Structure and dynamics of the 4p -\u3e ns,md autoionizing resonances between the P-3 and S-1 thresholds in atomic bromine

The relative partial photoionization cross sections sigma(i) and photoelectron angular distribution parameters beta(1) are measured for all possible final ionic states of Br+ between the P-3(2) and S-1(0) thresholds. The decay patterns of the autoionizing 4p(4 3)P(1,0) nl, 4p(4 1)D(2) nl, and 4p(4 1)S(0) nl Rydberg series arising from the 4p ins,md excitations are observed at the fine-structure level in all available channels. For each Rydberg series, the energies, quantum defects, and photoelectron angular distribution parameters are determined, as well as the widths and shape parameters of the low-lying members. Relative total cross sections are derived from the partial cross sections and from ion-yield measurements over the lowest members of the P-3(1,0) and D-1(2) series. All major spectroscopic and dynamic properties of these series are reported for this open-shell atom. Conclusions are drawn from the comprehensive data sets in comparison with other halogen atoms and the neighboring closed-shell rare gas atoms. Our results, encompassing the entire autoionization regime, are compared with other experimental data and theoretical calculations, where available

Natural widths in open-shell atoms: The K absorption spectrum of atomic oxygen

Total-ion-yield measurements and Hartree-Fock calculations are presented for the 1s→np, n=2 to 5 photoexcitations in atomic oxygen. Energies and relative intensities of the [1s]2s22p4(4P)np and [1s]2s22p4(2P)np series members are determined, and the apparent linewidths are measured. It is shown that natural widths in an open-shell atom can be deduced from an absorption spectrum only with the aid of theoretical input. The linewidth for the six individual components contained in the 1s→2p transition is determined to be 140(9) meV

Natural Widths In Open-Shell Atoms: The K Absorption Spectrum Of Atomic Oxygen

Total-ion-yield measurements and Hartree-Fock calculations are presented for the 1s-- \u3enp, n=2 to 5 photoexcitations in atomic oxygen. Energies and relative intensities of the [1s]2s(2)2p(4)(P-4)np and [1s]2s(2)2p(4)(P-2)np series members are determined, and the apparent linewidths are measured. It is shown that natural widths in an open-shell atom can be deduced from an absorption spectrum only with the aid of theoretical input. The linewidth for the six individual components contained in the 1s--\u3e2p transition is determined to be 140(9) meV

In vitro potency, in vitro and in vivo efficacy of liposomal alendronate in combination with γδ T cell immunotherapy in mice

Nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate (N-BP), including zoledronic acid (ZOL) and alendronate (ALD), have been proposed as sensitisers in γδ T cell immunotherapy in pre-clinical and clinical studies. Therapeutic efficacy of N-BPs is hampered by their rapid renal excretion and high affinity for bone. Liposomal formulations of N-BP have been proposed to improve accumulation in solid tumours. Liposomal alendronate (L-ALD) has been suggested as a suitable alternative to liposomal ZOL (L-ZOL), due to unexpected mice death experienced in pre-clinical studies with the latter. Only one study so far has proven the therapeutic efficacy of L-ALD, in combination with γδ T cell immunotherapy, after intraperitoneal administration of γδ T cell resulting in delayed growth of ovarian cancer in mice. This study aims to assess the in vitro efficacy of L-ALD, in combination with γδ T cell immunotherapy, in a range of cancerous cell lines, using L-ZOL as a comparator. The therapeutic efficacy was tested in a pseudo-metastatic lung mouse model, following intravenous injection of γδ T cell, L-ALD or the combination. In vivo biocompatibility and organ biodistribution studies of L-BPs were undertaken simultaneously. Higher concentrations of L-ALD (40–60 μM) than L-ZOL (3–10 μM) were required to produce a comparative reduction in cell viability in vitro, when used in combination with γδ T cells. Significant inhibition of tumour growth was observed after treatment with both L-ALD and γδ T cells in pseudo-metastatic lung melanoma tumour-bearing mice after tail vein injection of both treatments, suggesting that therapeutically relevant concentrations of L-ALD and γδ T cell could be achieved in the tumour sites, resulting in significant delay in tumour growth

Low-intensity continuous ultrasound triggers effective bisphosphonate anticancer activity in breast cancer

Ultrasound (US) is a non-ionizing pressure wave that can produce mechanical and thermal effects. Bisphosphonates have demonstrated clinical utility in bone metastases treatment. Preclinical studies suggest that bisphosphonates have anticancer activity. However, bisphosphonates exhibit a high affinity for bone mineral, which reduces their bioavailability for tumor cells. Ultrasound has been shown to be effective for drug delivery but in interaction with gas bubbles or encapsulated drugs. We examined the effects of a clinically relevant dose of bisphosphonate zoledronate (ZOL) in combination with US. In a bone metastasis model, mice treated with ZOL+US had osteolytic lesions that were 58% smaller than those of ZOL-treated animals as well as a reduced skeletal tumor burden. In a model of primary tumors, ZOL+US treatment reduced by 42% the tumor volume, compared with ZOL-treated animals. Using a fluorescent bisphosphonate, we demonstrated that US forced the release of bisphosphonate from the bone surface, enabling a continuous impregnation of the bone marrow. Additionally, US forced the penetration of ZOL within tumors, as demonstrated by the intratumoral accumulation of unprenylated Rap1A, a surrogate marker of ZOL antitumor activity. Our findings made US a promising modality to trigger bisphosphonate anticancer activity in bone metastases and in primary tumors

Axial compressive behavior of FRP-confined concrete: Experimental test database and a new design-oriented model

A large number of experimental studies have been conducted over the last two decades to understand the behavior of FRP-confined concrete columns. This paper presents a comprehensive test database constructed from the results of axial compression tests on 832 circular FRP-confined concrete specimens published in the literature. The database was assembled through an extensive review of the literature that covered 3042 test results from 253 experimental studies published between 1991 and the middle of 2013. The suitability of the results for the database was determined using carefully chosen selection criteria to ensure a reliable database. This database brings reliable test results of FRP-confined concrete together to form a unified framework for future reference. Close examination of the test results reported in the database led to a number of important observations on the influence of important parameters on the behavior of FRP-confined concrete. A new design-oriented model that was developed to quantify these observations is presented in the final part of the paper. It is shown that the predictions of the proposed model are in close agreement with the test results and the model provides improved predictions of the ultimate conditions of FRP-confined concrete compared to any of the existing models. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Togay Ozbakkaloglu, Jian C. Li

Virtualization and cyber security: arming future security practitioners

In the past five years cybercrime has grown to become one of the most significant threats to the safety of the nation and its economy. The government’s call to arms has been eagerly accepted by business enterprises and academia. But training cyber security professionals raises a unique set of challenges. Cost, space, time and scalability are among the issues identified and possible solutions proposed. As a cyber-security professionals, we have realized the importance of practical experience which can be hard to deliver in a lecture based environment. The primary aim of this project is to evaluate and recommend a platform for Virtual handson Labs which may be used to provide a secure environment for cyber security students to evaluate and receive hands-on experience on possible threats and countermeasures. There are similar labs setup in different universities across the world but we have not been able to find any studies evaluating the virtualization platforms for their merit in order to run a virtual lab. Hence we study three of the most popular virtualization platforms and recommendations are provided to guide anyone who desires to setup such a la

Observation Of The 2P\u3csup\u3e4\u3c/sup\u3e(\u3csup\u3e1\u3c/sup\u3eS)Ns, Md Excitations In Atomic Fluorine

In the first observation of the autoionizing resonances converging to the 2p4(1S) series limit of atomic fluorine, the decay of the resonance states into the (1D) ∈ℓ partial channel has been measured by photoelectron spectrometry with the use of synchrotron radiation. We present the initial results of this work

Autoionization And Interchannel Mixing In Atomic Fluorine: The 2P(4)(S-1)Ns,Md Rydberg Series

Experimental data on the spectroscopic and dynamic properties of the 2p(4)(S-1)ns,md series between the D-1 and S-1 thresholds of atomic fluorine are presented. These series are observed through their decay into the allowed 2p(4)(P-3)epsilon l and 2p(4)(D-1) epsilon l ionization channels. The (S-1)ns S-2 resonances are broad windows, and the (S-1)md(2)D resonances are narrow peaks in the principal 2p(4)(D-1)epsilon l channel. The 2s2p(6) S-2 resonance is located at 20.99(1) eV and is seen to interact strongly with the nearby 2p(4)(S-1)4s S-2 resonance. The resulting structure can serve as a sensitive marker for this interchannel mixing. Except for the interacting resonances, the data are found to be in satisfactory accord with eigenchannel R-matrix results for the total cross section