University of Mons

About: University of Mons is a education organization based out in Mons, Belgium. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Large Hadron Collider & Standard Model. The organization has 3073 authors who have published 9465 publications receiving 294776 citations.

On T2-shortening by weakly magnetized particles: the chemical exchange model.

Abstract: Chemical exchange (CE) theory is compared with two theories of T2-shortening caused by microscopic magnetic centers: inner- and outer-sphere relaxation theory (long-echo limit) and mean gradient diffusion theory (short-echo limit). The CE equation is shown to be identical to these theories in the respective limits and appropriate parameter relationships are derived for spherical particles. The theories are then compared with computer simulations of spherical particles and with a recent general theory, with good agreement in the asymptotic regions. The CE model also reproduces the essential relaxation characteristics in the intermediate range. Finally, good agreement of a CE model with simulations for magnetized cylinders is also demonstrated. The discussion is limited to weakly magnetized particles such that the maximum phase shift during an echo interval is less than one radian, permitting the use of the Luz-Meiboom CE equation. Published 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Effects of short-term treatment with metformin on serum concentrations of homocysteine, folate and vitamin B12 in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Abstract: . Wulffele MG, Kooy A, Lehert P, Bets D, Ogterop JC, Borger van der Burg B, Donker AJM, Stehouwer CDA (Bethesda General Hospital, Hoogeveen, The Netherlands; University of Mons, Mons, Belgium; Merck Nederland B.V., Amsterdam; Deaconesses’ Hospital, Meppel; Aleida Kramer Hospital, Coevorden; and Vrije Universiteit Medical Centre, Amsterdam; The Netherlands). Effects of short-term treatment with metformin on serum concentrations of homocysteine, folate and vitamin B12 in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. J Intern Med 2003; 254: 455–463. Objective. Metformin is a key treatment option in type 2 diabetes. However, metformin may decrease vitamin B12 levels and increase levels of homo-cysteine, a cardiovascular risk factor. We investigated whether 16 weeks of treatment with metformin affects serum concentrations of homo-cysteine, folate and vitamin B12 in subjects with type 2 diabetes treated with insulin. Design. Placebo-controlled, randomized trial. Measurements: at baseline and 16 weeks later. Setting. This trial was conducted in the outpatient clinics of three general hospitals in The Netherlands. Subjects. A total of 745 patients with type 2 diabetes, treated with insulin and not known with a contraindication for the use of metformin, were approached; 390 gave informed consent and entered the study. Thirty-seven subjects dropped out (12 placebo and 25 metformin users). Intervention. Addition of metformin or placebo to insulin therapy. Primary outcome parameters. Serum homocysteine, folate, vitamin B12, indices of glycaemic control and body weight. Results. Amongst those who completed 16 weeks of treatment, metformin use, as compared with placebo, was associated with an increase in homocysteine of 4% (0.2 to 8; P = 0.039) and with decreases in folate [−7% (−1.4 to −13); P = 0.024] and vitamin B12 [−14% (−4.2 to −24); P < 0.0001]. In addition, the increase in homocysteine could be explained by the decreases in folate and vitamin B12. Conclusion. In patients with type 2 diabetes, 16 weeks of treatment with metformin reduces levels of folate and vitamin B12, which results in a modest increase in homocysteine. The clinical significance of these findings remains to be investigated.

Flavor Ratio of Astrophysical Neutrinos above 35 TeV in IceCube

Abstract: A diffuse flux of astrophysical neutrinos above 100 TeV has been observed at the IceCube Neutrino Observatory. Here we extend this analysis to probe the astrophysical flux down to 35 TeV and analyze its flavor composition by classifying events as showers or tracks. Taking advantage of lower atmospheric backgrounds for showerlike events, we obtain a shower-biased sample containing 129 showers and 8 tracks collected in three years from 2010 to 2013. We demonstrate consistency with the (f(e) : f(mu) : f(tau))(circle plus) approximate to (1 : 1 : 1)(circle plus) flavor ratio at Earth commonly expected from the averaged oscillations of neutrinos produced by pion decay in distant astrophysical sources. Limits are placed on nonstandard flavor compositions that cannot be produced by averaged neutrino oscillations but could arise in exotic physics scenarios. A maximally tracklike composition of (0 : 1 : 0)(circle plus) is excluded at 3.3 sigma, and a purely showerlike composition of (1 : 0 : 0)(circle plus) is excluded at 2.3 sigma.

Nitric Oxide Adsorption and Delivery in Flexible MIL-88(Fe) Metal–Organic Frameworks

Abstract: Adsorption and release of the biologically active nitric oxide (NO) was evaluated over a series of highly flexible iron(III) dicarboxylate MOFs of the MIL-88 structure type, bearing fumaric or terephthalic spacer functionalized or not by polar groups (NO2, 2OH). As evidenced by ex situ X-ray powder diffraction and in situ IR spectroscopy, it appears that if the contracted dried forms of MIL-88 do not expand their structures in the presence of NO, the combination of very narrow pores and trimers of iron polyhedra leads to the adsorption of significant amounts of NO either physisorbed (very narrow pores) and/or chemisorbed [iron(II) or iron(III) coordinatively unsaturated metal sites (CUS)]. The delivery of NO under vapor of water or in simulated body fluid does not exceed 20% range of the total adsorbed amount probably due to a partial release that occurs between the adsorption/desorption setup and the chemiluminescence release tests. Some of these solids nevertheless exhibit a significant release at the b...