130 research outputs found
Mesophases in Nearly 2D Room-Temperature Ionic Liquids
Computer simulations of (i) a [C12mim][Tf2N] film of nanometric thickness
squeezed at kbar pressure by a piecewise parabolic confining potential reveal a
mesoscopic in-plane density and composition modulation reminiscent of
mesophases seen in 3D samples of the same room-temperature ionic liquid (RTIL).
Near 2D confinement, enforced by a high normal load, relatively long aliphatic
chains are strictly required for the mesophase formation, as confirmed by
computations for two related systems made of (ii) the same [C12mim][Tf2N]
adsorbed at a neutral solid surface and (iii) a shorter-chain RTIL
([C4mim][Tf2N]) trapped in the potential well of part i. No in-plane modulation
is seen for ii and iii. In case ii, the optimal arrangement of charge and
neutral tails is achieved by layering parallel to the surface, while, in case
iii, weaker dispersion and packing interactions are unable to bring aliphatic
tails together into mesoscopic islands, against overwhelming entropy and
Coulomb forces. The onset of in-plane mesophases could greatly affect the
properties of long-chain RTILs used as lubricants.Comment: 24 pages 10 figure
Exploring the role of fallopian ciliated cells in the pathogenesis of high-grade serous ovarian cancer
High-grade serous epithelial ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is the fifth leading cause of cancer death in women and the first among gynecological malignancies. Despite an initial response to standard chemotherapy, most HGSOC patients relapse. To improve treatment options, we must continue investigating tumor biology. Tumor characteristics (e.g., risk factors and epidemiology) are valuable clues to accomplish this task. The two most frequent risk factors for HGSOC are the lifetime number of ovulations, which is associated with increased oxidative stress in the pelvic area caused by ovulation fluid, and a positive family history due to genetic factors. In the attempt to identify novel genetic factors (i.e., genes) associated with HGSOC, we observed that several genes in linkage with HGSOC are expressed in the ciliated cells of the fallopian tube. This finding made us hypothesize that ciliated cells, despite not being the cell of origin for HGSOC, may take part in HGSOC tumor initiation. Specifically, malfunction of the ciliary beat impairs the laminar fluid flow above the fallopian tube epithelia, thus likely reducing the clearance of oxidative stress caused by follicular fluid. Herein, we review the up-to-date findings dealing with HGSOC predisposition with the hypothesis that fallopian ciliated cells take part in HGSOC onset. Finally, we review the up-to-date literature concerning genes that are located in genomic loci associated with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) predisposition that are expressed by the fallopian ciliated cells
Spin-Correlation Coefficients and Phase-Shift Analysis for p+He Elastic Scattering
Angular Distributions for the target spin-dependent observables A,
A, and A have been measured using polarized proton beams at
several energies between 2 and 6 MeV and a spin-exchange optical pumping
polarized He target. These measurements have been included in a global
phase-shift analysis following that of George and Knutson, who reported two
best-fit phase-shift solutions to the previous global p+He elastic
scattering database below 12 MeV. These new measurements, along with
measurements of cross-section and beam-analyzing power made over a similar
energy range by Fisher \textit{et al.}, allowed a single, unique solution to be
obtained. The new measurements and phase-shifts are compared with theoretical
calculations using realistic nucleon-nucleon potential models.Comment: Submitted to Phys. Rev.
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