Neutron activation analysis of heavy rare earths

A method of nondestructive activation analysis of heavy rare earth elements (Sm−Lu) is described. Intensities of γ-ray peaks are compared to that of an internal reference after irradiations by both thermal and fission spectrum neutrons. Results are obtained from computer comparisons of peak areas. Work was performed at the Ames Laboratory of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission. Contribution No. 2895.     

Immunomagnetic separation of tumor necrosis factor alpha. II. In situ procedure for the human gingival space.

An in situ procedure has been developed for the separation of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha directly from the fluid in the human gingival space. Paramagnetic beads coated with anti-TNF monoclonal antibodies were introduced into the gingival space of the subject with a polypropylene-tipped calibrated delivery system and retrieved using a permanent magnet designed to fit into the space. After retrieval, the amount of immunoadsorbed TNF was quantified using an immunochemical assay called the "cluster assay". The results indicate that following the appropriate preparation of the site, over 95% of the beads could be recovered. With this method we found that 62% of those cavities sampled contained TNF and that the values ranged from 0.10 to 13.0 ng/ml with a mean value of 1.7 ng/ml. A comparison of these values with those obtained from the same space using other methods suggests that the immunomagnetic method was more effective in retrieval of TNF. Because the separation is performed in situ we have named the procedure "chromatobiosis".     

Hair as an indicator of environmental exposure in Hong Kong

Eleven human hair samples were taken from the Chinese residents of Hong Kong for the study of hair trace elemental level and environmental exposures. Absolute neutron activation analysis and Ge(Li) gamma-ray spectrometry were applied in the determination of the trace elemental level. All results are reported in parts per million except for sulfur and oxygen which are reported in percent. The trace element content of hair from a drug addict was found to be considerably different from other sampled people. Comparison of the normal concentrations of the trace elements of the Chinese residents of Hong Kong was made with those from people of various other national, socio-cultural and environmental backgrounds. It was found that together with a few other trace elements, Ni, Sr, Zr and Hg content of the Chinese Residents of Hong Kong show a higher level than those of the other sampled people.     

Molekülberechnungen (LCAO-MO) an konjugierten Systemen mit 14 Kohlenstoffatomen

Zusammenfassung Die Arbeit bringt die Ergebnisse der Berechnungen anhand der LCAO-MO-Methode für 134 völlig konjugierte Kohlenwasserstoffe mit 14 C-Atomen. Eine Tabelle gibt Auskunft über die gesamte -Elektronenenergie und die Energien der höchsten besetzten und der niedrigsten unbesetzten Molekülorbitale.

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Some of the results are given of calculations by means of the LACO-MO-method of 134 fully conjugated hydrocarbons with 14 carbon atoms. The total -electronic energy and the energies of highest occupied and lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals are given in tables.

     

The molecular structure of cis- and trans-1,2-difluoro-ethene: An electron diffraction study

The molecular structure of cis- and trans-1,2-difluoroethene was studied in the gas phase by electron diffraction, using the sector-microphotometer technique. The molecules are planar. For trans-difluoroethene the geometrical parameters are: C-F bond: 1.338(0.003) Å; CC bond: 1.320(0.009) Å; C-H bond: 1.088(0.004) Å, ∠CCF 119.8°(0.2°); ∠CCH: 125° (1.2°). For cis-difluoroethene: C-F bond: 1.332(0.003) Å; CC bond: 1.311(0.008) Å; C-H bond: 1.100(0.003) Å; ∠CCF: 122.5°(0.2°); ∠CCH:127.0 °(2.3°).     

Spectroscopy in separated flames-II The use of the separated air-acetylene flame in long path atomic absorption spectroscopy

The application of a separated air-acetylene flame to the determination of several elements by long-path atomic-absorption spectroscopy is described. The factors which govern the stability and reproducibility of the separated flame have been investigated. High sensitivity and stability and low background absorption are obtained in the the determination of zinc, iron, copper, mercury, magnesium and silver by the method described.     

Application of the chemiluminescence systems to evaluate the role of Fcgamma and complement receptors in stimulating the oxidative burst in neutrophils

We have established a luminol- and a lucigenin-dependent CL methods to investigate the role of the receptors for Fc portion of IgG (FcgammaR) and/or complement receptors (CR) in mediating the oxidative burst in neutrophils from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients compared with healthy controls. In the luminol-CL system, all the reactive oxygen species (ROS) are responsible for light production, whereas in the lucigenin-CL system, only the first ROS generated, converts the lucigenin into an unstable intermediate molecule, which also emits light. First, neutrophils from healthy controls and SLE patients were stimulated with different IC opsonized or not with complement from normal human serum (NHS) or SLE serum, in presence of 10(-4) M luminol. This method was able to differentiate the role of the FcgammaR, CR and FcgammaR/CR co-operation in mediating the oxidative burst, as well as show that the oxidative burst mediated by these receptors was reduced in neutrophils from SLE patients. Second, neutrophils from healthy controls and SLE patients were stimulated with different IC, opsonized or not with NHS, in presence of 10(-3) M lucigenin. In this case, the lucigenin-CL system was also able to differentiate the role of FcgammaR and FcgammaR/CR co-operation, as well as show differences among healthy controls and two different groups of SLE patients according to their clinical manifestations. In conclusion, we have established two sensitive CL systems to study the role of FcgammaR and/or CR in stimulating the oxidative burst of neutrophils, which can be applied in monitoring the involvement of these receptors in the immunopathogenesis of SLE.     

Aggregation processes of biomolecules in presence of trehalose

Among disaccharides, trehalose, a naturally-occurring glass-forming disaccharide, is particularly effective in terms of its ability to preserve several organisms under stress conditions. The present work is aimed to investigate the bioprotective action of trehalose on lysozyme as a function of temperature. In order to extract quantitative information about the dimensional changes of the proteins, we performed Small Angle Neutron Scattering measurements on lysozyme/D₂O solutions in absence and in presence of the disaccharide. The findings emphasise the capability of trehalose to stabilise the protein, activating aggregation processes.     

Oxygen adsorption on nickel surfaces: Detection of different species by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Interaction of oxygen with evaporated nickel films has been studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, XPS, over the temperature range 77–500 K and pressure range 10^?9?10^?4 torr. Three oxygen species have been positively identified from O(1s) binding energy shifts (I, II and III with BE's 529.5, 531.4 and 533.2 eV). A fourth state at ca. 534.8 eV may also exist. The relative proportions of each species present depends on the temperature of the substrate. Type I is tentatively considered to represent oxygen atoms in an oxide-like electronic environment, type II is assigned as chemisorbed oxygen atoms, although the possibility of assignment at high oxygen coverages to a defect Ni₂ O₃ structure is admitted. Type III is only formed in sub-monolayer quantities on interaction at 77 K; converting irreversibly to II on warming to 300 K. I and II are always formed together between 300 and 500 K. The authors believe this implies some incorporation of oxygen atoms from the start of adsorption, which in turn has important implications for recent LEED studies.     

Mass Spectrometry of π-complexes of transition metals : IV. π-Cyclopentadienylirondicarbonyldichlorogermaniums

The mass spectra of C₅H₅(CO)₂FeGECl₂X (X = Cl, Me, Et, n-Pr or CH₂Ph) show very intensive rearrangement ions which are formed due to cyclopentadienyl ring migration from iron to the germanium atom or chlorine (subsituent) migration from germanium to atom.