Influence of antiferromagnetic ordering on ferroelectric polarization switching of YMnO3 epitaxial thin films

In this study, the switching behavior of ferroelectric polarization of (0001) YMnO(3) epitaxial films at around Néel temperature was investigated. From the experimental results of the frequency and temperature dependences of coercive electric filed (E(c)) obtained from polarization-electric field (P-E) hysteresis loop, the crosscorrelation phenomena between magnetics and ferroelectrics are discussed in detail. The P-E hysteresis loops of the films were measured in the frequency range from 1 Hz to 10 kHz, and the temperature was varied from 10 to 150 K. Frequency dependence of Ec accorded with Ishibashi-Orihara's theory at the measured temperature range. However, temperature dependence of E(c) disagreed with Devonshire's theory below 120 K, which is close to the Néeel temperature of the YMnO(3) epitaxial film. disagreed with Devonshire's theory below 120 K, which is close to the Neel temperature of the YMnO(3) epitaxial film.     

Numerical analysis of active magnetic regenerators for hydrogen magnetic refrigeration between 20 and 77 K

A model active magnetic regenerator refrigerator (AMR) with the Brayton-like operation cycle was analyzed by numerical cycle simulation in the temperature range between 20 and 77 K. In order to study the performance using magnetic material with various transition temperatures T_c, entropy of magnetic material with second order phase transition was calculated using mean field theory and Debye approximation. The cooling performance is shown to be high when the heat exhaust temperature is close to the transition temperature. It is shown that the optimized operation condition depends on both T_c and operation temperatures. Multi-layered AMR beds were shown to improve the performance of AMR. Multi-stage AMR was also discussed.     

Characteristics of a 4 K Gifford–McMahon cryocooler using the Gd2O2S regenerator material

In order to improve the cooling power at 4.2 K, performance of a Gifford–McMahon cryocooler was investigated. We focus on regenerator materials and structure of 2nd stage regenerator. A ceramics regenerator of Gd₂O₂S (GOS) was used in the cold part of the 2nd stage regenerator. To utilize the GOS effectively, we applied a layered structure to the 2nd stage regenerator. It was divided into three parts along the length for the temperature distribution, to which lead (Pb), HoCu₂ and GOS spheres were filled. The cooling power improved to 0.22 W at 4.2 K. The electric power consumption is 1.3 kW. When only Pb and HoCu₂ (without the GOS) are filled, the cooling power is 0.15 W at 4.2 K. The experimental results show that GOS is very effective to increase the cooling power at 4.2 K.     

Magnetocaloric effect of (ErxR1−x)Co2 (R = Ho, Dy) for magnetic refrigeration between 20 and 80 K

Two series of RCo₂ compounds, (Er_xHo_1−x)Co₂ and (Er_yDy_1−y)Co₂, were investigated as magnetic refrigerants for hydrogen liquefaction. A large magnetocaloric effect (MCE) was observed just above the Curie temperature (T_c) of these compounds which both undergo a first-order magnetic transition. The isothermal entropy change ΔS and the adiabatic temperature change ΔT_ad of these compounds were larger than those of other Laves-phase materials such as RAl₂ and RNi₂. However, the temperature range of the large MCE for these compounds was limited. It has been shown that T_c increases almost linearly against the de Gennes factor, and can be controlled by changing the concentration of the rare earth elements while maintaining a first-order transition. By measuring the magnetization and heat capacity, we obtained temperature entropy (T–S) diagrams, which are essential for analyzing the magnetic refrigeration cycle. Both series of compounds showed high potential for use in a regenerative thermal cycle, especially as a combination of several compositions to cover a wide temperature range.     

Highly flame retardant coating consisting of starch and amorphous sodium polyborate

Mixture of starch and amorphous sodium polyborate (SPB) is found to show high flame retardancy, when its aqueous solution is deposited and dried on organic polymer materials such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) nonwoven, rigid polyurethane (RPU) foam, and polypropylene (PP) nonwoven. The PET nonwoven (10 mm thickness) and the RPU foam (10 mm thickness) coated with the mixture endure the premixed flame of butane gas burner with length of 100 mm for more than 12 min. The PP nonwoven (0.7 mm thickness) endures the nonpremixed flame with length of 65 mm in the 45 degrees Meckel burner test for more than 2 min. The backside temperatures in the both tests remain below 130 °C. The thermal analyses and the SEM observation indicate the mechanism that the SPB foam promotes the carbonization of starch and that the carbonized layer together with the SPB foam insulate inside from oxygen and heat.     

Beef texture characterization using internationally established texture vocabularies in ISO5492:1992: Differences among four different end-point temperatures in three muscles of Holstein steers

‘Tenderness’ has been an important sensory characteristic for beef, although ‘tenderness’ has not been commonly defined. On the other hand, ISO5492:1992 provides internationally established vocabularies for sensory analysis with simple definition. The aim of this study was texture characterization for three beef muscles cooked to four end-point temperatures using ISO5492:1992 texture terms in Japanese to develop objective sensory evaluation terms for beef texture other than ‘tenderness.’ Longissimus, semitendinosus, and psoas major muscles harvested from three Holstein steers were cooked to 45, 60, 72, and 92 °C end-point temperatures and evaluated by a trained sensory panel. Correspondence analysis indicated that the ‘chewiness’ and ‘hardness’ defined in ISO5492 were distinguished in each muscle. Changes in the ‘chewiness’ and ‘hardness’ qualities during cooking were different from each other. These findings suggest that both ‘chewiness’ and ‘hardness’ as defined in ISO5492:1992 should be evaluated simultaneously to determine the sensory texture of beef.     

Primary structure of two-chain botrocetin, a von Willebrand factor modulator purified from the venom of Bothrops jararaca

The complete amino acid sequence and location of the disulfide bonds of two-chain botrocetin, which promotes platelet agglutination in the presence of von Willebrand factor, from venom of the snake Bothrops jararaca are presented. Sequences of the alpha and beta subunits were determined by analysis of peptides generated by digestion of the S-pyridylethylated protein with Achromobacter protease I or alpha-chymotrypsin and by chemical cleavage with cyanogen bromide or 2-(2'-nitrophenylsulfenyl)-3-methyl-3-bromoindolenine. Two-chain botrocetin is a heterodimer composed of the alpha subunit (consisting of 133 amino acid residues) and the beta subunit (consisting of 125 amino acid residues) held together by a disulfide bond. Seven disulfide bonds link half-cystine residues 2 to 13, 30 to 128, and 103 to 120 of the alpha subunit; 2 to 13, 30 to 121, and 98 to 113 of the beta subunit; and 80 of the alpha subunit to 75 of the beta subunit. In terms of amino acid sequence and disulfide bond location, two-chain botrocetin is homologous to echinoidin (a sea urchin lectin) and other C-type (Ca(2+)-dependent) lectins.     

Cellular Conditions Responsible for Methylmercury-Mediated Neurotoxicity

Methylmercury (MeHg) is a widely known environmental pollutant that causes severe neurotoxicity. MeHg-induced neurotoxicity depends on various cellular conditions, including differences in the characteristics of tissues and cells, exposure age (fetal, childhood, or adulthood), and exposure levels. Research has highlighted the importance of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of MeHg-induced toxicity and the site- and cell-specific nature of MeHg-induced neurotoxicity. The cerebellar granule cells and deeper layer cerebrocortical neurons are vulnerable to MeHg. In contrast, the hippocampal neurons are resistant to MeHg, even at high mercury accumulation levels. This review summarizes the mechanisms underlying MeHg-mediated intracellular events that lead to site-specific neurotoxicity. Specifically, we discuss the mechanisms associated with the redox ability, neural outgrowth and synapse formation, cellular signaling pathways, epigenetics, and the inflammatory conditions of microglia.     

Alterations in UPR Signaling by Methylmercury Trigger Neuronal Cell Death in the Mouse Brain

Methylmercury (MeHg), an environmental toxicant, induces neuronal cell death and injures specific areas of the brain. MeHg is known to induce oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. The unfolded protein response (UPR) pathway has a dual nature in that it regulates and protects cells from an overload of improperly folded proteins in the ER, whereas excessively stressed cells are eliminated by apoptosis. Oxidative stress/ER stress induced by methylmercury exposure may tilt the UPR toward apoptosis, but there is little in vivo evidence of a direct link to actual neuronal cell death. Here, by using the ER stress-activated indicator (ERAI) system, we investigated the time course signaling alterations of UPR in vivo in the most affected areas, the somatosensory cortex and striatum. In the ERAI-Venus transgenic mice exposed to MeHg (30 or 50 ppm in drinking water), the ERAI signal, which indicates the activation of the cytoprotective pathway of the UPR, was only transiently enhanced, whereas the apoptotic pathway of the UPR was persistently enhanced. Furthermore, detailed analysis following the time course showed that MeHg-induced apoptosis is strongly associated with alterations in UPR signaling. Our results suggest that UPR modulation could be a therapeutic target for treating neuropathy.