Values Of E0 Research Articles

Could primary particles of ultrahigh energy be neutral?

Results are presented that were obtained from an analysis of the nuclear-physics and astrophysical features of extensive air showers of energy in the region E0≥1015 eV that were recorded at the Yakutsk array and other arrays over the world. It is shown that, at some values of E0, different data sets display local irregularities that are correlated in energy and which are interpreted as a manifestation of neutral particles of an extragalactic origin. The directions of their arrival point to the Supergalaxy plane (Local Supercluster of galaxies).

Deformation potentials of the E1(TO) and E2 modes of InN

The deformation potentials of the E1(TO) and E2 modes of InN are determined by combining infrared spectroscopic ellipsometry, Raman scattering, and x-ray diffraction measurements, and using a reported value of the mode Grüneisen parameter. The deformation potentials are obtained for two sets of stiffness constants. Strain-free values of the InN E1(TO) mode of 477.9 cm−1 and of the E2 mode of 491.1 cm−1 have been determined.

Effects of dissolved organic matter surrogates on the partitioning of 17beta-estradiol and p-nonylphenol between synthetic membrane vesicles and water.

Partition coefficients of two estrogenic compounds, 17beta-estradiol (E2) and p-nonylphenol (NP), between synthetic membrane vesicles (K'lipw values) and water were determined using equilibrium dialysis to evaluate the potential biological uptake of these compounds with and without the presence of dissolved natural organic matter (DOM) surrogates, Suwannee River fulvic acid, dialyzed Aldrich humic acid, and polyphenolic tannic acid. Overall, K'lipw values for E2 and NP reduced by 20-30% with the increase of DOM concentration from 0 to approximately 4 mg of C/L, a typical DOM concentration in the aquatic environment. This trend for E2 and NP is similar to that obtained by other researchers for moderately hydrophobic compounds including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with three or four rings. A three-phase compartment model with three independent interactions, the sorption of E2 or NP by DOM surrogate (Koc), the sorption of DOM surrogates by membrane vesicles (KlipDOM), and the partition of E2 or NP by membrane vesicles (Klipw), was proposed, and K'lipw values for E2 or NP in the presence of DOM were calculated. The model predicted the decrease in Klipw values with the increase of DOM concentration, and the predictions using the three linear interactions agreed satisfactorily with the experimental results at relatively lower concentration of DOM.

The absence of intersubject transfer of 17β-estradiol gel between dosed and non-dosed post-menopausal women after direct skin-to-skin contact

Purpose To evaluate the extent of intersubject transfer and subsequent exposure to estradiol (E2), estrone (E1) and estrone sulfate (E1S) in non-dosed post-menopausal women after direct skin-to-skin contact with post-menopausal women dosed with 0.06% 17β-estradiol gel (EGEL). Methods: This was a single-center, randomized, open-label, two-period, crossover, multiple-dose study to evaluate the extent of transfer of EGEL from 24 post-menopausal women administered 1.25g of EGEL daily for 14 days to an additional 24 post-menopausal women by direct skin-to-skin contact. Blood samples for determination of PK parameters were obtained from non-dosed subjects over a 24-hour interval at baseline and Day 14. Serum levels of E2, E1 and E1S were determined by RIA methods. Paired t-tests were used to compare baseline values of E2, E1 and E1S to values obtained after skin-to-skin contact. Results Mean(SD) PK parameters for E2, E1 and E1S after skin-to-skin contact were not statistically different from baseline values.(see Table 1) Conclusion Intersubject transfer of EGEL, as determined by AUC and Cmax, from dosed to non-dosed subjects and subsequent absorption of E2 is negligible and clinically insignificant. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2004) 75, P57–P57; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2003.11.217 Baseline Post-Contact AUC(0–24) E2 pg*hr/mL 126.57 (61.79) 27.52 (66.60) E1 pg*hr/mL 510.46 (262.69) 529.00 (225.27) E1S ng*hr/mL 11.45 (4.01) 11.44 (4.29) Cmax E2 pg/mL 7.38 (3.55) 7.85 (3.28) E1 pg/mL 29.75 (13.81) 32.21 (10.19) E1S ng/mL 0.59 (0.21) 0.58 (0.21)

Experimental and numerical determination of initial tooth mobility and material properties of the periodontal ligament in rat molar specimens

The mechanical parameters of the periodontal ligament (PDL) in rat specimens were investigated in a combined experimental and numerical approach. Tooth mobility of the rat mandibular first molar was measured in vitro using a high precision experimental set-up. Finite element models (FEM) were developed, based on histological sections of the measured specimens, to simulate tooth mobility numerically under the same force systems as used in the experiment. Force/deflection curves from the measurements showed a significant non-linear behaviour of elastic stiffness of the PDL. A bilinear material parameter set was assumed to simulate tooth deflections. The numerical force/deflection curves were fitted to the experimental curves by repeatedly calculating theoretical tooth deflections and varying the parameters describing the non-linearity. Mean values of E1 = 0.15 MPa, E2 = 0.60 MPa and an ultimate strain of epsilon12 = 6.3 per cent were derived for the elastic behaviour of the rat PDL. Comparing fresh specimens and those frozen in a 0.9 per cent saline solution, differences between the measurements were significant. Using the agent, Periston, for freezing significantly reduced the deviation. The results indicated that strains in the PDL with a maximum of 14 per cent at the furcation were 10(4) times higher than strains in the bone, while the variability of stress values in both PDL and bone was not significant.

Optimization of Parameters of the Gamma-Absorption Method of Measuring the Layer Thickness of a Two-Layer Composition

Mathematical relations are obtained and a technique of determining the requirements for the relative measurement errors γ1 and γ2 in signals recorded for prescribed errors in measuring the composition layer thicknesses is proposed. It is shown that the density fluctuations of materials affect the thickness measurement errors. Analytic expressions determining the optimum gamma-quantum energies E1 and E2 (E1 < E2) for arbitrary values of γ1 and γ2 are derived. On the basis of these expressions, it is concluded that the optimum energies are independent of the densities of the materials and their dimensions. With reference to an Al{C composition, it is shown that for the gamma-quantumenergy ranges considered (0.04–1.25 MeV), the admissible values of E1 lie on a bounded interval 0.04–0.12 MeV, the optimum values of E2 are related to E1 by an approximate relation E2opt/E1 ≈ 2.5–3.2, and the best characteristics with respect to the thickness measurement errors are reached as E1 → E1min = 0:04 MeV.

Stress-state dependence of cavitation and flow behavior in superplastic aluminum alloys

A detailed and quantitative investigation of the stress-state dependence of superplastic cavitation in fine-grained aluminum alloys has been carried out to develop clear evidentiary support to build future models. Several stress states, such as uniaxial tension, plane-strain tension, plane-strain compression, shear, and equibiaxial tension have been examined. Tests were carried out to large strain in an interrupted manner under a constant effective strain rate (\(\dot \varepsilon \)e) in the range of 10−4 to 10−2 s−1. Measurements of volume fraction, population density, and size distribution of cavities, made by image analysis via optical microscopy, show continuous emergence of new cavities as well as growth of cavities during superplastic straining. The total cavity volume fraction (V) increases exponentially with strain. The cavity growth rate, represented by η (equal to d ln V/dee), as well as the cavity population evolution rate with strain (dNc/dee, where Nc is the cavity number/unit area) are found to increase with normalized mean hydrostatic tensile stress (σm/ σe). An empirical equation for the biaxial forming limit in terms of the principal surface strains (e1 and e2) has been defined for a fixed cavity volume, as given by e1=a Vb − α e2, where a and b are constants determined from e1 values for plane strain (e2=0). The value of b is found to be 0.2 to 0.3, and α is 0.4 to 1.0.

Nuclear composition of 1-to 20-PeV primary cosmic rays according to lateral features of the electron-photon component of all extensive air showers and of extensive air showers accompanying high-energy gamma rays and hadrons in x-ray emulsion chambers at the Tien Shan level

Data from the Tien Shan array Adron on the dependence of the lateral distributions of the electron-photon component (age parameter S) in extensive air showers of cosmic rays on the number of electrons, Ne, which is a quantity that characterizes the primary-nucleus energy E0, are subjected to a comparative analysis. The distributions in question are given both for all showers and for showers accompanying high-energy gamma rays and hadrons in x-ray emulsion chambers. According to calculations, events associated with the latter are generated predominantly by primary protons, and this makes it possible to assess their role at various values of E0. The distributions with respect to S suggest a significant fraction of light nuclei, predominantly protons, in the region after the knee in the spectrum for Ne>106, at least up to Ne=5.6×106 (E0 ∼ 10 PeV).

The behavior of estrogenic substances in the biological treatment process of sewage

A study was conducted for about one year on the fate and behavior of estrogens, namely 17beta-estradiol (E2), estrone (E1), and estriol (E3) in an activated sludge process of a pilot scale plant supplied with domestic sewage. A simultaneous analytical method for these three substances using LC-MS/MS was developed and applied to sewage samples. The average removal of E2 was 94.7%, while that of E3 was 96.9%. In contrast, the average removal of E1 was relatively low at 69.2% with a maximum concentration of 55.4 ng/L detected in the treated water. The theoretical values of estrogenic activity calculated from the concentrations of each natural estrogen in treated water were found to correlate with the values of estrogenic activity measured by a yeast estrogen screening assay. The effect of E2 on estrogenic activity in influent was found to be high, while that of E1 in treated water was considerably higher. In batch treatment tests on E2, E2 turned into E1 immediately after being charged. After three hours of aeration, the values of both E1 and E2 were around threshold limits. It was determined from this that E1 and E2 were substances that could be degraded by biological treatment. As the removal of E2 was found to be sufficiently high at times, optimization of operational conditions based on E1 removal should be important for reducing estrogenic activity in treated water.

Gadoliniums Fingerabdruck

AbstractDie Ionisationsenergie ist für jedes Atom einzigartig und charakterisiert es wie ein Fingerabdruck. Am Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, USA, ist es nun erstmalig gelungen, mittels hochauflösender Laserspektroskopie an dem Element der Seltenen Erden Gadolinium die Ionisationsenergie auf wenige Nanoelektronenvolt genau zu bestimmen [1].

Investigations of the Optical Properties of Ba0.9Sr0.1TiO3 Ferroelectric Thin Films by Spectroscopic Ellipsometry

Ba0.9Sr0.1TiO3 (BST) ferroelectric thin films with different film thickness were grown on Pt/Ti/SiO2/Si (100) substrates by a modified sol–gel method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns show that the crystallization of the BST films strongly depends on the film thickness. Spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) was used to characterize the BST thin films in the photon energy range of 1.5–5.0 eV. By fitting the measured ellipsometric parameter (tan Ψ and cos Δ) data with a four-phase model (air/surface rough layer/BST/Pt), the optical properties of the BST thin films with different film thickness have been systematically investigated. Based on the analysis of dispersion in the refractive index, the refractive index dispersion parameters in the single-term Sellmeier relation were determined to be 5.15–7.13×10-14 eVm2. The fitted values of the optical band gap energy E0 for the samples indicate the band-gap energy of the BST thin films shifts to lower energies with increasing film thickness.

On the Fizeau Experiment

Transformations of space and time, depending on a synchronisation parameter e1, indicate the existence of a privileged inertial system S0. The Lorentz transformations are obtained for a particular e1≠0. No classical experiment on relativity is expected to depend on the choice of e1. We show, consistently with expectations, that the result of the Fizeau experiment is explained equally well by theories adopting different values of e1. In previous papers we showed that if accelerated reference frames are considered only e1=0 remains possible.

Luminescence Properties of Eu ion-implanted GaN

ABSTRACTThe Eu ion was implanted at an energy of 300keV with a dose of 1×1015cm-2 at room temperature. Photoluminescence (PL) and PL lifetime were characterized and studied on thermal quenching process. We calculated the activation energy (E1) of temperature dependent PL and the value of E1 was 5.68meV. E1 was affected the luminescence intensity in the temperature range from 15K to 70K. The activation energy (Ea) of PL lifetime was calculated and the value of Ea was 8.5meV. The non-radiative recombination in the transition from the 5D0 to 7F2 of Eu was dominated in the temperature range from 15K to 100K. We found that the thermal quenching occurred in both the electron emission from RE-trap and the non-radiative recombination in the transition on Eu in the temperature range from 15K to 70K.

The local potential approximation for the Brueckner G-matrix and a simple model of the scalar-isoscalar Landau-Migdal amplitude

The Brueckner G-matrix for a slab of nuclear matter is analyzed in the singlet 1S and triplet 3 S + 3 D channels. The complete Hilbert space is split into two domains, the model subspace S0, in which the two-particle propagator is calculated explicitly, and the complementary one, S', in which the local potential approximation is used. This kind of local approximation was previously found to be quite accurate for the 1S pairing problem. A set of model spaces S 0(E 0) with different values of the energy E0 is considered, E0 being the upper limit for the single-particle energies of the states belonging to S0. The independence of the G-matrix on E0 is assumed as a criterion for the validity of the local potential approximation. It turns out that such an independence holds within few percents for E 0 = 10-20 MeV, for both channels under consideration. The G-matrix within the local potential approximation is used for justifying a simple microscopic model for the coordinate-dependent scalar-isoscalar component f (r) of the Landau-Migdal amplitude in terms of the free T-matrix.

Anomalous Depression of the Debye-Waller Factor and Observations of the Laue Spots Only at Forward X-ray Diffraction in the Light Atom Crystals as Quantum Solid

The ratio of 6·(1/2m)·(E0/c)2 of 12.9 meV at E0=4 keV to kBΘD of 2.27 meV for hcp-4He in the exponent 2M=[6·(1/2m)·(E0/c)2/kBΘD]·Φ(t)sin2θB of the Debye-Waller factor D=exp(−2M) becomes 5.7, because of the small atomic mass m and the low Debye temperature ΘD. Conversely that of the heavy atom crystals becomes smaller than 1. An experiment on hcp-4He as an example of a light atom crystal at low temperature limit of Φ(t)≅1 reveals that not only the maximum value of D is significantly reduced below 0.249 (=e−1.395) but also the values of D for all other Laue spots except the following observed six spots are crowded into a range of D D≥e−3. At high angle of θB≥45°, the values of E0 for the above six Laue spots are assigned to the region below 4.07 keV from the Bragg condition under constant values of D. Therefore, detection of them over the higher angular range of θB≥45° is not impossible but quite difficult at low temperature X-ray diffraction, considering X-ray absorption by multi-thermal shields of the refrigerator, the thick sample holder as a pressure vessel and massive air in space. Generally this means that the large reduction of the Debye-Waller factor of hydrogen and helium drastically encloses the diffraction intensity and the number of observable Laue spots within lower bounds. This is the reason why definite Laue spots in the light atom crystals of hcp-4He could be observed only by forward X-ray diffraction. Conversely the recoil fraction of the diffuse scattering expressed by 1−D concomitantly increases as a major part of the total scattering. A proposal to measure thermal diffuse scattering as well as pressure experiments will provide insight into the wave-like character of constituent atom in solid helium.

Monitoring the chemical crosslinking of propylene polymers through rheology

The chemical crosslinking of propylene polymers is described; the reaction has been performed under dynamic conditions, using a peroxide and a furan or bis-maleimide-based coagent as crosslinking promoter; the reaction mechanisms have been investigated through FT-IR spectrometry. Crosslinking experiments have been carried out while keeping constant the amount and the nature of peroxide and increasing the coagent concentration; four different coagents have been used. The samples have been studied, in the molten state, by measuring the melt flow rates (MFR) and the values of G′ (storage modulus), G″ (loss modulus), Tg(δ) (ratio G″/G′), and η∗ (complex viscosity), in the frequency range 10−2–102rads−1. Another set of measurements has been performed on the same materials, collecting for each sample the values of η0 (zero shear viscosity) and Je0 (steady state creep compliance) by creep–creep recovery experiments. The effects of crosslinking degree estimated by gel content and through rheological measurements allows one to evaluate the efficiency of the coagent both in terms of prevention of β-scission and promotion of the crosslinking reactions. These results are discussed with reference to the selection of proper conditions of the crosslinking process in order to achieve a material having desired MFR, rheological behavior and melt elasticity for selected application.

Analysis of exocrine pancreatic function in cystic fibrosis: one mild CFTR mutation does not exclude pancreatic insufficiency.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common cause of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in childhood. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the correlation between genotype and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in CF patients. The special emphasis was put on the analysis of mild CFTR mutations. The study comprised 394 CF patients and 105 healthy subjects (HS). Elastase-1 concentrations were measured in all subjects. Severe pancreatic insufficiency was associated with the presence of two CFTR gene mutations (DeltaF508, N1303K, CFTR dele 2,3 (21kb), G542X, 1717-1G-A, R533X, W1282X, 621GT, 2183AAG, R560T, 2184insA and DeltaI507, G551D, 895T) and mild insufficiency with the presence of at least one mutation (R117H, 3171insC, A155P2, 138insL, 296 + 1G-A, E92GK, E217G, 2789 + 5G-A. 3849 + 1kbC-T/3849 + 1kbC-T) genotype resulted in high elastase-1-values. However, in case of patients with genotype DeltaF508/3849 + 10kbC-T, 1717-1GA/3849 + 10kbC-T as well as with DeltaF508/R334W, both high and low elastase-1 concentrations were found. Low E1 values were found in a patient with DeltaF508/R347P genotype. Patients who carry two 'severe' mutations develop pancreatic insufficiency, whereas those who carry at least one 'mild' usually remain pancreatic sufficient. However, the presence of one mild mutation does not exclude pancreatic insufficiency.

Serum oestradiol/FSH ratio to predict poor responders among patients undergoing IVF and ICSI.

Objective: The aim of this work was to evaluate the plasma E2/FSH ratio as an index of ovarian stimulation response and a predictor of poor response in patients undergoing IVF and ICSI treatment, compared to plasma E2 or FSH alone.Design: Stepwise regression analysis in a group of patients attending ART procedures in year 2000.Materials/Methods: A total of 47 female patients attending the assisted conception unit for IVF or ICSI treatment were studied, consisting of 8 patients who responded poorly and 39 patients with good response to ovarian stimulation. Plasma E2, serum FSH, and E2/FSH ratio were measured and calculated in daily blood samples obtained on days 1 to 7 of ovarian stimulation.Results: Stepwise regression analysis revealed that the number of oocytes retrieved was significantly dependent on the E2/FSH ratio measured on day 3 of ovarian stimulation (R2 = 0.551; P < 0.05). Comparing the values of E2, FSH and E2/FSH ratio in the poor responders (n = 8) to those in the good responders (n = 39) revealed that statistically significant differences between both groups regarding E2/FSH ratio started on day 2 of ovarian stimulation (P < 0.05). Statistically significant differences between both groups regarding plasma E2 started on day 3 of ovarian stimulation (P < 0.005), while significant differences between both groups regarding plasma FSH levels started on day 4 of ovarian stimulation (P < 0.05). An E2/FSH value of <6 on day 4 of ovarian stimulation was associated with a 100% sensitivity and a 87.2% specificity in predicting cycle cancellation.Conclusions: It is concluded that E2/FSH ratio is a better index of ovarian stimulation response compared to either plasma E2 or FSH alone among patients treated with IVF or ICSI and can give an earlier index to predict cycle cancellation in poor responders.Supported by: Personal Research. Objective: The aim of this work was to evaluate the plasma E2/FSH ratio as an index of ovarian stimulation response and a predictor of poor response in patients undergoing IVF and ICSI treatment, compared to plasma E2 or FSH alone. Design: Stepwise regression analysis in a group of patients attending ART procedures in year 2000. Materials/Methods: A total of 47 female patients attending the assisted conception unit for IVF or ICSI treatment were studied, consisting of 8 patients who responded poorly and 39 patients with good response to ovarian stimulation. Plasma E2, serum FSH, and E2/FSH ratio were measured and calculated in daily blood samples obtained on days 1 to 7 of ovarian stimulation. Results: Stepwise regression analysis revealed that the number of oocytes retrieved was significantly dependent on the E2/FSH ratio measured on day 3 of ovarian stimulation (R2 = 0.551; P < 0.05). Comparing the values of E2, FSH and E2/FSH ratio in the poor responders (n = 8) to those in the good responders (n = 39) revealed that statistically significant differences between both groups regarding E2/FSH ratio started on day 2 of ovarian stimulation (P < 0.05). Statistically significant differences between both groups regarding plasma E2 started on day 3 of ovarian stimulation (P < 0.005), while significant differences between both groups regarding plasma FSH levels started on day 4 of ovarian stimulation (P < 0.05). An E2/FSH value of <6 on day 4 of ovarian stimulation was associated with a 100% sensitivity and a 87.2% specificity in predicting cycle cancellation. Conclusions: It is concluded that E2/FSH ratio is a better index of ovarian stimulation response compared to either plasma E2 or FSH alone among patients treated with IVF or ICSI and can give an earlier index to predict cycle cancellation in poor responders. Supported by: Personal Research.

Blood loss following noncomplicated transvaginal oocyte retrieval for in vitro fertilization

Blood loss following noncomplicated transvaginal oocyte retrieval for in vitro fertilization

C-Terminal region of human NAD+-dependent 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase is involved in the interaction with prostaglandin substrates.

NAD+-dependent 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH) catalyzes the oxidation of the 15(S) hydroxyl group of prostaglandins to a 15-keto group resulting in a significant reduction of the biological activities of prostaglandins. Although the key residues involved in NAD+ binding and in catalytic activity have been partially identified, the sites of interaction of the enzyme with the prostaglandin substrates are yet to be determined. Homology analysis of the primary structures of 15-PGDH from human, mouse and rat indicates that the sequences are almost homologous except for two regions near the C-terminus. The involvement of the C-terminal region in catalytic activity was examined by studies on C-terminally truncated enzymes and on human/rat chimeric enzymes. When three to four amino acids were removed successively from the C-terminal end of human 15-PGDH, the truncated enzymes exhibited decreasing Vmax/Km ratios and increasing Km values for PGE2 as the chain was shortened. Similarly, when the C-terminal 14 amino acids of human 15-PGDH were replaced by the C-terminal 14 amino acids of rat 15-PGDH or vice versa, the Vmax/Km ratios and the Km values for prostaglandin E2 of the chimeric enzymes were in between those of the two wild-type enzymes. This indicates that the catalytic effectiveness of human 15-PGDH decreases as the C-terminal region is gradually removed or replaced by rat sequences. The C-terminal region appears to be more important for the interaction of the enzyme with the prostaglandin substrates than with the coenzyme.