Thin film characterization of novel phthalimide materials

Spin coating technique is employed to produce thin phthalimide films using novel p-phthalimidobenzoic acid (FIBA) and N-(phthalimido)-p-aminobenzoic acid (FIABA) materials. Several spin speeds and various solution concentrations are chosen to monitor the thin film deposition process of these new materials. The optical properties are studied using UV-visible spectroscopy and spectroscopic ellipsometry methods. The absorption of the FIBA and FIABA films against the spin speed showed an exponential behavior. π →π ∗ transition is occurred. The thicknesses of thin films at 2000 rpm are obtained 15.86 nm for FIBA and 12.99 nm for FIABA using spectroscopic ellipsometry results

Xmm-newton observations of luminous sources in nearby galaxies ngc 4395, ngc 4736, and ngc 4258

We present the results of a study of non-nuclear discrete sources in a sample of three nearby spiral galaxies (NGC 4395, NGC 4736, and NGC 4258) based on XMM-Newton archival data supplemented with Chandra data for spectral and timing analyses. A total of 75 X-ray sources have been detected within the D25 regions of the target galaxies. The large collecting area of XMM-Newton makes the statistics sufficient to obtain spectral fitting for 16 (about 20%) of these sources. Compiling the extensive archival exposures available, we were able to obtain the detailed spectral shapes of diverse classes of point sources. We have also studied temporal properties of these luminous sources. Eleven of them are found to show short-term (less than 80 ks) variation while eight of them show long-term variation within factors of ~2-5 during a time interval of ~2-12 years. Timing analysis provides strong evidence that most of these sources are accreting X-ray binary systems. One source that has properties different from others was suspected to be a supernova remnant, and our follow-up optical observation confirmed this. Our results indicate that sources within the three nearby galaxies are showing a variety of source populations, including several ultraluminous X-ray sources, X-ray binaries, transients together with a super soft source, and a background active galactic nucleus candidate. © 2013. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved

Antithrombin, protein C, and protein S: genome and transcriptome-wide association studies identify 7 novel loci regulating plasma levels

Background:Antithrombin, PC (protein C), and PS (protein S) are circulating natural anticoagulant proteins that regulate hemostasis and of which partial deficiencies are causes of venous thromboembolism. Previous genetic association studies involving antithrombin, PC, and PS were limited by modest sample sizes or by being restricted to candidate genes. In the setting of the Cohorts for Heart and Aging Research in Genomic Epidemiology consortium, we meta-analyzed across ancestries the results from 10 genome-wide association studies of plasma levels of antithrombin, PC, PS free, and PS total. Methods:Study participants were of European and African ancestries, and genotype data were imputed to TOPMed, a dense multiancestry reference panel. Each of the 10 studies conducted a genome-wide association studies for each phenotype and summary results were meta-analyzed, stratified by ancestry. Analysis of antithrombin included 25 243 European ancestry and 2688 African ancestry participants, PC analysis included 16 597 European ancestry and 2688 African ancestry participants, PSF and PST analysis included 4113 and 6409 European ancestry participants. We also conducted transcriptome-wide association analyses and multiphenotype analysis to discover additional associations. Novel genome-wide association studies and transcriptome-wide association analyses findings were validated by in vitro functional experiments. Mendelian randomization was performed to assess the causal relationship between these proteins and cardiovascular outcomes. Results:Genome-wide association studies meta-analyses identified 4 newly associated loci: 3 with antithrombin levels (GCKR, BAZ1B, and HP-TXNL4B) and 1 with PS levels (ORM1-ORM2). transcriptome-wide association analyses identified 3 newly associated genes: 1 with antithrombin level (FCGRT), 1 with PC (GOLM2), and 1 with PS (MYL7). In addition, we replicated 7 independent loci reported in previous studies. Functional experiments provided evidence for the involvement of GCKR, SNX17, and HP genes in antithrombin regulation. Conclusions:The use of larger sample sizes, diverse populations, and a denser imputation reference panel allowed the detection of 7 novel genomic loci associated with plasma antithrombin, PC, and PS levels.Clinical epidemiolog

Genome-wide analysis of multi-ancestry cohorts identifies new loci influencing intraocular pressure and susceptibility to glaucoma.

To access publisher's full text version of this article click on the hyperlink at the bottom of the pageElevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is an important risk factor in developing glaucoma, and variability in IOP might herald glaucomatous development or progression. We report the results of a genome-wide association study meta-analysis of 18 population cohorts from the International Glaucoma Genetics Consortium (IGGC), comprising 35,296 multi-ancestry participants for IOP. We confirm genetic association of known loci for IOP and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and identify four new IOP-associated loci located on chromosome 3q25.31 within the FNDC3B gene (P = 4.19 × 10(-8) for rs6445055), two on chromosome 9 (P = 2.80 × 10(-11) for rs2472493 near ABCA1 and P = 6.39 × 10(-11) for rs8176693 within ABO) and one on chromosome 11p11.2 (best P = 1.04 × 10(-11) for rs747782). Separate meta-analyses of 4 independent POAG cohorts, totaling 4,284 cases and 95,560 controls, showed that 3 of these loci for IOP were also associated with POAG.K08 EY022943/EY/NEI NIH HHS/United State