Synthesis of small silver nanocubes in a hydrophobic solvent by introducing oxidative etching with Fe(III) species

The role of oxidative etching in the synthesis of noble-metal nanocrystals with a hydrophilic solvent (in particular, ethylene glycol) has been explored in our previous work. In this paper, we demonstrate that the mechanism of oxidative etching could be extended to the synthesis of single-crystal Ag nanocrystals in a hydrophobic solvent such as isoamyl ether. In this case, Fe(III) species in the form of FeCl3 or Fe(acac)(3) had to be introduced into the hydrophobic system as an effective etching agent. The final product contained single-crystal Ag nanocubes (slightly truncated) with an edge length as small as similar to 13.5 nm, a size that has been difficult to achieve using a hydrophilic system. The role of oxidative etching in the synthesis of noble-metal nanocrystals with a hydrophilic solvent (in particular, ethylene glycol) has been explored in our previous work. In this paper, we demonstrate that the mechanism of oxidative etching could be extended to the synthesis of single-crystal Ag nanocrystals in a hydrophobic solvent such as isoamyl ether. In this case, Fe(III) species in the form of FeCl3 or Fe(acac)(3) had to be introduced into the hydrophobic system as an effective etching agent. The final product contained single-crystal Ag nanocubes (slightly truncated) with an edge length as small as similar to 13.5 nm, a size that has been difficult to achieve using a hydrophilic system.NSF [DMR-0804088, ECS-0335765]; NIH [DP1 OD000798]; China Scholarship Counci

Measuring strangeness matrix elements of the nucleon

Experiments are proposed to measure various strangeness matrix elements of the nucleon. Examples are electro- and neutrino- production of phi mesons and the difference between neutrino and antineutrino scattering from isospin zero targets, e.g., deuterons

Multi-omic studies on missense PLG variants in families with otitis media

Otitis media (OM), a very common disease in young children, can result in hearing loss. In order to potentially replicate previously reported associations between OM and PLG, exome and Sanger sequencing, RNA-sequencing of saliva and middle ear samples, 16S rRNA sequencing, molecular modeling, and statistical analyses including transmission disequilibrium tests (TDT) were performed in a multi-ethnic cohort of 718 families and simplex cases with OM. We identified four rare PLG variants c.112A > G (p.Lys38Glu), c.782G > A (p.Arg261His), c.1481C > T (p.Ala494Val) and c.2045 T > A (p.Ile682Asn), and one common variant c.1414G > A (p.Asp472Asn). However TDT analyses for these PLG variants did not demonstrate association with OM in 314 families. Additionally PLG expression is very low or absent in normal or diseased middle ear in mouse and human, and salivary expression and microbial a-diversity were non-significant in c.1414G > A (p.Asp472Asn) carriers. Based on molecular modeling, the novel rare variants particularly c.782G > A (p.Arg261His) and c.2045 T > A (p.Ile682Asn) were predicted to affect protein structure. Exploration of other potential disease mechanisms will help elucidate how PLG contributes to OM susceptibility in humans. Our results underline the importance of following up findings from genome-wide association through replication studies, preferably using multi-omic datasets.Peer reviewe

Advanced soluble hydroliquefaction and hydrotreating catalysts

The purpose of the present program is to develop soluble analogs of surface confined catalysts that can be impregnated directly into the coal structure at low temperatures. This approach should avoid problems related to surface area dependence, a two phase (surface-liquid) reaction system and, mass transport limitations

Section on prospects for dark matter detection of the white paper on the status and future of ground-based TeV gamma-ray astronomy.

This is a report on the findings of the dark matter science working group for the white paper on the status and future of TeV gamma-ray astronomy. The white paper was commissioned by the American Physical Society, and the full white paper can be found on astro-ph (arXiv:0810.0444). This detailed section discusses the prospects for dark matter detection with future gamma-ray experiments, and the complementarity of gamma-ray measurements with other indirect, direct or accelerator-based searches. We conclude that any comprehensive search for dark matter should include gamma-ray observations, both to identify the dark matter particle (through the characteristics of the gamma-ray spectrum) and to measure the distribution of dark matter in galactic halos

Raman spectroscopy at simultaneous pressure and temperature: Phase relations and lattice dynamics of CaCo sub 3

Raman spectra of oriented single crystals of calcite were measured at simultaneous high pressures and temperatures up to 40 kbar and 350{degrees}C. The fluorescence frequency shift of Sm:YAG was utilized for accurate pressure determination at elevated temperature, which exhibits negligible temperature shift in this temperature range. With increasing pressure the calcite-CaCO{sub 3}(II) and CaCO{sub 3}(II)-CaCO{sub 3}(III) transformations are observed at 14.5 and 18.5 kbar, respectively, and CaCO{sub 3}(III) remains the stable phase beyond 40 kbar. At elevated temperature and pressure, the width of the CaCO{sub 3}(II) stability field decreases and, at temperatures greater than 200{degrees}C, CaCO{sub 3}(III) transforms to aragonite. The CaCO{sub 3}(III)-aragonite phase boundary is insensitive to pressure over the 20 to 40 kbar interval. Calcite-CaCO{sub 3}(II) phase transition is first order and reversible, the CaCO{sub 3}(II)-CaCO{sub 3}(III) transition exhibits kinetic irreversibility, and the CaCo{sub 3}(III)-aragonite transition is sluggish and irreversible. Lattice dynamical calculations along T to F direction in calcite indicate an unstable phonon mode. The atomic displacements associated with this mode are consistent with those required for a continuous, displacive calcite-CaCO{sub 3}(II) phase transition. 29 refs., 3 figs

Laser-induced fluorescence in doped metal oxide planar waveguides deposited from aqueous solutions

An aqueous route to the deposition of complex metal oxide films is based upton the complexation of the corresponding metal nitrate salts by glycine, followed by spin-casting the concentrated solution onto silica substrates. The presence of glycine serves to frustrate precipitation and leads to the formation of a glassy matrix through which metal cations are homogeneously dispersed. Subsequent heating of coated substrates initiates an oxidation-reduction reaction which removes the organic matrix and residual nitrate leaving behind a film of the desired oxide composition. Using this method, ruby (Cr:Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}) and Sm:YAG (Sm:Y{sub 3}Al{sub 5}O{sub 12}) films on the order of 150 nm thick have been deposited. The respective phase have been confirmed by XRD data and from the measured fluorescence spectra. The red fluorescence exhibited by these materials under 488 nm excitation is dependent upon the ambient temperature and pressure. A marked shift in wavelength is observed as a function of increasing pressure. Ruby also exhibits a temperature dependent wavelength shift in contrast to Sm:YAG where a negligible shift is seen to temperatures near 1200 K. Fluorescence lifetimes of both materials exhibit a temperature dependence which varies with dopant concentration. This work suggests the possible application of these films as pressure-temperature sensors in a planar waveguide configuration or as a coating material for optical fibers. Details of the deposition process will be reviewed and the fluorescence response of both types of films will be summarized. 15 refs., 4 figs

Assessment of concentration mechanisms for organic wastes in underground storage tanks at Hanford

Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL) has conducted an initial conservative evaluation of physical and chemical processes that could lead to significant localized concentrations of organic waste constituents in the Hanford underground storage tanks (USTs). This evaluation was part of ongoing studies at Hanford to assess potential safety risks associated with USTs containing organics. Organics in the tanks could pose a potential problem if localized concentrations are high enough to propagate combustion and are in sufficient quantity to produce a large heat and/or gas release if in contact with a suitable oxidant. The major sources of oxidants are oxygen in the overhead gas space of the tanks and sodium nitrate and nitrite either as salt cake solids or dissolved in the supernatant and interstitial liquids

Mutations in KCTD1 Cause Scalp-Ear-Nipple Syndrome

Scalp-ear-nipple (SEN) syndrome is a rare, autosomal-dominant disorder characterized by cutis aplasia of the scalp; minor anomalies of the external ears, digits, and nails; and malformations of the breast. We used linkage analysis and exome sequencing of a multiplex family affected by SEN syndrome to identify potassium-channel tetramerization-domain-containing 1 (KCTD1) mutations that cause SEN syndrome. Evaluation of a total of ten families affected by SEN syndrome revealed KCTD1 missense mutations in each family tested. All of the mutations occurred in a KCTD1 region encoding a highly conserved bric-a-brac, tram track, and broad complex (BTB) domain that is required for transcriptional repressor activity. KCTD1 inhibits the transactivation of the transcription factor AP-2 alpha (TFAP2A) via its BTB domain, and mutations in TFAP2A cause cutis aplasia in individuals with branchiooculofacial syndrome (BOFS), suggesting a potential overlap in the pathogenesis of SEN syndrome and BOFS. the identification of KCTD1 mutations in SEN syndrome reveals a role for this BTB-domain-containing transcriptional repressor during ectodermal development.National Institutes of Health National Human Genome Research InstituteLife Sciences Discovery FundWashington Research FoundationMassachusetts Gen Hosp, Cutaneous Biol Res Ctr, Charlestown, MA 02129 USAUniv Washington, Dept Pediat, Seattle, WA 98195 USAUniv Washington, Dept Genome Sci, Seattle, WA 98195 USAUniv Western Sydney Macarthur, Sch Med, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, AustraliaGenet Learning Disabil Serv, Newcastle, NSW 2298, AustraliaJohns Hopkins Univ, Sch Med, McKusick Nathans Inst Genet Med, Baltimore, MD 21205 USAUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Morphol & Genet, Clin Genet Ctr, BR-04021001 São Paulo, BrazilPontificia Univ Catolica Parana, Dept Internal Med, BR-1155 Curitiba, Parana, BrazilWestern Gen Hosp, South East Scotland Clin Genet Serv, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, Midlothian, ScotlandUniv Florence, Dept Genet & Mol Med, I-50132 Florence, ItalyHop Necker Enfants Malad, Dept Genet, INSERM, U781, F-75015 Paris, FranceUniv Paris Descartes Sorbonne Paris Cite, Inst Imagine, F-75015 Paris, FranceHop Cote Nacre, CHU Caen, Serv Genet, F-14033 Caen 9, FranceUniv Connecticut, Ctr Hlth, Dept Reconstruct Sci, Farmington, CT 06030 USABoston Childrens Hosp, Dept Plast & Oral Surg, Boston, MA 02115 USATreuman Katz Ctr Pediat Bioeth, Seattle Childrens Res Inst, Seattle, WA 98101 USAUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Morphol & Genet, Clin Genet Ctr, BR-04021001 São Paulo, BrazilNational Institutes of Health National Human Genome Research Institute: 1U54HG006493National Institutes of Health National Human Genome Research Institute: 1RC2HG005608National Institutes of Health National Human Genome Research Institute: 5RO1HG004316Life Sciences Discovery Fund: 2065508Life Sciences Discovery Fund: 0905001Web of Scienc