The SMILETRAP (Stockholm-Mainz-Ion-LEvitation-TRAP) facility

Described in this paper is an experimental facility which measures atomic masses by using multiply charged ions from an electron beam ion source. The ions are injected into a Penning trap and the cyclotron frequencies measured. A precision of 2×10^–9 has been reached using highly charged carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and neon.     

SMILETRAP — Atomic mass measurements with ppb accuracy by using highly charged ions

In the SMILETRAP facility externally produced highly charged ions are captured in a Penning trap and utilized for high precision measurements of atomic masses. Accuracy tests on a ppb level have been performed, using highly charged carbon, oxygen and neon ions. In all cases hydrogen ions served as a reference for the calibration and monitoring of the magnetic field in the trap. Deviations smaller than 3 ppb from the expected results were found in mass measurements of the¹⁶O and²⁰Ne atomic masses. The proton atomic mass, determined from the reference measurements on hydrogen ions, is in good agreement with the accepted value [1]. A direct mass measurement on the⁸⁶Kr-isotope, using trapped⁸⁶Kr²⁹⁺-ions is reported.     

Nonequilibrium interlayer transport in pulsed laser deposition

We use time-resolved surface x-ray diffraction measurements with microsecond range resolution to study the growth kinetics of pulsed laser deposited . Time-dependent surface coverages corresponding to single laser shots were determined directly from crystal truncation rod intensity transients. Analysis of surface coverage evolution shows that extremely fast nonequilibrium interlayer transport, which occurs concurrently with the arrival of the laser plume, dominates the deposition process. A much smaller fraction of material, which is governed by the dwell time between successive laser shots, is transferred by slow, thermally driven interlayer transport processes.     

Both systemic and local application of Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) is neuroprotective after retinal ganglion cell axotomy

Background  

The hematopoietic Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) plays a crucial role in controlling the number of neutrophil progenitor cells. Its function is mediated via the G-CSF receptor, which was recently found to be expressed also in the central nervous system. In addition, G-CSF provided neuroprotection in models of neuronal cell death. Here we used the retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axotomy model to compare effects of local and systemic application of neuroprotective molecules.     

A Long‐Living Bioengineered Neural Tissue Platform to Study Neurodegeneration

The prevalence of dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases continues to rise as age demographics in the population shift, inspiring the development of long‐term tissue culture systems with which to study chronic brain disease. Here, it is investigated whether a 3D bioengineered neural tissue model derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) can remain stable and functional for multiple years in culture. Silk‐based scaffolds are seeded with neurons and glial cells derived from hiPSCs supplied by human donors who are either healthy or have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Cell retention and markers of stress remain stable for over 2 years. Diseased samples display decreased spontaneous electrical activity and a subset displays sporadic‐like indicators of increased pathological β‐amyloid and tau markers characteristic of Alzheimer's disease with concomitant increases in oxidative stress. It can be concluded that the long‐term stability of the platform is suited to study chronic brain disease including neurodegeneration.     

Carbon-bonded silver nanoparticles: alkyne-functionalized ligands for SERS imaging of mammalian cells

Silver nanoparticles bonded to terminal alkynes form stable particles in aqueous solution, produce strong SERS signals for molecular imaging that arise from the carbon-metal bond, and expand the scope of molecules that can be used to stably functionalize plasmonic particles for mammalian cell imaging applications. β-Lactams represent a class of biologically important molecules that can be adapted to SERS studies in this manner.     

Synthesis of radioactive tributyl[113Sn]tin of high specific activity for use in environmental fate studies

A method of synthesis of tributyl[¹¹³Sn]tin,­(n/C₄H₉)₃¹¹³Sn(IV), from commercially avail-­able inorganic ¹¹³Sn(IV) is presented. Inorganic tin is first extracted in diethyl ether and reacted with C₄H₉MgCl to produce tetrabutyltin, (C₄H₉)₄¹¹³Sn, which is then debutylated with HgCl₂. The resulting tributyl[¹¹³Sn]tin chloride is isolated from the reaction mixture by successive extractions with hexane and aqueous Na₂S₂O₃. The yield is 40–60% and the product obtained is >98% pure. It has the same specific activity as the starting ¹¹³Sn(IV), i.e. up to 550 MBq mg⁻¹ Sn, making it suitable for use in environmental fate and toxicology studies at concentrations relevant of those found in the aquatic environment. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

CONCERNING THE ORIGIN OF CHARGE AT THE POLYSTYRENE PARTICLE/WATER INTERFACE

The electrophoretic mobility behavior of well-characterized polystyrene latex particles, carrying one type of surface functional endgroups, has been studied as a function of pH. At low pH, the interaction of protons with the functional endgroups increased in the order: Hydroxyl > carboxyl > sulfate; at high pH the order of interaction was reversed; and at intermediate pH no interactions were observed. The particles of the polystyrene latexes in their different forms at the intermediate pH range, dispersed in deionized water, all exhibited the same mobility irrespective of the functional endgroup. The origin of charge in these systems is explained as being the result of either the preferential adsorption of hydroxyl ions or an electron - injection mechanism due to the overlap of local intrinsic molecular - ion states in polystyrene and water. At low concentrations of functional endgroups, the surface properties of the polystyrene latexes are largely dependent upon the hydrophobic nature of the surface.     

Dielectric constants of acetonitrile, γ-butyrolactone,propylene carbonate,and 1,2-dimethoxyethane as a function of pressure and temperature

The dielectric constants of 1,2-dimethoxyethane, acetonitrile, -butyrolactone, and propylene carbonate were determined from capacitance measurements extrapolated to infinite frequency; ln are reported as a function of pressure up to 80 MPa at 15, 25, 35, 45°C and as a function of temperature in the range 10 to 50°C at 0.10133 MPa. The variation of ln with temperature or pressure can be expressed by a second order polynomial expression. The isothermal compressibilities of the solvents were determined at 25°C from sound velocities, densities, and heat capacities. A simple correlation can be established between ln /P and for most aprotic solvent.     

Fast and high-yield synthesis of radioactive CH3203Hg(II)

A simple and fast synthesis of radioactive methylmercury is presented. It is based on the methylation of inorganic ²⁰³Hg(II) by methylcobalamin and isolation of resulting CH₃²⁰³Hg(II) in a single extraction step. Time required is less than 4 hours and the final yield is ⩾90%. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.