Intratumor heterogeneity in perfusion in human melanoma xenografts measured by contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging

The perfusion in tumors shows substantial spatial heterogeneity compared to that in normal tissues. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the intratumor heterogeneity in perfusion in tumors of two amelanotic human melanoma xenograft lines, A-07 and R-18, grown intradermally in Balb/c nu/nu mice. A non-invasive contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging method yielding results in absolute values was applied. The perfusion was determined in manually defined regions of interest, corresponding to a whole tumor or to subregions of a tumor. The mean perfusion and the intertumor heterogeneity in perfusion were similar for the two tumor lines. For whole A-07 tumors, the perfusion ranged from 0.089 mL/(g . min) to 0.20 mL/(g . min) [mean: 0.15 mL/(g . min)], and for whole R-18 tumors, from 0.030 mL/(g . min) to 0.17 mL/(g . min) [mean: 0.13 mL/(g . min)]. The intratumor heterogeneity, on the other hand, was estimated to be 6.4 times larger in A-07 tumors than in R-18 tumors. The highest perfusion values, up to 0.69 mL/(g . min), were found in subregions of A-07 tumors. The intratumor heterogeneity was substantially larger than the intertumor heterogeneity in A-07 tumors, whereas in R-18 tumors, the intratumor heterogeneity was similar to the intertumor heterogeneity. These observations imply that measurements of mean tumor perfusion may have limited value as a predictive assay for outcome of treatment.     

Second-order Møller-Plesset calculations on the water molecule using Gaussian-type orbital and Gaussian-type geminal theory

The Gaussian-type orbital and Gaussian-type geminal (GGn) model is applied to the water molecule, at the level of second-order M?ller-Plesset (MP2) theory. In GGn theory, correlation factors are attached to all doubly-occupied orbital pairs (GG0), to all doubly-occupied and singly-excited pairs (GG1), or to all orbital pairs (GG2). Optimizing the GG2 model using a weak-orthogonality functional, we obtain the current best estimate of the all-electron MP2 correlation energy of water, -361.95 mE(h). In agreement with previous observations, the GG1 model performs almost as well as the GG2 model (-361.26 mE(h)), whereas the GG0 model is poorer (-351.36 mE(h)). For the barrier to linearity of water, we obtain an MP2 correlation contribution of -463 +/- 5 cm(-1).     

Accurate quantum-chemical calculations using Gaussian-type geminal and Gaussian-type orbital basis sets: applications to atoms and diatomics

We have implemented the use of mixed basis sets of Gaussian one- and two-electron (geminal) functions for the calculation of second-order M?ller-Plesset (MP2) correlation energies. In this paper, we describe some aspects of this implementation, including different forms chosen for the pair functions. Computational results are presented for some closed-shell atoms and diatomics. Our calculations indicate that the method presented is capable of yielding highly accurate second-order correlation energies with rather modest Gaussian orbital basis sets, providing an alternative route to highly accurate wave functions. For the neon atom, the hydrogen molecule, and the hydrogen fluoride molecule, our calculations yield the most accurate MP2 energies published so far. A critical comparison is made with established MP2-R12 methods, revealing an erratic behaviour of some of these methods, even in large basis sets.     

Searching for decaying axionlike dark matter from clusters of galaxies

We constrain the lifetime of radiatively decaying dark matter in clusters of galaxies inspired by generic Kaluza-Klein axions, which have been invoked as a possible explanation for the solar coronal x-ray emission. These particles can be produced inside stars and remain confined by the gravitational potential of clusters. By analyzing x-ray observations of merging clusters, where gravitational lensing observations have identified massive, baryon poor structures, we derive the first cosmological lifetime constraint on this kind of particles of tau > or = 10(23) sec.     

Solidification mechanisms of unmodified and strontium-modified hypereutectic aluminium–silicon alloys

The effects of strontium on the solidification mode of hypereutectic aluminium–silicon alloys have been studied. Samples were prepared from an aluminium–17?wt% silicon-based alloy and strontium was added at several different concentrations. The development of the microstructure was investigated by cooling curve analysis, interrupted solidification experiments and optical and scanning electron microscopy. It was found that nucleation of primary silicon is suppressed by additions of strontium. The suppressed nucleation results in supersaturation of the liquid prior to nucleation, and an increased growth rate after nucleation. As a result, the silicon crystals become less faceted and more dendritic with increasing strontium additions. Increasing the strontium concentration slightly refined the eutectic spacing and introduced a small amount of fibrous silicon. Electron back-scatter diffraction measurements were performed to determine the crystallographic relation between the primary and eutectic silicon phases. The eutectic silicon in the unmodified alloy does not have any crystallographic relationship with the primary silicon crystals. In contrast, the eutectic silicon crystals in the strontium-modified alloys often share an identical or twin relationship with nearby primary silicon crystals. The incidence of twinning within primary silicon crystals was relatively low and did not appear to increase with strontium additions.     

The adsorption of CO2 and CO on Ca and CaO films studied with MIES, UPS and XPS

Metastable Induced Electron Spectroscopy (MIES), Ultraviolet Photoelectron Spectroscopy (UPS), and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) are employed to study the adsorption of CO₂ and CO on Ca and CaO films. Ca films are prepared by evaporation of Ca onto clean Si(1 0 0) substrates. CaO films are produced by Ca evaporation in an oxygen atmosphere at a substrate temperature of 670 K. CO₂ interaction with the Ca films is initiated by dissociation of the impinging molecules leading to the formation of Ca-O bonds. These Ca-O bonds are subsequently consumed in the formation of a closed CaCO₃ layer on top of the surface. CO interaction with the Ca surfaces also leads to the dissociation of the molecule and the formation of Ca-O bonds. We find evidence for the subsequent formation of complexes on top of the surface. On CaO surfaces, both CO₂ and CO lead to the formation of a closed CaCO₃ top layer, though displaying very different reaction rates.     

An open-source surface barrier discharge plasma pretreatment for reduced cracking of outdoor wood coatings

The development of a simple surface barrier discharge plasma device is presented to enable more widespread access to and utilization of plasma technology. The application of the plasma device was demonstrated for pretreatment of wood prior to application of protective coatings for outdoor usage. The coatings' overall performance was increased, showing a reduction or absence of cracking due to weathering on plasma-pretreated specimens. Moreover, after ten months of outdoor weathering, the plasma-pretreated specimens showed fewer infections with biotic factors and improved adhesion performance in cross-cut tests, while the surface gloss performed independently from plasma pretreatment. In contrast to that, plasma-pretreated specimens were slightly more prone to discoloration due to outdoor weathering, whereas the plasma pretreatment did not impact the initial color after coating application.

Graphic abstract

     

Ferromagnetic resonance and torsion magnetometry in oligatomic NiFe-films

Ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) and torsion magnetometry were carried out on 60 Ni/40 Fe (111) oligatomic thin films (2.4≦D _M≦9.4 atomic layers) at temperatures between 123 K and 373 K. A comparative discussion of the results is given. Anisotropies of the films, determined by both methods, agree roughly. Approximately, they show a 1/D _M-dependence on the film thickness, as expected from an interpretation as surface anisotropy. FMR is shown to be a useful experimental tool for the investigation of oligatomic ferromagnetic films. Informations may be taken from the resonance field, line width, line shape and total absorbed microwave power. The magnetic moment must be taken from magnetometry.     

Symmetry-adapted integrals over many-electron basis functions and operators

We consider integrals over symmetry-adapted basis functions that involve the coordinates of more than one electron. We focus on basis functions that can be written as products of one-electron functions and (say) a two-electron function. We show first that the two-electron parts of the basis functions can be absorbed into the operator, resulting in an integral over only one-electron basis functions, but a more complicated many-electron operator. We then prove a general formula for expressing such integrals in terms of symmetry-distinct integrals only. Received: 16 June 2000 / Accepted: 10 July 2000 / Published online: 19 January 2001     

Electric Conductivity of In2(MoO4)3 and Composites (1 – х)In2(MoO4)3–хMoO3

Russian Journal of Electrochemistry - Indium molybdate and eutectic composites (1 – х)In2(MoO4)3–хMoO3 (where the molar fraction is х = 0; 0.1; 0.3; 0.5) were...