Characterization of Carbon-Contaminated B4C-Coated Optics after Chemically Selective Cleaning with Low-Pressure RF Plasma.

Boron carbide (B4C) is one of the few materials that is expected to be most resilient with respect to the extremely high brilliance of the photon beam generated by free electron lasers (FELs) and is thus of considerable interest for optical applications in this field. However, as in the case of many other optics operated at light source facilities, B4C-coated optics are subject to ubiquitous carbon contaminations. Carbon contaminations represent a serious issue for the operation of FEL beamlines due to severe reduction of photon flux, beam coherence, creation of destructive interference, and scattering losses. A variety of B4C cleaning technologies were developed at different laboratories with varying success. We present a study regarding the low-pressure RF plasma cleaning of carbon contaminated B4C test samples via inductively coupled O2/Ar, H2/Ar, and pure O2 RF plasma produced following previous studies using the same ibss GV10x downstream plasma source. Results regarding the chemistry, morphology as well as other aspects of the B4C optical coating before and after the plasma cleaning are reported. We conclude that among the above plasma processes only plasma based on pure O2 feedstock gas exhibits the required chemical selectivity for maintaining the integrity of the B4C optical coatings.

Polyamine deficiency impairs proliferation and differentiation of cultured enterocytes (CaCo-2).

The polyamine dependence of enterocyte growth and differentiation was studied in the human intestinal cell line CaCo-2 using a specific inhibitor of the key enzyme ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), difluoromethylornithine (DFMO). ODC was highest during the initial phase of rapid growth and was inhibited in a dose dependent fashion by DFMO at 0.06-2 mM. At low levels DFMO only delayed cell replication without affecting final cell count whereas at concentrations of 0.125 mM and above the final cell number was diminished by at least 53% compared to controls. In contrast, DFMO even at 0.03 mM reduced sucrase activity to 44% of controls when added at day 2 but was ineffective when supplemented at day 7 of culture or later. The inhibitor also diminished the number and length of microvilli in a dose dependent fashion, although this effect required higher DFMO levels than the reduction of sucrase activity. The DFMO mediated suppression of cell replication, enzymatic and morphologic differentiation was reversible in the presence of the ODC product putrescine. Putrescine alone did not affect any of the above parameters. In conclusion, the present data suggest that ODC and polyamines are involved both in enterocyte growth and differentiation.

High-density lipoprotein 3 retroendocytosis: a new lipoprotein pathway in the enterocyte (Caco-2).

The present study in Caco-2 cells, derived from a human colon carcinoma and capable of enterocyte differentiation in culture, describes a retroendocytotic pathway for high-density lipoprotein 3 (HDL3). These cells exhibit specific binding of apolipoprotein E-free HDL3 which was competed for by HDL3 but not by low-density lipoproteins. At 37 degrees C, degradation was negligible and intact particles were internalized and resecreted into the medium within 2 hours. Electron microscopy showed binding and internalization of gold-labeled HDL3 in coated pit regions and transport in endosomes distinct from lysosomes to lipid droplets. The fusion of these endosomes with lipid droplets was followed by their dissolution and the subsequent extrusion of HDL particles from the cells. Fluorescence labeling studies of HDL3 supported cytosolic transport in vesicles. Specific binding showed negative feedback regulation by HDL3, was modulated by alterations in cellular cholesterol content, and increased with the cellular state of differentiation. HDL3 mediated efflux of endogenously labeled cholesterol. It is concluded that intact HDL3 is bound specifically by Caco-2 cells, leading to a subsequent intracellular passage and resecretion through a process of retroendocytosis effecting the efflux of cellular cholesterol.

Abstracts of state legislated hospital cost-containment programs.

This report summarizes State legislated efforts to control rising hospital costs and the status of these efforts in May 1982. The abstract for each of 17 State programs summarizes key legislative features and operating aspects. The States included in this report are: Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, The abstracts focus on programs requiring the disclosure, review, or legislation of hospital rates and budgets.