Protective effects of galacturonic acid-rich vinegar brewed from Japanese pear in a dextran sodium sulfate-induced acute colitis model

The effects of pear vinegar (PV), which was specially brewed for enhanced galacturonic acid content, on the DSS-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) mouse model were evaluated. PV improved clinical symptoms, colon inflammation, and histological tissue injury in the DSS-induced acute UC mouse model. Moreover, PV suppressed inflammation due to acute UC by suppressing the myeloperoxidase (MPO)-mediated activation of inflammatory cells such as leukocytes and decreasing the serum concentration of IL-6. Our results demonstrated the protective action of PV in the DSS-induced acute UC mouse model. On the other hand, commercial apple vinegar did not show a protective effect in the DSS-induced acute UC mouse model. Our findings indicate that PV may act as a new functional food for inflammatory bowel disease patients.     

Evaluation of three-dimensional effects in short deep beams using a rigid-body-spring-model

Three-dimensional (3-D) effects in short deep beams without stirrups that failed in shear were investigated experimentally and analytically. Two deep beams with a shear span to depth ratio (a/d) of 0.5 and with different beam widths were tested. The effect of beam width on load-carrying capacity, failure mode, crack pattern and 3-D behavior was investigated, and shape effect due to beam width was clarified. In addition, the beams were analyzed by the 3-D rigid-body-spring model (RBSM). RBSM is a discrete form of modeling that presents realistic behavior from cracking to failure, and 3-D RBSM is applicable to simulate 3-D behavior as well as the confinement effect of concrete. Analytical results in terms of load–displacement curves and crack pattern are compared with the experimental results. Three-dimensional deformations, strut widths and cross-sectional stress distribution are investigated analytically and compared with the experimental results to determine 3-D behavior in detail. The 3-D effects in short deep beams are clarified.     

Performances of metal fluoride added carbon anodes with pre-electrolysis for electrolytic synthesis of NF3

Metal fluoride added carbon anodes treated by pre-electrolysis were investigated for electrolytic production of nitrogen trifluoride (NF₃) in molten NH₄F·KF·4HF at 100 °C. The conditions for pre-electrolysis were first optimized using a graphite sheet anode as a model anode. The formation of fluorine-graphite intercalation compounds (fluorine-GICs) with semi-covalent C–F bonds, (C_xF)_n, on the MgF₂ and CaF₂ added carbon anode surface was accelerated by pre-electrolysis at potentials less than 4.0 V. Critical current densities (CCD) on the MgF₂ added carbon anodes pre-electrolyzed under various conditions were determined, and the highest CCD was 290 mA cm⁻² obtained for that pre-electrolyzed at 3.5 V for 500 C cm⁻². This anode was successfully used in the electrolysis at 100 mA cm⁻² for 290 h and the maximum NF₃ current efficiency was 55%. From these results, it was concluded that the metal fluoride added carbon anode treated by pre-electrolysis has a high potential for electrolytic production of NF₃ at higher current density.     

Kinetic and morphological study of a magnesium ethoxide‐based Ziegler–Natta catalyst for propylene polymerization

BACKGROUND: Kinetic and morphological aspects of slurry propylene polymerization using a MgCl₂‐supported Ziegler–Natta catalyst synthesized from a Mg(OEt)₂ precursor are investigated in comparison with a ball‐milled Ziegler–Natta catalyst. RESULTS: The two types of catalyst show completely different polymerization profiles: mild activation and long‐standing activity with good replication of the catalyst particles for the Mg(OEt)₂‐based catalyst, and rapid activation and deactivation with severe fragmentation of the catalyst particles for the ball‐milled catalyst. The observed differences are discussed in relation to spatial distribution of TiCl₄ on the outermost part and inside of the catalyst particles. CONCLUSION: The Mg(OEt)₂‐based Ziegler–Natta catalyst is believed to show highly stable polymerization activity and good replication because of the uniform titanium distribution all over the catalyst particles. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Oxidation Resistance Evaluation of Silicon Carbide Ceramics with Various Additives

Five silicon carbide ceramics with various additives were evaluated for oxidation resistance at 1300°C in flowing dry and wet air. In the dry atmosphere, the oxidation of the five samples was diffusion-controlled, and in wet atmosphere they exhibited a linear relation beween weight gain by oxidation and water vapor content. Water vapor in the atmosphere strongly accelerated oxidation. The influence of oxidation on room-temperature strength was complex, but the samples were not as affected by oxidation.     

Development of a new displacement-measuring ultrasonic sensor based on astigmatic focus error detection-measuring principle and its demonstration

Conventional ultrasonic displacement-measuring systems normally employ the pulse-echo technique. Resultant resolution capability, however, typically is not suitable for meeting high-dimensional, in-process measurement standards used in cutting and grinding operations. This paper presents a new ultrasonic sensor for displacement measurement based on astigmatic focus error detection. The measuring principle and basic analysis applied in the design method are described in detail, after which the validity of the principle is demonstrated by the results of experimental evaluations.     

Record of mercury pollution in sediments of lakes Nakaumi and Shinji in Japan

Two sediment core profiles from lakes Shinji and Nakaumi were studied in order to understand the level of mercury (Hg) pollution in lakes in northwestern Japan. The sedimentation rates were established on the basis of the activity of [²¹⁰Pb] and [¹³¹Cs] in the sediments. In Lake Shinji, the highest level of Hg (130 ng g^–1) in the sediment was found at a depth of 20–22 cm, while 195 ng g^–1 was found at a depth of 10–12 cm in the core profiles from Lake Nakaumi. The relative increase in Hg concentration in lake sediments started after 1960 and significant contamination events occurred in the early 1960s. Mercury profiles in lake sediments from lakes Shinji and Nakaumi are found to reflect the anthropogenic Hg released into the environment in the 1950s and 1960s. A pronounced maximun concentration of Hg is found in both lakes, where sediment accumulation rates differ.     

Precise analysis of H, C, N, and O as dominant impurities in Cu films: complementary use of SIMS and GDMS

Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) and glow discharge mass spectrometry (GDMS) were used to determine the impurity concentrations of hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen elements in Cu films, and the results of SIMS and GDMS were carefully interpreted. The Cu films were deposited on Si (100) substrates at substrate bias voltages ranging from 0 V to −150 V using a non-mass separated ion beam deposition method. From the results of SIMS using a Cs⁻ ion beam, as a whole, many high intensity peaks were observed in the Cu films deposited without substrate bias voltage. From the quantitative GDMS results, these peaks were determined to be signals detected as a cluster state such as C_xH_x, O_xH_x, C_xO_xH_x. Therefore, using a combination of these dominant impurities, all the unknown peaks observed in the SIMS results could be interpreted. Moreover, it was found that the dominant impurities having a great influence on the film purity were hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen.     

Fabrication of semi-conductive ceramics by combination of gelcasting and reduction sintering

In this study, we propose a new process to fabricate electrically semi-conductive alumina by the combination of gelcasting and reduction sintering. The process is similar to the conventional gelcasting method except for varying amounts of methacrylamide monomer dosages at 2.83, 5.50, and 8.04 wt% relative to the mass of the slurry. Correspondingly, the rheological evaluation of aqueous slurry was conducted. The resulting fluidity exhibited that monomer dosage until 8.04 wt% yielded slurry viscosity of 1628 MPA·s at shear rate of 20 s⁻¹, which was feasible for gelcasting without noticeable casting defects. The freshly gelled bodies were demolded, carefully dried, and then sintered at different schedules in nitrogen atmosphere. The reduction-sintered samples were re-sintered in air for comparative evaluation of physical property. The sintered alumina body was characterized by electrical resistance, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that monomer additions and sintering schedule significantly affect in lowering electrical resistivity. The obtained lowest value was 3.6 × 10⁶ Ω-cm with 8.04 wt% monomer dosage and sintering at 1550°C with 2 h holding time. The resulting material is classified as semi-conductive, which is potential for electrostatic shielding applications. The effect of physical property and microstructure on electrical conductivity and the corresponding reaction mechanism were discussed in details.