Quantification of SOFC anode microstructure based on dual beam FIB-SEM technique

The three-dimensional microstructure of an SOFC anode is quantified using a dual beam focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM) system equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) unit. The microstructure of the Ni-YSZ anode is virtually reconstructed in a computational field using a series of acquired two-dimensional SEM images. The three-phase boundary (TPB) density and tortuosity factors are carefully evaluated by applying two different evaluation methods to each parameter. The TPB density is estimated by a volume expansion method and a centroid method, while the tortuosity factors are evaluated by a random walk calculation and a lattice Boltzmann method (LBM). Estimates of each parameter obtained by the two methods are in good agreement with each other, thereby validating the reliability of the analysis methods proposed in this study.     

Dietary Casein and Soy Protein Isolate Modulate the Effects of Raffinose and Fructooligosaccharides on the Composition and Fermentation of Gut Microbiota in Rats

Although diet has an important influence on the composition of gut microbiota, the impact of dietary protein sources has only been studied to a minor extent. In this study, we examined the influence of different dietary protein sources regarding the effects of prebiotic oligosaccharides on the composition and metabolic activity of gut microbiota. Thirty female rats were fed casein and soy protein isolate with cellulose, raffinose (RAF), and fructooligosaccharides (FOS). Microbiota composition was examined by real‐time qPCR and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. Dietary protein source affected cecum microbiota; acetic acid concentration and Lactobacillus spp. populations were greater with soy protein than with casein. Prebiotic oligosaccharides had distinctive effects on gut microbiota; RAF increased the acetic acid concentration and Bifidobacterium spp. populations, and FOS increased the butyric acid concentration regardless of the dietary protein. Likewise, Bifidobacterium sp., Collinsella sp., and Lactobacillus sp. were detected in microbiota of the rats fed RAF, and Bacteroides sp., Roseburia sp., and Blautia sp. were seen in microbiota of the rats fed FOS. Interactions between dietary proteins and prebiotic oligosaccharides were observed with Clostridium perfringens group populations and cecum IgA concentration. RAF and FOS decreased C. perfringens group populations in casein‐fed rats, and the combination of soy protein and RAF substantially increased cecum IgA concentration. These results indicate that dietary proteins can differentially modulate the effects of prebiotic oligosaccharides on gut fermentation and microbiota, depending on the type of carbohydrate polymers involved.     

Bimodal Momentum Distribution of the High-Density Supersolid State

By performing exact quantum Monte Carlo simulations, we study the momentum distribution of the supersolid state in the two-dimensional extended Bose-Hubbard model with the nearest-neighbor repulsion. For strong nearest-neighbor repulsions, the supersolid state is stable in a broad region up to large hopping amplitudes and high particle densities. In the supersolid state, the momentum distribution shows a bimodal structure with two peaks related to the superfluidity and solidity respectively. By our calculations, we show that the bimodal structure becomes clearer as the chemical potential (or the particle density) is increased.     

Selective modification of the N-terminal structure of polytheonamide b significantly changes its cytotoxicity and activity as an ion channel

Chemical point mutation: Polytheonamide?B is a naturally occurring polypeptide containing 48 amino acids. It both displays potent cytotoxicity and acts as a monovalent cation channel in?vitro. Chemoselective methods to modify the 44th, N-, and C-terminal residues of the natural product have been developed, and evaluation of the resultant derivatives suggests that the intrinsic activities of the peptide can only be altered by switching its N-terminal substitution.     

Transmission electron microscope observation of organic–inorganic hybrid thin active layers of light-emitting diodes

Low-resistivity indium tin oxide [ITO] film was successfully deposited on oxygen plasma-treated polyethylene terephthalate [PET] surfaces at room temperature. X-ray diffraction [XRD] measurements demonstrated that the film deposited on the PET surface that had not been treated with oxygen plasma had an amorphous structure. In contrast, after the low-power oxygen plasma treatment of the PET surface, the ITO film deposited on the PET surface had a poly-crystalline structure due to interactions between electric dipoles on the PET surface and electric dipoles in the ITO film. The minimum resistivity of the poly-crystalline ITO was about 3.6 times lower than that of the amorphous ITO film. In addition, we found that the resistivity of ITO film is proportional to the intensity of the (400) line in the film's XRD spectra.     

北京养老服务机构入住理由及位置选择的初探——关于合理布局建设养老服务机构

通过对北京市养老服务机构的入住老人进行问卷调研,解析老人的入住理由。老人在机构选择意向中重视"离子女居住地近"的要素,并在实际选择入住时,呈现选择离子女居住地较近机构的趋势。根据该倾向,研究通过整理各功能区特征,为解决北京市养老服务机构入住率分布不均衡的现状,提出各功能区养老机构的规划建设见解。     

Improvement of the Performance of Liquid Crystal Displays by Doping with Supramolecule-Protected Metal Nanoparticles

Metal nanoparticles are now creating a new class of materials that are different from either conventional bulk materials or atoms, giving one of the smallest building blocks of matter. Metal nanoparticles have various properties based on high surface area and quantum size effects. Here we focus on the application of metal nanoparticles to liquid crystal displays, which is providing a new field in science and technology. The doping of nanoparticles into liquid crystal materials induces the modification of almost all of the physical properties of the liquid crystal, causing a reduction in the response time of liquid crystal displays. These techniques may be an alternative approach for improving the properties of liquid crystals other than chemical synthesis.     

Joining of SiC by Al infiltrated TiC tape: Effect of joining parameters on the microstructure and mechanical properties

SiC ceramics were successfully joined by Al infiltrated TiC tapes at 900-1100 °C for 0.5-2 h in vacuum. Phase constituents, microstructure and mechanical strength of the prepared SiC joints were characterized. The prepared SiC joints display dense interlayer and crack-free interface. The interlayer primarily consists of TiC and Al phases, together with small amount of TiAl₃ and trace of Al₄C₃. With increasing the joining temperature or time, the interface layer either thickens or grows to multiple layers. The bending strengths of the SiC joints are higher than 190 MPa as bonded at present conditions, and are closely related with the property of interface and interlayer.     

Detection of genetically modified organisms in foreign-made processed foods containing corn and potato

Investigations of the validity of labeling regarding genetically modified (GM) products were conducted using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods for foreign-made processed foods made from corn and potato purchased in the Tokyo area and in the USA. Several kinds of GM crops were detected in 12 of 32 samples of processed corn samples. More than two GM events for which safety reviews have been completed in Japan were simultaneously detected in 10 samples. GM events MON810 and Bt11 were most frequently detected in the samples by qualitative PCR methods. MON810 was detected in 11 of the 12 samples, and Bt11 was detected in 6 of the 12 samples. In addition, Roundup Ready soy was detected in one of the 12 samples. On the other hand, CBH351, for which the safety assessment was withdrawn in Japan, was not detected in any of the 12 samples. A trial quantitative analysis was performed on six of the GM maize qualitatively positive samples. The estimated amounts of GM maize in these samples ranged from 0.2 to 2.8%, except for one sample, which contained 24.1%. For this sample, the total amount found by event-specific quantitative analysis was 23.8%. Additionally, Roundup Ready soy was detected in one sample of 21 potato-processed foods, although GM potatoes were not detected in any sample.