[en] This project had two main objectives. The first major goal was to develop new, powerful computational simulation capabilities. It was important that these tools have the combination of the accuracy needed to describe the quantum mechanical nature of nanoscale systems and the efficiency required to be applied to realistic, experimentally derived materials. The second major goal was to apply these computational methods to calculate and predict the properties of quantum dots--initially composed of silicon, but then of other elements--which could be used to build novel nanotechnology devices. The driving factor of our purpose has been that, through the development and successful application of these tools, we would generate a new capability at LLNL that could be used to make nanostructured materials ''smarter'', e.g., by selectively predicting how to engineering specific, desired properties. To carry out the necessary work to successfully complete this project and deliver on our goals, we established a two-pronged effort from the beginning: (1) to work on developing new, more efficient algorithms and quantum simulation tools, and (2) to solve problems and make predictions regarding properties of quantum dots which were being studied experimentally here at Livermore

[en] Isolated rat liver microsomes release sequestered Ca²⁺ following addition of GTP. In contrast to permeabilized cells, GTP dependent microsomal Ca²⁺ release requires low concentrations of polyethylene glycol (PEG). They have identified a microsomal, PEG-sensitive high affinity GTPase which shares a number of characteristics with the GTP-dependent Ca²⁺ release system. To aid in further characterization of this activity they have initiated studies on the solubilization and purification of the microsomal GTPases. When microsomes are solubilized under the following conditions (150 mM NaCl, 5 mg protein/ml, 1% Triton X-114) PEG sensitive GTPase activity selectively partitions into the detergent rich phase of the Triton X-114 extract. As observed in intact microsomal membranes the Triton X-114 soluble GTPase is maximally stimulated by 3% PEG. Half maximal stimulation is observed at 1% PEG. PEG increases the Vmax of this activity; no effects on Km were observed. The Km for GTP of the detergent soluble GTPase is 5 μM. This GTPase is sensitive to inhibition by sulfhydryl reagents. PEG-sensitive GTPase activity was completely inhibited in the presence of 25 μM p-hydroxymercuribenzoate (PHMB); half maximal inhibition was observed at 5 μM. Labeling of the Triton X-114 extract with the photosensitive compound [³²P] 8-azido GTP indicated the presence of two prominent GTP binding proteins of approximate molecular weights 17 and 54 kD

[en] The synthesis and characterization of 1-10 nm Si nanocrystals highly resistant to oxidation is described. The nanocrystals were prepared by thermal decomposition of tetramethylsilane at 680 C, or in a gold- induced catalytic process at lower temperatures down to 400-450 C using trioctylamine as an initial solvent. Transmission electron microscopic analysis of samples obtained in the presence of gold show that the nanocrystals form via solid-phase epitaxial attachment of Si to the gold crystal lattice. The results of computational modeling performed using first principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations predict that the enhanced stability of nanocrystals to oxidation is due to the presence of N or N-containing groups on the surface of nanocrystals

No abstract available

[en] Various 5-substituted 4-nitroimidazoles have been shown to be much more efficient radiosensitizers and much more toxic than would have been predicted from their electron affinities, as measured by values of one-electron reduction potential, E⁷₁. Using Chinese hamster V79 cells in vitro, a comparison has been made with some isomeric 4-substituted 5-nitroimidazoles. These compounds have E⁷₁ values some 64 mV greater than the 4-nitroimidazoles, yet show much lower sensitizing efficiency and also lower toxicity. Neither series of compounds shows the greater toxicity towards hypoxic cells usually associated with nitroaromatic and nitroheterocyclic compounds. The second-order rate constants, k², for reaction of these isomeric nitroimidazoles with glutathione and dithiothreitol were determined. Within each series the value of k² increased with increasing electron affinity, however, the 4-nitroimidazoles were always more reactive than their corresponding 5-nitro isomers. The sensitizing and toxic properties of these compounds may involve depletion of intracellular thiols; this possibility is discussed. (author)

[en] These studies were undertaken to assess the effects of increased galactose (v increased glucose) metabolism via the polyol pathway on vascular filtration function in the kidneys, eyes, nerves, and aorta. Quantitative radiolabeled tracer techniques were used to assess glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and regional tissue vascular clearance of plasma 131I-bovine serum albumin (BSA) in five groups of male Sprague-Dawley rats: nondiabetic controls, streptozotocin-diabetic rats, nondiabetic rats fed a 50% galactose diet, diabetic rats treated with sorbinil (an aldose reductase inhibitor), and galactose-fed rats treated with sorbinil. Sorbinil was added to the diet to provide a daily dose of approximately .2 mmol/kg body weight. After 2 months of diabetes or galactose ingestion, albumin clearance was increased twofold to fourfold in the eye (anterior uvea, choroid, and retina), sciatic nerve, aorta, and kidney; GFR was increased approximately twofold and urinary excretion of endogenous albumin and IgG were increased approximately 10-fold. Sorbinil treatment markedly reduced or completely prevented all of these changes in galactose-fed, as well as in diabetic rats. These observations support the hypothesis that increased metabolism of glucose via the sorbitol pathway is of central importance in mediating virtually all of the early changes in vascular filtration function associated with diabetes in the kidney, as well as in the eyes, nerves, and aorta. On the other hand, renal hypertrophy in diabetic rats and polyuria, hyperphagia, and impaired weight gain in galactose-fed and in diabetic rats were unaffected by sorbinil and therefore are unlikely to be mediated by increased polyol metabolism

[en] Effects of hypothyroidism on vascular 125I-albumin permeation and on blood flow were assessed in multiple tissues of male Sprague-Dawley rats rendered hypothyroid by dietary supplementation with 0.5% (wt/wt) 2-thiouracil or by thyroidectomy. In both thiouracil-treated and thyroidectomized rats, body weights, kidney weight, arterial blood pressure, and pulse rate were decreased significantly v age-matched controls. After 10 to 12 weeks of thiouracil treatment, 125I-albumin permeation was increased significantly in the kidney, aorta, eye (anterior uvea, choroid, retina), skin, and new granulation tissue, remained unchanged in brain, sciatic nerve, and heart, and was decreased in forelimb skeletal muscle. A similar pattern was observed in thyroidectomized rats, except that increases in 125I-albumin permeation for all tissues were smaller than those observed in thiouracil-treated rats, and 125I-albumin permeation in retina did not differ from controls. In both thiouracil-treated and thyroidectomized rats, changes in blood flow (assessed with 15-microns, 85Sr-labeled microspheres) relative to the decrease in arterial blood pressure were indicative of a decrease in regional vascular resistance except in the choroid and in the kidney, in which vascular resistance was increased significantly. Glomerular filtration rate was decreased, but filtration fraction and urinary excretion of albumin remained unchanged by thiouracil treatment and thyroidectomy. These results indicate that vascular hemodynamics and endothelial cell barrier functional integrity are modulated in many different tissues by the thyroid. In view of the correspondence of hypothyroid- and diabetes-induced vascular permeability changes, these results raise the possibility that altered thyroid function in diabetes may play a role in the pathogenesis of diabetic vascular disease

[en] 125I-Albumin permeation and blood flow (assessed with 15 micron, 85Sr-labelled microspheres) were determined in the retina, choroid, anterior uvea, and brain of male Sprague-Dawley rats fed diets containing 50% dextrin (control) or 50% galactose. Blood flow was increased in the retina, choroid, and anterior uvea but not in the brain of rats fed galactose for 3 weeks and 3 months versus controls, and was normalized by sorbinil (an inhibitor of aldose reductase) in the 3-week group. After 8 months of galactose feeding, blood flow was reduced to normal levels in the retina and was slightly below normal in the choroid; blood flow remained elevated in the anterior uvea but was significantly lower than that observed at 3 weeks and at 3 months. In rats fed galactose for 8 months, sorbinil completely normalized blood flow in the choroid, and decreased, but did not normalize, blood flow in the anterior uvea. 125I-Albumin permeation was increased in the retina, choroid, and anterior uvea of rats fed 50% galactose for 3 weeks, 3 months, and 8 months versus controls, but was unchanged in the brain. Sorbinil normalized 125I-albumin permeation in all three ocular tissues in 8-month galactose-fed rats. Polyol levels were increased significantly in all three ocular tissues of 3-week galactose-fed rats; sorbinil markedly decreased, but did not normalize, polyol levels in all three tissues

[en] Detecting the scintillation light coming from a thin sheet of plastic scintillator (PS) provides a promising fast and precise tissue equivalent method for radiation dose measurements in two dimensions. The successful implementation of such technique requires high efficiency, dosimetric tissue equivalence and high localization of the scintillation process. The last is needed to assure that the light photons originating from a pixel of the scintillator sheet correspond to energy deposited in the same pixel. Since no such information is available for PS material with standard or modified chemical composition we have developed two experimental methods for assessing the scintillation locality by measuring the optical spectra and the scintillation light profile (SLP) of PS samples with different thickness. The results of the two types of measurements are consistent with each other and with a simple theoretical model of the energy conversion process. We have demonstrated that comparing the relative intensities of the primary and secondary photon peaks in the optical spectra of the scintillator is a sensitive approach to determine the delocalization of the secondary photon emission. The ratio of the number of primary to secondary photons shows strong dependence on PS dye composition. Two types of plastic scintillator materials were tested and the advantages of one of them for radiation dosimetry are demonstrated

[en] ¹²⁵I-bovine serum albumin (BSA) permeation of the vasculature of 3-wk-old granulation tissue (induced by subcutaneous implantation of polyester fabric) formed in the diabetic milieu was assessed in female BB/W, spontaneously diabetic rats and in male, Sprague-Dawley rats with streptozocin-induced diabetes as well as in corresponding nondiabetic controls. Albumin permeation of new granulation tissue vessels was markedly increased in both groups of diabetic animals relative to that of nondiabetic controls, while albumin permeation of vessels in most other tissues did not differ for controls and diabetics. These observations indicate that the functional integrity of new vessels formed in the diabetic milieu is impaired: (1) to a greater extent than that of older vessels formed before induction of diabetes and (2) relative to new vessels in nondiabetics. The implication of these observations is that molecular constituents of vessels synthesized in the diabetic milieu are quantitatively and/or qualitatively abnormal and/or their incorporation into vessels is defective