Dynamics of Pulsed X-Ray Radiation of a Plasma Micropinch Discharge

Plasma Physics Reports - A complex of diagnostic equipment has been created and a measurement procedure has been developed for a multi-channel scintillation X-ray spectrometer with nanosecond time...     

On the Feasibility of a Coulomb Explosion in a Micropinch

Plasma Physics Reports - In this paper we present experimental data on the generation of ions with MeV-energy in a Z-pinch discharge in a heavy-element medium. The calculations show that the escape...     

Flow Measurements in a Blood-Perfused Collagen Vessel Using X-Ray Micro-Particle Image Velocimetry

Blood-perfused tissue models are joining the emerging field of tumor engineering because they provide new avenues for modulation of the tumor microenvironment and preclinical evaluation of the therapeutic potential of new treatments. The characterization of fluid flow parameters in such in-vitro perfused tissue models is a critical step towards better understanding and manipulating the tumor microenvironment. However, traditional optical flow measurement methods are inapplicable because of the opacity of blood and the thickness of the tissue sample. In order to overcome the limitations of optical method we demonstrate the feasibility of using phase-contrast x-ray imaging to perform microscale particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements of flow in blood perfused hydrated tissue-representative microvessels. However, phase contrast x-ray images significantly depart from the traditional PIV image paradigm, as they have high intensity background, very low signal-to-noise ratio, and volume integration effects. Hence, in order to achieve accurate measurements special attention must be paid to the image processing and PIV cross-correlation methodologies. Therefore we develop and demonstrate a methodology that incorporates image preprocessing as well as advanced PIV cross-correlation methods to result in measured velocities within experimental uncertainty.     

High-Power X-Ray Line Radiation of the Plasma Produced in a Collision of High-Energy Plasma Flows

Results are presented from experimental studies of a pulsed source of soft X-ray (SXR) emission with photon energies in the range of 0.4–1 keV and an output energy of 2–10 kJ. SXR pulses with a duration of 10–15 μs were generated in collisions of two plasma flows propagating toward one another in a longitudinal magnetic field. The plasma flows with velocities of (2–4) × 10⁷ cm/s and energy contents of 70–100 kJ were produced by two electrodynamic coaxial accelerators with pulsed gas injection. Nitrogen and neon, as well as their mixtures with deuterium, were used as working gases. The diagnostic equipment is described, and the experimental results obtained under different operating conditions are discussed. In particular, X-ray spectroscopy was used to study the high-temperature plasma produced in a collision of two plasma flows. The observed intensities of spectral lines are compared with the results of detailed kinetic calculations performed in a steady-state approximation. The calculations of the nitrogen and neon kinetics have shown that the electron temperature of a nitrogen plasma can be most conveniently determined from the intensity ratio of the resonance lines of He- and H-like nitrogen ions, while that of a neon plasma, from the intensity ratio between the resonance line of He-like Ne IX ions and the 3p?2s line of Li-like Ne VIII ions. In the experiments with plasma flows containing nitrogen ions, the electron temperature was found to be ≈120 eV, whereas in the experiments with plasma flows containing neon ions, it was 160–170 eV.     

Characteristics of X-ray Emission from a Micropinch Discharge at Different Polarities of the Discharge Electrodes

Plasma Physics Reports - The measurement technique and results are presented from studies of the X-ray spectra and X-ray yield from micropinch discharge plasma in a low-inductive vacuum spark...     

Determining the Locations of Ions and Water around DNA from X-Ray Scattering Measurements

Nucleic acids carry a negative charge, attracting salt ions and water. Interactions with these components of the solvent drive DNA to condense, RNA to fold, and proteins to bind. To understand these biological processes, knowledge of solvent structure around the nucleic acids is critical. Yet, because they are often disordered, ions and water evade detection by x-ray crystallography and other high-resolution methods. Small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) is uniquely sensitive to the spatial correlations between solutes and the surrounding solvent. Thus, SAXS provides an experimental constraint to guide or test emerging solvation theories. However, the interpretation of SAXS profiles is nontrivial because of the difficulty in separating the scattering signals of each component: the macromolecule, ions, and hydration water. Here, we demonstrate methods for robustly deconvoluting these signals, facilitating a more straightforward comparison with theory. Using SAXS data collected on an absolute intensity scale for short DNA duplexes in solution with Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, or Cs⁺ counterions, we mathematically decompose the scattering profiles into components (DNA, water, and ions) and validate the decomposition using anomalous scattering measurements. In addition, we generate a library of physically motivated ion atmosphere models and rank them by agreement with the scattering data. The best-fit models have relatively compact ion atmospheres when compared to predictions from the mean-field Poisson-Boltzmann theory of electrostatics. Thus, the x-ray scattering methods presented here provide a valuable measurement of the global structure of the ion atmosphere that can be used to test electrostatics theories that go beyond the mean-field approximation.     

Utilization of Anhydrous Aluminum Phosphate as a Sole Source of Phosphorous by a Selected Carrot Cell Line

Two variants of carrot (Daucus carota L. cv. MS Yonsun) celllines, which had been selected with Al-phosphate as a sole sourceof phosphorous, were characterized on their mechanisms of phosphate-utilizationfrom Al-phosphate. Both cell lines excreted citrate into themedium. The amount of citrate excretion was highly correlatedwith cell growth in the presence of Al-phosphate. There wasabout a 1 to 1 correlation between solublized-Al and excreted-citratein the medium during cell growth. These results suggest that1) the citrate could chelate with Al, at a 1 to 1 ratio, inAl-phosphate, 2) the citrate-chelated Al remains outside thecells, and 3) solublized phosphate from Al-phosphate is utilizedfor the growth of carrot cells. The characteristics of the selectedcells were very stable, since the rate of citrate-excretionshowed no change after subculturing 25 passages without Al-phosphate. (Received August 7, 1989; Accepted October 19, 1989)     

A Plasma Focus Device with a 2-MA Discharge Current as a Hard X-Ray Source

A device based on a pulsed current generator with capacitive energy storage loaded on a plasma focus (PF) chamber is described. The device provides a discharge current amplitude of up to 2 MA in the PF chamber at a stored energy in the capacitor bank of up to 150 kJ. The PF chamber is designed to study hard X-ray (HXR) emission. It has windows for output of HXR emission in the cathode direction, as well as a special insert for output of HXR emission into the anode cavity. A study of operation of the chamber as a part of the setup with the use of various X-ray targets on the anode has been carried out. At a discharge current of 1.5MA, an HXR pulse with an average duration of 16 ns and energy spectrum from 10 to 200 keV, which provides an absorbed dose in the irradiated samples on the order of 1 Sv, is generated in the PF chamber.     

Irradiation of Escherichia coli in the Visible Spectrum with a Tunable Organic-Dye Laser Energy Source

Pulsed laser energy was shown to be effective in inhibiting the growth of Escherichia coli. The irradiation source was derived from a tunable organic-dye laser utilizing rhodamine 6G (590 ± 5 nm) solutions as lasing media. The organisms, suspended in nutrient broth, were irradiated both with and without an exogenous photosensitizer. One photosensitizer (toluidine blue) did not appreciably alter the inhibitory effect observed. In the presence of acridine orange, however, some additional growth occurred.     

Study of the Spectral Composition of X-ray Emission from Different Regions of Micropinch Discharge Plasma

Plasma Physics Reports - The measurement technique and results are presented from studies of the spectral composition of X-ray emission from different regions of micropinch discharge plasma in a...     

Enhancement of Interferon Production in a Mouse Cell Line, a High-Yielding Source of Mouse Interferon

Priming with interferon prior to poly(I).poly(C) treatment of a mouse cell line, MO 57/2, followed by sequential administration of metabolic inhibitors, resulted in the production of high yields of mouse interferon.     

X-Ray Energy Spectrum Analysis on Organ Distribution of Lanthanum and Other Elements in Wheat Seedling

Lanthanum and other elements were fixed in situ for integrated SEM observation and xray energy spectrum analysis. It was showed that most of the lanthanum ions entered the plant were accumulated on the cell wall of root tip, scarcely accumulated on the cell wall of the root cortex of elongation region, and leave; and none in the cytoplasm. It seems that lanthanum ions were transpoted and distributed only along the cell wall.     

Discrimination between Weaned and Unweaned Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua) in Capture-Based Aquaculture (CBA) by X-Ray Imaging and Radio-Frequency Metal Detector

The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of two detection methods for use in discrimination and sorting of adult Atlantic cod (about 2 kg) in the small scale capture-based aquaculture (CBA). Presently, there is no established method for discrimination of weaned and unweaned cod in CBA. Generally, 60–70% of the wild-caught cod in the CBA are weaned into commercial dry feed. To increase profitability for the fish farmers, unweaned cod must be separated from the stock, meaning the fish must be sorted into two groups – unweaned and weaned from moist feed. The challenges with handling of large numbers of fish in cages, defined the limits of the applied technology. As a result, a working model was established, focusing on implementing different marking materials added to the fish feed, and different technology for detecting the feed presence in the fish gut. X-ray imaging in two modes (planar and dual energy band) and sensitive radio-frequency metal detection were the detection methods that were chosen for the investigations. Both methods were tested in laboratory conditions using dead fish with marked feed inserted into the gut cavity. In particular, the sensitive radio-frequency metal detection method with carbonyl powder showed very promising results in detection of marked feed. Results show also that Dual energy band X-ray imaging may have potential for prediction of fat content in the feed. Based on the investigations it can be concluded that both X-ray imaging and sensitive radio-frequency metal detector technology have the potential for detecting cod having consumed marked feed. These are all technologies that may be adapted to large scale handling of fish from fish cages. Thus, it may be possible to discriminate between unweaned and weaned cod in a large scale grading situation. Based on the results of this study, a suggestion for evaluation of concept for in-situ sorting system is presented.     

Identification of a Potential Source of Complete Resistance to Soilborne Wheat Mosaic Virus in a Wheat-Thinopyrum Intermedium Addition Line

Soilborne wheat mosaic virus (SBWMV) is a Furovirus transmitted by the plasmodiophoraceous fungus, Polymyxa graminis . Resistant cultivars of wheat (Triticum aestivum) to SBWMV have already been described. The resistance encountered mostly includes root infection without viral migration to foliage. In this study, the reaction of addition lines (L1, LIS, L2, L3, L4, L7), and the partial amphiploid derived from wheat (Vilmornn 27) and Thmopyrum intermedium has been evaluated. Lines L1. L3. L7. L1S and cultivar Vilmorin 27 are susceptible to SBWMV. Lines L4 and TAF 46 are root infected only. Chromosome 4Ag in L4 is thought to have an equivalent reaction to that one found in the mostly encountered resistance. Another type of resistance in a wheat line (1.2) with the added chromosome 3Agi of Th. intermedium has been characterized. In this line, L2, no SBWMV particles were detected on their roots by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Contrary to observations made on lines L1, LIS, L3, L4, L7, amphiploid TAF 46. and the wheat cultivars (Festival. Fandango, Vilmonn 27), no resting spores of P. graminis were found on roots of L2 2 months post inoculation. It is suggested that the disomic addition line L2 is immune to SBWMV.     

Anomalous Small Angle X-Ray Scattering Simulations: Proof of Concept for Distance Measurements for Nanoparticle-Labelled Biomacromolecules in Solution

Anomalous small angle X-ray scattering can in principle be used to determine distances between metal label species on biological molecules. Previous experimental studies in the past were unable to distinguish the label-label scattering contribution from that of the molecule, because of the use of atomic labels; these labels contribute only a small proportion of the total scattering signal. However, with the development of nanocrystal labels (of 50–100 atoms) there is the possibility for a renewed attempt at applying anomalous small angle X-ray scattering for distance measurement. This is because the contribution to the scattered signal is necessarily considerably stronger than for atomic labels. Here we demonstrate through simulations, the feasibility of the technique to determine the end-to-end distances of labelled nucleic acid molecules as well as other internal distances mimicking a labelled DNA binding protein if the labels are dissimilar metal nanocrystals. Of crucial importance is the ratio of mass of the nanocrystals to that of the labelled macromolecule, as well as the level of statistical errors in the scattering intensity measurements. The mathematics behind the distance determination process is presented, along with a fitting routine than incorporates maximum entropy regularisation.     

粉纹夜蛾离体细胞抗菌肽的抗菌谱测定

用热灭活的大肠杆菌DHSQ诱导粉纹夜蛾(Trichoplusia ni)离体细胞产生抗菌肽,用三氯乙酸沉淀法提取出该活性物质,采用琼脂糖孔穴扩散法和生长抑制测定法测定其抗菌谱,发现该抗菌物质具有较广的抗微生物活性,其中特别是对革兰氏阴性菌中的沙门氏茵和大肠杆茵,酵母菌中的白色念珠菌,植物病源真茵中的花生白绢病茵和小麦赤霉病茵具有较强的抑菌活性,从而表明该物质是一种既抗细菌,又抗真菌的抗微生物肽。     

Analysis of Bacterial Immunoglobulin-Binding Proteins by X-Ray Crystallography

Protein crystallography offers a powerful means of analyzing the molecular mechanisms that underlie the action of bacterial immunoglobulin-binding proteins. Successful approaches used to date involve the isolation of individual IgG-binding domains from the immunoglobulin-binding protein under study and the crystallization of these on their own or in complex with Fc or Fab fragments. Two structures of complexes that have been determined to high resolution by protein crystallography are compared. A single IgG-binding domain from protein A (from Staphylococcus) binds to a human Fc fragment through formation of two α-helices, which bind in the cleft between the CH2 and the CH3 domains. Recognition is mediated by side chains on protein A which interact with conserved side chains on the surface of the antibody, ensuring binding to IgG molecules from different subclasses and species. A similar analysis of the complex of a single IgG-binding domain from protein G (from Streptococcus) with an Fab fragment from mouse IgG1 reveals that the same problem in molecular recognition is tackled in a different way. Protein G binds via an antiparallel alignment of β-strands from the IgG-binding domain and the CH1 domain in Fab: this main chain-main chain interaction is supported by a number of specific hydrogen bonds between the side chains in both proteins. By recognition of a high proportion of main-chain atoms, protein G minimizes the effects of IgG sequence variability in a way that is distinct from that adopted by protein A.     

Measurements of the Plasma Parameters in a Mirror Trap by Means of Laser-Induced Fluorescence

Results of measurements of the absolute density of ArII ions in a mirror trap with a toroidal divertor are presented. The ion density was measured by the method of laser-induced fluorescence with the use of ArII metastable states. A technique is proposed to estimate the plasma electron temperature from the ratio of the fluorescence signals obtained by comparing the intensities of different optical transitions of ArII.