OPERA: an on-line system of optical pumping in solids for unstable nuclei

An on-line system of optical pumping in solids for the study of unstable nuclei was developed. The system is operated in connection with mass separators on line. The mass-separated unstable isotopes are implanted into a host crystal set at the focal position of the separator and then spin-polarized with laser optical pumping in the crystal. The crystal can be cooled down to 20–100 K with a cold finger attached to a liquid He bath. The achieved nuclear polarization/alignment is detected by observing the asymmetry/anisotropy of the emitted beta-/gamma-radiation with scintillation/Ge counters. Nuclear magnetic resonances are observed by detecting the destruction and/or enhancement of the asymmetry/anisotropy distribution with an applied rf magnetic field. The system has been applied to the study of unstable Tm and Si isotopes. Apparatus and performance of the on-line system are described together with some of the results obtained.     

Cloning and characterization of the dnaKJ operon in Acetobacter aceti

The dnaKJ operon of Acetobacter aceti was cloned and sequenced. The profile of the gene configuration was similar to that of other alpha-proteobacteria. In the DnaK and DnaJ proteins of A. aceti, the characteristic domains/motifs reported in other organisms were well conserved. This operon was transcribed in response to a temperature shift and exposure to ethanol/acetic acid. The overexpression of this operon in A. aceti resulted in improved growth compared to the control strain at high temperature or in the presence of ethanol, suggesting a correlation to resistance against stressors present during fermentation, although the overexpression did not increase the resistance to acetic acid.     

The influence of interfacial dislocation arrangements in a fourth generation single crystal TMS-138 superalloy on creep properties

The morphologies of (001) / interfacial dislocation networks are studied through TEM observations. The lattice misfit has an important relation with creep property for superalloy during high temperature creep deformation. The fourth generation superalloy TMS-138 possesses superior creep properties based on its fine interfacial dislocation networks. The networks have two typical characteristics: closely spaced dislocations and stable square morphology during creep deformation. Such arranged dislocations can effectively prevent the slipping dislocations in the phase from moving through the / interface and improve drastically the creep resistance in the fourth generation superalloy TMS-138.     

Direct action of nitric oxide on osteoblastic differentiation

The effect of nitric oxide (NO) on osteoblastic differentiation was examined in cultured mouse osteoblasts. Interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha expressed inducible NO synthase gene with little effect on constitutive NO synthase gene. These cytokines increased NO production, which was inhibited by L-NMMA pretreatment, and decreased alkaline phosphatase (AIPase) activity, which was not restored by L-NMMA. Furthermore, NO donors, sodium nitroprusside and NONOate dose-dependently elevated AIPase activity and expression of osteocalcin gene. These results suggest that NO directly facilitates osteoblastic differentiation and the cytokine-induced inhibition of AIPase activity is mediated via mechanism other than NO.     

Continuous haemodiafiltration during and after cardiopulmonary bypass in renal failure patients

Present investigation was undertaken to study the effects of 6 week treatment with spirapril (2 mg/kg po) on insulin sensitivity, and serum lipid levels in streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic and spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rats. Treatment of rats with spirapril in diabetic and diabetic with hypertensive animals significantly prevented STZ-induced loss of body weight, hypertension, and bradycardia. It also partially but significantly prevented STZ-induced hyperglycaemia in both diabetic Wistar and SH animals. Insulin level was not altered by spirapril treatment. There was significant reduction in cholesterol levels in the diabetic rats. In conclusion, the present investigation presents a number of beneficial effects of spirapril treatment in diabetic and/or hypertensive rats. Spirapril may be considered as one of the drugs of choice in treatment of hypertension when associated with diabetes     

High-pressure Self-Combustion Sintering for Ceramics

The high-pressure self-combustion sintering process can be used to synthesize and simultaneously sinter ceramics in a very short time by taking advantage of exothermic reactions under high pressure. A dense TiB₂ compact was fabricated in a few seconds by electric ignition on one end of a powdered mixture of Ti and B under 3 GPa.     

Magnetic properties and Mössbauer effect in 12-layer hexagonal BaFeO3

A 12-layer hexagonal perovskite BaFeO₃ with a=5.700 and c=28.03A has been synthesized at high oxygen pressures and temperatures. Néel temperature, paramagnetic Curie temperature and the effective Bohr magneton of the material were determined to be 172K, 130K and 5.05μ_B respectively.