Nitrogen dioxide effect in the reduction of nitric oxide by propane in oxidizing atmosphere

The role of nitrogen dioxide in the selective reduction of NO by propane over a Cu-MFI zeolite is investigated. NO₂ and NO reductions were carried out under similar conditions of reaction. In the presence of oxygen, the reduction of NO by C₃H₈ does not differ significantly from that of NO₂. In the absence of oxygen, the reduction of NO₂ by propane occurs with a partial decomposition of the nitric dioxide molecule. Such a decomposition leads to the formation of oxygen, which is responsible for the increase in catalytic activity by comparison with the same reaction performed with NO. NO₂ formed and released in the gas phase during the reduction of NO by propane in the presence of oxygen does not play a predominant role in the catalytic process.     

Characterization of 1.55-μm pulses from a self-seededgain-switched Fabry-Perot laser diode using frequency-resolved opticalgating

The intensity and frequency chirp of picosecond pulses from a self-seeded gain-switched Fabry-Perot laser diode have been directly measured using the technique of frequency-resolved optical gating. Measurements over an output sidemode suppression ratio (SMSR) range of 15-35 dB show that higher SMSR's are associated with an increasingly linear frequency chirp across the output pulses. This complete pulse characterization allows the conditions for optimum pulse compression to be determined accurately, and indicates that transform-limited, pedestal free pulses can be obtained at an SMSR of 35 dB     

Overexpression of HER2 modulates bcl-2, bcl-XL, and tamoxifen-induced apoptosis in human MCF-7 breast cancer cells

Overexpression of HER2 in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive human breast tumors has been associated with resistance to endocrine therapy. Here we investigated the effects of HER2 on expression of apoptotic pathways and modulation of tamoxifen-induced apoptosis in ER-positive MCF-7 breast cancer cells. We report that HER2 overexpression in MCF-7 cells is accompanied by up-regulation of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL proteins and suppression of tamoxifen-induced apoptosis. In addition, human tumor cell lines that are both ER positive and overexpress HER2 also express enhanced levels of Bcl-2 compared to cells that are either ER positive or overexpress HER2 alone. Our findings suggest that possible deregulation of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL may be associated with the enhanced survival of HER2-overexpressing and ER-positive breast cancer cells treated with antiestrogens.     

News: Lawsuit urges action on U.S. "Great Waters"

Society.     

News: "Greener" dry-cleaning alternative pushed by industry, environmental groups

Technology.     

News: Utility deregulation, air deposition may make NOx the acid rain of the 1990s

Government.     

News: Environmental legislation deadlocked as congressional, presidential election nears

Government.     

News: Sunflowers remove radionuclides from water in ongoing phytoremediation field tests

Technology.     

A comparison of the dissolution of model compounds and the kerogen of Green River oil shale by oxidation with perchloric acid — A model for the kerogen of Green River oil shale

A stepwise degradation of a kerogen concentrate of Green River oil shale was effected by oxidation with perchloric acid of varying boiling point and concentration. Dissolution of the kerogen concentrate occurred between 160 and 170°C. Several model compounds were also oxidized with perchloric acid. The model compounds were polyethylene, graphite, nylon, and polyethylene oxide. The results indicated that the kerogen was similar to polyethylene oxide. The results of this study and previous work were used to present a model for the structure of the kerogen of Green River oil shale.