Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Physics / Brett D. Esry / The nuclear rotational period of the simplest molecule H[subscript]2[superscript]+ is about 550 fs, which is more than 35 times longer than its vibrational period of 15 fs. The rotational time scale is also much longer than widely available ultra short laser pulses which have 10 fs or less duration. The large difference in rotational period and ultra short laser pulse duration raises questions about the importance of nuclear rotation in theoretical studies of H[subscript]2[superscript]+ dissociation by these pulses. In most studies, reduced-dimensionality calculations are performed by freezing the molecular axis in one direction, referred to as the aligned model. We have systematically compared the aligned model with our full-dimensionality results for total dissociation probability and field-free dynamics of the dissociating fragments. The agreement between the two is only qualitative even for ultra short 10 fs pulses. Post-pulse dynamics of the bound wave function show rotational revivals. Significant alignment of H[subscript]2[superscript]+ occurs at these revivals. Our theoretical formulation to solve the time-dependent Schrodinger equation is an important step forward to make quantitative comparison between theory and experiment. We accurately calculate observables such as kinetic energy, angular, and momentum distributions. Reduced-dimensionality calculations cannot predict momentum distributions. Our theoretical approach presents the first momentum distribution of H[subscript]2[superscript]+ dissociation by few cycle laser pulses. These observables can be directly compared to the experiment. After taking into account averaging steps over the experimental conditions, we find remarkable agreement between the theory and experiment. Thus, our theoretical formulation can make predictions. In H[subscript]2[superscript]+ dissociation by pulses less than 10 fs, an asymmetry in the momentum distribution occurs by the interference of different pathways contributing to the same energy. The asymmetry, however, becomes negligible after averaging over experimental conditions. In a proposed pump-probe scheme, we predict an order of magnitude enhancement in the asymmetry and are optimistic that it can be observed.

Master of Science / Department of Statistics / Shie-Shien Yang / In fitting linear models, R[superscript]2 statistic has been wildly used as one of the measures to assess the goodness-of-fit and prediction power of the model. Unlike fixed linear models, at this time there is no single universally accepted measure for assessing goodness-of-fit and prediction power of a linear mixed model. In this report, we reviewed seven different approaches proposed to define a measure analogous to the usual R[superscript]2 statistic for assessing mixed models. One of seven statistics,Rc, has both conditional and marginal versions. Association mapping is an efficient way to link the genotype data with the phenotype diversity. When applying the R[superscript]2 statistic to the association mapping application, it can determine how well genetic polymorphisms, which are the explanatory variables in the mixed models, explain the phenotypic variation, which is the dependent variation. A linear mixed model method recently has been developed to control the spurious associations due to population structure and relative kinship among individuals of an association mapping. We assess seven definitions of R[superscript]2 statistic for the linear mixed model using data from two empirical association mapping samples: a sample with 277 diverse maize inbred lines and a global sample of 95 Arabidopsis thaliana accessions using the new method. R[superscript]2[subscript]LR statistic derived from the log-likelihood principle follows all the criterions of R[superscript]2 statistic and can be used to understand the overlap between population structure and relative kinship in controlling for sample relatedness. From our results,R[superscript]2[subscript]LR statistic is an appropriate R[superscript]2 statistic for comparing models with different fixed and random variables. Therefore, we recommend using RLR statistic for linear mixed models in association mapping.

Abstract: Neurodegenerative diseases are associated with progressive loss of structure or function of neurons which results in cell death. Recent evidence indicate that all neurodegenerative disorders, sporadic or transmissible, may have a common pathological mechanism at the molecular level. This common feature consists of protein aggregation and accumulation of harmful aggregates in neuronal cells resulting in cellular apoptosis and neurotoxicity. Neurodegenerative diseases can affect abstract thinking, skilled movements, emotional feelings, cognition, memory and other abilities. This diverse group of diseases includes Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), prion diseases or transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In my project I worked on the molecular mechanism of protein aggregation, propagation and neurotoxicity in Parkinson's disease and prion disease. Prion disease and PD are associated with misfolding and aggregation of PrPc and a-Synuclein (a-Syn), respectively. Despite being two important neurodegenerative disorders, molecular mechanisms of a-Syn or PrPC aggregation and amyloidogenesis are still unclear in PD and prion disease. Furthermore, the toxic protein species in PD have not been characterized yet. In this study we characterize the mechanism of a-Syn and PrPc misfolding in a physiological-like cell free condition in the absence of a-Syn aggregates, PrPc ggregated isoform (Pre's), denaturants or acidic environment. A number of studies indicate that dimerization of PrPc or a-Syn may be a key step in the aggregation process. To test this hypothesis we verified if enforced dimerization of PrPc or a-Syn may induce a conformational change reminiscent of the conversion of PrPc or a-Syn to PrPR' or a-Syn aggregates, respectively. We used a well-described inducible dimerization strategy where a dimerizing domain called FK506-binding protein (Fv) was fused to PrPc or a-Syn in order to produce chimeric proteins Fv-PrP and a-SynF'''. A divalent ligand AP20187 was used to induce protein dimerization. Addition of AP20187 to recombinant Fv-PrP in physiological-like conditions resulted in a rapid conformational change characterized by an increase in beta-sheet (13-Sheet) structure and simultaneous aggregation of the proteins. However, non-dimerized PrP formed 13-Sheet conformation in very slower rates. In the presence of AP20187, we also report a rapid random coil into 13-sheet conformational transformation of a-SynF" within 24 h, whereas wild type a-Syn showed 24 h delay to achieve P-sheet structure after 48 h. Electron microscopy experiments demonstrated that dimerization induced amyloid fibril formation after 48 h for both Fv-PrP and a-Syr?", whereas in the absence of dimerizing ligand AP20187, PrP or a-Syn converted into amyloid fibrils after 3 days or even later. Dimerization-induced Fv-PrP aggregates were partially resistant to PK digestion which is a characteristics of the naturally occurring PrPR'. The rates of amyloidogenesis in the presence of dimerization was also characterized by Thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence probing. Whereas the stable structure of Fv-PrP showed no ThT binding for over 60 h of incubation at 37°C, the addition of AP20187 to Fv-PrP resulted in a time-dependent increase in ThT binding. As for a-SynR, dimerization accelerated the rate of ThT binding and amyloid formation comparing to the slower amyloidogenesis rate of wild type a-Syn in the absence of dimerizer AP20187. The impact of dimerization on a-Syn aggregation was further determined by Fluorescence ANS probing, indicating a higher affinity of dimerization-induced a-SynF" aggregates for binding to ANS comparing to wild type a-Syn aggregates. These results indicate that dimerization increases the aggregation and amyloidogenesis processes for Fv-PrP and a-SynF". Both Fv-PrP and a-SynF" amyloids were successfully propagated in vitro by protein misfolding amplification (PMCA) cycle. These results ar in agreement with the theory that all protein aggregates in neurodegenerative diseases propagate with the same molecular mechanism. Neurotoxicity of recombinant Fv-PrP and a-SynF" aggregates was determined in cellulo and in vivo, respectively. Aggregates of Fv-PrP were toxic to cultured cells whilst soluble Fv-PrP and amyloid fibres were harmless to the cells. When injected to the mice brain, both a-Syni" and a-Syn pre-fibrillar aggregates internalized cells and induced neurotoxicity in the hippocampus of wild-type mice. These recombinant toxic aggregates further converted into non-toxic amyloids which were successfully amplified by PMCA method, providing the first evidence for the in vitro propagation of synthetic a-Syn aggregates. These results suggest an important role for protein dimerization in aggregation and amyloidogenesis, and therefore, in the pathology of PD and prion disease. The similarities between aggregation, amyloidogenesis and toxicity of PrPC and ct-Syn provide further evidence on the existance of a prion-like mechanism in all neurodegenerative disorders. // Résumé: Les maladies neurodégénératives sont associées à la perte progressive des propriétés structurales ou fonctionnelles des neurones, ce qui engendre la mort des cellules. De récentes études indiquent que tous les désordres neurodégénératifs, sporadiques ou transmissibles, peuvent avoir un mécanisme pathologique commun au niveau moléculaire. Ce dispositif commun se compose de l'agrégation de protéines, de la propagation des agrégats, et de l'accumulation d’agrégats toxiques dans les cellules neuronales, menant à l'apoptose et à la neurotoxicité cellulaire. Les maladies neurodégénératives peuvent affecter la pensée abstraite, les mouvements habiles, les sentiments émotifs, la connaissance, la Mémoire et d'autres capacités cognitives. Ce groupe divers de maladies inclut la maladie d'Alzheimer (AD), de Parkinson (PD), de Huntington (HD), les maladies à prions ou encéphalopathies spongiformes transmissibles (TSEs) et la sclérose latérale amyotrophique (ALS). [symboles non conformes]

Abstract : Monte Carlo simulations have proven to be very powerful techniques to study the radiolysis of water and the mechanisms underlying this radiolysis. Monte Carlo simulations particularly become important when there are no experimental results available in the literature due, for instance, to the difficulty of performing such experiments. This thesis presents a study of the radiolysis of water irradiated by different types of radiation and at various temperatures, employing Monte Carlo simulations. The first part of the thesis uses Monte Carlo simulations to elucidate the mechanisms involved in the self-radiolysis of tritiated water and to examine the importance of the effects of higher “linear energy transfer” (LET) by comparing [[superscript 3]H [beta][superscript -] radiations (mean initial energy of ~5.7 keV) with [superscript 60]Co [gamma]-rays (~1 MeV electrons). Our simulations showed that, for [superscript 3]H [beta][superscript -], we observe lower radical and higher molecular yields than in γ-radiolysis. These differences in yields are consistent with differences in the nonhomogeneous distribution of primary transient species in the two cases. Overall, our results corroborate well with previously reported work, and support a picture of [superscript 3]H [beta][superscript -] radiolysis mainly driven by the chemical action of “short tracks” of high local LET. This same trend in yields of radical and molecular products was also found under acidic conditions as well as in the aerated Fricke dosimeter. One of our main findings was that the measured Fricke yield G(Fe[superscript 3+]) could be best reproduced if a single, mean “equivalent” electron energy of ~7.8 keV were used to mimic the energy deposition by the tritium [beta][superscript -] particles (rather than the commonly used mean of ~5.7 keV), in full agreement with a previous recommendation of ICRU Report 17. The second part of this thesis investigates the radiolysis of the ceric-cerous sulfate dosimeter at elevated temperatures. In this radiolysis, H[superscript •] (or HO[subscript 2][superscript •] in the presence of oxygen) and H[subscript 2]O[subscript 2] produced by the radiolytic decomposition of water both reduce Ce[superscript 4+] ions to Ce[superscript 3+] ions, while [superscript •]OH radicals oxidize the Ce[superscript 3+] present back to Ce[superscript 4+]. Our simulations showed that the net Ce[superscript 3+] yield decreases almost linearly with increasing temperature up to ~250 °C, in excellent agreement with experiment. Above 250 °C, our model predicts that G(Ce[superscript 3+]) drops markedly with temperature until, instead of Ce[superscript 4+] reduction, Ce[superscript 3+] oxidation is observed. This drop is shown to result from the occurrence of the reaction of H[superscript •] atoms with water in the homogeneous chemical stage.//Résumé : La méthodologie de simulation Monte-Carlo s’est révélée être une très puissante technique dans l’étude des mécanismes de la radiolyse de l’eau. En particulier, la simulation Monte-Carlo se rend même plus importante quand les résultats expérimentaux ne sont pas disponibles, notamment dû aux difficultés techniques. Le mémoire actuel représente une étude sur la radiolyse de l’eau irradiée par différents rayonnements à différentes températures, en utilisant la simulation Monte-Carlo. Dans la première partie de ce mémoire, on examine les mécanismes d’auto-radiolyse de l’eau tritiée ainsi que l’importance de l’effet de « transfert linéaire d'énergie » (TLE) en comparant les électrons [béta][indice supérieur -] de [indice supérieur 3]H avec les rayons [béta][indice supérieur -] de [indice supérieur 60]Co. Nos simulations montrent que, pour les rayons [béta][indice supérieur -] de [indice supérieur 3]H, on observe moins de production de radicaux libres et plus de produits moléculaires. Ces différences de rendement sont en accord avec les différences de distribution non-homogène des espèces primaires transitoires dans les deux cas. En résumé, nos résultats corroborent bien avec les travaux publiés précédemment et donnent une perspective de la radiolyse [béta][indice supérieur -] de [indice [supérieur 3]H qui est en majorité contrôlée par l’action chimique de « trajectoires courtes » de TLE local élevé. La même tendance pour la production des radicaux libres et des produits moléculaires a été trouvée en milieu acide ainsi que pour le dosimètre aéré de Fricke. Un de nos résultats principaux montre que le rendement G(Fe[indice supérieur 3+]) du dosimètre de Fricke peut être mieux reproduit si une seule énergie électronique moyenne « équivalente » de ~7.8 keV est utilisée pour mimer la déposition d’énergie par les particules [béta][indice supérieur -] du tritium (au lieu de la valeur moyenne de ~5.7 keV qui est utilisée fréquemment). Ceci est en complet accord avec une recommandation du rapport 17 de l’ICRU. La deuxième partie de ce mémoire concerne la radiolyse du dosimètre au sulfate cérique-céreux à températures élevées. Lors de cette radiolyse, H[indice supérieur •] (ou HO[indice inférieur 2][indice supérieur •] en présence d’oxygène) et H[indice inférieur 2]O[indice inférieur 2] produits par la décomposition radiolytique de l’eau réduisent les ions cériques Ce[indice supérieur 4+] en ions céreux Ce[indice supérieur 3+], tandis que les radicaux [indice supérieur •]OH oxydent Ce[indice supérieur 3+] en Ce[indice supérieur 4+]. Nos simulations montrent que le rendement G (Ce[indice supérieur 3+]) décroît quasi linéairement avec la température entre 25 et 250 ° C, en excellent accord avec l’expérience . Au-dessus de 250 °C, notre modèle prédit une diminution marquée de G (Ce[indice supérieur 3+]) jusqu’à ce qu’on l’observe, au lieu d’une réduction de Ce[indice supérieur 4+], une oxydation de Ce[indice supérieur 3+]. Nous montrons que cette diminution est due à l’intervention de la réaction des atomes H[indice supérieur •] avec l’eau en milieu homogène.

Résumé : Grâce à des caractéristiques physiques particulières, le [indice supérieur 64]Cu (T[indice inférieur 1/2]= 12.7 h; β[indice supérieur+], 0.65 MeV [17.8 %]; β[indice supérieur −], 0.58 MeV [38.4 %]) est un candidat idéal pour l’imagerie TEP et la radiothérapie ciblée du cancer. Son utilisation est actuellement limitée par la disponibilité de chélateurs bi-fonctionnels (CBFs) offrant une résistance élevée aux réactions de transmétallation in vivo. Récemment nous avons développés deux nouveaux CBFs cycliques, DOTHA[indice inférieur 2] et NOTHA[indice inférieur 2], portant des ligands hydroxamates pour la complexation au [indice supérieur 64]Cu. Ces CBFs possèdent une cinétique de marquage rapide dans des conditions très douces, une stabilité élevée in vivo et un profil de biodistribution favorable avec une clairance rapide. Nous proposons maintenant d’étendre notre approche à la préparation de CBFs acycliques plus flexibles et compacts afin de moduler les propriétés biologiques et la pharmacocinétique des traceurs peptidiques. Le but de mon projet de maîtrise est de développer une série de chélateurs acycliques dérivés de l'histidine et de l'acide glutamique et fonctionalisés avec des groupements hydroxamates pour identifier un CBF offrant un complexe stable in vivo avec le [indice supérieur 64]Cu(II). Les CBFs ont été préparés en solution pour faciliter l’optimisation de chaque étape réactionnelle. Les groupements chélatants hydroxamates ont été sélectionnés pour leur habilité à former des complexes stables avec différents métaux et ils ont été liés en position N-terminale et sur la chaîne latérale des acides aminés grâce à des réactions de substitution nucléophile. Les groupements para-methoxy-benzyles ont été judicieusement sélectionnés pour la protection des groupements hydroxamates afin de faciliter, au besoin, une déprotection sélective sous des conditions très douces. L’optimisation du marquage a été effectuée avec l’isotope stable du cuivre et ensuite avec le [indice supérieur 64]Cu en faisant varier le contre ion métallique, le pH, la concentration, et la température. Le CBF offrant la plus grande stabilité, soit celui dérivé de l’histidine, a été conjugué à un peptide, le H[indice inférieur 2]N-PEG-[D-Tyr[indice supérieur 6],βAla[indice supérieur 11],Thi[indice supérieur 13],Nle[indice supérieur 14]]bombesin(6-14) (BBN), se liant fortement aux récepteurs de la relâche de la gastrine surexprimés dans les cancers du sein et de la prostate. La stabilité et l’activité spécifique du CBF-histidine et du radiotraceur marqués au [indice supérieur 64]Cu s’est avérée faible in vitro. Il est connu que l’activité antibactérienne de ligands hydroxamates est associée à leur capacité à complexer le fer. En perspective, comme nos chélateurs complexent très fortement le Fe(III), une alternative pour ces composés serait d’évaluer leur capacité à inhiber la croissance et la prolifération des bactéries. || Abstract : Thanks to its particular physical characteristics, [superscript 64]Cu (T[subscript ½= 12.7 h; β[superscript +], 0.65MeV [17.8 %]; β[superscript −], 0.58MeV [38.4 %]) is an ideal candidate for PET imaging and targeted cancer radiotherapy. Currently, its use is limited by the availability of bi-functional chelators (BFCs) which give high resistance to in vivo transmetallation reactions. Recently, we developed two new cyclic BFCs, DOTHA[subscript 2] and NOTHA[subscript 2], bearing hydroxamate pendant arms for the complexation with [superscript 64]Cu. Those BFCs have fast labeling kinetics under very mild conditions, a high in vivo stability and a biodistribution profile which is favorable with a fast clearance. Now, we propose to expand our approach to the preparation of acyclic BFCs, which are more flexible and compact, in order to better modulate biological properties and the pharmacokinetics of the peptidic tracers. The goal of my Master’s degree project is to develop a series of acyclic chelators derived from histidine and glutamic acid and functionalized with hydroxamate pendant arms to identify a BFC that shows highly stable in vivo complexes with [superscript 64]Cu(II). BFCs have been prepared in solution to facilitate the optimization of each reactive step. Hydroxamate chelating groups have been selected for their ability to form stable complexes with different metals and they have been conjugated in N-terminal position and on the lateral chain of amino acids via nucleophilic substitution reactions. Para-methoxy-benzyl groups have been judiciously selected for the protection of the hydroxamate groups to facilitate, if needed, a selective deprotection under mild conditions. The labeling optimization has been performed with a stable copper isotope, and then with [superscript 64]Cu varying the metallic counter-ion, pH, concentration and temperature. The BFC having the highest stability, the one derived from histidine, was conjugated to a peptide, H[subscript 2]N-PEG-[D-Tyr[superscript 6],βAla[superscript 11],Thi[superscript 13],Nle[superscript 14]]bombesin(6-14) (BBN), strongly bounding the gastrin releasing peptide receptor, which is overexpressed in breast and prostate cancers. Both the stability and specific activity of BFC-histidine of the radiotracer labeled with [superscript 64]Cu were low in vitro. It is known that the antibacterial activity of hydroxamate ligands is associated with their ability to complex iron. In perspective, because our hydroxamate ligands strongly complex Fe(III), an alternative for these compounds would be to assess their ability to inhibit the growth and proliferation of bacteria.

The synthesis of pure tris(6-hydroxymethyl-2-pyridylmethyl)amine (H₃L₁₁) is reported for the first time. New complexes of H₃L₁₁ with copper(II), manganese(II) and iron(III) have been characterised by X-ray crystallography. Linear [Fe₃(L₁₁)₂](ClO₄)₃ reveals the tightest Fe-O-Fe angle (87.6°) and shortest Fe...Fe distance (2.834 Å) presently found for a weakly antiferromagnetically-coupled high spin alkoxide-bridged polyiron(III) system. H₃L₁₁ provides a route to various hydrophobic peralkylated TPA ligand derivatives for creating a hydrophobic pocket for the assembly of iron catalysts for the novel 1-hydroxylation of n-alkanes. New 6-py substituted TPA ligands containing methyl (L₁₅) and n-octyl (L₁₆) ether linkages were synthesised via alkylation. Two further novel 6-py substituted ligands were synthesized incorporating n-hexyl substituents on one (L₂₁) and two (L₂₂) of the py moieties. Here a urea spacer group was used to promote hydrogen–bond assisted heterolytic O-O cleavage (generation of the potent FeV=O oxidant) within the hydroxoperoxoiron(III) precursor. High spin [FeII(L)(CH₃CN)[subscript(x)]](CF₃SO₃)₂ complexes (x = 0–2, L = L₁₅,₁₆,₂₁,₂₂) were characterised in solution by ¹H NMR. The structure of [Fe(L₂₂)](CF₃SO₃)₂ reveals a distorted iron(II) centre bound to four N atoms and two urea carbonyls. Iron(II) complexes of H₃L₁₁, L₁₅,₁₆,₂₁,₂₂ and tris(6-Br)-TPA (L₂₄), were investigated for catalysis of the oxygenation of cyclohexane by H₂O₂. Reaction of the iron(II) complexes with H₂O₂ and [superscript(t)]BuOOH was followed by time-resolved EPR and UV-VIS spectrophotometry. A correlation between the observed catalytic activity and the nature of the FeIII(L)-OOR intermediates generated is apparent. A convenient ‘one-pot’ synthesis of benzene-1,3,5-triamido-tris(l-histidine methyl ester) is reported along with attempts at preparing N,N’-bis(pyridylmethyl)-1,3- diaminopropane-2-carboxylic acid (L₂₅), a new water soluble pyridine-amine ligand. The final demetallation step resulted in ligand hydrolysis to the novel amino acid; 1,3-diaminopropane- 2-carboxylic acid which was characterised as its HCl salt by X-ray crystallography.

Radionuclide liquid wastes generated from nuclear facilities can affect humans and the environment, thus substantial attention for their safe management has been received worldwide. Treatment of radionuclide liquid wastes is an important step in its management. In the present work, new composite nanomaterials, graphene oxide base nanomaterial (GO) are developed for treatment purpose. Graphene oxide (GO), one of the most graphene derivatives, its unique properties, such as chemical stability, hydrophilicity, large surface area and functional groups, make them able to form strong chemical bonds with radionuclides. GO was successfully synthesized via Hummers method, characterized by Raman spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), UV/Vis Spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and applied as an adsorbent in removal of the metallic long-lived radionuclide 68Ge from of aqueous solution The method used for evaluation of nanomaterials retention properties was sorption experiment, being based on contact of solid material with tracer solution under defined boundary conditions (solid/solution ratio, solution composition etc.). Two sorption experimental methods were used in this study. Firstly, an aqueous solution of 68Ge radionuclide solution mixed with GO solution, the solution was filtered using syringe filter membrane unit and the aliquot was quantified by gamma spectrometry. Secondly, the 68Ge radionuclide was mixed with GO solid powder, suspension rotated in a mechanical shaker, centrifuged, an aliquot of 1.0 ml sample taken for gamma spectroscopy and the supernatant was put in an oven to dry overnight for characterization analysis. The results obtained from experiments were the evaluated, using sorption percentage equation and showed that the GO had much low sorption capacity for the pre-concentration of radionuclides from aqueous solutions. The function of the pH, the ionic strength and the reduction of GO will be investigated for future studies for the improvement of the research results. / Physics / M. Sc. (Physics)

Résumé : Dans le secteur médical, la nanovectorisation ciblée (NVC) est susceptible de lever de nombreux verrous technologiques en matière de traitements médicaux. L’absence d’une démarche axée sur les impacts possibles, l’acceptation et l’acceptabilité de la NVC pourrait toutefois conduire à un manque d’adéquation entre les applications développées et les besoins et valeurs des utilisateurs, freinant ultimement leur déploiement. Sur la base d’un modèle interdisciplinaire d’analyse d’impact et d’acceptabilité, les variables de perception des impacts, d’acceptation d’acceptabilité ont été opérationnalisées et étudiées au regard de la nature du nanovecteur, du contexte d’usage clinique et de la culture disciplinaire et sociale des répondants. L’exploration des impacts perçus, mobilisés et pondérés sur un ensemble d’enjeux éthiques, économiques, environnementaux, légaux et sociaux (E[indice supérieur 3]LS) a permis d’établir un premier portrait de l’acceptabilité de cette application. Une approche descriptive-exploratoire fondée sur un devis mixte avec triangulation séquentielle des données a été employée. Les données ont été collectées en deux phases, d’abord par le biais d’un questionnaire en ligne (n=214), puis par des entrevues individuelles semi-dirigées (n=22). Une recension des scientifiques actifs du secteur des technologies émergentes œuvrant en sciences naturelles et ingénierie ainsi qu’en sciences humaines et sociales a permis de former l’échantillon final composé de chercheurs Français et Québécois. L’opérationnalisation du cadre de référence a permis de montrer l’importance de distinguer le dispositif et les usages lors de la formulation du jugement d’acceptabilité, relevant parallèlement une influence du contexte d’usage sur l’acceptabilité des applications de NVC. Des variations disciplinaires et sociales quant aux jugements d’acceptabilité ont aussi été soulevées, soulignant des sensibilités culturelles relativement aux éléments mobilisés dans le jugement d’acceptabilité. Ces distinctions relatives à la manière d’appréhender la NVC invitent à dépasser les approches traditionnelles d’acceptation technologiques et à converger vers une approche d’acceptabilité axée sur les impacts perçus et valorisés relativement à un ensemble d’enjeux E[indice supérieur 3]LS. Les résultats des deux phases de l’étude ont aussi montré que l’opérationnalisation du cadre théorique de référence était adéquate pour arriver à cette fin. Ultimement, afin de prendre en compte et de comprendre l’étendue possible des impacts perçus et valorisés dans le jugement d’acceptabilité de l’ensemble des acteurs concernés par les nouvelles applications nanomédicales, l’élaboration de ces applications bénéficierait à employer une telle approche et à l’intégrer aux processus de développement technologique. / Abstract : In many medical fields, nanocarrier-based targeted drug-delivery (TDD) is likely to remove many technical obstacles regarding treatment. The lack of an approach based on variables such as potential impacts, acceptance, and acceptability could however lead to a mismatch between TDD applications being developed and users’ needs and values; this mismatch could ultimately hold back their deployment. Based on an interdisciplinary approach for the analysis of impact and acceptability of emerging technologies, three main concepts of a new theoretical framework—perceived impacts, acceptance, and acceptability—have been operationalized. This operationalisation has been studied in the light of several variables, namely the nature of the nanocarrier, the clinical context of use, and the disciplinary and social culture of the respondents. An exploration of the impacts perceived, mobilized and weighted, based on a set of ethical, economic, environmental, legal and social (E[superscript 3]LS) issues allowed to establish a first portrait of the acceptability of this application. A descriptive-exploratory approach based on a mixed-methods design with sequential data triangulation was used. The data were collected in two phases, first through an online questionnaire (n = 214), and then through semi-structured individual interviews (n = 22). The final sample was composed of French and French-Canadian researchers involved in themes related to emerging technologies, all from natural sciences and engineering or from humanities and social sciences. The operationalisation of the theoretical framework highlighted the importance of distinguishing the device and the uses when formulating the acceptability judgment, revealing also the influence of the context of use on the acceptability of TDD applications. Disciplinary and social variations related to acceptability judgments were also raised, highlighting possible cultural sensitivities regarding elements mobilized in those acceptability judgments. These distinctions on how are apprehended TDD applications invite to go beyond traditional approaches of technology acceptance and to converge toward approaches of acceptability; those approaches also need to integrate how impacts on E[superscript 3]LS issues are perceived and weighted. The results of both phases of the study also showed that the operationalization of the theoretical framework was adequate to achieve that end. Ultimately, in order to figure and to understand the broad spectrum of possible impacts that may be perceived and valued in the acceptability judgment of stakeholders affected by the development of new nanomedical applications as TDD, the development process of those applications could benefit from integrating this approach.

Abstract: Monte Carlo simulations were used here to compare the radiation chemistry of pure water and aqueous bromide solutions after irradiation with two different types of radiation, namely, tritium β-electrons (~7.8 keV) and [superscript 60]Co γ-rays/fast electron (~1 MeV) or high energy protons. Bromide ions (Br-) are known to be selective scavengers of hydroxyl radicals •OH precursors of hydrogen peroxide H[subscript 2]O[subscript 2]. These simulations thus allowed us to determine the yields (or G-values) of H[subscript 2]O[subscript 2] in the radiolysis of dilute aqueous bromide solutions by the two types of radiations studied, the first with low linear energy transfer (LET) (~0.3 keV/μm) and the second with high LET (~6 keV/μm) at 25 °C. This study was carried out under a wide range of Br- concentrations both in the presence and the absence of oxygen. Simulations clearly showed that irradiation by tritium β-electrons favored a clear increase in G(H[subscript 2]O[subscript 2]) compared to [superscript 60]Co γ-rays. We found that these changes could be related to differences in the initial spatial distributions of radiolytic species (i.e., the structure of the electron tracks, the low-energy β-electrons of tritium depositing their energy as cylindrical “short tracks” and the energetic Compton electrons produced by γ-radiolysis forming mainly spherical “spurs”). Moreover, simulations also showed that the presence of oxygen, a very good scavenger of hydrated electrons (e-[subscript aq]) and H• atoms on the 10[superscript-7] s time scale (i.e., before the end of spur expansion), protected H[subscript 2]O[subscript 2] from further reactions with these species in the homogeneous stage of radiolysis. This protection against e-[subscript aq] and H• atoms therefore led to an increase in the H[subscript 2]O[subscript 2] yields at long times, as seen experimentally. Finally, for both deaerated and aerated solutions, the H[subscript 2]O[subscript 2] yield in tritium β-radiolysis was found to be more easily suppressed than in the case of cobalt-60 γ-radiolysis, and interpreted by the quantitatively different chemistry between short tracks and spurs. These differences in the scavengeability of H[subscript 2]O[subscript 2] precursors in passing from low-LET [superscript 60]Co γ-ray to high-LET tritium β-electron irradiation were in good agreement with experimental data, thereby lending strong support to the picture of tritium-β radiolysis in terms of short tracks of high local LET. / Résumé: Les simulations Monte Carlo constituent une approche théorique efficace pour étudier la chimie sous rayonnement de l'eau et des solutions aqueuses. Dans ce travail, nous avons utilisé ces simulations pour comparer l’action de deux types de rayonnement, à savoir, le rayonnement γ de [indice supérieur 60]Co (électrons de Compton ~1 Me V) et les électrons β du tritium (~ 7,8 keV), sur la radiolyse de l’eau et des solutions aqueuses diluées de bromure. Les ions Br- sont connus comme d’excellents capteurs des radicaux hydroxyles •OH, précurseurs du peroxyde d’hydrogène H[indice inférieur 2]O[indice inférieur 2]. Les simulations Monte Carlo nous ont donc permis de déterminer les rendements (ou valeurs G) de H[indice inférieur 2]O[indice inférieur 2] à 25 °C pour les deux types de rayonnements étudiés, le premier à faible transfert d'énergie linéaire (TEL) (~0,3 keV/μm) et le second à haut TEL (~6 keV/μm). L’étude a été menée pour différentes concentrations d’ions Br-, à la fois en présence et en absence d'oxygène. Les simulations ont montré que l’irradiation par les électrons β du tritium favorisait nettement la formation de H[indice inférieur 2]O[indice inférieur 2] comparativement aux rayons γ du cobalt. Ces changements ont pu être reliés aux différences qui existent dans les distributions spatiales initiales des espèces radiolytiques (i.e., la structure des trajectoires d'électrons, les électrons β du tritium déposant leur énergie sous forme de «trajectoires courtes» de nature cylindrique, et les électrons Compton produits par la radiolyse γ formant principalement des «grappes» de géométrie plus ou moins sphérique). Les simulations ont montré également que la présence d'oxygène, capteur d’électrons hydratés et d’atomes H• sur l'échelle de temps de ~10[indice supérieur -7] s (i.e., avant la fin des grappes), protégeait H[indice inférieur 2]O[indice inférieur 2] d’éventuelles réactions subséquentes avec ces espèces. Une telle «protection» conduit ainsi à une augmentation de G(H[indice inférieur 2]O[indice inférieur 2]) à temps longs. Enfin, en milieu tant désaéré qu’aéré, les rendements en H[indice inférieur 2]O[indice inférieur 2] obtenus lors de la radiolyse par les électrons β du tritium ont été trouvés plus facilement supprimés que lors de la radiolyse γ. Ces différences dans l’efficacité de capture des précurseurs de H[indice inférieur 2]O[indice inférieur 2] ont été interprétées par les différences quantitatives dans la chimie intervenant dans les trajectoires courtes et les grappes. Un excellent accord a été obtenu avec les données expérimentales existantes.

Monte-Carlo calculations are used to simulate the stochastic effects of fast neutron-induced chemical changes in the radiolysis of the ferrous sulfate (Fricke) dosimeter. To study the dependence of the yield of ferric ions, G(Fe[superscript 3+]), on fast neutron energy, we have simulated, at 25 [degree centigrade], the oxidation of ferrous ions in aerated aqueous 0.4 M H[subscript 2]SO[subscript 4] (pH 0.46) solutions when subjected to ~0.5-10 MeV incident neutrons, as a function of time up to ~50 s. The radiation effects due to fast neutrons are estimated on the basis of track segment (or"escape") yields calculated for the first four recoil protons with appropriate weighting according to the energy deposited by each of these protons. For example, a 0.8-MeV neutron generates recoil protons of 0.505, 0.186, 0.069, and 0.025 MeV, with linear energy transfer (LET) values of ~41, 69, 82, and 62 keV/[micro]m, respectively. In doing so, we consider that further recoils make only a negligible contribution to radiation processes. Our results show that the radiolysis of dilute aqueous solutions by fast neutrons produces smaller radical yields and larger molecular yields (relative to the corresponding yields for the radiolysis of water by [superscript 60]Co [gamma]-rays or fast electrons) due to the high LET associated to fast neutrons. The effect of recoil ions of oxygen, which is also taken into account in the calculations, is shown to decrease G(Fe[superscript 3+]) by about 10%. Our calculated values of G(Fe[superscript 3+]) are found to increase slightly with increasing neutron energy over the energy range covered in this study, in good agreement with available experimental data. We have also simulated the effect of temperature on the G(Fe[superscript 3+]) values in the fast neutron radiolysis of the Fricke dosimeter from 25 to 300 [degree centigrade]. Our results show an increase of G(Fe[superscript 3+]) with increasing temperature, which is readily explained by an increase in the yields of free radicals and a decrease in those of molecular products. For 0.8-MeV incident neutrons (the only case for which experimental data are available in the literature), there is a ~23% increase in G(Fe[superscript 3+]) on going from 25 to 300 [degree centigrade]. Although these results are in reasonable agreement with experiment, more experimental data, in particular for different incident neutron energies, would be needed to test more rigorously our Fe[superscript 3+] ion yield results at elevated temperatures.