Negative Giant Longitudinal Magnetoresistance in NiMnSb/InSb: An interface effect

We report on the electrical and magneto-transport properties of the contact formed between polycrystalline NiMnSb thin films grown using pulsed laser deposition (PLD) and n-type degenerate InSb (100) substrates. A negative giant magnetoresistance (GMR) effect is observed when the external magnetic field is parallel to the surface of the film and to the current direction. We attribute the observed phenomenon to magnetic precipitates formed during the magnetic film deposition and confined to a narrow layer at the interface. The effect of these precipitates on the magnetoresistance depends on the thermal processing of the system.Comment: 14 pages, 4 figure

Emittance reduction with variable bending magnet strengths: Analytical optics considerations and application to the Compact Linear Collider damping ring design

One of the main challenges of the lattice design of synchrotrons, used as light sources or damping rings (DRs), is the minimization of the emittance. The optimal lattice configurations for achieving the absolute minimum emittance are the theoretical minimum emittance (TME) cells. This paper elaborates the optimization strategy in order to further reduce the betatron emittance of a TME cell by using dipoles whose magnetic field varies longitudinally. Based on analytical results, the magnet design for the fabrication of variable bends with the optimal characteristics is discussed. In order to have a global understanding of all cell properties, an analytical approach for the theoretical minimum emittance (TME) cells with variable bends is elaborated. This approach is employed for the design optimization of the Compact Linear Collider (CLIC) DRs. The margin gained in the emittance including IBS based on this new design strategy enables the removal of a number of TME cells from the existing arcs while still keeping the requirements of the collider. The reduction of the circumference is further enhanced by the use of optimized high-field wigglers. The optimization strategy followed for the CLIC DRs is explained in detail and the output parameters of the new design are presented

Nitrotriazole-based acetamides and propanamides with broad spectrum antitrypanosomal activity.

3-Nitro-1H-1,2,4-triazole-based acetamides bearing a biphenyl- or a phenoxyphenyl moiety have shown remarkable antichagasic activity both in vitro and in an acute murine model, as well as substantial in vitro antileishmanial activity but lacked activity against human African trypanosomiasis. We have shown now that by inserting a methylene group in the linkage to obtain the corresponding propanamides, both antichagasic and in particular anti-human African trypanosomiasis potency was increased. Therefore, IC50 values at low nM concentrations against both T. cruzi and T. b. rhodesiense, along with huge selectivity indices were obtained. Although several propanamides were active against Leishmania donovani, they were slightly less potent than their corresponding acetamides. There was a good correlation between lipophilicity (clogP value) and trypanocidal activity, for all new compounds. Type I nitroreductase, an enzyme absent from the human host, played a role in the activation of the new compounds, which may function as prodrugs. Antichagasic activity in vivo was also demonstrated with representative propanamides.This work was supported in part by internal funds of the Radiation Medicine Department at NorthShore University HealthSystem. In addition, the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) received financial support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) to perform the in vitro screenings against parasites

Efectos de los métodos de procesado y de las condiciones de almacenamiento comercial en los índices de calidad del aceite virgen extra

The effect of machinery groups, packing materials and light intensities was ascertained on indices of oxidative deterioration, peroxide value, and extinction coefficient K232 and K270 of extra virgin olive oil for one season of olive harvesting in an effort to simulate commercial storage conditions. It was revealed that during the storage of olive oil the peroxide value was significantly affected by the type of extraction machinery, packing material and light intensity. It is significant that oil exposed to diffused daylight and artificial light attained maximum PV in the second or third month of storage and de creased thereafter, while samples stored in the dark attained their maximum PV during the sixth month of storage. Oil samples extracted using the centrifugal type of machines and kept in glass containers in the dark had higher peroxide values than those extracted by the classic method. The rate of changes of the PV and the two indices K232 and K270 was also affected similarly by the type of machinery, packing material and light intensity.El efecto de la maquinaria, el material de envasado y la intensidad de luz fue relacionado con los índices de deterioración oxidativa, índice de peróxidos (IP) y coeficientes de extinción K232 y K270 del aceite de oliva virgen extra durante una campaña de cosecha de aceituna en un esfuerzo por simular las condiciones de almacenamiento comercial. Esto reveló que durante el almacenamiento del aceite de oliva el índice de peróxidos fue afectado significativamente por el tipo de maquinaria de extracción, el material de envasado y la intensidad de luz. Es significativo que el aceite expuesto a la luz diaria difusa y a la artificial alcanzara el máximo IP en el segundo o tercer mes de almacenamiento, decreciendo a partir de este momento, mientras que las muestras almacenadas en oscuridad no alcanzaban su máximo IP hasta el sexto mes de conservación. Las muestras de aceite extraídas con centrífuga y mantenidas en contenedores vidrio en la oscuridad alcanzaron un IP mayor que las extraídas por el sistema clásico. Las velocidades de cambio del IP y de los K232 y K270 fueron también afectadas por el tipo de maquinaria extractora empleada, el material de envasado utilizado y la intensidad de luz recibida por el aceite durante su conservación

Investigating the KNDy hypothesis in humans by co-administration of kisspeptin, neurokinin B and naltrexone in men

Context: A subpopulation of hypothalamic neurons co-localise three neuropeptides namely kisspeptin, neurokinin B (NKB) and dynorphin collectively termed KNDy neurons. Animal studies suggest they interact to affect pulsatile GnRH release (KNDy hypothesis); kisspeptin stimulates, NKB modulates and dynorphin (an opioid) inhibits. Objective: To investigate the KNDy hypothesis in humans, we assessed for the first time the effects of co-administration of kisspeptin-54, NKB and an opioid receptor antagonist, naltrexone on LH pulsatility (surrogate marker for GnRH pulsatility) and gonadotropin release. Design, setting and participants: Ethically approved prospective, single-blinded placebo-controlled study. Healthy male volunteers (n=5/group) attended our research facility for 8 study visits. Intervention and main outcome measure: After 1h baseline blood sampling, participants received a different intervention at each visit: oral 50mg naltrexone (NAL), 8h intravenous infusions of vehicle, 2.56nmol/kg/h NKB (NKB), 0.1nmol/kg/h kissspeptin-54 (KP) alone and in combination. Frequent blood sampling to measure plasma gonadotropins and sex steroids was conducted and LH pulsatility was determined using blinded deconvolution analysis. Results: All kisspeptin and naltrexone containing groups potently increased LH and LH pulsatility (p<0.001 vs vehicle). NKB alone did not affect gonadotropins. NKB+KP had significantly lower increases in gonadotropins compared with kisspeptin alone (p<0.01). NAL+KP was the only group to significantly increase LH pulse amplitude (p<0.001 vs vehicle). Conclusions: Our results suggest significant interactions between the KNDy neuropeptides on LH pulsatility and gonadotropin release in humans. This has important implications for improving our understanding of GnRH pulse generation in humans

Description of an Institutional Cohort of Myeloid Neoplasms Carrying ETV6-Locus Deletions or ETV6 Rearrangements.

The gene encoding for transcription factor ETV6 presents recurrent lesions in hematologic neoplasms, most notably the ETV6-RUNX1 rearrangement in childhood B-ALL. The role of ETV6 for normal hematopoiesis is unknown, but loss of its function probably participates in oncogenic procedures. In myeloid neoplasms, ETV6-locus (12p13) deletions are rare but recurrent; ETV6 translocations are even rarer, but those reported seem to have phenotype-defining consequences. We herein describe the genetic and hematologic profile of myeloid neoplasms with ETV6 deletions (10 cases), or translocations (4 cases) diagnosed in the last 10 years in our institution. We find complex caryotype to be the most prevalent cytogenetics among patients with 12p13 deletion (8/10 patients), with most frequent coexisting anomalies being monosomy 7 or deletion 7q32 (5/10), monosomy 5 or del5q14-15 (5/10), and deletion/inversion of chromosome 20 (5/10), and most frequent point mutation being TP53 mutation (6/10 patients). Mechanisms of synergy of these lesions are unknown. We describe the entire genetic profile and hematologic phenotype of cases with extremely rare ETV6 translocations, confirming the biphenotypic T/myeloid nature of acute leukemia associated to ETV6-NCOA2 rearrangement, the association of t (1;12) (p36; p13) and of the CHIC2-ETV6 fusion with MDS/AML, and the association of the ETV6-ACSL6 rearrangement with myeloproliferative neoplasm with eosinophilia. Mutation of the intact ETV6 allele was present in two cases and seems to be subclonal to the chromosomal lesions. Decoding the mechanisms of disease related to ETV6 haploinsufficiency or rearrangements is important for the understanding of pathogenesis of myeloid neoplasms and fundamental research must be guided by observational cues