Waseda University

About: Waseda University is a education organization based out in Tokyo, Japan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Large Hadron Collider & Catalysis. The organization has 24220 authors who have published 46859 publications receiving 837855 citations. The organization is also known as: Waseda daigaku & Sōdai.

Germline gain-of-function mutations in RAF1 cause Noonan syndrome

Abstract: Noonan syndrome is characterized by short stature, facial dysmorphia and a wide spectrum of congenital heart defects1,2. Mutations of PTPN11, KRAS and SOS1 in the RAS-MAPK pathway cause ∼60% of cases of Noonan syndrome3,4,5,6,7,8,9. However, the gene(s) responsible for the remainder are unknown. We have identified five different mutations in RAF1 in ten individuals with Noonan syndrome; those with any of four mutations causing changes in the CR2 domain of RAF1 had hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), whereas affected individuals with mutations leading to changes in the CR3 domain did not. Cells transfected with constructs containing Noonan syndrome–associated RAF1 mutations showed increased in vitro kinase and ERK activation, and zebrafish embryos with morpholino knockdown of raf1 demonstrated the need for raf1 for the development of normal myocardial structure and function. Thus, our findings implicate RAF1 gain-of-function mutations as a causative agent of a human developmental disorder, representing a new genetic mechanism for the activation of the MAPK pathway.

Clay mineral-organic interactions

Abstract: Organic compounds can interact with clay minerals by i) adsorption at the external surfaces, ii) adsorption at the external and internal surfaces, iii) by exchange of exchangeable ions at the external surfaces, iv) by exchange of exchangeable ions at the external and internal surfaces, and v) by grafting reactions with silanol and aluminol groups leading to covalent bonds. Kaolin minerals intercalate only are a limited number of compounds whereas the reactions of 2:1 clay minerals, in particular smectites and vermiculites, are very manifold. Special attention is given to the interaction with neutral organic molecules such as alcohols, fatty acids, amines, amino acids, aromatic compounds, macrocyclic compounds, and nuclein bases. The interaction with complexes and dyes also provides the basis of advanced applications of clay minerals. Binding of long chain alkylammonium ions is a fundamental reaction for hydrophobising clay mineral particles as needed in many applications. The interaction of clay minerals with polymers including proteins is not only an actual field of research but also of practical importance. Organo-clay minerals are used as effective adsorbents. As these materials also adsorb solvent molecules together with the adsorptive, the adsorption process must be considered as adsorption from binary solution which, therefore, is also described in this chapter.

Performance of the ATLAS Trigger System in 2010

Abstract: Proton-proton collisions at root s = 7 TeV and heavy ion collisions at root(NN)-N-s = 2.76 TeV were produced by the LHC and recorded using the ATLAS experiment's trigger system in 2010. The LHC is designed with a maximum bunch crossing rate of 40 MHz and the ATLAS trigger system is designed to record approximately 200 of these per second. The trigger system selects events by rapidly identifying signatures of muon, electron, photon, tau lepton, jet, and B meson candidates, as well as using global event signatures, such as missing transverse energy. An overview of the ATLAS trigger system, the evolution of the system during 2010 and the performance of the trigger system components and selections based on the 2010 collision data are shown. A brief outline of plans for the trigger system in 2011 is presented.