Decreasing the initial irreversible capacity loss of graphite negative electrode by alkali-addition

The effect of alkali function group contained in electrode binder was investigated. Carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC) improved the initial irreversible capacity loss in graphite negative electrode. Lithium acetate also improved the initial cycle efficiency. On the other hand, ethyl cellulose (EC) and hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), which do not have a carboxylic group, did not decrease the reductive electrolyte decomposition. After charge and discharge cycle, the surface film composition on the electrode with CMC was less than on the electrode without CMC. This suggests that a carboxylic group in the binder acted as a catalyst and promoted the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation which prevents the excess electrolyte decomposition on the graphite electrode.     

Evaluation of the PyloriTek test for detection of Helicobacter pylori infection in cases with and without eradication therapy

OBJECTIVE: The accuracy of the PyloriTek test (a 1-h rapid urease test) used after eradication therapy of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) has not been well clarified. This study was done to evaluate the accuracy of the PyloriTek test results for cases with and without eradication therapy, using culture and histology as gold standard methods, and to establish the suitable timing of the PyloriTek test after eradication treatment. METHODS: One hundred sixty-three patients undergoing upper endoscopy were randomly selected; 100 patients had not received eradication therapy and 63 had. Three biopsy specimens each were obtained from the gastric antrum and the body for examination by PyloriTek, culture, and histology. The absence of H. pylori was established with negative results from both culture and histology. RESULTS: In cases without eradication therapy, PyloriTek, correctly identified 66 of 67 H. pylori-positive cases and 30 of 33 H. pylori-negative cases, yielding 98.5% sensitivity and 90.9% specificity. In cases with eradication therapy, PyloriTek gave correct diagnoses in 10 of 17 H. pylori-positive cases and in 45 of 46 H. pylori-negative cases, for 58.8% sensitivity and 97.8% specificity. However, when PyloriTek was used more than 4 months after the end of eradication therapy, both the sensitivity and the specificity increased to 100%. CONCLUSION: Considering time and cost, the use of PyloriTek alone may be satisfactory for detecting H. pylori infection in cases without eradication therapy. When patients are examined more than 4 months after intervention, the use of PyloriTek alone may be sufficient for correctly diagnosing H. pylori infections.     

Powdered formulation of liquid oil terpenoid included in cyclodextrins for chemical stabilization and improved handling

Teprenone (Tp) is a widely used pharmaceutically active ingredient in terpene anti-ulcer agents. We investigated Tp and cyclodextrin (CD) complexes for the objective of forming stable Tp powders. Tp was combined with each CD at a molar ratio of 1:2, kneaded together while adding an appropriate amount of water, then dried under reduced pressure and lightly milled into a powder to produce a kneaded mixture (KM). Powder X-ray diffraction of KM containing Tp and β- and γ-CD revealed new diffraction peaks. On infrared spectroscopy, the peak near 1718 cm^?1 corresponding to the carbonyl group of Tp had shifted to around 1701 cm^?1. Solid-state NMR spectroscopy showed signs of inhibited molecular mobility of Tp, which is liquid at room temperature, confirming that Tp had formed complexes with β- and γ-CD. Photostability analysis of Tp showed improved stability in the order of γ-CD > β-CD ? α-CD.     

Modification of cyanate ester resin by soluble polyimides

Soluble polyimides (PIs) were prepared as random or multiblock types with 4,4′‐(hexafluoroisopropylidene) diphthalic anhydride (6FDA) and 3,3′,4,4′‐biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (s‐BPDA) as acid dianhydride components and 4,4′‐bis(m‐aminophenoxy) diphenyl sulfone (m‐BAPS) as a diamine component by a one‐pot process and used to improve the brittleness of the cyanate ester resin. Random‐type PIs were more effective as modifiers than multiblock‐type PIs. The morphologies of the modified resins depended on PI structure, molecular weight, and concentration. The most effective modification of the cyanate ester resin was attained because of a heterogeneous phase structure composed of a flat matrix phase and phase‐inverted structures of the modified resin; a 15 wt % inclusion of a random PI (weight‐average molecular weight = 63,400) composed of 6FDA, s‐BPDA, and m‐BAPS (0.5/0.5/1.0 molar ratio) led to a 65% increase in the fracture toughness for the modified resin with a slight loss of flexural strength and a retention of flexural modulus and glass‐transition temperature, compared with the values for the unmodified resin. Water absorptivity of the modified resin was comparable to that of the unmodified resin up to 400 h, and then, water absorption of the modified resins increased considerably. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 1–11, 2003     

Papillary eccrine adenoma: immunohistochemical studies of keratin expression

Despite various studies, there are serious disagreements about the cellular differentiation of papillary eccrine adenoma. In the present study, 2 specimens of papillary eccrine adenoma were analyzed by immunohistochemical techniques, using a panel of monoclonal antibodies against keratins, to elucidate its differentiation. Histopathologically, the tumor was composed of multiple tubular structures lined by two or more layers of epithelial cells. The luminal cells of the tubules were flattened or cuboidal. The former were noted in large dilated tubules. The latter were usually observed in small-to-moderate-sized tubules, and formed intraluminal papillary projections in some tubules. Immunohistochemically, there were two kinds of cuboidal cells in the luminal layers of the tubules. Most of the large dilated tubules and some of the small-to-moderate-sized tubules expressed immunophenotypes similar to those of the eccrine dermal duct. The other tubular structures, including the small tubules resembling those of syringoma, expressed immunophenotypes similar to those of the transitional portions between the dermal ducts and the secretory segments of eccrine glands. From the above comparative studies, papillary eccrine adenoma is considered to differentiate towards the dermal duct and the transitional portions between the dermal ducts and the secretory segments of eccrine glands.     

A mathematical model for a continuous esterification process with recycle between terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol

A new mathematical model for a continuous recycle esterification process has been derived by basically the same procedure as the continuous process of a cascade type, reported earlier, which includes material and heat balances. Such a model can give extensive information about the optimum design of a new plant through the predictions of oligomer characteristics (concentrations of carboxyl and hydroxyl end groups, number average molecular weight, number average degree of polymerization, esterification and saponification degree, DEG content, melting point of oligomer, etc.), distillate properties (concentrations of EG and water in the vapor phase), heat transfer area, mass flow rate of heating medium, amount of heat supplied by heating medium, enthalpy moving with recycle, and amount of heat removed from each reactor. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Periodate oxidation of cellulose by homogeneous reaction

Homogeneous periodate oxidation of cellulose was achieved through methylol cellulose. The dissolution of methylol cellulose into aqueous periodate solution was followed by the gradual decomposition of methylol groups at random sites along the methylol cellulose chain. The recovery of glycol hydroxyl groups at the C₂ and C₃ positions on the glucopyranose ring during the above decomposition process caused uniform cleavage of C₂? C₃ bonds by the periodate ion. The oxidation level reached nearly 100% in 10 h. The reduced product of the resulting dialdehyde cellulose, i.e., dialcohol cellulose, resulted in mechanical properties quite different from those of conventional dialcohol cellulose. Examination of the thermal deformation and tensile properties revealed that no notable cellulose degradation occurred during the reaction. Our dialcohol cellulose gave a clear and transparent film with a flexible nature.     

Effect of culture conditions of acetic acid bacteria on cellulose biosynthesis

An attempt was made to clarify the effect of culture conditions of an acetic acid bacteria (Acetobacter xylinum) on cellulose biosynthesis using glucose as carbon source in complex medium. Synchronous culture conditions were first realised on cellulose biosynthesis by cooling the system to 4°C for 24 h. Under the synchronous conditions stepwise division of the cell and the stepwise production of cellulose were found. Furthermore, cellulose was proved to be produced when the cell number in the medium was constant.     

Proposal of utilization of nuclear spent fuels for gamma cells

Large amounts of nuclear spent fuel are generated in nuclear power plants every year and stored in fuel storage facilities for 20–30 years until reprocessing. However, the spent fuel still has residual energies, such as high-temperature heat energy and high-intensity gamma radioactivity. We have examined the characteristics of solar cells exposed to gamma radiation for the development of gamma cells utilizing nuclear spent fuel. We used a highly intense ⁶⁰Co gamma source as a suitable substitute for spent fuel due to safety concerns and convenience. Two representative types of solar cells, amorphous and crystalline cells, were examined and the current and voltage generated by each type were measured. In general, solar cells are largely insensitive to gamma radiation because the radiation passes through solar cells without imparting all of its energy. In order to enhance the sensitivity to radiation, the solar cells were coupled to CsI(Tl), NaI(Tl) and plastic scintillators. We confirmed the following characteristics: (1) amorphous solar cells coupled to a CsI(Tl) scintillator are able to generate a large amount of electric power, compared to crystal-type solar cells, (2) amorphous cells exhibit a good linear response to high-intensity gamma radiation and generate electric power almost in proportion to the volume of the scintillator used, (3) the generated electric power is independent of the incident angle of the gamma rays and the amount of power is determined only by the volume of the scintillator used. The electric power generated by a single solar cell is very small, but a large amount of electric power can be obtained by arranging many solar cells in stacks and combining their induced current or voltage and by operating the cells all day, as they are not affected by weather conditions. We concluded that gamma cells utilizing the gamma radiation of nuclear spent fuel can be expected to be useful for electric power generation in the near future.