Temperature dependency of bound water of cellulose studied by a high-resolution NMR spectrometer

The widths at half-value of high-resolution NMR spectra of bound water of cellulose were studied in relation to the temperature change. Two points were made clear: First, the amount of bound water of the cellulose sample can be pointed out with higher accuracy the lower the temperature of the measurement. Second, it is possible to determine in a simple manner the boundary temperature T_c at which water molecules become bound by the cellulose. T_c is characteristic of the cellulose sample of a given water content and corresponds to the glass transition temperature of the water-containing sample. The measurements appear to be readily applicable to other hydrophilic polymers.     

The lattice energy of lithium monoxide

The lattice energy of lithium monooxide (Li₂O) has been derived by a term-by-term calculation on the assumption that the atomic binding force in Li₂O is ionic in character. The value is about twice as large as a value obtained by the Born-Haber cycle, and the effective charge in Li₂O is estimated to be Li₂^+0.4O^?0.8.     

A new architecture for the NVRAM-an EEPROM backed-up dynamic RAM

An architecture for a nonvolatile RAM (NVRAM) suitable for high-density applications is described. In the cell, a dynamic RAM cell is merged into an EEPROM cell. A capacitor is constructed between the control gate and the drain diffusion layer of the FLOTOX-type EEPROM memory cell. The equivalent circuit in the dynamic RAM mode consists of two transistors and a capacitor, which eliminates a dummy cell. A dynamic RAM sense amplifier is used in both modes, and it works as a data latch when data are transferred between the dynamic RAM and the EEPROM. The process of the NVRAM is compatible with ordinary EEPROMs     

Human erythrocyte bisphosphoglycerate mutase: inactivation by glycation in vivo and in vitro

2,3-Bisphosphoglycerate mutase (BPGM) [EC 5.4.2.4] is a multifunctional enzyme that catalyzes both the synthesis and the degradation of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) and contains three types of activities in that it functions as a 2,3-DPG synthetase, a phosphoglycerate mutase and a 2,3-DPG phosphatase. In humans, BPGM occurs only in erythrocytes and plays a pivotal role in the dissociation of oxygen from hemoglobin via 2,3-DPG. The present study shows that the specific activity of BPGM in erythrocytes of diabetic patients is decreased, compared to normal controls as judged by 2,3-DPG synthetase activity and immunoreactive contents. To understand the mechanism by which the enzyme is inactivated, the enzyme was purified from pooled erythrocytes from diabetic patients and subjected to a boronate affinity column. The flow through fraction was active while the bound fraction was completely inactive. The bound fraction was reactive to an anti-hexitollysine antibody, indicating that the enzyme had undergone glycation and inactivation. The primary glycated site of the enzyme was found to be Lys158 as judged by amino acid sequencing and the reactivity with an anti-hexitollysine IgG, after reverse-phase HPLC of the lysyl-endopeptidase-digested peptides. Extensive glycation of recombinant BPGM in vitro indicated that the glycation sites were Lys2, Lys4, Lys17, Lys42, Lys158, and Lys196. From these results, the loss of enzymatic activity appears to be due to the glycation of Lys158 which may be located in the vicinity of the substrate binding site.     

Temperature distribution in Li2O pellets under neutron irradiation

The center temperature of Li₂O pellets under neutron irradiation was measured using an encapsuled pin. The surface temperatures of the pellets and the pellet/cladding heat transfer coefficients were estimated on the basis of the well-known conductivity integral.     

Compatibility between several heat resistant alloys and sintered Li2O in static helium gas environment

The reaction of sintered Li₂O discs with several commercial heat resistant alloys has been investigated under the conditions of 3.3 × 10⁴Pa ($\text{1}\text{3}\text{atm}$) static He gas atmosphere in the temperature range of 500 and 750° C. Reaction products were identified by X-ray diffraction analysis to be two phases of Li₅FeO₄ and LiCrO₂. The former was dominant below 650° C and the latter was dominant above 650° C. The activation energies of the reaction were determined by the Arrhenius plots for weight changes and sub-scale thickness measurements. The reactivity of the four Fe-Ni-Cr alloys decreased according to the order of Incoloy 800, 316 SS, Hastelloy X-R and Inconel 600. Grain boundary penetration was observed above 500° C for Incoloy 800, 550° C for 316 SS and 600° C for Inconel 600. There was no grain boundary penetration in Hastelloy X-R.     

One-point method for determination of number-average molecular weight

The following well-known equation permits the ready determination of M _n from a single osmotic pressure measurement at a known concentration, if the second virial coefficient is previously given: On this basis, the one-point method was investigated to determine the number-average molecular weight. It was found that this method was applicable to commercial polymers. However, in this application, the dependence of Γ₂ on molecular weight distribution has to be kept in mind.     

A case report of incomplete endocardial cushion defect with mitral stenosis in an elderly patient

The following paper describes a mitral valve replacement (SJM 27 mm), the patch closure (EPTFE) of an ostium primum atrial septal defect and tricuspid annuloplasty (De Vega's method) in a 64-year-old female patient with an incomplete endocardial cushion defect and mitral stenosis. Surgery revealed thickened, mitral valve leaflets and the presence of a cleft, findings similar to those observed in case of rheumatic degeneration. Investigation of patient hemodynamics confirmed a diagnosis of Lutembacher syndrome and a lower with left ventricle volume. After surgery, the volume of left ventricle increased and the patients clinical course was uneventful.