Improvement in high temperature stability of Pd coating on Nb by Nb2C intermediate layer

Niobium subcarbide (Nb₂C) was chosen as a material for non-porous intermediate layer to improve the high temperature durability of Pd–Nb composite membranes for hydrogen separation. A layer of Nb₂C was prepared between Nb substrate and thin Pd films (100 nm), and the stability of Pd coating at elevated temperatures (573–773 K) was examined by hydrogen absorption experiments. Hydrogen permeability through the Nb₂C layer appeared to be sufficiently high, and no noticeable deterioration was observed in hydrogen absorption rate under as-prepared conditions. The degradation in coating effect of Pd at elevated temperatures was substantially mitigated by Nb₂C layer. Such improved durability was ascribed to retardation of open porosity development by Nb₂C caused as a consequence of impeded interdiffusion between Pd and Nb.     

A novel l-amino acid ligase from bacillus licheniformis

l-Amino acid alpha-ligase (EC 6.3.2.28) catalyzed formation of alpha-peptide bond in unprotected l-amino acids in an ATP-dependent manner. BL00235 gene in Bacillus licheniformis NBRC12200 coded as a new l-amino acid ligase. BL00235 substrate specificity was strict; only methionine or leucine was acceptable as dipeptide N-terminal residues.     

Shock sensitivity of blasting explosive cartridges

Abstract

The undersand variable gap–initiator test was applied to most Japanese blasting explosive cartridges and found useful as the sensitivity test for the cartridges. The recent Japanese watergel and emulsion explosives were shown to be more shock–sensitive than previous ones. The blast noise in the undersand explosion was shown to decrease when the depth of sand cover the cartridge was increased. For 100g of explosive, a sand layer 20cm deep was effective in reducing the blast noise, when the depth of the sand layer was increased, there was no additional effect. All blasting explosives excluding Kuro Carlit were not ignited by a small gas flame. A cartridge of 100g Kuro Carlit was ignited undersand but did not show the phenomenon of deflagration to detonation     

淮河流域1960~2011年干湿时空变化特征

在分析淮河流域26个气象站1960～2011年降水变化的基础上,计算了流域年尺度和季尺度降水距平百分率和标准化降水指数（SPI）,并分析了淮河流域近52年干湿时空变化。结果表明,淮河流域年尺度降水距平与SPI较为一致,季尺度降水距平较SPI变化敏感;干旱多发生于春季,且2000年后发生频次减少;空间尺度上,流域中西部地区有变湿润趋势,东部沿海地区有变干旱趋势,变化趋势呈现近似纵向分带。     

Excess estrogen sulfoconjugation as the possible cause for a poor sign of parturition in pregnant cows carrying somatic cell clone fetuses

We conducted this study to elucidate a factor causing a poor sign of parturition and prolonged gestation, which is frequently observed in cows carrying somatic clone fetuses. Pre-partum rises in concentrations of plasma estrone and estradiol-17beta in the recipient cows pregnant with clones were subtle. By contrast, the plasma concentration of estrone sulfate in clone pregnancies increased gradually from pre-initiation of parturition induction whereas control cows that received in vivo-derived embryos showed a significant increase at parturition. Therefore, in clone pregnancies, the ratio of estrone/estrone sulfate was low during the pre-partum period compared with control. Messenger RNA expression of estrogen sulfotransferase (SULT1E1) in the placenta at parturition was significantly higher in clone pregnancies than control pregnancies and was localized in binucleate cells (BNC). SULT1E1 mRNA abundance was negatively and positively correlated with concentrations of maternal estrone and estrone sulfate at parturition respectively. Messenger RNA expressions of estrogen sulfatase (STS) and aromatase (CYP19) were similar between clone and control pregnancies and were localized in BNC and caruncular epithelial cells. STS and CYP19 mRNA abundances showed positive correlations with maternal estradiol-17beta concentration. The population of BNC in the placenta did not differ between clone and control pregnancies. Plasma cortisol concentration of vaginally delivered newborn clone calves was comparable with those of control, although cesarean section delivered clone calves showed a low concentration. These results suggest that excess estrogen sulfoconjugation is the reason for the perturbed low ratio of active to inactive estrogens and the resulting hormonal imbalance contributes to the lack of overt signs of readiness for parturition in cows pregnant with clones.     

Speciation of selenium in selenium-enriched seeds,buckwheat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Fagopyrum esculentum</Emphasis> Moench) and quinoa (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Chenopodium quinoa</Emphasis> Willdenow)

Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) and quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willdenow) are widely used as food ingredients. The nutritional characteristics of these plants, i.e., high contents of proteins and amino acids suggest that selenium (Se) is preserved as selenoamino acid derivatives, in particular, selenomethionine (SeMet) in proteins, similar to selenized yeast. Therefore, buckwheat and quinoa are expected to be a good nutritional source of Se. Selenized buckwheat and quinoa were cultivated on Se-fortified soil using sparingly soluble Se salts, such as barium selenate and barium selenite. Se concentration in the edible parts of these plants was determined, and Se extraction efficiency with enzyme or alkali was evaluated. In addition, the chemical species of Se in the low molecular weight fraction of these plants were determined by HPLC-ICP-MS. Total Se concentrations in the edible parts of selenized buckwheat and quinoa were 170.4 ± 2.9 μg/g and 102.7 ± 2.4 μg/g wet weight, respectively. Thus, these selenized seeds were found to be Se accumulators. The results indicate that Se in selenized buckwheat exists mainly as SeMet, while Se in selenized quinoa exists not only as SeMet but also as selenate (Se(VI)) and non-protein forms.     

Study of point defects in CuGaSe2 single crystals by means of electron paramagnetic resonance and photoluminescence

Point defects in CuGaSe₂ single crystals as vacancies V_Se, V_Cu and defect pair (2V_Cu⁻+Ga_Cu²⁺) have been studied by means of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and low-temperature photoluminescence (PL). EPR hyperfine structure has been found at temperatures as low as 1.45–45 K and the temperature dependence of EPR line is discussed. Photo-EPR spectrum reveals optically active behavior of intrinsic point defects in CuGaSe₂ crystals. Three bands of PL emission show different origins and two low-energy bands at 1.55 and 1.58 eV have been found to be steady despite H₂-, O₂- and Se₂-annealings. The experimental data added with electric characterization in accordance with the used annealings and together with a defect physics model allow consideration of the point defect ensemble in CuGaSe₂ in more detail.     

Facile fabrication of mesoporous TiO2 electrodes for dye solar cells: chemical modification and repetitive coating

A chemical dispersing technique for preparing a coating paste of TiO₂ nanoparticles is disclosed to fabricate mesoporous electrodes for dye-sensitized TiO₂ solar cells. The suspension of TiO₂ (P-25) powder was stirred in aqueous nitric acid at 80°C, and then evaporated to dryness, giving the nitric acid-adsorbed P-25 powder. The coating paste was obtained by mixing the nitric acid-adsorbed P-25 with PEG (M_w 20,000) as a porosity-controlling agent and cellulosic polymer as a thickener. The mesoporous TiO₂ films were fabricated on conducting glasses by repetitive coating and calcined at 500°C (30 min). The TiO₂ film obtained by the five times repetitive coating (20 μm thickness) resulted in the 1.4 times higher energy conversion efficiency of the dye-sensitized solar cells than that of the one time coating TiO₂ film (V_oc=690 mV, J_sc=12.2 mA/cm², the fill FACTOR=0.71 and η=6.0%).     

Self-flux synthesis and photoluminescent properties of LiAl5O8

Pure-phase LiAl₅O₈ was selected as an oxide ceramic red phosphor material without dopants (color centers) and was synthesized using a self-flux method. The LiAl₅O₈ was formed by heating a powder mixture consisting of γ-Al₂O₃:Li₂SO₄ = 1:2 (molar ratio) at over 1100 °C for 1 h. Photoluminescence (PL) properties for the synthesized LiAl₅O₈ were investigated. The maximum intensity of the excitation spectrum for the photoluminescent emission of LiAl₅O₈ synthesized was at 274 nm. The peak intensity of the emission spectrum was at a wavelength of 667 nm (red color). The intensity of the peak emission spectrum increased with the heating temperature, i.e., the maximum peak intensity of the red emission spectrum was detected for the LiAl₅O₈ synthesized by heating at 1500 °C for 1 h.     

Synthesis of optical quality ZnO nanowires utilizing ultrasonic spray pyrolysis

ZnO nanowires were grown by an ultrasonic spray pyrolysis technique. The aspect ratio and size of the wire were dependent mainly on the pH value of a precursor solution and the growth temperature. By high-resolution transmission electron microscopic analysis and photoluminescence measurements, it was confirmed that the nanowires are monocrystalline with good optical quality.