Evidence for the presence of 1,2-cyclic acetal type sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamines in the sea anemone, Actiniogeton sp.

Five 1,2-cyclic acetal-type sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamines (CGPE) were isolated in a pure state from the sea anemone, Actiniogeton sp. (Coelenterata). Their structures, including the absolute configurations, have been determined on the basis of chemical and spectral data to be so-called Feulgen's acetalphosphatides, which have been regarded as artifacts derived from original plasmalogens. We examined whether these CGPE are intact constitutents in the animal tissues and obtained reliable confirmation that CGPE are normally present in the sea anemone.     

Novel chelate-setting calcium-phosphate cements fabricated with wet-synthesized hydroxyapatite powder

The hydroxyapatite (HAp) powder preparation process was optimized to fabricate inositol phosphate-HAp (IP6-HAp) cement with enhanced mechanical properties. Starting HAp powders were synthesized via a wet chemical process. The effect of the powder preparation process on the morphology, crystallinity, median particle size, and specific surface area (SSA) of the cement powders was examined, together with the mechanical properties of the resulting cement specimens. The smallest crystallite and median particle sizes, and the highest SSA were obtained from ball-milling of as-synthesized HAp powder under wet conditions and then freeze-drying. IP6-HAp cement fabricated with this powder had a maximum compressive strength of 23.1 ± 2.1 MPa. In vivo histological studies using rabbit models revealed that the IP6-HAp cements were directly in contact with newly formed and host bones. Thus, the present chelate-setting HAp cement is promising for application as a novel paste-like artificial bone.     

Giant Rashba-type spin splitting in bulk BiTeI

There has been increasing interest in phenomena emerging from relativistic electrons in a solid, which have a potential impact on spintronics and magnetoelectrics. One example is the Rashba effect, which lifts the electron-spin degeneracy as a consequence of spin-orbit interaction under broken inversion symmetry. A high-energy-scale Rashba spin splitting is highly desirable for enhancing the coupling between electron spins and electricity relevant for spintronic functions. Here we describe the finding of a huge spin-orbit interaction effect in a polar semiconductor composed of heavy elements, BiTeI, where the bulk carriers are ruled by large Rashba-like spin splitting. The band splitting and its spin polarization obtained by spin- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy are well in accord with relativistic first-principles calculations, confirming that the spin splitting is indeed derived from bulk atomic configurations. Together with the feasibility of carrier-doping control, the giant-Rashba semiconductor BiTeI possesses excellent potential for application to various spin-dependent electronic functions.     

Ozone generation in dry air using pulsed discharges with andwithout a solid dielectric layer

Energy efficient generation of ozone is very important because ozone is being used increasingly in a wide range of industrial applications. Ozonizers usually use dielectric barrier discharges and employ alternating current (ac) with consequent heat generation, which necessitates cooling. In the present study, very short duration pulsed voltage is employed resulting in reduced heating of the gas and discharge reactor. A comparison of ozone generation in dry air using a coaxial concentric electrode system with and without a solid dielectric layer is reported. Two types of dielectric layers were employed, ceramic and polyvinylchloride (pvc). The effects of peak pulsed voltage (12.5 to 62 kV), reactor length (0.1 to 1 m), pulse repetition rate (25 to 400 pulses per second, pps), gas flow rate (1.5 to 3.0 1/min) and variation of the pitch length of the spiral wire forming the central electrode (5 to 10 mm) on the concentration and production yield of ozone (g/kWh) are reported. A comparison is made between the performance of discharge reactors with (ceramic reactor Type IIC and pvc reactor Type IIP) and without (reactor Type I) a dielectric layer, using the same electrode gap separation (15 mm) and reactor lengths (0.157 and 1 m). High production yields of ozone in dry air of ~125 52 and 60 g/kWh were obtained when using, respectively ceramic, pvc, and no dielectric layer, for a fixed pulse rate of 100 pps, 15 1/min now rate and for a relatively short length of the reactor of 157 mm     

Improvement in skin color achieved by smoking cessation

It has been well known that habitual smoking accelerates premature skin ageing recognized as ‘smoker's face’. However, the effect of smoking cessation on the appearance of skin has not been elucidated. The aim of this study was to evaluate objectively the effect of smoking cessation on the skin's appearance. The stratum corneum carbonyl protein level and skin colour of the cheek and the hand were measured. The change before and during the smoking cessation treatment (0, 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks), and the success or failure in smoking cessation, was compared and examined. Eighty‐four cases who had smoking cessation treatment were examined. The level of the stratum corneum carbonyl protein did not show any difference comparing before and after treatment for the smoking cessation success group and the failure group. The lightness of skin colour showed an upward tendency 4–12 weeks after starting the treatment in the success group and increased significantly compared with the failure group. The redness showed a significant decrease in comparison with before the treatment, and it also showed a significant decrease compared with the failure group. The yellowness did not show any clear tendency. Also, the haemoglobin showed a decreased tendency. Furthermore, multivariate statistical analysis showed a possibility that the lightness and haemoglobin could be changed by smoking cessation treatment. In conclusion, our study showed that an upward tendency of skin lightness was seen to correspond with a haemoglobin decrease accompanied by smoking cessation. If we can easily measure skin improvement as an effect of smoking cessation, it is thought to be a useful aid for smoking cessation support.