Ultrafast Population Dynamics of Surface-Active Dyes during Electrochemically Controlled Ion Transfer across a Liquid|Liquid Interface

We present for the first time experimental measurements on the ultrafast population dynamics of the model surface-active dye methyl orange (MO) during its ion transfer across the water|1,2-dichloroethane interface by using time-resolved surface second harmonic generation (TR-SSHG). The interfacial dynamics reveals that the population of MO relaxes to the ground state within 160 fs without any significant contribution of the molecular reorientation. It is concluded that the MO transfer across the interface considerably affects the population of MO at the interface but has no effect on the dynamics of the molecule itself

Universal scaling of plasmon coupling in metal nanostructures: Checking the validity for higher plasmonic modes using second harmonic generation

The universal scaling of plasmon coupling in metallic nanostructures is now a well-established feature. However, if the interaction between dipolar plasmon modes has been intensively studied, this is not the case of the coupling between higher order ones. Using Mie theory extended to second harmonic generation, we investigate the coupling between quadrupolar plasmon modes in metallic nanoshells. Like in the case of dipolar plasmon modes, a universal scaling behavior is observed in agreement with the plasmon hybridization model

Interfacial Self-Assembly of Water-Soluble Cationic Porphyrins for the Reduction of Oxygen to Water

AN APPEAL FROM JUDGMENT ENTERED BY THE THIRD JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, SALT LAKE COUNTY, STATE OF UTAH, MURRAY DEPARTMENT, The Hon. Michael K. Burton, Judge Presiding (Trial Court Case No. 00-201-0956

Structure–activity relationships of dinucleotides: Potent and selective agonists of P2Y receptors

Dinucleoside polyphosphates act as agonists on purinergic P2Y receptors to mediate a variety of cellular processes. Symmetrical, naturally occurring purine dinucleotides are found in most living cells and their actions are generally known. Unsymmetrical purine dinucleotides and all pyrimidine containing dinucleotides, however, are not as common and therefore their actions are not well understood. To carry out a thorough examination of the activities and specificities of these dinucleotides, a robust method of synthesis was developed to allow manipulation of either nucleoside of the dinucleotide as well as the phosphate chain lengths. Adenosine containing dinucleotides exhibit some level of activity on P2Y1 while uridine containing dinucleotides have some level of agonist response on P2Y2 and P2Y6. The length of the linking phosphate chain determines a different specificity; diphosphates are most accurately mimicked by dinucleoside triphosphates and triphosphates most resemble dinucleoside tetraphosphates. The pharmacological activities and relative metabolic stabilities of these dinucleotides are reported with their potential therapeutic applications being discussed

Second harmonic scattering from silver nanocubes

The second harmonic light scattered from silver nanocubes dispersed in an aqueous suspension is investigated. The first hyperpolarizability is determined and corrected for resonance enhancement. It is shown to be similar to that of silver nanospheres with a comparable volume. The polarization-resolved analysis of the scattered harmonic intensity exhibits a surface response strongly modulated by the different multipolar field contributions. As a result, the shape does not play a leading role anymore for nanoparticles with a centrosymmetric shape when retardation must be considered. Comparing the right angle and forward-scattered polarized intensity responses, the unequal balance of the eight nanocube corners' contribution to the total response is revealed despite the high degree of centrosymmetry of the cubic shape. It is then demonstrated with a simple model that the nanocubes' first hyperpolarizability exhibits an octupolar tensorial symmetry. The surface integral equation method calculations are finally provided to investigate further the role of the corners’ and edges’ rounding

The influence of socio-economic and surveillance characteristics on breast cancer survival: a French population-based study

Survival data on female invasive breast cancer with 9-year follow-up from five French cancer registries were analysed by logistic regression for prognostic factors of cancer stage. The Kaplan–Meier method and log-rank test were used to estimate and compare the overall survival probability at 5 and 7 years, and at the endpoint. The Cox regression model was used for multivariate analysis. County of residence, age group, occupational status, mammographic surveillance, gynaecological prevention consultations and the diagnosis mammography, whether within a screening framework or not, were independent prognostic factors of survival. Moreover, for the same age group, and only for cancers T2 and/or N+ (whether 1, 2 or 3) and M0, the prognosis was significantly better when the diagnosis mammography was done within the framework of screening. Socio-economic and surveillance characteristics are independent prognostic factors of both breast cancer stage at diagnosis and of survival. Screening mammography is an independent prognostic factor of survival

Dose response of the 16p11.2 distal copy number variant on intracranial volume and basal ganglia.

Carriers of large recurrent copy number variants (CNVs) have a higher risk of developing neurodevelopmental disorders. The 16p11.2 distal CNV predisposes carriers to e.g., autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia. We compared subcortical brain volumes of 12 16p11.2 distal deletion and 12 duplication carriers to 6882 non-carriers from the large-scale brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging collaboration, ENIGMA-CNV. After stringent CNV calling procedures, and standardized FreeSurfer image analysis, we found negative dose-response associations with copy number on intracranial volume and on regional caudate, pallidum and putamen volumes (β = -0.71 to -1.37; P < 0.0005). In an independent sample, consistent results were obtained, with significant effects in the pallidum (β = -0.95, P = 0.0042). The two data sets combined showed significant negative dose-response for the accumbens, caudate, pallidum, putamen and ICV (P = 0.0032, 8.9 × 10-6, 1.7 × 10-9, 3.5 × 10-12 and 1.0 × 10-4, respectively). Full scale IQ was lower in both deletion and duplication carriers compared to non-carriers. This is the first brain MRI study of the impact of the 16p11.2 distal CNV, and we demonstrate a specific effect on subcortical brain structures, suggesting a neuropathological pattern underlying the neurodevelopmental syndromes

16p11.2 Locus modulates response to satiety before the onset of obesity

Background: The 600 kb BP4-BP5 copy number variants (CNVs) at the 16p11.2 locus have been associated with a range of neurodevelopmental conditions including autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia. The number of genomic copies in this region is inversely correlated with body mass index (BMI): the deletion is associated with a highly penetrant form of obesity (present in 50% of carriers by the age of 7 years and in 70% of adults), and the duplication with being underweight. Mechanisms underlying this energy imbalance remain unknown. Objective: This study aims to investigate eating behavior, cognitive traits and their relationships with BMI in carriers of 16p11.2 CNVs. Methods: We assessed individuals carrying a 16p11.2 deletion or duplication and their intrafamilial controls using food-related behavior questionnaires and cognitive measures. We also compared these carriers with cohorts of individuals presenting with obesity, binge eating disorder or bulimia. Results: Response to satiety is gene dosage-dependent in pediatric CNV carriers. Altered satiety response is present in young deletion carriers before the onset of obesity. It remains altered in adolescent carriers and correlates with obesity. Adult deletion carriers exhibit eating behavior similar to that seen in a cohort of obesity without eating disorders such as bulimia or binge eating. None of the cognitive measures are associated with eating behavior or BMI. Conclusions: These findings suggest that abnormal satiety response is a strong contributor to the energy imbalance in 16p11.2 CNV carriers, and, akin to other genetic forms of obesity, altered satiety responsiveness in children precedes the increase in BMI observed later in adolescence