The isotope partitioning studies of the Ascaris suum NAD-malic enzyme reaction were examined with five transitory complexes including E:NAD, E:NAD:Mg, E:malate, E:Mg:malate, and E:NAD:malate. Three productive complexes, E:NAD, E:NAD:Mg, and E:Mg:malate, were obtained, suggesting a steady-state random mechanism. Data for trapping with E:14C-NAD indicate a rapid equilibrium addition of Mg2+ prior to the addition of malate. Trapping with 14C-malate could only be obtained from the E:Mg2+:14C-malate complex, while no trapping from E:14C-malate was obtained under feasible experimental conditions. Most likely, E:malate is non-productive, as has been suggested from the kinetic analysis. The experiment with E:NAD:malate could not be carried out due to the turnover of trace amounts of malate dehydrogenase in the pulse solution. The equations for the isotope partitioning studies varying two substrates in the chase solution in an ordered terreactant reaction were derived, allowing a determination of the relative rates of substrate dissociation to the catalytic reaction for each of the productive transitory complexes. NAD and malate are released from the central complex at an identical rate, equal to the catalytic rate.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(工学) / 甲第22425号 / 工博第4686号 / 新制||工||1731(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院工学研究科都市社会工学専攻 / (主査)教授 小池 克明, 教授 立川 康人, 准教授 柏谷 公希 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering) / Kyoto University / DGAM

Les nouvelles gamma-caméras à semi-conducteurs utilisant des détecteurs au CZT sont dédiées aux explorations cardiaques. Leurs sensibilité, résolution spatiale et en énergie nettement améliorées comparativement aux gamma-caméras conventionnelles sont une révolution en médecine nucléaire. Ces gamma-caméras utilisent de nouvelles géométries d’acquisition, de nouveaux algorithmes de reconstruction, et ouvrent de nouvelles perspectives dans les études simultanées en double-isotope de l’123I et du 99mTc, dont les pics énergétiques sont proches.Nous avons étudié l’impact de l’amélioration de la résolution en énergie en comparant deux modèles de gamma-caméras à détecteurs semi-conducteurs aux gamma-caméras conventionnelles. A l’aide d’études sur fantômes anthropomorphes et chez des patients porteurs d’insuffisance cardiaque, notre travail s’est concentré sur les acquisitions scintigraphiques (i) de la fonction ventriculaire gauche (99mTc) en présence d’123I, (ii) de la perfusion myocardique (99mTc) en présence d’123I (innervation), et (iii) du rapport cardiomédiastinal de la fixation d’123I- métaiodobenzylguanidine (123I-MIBG) lors d’acquisitions double-isotope (123I-MIBG/99mTc- tétrofosmine) chez les patients souffrant d’insuffisance cardiaque.Nos résultats montrent que la meilleure résolution en énergie des gamma-caméras CZT permet en étude double-isotope (i) une évaluation de la FEVG et du mouvement régional dans les différentes fenêtres d'énergie (123I ou 99mTc) et les types d'acquisition (simple- vs double-isotope), (ii) une évaluation simultanée et combinée de la perfusion (99mTc) et de l’innervation (123I) du myocarde, et (iii) l’évaluation du rapport cardiomédiastinal de la fixation d’123I-MIBG. Chacune de ces trois parties a fait l’objet d’une publication. / New dedicated-cardiac cameras using CZT detectors have dramatically transformed the routine of myocardial perfusion imaging. With a better count detection sensitivity, an improved spatial and energy resolution, they potentially enable combined assessment of myocardial innervation (123I) and perfusion (99mTc) within a single imaging session. These cameras images with different sharpness and contrast-to-noise ratios.Using two CZT cameras with anthropomorphic phantom, and clinical studies in heart failure patients, our work focused on (i) the left ventricular function assessment within the 99mTc window in presence of 123I, (ii) the evaluation of regional myocardial innervation (123I) and perfusion (99mTc) match and mismatch with single- (separate 123I and 99mTc acquisition) and simultaneous dual-isotope acquisitions, and (iii) the late heart-to-mediastinal ratio (HMR) of 123I-MIBG uptake determined using dual-isotope CZT acquisition with that determined using conventional planar imaging in patients with heart failure.Our results found no impact of the acquisition mode (single vs dual) or the type of CZT camera on 123I and 99mTc defect size and mismatch, LVEF, and HMR of 123I-MIBG uptake.This work provides a new step toward simultaneous dual-isotope acquisition for combined innervation, perfusion and ventricular function assessment.

We perform high precision measurements of an isotope shift between the two stable isotopes of helium. We use laser excitation of the 2^3 S_1-2^3 P_0 transition at 1083 nm in a metastable beam of 3He and 4He atoms. A newly developed tunable laser frequency selector along with our previous electro-optic frequency modulation technique provides extremely reliable, adaptable, and precise frequency and intensity control. The intensity control contributes negligibly to overall experimental uncertainty by stabilizing the intensity of the required sideband and eliminating the unwanted frequencies generated during the modulation of 1083 nm laser carrier frequency. The selection technique uses a MEMS based fiber switch and several temperature stabilized narrow band (~3 GHz) fiber gratings. A fiber based optical circulator and an inline fiber amplifier provide the desired isolation and the net gain for the selected frequency. Also rapid (~2 sec.) alternating measurements of the 2^3 S_1-2^3 P_0 interval for both species of helium is achieved with a custom fiber laser for simultaneous optical pumping. A servo-controlled retro-reflected laser beam eliminates residual Doppler effects during the isotope shift measurement. An improved detection design and software control makes negligible subtle potential biases in the data collection. With these advances, combined with new internal and external consistency checks, we are able to obtain results consistent with the best previous measurements, but with substantially improved precision. Our measurement of the 2^3 S_1-2^3 P_0 isotope shift between 3He and 4He is 31 097 535.2 (5) kHz. The most recent theoretic calculation combined with this measurement yields a new determination for nuclear size differences between 3He and 4He: ∆r_c=0.292 6 (1)_exp (8)_th (52)_exp fm, with a precision of less than a part in 〖10〗^4 coming from the experimental uncertainty (first parenthesis), and a part in 〖10〗^3 coming from theory. This value is consistent with electron scattering measurement, but a factor of 10 more precise. It is inconsistent (4 sigma) with a recent isotope shift measurement on another helium transition (2^1 S_0-2^3 S_1). Comparisons with ongoing muonic helium measurements may provide clues to the origin of what is currently called the proton puzzle: electronic and muonic measurements of the proton size do not agree. In the future, the experimental improvements described here can be used for higher precision tests of atomic theory and quantum electrodynamics, as well as an important atomic physics source of the fine structure constant.

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Release of different nitrogen compounds can cause eutrophication in lakes and rivers whichcan lead to oxygen-free environments in bottom water and in the sediment and can in turnlead to fish-deaths. Ammonium can be toxic to biota and nitrate can in high concentrationeven be toxic to humans. WHO has released a limit for nitrate concentration in drinking waterof 10mg/l. The LKAB mine in Kiruna is the largest underground iron mine in the world and isprospecting, mining and refining iron ore, with an annual production of around 28 milliontons. Release of different nitrogen compounds as a result of the explosives used during themining operations has been a known problem for some time; however the processes affectingnitrogen during the water transport have never been fully investigated. The main objective of this MSc thesis is to determine if changes in nitrogen and oxygenisotope composition can be used as a tracer for nitrogen transformation processes in the minewater at LKABs underground mine in Kiruna. Water samples were collected at key points in the water transport system and were analyzedfor isotopic composition. Isotopic and chemical data revealed two different sources of nitrateand ammonium, undetonated explosives and leachate from waste rocks. Three differentnitrogen changing processes affecting concentration of nitrate and ammonium were found:ammonium volatilization, nitrification and sorption. It was not possible to quantify theseprocesses individually. No processes which decrease the nitrate concentration were found.

New Zealand forests have been reduced and degraded by gross removal, logging, and the effects of mammals introduced by Polynesian and European settlers. These changes increase the value of the remaining forests, so information on the effects of these disturbances will be useful to inform the management of forest protection. Integrated measurements of C and N cycling within forests can be obtained using foliar stable isotope ratios, which may detect differences between forests resulting from natural or anthropogenic disturbances. This thesis characterises the stable isotopic composition distribution and likely drivers of isotopic variation of vegetation in several central South Island forests, and provides a baseline for future ecological New Zealand studies of present and pre-human vegetation. The largest detected stable isotope variation in modern leaf material was that of δ15N values between the eastern and western podocarp-broadleaf forests. This variation was probably controlled by the lower soil N availability associated with the high rainfall of western forests causing low δ15N values (-8.5 ± 3.5 ‰) relative to an eastern forest (+1.6 ± 1.3 ‰) and global temperate forests (average -2.8 ± 2.0 ‰ (Martinelli et al. 1999)). The significant but slightly higher mean δ15N (0.6 ‰) of a historically selectively logged forest (Saltwater Forest) in comparison to the mean in an unlogged forest (Okarito Forest), on the West Coast, could be attributed to either alteration to N cycling from logging, site differences in topography, or local soil N differences between the forests. Although δ13C showed no significant geographical variation, the well-described ‘canopy effect’ was observed in all modern forests, manifested as a positive covariation between δ13C and vegetation height. Similarly, large taxon-specific differences were observed between δ15N and δ13C values in both modern and fossil leaves. Well-preserved fossil leaves, from sediments c. 4500 years B.P in Pyramid Valley, North Canterbury, had higher δ13C (4.2 ‰) and δ15N (2.5 ‰) values than modern vegetation from Riccarton Bush, Christchurch. The difference between ecosystems spanning several millennia probably reflects ecosystem-scale changes in C and N cycling within New Zealand forests following human arrival, particularly from the degradation caused by invasive animals.