Presence Of Different Elements Research Articles

A monoclonal antibody to the NH2-terminal segment of human IFN-gamma selectively interferes with the antiproliferative activity of the lymphokine.

To gain more information about the relationship between the structure of IFN-gamma and its activity, a peptide corresponding to a hydrophilic peak between amino acids 4 and 16 was used to immunize mice and generate mAb. mAb IGMB-15 reacts to both native and rIFN-gamma and neutralizes the antiproliferative activity of IFN-gamma without affecting its antiviral activity or its ability to up-regulate HLA-DR Ag expression. Moreover, we observed that mAb IGMB-15 was unable to inhibit the binding of radiolabeled IFN-gamma to its cellular receptor. These findings show that the NH2-terminal region may somehow be involved in the biologic activity of IFN-gamma. Besides, the capability of mAb IGMB-15 to inhibit the antiproliferative but not the antiviral activity of IFN-gamma in the same cell (HEp-2) suggests the presence of different elements involved in signal transduction, which may account for the multiple activities of the lymphokine.

The UPAL process: a direct method of preparing cast aluminium alloy-graphite particle composites

A direct method of preparing cast aluminium alloy-graphite particle composites using uncoated graphite particles is reported. The method consists of introducing and dispersing uncoated but suitably pretreated graphite particles in aluminium alloy melts, and casting the resulting composite melts in suitable permanent moulds. The optical pretreatment required for the dispersion of the uncoated graphite particles in aluminium alloy melts consists of heating the graphite particles to 400° C in air for 1 h just prior to their dispersion in the melts. The effects of alloying elements such as Si, Cu and Mg on the dispersability of pretreated graphite in molten aluminium have also been reported. It was found that additions of about 0.5% Mg or 5% Si significantly improve the dispersability of graphite particles in aluminium alloy melts as indicated by the high recoveries of graphite in the castings of these composites. It was also possible to disperse upto 3% graphite in LM 13 alloy melts and retain the graphite particles in a well distributed fashion in the castings using the pre-heat-treated graphite particles. The observations in this study have been related to the information presently available on wetting between graphite and molten aluminium in the presence of different elements and our own thermogravimetric analysis studies on graphite particles. Physical and mechanical properties of LM 13-3% graphite composite made using pre-heat-treated graphite powder, were found to be adequate for many applications, including pistons which have been successfully used in internal combustion engines.

Ion backscattering and x-ray investigations of violin varnish and wood

The use of Rutherford backscattering (RBS) of ions (i.e. α-particles) and excitation of characteristic X-rays by protons, for determining the elemental composition of the top layers of violin varnish and wood is described. The amount of elements such as C, O, Si, S, Ca, Cu, Fe, Ni, Zn, Pb has been measured, on the varnished and unvarnished sides of wood samples from old instrument makers such as A. Stradivari, G. Guarneri del Gesu, Santo Serafin, C. Tononi etc. Differences in both the shape of the RBS spectra and in the presence of different elements are found and discussed. The use of X-ray excitation by ions (i.e. protons) helps in assessing the presence of the different elements. X-ray investigations can be done with instruments in air while RBS (at least in the presently used form) has to be performed in a vacuum chamber. Apart from offering an aid in determining the materials and procedures which were used in fabricating acoustically excellent instruments, the method could be of value for identifying their authenticity.

Microchemical analysis of thin films by elastic scattering of3He

An instrument has been developed and tested for the microchemical analysis of thin films by elastic scattering of3He through large angles. Various spectra from different films on different substrates are presented. They can be used to detect the presence of different elements in the films or on their surface and to determine their relative quantities.

Contact-Microradiography as applied to the distribution of iron and manganese in thin sections of a mediterranean brown soil

The techniques of contact microradiography and electron microscopy together with that of micromorphology have been applied to a Mediterranean brown soil 1. This has made it possible to determine the presence of different elements (Fe, Mn, Ti, etc.) and their distribution along the profile.