Non-radiative de-excitation of deep centres

We develop a quantitative theory of the ratio R of radiative to non-radiative de-excitation based on the Dexter-Klick-Russell criterion for the occurrence of luminescence. The model invokes three essential elements: a promoting mode, an accepting mode, and a set of lattice modes which ultimately absorb the vibrational energy. The ratio R is determined by the relative population of the relaxed excited and ground states. We show that Rnx(a)/ng(a), where nx(a) and ng(a) are the numbers of vibrational quanta in the accepting mode associated with the excited state and the ground state, respectively, at the crossing of their adiabatic potential energy curves. The result is consistent with experiment

On the luminescence and absence of luminescence of F centers

A model, proposed originally by Dexter, Klick and Russell, is used to explain the occurence or non-occurence of F-center luminescence in ionic crystals, in terms of a simple two-state configuration coordinate diagram. In this model, which works for all known cases, luminescence is quenched by a competing non-radiative process whenever the intersection of the ground and excited state curves lies below the energy reached in absorption in a vertical (Franck-Condon) transition. The criterion for the occurence of luminescence is expressed as Λ < 1/4 , where Λ (=excited-state lattice-relaxation energy/optical-absorption energy) is a parameter, related to the relative displacement of the two curves, which can be inferred from data on the temperature dependence of the F-band line width. Thus the possibility of observing luminescence can be predicted from optical absorption data alone. It is found emperically that Λ for alkali halides with rocksalt structure is independent of lattice parameter, and the observed dependence of Λ on the ratio of ionic radii in terms of ion-size effects. Values of Λ range from 0.009 for CsF to 0.831 for LiI; NaCl with Λ = 0.260 is a marginal case for luminescence

ALTERNATIVE FORMS FOR THE PROMOTING INTERACTION IN RADIATIONLESS TRANSITIONS

Alternative forms for the radiationless transition rate in the adiabatic coupling scheme are derived, with a minimum of special assumptions, for the case of coupling to several distinct promoting and accepting coordinates. Their relation to the static coupling scheme is discussed. The resulting expressions are suitable for use with state-of-the-art electronic structure calculations, i.e. not merely model systems. The appropriate application of pseudopotential theory in this context is considered

The ground state of two-hole centres in oxides

The nature of the ground state of the V centre in ionic oxides is discussed, where two holes are trapped by a cation vacancy. Experiment appears to indicate an S=1 ground state for BeO and Al 2 O 3 and possibly ZnO, with S=0 in MgO and CaO. Simple theoretical arguments suggest S=0. It is shown that a weak mixture of (O 0 O 2- ) configurations into the dominant (O - O - ) configuration can explain the observations. Quantitative calculations are given for MgO, and suggest the singlet state is lowest by about 30 cm -1

Development and Validation of the Behavioral Tendencies Questionnaire

At a fundamental level, taxonomy of behavior and behavioral tendencies can be described in terms of approach, avoid, or equivocate (i.e., neither approach nor avoid). While there are numerous theories of personality, temperament, and character, few seem to take advantage of parsimonious taxonomy. The present study sought to implement this taxonomy by creating a questionnaire based on a categorization of behavioral temperaments/tendencies first identified in Buddhist accounts over fifteen hundred years ago. Items were developed using historical and contemporary texts of the behavioral temperaments, described as “Greedy/Faithful”, “Aversive/Discerning”, and “Deluded/Speculative”. To both maintain this categorical typology and benefit from the advantageous properties of forced-choice response format (e.g., reduction of response biases), binary pairwise preferences for items were modeled using Latent Class Analysis (LCA). One sample (n1 = 394) was used to estimate the item parameters, and the second sample (n2 = 504) was used to classify the participants using the established parameters and cross-validate the classification against multiple other measures. The cross-validated measure exhibited good nomothetic span (construct-consistent relationships with related measures) that seemed to corroborate the ideas present in the original Buddhist source documents. The final 13-block questionnaire created from the best performing items (the Behavioral Tendencies Questionnaire or BTQ) is a psychometrically valid questionnaire that is historically consistent, based in behavioral tendencies, and promises practical and clinical utility particularly in settings that teach and study meditation practices such as Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

The occurrence and management of fluid retention associated with TKI therapy in CML, with a focus on dasatinib

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) like dasatinib and nilotinib are indicated as second-line treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia resistant or intolerant to the current first-line TKI imatinib. These are agents are well tolerated, but potent and as such should be monitored for potentially serious side-effects like fluid retention and pleural effusions. Here we present key clinical trial data and safety considerations for all FDA approved TKIs in context for effective management of fluid retention and pleural effusions. Altering the dasatinib regimen from 70 mg twice daily to 100 mg daily reduces the risk of pleural effusion for patients taking dasatinib. Should pleural effusion develop, dasatinib should be interrupted until the condition resolves. Patients with a history of pleural effusion risk factors should be monitored closely while taking dasatinib. Patients receiving imatinib and nilotinib are not without risk of fluid retention. All patients should also be educated to recognize and report key symptoms of fluid retention or pleural effusion. Pleural effusions are generally managed by dose interruption/reduction and other supportive measures in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia receiving dasatinib therapy

The use of contextualised standardised client simulation to develop clinical reasoning in final year veterinary students

Clinical reasoning is an important skill for veterinary students to develop before graduation. Simulation has been studied in medical education as a method for developing clinical reasoning in students, but evidence supporting it is limited. This study involved the creation of a contextualized, standardized client simulation session that aimed to improve the clinical reasoning ability and confidence of final-year veterinary students. Sixty-eight participants completed three simulated primary-care consultations, with the client played by an actor and the pet by a healthy animal. Survey data showed that all participants felt that the session improved their clinical decision-making ability. Quantitative clinical reasoning self-assessment, performed using a validated rubric, triangulated this finding, showing an improvement in students’ perception of several components of their clinical reasoning skill level from before the simulation to after it. Blinded researcher analysis of the consultation video recordings found that students showed a significant increase in ability on the history-taking and making-sense-of-data (including formation of a differential diagnosis) components of the assessment rubric. Thirty students took part in focus groups investigating their experience with the simulation. Two themes arose from thematic analysis of these data: variety of reasoning methods and “It’s a different way of thinking.” The latter highlights differences between the decision making students practice during their time in education and the decision making they will use once they are in practice. Our findings suggest that simulation can be used to develop clinical reasoning in veterinary students, and they demonstrate the need for further research in this area

Alteration of EGFR Spatiotemporal Dynamics Suppresses Signal Transduction

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which regulates cell growth and survival, is integral to colon tumorigenesis. Lipid rafts play a role in regulating EGFR signaling, and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is known to perturb membrane domain organization through changes in lipid rafts. Therefore, we investigated the mechanistic link between EGFR function and DHA. Membrane incorporation of DHA into immortalized colonocytes altered the lateral organization of EGFR. DHA additionally increased EGFR phosphorylation but paradoxically suppressed downstream signaling. Assessment of the EGFR-Ras-ERK1/2 signaling cascade identified Ras GTP binding as the locus of the DHA-induced disruption of signal transduction. DHA also antagonized EGFR signaling capacity by increasing receptor internalization and degradation. DHA suppressed cell proliferation in an EGFR-dependent manner, but cell proliferation could be partially rescued by expression of constitutively active Ras. Feeding chronically-inflamed, carcinogen-injected C57BL/6 mice a fish oil containing diet enriched in DHA recapitulated the effects on the EGFR signaling axis observed in cell culture and additionally suppressed tumor formation. We conclude that DHA-induced alteration in both the lateral and subcellular localization of EGFR culminates in the suppression of EGFR downstream signal transduction, which has implications for the molecular basis of colon cancer prevention by DHA