Emission lines due to ionizing radiation from a compact object in the remnant of Supernova 1987A.

The nearby Supernova 1987A was accompanied by a burst of neutrino emission, which indicates that a compact object (a neutron star or black hole) was formed in the explosion. There has been no direct observation of this compact object. In this work, we observe the supernova remnant with JWST spectroscopy, finding narrow infrared emission lines of argon and sulfur. The line emission is spatially unresolved and blueshifted in velocity relative to the supernova rest frame. We interpret the lines as gas illuminated by a source of ionizing photons located close to the center of the expanding ejecta. Photoionization models show that the line ratios are consistent with ionization by a cooling neutron star or a pulsar wind nebula. The velocity shift could be evidence for a neutron star natal kick.

Alanine response to low energy synchrotron x-ray radiation.

Objective. The radiation response of alanine is very well characterized in the MV photon energy range where it can be used to determine the dose delivered with an accuracy better than 1%, making it suitable as a secondary standard detector in cancer radiation therapy. This is not the case in the very low energy keV x-ray range where the alanine response is affected by large uncertainties and is strongly dependent on the x-ray beam energy. This motivated the study undertaken here.Approach. Alanine pellets with a nominal thickness of 0.5 mm and diameter of 5 mm were irradiated with monoenergetic x-rays at the Diamond Light Source synchrotron, to quantify their response in the 8-20 keV range relative to60Co radiation. The absorbed dose to graphite was measured with a small portable graphite calorimeter, and the DOSRZnrc code in the EGSnrc Monte Carlo package was used to calculate conversion factors between the measured dose to graphite and the absorbed dose to water delivered to the alanine pellets. GafChromic EBT3 films were used to measure the beam profile for modelling in the MC simulations.Main results. The relative responses measured in this energy range were found to range from 0.616 to 0.643, with a combined relative expanded uncertainty of 3.4%-3.5% (k= 2), where the majority of the uncertainty originated from the uncertainty in the alanine readout, due to the small size of the pellets used.Significance. The measured values were in good agreement with previously published data in the overlapping region of x-ray energies, while this work extended the dataset to lower energies. By measuring the response to monoenergetic x-rays, the response to a more complex broad-spectrum x-ray source can be inferred if the spectrum is known, meaning that this work supports the establishment of alanine as a secondary standard dosimeter for low-energy x-ray sources.

Optimized alignment of X-ray mirrors with an automated speckle-based metrology tool.

X-ray mirrors are widely used in beamlines and laboratories as focusing or collimating optics. As well as the highly accurate processes used to fabricate them, optimized alignment of X-ray mirrors also plays an important role in achieving an ideal X-ray beam. Currently, knife-edge scans are the most often used method for aligning X-ray mirrors, which can characterize the focal size and tune the alignment iteratively. However, knife-edge scanning provides only one-dimensional information and this method suffers from being time-consuming and requiring a high-resolution piezo translation stage. Here we describe a straightforward and non-iterative method for mirror alignment by measuring the relationship between the tilt aberration and the misaligned pitch angle, which is retrieved by an at-wavelength metrology technique using a randomly shaped wavefront modulator. Software and a graphical user interface have been developed to automate the alignment process. Combining the user-friendly interface and the flexibility of the at-wavelength metrology technique, we believe the proposed method and software can benefit researchers working at synchrotron facilities and on laboratory sources.

Characterization of a submicro-X-ray fluorescence setup on the B16 beamline at Diamond Light Source.

An X-ray fluorescence setup has been tested on the B16 beamline at the Diamond Light Source synchrotron with two different excitation energies (12.7 and 17 keV). This setup allows the scanning of thin samples (thicknesses up to several micrometers) with a sub-micrometer resolution (beam size of 500 nm × 600 nm determined with a 50 µm Au wire). Sensitivities and detection limits reaching values of 249 counts s-1 fg-1 and 4 ag in 1000 s, respectively (for As Kα excited with 17 keV), are presented in order to demonstrate the capabilities of this setup. Sample measurements of a human bone and a single cell performed at B16 are presented in order to illustrate the suitability of the setup in biological applications.

Illuminating gravitational waves: A concordant picture of photons from a neutron star merger.

Merging neutron stars offer an excellent laboratory for simultaneously studying strong-field gravity and matter in extreme environments. We establish the physical association of an electromagnetic counterpart (EM170817) with gravitational waves (GW170817) detected from merging neutron stars. By synthesizing a panchromatic data set, we demonstrate that merging neutron stars are a long-sought production site forging heavy elements by r-process nucleosynthesis. The weak gamma rays seen in EM170817 are dissimilar to classical short gamma-ray bursts with ultrarelativistic jets. Instead, we suggest that breakout of a wide-angle, mildly relativistic cocoon engulfing the jet explains the low-luminosity gamma rays, the high-luminosity ultraviolet-optical-infrared, and the delayed radio and x-ray emission. We posit that all neutron star mergers may lead to a wide-angle cocoon breakout, sometimes accompanied by a successful jet and sometimes by a choked jet.

A novel protein C-factor VII chimera provides new insights into the structural requirements for cytoprotective protease-activated receptor 1 signaling.

Essentials The basis of cytoprotective protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1) signaling is not fully understood. Activated protein C chimera (APCFVII-82 ) was used to identify requirements for PAR1 signaling. APCFVII-82 did not initiate PAR1 signaling, but conferred monocyte anti-inflammatory activity. APC-specific light chain residues are required for cytoprotective PAR1 signaling. SUMMARY: Background Activated protein C (APC) cell signaling is largely reliant upon its ability to mediate protease-activated receptor (PAR) 1 proteolysis when bound to the endothelial cell (EC) protein C (PC) receptor (EPCR). Furthermore, EPCR-bound PC modulates PAR1 signaling by thrombin to induce APC-like EC cytoprotection. Objective The molecular determinants of EPCR-dependent cytoprotective PAR1 signaling remain poorly defined. To address this, a PC-factor VII chimera (PCFVII-82 ) possessing FVII N-terminal domains and conserved EPCR binding was characterized. Methods Activated PC-FVII chimera (APCFVII-82 ) anticoagulant activity was measured with calibrated automated thrombography and activated FV degradation assays. APCFVII-82 signaling activity was characterized by the use of reporter assays of PAR1 proteolysis and EC barrier integrity. APCFVII-82 anti-inflammatory activity was assessed according to its inhibition of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation and cytokine secretion from monocytes. Results PCFVII-82 was activated normally by thrombin on ECs, but was unable to inhibit plasma thrombin generation. Surprisingly, APCFVII-82 did not mediate EPCR-dependent PAR1 proteolysis, confer PAR1-dependent protection of thrombin-induced EC barrier disruption, or limit PAR1-dependent attenuation of interleukin-6 release from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages. Interestingly, EPCR occupation by active site-blocked APCFVII-82 was, like FVII, unable to mimic EC barrier stabilization induced by PC upon PAR1 proteolysis by thrombin. APCFVII-82 did, however, diminish LPS-induced NF-κB activation and tumor necrosis factor-α release from monocytes in an apolipoprotein E receptor 2-dependent manner, with similar efficacy as wild-type APC. Conclusions These findings identify a novel role for APC light chain amino acid residues outside the EPCR-binding site in enabling cytoprotective PAR1 signaling.

Amine functionalized nanodiamond promotes cellular adhesion, proliferation and neurite outgrowth.

In this study, we report the production of amine functionalized nanodiamond. The amine functionalized nanodiamond forms a conformal monolayer on a negatively charged surface produced via plasma polymerization of acrylic acid. Nanodiamond terminated surfaces were studied as substrates for neuronal cell culture. NG108-15 neuroblastoma-glioma hybrid cells were successfully cultured upon amine functionalized nanodiamond coated surfaces for between 1 and 7 d. Additionally, primary dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and Schwann cells isolated from Wistar rats were also successfully cultured over a period of 21 d illustrating the potential of the coating for applications in the treatment of peripheral nerve injury.

Nanofocusing optics for synchrotron radiation made from polycrystalline diamond.

Diamond possesses many extreme properties that make it an ideal material for fabricating nanofocusing x-ray optics. Refractive lenses made from diamond are able to focus x-ray radiation with high efficiency but without compromising the brilliance of the beam. Electron-beam lithography and deep reactive-ion etching of silicon substrates have been used in a transfer-molding technique to fabricate diamond optics with vertical and smooth sidewalls. Latest generation compound refractive lenses have seen an improvement in the quality and uniformity of the optical structures, resulting in an increase in their focusing ability. Synchrotron beamline tests of two recent lens arrays, corresponding to two different diamond morphologies, are described. Focal line-widths down to 210 nm, using a nanocrystalline diamond lens array and a beam energy of E = 11 keV, and 230 nm, using a microcrystalline diamond lens at E = 15 keV, have been measured using the Diamond Light Source Ltd. B16 beamline. This focusing prowess is combined with relatively high transmission through the lenses compared with silicon refractive designs and other diffractive optics.

A relativistic type Ibc supernova without a detected gamma-ray burst.

Long duration gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) mark the explosive death of some massive stars and are a rare sub-class of type Ibc supernovae. They are distinguished by the production of an energetic and collimated relativistic outflow powered by a central engine (an accreting black hole or neutron star). Observationally, this outflow is manifested in the pulse of gamma-rays and a long-lived radio afterglow. Until now, central-engine-driven supernovae have been discovered exclusively through their gamma-ray emission, yet it is expected that a larger population goes undetected because of limited satellite sensitivity or beaming of the collimated emission away from our line of sight. In this framework, the recovery of undetected GRBs may be possible through radio searches for type Ibc supernovae with relativistic outflows. Here we report the discovery of luminous radio emission from the seemingly ordinary type Ibc SN 2009bb, which requires a substantial relativistic outflow powered by a central engine. A comparison with our radio survey of type Ibc supernovae reveals that the fraction harbouring central engines is low, about one per cent, measured independently from, but consistent with, the inferred rate of nearby GRBs. Independently, a second mildly relativistic supernova has been reported.

Inflammatory characteristics of premature coronary artery disease.

Although inflammation is a key process in atherogenesis, little is known about the inflammatory characteristics of culprit plaque in premature coronary artery disease (CAD). We investigated inflammation in coronary atheroma from subjects who died of premature CAD. From 2001-2005, we collected coronary plaque samples from consecutive cases of CAD (n=23) reported to the Department of Forensic Medicine which led to unexpected death in men aged <45 years. Coronary plaque from younger CAD decedents (<35 years, n=12) had lower levels of T cells (CD3+) (p=0.03), higher macrophage (CD 68+) (p=0.01) and T regulator cells (FOXP3+) (p=0.03) infiltration when compared to older CAD decedents (>35 years, n=11). Interestingly, there was no significant age-related difference between groups in the smooth muscle cell, apoA-I, myeloperoxidase and MMP-2 content within plaque. Hence, we demonstrate that higher expression of FOXP3 is associated with younger age at the time of fatal outcomes from CAD. These findings may have implications for plaque pathophysiology and thus warrant further investigation.

Oxoneptunium(v) as part of the framework of a polyoxometalate.

(NH4)14Na4[(Np3W4O15)(H2O)3(BiW9O33)3].62H2O (1) and (NH4)14.5Na3.5[(Np3W4O15)(H2O)3(SbW9O33)3].40.5H2O (2) each contain three neptunyl(v) moieties encapsulated within heteropolyoxotungstate frameworks in which axial {NpO2}+ oxygens form one face of a WO6 octahedron.

Nanosized polymetallic resorcinarene-based host assemblies that strongly bind fullerenes.

Polymetallic nanodimensional assemblies have been prepared via metal directed assembly of dithiocarbamate functionalized cavitand structural frameworks with late transition metals (Ni, Pd, Cu, Au, Zn, and Cd). The coordination geometry about the metal centers is shown to dictate the architecture adopted. X-ray crystallographic studies confirm that square planar coordination geometries result in "cagelike" octanuclear complexes, whereas square-based pyramidal metal geometries favor hexanuclear "molecular loop" structures. Both classes of complex are sterically and electronically complementary to the fullerenes (C(60) and C(70)). The strong binding of these guests occurred via favorable interactions with the sulfur atoms of multiple dithiocarbamate moieties of the hosts. In the case of the tetrameric copper(II) complexes, the lability of the copper(II)-dithiocarbamate bond enabled the fullerene guests to be encapsulated in the electron-rich cavity of the host, over time. The examination of the binding of fullerenes has been undertaken using spectroscopic and electrochemical methods, electrospray mass spectrometry, and molecular modeling.

A novel zirconium polyoxometalate complex that contains both a coordinated saturated anion, [PMo12O40]3-, and a coordinated unsaturated anion, [PMo11O39]7-.

The novel 8-coordinate zirconium compound (NH(4))(6)[Zr(PMo(12)O(40))(PMo(11)O(39))].26H(2)O (1) has been synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, and vibrational and (31)P NMR spectroscopy. It is the first example of a metal complex containing both parent, [PMo(12)O(40)](3)(-), and monovacant lacunary, [PMo(11)O(39)](7)(-), anions. Furthermore, this is the first crystallographic determination of the [PMo(11)O(39)](7)(-) anion.

Cation control of pore and channel size in cage-based metal-organic porous materials.

Porous materials resembling zeolites that are composed of organic and inorganic building units were synthesized and characterized. Control of pore and channel size was achieved by using different-sized cations. The metal-assembled, anionic cage molecule, Co(4)1(2)(8-), with a hydrophobic cavity and four carboxylate rich arms, was used as a structural unit for the formation of materials with pores and channels. When assembled into a solid material with dications (Mg(2+), Ca(2+), Sr(2+), and Ba(2+)), Co(4)1(2)(8-) arranges into sheets of cages linked together by cations. The series of materials based on Co(4)1(2)(8-) and containing alkaline earth cations was characterized using X-ray crystallography. The magnesium material packs with cages close together, has small channels, and has cation-carboxylate linkages in three dimensions. The calcium material has cages packed with voids between them and has 5 x 10 A channels and 10 x 21 A pores. The strontium and barium materials also pack with voids between the cages and similarly to each other. They have 11 x 13 A and 11 x 11 A channels and 10 x 27 A and 9 x 27 A pores, respectively. Each of these materials has many (20-50) solvent water molecules associated with each cage. The associated water can be removed from and adsorbed by the materials. The heat of water binding has been measured to be -52 kJ/mol (Mg(4)Co(4)1(2)); -47 kJ/mol (Ca(4)Co(4)1(2)); -48 kJ/mol (Sr(4)Co(4)1(2)); -49 kJ/mol (Ba(4)Co(4)1(2)).

The binding of difunctional neutral guest molecules by novel bis(tripyrrolyl) cryptands.

Bis(tripyrrolyl) cryptands are prepared via a [2 + 3] Schiff base condensation of formyltripyrrolyls with diamines; an ethyl-spaced hexapyrrole cryptand is shown to bind strongly ethane-1,2-diamine and ethane-1,2-diol in chloroform solution.

Mentoring: a supporting act for African American students and faculty.

Part of the reason for the low numbers of African-America nurses is related to nursing student attrition. One approach described to help students to successfully complete educational objectives is mentoring. Mentoring is a supportive act for both minority students and faculty. Although numerous definitions of mentoring exist it is recognized that a mentor can be a role model, confidante, friend, and support system. Mentors may be the passageway into the work force or a bypass around the many obstacles that impede success. Because of the limited African American faculty available, many are overworked and may never reach full potential, contributing to the problem of limited minority nursing faculty available to institutions of higher learning. This article describes the markers of both poor and positive mentoring universities.

Self-Assembly of a Mixed-Valence Copper(II)/Copper(III) Dithiocarbamate Catenane.

Chemical oxidation of two preformed dinuclear copper(II) dithiocarbamate macrocycles leads to the formation of a novel mixed-valence tetranuclear copper(II)/copper(III) dithiocarbamate [2]catenane in near quantitative yield. Structural (see X-ray crystal structure), magnetic susceptibility, electrospray mass spectrometry, and electrochemical studies all support the formation of a CuII CuIII CuII CuIII tetranuclear catenane dication.

Metal-assembled cobalt(II) resorc[4]arene-based cage molecules that reversibly capture organic molecules from water and act as NMR shift reagents.

The complex Co4 1(2)8- is a tetranuclear cobalt(II) cage compound that assembles in aqueous solutions above pH 4 and is capable of encapsulating a variety of organic guest molecules, for example, benzene, hexane, chlorobutane, butanol, and ethyl acetate. Ligand 1 is a resorc[4]arene-based molecule with iminodiacetate moieties appended to its upper rim. 1H NMR studies of Co4 1(2)8-.guest complexes demonstrate inclusion of nonpolar hydrocarbons, substituted phenyls, alcohols, halogen-containing hydrocarbons, and polar organic molecules. The complex Co4 1(2)8- acts as an NMR shift reagent and causes substantial upfield isotropic hydrogen shifts (-30 to -40 ppm) in the guest molecule and separation of the guest hydrogen chemical shifts by typically 12 ppm. The complex Co4 1(2)8- will encapsulate molecules with fewer than eight atoms in a linear chain, mono- and disubstituted benzenes, and polar molecules with greater than two carbon atoms. The solid-state structure of Ba4[Co4 1(2).C6H5C2H5] shows a disordered guest molecule encapsulated within the cavity of Co4 1(2)8-. The cavity dimensions, bond lengths, and bond angles of Ba4[Co4 1(2).C6H5C2H5] are very similar to those determined in Ba4[Co4 1(2).6H2O].

Anti-Ro (SS-A) antibodies from Ro (SS-A)-immunized mice.

Immunization of BALB/c mice with immunoaffinity-purified bovine or human Ro (SS-A) induces the production of antibodies reactive with Ro (SS-A). Fusion of spleen cells from the hyperimmunized mice to SP2/0 cells resulted in hybridoma cell lines that produced anti-Ro (SS-A) antibodies. Anti-Ro (SS-A) binding was established by solid-phase immunosorbent assay, immunoblotting, or RNA immunoprecipitation. Most of the anti-Ro (SS-A) antibodies bound to both human and bovine Ro (SS-A) in the solid phase, but only one of the monoclonal antibodies selectively bound to human Ro (SS-A); this suggests that there are species differences between the bovine and human Ro (SS-A) antigens. Indirect immunofluorescence studies demonstrated that most anti-Ro (SS-A) antibodies bound to cytoplasmic or nuclear HEp-2 cellular antigens, whereas others did not bind to fixed HEp-2 tissue culture cells. Nuclear staining of mouse substrates by one of the sera containing anti-Ro (SS-A) demonstrated that autoantibodies were induced by immunization with human Ro (SS-A).