Association of chromosome 12p genetic polymorphisms with lung adenocarcinoma risk and prognosis

The mapping near Kras2 of pulmonary adenoma susceptibility 1 (Pas1), a major locus affecting inherited predisposition to lung cancer in mice prompted us to test the homologous human region (12p12) for association with lung adenocarcinoma, by a population-based study. We genotyped 213 lung adenocarcinoma patients and 219 healthy blood donor subjects for five polymorphic markers mapping in the putative region of interest. Three marker polymorphisms, located in a region spanning approximately 700 kb, were significantly associated with lung adenocarcinoma risk. Furthermore, polymorphisms in KRAS2 and PTHLH loci were also associated with tumor prognosis. These results suggest the existence of a human Pas1 homologous locus on chromosome 12p12.     

THE PREVENTION OF DISINTEGRATION OF BLAST FURNACE LININGS1

Theories and observations on the causes of disintegration of fireclay refractories in blast furnaces are given and a process is developed for improving high iron clays for this use. The disintegration of refractories in blast furnace linings is initiated by alteration in the iron spots. Ferric oxide is reduced to ferrous oxide at 500°C and hastens the cracking of 2CO to CO₂+C₁ the carbon being retained by the lining. When Fe₂O₂ is converted to Fe₃O₄ the brick will not disintegrate.     

Psychological impact of the development of a presymptomatic test for Huntington's disease.

Examined the effects of a genetic probe that can provide individuals at risk for Huntington's disease (HD) with diagnostic information regarding this progressive genetic disorder before symptoms are exhibited. 113 at-risk HD individuals were informed about the genetic probe, and their level of anxiety was assessed. A group conference format was an effective means of providing information regarding the HD probe to a large number of at-risk families. Findings from the measure of anxiety demonstrate that the at-risk HD population is no different from a normative population or from an at-risk HD population unfamiliar with the new technology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Wavelength Bistability in Two-Section Mode-Locked Quantum-Dot Diode Lasers

We report a two-section mode-locked quantum-dot laser with an emission wavelength that is bistable with respect to applied bias on the saturable absorber region. The two stable lasing wavelengths for this device are about 1173 and 1166 nm with a power contrast ratio of over 30 dB. The largest switchable wavelength range is 7.7 nm. The optical power and pulsewidth (6.5ps) are almost identical in the two lasing modes under optimized conditions. The operation of this laser can be explained by the interplay of the spectral-hole burning and the quantum-confined Stark effect     

Dechlorination of polychlorinated biphenyls in industrial transformer oil by radiolytic and photolytic methods

Used electrical transformer oils containing low or high concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were treated using electron, gamma, and ultraviolet radiation, and the conditions for complete dechlorination were developed. Dechlorination was determined by analysis of the inorganic chloride formed and the concentrations of remaining PCBs. Transformer oil containing approximately 95 microg g(-1) PCB (approximately 3.5 mmol L(-1) Cl) is completely dechlorinated by irradiation with 600 kGy after the addition of 10% triethylamine (TEA). Transformer oil containing >800,000 microg g(-1) PCB (17.7 mol L(-1) Cl) requires an additional solvent to prevent solidification. When this oil is diluted with 2-propanol (2-PrOH) and TEA (v/v/v, 1/79/20), complete dechlorination is achieved with a dose of 2500 kGy. Ultraviolet photolysis of the same oil/2-PrOH/TEA solutions led to 90% dechlorination after exposure for 120 h in our experimental setup. Such yields were obtained by radiolysis with a dose of 2000 kGy (300 h in our Gammacell). Replacing TEA with KOH in 2-PrOH solutions greatly increases the yield of dechlorination in both the radiolytic and the photolytic experiments, demonstrating that a chain reaction plays a role in both of these treatment methods and suggesting that both methods deserve further consideration for large-scale application.     

Major depression in the transition to adulthood: Risks and impairments.

An ongoing longitudinal community study (N?=?375) examined childhood risks and later adult impairments associated with 1-year Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (3rd ed., rev.; American Psychiatric Association, 1987) diagnoses of major depression during the transition to adulthood. Risks from birth to age 9 were reported by mothers, participants, and teachers. Teacher-reported hostility at age 6 predicted later depression. At age 9, self-perceptions of anxiety/depression, unpopularity, familial rejection, and abuse were potent risks. For men, neonatal and childhood health problems predicted later depression. For women, risks included family constellation, parental death, and poor academic achievement at age 9. Men and women who were depressed at age 18, age 21, or both demonstrated extensive psychosocial impairments in early adulthood, including poor overall functioning, interpersonal and behavioral problems, low self-esteem, and suicidality. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Thermo-mechanical behaviour of a single slice test device for the FRIB high power target

One of the major challenges of the FRIB project (Facility for Rare Isotope Beams) at Michigan State University is the design and integration of the production target to produce rare isotope beams via fragmentation reaction. In the most extreme case, a 400 kW uranium beam of 200 MeV/u will be focused in a 1 mm diameter spot, leading to a power density of 60 MW/cm³ for a C target. Up to 200 kW may be dissipated in the target.A rotating solid carbon disk concept has been selected as the target design approach for all primary beams up to uranium to provide high-power operation. A high rotational speed is necessary to compensate for the high power density. A multi-slice approach allows the evacuation of the large amount of heat deposited by the increase of the radiating area. In the present design study, the multi-slice target device has a diameter of about 30 cm and rotates at about 5000 RPM (revolutions per minute). The first step of the R&D strategy consists in the development and test of a 20 kW single-slice target prototype. This single disk device is designed to accept the same fraction of power as each disk of the final multi-slice target. Critical information on thermal-mechanical properties can be obtained thus at a lower power level than the one of the full device. Different carbon materials were tested. An electron beam of ∼20 keV was used for the thermal tests. Simulations were performed using the ANSYS code for the thermo-mechanical behaviour of the target, the resulting deformation and the stress profiles of heated graphite disks. Results of the simulations were compared with experimental data.