The validation of the association between gene polymorphisms and the cytogenetic abnormalities frequency in the cohort of radiation facility employees

The results from the research into the association between polymorphisms of genes-candidates for individual radiosensitivity and the frequency and spectrum of cytogenetic abnormalities are analyzed. These polymorphisms have been previously identified in our microarray studies using “Cancer_SNP_Panel GT-17- 211” (“Illumina”, USA) in 2013. The study was conducted among Siberian Group of Chemical Enterprises healthy employees (n = 158) exposed to professional irradiation in a dose range of 100-300 mSv. We have found that 16 SNPs are associated with the frequency of dicentric and ring (the radiation exposure markers). We have found that 9 SNPs are confirmed to be associated with the frequency of dicentric (INSR rs1051690, TNKS rs33945943, CYP24A1 rs751087, GSK3B rs4624596, GSK3B rs4688046, GSK3B rs10934500, GSK3B rs1574154, GSK3B rs2873950, VCAM1 rs2392221) and 14 SNPs are confirmed to be associated with the frequency of ring (ESR1 rs488133, PIN1 rs889162, PIN1 rs2233679, CYP2С19 rs4986894, CYP24A1 rs751087, APAF1 rs2288729, MPDU1 rs4227, GSK3B rs4624596, GSK3B rs4688046, GSK3B rs10934500, GSK3B rs10934503, GSK3B rs1574154, GSK3B rs2873950, VCAM1 rs2392221)

Non-Visual Effects of Light on Melatonin, Alertness and Cognitive Performance: Can Blue-Enriched Light Keep Us Alert?

Light exposure can cascade numerous effects on the human circadian process via the non-imaging forming system, whose spectral relevance is highest in the short-wavelength range. Here we investigated if commercially available compact fluorescent lamps with different colour temperatures can impact on alertness and cognitive performance

In situ photoelectron spectroscopy of titanium-containing amorphous hydrogenated carbon films

Titanium-containing amorphous hydrogenated carbon films (a-C:H/Ti) have been deposited by a medium-frequency-driven physical vapor deposition plasma-enhanced chemical-vapor deposition process at 40 kHz. Core-level photoelectron spectroscopy and valence-band photoelectron spectroscopy have served as means for the characterization of these films. The spectroscopic data are interpreted by a structural model on the basis of a nanocomposite containing titanium carbide clusters embedded in an amorphous hydrogenated carbon matrix. Within this model parallel energy shifts in the measured positions of the Ti 2p core levels and of the Fermi edge can be explained by a one-electron charging effect of nanometer-sized TiC clusters due to the photoemission process

Temperature-induced metal-semiconductor transition in W-doped VO2 films studied by photoelectron spectroscopy

We present a photoemission study on reactively sputtered W-doped VO 2 films by high-resolution photoelectron spectroscopy. The valence band spectra and core-level lines were analyzed below and above transition temperature on vanadium dioxide films with different tungsten concentrations. It is shown that increase in tungsten content in the film results in decreased transition temperature and smeared metal-semiconductor transition. The centroid and the width of the valence band in the semiconducting state are found to be dependent on tungsten concentration in the film. In the metallic state the valence band width increases and becomes asymmetric demonstrating clearly Fermi edge. The V-2p and O-1s core-level lines exhibit broadening upon going through metal-semiconductor transition which is assigned to the interaction of core-level hole with d band in the final state. Detailed analysis of tungsten 4d core-level line revealed the tungsten valence to be 6+ and 5+

Reactivity of Rhodium during Co-Deposition of Rhodium and Carbon

The detailed characterizations of rhodium/carbon films prepared by co-deposition using a dual magnetron sputtering have been carried out on silicon substrates at room temperature. Effects of the carbon incorporated in the film on the chemical bonding state, optical reflectivity and crystallinity were investigated using XPS, reflectivity measurements, XRD and SEM. The incorporation of carbon changes the films' crystallinity and thus producing amorphous films. The reflectivity of the films decreases linearly as the rhodium concentration decreases. It is important to note that no chemical bonding was observed between rhodium and carbon whatever the deposition conditions, even at high deposition temperature. Concerning the reactivity of rhodium films with oxygen, after long term storage in air the rhodium surface is covered with a thin rhodium oxide (few nanometers). However, for these films no variation of the optical reflectivity was observed after long air storage

Characterization of Sub-Stoichiometric Rhodium Oxide Deposited by Magnetron Sputtering

The preparation and detailed characterization of sub-stoichiometric rhodium oxide films prepared by magnetron sputtering at room temperature have been carried out on silicon substrates. Effects of the oxygen gas flow ratio on chemical bonding state, optical reflectivity and crystallinity were investigated using XPS, reflectivity measurements, XRD and SEM. For oxygen flow ratios higher than 2%, the films become amorphous with high resistivity (1.5 × 10 −5 Ω m) indicating semiconducting properties. The same experiments were performed at 300 °C and even with high oxygen gas flow ratio the films always have a metallic component. Moreover, for high fractions of oxygen in the plasma, films are always sub-stoichiometric

Sex differences in light sensitivity impact on brightness perception, vigilant attention and sleep in humans

Artificial light endows a “round-the-clock”, 24-h/7-d society. Chronic exposure to light at night contributes to health hazards for humans, including disorders of sleep. Yet the influence of inter-individual traits, such as sex-differences, on light sensitivity remains to be established. Here we investigated potential sex-differences to evening light exposure of 40 lx at 6500 K (blue-enriched) or at 2500 K (non-blue-enriched), and their impact on brightness perception, vigilant attention and sleep physiology. In contrast to women, men had higher brightness perception and faster reaction times in a sustained attention task during blue-enriched light than non-blue-enriched. After blue-enriched light exposure, men had significantly higher all-night frontal NREM sleep slow-wave activity (SWA: 2–4 Hz), than women, particularly during the beginning of the sleep episode. Furthermore, brightness perception during blue-enriched light significantly predicted men’s improved sustained attention performance and increased frontal NREM SWA. Our data indicate that, in contrast to women, men show a stronger response to blue-enriched light in the late evening even at very low light levels (40lux), as indexed by increased vigilant attention and sleep EEG hallmarks. Collectively, the data indicate that sex differences in light sensitivity might play a key role for ensuring the success of individually-targeted light interventions

Nc-VO2/Al2O3 Nanocomposite Films Prepared by Dual Target Magnetron Sputtering

A dual target magnetron sputtering system was used to synthesize nanocomposite films with VO 2 nanocrystals embedded in Al 2 O 3 matrix. Glancing incidence X-ray diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy reveal the formation of VO 2 nanocrystallites with monoclinic structure. X-ray photoemission analysis confirmed that oxide particles predominantly possess VO 2 stoichiometry. Valence band spectra acquired below and above transition temperature demonstrate that embedded VO 2 particles exhibit a first-order monoclinic-to-tetragonal phase transition, however the band shape in a metallic state exhibits feature that is not characteristic for bulk material