An equation of state for 1,1-difluroethane (HFC 152a)

An equation of state for 1,1-difluoroethane (HFC 152a, CH₃CHF₂) has been developed on the basis of reliable experimental data including PVT, liquid C_p, and saturated-liquid-density data measured by our group. It is a non-dimensionalized virial equation whose functional form is the same as that originally developed for 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC 134a) in our group. The effective range is for pressures up to 15 MPa, temperatures from 230 to 450 K, and densities to 1000 kg m⁻³. The equation represents reliable PVT measurements within ± 1% in pressure for the superheated vapour and supercritical fluid, while within ±0.5% in density for the compressed liquid. In addition, it should be noted that the equation represents the other essential thermodynamic properties including vapour pressures, saturated-liquid/ vapour densities, isobaric/isochoric specific heats and sound velocity in both the liquid and gaseous phase of HFC 152a.     

Inhibition of acid secretion in gastric parietal cells by the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II inhibitor KN-93

A novel Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaM Kinase II) inhibitor, KN-93 potently inhibits gastric acid secretion from parietal cells. As previously reported (1), treatment of parietal cells with a selective inhibitor of CaM kinase II, KN-62 resulted in the inhibition of cholinergic-stimulated rabbit parietal cell secretion, whereas it failed to inhibit the histamine and forskolin response. In contrast effects of carbachol, histamine and forskolin were significantly inhibited by KN-93 with an IC50 of 0.15, 0.3 and 1 microM, respectively; these effects occurred without any changes in intracellular cyclic AMP and Ca2+ levels. In the present study we investigated the mechanism by which KN-93 acts upon the acid-secreting machinery of gastric parietal cells. Neither redistribution of the proton pump activity nor the morphological transformation were affected by KN-93. The drug only weakly inhibited the H+, K(+)-ATPase activity but strongly dissipated the proton gradient formed in the gastric membrane vesicles and reduced the volume of luminal space. Thus KN-93 acts at pH gradient formation whereas KN-62 acts only at CaM Kinase II.     

Bias-stress-induced increase in parasitic resistance of InP-based InAlAs/InGaAs HEMTs

The reliability of InP-based HEMTs is studied, focussing on how it is affected by the doped layer material and gate recess structure. Bias-and-temperature stress tests reveal that fluorine-induced donor passivation in the recess region, formed adjacent to the gate electrode, causes the source resistance (R_s) to increase at large drain bias voltages. The increase in R_s can be prevented by using InP or InAlP as the carrier supply layer material instead of InAlAs. On the other hand, the increase in the drain resistance (R_d) does not depend on the material of the carrier supply layer, which suggests that a mechanism different from that in the case of R_s should be considered. It is also found that a deep gate recess suppresses the increase in R_d after long-term stressing.     

When West meets East: Contributions of Eastern traditions to the future of psychotherapy.

Discusses 2 interrelated traditions as they are reflected in contemporary and traditional approaches to psychotherapy in Japan. One uses various meditational and self-focusing instructional sets whose common goal is to facilitate the slowing down, deepening, and clearer focusing of sensory and interpersonal awareness. The 2nd tradition focuses on physical self-regulation and autonomic self-control through exercises that foster enhanced voluntary control over physical states and processes. Eastern psychology offers a set of practices that help the individual overcome the inherent selfishness of his/her isolated experience. The goals of such work include recognition of gratitude to important people in the client's life, rediscovery of the joy of meaningful work, and the experience of a unifying cosmic consciousness. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Development of Alkoxide-Directed Metallacycle-Mediated Annulative Cross-Coupling Chemistry

Alkoxide-directed metallacycle-mediated cross-coupling is a rapidly growing area of reaction methodology in organic chemistry. Over the last decade, developments have resulted in more than thirty new and highly selective intermolecular (or “convergent”) C−C bond-forming reactions that have established powerful retrosynthetic relationships in stereoselective synthesis. While early studies were focused on developing transformations that forge a single C−C bond by way of a functionalized and unsaturated metallacyclopentane intermediate, recent advances mark the ability to employ this organometallic intermediate in additional stereoselective transformations. Among these more advanced coupling processes, those that embrace the metallacycle in subsequent [4+2] chemistry have resulted in the realization of a number of highly selective annulative cross-coupling reactions that deliver densely functionalized and angularly substituted carbocycles. This review discusses the early development of this chemistry, recent advances in reaction methodology, and shares a glimpse of the power of these processes in natural product synthesis.     

Experimental study on latent heat storage characteristics of W/O emulsion -Supercooling rate of dispersed water drops by direct contact heat exchange-

Recently, much attention has been paid to investigate the latent heat storage system. Using of ice heat storage system brings an equalization of electric power demand, because it will solved the electric -power-demand-concentration on day-time of summer by the air conditioning. The flowable latent heat storage material, Oil/Water type emulsion, microencapsulated latent heat material-water mixture or ice slurry, etc., is enable to transport the latent heat in a pipe. The flowable latent heat storage material can realize the pipe size reduction and system efficiency improvement. Supercooling phenomenon of the dispersed latent heat storage material in continuous phase brings the obstruction of latent heat storage. The latent heat storage rates of dispersed water drops in W/O (Water/Oil) emulsion are investigated experimentally in this study. The water drops in emulsion has the diameter within 3 ～ 25μm, the averaged water drop diameter is 7.3μm and the standard deviation is 2.9μm. The direct contact heat exchange method is chosen as the phase change rate evaluation of water drops in W/O emulsion. The supercooled temperature and the cooling rate are set as parameters of this study. The evaluation is performed by comparison between the results of this study and the past research. The obtained experimental result is shown that the 35K or more degree from melting point brings 100% latent heat storage rate of W/O emulsion. It was clarified that the supercooling rate of dispersed water particles in emulsion shows the larger value than that of the bulk water.     

ONO-5046 is a potent inhibitor of neutrophil elastase in human pleural effusion after lobectomy

The imbalance of neutrophil elastase and alpha1-antitrypsin in pleural effusion after lobectomy and the effects of the neutrophil elastase inhibitors, sodium N-[2-[4-(2,2-Dimethylpropionyloxy)phenyl-sulfonylamino]benzo yl]aminoacetic acid (ONO-5046) and purified alpha1-antitrypsin, on neutrophil elastase activity were determined. The amount of neutrophil elastase complexed to alpha1-antitrypsin, measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, was 170 times higher in pleural effusion than in blood 3 h after lobectomy. The alpha1-antitrypsin levels measured by laser nephelometry did not increase in either blood or pleural effusion. Although neutrophil elastase activity, measured by the hydrolysis of succinyl-(Ala)3-p-nitroanilide, was not detected in blood, it was increased in pleural effusion 3 h and 24 h after lobectomy. ONO-5046, but not alpha1-antitrypsin, reduced the neutrophil elastase activity in pleural effusion. There is an imbalance of neutrophil elastase and alpha1-antitrypsin in pleural effusion after lobectomy. ONO-5046 is a potent inhibitor of neutrophil elastase activity in human pleural effusion.