPt 2 complexes, [{cis-PtCl(NH 3 ) 2 } 2 Ln(L)(H 2 O)](NO 3 ) 2 (Ln = Eu (1), Tb (2)), have been designed for their selective nucleoli staining through formation of Pt-DNA crosslinks. The complexes showed significant cellular uptake and distinctive nucleoli localization through intrinsic emission from Eu III or Tb III observed through confocal fluorescence microscopy.

Enhancing the luminescence of Eu3+ /Eu2+ ion-doped hydroxyapatite by fluoridation and thermal annealing.

PubMed

Van, Hoang Nhu; Tam, Phuong Dinh; Kien, Nguyen Duc Trung; Huy, Pham Thanh; Pham, Vuong-Hung

2017-08-01

This paper reports a novel way for the synthesis of a europium (Eu)-doped fluor-hydroxyapatite (FHA) nanostructure to control the luminescence of hydroxyapatite nanophosphor, particularly, by applying optimum fluorine concentrations, annealed temperatures and pH value. The Eu-doped FHA was made using the co-precipitation method followed by thermal annealing in air and reducing in a H 2 atmosphere to control the visible light emission center of the nanophosphors. The intensities of the OH - group decreased with the increasing fluorine concentrations. For the specimens annealed in air, the light emission center of the nanophosphor was 615 nm, which was emission from the Eu 3 + ion. However, when they were annealed in reduced gas (Ar + 5% H 2 ), a 448 nm light emission center from the Eu 2 + ion of FHA was observed. The presence of fluorine in Eu-doped FHA resulted in a significant enhancement of nanophosphor luminescence, which has potential application in light emission and nanomedicine. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Key pharmacovigilance stakeholders' experiences of direct patient reporting of adverse drug reactions and their prospects of future development in the European Union.

PubMed

Inácio, P; Cavaco, A; Allan, E; Airaksinen, M

2018-02-01

In the European Union (EU), legislation allows patients to directly report adverse drug reactions (ADRs) to competent authorities. Five years after its implementation, patient reporting is not equal in all countries. This study aimed to explore key stakeholders' perceptions of patient reporting in four EU countries. Qualitative study design. Twelve representatives from national pharmacovigilance centres and/or authorities as well as national pharmaceutical industry bodies in four EU countries participated in the study. Supranational organizations were also included. Data collection was via face-semi-structured interviews. Inductive content analysis was performed thereafter, applying principles of risk management as a theoretical framework. Four themes (attitudes and beliefs, system maturation factors, regulatory improvements, and cultural shifts) emerged, conceptually interconnected. Participants from countries introducing patient reporting recently expressed a negative attitude. Participants highlighted the need for additional resources, both human and financial, to address patient reporting and associated advantages. The findings identified perceived barriers and facilitators of patient reporting. The involvement of patients, use of information, and dissemination of patient reporting are far from optimal. A better integration of the work by EU regulatory authorities is recommended. Copyright © 2017 The Royal Society for Public Health. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Protonation of carboxyl groups in EuDOTA-tetraamide complexes results in catalytic prototropic exchange and quenching of the CEST signal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Lei; Evbuomwan, Osasere M.; Tieu, Michael; Zhao, Piyu; Martins, Andre F.; Sherry, A. Dean

2017-10-01

The CEST properties of EuDOTA-tetraamide complexes bearing pendant carboxylate and carboxyl ethyl esters were measured as a function of pH. The CEST signal from the Eu3+-bound water molecule decreased in intensity between pH 8.5 and 4.5 while the proton exchange rates (kex) increased over this same pH range. In comparison, the CEST signal in the corresponding carboxyl ester derivatives was nearly constant. Both observations are consistent with stepwise protonation of the four carboxylic acid groups over this same pH range. This indicates that negative charges on the carboxyl groups above pH 6 facilitate the formation of a strong hydrogen-bonding network in the coordination second sphere above the single Eu3+-bound water molecule, thereby decreasing prototropic exchange of protons on the bound water molecule with bulk water protons. The percentage of square antiprismatic versus twisted square antiprism coordination isomers also decreased as the appended carboxylic acid groups were positioned further away from the amide. The net effect of lowering the pH was an overall increase in kex and a quenching of the CEST signal. This article is part of the themed issue 'Challenges for chemistry in molecular imaging'.

Geochemistry of loess-paleosol sediments of Kashmir Valley, India: Provenance and weathering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahmad, Ishtiaq; Chandra, Rakesh

2013-04-01

Middle to Late Pleistocene loess-paleosol sediments of Kashmir Valley, India, were analyzed for major, trace and REE elements in order to determine their chemical composition, provenance and intensity of palaeo-weathering of the source rocks. These sediments are generally enriched with Fe2O3, MgO, MnO, TiO2, Y, Ni, Cu, Zn, Th, U, Sc, V and Co while contents of SiO2, K2O, Na2O, P2O5, Sr, Nb and Hf are lower than the UCC. Chondrite normalized REE patterns are characterized by moderate enrichment of LREEs, relatively flat HREE pattern (GdCN/YbCN = 1.93-2.31) and lack of prominent negative Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu* = 0.73-1.01, average = 0.81). PAAS normalized REE are characterized by slightly higher LREE, depleted HREE and positive Eu anomaly. Various provenance discrimination diagrams reveal that the Kashmir Loess-Paleosol sediments are derived from the mixed source rocks suggesting large provenance with variable geological settings, which apparently have undergone weak to moderate recycling processes. Weathering indices such as CIA, CIW and PIA values (71.87, 83.83 and 80.57 respectively) and A-CN-K diagram imply weak to moderate weathering of the source material.

Mineralogical and geochemical features of the coarse saprolite developed on orthogneiss in the SW of Yaoundé, South Cameroon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ndjigui, P.-D.; Badinane, M. F. B.; Nyeck, B.; Nandjip, H. P. K.; Bilong, P.

2013-03-01

A petrological investigation was performed in the coarse saprolite on orthogneiss in Yaoundé (South Cameroon) using combined whole rock geochemical (XRF, ICP-MS) and mineralogical (XRD, SEM) techniques. The orthogneiss has high contents in SiO2 (61.56 wt.%), Ba (916 ppm) and REE (209 ppm), moderate content in Al2O3 (14.34 wt.%) and negative Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu* = 0.68). The weathering leads to the formation of three main constituents in the coarse saprolite: (i) the loose materials (∼85 vol.%) are basically clayey silty with relic structure. They are composed of kaolinite, quartz and goethite. The loose materials have high contents in SiO2 (56-64.83 wt.%) and Al2O3 (21.48-23.96 wt.%), and moderate contents in V (163-236 ppm), Ba (95-340 ppm) and Zr (160-313 ppm). The REE content is low (∼49-169 ppm) relative to the parent rock with LREE-enrichment (LREE/HREE ∼ 7-17). Positive Ce anomaly (Ce/Ce* ∼ 3.35) is observed in the white veins and slight positive Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* ∼ 1.2-1.4) are noted in all loose samples. The (La/Yb)N ratios (∼0.8-1.5) indicate high REE-fractionation. The mass balance calculation reveals the depletion of several elements except Al, Ti, Sc, Y, Th, Sb and Hf; (ii) the iron duricrust (∼10 vol.%) is located at the bottom and the top of the horizon. The mineral assemblage is dominated by hematite and goethite. The upper iron duricrust has high contents in Fe2O3 (45.60 wt.%) and Cr (1641 ppm), moderate contents in V (459 ppm) and Zn (143 ppm), and low REE content (47 ppm) with low LREE/HREE ratio (4.28). The upper iron duricrust is more enriched in Fe2O3 (53.26 wt.%) than the lower one. Vanadium, Cr and Zr have high contents relative to other trace elements. The REE content is low (39 ppm) as well as the LREE/HREE ratio (2.94). The iron duricrust has negative Ce anomalies (Ce/Ce* ∼ 0.66-0.69) and very low (La/Yb)N ratios (0.1-0.3). Several elements reported in the iron duricrust are highly leached except Fe, Cr, Zn, Sc, V, Pb, Zr, Cu and Th; and (iii) the Mn-rich materials (<5 vol.%) are made up of birnessite, cryptomelane, and low quantities of quartz, kaolinite and goethite. The SEM investigation reveals that Ba and Pb are linked in Mn-bearing phases and Ce-oxides appear as fine-grained intergrowth between Mn-bearing phases. The Mn-bearing phases are enriched in MnO (33.86 wt.%), BaO (4.30 wt.%), Co (1716 ppm), Pb (1315 ppm) and Ce (5202 ppm). Positive Ce and Eu anomalies are observed (Ce/Ce* ∼ 15.60 and Eu/Eu* ∼ 2). The mass balance calculations indicate the strong accumulation of Mn, Ni, Co, Zn, Sc, Cu, Ba, Pb, Y, Ga, Zr and REE. The Mn-bearing phases might be derived from the accumulation of silicate residues and Mn within the parent rock. The transition from the parent rock to the coarse saprolite is marked by high leaching of several elements.

From the ternary Eu(Au/In) 2 and EuAu 4(Au/In) 2 with remarkable Au/In distributions to a new structure type: The gold-rich Eu 5Au 16(Au/In) 6 structure

DOE PAGES

Steinberg, Simon; Card, Nathan; Mudring, Anja -Verena

2015-08-13

The ternary Eu(Au/In) 2 (EuAu 0.46In 1.54 (2)) (I), EuAu 4(Au/In) 2 (EuAu 4+xIn 2–x with x = 0.75(2) (II), 0.93(2), and 1.03(2)), and Eu 5Au 16(Au/In) 6 (Eu 5Au 17.29In 4.71(3)) (III) have been synthesized, and their structures were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. I and II crystallize with the CeCu 2-type (Pearson Symbol oI12; Imma; Z = 4; a = 4.9018(4) Å; b = 7.8237(5) Å; c = 8.4457(5) Å) and the YbAl 4Mo 2-type (tI14; I4/ mmm; Z = 2; a = 7.1612(7) Å; c = 5.5268(7) Å) and exhibit significant Au/In disorder. I is composed ofmore » an Au/In-mixed diamond-related host lattice encapsulating Eu atoms, while the structure of II features ribbons of distorted, squared Au 8 prisms enclosing Eu, Au, and In atoms. Combination of these structural motifs leads to a new structure type as observed for Eu 5Au 16(Au/In) 6 (Eu 5Au 17.29In 4.71(3)) (oS108; Cmcm; Z = 4; a = 7.2283(4) Å; b = 9.0499(6) Å; c = 34.619(2) Å), which formally represents a one-dimensional intergrowth of the series EuAu 2–“EuAu 4In 2”. The site preferences of the disordered Au/In positions in II were investigated for different hypothetical “EuAu 4(Au/In) 2” models using the projector-augmented wave method and indicate that these structures attempt to optimize the frequencies of the heteroatomic Au–In contacts. Furthermore, a chemical bonding analysis on two “EuAu 5In” and “EuAu 4In 2” models employed the TB-LMTO-ASA method and reveals that the subtle interplay between the local atomic environments and the bond energies determines the structural and site preferences for these systems.« less

From the ternary Eu(Au/In) 2 and EuAu 4(Au/In) 2 with remarkable Au/In distributions to a new structure type: The gold-rich Eu 5Au 16(Au/In) 6 structure

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

Steinberg, Simon; Card, Nathan; Mudring, Anja -Verena

The ternary Eu(Au/In) 2 (EuAu 0.46In 1.54 (2)) (I), EuAu 4(Au/In) 2 (EuAu 4+xIn 2–x with x = 0.75(2) (II), 0.93(2), and 1.03(2)), and Eu 5Au 16(Au/In) 6 (Eu 5Au 17.29In 4.71(3)) (III) have been synthesized, and their structures were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. I and II crystallize with the CeCu 2-type (Pearson Symbol oI12; Imma; Z = 4; a = 4.9018(4) Å; b = 7.8237(5) Å; c = 8.4457(5) Å) and the YbAl 4Mo 2-type (tI14; I4/ mmm; Z = 2; a = 7.1612(7) Å; c = 5.5268(7) Å) and exhibit significant Au/In disorder. I is composed ofmore » an Au/In-mixed diamond-related host lattice encapsulating Eu atoms, while the structure of II features ribbons of distorted, squared Au 8 prisms enclosing Eu, Au, and In atoms. Combination of these structural motifs leads to a new structure type as observed for Eu 5Au 16(Au/In) 6 (Eu 5Au 17.29In 4.71(3)) (oS108; Cmcm; Z = 4; a = 7.2283(4) Å; b = 9.0499(6) Å; c = 34.619(2) Å), which formally represents a one-dimensional intergrowth of the series EuAu 2–“EuAu 4In 2”. The site preferences of the disordered Au/In positions in II were investigated for different hypothetical “EuAu 4(Au/In) 2” models using the projector-augmented wave method and indicate that these structures attempt to optimize the frequencies of the heteroatomic Au–In contacts. Furthermore, a chemical bonding analysis on two “EuAu 5In” and “EuAu 4In 2” models employed the TB-LMTO-ASA method and reveals that the subtle interplay between the local atomic environments and the bond energies determines the structural and site preferences for these systems.« less

Effect of silver ions and clusters on the luminescence properties of Eu-doped borate glasses

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

Jiao, Qing, E-mail: jiaoqing@nbu.edu.cn; Wang, Xi; Qiu, Jianbei

2015-12-15

Highlights: • Ag{sup +} and Ag clusters are investigated in the borate glasses via ion exchange method. • The aggregation of silver ions to the clusters was controlled by the ion exchange concentration. • Eu{sup 3+}/Eu{sup 2+} ions emission was enhanced with the sensitization of the silver species. • Energy transfer process from Ag ions and Ag clusters to Eu ions is identified by the lifetime measurements. - Abstract: Silver ions and clusters were applied to Eu{sup 3+}-doped borate glasses via the Ag{sup +}–Na{sup +} ion exchange method. Eu{sup 3+}/Eu{sup 2+} ion luminescence enhancement was achieved after silver ion exchange.more » Absorption spectra showed no band at 420 nm, which indicates that silver nanoparticles can be excluded as a silver state in the glass. Silver ion aggregation into clusters during the ion exchange process may be inferred. The effect of silver ions and clusters on rare earth emissions was investigated using spectral information and lifetime measurements. Significant luminescence enhancements were observed from the energy transfer of Ag{sup +} ions and clusters to Eu{sup 3+}/Eu{sup 2+} ions, companied with the silver ions aggregated into the clusters state. The results of this research may extend the current understanding of interactions between rare-earth ions and Ag species.« less

Unraveling the distinct luminescence thermal quenching behaviours of A/B-site Eu3+ ions in double perovskite Sr2CaMoO6:Eu3+

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Chunhao; Ye, Shi; Zhang, Qinyuan

2018-01-01

Eu3+-doped Sr2CaMoO6 phosphors have a broad excitation band at around 350-425 nm, which meets the demand of Near-ultraviolet (NUV, 365-410 nm) absorption when applied in NUV-excitable phosphor-converted white light emitting diodes (WLEDs). The luminescence thermal quenching effects of Eu3+ ions at A/B sites (612 nm/593 nm) in Sr2CaMoO6 might be distinct with resultant emission colour variation, which is less studied but of significance for a scientific perspective. This research investigates on the temperature-dependent luminescence and decay curves of the nominal Sr1.9Li0.05Eu0.05CaMoO6 and Sr2Ca0.9Li0.05Eu0.05MoO6 phosphors. Results indicate that the luminescence of B-site Eu3+ ions is quenched more easily than that of A-site Eu3+ ions, directly evidenced by the fast and slow decay components in the decay curves. A distortion of B-site octahedron with elevating temperature and strong coupling with phonons may be partially responsible for the relatively poor thermal quenching behaviors of B-site Eu3+ ions. The research gives perspective on the thermal quenching of emissive lanthanide ions at different sites in phosphors.

Structural investigation of the A-site vacancy in scheelites and the luminescence behavior of two continuous solid solutions A(1-1.5x)Eu(x)□(0.5x)WO₄ and A(0.64-0.5y)Eu(0.24)Li(y)□(0.12-0.5y)WO₄ (A = Ca, Sr; □ = vacancy).

PubMed

Jiang, Pengfei; Gao, Wenliang; Cong, Rihong; Yang, Tao

2015-04-07

Scheelite compounds with Eu(3+) substitution are well-known red-phosphors. We prepared and performed a detailed structural characterization of A(1-1.5x)Eu(x)□(0.5x)WO4 and A(0.64-0.5y)Eu(0.24)Li(y)□(0.12-0.5y)WO4 (A = Ca, Sr; □ = vacancy) to confirm the A-site vacancy mechanism for charge balance when bivalent A cations were substituted by Eu(3+). All compounds crystallize in I4₁/a with a disordered arrangement of A(2+), Eu(3+), □ at the A-site. The title compounds are all good red phosphors with a high R/O ratio (∼10), indicating that Eu(3+) is located at a significantly distorted cavity. A(1-1.5x)Eu(x)□(0.5x)WO4 shows a saturation phenomenon at a high doping level, x = 0.20. With the incorporation of Li(+), the emission intensity was generally enhanced compared to the Li(+)-free samples, moreover, an increase of the Li(+) content reduces the content of vacancies, resulting in further increase of the luminescence intensity.

Potential for Introduction of Bat-Borne Zoonotic Viruses into the EU: A Review

PubMed Central

Simons, Robin R. L.; Gale, Paul; Horigan, Verity; Snary, Emma L.; Breed, Andrew C.

2014-01-01

Bat-borne viruses can pose a serious threat to human health, with examples including Nipah virus (NiV) in Bangladesh and Malaysia, and Marburg virus (MARV) in Africa. To date, significant human outbreaks of such viruses have not been reported in the European Union (EU). However, EU countries have strong historical links with many of the countries where NiV and MARV are present and a corresponding high volume of commercial trade and human travel, which poses a potential risk of introduction of these viruses into the EU. In assessing the risks of introduction of these bat-borne zoonotic viruses to the EU, it is important to consider the location and range of bat species known to be susceptible to infection, together with the virus prevalence, seasonality of viral pulses, duration of infection and titre of virus in different bat tissues. In this paper, we review the current scientific knowledge of all these factors, in relation to the introduction of NiV and MARV into the EU. PMID:24841385

A project-based system for including farmers in the EU ETS.

PubMed

Brandt, Urs Steiner; Svendsen, Gert Tinggaard

2011-04-01

Farmers in the EU do not trade greenhouse gases under the Kyoto agreement. This is an empirical puzzle because agriculture is a significant contributor of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the EU and may harvest private net gains from trade. Furthermore, the US has strongly advocated land-use practices as 'the missing link' in past climate negotiations. We argue that farmers have relatively low marginal reduction costs and that consequences in terms of the effect on permit price and technology are overall positive in the EU Emission Trading System (ETS). Thus, we propose a project-based system for including the farming practices in the EU ETS that reduces the uncertainty from measuring emission reduction in this sector. The system encourages GHG reduction either by introducing a new and less polluting practice or by reducing the polluting activity. When doing so, farmers will receive GHG permits corresponding to the amount of reduction which can be stored for later use or sold in the EU ETS. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Orwellian Doublethink: Keywords in Luxembourgish and European Language-in-Education Policy Discourses

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Weber, Jean-Jacques; Horner, Kristine

2010-01-01

This paper examines how language-in-education policies in European Union member-states have been influenced by EU policies, and how an identical cluster of keywords--which includes in particular diversity, social cohesion, integration, as well as exclusion as their negative counterpart--emerges from and informs language-in-education policies both…

Enhanced electric dipole transition in lanthanide complex with organometallic ruthenocene units.

PubMed

Hasegawa, Yasuchika; Sato, Nao; Hirai, Yuichi; Nakanishi, Takayuki; Kitagawa, Yuichi; Kobayashi, Atsushi; Kato, Masako; Seki, Tomohiro; Ito, Hajime; Fushimi, Koji

2015-05-21

Enhanced luminescence of a lanthanide complex with dynamic polarization of the excited state and molecular motion is introduced. The luminescent lanthanide complex is composed of one Eu(hfa)3 (hfa, hexafluoroacetylacetonate) and two phosphine oxide ligands with ruthenocenyl units Rc, [Eu(hfa)3(RcPO)2] (RcPO = diphenylphosphorylruthenocene). The ruthenocenyl units in the phosphine oxide ligands play an important role of switching for dynamic molecular polarization and motion in liquid media. The oxidation states of the ruthenocenyl unit (Rc(1+)/Rc(1+)) are controlled by potentiostatic polarization. Eu(III) complexes attached with bidentate phosphine oxide ligands containing ruthenocenyl units, [Eu(hfa)3(RcBPO)] (RcBPO = 1,1'-bis(diphenylphosphoryl)ruthenocene), and with bidentate phosphine oxide ligands, [Eu(hfa)3(BIPHEPO)] (BIPHEPO =1,1'-biphenyl-2,2'-diylbis(diphenylphosphine oxide), were also prepared as references. The coordination structures and electrochemical properties were analyzed using single crystal X-ray analysis, cyclic voltammetry, and absorption spectroscopy measurements. The luminescence properties were estimated using an optoelectrochemical cell. Under potentiostatic polarization, a significant enhancement of luminescence was successfully observed for [Eu(hfa)3(RcPO)2], while no spectral change was observed for [Eu(hfa)3(RcBPO)]. In this study, the remarkable enhanced luminescence phenomena of Eu(III) complex based on the dynamic molecular motion under potentiostatic polarization have been performed.

Inequalities in suicide rates in the European Union's elderly: trends and impact of macro-socioeconomic factors between 1980 and 2006.

PubMed

Innamorati, Marco; Tamburello, Antonino; Lester, David; Amore, Mario; Girardi, Paolo; Tatarelli, Roberto; Pompili, Maurizio

2010-04-01

To study suicide rates in elderly people in the former European Community, known as the European Union (EU) since late 1993, to identify differences between early members (admitted to the EU before 2004) and new members (admitted after 2004), and to evaluate the association between macro-socioeconomic variables and suicide rates. We explored temporal trends in age-adjusted suicide rates for people aged 65 years and older residing in the EU from 1980 to 2006. In the years examined in the study, there has been a general decrease in suicide rates in new and early members of the EU, although more slowly for elderly men than for women. The decrease in suicide rates of citizens aged 65 years and older was associated with a small but significant difference between new and early members of the EU (RR = 1.04, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.05; z = 11.95, P < 0.001). The macro-socioeconomic indices were strongly associated with age-adjusted suicide rates in EU senior citizens, except unemployment rates. Deaths by suicide in elderly people are declining in all EU nations, but inequalities in the suicide rates of men and women remain, especially in new EU members.

Trace element geochemistry of zircons from mineralizing and non-mineralizing igneous rocks related to gold ores at Yanacocha, Peru

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koleszar, A. M.; Dilles, J. H.; Kent, A. J.; Wooden, J. L.

2012-12-01

Zircons record important details about the evolution of magmatic systems, are relatively insensitive to alteration, and have been used to investigate the geochemistry, temperature, and oxidation state of volcanic and plutonic system. We examine zircons that span 6-7 m.y. of calc-alkaline volcanic activity in the Yanacocha district of northern Peru, where dacitic intrusions are associated with high-sulfidation gold deposits. The 14.5-8.4 Ma Yanacocha Volcanics include cogenetic lavas and pyroclastic rocks and are underlain by the andesites and dacites of the Calipuy Group, the oldest Cenozoic rocks in the region. We present data for magmatic zircons from the Cerro Fraile dacitic pyroclastics (15.5-15.1 Ma) of the Calipuy Group, and multiple eruptive units within the younger Yanacocha Volcanics: the Atazaico Andesite (14.5-13.3 Ma), the Quilish Dacite (~14-12 Ma), the Azufre Andesite (12.1-11.6 Ma), the San Jose Ignimbrite (11.5-11.2 Ma), and the Coriwachay Dacite (11.1-8.4 Ma). Epithermal high sulfidation (alunite-bearing) gold deposits are associated with the dacite intrusions of the Coriwachay and Quilish Dacites. Zircons from the non-mineralizing rocks typically have lower Hf concentrations and record Ti-in-zircon temperatures that are ~100°C hotter than zircons from the mineralizing intrusions. Temperatures recorded by zircons from the mineralizing intrusions are remarkably similar to those of the underlying Cerro Fraile dacite pyroclastics, but the zircons discussed here generally record SHRIMP-RG 206Pb/238U ages within error of previously published Ar-Ar eruption ages (eliminating antecrystic or xenocrystic origins). These observations suggest that zircons in the mineralizing intrusions form after greater extents of crystallization (and thus record elevated Hf concentrations and lower temperatures) than do zircons in the non-mineralized deposits. Unlike zircons from mineralized units associated with the porphyry Cu(Mo) deposits in Yerington, Nevada, which generally have Eu/Eu* ratios approaching 1 (i.e., Eu-anomalies that decrease in magnitude) with increasing Hf (and thus increasing crystallization), zircons associated with mineralized deposits in the Coriwachay and Quilish intrusions at Yanacocha typically have Eu-anomalies that are highly variable but do not vary systematically during magma evolution. These Eu/Eu* versus Hf trends are inconsistent with observations from the porphyry Cu-Mo(Au) deposit at El Salvador, Chile, where zircons from all porphyry intrusions have Eu-anomalies that become systematically more negative during magma evolution but with highest Eu/Eu* occurring in mineralized intrusions. We explore a variety of scenarios to explain the Eu/Eu* systematics of zircons from Yanacocha, including changes to the magmatic oxidation state as a consequence of anhydrite breakdown and progressive degassing.

Modification of the vertically generalized production model for the turbid waters of Ariake Bay, southwestern Japan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tripathy, S. C.; Ishizaka, J.; Siswanto, E.; Shibata, T.; Mino, Y.

2012-01-01

The vertically generalized production model (VGPM), which was designed for open ocean waters ( Behrenfeld and Falkowski, 1997a; henceforth BF), was evaluated using in situ measurements of primary productivity (PP) in the characteristically turbid coastal waters of Ariake Bay, southwestern Japan, to develop a regionally modified version of the model. The euphotic depth ( Z eu)-integrated PP (IPP) calculated from the VGPM using in situ chlorophyll a (Chl a) and sea surface temperature (SST) was significantly overestimated (by factors of 2-3), but 52% of the observed variability was explained. The weak correlation could have partially resulted from overestimations by the sub-models embedded in the original VGPM model for estimation of Z eu ( Morel and Berthon, 1989; henceforth MB) and the optimal Chl a-normalized PP ( poptB). The sub-model estimates of poptB and Z eu with in situpoptB and Z eu showed significant improvement, accounting for 84% of the variability and causing less overestimation. Z eu was the most important parameter influencing the modeled IPP variation in Ariake Bay. Previous research suggested that the Z eu model, which was based on surface Chl a, overestimated in situ Z eu by a factor of 2-3, resulting in weak correlation between the modeled and in situ IPP. The Z eu sub-model was not accurate in the present study area because it was basically developed for clear (case 1) waters. A better estimation of Z eu could be obtained from the in situ remote sensing reflectance ( R rs) using a quasi-analytical algorithm (QAA) in this turbid water ecosystem. Among the parameters of PP models, poptB is conventionally considered the most important. However, in this study poptB was of secondary importance because the contribution of poptB to the variation in modeled IPP was less than the contribution of Z eu. The modeled and in situpoptB were weakly correlated with 50% of the data points that overestimated the in situ values. The estimation of Chl a was improved by optimizing the Chl a algorithm with in situ R rs data. Incorporating the QAA-based Z eu and the optimized Chl a and constant (median) poptB value led to improved performance of the VGPM for the study area. Thus, even though the VGPM is a global open ocean model, when coupled with turbid water algorithms for Z eu and Chl a and constant (median) poptB, it provided realistic estimates of IPP in the turbid water ecosystem of Ariake Bay.

Geochemical constraints on the link between volcanism and plutonism at the Yunshan caldera complex, SE China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, Lili; He, Zhenyu; Beier, Christoph; Klemd, Reiner

2018-01-01

The Yunshan caldera complex is part of a larger scale, ca. 2000-km-long volcanic-plutonic complex belt in the coastal region of SE China. The volcanic rocks in the caldera complex are characterized by high-silica peraluminous and peralkaline rhyolites associated with an intracaldera porphyritic quartz monzonite pluton. In this study, we present zircon U-Pb, Hf and stable O isotopes along with geochemical data of both volcanic and plutonic rocks to evaluate the potential petrogenetic link between volcanism and plutonism in the Yunshan caldera complex. SHRIMP zircon U-Pb geochronology of both volcanic and plutonic rocks yields almost identical ages ranging from 95.6 to 93.1 Ma. The peraluminous and peralkaline rhyolites show negative anomalies of Sr, P, Ti and Ba and to a lesser extent negative Nb and Ta anomalies, along with positive Rb anomalies and `seagull-like' rare earth element (REE) patterns with negative Eu anomalies and low (La/Yb)N ratios. The intracaldera porphyritic quartz monzonite displays minor negative Rb, Nb, Ta, Sr, P and Ti anomalies and a positive Ba anomaly with REE patterns characterized by relatively high (La/Yb)N ratios and lack significant Eu anomalies. The peraluminous and peralkaline rhyolites and the porphyritic quartz monzonite exhibit consistent ɛ Nd( t) of - 3.7 to - 2.2 and display zircon ɛ Hf( t) values of - 2.1 to 3.7. They further have similar, mantle-like, zircon oxygen isotopic compositions (δ18OVSMOW mainly = 4.63 to 5.76‰). We interpret these observations to be in agreement with a crystal mush model in which the parental magma of the volcanic and plutonic rocks of the Yunshan caldera complex was likely produced by interaction of asthenosphere melts with subduction-influenced enriched mantle wedge. The peralkaline rhyolites are interpreted to represent the most differentiated magma that has subsequently experienced significant fluid-melt interactions, whereas the porphyritic quartz monzonite may be representative of the residual crystal mush. The Yunshan rhyolites typically match the geochemical characteristics of `hot-dry-reduced' rhyolites indicating that, during the late Cretaceous, the tectonic setting of SE China changed from a compressional environment to an extensional environment, i.e., from an arc into a back-arc setting. Our results imply that volcanic and plutonic rocks in caldera systems may provide unique constraints on the evolution of the magmatic system in which both the erupting melt and the residual crystalline material are being preserved.

Different pattern of brain pro-/anti-oxidant activity between depleted and enriched uranium in chronically exposed rats.

PubMed

Lestaevel, P; Romero, E; Dhieux, B; Ben Soussan, H; Berradi, H; Dublineau, I; Voisin, P; Gourmelon, P

2009-04-05

Uranium is not only a heavy metal but also an alpha particle emitter. The main toxicity of uranium is expected to be due to chemiotoxicity rather than to radiotoxicity. Some studies have demonstrated that uranium induced some neurological disturbances, but without clear explanations. A possible mechanism of this neurotoxicity could be the oxidative stress induced by reactive oxygen species imbalance. The aim of the present study was to determine whether a chronic ingestion of uranium induced anti-oxidative defence mechanisms in the brain of rats. Rats received depleted (DU) or 4% enriched (EU) uranyl nitrate in the drinking water at 2mg(-1)kg(-1)day(-1) for 9 months. Cerebral cortex analyses were made by measuring mRNA and protein levels and enzymatic activities. Lipid peroxidation, an oxidative stress marker, was significantly enhanced after EU exposure, but not after DU. The gene expression or activity of the main antioxidant enzymes, i.e. superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), increased significantly after chronic exposure to DU. On the contrary, oral EU administration induced a decrease of these antioxidant enzymes. The NO-ergic pathway was almost not perturbed by DU or EU exposure. Finally, DU exposure increased significantly the transporters (Divalent-Metal-Transporter1; DMT1), the storage molecule (ferritin) and the ferroxidase enzyme (ceruloplasmin), but not EU. These results illustrate that oxidative stress plays a key role in the mechanism of uranium neurotoxicity. They showed that chronic exposure to DU, but not EU, seems to induce an increase of several antioxidant agents in order to counteract the oxidative stress. Finally, these results demonstrate the importance of the double toxicity, chemical and radiological, of uranium.

Experimental mineral/liquid partition coefficients of the rare earth elements /REE/, Sc and Sr for perovskite, spinel and melilite

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nagasawa, H.; Schreiber, H. D.; Morris, R. V.

1980-01-01

Experimental determinations of the mineral/liquid partition coefficients of REE (La, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Yb and Lu), Sc and Sr are reported for the minerals perovskite, spinel and melilite in synthetic systems. Perovskite concentrates light REE with respect to the residual liquid but shows no preference for heavy REE. Spinel greatly discriminates against the incorporation of REE, especially light REE, into its crystal structure. The partition of REE into melilite from a silicate liquid is quite dependent upon both the bulk melt and melilite solid-solution (gehlenite and akermanite components) compositions. As such, melilite can be enriched in REE or will reject REE with corresponding strong negative or strong positive Eu anomalies, respectively.

Research relative to the development of a cryogenic microwave cavity gradiometer for orbital use

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Grossi, M. D.

1985-01-01

Technical approaches to increase the sensitivity of a non-cryogenic gradiometer toward the goal of 0.001 EU/square root of Hz, with solutions that have the potential of achieving an even more ambitious threshold, such as 0.0001 EU/square root of Hz are discussed. This goal can be achieved with a gradiometer design in which the proof masses are each suspended from two small arms, the torsion of which is directly related to the displacement of the sensing element. A negative-spring action, aimed at reducing the resonance frequency, is provided in this design by means of an external electrostatic field. This configuration of the instrument is also suitable for use in a tensorial arrangement.

Is there lattice contraction in multicomponent metal oxides? Case study for GdVO4:Eu3+ nanoparticles.

PubMed

Yang, Liusai; Li, Liping; Zhao, Minglei; Fu, Chaochao; Li, Guangshe

2013-08-02

Metal oxide nanomaterials have been found to have great potential for diverse applications due to their unique relationships between structure and properties. Lattice expansion as particle size reduces was previously considered to be general for metal oxide nanomaterials. It is now a great challenge to see if lattice contraction could be induced by the size effect for metal oxide nanomaterials. ABO4 metal oxides (e.g., CaWO4, GdVO4, and CdWO4) are some of the most important functional materials with many applications, while such oxides at the nanoscale are never reported to show a lattice contraction. This work presents a first report on the variation from lattice expansion to lattice contraction by tuning the microstructures of GdVO4:Eu(3+) nanocrystals. A hydrothermal method was adopted to synthesize GdVO4:Eu(3+) nanocrystals, and then these nanoparticles were calcined at 600 ° C in air. It is found that particle size reduction led to a lattice contraction for the calcined samples, which is in contrast to the lattice expansion observed for the hydrothermally synthesized counterparts or many other metal oxide nanomaterials. In addition, the lattice symmetry of the calcined samples remained almost a constant. The results indicate that the negative surface stress was eliminated by calcination treatment, leading to a homogeneous compression process in the lattice structure of the calcined GdVO4:Eu(3+) nanocrystals. Furthermore, Eu(3+) was taken as a structural probe and a luminescence center to study the local environments pertinent to these structural changes and to optimize the photoluminescence performance.

Evaluation of the endotoxin binding efficiency of clay minerals using the Limulus Amebocyte lysate test: an in vitro study

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Endotoxins are part of the cell wall of Gram-negative bacteria. They are potent immune stimulators and can lead to death if present in high concentrations. Feed additives, which bind endotoxins in the gastrointestinal tract of animals, could help to prevent their negative impact. The objective of our study was to determine the potential of a bentonite (Bentonite 1), a sodium bentonite (Bentonite 2), a chemically treated smectite (Organoclay 1) and a modified attapulgite (Organoclay 2) to bind endotoxins in vitro. Polymyxin B served as positive control. The kinetic chromogenic Limulus Amebocyte lysate test was adapted to measure endotoxin activity. Firstly, a single sorption experiment (10 endotoxin units/mL (EU/mL)) was performed. Polymyxin B and organoclays showed 100% binding efficiency. Secondly, the adsorption efficiency of sorbents in aqueous solution with increasing endotoxin concentrations (2,450 – 51,700 EU/mL) was investigated. Organoclay 1 (0.1%) showed a good binding efficiency in aqueous solution (average 81%), whereas Bentonite 1 (0.1%) obtained a lower binding efficiency (21-54%). The following absorbent capacities were calculated in highest endotoxin concentration: 5.59 mg/g (Organoclay 1) > 3.97 mg/g (Polymyxin B) > 2.58mg/g (Organoclay 2) > 1.55 mg/g (Bentonite 1) > 1.23 mg/g (Bentonite 2). Thirdly, a sorption experiment in artificial intestinal fluid was conducted. Especially for organoclays, which are known to be unspecific adsorbents, the endotoxin binding capacity was significantly reduced. In contrast, Bentonite 1 showed comparable results in artificial intestinal fluid and aqueous solution. Based on the results of this in vitro study, the effect of promising clay minerals will be investigated in in vivo trials. PMID:24383578

Comparison of endotoxin levels found in primary and secondary endodontic infections.

PubMed

Gomes, Brenda P F A; Endo, Marcos S; Martinho, Frederico C

2012-08-01

This clinical study was conducted to compare the levels of endotoxins (lipopolysaccharides [LPSs]) found in primary and secondary endodontic infections with apical periodontitis by correlating LPS contents with clinical/radiographic findings. In addition, the presence of target gram-negative anaerobic bacteria was also investigated. Samples were taken from 15 root canals with primary infections and 15 with secondary infections by using paper points. The limulus amebocyte lysate assay was used to quantify endotoxins, and the polymerase chain reaction technique (16S rDNA) was used for bacterial investigation. Endotoxins were detected in 100% of the root canal samples collected from primary (15/15) and secondary (15/15) infections with median values of 7.49 EU/mL and 3.96 EU/mL, respectively (P < .05). The median value of endotoxins found in the presence of clinical symptoms was significantly higher than in asymptomatic teeth with primary infections (P < .05). A positive correlation was found between endotoxin contents and a larger size of the radiolucent area (>3 mm) (P < .05). Prevotella nigrescens (10/15, 4/15), Fusobacterium nucleatum (5/15, 1/15), Treponema denticola (3/15, 1/15), and Treponema socranskii (5/15, 1/15) were detected in teeth with primary and secondary infections, respectively. P. endodontalis was present only in teeth with primary infections (5/15). Teeth with primary endodontic infections had higher contents of endotoxins and a more complex gram-negative bacterial community than teeth with secondary infections. Moreover, the levels of endotoxins were related to the severity of bone destruction in periapical tissues as well as the development of clinical features in teeth with primary infections. Copyright © 2012 American Association of Endodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Rb-Sr systematics and REE abundances in Shalka and several other diogenites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takahashi, K.; Yabuki, S.; Kagi, H.; Masuda, A.

1994-07-01

The diogenites have been regarded as igneous products in the early solar system and they have been considered to have genetically close relationship with eucrites. Depsite their simple mineralogical compositions and narrow range for major-element compositions, diogenites have been known to show wide Rare Earth Elements (REE) variations in absolute concentration and in mutual abundance ratios. Furthermore, some diogenites have peculiar Rb-Sr isotope systematics (ages younger than 4.5 b.y.). The Shalka meteorite belongs to the diogenites, and a unique REE abundance pattern has been reported. We performed Rb-Sr isotopic analyses and measured REE abundances in the Shalka diogenite with several other diogenites to discuss their genesis. Roughly speaking, REE patterns in diogenites are characterized by the negative Eu anomaly and the depletion of light REE. For Shalka, some heterogeneity in REE abundance patterns have been observed. While one sample chip shows the REE pattern with a large negative Eu anomaly and depleted light REE, particularly characterized by the concave curvature for the La-Nd span, other samples show the pattern nearly flat or the pattern enriched in light REE. These variations could not be explained easily by the simple mixing process of LREE-depleted components and LREE-enriched melt, but they imply some metamorphism process. The Rb-Sr isotopic data for Shalka are shown with the data for other several diogenites. These observations indicate that Shalka would undergo a significant extent of metamorphism followed by redistribution of REE and the disturbance of the Rb-Sr systematics. We are going to do further studies on Shalka to discuss the metamorphic process and compare it with other diogenites.

Land Recycling: from Science to Practice - A Sustainable Development of Urban Areas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Romanowicz, A.

2015-12-01

Member States (MS) of the European Union have experience significant urban sprawl in the last 3 decades. The urban sprawl was driven mainly by internal (MS or EU) or external migration but also by EU policies (including funds and projects) and by changes in life style (e.g. moving away from cities; second homes). This presentation will aim at showing a number of EU wide analysis on: aging population, depopulation of some of the EU regions; agricultural production and scenarios projections of thereof. Various EU funded projects and programs have analyzed ways how future cities and how EU future land use could developed. Number of those solutions where further investigated with case studies/small scale implementations. However, in recent years the 2012 EU road map to resource efficiency and UN Sustainable Development Goals have called respectively for 'no net land take by 2050' and land neutrality. Thus, the process of implementing innovative solutions for land use has started and some of the cities and regions are well ahead in moving towards XXI century society. In order to streamline/share knowledge and steer EU wide discussion on this the European Commission in its road map to resource efficiency announced a Communication on land as a resource. This presentation will attempt to synthesize current discussion on the topic of 'land as a resource' and include examples of implemented innovative solutions for aging population, land recycling for urban developments and green spaces within the current EU policy context. Finally, some appreciation of the adopted UN Sustainable Development Goals regarding land and soil from the EU perspective will be given.

Preparation and characterization of new photoluminescent nano-powder based on Eu3+:La2Ti2O7 and dispersed into silica matrix for latent fingerprint detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saif, M.; Alsayed, N.; Mbarek, A.; El-Kemary, M.; Abdel-Mottaleb, M. S. A.

2016-12-01

Pure lanthanum titanate doped with europium metal ions (La2Ti2O7:Eu3+) and dispersed in silica matrix phosphor powder was prepared by sol-gel process followed by thermal treatment. The prepared nanophosphors were characterized by powder X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDX), and Photoluminescence Spectroscopy (PL). The effects of silica, thermal treatment, Eu3+ ion, and surfactant (CTAB) concentrations on the crystal, morphology, and photoluminescence properties were investigated. The present work found that dispersion of La2Ti2O7:Eu3+ into silica matrix significantly altered the morphology of La2Ti2O7:Eu3+ from high crystalline micro-plate like shape into amorphous aggregated Nano-spherical shape. The high separated spherical shape with intense red PL emission and long lifetime was obtained from 10 mol% Eu3+:La2Ti2O7:Eu3+, dispersed into silica matrix, and prepared in the presence of CTAB. The high PL Nano-phosphor has been successfully used in developing latent fingerprint from various forensic relevant materials.

Geochemical compositions of Neoproterozoic to Lower Palaeozoic (?) shales and siltstones in the Volta Basin (Ghana): Constraints on provenance and tectonic setting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amedjoe, Chiri G.; Gawu, S. K. Y.; Ali, B.; Aseidu, D. K.; Nude, P. M.

2018-06-01

Many researchers have investigated the provenance and tectonic setting of the Voltaian sediments using the geochemistry of sandstones in the basin. The shales and siltstones in the basin have not been used much in the provenance studies. In this paper, the geochemistry of shales and siltstones in the Kwahu Group and Oti Group of the Voltaian Supergroup from Agogo and environs in the southeastern section of the basin has constrained the provenance and tectonic setting. Trace element ratios La/Sc, Th/Sc and Cr/Th and REEs sensitive to average source compositions revealed sediments in the shales and siltstones may mainly be from felsic rocks, though contributions from old recycled sediments and some andesitic rock sediments were identified. The felsic rocks may be granites and/or granodiorites. Some intermediate rocks of andesitic composition are also identified, while the recycled sediments were probably derived from the basement metasedimentary rocks. The enrichment of light REE (LaN/YbN c. 7.47), negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* c. 0.59), and flat heavy REE chondrite-normalized patterns, denote an upper-continental-crustal granitic source materials for the sediments. Trace-element ternary discriminant diagrams reveal passive margin settings for sediments, though some continental island arc settings sediments were also depicted. Mixing calculations based on REE concentrations and modeled chondrite-normalized REE patterns suggest that the Birimian basement complex may be the source of detritus in the Voltaian Basin. REEs are more associated with shales than siltstones. On this basis chondrite-normalized REE patterns show that shale lithostratigraphic units may be distinguished from siltstone lithostratigraphic units. The significant variability in shales elemental ratios can therefore be used to distinguish between shales of the Oti Group from that of the Kwahu Group.

Geochemistry of Cretaceous granites from Mianning in the Panxi region, Sichuan Province, southwestern China: Implications for their generation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Cheng; Huang, Zhilong; Qi, Liang; Fu, Pingqing; Liu, Congqiang; Li, Endong; Guan, Tao

2007-03-01

The Cretaceous granites of Mianning, located in the northern Panxi region, were emplaced after collision of the Tibetan Plateau and Yangtze Block. These granites have very high K 2O + Na 2O, Ga, Zr, Nb, Y, REE (except Eu), and very low MgO, CaO, P 2O 5, and Sr contents relative to M-, I- or S-type granites. Based on the chemical discrimination criteria of Whalen et al . [Whalen, J.B., Currie, K.L., Chappell, B.W., 1987. A-type granites: geochemical characteristics, distribution and petrogenesis. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 95, 407-419], most of them are A-type granites. Moreover, the granites plot in the range of post-collision granites and belong to the A2 type. Elevated initial Sr isotopic ratios (>0.72) suggest their derivation dominantly from a crustal source. These features are consistent with granite formation in a post-orogenic setting, such as after subduction or collision between of the Tibetan Plateau and Yangtze Block. In addition, the granites are characterized by low abundances of Ba, Sr, P, Ti, and Eu, positive correlation between Ba and Eu anomalies, and negative correlation between Rb and K/Rb. Plots of Rb vs. Sr suggest that fractional crystallization affected the final compositions of these granites after melting from a dominantly crustal source. From the late Proterozoic to late Mesozoic, the crustal composition, compared to that of the mantle, appears to have increased in the Panxi region. While the mantle component played an important part in the generation of Cretaceous granites in southeastern China, its influence was relatively minor in the Panxi region. Thus, there was a significant difference in mantle evolution between southeastern China and the Panxi region, which led to different metallogenic processes.

Selective separation of Eu{sup 3+} using polymer-enhanced ultrafiltration

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

Norton, M.V.

1994-03-01

A process to selectively remove {sup 241}Am from liquid radioactive waste was investigated as an actinide separation method applicable to Hanford and other waste sites. The experimental procedures involved removal of Eu, a nonradioactive surrogate for Am, from aqueous solutions at pH 5 using organic polymers in conjunction with ultrafiltration. Commercially available polyacrylic acid (60,000 MW) and Pacific Northwest Laboratory`s (PNL) synthesized E3 copolymer ({approximately}10,000 MW) were tested. Test solutions containing 10 {mu}g/mL of Eu were dosed vath each polymer at various concentrations in order to bind Eu (i.e., by complexation and/or cation exchange) for subsequent rejection by an ultrafiltrationmore » coupon. Test solutions were filtered with and without polymer to determine if enhanced Eu separation could be achieved from polymer treatment. Both polymers significantly increased Eu removal. Optimum concentrations were 20 {mu}g/mL of polyacrylic acid and 100 {mu}g/mL of E3 for 100% Eu rejection by the Amicon PM10 membrane at 55 psi. In addition to enhancement of removal, the polymers selectively bound Eu over Na, suggesting that selective separation of Eu was possible. This suggests that polymer-enhanced ultrafiltration is a potential process for separation of {sup 241}Am from Hanford tank waste, further investigation of binding agents and membranes effective under very alkaline and high ionic strength is warranted. This process also has potential applications for selective separation of toxic metals from industrial process streams.« less

Marine conservation and accession: the future for the Croatian Adriatic.

PubMed

Mackelworth, Peter; Holcer, Draško; Jovanović, Jelena; Fortuna, Caterina

2011-04-01

The European Union (EU) is the world's largest trading bloc and the most influential supra-national organisation in the region. The EU has been the goal for many eastern European States, for Croatia accession remains a priority and underpins many of its national policies. However, entry into the EU requires certain commitments and concessions. In October 2003 the Croatian parliament declared an ecological and fisheries protection zone in the Adriatic. Under pressure the zone was suspended, finally entering into force in March 2008 exempting EU States. There are other marine conflicts between Croatia and the EU, particularly the contested maritime border with Slovenia, and the development of the Croatian fishing fleet in opposition to the Common Fisheries Policy. Conversely, attempts to harmonise Croatian Nature Protection with the EU Habitats Directive, facilitated by pre-accession funding, has galvanised conservation policy. Since 2005 two marine protected areas have been declared, significantly increasing the marine ecosystem under protection. Finally, the development of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive is the latest EU attempt to integrate environmental policy in the maritime realm. This will have an effect not only on member States but neighbouring countries. For marine nature protection to be effective in the region the Adriatic Sea needs to be viewed as a mutually important shared and limited resource not a bargaining chip. Negotiations of the EU and Croatia have been watched closely by the other Balkan States and precedents set in this case have the potential to affect EU expansion to the East.

Marine Conservation and Accession: The Future for the Croatian Adriatic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mackelworth, Peter; Holcer, Draško; Jovanović, Jelena; Fortuna, Caterina

2011-04-01

The European Union (EU) is the world's largest trading bloc and the most influential supra-national organisation in the region. The EU has been the goal for many eastern European States, for Croatia accession remains a priority and underpins many of its national policies. However, entry into the EU requires certain commitments and concessions. In October 2003 the Croatian parliament declared an ecological and fisheries protection zone in the Adriatic. Under pressure the zone was suspended, finally entering into force in March 2008 exempting EU States. There are other marine conflicts between Croatia and the EU, particularly the contested maritime border with Slovenia, and the development of the Croatian fishing fleet in opposition to the Common Fisheries Policy. Conversely, attempts to harmonise Croatian Nature Protection with the EU Habitats Directive, facilitated by pre-accession funding, has galvanised conservation policy. Since 2005 two marine protected areas have been declared, significantly increasing the marine ecosystem under protection. Finally, the development of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive is the latest EU attempt to integrate environmental policy in the maritime realm. This will have an effect not only on member States but neighbouring countries. For marine nature protection to be effective in the region the Adriatic Sea needs to be viewed as a mutually important shared and limited resource not a bargaining chip. Negotiations of the EU and Croatia have been watched closely by the other Balkan States and precedents set in this case have the potential to affect EU expansion to the East.

High-Precision Measurement of Eu/Eu* in Geological Glasses via LA-ICP-MS Analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tang, Ming; McDonough, William F.; Arevalo, Ricardo, Jr.

2014-01-01

Elemental fractionation during laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) analysis has been historically documented between refractory and volatile elements. In this work, however, we observed fractionation between light rare earth elements (LREEs) and heavy rare earth elements (HREEs) when using ablation strategies involving large spot sizes (greater than 100 millimeters) and line scanning mode. In addition: (1) ion yields decrease when using spot sizes above 100 millimeters; (2) (Eu/Eu*)(sub raw) (i.e. Europium anomaly) positively correlates with carrier gas (He) flow rate, which provides control over the particle size distribution of the aerosol reaching the ICP; (3) (Eu/Eu*)(sub raw) shows a positive correlation with spot size, and (4) the changes in REE signal intensity, induced by the He flow rate change, roughly correlate with REE condensation temperatures. The REE fractionation is likely driven by the slight but significant difference in their condensation temperatures. Large particles may not be completely dissociated in the ICP and result in preferential evaporation of the less refractory LREEs and thus non-stoichiometric particle-ion conversion. This mechanism may also be responsible for Sm-Eu-Gd fractionation as Eu is less refractory than Sm and Gd. The extent of fractionation depends upon the particle size distribution of the aerosol, which in turn is influenced by the laser parameters and matrix. Ablation pits and lines defined by low aspect ratios produce a higher proportion of large particles than high aspect ratio ablation, as confirmed by measurements of particle size distribution in the laser induced aerosol. Therefore, low aspect ratio ablation introduces particles that cannot be decomposed and/or atomized by the ICP and thus results in exacerbated elemental fractionation. Accurate quantification of REE concentrations and Eu/Eu* requires reduction of large particle production during laser ablation. For the reference materials analyzed in this work, the 100 millimeters spot measurements of Eu/Eu* agreed with GeoRem preferred values within 3 percent. Our long-term analyses of Eu/Eu* in MPI-DING glass KL-2G and USGS glass BIR-1G were reproducible at 3 percent (2 RSD).

The Politics of Global Value Chains: Import-dependent Firms and EU-Asia Trade Agreements.

PubMed

Eckhardt, Jappe; Poletti, Arlo

2016-01-01

In 2006, the European Commission released its Global Europe Communication, in which it announced a shift from a multilateral to a bilateral trade strategy. One of the key pillars of this new strategy was to strengthen the bilateral trade relations with key Asian countries. In contrast to existing analyses that focus on European Union (EU) decision makers' agency, we propose an explanation for this notable shift in the EU's trade policy that stresses the political role of import-dependent firms. In light of the increasing integration of such firms into global value chains, the article argues that a plausible case can be made, both theoretically and empirically, that import-dependent firms had a clear stake in the signing of preferential trade agreements between the EU and Asian countries and that their lobbying efforts significantly affected the EU's decision to start negotiations with South Korea, India and Vietnam.

[Analysis of difficult problems on European Union laws and regulations of traditional herbal medicinal products].

PubMed

Qu, Li-Ping; Zhang, Xiao-Qun; Xiong, Yan; Wang, Yi-Tao; Zou, Wen-Jun

2017-10-01

Registration of Chinese patent medicine in European Union (EU) is of great significance to the internationalization of traditional Chinese medicine as EU market acts as an important position in the global botanical market. In retrospect, the domestic studies on EU regulations of traditional herbal medicinal products have been conducted for more than 10 years, but there is still some cognitive bias and lack of research. In this paper, a review of the relevant research progress and the main misunderstanding problems about Directive 2004/24/EC, like the centralized and decentralized supervision system of traditional herbal medicinal products in the EU, marketing authorization procedures for traditional herbal medicinal products, Community Herbal Monograph and List Entries, would be systematically analyzed, so as to provide reference for the registration of Chinese patent medicine in EU. Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.

Geochemistry of the Archean Yellowknife Supergroup

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jenner, G. A.; Fryer, B. J.; McLennan, S. M.

1981-07-01

The Archean Yellowknife Supergroup (Slave Structural Province. Canada) is composed of a thick sequence of supracrustal rocks, which differs from most Archean greenstone belts in that it contains a large proportion ( ~ 80%) of sedimentary rocks. Felsic volcanics of the Banting Formation are characterized by HREE depletion without Eu-anomalies, indicating an origin by small degrees of partial melting of a mafic source, with minor garnet in the residua. Granitic rocks include synkinematic granites [HREE-depleted; low ( 87Sr /86Sr ) I], post-kinematic granites [negative Eu-anomalies, high ( 87Sr /86Sr ) I] and granitic gneisses with REE patterns similar to the post-kinematic granites. Sedimentary rocks (turbidites) of the Burwash and Walsh Formations have similar chemical compositions and were derived from 20% mafic-intermediate volcanics, 55% felsic volcanics and 25% granitic rocks. Jackson Lake Formation lithic wackes can be divided into two groups with Group A derived from 50% mafic-intermediate volcanics and 50% felsic volcanics and Group B, characterized by HREE depletion, derived almost exclusively from felsic volcanics. REE patterns of Yellowknife sedimentary rocks are similar to other Archean sedimentary REE patterns, although they have higher La N/Yb N. These patterns differ significantly from typical post-Archean sedimentary REE patterns, supporting the idea that Archean exposed crust had a different composition than the present day exposed crust.

Structural precaution: the application of premarket approval schemes in EU food legislation.

PubMed

van der Meulen, Bernd M J; Bremmers, Harry J; Wijnands, Jo H M; Poppe, Krijn J

2012-01-01

Structural precaution refers to legal requirements by which food products (whether as ingredients, additives, genetically modified or innovative in some other form) are only admitted to the market after authorization by public authorities and till then are presumed unsafe. In the EU such authorization is granted after provision of conclusive scientific evidence of the product's safety by the applicant. The objective of this article is to critically evaluate structural precaution in the EU against the general principles of European and international law. Moreover, it addresses the positive and negative side-effects of structural precaution for food businesses. The methods which are applied are legal-systematic and empirical. Legal-systematic research shows that the European system of structural precaution may come into conflict with the principles of free trade. Empirical research on the effects of structural precaution shows that the barriers to market access impede food innovations, negatively impact competitiveness, and induce opportunistic strategic responses by food businesses. Among the opportunistic strategic responses that were identified are window-dressing, trespassing and circumventing. These may have adverse effects on food safety. This is remarkable since food safety is the key driving force behind the application of structural precaution. The article advocates an overhaul of the present European risk prevention framework. It argues that the newly proposed European legal framework for innovative foods only partly addresses the identified problems with which the food industry is confronted. Supplementary to legal-systematic overhaul, authorities should invest in accessibility and transparency of the legal framework and provide compliance assistance to reduce regulatory burdens.

RARE EARTH ELEMENT IMPACTS ON BIOLOGICAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT

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

Fujita, Y.; Barnes, J.; Fox, S.

Increasing demand for rare earth elements (REE) is expected to lead to new development and expansion in industries processing and or recycling REE. For some industrial operators, sending aqueous waste streams to a municipal wastewater treatment plant, or publicly owned treatment works (POTW), may be a cost effective disposal option. However, wastewaters that adversely affect the performance of biological wastewater treatment at the POTW will not be accepted. The objective of our research is to assess the effects of wastewaters that might be generated by new rare earth element (REE) beneficiation or recycling processes on biological wastewater treatment systems. Wemore » have been investigating the impact of yttrium and europium on the biological activity of activated sludge collected from an operating municipal wastewater treatment plant. We have also examined the effect of an organic complexant that is commonly used in REE extraction and separations; similar compounds may be a component of newly developed REE recycling processes. Our preliminary results indicate that in the presence of Eu, respiration rates for the activated sludge decrease relative to the no-Eu controls, at Eu concentrations ranging from <10 to 660 µM. Yttrium appears to inhibit respiration as well, although negative impacts have been observed only at the highest Y amendment level tested (660 µM). The organic complexant appears to have a negative impact on activated sludge activity as well, although results are variable. Ultimately the intent of this research is to help REE industries to develop environmentally friendly and economically sustainable beneficiation and recycling processes.« less

Eudragit RS PO nanoparticles for sustained release of pyridostigmine bromide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoobakht, Fatemeh; Ganji, Fariba; Vasheghani-Farahani, Ebrahim; Mousavi, Seyyed Mohammad

2013-09-01

Pyridostigmine bromide (PB) is an inhibitor of cholinesterase, which is used in the treatment of myasthenia gravis and administered for protection against exposure to toxic nerve agents. Tests were done to investigate prolonging the half-life of PB and improving its release behavior. PB was loaded in nanoparticles (NPs) of Eudragit RS PO (Eu-RS) prepared using the technique of quasi emulsion solvent diffusion. Variables of output power of the sonicator, bath temperature and mixing time, were chosen as the optimization factors to obtain the minimum sized NPs. In addition, emulsions were tested at different ratios of drug-to-polymer by dynamic light scattering to determine size and zeta potential of NPs. UV-spectroscopy was used to determine PB content of the NPs. Drug-loaded NPs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectra. Results determined that mixing time had a significant impact on the size of Eu-RS NPs, but power output of sonicator and bath temperature had no significant effect. The particle size obtained at the optimum condition (power output of 70 W, bath temperature of 33 °C, and mixing time of 7 min) was less than 200 nm (optimum sizes were 138.9 and 179.5 nm for Eu-RS and PB-loaded Eu-RS NPs, respectively). The optimum PB-loaded Eu-RS NPs at the PB to Eu-RS weight ratio of 1-4 and 20 % of loaded PB released from the nanocarriers within 100 h.

Exploring growth conditions and Eu2+ concentration effects for KSr2I5:Eu scintillator crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stand, L.; Zhuravleva, M.; Camarda, G.; Lindsey, A.; Johnson, J.; Hobbs, C.; Melcher, C. L.

2016-04-01

Our current research is focused on understanding dopant optimization, growth rate, homogeneity and their impact on the overall performance of KSr2I5:Eu2+ single crystal scintillators. In this work we have investigated the effects of Eu2+ concentration in the potassium strontium iodide matrix, and we found that the concentration needed to maximize the light yield was 4 mol%. In order to assess the effects of the pulling rate, we grew single crystals at 12, 24 and 120 mm/day via the vertical Bridgman technique. For the sample sizes measured (5×5×5 mm3), we found that the crystal grown at the fastest rate of 120 mm/day showed a light yield within ~7% of the more slowly grown boules, and no significant change was observed in the energy resolution. Therefore, light yields from 88,000 to 96,000 ph/MeV and energy resolutions from 2.4 to 3.0% (at 662 keV) were measured for KSr2I5:Eu 4% over a relatively wide range of growth conditions. In order to assess the homogeneity of KSr2I5:Eu 4%, a newly developed micro-resolution X-ray technique was used to map the light yield as a function of excitation position. In the crystals that we studied, we did not observe any significant inhomogeneity other than a smooth gradient due to light collection and self absorption effects.

Doping β-Ga2O3 with europium: influence of the implantation and annealing temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peres, M.; Lorenz, K.; Alves, E.; Nogales, E.; Méndez, B.; Biquard, X.; Daudin, B.; Víllora, E. G.; Shimamura, K.

2017-08-01

β-Ga2O3 bulk single crystals were doped by ion implantation at temperatures from room temperature to 1000 °C, using a 300 keV Europium beam with a fluence of 1  ×  1015 at cm-2. Rising the implantation temperature from room temperature to 400-600 °C resulted in a significant increase of the substitutional Eu fraction and of the number of Eu ions in the 3+  charge state as well as in a considerable decrease of implantation damage. Eu is found in both charge states 2+  and 3+  and their relative fractions are critically dependent on the implantation and annealing temperature, suggesting that defects play an important role in stabilizing one of the charge states. The damage recovery during post-implant annealing is a complex process and typically defect levels first increase for intermediate annealing temperatures and a significant recovery of the crystal only starts around 1000 °C. Cathodoluminescence spectra are dominated by the sharp Eu3+ related intra-ionic 4f transition lines in the red spectral region. They show a strong increase of the emission intensity with increasing annealing temperature, in particular for samples implanted at elevated temperature, indicating the optical activation of Eu3+ ions. However, no direct correlation of emission intensity and Eu3+ fraction was found, again pointing to the important role of defects on the physical properties of these luminescent materials.

Luminescence variations in hydroxyapatites doped with Eu2+ and Eu3+ ions.

PubMed

Graeve, Olivia A; Kanakala, Raghunath; Madadi, Abhiram; Williams, Brandon C; Glass, Katelyn C

2010-05-01

We present a detailed analysis of the luminescence behavior of europium-doped hydroxyapatite (HAp) and calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite (Ca-D HAp) nanopowders. The results show that, while both powders are similar in crystallite size, particle size, and morphology, the luminescence behavior differs significantly. For the HAp:Eu powders, the emission is clearly from Eu(3+) ions and corresponds to typical (5)D(0) --> (7)F(J) emissions, whereas for the Ca-D HAp:Eu powders, we also see a broad emission with two peaks at 420 and 445 nm, corresponding to the 4f(6)5d(1) --> 4f(7) ((8)S(7/2)) transition of Eu(2+). The powders are weakly luminescent in the as-synthesized state, as expected for combustion-synthesized materials and have higher emission intensities as the heat treatment temperature is increased. Luminescence spectra obtained using an excitation wavelength of 254 nm are weak for all samples. Excitation wavelengths of 305, 337, and 359 nm, are better at promoting the Eu(3+) and Eu(2+) emissions in hydroxyapatites. We propose that fluorescence measurements are an excellent way of qualitatively determining the phase composition of europium-doped hydroxyapatite powders, since powders that exhibit a blue emission contain substantial amounts of Ca-D HAp, allowing the determination of the presence of this phase in mixed-phase hydroxyapatites. Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Geochemistry of Archean shales from the Pilbara Supergroup, Western Australia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McLennan, Scott M.; Taylor, S. R.; Eriksson, K. A.

1983-07-01

Archean clastic sedimentary rocks are well exposed in the Pilbara Block of Western Australia. Shales from turbidites in the Gorge Creek Group ( ca. 3.4 Ae) and shales from the Whim Creek Group ( ca. 2.7 Ae) have been examined. The Gorge Creek Group samples, characterized by muscovite-quartzchlorite mineralogy, are enriched in incompatible elements (K, Th, U, LREE) by factors of about two, when compared to younger Archean shales from the Yilgarn Block. Alkali and alkaline earth elements are depleted in a systematic fashion, according to size, when compared with an estimate of Archean upper crust abundances. This depletion is less notable in the Whim Creek Group. Such a pattern indicates the source of these rocks underwent a rather severe episode of weathering. The Gorge Creek Group also has fairly high B content (85 ± 29 ppm) which may indicate normal marine conditions during deposition. Rare earth element (REE) patterns for the Pilbara samples are characterized by light REE enrichment ( La N/Yb N ≥ 7.5 ) and no or very slight Eu depletion ( Eu/Eu ∗ = 0.82 - 0.99 ). A source comprised of about 80% felsic igneous rocks without large negative Eu-anomalies (felsic volcanics, tonalites, trondhjemites) and 20% mafic-ultramafic volcanics is indicated by the trace element data. Very high abundances of Cr and Ni cannot be explained by any reasonable provenance model and a secondary enrichment process is called for.

The Impact of the 2008 Economic Crisis on Substance Use Patterns in the Countries of the European Union.

PubMed

Dom, Geert; Samochowiec, Jerzy; Evans-Lacko, Sara; Wahlbeck, Kristian; Van Hal, Guido; McDaid, David

2016-01-13

From 2008 on, a severe economic crisis (EC) has characterized the European Union (E.U.). However, changes in substance use behavioral patterns as a result of the economic crisis in Europe, have been poorly reflected upon, and underlying mechanisms remain to be identified; In this review we explore and systematize the available data on the effect of the 2008 economic crisis on patterns of substance use and related disorders, within the E.U. countries; The results show that effects of the recession need to be differentiated. A number of studies point to reductions in population's overall substance use. In contrast, an increase in harmful use and negative effects is found within specific subgroups within the society. Risk factors include job-loss and long-term unemployment, and pre-existing vulnerabilities. Finally, our findings point to differences between types of substances in their response on economic crisis periods; the effects of the 2008 economic crisis on substance use patterns within countries of the European Union are two-sided. Next to a reduction in a population's overall substance use, a number of vulnerable subgroups experience serious negative effects. These groups are in need of specific attention and support, given that there is a real risk that they will continue to suffer negative health effects long after the economic downfall has formally been ended.

The Impact of the 2008 Economic Crisis on Substance Use Patterns in the Countries of the European Union

PubMed Central

Dom, Geert; Samochowiec, Jerzy; Evans-Lacko, Sara; Wahlbeck, Kristian; Van Hal, Guido; McDaid, David

2016-01-01

Background: From 2008 on, a severe economic crisis (EC) has characterized the European Union (E.U.). However, changes in substance use behavioral patterns as a result of the economic crisis in Europe, have been poorly reflected upon, and underlying mechanisms remain to be identified; Methods: In this review we explore and systematize the available data on the effect of the 2008 economic crisis on patterns of substance use and related disorders, within the E.U. countries; Results: The results show that effects of the recession need to be differentiated. A number of studies point to reductions in population’s overall substance use. In contrast, an increase in harmful use and negative effects is found within specific subgroups within the society. Risk factors include job-loss and long-term unemployment, and pre-existing vulnerabilities. Finally, our findings point to differences between types of substances in their response on economic crisis periods; Conclusions: the effects of the 2008 economic crisis on substance use patterns within countries of the European Union are two-sided. Next to a reduction in a population’s overall substance use, a number of vulnerable subgroups experience serious negative effects. These groups are in need of specific attention and support, given that there is a real risk that they will continue to suffer negative health effects long after the economic downfall has formally been ended. PMID:26771628

High-pressure x-ray diffraction study of YBO{sub 3}/Eu{sup 3+}, GdBO{sub 3}, and EuBO{sub 3}: Pressure-induced amorphization in GdBO{sub 3}

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

Wang, Pei; Xu, Chao; Ren, Xiangting

2014-01-28

Angle-dispersive synchrotron X-ray diffraction measurements were performed on vaterite-type YBO{sub 3}/Eu{sup 3+}, GdBO{sub 3}, and EuBO{sub 3}, respectively, up to 41 GPa at room temperature using a diamond-anvil cell. Pressure-induced amorphization was observed in hexagonal GdBO{sub 3} with a significant compression along the c-axis. Compared to the ions of the distorted GdBO{sub 3} phase, its anions may lose their long-range order prior to the cations at high pressures. Based on the experimental pressure-volume data, the obtained bulk moduli of YBO{sub 3}/Eu{sup 3+} and GdBO{sub 3} are 329 and 321 GPa, respectively, which are more than 90% larger than that of EuBO{sub 3}more » (167 GPa) and are presumably attributed to Gd{sup 3+} and Y{sup 3+} with a high density of d valence electrons.« less

One-pot carbonization synthesis of europium-doped carbon quantum dots for highly selective detection of tetracycline

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li Liu, Meng; Chen, Bin Bin; Yang, Tong; Wang, Jian; Liu, Xi Dong; Zhi Huang, Cheng

2017-03-01

The detection of tetracycline is of great significance because of its damaging effects on human health, such as renal toxicity and hemolytic anemia. Any release of tetracycline into the surrounding environment can produce bacterial drug resistance. We develop a new sensitive and selective detection approach for tetracycline in complex water samples by preparing europium-doped carbon quantum dots (Eu-CQDs) through a simple and rapid carbonization method operating at 200 °C for 5 min. The Eu-CQDs are characterized by blue photoluminescence, excitation-wavelength-dependent emission and excellent stability. Importantly, the fluorescence of the Eu-CQDs can be quenched efficiently by tetracycline, based on the strong inner filter effect mechanism between Eu-CQDs and tetracycline, making the fluorescence intensity ratio (I 0/I) of the Eu-CQDs at 465 nm correlate linearly with the concentration of tetracycline in the range of 0.5-200 μM, with a limit of detection of 0.3 μM. This shows the broad applicability of the Eu-CQDs in pursuing the concepts of simplicity and specificity for analytical purposes.

UV light induced red emission in Eu3+-doped zincborophosphate glasses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hima Bindu, S.; Siva Raju, D.; Vinay Krishna, V.; Rajavardhana Rao, T.; Veerabrahmam, K.; Linga Raju, Ch.

2016-12-01

This paper reports the preparation of transparent zincborophosphate (ZBP) glasses doped with Eu3+ ions by the conventional melt quenching technique. The prepared glasses were characterized using powder XRD, FTIR, optical absorption, photoluminescence and decay curves. Judd-Ofelt (JO) intensity parameters calculated under various constraints using absorption and emission spectra. These JO intensity parameters have been used to predict the radiative properties such as radiative life time, branching ratios and stimulated emission cross section of the 5D0→7FJ (J = 0-4) transitions. Decay curves for the 5D0 level of Eu3+ ions shows single exponential for all concentrations. Luminescence properties of 5D0→7F2 transitions of Eu3+ions have revealed that the present ZBP:Eu3+ glasses have significant in optical applications at around 613 nm. An intense red luminescence has been observed due to 5D0→7F2 transition of Eu3+ ion in these glasses. From the CIE color coordinate diagram, it is observed that the present glass system is prominent material for red emission.

CTAB-assisted hydrothermal synthesis of YVO 4:Eu 3+ powders in a wide pH range

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Juan; Hojamberdiev, Mirabbos; Xu, Yunhua

2012-01-01

Rhombus-, rod-, soya bean- and aggregated soya bean-like YVO 4:Eu 3+ micro- and nanostructures were synthesized by a cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)-assisted hydrothermal method at 180 °C for 24 h in a wide pH range. The as-synthesized powders were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). The XRD results confirmed the formation of phase-pure YVO 4:Eu 3+ powders with tetragonal structure under hydrothermal process in a wide pH range. Electron microscopic observations evidenced the morphological transformation of YVO 4:Eu 3+ powders from rhombus-like microstructure to rod-, soya bean, and aggregated soya bean-like nanostructures with an increase in the pH of the synthesis solution. The results from the PL measurements revealed that the intensities of PL emission peaks were significantly affected by the morphologies and crystallinity of samples due to the absence of an inversion symmetry at the Eu 3+ lattice site, and the highest luminescence intensity was observed for rod-like YVO 4:Eu 3+ powders.

Hexagonal spherical Ln3+-doped NaGdF4: A facile double solvent hydrothermal synthesis and luminescent properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Kelu; Huang, Zhuanzhuan; Yu, Qiao-He; Wang, Yi-Yan; Xia, Tian-Long

2017-04-01

Different sizes of hexagonal spherical NaGdF4:Eu3+ particles are synthesized via a facile hydrothermal method with the use of ethylene glycol (EG), propylene glycol (PG) or butylene glycol (BG) as another solvent. The particle size decreases with the addition of EG, PG or BG and the decreasing trend in BG/H2O system is significantly more than that in the other two systems. Meanwhile, results show that luminescent properties of NaGdF4:Eu3+ are enhanced along with the decrease of particle size. Besides, the energy transfer from Dy3+ to Eu3+ is directly observed in the PL spectra of NaGdF4:Eu3+/Dy3+.

Fabrication of MPEG-b-PMAA capped YVO4:Eu nanoparticles with biocompatibility for cell imaging.

PubMed

Liu, Yue; Li, Xiao-Shuang; Hu, Jia; Guo, Miao; Liu, Wei-Jun; Feng, Yi-Mei; Xie, Jing-Ran; Du, Gui-Xiang

2015-12-01

A novel nanoparticle with multilayer core-shell architecture for cell imaging is designed and synthesized by coating a fluorescent YVO4:Eu core with a diblock copolymer, MPEG-b-PMAA. The synthesis of YVO4:Eu core, which further makes MPEG-b-PMAA-YVO4:Eu NPs adapt for cell imaging, is guided by the model determined upon the evaluation of pH and CEu%. The PMAA block attached tightly on the YVO4:Eu core forms the inner shell and the MPEG block forms the biocompatible outermost shell. Factors including reaction time, reaction temperature, CEu% and pH are optimized for the preparation of the YVO4:Eu NPs. A precise defined model is established according to analyzing the coefficients of pH and CEu% during the synthesis. The MPEG-b-PMAA-YVO4:Eu NPs, with an average diameter of 24 nm, have a tetragonal structure and demonstrate luminescence in the red region, which lies in a biological window (optical imaging). Significant enhancement in luminescence intensity by MPEG-b-PMAA-YVO4:Eu NPs formation is observed. The capping copolymer MPEG-b-PMAA improves the dispersibility of hydrophobic YVO4:Eu NPs in water, making the NPs stable under different conditions. In addition, the biocompatibility MPEG layer reduces the cytotoxicity of the nanoparticles effectively. 95% cell viability can be achieved at the NPs concentration of 800 mgL(-1) after 24h of culture. Cellular uptake of the MPEG-b-PMAA-YVO4:Eu NPs is evaluated by cell imaging assay, indicating that the NPs can be taken up rapidly and largely by cancerous or non-cancerous cells through an endocytosis mechanism. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Dy:Eu doped CaBAl glasses for white light applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lodi, T. A.; Sandrini, M.; Medina, A. N.; Barboza, M. J.; Pedrochi, F.; Steimacher, A.

2018-02-01

The combination of Eu3+ and Dy3+ in co-doped glassy materials provides interesting applicability for white light emission devices. In this work, Dy:Eu doped Calcium Boroaluminate (CaBAl) glasses were prepared by conventional melting quenching, with 3 wt% of Dy2O3 and Eu2O3 content varying from 0 to 3 wt%, and results of absorption spectra, photoluminescence and photoluminescence lifetime are discussed in terms of Eu2O3 content. The photoluminescence of the samples was studied under excitation of 365 and 405 nm light source. The 365 nm excitation shows favor to the Dy3+ ion emission. The results of photoluminescence lifetime at 575 nm (Dy3+) shows a decrease due to Eu2O3 addition, which suggests an energy transfer from Dy3+ (donor) to the Eu3+ (acceptor). On the other hand, under excitation of 405 nm, the photoluminescence lifetime at 575 nm (Dy3+) shows no significant changes due to Eu2O3 amount, which indicates that the energy transfer from Dy3+ to Eu3+ (under λexc = 405 nm) is negligible. However, the results of photoluminescence under 405 nm excitation present a white yellowish emission in the CIE diagram, which shifts to red with Eu2O3 addition. The combination of a Blue LED (BL) emission with the emission of the samples was also studied in the CIE diagram, in order to improve light emission and to obtain ideal White Light (WL). The results show that by modifying the emission intensity of BL, it is possible to achieve a route for smart lighting, close to the circadian light cycle.

The photoluminescence, drug delivery and imaging properties of multifunctional Eu3+/Gd3+ dual-doped hydroxyapatite nanorods.

PubMed

Chen, Feng; Huang, Peng; Zhu, Ying-Jie; Wu, Jin; Zhang, Chun-Lei; Cui, Da-Xiang

2011-12-01

The design and synthesis of multifunctional systems with high biocompatibility are very significant for the future of clinical applications. Herein, we report a microwave-assisted rapid synthesis of multifunctional Eu(3+)/Gd(3+) dual-doped hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanorods, and the photoluminescence (PL), drug delivery and in vivo imaging of as-prepared Eu(3+)/Gd(3+) doped HAp nanorods. The photoluminescent and magnetic multifunctions of HAp nanorods are realized by the dual-doping with Eu(3+) and Gd(3+). The PL intensity of doped HAp nanorods can be adjusted by varying Eu(3+) and Gd(3+) concentrations. The magnetization of doped HAp nanorods increases with the concentration of doped Gd(3+). The as-prepared Eu(3+)/Gd(3+)-doped HAp nanorods exhibit inappreciable toxicity to the cells in vitro. More importantly, the Eu(3+)/Gd(3+)-doped HAp nanorods show a high drug adsorption capacity and sustained drug release using ibuprofen as a model drug, and the drug release is governed by a diffusion process. Furthermore, the noninvasive visualization of nude mice with subcutaneous injection indicates that the Eu(3+)/Gd(3+)-doped HAp nanorods with the photoluminescent function are suitable for in vivo imaging. In vitro and in vivo imaging tests indicate that Eu(3+)/Gd(3+)-doped HAp nanorods have a potential in applications such as a multiple-model imaging agent for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, photoluminescence imaging and computed tomography (CT) imaging. The Eu(3+)/Gd(3+) dual-doped HAp nanorods are promising for applications in the biomedical fields such as multifunctional drug delivery systems with imaging guidance. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Felsic plutonism in the Al Amar—Idsas area, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Le Bel, L.; Laval, M.

A tonalite—trondhjemite suite, calc-alkalic plutons and alkali-feldspar granites dated 670 and 580 Ma, intrude thick volcano-sedimentary rocks of the Al Amar group E of the Al Amar fault and the Abt schist W of the fault. The tonalite—trondhjemite suite (group I) is characterized by low Rb (50 ppm) and Sr (100-400 ppm) and by weakly fractionated rare-earth patterns (La/Yb Nca 2-3) with a weak negative Eu anomaly. Calc-alkalic plutons (group II) are richer in Rb (50-150 ppm), contain variable Sr (50-1000 ppm), and have strongly fractionated rare-earth patterns (La/Yb Nca 6-22) with no Eu anomaly. Alkali-feldspar granite (group III) is characterized by high Rb (150-200 ppm) and shows fractionated rare-earth patterns (La/Yb Nca 6-18) with a well-developed Eu anomaly. Group III includes 'specialized granites' with high Rb (300-400 ppm) and Sn (28-66 ppm), and rare-earth patterns showing a distinctive 'sea gull' profile with a very strong Eu anomaly (Eu*/Eu = 20). Oxygen isotope geochemistry suggests that group I rocks (¯x δ18O ca 7.0) were mantle-derived, and that group II and III rocks intruding the Al Amar group ( δ18O ca 7.9 and 8.8 respectively) were derived by remelting of group I, whereas those intruding Abt schist ( δ18O ca 8.7 and 10.8 respectively) were partially derived by anatexis of the Afif block. Magmatogenesis reflects an island-arc development. Rocks of group I represent the initial subduction phase. Syn- to late-tectonic plutons of group II intruded the arc east of the Al Amar fault and the accretionary prism (Abt schist) to the west, which was in collision with the older Afif block. Post-tectonic group III rocks were emplaced in an already cratonized area.

Enhanced rare earth photoluminescence in inverse opal photonic crystals and its application for pH sensing.

PubMed

Zhu, Yongsheng; Cui, Shaobo; Wang, Yinhua; Liu, Mao; Lu, Cheng; Mishra, Abhinay; Xu, Wen

2016-10-07

Concentration quenching effects of identical rare earth (RE) activator ions and energy transfer (ET) between different RE ions often compromise the photoluminescence (PL) quantum efficiency in RE based luminescence materials. Here, we demonstrate that in NaGd(WO4)2:Tb(3+), Eu(3+) inverse opal photonic crystals (IOPCs), the suppression of the emission line located in the photonic stop band (PSB) and a dramatic increase of the lifetimes of Eu(3+) and Tb(3+) ions are observed. More interestingly, the concentration quenching among Eu(3+) ions and ET from Tb(3+) to Eu(3+) is significantly relieved owing to the periodic empty cavity structure of IOPCs. As a consequence, the luminescent quantum efficiency (QE) of the NaGd(WO4)2:Tb(3+), Eu(3+) IOPCs increases ∼2 times more than that of crushed NaGd(WO4)2:Tb(3+), Eu(3+) powder. In addition, a reusable pH sensor with good linear response (pH 5-10) has been designed based on the high surface-to-volume ratio, high connectivity, and enhanced luminescence of NaGd(WO4)2:Tb(3+), Eu(3+)IOPCs, which could be applied to the dynamical detection of pH value.

The effect of titanite crystallisation on Eu and Ce anomalies in zircon and its implications for the assessment of porphyry Cu deposit fertility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Loader, Matthew A.; Wilkinson, Jamie J.; Armstrong, Robin N.

2017-08-01

The redox sensitivity of Ce and Eu anomalies in zircon has been clearly demonstrated by experimental studies, and these may represent an important tool in the exploration for porphyry Cu deposits which are thought to be derived from oxidised magmas. These deposits are significant because they are the source of much of the world's copper and almost all of the molybdenum and rhenium, key elements in many modern technologies. However, Ce and Eu anomalies in zircon are also affected by the co-crystallisation of REE bearing phases, such as titanite. Here, we report the trace element chemistry of zircons from titanite-bearing intrusions associated with mineralisation at the world class Oyu Tolgoi porphyry Cu-Au deposit (Mongolia). Based on these data, we suggest that neither zircon Eu/Eu*, nor Ce4+/Ce3+ are robust proxies for melt redox conditions, because they are both too strongly dependent on melt REE concentrations, which are usually poorly constrained and controlled by the crystallisation of titanite and other REE-bearing phases. In spite of this, Eu/Eu* can broadly distinguish between fertile and barren systems, so may still be an indicator of porphyry magma fertility, and a useful tool for exploration.

REE and actinide microdistribution in Sahara 97072 and ALHA77295 EH3 chondrites: A combined cosmochemical and petrologic investigation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gannoun, A.; Boyet, M.; El Goresy, A.; Devouard, B.

2011-06-01

We report the results of rare earth elements (REEs) and U-Th inventory of individual minerals (oldhamite, enstatite and niningerite) in two of the most unequilibrated and primitive EH3 known so far, ALHA77295 and Sahara 97072. Under the highly reducing condition that prevailed during the formation of enstatite chondrites, REEs are mainly chalcophile and concentrated in oldhamite. The study is guided by detailed petrographic investigations of the individual minerals in chondrules, complex sulfide-metal clasts and enstatite-dominated matrices. We developed two textural parameters in order to resolve the evolution of oldhamite condensates and their residence in the solar gas prior to their accretion in the individual objects or in matrices and relate these textural features to the measured REE patterns of the individual oldhamite crystals. These textural parameters are the crystal habit of oldhamite grains (idiomorphic or anhedral) and their host assemblages. REE concentrations were measured by SIMS and LA-ICPMS. Oldhamite grains display REE enrichments (10-100 × CI). Four types of REE patterns are encountered in oldhamite in ALHA77295. In general the REE distributions cannot be assigned to a specific oldhamite-bearing assemblage. The most represented REE pattern is characterized by both slight to large positive Eu and Yb anomalies and is enriched in light REEs relative to heavy REEs. This pattern is present in 97% of oldhamite in Sahara 97072, suggesting a different source region in the reduced part of the nebula or different parental EH asteroids for the two EH3 chondrites. Different parental asteroids are also supported by MgS-FeS zoning profiles in niningerite grains adjacent to troilite revealing both normal and reverse zoning trends and different MnS contents. The observed homogeneity of REE distribution in oldhamite grains in Sahara 97072 is not related to the mild metamorphic event identified in this meteorite that caused breakdown of the major K- and Rb-bearing sulfide (djerfisherite). REE concentrations in enstatite range between 0.2 and 8 × CI. Hence, enstatite is an important REE host next to oldhamite. Most patterns are characterized by negative Eu and Yb anomalies. Niningerites are negligible contributors to bulk EH3 REE inventory. Average positive Eu and Yb anomalies observed in most oldhamite are complimentary to the negative ones in enstatite thus explaining the flat patterns of the bulk meteorites. The condensation calculations based on cosmic abundances predict that the first oldhamite condensates should have flat REE patterns with Eu and Yb depletions since Eu and Yb condense at lower temperature than other REE. However, this pattern is seen in enstatite. Our findings are at odds with the predicted negative Eu and Yb anomalies in oldhamite earliest condensates from a closed system in a reduced solar source. Our petrographic, mineral chemistry and REE abundances of oldhamite, enstatite and niningerite discards an origin of oldhamite by impact melting ( Rubin et al., 2009). Our results do not support in first order the scenario of the incorporation of REE in the Earth's core to explain 142Nd excess in terrestrial samples relative to chondrites because oldhamite is the major REE carrier phase and has super-chondritic Sm/Nd ratios.

Remarkable changes in the photoluminescent properties of Y2Ce2O7:Eu(3+) red phosphors through modification of the cerium oxidation states and oxygen vacancy ordering.

PubMed

Raj, Athira K V; Prabhakar Rao, P; Sreena, T S; Sameera, S; James, Vineetha; Renju, U A

2014-11-21

A new series of red phosphors based on Eu(3+)-doped yttrium cerate [Y1.9Ce2O7:0.1Eu(3+), Y2Ce1.9O7:0.1Eu(3+) and Y2Ce2-xO7:xEu(3+) (x = 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25 and 0.50)] was prepared via a conventional solid-state method. The influence of the substitution of Eu(3+) at the aliovalent site on the photoluminescent properties was determined by powder X-ray diffraction, FT Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy, UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy and lifetime measurements. The substitution of Eu(3+) at the Ce(4+) site induces a structural transition from a defect fluorite to a C-type structure, which increases the oxygen vacancy ordering and the distortion of the Eu(3+) environment, and decreases the formation of Ce(3+) states. In contrast, phosphors with isovalent substitution at the Y(3+) site exhibit the biphasic nature of defect fluorite and a C-type structure, thereby increasing the number of Ce(3+) oxidation states. These modifications resulted in remarkable changes in the photoluminescent properties of Y2Ce1.9O7:0.1Eu(3+) red phosphors, with emission intensities 3.8 times greater than those of the Ce0.9O2:0.1Eu(3+) and Y1.9Ce2O7:0.1Eu(3+). The photoluminescent properties of Y2Ce2-xO7:xEu(3+) were studied at different Eu(3+) concentrations under excitation with blue light. These phosphors emit intense red light due to the (5)D0-(7)F2 transition under excitation at 466 nm and no concentration quenching is observed with up to 50 mol% Eu(3+). They show increased lifetimes in the range 0.62-0.72 ms at Eu(3+) concentrations. The cation ordering linked to the oxygen vacancy ordering led to the uniform distribution of Eu(3+) ions in the lattice, thus allowing higher doping concentrations without quenching and consequently increasing the lifetime of the (5)D0 states. Our results demonstrate that significant improvements in the photoluminescence properties can be achieved by the structural alteration of a fluorite CeO2 to a C-type lattice.

Luminescence properties of Ca{sub 3}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7}:Eu{sup 3+}, Bi{sup 3+}, R{sup +} (R{sup +}=Li{sup +}, Na{sup +}, and K{sup +}) red emission phosphor

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

Cao, Renping, E-mail: jxcrp@163.com; Chen, Guo; Yu, Xiaoguang

2014-12-15

A series of Ca{sub 3}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7}:Eu{sup 3+}, Ca{sub 3}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7}:Eu{sup 3+}, Bi{sup 3+}, Ca{sub 3}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7}:Eu{sup 3+}, R{sup +}, and Ca{sub 3}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7}:Eu{sup 3+}, Bi{sup 3+}, R{sup +} (R{sup +}=Li{sup +}, Na{sup +}, and K{sup +}) phosphors are synthesized by solid-state reaction method in air. All phosphors show bright red emissions centered at ∼617 nm upon excitation with UV light of 397 nm. Bi{sup 3+} is a sensitizer for the luminescence of Eu{sup 3+}, and can improve significantly the PL intensity of Ca{sub 3}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7}:Eu{sup 3+} phosphor due to energy transfer between Bi{sup 3+} andmore » Eu{sup 3+} ions. The sensitization mechanism is investigated and discussed by energy level diagrams of Bi{sup 3+} and Eu{sup 3+} ions. R{sup +} ion is used as the charge compensator to improve the luminescence intensity of Ca{sub 3}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7}:Eu{sup 3+} and Ca{sub 3}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7}:Eu{sup 3+}, Bi{sup 3+} phosphors, and their PL intensities are enhanced in the sequence K{sup +}→Na{sup +}→Li{sup +}. These phosphors can be promising red emitting candidate for white LED with a ∼397 nm near UV chip excitation owing to the high brightness. - Graphical abstract: Energy transfer and charge compensation can enhance PL intensity of phosphors obviously. - Highlights: • Ca{sub 3}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7}:Eu{sup 3+}, Bi{sup 3+} phosphor is synthesized. • Energy transfer between Eu{sup 3+} and Bi{sup 3+} ions benefit PL intensity of Ca{sub 3}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7}:Eu{sup 3+}, Bi{sup 3+} phosphor. • Alkaline metal ions can further improve the PL intensity of Ca{sub 3}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7}:Eu{sup 3+}, Bi{sup 3+} phosphor. • Ca{sub 3}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7}:Eu{sup 3+}, Bi{sup 3+}, R{sup +} phosphor may be promising red emitting candidate for white LED.« less

Is there lattice contraction in multicomponent metal oxides? Case study for GdVO4:Eu3+ nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Liusai; Li, Liping; Zhao, Minglei; Fu, Chaochao; Li, Guangshe

2013-08-01

Metal oxide nanomaterials have been found to have great potential for diverse applications due to their unique relationships between structure and properties. Lattice expansion as particle size reduces was previously considered to be general for metal oxide nanomaterials. It is now a great challenge to see if lattice contraction could be induced by the size effect for metal oxide nanomaterials. ABO4 metal oxides (e.g., CaWO4, GdVO4, and CdWO4) are some of the most important functional materials with many applications, while such oxides at the nanoscale are never reported to show a lattice contraction. This work presents a first report on the variation from lattice expansion to lattice contraction by tuning the microstructures of GdVO4:Eu3+ nanocrystals. A hydrothermal method was adopted to synthesize GdVO4:Eu3+ nanocrystals, and then these nanoparticles were calcined at 600 ° C in air. It is found that particle size reduction led to a lattice contraction for the calcined samples, which is in contrast to the lattice expansion observed for the hydrothermally synthesized counterparts or many other metal oxide nanomaterials. In addition, the lattice symmetry of the calcined samples remained almost a constant. The results indicate that the negative surface stress was eliminated by calcination treatment, leading to a homogeneous compression process in the lattice structure of the calcined GdVO4:Eu3+ nanocrystals. Furthermore, Eu3+ was taken as a structural probe and a luminescence center to study the local environments pertinent to these structural changes and to optimize the photoluminescence performance.

Analyzing key constraints to biogas production from crop residues and manure in the EU—A spatially explicit model

PubMed Central

Persson, U. Martin

2017-01-01

This paper presents a spatially explicit method for making regional estimates of the potential for biogas production from crop residues and manure, accounting for key technical, biochemical, environmental and economic constraints. Methods for making such estimates are important as biofuels from agricultural residues are receiving increasing policy support from the EU and major biogas producers, such as Germany and Italy, in response to concerns over unintended negative environmental and social impacts of conventional biofuels. This analysis comprises a spatially explicit estimate of crop residue and manure production for the EU at 250 m resolution, and a biogas production model accounting for local constraints such as the sustainable removal of residues, transportation of substrates, and the substrates’ biochemical suitability for anaerobic digestion. In our base scenario, the EU biogas production potential from crop residues and manure is about 0.7 EJ/year, nearly double the current EU production of biogas from agricultural substrates, most of which does not come from residues or manure. An extensive sensitivity analysis of the model shows that the potential could easily be 50% higher or lower, depending on the stringency of economic, technical and biochemical constraints. We find that the potential is particularly sensitive to constraints on the substrate mixtures’ carbon-to-nitrogen ratio and dry matter concentration. Hence, the potential to produce biogas from crop residues and manure in the EU depends to large extent on the possibility to overcome the challenges associated with these substrates, either by complementing them with suitable co-substrates (e.g. household waste and energy crops), or through further development of biogas technology (e.g. pretreatment of substrates and recirculation of effluent). PMID:28141827

A multifunctional biphasic suspension of mesoporous silica encapsulated with YVO4:Eu3+ and Fe3O4 nanoparticles: synergistic effect towards cancer therapy and imaging.

PubMed

Shanta Singh, N; Kulkarni, Hrishikesh; Pradhan, Lina; Bahadur, D

2013-02-15

Polyol mediated synthesized luminescent YVO(4):Eu(3+) nanoparticles (NPs) have been encapsulated in mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) using the sol-gel process. X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy along with transmission electron microscopy confirm the encapsulation of the YVO(4):Eu(3+) NPs in the SiO(2) matrix. N(2) adsorption/desorption analysis confirms the mesoporous nature of the MSNs and YVO(4):Eu(3+)-MSNs. No significant quenching of the YVO(4):Eu(3+) luminescence is observed for YVO(4):Eu(3+)-MSNs. This nanocomposite has been tested as a potential drug carrier. Efficient loading of doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX), a typical anticancer drug, is observed which reaches up to 93% in 8 mg ml(-1) of YVO(4):Eu(3+)-MSNs. pH sensitive release of DOX is observed, with 54% release for pH 4.3 and 31% in a physiological environment (pH 7.4). Both MSNs and YVO(4):Eu(3+)-MSNs nanocomposites do not show accountable toxicity to two cell lines, i.e. HeLa and MCF-7. However, as desired, toxicity is observed when cells are incubated with DOX loaded YVO(4):Eu(3+)-MSNs. Laser scanning confocal microscopy images confirm the uptake of the nanocomposite in both cell lines. The morphology of the cells (MCF-7) changes after incubation with DOX loaded YVO(4):Eu(3+)-MSNs, indicating an interaction of DOX with the cells. More cytotoxicity to both cell lines with ∼90% killing is observed due to the synergistic effect of magnetic fluid hyperthermia and chemotherapy using a biphasic suspension of superparamagnetic iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles and DOX loaded YVO(4):Eu(3+)-MSNs. In addition, an AC magnetic field triggers an enhanced drug release.

Zinc and copper status of women by physical activity and menstrual status

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

Singh, A.; Deuster, P.A.; Kyle, S.B.

The zinc and copper status of 33 eumenorrheic (EU) and 12 amenorrheic (AM) female marathon runners and 19 EU and 8 AM nonrunners were determined from 3-day diet records and plasma and erythrocyte (RBC) levels. The study was conducted as a completely randomized 2 x 2 factorial. Mean daily zinc intakes of all groups fell below the recommended dietary allowances. Copper intakes of runners (EU = 1.3 mg; AM = 1.3 mg) were not significantly different. Menstrual status did not affect plasma zinc, RBC zinc or plasma copper levels. Physical activity however, affected RBC zinc and plasma copper levels. Bothmore » these parameters were significantly higher in runners. These findings suggest that exercise influences blood zinc and copper levels.« less

Responding to "Crisis": Education Policy Research in Europe

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Alexiadou, Nafsika

2016-01-01

This paper discusses the significance of international and transnational developments for education policy research, with a focus on the European Union. The rise of policy projects at the EU level since 2000, has altered the relationships between the state, EU institutions and education policy, in terms of the definition of values, purposes, and…

The Future for Industrial Engineers: Education and Research Opportunities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mummolo, Giovanni

2007-01-01

EU graduation and the recruitment of industrial engineers (IEs) have been investigated. An increasing demand is observed for graduates in almost all industrial engineering (IE) subjects. The labour market in the EU is evolving towards the service sector even if manufacturing still represents a significant share of both IE employment and gross…

Pesticide authorization in the EU-environment unprotected?

PubMed

Stehle, Sebastian; Schulz, Ralf

2015-12-01

Pesticides constitute an integral part of high-intensity European agriculture. Prior to their authorization, a highly elaborated environmental risk assessment is mandatory according to EU pesticide legislation, i.e., Regulation (EC) No. 1107/2009. However, no field data-based evaluation of the risk assessment outcome, i.e., the regulatory acceptable concentrations (RACs), and therefore of the overall protectiveness of EU pesticide regulations exists. We conducted here a comprehensive meta-analysis using peer-reviewed literature on agricultural insecticide concentrations in EU surface waters and evaluated associated risks using the RACs derived from official European pesticide registration documents. As a result, 44.7 % of the 1566 cases of measured insecticide concentrations (MICs) in EU surface waters exceeded their respective RACs. It follows that current EU pesticide regulations do not protect the aquatic environment and that insecticides threaten aquatic biodiversity. RAC exceedances were significantly higher for insecticides authorized using conservative tier-I RACs and for more recently developed insecticide classes, i.e., pyrethroids. In addition, we identified higher risks, e.g., for smaller surface waters that are specifically considered in the regulatory risk assessment schemes. We illustrate the shortcomings of the EU regulatory risk assessment using two case studies that contextualize the respective risk assessment outcomes to field exposure. Overall, our meta-analysis challenges the field relevance and protectiveness of the regulatory environmental risk assessment conducted for pesticide authorization in the EU and indicates that critical revisions of related pesticide regulations and effective mitigation measures are urgently needed to substantially reduce the environmental risks arising from agricultural insecticide use.

Photoluminescence, optically stimulated luminescence, and thermoluminescence study of RbMgF3:Eu2+

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dotzler, C.; Williams, G. V. M.; Rieser, U.; Robinson, J.

2009-01-01

Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) and thermoluminescence are observed in polycrystalline RbMgF3:Eu2+ after x-ray, γ-ray, or β irradiation. The main electron traps are F-centers but there are other unidentified traps. The main hole traps at room temperature are probably Eu3+ and thermal or optical stimulation leads to electron-hole recombination at the Eu3+ site and Eu2+ emissions arising from P6J to S87/2 and 4f5d(Eg) to S87/2 transitions. We find that some of the electron traps can be emptied by infrared stimulation and all of the electron traps can be emptied by white light stimulation. The OSL dark decay is long and exceeds 5 days for traps that are emptied by white light stimulation after initial infrared bleaching. Our results show that this compound can be used as a radiation dosimeter for intermediate dose levels where the R87b self-dose does not significantly affect the dose reading.

Fuel switching in the electricity sector under the EU ETS: Review and prospective

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

Delarue, E.; Voorspools, K.; D'haeseleer, W.

2008-06-15

The European Union has implemented the European Union emission trading scheme (EU ETS) as an instrument to facilitate greenhouse gas (GHG) emission abatement stipulated in the Kyoto protocol. Empirical data show that in the early stages of the EU ETS, the value of a ton of CO{sub 2} has already led to emission abatement through switching from coal to gas in the European electric power sector. In the second part of this paper, an electricity generation simulation model is used to perform simulations on the switching behavior in both the first and the second trading periods of the EU ETS.more » In 2005, the reduction in GHG emissions in the electric power sector due to EU ETS is estimated close to 88 Mton. For the second trading period, a European Union allowance (EUA) price dependent GHG reduction curve has been determined. The obtained switching potential turns out to be significant, up to 300 Mton/year, at sufficiently high EUA prices.« less

Biodistribution and toxicity assessment of europium-doped Gd2O3 nanotubes in mice after intraperitoneal injection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Huifang; Zhang, Cuimiao; Tan, Yanli; Wang, Jianguo; Wang, Ke; Zhao, Yanyan; Jia, Guang; Hou, Yingjian; Wang, Shuxian; Zhang, Jinchao

2014-03-01

In order to evaluate the biodistribution and toxicity of europium-doped Gd2O3 nanotubes, we synthesized Gd2O3:Eu3+ nanotubes via a simple wet-chemical route at ambient pressure. The as-obtained Gd2O3:Eu3+ sample is composed of uniform and well-dispersed nanotubes. The diameters and lengths of the nanotubes are about 50 and 300 nm, respectively. All mice of the experimental groups were administered by intraperitoneal injection everyday over a period of 60 days at doses ranging from 1.25 to 125 mg/kg. Haematological and biochemical parameters and histopathology were examined, and the biodistribution of Gd element in different organs was analyzed. The results indicate that the spleen shows significant higher coefficient than the control, and other organs have no obvious difference from the control in the middle-dose and high-dose groups. There was no significant difference in the blood-elements between the control group and the experimental groups, and no significant change of all parameters can be observed in both low-dose and middle-dose groups. However, in the high-dose group, the ALT, AST, the ratio of AST/ALT, UA, LDH, and HBDH levels was increased significantly in comparison with the control group. The pathology results show that the ischemia of myocardial cell, hemorrhage of lung tissue, hepatocyte necrosis, congestion of renal interstitium, mesangial cell proliferation, and congestion of spleen sinus were induced by high-dose Gd2O3:Eu3+ nanotubes. Biodistribution experiment exhibits that Gd mainly accumulates in spleen, lung, and liver. Therefore, it can be concluded that high-dose Gd2O3:Eu3+ nanotubes were toxic, but low-dose and middle-dose groups did not show significant toxicity. The results provide novel toxicology data of Gd2O3:Eu3+ nanotubes and may be helpful for more rational applications of Gd-based compounds in the future.

Examination performances of German and international medical students in the preclinical studying-term – A descriptive study

PubMed Central

Huhn, D.; Resch, F.; Duelli, R.; Möltner, A.; Huber, J.; Karimian Jazi, K.; Amr, A.; Eckart, W.; Herzog, W.; Nikendei, C.

2014-01-01

Introduction: Medical students with a migration background face several specific problems during their studies. International surveys show first indications that this group of students performs worse in written, oral or practical exams. However, so far, nothing is known about the performance of international students in written pre-clinical tests as well as in pre-clinical State Examinations for German-speaking countries. Method: A descriptive, retrospective analysis of the exam performances of medical students in the pre-clinical part of their studies was conducted at the Faculty of Medicine of Heidelberg in for the year 2012. Performance in written tests of the final exams in the second (N=276), third (N=292) and fourth semester (N=285) were compared between German students, students from EU countries and students from non-EU countries. Same comparison was drawn for the performance in the oral exam of the First State Examination in the period from 2009 - 2012 (N=1137). Results: German students performed significantly better than students with a non-EU migration background both in all written exams and in the oral State Examination (all p<.05). The performance of students with an EU migration background was significantly better than that of students with a non-EU background in the written exam at the end of the third and fourth semester (p<.05). Furthermore, German students completed the oral exam of the First State Examination significantly earlier than students with a non-EU migration background (<.01). Discussion: Due to its poorer performance in written and oral examinations and its simultaneously longer duration of study, the group of non-German medical students with a country of origin outside of the European Union has to be seen as a high-risk group among students with a migration background. For this group, there is an urgent need for early support to prepare for written and oral examinations. PMID:25228931

Crystal and electronic structures, luminescence properties of Eu 2+-doped Si 6-zAl zO zN 8-z and M ySi 6-zAl z-yO z+yN 8-z-y ( M=2Li, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Y. Q.; Hirosaki, N.; Xie, R. J.; Takeda, T.; Mitomo, M.

2008-12-01

The crystal structure, electronic structure, and photoluminescence properties of Eu xSi 6-zAl z-xO z+xN 8-z-x ( x=0-0.1, 0< z<1) and Eu xM ySi 6-zAl z-x-yO z+x+yN 8-z-x-y ( M=2Li, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba) have been studied. Single-phase Eu xSi 6-zAl z-xO z+xN 8-z-x can be obtained in very narrow ranges of x⩽0.06 ( z=0.15) and z<0.5 ( x=0.3), indicating that limited Eu 2+ ions can be incorporated into nitrogen-rich Si 6-zAl zO zN 8-z. The Eu 2+ ion is found to occupy the 2 b site in a hexagonal unit cell ( P6 3/ m) and directly connected by six adjacent nitrogen/oxygen atoms ranging 2.4850-2.5089 Å. The calculated host band gaps by the relativistic DV-X α method are about 5.55 and 5.45 eV (without Eu 2+ 4 f5 d levels) for x=0 and 0.013 in Eu xSi 6-zAl z-xO z+xN 8-z-x ( z=0.15), in which the top of the 5 d orbitals overlap with the Si-3 s3 p and N-2 p orbitals within the bottom of the conduction band of the host. Eu xSi 6-zAl z-xO z+xN 8-z-x shows a strong green emission with a broad Eu 2+ band centered at about 530 nm under UV to near-UV excitation range. The excitation and emission spectra are hardly modified by Eu concentration and dual-doping ions of Li and other alkaline-earth ions with Eu. Higher Eu concentrations can significantly quench the luminescence of Eu 2+ and decrease the thermal quenching temperature. In addition, the emission spectrum can only be slightly tuned to the longer wavelengths (˜529-545 nm) by increasing z within the solid solution range of z<0.5. Furthermore, the luminescence intensity of Eu xSi 6-zAl z-xO z+xN 8-z-x can be improved by increasing z and the dual-doping of Li and Ba.

Multifunctional nanocomposite based on halloysite nanotubes for efficient luminescent bioimaging and magnetic resonance imaging

PubMed Central

Zhou, Tao; Jia, Lei; Luo, Yi-Feng; Xu, Jun; Chen, Ru-Hua; Ge, Zhi-Jun; Ma, Tie-Liang; Chen, Hong; Zhu, Tao-Feng

2016-01-01

A novel multifunctional halloysite nanotube (HNT)-based Fe3O4@HNT-polyethyleneimine-Tip-Eu(dibenzoylmethane)3 nanocomposite (Fe-HNT-Eu NC) with both photoluminescent and magnetic properties was fabricated by a simple one-step hydrothermal process combined with the coupling grafting method, which exhibited high suspension stability and excellent photophysical behavior. The as-prepared multifunctional Fe-HNT-Eu NC was characterized using various techniques. The results of cell viability assay, cell morphological observation, and in vivo toxicity assay indicated that the NC exhibited excellent biocompatibility over the studied concentration range, suggesting that the obtained Fe-HNT-Eu NC was a suitable material for bioimaging and biological applications in human hepatic adenocarcinoma cells. Furthermore, the biocompatible Fe-HNT-Eu NC displayed superparamagnetic behavior with high saturation magnetization and also functioned as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent in vitro and in vivo. The results of the MRI tests indicated that the Fe-HNT-Eu NC can significantly decrease the T2 signal intensity values of the normal liver tissue and thus make the boundary between the normal liver and transplanted cancer more distinct, thus effectively improving the diagnosis effect of cancers. PMID:27698562

Multifunctional nanocomposite based on halloysite nanotubes for efficient luminescent bioimaging and magnetic resonance imaging.

PubMed

Zhou, Tao; Jia, Lei; Luo, Yi-Feng; Xu, Jun; Chen, Ru-Hua; Ge, Zhi-Jun; Ma, Tie-Liang; Chen, Hong; Zhu, Tao-Feng

A novel multifunctional halloysite nanotube (HNT)-based Fe 3 O 4 @HNT-polyethyleneimine-Tip-Eu(dibenzoylmethane) 3 nanocomposite (Fe-HNT-Eu NC) with both photoluminescent and magnetic properties was fabricated by a simple one-step hydrothermal process combined with the coupling grafting method, which exhibited high suspension stability and excellent photophysical behavior. The as-prepared multifunctional Fe-HNT-Eu NC was characterized using various techniques. The results of cell viability assay, cell morphological observation, and in vivo toxicity assay indicated that the NC exhibited excellent biocompatibility over the studied concentration range, suggesting that the obtained Fe-HNT-Eu NC was a suitable material for bioimaging and biological applications in human hepatic adenocarcinoma cells. Furthermore, the biocompatible Fe-HNT-Eu NC displayed superparamagnetic behavior with high saturation magnetization and also functioned as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent in vitro and in vivo. The results of the MRI tests indicated that the Fe-HNT-Eu NC can significantly decrease the T 2 signal intensity values of the normal liver tissue and thus make the boundary between the normal liver and transplanted cancer more distinct, thus effectively improving the diagnosis effect of cancers.

Cystinyl and pyroglutamyl-beta-naphthylamide hydrolyzing activities are modified coordinately between hypothalamus, liver and plasma depending on the thyroid status of adult male rats.

PubMed

Segarra, A B; Prieto, I; Martinez-Canamero, M; Vargas, F; De Gasparo, M; Vanderheyden, P; Zorad, S; Ramirez-Sanchez, M

2018-04-01

The hypothalamus determinates metabolic processes in liver through endocrine and autonomic control. Hypothalamic neuropeptides, such as thyrotropin releasing hormone or vasopressin, have been involved in liver metabolism. The thyroid status influences metabolic processes including liver metabolism in modulating those hypothalamic peptides whose functional status is regulated in part by aminopeptidase activities. In order to obtain data for a possible coordinated interaction between hypothalamus, plasma and liver, of some aminopeptidase activities that may partially reflect the hydrolysis of those peptides, pyroglutamyl- (pGluAP) and cystinyl- (CysAP) beta-naphthylamide hydrolyzing activities were determined fluorimetrically, both in their soluble and membrane-bound forms, in eu- hypo- and hyperthyroid adult male rats. Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism were induced with daily subcutaneous injections of tetraiodothyronine (300 μg/kg/day) or with 0.03% methimazole in drinking water for 6 weeks. Results demonstrated significant changes depending on the type of enzyme and the thyroid status. The most striking changes were observed for CysAP in liver where it was reduced in hypothyroidism and increased in hyperthyroidism. Significant intra- and inter-tissue correlations were observed. While there were positive inter-tissue correlations between liver, plasma and hypothalamus in eu-and hypothyroid rats, a negative correlation between hypothalamus and liver was observed in hyperthyroidism. These results suggest the influence of thyroid hormones and an interactive role for these activities in the control of liver metabolism. The present data also suggest a role for CysAP and pGluAP activities in liver function linked to their activities in hypothalamus.

Elemental and Sr-Nd isotopic geochemistry of the Uradzhongqi magmatic complex in western Inner Mongolia, China: A record of early Permian post-collisional magmatism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qiao, Xueyuan; Li, Wenbo; Zhong, Richen; Hu, Chuansheng; Zhu, Feng; Li, Zhihua

2017-08-01

The magmatic complex in Uradzhongqi, Inner Mongolia, is located in the western segment of the northern margin of the North China Craton (NCC). The dominant components in the complex include syenogranite, monzogranite, granodiorite, diorite and gabbro. Mafic microgranular enclaves (MMEs) are common in syenogranite and granodiorite. Zircon U-Pb dating shows that the ages of these rocks range from 283 to 270 Ma, suggesting an early Permian emplacement. The syenogranite and monzogranite are peraluminous I-type granites, exhibiting conspicuous negative Eu anomaly, enrichment in large-ion lithophile elements (LILE) and light rare earth elements (LREE), depletion in high field strength elements (HFSE). The granodiorites, diorites and MMEs are metaluminous in composition, show high Al2O3, MgO and Fe2O3T contents and weak negative Eu anomaly, as well as LREE and LILE enrichment and HFSE depletion. The gabbros show weak positive Eu anomaly and slight REE differentiation. The Sr-Nd isotope compositions show that the source of mafic magma was depleted mantle (DM) with possible involvement of enriched mantle II (EM II), whereas the felsic magma was derived from the Archean lower crust. Petrographic observation and analytical results of mineralogy, geochronology, geochemistry and Sr-Nd isotopes indicate that the main petrogenesis of these magmatic rocks is the mixing of underplating mafic magma and felsic magma. Tectonically, the complex pluton was formed within a post-collisional regime, and the underplating in this area provides another piece of evidence for the vertical growth of the western segment of the northern margin of the NCC.

The European Working Time Directive and the effects on training of surgical specialists (doctors in training): a position paper of the surgical disciplines of the countries of the EU.

PubMed

Benes, V

2006-11-01

Legislation launched with the EWTD was born as a "Protection of the clinical personnel against overwork for the benefit of Patients" (consumer protection and safety). It appeared that this legislation is in direct and severe conflict with former EU legislation to train competent surgical specialists. First experiences with the EWTD show far reaching and serious consequences on the training of surgical specialists as well as on medical care. There will be a reduction of about 30-35% of clinical and operative experience acquired during the usual 6 yrs of training, with many other negative aspects (see p. 7). All measures proposed so far to overcome the ensuing problems are unworkable. The training of competent surgical specialists as required by the Directive 93/16 EEC is no longer possible and serious problems with safe patient care will occur in the short term, if no political actions are taken. The surgical specialties, represented in the UEMS, provide a proposal for a working hour model consisting of 48 hrs working time (incl. service duties) plus additional 12 hrs reserved and protected for teaching and training. This model would adhere to the EWTD on the one hand, yet maintain the desired standard of training. This proposed exemption from the EWTD would be limited to the time of specialist training. We ask the responsible politicians to find a solution rapidly to prevent serious negative consequences. This motion is supported by the surgical specialties (neurosurgery, general surgery, orthopaedic surgery, paediatric surgery, cardio-thoracic surgery, vascular surgery, oto-rhino-laryngology, list not complete) of the member states of the EU, representing more than 80,000 surgical specialists.

Red-emission phosphor's brightness deterioration by x-ray and brightness recovery phenomenon by heating.

PubMed

Nakamura, Masaaki; Chida, Koichi; Inaba, Yohei; Kobayashi, Ryota; Zuguchi, Masayuki

2017-06-26

There are no feasible real-time and direct skin dosimeters for interventional radiology. One would be available if there were x-ray phosphors that had no brightness change caused by x-ray irradiation, but the emission of the Y 2 O 3 :Eu, (Y, Gd, Eu)BO 3 , and YVO 4 :Eu phosphors investigated in our previous study was reduced by x-ray irradiation. We found that the brightness of those phosphors recovered, and the purpose of this study is to investigate their recovery phenomena. It is expected that more kinds of phosphors could be used in x-ray dosimeters if the brightness changes caused by x-rays are elucidated and prevented. Three kinds of phosphors-Y 2 O 3 :Eu, (Y, Gd, Eu)BO 3 , and YVO 4 :Eu-were irradiated by x-rays (2 Gy) to reduce their brightness. After the irradiation, brightness changes occurring at room temperature and at 80 °C were investigated. The irradiation reduced the brightness of all the phosphors by 5%-10%, but the brightness of each recovered immediately both at room temperature and at 80 °C. The recovery at 80 °C was faster than that at room temperature, and at both temperatures the recovered brightness remained at 95%-98% of the brightness before the x-ray irradiation. The brightness recovery phenomena of Y 2 O 3 :Eu, (Y, Gd, Eu)BO 3 , and YVO 4 :Eu phosphors occurring after brightness deterioration due to x-ray irradiation were found to be more significant at 80 °C than at room temperature. More kinds of phosphors could be used in x-ray scintillation dosimeters if the reasons for the brightness changes caused by x-rays were elucidated.

Design and synthesis of novel adenine fluorescence probe based on Eu(III) complexes with dtpa-bis(guanine) ligand

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tian, Fengyun; Jiang, Xiaoqing; Dou, Xuekai; Wu, Qiong; Wang, Jun; Song, Youtao

2017-05-01

A novel adenine (Ad) fluorescence probe (EuIII-dtpa-bis(guanine)) was designed and synthesized by improving experimental method based on the Eu(III) complex and dtpa-bis(guanine) ligand. The dtpa-bis(guanine) ligand was first synthesized by the acylation action between dtpaa and guanine (Gu), and the corresponding Eu(III) complex was successfully prepared through heat-refluxing method with dtpa-bis(guanine) ligand. As a novel fluorescence probe, the EuIII-dtpa-bis(guanine) complex can detect adenine (Ad) with characteristics of strong targeting, high specificity and high recognition ability. The detection mechanism of the adenine (Ad) using this probe in buffer solution was studied by ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) and fluorescence spectroscopy. When the EuIII-dtpa-bis(guanine) was introduced to the adenine (Ad) solution, the fluorescence emission intensity was significantly enhanced. However, adding other bases such as guanine (Gu), xanthine (Xa), hypoxanthine (Hy) and uric acid (Ur) with similar composition and structure to that of adenine (Ad) to the EuIII-dtpa-bis(guanine) solution, the fluorescence emission intensities are nearly invariable. Meanwhile, the interference of guanine (Gu), xanthine (Xa), hypoxanthine (Hy) and uric acid (Ur) on the detection of the adenine using EuIII-dtpa-bis(guanine) probe was also studied. It was found that presence of these bases does not affect the detection of adenine (Ad). A linear response of fluorescence emission intensities of EuIII-dtpa-bis(guanine) at 570 nm as a function of adenine (Ad) concentration in the range of 0.00-5.00 × 10- 5 mol L- 1 was observed. The detection limit is about 4.70 × 10- 7 mol L- 1.

Quantitative megavoltage radiation therapy dosimetry using the storage phosphor KCl:Eu2+

PubMed Central

Han, Zhaohui; Driewer, Joseph P.; Zheng, Yuanshui; Low, Daniel A.; Li, H. Harold

2009-01-01

This work, for the first time, reports the use of europium doped potassium chloride (KCl:Eu2+) storage phosphor for quantitative megavoltage radiation therapy dosimetry. In principle, KCl:Eu2+ functions using the same photostimulatated luminescence (PSL) mechanism as commercially available BaFBr0.85I0.15:Eu2+ material that is used for computed radiography (CR) but features a significantly smaller effective atomic number—18 versus 49—making it a potentially useful material for nearly tissue-equivalent radiation dosimetry. Cylindrical KCl:Eu2+ dosimeters, 7 mm in diameter and 1 mm thick, were fabricated in-house. Dosimetric properties, including radiation hardness, response linearity, signal fading, dose rate sensitivity, and energy dependence, were studied with a laboratory optical reader after irradiation by a linear accelerator. The overall experimental uncertainty was estimated to be within ±2.5%. The findings were (1) KCl:Eu2+ showed satisfactory radiation hardness. There was no significant change in the stimulation spectra after irradiation up to 200 Gy when compared to a fresh dosimeter, indicating that this material could be reused at least 100 times if 2 Gy per use was assumed, e.g., for patient-specific IMRT QA. (2) KCl:Eu2+ exhibited supralinear response to dose after irradiation from 0 to 800 cGy. (3) After x ray irradiation, the PSL signal faded with time and eventually reached a fading rate of about 0.1%∕h after 12 h. (4) The sensitivity of the dosimeter was independent of the dose rate ranging from 15 to 1000 cGy∕min. (5) The sensitivity showed no beam energy dependence for either open x ray or megavoltage electron fields. (6) Over-response to low-energy scattered photons was comparable to radiographic film, e.g., Kodak EDR2 film. By sandwiching dosimeters between low-energy photon filters (0.3 mm thick lead foils) during irradiation, the over-response was reduced. The authors have demonstrated that KCl:Eu2+ dosimeters have many desirable dosimetric characteristics that make the material conducive to radiation therapy dosimetry. In the future, a large-area KCl:Eu2+-based CR plate with a thickness of the order of a few microns, created using modern thin film techniques, could provide a reusable, quantitative, high-resolution two-dimensional dosimeter with minimal energy dependence. PMID:19746808

Airborne endotoxin in woodworking (joinery) shops.

PubMed

Harper, Martin; Andrew, Michael E

2006-01-01

Symptoms such as shortness of breath and cough have been noted in woodworking facilities even where wood dust itself is well-controlled. Suspicion has fallen on other possible contaminants in the workplace atmosphere, including bacterial endotoxin. A few studies have indicated potentially high endotoxin exposure with exposure to fresh wood in sawmills and in the production of fiberboard and chipboard, but fewer studies have been carried out on exposure to endotoxin in dry wood work, for example in joineries. A study of the endotoxin content of airborne wood dust samples from US woodworking facilities is presented, from the re-analysis of samples which previously had been taken to establish mass collection relationships between the IOM sampler, the closed-face 37 mm plastic cassette (CFC) sampler and the Button sampler. Endotoxin was strongly correlated with total dust, but the endotoxin content of a few fresh wood samples was found to be up to ten times higher per unit of wood dust than for dried-wood samples, and this difference was significant. No long-term time-weighted average sample exceeded the recommended limit value of 50 EU m(-3) (EU, endotoxin units)used in the Netherlands, although a number of the IOM samples came close (seven samples or 44% exceeded 20 EU m(-3)) and one short-term (48 minute) sample registered a high value of 73 EU m(-3). The geometric mean concentration from the IOM samples (11 EU m(-3)) is within the range of geometric means found from Australian joineries (3.7-60, combined: 24 EU m(-3)). In contrast, the corresponding values from the CFC (3.6 EU m(-3)), and the Button sampler (2.1 EU m(-3)) were much lower and no samples exceeded 20 EU m(-3). Endotoxin is likely only to be a significant problem in working with dried woods when associated with very high dust levels, where the wood dust itself is likely to be a cause for concern. The results from the few samples in this study where fresh wood was being worked were similar to results from other studies involving fresh woods. The agreement between these studies is encouraging given the difficulties of endotoxin analysis and the wide variation often expected between different laboratories.

Depleted and enriched uranium exposure quantified in former factory workers and local residents of NL Industries, Colonie, NY USA.

PubMed

Arnason, John G; Pellegri, Christine N; Moore, June L; Lewis-Michl, Elizabeth L; Parsons, Patrick J

2016-10-01

Between 1958 and 1982, NL Industries manufactured components of enriched (EU) and depleted uranium (DU) at a factory in Colonie NY, USA. More than 5 metric tons of DU was deposited as microscopic DU oxide particles on the plant site and surrounding residential community. A prior study involving a small number of individuals (n=23) indicated some residents were exposed to DU and former workers to both DU and EU, most probably through inhalation of aerosol particles. Our aim was to measure total uranium [U] and the uranium isotope ratios: (234)U/(238)U; (235)U/(238)U; and (236)U/(238)U, in the urine of a cohort of former workers and nearby residents of the NLI factory, to characterize individual exposure to natural uranium (NU), DU, and EU more than 3 decades after production ceased. We conducted a biomonitoring study in a larger cohort of 32 former workers and 99 residents, who may have been exposed during its period of operation, by measuring Total U, NU, DU, and EU in urine using Sector Field Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry (SF-ICP-MS). Among workers, 84% were exposed to DU, 9% to EU and DU, and 6% to natural uranium (NU) only. For those exposed to DU, urinary isotopic and [U] compositions result from binary mixing of NU and the DU plant feedstock. Among residents, 8% show evidence of DU exposure, whereas none shows evidence of EU exposure. For residents, the [U] geometric mean is significantly below the value reported for NHANES. There is no significant difference in [U] between exposed and unexposed residents, suggesting that [U] alone is not a reliable indicator of exposure to DU in this group. Ninety four percent of workers tested showed evidence of exposure to DU, EU or both, and were still excreting DU and EU decades after leaving the workforce. The study demonstrates the advantage of measuring multiple isotopic ratios (e.g., (236)U/(238)U and (235)U/(238)U) over a single ratio ((235)U/(238)U) in determining sources of uranium exposure. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

New red Y 0.85Bi 0.1Eu 0.05V 1-yM yO 4 (M=Nb, P) phosphors for light-emitting diodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Yuhua; Sun, Yunkui; Zhang, Jiachi; Ci, Zhipeng; Zhang, Zhiya; Wang, Lei

2008-06-01

The Y 0.85Bi 0.1Eu 0.05V 1-yM yO 4 (M=Nb, P) as new near-ultraviolet excited phosphors were synthesized and their luminescence properties under 365 nm excitation were investigated in detail. It indicated that by doping small amount of P 5+ into V 5+ sites, the excitation intensity of charge transfer (CT) band of Bi-O (330-400 nm) was greatly improved. By substituting Nb 5+ for V 5+, both the CT bands of Bi-O and Eu-O (240-320 nm) were significantly enhanced. As a result, the emission intensity of Y 0.85Bi 0.1Eu 0.05V 1-yM yO 4 (M=Nb, P) could be improved about 90% by doping 5 mol% P 5+ and 110% by doping 5 mol% Nb 5+. Comparing with the commercial Y 2O 2S:Eu 3+ phosphors, the Y 0.85Bi 0.1Eu 0.05V 0.95M 0.05O 4 (M=Nb, P) phosphors exhibited excellent color purity and much higher brightness. The results showed that these Y 0.85Bi 0.1Eu 0.05V 1-yM yO 4 (M=Nb, P) phosphors could be considered as promising red phosphors for application in LED.

Effect of C6+ Ion Irradiation on structural and electrical properties of Yb and Eu doped Bi1.5 Zn0.92 Nb1.5 O6.92 pyrochlores

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yumak, Mehmet; Mergen, Ayhan; Qureshi, Anjum; Singh, N. L.

2015-03-01

Pyrochlore general formula of A2B2X7 where A and B are cations and X is an anion Pyrochlore compounds exhibit semiconductor, metallic or ionic conduction properties, depending on the doping, compositions/ substituting variety of cations and oxygen partial pressure. Ion beam irradiation can induce the structural disordering by mixing the cation and anion sublattices, therefore we aim to inevestigate effects of irradiation in pyrochlore compounds. In this study, Eu and Yb-doped Bi1.5Zn0.92Nb1.5O6.92 (Eu-BZN, Yb-BZN) Doping effect and single phase formation of Eu-BZN, Yb-BZN was characterized by X-ray diffraction technique (XRD). Radiation-induced effect of 85 MeV C6+ ions on Eu-BZN, Yb-BZN was studied by XRD, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and temperature dependent dielectric measurements at different fluences. XRD results revealed that the ion beam-induced structural amorphization processes in Eu-BZN and Yb-BZN structures. Our results suggested that the ion beam irradiation induced the significant change in the temprature depndent dielectric properties of Eu-BZN and Yb-BZN pyrochlores due to the increased oxygen vacancies as a result of cation and anion disordering. Department of Metallurgical and Materials Eng., Marmara University, Istanbul-81040, Turkey.

Migrant's access to preventive health services in five EU countries.

PubMed

Rosano, Aldo; Dauvrin, Marie; Buttigieg, Sandra C; Ronda, Elena; Tafforeau, Jean; Dias, Sonia

2017-08-23

Preventive health services (PHSs) form part of primary healthcare with the aim of screening to prevent disease. Migrants show significant differences in lifestyle, health beliefs and risk factors compared with the native populations. This can have a significant impact on migrants' access to health systems and participation in prevention programmes. Even in countries with widely accessible healthcare systems, migrants' access to PHSs may be difficult. The aim of the study was to compare access to preventive health services between migrants and native populations in five European Union (EU) countries. Information from Health Interview Surveys of Belgium, Italy, Malta, Portugal and Spain were used to analyse access to mammography, Pap smear tests, colorectal cancer screening and flu vaccination among migrants. The comparative risk of not accessing PHSs was calculated using a mixed-effects multilevel model, adjusting for potential confounding factors (sex, education and the presence of disability). Migrant status was defined according to citizenship, with a distinction made between EU and non-EU countries. Migrants, in particular those from non-EU countries, were found to have poorer access to PHSs. The overall risk of not reporting a screening test or a flu vaccination ranged from a minimum of 1.8 times (colorectal cancer screening), to a high of 4.4 times (flu vaccination) for migrants. The comparison among the five EU countries included in the study showed similarities, with particularly limited access recorded in Italy and in Belgium for non-EU migrants. The findings of this study are in accordance with evidence from the scientific literature. Poor organization of health services, in Italy, and lack of targeted health policies in Belgium may explain these findings. PHSs should be responsive to patient diversity, probably more so than other health services. There is a need for diversity-oriented, migrant-sensitive prevention. Policies oriented to removing impediments to migrants' access to preventive interventions are crucial, to encourage more positive action for those facing the risk of intersectional discrimination.

Emigration-related attitudes of the final year medical students in Croatia: a cross-sectional study at the dawn of the EU accession

PubMed Central

Kolčić, Ivana; Čikeš, Mihaela; Boban, Kristina; Bućan, Jasna; Likić, Robert; Ćurić, Goran; Đogaš, Zoran; Polašek, Ozren

2014-01-01

Aim To investigate the emigration-related attitudes of final year medical students in Croatia at the dawn of the EU accession in 2013. Methods All final-year medical students at four Croatian medical schools (Zagreb, Rijeka, Split, and Osijek) were invited to participate in a cross-sectional survey on emigration attitudes. Results Among 260 respondents (response rate 61%), 90 students (35%) reported readiness for permanent emigration, expecting better quality of life (N = 22, 31%), better health care organization (N = 17, 24%), more professional challenges (N = 10, 14%), or simply to get a job (N = 8, 11%), while the least common expectation were greater earnings (N = 7, 10%). The most common target countries were Germany (N = 36, 40%), USA and Canada (N = 15, 17%), and UK (N = 10, 11%). In a multivariate analysis, readiness for permanent emigration was associated with an interest in undertaking a temporary training abroad (odds ratio [OR] 6.87; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.83-16.72), while the belief that the preferred specialty could be obtained in Croatia appeared protective against emigration (OR 0.26; 95% CI 0.12-0.59). Conclusion Despite shortages of health care workers in Croatia, the percentage of students with emigration propensity was rather high. Prevalent negative perception of the Croatian health care and recent Croatian accession to the EU pose a threat of losing newly graduated physicians to EU countries. PMID:25358878

Learning Organizations and Policy Transfer in the EU: Greece's State Scholarships Foundation in a Reform-Resistant Context

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lavdas, Kostas A.; Papadakis, Nikos E.; Rigopoulou, Yiota G.

2012-01-01

In the context of policy change in the EU, lifelong-learning has acquired a growing significance due to its promise to foster both professional development and personal fulfillment and thus contribute to the enhancement of social inclusion, active citizenship, competitiveness, and employability. The need for developing a smart and sustainable…

Government Expenditures on Education as the Percentage of GDP in the EU

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Galetic, Fran

2015-01-01

This paper analyzes the government expenditures as the percentage of gross domestic product across countries of the European Union. There is a statistical model based on Z-score, whose aim is to calculate how much each EU country deviates from the average value. The model shows that government expenditures on education vary significantly between…

Cross-border impacts of the restriction of hazardous substances: a perspective based on Japanese solders.

PubMed

Fuse, Masaaki; Tsunemi, Kiyotaka

2013-08-20

Despite the relevance of the global economy, Regulatory Impact Assessments of the restriction of hazardous substances (RoHS) in the European Union (EU) are based only on domestic impacts. This paper explores the cross-border environmental impacts of the RoHS by focusing on the shifts to lead-free solders in Japan, which exports many electronics to the EU. The regulatory impacts are quantified by integrating a material flow analysis for metals constituting a solder with a scenario analysis with and without the RoHS. The results indicate that the EU regulation, the RoHS, has triggered shifts in Japan to lead-free solders, not only for electronics subject to this regulation, but for other products as well. We also find that the RoHS leads to a slow reduction in environmental emissions of the target, lead, but results in a rapid increase in the use of tin and silver in lead-free solders. This indicates the importance of assessing potential alternative substances, the use of which may increase as a result of adhering to the RoHS. The latter constitutes a negative impact because of recent concerns regarding resource criticality.

Geochemistry of the Upper Triassic black mudstones in the Qiangtang Basin, Tibet: Implications for paleoenvironment, provenance, and tectonic setting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Zhongwei; Wang, Jian; Fu, Xiugen; Zhan, Wangzhong; Armstrong-Altrin, John S.; Yu, Fei; Feng, Xinglei; Song, Chunyan; Zeng, Shengqiang

2018-07-01

The Qiangtang Basin is the largest Mesozoic marine basin in the Tibetan Plateau. The Upper Triassic black mudstones are among the most significant hydrocarbon source rocks in this basin. Here, we present geochemical data for the Upper Triassic black mudstones to determine their paleoenvironment conditions, provenance, and tectonic setting. To achieve these, 30 black mudstones formed in various sedimentary environments were collected from the Zangxiahe, Zana, and Bagong formations. The results show that the total REE concentrations of mudstones from these formations range from 169 to 214 ppm, 204 to 220 ppm, and 141 to 194 ppm, respectively. All samples have chondrite-normalized REE patterns with enrichment of LREE, depletion of HREE and negative Eu and Ce anomalies. Specifically, mudstones from the Bagong Formation exhibit higher negative Eu anomalies and lower REE contents than those from the Zangxiahe and Zana formations. Mudstones from the Zangxiahe and Zana formations with low Sr/Ba and Sr/Cu ratios indicate the humid climate, whereas the high Sr/Ba and Sr/Cu ratios of rocks from the Bagong Formation suggest the arid climate. The low U/Th, (Cu + Mo)/Zn, V/Cr and Ni/Co ratios of rocks from the Zangxiahe, Zana, and Bagong formations are indicators of oxidized conditions. The bivariate diagrams (TiO2 vs. Al2O3, TiO2 vs. Zr, La/Th vs. Hf, and Co/Th vs. La/Sc) reveal that mudstones from the Zangxiahe and Zana formations were potentially derived from intermediate igneous rocks, whereas mudstones from the Bagong Formation were probably sourced from felsic igneous rocks. Their source rocks are mostly deposited in the collisional setting. REE of mudstones from the Zangxiahe, Zana, and Bagong formations were possibly originated from terrigenous detritus, with minor non-terrigenous contributions into the Zana samples. The REE contents of these mudstones are controlled mainly by terrigenous detrital minerals, rather than by the paleoclimate, paleoredox conditions, or organic matter. However, calcite minerals could dilute REE. Therefore, the REE contents of the Bagong Formation mudstones are significant lower than those of the Zangxiahe and Zana formations mudstones.

Geochemistry, zircon U-Pb dating and Hf isotopies composition of Paleozoic granitoids in Jinchuan, NW China: Constraints on their petrogenesis, source characteristics and tectonic implication

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zeng, Renyu; Lai, Jianqing; Mao, Xiancheng; Li, Bin; Ju, Peijiao; Tao, Shilong

2016-05-01

Granitoids are widely distributed in Jinchuan at the southwestern margin of the North China plate, which is also an important area of mineral deposits. The research subject of this article are two Paleozoic granitoids, a cataclastic syenogranite and a granodiorite porphyry. This study presents whole rock geochemistry and zircon U-Pb-Hf isotope data for the two granitoids to determine their petrogenesis, source characteristics and tectonic significance. The cataclastic syenogranite is characterized by metaluminous composition with high potassium, and LaN/YbN from 39 to 48. The composition with strong negative Eu anomalies and Zircon saturation temperatures (TZr) from 947 to 1072 °C classify this intrusion as an A-type granite. The granodiorite porphyry is metaluminous with high sodium, sub-alkaline, LaN/YbN ratios from 27 to 32. These I-type intrusions have no Eu anomalies and TZr ranges from 818 to 845 °C. Both the cataclastic syenogranite and granodiorite porphyry show enrichment of LREE and LILE and depletion of HREE and HFSE, except Hf and Zr. Using single zircon LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating, the emplacement age of the cataclastic syenogranite and granodiorite porphyry are determined at 433.4 ± 3.7 Ma and 361.7 ± 4.6 Ma, respectively. Zircons from the cataclastic syenogranits have uniform negative εHf(t) values (-11 ± 0.5 to -9 ± 0.5), implying the involvement of an old Palaeoproterozoic crustal source in magma genesis. The zircons from the granodiorite porphyry have εHf(t) values that range from -8 ± 1.0 to +10 ± 0.6, suggesting heterogeneous source materials involving both juvenile and ancient crust reworked crustal components. Based on the geological significance of granites at the southwestern margin of the North China plate, the closure of the North Qilian Ocean occurred at ∼444 Ma. Geochemical features suggest that the cataclastic syenogranite and granodiorite porphyry formed in an intraplate extensional and compressional setting, respectively. Hence after a period of extensional post-collisional intraplate evolution, strong compressive forces affected the area.

EU decision-making for marketing authorization of advanced therapy medicinal products: a case study.

PubMed

de Wilde, Sofieke; Coppens, Delphi G M; Hoekman, Jarno; de Bruin, Marie L; Leufkens, Hubert G M; Guchelaar, Henk-Jan; Meij, Pauline

2018-03-21

A comparative analysis of assessment procedures for authorization of all European Union (EU) applications for advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) shows that negative opinions were associated with a lack of clinical efficacy and identified severe safety risks. Unmet medical need was often considered in positive opinions and outweighed scientific uncertainties. Numerous quality issues illustrate the difficulties in this domain for ATMP development. Altogether, it suggests that setting appropriate standards for ATMP authorization in Europe, similar to elsewhere, is a learning experience. The experimental characteristics of authorized ATMPs urge regulators, industry, and clinical practice to pay accurate attention to post-marketing risk management to limit patient risk. Methodologies for ATMP development and regulatory evaluations need to be continuously evaluated for the field to flourish. Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Photoluminescence properties and structure of double perovskite Ba2ZnWO6:Eu3+, Li+ as a novel red emitting phosphor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Peng; Yang, Dingming; Hu, Wenyuan; Zhang, Jing; Wu, Yadong

2017-12-01

Novel red-emitting Ba2Zn1-x-yWO6:xEu3+, yLi+ phosphors were prepared using a high-temperature solid-state method, and the crystal structure, the photoluminescence properties and the doping concentrations of Eu3+ and Li+ were investigated. The results show that these phosphors can be excited by near-ultraviolet light (250-400 nm) and co-doped Li+ can significantly enhance their PL performance. An intense red emission peak at 598 nm (5D0-7F1 transitions) was observed with an excitation wavelength of 316 nm. The CIE chromaticity coordinates of the phosphors are located in the red region, indicating that the BZW:Eu3+, Li+ phosphor holds promise as a red phosphor for near-ultraviolet excited WLEDs.

Structure, thermal and luminescence properties of Eu/Tb(BA)3phen/PAN fibers fabricated by electrospinning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Shiwei; Xie, Guangbo; Zhang, Jingjing; Zhang, Sen; Li, Tingju

2018-04-01

Novel high luminescence fibers often exhibit potential applications in the fields of color displays and sensor systems. In this study, Eu(BA)3phen and Tb(BA)3phen powders was successfully synthesized by solvothermal reactions, firstly. Then, three kinds of novel flexible Eu(BA)3phen/PAN, Tb(BA)3phen/PAN and Eu/Tb(BA)3phen/PAN (BA = benzoic acid, phen = phenanthroline, PAN = Polyacrylonitrile) fibers had been successfully prepared by electrospinning technology. The characterizations of the final products have been investigated in detail. It was found that the diameter of the as-prepared fibers were almost uniform with the fabricated complexes doping into PAN successfully. Thermogravimetric analysis indicates that the thermal stability of the pure PAN fiber could be improved by the incorporation of the complex, although only 1 wt % was added. Furthermore, in Eu/Tb(BA)3phen complex, the fluorescence intensity of Eu3+ ions was remarkably increased by adding Tb3+ ions. This is primarily due to an energy transfer from the 5D4 level of Tb (III) to the 5D0 level of Eu (III) ions, where Tb3+ acted as sensitizer. The corresponding luminescent fibers displayed the same regularity as the complexes. Moreover, with the increasing of the incorporation of complexes into PAN, the fluorescence intensities were significantly enhanced and reached its maximum value at 2.5 wt % for Eu(BA)3phen/PAN fibers and 2.0 wt% for Tb(BA)3phen/PAN fibers. The further intensity decreased with the increasing content of the complexes because of typical emission concentration quenching.

25 years of European Union (EU) quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs across EU Member States.

PubMed

Albuquerque, Tânia G; Oliveira, M Beatriz Pp; Costa, Helena S

2018-05-01

Consumers are increasingly turning their attention to the quality and origin of products that they consume. European Union (EU) quality schemes are associated with a label, which was introduced to allow consumers to perform an informed choice and to protect producers from unfair practices. This present study provides an overview of the last 25 years of EU quality schemes [Protected Designations of Origin (PDO), Protected Geographical Indications (PGI) and Traditional Specialities Guaranteed (TSG)] on agricultural products and foodstuffs across the 28 EU Member States. According to the results, it was possible to conclude that Southern European countries have the highest number of registered products. The most used EU quality scheme is PGI, followed by PDO. Concerning the analysis of the evolution in the last 25 years, the number of registered products among EU Member States has increased significantly. The fruit, vegetables and cereals (fresh or processed) category is the one that accounts for the highest percentage (26.8%) of registered products, followed by cheeses and meat products (cooked, salted, smoked) categories, with 17.2% and 13.5%, respectively. Further investigations should address consumer preferences, knowledge and attitudes, especially Northern European countries with a lower number of registered products. Moreover, the investigation and registration of products should be encouraged among all EU Member States to allow the maintenance of important elements of the history, culture and heritage of the local areas, regions and countries. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Tailoring the structure and thermoelectric properties of BaTiO3via Eu2+ substitution.

PubMed

Xiao, Xingxing; Widenmeyer, Marc; Xie, Wenjie; Zou, Tianhua; Yoon, Songhak; Scavini, Marco; Checchia, Stefano; Zhong, Zhicheng; Hansmann, Philipp; Kilper, Stefan; Kovalevsky, Andrei; Weidenkaff, Anke

2017-05-31

A series of Ba 1-x Eu x TiO 3-δ (0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.9) phases with ∼40 nm particle size were synthesized via a Pechini method followed by annealing and sintering under a reducing atmosphere. The effects of Eu 2+ substitution on the BaTiO 3 crystal structure and the thermoelectric transport properties were systematically investigated. According to synchrotron X-ray diffraction data only cubic perovskite structures were observed. On the local scale below about 20 Å (equal to ∼5 unit cells) deviations from the cubic structure model (Pm3[combining macron]m) were detected by evaluation of the pair distribution function (PDF). These deviations cannot be explained by a simple symmetry breaking model like in EuTiO 3-δ . The best fit was achieved in the space group Amm2 allowing for a movement of Ti and Ba/Eu along 〈110〉 of the parent unit cell as observed for BaTiO 3 . Density functional calculations delivered an insight into the electronic structure of Ba 1-x Eu x TiO 3-δ . From the obtained density of states a significant reduction of the band gap by the presence of filled Eu 2+ 4f states at the top of the valence band was observed. The physical property measurements revealed that barium-europium titanates exhibit n-type semiconducting behavior and at high temperature the electrical conductivity strongly depended on the Eu 2+ content. Activation energies calculated from the electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient data indicate that at high temperatures (800 K < T < 1123 K) the conduction mechanism of Ba 1-x Eu x TiO 3-δ (0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.9) is a polaron hopping when 0 < x ≤ 0.6 and is a thermally activated process when 0.6 < x < 1. Besides, the thermal conductivity increases with increasing Eu 2+ concentration. Due to a remarkable improvement of the power factor, Ba 0.1 Eu 0.9 TiO 3-δ showed a ZT value of 0.24 at 1123 K.

Age and geochemistry of western Hoh-Xil-Songpan-Ganzi granitoids, northern Tibet: Implications for the Mesozoic closure of the Paleo-Tethys ocean

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Li-Yun; Ding, Lin; Pullen, Alex; Xu, Qiang; Liu, De-Liang; Cai, Fu-Long; Yue, Ya-Hui; Lai, Qing-Zhou; Shi, Ren-Deng; Ducea, Mihai N.; Kapp, Paul; Chapman, Alan

2014-03-01

A geologic investigation was undertaken in the Hoh-Xil-Songpan-Ganzi (HXSG) complex, northern Tibet in order to better understand magma genesis and evolution during the late stages of Paleo-Tethys ocean closure. The HXSG complex is composed of vast accumulations of Middle-Upper Triassic marine gravity flow deposits that were extensively intruded by igneous rocks. These early Mesozoic rocks exposed in this area record a rich history of accretionary tectonics during the amalgamation of the Tibetan Plateau terranes. Eight plutons sampled from the western HXSG complex yield zircon U-Pb ages that range from 225 to 193 Ma. Muscovite 40Ar/39Ar ages for the Hudongliang and Zhuonai Lake plutons yield ages of 210.7 ± 2.5 Ma and 212.7 ± 2.5 Ma, respectively. These plutonic rocks can be subdivided into two geochemically distinct groups. Group 1 (221-212 Ma: Dapeng Lake, Changhong Lake and Heishibei Lake plutons) is composed of high-K calc-alkaline rocks that have strongly fractionated REE patterns with high (La/Yb)N ratios (91-18) and generally lack Eu anomalies (Eu*/Eu = 1.02-0.68). Rocks in Group 1 display pronounced negative Nb-Ta and Ti anomalies on primitive mantle-normalized spidergrams. Group 1 rocks exhibit high Sr (782-240 ppm) and low Y (6.3-16.0 ppm) contents with high Sr/Y ratios (84-20). Based on Sr-Nd-Hf isotopic data (87Sr/86Sri = 0.7079-0.7090, ɛNd(t) = - 7.7-- 4.7, ɛHf(t) = - 5.7-- 0.8) and low MgO contents (MgO = 1.10-2.18%), Group 1 rocks are geochemically similar to adakitic rocks and were probably derived from partial melting of the downgoing Paleo-Tethys oceanic slab and overlying marine sediments. Group 2 plutons (225-193 Ma: Daheishan, Yunwuling, Zhuonai Lake, Malanshan and Hudongliang plutons) display lower P2O5 with increasing SiO2 and are medium-K to high-K I-type calc-alkaline bodies with low Sr (14-549 ppm) and high Y (22.3-10.5 ppm) contents. Group 2 rocks have variable fractionated REE patterns ((La/Yb)N = 3-38) and negative Eu anomalies (Eu*/Eu = 0.02-0.86). Together with Sr-Nd-Hf isotopes (87Sr/86Sri = 0.7072-0.7143, ɛNd(t) = - 6.6-- 2.0, ɛHf(t) = - 0.6-+ 3.0), Group 2 rocks are most likely formed by partial melting of the juvenile crustal sources. Collectively, these data suggest that the Hoh-Xil turbidites were underlain by more continental arc crust than previously thought. We propose that rollback of the subducting Paleo-Tethys oceanic slab led to partial melting of overlying continental arc fragments which developed beneath the HXSG gravity flow deposits.

Digestion of rice straw and oil palm fronds by microflora from rumen and termite bacteria, in vitro.

PubMed

Ramin, M; Alimon, A R; Panandam, J M; Sijam, K; Javanmard, A; Abdullah, N

2008-02-15

The digestion and Volatile Fatty Acid (VFA) production from rice straw and oil palm fronds by cellulolytic bacteria isolated from the termite Coptotermes curvignathus were investigated. The bacteria were Acinetobacter strain Raminalimon, Enterobacter aerogenes strain Razmin C, Enterobacter cloacae strain Razmin B, Bacillus cereus strain Razmin A and Chryseobacterium kwangyangense strain Cb. Acinetobacter strain Raminalimon is an aerobic bacterium, while the other species are facultative anaerobes. There were significant differences (p<0.05) among the bacteria for Dry Matter (DM) lost and acetic acid production from rice straw and Acinetobacter strain Raminalimon showed the highest activity. The facultative bacteria C. kwangyangense strain Cb (cfu mL(-1) 231 x 10(-6), OD: 0.5), E. cloacae (cfu mL(-1) 68 x 10(-7), OD: 0.5) and E. aerogenes (cfu mL(-1) 33 x 10(-7), OD: 0.5) were used for digestion study with the rumen fluid microflora. The in vitro gas production technique was applied for the comparative study and the parameters measured were pH, gas (volume), dry matter lost, acetic acid, propionic acid and butyric acid concentrations. pH was not significantly (p<0.05) different among the five treatments. The bacterium C. kwangyangense strain Cb showed the highest activity (p<0.05) for DM lost, acetic acid, propionic acid and butyric acid production from rice straw when compared to the other bacterial activities. There was no significance (p<0.05) difference between the three bacteria for the dry matter lost of oil palm fronds but the production of Volatile Fatty Acids (VFA) was significantly (p<0.05) high in the treatment which was inoculated with C. kwangyangense strain Cb. The Gen Bank NCBI/EMBL accession numbers for the bacterial strains are EU332791, EU305608, EU305609, EU294508 and EU169201.

Olive oil pilot-production assisted by pulsed electric field: impact on extraction yield, chemical parameters and sensory properties.

PubMed

Puértolas, Eduardo; Martínez de Marañón, Iñigo

2015-01-15

The impact of the use of pulsed electric field (PEF) technology on Arroniz olive oil production in terms of extraction yield and chemical and sensory quality has been studied at pilot scale in an industrial oil mill. The application of a PEF treatment (2 kV/cm; 11.25 kJ/kg) to the olive paste significantly increased the extraction yield by 13.3%, with respect to a control. Furthermore, olive oil obtained by PEF showed total phenolic content, total phytosterols and total tocopherols significantly higher than control (11.5%, 9.9% and 15.0%, respectively). The use of PEF had no negative effects on general chemical and sensory characteristics of the olive oil, maintaining the highest quality according to EU legal standards (EVOO; extra virgin olive oil). Therefore, PEF could be an appropriate technology to improve olive oil yield and produce EVOO enriched in human-health-related compounds, such as polyphenols, phytosterols and tocopherols. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical durability and leaching mechanism of Ce0.5Eu0.5PO4 ceramics: Effects of temperature and pH values

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Xiaofeng; Teng, Yuancheng; Wu, Lang; Huang, Yi; Ma, Jiyan; Wang, Guolong

2015-11-01

Ce0.5Eu0.5PO4 ceramics with high relative density were prepared by hot-press (HPS) and pressureless (PLS) sintering. The effects of temperature and pH values on the chemical durability of the ceramics were investigated. The results show that an increase of acidity significantly accelerated the corrosion of the samples. In alkaline leachates, further release elements were prevented by the newborn surface precipitation. The leach rate (Rn) of HPS sample was similar to that of PLS specimen in deionized water, but higher Rn for PLS sample was found in pH = 11 solution. Moreover, apparent activation energy of the dissolution of Eu (40 ± 4 kJ mol-1) is much higher than that of Ce (20 ± 1 kJ mol-1), leading to the higher normalized elemental leach rate of Eu. Both the Eu and Ce elements have low leach rates (10-12-10-9 m d-1) after 42 days in all the leachates studied in this work.

Estimating the Public Health Impact of Setting Targets at the European Level for the Reduction of Zoonotic Salmonella in Certain Poultry Populations

PubMed Central

Messens, Winy; Vivas-Alegre, Luis; Bashir, Saghir; Amore, Giusi; Romero-Barrios, Pablo; Hugas, Marta

2013-01-01

In the European Union (EU), targets are being set for the reduction of certain zoonotic Salmonella serovars in different animal populations, including poultry populations, within the framework of Regulation (EC) No. 2160/2003 on the control of zoonoses. For a three-year transitional period, the EU targets were to cover only Salmonella Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium (and in addition S. Hadar, S. Infantis and S. Virchow for breeding flocks of Gallus gallus). Before the end of that transitional period, the revision of the EU targets was to be considered, including the potentially addition of other serovars with public health significance to the permanent EU targets. This review article aims at providing an overview of the assessments carried out by the Scientific Panel on Biological Hazards of the European Food Safety Authority in the field of setting targets for Salmonella in poultry populations (breeding flocks of Gallus gallus, laying flocks of Gallus gallus, broiler flocks of Gallus gallus and flocks of breeding and fattening turkeys) and their impact in subsequent changes in EU legislation. PMID:24157508

Synthesis, Structure, White-Light Emission, and Temperature Recognition Properties of Eu/Tb Mixed Coordination Polymers.

PubMed

An, Ran; Zhao, Hui; Hu, Huai-Ming; Wang, Xiaofang; Yang, Meng-Lin; Xue, Ganglin

2016-01-19

Two series of Eu(III)/Tb(III) coordination polymers, [LnL(glu)]n·2nH2O (Ln = Eu (1), Tb (2)) and [LnL(glu)(H2O)]n (Ln = Eu (3), Tb (4)) [HL = (2-(2-sulfophenyl)imidazo(4,5-f)(1,10)-phenanthroline, H2glu = glutaric acid] have been hydrothermally synthesized by controlling the pH values and characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectra, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Isomorphic compounds 1 and 2 exhibit 6-connected 3D network with the pcu topological net, containing left- and right-handed helical chains. Isomorphic compounds 3 and 4 show 3,4-connected 2D new topology with the point symbol of (4(2)·6(3)·8)(4(2)·6). Multicolor luminescence can be tailored from red to green regions by singly varying the mixing molar ratio of Eu(III)/Tb(III) cations. The mixing component of 1Eu/2Tb = 4:6 not only achieves white-light emission with the CIE coordinate of (0.323, 0.339) upon excitation at 405 nm but also presents a temperature recognition property with the significantly high sensitivity of 0.68% per K in the 50-225 K temperature range upon excitation at 370 nm.

Surface Complexation Modeling of Eu(III) and U(VI) Interactions with Graphene Oxide.

PubMed

Xie, Yu; Helvenston, Edward M; Shuller-Nickles, Lindsay C; Powell, Brian A

2016-02-16

Graphene oxide (GO) has great potential for actinide removal due to its extremely high sorption capacity, but the mechanism of sorption remains unclear. In this study, the carboxylic functional group and an unexpected sulfonate functional group on GO were characterized as the reactive surface sites and quantified via diffuse layer modeling of the GO acid/base titrations. The presence of sulfonate functional group on GO was confirmed using elemental analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Batch experiments of Eu(III) and U(VI) sorption to GO as the function of pH (1-8) and as the function of analyte concentration (10-100, 000 ppb) at a constant pH ≈ 5 were conducted; the batch sorption results were modeled simultaneously using surface complexation modeling (SCM). The SCM indicated that Eu(III) and U(VI) complexation to carboxylate functional group is the main mechanism for their sorption to GO; their complexation to the sulfonate site occurred at the lower pH range and the complexation of Eu(III) to sulfonate site are more significant than that of U(VI). Eu(III) and U(VI) facilitated GO aggregation was observed with high Eu(III) and U(VI) concentration and may be caused by surface charge neutralization of GO after sorption.

Enhanced luminescence in Mg{sup 2+} codoped CaTiO{sub 3}:Eu{sup 3+} phosphor prepared by solid state reaction

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

Vandana, C. Sai; Rudramadevi, B. Hemalatha

2016-05-23

CaTiO{sub 3} phosphors doped with Eu{sup 3+} and codoped with Mg{sup 2+} were prepared by Solid State Reaction method. The powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction, SEM with EDS, Raman scattering, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The Crystalline phase and vibrational modes of the phosphors were studied using XRD pattern and Raman Spectrum respectively. The morphological studies of the phosphor samples were carried out using SEM analysis. From PL spectra we have observed two prominent red emission peaks around at 595 nm ({sup 5}D{sub 0}→{sup 7}F{sub 1}), 619 nm ({sup 5}D{sub 0}→{sup 7}F{sub 2}) with the excitation of 399 nm for Eu{supmore » 3+} doped CaTiO{sub 3} powders. The PL intensity of CaTiO{sub 3}:Eu{sup 3+} phosphor is enhanced significantly on codoping with Mg{sup 2+}. The observed enhanced emissions are due to energy transfer from Mg{sup 2+} to Eu{sup 3+}, which is due to radiative recombination. Eu{sup 3+} doped phosphors are well known to be promising materials for electroluminescent devices, optical amplifiers, and lasers.« less

Characterization of the Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator EU2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lewandowski, Edward J.; Oriti, Salvatore M.; Schifer, Nicholas A.

2015-01-01

Significant progress was made developing the Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG), a 140-watt radioisotope power system. While the ASRG flight development project has ended, the hardware that was designed and built under the project is continuing to be tested to support future Stirling-based power system development. NASA GRC recently completed the assembly of the ASRG Engineering Unit 2 (EU2). The ASRG EU2 consists of the first pair of Sunpower's ASC-E3 Stirling convertors mounted in an aluminum housing, and Lockheed Martin's Engineering Development Unit (EDU) 4 controller (a fourth generation controller). The ASC-E3 convertors and Generator Housing Assembly (GHA) closely match the intended ASRG Qualification Unit flight design. A series of tests were conducted to characterize the EU2, its controller, and the convertors in the flight-like GHA. The GHA contained an argon cover gas for these tests. The tests included: measurement of convertor, controller, and generator performance and efficiency, quantification of control authority of the controller, disturbance force measurement with varying piston phase and piston amplitude, and measurement of the effect of spacecraft DC bus voltage on EU2 performance. The results of these tests are discussed and summarized, providing a basic understanding of EU2 characteristics and the performance and capability of the EDU 4 controller.

Molecular farming on the rise--GMO regulators still walking a tightrope.

PubMed

Spök, Armin

2007-02-01

Recent increases in EU commercial and academic activities in molecular farming, and the proximity to market-stage of the first plant-made pharmaceuticals, represent a call to action for EU regulators. Drawing on the North American debate on molecular farming, it will be argued that both the rationale and the risks of molecular farming will differ significantly from those of first generation GM crops. Based on these differences, the suitability of the existing regulatory frameworks, which were developed in response to the arrival of earlier products, is discussed, and specific options for adapting the already complex EU regulatory system to cater for molecular farming are examined.

Inequalities in healthy life years in the 25 countries of the European Union in 2005: a cross-national meta-regression analysis.

PubMed

Jagger, Carol; Gillies, Clare; Moscone, Francesco; Cambois, Emmanuelle; Van Oyen, Herman; Nusselder, Wilma; Robine, Jean-Marie

2008-12-20

Although life expectancy in the European Union (EU) is increasing, whether most of these extra years are spent in good health is unclear. This information would be crucial to both contain health-care costs and increase labour-force participation for older people. We investigated inequalities in life expectancies and healthy life years (HLYs) at 50 years of age for the 25 countries in the EU in 2005 and the potential for increasing the proportion of older people in the labour force. We calculated life expectancies and HLYs at 50 years of age by sex and country by the Sullivan method, which was applied to Eurostat life tables and age-specific prevalence of activity limitation from the 2005 statistics of living and income conditions survey. We investigated differences between countries through meta-regression techniques, with structural and sustainable indicators for every country. In 2005, an average 50-year-old man in the 25 EU countries could expect to live until 67.3 years free of activity limitation, and a woman to 68.1 years. HLYs at 50 years for both men and women varied more between countries than did life expectancy (HLY range for men: from 9.1 years in Estonia to 23.6 years in Denmark; for women: from 10.4 years in Estonia to 24.1 years in Denmark). Gross domestic product and expenditure on elderly care were both positively associated with HLYs at 50 years in men and women (p<0.039 for both indicators and sexes); however, in men alone, long-term unemployment was negatively associated (p=0.023) and life-long learning positively associated (p=0.021) with HLYs at 50 years of age. Substantial inequalities in HLYs at 50 years exist within EU countries. Our findings suggest that, without major improvements in population health, the target of increasing participation of older people into the labour force will be difficult to meet in all 25 EU countries. EU Public Health Programme.

Near Infrared-Emitting Cr3+/Eu3+ Co-doped Zinc Gallogermanate Persistence Luminescent Nanoparticles for Cell Imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Qiaoqiao; Zhang, Shuyun; Li, Zhiwei; Zhu, Qi

2018-02-01

Near infrared (NIR)-emitting persistent luminescent nanoparticles have been developed as potential agents for bioimaging. However, synthesizing uniform nanoparticles with long afterglow for long-term imaging is lacking. Here, we demonstrated the synthesis of spinel structured Zn3Ga2Ge2O10:Cr3+ (ZGGO:Cr3+) and Zn3Ga2Ge2O10:Cr3+,Eu3+ (ZGGO:Cr3+,Eu3+) nanoparticles by a sol-gel method in combination with a subsequent reducing atmosphere-free calcination. The samples were investigated via detailed characterizations by combined techniques of XRD, TEM, STEM, selected area electron diffraction, photoluminescence excitation (PLE)/photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, and temperature-dependent PL analysis. The single-crystalline nanoparticles are homogeneous solid solution, possessing uniform cubic shape and lateral size of 80-100 nm. Upon UV excitation at 273 nm, ZGGO:Cr3+,Eu3+ exhibited a NIR emission band at 697 nm (2E → 4A2 transition of distorted Cr3+ ions in gallogermanate), in the absence of Eu3+ emission. NIR persistent luminescence of the sample can last longer than 7200 s and still hold intense intensity. Eu3+ incorporation increased the persistent luminescence intensity and the afterglow time of ZGGO:Cr3+, but it did not significantly affect the thermal stability. The obtained ZGGO:Cr3+,Eu3+-NH2 nanoparticles possessed an excellent imaging capacity for cells in vitro.

Ramifications of codoping SrI2:Eu with isovalent and aliovalent impurities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, Qingguo; Biswas, Koushik

2016-12-01

Eu2+ doped SrI2 is an important scintillator having applications in the field of radiation detection. Codoping techniques are often useful to improve the electronic response of such insulators. Using first-principles based approach, we report on the properties of SrI2:Eu and the influence of codoping with aliovalent (Na, Cs) and isovalent (Mg, Ca, Ba, and Sn) impurities. These codopants do not preferably bind with Eu and are expected to remain as isolated impurities in the SrI2 host. As isolated defects they display amphoteric behavior having, in most cases, significant ionization energies of the donor and acceptor levels. Furthermore, the acceptor states of Na, Cs, and Mg can bind with I-vacancy forming charge compensated donor-acceptor pairs. Such pairs may also bind additional holes or electrons similar to the isolated defects. Lack of deep-to-shallow behavior upon codoping and its ramifications will be discussed.

European Training and Research in Peritoneal Dialysis--A Network to Deliver Scientific Peritoneal Dialysis Training to a New Generation of Researchers.

PubMed

Machowska, Anna; van Wier, Tanja; Aufricht, Christoph; Beelen, Rob; Rutherford, Peter

2015-01-01

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) utilization varies across countries, and of the factors that explain the variation, the scientific and clinical knowledge of health care professionals is potentially important. In this paper, we describe a European collaboration--between 8 academic PD research programs, a small-to-medium-sized enterprise, and a large PD product manufacturer--that received significant research funding from the EU commission to establish a training network. European Training and Research in Peritoneal Dialysis (EuTRiPD) is providing training to 12 PhD students who have moved within the European Union and are completing research training. The underlying structure and processes within EuTRiPD (http://www.eutripd. eu) are described, and the benefits of the collaborative approach are discussed. This model could be useful to other research groups and will assist in maintaining and growing scientific expertise in PD research.

EU landfill waste acceptance criteria and EU Hazardous Waste Directive compliance testing of incinerated sewage sludge ash.

PubMed

Donatello, S; Tyrer, M; Cheeseman, C R

2010-01-01

A hazardous waste assessment has been completed on ash samples obtained from seven sewage sludge incinerators operating in the UK, using the methods recommended in the EU Hazardous Waste Directive. Using these methods, the assumed speciation of zinc (Zn) ultimately determines if the samples are hazardous due to ecotoxicity hazard. Leaching test results showed that two of the seven sewage sludge ash samples would require disposal in a hazardous waste landfill because they exceed EU landfill waste acceptance criteria for stabilised non-reactive hazardous waste cells for soluble selenium (Se). Because Zn cannot be proven to exist predominantly as a phosphate or oxide in the ashes, it is recommended they be considered as non-hazardous waste. However leaching test results demonstrate that these ashes cannot be considered as inert waste, and this has significant implications for the management, disposal and re-use of sewage sludge ash.

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.

23327Enhanced photoelectric conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells by the incorporation of flower-like Bi2S3:Eu3+ sub-microspheres.

PubMed

Xu, Bingyu; Wang, Guofeng; Fu, Honggang

2016-03-21

In this paper, TiO2-Bi2S3 and TiO2-Bi2S3:Eu(3+) composite photoanodes were successfully designed, which can not only fully absorb visible light but also transfer the electron from Bi2S3 to TiO2 conduction band due to the narrow band gap and high conduction band of Bi2S3. Compared to pure TiO2 cell, the photoelectric conversion efficiencies of TiO2-Bi2S3 and TiO2-Bi2S3:Eu(3+) composite cells were increased significantly. In addition, the efficiency of TiO2-Bi2S3:Eu(3+) composite cells were higher than that of TiO2-Bi2S3 cell which could be attributed to the larger BET surface area of Bi2S3:Eu(3+). The electron transport and interfacial recombination kinetics were investigated by the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and intensity-modulated photocurrent/photovoltage spectroscopy. The results indicated that the interfacial resistance of the TiO2-dye|I3(-)/I(-) electrolyte interface of TiO2-Bi2S3:Eu(3+) composite cell was much bigger than that of pure TiO2 cell. In addition, the TiO2-Bi2S3:Eu(3+) cell has longer electron recombination time and longer electron transport time than pure TiO2 cell. The charge collection efficiency of TiO2-Bi2S3:Eu(3+) composite cell was higher than that of pure TiO2 cell.

Synthesis and Luminescence Properties of Rare Earth Activated Phosphors for near UV-Emitting LEDs for Efficacious Generation of White Light

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Han, Jinkyu

Solid state white-emitting lighting devices based on LEDs outperform conventional light sources in terms of lifetime, durability, and luminous efficiency. Near UV-LEDs in combination with blue-, green-, and red-emitting phosphors show superior luminescence properties over the commercialized blue-emitting LED with yellow-emitting phosphors. However, phosphor development for near UV LEDs is a challenging problem and a vibrant area of research. In addition, using the proper synthesis technique is an important consideration in the development of phosphors. In this research, efficient blue-, green-yellow, red-emitting, and color tunable phosphors for near UV LEDs based white light are identified and prepared by various synthetic methods such as solid state reaction, sol-gel/Pechini, co-precipitation, hydrothermal, combustion and spray-pyrolysis. Blue-emittingLiCaPO4:Eu2+, Green/yellow-emitting (Ba,Sr)2SiO4:Eu2+, color tunable solid solutions of KSrPO4-(Ba,Ca)2SiO4:Eu 2+, and red-emitting (Ba,Sr,Ca)3MgSi2O 8:Eu2+,Mn2+ show excellent excitation profile in the near UV region, high quantum efficiency, and good thermal stability for use in solid state lighting applications. In addition, different synthesis methods are analyzed and compared, with the goal of obtaining ideal phosphors, which should have not only have high luminous output but also optimal particle size (˜150--400 nm) and spherical morphology. For Sr2SiO 4:Eu2+, the sol-gel method appears to be the best method. For Ba2SiO4:Eu2+, the co-precipitation method is be the best. Lastly, the fabrication of core/SiO2 shell particles alleviate surface defects and improve luminescence output and moisture stability of nano and micron sized phosphors. For nano-sized Y2O 3:Eu3+, Y2SiO5:Ce3+,Tb 3+, and (Ba,Sr)2SiO4, the luminescence emission intensity of the core/shell particles were significantly higher than that of bare cores. Additionally, the moisture stability is also improved by SiO 2 shells, the luminescence output of SiO2 coated green emitting Ca3SiO4Cl2:Eu2+ and blue emitting Ca2PO4Cl:Eu2+ phosphors is comparable to that of fresh phosphors although bare phosphors shows significant luminescence quenching after water exposure.

The provenance and chemical variation of sandstones associated with the Mid-continent Rift System, U.S.A.

USGS Publications Warehouse

Cullers, R.L.; Berendsen, P.

1998-01-01

Sandstones along the northern portion of the Precambrian Mid-continent Rift System (MRS) have been petrographically and chemically analyzed for major elements and a variety of trace elements, including the REE. After the initial extrusion of the abundant basalts along the MRS, dominantly volcaniclastic sandstones of the Oronto Group were deposited. These volcaniclastic sandstones are covered by quartzose and subarkosic sandstones of the Bayfield Group. Thus the sandstones of the Oronto Group were derived from previously extruded basalts, whereas, the sandstones of the Bayfield Group were derived from Precambrian granitic gneisses located on the rift flanks. The chemical variation of these sandstones closely reflects the changing detrital modes with time. The elemental composition of the sandstones confirms the source lithologies suggested by the mineralogy and clasts. The Oronto Group sandstones contain lower ratios of elements concentrated in silicic source rocks (La or Th) relative to elements concentrated in basic source rocks (Co, Cr, or Sc) than the Bayfield Group. Also, the average size of the negative Eu anomaly of the sandstones of the Oronto Group is significantly less (Eu/Eu* mean ?? standard deviation = 0.79 ?? 0.13) than that of the Bayfield Group (mean + standard deviation = 0.57 ?? 0.09), also suggesting a more basic source for the former than the latter. Mixing models of elemental ratios give added insight as to the evolution of the rift. These models suggest that the volcanistic sandstones of the lower portion of the Oronto Group are derived from about 80 to 90 percent basalt and 10 to 20 percent granitoids. The rest of the Oronto Group and the lower to middle portion of the Bayfield Group could have formed by mixing of about 30 to 60 percent basalt and 40 to 70 percent granitoids. The upper portion of the Bayfield Group is likely derived from 80 to 100 percent granitoids and zero to 20 percent basalt.

Biotechnology

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-01-01

again at their meeting in Malaysia in May 2005.96 Although the WTO dispute has not been settled, the EU has recently taken steps to open up trade...outlined.” Obesity , Fitness & Wellness Week, 16 October 2004, 321. Cohen, Bonner R, “Proving A Negative: The Precautionary Principle at Odds with...Life sciences company to acquire Shanghai- based Bio Asia,” Obesity , Fitness & Wellness Week, 15 January 2005, 910, <http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb

The Integration Role of European Defense Procurement in Achieving a More Competitive and Stronger European Defense Equipment Market

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-06-01

Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) yearbooks, published documents of EU governments, annual reports and studies , and others. The main...the framework of impact assessment. In this context, five studies were commissioned, in particular to collect more 48 quantitative information...military spending, in particular in the defense procurement and research and development areas, has been negatively affecting defense companies in

Insight into the Extraction Mechanism of Americium(III) over Europium(III) with Pyridylpyrazole: A Relativistic Quantum Chemistry Study.

PubMed

Kong, Xiang-He; Wu, Qun-Yan; Wang, Cong-Zhi; Lan, Jian-Hui; Chai, Zhi-Fang; Nie, Chang-Ming; Shi, Wei-Qun

2018-05-10

Separation of trivalent actinides (An(III)) and lanthanides (Ln(III)) is one of the most important steps in spent nuclear fuel reprocessing. However, it is very difficult and challenging to separate them due to their similar chemical properties. Recently the pyridylpyrazole ligand (PypzH) has been identified to show good separation ability toward Am(III) over Eu(III). In this work, to explore the Am(III)/Eu(III) separation mechanism of PypzH at the molecular level, the geometrical structures, bonding nature, and thermodynamic behaviors of the Am(III) and Eu(III) complexes with PypzH ligands modified by alkyl chains (Cn-PypzH, n = 2, 4, 8) have been systematically investigated using scalar relativistic density functional theory (DFT). According to the NBO (natural bonding orbital) and QTAIM (quantum theory of atoms in molecules) analyses, the M-N bonds exhibit a certain degree of covalent character, and more covalency appears in Am-N bonds compared to Eu-N bonds. Thermodynamic analyses suggest that the 1:1 extraction reaction, [M(NO 3 )(H 2 O) 6 ] 2+ + PypzH + 2NO 3 - → M(PypzH)(NO 3 ) 3 (H 2 O) + 5H 2 O, is the most suitable for Am(III)/Eu(III) separation. Furthermore, the extraction ability and the Am(III)/Eu(III) selectivity of the ligand PypzH is indeed enhanced by adding alkyl-substituted chains in agreement with experimental observations. Besides this, the nitrogen atom of pyrazole ring plays a more significant role in the extraction reactions related to Am(III)/Eu(III) separation compared to that of pyridine ring. This work could identify the mechanism of the Am(III)/Eu(III) selectivity of the ligand PypzH and provide valuable theoretical information for achieving an efficient Am(III)/Eu(III) separation process for spent nuclear fuel reprocessing.

Belgian citizens' and broiler producers' perceptions of broiler chicken welfare in Belgium versus Brazil.

PubMed

Vanhonacker, F; Tuyttens, F A M; Verbeke, Wim

2016-07-01

New EU regulations require more stringent country-of-origin labeling, while imports of broiler meat from non-EU countries are increasing. In light of these trends, we have studied citizens' and producers' perceptions of broiler meat originating from Belgium versus Brazil and their perception of broiler production in Belgium versus Brazil. A particular focus was the association between country of origin and perceived level of animal welfare. We also investigated the perception of scaling-up and outdoor access in terms of perceived level of animal welfare. Cross-sectional survey data was collected among Flemish citizens (n = 541) and broiler producers (n = 114). In accordance with literature on general farm animal welfare, both stakeholder types claimed to allocate great importance to broiler welfare and generally agreed with the Welfare Quality model of broiler welfare. Citizens disagreed with the producers that 1) consumers are not willing to pay more for higher welfare products, 2) that broilers suffer little, 3) that broiler welfare in current Belgian production units is generally non-problematic, 4) that scaling-up production units would not have a positive impact on profitability nor a profoundly negative impact on broiler welfare, and 5) that the impact of providing broilers with outdoor access is negative for consumers, farmers, and broilers. Country of origin had a strong influence on the perception of both broiler production and broiler meat. Belgian citizens, and producers (much more than citizens) considered nearly all aspects related to broiler production and broiler meat to be significantly superior for chicken produced in Belgium compared to Brazil. Further research should focus on how these perceptions influence purchase intentions and production decisions. Future avenues for research are to quantify market opportunities for country-of-origin labeling and to investigate to which extent stakeholders' perceptions correspond with reality. © 2016 Poultry Science Association Inc.

A survey of the selenochemistry of major, minor and trace elements.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schmitt, R. A.; Laul, J. C.

1973-01-01

Average data for igneous and/or metaigneous rocks and soils from seven lunar sites are presented. There are compositional similarities between Apollo 11 and Luna 16 eastern maria, Ap 12 and 15 western maria, and between Ap 16 and L 20 highlands. Subtle differences do exist between the paired mare sites and the two highland sites and striking differences between the eastern and western maria. Chondritic normalized REE (rare earth element) patterns for igneous rocks and soils from all sites range from 7-350 generally with negative Eu anomalies. Anorthositic gabbroes to anorthosites, presumably highland material, exhibit a positive Eu anomaly. The REE patterns or Sr isotopic ratios suggest two lava flows each for the L 16 and Ap 14 sites, at least four lava flows for the Ap 11 and 12 site and about six for the Ap 15 site.

Gender and educational level modify the relationship between workplace mistreatment and health problems: a comparison between South Korea and EU countries.

PubMed

Yoo, Minsang; Lee, Saerom; Kang, Mo-Yeol

2015-01-01

This study investigated effects of workers' cultural and personal characteristics on the relationship between workplace mistreatment and health problems in both South Korea and EU Countries. Data were obtained from nationally representative interview surveys: the third Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS) in 2011 (50,032 participants) and fifth European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS) in 2010 (41,302 participants). The Pressure-State-Response model was adapted to explore differences in the relationship between mistreatment and health problems according to country, and logistic regression analysis was used after stratification of moderating factors. Workplace mistreatment, such as discrimination, violence, harassment, and self-reported health problems, were assessed by gender and educational level. Among KWCS participants, there were 4,321 victims (14.70%) of workplace mistreatment; among EWCS participants, there were 5,927 victims (17.89%). There was a significant positive association between workplace mistreatment and self-reported health problems. A stronger association was found among workers with higher educational levels in Korea (2- to 4-fold higher odds for mental and physical health problems), but there was no significant difference by education level in workers of EU Countries. Female Koreans who worked alone had a higher risk of health problems related to workplace mistreatment than other gender compositions in the workplace (the OR for psychological symptoms reached 6.631). In contrast, the gender composition of the work place did not significantly affect EU workers. Workplace mistreatment is significantly associated with physical and mental health problems, especially among workers with higher educational levels and females who work alone in Korea.

Legislative regulation and ethical governance of medical research in different European Union countries.

PubMed

Veerus, Piret; Lexchin, Joel; Hemminki, Elina

2014-06-01

To obtain information about the similarities and differences in regulating different types of medical research in the European Union (EU). Web searches were performed from September 2009 to January 2011. Notes on pre-determined topics were systematically taken down from the web pages. The analysis relied only on documents and reports available on the web, reflecting the situation at the end of 2010. In several countries, regulatory legislation applied only to clinical trials on drugs and medical devices, in other states various types of research were also regulated but by laws different from those concerning trials, and in many countries, some research areas were not controlled by legislation at all. In very few countries was all medical research handled similarly from a legal point of view. The number of research ethics committees (RECs) in a single country varied from one to 264. Their areas of responsibility, working principles and length of time to grant research permission varied as well as the rules for obtaining informed consent from vulnerable groups. In 10 EU countries, there was no appeal mechanism after a negative decision by an REC. The RECs were not accountable to any organisation in five EU countries. There is a need for a fundamental debate regarding whether and which kinds of changes are needed for the further harmonisation of medical research governance in the EU and how cross-country medical research could be facilitated in the future. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.

Endotoxins in urban air in Stockholm, Sweden

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nilsson, S.; Merritt, A. S.; Bellander, T.

2011-01-01

Endotoxins, i.e. components originating from the outer membrane in the cell wall of Gram-negative bacteria, activate the human immune system, which may result in airway symptoms such as shortness of breath and airway inflammation. Endotoxins are present in the environment, both outdoors and indoors, and stay airborne for a long time. In order to investigate the levels of endotoxins in urban air and the influence of traffic and meteorological factors, particles (PM 10 and PM 2.5) were collected at five sites in Stockholm, Sweden on four occasions per site between May and September 2009. Endotoxins were extracted from the filters and analysis was conducted with the Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL)-assay. Endotoxins were present in urban air in Stockholm, albeit in low levels, and were similar to levels found in urban areas outside Sweden. To our knowledge, this is the northernmost location where endotoxins have been measured. The endotoxin levels found in PM 10 ranged from 0.020 to 0.107 EU m -3 with a geometric mean of 0.050 EU m -3 and the levels found in PM 2.5 ranged from 0.005 to 0.064 EU m -3 with a geometric mean of 0.015 EU m -3. No obvious effects of traffic or meteorological factors on endotoxin levels were observed, although a moderate correlation could be seen with soot. The small number of sampling sites is however a shortcoming of the present study. In future studies, more sites and sampling during all seasons would be preferable in order to get a better picture of the influence of different sources on endotoxin levels.

European cancer mortality predictions for the year 2014.

PubMed

Malvezzi, M; Bertuccio, P; Levi, F; La Vecchia, C; Negri, E

2014-08-01

From most recent available data, we projected cancer mortality statistics for 2014, for the European Union (EU) and its six more populous countries. Specific attention was given to pancreatic cancer, the only major neoplasm showing unfavorable trends in both sexes. Population and death certification data from stomach, colorectum, pancreas, lung, breast, uterus, prostate, leukemias and total cancers were obtained from the World Health Organisation database and Eurostat. Figures were derived for the EU, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and the UK. Projected 2014 numbers of deaths by age group were obtained by linear regression on estimated numbers of deaths over the most recent time period identified by a joinpoint regression model. In the EU in 2014, 1,323,600 deaths from cancer are predicted (742,500 men and 581,100 women), corresponding to standardized death rates of 138.1/100,000 men and 84.7/100,000 women, falling by 7% and 5%, respectively, since 2009. In men, predicted rates for the three major cancers (lung, colorectum and prostate cancer) are lower than in 2009, falling by 8%, 4% and 10%, respectively. In women, breast and colorectal cancers had favorable trends (-9% and -7%), but female lung cancer rates are predicted to rise 8%. Pancreatic cancer is the only neoplasm with a negative outlook in both sexes. Only in the young (25-49 years), EU trends become more favorable in men, while women keep registering slight predicted rises. Cancer mortality predictions for 2014 confirm the overall favorable cancer mortality trend in the EU, translating to an overall 26% fall in men since its peak in 1988, and 20% in women, and the avoidance of over 250,000 deaths in 2014 compared with the peak rate. Notable exceptions are female lung cancer and pancreatic cancer in both sexes. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society for Medical Oncology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Assessing potential impacts of the EVFTA on Vietnam's pharmaceutical imports from the EU: an application of SMART analysis.

PubMed

Vu, Huong Thanh

2016-01-01

This paper by adopting the Software on Market Analysis and Restrictions on Trade assessed the ex-ante impact of tariff elimination under the European-Vietnam free trade agreement (EVFTA) on Vietnam's pharmaceutical imports from the EU based on two scenarios. The results showed that although Vietnam's tariff removal for the EU's medicines would not result in a significant increase in Vietnam's imports from the EU, Vietnam's deeper integration with ASEAN + 3 and TPP (the Trans-Pacific Partnership) nations would affect quite slightly on its imports from the EU. Therefore, the EU would be still the most important and biggest source of pharmaceuticals for Vietnam in the near future. In addition, there might be an uneven distribution in Vietnam's import increases by the EU nation, pharmaceutical group and product. The simulation results also pointed out that the EVFTA's trade creation effect would be higher than trade diversion effect and therefore the agreement would improve welfare of Vietnam. When Vietnam extends its coverage of tariff elimination to also TPP and ASEAN + 3, Vietnam's welfare would potentially increase more but Vietnam would face with the relatively high increases of pharmaceutical imports from not only the EU but also the US, Australia, South Korea, Thailand and China. Bases on these results, the paper argued that both the Vietnamese government and pharmaceutical enterprises should not neglect the EVFTA and its impacts on the pharmaceutical sector, and perceive clearly the uneven distribution of Vietnam's import changes from the EU by nation and by product to design appropriate business and investment strategy. In addition, Vietnam should take measures to diversify its European import markets to be less dependent on the traditional ones in the current context of the EU. Finally, Vietnam should promote the integration in the pharmaceutical sector with all three groups of nations, especially ASEAN and ASEAN's key partners, to reduce trade diversion effect and raise the welfare of Vietnam, given that Vietnam should consider carefully the point of time to remove tariff for each group to avoid the sudden increase in its pharmaceutical imports.

Zircon Trace Element Contents and Refined U-Pb Crystallization Ages for the Tatoosh Pluton, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington Cascades

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bacon, C. R.; Du Bray, E. A.; John, D. A.; Mazdab, F. K.; Wooden, J. L.

2008-12-01

The 7x12 km Tatoosh pluton south of Mount Rainier consists of 4 petrographic/compositional phases, here termed Nisqually, Reflection, Pyramid, and Stevens, that intrude Tertiary volcanic and sedimentary wall and roof rocks; contacts between the 4 intrusive units are rarely exposed. We used the USGS-Stanford SHRIMP- RG to analyze, in a continuous session, zircons from each of 6 quartz monzodiorite (qmd), quartz monzonite (qm), or granodiorite (grd) samples for 206Pb/238U ages and, concurrently, U, Th, Hf, and REE concentrations. A round-robin procedure yielded statistically robust geochronological results. Ages that we reported previously (FM07) were compromised by instrument instability and by calibration differences between analytical sessions. Between 11 and 31 new analyses of zircons from each sample were evaluated using the TuffZirc and Umix Ages routines of Isoplot 3.41 (Ludwig, 2003). TuffZirc solidification ages for the intrusions are: Nisqually grd (Paradise Valley; 65.4% SiO2) 17.29 +0.37/-0.24 Ma, Nisqually grd (Christine Falls; 66.4%) 17.70 +0.30/-0.16 Ma, Reflection qm (Pinnacle Peak trail; 66.6%) 18.38 +0.45/-0.28 Ma, Pyramid qmd (58.5%) 18.58 +0.20/-0.15 Ma, Stevens grd (Stevens Canyon; 67.8%) 19.15 +0.15/-0.12 Ma, and Stevens grd (south of Louise Lake; 69.3%) 19.20 +0.31/-0.26 Ma (U-Th initial-disequilibrium corrected, ±2σ). Precision of the U-Pb data limits rigorous identification of antecrysts to those with ages ~1 Myr > solidification ages. Antecryst ages that produce subsidiary modes in relative probability diagrams for the two Stevens samples give weighted mean values of 20.18 ±0.26 Ma and 20.07 ±0.18 Ma. Wide ranges in trace element concentrations and ratios indicate that many analyzed zircons grew in highly fractionated residual liquids in high-crystallinity environments. Concentrations of Th and U in Tatoosh zircons vary by two orders of magnitude, cores tend to have higher Th, U, and Th/U than rims, and overgrowths that fill reentrants have high U contents and low Th/U ratios. Chondrite-normalized REE patterns have familiar convex-up shapes with positive Ce and negative Eu anomalies: LaN = 0.03-6 (10 values >6 may reflect inclusions), YbN = 380-33,900, Ce/Ce* = 0.7-505, and Eu/Eu* = 0.06-1.25. Slopes of REE patterns increase subtly in the order Reflection < Pyramid ≤ Nisqually < Stevens. Fractionation of plagioclase + pyroxene and(or) amphibole + Fe-Ti oxide + apatite + zircon should produce relative-LREE- enriched successive liquids. Observed marginally steeper REE patterns (greater positive slopes) for rims, lower REE concentrations, and lower Th/U ratios may reflect co-precipitation of allanite ± thorite. Two parallel arrays in Eu/Eu* versus Hf, in which Eu/Eu* decreases as Hf increases, are consistent with growth of higher-Hf, lower-Eu/Eu* zircon from more evolved melts; separate arrays imply Nisqually and Pyramid + Reflection intrusions. Zircon Eu/Eu* and Hf in the Stevens granodiorite define one high-Eu/Eu* field and another similar to that for Pyramid and Reflection samples that imply more than one parental magma. The zircon ages indicate solidification in three episodes: Stevens ~19.2 Ma, Pyramid + Reflection ~18.5 Ma, and Nisqually ~17.5 Ma. An ~20.1 Ma stage is represented by antecrysts in Stevens samples. The source(s) of the pluton were active for at least ~2.7 Myr and major crystallization episodes were separated by intervals of 0.7-1.0 Myr.

Determinants of land take at the regional scale: a study concerning Sardinia (Italy)

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

Zoppi, Corrado, E-mail: zoppi@unica.it; Lai, Sabrina, E-mail: sabrinalai@unica.it

In its “Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe” (Communication COM(2011) 571 of 20 September 2011), the European Commission (EC) established an ambitious goal for the European Union (EU), that of achieving no land take by 2050; towards this aim, a key milestone for the year 2020 was set, by stating that European policies in the programming period 2014–2020 ought to consider both their direct and their indirect impacts on land use in the EU. Within this framework, this paper builds upon the findings of a previous paper (Zoppi and Lai, 2014), in which we estimated the magnitude of land takemore » over a short period of time (2003–2008) in Sardinia, an Italian NUTS2 region, and we assessed whether and how land take is related to a set of variables that are regarded as important determinants in the literature, such as parcel size, accessibility, and proximity to main cities and towns, to the coastline, or to protected areas. In this paper we study the land-taking process taking Sardinia as a case study, in two larger time periods, 1960–1990 and 1990–2008. We assess if, and to what extent, these factors reveal similar, or different, effects in the two periods, and try to identify consistencies concerning the determinants of land take. - Highlights: • Population density and parcel size significantly affect the magnitude of land take. • The presence of nature conservation areas hinders land taking processes. • Extensive urbanization might effectively preserve non-artificial land. • Balanced accessibility of settlements and nature conservation regional policies can effectively contrast land take. • Size of non-artificial land parcels that become artificial is negatively and significantly connected to land take.« less

Fuzzy risk explicit interval linear programming model for end-of-life vehicle recycling planning in the EU.

PubMed

Simic, Vladimir

2015-01-01

End-of-life vehicles (ELVs) are vehicles that have reached the end of their useful lives and are no longer registered or licensed for use. The ELV recycling problem has become very serious in the last decade and more and more efforts are made in order to reduce the impact of ELVs on the environment. This paper proposes the fuzzy risk explicit interval linear programming model for ELV recycling planning in the EU. It has advantages in reflecting uncertainties presented in terms of intervals in the ELV recycling systems and fuzziness in decision makers' preferences. The formulated model has been applied to a numerical study in which different decision maker types and several ELV types under two EU ELV Directive legislative cases were examined. This study is conducted in order to examine the influences of the decision maker type, the α-cut level, the EU ELV Directive and the ELV type on decisions about vehicle hulks procuring, storing unprocessed hulks, sorting generated material fractions, allocating sorted waste flows and allocating sorted metals. Decision maker type can influence quantity of vehicle hulks kept in storages. The EU ELV Directive and decision maker type have no influence on which vehicle hulk type is kept in the storage. Vehicle hulk type, the EU ELV Directive and decision maker type do not influence the creation of metal allocation plans, since each isolated metal has its regular destination. The valid EU ELV Directive eco-efficiency quotas can be reached even when advanced thermal treatment plants are excluded from the ELV recycling process. The introduction of the stringent eco-efficiency quotas will significantly reduce the quantities of land-filled waste fractions regardless of the type of decision makers who will manage vehicle recycling system. In order to reach these stringent quotas, significant quantities of sorted waste need to be processed in advanced thermal treatment plants. Proposed model can serve as the support for the European vehicle recycling managers in creating more successful ELV recycling plans. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Fragrance exposure in the UK: has there been a change in the last decade?

PubMed

Webber, L; Keith, D; Walker-Smith, P; Buckley, D A

2018-06-26

Fragrance allergy constitutes a significant public health problem that affects 1-2% of the general population and 6-13% of consecutively patch tested patients 1 . The European Union (EU) Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) independently advises the EU on its regulation of allergens such as fragrance. At present, a total of 26 fragrance allergens are subject to mandatory individual labelling on product packaging in the EU, including all 14 that form Fragrance Mixes 1 and 2 in the European and British Baseline patch test series. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

The Structure of Subjective Well-Being and Its Relation to Objective Well-Being Indicators: Evidence from EU-SILC for Serbia.

PubMed

Vladisavljević, Marko; Mentus, Vladimir

2018-01-01

In this article, we examine the structure of the subjective well-being and its relation to objective well-being indicators using the data from the European Union's Survey on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC) from Serbia. This is one of the first papers to analyze a new module on subjective well-being from EU-SILC micro-dataset (with over 20,000 respondents). We investigate the factor structure of the items and the differences in the association of subjective well-being dimensions with objective indicators of well-being within the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Better Life Initiative framework. Three factors emerge from the principal components analysis: general life satisfaction, affective well-being, and satisfaction with the local environment. The analysis further reveals that life satisfaction is more related to the material living conditions, such as income, unemployment, and housing conditions, while affective well-being is more related to non-material indicators of well-being such as perceived health, personal security, and social connections. On the other hand, positive and negative affect within the affective well-being are not clearly separable, nor is the eudaimonic indicator from either life satisfaction or affective well-being.

Understanding the side effects of emission trading: implications for waste management.

PubMed

Braschel, Nina; Posch, Alfred; Pierer, Magdalena

2014-01-01

The trading of emission allowances is an important market instrument in climate policy. However, the inclusion of certain branches of industry in the trading system not only provides incentives for emission reduction, it also entails unwanted side effects. Thus, the objective of the present study is to identify such side effects-positive and negative-by examining the potential impact of waste management inclusion in the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS). Desk research was supplemented with qualitative and quantitative empirical analysis (based on expert interviews and a questionnaire) in order to analyse the related perceptions and expectations of actors and stakeholders. The impact of waste management inclusion in the EU ETS is analysed in terms of the following three areas: (i) costs and cost pass-through, (ii), competitiveness and market position, and (iii) carbon leakage. Concerning expectations in the area of costs, both the interviewed experts and the practitioners surveyed thought that costs were likely to increase or that they could be passed on to customers. However, experts and practitioners differed with respect to the possibility of carbon leakage. Clearly, increased knowledge of the possible impact arising from inclusion of the waste sector in the EU ETS would enable managers to become more proactive and to manage waste streams and treatment options more economically.

Trends of mortality from Alzheimer's disease in the European Union, 1994-2013.

PubMed

Niu, H; Alvarez-Alvarez, I; Guillen-Grima, F; Al-Rahamneh, M J; Aguinaga-Ontoso, I

2017-06-01

In many countries, Alzheimer's disease (AD) has gradually become a common disease in elderly populations. The aim of this study was to analyse trends of mortality caused by AD in the 28 member countries in the European Union (EU) over the last two decades. We extracted data for AD deaths for the period 1994-2013 in the EU from the Eurostat and World Health Organization database. Age-standardized mortality rates per 100 000 were computed. Joinpoint regression was used to analyse the trends and compute the annual percent change in the EU as a whole and by country. Analyses by gender and by European regions were conducted. Mortality from AD has risen in the EU throughout the study period. Most of the countries showed upward trends, with the sharpest increases in Slovakia, Lithuania and Romania. We recorded statistically significant increases of 4.7% and 6.0% in mortality rates in men and women, respectively, in the whole EU. Several countries showed changing trends during the study period. According to the regional analysis, northern and eastern countries showed the steepest increases, whereas in the latter years mortality has declined in western countries. Our findings provide evidence that AD mortality has increased in the EU, especially in eastern and northern European countries and in the female population. Our results could be a reference for the development of primary prevention policies. © 2017 EAN.

Migration-related tuberculosis: epidemiology and characteristics of tuberculosis cases originating outside the European Union and European Economic Area, 2007 to 2013.

PubMed

Ködmön, Csaba; Zucs, Phillip; van der Werf, Marieke J

2016-01-01

Migrants arriving from high tuberculosis (TB)-incidence countries may pose a significant challenge to TB control programmes in the host country. TB surveillance data for 2007-2013 submitted to the European Surveillance System were analysed. Notified TB cases were stratified by origin and reporting country. The contribution of migrant TB cases to the TB epidemiology in EU/EEA countries was analysed. Migrant TB cases accounted for 17.4% (n = 92,039) of all TB cases reported in the EU/EEA in 2007-2013, continuously increasing from 13.6% in 2007 to 21.8% in 2013. Of 91,925 migrant cases with known country of origin, 29.3% were from the Eastern Mediterranean, 23.0% from south-east Asia, 21.4% from Africa, 13.4% from the World Health Organization European Region (excluding EU/EEA), and 12.9% from other regions. Of 46,499 migrant cases with known drug-susceptibility test results, 2.9% had multidrug-resistant TB, mainly (51.7%) originating from the European Region. The increasing contribution of TB in migrants from outside the EU/EEA to the TB burden in the EU/EEA is mainly due to a decrease in native TB cases. Especially in countries with a high proportion of TB cases in non-EU/EEA migrants, targeted prevention and control initiatives may be needed to progress towards TB elimination.

Synthesis and photoluminescence characteristics of (Y,Gd)BO3:RE (RE = Eu(3+), Ce(3+), Dy(3+) and Tb(3+)) phosphors for blue chip and near-UV white LEDs.

PubMed

Rangari, V V; Singh, V; Dhoble, S J

2016-03-01

A series of Eu(3+)-, Ce(3+)-, Dy(3+)- and Tb(3+)-doped (Y,Gd)BO3 phosphors was synthesized by a solid-state diffusion method. X-Ray diffraction confirmed their hexagonal structure and the scanning electron microscopy results showed crystalline particles. The excitation spectra revealed that (Y,Gd)BO3 phosphors doped with Eu(3+), Ce(3+), Dy(3+) and Tb(3+) are effectively excited with near UV-light of 395 nm/blue light, 364, 351 and 314 nm, respectively. Photoluminescence spectra of Eu(3+)-, Ce(3+)- and Tb(3+)/Dy(3+)-doped phosphor showed intense emission of reddish orange, blue and white light, respectively. The phosphor Y0.60Gd0.38BO3:Ce0.02 showed CIE 1931 color coordinates of (0.158, 0.031) and better color purity compared with commercially available blue BAM:Eu(2+) phosphor. The phosphor (Y,Gd)BO3 doped with Eu(3+), Dy(3+) and Tb(3+) showed CIE 1931 color coordinates of (0.667, 0.332), (0.251, 0.299) and (0.333, 0.391) respectively. Significant photoluminescence characteristics of the prepared phosphors indicate that they might serve as potential candidates for blue chip and near-UV white light-emitting diode applications. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Optimization of Time-Resolved Fluorescence Assay for Detection of Eu-DOTA-labeled Ligand-Receptor Interactions

PubMed Central

De Silva, Channa R.; Vagner, Josef; Lynch, Ronald; Gillies, Robert J.; Hruby, Victor J.

2010-01-01

Lanthanide-based luminescent ligand binding assays are superior to traditional radiolabel assays due to improved sensitivity and affordability in high throughput screening while eliminating the use of radioactivity. Despite significant progress using lanthanide(III)-coordinated chelators such as DTPA derivatives, dissociation-enhanced lanthanide fluoroimmunoassays (DELFIA) have not yet been successfully used with more stable chelators, e.g. DOTA derivatives, due to the incomplete release of lanthanide(III) ions from the complex. Here, a modified and an optimized DELFIA procedure incorporating an acid treatment protocol is introduced for use with Eu(III)-DOTA labeled peptides. Complete release of Eu(III) ions from DOTA labeled ligands was observed using hydrochloric acid (2.0 M) prior to the luminescent enhancement step. NDP-α-MSH labeled with Eu(III)-DOTA was synthesized and the binding affinity to cells overexpressing the human melanocortin-4 receptors (hMC4R) was evaluated using the modified protocol. Binding data indicate that the Eu(III)-DOTA linked peptide bound to these cells with an affinity similar to its DTPA analogue. The modified DELFIA procedure was further used to monitor the binding of an Eu(III)-DOTA labeled heterobivalent peptide to the cells expressing both hMC4R and CCK-2 (Cholecystokinin) receptors. The modified assay provides superior results and is appropriate for high-throughput screening of ligand libraries. PMID:19852924

Fluorescent Silicon Nanorods-Based Ratiometric Sensors for Long-Term and Real-Time Measurements of Intracellular pH in Live Cells.

PubMed

Chu, Binbin; Song, Bin; Ji, Xiaoyuan; Su, Yuanyuan; Wang, Houyu; He, Yao

2017-11-21

Long-term and real-time investigation of the dynamic process of pH i changes is critically significant for understanding the related pathogenesis of diseases and the design of intracellular drug delivery systems. Herein, we present a one-step synthetic strategy to construct ratiometric pH sensors, which are made of europium (Eu)-doped one-dimensional silicon nanorods (Eu@SiNRs). The as-prepared Eu@SiNRs have distinct emission maxima peaks at 470 and 620 nm under 405 nm excitation. Of particular note, the fluorescence emission intensity at 470 nm decreases along with the increase of pH, while the one at 620 nm is nearly unaffected by pH changes, making Eu@SiNRs a feasible probe for pH sensing ratiometrically. Moreover, Eu@SiNRs are found to be responsive to a broad pH range (ca. 3-9), biocompatible (e.g., ∼100% of cell viability during 24 h treatment) and photostable (e.g., ∼10% loss of intensity after 40 min continuous UV irradiation). Taking advantages of these merits, we employ Eu@SiNRs for the visualization of the cytoplasmic alkalization process mediated by nigericin in living cells, for around 30 min without interruption, revealing important information for understanding the dynamic process of pH i fluctuations.

European Training and Research in Peritoneal Dialysis: scientific objectives, training, implementation and impact of the programme.

PubMed

Foster, Tom L; Ferrantelli, Evelina; van Wier-van der Schaaf, Tanja; Beelen, Robert H J

2014-03-01

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) offers many advantages over hospital-based haemodialysis, including better quality of life. Despite this, there is a general under-utilisation of PD in Europe, which, to some extent, can be attributed to a lack of knowledge and education amongst renal clinicians and nurses. The specific aim of the European Training and Research in Peritoneal Dialysis (EuTRiPD) programme is to address this lack of knowledge, to develop a minimum of five biomarkers that allow the prediction of outcome in PD and three therapeutic treatments to improve outcome in PD. EuTRiPD is a EU-wide consortium with clinical, academic and commercial partners set up to address this knowledge gap. By training through research and close collaboration between academic and commercial entities we hope to improve the outcome and uptake of PD. It is the goal of EuTRiPD to improve the currently hampered diagnostic therapeutic developments in renal replacement therapy (RRT) and structure existing high-quality PD-related research across Europe. It is hoped that EuTRiPD can and will have a significant impact on socio-economic and scientific aspects of PD. It is the aim for EuTRiPD to boost the uptake of PD throughout Europe by making PD the obvious choice for patients. © 2013 European Dialysis and Transplant Nurses Association/European Renal Care Association.

Sharing and reusing cardiovascular anatomical models over the Web: a step towards the implementation of the virtual physiological human project.

PubMed

Gianni, Daniele; McKeever, Steve; Yu, Tommy; Britten, Randall; Delingette, Hervé; Frangi, Alejandro; Hunter, Peter; Smith, Nicolas

2010-06-28

Sharing and reusing anatomical models over the Web offers a significant opportunity to progress the investigation of cardiovascular diseases. However, the current sharing methodology suffers from the limitations of static model delivery (i.e. embedding static links to the models within Web pages) and of a disaggregated view of the model metadata produced by publications and cardiac simulations in isolation. In the context of euHeart--a research project targeting the description and representation of cardiovascular models for disease diagnosis and treatment purposes--we aim to overcome the above limitations with the introduction of euHeartDB, a Web-enabled database for anatomical models of the heart. The database implements a dynamic sharing methodology by managing data access and by tracing all applications. In addition to this, euHeartDB establishes a knowledge link with the physiome model repository by linking geometries to CellML models embedded in the simulation of cardiac behaviour. Furthermore, euHeartDB uses the exFormat--a preliminary version of the interoperable FieldML data format--to effectively promote reuse of anatomical models, and currently incorporates Continuum Mechanics, Image Analysis, Signal Processing and System Identification Graphical User Interface (CMGUI), a rendering engine, to provide three-dimensional graphical views of the models populating the database. Currently, euHeartDB stores 11 cardiac geometries developed within the euHeart project consortium.

EU-China Environment Research: Enhancing collaboration through SPRING

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bray, Michaela; Han, Dawei

2013-04-01

There are huge challenges in both known and potential environmental problems in China and EU. Local geographical and climate conditions vary significantly across the two regions. For example the distribution of water resources is spatially and temporally uneven and often leads to water shortages in some areas, and flooding in others. In addition there is a sharp drop in mineral, oil and gas resources, as well as an increase in the living standard, which is a challenge for sustainable development. China's economy is still growing fast, placing an increased burden on the environment. The EU's economy is more developed with a rich experience in dealing with environmental problems in a fast growing economy. Therefore, it is mutually beneficial for the two sides to collaborate in environmental research. The FP7 funded SPRING project is intended to facilitate better EU-China environmental research cooperation and to create a long-term environment vision with clearly identifiable pathways for the two partners to work together. The project team is composed of five EU partners and five Chinese partners with expertise in water, soil, air, climate change and biodiversity. The project runs from March 2010-Feburary 2013. SPRING has taken a multi-level approach to achieving this, developing foresight and road-mapping studies to manage long term aims and facilitate increased cooperation and exchange for researchers, policy and decision makers and funding bodies. The outcomes of the project include detailed technology survey, success scenario analysis and EU-Horizon research road map with a focus on the research needs between EU and China in the next twenty years.

Euxinia prior to end-Permian main extinction at Xiaojiaba section, Sichuan Province, South China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, H.; Algeo, T. J.; Chen, D.; Yu, H.

2013-12-01

Redox conditions in the global ocean prior to, during, and following the end-Permian mass extinction at 252.28 Ma remain contentious. Previous studies in western Australia, South China, and East Greenland have shown that photic-zone euxinia was present at least intermittently from the early Changhsingian through the Dienerian1-3. Here we report a study of organic carbon isotopes, pyrite sulfur isotopes, TOC, pyritic sulfur content, REE, and major and trace elements from the Upper Permian Xiaojiaba section in the Chaotian district of Guangyuan City, Sichuan Province, China. During the Permian-Triassic transition, this section was located on the northwestern margin of the South China Block, facing the Paleo-Tethys Ocean. Our results indicate that suboxic conditions prevailed during the Wuchiapingian and suboxic to anoxic conditions with several pulses of euxinia during the Changhsingian. δ13Corg values are mostly -28‰ to -26‰ but show three positive excursions (to -22‰) prior to the end-Permian mass extinction horizon. These positive excursions are associated with higher Spy concentrations (to ~1%). δ34Spy values are variable (from -41‰ to +5‰) but show a sharp negative excursion in the late Changhsingian (to -43.4‰) that coincided with the most positive δ13Corg values. This horizon is also associated with increases in Eu/Eu*, Baxs, ∑REE, Si, and redox-sensitive metals such as V. These patterns reflect linkage of the C and S cycles during the latest Permian, possibly in response to redox controls. The observed positive excursions in δ13Corg may be due to organic inputs from green sulfur bacteria, which exhibit a smaller photosynthetic fractionation (-12.5‰4) than eukaryotic algae. The pronounced negative excursion of δ34Spy corresponds to a sulfate-sulfide S isotope fractionation of about -60‰, suggesting a large flux of syngenetic framboidal pyrite, which would be indicative of euxinic water-column conditions. We infer that the euxinia prior to the main extinction horizon may have been caused by oceanic oxygen-minimum zone expansion and upward movement of the chemocline5. The coupled increases in Eu/Eu* and Baxs may record hydrothermal influence, possibly accompanied by increased ocean acidity and high seawater temperatures. Collectively, our results document major changes in seawater chemistry during the Changhsingian prior to the main end-Permian crisis.

Latest Cambrian-Early Ordovician rift-related magmatic activity in the Kouřim Unit, Bohemian Massif

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Soejono, Igor; Machek, Matej; Sláma, Jiří; Janoušek, Vojtěch

2017-04-01

Pre-collisional history of high-grade Variscan complexes is mostly difficult to reveal, due to intense reworking during the development of the orogenic belt. An ancient magmatism could provide a unique possibility to study it. The Kouřim Unit represents an extensive pre-Variscan plutonic body involved into the tectonic collage of the Kutná Hora Crystalline Complex, at the northern margin of the Moldanubian Domain in the Bohemian Massif. The LA-ICP-MS zircon ages and geochemical characteristics of (meta-)igneous rocks from the Kouřim Unit allow us to determine the timing and nature of magmatic activity within this part of the Bohemian Massif and thus to decipher its pre-Variscan evolution. The Kouřim Unit is composed of strongly metamorphosed and deformed sequence of magmatic rocks, dominated mainly by various types of migmatites, coarse-grained orthogneisses and minor metadiorites. The newly obtained LA-ICP-MS U-Pb zircon ages of four orthogneisses ranging between 486 ± 2 Ma and 484 ± 2 Ma are interpreted as timing the magma crystallization. The single metadiorite gave concordia age of 337 ± 2 Ma interpreted as the age of migmatitization. Few discordant older ages from metadiorite are considered as older xenocrysts more or less reset during the Variscan metamorphism. The orthogneisses are acid (SiO2 = 68.6-76.4 wt. %), exclusively subaluminous and seem to form a single calc-alkaline trend, whereas the metadiorite is intermediate (SiO2 = 54.3 wt. %; mg# = 61), distinctly metaluminous and displays tholeiitic character. The chondrite-normalized REE patterns for the orthogneisses show LREE enrichment (LaN/YbN = 1.5-8.9) and deep negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.42-0.32); the NMORB-normalized spiderplots feature LILE/HFSE enrichment with deep negative Nb- Ta-Ti anomalies. In contrast, both patterns of metadiorite resemble those of NMORB (LaN/YbN = 0.5, Eu/Eu* = 0.96). The apparent magmatic arc-like geochemical signature of the orthogneisses is interpreted as inherited from the source, represented most likely by recycled immature arc-related material (?metagraywackes). The real tectonic setting of this Late Cambrian magmatic activity seems rather indicated by the within-plate geochemistry of the metadiorite. These results bring further evidence for the presence of the Late Cambrian-Early Ordovician extensional event documented throughout the basement of the European Variscan Belt. Together with other occurrences of bimodal magmatism, as well as metamorphic and sedimentary record, indicate an important period of lithospheric thinning. This overall Early Palaeozoic rift-related architecture is often considered as a consequence of the Rheic Ocean opening.

Estimating future burned areas under changing climate in the EU-Mediterranean countries.

PubMed

Amatulli, Giuseppe; Camia, Andrea; San-Miguel-Ayanz, Jesús

2013-04-15

The impacts of climate change on forest fires have received increased attention in recent years at both continental and local scales. It is widely recognized that weather plays a key role in extreme fire situations. It is therefore of great interest to analyze projected changes in fire danger under climate change scenarios and to assess the consequent impacts of forest fires. In this study we estimated burned areas in the European Mediterranean (EU-Med) countries under past and future climate conditions. Historical (1985-2004) monthly burned areas in EU-Med countries were modeled by using the Canadian Fire Weather Index (CFWI). Monthly averages of the CFWI sub-indices were used as explanatory variables to estimate the monthly burned areas in each of the five most affected countries in Europe using three different modeling approaches (Multiple Linear Regression - MLR, Random Forest - RF, Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines - MARS). MARS outperformed the other methods. Regression equations and significant coefficients of determination were obtained, although there were noticeable differences from country to country. Climatic conditions at the end of the 21st Century were simulated using results from the runs of the regional climate model HIRHAM in the European project PRUDENCE, considering two IPCC SRES scenarios (A2-B2). The MARS models were applied to both scenarios resulting in projected burned areas in each country and in the EU-Med region. Results showed that significant increases, 66% and 140% of the total burned area, can be expected in the EU-Med region under the A2 and B2 scenarios, respectively. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Endoscopic findings in patients presenting with dysphagia: analysis of a national endoscopy database.

PubMed

Krishnamurthy, Chaya; Hilden, Kristen; Peterson, Kathryn A; Mattek, Nora; Adler, Douglas G; Fang, John C

2012-03-01

Dysphagia is a common problem and an indication for upper endoscopy. There is no data on the frequency of the different endoscopic findings and whether they change according to demographics or by single versus repeat endoscopy. To determine the prevalence of endoscopic findings in patients with dysphagia and whether findings differ in regard to age, gender, ethnicity, and repeat procedure. This was a retrospective study using a national endoscopic database (CORI). A total of 30,377 patients underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) for dysphagia of which 4,202 patients were repeat endoscopies. Overall frequency of endoscopic findings was determined by gender, age, ethnicity, and single vs. repeat procedures. Esophageal stricture was the most common finding followed by normal, esophagitis/ulcer (EU), Schatzki ring (SR), esophageal food impaction (EFI), and suspected malignancy. Males were more likely to undergo repeat endoscopies and more likely to have stricture, EU, EFI, and suspected malignancy (P = 0.001). Patients 60 years or older had a higher prevalence of stricture, EU, SR, and suspected malignancy (P < 0.0001). Esophageal stricture was most common in white non-Hispanic patients compared to other ethnic groups. In patients undergoing repeat EGD, stricture, SR, EFI, and suspected malignancy were more common (P < 0.0001). The prevalence of endoscopic findings differs significantly by gender, age, and repeat procedure. The most common findings in descending order were stricture, normal, EU, SR, EFI, and suspected malignancy. For patients undergoing a repeat procedure, normal and EU were less common and all other abnormal findings were significantly more common.

Potentially inappropriate medicines in elderly hospitalised patients according to the EU(7)-PIM list, STOPP version 2 criteria and comprehensive protocol.

PubMed

Mucalo, Iva; Hadžiabdić, Maja Ortner; Brajković, Andrea; Lukić, Sonja; Marić, Patricia; Marinović, Ivana; Bačić-Vrca, Vesna

2017-08-01

The aim of this study was to measure the prevalence of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) by using the EU(7)-PIM list, STOPP (Screening Tool of Older Persons' potentially inappropriate Prescriptions) version 2 criteria and the new comprehensive protocol. This prospective study involved a sample of 276 consecutive elderly patients discharged from the university teaching hospital. Age, gender, diagnoses, medication history and medicines at discharge were recorded. The main outcome measure was the prevalence of PIMs according to each set of criteria: EU(7)-PIM list, STOPP version 2 criteria and comprehensive protocol. The median patient age (range) was 74 (65-92) years. The median number of prescribed medications was 7 (1-17). STOPP identified 393 PIMs affecting 190 patients (69%), EU(7)-PIM list identified 330 PIMs in 184 patients (66.7%) whilst the comprehensive protocol identified 134 PIMs in 102 patients (37%). STOPP version 2 criteria identified significantly more PIMs per patient than the other two protocols (p < 0.001). Gender (p = 0.002), glomerular filtration rate (p = 0.039) and number of comorbidities (p = 0.001) were associated with the proportion of PIMs for the STOPP version 2 criteria only. A very high PIM prevalence at discharge was reported suggesting the urgent need for actions to reduce them. STOPP version 2 criteria identified significantly more PIMs than the EU(7)-PIM list and the comprehensive protocol and was found as a more sensitive tool for PIM detection.

Association between nationality and occupational injury risk on Danish non-passenger merchant ships.

PubMed

Ádám, Balázs

2013-01-01

Maritime occupational accidents can be determined by several factors, among which human characteristics play a crucial role. Worker's safety behaviour depends on individual physical and mental characteristics as well as on his/her social and cultural background. The aim of this study is to investigate the frequency of workplace injuries in the Danish merchant fleet in the period 2010-2012, and to characterise its nationality dependence. Occupational injuries data reported from ships registered in the Danish International Ship Register to the Danish Maritime Authority were collected. Publicly available employment data were used to calculate the cumulative incidence rates for Danish, non-Danish European Union (EU) and non-EU employees working on non-passenger ships. Crude injury rates and rates adjusted for occupational status were statistically compared. The majority of accidents happened to Danish and non-EU workers on non-passenger ships. The injury rate varied around 70 per 1000 among Danish seafarers, while the rate for non-Danish employees was about 30 per 1000. Crude and adjusted relative risk was found significantly lower for EU (0.33-0.46;0.26-0.39) and for non-EU (0.41-0.53; 0.54-0.65) workers compared to Danish seafarers. The difference decreased, but remained significant in most cases for serious injuries. Occupational injury rates show considerable nationality differences as reported from non-passenger ships registered under the Danish flag. The differences can only be partly explained by varying reporting practices. The findings confirm the results of previous studies and point out the need for effective interventions in the high-risk groups.

Implementation of the Energy Efficiency Directive: Opportunities and Challenges

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zīgurs, A.; Sarma, U.

2015-12-01

Discussions in Latvia are ongoing regarding the optimum solution to implementing Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on energy efficiency, amending Directives 2009/125/EC and 2010/30/EU and repealing Directives 2004/8/EC and 2006/32/EC (Directive 2012/27/EU). Without a doubt, increased energy efficiency contributes significantly to energy supply security, competitive performance, increased quality of life, reduced energy dependence and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, Directive 2012/27/EU should be implemented with careful planning, evaluating every aspect of the process. This study analyses a scenario, where a significant fraction of target energy efficiency is achieved by obliging energy utilities to implement user-end energy efficiency measures. With implementation of this scheme towards energy end-use savings, user payments for energy should be reduced; on the other hand, these measures will require considerable investment. The energy efficiency obligation scheme stipulates that these investments must be paid by energy utilities; however, they will actually be covered by users, because the source of energy utilities' income is user payments for energy. Thus, expenses on such measures will be included in energy prices and service tariffs. The authors analyse the ways to achieve a balance between user gains from energy end-use savings and increased energy prices and tariffs as a result of obligations imposed upon energy utilities. Similarly, the suitability of the current regulatory regime for effective implementation of Directive 2012/27/EU is analysed in the energy supply sectors, where supply tariffs are regulated.

Laboratory determination of migration of Eu(III) in compacted bentonite-sand mixtures as buffer/backfill material for high-level waste disposal.

PubMed

Zhou, Lang; Zhang, Huyuan; Yan, Ming; Chen, Hang; Zhang, Ming

2013-12-01

For the safety assessment of geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste (HLW), the migration of Eu(III) through compacted bentonite-sand mixtures was measured under expected repository conditions. Under the evaluated conditions, advection and dispersion is the dominant migration mechanism. The role of sorption on the retardation of migration was also evaluated. The hydraulic conductivities of compacted bentonite-sand mixtures were K=2.07×10(-10)-5.23×10(-10)cm/s, The sorption and diffusion of Eu(III) were examined using a flexible wall permeameter for a solute concentration of 2.0×10(-5)mol/l. The effective diffusion coefficients and apparent diffusion coefficients of Eu(III) in compacted bentonite-sand mixtures were in the range of 1.62×10(-12)-4.87×10(-12)m(2)/s, 1.44×10(-14)-9.41×10(-14)m(2)/s, respectively, which has a very important significance to forecast the relationship between migration length of Eu(III) in buffer/backfill material and time and provide a reference for the design of buffer/backfill material for HLW disposal in China. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Relation Between Emotion Understanding and Theory of Mind in Children Aged 3 to 8: The Key Role of Language

PubMed Central

Grazzani, Ilaria; Ornaghi, Veronica; Conte, Elisabetta; Pepe, Alessandro; Caprin, Claudia

2018-01-01

Although a significant body of research has investigated the relationships among children’s emotion understanding (EU), theory of mind (ToM), and language abilities. As far as we know, no study to date has been conducted with a sizeable sample of both preschool and school-age children exploring the direct effect of EU on ToM when the role of language was evaluated as a potential exogenous factor in a single comprehensive model. Participants in the current study were 389 children (age range: 37–97 months, M = 60.79 months; SD = 12.66), to whom a False-Belief understanding battery, the Test of Emotion Comprehension, and the Peabody Test were administered. Children’s EU, ToM, and language ability (receptive vocabulary) were positively correlated. Furthermore, EU scores explained variability in ToM scores independently of participants’ age and gender. Finally, language was found to play a crucial role in both explaining variance in ToM scores and in mediating the relationship between EU and ToM. We discuss the theoretical and educational implications of these outcomes, particularly in relation to offering social and emotional learning programs through schools.

The Relation Between Emotion Understanding and Theory of Mind in Children Aged 3 to 8: The Key Role of Language.

PubMed

Grazzani, Ilaria; Ornaghi, Veronica; Conte, Elisabetta; Pepe, Alessandro; Caprin, Claudia

2018-01-01

Although a significant body of research has investigated the relationships among children's emotion understanding (EU), theory of mind (ToM), and language abilities. As far as we know, no study to date has been conducted with a sizeable sample of both preschool and school-age children exploring the direct effect of EU on ToM when the role of language was evaluated as a potential exogenous factor in a single comprehensive model. Participants in the current study were 389 children (age range: 37-97 months, M = 60.79 months; SD = 12.66), to whom a False-Belief understanding battery, the Test of Emotion Comprehension, and the Peabody Test were administered. Children's EU, ToM, and language ability (receptive vocabulary) were positively correlated. Furthermore, EU scores explained variability in ToM scores independently of participants' age and gender. Finally, language was found to play a crucial role in both explaining variance in ToM scores and in mediating the relationship between EU and ToM. We discuss the theoretical and educational implications of these outcomes, particularly in relation to offering social and emotional learning programs through schools.

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

Yang, Lu; Zhang, Sheng; Qu, Xiaoni

Lanthanide MOFs, [Eu(TCA)(NDC)·H{sub 2}O]{sub n} (1) and [Tb(TCA)(NDC)·H{sub 2}O]{sub n} (2), have been prepared with the mixed aromatic carboxylate ligands, namely, 4,4′,4″-tricarboxytriphenylamine (H{sub 3}TCA) and 1,4-naphthalenedicarboxylate (H{sub 2}NDC). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that isomorphic 1 and 2 present pillar-layered 3D framework that Eu/Tb(III) bond with carboxylate in various coordination fashions. Optical investigation indicates that the as-prepared compounds feature characteristic luminescence emission bands of Eu/Tb ions in the visible regions at room temperature. Moreover, compound 2 shows a relatively longer luminescence lifetime (τ=0.342 ms) and significantly enhanced quantum yield (Φ{sub overall}=11%) comparing with those of 1 (τ=0.335 ms, Φ{sub overall}=0.06%).more » - Graphical abstract: Synoptic: Two Ln-MOFs (Ln=Eu{sup III}, Tb{sup III}) with mixed polycarboxylate ligands present different luminescent properties. - Highlights: • Two Eu/Tb-MOFs with H{sub 3}TCA and H{sub 2}NDC ligands have been obtained. • The ancillary ligand is employed to decrease water molecule coordinate numbers. • 2displays superior quantum yield and lifetime than those of 1.« less

The Association between Insomnia and Insomnia Treatment Side Effects on Health Status, Work Productivity, and Healthcare Resource Use

PubMed Central

DiBonaventura, Marco; Richard, Lance; Kumar, Maya; Forsythe, Anna; Flores, Natalia M.; Moline, Margaret

2015-01-01

The aims of this study were (1) to compare health outcomes (i.e., health-related quality of life [HRQoL], productivity at work, and healthcare resource use visits) between those with insomnia and non-insomnia controls, (2) to compare health outcomes between those treated for insomnia and non-insomnia controls, and (3) to assess the prevalence of side effects of insomnia medications and their relationship with health outcomes. Data from the 2013 US (N = 75,000) and 5EU (N = 62,000) National Health and Wellness Survey (NHWS) were used. The NHWS is a patient-reported survey administered to a demographically representative sample of adults. Those who met DSM-V criteria for insomnia and, separately, those treated for insomnia were compared with equivalently sized control groups who were identified using a propensity score matching method. Outcomes included HRQoL (Short Form 36v2), productivity at work (Work Productivity and Activity Impairment—General Health questionnaire), and healthcare resource use visits in the past 6 months and were analyzed using one-way ANOVAs. Among those with treated insomnia, those with and without side effects were compared on health outcomes using general linear models controlling for confounding variables. Patients with insomnia (n = 4147) and treated insomnia (n = 2860) in the 5EU reported significantly worse HRQoL than controls (health utilities: 0.60 vs. 0.74; 0.60 vs. 0.74, respectively), greater overall work impairment (38.74% vs. 14.86%; 39.50% vs. 15.66%), and more physician visits in the past 6 months (9.10 vs. 4.08; 9.58 vs. 4.11). Similar findings were observed in the US. Among those treated for insomnia, 13.56% and 24.55% in the US and 5EU, respectively, were non-adherent due to side effects. In the US, non-adherence was associated with significantly worse HRQoL (health utilities: 0.60 vs. 0.64, p <.05) and greater overall work impairment (37.71% vs. 29.08%, p <.05), among other significant differences. These relationships were not significant in the 5EU. A significant burden of insomnia was observed in both the US and 5EU, and the association remained even after treatment. Non-adherence due to side effects was common and, in the case of the US, associated with significantly poorer health outcomes. PMID:26426805

[Change and correlated factors of fasting level of the plasma endotoxin in subjects with different glucose tolerances and body mass indices].

PubMed

Liu, Yun-Hui; Zhao, Tie-Yun; Hou, Li-Qiong

2013-09-01

To investigate the change of the levels of fasting plasma endotoxin (ET) and assess its correlated factors in individuals with different glucose tolerances and body mass indices. The levels of fasting plasma ET were assayed by the endpoint chromogenic limulus amebocyte lysate method in subjects with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), impaired glucose regulation (IGR) and normal glucose tolerance (NGT). The height, body mass, waist, hips, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were measured with the conventional methods; body mass index (BMI) and waist hip ratio (WHR) were calculated. All groups were divided into obesity (BMI>or=25 kg/m2) and non-obesity (BMI<25 kg/m2) subgroups. The levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), 2 hours plasma glucose (2 hPG), fasting insulin (FINS), postprandial insulin (PINS), hemoglobin Alc (HbAlc), blood lipids, free fatty acids (FFA), serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were also analyzed, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated. The relationship of the levels of plasma ET with age, BMI, WHR, blood pressure, FBG, 2 hPG, FINS, PINS, HOMA-IR, HbA1c, blood lipids, FFA, AST and ALT were also analyzed. (1) The levels of plasma ET in T2DM group (n=37) was significantly higher than that in NGT group (n=37) [7. 1 (3. 7-11. 8) EU/mL vs. 4. 5 (2.2-6.3) EU/mL, P<0.05]. The levels of plasma ET in IGR group (n=23) C5.0 (2.4-10.3) EU/mLU was lower than that in T2DM group and higher than NGT group but the differences were not significant (P>0. 05). (2) The levels of plasma ET in the obesity T2DM subgroup was higher than that in the non-obesity T2DM subgroup but the differences were not significant [7. 3 (3. 8-13. 3) EU/mL vs. 7.0 (3. 6-10. 4) EU/mL, P>0. 05]. There was a remarkable difference in the levels of plasma ET between obesity and non-obesity subgroup of IGR (6.8 (2.9-13.2) EU/mL vs. 2.7 (1.6-5. 5) EU/mL, P<0. 05), similarly between obesity and non-obesity subgroup of NGT (6.2 (3. 4-12. 7) EU/mL vs. 2. 8 (1. 8-4. 9) EU/mL, P<0. 05). (3) Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that ET wasn' t the important factor influencing FBG and 2 hPG. But BMI and FBG were the important factors influencing ET. 2 hPG and WHR weren't the important factors influencing ET. With the increase in glucose metabolic abnormalities and BMI, the levels of plasma ET are gradually increased. ET isn't the important factor influencing FBG and 2 hPG. BMI and FBG are the important factors in influencing ET.

The impact of the EU Directive on patients' rights and cross border health care in Malta.

PubMed

Azzopardi-Muscat, Natasha; Aluttis, Christoph; Sorensen, Kristine; Pace, Roderick; Brand, Helmut

2015-10-01

The patients' rights and cross-border health care directive was implemented in Malta in 2013. Malta's transposition of the directive used the discretionary elements allowable to retain national control on cross-border care to the fullest extent. This paper seeks to analyse the underlying dynamics of this directive on the Maltese health care system through the lens of key health system stakeholders. Thirty-three interviews were conducted. Qualitative content analysis of the interviews reveals six key themes: fear from the potential impact of increased patient mobility, strategies employed for damage control, opportunities exploited for health system reform, moderate enhancement of patients' rights, negligible additional patient mobility and unforeseen health system reforms. The findings indicate that local stakeholders expected the directive to have significant negative effects and adopted measures to minimise these effects. In practice the directive has not affected patient mobility in Malta in the first months following its implementation. Government appears to have instrumentalised the implementation of the directive to implement certain reforms including legislation on patients' rights, a health benefits package and compulsory indemnity insurance. Whilst the Maltese geo-demographic situation precludes automatic generalisation of the conclusions from this case study to other Member States, the findings serve to advance our understanding of the mechanisms through which European legislation on health services is influencing health systems, particularly in small EU Member States. Copyright © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Airborne endotoxin in fine particulate matter in Beijing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guan, Tianjia; Yao, Maosheng; Wang, Junxia; Fang, Yanhua; Hu, Songhe; Wang, Yan; Dutta, Anindita; Yang, Junnan; Wu, Yusheng; Hu, Min; Zhu, Tong

2014-11-01

Endotoxin is an important biological component of particulate matter (PM) which, upon inhalation, can induce adverse health effects, and also possibly complicate the diseases in combination with other pollutants. From 1 March 2012 to 27 February 2013 we collected air samples using quartz filters daily for the quantification of airborne endotoxin and also fine PM (PM2.5) in Beijing, China. The geometric means for endotoxin concentration and the fraction of endotoxin in PM were 0.65 EU/m3 (range: 0.10-75.02) and 10.25 EU/mg PM2.5 (range: 0.38-1627.29), respectively. The endotoxin concentrations were shown to vary greatly with seasons, typically with high values in the spring and winter seasons. Temperature and relative humidity, as well as concentrations of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides were found to be significantly correlated with airborne endotoxin concentrations (p < 0.05). Additionally, positive correlations were also detected between endotoxin concentrations and natural sources of Na+, K+, Mg2+, and F-, while negative correlations were observed between endotoxin concentrations and anthropogenic sources of P, Co, Zn, As, and Tl. Oxidative potential analysis revealed that endotoxin concentrations were positively correlated with reactive oxygen species (ROS), but not dithiothreitol (DTT) of PM. This study provided the first continuous time series of airborne endotoxin concentrations in Beijing, and identifies its potential associations with atmospheric factors. The information developed here can assist in the assessment of health effects of air pollution in Beijing.

Evaluation of an air-filtration system for preventing aerosol transmission of Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus

PubMed Central

2005-01-01

Abstract The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of a commercial air-filtration system to reduce aerosol transmission of Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). The system consisted of a pre-filter and 2 filters with EU8 and EU13 ratings. In each of 4 trials, 5 PRRSV-infected donor pigs and 1 naïve recipient pig (each 25 kg) were housed in opposing chambers connected by a 1.3-m-long duct. The system filtered air entering 1 recipient-pig chamber (filtered facility) from the donor- chamber but not a 2nd recipient-pig chamber (nonfiltered facility). The donor pigs had been experimentally infected with PRRSV MN-184, an isolate previously documented to be shed at a high frequency in contagious aerosols. On days 3 to 7 after infection of the donors, the 2 groups were housed in their respective chambers for 6 h and then in separate facilities, where samples were collected for testing by polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay over 14 d. Aerosol transmission was observed in 6 of the 20 replicates in the nonfiltered facility, whereas all pigs remained PRRSV-negative in the filtered facility; the difference was significant at P < 0.01. Thus, under the conditions of this study, the air-filtration system evaluated appeared to be highly effective at reducing aerosol transmission of PRRSV. PMID:16479728

Multichannel Luminescence Properties of Mixed-Valent Eu2+/Eu3+ Coactivated SrAl3BO7 Nanocrystalline Phosphors for Near-UV LEDs.

PubMed

Liu, Xiaoming; Xie, Weijie; Lü, Ying; Feng, Jingchun; Tang, Xinghua; Lin, Jun; Dai, Yuhua; Xie, Yu; Yan, Liushui

2017-11-20

Up to now, orchestrating the coexistence of Eu 2+ and Eu 3+ activators in a single host lattice has been an extremely difficult task, especially for the appearance of the characteristic emission of Eu 2+ and Eu 3+ in order to generate white light. Nevertheless, here we demonstrate a new Eu 2+ /Eu 3+ coactivated SrAl 3 BO 7 nanocrystalline phosphor with abundant and excellent multichannel luminescence properties. A series of Eu 2+ /Eu 3+ coactivated SrAl 3 BO 7 nanocrystalline phosphors were prepared through a Pechini-type sol-gel method followed by a reduction process. With excitation of UV/NUV light, the prepared SrAl 3 BO 7 :Eu 2+ ,Eu 3+ phosphors show not only the characteristic f-f transitions of Eu 3+ ion ( 5 D J → 7 F J,J' , J, J' = 0-3), but also the 5d → 4f transitions of Eu 2+ ion with comparable intensity from 400 to 700 nm in the whole visible spectral region. The luminescence color of the SrAl 3 BO 7 :Eu 2+ ,Eu 3+ phosphor can be tuned from blue, blue-green, white, and orange to orange-red by changing the excitation wavelength, the overall doping concentration of europium ions (Eu 2+ , Eu 3+ ), and the relative ratio of Eu 2+ to Eu 3+ ions to some extent. A single-phase white-light emission has been realized in SrAl 3 BO 7 :Eu 2+ ,Eu 3+ phosphor. The obtained SrAl 3 BO 7 :Eu 2+ ,Eu 3+ phosphor has potential application in the area of NUV white-light-emitting diodes.

Studying of kinetics of rear earth ion (REI) nanoscale complex formation by resonant energy transfer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ignatova, Tetyana; Pristinski, Denis; Rotkin, Slava V.

2011-03-01

We observed formation of nanoscale complexes between multivalent REIs (Tb and Eu) and negatively charged DNA wrapped SWNTs, ionized in the water solution. Foerster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) was found to be an ideal method to confirm the complex formation. Because of its high sensitivity and non-destructive characterization approach FRET can be used to trace the kinetics of the complex formation. Strong dependence of SWNT photoluminescence (PL) on the REI concentration was detected and interpreted as a competition between the REI absorption on the SWNTs and subsequent FRET enhanced PL and the SWNT agglomeration followed by PL quenching. We measured the distance between REI and SWNT which appears to be much shorter than the one from their relative concentration in solution. We speculate that Manning condensation of the REIs on the SWNT/DNA surface happens thereby significantly reducing their spacing and making FRET possible.

A Signature of Spatial Correlations between rare earth ions and single-wall nanotubes wrapped with DNA in their mixed solution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ignatova, Tetyana; Rotkin, Slava V.

2012-02-01

We propose that the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between the rare earth ions (REI) and single-wall nanotubes (SWNT) can be used to measure their Coulomb correlation in solution. As a calibration experiment the FRET between two different REIs, being the energy donor and the acceptor, in their mixed solution has been used. From the photoluminescence decay time we were able to extract the characteristic distance between unlike REIs. Our study revealed negative correlation (the repulsion) for Tb-Eu solution. In the case of the solution containing the REI and the SWNTs wrapped with DNA we observed a significant positive correlation (the attraction and the complex formation). The data is in a good agreement with the theoretical estimates and allows to propose REIs and their FRET as a sensitive tool for detecting kinetics of interaction of SWNTs in aqueous solutions.

Emotion understanding, theory of mind, and prosocial orientation: Relations over time in early childhood

PubMed Central

Eggum, Natalie D.; Eisenberg, Nancy; Kao, Karen; Spinrad, Tracy L.; Bolnick, Rebecca; Hofer, Claire; Kupfer, Anne S.; Fabricius, William V.

2012-01-01

Data were collected when children were 42, 54, and 72 months of age (Ns=210, 191, and 172 for T1, T2, and T3, respectively). Children's emotion understanding (EU) and theory of mind (ToM) were examined as predictors of children's prosocial orientation within and across time. EU positively related to children's sympathy across 2.5 years, and T1 EU positively related to parent-reported prosocial orientation concurrently and across 1 year (T2). T2 ToM positively related to parents' reports of sympathy and prosocial orientation concurrently and 18 months later (T3); in contrast, T3 ToM did not relate to sympathy or prosocial orientation. T2 ToM accounted for marginally significant variance (p<0.058) in T3 mother-reported prosocial orientation over and above that accounted for by T2 prosocial orientation. Fostering the development of EU and ToM may contribute to children's prosocial orientation. PMID:22518196

Oxygen-vacancy-mediated dielectric property in perovskite Eu0.5Ba0.5TiO3-δ epitaxial thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Weiwei; Gu, Junxing; He, Qian; Zhang, Kelvin H. L.; Wang, Chunchang; Jin, Kuijuan; Wang, Yongqiang; Acosta, Matias; Wang, Haiyan; Borisevich, Albina Y.; MacManus-Driscoll, Judith L.; Yang, Hao

2018-04-01

Dielectric relaxation in ABO3 perovskite oxides can result from many different charge carrier-related phenomena. Despite a strong understanding of dielectric relaxations, a detailed investigation of the relationship between the content of oxygen vacancies (VO) and dielectric relaxation has not been performed in perovskite oxide films. In this work, we report a systematic investigation of the influence of the VO concentration on the dielectric relaxation of Eu0.5Ba0.5TiO3-δ epitaxial thin films. Nuclear resonance backscattering spectrometry was used to directly measure the oxygen concentration in Eu0.5Ba0.5TiO3-δ films. We found that dipolar defects created by VO interact with the off-centered Ti ions, which results in the dielectric relaxation in Eu0.5Ba0.5TiO3-δ films. Activation energy gradually increases with the increasing content of VO. The present work significantly extends our understanding of relaxation properties in oxide films.

Overview of the current status of genetically modified plants in Europe as compared to the USA.

PubMed

Brandt, Peter

2003-07-01

Genetically modified crops have been tested in 1,726 experimental releases in the EU member states and in 7,815 experimental releases in the USA. The global commercial cultivation area of genetically modified crops is likely to reach 50 million hectares in 2001, however, the commercial production of genetically modified crops in the EU amounts to only a few thousand hectares and accounts for only some 0.03% of the world production. A significant gap exists between the more than fifty genetically modified crop species already permitted to be cultivated and to be placed on the market in the USA, Canada and other countries and the five genetically modified crop species permitted for the same use in the EU member states, which are still pending inclusion in the Common Catalogue of agricultural plant species. The further development of the "green gene technology" in the EU will be a matter of public acceptance and administrative legislation.

Microbiological assessment of house and imported bottled water by comparison of bacterial endotoxin concentration, heterotrophic plate count, and fecal coliform count.

PubMed

Reyes, Mayra I; Pérez, Cynthia M; Negrón, Edna L

2008-03-01

Consumers increasingly use bottled water and home water treatment systems to avoid direct tap water. According to the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA), an industry trade group, 5 billion gallons of bottled water were consumed by North Americans in 2001. The principal aim of this study was to assess the microbial quality of in-house and imported bottled water for human consumption, by measurement and comparison of the concentration of bacterial endotoxin and standard cultivable methods of indicator microorganisms, specifically, heterotrophic and fecal coliform plate counts. A total of 21 brands of commercial bottled water, consisting of 10 imported and 11 in-house brands, selected at random from 96 brands that are consumed in Puerto Rico, were tested at three different time intervals. The Standard Limulus Amebocyte Lysate test, gel clot method, was used to measure the endotoxin concentrations. The minimum endotoxin concentration in 63 water samples was less than 0.0625 EU/mL, while the maximum was 32 EU/mL. The minimum bacterial count showed no growth, while the maximum was 7,500 CFU/mL. Bacterial isolates like P. fluorescens, Corynebacterium sp. J-K, S. paucimobilis, P. versicularis, A. baumannii, P. chlororaphis, F. indologenes, A. faecalis and P. cepacia were identified. Repeated measures analysis of variance demonstrated that endotoxin concentration did not change over time, while there was a statistically significant (p < 0.05) decrease in bacterial count over time. In addition, multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that a unit change in the concentration of endotoxin across time was associated with a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in the bacteriological cell count. This analysis evidenced a significant time effect in the average log bacteriological cell count. Although bacterial growth was not detected in some water samples, endotoxin was present. Measurement of Gram-negative bacterial endotoxins is one of the methods that have been suggested as a rapid way of determining bacteriological water quality.

Molybdenite Re/Os dating, zircon U-Pb age and geochemistry of granitoids in the Yangchuling porphyry W-Mo deposit (Jiangnan tungsten ore belt), China: Implications for petrogenesis, mineralization and geodynamic setting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mao, Jingwen; Xiong, Bikang; Liu, Jun; Pirajno, Franco; Cheng, Yanbo; Ye, Huishou; Song, Shiwei; Dai, Pan

2017-08-01

The Yangchuling W-Mo deposit, located in the Jiangnan porphyry-skarn (JNB) tungsten ore belt, is the first recognized typical porphyry W-Mo deposit in China in the 1980's. Stockworks and disseminated W-Mo mineralization occur in the roof pendant of a 0.3 km2 monzogranitic porphyry stock that intruded into a granodiorite stock, hosted by Neoproterozoic phyllite and slate. LA-ICPMS zircon U-Pb analyses suggest that of the monzogranitic porphyry and granodiorite were formed at 143.8 ± 0.5 Ma and 149.8 ± 0.6 Ma, respectively. Six molybdenite samples yielded a Re-Os weighted mean age of 146.4 ± 1.0 Ma. Geochemical data show that both granodiorite and monzogranitic porphyry are characterized by enrichment of large ion lithophile elements (LILE) relative to high field strength elements (HFSE), indicating a peraluminous nature (A/CNK = 1.01-1.08). Two granitoids are characterized by a negative slope with significant light REE/heavy REE fractionation [(La/Yb)N = 8.38-23.20] and negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.69-0.76). The P2O5 contents of the Yangchuling granitoids range from 0.12% to 0.17% and exhibit a negative correlation with SiO2, reflecting that they are highly fractionated I-type. They have high initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.7104-0.7116), low negative εNd(t) (- 5.05 to - 5.67), and homogeneous εHf(t) between - 1.39 and - 2.17, indicating similar sources. Additionally, two-stage Nd model ages (TDM2) of 1.3-1.4 Ga and two-stage Hf model ages (TDM2) of 1.2-1.3 Ga are consistent, indicating that Neoproterozoic crustal rocks of the Shuangqiaoshan Group could have contributed to form the Yangchuling magmas. Considering the two groups of parallel Late Mesozoic ore belts, namely the Jiangnan porphyry-skarn tungsten belt (JNB) in the south and the Middle-Lower Yangtze River porphyry-skarn Cu-Au-Mo-Fe ore belt (YRB) in the north, the Nanling granite-related W-Sn ore belt (NLB) in the south, the neighboring Qin-Hang porphyry-skarn Cu-Mo-hydrothermal Pb-Zn-Ag ore belt (QHB) in the north, as well as the Southeastern Coast porphyry-skarn Cu-Mo-Au ore belt (SCB) recognized in South China in this paper, we propose that the latest Jurassic to earliest Cretaceous granitoids and associated ores were formed during a tearing of the subducting Izanagi slab. This tearing of the subduction slab caused the upwelling of asthenosphere and the resulting mantle-crust interaction. The granitoid-related W ore systems in JNB resulted from the remelting of the Proterozoic crust. The mafic-ultramafic volcanic rocks of the Shuangqiaoshan Group intercalated with phyllite and slate, ophiolitic mélange and magmatic arc rocks, mainly comprising I-type granite, basalt, andesite, rhyolite, pyroclastics, together with subduction-related metasomatized lithospheric mantle, would have provided additional mantle material. In this case, the partial melting of rocks of the Shuangqiaoshan Group can produce S-, I- and transitional type granitoids. After strong differentiation it formed tungsten-bearing granitoids characterized by enrichment of high alkali, silicon and volatile components. In the Yangchuling mine area the small monzogranitic porphyry stock has stronger fractionation, volatile content and ore-forming components than the older granodiorite, resulting in the development of the porphyry W-Mo ore system.

Bridgman Growth of Large SrI2:Eu2+ Single Crystals: A High-performance Scintillator for Radiation Detection Applications

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

Boatner, Lynn A; Ramey, Joanne Oxendine; Kolopus, James A

2013-01-01

Single-crystal strontium iodide (SrI2) doped with relatively high levels (e.g., 3 - 6 %) of Eu2+ exhibits characteristics that make this material superior, in a number of respects, to other scintillators that are currently used for radiation detection. Specifically, SrI2:Eu2+ has a light yield that is significantly higher than LaBr3:Ce3+ -a currently employed commercial high-performance scintillator. Additionally, SrI2:Eu2+ is characterized by an energy resolution as high as 2.6% at the 137Cs gamma-ray energy of 662 keV, and there is no radioactive component in SrI2:Eu2+ - unlike LaBr3:Ce3+ that contains 138La. The Ce3+-doped LaBr3 decay time is, however, faster (30 nsec)more » than the 1.2 sec decay time of SrI2:Eu2+. Due to the relatively low melting point of strontium iodide (~515 oC), crystal growth can be carried out in quartz crucibles by the vertical Bridgman technique. Materials-processing and crystal-growth techniques that are specific to the Bridgman growth of europium-doped strontium iodide scintillators are described here. These techniques include the use of a porous quartz frit to physically filter the molten salt from a quartz antechamber into the Bridgman growth crucible and the use of a bent or bulb grain selector design to suppress multiple grain growth. Single crystals of SrI2:Eu2+ scintillators with good optical quality and scintillation characteristics have been grown in sizes up to 5.0 cm in diameter by applying these techniques. Other aspects of the SrI2:Eu2+ crystal-growth methods and of the still unresolved crystal-growth issues are described here.« less

Rapid and highly efficient preconcentration of Eu(III) by core-shell structured Fe3O4@humic acid magnetic nanoparticles.

PubMed

Yang, Shitong; Zong, Pengfei; Ren, Xuemei; Wang, Qi; Wang, Xiangke

2012-12-01

In this study, humic acid-coated Fe(3)O(4) magnetic nanoparticles (Fe(3)O(4)@HA MNPs) were synthesized using a chemical coprecipitation method and characterized in detail. The XRD analysis results showed that HA coating did not change the phase of Fe(3)O(4) cores. The TEM image suggested that Fe(3)O(4)@HA MNPs had nearly uniform size without the observation of aggregation. The Fe(3)O(4)@HA MNPs were stable in solution and could be easily separated from aqueous solution using a magnetic separation method. A batch technique was adopted to investigate the removal efficiency of Fe(3)O(4)@HA MNPs toward Eu(III) under various environmental conditions. The kinetic process of Eu(III) sorption on Fe(3)O(4)@HA MNPs reached equilibrium within <30 min. The fast sorption kinetics and high sorption amount were attributed to the plentiful surface sites provided by the surface-coated HA macromolecules. The Fe(3)O(4)@HA MNPs was able to remove ~99% of Eu(III) in aqueous solution at pH 8.5. Except for SO(4)(2-) anions, the coexisting electrolyte ions had no significant competition effects on the removal of Eu(III) by Fe(3)O(4)@HA MNPs. The obvious sorption-desorption hysteresis suggested that the removal of Eu(III) was dominated by inner-sphere surface complexation. The sorption isotherm agreed well with the Langmuir model, having a maximum sorption capacity of 6.95 × 10(-5) mol g(-1). The leaching test showed that the Eu(III)-loaded Fe(3)O(4)@HA colloids were capable to maintain high thermodynamic stability for long aging times. The findings herein suggested that Fe(3)O(4)@HA MNPs could be potentially used as a highly effective material for the enrichment and preconcentration of radionuclide Eu(III) or other trivalent lanthanides/actinides in geological repositories or in nuclear waste management.

Impact of cigarette price differences across the entire European Union on cross-border purchase of tobacco products among adult cigarette smokers.

PubMed

Agaku, Israel T; Blecher, Evan; Filippidis, Filippos T; Omaduvie, Uyoyo T; Vozikis, Athanassios; Vardavas, Constantine I

2016-05-01

We investigated the impact of cigarette price differences across the European Union (EU) on cross-border tobacco purchasing because of cheaper price among current cigarette smokers. Individual-level tobacco-related data (including cross-border tobacco purchasing behavior) were from the Special Eurobarometer 385 (V.77.1), a cross-sectional survey of persons aged ≥15 years from 27 EU Member States during 2012. Country-specific weighted average prices (WAP) per 1000 cigarettes (as of 1 July 2012) were obtained from the European Commission, and divided by 50 to yield WAP per cigarette pack. The dispersion in EU cigarette prices was measured with the coefficient of variation. Multivariate logistic regression was applied to measure the relationship between EU-wide cigarette price differential and cross-border tobacco purchasing because of cheaper price among current cigarette smokers (n=6896). The coefficient of variation for cigarette WAP within the EU was 0.39 (mean price=€3.99/pack). Of all current cigarette smokers in the EU, 26.2% (27.5 million persons) engaged in a cross-border tobacco purchase within the past 12 months, of which 56.3% did so because of cheaper price in another country. EU-wide cigarette price differential was significantly associated with making a cross-border tobacco purchase because of cheaper price (adjusted OR=1.34; 95% CI 1.22 to 1.47). Reducing differences in cigarette tax and price within the EU, coupled with a stricter limitation on the quantity of cigarettes that it is possible to carry from one Member State to another, may help reduce cross-border tax avoidance strategies. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/

Effective lattice stabilization of gadolinium aluminate garnet (GdAG) via Lu3+ doping and development of highly efficient (Gd,Lu)AG:Eu3+ red phosphors

PubMed Central

Li, Jinkai; Li, Ji-Guang; Zhang, Zhongjie; Wu, Xiaoli; Liu, Shaohong; Li, Xiaodong; Sun, Xudong; Sakka, Yoshio

2012-01-01

The metastable garnet lattice of Gd3Al5O12 is stabilized by doping with smaller Lu3+, which then allows an effective incorporation of larger Eu3+ activators. The [(Gd1−xLux)1−yEuy]3Al5O12 (x = 0.1–0.5, y = 0.01–0.09) garnet solid solutions, calcined from their precursors synthesized via carbonate coprecipitation, exhibit strong luminescence at 591 nm (the 5D0 → 7F1 magnetic dipole transition of Eu3+) upon UV excitation into the charge transfer band (CTB) at ∼239 nm, with CIE chromaticity coordinates of x = 0.620 and y = 0.380 (orange-red). The quenching concentration of Eu3+ was estimated at ∼5 at.% (y = 0.05), and the quenching was attributed to exchange interactions. Partial replacement of Gd3+ with Lu3+ up to 50 at.% (x = 0.5) while keeping Eu3+ at the optimal content of 5 at.% does not significantly alter the peak positions of the CTB and 5D0 → 7F1 emission bands but slightly weakens both bands owing to the higher electronegativity of Lu3+. The effects of processing temperature (1000–1500 °C) and Lu/Eu contents on the intensity, quantum efficiency, lifetime and asymmetry factor of luminescence were thoroughly investigated. The [(Gd0.7Lu0.3)0.95Eu0.05]3Al5O12 phosphor processed at 1500 °C exhibits a high internal quantum efficiency of ∼83.2% under 239 nm excitation, which, in combination with the high theoretical density, favors its use as a new type of photoluminescent and scintillation material. PMID:27877495

Control of Eu Luminescence Centers by Codoping of Mg and Si into Eu-Doped GaN

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Dong-gun; Wakamatsu, Ryuta; Koizumi, Atsushi; Terai, Yoshikazu; Fujiwara, Yasufumi

2013-08-01

The effects of Mg and Si codoping on Eu luminescence properties have been investigated in Eu-doped GaN (GaN:Eu). The Mg codoping into GaN:Eu produced novel luminescence centers consisting of Eu and Mg, and increased photoluminescence (PL) intensity in Eu,Mg-codoped GaN (GaN:Eu,Mg). However, this increased PL intensity was quenched by thermal annealing in N2 ambient, which is due to activation of Mg acceptors. In GaN:Eu,Mg codoped additionally with Si (GaN:Eu,Mg,Si), on the other hand, the Eu-Mg centers disappeared, while an additional luminescence center appeared. Furthermore, the additional luminescence center showed no quenching under N2 annealing because Si donors compensated for the Mg acceptors in GaN. Thermal quenching of the luminescence center was also approximately half of that in GaN:Eu. These results indicate that the codoping with additional impurities in GaN:Eu is a powerful technique to control Eu luminescence centers for realization of improved device performance in red light-emitting diodes using GaN:Eu.

Local atomic arrangement and scintillation properties of Eu- and Ce-doped NaYP{sub 2}O{sub 7}

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

Novais, S.M.V., E-mail: suellen.mvn@gmail.com; Macedo, Z.S.

2016-01-15

Direct determination of rare earth location and local environment in NaYP{sub 2}O{sub 7} are presented. Undoped and Ln-doped NaYP{sub 2}O{sub 7} (Ln=Eu, Ce) were produced via PVA-assisted sol–gel method. Lattice parameters were determined from Rietveld refinement, showing monoclinic structure. XAS results suggested Eu{sup 3+} and Ce{sup 3+} are incorporated into NaYP{sub 2}O{sub 7} host in substitution to Y{sup 3+} site, with first coordination shell formed by six oxygen ions. Measurements at Eu edge showed a single peak in R space for Eu–O distribution. In this case, uniform interatomic distances implied to absence of significant disorder. Analysis at Ce edge presentedmore » different behavior, with Ce–O distribution characterized by a split peak in R space. Nearest neighborhood was found to be distributed with Ce occupying an off-center position in Y site. Under X-ray excitation, {sup 5}D{sub 0}→{sup 7}F{sub J} emission lines of Eu{sup 3+} were identified for NaYP{sub 2}O{sub 7}:Eu. NaYP{sub 2}O{sub 7}:Ce presented a broad emission formed by 5d→{sup 2}F{sub J} transitions of Ce{sup 3+}, with the superposition attributed to the effect of distorted oxygen octahedra around the dopant ions. - Graphical abstract: EuO{sub 6} and CeO{sub 6} octahedral arrangement relative to Y site in NaYP{sub 2}O{sub 7} host, and XEOL emission of corresponding doped samples. - Highlights: • Lattice parameters of NaYP{sub 2}O{sub 7} undoped sample confirmed monoclinic structure. • Dopants Eu and Ce are incorporated in the trivalent state. • Local order of Eu{sup 3+} and Ce{sup 3+} dopants substituting Y{sup 3+} consist of octahedral symmetry. • Off-center displacement in the case of Ce{sup 3+} position was discussed. • Luminescent properties under X-ray excitation may allow practical applications.« less

Studying CaSO4:Eu as an OSL phosphor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guckan, Veysi; Altunal, Volkan; Nur, Necmettin; Depci, Tolga; Ozdemir, Adnan; Kurt, Kasim; Yu, Yan; Yegingil, Ihami; Yegingil, Zehra

2017-09-01

This study was carried out to investigate the properties of the OSL signal from Eu-doped calcium sulfate (CaSO4:Eu) phosphor and study on its thermal behavior as a function of temperature under a series of luminescence experiments. The suitability of its usage as an optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dosimeter was also checked. CaSO4:Eu was synthesized using the precipitation method and prepared in pellet form. The dopant concentration value was performed as 0.1 mol%. The synthesized CaSO4:Eu was analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) method to confirm the product. To have an idea about the crystallography and microstructure morphology of the material, scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis were carried out. It was found that the OSL signal is a resultant signal having three components and exhibits thermal quenching above 150 °C. The excitation spectrum of CaSO4:Eu showed different peaks in the region 220-360 nm with the highest one at 269 nm. Thermoluminescence (TL) signals of CaSO4:Eu pellets were obtained and compared with the TL signals obtained after OSL measurements of the same pellets by blue light stimulation. The low temperature peak near 180 °C did not show any significant change in TL after OSL measurement whereas the high temperature peak at 240 °C was bleached with the blue light illumination and might be responsible for the observed OSL signal. The dosimetric properties such as dose response, minimum detectable dose, energy response, reusability, fading properties, thermal stability and effect of reading temperatures on OSL signals were examined. OSL signals of CaSO4:Eu pellets were decreased by approximately 8% at the end of the 24 h and by about 7% at the end of 28 days when compared with the first readout. The thermal stability of the ∼240 °C TL peak and OSL signal using isothermal decay measurements were used to determine the trap parameters. The CaSO4:Eu OSL dosimeter in accordance with the presented study allows a high-sensitivity OSL phosphor whose host material was previously known as conventional synthetic CaSO4 TLD material.

Green infrastructure development at European Union's eastern border: Effects of road infrastructure and forest habitat loss.

PubMed

Angelstam, Per; Khaulyak, Olha; Yamelynets, Taras; Mozgeris, Gintautas; Naumov, Vladimir; Chmielewski, Tadeusz J; Elbakidze, Marine; Manton, Michael; Prots, Bohdan; Valasiuk, Sviataslau

2017-05-15

The functionality of forest patches and networks as green infrastructure may be affected negatively both by expanding road networks and forestry intensification. We assessed the effects of (1) the current and planned road infrastructure, and (2) forest loss and gain, on the remaining large forest landscape massifs as green infrastructure at the EU's eastern border region in post-socialistic transition. First, habitat patch and network functionality in 1996-98 was assessed using habitat suitability index modelling. Second, we made expert interviews about road development with planners in 10 administrative regions in Poland, Belarus and Ukraine. Third, forest loss and gain inside the forest massifs, and gain outside them during the period 2001-14 were measured. This EU cross-border region hosts four remaining forest massifs as regional green infrastructure hotspots. While Poland's road network is developing fast in terms of new freeways, city bypasses and upgrades of road quality, in Belarus and Ukraine the focus is on maintenance of existing roads, and no new corridors. We conclude that economic support from the EU, and thus rapid development of roads in Poland, is likely to reduce the permeability for wildlife of the urban and agricultural matrix around existing forest massifs. However, the four identified forest massifs themselves, forming the forest landscape green infrastructure at the EU's east border, were little affected by road development plans. In contrast, forest loss inside massifs was high, especially in Ukraine. Only in Poland forest loss was balanced by gain. Forest gain outside forest massifs was low. To conclude, pro-active and collaborative spatial planning across different sectors and countries is needed to secure functional forest green infrastructure as base for biodiversity conservation and human well-being. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Controlled synthesis and novel photoluminescence properties of BaTiO{sub 3}:Eu{sup 3+}/Eu{sup 2+} nanocrystals

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

Feng, Li; Li, Ying; Wang, Guofeng, E-mail: wanggf75@gmail.com

2015-01-15

Highlights: • Tetragonal phase BaTiO{sub 3}:Eu nanocrystals were successfully synthesized using a hydrothermal method. • Under 398 nm excitation, the emissions from Eu{sup 2+} and Eu{sup 3+} ions were observed. • The emission band of Eu{sup 2+} from BaTiO{sub 3}:Eu was observed to broaden with increasing Eu concentration. - Abstract: Tetragonal phase BaTiO{sub 3}:Eu nanocrystals were successfully synthesized using a hydrothermal method and a subsequent calcination treatment. The structures and morphologies of nanocrystals were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The photoluminescence properties of BaTiO{sub 3}:Eu were investigated in detail. Under 398 nmmore » excitation, the emissions from Eu{sup 2+} and Eu{sup 3+} ions were observed, indicating that Eu{sup 2+} and Eu{sup 3+} ions coexisted in BaTiO{sub 3}:Eu nanocrystals. Especially, the emission band of Eu{sup 2+} from BaTiO{sub 3}:Eu was observed to broaden with increasing Eu concentration. When the Eu concentration was 0.5 mol%, the {sup 5}D{sub 0} → {sup 7}F{sub 0} and {sup 5}D{sub 1} → {sup 7}F{sub 0} emissions were observed. In addition, under 537 nm excitation, the emission intensity increased with increasing Eu concentration.« less

A Strategy to enhance Eu3+ emission from LiYF4:Eu nanophosphors and green-to-orange multicolor tunable, transparent nanophosphor-polymer composites

PubMed Central

Kim, Su Yeon; Won, Yu-Ho; Jang, Ho Seong

2015-01-01

LiYF4:Eu nanophosphors with a single tetragonal phase are synthesized, and various strategies to enhance the Eu3+ emission from the nanophosphors are investigated. The optimized Eu3+ concentration is 35 mol%, and the red emission peaks due to the 5D0 →7FJ (J = 1 and 2) transitions of Eu3+ ions are further enhanced by energy transfer from a sensitizer pair of Ce3+ and Tb3+. The triple doping of Ce, Tb, and Eu into the LiYF4 host more effectively enhances the Eu3+ emission than the core/shell strategies of LiYF4:Eu(35%)/LiYF4:Ce(15%), Tb(15%) and LiYF4:Ce(15%), Tb(15%)/LiYF4:Eu(35%) architectures. Efficient energy transfer from Ce3+ to Eu3+ through Tb3+ results in three times higher Eu3+ emission intensity from LiYF4:Ce(15%), Tb(15%), Eu(1%) nanophosphors compared with LiYF4:Eu(35%), which contains the optimized Eu3+ concentration. Owing to the energy transfer of Ce3+ → Tb3+ and Ce3+ → Tb3+ → Eu3+, intense green and red emission peaks are observed from LiYF4:Ce(13%), Tb(14%), Eu(1-5%) (LiYF4:Ce, Tb, Eu) nanophosphors, and the intensity ratio of green to red emission is controlled by adjusting the Eu3+ concentration. With increasing Eu3+ concentration, the LiYF4:Ce, Tb, Eu nanophosphors exhibit multicolor emission from green to orange. In addition, the successful incorporation of LiYF4:Ce, Tb, Eu nanophosphors into polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) facilitates the preparation of highly transparent nanophosphor-PDMS composites that present excellent multicolor tunability. PMID:25597900

Predictors of career progression and obstacles and opportunities for non-EU hospital doctors to undertake postgraduate training in Ireland.

PubMed

Tyrrell, Ella; Keegan, Conor; Humphries, Niamh; McAleese, Sara; Thomas, Steve; Normand, Charles; Brugha, Ruairí

2016-06-30

The World Health Organization's Global Code on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel urges Member States to observe fair recruitment practices and ensure equality of treatment of migrant and domestically-trained health personnel. However, international medical graduates (IMGs) have experienced difficulties in accessing postgraduate training and in progressing their careers in several destination countries. Ireland is highly dependent on IMGs, but also employs non-European Union (EU) doctors who qualified as doctors in Ireland. However, little is known regarding the career progression of these doctors. In this context, the present study assesses the determinants of career progression of non-EU doctors with particular focus on whether barriers to progression exist for those graduating outside Ireland compared to those who have graduated within. The study utilises quantitative data from an online survey of non-EU doctors registered with the Medical Council of Ireland undertaken as part of the Doctor Migration Project (2011-2013). Non-EU doctors registered with the Medical Council of Ireland were asked to complete an online survey about their recruitment, training and career experiences in Ireland. Analysis was conducted on the responses of 231 non-EU hospital doctors whose first post in Ireland was not permanent. Career progression was analysed by means of binary logistic regression analysis. While some of the IMGs had succeeded in accessing specialist training, many experienced slow or stagnant career progression when compared with Irish-trained non-EU doctors. Key predictors of career progression for non-EU doctors working in Ireland showed that doctors who qualified outside of Ireland were less likely than Irish-trained non-EU doctors to experience career progression. Length of stay as a qualified doctor in Ireland was strongly associated with career progression. Those working in anaesthesia were significantly more likely to experience career progression than those in other specialities. The present study highlights differences in terms of achieving career progression and training for Irish-trained non-EU doctors, compared to those trained elsewhere. However, the findings herein warrant further attention from a workforce planning and policy development perspective regarding Ireland's obligations under the Global Code of hiring, promoting and remunerating migrant health personnel on the basis of equality of treatment with the domestically-trained health workforce.

A gamma and neutron phoswich read out with SiPM for SPRD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Tuchen; Fu, Qibin; Yuan, Cenxi; Lin, Shaopeng

2018-02-01

A gamma and neutron phoswich was developed for spectroscopic personal radiation detectors (SPRDs). It consisted of a Φ25 × 25 mm NaI(Tl) crystal for gamma detection and a Φ25 × 3 mm LiI(Eu) crystal for neutron detection. The phoswich was read out by 8 × 8 ch SiPM array (24 × 24 mm2). Radiations in NaI(Tl) and LiI(Eu) were discriminated by pulse shape, while gammas and neutrons in LiI(Eu) were separated by pulse amplitude. For the LiI(Eu), the gamma equivalent energy for thermal neutrons was measured as 3.6 ± 0.1 MeV, providing satisfactory gamma rejection. For NaI(Tl), the response of SiPM array was well linear in the energy range up to 1408 keV, at which a deviation less than 2% was measured. Digital pulse shape discrimination (PSD) was implemented with an 8-bit digitizer running at 50 MSPS sampling rate and offline analysis. The signal pulses from NaI(Tl) and LiI(Eu) showed significant difference in falling edge allowing effective PSD. The best figure of merit (FOM) was measured as 4.4 ± 0.2 with optimized parameters, providing excellent PSD performance. The energy resolutions for 661.6 keV gamma rays in NaI(Tl) and thermal neutrons in LiI(Eu) were measured as 7.0 ± 0.2% and 11.2 ± 0.2% respectively, with selected PSD threshold.

μSR study of Eu{sub 0.8}Ce{sub 0.2}Mn{sub 2}O{sub 5} and EuMn{sub 2}O{sub 5} multiferroics

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

Vorob’ev, S. I., E-mail: vsiloa@pnpi.spb.ru; Andrievskii, D. S.; Barsov, S. G.

2016-12-15

A comparative μSR study of ceramic samples of the EuMn{sub 2}O{sub 5} and Eu{sub 0.8}Ce{sub 0.2}Mn{sub 2}O{sub 5} multiferroics is performed in the temperature range from 15 to 300 K. It is found that the Ce doping of the EuMn{sub 2}O{sub 5} sample slightly reduces the temperature of the magnetic phase transition from T{sub N} = 45 K for the EuMn{sub 2}O{sub 5} sample to T{sub N} = 42.5 K for the Eu{sub 0.8}Ce{sub 0.2}Mn{sub 2}O{sub 5} sample. Below the temperature T{sub N} for both samples, there are two types of localization of a thermalized muon with different temperature dependencesmore » of the precession frequency of the magnetic moment of the muon in an internal magnetic field. The higher frequency in both samples refers to the initial antiferromagnetic matrix. The behavior of this frequency in Eu{sub 0.8}Ce{sub 0.2}Mn{sub 2}O{sub 5} follows the Curie–Weiss law with the exponent β = 0.29 ± 0.02, which differs from the value β = 0.39 standard for 3D Heisenberg magnetics and is observed in EuMn{sub 2}O{sub 5}, because of the strong frustration of the doped sample. The temperature-independent low frequency is due to the presence of Mn{sup 3+}–Mn{sup 4+} ferromagnetic pairs located along the b axis of the antiferromagnetic matrix and in the regions of phase separation, which contain such ion pairs and e{sub g} electrons recharging them. In both samples, polarization losses are the same (about 20%) and are associated with the formation of Mn{sup 4+}–Mn{sup 4+} + Mu complexes near Mn{sup 3+}–Mn{sup 4+} ferromagnetic pairs. In the temperature interval from 25 to 45 K, the separation of the Eu{sub 0.8}Ce{sub 0.2}Mn{sub 2}O{sub 5} structure into two fractions where the relaxation rates of polarization of muons differ by an order of magnitude is revealed. This effect is due to a change in the state of regions of phase separation (1D superlattices) at the indicated temperatures. Such effect in EuMn{sub 2}O{sub 5} is significantly weaker.« less

Study of the photocatalytic activity of Fe 3+, Cr 3+, La 3+ and Eu 3+ single-doped and co-doped TiO 2 catalysts produced by aqueous sol-gel processing

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

Malengreaux, Charline M.; Pirard, Sophie L.; Léonard, Géraldine

An aqueous sol-gel process, previously developed for producing undoped and Cu 2+, Ni 2+, Zn 2+ or Pb 2+ doped TiO 2 photocatalysts with remarkably high photocatalytic activity without requiring any calcination step, has been adapted to produce Fe 3+, Cr 3+, La 3+ or Eu 3+ single-doped TiO 2 photocatalysts as well as La3+-Fe3+ and Eu3+-Fe3+ co-doped TiO 2 catalysts. The physicochemical properties of the obtained catalysts have been characterized using a suite of complementary techniques, including ICP-AES, XRD, UV-Vis spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption-desorption and Fe-57 M ssbauer. The active crystalline phase is obtained without requiring any calcination step andmore » all the different catalysts are composed of nanocrystallites of anatase with a size of 6-7 nm and a high specific surface area varying from 181 to 298 m 2 g -1. In this study, the effect of the NO 3:Ti(IV) mole ratio used to induce the peptisation reaction during the synthesis has been studied and the results revealed that this ratio can influence significantly the textural properties of the resulting catalyst. A screening of the photocatalytic activity of the undoped and Fe 3+, Cr 3+, La 3+ or Eu 3+ single-doped and co-doped photocatalysts has been performed by evaluating the degradation of 4-nitrophenol under UV-Visible light (330 nm < < 800 nm). This study suggests that the photocatalytic activity is significantly influenced by the dopant nature and content with an optimal dopant content being observed in the case of Fe 3+ or La 3+ single-doped as well as in the case of La 3+-Fe 3+ and Eu 3+-Fe 3+ co-doped catalysts. In the case of Cr 3+ single-doped catalysts, a detrimental effect of the dopant on the photocatalytic degradation of 4-nitrophenol has been observed while no significant influence of the dopant has been detected in the case of Eu 3+ single-doped catalysts. In conclusion, the role of the different dopants in modulating the photocatalytic activity is discussed.« less

Study of the photocatalytic activity of Fe 3+, Cr 3+, La 3+ and Eu 3+ single-doped and co-doped TiO 2 catalysts produced by aqueous sol-gel processing

DOE PAGES

Malengreaux, Charline M.; Pirard, Sophie L.; Léonard, Géraldine; ...

2016-08-30

An aqueous sol-gel process, previously developed for producing undoped and Cu 2+, Ni 2+, Zn 2+ or Pb 2+ doped TiO 2 photocatalysts with remarkably high photocatalytic activity without requiring any calcination step, has been adapted to produce Fe 3+, Cr 3+, La 3+ or Eu 3+ single-doped TiO 2 photocatalysts as well as La3+-Fe3+ and Eu3+-Fe3+ co-doped TiO 2 catalysts. The physicochemical properties of the obtained catalysts have been characterized using a suite of complementary techniques, including ICP-AES, XRD, UV-Vis spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption-desorption and Fe-57 M ssbauer. The active crystalline phase is obtained without requiring any calcination step andmore » all the different catalysts are composed of nanocrystallites of anatase with a size of 6-7 nm and a high specific surface area varying from 181 to 298 m 2 g -1. In this study, the effect of the NO 3:Ti(IV) mole ratio used to induce the peptisation reaction during the synthesis has been studied and the results revealed that this ratio can influence significantly the textural properties of the resulting catalyst. A screening of the photocatalytic activity of the undoped and Fe 3+, Cr 3+, La 3+ or Eu 3+ single-doped and co-doped photocatalysts has been performed by evaluating the degradation of 4-nitrophenol under UV-Visible light (330 nm < < 800 nm). This study suggests that the photocatalytic activity is significantly influenced by the dopant nature and content with an optimal dopant content being observed in the case of Fe 3+ or La 3+ single-doped as well as in the case of La 3+-Fe 3+ and Eu 3+-Fe 3+ co-doped catalysts. In the case of Cr 3+ single-doped catalysts, a detrimental effect of the dopant on the photocatalytic degradation of 4-nitrophenol has been observed while no significant influence of the dopant has been detected in the case of Eu 3+ single-doped catalysts. In conclusion, the role of the different dopants in modulating the photocatalytic activity is discussed.« less

Subclinical hypothyroidism is associated with metabolic syndrome and clomiphene citrate resistance in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

PubMed

Lu, Yue-Hong; Xia, Zhou-Lan; Ma, Ying-Ying; Chen, Hui-Juan; Yan, Li-Ping; Xu, Hui-Fang

2016-10-01

To evaluate the possible relationship between subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) and metabolic syndrome (MS) and the response to clomiphene citrate (CC) stimulation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). One hundred and ninety-six women with PCOS were divided into two groups: (1) the SCH group with 92 patients; (2) the euthyroid (EU) group with 104 patients. Physical characteristics and metabolic parameters as well as the reaction to CC stimulating test were compared between these two groups. (1) In the SCH group, significantly higher body mass index, Ferriman-Gallwey score, serum triglyceride, insulin and glucose of oral glucose tolerance test, homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and significantly lower serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was observed in comparison with those in the EU group (p < 0.05). (2) The prevalence of CC resistance (30.4%), IR (43.5%) and MS (34.8%) in the SCH group was significantly higher than that in the EU group (p < 0.05). SCH was found associated with IR, MS and CC resistance in women with PCOS. PCOS patients with SCH may have a poorer treatment response to ovulation induction with CC.

Experimental comparison of high-density scintillators for EMCCD-based gamma ray imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heemskerk, Jan W. T.; Kreuger, Rob; Goorden, Marlies C.; Korevaar, Marc A. N.; Salvador, Samuel; Seeley, Zachary M.; Cherepy, Nerine J.; van der Kolk, Erik; Payne, Stephen A.; Dorenbos, Pieter; Beekman, Freek J.

2012-07-01

Detection of x-rays and gamma rays with high spatial resolution can be achieved with scintillators that are optically coupled to electron-multiplying charge-coupled devices (EMCCDs). These can be operated at typical frame rates of 50 Hz with low noise. In such a set-up, scintillation light within each frame is integrated after which the frame is analyzed for the presence of scintillation events. This method allows for the use of scintillator materials with relatively long decay times of a few milliseconds, not previously considered for use in photon-counting gamma cameras, opening up an unexplored range of dense scintillators. In this paper, we test CdWO4 and transparent polycrystalline ceramics of Lu2O3:Eu and (Gd,Lu)2O3:Eu as alternatives to currently used CsI:Tl in order to improve the performance of EMCCD-based gamma cameras. The tested scintillators were selected for their significantly larger cross-sections at 140 keV (99mTc) compared to CsI:Tl combined with moderate to good light yield. A performance comparison based on gamma camera spatial and energy resolution was done with all tested scintillators having equal (66%) interaction probability at 140 keV. CdWO4, Lu2O3:Eu and (Gd,Lu)2O3:Eu all result in a significantly improved spatial resolution over CsI:Tl, albeit at the cost of reduced energy resolution. Lu2O3:Eu transparent ceramic gives the best spatial resolution: 65 µm full-width-at-half-maximum (FWHM) compared to 147 µm FWHM for CsI:Tl. In conclusion, these ‘slow’ dense scintillators open up new possibilities for improving the spatial resolution of EMCCD-based scintillation cameras.

Young people's perceptions of tobacco packaging: a comparison of EU Tobacco Products Directive & Ireland's Standardisation of Tobacco Act

PubMed Central

Babineau, Kate; Clancy, Luke

2015-01-01

Objectives To measure young people's perceptions of tobacco packaging according to two current pieces of legislation: The EU Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) and Ireland's Public Health (Standardisation of Tobacco Products) Act. Design Within-subject experimental cross-sectional survey of a representative sample of secondary school students. School-based pen and paper survey. Setting 27 secondary schools across Ireland, randomly stratified for size, geographic location, gender, religious affiliation and school-level socioeconomic status. Data were collected between March and May 2014. Participants 1378 fifth year secondary school students aged 16–17 in Ireland. Main outcome measures Young people's perceptions of attractiveness, health risk and smoker characteristics of packs according to EU and Irish branding and packaging guidelines. Results Packs with more branding elements were thought to be healthier than standardised packs for Silk Cut (χ2=158.58, p<0.001), Marlboro (χ2=113.65, p<0.001), and Benson and Hedges (χ2=137.95, p<0.001) brands. Generalized estimating equation binary regressions found that gender was a significant predictor of pack attractiveness for Silk Cut, with females being more likely to find the EU packs attractive (β=−0.45, p=0.007). Gender was a significant predictor for females with regards to the perceived popularity of the Silk Cut brand (β=−0.37, p=0.03). Conclusions The removal of brand identifiers, including colour, font and embossing, reduces the perceived appeal of cigarette packs for young people across all three tested brands. Packs standardised according to Irish legislation are perceived as less attractive, less healthy and smoked by less popular people than packs which conform to the EU TPD 2014 guidelines. PMID:26048206

The controls on the major and trace element variations of shales, siltstones, and sandstones of Pennsylvanian-Permian age from uplifted continental blocks in Colorado to platform sediment in Kansas, USA

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

Cullers, R.L.

Shales, siltstones, and sandstones of Pennsylvanian-Permian age from near the source in Colorado to those in the platform in eastern Colorado and Kansas have been analyzed for major elements and a number of trace elements, including the REEs. The near-source sandstones are significantly more enriched (Student t-test at better than the 99% confidence level) in SiO[sub 2] and Na[sub 2]O concentrations and more depleted in Al[sub 2]O[sub 3], Fe[sub 2]O[sub 3] (total), TiO[sub 2], Th, Hf, Sc, Cr, Cs, REEs, Y, and Ni concentrations and La/Co and La/Ni ratios than the near-source shales and siltstones, most likely due to moremore » plagioclase and quartz and less clay minerals in the sandstones than in the shales and siltstones. There are no significant differences in K[sub 2]O and Sr concentrations and Eu/Eu*, La/Lu, La/SC, Th/Sc, Th/Co, and Cr/Th ratios between the near-source sandstones and the near-source shales and siltstones. Samples of the Molas, Hermosa, and Cutler formations near the source that were formed in different environments in the same area contain no significant difference in Eu/Eu, La/Lu, La/Sc, Th/Sc, Th/Co, and Cr/Th ratios, so a generally silicic source and not the environment of deposition was most important in producing these elemental ratios.« less

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

Bouziane, M.; Taibi, M., E-mail: taibiens@yahoo.fr; Boukhari, A.

Electrical properties of Pb{sub 2}Na{sub 0.8}Eu{sub 0.2}Nb{sub 4.8}Fe{sub 0.2}O{sub 15} tungsten bronze compound were investigated. Ferroelectric phase transition of diffuse type is observed at 395 °C. Conductivity study as a function of temperature (RT-600 °C) and at three different frequencies (10, 100 and 1000 kHz) suggests the existence of dominant ionic conduction. The rise of ac conductivity on increasing temperature supports the NTCR (negative temperature coefficient of resistance) behaviour of the material. The activation energies have been evaluated from ac conductivity using Arrhenius equation and discussed. Different conduction mechanisms were identified. For comparison, the conducting properties of Pb{sub 2}Na{sub 0.8}R{submore » 0.2}Nb{sub 4.8}Fe{sub 0.2}O{sub 15} (R=Dy, Nd, La) were also investigated. - Graphical abstract: Thermal evolution of lnσ{sub ac} of Pb{sub 2}Na{sub 0.8}Eu{sub 0.2}Nb{sub 4.8}Fe{sub 0.2}O{sub 15} at selected frequencies. Display Omitted - Highlights: • We found that TB compounds exhibit a diffuse type of first- order transition. • A negative temperature coefficient of resistance (NTCR) behaviour is observed. • Three conduction mechanisms were identified: n-and/or p-type at low temperatures. • The conduction mechanism in the studied compounds is very complex.« less

Therapeutic improvements expected in the near future for schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder: an appraisal of phase III clinical trials of schizophrenia-targeted therapies as found in US and EU clinical trial registries.

PubMed

Garay, Ricardo P; Citrome, Leslie; Samalin, Ludovic; Liu, Chen-Chung; Thomsen, Morten S; Correll, Christoph U; Hameg, Ahcène; Llorca, Pierre-Michel

2016-01-01

In this review, the authors describe medications in phase III of clinical development for schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, and provide an opinion on how current treatment can be improved in the near future. Recent (post 2013) phase III clinical trials of schizophrenia-targeted therapies were found in US and EU clinical trial registries. Two hundred fifty-three trials were identified, that included 16 investigational compounds. The antipsychotics brexpiprazole and cariprazine have been approved in the US, and although both are dopamine D2 receptor partial agonists, they differ markedly in their pharmacodynamic profiles. Encenicline and valbenazine are first-in-class candidates for treatment of cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia (CIAS) and tardive dyskinesia, respectively. Eleven add-on compounds were previously approved for other therapeutic indications and are for the most part being studied at academic medical centers and smaller pharmaceutical companies for negative symptoms and CIAS or for specific populations (comorbidities, antipsychotic-induced obesity). Promising new agents are emerging for schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. In addition to better-tolerated antipsychotics that treat positive symptoms, we could see the arrival of the first effective drug for negative symptoms and CIAS, which would strongly facilitate the ultimate goal of recovery in persons with schizophrenia.

Study of Eu{sup 3+} → Eu{sup 2+} reduction in BaAl{sub 2}O{sub 4}:Eu prepared in different gas atmospheres

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

Rezende, Marcos V. dos S., E-mail: mvsrezende@gmail.com; Valerio, Mário E.G.; Jackson, Robert A.

2015-01-15

Highlights: • The effect of different gas atmospheres on the Eu reduction process was studied. • The Eu reduction was monitored analyzing XANES region at the Eu L{sub III}-edge. • Hydrogen reducing agent are the most appropriate gas for Eu{sup 2+} stabilization. • Only a part of the Eu ions can be stabilized in the divalent state. • A model of Eu reduction process is proposed. - Abstract: The effect of different gas atmospheres such as H{sub 2}(g), synthetic air, carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen (N{sub 2}) on the Eu{sup 3+} → Eu{sup 2+} reduction process during the synthesis ofmore » Eu-doped BaAl{sub 2}O{sub 4} was studied using synchrotron radiation. The Eu{sup 3+} → Eu{sup 2+} reduction was monitored analyzing XANES region when the sample are excited at the Eu L{sub III}-edge. The results show that the hydrogen reducing agent are the most appropriate gas for Eu{sup 2+} stabilization in BaAl{sub 2}O{sub 4} and that only a part of the Eu ions can be stabilized in the divalent state. A model of Eu reduction process, based on the incorporation of charge compensation defects, is proposed.« less

New transparent flexible nanopaper as ultraviolet filter based on red emissive Eu(III) nanofibrillated cellulose

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Zhao; Chang, Hui; Xue, Bailiang; Han, Qing; Lü, Xingqiang; Zhang, Sufeng; Li, Xinping; Zhu, Xunjin; Wong, Wai-kwok; Li, Kecheng

2017-11-01

A new kind of highly red emissive and transparent nanopapers as ultraviolet filter are produced from lanthanide complex Eu(TTA)3(H2O)2 grafted nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) by a filtration process using a Buchner funnel. The nanopapers Eu-NFC 1-4 with different thickness (0.023 mm, 1; 0.04 mm, 2; 0.081 mm, 3 and 0.1 mm, 4) possess a fibres with dimensions of approximately 50 nm in diameter and several micrometres in length. Those nanopapers exhibit excellent ultraviolet A (UVA; 320-400 nm) filter property and high optical transmittance (>73% at wavelength of 600 nm). The presence of Eu(TTA)3(H2O)2 in Eu-NFC nanopapers can block 97% UVA (at 348 nm) light and convert it into pure red emission (CIE: x = 0.663, y = 0.333) through the efficient triplet-triplet energy transfer process. The efficient red emission can significantly improve the photo-stability of β-diketones type UVA filter. It can sustain for 10 h without decomposition under UV irradiation at 365 nm, which makes it possible to be applied in UVA filters. Moreover, its low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE: 6.39 ppm K-1 of nanocellulose), is superior to petroleum-based materials for red organic light-emitting devices.

EU-approved rapid tests might underestimate bovine spongiform encephalopathy infection in goats.

PubMed

Meloni, Daniela; Bozzetta, Elena; Langeveld, Jan P M; Groschup, Martin H; Goldmann, Wilfred; Andrèoletti, Olivier; Lantier, Isabelle; Van Keulen, Lucien; Bossers, Alex; Pitardi, Danilo; Nonno, Romolo; Sklaviadis, Theodoros; Ingravalle, Francesco; Peletto, Simone; Colussi, Silvia; Acutis, Pier Luigi

2017-03-01

We report the diagnostic sensitivity of 3 EU-approved rapid tests (ELISAs; 1 from IDEXX and 2 from Bio-Rad) for the detection of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy diseases in goats. Ninety-eight goat brainstem samples were tested. All the rapid tests had 100% specificity and ≥80% sensitivity, with the IDEXX test significantly more sensitive than the 2 Bio-Rad tests. All tests detected 100% of samples from goats with clinical scrapie, but missed 8% (IDEXX) to 33% (Bio-Rad SG) of samples from preclinical goats. Importantly, only IDEXX picked up all samples from clinical bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE)-infected goats, whereas the other 2 rapid tests missed 15% (Bio-Rad SG) to 25% (Bio-Rad SAP). These results show that a fraction of preclinical scrapie infections are likely missed by EU surveillance, with sensitivity of detection strongly dependent on the choice of the rapid test. Moreover, a significant proportion of clinical BSE infections are underestimated by using either Bio-Rad test. Assuming that the same sensitivity on preclinical goats would also occur in BSE-infected goats, our data suggest that IDEXX is likely the most sensitive test for detecting preclinical field cases of BSE infection in goats, although with an 8% failure rate. These results raise some concerns about the reliability of current EU surveillance figures on BSE infection in goats.

The public health effect of economic crises and alternative policy responses in Europe: an empirical analysis.

PubMed

Stuckler, David; Basu, Sanjay; Suhrcke, Marc; Coutts, Adam; McKee, Martin

2009-07-25

There is widespread concern that the present economic crisis, particularly its effect on unemployment, will adversely affect population health. We investigated how economic changes have affected mortality rates over the past three decades and identified how governments might reduce adverse effects. We used multivariate regression, correcting for population ageing, past mortality and employment trends, and country-specific differences in health-care infrastructure, to examine associations between changes in employment and mortality, and how associations were modified by different types of government expenditure for 26 European Union (EU) countries between 1970 and 2007. We noted that every 1% increase in unemployment was associated with a 0.79% rise in suicides at ages younger than 65 years (95% CI 0.16-1.42; 60-550 potential excess deaths [mean 310] EU-wide), although the effect size was non-significant at all ages (0.49%, -0.04 to 1.02), and with a 0.79% rise in homicides (95% CI 0.06-1.52; 3-80 potential excess deaths [mean 40] EU-wide). By contrast, road-traffic deaths decreased by 1.39% (0.64-2.14; 290-980 potential fewer deaths [mean 630] EU-wide). A more than 3% increase in unemployment had a greater effect on suicides at ages younger than 65 years (4.45%, 95% CI 0.65-8.24; 250-3220 potential excess deaths [mean 1740] EU-wide) and deaths from alcohol abuse (28.0%, 12.30-43.70; 1550-5490 potential excess deaths [mean 3500] EU-wide). We noted no consistent evidence across the EU that all-cause mortality rates increased when unemployment rose, although populations varied substantially in how sensitive mortality was to economic crises, depending partly on differences in social protection. Every US$10 per person increased investment in active labour market programmes reduced the effect of unemployment on suicides by 0.038% (95% CI -0.004 to -0.071). Rises in unemployment are associated with significant short-term increases in premature deaths from intentional violence, while reducing traffic fatalities. Active labour market programmes that keep and reintegrate workers in jobs could mitigate some adverse health effects of economic downturns. Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, King's College, London, UK; and Wates Foundation (UK).

Ownership of individual retirement accounts – an empirical analysis based on SHARE

PubMed Central

Garcia, Maria Teresa Medeiros; Marques, Pedro Deslandes Correia Vasconcelos

2017-01-01

This paper examines the household retirement saving decisions in what concerns to the ownership of Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) in eight European Union (EU) countries. IRAs are more and more seen as an alternative to public pension benefits, which are decreasing. Therefore, understanding the enrolment in IRAs, both the socio-economic factors and over time, is most important. Detailed empirical analysis of the factors that might influence the ownership of IRAs is presented based on Survey of Health Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), using data from Wave 2 (2006-2007) and Wave 4 (2010-2011). Further, to analyse the impact of legal retirement age in the ownership of IRAs, two subsamples are considered: people aged between 50 and 64 years old (50-64 years) and people aged 65 or over (≥ 65 years). The results suggest that age, years of education, income and ownership of dwelling influence positively and significantly household saving, while number of children, marital status and risk aversion have a negative effect. Marital status and income are not statistically significant for retired people. Policy implications are derived. PMID:28983144

Preparation, characterization and application of EVA film containing Eu3+ complex with 1-tridecanecarboxylic acid ligand

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dong, Jin; Lin, Baoping

2017-11-01

In this study, on the basis of complex Eu(DBM)3Phen which was widely applied in polymer matrices, quaternary complex Eu(DBM)2Phen(TA) was synthesized by the introduction of 1-tridecanecarboxylic acid (TA). XRD analyses show that Eu(DBM)2Phen(TA) inclines to amorphization compared with Eu(DBM)3Phen which is crystal. Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) film doped with Eu(DBM)2Phen(TA) was prepared by casting method. SEM and AFM analyses show that the compatibility of Eu(DBM)2Phen(TA) with EVA is better than that of Eu(DBM)3Phen with EVA. Under the same addition amount of Eu3+ complexes, visible light transmittance of Eu(DBM)2Phen(TA)/EVA film is obviously greater than that of Eu(DBM)3Phen/EVA film, and the fluorescence intensity of Eu(DBM)2Phen(TA)/EVA film is only slightly lower than that of Eu(DBM)3Phen/EVA film. With the optimum addition amount of Eu3+ complexes, the energy conversion efficiency of the polycrystalline silicon solar cell coated with Eu(DBM)2Phen(TA)/EVA film is improved to 12.14%, and in comparison, that of the solar cell coated with Eu(DBM)3Phen/EVA film is only 11.98%. Hence Eu(DBM)2Phen(TA)/EVA film has a potential prospect as luminescent down-shifting material.

New times for migrants' health in Europe.

PubMed

Reyes-Uruena, J M; Noori, T; Pharris, A; Jansà, J M

2014-01-01

Patterns of migration can change greatly over time, with the size and composition of migrant populations reflecting both, current and historical patterns of migration flows. The recent economic crisis has caused a decrease on migration flows towards the most affected areas, as well as cut offs in health interventions addressed to migrants. The objective of this paper is to review available data about interventions on migrants' health in Europe, and to describe changes in migrant health policies across Europe after the economic crisis, that can have a negative effect in their health status. Although migrants have the right to health care under legal settlements issued by the EU, there is no a standard European approach to offer health care to migrants, since; policies in each EU Member State are developed according to specific migrant experience, political climate, and attitudes towards migration. Migrants use to face greater health problems and major health care access barriers, compared with their counterparts from the EU. Therefore, migrant health policies should focus in protects this vulnerable group, especially during economic hardship, taking into account economic and socio-demographic risk factors. There is an especial need for research in the cost-effectiveness of investing in the health care of the migrant population, demonstrating the benefit of such, even in the health of the European native population, and the need for constant intervention despite of resource constraints.

SHRIMP U–Pb and REE data pertaining to the origins of xenotime in Belt Supergroup rocks: evidence for ages of deposition, hydrothermal alteration, and metamorphism

USGS Publications Warehouse

Aleinikoff, John N.; Lund, Karen; Fanning, C. Mark

2015-01-01

The Belt–Purcell Supergroup, northern Idaho, western Montana, and southern British Columbia, is a thick succession of Mesoproterozoic sedimentary rocks with an age range of about 1470–1400 Ma. Stratigraphic layers within several sedimentary units were sampled to apply the new technique of U–Pb dating of xenotime that sometimes forms as rims on detrital zircon during burial diagenesis; xenotime also can form epitaxial overgrowths on zircon during hydrothermal and metamorphic events. Belt Supergroup units sampled are the Prichard and Revett Formations in the lower Belt, and the McNamara and Garnet Range Formations and Pilcher Quartzite in the upper Belt. Additionally, all samples that yielded xenotime were also processed for detrital zircon to provide maximum age constraints for the time of deposition and information about provenances; the sample of Prichard Formation yielded monazite that was also analyzed. Ten xenotime overgrowths from the Prichard Formation yielded a U–Pb age of 1458 ± 4 Ma. However, because scanning electron microscope – backscattered electrons (SEM–BSE) imagery suggests complications due to possible analysis of multiple age zones, we prefer a slightly older age of 1462 ± 6 Ma derived from the three oldest samples, within error of a previous U–Pb zircon age on the syn-sedimentary Plains sill. We interpret the Prichard xenotime as diagenetic in origin. Monazite from the Prichard Formation, originally thought to be detrital, yielded Cretaceous metamorphic ages. Xenotime from the McNamara and Garnet Range Formations and Pilcher Quartzite formed at about 1160– 1050 Ma, several hundred million years after deposition, and probably also experienced Early Cretaceous growth. These xenotime overgrowths are interpreted as metamorphic–diagenetic in origin (i.e., derived during greenschist facies metamorphism elsewhere in the basin, but deposited in sub-greenschist facies rocks). Several xenotime grains are older detrital grains of igneous derivation. A previous study on the Revett Formation at the Spar Lake Ag–Cu deposit provides data for xenotime overgrowths in several ore zones formed by hydrothermal processes; herein, those results are compared with data from newly analyzed diagenetic, metamorphic, and magmatic xenotime overgrowths. The origin of a xenotime overgrowth is reflected in its rareearth element (REE) pattern. Detrital (i.e., igneous) xenotime has a large negative Eu anomaly and is heavy rare-earth element (HREE)-enriched (similar to REE in igneous zircon). Diagenetic xenotime has a small negative Eu anomaly and flat HREE (Tb to Lu). Hydrothermal xenotime is depleted in light rare-earth element (LREE), has a small negative Eu anomaly, and decreasing HREE. Metamorphic xenotime is very LREE-depleted, has a very small negative Eu anomaly, and is strongly depleted in HREE (from Gd to Lu). Because these characteristics seem to be process related, they may be useful for interpretation of xenotime of unknown origin. The occurrence of 1.16–1.05 Ga metamorphic xenotime, in the apparent absence of pervasive deformation structures, suggests that the heating may be related to poorly understood regional heating due to broad regional underplating of mafic magma. These results may be additional evidence (together with published ages from metamorphic titanite, zircon, monazite, and garnet) for an enigmatic, Grenville-age metamorphic event that is more widely recognized in the southwestern and eastern United States

[Atomic/ionic fluorescence in microwave plasma torch discharge excited by high current microsecond pulsed hollow cathode lamp-europium atomic/ionic fluorescence spectrometry].

PubMed

Gong, Z; Liang, F; Yang, P; Jin, Q; Huang, B

1999-06-01

Eu atomic and ionic fluorescence spectrometry in microwave plasma torch discharge excited by high current microsecond pulsed hollow cathode lamp (HCMP HCL-MPT AFS/IFS) was studied. Operating conditions were optimized. The best detection limits for AFS and IFS obtained with a desolvated ultrasonic nebulization system were 42.0 ng/mL for Eu I 462.7 nm and 21.8 ng/mL for Eu II 381.97 nm, respectively, both were better than those given by the instruction manual of a Baird ICP AFS-2000 spectrometer using pneumatic concentric nebulizer with desolvation for AFS, but were significantly higher than those obtained by using the Baird spectrometer with a mini-monochromator and a ultrasonic nebulzer system.

Towards a Negative Refractive Index in an Atomic System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Simmons, Zach; Brewer, Nick; Yavuz, Deniz

2014-05-01

The goal of our experiments is to obtain a negative index of refraction in the optical region of the spectrum using an atomic system. The concept of negative refraction, which was first predicted by Veselago more than four decades ago, has recently emerged as a very exciting field of science. Negative index materials exhibit many seemingly strange properties such as electromagnetic vectors forming a left-handed triad. A key potential application for these materials was discovered in 2000 when Pendry predicted that a slab with a negative refractive index can image objects with a resolution far better than the diffraction limit. Thus far, research in negative index materials has primarily focused on meta-materials. The fixed response and often large absorption of these engineered materials motivates our efforts to work in an atomic system. An atomic media offers the potential to be actively modified, for example by changing laser parameters, and can be tuned to cancel absorption. A doped crystal allows for high atomic densities compared to other atomic systems. So far we have identified a transition in such a material, Eu:YSO, as a candidate for these experiments and are performing spectroscopy on this material.

REE geochemistry of 3.2 Ga BIF from the Mapepe Formation, Barberton Greenstone Belt, South Africa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yahagi, T. R.; Yamaguchi, K. E.; Haraguchi, S.; Sano, R.; Teraji, S.; Kiyokawa, S.; Ikehara, M.; Ito, T.

2012-12-01

Banded iron formations (BIFs) are chemical sediments interbedded with Fe- and Si-rich layers, characteristically present in the early history of the Earth. A popular hypothesis for the formation of BIFs postulates that dissolved oxygen produced by photosynthesizers such as cyanobacteria oxidized dissolved ferrous Fe supplied by submarine hydrothermal activities. During precipitation of Fe-oxide minerals, phosphorus and rare earth elements (REEs) were most likely adsorbed on their surface. Therefore, chemical compositions of REEs that adsorbed onto Fe-oxide have useful information on the seawater chemistry at the time of deposition. Especially, information on the redox state of seawater and the extent of the contribution of hydrothermal activity during BIF deposition are expected to have been recorded. Occurrence of BIF has been traditionally tied to the chemical evolution of the atmosphere. Rise of atmospheric oxygen, or as known as GOE (Great Oxidation Event: e.g., Holland, 1994), has been widely believed to have occurred at around 2.4 Ga ago. Contrary, however, some studies have suggested that such oxygenation could have occurred much earlier (e.g., Hoashi et al., 2009). In this study, we used 3.2 Ga old BIF from the Mapepe Formation at the bottom of the Fig Tree Group of the Swaziland Supergroup in the northeastern part of the Barberton Greenstone Belt, South Africa. We aimed to constrain the marine environment, and by inference atmospheric environment, at the time of BIF deposition from REE geochemistry. Major elements and REE compositions of 37 samples were measured using XRF and ICP-MS, respectively. Samples with less than 1.0 wt% Al2O3 are considered to be "pure" BIFs with minimal amount of continental contamination, and are expected to have inherited marine REE signatures. Abundance of REE normalized by C1 chondrite for the analyzed samples commonly exhibits positive Eu anomaly and LREE

Rare earth patterns in shergottite phosphates and residues

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Laul, J. C.

1987-01-01

Leaching experiments with 1M HCl on ALHA 77005 powder show that rare earth elements (REE) are concentrated in accessory phosphate phases (whitlockite, apatite) that govern the REE patterns of bulk shergottites. The REE patterns of whitlockite are typically light REE-depleted with a negative Eu anomaly and show a hump at the heavy REE side, while the REE pattern of apatite (in Shergotty) is light REE-enriched. Parent magmas are calculated from the modal compositions of residues of ALHA 77005, Shergotty, and EETA 79001. The parent magmas lack a Eu anomaly, indicating that plagioclase was a late-stage crystallizing phase and that it probably crystallized before the phosphates. The parent magmas of ALHA 77005 and Shergotty have similar REE patterns, with a subchondritic Nd/Sm ratio. However, the Sm/Nd isotopoics require a light REE-depleted source for ALHA 77005 (if the crystallization age is less than 600 Myr) and a light REE-enriched source for Shergotty. Distant Nd and Sr isotopic signatures may suggest different source regions for shergottites.

Occupational exposure limits in Europe and Asia--continued divergence or global harmonization?

PubMed

Ding, Qian; Schenk, Linda; Malkiewicz, Katarzyna; Hansson, Sven Ove

2011-12-01

Occupational exposure limits (OELs) are used as a risk management tool aiming at protecting against negative health effects of occupational exposure to harmful substances. The systems of OEL development have not been standardized and divergent outcomes have been reported. However some harmonization processes have been initiated, primarily in Europe. This study investigates the state of harmonization in a global context. The OEL systems of eight Asian and seventeen European organizations are analyzed with respect to similarities and differences in: (1) the system for determining OELs, (2) the selection of substances, and (3) the levels of the OELs. The majority of the investigated organizations declare themselves to have been influenced by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), and in many cases this can be empirically confirmed. The EU harmonization process is reflected in trends towards convergence within the EU. However, comparisons of Asian and European organizations provide no obvious evidence that OELs are becoming globally harmonized. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Ultrafiltration and endotoxin removal from dialysis fluids.

PubMed

Di Felice, A; Cappelli, G; Facchini, F; Tetta, C; Cornia, F; Aimo, G; Lusvarghi, E

1993-06-01

Biocompatibility in hemodialysis is now regarded as a multifactorial problem and dialysate represents a main risk. Pyrogenic fractions mostly coming from gram-negative bacteria easily pass through dialysis membrane, either by backdiffusion or by backfiltration, and induce blood cell activation. To demonstrate the long-term efficiency of a 2 m2 polyamide ultrafilter in producing a pyrogen free solution, we used an experimental circuit ultrafiltering for 240 hours (500 ml/min) a bicarbonate dialysate contaminated (5 to 48 EU/ml) by a Pseudomonas aeruginosa filtrate. The efficiency was monitored by LAL-test and IL-1 PBMC so to detect not only lipid A containing endotoxins but also other cytokines inducing bacterial fractions. At the post-ultrafilter sampling port the LAL-test was < 0.005 to 0.034 EU/ml; IL-1 PBMC was below the detection limit (20 pg/ml) being 27 to 63 pg/ml at the pre-ultrafilter level. Polyamide ultrafiltration represents an efficient system to obtain an endotoxin-free dialysate and a single filter works up to 240 hours.

Methamphetamine abuse and “meth mouth” in Europe

PubMed Central

Boyd, Geraldine-A.; Mancinelli, Luca; Pagano, Stefano; Eramo, Stefano

2015-01-01

With easy chemical synthesis from its precursor, methamphetamine (MA) is now widespread in many countries. The abuse of methamphetamine is associated with several negative effects on health, because MA is a neurotoxin and a dangerous central nervous system stimulant. It changes levels of neurotransmitters in the brain, releasing dopamine and inhibiting nor epinephrine uptake which increases sympathetic nervous system activity and can lead to cardiac arrhythmia, hypertension and tachypnea. The consequences of MA abuse are clearly manifested in oral diseases (like “meth mouth”) which is characterised by extensive caries, teeth grinding with ensuing dental wear and trismus. The present review was designed to fill the gap in knowledge about methamphetamine abuse in the European Union (EU) and to illustrate the main clinical effects of prolonged use. After describing the pharmacology and systemic effects of methamphetamine and concentrating on its effects on the mouth, the present review compares the epidemiology and incidence of abuse in the world, particularly the USA and the EU. Key words:Methamphetamine, “Meth mouth”, drug abuse, oral health. PMID:25662544

Temperature dependent luminescence and energy transfer properties of Na2SrMg(PO4)2:Eu2+, Mn2+ phosphors.

PubMed

Geng, Dongling; Shang, Mengmeng; Zhang, Yang; Lian, Hongzhou; Lin, Jun

2013-11-21

Eu(2+) singly and Eu(2+)/Mn(2+) co-doped Na2SrMg(PO4)2 (NSMP) phosphors have been prepared via a high-temperature solid-state reaction process. Upon UV excitation of 260-360 nm, the NSMP:xEu(2+) phosphors exhibit a violet band located at 399 nm and a blue band centered at 445 nm, which originate from Eu(2+) ions occupying two different crystallographic sites: Eu(2+)(I) and Eu(2+)(II), respectively. Excitation wavelengths longer than 380 nm can selectively excite Eu(2+)(II) to emit blue light. Energy transfer processes in the Eu(2+)(I)-Eu(2+)(II) and Eu(2+)-Mn(2+) pairs have been observed and investigated by luminescence spectra and decay curves. The emission color of as-prepared samples can be tuned by changing the relative concentrations of Eu(2+) and Mn(2+) ions and adjusting the excitation wavelength. Under UV excitation of 323 nm, the absolute quantum yield of NSMP:0.005Eu(2+) is 91%, which is higher than most of the other Eu(2+)-doped phosphors reported previously. The temperature dependent luminescence properties and decay curves (4.3-450 K) of NSMP:Eu(2+) and NSMP:Eu(2+), Mn(2+) phosphors have been studied in detail. Thermal quenching of Eu(2+) has been observed while the emission band of Mn(2+) shows a blue-shift and an abnormal increase of intensity with increasing temperature. The unusual thermal quenching behavior indicates that the NSMP compound can serve as a good lattice host for Mn(2+) ions which can be used as a red-emitting phosphor. Additionally, the lifetimes for Eu(2+)(I) and Eu(2+)(II) increase with increasing temperatures.

Strong Eu2+ light emission in Eu silicate through Eu3+ reduction in Eu2O3/Si multilayer deposited on Si substrates

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Eu2O3/Si multilayer nanostructured films are deposited on Si substrates by magnetron sputtering. Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction measurements demonstrate that multicrystalline Eu silicate is homogeneously distributed in the film after high-temperature treatment in N2. The Eu2+ silicate is formed by the reaction of Eu2O3 and Si layers, showing an intense and broad room-temperature photoluminescence peak centered at 610 nm. It is found that the Si layer thickness in nanostructures has great influence on Eu ion optical behavior by forming different Eu silicate crystalline phases. These findings open a promising way to prepare efficient Eu2+ materials for photonic application. PMID:23618344

Soil organic carbon stocks and fluxes due to land use conversions at the European scale

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gobin, A.; Campling, P.

2012-04-01

European soils store around 73 to 79 billion tonnes of carbon, which is about 50 times the total CO2-equivalent emissions of the 27 Member States of the European Union in 2009 (4.6 billion tones; EEA, 2010). More than twice as much carbon is held in soils as compared to the storage in vegetation or the atmosphere. Soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks are dynamic and changes in land use, land management and climate may result in instant losses, whereas gains accumulate more slowly over several decades. The soil organic carbon cycle is based on continually supplying carbon in the form of organic matter as a food source for microorganisms, the loss of some carbon as carbon dioxide, and the assimilation of stable carbon in the soil. The organic carbon stocks and fluxes to and from the soil across the EU were quantified for agriculture, forestry and peatlands under different land use change and management scenarios taking into account climate change and using a coupled regional balance and multi-compartment soil organic matter model (Roth-C). Abolishing permanent grassland restrictions would have a negative effect on SOC stocks, which at the EU level can be quantified in a loss 30% higher than in the case of maintaining the current permanent grassland restrictions. Promoting the afforestation of 10% and 25% former set-aside land in the EU-15 would reduce the loss of SOC stock by 2030 by 19% and 65% respectively compared to conversions to arable land. An increase of the current afforestation rates by 2% would result in a 10% increase in carbon stock levels by 2030. The combined effect of the land use conversions to and from agricultural land use demonstrate an EU-27 average -9.7 tonnes/ha SOC stock loss for the worst option and a +5.0 tonnes/ha SOC stock gain for C-Rich option. Larger variations between Member States than between scenario options stem from regional differences in bio-geography, soil types and climatic regimes. The amount of stable or humified organic carbon (HOC) assimilated depends on the yields, as these directly relate to potential residue production, and on the prevailing climate with cold temperatures and dry moisture regimes being less favourable. Incorporating all crop residues into the soil results in HOC fluxes that range from 1.36 tonnes HOC/ha for oilseed and 1.14 tonnes HOC/ha for cereal to 0.54 tonnes/ha for sugar beet. The HOC fluxes drop to 0.69, 0.58 and 0.05 tonnes HOC/ha respectively when all residues are removed, e.g. for bio-energy purposes. Taking into account the projected areas for cereals (65 Mha), oilseed (10 Mha) and sugarbeet (2 Mha) in 2030, shows that residue management of cereals has a much larger impact on carbon fluxes to the agricultural soil than oilseed and sugar beet. The removal of all crop residues result in a lowering of soil organic carbon stocks, a reduction of humified organic carbon fluxes into the soil and an increase of carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere. A significant minimum percentage of crop residues should be retained in the soils. Land management, land use changes and climate change have a significant influence on soil organic carbon stocks and fluxes across the EU-27. Determining the soil sequestration potential necessitates soil monitoring to provide evidence on the state of, and change, in agricultural soils, allowing to evaluate its effectiveness.

Metal atom dynamics in superbulky metallocenes: a comparison of (Cp(BIG))2Sn and (Cp(BIG))2Eu.

PubMed

Harder, Sjoerd; Naglav, Dominik; Schwerdtfeger, Peter; Nowik, Israel; Herber, Rolfe H

2014-02-17

Cp(BIG)2Sn (Cp(BIG) = (4-n-Bu-C6H4)5cyclopentadienyl), prepared by reaction of 2 equiv of Cp(BIG)Na with SnCl2, crystallized isomorphous to other known metallocenes with this ligand (Ca, Sr, Ba, Sm, Eu, Yb). Similarly, it shows perfect linearity, C-H···C(π) bonding between the Cp(BIG) rings and out-of-plane bending of the aryl substituents toward the metal. Whereas all other Cp(BIG)2M complexes show large disorder in the metal position, the Sn atom in Cp(BIG)2Sn is perfectly ordered. In contrast, (119)Sn and (151)Eu Mößbauer investigations on the corresponding Cp(BIG)2M metallocenes show that Sn(II) is more dynamic and loosely bound than Eu(II). The large displacement factors in the group 2 and especially in the lanthanide(II) metallocenes Cp(BIG)2M can be explained by static metal disorder in a plane parallel to the Cp(BIG) rings. Despite parallel Cp(BIG) rings, these metallocenes have a nonlinear Cpcenter-M-Cpcenter geometry. This is explained by an ionic model in which metal atoms are polarized by the negatively charged Cp rings. The extent of nonlinearity is in line with trends found in M(2+) ion polarizabilities. The range of known calculated dipole polarizabilities at the Douglas-Kroll CCSD(T) level was extended with values (atomic units) for Sn(2+) 15.35, Sm(2+)(4f(6) (7)F) 9.82, Eu(2+)(4f(7) (8)S) 8.99, and Yb(2+)(4f(14) (1)S) 6.55. This polarizability model cannot be applied to predominantly covalently bound Cp(BIG)2Sn, which shows a perfectly ordered structure. The bent geometry of Cp*2Sn should therefore not be explained by metal polarizability but is due to van der Waals Cp*···Cp* attraction and (to some extent) to a small p-character component in the Sn lone pair.

Isotope U-Pb age on single zircon and REE distribution in rocks and zircon from paleoproterozoic Kandalaksha-Kolvitsa complex Baltic shield

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Steshenko, Ekaterina; Bayanova, Tamara; Drogobuzhskaya, Svetlana; Lyalina, Ludmila; Serov, Pavel; Chashchin, Viktor; Elizarov, Dmitriy

2017-04-01

Kandalaksha-Kolvitsa paleoproterozoic complex located in the N-E part of Baltic shield and consists of three zones. Marginal zone (mesocratic metanorite) lies at the base of the massif. Main zone is composed of leucocratic metagabbro. The upper zone is alteration of mataanorthosite and leucocratic metagabbro. All rocks were subjected to granulate and anorthositic metamorphism. Age of magmatic crystallization of the massif was determined for the first time, using the U-Pb isotope method for single zircon grains. Three fractions of single zircons from anorthosite of the Kandalaksha massif gave precise U-Pb age of 2435.5 ± 4.8 Ma. For the first time REE concentration (WR) was determined using a quadrupole mass spectrometer (Agilent 7500 ce ICP-MS) in the main varieties of rocks of the Kandalaksha-Kolvitsa paleoproterozoic complex. Anorthosite and leucocratic metagabbros (main zone) are characterized by a flat spectrum distribution of HREE, which were normalized by [1]. The REE pattern is characterized by significant positive anomalies of Eu ((Eu / Eu *)n = 3.72-3.91) in anorthosite and leucogabbros and 7.26 - in ortoamfibolitah. General content of individual elements that are common for this type of rocks: Cen = 5.82-8.54, Ybn = 1.54-1.58, which indicates that the process of crystallization of the rock occurred with predominant accumulation of plagioclase. According to geochemical and Nd-Sr isotopic data (ISr=0.702 - 0.706, ɛNd(T) = +1 - (-3)) Kandalaksha Kolvitsa complex, appear to have a general plume source with Paleoproterozoic layered intrusions of the Baltic Shield [2] Distribution of REE (ELAN-9000 ICP-MS) in zircon have a typical magmatic species: a positive Ce, negative Eu anomaly and HREE flat spectrum. Titanium content in zircons were measured for the calculation of their crystallization temperature with 8350C. These data are evidence of magmatic origin of zircon [3]. The scientific researches are supported by RFBR (projects № 15-35-20501, № 16-05-00305, 16-05-00367, 16-05-00427) and theme of state assignment № 0231-2015-0005. References: 1. Boynton W.V. Cosmochemistry of the rare earth elements: meteorite studies // Ed. Henderson P. Rare earth element geochemistry. Amsterdam: Elsevier. 1984. P. 63-114. 2. Watson E. B., Wark D.A., Thomas J.B. Crystallization thermometers for zircon and rutile // Contrib. Miner. Petrol. 2006. V. 151. P. 413-433. 3. Hoskin P.W.O. and Schaltegger U. The Composition of zirconand igneous and metamorphic petrogenesis // Reviews in mineralogy & geochemistry. 2003. V. 53. P. 27-62.

Competing exchanges and spin-phonon coupling in Eu(1-x)R(x)MnO3 (R=Y, Lu).

PubMed

Mota, D A; Barcelay, Y Romaguera; Tavares, P B; Chaves, M R; Almeida, A; Oliveira, J; Ferreira, W S; Moreira, J Agostinho

2013-06-12

This work is focused on the phase diagrams and physical properties of Y-doped and Lu-doped EuMnO3. The differences in the corresponding phase boundaries in the (x,T) phase diagram could be overcome by considering a scaling of the Y(3+) and Lu(3+) concentrations to the tolerance factor. This outcome evidences that the tolerance factor is in fact a more reliable representative of the lattice deformation induced by doping. The normalization of the phase boundaries using the tolerance factor corroborates previous theoretical outcomes regarding the key role of competitive FM and AFM exchanges in determining the phase diagrams of manganite perovskites. However, significant differences in the nature and number of phases at low temperatures and concentrations could not be explained by just considering the normalization to the tolerance factor. The vertical phase boundary observed just for Lu-doped EuMnO3, close to 10% Lu, is understood by considering a low temperature Peierls-type spin-phonon coupling, which stabilizes the AFM-4 phase in Lu-doped EuMnO3.

X-ray scattering study of pyrochlore iridates: Crystal structure, electronic, and magnetic excitations

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

Clancy, J. P.; Gretarsson, H.; Lee, E. K. H.

2016-07-06

We have investigated the structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of the pyrochlore iridates Eu 2Ir 2O 7 and Pr 2Ir 2O 7 using a combination of resonant elastic x-ray scattering, x-ray powder diffraction, and resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS). The structural parameters of Eu 2Ir 2O 7 have been examined as a function of temperature and applied pressure, with a particular emphasis on regions of the phase diagram where electronic and magnetic phase transitions have been reported. We find no evidence of crystal symmetry change over the range of temperatures (~6 to 300 K) and pressures (~0.1 to 17 GPa)more » studied. We have also investigated the electronic and magnetic excitations in single-crystal samples of Eu 2Ir 2O 7 and Pr 2Ir 2O 7 using high-resolution Ir L- 3-edge RIXS. In spite of very different ground state properties, we find that these materials exhibit qualitatively similar excitation spectra, with crystal field excitations at ~3-5 eV, spin-orbit excitations at ~ 0.5-1 eV, and broad low-lying excitations below ~0.15 eV. In single-crystal samples of "Eu-rich" Eu 2Ir 2O 7 (found to possess an actual stoichiometry of Eu 2.18Ir 1.82O 7.06) we observe highly damped magnetic excitations at ~45 meV, which display significant momentum dependence. Here, we compare these results with recent dynamical structure factor calculations« less

Exposure to airborne culturable microorganisms and endotoxin in two Italian poultry slaughterhouses.

PubMed

Paba, Emilia; Chiominto, Alessandra; Marcelloni, Anna Maria; Proietto, Anna Rita; Sisto, Renata

2014-01-01

Even if slaughterhouses' workers handle large amounts of organic material and are potentially exposed to a wide range of biological agents, relatively little and not recent data are available. The main objective of this study was to characterize indoor concentrations of airborne bacteria, fungi, and endotoxin mod = Im (endotoxin∼Gram-negative*plant*filter) in two Italian poultry slaughterhouses. Air samples near air handling units inlets were also collected. Since there are not standardized protocols for endotoxin sampling and extraction procedures, an additional aim of the study was to compare the extraction efficiency of three different filter.. The study was also aimed at determining the correlation between concentrations of Gram-negative bacteria and endotoxin. In Plant A bacterial levels ranged from 17.5 to 2.6×10(3) CFU/m3. The highest concentrations were observed in evisceration area of chickens, between the automatic detachment of the neck and washing offal, and near birds coupling before hair-chilling. The highest mean value of Gram-negative (266.5 CFU/m3) was found near the washing offal of turkeys. In Plant B bacterial concentration ranged from 35 to 8×10(3) CFU/m3. The highest concentration. with the highest value of Gram-negative (248 CFU/m3), was found after defeathering. Fungal concentrations were overall lower than those found for bacteria (range: 0-205 CFU/m3 in Plant A and 0-146.2 CFU/m3 in Plant B). The microbial flora was dominated by Gram-negative and coagulase-negative staphylococci for bacteria and by species belonging to Cladosporium, Penicillium and Aspergillus genera for molds. The highest endotoxin concentrations were measured in washing offal for Plant A (range: 122.7-165.9 EU/m3) and after defeathering for Plant B (range: 0.83-38.85 EU/m3). In this study airborne microorganisms concentrations were lower than those found in similar occupational settings and below the occupational limits proposed by some authors. However, these microorganisms may exert adverse effects on exposed workers, in particular for those engaged in the early slaughtering stages, as evidenced by the presence of pathogenic species. The detection of pathogenic bacteria near AHU inlet may constitute a risk to public health and environmental pollution.

An Unmastered Past: Latvia and Russia After NATO and EU Enlargement: Bilateral Issues of Statecraft 2003-2006

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-06-01

relations, World War II, Waffen SS, NATO, European Union, the Abrene district, occupation, state continuity, international relations, foreign policy. 16...Latvian legion of Waffen SS. The chapter argues that the negative attitude of Russian foreign policy makers derives directly from the perception...the role and importance of two divisions of Waffen SS known as the “Latvian Legion” probably has been the most intense and still is one of the most

Multistage hydrothermal silicification and Fe-Tl-As-Sb-Ge-REE enrichment in the Red Dog Zn-Pb-Ag district, northern Alaska: Geochemistry, origin, and exploration applications

USGS Publications Warehouse

Slack, J.F.; Kelley, K.D.; Anderson, V.M.; Clark, J.L.; Ayuso, R.A.

2004-01-01

Geochemical analyses of major, trace, and rare earth elements (REE) in more than 200 samples of variably silicified and altered wall rocks, massive and banded sulfide, silica rock, and sulfide-rich and unmineralized barite were obtained from the Main, Aqqaluk, and Anarraaq deposits in the Red Dog Zn-Pb-Ag district of northern Alaska. Detailed lithogeochemical profiles for two drill cores at Aqqaluk display an antithetic relationship between SiO2/Al2O3 and TiO2/Zr which, together with textural information, suggest preferential silicification of carbonate-bearing sediments. Data for both drill cores also show generally high Tl, Sb, As, and Ge and uniformly positive Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* > 1.0). Similar high Tl, Sb, As, Ge, and Eu/Eu* values are present in the footwall and shallow hanging wall of Zn-Pb-Ag sulfide intervals at Anarraaq but are not as widely dispersed. Net chemical changes for altered wall rocks in the district, on the basis of average Al-normalized data relative to unaltered black shales of the host Kuna Formation, include large enrichments (>50%) of Fe, Ba, Eu, V, S, Co, Zn, Pb, Tl, As, Sb, and Ge at both Red Dog and Anarraaq, Si at Red Dog, and Sr, U, and Se at Anarraaq. Large depletions (>50%) are evident for Ca at both Red Dog and Anarraaq, for Mg, P, and Y at Red Dog, and for Na at Anarraaq. At both Red Dog and Anarraaq, wall-rock alteration removed calcite and minor dolomite during hydrothermal decarbonation reactions and introduced Si, Eu, and Ge during silicification. Sulfidation reactions deposited Fe, S, Co, Zn, Pb, Tl, As, and Sb; barite mineralization introduced Ba, S, and Sr. Light REE and U were mobilized locally. This alteration and mineralization occurred during Mississippi an hydrothermal events that predated the Middle Jurassic-Cretaceous Brookian orogeny. Early hydrothermal silicification at Red Dog took place prior to or during massive sulfide mineralization, on the basis of the dominantly planar nature of Zn-Pb veins, which suggests filling of fractures that developed in previously lithified rock. Uniformly low Ca and Mg and uniformly negative Ce anomalies in highly siliceous Red Dog wall rocks reflect hydrothermal decarbonation reactions and pervasive silicification owing to conductive cooling of oxidized metalliferous fluids. Similar Ca and Mg depletions are evident at Anarraaq but generally lack associated silicification, possibly because temperatures of the hydrothermal fluids were too low (<180??C) or because the thermal contrast between the fluids and wall rocks was smaller owing to the greater depth of alteration and mineralization there, compared with Red Dog. Chalcophile element anomalies (Fe, Zn, Pb, Tl, As, Sb) in wall rocks at both Red Dog and Anarraq are attributed to sulfidation reactions, coeval with subsurface Zn-Pb-Ag mineralization, during the mixing of oxidized metalliferous fluids with H2S-rich fluids derived locally within the Kuna Formation. Sedimentary wall rocks in the Red Dog district are characterized by a distinctive suite of geochemical anomalies, especially for Zn, Pb, Tl, As, Sb, Ge, and Eu/Eu*. At the Aqqaluk deposit, wall rocks without visible sphalerite or galena (<300 ppm Zn + Pb) have anomalous Eu/Eu*, Tl, Sb, and As for up to ???100 m stratigraphically below Zn-rich silica rock. At Anarraaq, the Tl anomaly is most extensively developed, and enrichment relative to unaltered black shale of the Kuna Formation is present up to 62 m above the highest Zn-Pb sulfide zones. The magnitude of the enrichment and systematic behavior of Tl in the district make Tl a promising geochemical exploration guide for Red Dog-type Zn-Pb-Ag deposits elsewhere. ?? 2004 by Economic Geology.

Pressure-induced valence change and moderate heavy fermion state in Eu-compounds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Honda, Fuminori; Okauchi, Keigo; Sato, Yoshiki; Nakamura, Ai; Akamine, Hiromu; Ashitomi, Yosuke; Hedo, Masato; Nakama, Takao; Takeuchi, Tetsuya; Valenta, Jaroslav; Prchal, Jiri; Sechovský, Vladimir; Aoki, Dai; Ōnuki, Yoshichika

2018-05-01

A pressure-induced valence transition has attracted much attention in Eu-compounds. Among them, EuRh2Si2, EuNi2Ge2, and EuCo2Ge2 reveal the valence transition around 1, 2, and 3 GPa, respectively. We have succeeded in growing single crystals of EuT2X2 (T: transition metal, X: Si, Ge) and studied electronic properties under pressure. EuRh2Si2 indicates a first-order valence transition between 1 and 2 GPa, with a large and prominent hysteresis in the electrical resistivity. At higher pressures, the first-order valence transition changes to a cross-over regime with an intermediate valence state. Tuning of the valence state with pressure is reflected in a drastic change of the temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity in EuRh2Si2 single crystals. Effect of pressure on the valence states on EuRh2Si2, EuIr2Si2, EuNi2Ge2, and EuCo2Ge2, as well as an isostructural related compound EuGa4, are reviewed.

Marine aerosol as a possible source for endotoxins in coastal areas.

PubMed

Lang-Yona, Naama; Lehahn, Yoav; Herut, Barak; Burshtein, Noa; Rudich, Yinon

2014-11-15

Marine aerosols, that are very common in the highly populated coastal cities and communities, may contain biological constituents. Some of this biological fraction of marine aerosols, such as cyanobacteria and plankton debris, may influence human health by inflammation and allergic reactions when inhaled. In this study we identify and compare sources for endotoxins sampled on filters in an on-shore and more-inland site. Filter analysis included endotoxin content, total bacteria, gram-negative bacteria and cyanobacteria genome concentrations as well as ion content in order to identify possible sources for the endotoxins. Satellite images of chlorophyll-a levels and back trajectory analysis were used to further study the cyanobacteria blooms in the sea, close to the trajectory of the sampled air. The highest endotoxin concentrations found in the shoreline site were during winter (3.23±0.17 EU/m(3)), together with the highest cyanobacteria genome (1065.5 genome/m(3)). The elevated endotoxin concentrations were significantly correlated with cyanobacterial levels scaled to the presence of marine aerosol (r=0.90), as well as to chlorophyll-a (r=0.96). Filters sampled further inland showed lower and non-significant correlation between endotoxin and cyanobacteria (r=0.70, P value=0.19), suggesting decrease in marine-originated endotoxin, with possible contributions from other sources of gram-negative non-cyanobacteria. We conclude that marine cyanobacteria may be a dominant contributor to elevated endotoxin levels in coastal areas. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Ferromagnetic behavior in mixed valence europium (Eu2+/Eu3+) oxide EuTi1-xMxO3 (M = Al3+ and Ga3+)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akahoshi, Daisuke; Horie, Hiroki; Sakai, Shingo; Saito, Toshiaki

2013-10-01

We have investigated the Ti-site substitution effect on the magnetic properties of antiferromagnetic insulator EuTiO3 with a Néel temperature of ˜5 K. Partial substitution of Ti4+ with heterovalent Al3+ or Ga3+ turns the corresponding amount of magnetic Eu2+ into non-magnetic Eu3+. Both EuTi1-xAlxO3 (0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.10) and EuTi1-xGaxO3 (0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.10) exhibit ferromagnetic (FM) insulating behavior below ˜4 K. The Eu2+/Eu3+ mixed valence state probably contributes to the emergence of the FM behavior. Fine control of the magneto-electric (ME) phases of EuTi1-xAlxO3 and EuTi1-xGaxO3 would lead to intriguing ME phenomena such as giant ME effect.

First-principles calculation on electronic structure and optical property of BaSi{sub 2}O{sub 2}N{sub 2}:Eu{sup 2+} phosphor

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

Tong, Zhi-Fang, E-mail: tongzhifang1998@126.com; Wei, Zhan-Long; Xiao, Cheng

The crystal structure, electronic structure and optical properties of BaSi{sub 2}O{sub 2}N{sub 2}:Eu{sup 2+} with varying Eu doping concentrations are computed by the density functional theory (DFT) and compared with experimental results. The results show that the lattice parameters of primitive cells of Ba{sub 1−x}Si{sub 2}O{sub 2}N{sub 2}:Eu{sub x} become smaller and Eu–N bond length shortens as Eu concentration increases. The band structure of Ba{sub 1−x}Si{sub 2}O{sub 2}N{sub 2}:Eu{sub x} exhibits a direct optical band gap and it's propitious to luminescence. The energy differences from the lowest Eu 5d state to the lowest Eu 4f state decrease with increasing Eumore » concentrations. The analysis of simulative absorption spectra indicates that the electron transition from Eu 4f states to 5d states of both Eu and Ba atoms contributes to the absorption of Ba{sub 1−x}Si{sub 2}O{sub 2}N{sub 2}:Eu{sub x}. Under the coupling effect between Eu and Ba, Ba in BaSi{sub 2}O{sub 2}N{sub 2} exhibits longer wavelength absorption and increases absorption efficiency. The emission wavelength is deduced by measuring energy differences from the lowest Eu 5d state to the lowest Eu 4f state, and the result is in good agreement with experimental value within experimental Eu{sup 2+} doping range. - Graphical abstract: The structure and optical property of BaSi{sub 2}O{sub 2}N{sub 2}:Eu{sup 2+} are computed by DFT and its absorption mechanism is analysed. Results show that absorption peak α is from the host lattice absorption. The absorption peaks β, γ and δ are from Eu 4f to Eu 5d and Ba 6s 5d states. The absorption is attributed to the coupling effect of Eu and Ba atom. - Highlights: • The crystal, electronic structure and optical properties of BaSi{sub 2}O{sub 2}N{sub 2}:Eu{sup 2+} are computed by DFT. • The lattice parameters of primitive cells reduces and Eu–N bond length shortens as Eu{sup 2+} increases. • The energy gap from Eu 5d state to Eu 4f state decrease with increasing Eu concentrations. • Both Eu and Ba atoms contributes to the absorption of Ba{sub 1−x}Si{sub 2}O{sub 2}N{sub 2}:Eu{sub x}. • The deduced emission wavelength is in good agreement with experimental value.« less

Lanthanide luminescent displacement assays: the sensing of phosphate anions using Eu(III)-cyclen-conjugated gold nanoparticles in aqueous solution.

PubMed

Massue, Julien; Quinn, Susan J; Gunnlaugsson, Thorfinnur

2008-06-04

1.Eu, a cyclen based Eu(III)-thiol conjugate, was incorporated onto the surface of water-soluble gold nanoparticles to give AuNP-1.Eu. The self-assembly between AuNP-1.Eu and the antenna 2 resulted in the formation of the highly luminescent lanthanide system, AuNP-1.Eu-2, at pH 7.4. The sensing of flavin monophosphate 3 is demonstrated, whereby 3 displaced the antenna 2 in AuNP-1.Eu-2, resulting in the formation of AuNP-1.Eu-3 and quenching of the Eu(III) emission.

Evaluation of Oxidative Stress in Bipolar Disorder in terms of Total Oxidant Status, Total Antioxidant Status, and Oxidative Stress Index

PubMed Central

CİNGİ YİRÜN, Merve; ÜNAL, Kübranur; ALTUNSOY ŞEN, Neslihan; YİRÜN, Onur; AYDEMİR, Çiğdem; GÖKA, Erol

2016-01-01

Introduction Bipolar disorder is one of the most debilitating psychiatric disorders characterized by disruptive episodes of mania/hypomania and depression. Considering the complex role of biological and environmental factors in the etiology of affective disorders, recent studies have focused on oxidative stress, which may damage nerve cell components and take part in pathophysiology. The aim of the present study was to contribute to the data about oxidative stress in bipolar disorder by detecting the total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) levels of manic episode (ME) and euthymic (EU) patients and by comparing these results with those of healthy controls (HCs). Methods The study population consisted of 28 EU outpatients meeting the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria for bipolar disorder I and 23 inpatients who were currently hospitalized in a psychiatry ward with the diagnosis of the bipolar disorder ME according to the DSM-5 criteria. Forty-three healthy subjects were included in the study as the control group (HC). Serum TAS, TOS, and OSI levels of all the participants were determined. Results Statistical analysis of serum TAS, TOS, and OSI levels did not show any significant differences between the ME patients, EU patients, and HCs. Comparison between the bipolar disorder patients (ME+EU) and HC also did not reveal any statistically significant difference between these two groups in terms of serum TAS, TOS, and OSI levels. Conclusion To date, studies on oxidative stress in bipolar disorder have led to controversial results. In the present study, no statistically significant difference was detected between the oxidative parameters of bipolar disorder patients and HCs. In order to comprehensively evaluate oxidative stress in bipolar disorder, further studies are needed. PMID:28373794

Shoot Development and Extension of Quercus serrata Saplings in Response to Insect Damage and Nutrient Conditions

PubMed Central

MIZUMACHI, ERI; MORI, AKIRA; OSAWA, NAOYA; AKIYAMA, REIKO; TOKUCHI, NAOKO

2006-01-01

• Background and Aims Plants have the ability to compensate for damage caused by herbivores. This is important to plant growth, because a plant cannot always avoid damage, even if it has developed defence mechanisms against herbivores. In previous work, we elucidated the herbivory-induced compensatory response of Quercus (at both the individual shoot and whole sapling levels) in both low- and high-nutrient conditions throughout one growing season. In this study, we determine how the compensatory growth of Quercus serrata saplings is achieved at different nutrient levels. • Methods Quercus serrata saplings were grown under controlled conditions. Length, number of leaves and percentage of leaf area lost on all extension units (EUs) were measured. • Key Results Both the probability of flushing and the length of subsequent EUs significantly increased with an increase in the length of the parent EU. The probability of flushing increased with an increase in leaf damage of the parent EU, but the length of subsequent EUs decreased. This indicates that EU growth is fundamentally regulated at the individual EU level. The probabilities of a second and third flush were significantly higher in plants in high-nutrient soil than those in low-nutrient soil. The subsequent EUs of damaged saplings were also significantly longer at high-nutrient conditions. • Conclusions An increase in the probability of flushes in response to herbivore damage is important for damaged saplings to produce new EUs; further, shortening the length of EUs helps to effectively reproduce foliage lost by herbivory. The probability of flushing also varied according to soil nutrient levels, suggesting that the compensatory growth of individual EUs in response to local damage levels is affected by the nutrients available to the whole sapling. PMID:16709576

Evaluation of Oxidative Stress in Bipolar Disorder in terms of Total Oxidant Status, Total Antioxidant Status, and Oxidative Stress Index.

PubMed

Cingi Yirün, Merve; Ünal, Kübranur; Altunsoy Şen, Neslihan; Yirün, Onur; Aydemir, Çiğdem; Göka, Erol

2016-09-01

Bipolar disorder is one of the most debilitating psychiatric disorders characterized by disruptive episodes of mania/hypomania and depression. Considering the complex role of biological and environmental factors in the etiology of affective disorders, recent studies have focused on oxidative stress, which may damage nerve cell components and take part in pathophysiology. The aim of the present study was to contribute to the data about oxidative stress in bipolar disorder by detecting the total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) levels of manic episode (ME) and euthymic (EU) patients and by comparing these results with those of healthy controls (HCs). The study population consisted of 28 EU outpatients meeting the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria for bipolar disorder I and 23 inpatients who were currently hospitalized in a psychiatry ward with the diagnosis of the bipolar disorder ME according to the DSM-5 criteria. Forty-three healthy subjects were included in the study as the control group (HC). Serum TAS, TOS, and OSI levels of all the participants were determined. Statistical analysis of serum TAS, TOS, and OSI levels did not show any significant differences between the ME patients, EU patients, and HCs. Comparison between the bipolar disorder patients (ME+EU) and HC also did not reveal any statistically significant difference between these two groups in terms of serum TAS, TOS, and OSI levels. To date, studies on oxidative stress in bipolar disorder have led to controversial results. In the present study, no statistically significant difference was detected between the oxidative parameters of bipolar disorder patients and HCs. In order to comprehensively evaluate oxidative stress in bipolar disorder, further studies are needed.

Depleted and enriched uranium exposure quantified in former factory workers and local residents of NL Industries, Colonie, NY USA

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

Arnason, John G.

Background: Between 1958 and 1982, NL Industries manufactured components of enriched (EU) and depleted uranium (DU) at a factory in Colonie NY, USA. More than 5 metric tons of DU was deposited as microscopic DU oxide particles on the plant site and surrounding residential community. A prior study involving a small number of individuals (n=23) indicated some residents were exposed to DU and former workers to both DU and EU, most probably through inhalation of aerosol particles. Objectives: Our aim was to measure total uranium [U] and the uranium isotope ratios: {sup 234}U/{sup 238}U; {sup 235}U/{sup 238}U; and {sup 236}U/{supmore » 238}U, in the urine of a cohort of former workers and nearby residents of the NLI factory, to characterize individual exposure to natural uranium (NU), DU, and EU more than 3 decades after production ceased. Methods: We conducted a biomonitoring study in a larger cohort of 32 former workers and 99 residents, who may have been exposed during its period of operation, by measuring Total U, NU, DU, and EU in urine using Sector Field Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry (SF-ICP-MS). Results: Among workers, 84% were exposed to DU, 9% to EU and DU, and 6% to natural uranium (NU) only. For those exposed to DU, urinary isotopic and [U] compositions result from binary mixing of NU and the DU plant feedstock. Among residents, 8% show evidence of DU exposure, whereas none shows evidence of EU exposure. For residents, the [U] geometric mean is significantly below the value reported for NHANES. There is no significant difference in [U] between exposed and unexposed residents, suggesting that [U] alone is not a reliable indicator of exposure to DU in this group. Conclusions: Ninety four percent of workers tested showed evidence of exposure to DU, EU or both, and were still excreting DU and EU decades after leaving the workforce. The study demonstrates the advantage of measuring multiple isotopic ratios (e.g., {sup 236}U/{sup 238}U and {sup 235}U/{sup 238}U) over a single ratio ({sup 235}U/{sup 238}U) in determining sources of uranium exposure. - Highlights: • Biomonitoring study of residents and former workers exposed to DU in Colonie NY. • Urine (99 residents+32 former workers) analyzed for depleted uranium (DU). • DU detected in 84% of workers and 8% of residents >30 years after plant closed. • Enriched uranium detected in 6% of former workers based on isotope ratios.« less

Facile and green synthesis of (La0.95Eu0.05)2O2S red phosphors with sulfate-ion pillared layered hydroxides as a new type of precursor: controlled hydrothermal processing, phase evolution and photoluminescence

PubMed Central

Wang, Xuejiao; Li, Ji-Guang; Zhu, Qi; Li, Xiaodong; Sun, Xudong; Sakka, Yoshio

2014-01-01

This study presents a facile and green route for the synthesis of (La0.95Eu0.05)2O2S red phosphors of controllable morphologies, with the sulfate-type layered hydroxides of Ln2(OH)4SO4·2H2O (Ln = La and Eu) as a new type of precursor. The technique takes advantage of the fact that the precursor has had the exact Ln:S molar ratio of the targeted phosphor, thus saving the hazardous sulfurization reagents indispensable to traditional synthesis. Controlled hydrothermal processing at 120 °C yielded phase-pure Ln2(OH)4SO4·2H2O crystallites in the form of either nanoplates or microprisms, which can both be converted into Ln2O2S phosphor via a Ln2O2SO4 intermediate upon annealing in flowing H2 at a minimum temperature of ∼ 700 °C. The nanoplates collapse into relatively rounded Ln2O2S particles while the microprisms retain well their initial morphologies at 1 200 °C, thus yielding two types of red phosphors. Photoluminescence excitation (PLE) studies found two distinct charge transfer (CT) excitation bands of O2− → Eu3+ at ∼ 270 nm and S2− → Eu3+ at ∼ 340 nm for the Ln2O2S phosphors, with the latter being stronger and both significantly stronger than the intrinsic intra-f transitions of Eu3+. The two types of phosphors share high similarities in the positions of PLE/PL (photoluminescence) bands and both show the strongest red emission at 627 nm (5D0 → 7F2 transition of Eu3+) under S2− → Eu3+ CT excitation at 340 nm. The PLE/PL intensities show clear dependence on particle morphology and calcination temperature, which were investigated in detail. Fluorescence decay analysis reveals that the 627 nm red emission has a lifetime of ∼ 0.5 ms for both types of the phosphors. PMID:27877631

Sorption of Cm(III) and Eu(III) onto clay minerals under saline conditions: Batch adsorption, laser-fluorescence spectroscopy and modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schnurr, Andreas; Marsac, Rémi; Rabung, Thomas; Lützenkirchen, Johannes; Geckeis, Horst

2015-02-01

The present work reports experimental data for trivalent metal cation (Cm/Eu) sorption onto illite (Illite du Puy) and montmorillonite (Na-SWy-2) in NaCl solutions up to 4.37 molal (m) in the absence of carbonate. Batch sorption experiments were carried out for a given ionic strength at fixed metal concentration (mEu = 2 × 10-7 m, labeled with 152Eu for γ-counting) and at a constant solid to liquid ratio (S:L = 2 g/L) for 3 < pHm < 12 (pHm = -log mH+). The amount of clay sorbed Eu approaches almost 100% (with log KD > 5) for pHm > 8, irrespective of the NaCl concentration. Variations in Eu uptake are minor at elevated NaCl concentrations. Time-resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS) studies on Cm sorption covering a wide range of NaCl concentrations reveal nearly identical fluorescence emission spectra after peak deconvolution, i.e. no significant variation of Cm surface speciation with salinity. Beyond the three surface complexes already found in previous studies an additional inner-sphere surface species with a fluorescence peak maximum at higher wavelength (λ ∼ 610 nm) could be resolved. This new surface species appears in the high pH range and is assumed to correspond to a clay/curium/silicate complex as already postulated in the literature for kaolinite. The 2 site protolysis non-electrostatic surface complexation and cation exchange sorption model (2SPNE SC/CE) was applied to describe Eu sorption data by involving the Pitzer and SIT (specific ion interaction) formalism in the calculation of the activities of dissolved aqueous species. Good agreement of model and experiment is achieved for sorption data at pHm < 6 without the need of adjusting surface complexation constants. For pHm > 6 in case of illite and pHm > 8 in case of montmorillonite calculated sorption data systematically fall below experimental data with increasing ionic strength. Under those conditions sorption is almost quantitative and deviations must be discussed considering uncertainties of measured Eu concentrations in the range of analytical detection limits.

Changes in dentist and dental hygienist numbers in the European Union and economic area.

PubMed

Widström, E; Eaton, K A; Luciak-Donsberger, C

2010-08-01

To investigate the extent to which changes in the numbers of dental hygienists and dentists have occurred in the Member States of the European Union and Economic Area (EU/EEA) during the last ten years and discuss the changes in relation to the possibilities of sharing tasks between the two groups. Numbers for active dentists, registered hygienists and EU/EEA member state populations in 2007 were taken from the website of the Council of European Chief Dental Officers (CECDO) (www.cecdo.org) and from CECDO records for the EU/EEA member states in 1998 and for the new EU member states (who joined in 2004 and 2007) in 2000. From these data, population: active dentists, population: registered dental hygienist and active dentists: registered dental hygienist ratios were calculated together with percentage changes in the number of dentists and dental hygienists by member state, between 1998 and 2007 for the old and between 2000 and 2007 for the new EU member states. In 2007, there were a total of 343,922 active dentists and 30,963 registered dental hygienists in the 30 EU/EEA member states plus Switzerland. The mean population to dentist ratio was about 1500:1 and the mean population to dental hygienist ratio (in the 25 states where dental hygienists were registered) was 13,454:1. During the study period, the population of the EU/EEA plus Switzerland increased by less that 3%, the number of dentists increased by 13% and the number dental hygienists by 42%. The overall ratio of active dentists: dental hygienists changed from 18:1 to 11:1. In six of the 30 member states plus Switzerland the population to dental hygienist ratio was between 2000:1 and 6000:1 and the dentist: dental hygienist ratio less than 1:3. Although, most member states educate dental hygienists and their numbers in the EU/EEA during the last 10 years have risen more than the dentist numbers, there are still only a handful countries where the hygienist numbers are great enough to make a significant difference to the delivery of oral health care.

European Crew Personal Active Dosimeter (EuCPAD), a novel dosimetry system utilizing operational and scientific synergies for the benefit of humans in space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Straube, Ulrich; Berger, Thomas

A significant expansion of Human presence in space can be recognized over the last decade. Not only the frequency of human space mission did rise, but also time in space, mission duration with extended flights lasting half a year or more are becoming "standard". Despite the challenges to human health and well-being are still significant, or may even increase with mission length and work density. Also radiation exposure in space remains one of the inevitable and dominating factors relevant to crew- health, -safety and therefore mission success. The radiation environment that the space crews are exposed to differs significantly as compared to earth. Exposure in flight exceed doses that are usually received by terrestrial radiation workers on ground. Expanding "medical" demands are not a solely characteristics of current and current and upcoming mission scenarios. Likewise the margins for what is understood as "efficient utilization" for the fully operational science platform ISS, are immense. Understanding, accepting and approaching these challenges ESA-HSO did choose a particular pass of implementation for one of their current developments. Exploiting synergies of research, science and medical operational aspects, the "European Crew Personal Active Dosimeter for Astronauts (EuCPAD)" development exactly addresses these circumstances. It becomes novel part of ESA Radiation Protection Initiative for astronauts. The EuCPAD project aims at the development and manufacturing of an active (powered) dosimeter system to measure astronaut's exposures, support risk assessment dose management by providing a differentiated data set. Final goal is the verification of the system capabilities for medical monitoring at highest standards. The EuCPAD consists of several small portable Personal Active Dosimeters (MU = Mobile Unitas) and a rack mounted docking station “Personal Storage Device (PSD)” for MU storage, data read out and telemetry. The PSD furthermore contains a Tissue Equivalent Proportional Counter (TEPC) and an internal MU(iMU) to enable complex environmental measurements and cross calibrations. This presentation will give an introduction to the dosimetry system and of the current status. The EuCPAD project is carried out under ESA Contract No. 4200023059/09/NL/CP,

Bright Lu2O3:Eu thin-film scintillators for high-resolution radioluminescence microscopy

PubMed Central

Sengupta, Debanti; Miller, Stuart; Marton, Zsolt; Chin, Frederick; Nagarkar, Vivek

2015-01-01

We investigate the performance of a new thin-film Lu2O3:Eu scintillator for single-cell radionuclide imaging. Imaging the metabolic properties of heterogeneous cell populations in real time is an important challenge with clinical implications. We have developed an innovative technique called radioluminescence microscopy, to quantitatively and sensitively measure radionuclide uptake in single cells. The most important component of this technique is the scintillator, which converts the energy released during radioactive decay into luminescent signals. The sensitivity and spatial resolution of the imaging system depend critically on the characteristics of the scintillator, i.e. the material used and its geometrical configuration. Scintillators fabricated using conventional methods are relatively thick, and therefore do not provide optimal spatial resolution. We compare a thin-film Lu2O3:Eu scintillator to a conventional 500 μm thick CdWO4 scintillator for radioluminescence imaging. Despite its thinness, the unique scintillation properties of the Lu2O3:Eu scintillator allow us to capture single positron decays with over fourfold higher sensitivity, a significant achievement. The thin-film Lu2O3:Eu scintillators also yield radioluminescence images where individual cells appear smaller and better resolved on average than with the CdWO4 scintillators. Coupled with the thin-film scintillator technology, radioluminescence microscopy can yield valuable and clinically relevant data on the metabolism of single cells. PMID:26183115

Multifunctional guest-host particles engineered by reversal nanoimprint lithography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ha, Uh-Myong; Kaban, Burhan; Tomita, Andreea; Krekić, Kristijan; Klintuch, Dieter; Pietschnig, Rudolf; Ehresmann, Arno; Holzinger, Dennis; Hillmer, Hartmut

2018-03-01

Particulate polymeric microfibers with incorporated europium(III)oxide (Eu2O3) nanoparticles were introduced as a magneto-photoluminescent multifunctional material fabricated via reversal nanoimprint lithography. To specifically address the volume properties of these guest-host particles, the guest, Eu2O3, was milled down to an average particle size of 350 nm in diameter and mixed with the host-polymer, AMONIL®, before in situ hardening in the imprint stamp. The variation of the fabrication process parameters, i.e. delay time, spin coating speed, as well as the concentration of Eu2O3 nanoparticles was proven to have a significant impact on both the structure quality and the stamp release of the microfibers with respect to the formation of a thinner residual layer. Structural characterization performed by SEM revealed optimum fabrication process parameters for a homogeneous spatial distribution of Eu2O3 nanoparticles within the microfibers while simultaneously avoiding the formation of undesired agglomerates. The magneto-photoluminescent properties of Eu2O3 nanoparticles, i.e. a red emission at 613 nm and a paramagnetic response, were found to be superimposed to the optic and the diamagnetic behaviors of AMONIL®. The results imply that guest-host interdependence of these properties can be excluded and that the suggested technique enables for specific tailoring of particulate multifunctional materials with focus on their volume properties.

Spectral Interferences Manganese (Mn) - Europium (Eu) Lines in X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry Spectrum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tanc, Beril; Kaya, Mustafa; Gumus, Lokman; Kumral, Mustafa

2016-04-01

X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry is widely used for quantitative and semi quantitative analysis of many major, minor and trace elements in geological samples. Some advantages of the XRF method are; non-destructive sample preparation, applicability for powder, solid, paste and liquid samples and simple spectrum that are independent from chemical state. On the other hand, there are some disadvantages of the XRF methods such as poor sensitivity for low atomic number elements, matrix effect (physical matrix effects, such as fine versus course grain materials, may impact XRF performance) and interference effect (the spectral lines of elements may overlap distorting results for one or more elements). Especially, spectral interferences are very significant factors for accurate results. In this study, semi-quantitative analyzed manganese (II) oxide (MnO, 99.99%) was examined. Samples were pelleted and analyzed with XRF spectrometry (Bruker S8 Tiger). Unexpected peaks were obtained at the side of the major Mn peaks. Although sample does not contain Eu element, in results 0,3% Eu2O3 was observed. These result can occur high concentration of MnO and proximity of Mn and Eu lines. It can be eliminated by using correction equation or Mn concentration can confirm with other methods (such as Atomic absorption spectroscopy). Keywords: Spectral Interferences; Manganese (Mn); Europium (Eu); X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry Spectrum.

Practical experiences with an extended screening strategy for genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in real-life samples.

PubMed

Scholtens, Ingrid; Laurensse, Emile; Molenaar, Bonnie; Zaaijer, Stephanie; Gaballo, Heidi; Boleij, Peter; Bak, Arno; Kok, Esther

2013-09-25

Nowadays most animal feed products imported into Europe have a GMO (genetically modified organism) label. This means that they contain European Union (EU)-authorized GMOs. For enforcement of these labeling requirements, it is necessary, with the rising number of EU-authorized GMOs, to perform an increasing number of analyses. In addition to this, it is necessary to test products for the potential presence of EU-unauthorized GMOs. Analysis for EU-authorized and -unauthorized GMOs in animal feed has thus become laborious and expensive. Initial screening steps may reduce the number of GMO identification methods that need to be applied, but with the increasing diversity also screening with GMO elements has become more complex. For the present study, the application of an informative detailed 24-element screening and subsequent identification strategy was applied in 50 animal feed samples. Almost all feed samples were labeled as containing GMO-derived materials. The main goal of the study was therefore to investigate if a detailed screening strategy would reduce the number of subsequent identification analyses. An additional goal was to test the samples in this way for the potential presence of EU-unauthorized GMOs. Finally, to test the robustness of the approach, eight of the samples were tested in a concise interlaboratory study. No significant differences were found between the results of the two laboratories.

Characterization of the Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator Engineering Unit 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lewandowski, Edward J.; Oriti, Salvatore M.; Schifer, Niholas A.

2016-01-01

Significant progress was made developing the Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG) 140-W radioisotope power system. While the ASRG flight development project has ended, the hardware that was designed and built under the project is continuing to be tested to support future Stirling-based power system development. NASA Glenn Research Center recently completed the assembly of the ASRG Engineering Unit 2 (EU2). The ASRG EU2 consists of the first pair of Sunpower's Advanced Stirling Convertor E3 (ASC-E3) Stirling convertors mounted in an aluminum housing, and Lockheed Martin's Engineering Development Unit (EDU) 4 controller (a fourth-generation controller). The ASC-E3 convertors and Generator Housing Assembly (GHA) closely match the intended ASRG Qualification Unit flight design. A series of tests were conducted to characterize the EU2, its controller, and the convertors in the flight-like GHA. The GHA contained an argon cover gas for these tests. The tests included measurement of convertor, controller, and generator performance and efficiency; quantification of control authority of the controller; disturbance force measurement with varying piston phase and piston amplitude; and measurement of the effect of spacecraft direct current (DC) bus voltage on EU2 performance. The results of these tests are discussed and summarized, providing a basic understanding of EU2 characteristics and the performance and capability of the EDU 4 controller.

Synthesis and effect of Ce and Mn co-doping on photoluminescence characteristics of Ca6AlP5O20:Eu novel phosphors.

PubMed

Shinde, K N; Dhoble, S J

2013-01-01

A series of Ca6AlP5O20 doped with rare earths (Eu and Ce) and co-doped (Eu, Ce and Eu,Mn) were prepared by combustion synthesis. Under Hg-free excitation, Ca6AlP5O20:Eu exhibited Eu(2+) (486 nm) emission in the blue region of the spectrum and under near Hg excitation (245 nm), Ca6AlP5O20:Ce phosphor exhibited Ce(3+) emission (357 nm) in the UV range. Photoluminescence (PL) peak intensity increased in Ca6AlP5O20:Eu,Ce and Ca6AlP5O20:Eu, Mn phosphors due to co-activators of Ce(3+) and Mn(2+) ions. As a result, these ions played an important role in PL emission in the present matrix. Ca6AlP5O20:Eu, Ce and Ca6AlP5O20:Eu, Mn phosphors provided energy transfer mechanisms via Ce(3+) → Eu(2+) and Eu(2+) → Mn(2+), respectively. Eu ions acted as activators and Ce ions acted as sensitizers. Ce emission energy was well matched with Eu excitation energy in the case of Ca6AlP5O20:Eu, Ce and Eu ions acted as activators and Mn ions acted as sensitizers in Ca6AlP5O20:Eu, Mn. This study included synthesis of new and efficient phosphate phosphors. The impact of doping and co-doping on photoluminescence properties and energy transfer mechanisms were investigated and we propose a feasible interpretation. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Circulating autoantibodies to recombinant lipocortin-1 in asthma.

PubMed

Chung, K F; Podgorski, M R; Goulding, N J; Godolphin, J L; Sharland, P R; O'Connor, B; Flower, R J; Barnes, P J

1991-03-01

One of the postulated mechanisms of corticosteroid action is through the de novo synthesis and release of lipocortins. We assayed circulating antibodies to lipocortin-1 in sera obtained from normal (n = 67) and asthmatic (n = 57) subjects using an ELISA technique. Asthmatic subjects with a wide range of severity, with the mildest needing only occasional inhaled beta-agonist therapy to the most severe needing maintenance oral corticosteroid treatment, were recruited from our Asthma Clinic and classified into five categories according to the need of therapy. Median values of IgM and IgG lipocortin-1 antibody for normal subjects were 19.3 (interquartile range (r) = 11.0-30.4) and 16.9 (r = 10.54-29.4) ELISA units (EU) ml-1 respectively. These levels were significantly elevated in asthmatic subjects: IgM = 43.9 EU ml-1 (r = 31.7-64.5) and IgG = 29.0 EU ml-1 (r = 21.2-44.7) (P less than 0.001). There was no significant relationship between the levels of lipocortin antibody and the clinical severity of asthma. Asthmatics with significantly raised levels of antibody were found within all five categories of severity. We conclude that the level of this antibody is not related to severity of asthma, to previous or current corticosteroid therapy or to the development of corticosteroid resistance.

E-beam and UV induced fabrication of CeO2, Eu2O3 and their mixed oxides with UO2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pavelková, Tereza; Vaněček, Vojtěch; Jakubec, Ivo; Čuba, Václav

2016-07-01

CeO2, Eu2O3 and mixed oxides of CeO2-UO2, Eu2O3-UO2 were fabricated. The preparative method was based on the irradiation of aqueous solutions containing cerium/europium (and uranyl) nitrates and ammonium formate. In the course of irradiation, the solid phase (precursor) was precipitated. The composition of irradiated solutions significantly affected the properties of precursor formed in the course of the irradiation. However, subsequent heat treatment of (amorphous) precursors at temperatures ≤650 °C invariably resulted in the formation of powder oxides with well-developed nanocrystals with linear crystallite size 13-27 nm and specific surface area 10-46 m2 g-1. The applicability of both ionizing (e-beam) and non-ionizing (UV) radiation was studied.

Eu(III) Complex with DO3A-amino-phosphonate Ligand as a Concentration-Independent pH-Responsive Contrast Agent for Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS).

PubMed

Krchová, Tereza; Herynek, Vít; Gálisová, Andrea; Blahut, Jan; Hermann, Petr; Kotek, Jan

2017-02-20

A new DOTA-like ligand H 5 do3aNP with a 2-[amino(methylphosphonic acid)]ethyl-coordinating pendant arm was prepared, and its coordinating properties were studied by NMR spectroscopy and potentiometry. The study revealed a rare slow exchange (on the 1 H and 31 P NMR time scale) between protonated and unprotonated complex species with a corresponding acidity constant pK A ∼ 8.0. This unusually slow time scale associated with protonation is caused by a significant geometric change from square-antiprismatic (SA) arrangement observed for protonated complex SA-[Eu(Hdo3aNP)] - to twisted-square-antiprismatic (TSA) arrangement found for deprotonated complex TSA-[Eu(do3aNP)] 2- . This behavior results in simultaneous occurrence of the signals of both species in the 31 P NMR spectra at approximately -118 and +70 ppm, respectively. Such an unprecedented difference in the chemical shifts between species differing by a proton is caused by a significant movement of the principal magnetic axis and by a change of phosphorus atom position in the coordination sphere of the central Eu(III) ion (i.e., by relative movement of the phosphorus atom with respect to the principal magnetic axis). It changes the sign of the paramagnetic contribution to the 31 P NMR chemical shift. The properties discovered can be employed in the measurement of pH by MRS techniques as presented by proof-of-principle experiments on phantoms.

The Commission White Paper on a Strategy for a Future EU Chemicals Policy: the view of European companies of American parentage.

PubMed

Montfort, Jean-Philippe

2003-04-01

After years of good service, EU legislation on chemicals is currently subject to a major review. This process, initiated by the Council of Ministers at Chester in April 1998, will soon lead to new legislative proposals. In the meantime, a review of the Commission's White Paper on "Strategy for a Future Chemicals Policy," published in February 2001, clearly shows that the regulatory landscape in this area will be significantly reshaped and that a new burden will be imposed on industry to demonstrate that the production and use of chemicals indeed conform to high standards of protection of human health and the environment. In the view of industry, on both sides of the Atlantic, while the objectives of the proposed reform can be supported, the measures proposed in the White Paper to implement these objectives are not properly balanced and will lead to substantial societal and economic drawbacks, unless significant adjustments are made. The purpose of this article is to present the pitfalls and difficulties of the reform as they are perceived by the EU Committee of the American Chamber of Commerce in Brussels, an organization that regroups about 150 European companies of American parentage, belonging to a broad range of European business sectors, including producers and users of chemicals. In view of the transatlantic and cross-business character of its membership, the EU Committee offers a different perspective on the debate.

Intra-EU agricultural trade, virtual water flows and policy implications.

PubMed

Antonelli, M; Tamea, S; Yang, H

2017-06-01

The development of approaches to tackle the European Union (EU) water-related challenges and shift towards sustainable water management and use is one of the main objectives of Horizon 2020, the EU strategy to lead a smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. The EU is an increasingly water challenged area and is a major agricultural trader. As agricultural trade entails an exchange of water embodied in goods as a factor of production, this study investigates the region's water-food-trade nexus by analysing intra-regional virtual water trade (VWT) in agricultural products. The analysed period (1993-2011) comprises the enactment of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) in the year 2000. Aspects of the VWT that are relevant for the WFD are explored. The EU is a net importer of virtual water (VW) from the rest of the world, but intra-regional VWT represents 46% of total imports and 75% of total exports. Five countries account for 60% of total VW imports (Germany, France, Italy, The Netherlands, Belgium) and 65% of total VW exports (The Netherlands, France, Germany, Belgium and Spain). Intra-EU VWT more than doubled over the period considered, while trade with extra-EU countries did not show such a marked trend. In the same period, blue VWT increased significantly within the region and net import from the rest of the world slightly decreased. Water scarce countries, such as Spain and Italy, are major exporters of blue water in the region. The traded volumes of VW have been increasing almost monotonically over the years, and with a substantial increase after 2000. The overall trend in changes in VWT does not seem to be in accordance with the WFD goals. This study demonstrated that VWT analyses can help evaluate intertwining effects of water, agriculture and trade policies which are often made separately in respective sectors. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

New legal requirements for submission of product information to poisons centres in EU member states.

PubMed

de Groot, Ronald; Brekelmans, Pieter; Desel, Herbert; de Vries, Irma

2018-01-01

In the past eight years, the European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists (EAPCCT) has been intensively involved in a European Commission led process to develop EU legislation on the information of hazardous products that companies have to notify to EU Poisons Centres (or equivalent "appointed bodies"). As a result of this process, the Commission adopted Regulation (EU) No 2017/542, amending the CLP Regulation by adding an Annex on harmonised product submission requirements. Harmonised mixture information requirements: Detailed and consistent information on the composition of the hazardous product will become available to EU Poisons Centres (PC). The information will be submitted by companies to PCs (or equivalent "appointed bodies") using a web-based software application or in-house software. Two new important features are introduced. Firstly, to be able to rapidly identify the product formula, a Unique Formula Identifier (UFI) on the product label links to the submitted information. Secondly, for better comparability of reports on poisonings between EU member states, a harmonised Product Categorisation System will specify the intended use of a product. Rapid product identification and availability of detailed composition information will lead to timely and adequate medical intervention. This may lead to considerable reduction in healthcare costs. Additionally, for companies trading across the EU, costs of submission of this information will be reduced significantly. Next steps: From 2017, an implementation period has started, consisting of a three-year period for stakeholders to implement the new requirements, followed by a gradual applicability for consumer products (2020), professional products (2021) and industrial use-only products (2024). Technical tools to generate the electronic format and the UFI together with guidance documents are expected to be made available by the end of 2017 by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). Guidance on interpretation of legal text and ECHA helpdesk support are planned to be ready at the end of 2018.

Controlled synthesis of Eu 2+ and Eu 3+ doped ZnS quantum dots and their photovoltaic and magnetic properties

DOE PAGES

Horoz, Sabit; Yakami, Baichhabi; Poudyal, Uma; ...

2016-04-27

Eu-doped ZnS quantum dots (QDs) have been synthesized by wet-chemical method and found to form in zinc blende (cubic) structure. Both Eu 2+ and Eu 3+ doped ZnS can be controllably synthesized. The Eu 2+ doped ZnS QDs show broad photoluminescence emission peak around 512 nm, which is from the Eu2+ intra-ion transition of 4f 6d1 – 4f 7, while the Eu 3+ doped samples exhibit narrow emission lines characteristic of transitions between the 4f levels. The investigation of the magnetic properties shows that the Eu 3+ doped samples exhibit signs of ferromagnetism, on the other hand, Eu 2+ dopedmore » samples are paramagnetic of Curie-Weiss type. The incident photon to electron conversion efficiency is increased with the Eu doping, which suggests the QD solar cell efficiency can be enhanced by Eu doping due to widened absorption windows. This is an attractive approach to utilize benign and environmentally friendly wide band gap ZnS QDs in solar cell technology.« less

Association of Fascin and matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression with poor prognostic parameters in breast carcinoma of Egyptian women.

PubMed

Youssef, Nermeen Salah; Hakim, Sarah Adel

2014-07-04

The effects of fascin on cell invasiveness involve changes in cell motility and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) activity. Previous studies on the prognostic value of fascin and MMP-9 in breast carcinoma revealed conflicting results. To date, no immunohistochemical studies have been performed to assess the possible association between them in breast carcinoma. This study is designed to correlate their expression with prognostic parameters in breast carcinoma and assess the relationship between them. Immunohistochemical expression of fascin and MMP-9 was evaluated semi quantitatively in 67 cases of breast carcinoma regarding the percentage of positive cells. Chi square test and Fisher's exact test were used to examine the relationship between categorical variables. Kappa statistics was used to compute the measure of agreement between two investigational methods. Fascin and MMP-9 expressions were detected in 43.28% and 50.75% of breast carcinomas (respectively). Regarding the normal breast tissue, fascin expression was observed in myoepithelial cells and luminal cells of few ducts and acini. However, normal tissue showed negative MMP-9 expression. A significant relationship was observed between fascin and MMP-9 expression and lymph node metastases (p = 0.001 and 0.002 respectively), advanced tumor stage (p = 0.004 and 0.005 respectively), estrogen receptor negative (p = 0.002 and 0.005 respectively), progesterone receptor negative (p = 0.001 and 0.003 respectively) hormonal status and molecular subtypes (p = 0.0007 and 0.014 respectively). A significant strong agreement was detected between fascin and MMP-9 expression (p = 0.0001). More intense immunostaining of fascin and MMP-9 was observed at the invasive fronts compared with other areas of the tumor. Moreover, a significant moderate agreement between fascin and MMP-9 was found regarding the site of predominant intensity. Fascin and MMP-9 proteins are associated with parameters of poor prognosis in breast cancer. The significant strong agreement between the two markers supports the role of fascin in cell invasiveness by activating matrix proteases besides increasing cell motility. Both proteins may represent potential therapeutic targets for patients with breast cancer especially those with hormone receptor-negative status. The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1421167695121127.

Effect of Thyroxin Treatment on Carotid Intima-Media Thickness (CIMT) Reduction in Patients with Subclinical Hypothyroidism (SCH): a Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials.

PubMed

Aziz, Muhammad; Kandimalla, Yugandhar; Machavarapu, Archana; Saxena, Anshul; Das, Sankalp; Younus, Adnan; Nguyen, Michelle; Malik, Rehan; Anugula, Dixitha; Latif, Muhammad A; Humayun, Choudhry; Khan, Idrees M; Adus, Ali; Rasool, Aisha; Veledar, Emir; Nasir, Khurram

2017-07-01

Research shows that subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is related to an increased carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), a surrogate marker of subclinical cardiovascular disease (CVD). It is controversial whether or not SCH should be treated to reduce CVD morbidity and mortality. This meta-analysis aimed to determine whether SCH is associated with an increase in CIMT as compared to Euthyroidism (EU) and whether thyroxin (T4) treatment in SCH can reverse the change in CIMT. Two independent reviewers conducted an extensive database research up to December 2016. A total of 12 clinical trials discussed the effect of Thyroxin on CIMT values at pre- and post-treatment in subjects with SCH. CIMT was significantly higher among SCH (n=280) as compared to EU controls (n=263) at baseline; the pooled weighted mean difference (WMD) of CIMT was 0.44 mm [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.14, 0.74], p=0.004; I 2 =65%. After treatment with thyroxin in subjects with SCH (n=314), there was a statistically significant decrease in CIMT from pre- to post-treatment; the pooled WMD of CIMT decrease was [WMD －0.32; 95% CI (－0.47, －0.16), p=＜0.0001; I 2 =2%], and it was no longer different from EU controls [WMD 0.13 mm; 95% CI (－0.04, 0.30); p=0.14; I 2 =27%]. The total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were higher in SCH as compared to EU controls and decreased significantly after treatment with thyroxin. This meta-analysis shows that thyroxin therapy in subjects with SCH significantly decreases CIMT and improves lipid profile, modifiable CVD risk factors. Thyroid hormone replacement in subjects with SCH may play a role in slowing down or preventing the progression of atherosclerosis.

Effect of Thyroxin Treatment on Carotid Intima–Media Thickness (CIMT) Reduction in Patients with Subclinical Hypothyroidism (SCH): a Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials

PubMed Central

Aziz, Muhammad; Kandimalla, Yugandhar; Machavarapu, Archana; Saxena, Anshul; Das, Sankalp; Younus, Adnan; Nguyen, Michelle; Malik, Rehan; Anugula, Dixitha; Latif, Muhammad A.; Humayun, Choudhry; Khan, Idrees M.; Adus, Ali; Rasool, Aisha; Veledar, Emir

2017-01-01

Aim: Research shows that subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is related to an increased carotid intima –media thickness (CIMT), a surrogate marker of subclinical cardiovascular disease (CVD). It is controversial whether or not SCH should be treated to reduce CVD morbidity and mortality. This meta-analysis aimed to determine whether SCH is associated with an increase in CIMT as compared to Euthyroidism (EU) and whether thyroxin (T4) treatment in SCH can reverse the change in CIMT. Methods: Two independent reviewers conducted an extensive database research up to December 2016. A total of 12 clinical trials discussed the effect of Thyroxin on CIMT values at pre- and post-treatment in subjects with SCH. Results: CIMT was significantly higher among SCH (n = 280) as compared to EU controls (n = 263) at baseline; the pooled weighted mean difference (WMD) of CIMT was 0.44 mm [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.14, 0.74], p = 0.004; I2 = 65%. After treatment with thyroxin in subjects with SCH (n = 314), there was a statistically significant decrease in CIMT from pre- to post-treatment; the pooled WMD of CIMT decrease was [WMD −0.32; 95% CI (−0.47, −0.16), p = < 0.0001; I2 = 2%], and it was no longer different from EU controls [WMD 0.13 mm; 95% CI (−0.04, 0.30); p = 0.14; I2 = 27%]. The total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were higher in SCH as compared to EU controls and decreased significantly after treatment with thyroxin. Conclusion: This meta-analysis shows that thyroxin therapy in subjects with SCH significantly decreases CIMT and improves lipid profile, modifiable CVD risk factors. Thyroid hormone replacement in subjects with SCH may play a role in slowing down or preventing the progression of atherosclerosis. PMID:28566564

The Structure of the EU Mediasphere

PubMed Central

Flaounas, Ilias; Turchi, Marco; Ali, Omar; Fyson, Nick; De Bie, Tijl; Mosdell, Nick; Lewis, Justin; Cristianini, Nello

2010-01-01

Background A trend towards automation of scientific research has recently resulted in what has been termed “data-driven inquiry” in various disciplines, including physics and biology. The automation of many tasks has been identified as a possible future also for the humanities and the social sciences, particularly in those disciplines concerned with the analysis of text, due to the recent availability of millions of books and news articles in digital format. In the social sciences, the analysis of news media is done largely by hand and in a hypothesis-driven fashion: the scholar needs to formulate a very specific assumption about the patterns that might be in the data, and then set out to verify if they are present or not. Methodology/Principal Findings In this study, we report what we think is the first large scale content-analysis of cross-linguistic text in the social sciences, by using various artificial intelligence techniques. We analyse 1.3 M news articles in 22 languages detecting a clear structure in the choice of stories covered by the various outlets. This is significantly affected by objective national, geographic, economic and cultural relations among outlets and countries, e.g., outlets from countries sharing strong economic ties are more likely to cover the same stories. We also show that the deviation from average content is significantly correlated with membership to the eurozone, as well as with the year of accession to the EU. Conclusions/Significance While independently making a multitude of small editorial decisions, the leading media of the 27 EU countries, over a period of six months, shaped the contents of the EU mediasphere in a way that reflects its deep geographic, economic and cultural relations. Detecting these subtle signals in a statistically rigorous way would be out of the reach of traditional methods. This analysis demonstrates the power of the available methods for significant automation of media content analysis. PMID:21170383

Effects of Eu doping and O vacancy on the magnetic and optical properties of ZnO

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ling-Feng, Qu; Qing-Yu, Hou; Xiao-Fang, Jia; Zhen-Chao, Xu; Chun-Wang, Zhao

2018-02-01

We calculated the electronic structure and optical properties of Eu mono-doped ZnO systems with or without O vacancy. We also determined the relative energy of ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic orders of Eu-double-doped ZnO systems. The double-doped systems possess high Curie temperature and achieve room temperature ferromagnetism. The magnetism in the Eu mono-doped system without O vacancy is caused by the -Eu3+-O2--Eu3+- bound magnetopolaron (BMP) model. The magnetism of Eu mono-doped ZnO systems with O vacancy is more stable than that without O vacancy, and such magnetism is attributed to the -Eu3+-VO++-Eu3+- BMP model. The absorption spectrum for mono-doped systems is red shifted, and this finding confirms that Eu-mono-doped ZnO is a candidate photocatalyst for various applications. Therefore, Eu-double-doped ZnO can be practically used as an unambiguous diluted magnetic semiconductor.

Luminescence and Site Occupancy of Eu2+ in Ba2 Ca(BO3)2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Pan-Lai; Wang, Zhi-Jun; Yang, Zhi-Ping; Guo, Qing-Lin

2011-01-01

A green phosphor Ba2Ca(BO3)2:Eu2+ was synthesized by a high temperature solid-state reaction method under a reductive atmosphere. The luminescence and site occupancy of Eu2+ in Ba2Ca(BO3)2 are investigated. Ba2Ca(BO3)2:Eu2+ shows one green band (537 nm) under 400 nm near ultraviolet excitation which is suitable for UV LED. Ca2+ and Ba2+ ions in Ba2Ca(BO3)2 are replaced by Eu2+ ions, the Ba2Ca(BO3)2:Eu2+ shows a dissymmetrical emission band. The influence of Eu2+ doping concentrations on the emission intensity of Ba2Ca(BO3)2:Eu2+ is studied. It is found that the emission intensity is influenced by the Eu2+ concentration and reaches the maximum value at 2% Eu2+. According to the Dexter theory, the concentration quenching mechanisms of Eu2+ in Ba2Ca(BO3)2 are the d-dinteraction.

Fano Resonance of Eu2+ and Eu3+ in (Eu,Gd)Te MBE Layers