Fabrication of Fe-Co-C thin films using facing targets sputtering method

We report the fabrication of carbon-doped (0-9 at.%) Fe-Co thin films deposited using facing targets sputtering method. Adding carbon of 2.5 at.% has an effect on decreasing coercivity in the case that the internal stress is approximately zero. Further addition of carbon does not influence the soft magnetic properties, whereas the saturation flux density decreases down to 2 T. The lowest coercivity of 12 Oe in hard axis is obtained with the saturation flux density of 2.4 T and clear uniaxial anisotropy (anisotropy field: 200 Oe) in the (Fe₆₅Co₃₅)_97.5C_2.5 film. The Fe-Co-C film exhibits better frequency characteristics than Fe-C films due to higher anisotropy field and saturation flux density.     

Influence of fatty acids on the tocopherol stability in vegetable oils during microwave heating

Effects of 0, 0.05, 0.25, 0.50 and 1.0% levels of fatty acids (caproic, caprylic, capric and lauric) or hydrocarbons (decane and dodecane) on tocopherol stability in vegetable oils during microwave heating were determined by measuring tocopherol losses and carbonyl and anisidine values. The fatty acids showed similar prooxidant activities toward tocopherols in purified vegetable, oils when heated in a microwave oven. However, decane or dodecane, which had the same number of carbons as capric or lauric acid but no carboxylic group, did not show prooxidant activity. The shorter the chainlength and the higher the level of fatty acids, the greater was the reduction of tocopherols in the oils. The addition of low-molecular weight fatty acids resulted in greater acceleration in the oxidation of to pay attention to these free fatty acids produced in the oils when heated in a microwave oven.     

Overexpression of Aspergillus aculeatus cellobiohydrolase I in Aspergillus oryzae

To express the cbhI gene, encoding Aspergillus aculeatus cellobiohydrolase I (CBHI), in Aspergillus oryzae, a plasmid was constructed. The strain that displayed the strongest CBHI activity among the transformants produced about 941 mg/l in liquid culture. It was confirmed by a PCR method that the plasmid was integrated at the niaD locus.     

Cloning and sequencing of an exoglucanase gene from Streptomyces sp. M 23, and its expression in Streptomyces lividans TK-24

A gene encoding exoglucanase (CBHII) of Streptomyces sp. M 23 was cloned and sequenced. The cbhII gene consisted of 1359 bp capable of encoding a polypeptide of 453 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 45,175 Da. The deduced amino acid sequence showed homology with those of cellulases belonging to family 6 of the glycosyl hydrolases. The cbhII gene was subcloned into the plasmid pSEV1 and expressed in Streptomyces lividans TK-24. The transformed cells were able to secrete the enzyme efficiently in an active form. The CBHII expressed by S. lividans TK-24 was purified to homogeneity by SDS-polyacrylamide gel and characterized. The recombinant CBHII was stable up to 50 degrees C and more than 30% of the original activity remained after heating at 100 degrees C for 10 min. The amino-terminal amino acid sequence of the recombinant CBHII was identified as GPAAPTARVD. These results agreed well with the properties of the authentic CBHII.     

Direct Determination of the Stereoisomeric Composition of Callosobruchusic Acid,the Copulation Release Pheromone of the Azuki Bean Weevil, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Callosobruchus chinensis</Emphasis> L., by the 2D-Ohrui-Akasaka Method

The stereoisomeric composition of the copulation release pheromone of the azuki bean weevil, Callosobruchus chinensis L., was determined to be R:S = 3.3–3.4:1 by the 2D-Ohrui–Akasaka method.     

Microporous coordination polymers of cobalt(II) and manganese(II) 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylate: preparations, structures and gas sorptive and magnetic properties

Two isostructural coordination polymers M₃(NDC)₃(DMF)₄ (M = Co (1), Mn (2); H₂NDC = 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid; DMF = N,N′-dimethylformamide) were prepared through conventional and microwave-assisted solvothermal methods. Single crystal X-ray analysis indicated that both complexes crystallized in the monoclinic system with space group C2/c. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) patterns of the bulk samples for the two complexes obtained from microwave-assisted solvothermal syntheses matched well with the simulated ones from the single crystal data as well as the ones prepared by conventional solvothermal method. These microporous cobalt(II) and manganese(II) coordination polymers undergo reversible structural change upon desolvating, giving stable microporous frameworks containing unsaturated metal sites, and resolvating. The desolvated complexes showed different nitrogen gas adsorption capabilities but very close hydrogen adsorption behaviors. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibilities of 1 and 2 revealed the weak antiferromagnetic coupling between the adjacent metal ions bridged by carboxylate.     

Direct Decomposition of NO Over Alkaline Earth Metal Oxide Catalysts Supported on Cobalt Oxide

Spinel powders with addition of ZnO into Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃ were synthesized from a mixed solution of nitrate salts in the presence of aqueous ammonium carbonate under hydrothermal conditions at 150 °C for 48 h. The crystallization of the spinel was promoted by an increase in reaction temperature and time. This powder was studied for the selective reduction of NO with hydrocarbons (CH₄, C₂H₄, and C₃H₆) in the presence of oxygen. High durability was observed for the reduction of NO by C₂H₄ in the presence of water vapor and sulfur oxides, maintaining a high stability over 100 h.