Effect of the amyloid β hairpin’s structure on the handedness of helices formed by its aggregates
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Xiaolin, Cheng↗
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Estimation of {alpha}/{beta} for Late Rectal Toxicity Based on RTOG 94-06
Purpose: To estimate {alpha}/{beta}, the parameter ratio from the linear-quadratic (LQ) model, for Grade {>=}2 late rectal toxicity among patients treated on Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) protocol 94-06; and to determine whether correcting the rectal dose-volume histogram (DVH) for differences in dose per fraction, based on the LQ model, significantly improves the fit to these data of the Lyman-Kutcher-Burman (LKB) normal-tissue complication probability (NTCP) model. Methods and Materials: The generalized LKB model was fitted to the Grade {>=}2 late rectal toxicity data in two ways: by using DVHs representing physical dose to rectum, and by using a modified approach in which dose bins in the rectal DVH were corrected for differences in dose per fraction using the LQ model, with {alpha}/{beta} estimated as an additional unknown parameter. The analysis included only patients treated with the same treatment plan throughout radiotherapy, so that the dose per fraction to each voxel of rectum could be determined from the DVH. The likelihood ratio test was used to assess whether the fit of the LQ-corrected model was significantly better than the fit of the LKB model based on physical doses to rectum. Results: The analysis included 509 of the 1,084 patients enrolled on RTOG 94-06. The estimate of {alpha}/{beta} from the LQ-corrected LKB model was 4.8 Gy, with 68% confidence interval 0.6 Gy to 46 Gy. The fit was not significantly different from the fit of the LKB model based on physical dose to rectum (p = 0.236). Conclusions: The estimated fractionation sensitivity for Grade {>=}2 late rectal toxicity is consistent with values of {alpha}/{beta} for rectum found previously in human beings and in rodents. However, the confidence interval is large, and there is no evidence that LQ correction of the rectal DVH significantly changes the fit or predictions of the LKB model for this endpoint.
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
Concurrent Transient Activation of Wnt/{beta}-Catenin Pathway Prevents Radiation Damage to Salivary Glands
Purpose: Many head and neck cancer survivors treated with radiotherapy suffer from permanent impairment of their salivary gland function, for which few effective prevention or treatment options are available. This study explored the potential of transient activation of Wnt/{beta}-catenin signaling in preventing radiation damage to salivary glands in a preclinical model. Methods and Materials: Wnt reporter transgenic mice were exposed to 15 Gy single-dose radiation in the head and neck area to evaluate the effects of radiation on Wnt activity in salivary glands. Transient Wnt1 overexpression in basal epithelia was induced in inducible Wnt1 transgenic mice before together with, after, or without local radiation, and then saliva flow rate, histology, apoptosis, proliferation, stem cell activity, and mRNA expression were evaluated. Results: Radiation damage did not significantly affect activity of Wnt/{beta}-catenin pathway as physical damage did. Transient expression of Wnt1 in basal epithelia significantly activated the Wnt/{beta}-catenin pathway in submandibular glands of male mice but not in those of females. Concurrent transient activation of the Wnt pathway prevented chronic salivary gland dysfunction following radiation by suppressing apoptosis and preserving functional salivary stem/progenitor cells. In contrast, Wnt activation 3 days before or after irradiation did not show significant beneficial effects, mainly due to failure to inhibit acute apoptosis after radiation. Excessive Wnt activation before radiation failed to inhibit apoptosis, likely due to extensive induction of mitosis and up-regulation of proapoptosis gene PUMA while that after radiation might miss the critical treatment window. Conclusion: These results suggest that concurrent transient activation of the Wnt/{beta}-catenin pathway could prevent radiation-induced salivary gland dysfunction.
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
Crystal Structure of Mouse Elf3 C-terminal DNA-binding Domain in Complex with Type II TGF-[beta] Receptor Promoter DNA
The Ets family of transcription factors is composed of more than 30 members. One of its members, Elf3, is expressed in virtually all epithelial cells as well as in many tumors, including breast tumors. Several studies observed that the promoter of the type II TGF-{beta} receptor gene (T{beta}R-II) is strongly stimulated by Elf3 via two adjacent Elf3 binding sites, the A-site and the B-site. Here, we report the 2.2 {angstrom} resolution crystal structure of a mouse Elf3 C-terminal fragment, containing the DNA-binding Ets domain, in complex with the B-site of mouse type II TGF-{beta} receptor promoter DNA (mT{beta}R-II{sub DNA}). Elf3 contacts the core GGAA motif of the B-site from a major groove similar to that of known Ets proteins. However, unlike other Ets proteins, Elf3 also contacts sequences of the A-site from the minor groove of the DNA. DNA binding experiments and cell-based transcription studies indicate that minor groove interaction by Arg349 located in the Ets domain is important for Elf3 function. Equally interesting, previous studies have shown that the C-terminal region of Elf3, which flanks the Ets domain, is required for Elf3 binding to DNA. In this study, we determined that Elf3 amino acid residues within this flanking region, including Trp361, are important for the structural integrity of the protein as well as for the Efl3 DNA binding and transactivation activity.
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
Ethanol-assisted hydrothermal synthesis and electrochemical properties of coral-like {beta}-Co(OH){sub 2} nanostructures
Highly uniform, porous {beta}-Co(OH){sub 2} nanostructures with an appearance reminding of certain spherical corals were synthesized via a facile, one-step hydrothermal route using ethanol-water mixtures as solvents. The rough surfaces of the nanostructures consist of numerous randomly distributed, interconnecting nanoflakes, resulting in a network-like structure with many cavities. The coral-like product has a high Brunauer-Emmet-Teller specific surface area of 163 m{sup 2}/g. The diameter of the coral-like {beta}-Co(OH){sub 2} nanostructures is adjustable from 800 nm to 2 {mu}m. The effects of the ethanol/water ratio, the Co{sup 2+} concentration, the hydrothermal temperature, and the reaction time on the formation of the coral-like structures were investigated. Cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge-discharge tests show that the {beta}-Co(OH){sub 2} possesses excellent capacitive properties. This is mainly attributed to the high porosity, which allows a deep penetration by electrolytes. - Abstract: Coral-like {beta}-Co(OH){sub 2} nanostructures were synthesized via a facile ethanol-assisted hydrothermal route. Their high porosity facilitates a deep penetration by electrolytes and thus contributes to the excellent capacitive properties.
77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
Alpha Backgrounds for HPGe Detectors in Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay Experiments
The Majorana Experiment will use arrays of enriched HPGe detectors to search for the neutrinoless double-beta decay of 76Ge. Such a decay, if found, would show lepton-number violation and confirm the Majorana nature of the neutrino. Searches for such rare events are hindered by obscuring backgrounds which must be understood and mitigated as much as possible. A potentially important background contribution to this and other double-beta decay experiments could come from decays of alpha-emitting isotopes in the 232Th and 238U decay chains on or near the surfaces of the detectors. An alpha particle emitted external to an HPGe crystal can lose energy before entering the active region of the detector, either in some external-bulk material or within the dead region of the crystal. The measured energy of the event will only correspond to a partial amount of the total kinetic energy of the alpha and might obscure the signal from neutrinoless double-beta decay. A test stand was built and measurements were performed to quantitatively assess this background. We present results from these measurements and compare them to simulations using Geant4. These results are then used to measure the alpha backgrounds in an underground detector in situ. We also make estimates of surface contamination tolerances for double-beta decay experiments using solid-state detectors.
Johnson, R. A.↗
The aCORN backscatter-suppressed beta spectrometer
Backscatter of electrons from a beta detector, with incomplete energy deposition, can lead to undesirable effects in many types of experiments. We present and discuss the design and operation of a backscatter-suppressed beta spectrometer that was developed as part of a program to measure the electron–antineutrino correlation coefficient in neutron beta decay (aCORN). An array of backscatter veto detectors surrounds a plastic scintillator beta energy detector. The spectrometer contains an axial magnetic field gradient, so electrons are efficiently admitted but have a low probability for escaping back through the entrance after backscattering. Lastly, the design, construction, calibration, and performance of the spectrometer are discussed.
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
Reduction of isoprenaline-induced myocardial TGF-{beta}1 expression and fibrosis in osthole-treated mice
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) {alpha} and PPAR{gamma} ligands can attenuate myocardial fibrosis. Osthole, an active constituent isolated from the fruit of Cnidium monnieri (L.) Cusson, may be a dual PPAR{alpha}/{gamma} agonist, but there has been no report on its effect on myocardial fibrosis. In the present study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of osthole on myocardial fibrotic formation in mice and its possible mechanisms. A mouse model with myocardial fibrosis was induced by hypodermic injection of isoprenaline while the mice were simultaneously treated with 40 and 80 mg/kg osthole for 40 days. After the addition of osthole, the cardiac weight index and hydroxyproline content in the myocardial tissues were decreased, the degree of collagen accumulation in the heart was improved, and the downregulation of myocardial PPAR{alpha}/{gamma} mRNA expression induced by isoprenaline was reversed. Moreover, the mRNA expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-{beta}1 and the protein levels of nuclear factor (NF)-{kappa}B and TGF-{beta}1 in the myocardial tissues were decreased. These findings suggest that osthole can prevent isoprenaline-induced myocardial fibrosis in mice, and its mechanisms may be related to the reduction of TGF-{beta}1 expression via the activation of PPAR{alpha}/{gamma} and subsequent inhibition of NF-{kappa}B in myocardial tissues. - Highlights: > Osthole could inhibit the myocardial fibrosis induced by isoprenaline in mice. > The mechanism was related to reduction of TGF-{beta}1 expression in myocardial tissue. > The result of osthole was from the activation of PPAR{alpha}/{gamma} and inhibition of NF-{kappa}B.
60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
Nonstructural protein 1{alpha} subunit-based inhibition of NF-{kappa}B activation and suppression of interferon-{beta} production by porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus
Induction of type I interferon (IFN-{alpha}/{beta}) is an early antiviral response of the host, and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) has been reported to downregulate the IFN response during infection in cells and pigs. We report that the PRRSV nonstructural protein 1{alpha} (Nsp1{alpha}) subunit of Nsp1 is a nuclear-cytoplasmic protein distributed to the nucleus and contains a strong suppressive activity for IFN-{beta} production that is mediated through the retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) signaling pathway. Nsp1{alpha} suppressed the activation of nuclear factor (NF)-{kappa}B when stimulated with dsRNA or tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-{alpha}, and NF-{kappa}B suppression was RIG-I-dependent. The suppression of NF-{kappa}B activation was associated with the poor production of IFN-{beta} during PRRSV infection. The C-terminal 14 amino acids of the Nsp1{alpha} subunit were critical in maintaining immunosuppressive activity of Nsp1{alpha} for both IFN-{beta} and NF-{kappa}B, suggesting that the newly identified zinc finger configuration comprising of Met180 may be crucial for inhibitory activities. Nsp1{alpha} inhibited I{kappa}B phosphorylation and as a consequence NF-{kappa}B translocation to the nucleus was blocked, leading to the inhibition of NF-{kappa}B stimulated gene expression. Our results suggest that PRRSV Nsp1{alpha} is a multifunctional nuclear protein participating in the modulation of the host IFN system.
60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
Visualization by BiFC of different C/EBP{beta} dimers and their interaction with HP1{alpha} reveals a differential subnuclear distribution of complexes in living cells
How the co-ordinated events of gene activation and silencing during cellular differentiation are influenced by spatial organization of the cell nucleus is still poorly understood. Little is known about the molecular mechanisms controlling subnuclear distribution of transcription factors, and their interplay with nuclear proteins that shape chromatin structure. Here we show that C/EBP{beta} not only associates with pericentromeric heterochromatin but also interacts with the nucleoskeleton upon induction of adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells. Different C/EBP{beta} dimers localize in different nuclear domains. Using BiFC in living cells, we show that LAP (Liver Activating Protein) homodimers localize in euchromatin and heterochromatin. In contrast, LIP (Liver Inhibitory Protein) homodimers localize exclusively in heterochromatin. Importantly, their differential subnuclear distribution mirrors the site for interaction with HP1{alpha}. HP1{alpha} inhibits LAP transcriptional capacity and occupies the promoter of the C/EBP{beta}-dependent gene c/ebp{alpha} in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. When adipogenesis is induced, HP1{alpha} binding decreases from c/ebp{alpha} promoter, allowing transcription. Thus, the equilibrium among different pools of C/EBP{beta} associated with chromatin or nucleoskeleton, and dynamic changes in their interaction with HP1{alpha}, play key roles in the regulation of C/EBP target genes during adipogenesis.
60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
Spleen tyrosine kinase mediates high glucose-induced transforming growth factor-{beta}1 up-regulation in proximal tubular epithelial cells
The role of spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) in high glucose-induced intracellular signal transduction has yet to be elucidated. We investigated whether Syk is implicated in high glucose-induced transforming growth factor-{beta}1 (TGF-{beta}1) up-regulation in cultured human proximal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2 cell). High glucose increased TGF-{beta}1 gene expression through Syk, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), AP-1 and NF-{kappa}B. High glucose-induced AP-1 DNA binding activity was decreased by Syk inhibitors and U0126 (an ERK inhibitor). Syk inhibitors suppressed high glucose-induced ERK activation, whereas U0126 had no effect on Syk activation. High glucose-induced NF-{kappa}B DNA binding activity was also decreased by Syk inhibitors. High glucose increased nuclear translocation of p65 without serine phosphorylation of I{kappa}B{alpha} and without degradation of I{kappa}B{alpha}, but with an increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of I{kappa}B{alpha} that may account for the activation of NF-{kappa}B. Both Syk inhibitors and Syk-siRNA attenuated high glucose-induced I{kappa}B{alpha} tyrosine phosphorylation and p65 nuclear translocation. Depletion of p21-activated kinase 2 (Pak2) by transfection of Pak2-siRNA abolished high glucose-induced Syk activation. In summary, high glucose-induced TGF-{beta}1 gene transcription occurred through Pak2, Syk and subsequent ERK/AP-1 and NF-{kappa}B pathways. This suggests that Syk might be implicated in the diabetic kidney disease.
60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
Phospholipase C-{delta}{sub 1} regulates interleukin-1{beta} and tumor necrosis factor-{alpha} mRNA expression
Phospholipase C-{delta}{sub 1} (PLC{delta}{sub 1}) is a widely expressed highly active PLC isoform, modulated by Ca{sup 2+} that appears to operate downstream from receptor signaling and has been linked to regulation of cytokine production. Here we investigated whether PLC{delta}{sub 1} modulated expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1{beta} (IL-1{beta}), tumor necrosis factor-{alpha} (TNF-{alpha}) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in rat C6 glioma cells. Expression of PLC{delta}{sub 1} was specifically suppressed by small interfering RNA (siRNA) and the effects on cytokine mRNA expression, stimulated by the Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonist, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), were examined. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) results showed that PLC{delta}{sub 1} knockdown enhanced expression IL-1{beta} and tumor necrosis factor-{alpha} (TNF-{alpha}) mRNA by at least 100 fold after 4 h of LPS stimulation compared to control siRNA treatment. PLC{delta}{sub 1} knock down caused persistently high Nf{kappa}b levels at 4 h of LPS stimulation compared to control siRNA-treated cells. PLC{delta}{sub 1} knockdown was also associated with elevated nuclear levels of c-Jun after 30 min of LPS stimulation, but did not affect LPS-stimulated p38 or p42/44 MAPK phosphorylation, normally associated with TLR activation of cytokine gene expression; rather, enhanced protein kinase C (PKC) phosphorylation of cellular proteins was observed in the absence of LPS stimulation. An inhibitor of PKC, bisindolylmaleimide II (BIM), reversed phosphorylation, prevented elevation of nuclear c-Jun levels, and inhibited LPS-induced increases of IL-1{beta} and TNF-{alpha} mRNA's induced by PLC{delta}{sub 1} knockdown. Our results show that loss of PLC{delta}{sub 1} enhances PKC/c-Jun signaling and up-modulates pro-inflammatory cytokine gene transcription in concert with the TLR-stimulated p38MAPK/Nf{kappa}b pathway. Our findings are consistent with the idea that PLC{delta}{sub 1} is a suppressor of PKC activity.
60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DLX1, a binding protein of beta-catenin, promoted the growth and migration of prostate cancer cells
Several studies have indicated the involvement of DLX1 in the progression of prostate cancer. However, the functions of DLX1 in the prostate cancer and the underlying molecular mechanism remains largely unknown. In this study, we have shown that DLX1 was up-regulated in the prostate clinical samples. DLX1 promoted the growth, migration and colony formation of prostate cancer cells by activating beta-catenin/TCF signaling. DLX1 interacted with beta-catenin and enhanced the interaction between beta-catenin and TCF4. Taken together, this study demonstrated that DLX1 exerted the oncogenic roles on the prostate cancer by activating beta-catenin/TCF signaling.
60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
Characteristics of Amyloid-Related Oligomers Revealed by Crystal Structures of Macrocyclic [beta]-Sheet Mimics
Protein amyloid oligomers have been strongly linked to amyloid diseases and can be intermediates to amyloid fibers. {beta}-Sheets have been identified in amyloid oligomers. However, because of their transient and highly polymorphic properties, the details of their self-association remain elusive. Here we explore oligomer structure using a model system: macrocyclic peptides. Key amyloidogenic sequences from A{beta} and tau were incorporated into macrocycles, thereby restraining them to {beta}-strands, but limiting the growth of the oligomers so they may crystallize and cannot fibrillate. We determined the atomic structures for four such oligomers, and all four reveal tetrameric interfaces in which {beta}-sheet dimers pair together by highly complementary, dry interfaces, analogous to steric zippers found in fibers, suggesting a common structure for amyloid oligomers and fibers. In amyloid fibers, the axes of the paired sheets are either parallel or antiparallel, whereas the oligomeric interfaces display a variety of sheet-to-sheet pairing angles, offering a structural explanation for the heterogeneity of amyloid oligomers.
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
Evidence That the [beta] Subunit of Chlamydia trachomatis Ribonucleotide Reductase Is Active with the Manganese Ion of Its Manganese(IV)/Iron(III) Cofactor in Site 1
The reaction of a class I ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) begins when a cofactor in the {beta} subunit oxidizes a cysteine residue {approx}35 {angstrom} away in the {alpha} subunit, generating a thiyl radical. In the class Ic enzyme from Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct), the cysteine oxidant is the Mn{sup IV} ion of a Mn{sup IV}/Fe{sup III} cluster, which assembles in a reaction between O{sub 2} and the Mn{sup II}/Fe{sup II} complex of {beta}. The heterodinuclear nature of the cofactor raises the question of which site, 1 or 2, contains the Mn{sup IV} ion. Because site 1 is closer to the conserved location of the cysteine-oxidizing tyrosyl radical of class Ia and Ib RNRs, we suggested that the Mn{sup IV} ion most likely resides in this site (i.e., {sup 1}Mn{sup IV}/{sup 2}Fe{sup III}), but a subsequent computational study favored its occupation of site 2 ({sup 1}Fe{sup III}/{sup 2}Mn{sup IV}). In this work, we have sought to resolve the location of the Mn{sup IV} ion in Ct RNR-{beta} by correlating X-ray crystallographic anomalous scattering intensities with catalytic activity for samples of the protein reconstituted in vitro by two different procedures. In samples containing primarily Mn{sup IV}/Fe{sup III} clusters, Mn preferentially occupies site 1, but some anomalous scattering from site 2 is observed, implying that both {sup 1}Mn{sup II}/{sup 2}Fe{sup II} and {sup 1}Fe{sup II}/{sup 2}Mn{sup II} complexes are competent to react with O{sub 2} to produce the corresponding oxidized states. However, with diminished Mn{sup II} loading in the reconstitution, there is no evidence for Mn occupancy of site 2, and the greater activity of these 'low-Mn' samples on a per-Mn basis implies that the {sup 1}Mn{sup IV}/{sup 2}Fe{sup III}-{beta} is at least the more active of the two oxidized forms and may be the only active form.
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
Investigation of Aluminum Site Changes of Dehydrated Zeolite H-Beta during a Rehydration Process by High Field Solid State NMR
Aluminum site changes for dehydrated H-Beta zeolite during rehydration process are systematically investigated by ²⁷Al MAS and MQ MAS NMR at high magnetic fields up to 19.9 T. Benefiting from the high magnetic field, more detailed information is obtained from the considerably broadened and overlapped spectra of dehydrated H-beta zeolite. Dynamic changes of aluminum sites are demonstrated during rehydration process. In completely dehydrated H-Beta, invisible aluminum can reach 29%. The strength of quadrupole interactions for framework aluminum sites decreases gradually during water adsorption processes. The number of extra-framework aluminum (EFAL) species, i.e., penta- (34 ppm) and octa- (4 ppm) coordinated aluminum atoms rises initially with increasing water adsorption, and finally change into either tetra-coordinated framework or extra-framework aluminum in saturated water adsorption samples, with the remaining octa-coordinated aluminum lying at 0 and -4 ppm, respectively. Quantitative ²⁷Al MAS NMR analysis combined with ¹H MAS NMR indicates that some active EFAL species formed during calcination can reinsert into the framework during this hydration process. The assignment of aluminum at 0 ppm to EFAL cation and -4 ppm to framework aluminum is clarified for H-Beta zeolite.
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
Indirect optical absorption and origin of the emission from {beta}-FeSi{sub 2} nanoparticles: Bound exciton (0.809 eV) and band to acceptor impurity (0.795 eV) transitions
We investigated the optical absorption of the fundamental band edge and the origin of the emission from {beta}-FeSi{sub 2} nanoparticles synthesized by ion-beam-induced epitaxial crystallization of Fe{sup +} implanted SiO{sub 2}/Si(100) followed by thermal annealing. From micro-Raman scattering and transmission electron microscopy measurements it was possible to attest the formation of strained {beta}-FeSi{sub 2} nanoparticles and its structural quality. The optical absorption near the fundamental gap edge of {beta}-FeSi{sub 2} nanoparticles evaluated by spectroscopic ellipsometry showed a step structure characteristic of an indirect fundamental gap material. Photoluminescence spectroscopy measurements at each synthesis stage revealed complex emissions in the 0.7-0.9 eV spectral region, with different intensities and morphologies strongly dependent on thermal treatment temperature. Spectral deconvolution into four transition lines at 0.795, 0.809, 0.851, and 0.873 eV was performed. We concluded that the emission at 0.795 eV may be related to a radiative direct transition from the direct conduction band to an acceptor level and that the emission at 0.809 eV derives from a recombination of an indirect bound exciton to this acceptor level of {beta}-FeSi{sub 2}. Emissions 0.851 and 0.873 eV were confirmed to be typical dislocation-related photoluminescence centers in Si. From the energy balance we determined the fundamental indirect and direct band gap energies to be 0.856 and 0.867 eV, respectively. An illustrative energy band diagram derived from a proposed model to explain the possible transition processes involved is presented.
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
Anomalous temperature-dependency of phonon line widths probed by Raman scattering from {beta}-FeSi{sub 2} thin films
Micro-Raman scattering and its temperature dependencies have been used to investigate lattice dynamic properties of {beta}-FeSi{sub 2} thin films epitaxially grown on Si (111) substrates by sputtering at elevated temperatures. A linear correlation between the blueshift in phonon energies and the lattice expansions in the growth direction of {beta}-FeSi{sub 2} is observed. The shifting rate of the Raman mode at 248 cm{sup -1} (13.6 cm{sup -1}/%) is much larger than that of the mode at 194 cm{sup -1} (8.4 cm{sup -1}/%) due to the involvement of radial bonding vibrations between Fe and Si atoms. Temperature-dependent Raman scattering, which is hitherto unknown for {beta}-FeSi{sub 2}, reveals an extremely small phonon line width broadening in the range of 80-480 K. It is revealed that the broadening in the phonon line widths contributed by phonon-phonon scattering is weaker and is masked by phonon-hole couplings in {beta}-FeSi{sub 2}, while the effect of phonon-hole coupling on phonon line width broadening is saturated at the studied temperatures due to the high impurity densities.
75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗