Application of a Two-Dimensional Computer Simulation to Cake Growth in Slip Casting with Complicated-Shape Gypsum Molds

A two-dimensional computer simulation method, developed by the authors using the method of finite differences, was applied to estimate the cake growth in slip casting of alumina with a triangular gypsum mold and a box-type gypsum mold with a convex bottom. The cake growth patterns, water penetration patterns, water flow rate distributions, and pressure distributions were simulated in the molds and/or cakes. The simulated cake growth patterns were in good agreement with those observed experimentally in both molds. Moreover, the cake growths could be well understood from the results of the water flow rate distributions in each case. The present method is applicable to cake growth simulation in slip casting with complicated-shape gypsum molds.     

Beneficial effect of carbon–PVA colloid additives for lead–acid batteries

Based on the previous success of adding ultra-fine carbon–PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) colloid solution to restore performance of weak batteries, a large scale test programme of practical batteries including those used in forklift, golf cart, taxi cab, truck and bus applications from 150 companies was carried out. More than 95% of the tested batteries exhibited excellent recovery in performance parameters including the specific gravity (S.G.), voltage and operation time (Ah capacity). The work reported here includes basic research studies to understand better the beneficial action of the carbon–PVA colloid additive.     

Estimation of forest area near deserts — production of Global Bio-Methanol from solar energy

This paper proposes a new synthesis method for methanol as a future alternative fuel, by the combination of carbon supplied from wood and hydrogen supplied from the electrolysis of water using a solar power generation system in the desert. In the developed countries, more than half of the potential forest area has already been converted into other land uses, while existing forests are well organized and available for wood production. In the developing countries, potential forest sites are expected to be available for wood production, even though they are presently grasslands or secondary forests, while natural tropical forests will not be allowed to be converted into artificial forests. The area available for plantations within 500 km distant from deserts was estimated to be 65 Mha in the world, except for the mountain areas. Biomass production from these sites will be converted annually into 980 Mt methanol with hydrogen from the deserts. This amount is equal to 34% of the world's fuel consumption by vehicles.     

Rubber‐toughened polyamide‐6 with a low thermal expansion coefficient: effect of preferential distribution of rubber and inorganic filler

The effects of morphological changes on the thermal expansion, toughness and heat resistance of polyamide‐6 (PA)/styrene–ethylene–butylene–styrene (SEBS)/polyphenylene ether (PPE) blends were investigated. Compared with the typical ‘sea (PA matrix)–island (PPE domain)–lake (SEBS in PPE domain)’ morphology, an injection‐molded ternary blend with a preferential distribution of SEBS component at the interface between PA and PPE exhibited a low coefficient of linear thermal expansion (CLTE) in the flow direction. This low CLTE was ascribed to the deformation of SEBS and PA into a co‐continuous microlayer network structure during injection molding. Consequently, the expansion preferentially occurred towards the thickness direction. Further CLTE reduction either by a change in PA viscosity or by the selective location of an inorganic filler was examined, and its influences on impact strength and heat resistance are discussed based on transmission electron microscopy observations. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry     

Left ventricular regional systolic motion in patients with right ventricular pressure overload

The highly reactive and cytotoxic hydroxyl radical (OH) was found by electrochemical detection to be produced in reactions involving hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and the nitric oxide (NO) donor diethylamine- NO complex. Using aromatic hydroxylation of salicylate as a specific indicator of OH, three salicylate hydroxylation products were identified; catechol, 2,3- and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid. Four additional compounds were detected but not identified. The interactions of H2O2 and NO represent a biologically feasible reaction mechanism that can account for OH-induced damage in cellular environments where transition metal ions are unavailable for participation in the superoxide-mediated Fenton reaction. The ability of the NO/H2O2 complex to generate OH independently of iron or other transition metals provides a new focus for studies concerned with the origin of tissue-specific damage caused by oxygen-derived species.     

Estimation of source contribution to nitrate loading in road runoff using stable isotope analysis

The nitrogen load was determined in road runoff during rainfall events. Moreover, nitrate isotopes analysis was conducted to determine the contribution of nitrates from atmospheric deposition and leaching from road dust. The concentrations of NO₃-N in road runoff were higher than those in atmospheric deposits for each rainfall event, except one event with a long antecedent dry weather period. The δ¹⁸O-NO₃ in road runoff was lower than in atmospheric deposits and higher than in leachate from road dust; however, no difference in δ¹⁵N-NO₃ was observed. By using δ¹⁸O-NO₃ as an indicator for evaluating NO₃-N sources in road runoff, contribution ratios of NO₃-N from road dust were estimated to be 14–22%, 23–25%, and 22–34% for Event 1 to Event 3, respectively. These results indicated that the NO₃-N from the atmosphere accounts for more than half of the NO₃-N in road runoff.     

Freeze-dried solid foams prepared from carbon nanotube aqueous suspension: Application to gas diffusion layers of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Freeze-dried macroporous solid foams were prepared from the multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) aqueous suspensions dispersed by chitosan. Thin film shaped CNT solid foams were prepared, and applied to the gas diffusion layers (GDLs) of a laboratory scale proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). It was demonstrated that the prepared carbon foams in this study were useful to a fuel cell GDL material. The prepared cell performances were fairly comparable to the cell prepared with conventional carbon paper for GDL material. The microstructures of the prepared carbon foams were found to affect on the PEMFC performances. It was suggested that the interconnected carbon networks formed during the freezing step closely link to the cell performances. Hence, the defection of the interconnected microstructure lead degradation of the GDL quality. The impedance measurement made clear that the prepared foam materials were also advantageous for reducing the ohmic resistance in PEMFC assembly. The kinetic resistance values and the thermal conductive characteristics suggested that the freezing process would also control the degree of overlaps among single CNTs in a freeze-dried bulk that influenced on the electrochemical properties.     

Determination of standard free energies of formation of Ca3P2 and Ca2Sn at high temperatures

The standard free energies of formation of calcium phosphide and calcium stannide were determined by a chemical equilibration technique, yielding the following results: 3Ca(1) + P₂(g) = Ca₃P₂(s) ΔG° = −653,460(±7110) + 144.01(±4.98)T (J/mol)1000 °C to 1300 °C2Ca(1) + Sn(1) = Ca₂Sn(s) ΔG° = −353,970(±1670) + 79.28(±1.26)T (J/mol)1000 °C to 1300 °C 1120 °C The experimental data to express the thermodynamics for removal of phosphorus and tin from molten iron by calcium based slags by other investigators were discussed in terms of the activity co-efficients of Ca₃P₂ and Ca₂Sn in slag melts by using the present results described above.     

Serine metabolism contributes to cell survival by regulating extracellular pH and providing an energy source in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Changes in extracellular pH affect the homeostasis and survival of unicellular organisms. Supplementation of culture media with amino acids can extend the lifespan of budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, by alleviating the decrease in pH. However, the optimal amino acids to use to achieve this end, and the underlying mechanisms involved, remain unclear. Here, we describe the specific role of serine metabolism in the regulation of pH in a medium. The addition of serine to synthetic minimal medium suppressed acidification, and at higher doses increased the pH. CHA1, which encodes a catabolic serine hydratase that degrades serine into ammonium and pyruvate, is essential for serine-mediated alleviation of acidification. Moreover, serine metabolism supports extra growth after glucose depletion. Therefore, medium supplementation with serine can play a prominent role in the batch culture of budding yeast, controlling extracellular pH through catabolism into ammonium and acting as an energy source after glucose exhaustion.