Stopping power and mean free path for low-energy electrons in ten scintillators over energy range of 20-20,000 eV

Systematic calculations of the stopping powers (SP) and inelastic mean free paths (IMFP) for 20-20,000eV electrons in a group of 10 important scintillators have been carried out. The calculations are based on the dielectric model including the Born-Ochkur exchange correction and the optical energy loss functions (OELFs) are empirically evaluated because of the lack of available experimental optical data for the scintillators under consideration. The evaluated OELFs are examined by both the f-sum rule and the calculation of mean ionization potential. The SP and IMFP data presented here are the first results for the 10 scintillators over the energy range of 20-20,000eV, and are of key importance for the investigation of liquid scintillation counting.     

Application of a new method of searching for geochemical changes related to seismic activity.

222Rn in groundwater at three out of four New Zealand sites changed in a statistically significant way in response to increased monthly coseismic events M2.0-M5, 14-100 km away, particularly events normal to a nearby large faultline. delta 18O(H2O) at one site showed a coseismic negative relationship to seismicity the same day. Of other parameters at the four sites (CO2, CH4/N2, H2/N2, delta 18O(H2O), delta 13C(CO2), delta 13C(CH4), D/H, Ar/N2), only the latter showed some consistent sensitivity to seismicity, mainly as after-effects. There was no observable threshold strain value. The 9000 events studied gave considerable statistical power, but correlations useful for seismicity prediction were few and doubtful. The frequent negative relationships may indicate the closing of rock cracks by strain, hence reduced gas flow.     

A new calculation on the stopping power and mean free path for low energy electrons in toluene over energy range of 20–10 000 eV

A new calculation of the stopping powers (SP) and inelastic mean free paths (IMFP) for electrons in toluene at energies below 10 keV has been presented. The calculation is based on the dielectric model and on an empirical evaluation approach of optical energy loss function (OELF). The reliability for the evaluated OELFs of several hydrocarbons with available experimental optical data has been systematically checked. For toluene, using the empirical OELF, the evaluated mean ionization potential, is compared with that given by Bragg's rule, and the calculated SP at 10 keV is also compared with the Bethe−Bloch prediction. The present results for SP and IMFP provide an alternative basic data for the study on the energy deposition of low-energy electrons transport through toluene, and also show that the method used in this work may be a good one for evaluating the SP and IMFP for hydrocarbons.     

11C and 15O induced in the mouse by 175 MeV protons.

The total production of 11C, 13N and 15O in the mouse by protons with a mean energy of about 175 MeV was found to be 8 200, 1 500 and 14 000 nuclei per g-rad, respectively. About 40 per cent of the total induced 11C activity was eliminated through expiration and about 2.5 per cent with the urine during the first hour after irradiation. The expired gas contained 11CO and 11CO2 in the ratio 2/1. The urinary 11C activity was bound to several compounds, the chemical nature of which was not established. The 15O activity behaved as H2O and was found not to be eliminated from the body during the short observation time available. The additional, fractional, integral radiation dose due to decay of induced nuclides is less than 0.1 per cent, and can be neglected since no accumulation to any small organ was seen. Sensitive means for an estimate of integral dose based on the induced nuclides would be the detection of 11CO activity in expired gas or in blood.     

Water turnover and changes in body composition during arduous wildfire suppression

INTRODUCTION: Our lab has recently documented the total energy expenditure during arduous wildfire suppression using the doubly labeled water methodology. The elevated rates of isotopic elimination indicate an arduous working environment that may often compromise energy balance and overall hydration. PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of arduous wildfire suppression on water turnover and changes in body composition in wildland firefighters (WLFF). METHODS: WLFF (N = 14) were studied during a 5-d period of arduous fire suppression work. A comparison group (N = 13) of recreationally active college students (RACS) was also studied. Water turnover was measured from rates of 2H elimination (rH2O). Urine osmolality, specific gravity, and skinfold measures were also collected. RESULTS: WLFF demonstrated a decrease in nude body weight (pre = 71.9 +/- 10.4 kg, post = 70.9 +/- 10.2 kg, P = 0.0001) and total body water (pre = 42.9 +/- 7.2 kg, post = 42.0 +/- 6.7 kg, P = 0.0046). RACS maintained total body water and body weight during the experimental period. Isotope (2H2O) dilution demonstrated that rH2O was significantly higher for the WLFF (rH2O = 6.7 +/- 1.4 and 3.8 +/- 1.0 L.24 h-1 for the WLFF and RACS, respectively). CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate an arduous work environment that threatens hydration, energy balance, and perhaps normal glycogen status.     

Oxygen-17 compounds as potential NMR T2 contrast agents: enrichment effects of H2(17)O on protein solutions and living tissues

The isotopic enrichment of solutions, living tissues, and organisms with oxygen-17 in the form of H2(17)O shortens their proton NMR transverse relaxation times (T2) and produces changes in NMR image intensity. The transverse relaxation rate (1/T2) was found to be linearly dependent on the H2(17)O concentration in biological solutions up to 5% enrichment. The longitudinal relaxation time (T1) is not affected by enrichment. Equal concentrations of H2(17)O do not produce the same magnitude of T2 change in all physiological environments. The reasons for these differences are discussed. The results suggest that certain oxygen-17 compounds should be explored as "contrast agents" in magnetic resonance imaging.     

Glucose production pathways by 2H and 13C NMR in patients with HIV-associated lipoatrophy.

Patients with HIV taking protease inhibitors were selected for the presence (five subjects) or absence (five subjects) of lipoatrophy. Following an overnight fast, subjects were given oral (2)H(2)O in divided doses (5 mL/kg body water), [U-(13)C(3)] propionate (10 mg/kg), and acetaminophen (1000 mg). Glucose (from plasma) or acetaminophen glucuronide (from urine) were converted to monoacetone glucose for (2)H NMR and (13)C NMR analysis. The fraction of plasma glucose derived from gluconeogenesis was not significantly different between groups. However, flux from glycerol into gluconeogenesis relative to glucose production was increased from 0.20 +/- 0.13 among subjects without lipoatrophy to 0.42 +/- 0.12 (P < 0.05) among subjects with lipoatrophy, and the TCA cycle contribution was reduced. Lipoatrophy was associated with an abnormal profile of glucose production as assessed by (13)C and (2)H NMR of plasma and urine.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of silylated mixed-ligand 99mTc complexes with the [PNS/S] donor atom set

New oxotechnetium complexes of general formula [99mTc(O)(PNS)(S(CH2)nOSiR3)] (4-6) were synthesized by direct reduction of [99mTcO4]- with stannous chloride, in the presence of the tridentate heterofunctionalized phosphine H2PNS and of the monodentate silylated thiols [HS(CH2)nOSiR3] (n = 2, R = Ph (1); n = 3, R = Ph (2); n = 3, R = Et (3)). The mixed-ligand rhenium and technetium complexes of general formula [M(O)(PNS)(S(CH2)nOH)] (n = 2: M = 99mTc, (7), M = Re, (7a); n = 3: M = 99mTc, (8), M = Re, (8a)) were also prepared. All the 99mTc complexes were obtained with high radiochemical purity (> 95%), after purification by HPLC, and were characterized by comparison of their HPLC profiles with the ones obtained for the corresponding Re compounds. The silylated compounds 4-6 are stable in phosphate saline buffer (PBS) pH 7.4, rat plasma, human serum and whole blood, and do not bind to plasmatic proteins, and also do not challenge with glutathione. The biological behavior of [99mTc(O)(PNS)(S(CH2)nOH)] (7, 8) and [99mTc(O)(PNS)(S(CH2)nOSiR3)] (4-6) was studied. The effect of the pH on the cleavage of the O-Si bond in complexes 4-6 was also evaluated.     

Production of radionuclides for medicine

Naturally occurring, nuclear reactor-produced, cyclotron-produced, and generator-produced radionuclides are reviewed with special reference to nuclear medical and biological use. General methods of labeling, and 99mTc, 131I, 125I, 123I, 11C, 13N, 15O, 3H, and 14C labeling methods are described.     

Energy loss straggling of 5.486 MeV alpha particles in Melinex, Al, Ni and Cu

Energy loss straggling of 5.486 MeV alpha particles passing through Melinex, Al, Ni and Cu has been studied as a function of energy loss. The reduction in straggling towards the end of the particle range is predicted by considering the reduction of the stopping power and of the effective charge in the capture and loss of electrons at lower energies. These measurements are compared with theoretical predictions of Bohr (1915) and Titeica (1939). The measured values agreed with Titeica results at high and intermediate energy region, and large discrepancies at low energy region are found. Titeica results are greater than Bohr results by a factor of about 1.5-2.     

EPR dosimetric properties of formates.

As a part of a program to develop an electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) dosimeter suited for clinical use (doses in the cGy range), polycrystalline samples of lithium formate monohydrate (HCO2Li.H2O), magnesium formate dihydrate (C2H2O4Mg.2H2O), and calcium formate (C2H2O4Ca) have been examined. L-Alanine was included for comparison and reference. Samples were irradiated with 60Co gamma-rays and 60-220 kV X-rays. The dosimeter response was assessed using the peak-to-peak amplitude of the first-derivative EPR spectrum. Dose-response curves for the 60Co gamma-irradiated samples were constructed, and the dependences of the response on the photon energy, microwave power, and modulation amplitude were studied. Stability of the irradiation products upon storage (signal fading) was also investigated. Lithium formate monohydrate is by far the best candidate of the tested formates, suitable for measuring doses down to approximately 0.1 Gy. Lithium formate monohydrate is more sensitive than alanine by a factor of 5.6-6.8 in the tested photon energy range, it exhibits no zero-dose signal and shows a linear dose response in the dose range from 0.2 to 1000 Gy. Its EPR signal was found unchanged in shape and intensity 1 week after irradiation to 10 Gy. Various less favorable properties rendered the other formates generally unsuitable, although calcium formate exhibits some interesting EPR dosimetric properties.     

Effects of hyperoxic training on performance and cardiorespiratory response to exercise

PURPOSE: To determine whether training in a hyperoxic environment would result in greater increases in VO2max and performance at 90% VO2max as compared with training in normoxia. METHODS: In a single blind design nine athletes trained for 6 wk on a cycle ergometer 3 d.wk(-1), 1 h.d(-1) (10 x 4-min intervals, with 2 min of rest between intervals) at 90% HR(max). Training HR range was maintained by adjusting the power output. Subjects were randomly assigned to H (60% O2) or N (21% O2) breathing conditions for training. After 12 wk of detraining, a second 6-wk training protocol was completed with the breathing conditions reversed. VO2max, performance time at 90% VO2max and cardiorespiratory response to a steady-state exercise at 80% VO2max were measured pre- and posttraining. All pre- and posttraining tests were conducted under normoxic conditions. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between pretraining results for any of the parameters. Power output was 8.1% higher while training in H compared with N, to maintain training HR. Both H and N training resulted in increased performance time, with H being greater than N. Although there was a trend for a greater increase in VO2max after H versus N training, this difference was not significant. HR(max) did not change for H or N. HR VE at 80% VO2max decreased posttraining with no differences between H and N. CONCLUSION: The data showed that a higher power output was required to maintain HR during H training. This increased training intensity during H resulted in improved exercise performance whereas cycling at 90% VO2max in room air and may be due to peripheral factors because cardiorespiratory responses were similar.     

线粒体移动相关基因miro1在急性运动中的表达特征

目的:探讨在急性运动中骨骼肌线粒体能量代谢与线粒体移动相关基因miro1的表达变化特征。方法:以C57 BL/6小鼠一次中等强度负荷跑台运动(0°,13m/min)为实验模型,将小鼠随机分为5组:安静对照组、运动30min、60min、90min、120min组,分别测定骨骼肌线粒体呼吸控制比(RCR),ATP合成酶活性、骨骼肌H2O2生成量,并观察运动中骨骼肌miro1 mRNA表达变化。结果:(1)120分钟急性运动过程中miro1mRNA表达均较安静组显著升高,其中E30、E60、E90、E120组分别较安静组增高32.8%、107.6%、63.8%及44.8%;(2)运动中各时间点骨骼肌H2O2均较安静组显著升高,E30～E120组分别较安静组升高22.1%、26.7%、37.6%、33.7%;(3)E30组ATP合成酶活性与安静组比较明显增加,其余各组无明显变化;整个运动过程中线粒体呼吸控制比无显著变化。结论:急性运动中骨骼肌miro1 mRNA表达较安静时显著增加,可能利于促进线粒体呼吸和ATP合成,以应对细胞能量需求。     

Cerebral MR spectroscopy in neurologically asymptomatic HIV-infected patients

PURPOSE: To detect early metabolic changes in the brain of neurologically asymptomatic HIV-infected patients with normal MR imaging and to find the correlation between 1H MR results and immune status. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty neurologically asymptomatic HIV seropositive patients underwent MR imaging and single-voxel 1H MR spectroscopy (MRS) using a PRESS sequence. For all patients, the signals from N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA), choline-containing compounds (Cho), creatine-phosphocreatine (Cr) and myoinositol (mI) were compared with 32 healthy volunteers as metabolite ratios and metabolite areas to non-suppressed water area ratios. RESULTS: In HIV patients, the NAA/Cho ratio was significantly lower ( p < 0.01), but there were no changes in NAA/Cr ratio. A statistically significant reduction in NAA/H2O and Cr/H2O (both p < 0.05) was observed. For the immune status there was a statistically significant correlation (r=0.47, p<0.05) between CD4 counts and NAA/H2O ratio. A significant increase in Cho/Cr ( p<0.001) and mI/Cr ( p<0.01) ratios in HIV patients was found, but Cho/H2O and mI/H2O concentrations were non-significantly increased. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that neuronal loss and gliosis in HIV-infected patients may be associated with impairment of energy metabolism. The spectral changes found suggest that 1H MRS can be used for early detection of brain damage induced by HIV.     

Scientific facts behind creatine monohydrate as sport nutrition supplement

Currently, strong efforts are being made toward demonstrating possible risks of using pure creatine monohydrate (Cr.H2O). In this article, scientific facts and considerations are presented, which support such concern. A further attempt is made to pursue the concept of possible risks of uncontrolled supplementation in athletes with pure Cr.H2O. The problem is viewed from the scientific evidence that a highly conservative mechanism of homeostatic feed-back inhibitory self-regulation of Cr biosynthesis in the body has been evolutionary developed. It is shown that numerous features characteristic to Cr biosynthesis, metabolism, and regulation allow to interpret its stimulatory action in the body as endocrine hormone-like. Based on this assumption, a practical approach for detecting altered links in Cr metabolism and biosynthesis under conditions of pure Cr.H2O overdosing, is suggested. Strategic considerations regarding early diagnosis, prognosis, and correction of the down-regulated endogenous Cr biosynthesis in athletes on continuous pure Cr.H2O supplementation, are discussed. As a high efficient and safe alternative to pure Cr.H2O, a complex nutrition supplement formula for elite athletes is proposed, which exploits natural alpha-ketoglutarate as a vehicle for delivering exogenous low molecular biologically-active compounds, including Cr.     

A fast and sensitive 1H NMR method to measure the turnover of the H2 hydrogen of lactate.

A fast and sensitive procedure to determine the turnover of the H2 hydrogen of lactate and quantify its (2)H-enrichment by (1)H NMR is illustrated using C6 cells metabolizing (3-(13)C) lactate in 50% (2)H(2)O (vol/vol). (2)H substitution of the lactate H2 hydrogen resulted in two easily detectable transformations of the vicinal H3 doublet resonance: 1) the formation of an H3 singlet due to the disappearance of the homonuclear coupling to H2 ((3)J(betaH-alphaH) = 7.0 Hz), and 2) an upfield isotopic shift derived from the vicinal (2)H2 substitution (Delta(3) = -0.007 ppm). Only those lactate molecules that have passed through the cell cytosol experience these effects, since H2 deuteration involves lactate dehydrogenase activity and NAD((2)H). Thus, analysis of the observed shifted and unshifted H3 lactate resonances from the incubation medium allows the discrimination of the perprotonated (3-(13)C) lactate added as substrate, and the (3-(13)C, 2-(2)H) lactate recycled to the incubation medium after passage through the cytosol.     

Creatine supplementation during resistance training in college football athletes

PURPOSE: This investigation assessed the effects of a 9-wk regimen of creatine monohydrate (Cr x H2O) supplementation coupled with resistance training on body composition and neuromuscular performance in NCAA Division I football athletes. METHODS: Twenty-five subjects were randomly assigned in a double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled design, to a treatment (Cr, N = 9), placebo (P, N = 8), or control group (C, N = 8). The Cr group received 20 g.d(-1) of creatine for the first 5 d in 5-g doses, four times daily, followed by 5 g.d(-1) for the remainder of the study. Each 5-g dose was mixed with 500 mL of glucose solution (Gatorade). The P group received a placebo (sodium phosphate monohydrate; NaH2PO4 x H2O) following the exact protocol as the Cr group. The C group received no supplementation. All subjects resistance trained 4 d.wk(-1). Measurements of neuromuscular performance and body composition were made pre- and post-training after supplementation while monitoring dietary intakes. RESULTS: Repeated measures ANOVA indicated significant differences occurred between the Cr group and the other two groups (P and C) for total body weight, lean body mass, cell hydration, strength, peak torque at 300 degrees.s(-1) knee flexion, percent torque decrement, and anaerobic power and capacity. However, percent body fat, peak torque during both knee flexion and extension at 60 and 180 degrees.s(-1), peak torque at 300 degrees.s(-1) during knee extension, global muscular strength (power clean), and extracellular fluid remained statistically unchanged for all groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that creatine, supplemented concurrently with resistance and anaerobic training, may positively affect cell hydration status and enhance performance variables further than augmentation seen with training alone.     

17O relaxation time and NMR sensitivity of cerebral water and their field dependence.

17O spin relaxation times and sensitivity of detection were measured for natural abundance H(2)(17)O in the rat brain at 4.7 and 9.4 Tesla. The relaxation times were found to be magnetic field independent (T(2) = 3.03 +/- 0.08 ms, T(*)(2) = 1.79 +/- 0.04 ms, and T(1) = 4.47 +/- 0.14 ms at 4.7T (N = 5); T(2) = 3.03 +/- 0.09 ms, T(*)(2) = 1.80 +/- 0.06 ms, and T(1) = 4.84 +/- 0.18 ms at 9.4T (N = 5)), consistent with the concept that the dominant relaxation mechanism is the quadrupolar interaction for this nucleus. The (17)O NMR sensitivity was more than fourfold higher at 9.4T than at 4.7T, for both the rat brain and a sodium chloride solution. With this sensitivity gain, it was possible to obtain localized (17)O spectra with an excellent signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) within 15 s of data acquisition despite the relatively low gyromagnetic ratio of this nucleus. Such a 15-s 2D (17)O-MRS imaging data set obtained for natural abundance H(2)(17)O in the rat brain yielded an SNR greater than 40:1 for a approximately 16 microl voxel. This approach was employed to measure cerebral blood flow using a bolus injection of H(2)(17)O via one internal carotid artery. These results demonstrate the ability of (17)O-MRS imaging to reliably map the H(2)(17)O dynamics in the brain tissue, and its potential for determining tissue blood flow and oxygen consumption rate changes in vivo. Magn Reson Med 45:543-549, 2001.     

准分子激光对不同成分粥样斑块的消蚀效应

本文应用308nm XeCI准分子激光照射粥样硬化的人尸主动脉及钙化的二尖瓣叶,观察准分子激光对正常主动脉、不同程度的脂肪斑块、纤维斑块及钙化的二尖瓣叶所产生的组织效应。结论:准分子激光可用于消蚀粥样硬化斑块,但对不同成分的斑块消蚀效应不同,其中对以脂质成分为主的斑块消蚀最明显,其次为纤维斑块。对严重钙化的组织不能产生理想的消蚀效应。     

Total energy expenditure during arduous wildfire suppression

PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation was to determine the total energy expenditure (TEE) by using the doubly labeled water (DLW) methodology during 5 d of wildfire suppression in Montana, California, Florida, Washington, and Idaho. METHODS: Seventeen wildland firefighters (from three Interagency Hot Shot crews, N = 8 men, height = 177 +/- 7 cm, weight = 74.6 +/- 6.4 kg, age = 24.5 +/- 1.8 yr; N = 9 women, height = 170 +/- 7 cm, weight = 65.2 +/- 8.0 kg, age = 25.0 +/- 1.3 yr) served as subjects. Before wildland fire suppression, each subject was given an oral dose of 2H2O and H218O (approximately 0.23 g 2H2O.kg estimated TBW-1 and 0.39 g H218O.kg estimated TBW-1). Urine samples were collected between 0400 and 0600 daily. TEE was calculated using the two-point method for days 1-3 and 1-5, with the TEE for days 4-5 calculated by extrapolation. Urine samples from other crew members not participating in the DLW protocol were collected at the same times and used to adjust calculations of isotopic elimination for background shifts. RESULTS: TEE was 17.4 +/- 3.7 and 17.5 +/- 6.9 MJ.d-1 during days 1-3 and 4-5, respectively. The energy expenditure associated with physical activity (EEA) was 8.8 +/- 3.0 and 8.9 +/- 6.1 MJ.d-1 for days 1-3 and 4-5, respectively. CONCLUSION: The current data demonstrate consistently high daily energy expenditure in the wildland firefighter. These data also demonstrate that the doubly labeled water methodology is an appropriate methodology for the measure of TEE during unpredictable field operations if adjustments are made for changes in background enrichment and elevated water turnover.