The 2.5-5.0 micron spectra of Io: Evidence for H2S and H2O frozen in SO2

The techniques of low temperature spectroscopy are applied to identify the constituents of the ices covering the surface of Io, a satellite of Jupiter. Infrared spectra of Io in the 4000-2000 cm exp -1 region, including new observational data, are analyzed using laboratory studies of plausible surface ices

Direct observation of substitutional Ga after ion implantation in Ge by means of extended x-ray absorption fine structure

We present an experimental lattice location study of Ga atoms in Ge after ion implantation at elevated temperature (250°C). Using extended x-rayabsorption fine structure (EXAFS) experiments and a dedicated sample preparation method, we have studied the lattice location of Ga atoms in Ge with a concentration ranging from 0.5 at. % down to 0.005 at. %. At Ga concentrations ≤0.05 at.%, all Ga dopants are substitutional directly after ion implantation, without the need for post-implantation thermal annealing. At higher Ga concentrations, a reduction in the EXAFS amplitude is observed, indicating that a fraction of the Ga atoms is located in a defective environment. The local strain induced by the Ga atoms in the Ge matrix is independent of the Ga concentration and extends only to the first nearest neighbor Ge shell, where a 1% contraction in bond length has been measured, in agreement with density functional theory calculations.We acknowledge the support from the Research Foundation Flanders, the epi-team from imec, the KU Leuven GOA 09/06 project, the IUAP program P6/42 and the Australian Research Council. S.C. acknowledges support from OCAS NV by an OCAS-endowed chair at Ghent University

Determination of Optical Constants for Titan Aerosol-, and Exoplanet and Brown Dwarf Cloud Particle Analogs from the Visible to the Far Infrared

Here we present optical constants covering a broad wavelength range, from the visible to the far infrared, for Titan aerosol analogs produced in the Titan Haze Simulation (THS) experiment at Ames COSmIC facility, as well as other exoplanet-relevant materials

Total phenolic contents and antioxidant activities of various solvent extracts from whole wheat and bran

AbstractTwo wheat varieties grown in Upper and Delta Egypt were compared for their total phenolic content and antioxidant activities. Three solvent systems have been used to prepare the antioxidant extracts from whole wheat and its bran fraction. The three solvent systems included 50% acetone (v/v), 70% methanol (v/v) and 70% ethanol (v/v). Antioxidant activities were tested using DPPH radical scavenging activity and total flavonoid content. The results showed that the extraction solvents and wheat varieties significantly altered the total phenolics and antioxidant activity of whole wheat and bran, and 50% acetone is a recommended solvent for extracting phenolic compounds from the tested wheat and bran. Also data indicated that the bran fraction was rich in total phenolic content and high power for radical scavenging activity than whole wheat. These results showed that wheat bran could be considered as a potential source of antioxidant agent. Therefore, durum wheat variety (Beni-suef-3) showed high level of total phenol contact and antioxidant properties in bran fraction than common wheat variety (Gemiza-9). So, whole meal wheat products maximize health benefits and strongly recommended for use in food processing

The Influence of Nano-Materials in Presence of Vinyl Acetate Copolymer ( Beva 371) for Consolidation of an Egyptian Coptic Fresco Painting

Nano-lime dispersed in propanol was extensively used for consolidation of mural paintings. Current result pointed out the effect of using different nano-dispersed materials (nano silica, nano calcium hydroxide and carbonate) with Beva 37 soluble in toluene/ethanol to consolidate models of an Egyptian Coptic fresco. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and spectrophotometer were used to determine the visual properties, morphological and physical properties of the treated models. The influence of treatment on various mechanical characteristics of consolidated models were also, tested in detail by means of tests on specimens of the treated models. The treatment was carried out in presence of the nano-materials with or without the polymeric material. The mechanical characteristics of the treated models were improved. This can be attributed to nano-calcium hydroxide was turned into calcium carbonate and both of nano- silica and nano-calcium carbonate appeared as filler. The high impact of nano-materials remind even in presence of polymeric material (Beva 371)

Proceedings of the NASA Laboratory Astrophysics Workshop

This report is a collection of papers presented at the 2006 NASA Workshop on Laboratory Astrophysics held in the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) from February 14 to 16, 2006. This workshop brings together producers and users of laboratory astrophysics data so that they can understand each other's needs and limitations in the context of the needs for NASA's missions. The last NASA-sponsored workshop was held in 2002 at Ames Research Center. Recent related meetings include the Topical Session at the AAS meeting and the European workshop at Pillnitz, Germany, both of which were held in June 2005. The former showcased the importance of laboratory astrophysics to the community at large, while the European workshop highlighted a multi-laboratory approach to providing the needed data. The 2006 NASA Workshop on Laboratory Astrophysics, sponsored by the NASA Astrophysics Division, focused on the current status of the field and its relevance to NASA. This workshop attracted 105 participants and 82 papers of which 19 were invited. A White Paper identifying the key issues in laboratory astrophysics during the break-out sessions was prepared by the Scientific Organizing Committee, and has been forwarded to the Universe Working Group (UWG) at NASA Headquarters. This White Paper, which represented the collective inputs and opinions from experts and stakeholders in the field of astrophysics, should serve as the working document for the future development of NASA's R&A program in laboratory astrophysics

The dual face of microglia (M1/M2) as a potential target in the protective effect of nutraceuticals against neurodegenerative diseases

The pathophysiology of different neurodegenerative illnesses is significantly influenced by the polarization regulation of microglia and macrophages. Traditional classifications of macrophage phenotypes include the pro-inflammatory M1 and the anti-inflammatory M2 phenotypes. Numerous studies demonstrated dynamic non-coding RNA modifications, which are catalyzed by microglia-induced neuroinflammation. Different nutraceuticals focus on the polarization of M1/M2 phenotypes of microglia and macrophages, offering a potent defense against neurodegeneration. Caeminaxin A, curcumin, aromatic-turmerone, myricetin, aurantiamide, 3,6′-disinapoylsucrose, and resveratrol reduced M1 microglial inflammatory markers while increased M2 indicators in Alzheimer’s disease. Amyloid beta-induced microglial M1 activation was suppressed by andrographolide, sulforaphane, triptolide, xanthoceraside, piperlongumine, and novel plant extracts which also prevented microglia-mediated necroptosis and apoptosis. Asarone, galangin, baicalein, and a-mangostin reduced oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in M1-activated microglia in Parkinson’s disease. Additionally, myrcene, icariin, and tenuigenin prevented the nod-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 inflammasome and microglial neurotoxicity, while a-cyperone, citronellol, nobiletin, and taurine prevented NADPH oxidase 2 and nuclear factor kappa B activation. Furthermore, other nutraceuticals like plantamajoside, swertiamarin, urolithin A, kurarinone, Daphne genkwa flower, and Boswellia serrata extracts showed promising neuroprotection in treating Parkinson’s disease. In Huntington’s disease, elderberry, curcumin, iresine celosia, Schisandra chinensis, gintonin, and pomiferin showed promising results against microglial activation and improved patient symptoms. Meanwhile, linolenic acid, resveratrol, Huperzia serrata, icariin, and baicalein protected against activated macrophages and microglia in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and multiple sclerosis. Additionally, emodin, esters of gallic and rosmarinic acids, Agathisflavone, and sinomenine offered promising multiple sclerosis treatments. This review highlights the therapeutic potential of using nutraceuticals to treat neurodegenerative diseases involving microglial-related pathways