N2 Line Research Articles

Metallicity estimation of core-collapse Supernova H iiregions in galaxies within 30 Mpc

ABSTRACTThis work presents measurements of the local H ii environment metallicities of core-collapse supernovae (SNe) within a luminosity distance of 30 Mpc. 76 targets were observed at the Isaac Newton Telescope and environment metallicities could be measured for 65 targets using the N2 and O3N2 strong emission line method. The cumulative distribution functions (CDFs) of the environment metallicities of Type Ib and Ic SNe tend to higher metallicity than Type IIP, however Type Ic are also present at lower metallicities whereas Type Ib are not. The Type Ib frequency distribution is narrower (standard deviation ∼0.06 dex) than the Ic and IIP distributions (∼0.15 dex) giving some evidence for a significant fraction of single massive progenitor stars; the low metallicity of Type Ic suggests a significant fraction of compact binary progenitors. However, both the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test and the Anderson–Darling test indicate no statistical significance for a difference in the local metallicities of the three SN types. Monte Carlo simulations reveal a strong sensitivity of these tests to the uncertainties of the derived metallicities. Given the uncertainties of the strong emission methods, the applicability of the tests seems limited. We extended our analysis with the data of the Type Ib/Ic/IIP SN sample from Galbany et al. The CDFs created with their sample confirm our CDFs very well. The statistical tests, combining our sample and the Galbany et al. sample, indicate a significant difference between Type Ib and Type IIP with <5 per cent probability that they are drawn from the same parent population.

Chromium doped ZnGa2O4 thin films: An X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) and X-ray excited optical luminesce (XEOL) study

We report the thermally controlled synthesis of Cr doped ZnGa2O4 thin films and the evolution of their morphology, crystallinity, and optical luminescence tracked with X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure (XANES) and X-ray Excited Optical Luminescence (XEOL). It is found that the as-prepared ZnGa2O4 thin films doped with/without Cr are amorphous and exhibits no luminescence while annealing induces crystallization which markedly improves crystallinity at higher temperatures. SEM, XRD and O K-edge, Zn and Ga L-edge, and Cr K-edge XANES show disorder to order phase transition upon annealing which is accompanied by the appearance of the N2 line (696 nm) characteristic of the luminescence from Cr-doped ZnGa2O4 where Cr3+ occupies the octahedral Ga3+ site. The N2 line correlates with the crystallinity of the sample in that the higher the annealing temperature, the better the crystallinity and the brighter the N2 line. It is also interesting to note that the optical luminescence from the host ZnGa2O4, which appears in the blue (420 nm), is completely quenched and the energy is transferred to the N2 luminescence in the red (696 nm). These results and their implications are discussed.

Vibratile Dihydrophenazines with Controllable Luminescence Enabled by Precise Regulation of π-Conjugated Wings

Vibratile Dihydrophenazines with Controllable Luminescence Enabled by Precise Regulation of π-Conjugated Wings

The MOSDEF survey: the mass–metallicity relationship and the existence of the FMR at z ∼ 1.5

ABSTRACT We analyse the rest-optical emission-line ratios of z ∼ 1.5 galaxies drawn from the Multi-Object Spectrometer for Infra-Red Exploration Deep Evolution Field (MOSDEF) survey. Using composite spectra, we investigate the mass–metallicity relation (MZR) at z ∼ 1.5 and measure its evolution to z = 0. When using gas-phase metallicities based on the N2 line ratio, we find that the MZR evolution from z ∼ 1.5 to z = 0 depends on stellar mass, evolving by $\Delta \rm log(\rm O/H) \sim 0.25$ dex at M*< $10^{9.75}\, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$ down to $\Delta \rm log(\rm O/H) \sim 0.05$ at M* ≳ $10^{10.5}\, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$. In contrast, the O3N2-based MZR shows a constant offset of $\Delta \rm log(\rm O/H) \sim 0.30$ across all masses, consistent with previous MOSDEF results based on independent metallicity indicators, and suggesting that O3N2 provides a more robust metallicity calibration for our z ∼ 1.5 sample. We investigated the secondary dependence of the MZR on star formation rate (SFR) by measuring correlated scatter about the mean M*-specific SFR and M*−$\log (\rm O3N2)$ relations. We find an anticorrelation between $\log (\rm O/H)$ and sSFR offsets, indicating the presence of a M*−SFR−Z relation, though with limited significance. Additionally, we find that our z ∼ 1.5 stacks lie along the z = 0 metallicity sequence at fixed μ = log (M*/M⊙) − 0.6 × $\log (\rm SFR / M_{\odot } \, yr^{-1})$ suggesting that the z ∼ 1.5 stacks can be described by the z = 0 fundamental metallicity relation (FMR). However, using different calibrations can shift the calculated metallicities off of the local FMR, indicating that appropriate calibrations are essential for understanding metallicity evolution with redshift. Finally, understanding how [N ii]/H α scales with galaxy properties is crucial to accurately describe the effects of blended [N ii] and H α on redshift and H α fiux measurements in future large surveys utilizing low-resolution spectra such as with Euclid and the Roman Space Telescope.

NHJ-1 Is Required for Canonical Nonhomologous End Joining in Caenorhabditis elegans.

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are a particularly lethal form of DNA damage that must be repaired to restore genomic integrity. Canonical nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ), is a widely conserved pathway that detects and directly ligates the broken ends to repair the DSB. These events globally require the two proteins that form the Ku ring complex, Ku70 and Ku80, and the terminal ligase LIG4. While the NHEJ pathway in vertebrates is elaborated by more than a dozen factors of varying conservation and is similarly complex in other eukaryotes, the entire known NHEJ toolkit in Caenorhabditis elegans consists only of the core components CKU-70, CKU-80, and LIG-4 Here, we report the discovery of the first accessory NHEJ factor in C. elegans Our analysis of the DNA damage response in young larvae revealed that the canonical wild-type N2 strain consisted of two lines that exhibited a differential phenotypic response to ionizing radiation (IR). Following the mapping of the causative locus to a candidate on chromosome V and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-Cas9 mutagenesis, we show that disruption of the nhj-1 sequence induces IR sensitivity in the N2 line that previously exhibited IR resistance. Using genetic and cytological analyses, we demonstrate that nhj-1 functions in the NHEJ pathway to repair DSBs. Double mutants of nhj-1 and lig-4 or cku-80 do not exhibit additive IR sensitivity, and the post-IR somatic and fertility phenotypes of nhj-1 mimic those of the other NHEJ factors. Furthermore, in com-1 mutants that permit repair of meiotic DSBs by NHEJ instead of restricting their repair to the homologous recombination pathway, loss of nhj-1 mimics the consequences of loss of lig-4 Diakinesis-stage nuclei in nhj-1; com-1 and nhj-1; lig-4 mutant germlines exhibit increased numbers of DAPI-staining bodies, consistent with increased chromosome fragmentation in the absence of NHEJ-mediated meiotic DSB repair. Finally, we show that NHJ-1 and LIG-4 localize to somatic nuclei in larvae, but are excluded from the germline progenitor cells, consistent with NHEJ being the dominant DNA repair pathway in the soma. nhj-1 shares no sequence homology with other known eukaryotic NHEJ factors and is taxonomically restricted to the Rhabditid family, underscoring the evolutionary plasticity of even highly conserved pathways.

Heat Stress and Agonists of Muscarinic Cholinergic Receptors Modulate Sensitivity of Nicotinic Cholinergic Receptors in Soil Nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.

We studied the effect of moderate heat stress (30oC) and muscarinic cholinergic receptor agonists arecoline and pilocarpine on sensitivity of the behavior of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans of N2 line to the action of the agonist of nicotinic cholinergic receptor agonist levamisole. Heat stress and muscarinic cholinergic receptor agonists increased the sensitivity of swimming induced by mechanical stimulation to levamisole (32-64 μM), which manifested in dyscoordination of locomotor muscles during swimming and complete loss of ability to swim. Combined exposure to heat stress and muscarinic cholinergic receptor agonists revealed their synergism in the influence on sensitivity of swimming behavior to levamisole: heating to 30oC potentiated the effect of arecoline and arecoline potentiated the effect of heat stress. It is assumed, that the effect of heat stress on the sensitivity of nicotinic receptors is mediated by its effect on muscarinic receptors.

Influence of co-doping Si ions on persistent luminescence of ZnGa_2O_4: Cr^3+ red phosphors

The impact of the addition of some amount of SiO2 in the ZnGa2O4:Cr3+ phosphors have been studied onto its persistent luminescent performance. The ZnGa2O4:Cr3+ phosphors with different Si4+ concentrations have been synthesized by using conventional solid-state reaction method. The X-ray diffractive patterns, photoluminescence (PL), thermoluminescence (TL) and afterglow decay have been measured and analyzed. The experimental results indicated that all the phosphors with different Si4+ codopant have the characteristic emission of Cr3+ and the co-doped Si4+ intensifies emission of N2 line and R lines. Furthermore the persistent luminescence was improved in both intensities and decay rates, in which the phosphor with 1mol% Si4+ has the best TL and the appropriate trap depth leading to the good persistent performance.

N2-broadening coefficients of methyl chloride at room temperature

Methyl chloride is of interest for atmospheric applications, since this molecule is directly involved in the catalytic destruction of ozone in the lower stratosphere. In a previous work [Bray et al. JQSRT 2011;112:2446], lines positions and intensities of self-perturbed 12CH335Cl and 12CH337Cl have been studied into details for the 3.4μm spectral region. The present work is focused on measurement and calculation of N2-broadening coefficients of the 12CH335Cl and 12CH337Cl isotopologues. High-resolution Fourier Transform spectra of CH3Cl–N2 mixtures at room-temperature have been recorded between 2800 and 3200cm−1 at LADIR (using a classical source) and between 47 and 59cm−1 at SOLEIL (using the synchrotron source on the AILES beamline). 612 mid-infrared transitions of the ν1 band and 86 far-infrared transitions of the pure rotational band have been analyzed using a multispectrum fitting procedure. Average accuracy on the deduced N2-broadening coefficients has been estimated to 5% and 10% in the mid- and far-infrared spectral regions, respectively. The J- and K-rotational dependences of these coefficients have been observed in the mid-infrared region and then a simulation has been performed using an empirical model for 0≤J≤50, K≤9. The 12CH335Cl–N2 line widths for 0≤J≤50 and K≤10 of the ν1 band and for 55≤J≤67 and K≤15 of the pure rotational band have been computed using a semi-classical approach involving exact trajectories and a real symmetric-top geometry of the active molecule. Finally, a global comparison with the experimental and theoretical data existing in the literature has been performed. Similar J- and K-rotational dependences have been appeared while no clear evidence for any vibrational or isotopic dependences have been pointed out.

Microsatellite Genotyping for Four Expected Inbred Mouse Strains from KM Mice

Chinese Kun Ming (KM) mouse, an outbreed strain of laboratory animal, has been widely utilized in related pharmaceutical and genetic studies throughout China. However, the value of KM mice to the research community has been severely limited, partially due to the fact that well-characterized inbred strain of KM mice is not available. Several expected inbred strains from KM mice have been bred, but their genetic purity remains uncertain. In this study, four expected inbred strains of KM mice (A1, T2, N2, and N4) were chosen and their inbred degree were compared with two classical inbred mouse lines (BALB/c and C57BL/6) by analyzing the genotypes of about 30 microsatellite markers. In the four strains, A1 and N4 were homozygous at all genotyped loci, but N2 and T2 were only heterozygous at locus D15Mit16. These results indicate that the level of genetic purity/homozygousity of A1, N4, N2, and T2 inbred line is comparable to those of BALB/c and C57BL/6. This study provided the first and solid evidence for genetic purity of four expected inbred strains of KM mice. These 4 inbred mice strains should be well maintained for further characterization and utilization in genetic studies.

Lint development and properties of fifteen fuzzless seed lines of Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Fifteen fuzzless seed lines in “obsolete” backgrounds of Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) were obtained from the National Cotton Germplasm Collection and evaluated for fuzzless seed genotype, lint percent, and lint quality. Fourteen of these fifteen lines were found to be homozygous for the dominant fuzzless seed allele N 1. Only one line was homozygous for the recessive fuzzless seed allele n 2. The measured lint percent of each line was very stable through time, however, large variability existed between many of the N 1 lines ranging from 0.7 to 23.6% lint. The lint percent for the n 2 line was 24.4%. Scanning electron microscopy was used to differentiate patterns of lint initiation on 1 day post anthesis ovules. General patterns included: first, lint initiation restricted to the chalazal end of the seed crest; second, lint initiation along the seed crest and laterally around the chalazal end of the ovule; and third, lint initiation covered all but the micropylar end of the ovule. Lint quality was evaluated for each line using the Advanced Fiber Information System (AFIS) which included measurements of length, maturity, and fineness. The means of each measurement varied among the fuzzless seed lines with significant differences between fiber length, short fiber content, immature fiber content, fineness, and maturity ratio. No correlation was found between lint percent and any of the lint quality measurements. These lines will provide a valuable resource for the study of fiber initiation and lint quality.

Raman spectroscopy of nanocrystalline and amorphous GaN

We report Raman measurements on thin films of strongly disordered GaN and GaN:O prepared by ion-assisted deposition. The incident photon energies used in the experiments ranged from 1.95 to 3.8eV, spanning the interband edge. Under subgap excitation the signal resembles the crystalline GaN vibrational density-of-modes, with significant broadening as expected for disordered material. There is a strong resonant behavior at the interband edge of the same mode for which a strong resonance is found in crystalline GaN, with a width suggesting that the entire vibrational branch contributes to the signal. Even nanocrystalline material is found to display Raman spectra characteristic of very short-range (<1n) translational symmetry, in agreement with x-ray diffraction evidence for the random stacking nature of the 3nm diameter crystallites. The presence of oxygen at even 25at.% has only a subtle effect on Raman spectra at the network vibrational frequencies below 800cm−1, but its presence is signaled by the appearance of an oxygen mode at 1000cm−1. An N2 line at 2360cm−1 correlates with a nitrogen excess introduced during growth.

Calcium binding to an elastic portion of connectin/titin filaments.

Alpha-connectin/titin-1 exists as an elastic filament that links a thick filament with the Z-disk, keeping thick filaments centered within the sarcomere during force generation. We have shown that the connectin filament has an affinity for calcium ions and its binding site(s) is restricted to the beta-connectin/titin-2 portion. We now report the localization and the characterization of calcium-binding sites on beta-connectin. Purified beta-connectin was digested by trypsin into 1700- and 400-kDa fragments. which were then subjected to fluorescence calcium-binding assays. The 400-kDa fragment possesses calcium-binding activity; the binding constant was 1.0 x 10(7) M(-1) and the molar ratio of bound calcium ions to the 400-kDa fragment reached a maximum of 12 at a free calcium ion concentration of approximately 1.0 microM. Antibodies against the 400-kDa fragment formed a sharp dense stripe at the boundary of the A and the I bands, indicating that the calcium-binding domain constitutes the N-terminal region of beta-connectin, that is, the elastic portion of connectin filaments. Furthermore, we estimated the N-terminal location of beta-connectin of various origins (n = 26). Myofibrils were treated with a solution containing 0.1 mM CaCl2 and 70 microM leupeptin to split connectin filaments into beta-connectin and a subfragment, and chain weights of these polypeptides were estimated according to their mobility in 2% polyacrylamide slab gels. The subfragment exhibited a similar chain weight of 1200+/-33 kDa (mean+/-SD), while alpha- and beta-connectins were variable in size according to their origin. These results suggest that the apparent length of the 1200-kDa subfragment portion is almost constant in all instances, about 0.34 microm at the slack condition, therefore that the C-terminus of the 1200-kDa subfragment, that is, the N-terminus of the calcium-binding domain, is at the N2 line region of parent filaments in situ. Because the secondary structure of the 400-kDa fragment was changed by the binding of calcium ions, connectin filaments could be expected to alter their elasticity during the contraction-relaxation cycle of skeletal muscle.

Localization of three fragments of connectin in chicken breast muscle sarcomeres.

Connectin (titin) links the Z line to the myosin filament in sarcomeres of vertebrate skeletal muscle. An 800 kDa fragment of alpha-connectin runs from the Z line up to the N2 line region in the I band, and the following beta-connectin portion runs up to the edge of the M line on the myosin filament in chicken breast muscle sarcomeres. Immunoelectron microscopy showed that a 400 kDa fragment following the 800 kDa fragment reaches the edge of the myosin filament and, thereafter a 1,700 kDa fragment runs to the M line on the myosin filament in chicken breast muscle sarcomeres. When stretched, the epitopes to anti-400 kDa fragment antibodies outside the myosin filament moved toward the inside of the I band.

Mobilization of quiet, endogenous Tc3 transposons of Caenorhabditis elegans by forced expression of Tc3 transposase.

The commonly studied Caenorhabditis elegans strain Bristol N2 contains approximately 15 copies per genome of the transposon Tc3. However, Tc3 is not active in Bristol N2. Tc3 contains one major open reading frame (Tc3A). We have fused this open reading frame to an inducible promoter and expressed it in a transgenic Bristol N2 line. Tc3A expression resulted in frequent excision and transposition of endogenous Tc3 elements. This shows that the Bristol N2 genome contains Tc3 transposons that are cis proficient for transposition, but are immobile because Tc3A is absent. We demonstrate that recombinant Tc3A binds specifically to the terminal nucleotides of the Tc3 inverted repeat, indicating that Tc3A is the Tc3 transposase. Activation of Tc3 transposition in vivo was accompanied by the appearance of extrachromosomal, linear copies of Tc3. These may be intermediates in Tc3 transposition.

Elastic filaments in situ in cardiac muscle: deep-etch replica analysis in combination with selective removal of actin and myosin filaments.

To clarify the full picture of the connectin (titin) filament network in situ, we selectively removed actin and myosin filaments from cardiac muscle fibers by gelsolin and potassium acetate treatment, respectively, and observed the residual elastic filament network by deep-etch replica electron microscopy. In the A bands, elastic filaments of uniform diameter (6-7 nm) projecting from the M line ran parallel, and extended into the I bands. At the junction line in the I bands, which may correspond to the N2 line in skeletal muscle, individual elastic filaments branched into two or more thinner strands, which repeatedly joined and branched to reach the Z line. Considering that cardiac muscle lacks nebulin, it is very likely that these elastic filaments were composed predominantly of connectin molecules; indeed, anti-connectin monoclonal antibody specifically stained these elastic filaments. Further, striations of approximately 4 nm, characteristic of isolated connectin molecules, were also observed in the elastic filaments. Taking recent analyses of the structure of isolated connectin molecules into consideration, we concluded that individual connectin molecules stretched between the M and Z lines and that each elastic filament consisted of laterally-associated connectin molecules. Close comparison of these images with the replica images of intact and S1-decorated sarcomeres led us to conclude that, in intact sarcomeres, the elastic filaments were laterally associated with myosin and actin filaments in the A and I bands, respectively. Interestingly, it was shown that the elastic property of connectin filaments was not restricted by their lateral association with actin filaments in intact sarcomeres. Finally, we have proposed a new structural model of the cardiac muscle sarcomere that includes connectin filaments.

A far wing line shape theory and its application to the foreign-broadened water continuum absorption. III

The far wing line shape theory developed previously and applied to the calculation of the continuum absorption of pure water vapor is extended to foreign-broadened continua. Explicit results are given for H2O–N2 and H2O–CO2 in the frequency range from 0 to 10 000 cm−1. The theory is based on the quasistatic and binary collision approximations and assumes for the interaction potential an isotropic Lennard-Jones part and the leading anisotropic multipolar (dipole–quadrupole) term. For H2O–N2, the positive and negative resonant frequency average line shape functions and absorption coefficients are calculated for a number of temperatures between 296 and 430 K for comparison with existing laboratory data. In general, the agreement is very good, especially at the higher temperatures for which the experimental absorption is larger and the corresponding error limits are smaller. For H2O–CO2 for which no experimental data exists, the calculations are made only at 296 K. Because of the significantly different line shapes for self vs foreign broadening, the ratio of the corresponding continuum absorption coefficients varies widely as a function of the frequency. The implications of this for absorption in the Earth’s atmosphere are discussed briefly.

Calcium-induced splitting of connectin filaments into beta-connectin and a 1,200-kDa subfragment.

When rabbit skeletal muscle myofibrils were treated with a solution containing 0.1 mM Ca2+ and 30 micrograms of leupeptin/ml, alpha-connectin, which forms very thin filaments in myofibrils, was split into beta-connectin and a 1,200-kDa subfragment. A part of beta-connectin located near the junction between beta-connectin and the subfragment seems to have an affinity for calcium ions and to be susceptible to the binding of large amounts of calcium ions. The calcium-binding site on beta-connectin is localized near the N2 line in the I band, and the subfragment is localized adjacent to the Z disk. It is possible that connectin filaments change their elasticity during the contraction-relaxation cycle of skeletal muscle at the physiological concentration of calcium ions. Because postmortem skeletal muscles lose their elasticity and become plastic in association with the calcium-specific splitting of connectin filaments, the splitting is considered to be a factor in meat tenderization during postrigor ageing.

The fundamental quadrupole band of 14N 2: Line positions from high-resolution stratospheric solar absorption spectra

The purpose of this note is to report accurate measurements of the positions of O- and S-branch lines of the (1-0) vibration-rotation quadrupole band of molecular nitrogen ((14)N2) and improved Dunham coefficients derived from a simultaneous least-squares analysis of these measurements and selected infrared and far infrared data taken from the literature. The new measurements have been derived from stratospheric solar occultation spectra recorded with Fourier transform spectrometer (FTS) instruments operated at unapodized spectral resolutions of 0.002 and 0.01 /cm. The motivation for the present investigation is the need for improved N2 line parameters for use in IR atmospheric remote sensing investigations. The S branch of the N2 (1-0) quadrupole band is ideal for calibrating the line-of-sight airmasses of atmospheric spectra since the strongest lines are well placed in an atmospheric window, their absorption is relatively insensitive to temperature and is moderately strong (typical line center depths of 10 to 50% in high-resolution ground-based solar spectra and in lower stratospheric solar occultation spectra), and the volume mixing ratio of nitrogen is constant in the atmosphere and well known. However, a recent investigation has'shown the need to improve the accuracies of the N2 fine positions, intensities, air-broadened half-widths, and their temperature dependences to fully exploit this calibration capability (1). The present investigation addresses the problem of improving the accuracy of the N2 line positions.

The organization of titin filaments in the half-sarcomere revealed by monoclonal antibodies in immunoelectron microscopy: a map of ten nonrepetitive epitopes starting at the Z line extends close to the M line.

mAbs specific for titin or nebulin were characterized by immunoblotting and fluorescence microscopy. Immunoelectron microscopy on relaxed chicken breast muscle revealed unique transverse striping patterns. Each of the 10 distinct titin antibodies provided a pair of delicate decoration lines per sarcomere. The position of these pairs was centrally symmetric to the M line and was antibody dependent. The results provided a linear epitope map, which starts at the Z line (antibody T20), covers five distinct positions along the I band (T21, T12, T4, T1, T11), the A-I junction (T3), and three distinct positions within the A band (T10, T22, T23). The epitope of T23 locates 0.2 micron before the M line. In immunoblots, the two antibodies decorating at or just before the Z line (T20, T21) specifically recognized the insoluble titin TI component but did not recognize TII, a proteolytic derivative. All other titin antibodies recognized TI and TII. Thus titin molecules appear as polar structures lacking over large regions repetitive epitopes. One physical end seems related to Z line anchorage, while the other may bind close to the M line. Titin epitopes influenced by the contractional state of the sarcomere locate between the N1 line and the A-I junction (T4, T1, T11). We discuss the results in relation to titin molecules having half-sarcomere lengths. The three nebulin antibodies so far characterized again give rise to distinct pairs of stripes. These locate close to the N2 line.

Studies on the role of antioxidants in radioprotection

Much recent research has concentrated on the role of glutathione (GSH) in modifying radiosensitivity. In vi tro, a quite modest depletion of GSH with buthionine sulphoximine (BSO) has a large effect on misonidazole radiosensitization (Hodgkiss and Middleton, 1983). In vivo, however, comparable levels of depletion result in very little sensitization (e.g. Ono et a l . , 1986; Rojas et al . , 1984). We have previously shown that the naturally occuring antioxidant, ascorbate, confers some radioprotection in v i tro (Stratford and Hodgkiss, 1986) and have therefore further investigated the role of ascorbate in determining radiosensitivity in vitro and correlated this with uptake. We have also studied the effect of GSH depletion in vivo on the concentrations of ascorbate and of the membrane antioxidant ¢x-tocopherol. Attached cells (0 .2 -3 x 104 V79 379A Chinese hamster fibroblasts) were irradiated in Eagle's minimum essential medium and 10% fetal calf serum (MEM) under N2 on 5 cm glass dishes, in the presence or absence of ascorbate and the radiosensitizer misonidazole, in both control and GSH-depleted cells. Table 1 shows the dose modification factors (DMF) achieved under various conditions relative to the N2 line. This shows that under most conditions ascorbate provides some limited protection as assessed by a decrease in the DMF, but that this is not markedly concentration-dependent. Under conditions of GSH depletion, however, protection by ascorbate is more marked, particularly at an intermediate GSH level (37 % of control GSH) (45 % of control nonprotein thiol (NPSH)). Control cells contain 5 6 fmol/cell GSH. Preliminary studies on the HT1080 human fibrosarcoma cell line (Flow Laboratories, Rickmansworth, Herts, U.K.) which contains ~ 20 fmol/cell GSH, also demonstrate radioprotection (data not shown). The concentration dependence of the uptake of ascorbate has been compared in V79 379A and HT1080 cells. For these studies, attached cells (0 .75-2 × 106) were incubated for 1 hr in the presence of various concentrations of ascorbate at 20°C. The medium was then aspirated; the cells were washed six times with ice-cold phosphate-buffered saline; the cells were then extracted with 50 mmol/l perchloric acid, 100 t~mol/l EDTA. Intracellular ascorbate was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) after oxidation with iodine and reaction with o-phenylene diamine to give a fluorescent quinoxaline derivative (Deutsch and