Polymer/graphite oxide composites as high-performance materials for electric double layer capacitors

A single graphene sheet represents a carbon material with the highest surface area available to accommodating molecules or ions for physical and chemical interactions. Here we demonstrate in an electric double layer capacitor the outstanding performance of graphite oxide for providing a platform for double layer formation. Graphite oxide is generally the intermediate compound for obtaining separated graphene sheets. Instead of reduction with hydrazine, we incorporate graphite oxide with a poly(ethylene oxide)-based polymer and anchor the graphene oxide sheets with poly(propylene oxide) diamines. This polymer/graphite oxide composite shows in a “dry” gel-electrolyte system a double layer capacitance as high as 130 F g⁻¹. The polymer incorporation developed here can significantly diversify the application of graphene-based materials in energy storage devices.     

Fungal pretreatment of sulfides in refractory gold ores

This study assessed the capability of the fungus, Phanerochaete chrysosporium, to decompose pyrite, arsenopyrite and a sulfide-containing flotation concentrate in an effort to develop a microbial process for pretreating refractory gold ores. The extent of biotransformation was monitored by analyzing for iron, sulfur and arsenic in incubation solutions, and for sulfide sulfur in the residual solids. The results were then expressed as percentages of the initial weights. For arsenopyrite, 1.5 wt.%, 7.2 wt.% and 10.3 wt.% of iron, arsenic and sulfur respectively were present as soluble constituents in the incubation solution within 21 days of fungal treatment, whereas for pyrite, there was 1.2 wt.% iron and 6.0 wt.% sulfur. For the same processing period in the case of the flotation concentrate, 1.8 wt.%, 6.1 wt.% and 10.7 wt.% respectively of iron, arsenic and sulfur remained in solution. Overall, the decomposition of sulfide sulfur in the samples was 15 wt.%, 35 wt.% and 57 wt.% respectively for pyrite, arsenopyrite and the flotation concentrate. Changes in sulfide sulfur concentration and the formation of oxide phases during fungal treatment were confirmed using Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. These results suggest that P. chrysosporium is a potential microorganism for oxidative decomposition of metal sulfides associated with refractory gold ores.     

Evaluation of the propensity for coal spontaneous combustion based on catastrophe theory

Generally, different prevention measures should be taken according to spontaneous combustion propensities. The current methods to evaluate the propensity of coal spontaneous combustion, such as chromatographic method of oxygen adsorption, oxidation kinetics method and activation energy method, are mostly affected by human factors. Their boundaries among different classes of propensities were all established by subjective judgments. A new evaluation method using catastrophe theory is introduced. This method can accurately depict the process of coal spontaneous combustion and the evaluation index, “catastrophe temperature”, be obtained based on the model. In terms of catastrophe temperature, the spontaneous combustion propensity of different coals can be sequenced. Experimental data indicate that this method is appropriate to describe the spontaneous combustion process and to evaluate the propensity of coal spontaneous combustion.     

Paired human chorionic gonadotrophin determinations for the prediction of pregnancy outcome in assisted reproduction

The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic value of single and paired measurements of serum concentrations of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) for successful pregnancy following in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and tubal embryo transfer (TET). We analysed serum HCG concentrations 15 and 22 days after IVF or TET in 198 conception cycles. Cut-off values of serum HCG were determined by a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. On the basis of single HCG samples on day 15 (HCG15) after transfer, using a cut-off value of HCG15 = 150 mIU/ml, the sensitivity was 71% and the specificity was 77%. The positive predictive value (HCG15 > or = 150 mIU/ml indicating a normal pregnancy) was 89%, while the negative predictive rate (HCG15 < 150 mIU/ml indicating an abnormal pregnancy) was 51%. Patients with HCG15 < 150 mIU/ml but HCG22/HCG15 ratio > or = 15, still had a 90% chance of normal pregnancy. However, in patients with HCG15 < 150 mIU/ml and an HCG22/HCG15 ratio < 15, there was an 84% chance of an abnormal pregnancy. We conclude that a single HCG15 determination combined with the ratio of HCG22 to HCG15 has a higher diagnostic accuracy for prediction of pregnancy outcome than either analysis alone.     

Suppression of human prostate carcinoma metastases in severe combined immunodeficient mice by interleukin 2 immunocytokine therapy

Immunocytokines are antibody-cytokine fusion proteins that combine the unique targeting ability of antibodies with the multifunctional activities of cytokines to activate effector cells in the tumor microenvironment. Here, we demonstrate the therapeutic efficacy of a tumor-specific immunocytokine, huKS1/4-IL2, which effectively inhibited growth and dissemination of lung and bone marrow metastases of human prostate carcinoma in severe combined immunodeficient mice. This antitumor effect was specific and highly effective, irrespective of reconstitution of these mice with human lymphokine-activated killer cells. Survival times of mice treated with huKS1/4-IL2 were increased 4-fold as compared with animals treated with a mixture of the corresponding antibody and recombinant human interleukin-2 (rhIL2). A persistent antitumor response after treatment with the huKS1/4-IL2 immunocytokine in B, T, and natural killer cell-deficient severe combined immuodeficient-BEIGE mice, depleted of granulocytes, implies a major role for macrophages in this treatment effect. Our data demonstrate that immunocytokine-directed interleukin-2 therapy to tumor sites is an immunotherapeutic approach with potent effects against disseminated metastases of human prostate carcinoma and suggest that this treatment could be effective in an adjuvant setting for patients with minimal residual disease.     

Up-regulation of brain N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors following multiple intracerebroventricular injections of [D-Pen2, D-Pen5] enkephalin and [D-Ala2, Glu4]deltorphin II in mice

The effects of chronic administration of [D-Pen2, D-Pen5]enkephalin and [D-Ala2, Glu4]deltorphin II, the selective agonists of the delta 1- and delta 2-opioid receptors, on the binding of [3H]MK-801, a noncompetitive antagonist of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor, were determined in several brain regions of the mouse. Male Swiss-Webster mice were injected intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) with [D-Pen2, D-Pen5]enkephalin or [D-Ala2, Glu4]deltorphin II (20 micrograms/mouse) twice a day for 4 days. Vehicle injected mice served as controls. Previously we have shown that the above treatment results in the development of tolerance to their analgesic activity. The binding of [3H]MK-801 was determined in brain regions (cortex, midbrain, pons and medulla, hippocampus, striatum, hypothalamus and amygdala). At 5 nM-concentration, the binding of [3H]MK-801 was increased in cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and pons and medulla of [D-Pen2, D-Pen5]enkephalin treated mice. In [D-Ala2, Glu4]deltorphin II treated mice, the binding of [3H]MK-801 was increased in cerebral cortex and hippocampus. The changes in the binding were due to increases in the Bmax value of [3H]MK-801. It is concluded that tolerance to delta 1- and delta 2-opioid receptor agonists is associated with up-regulation of brain N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors, however, some brain areas affected differ with the two treatments. The results are consistent with the recent observation from this laboratory that N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors antagonists block tolerance to the analgesic action of delta 1- and delta 2-opioid receptor agonists.     

TEE EFFECT OF EXTENDED THIN FILM EVAPORATION DURING TEE CONSTANT DRYING RATE PERIOD

The extended thin film evaporation is analyzed during the constant drying rate period. The extended thin film is defined as the liquid film which the disjoining pressure dominates the fluid flow field and works as the driving force of replenishing the evaporating liquid. The results of the analysis show that the extended thin film evaporation can compensate the reduction of evaporation rate due to the increase of dry spots and keep the evaporation rate nearly constant. Experimental data in the literature are in good agreement with the results of this work. This implies that the extended thin film evaporation may be an important part of the mechanism for drying.     

The thermal diffusivity and conductivity of transformation-toughened solid solutions of alumina and chromia

The thermal diffusivity of a series of solid solutions of alumina and chromia transformation toughened with a dispersed phase of unstabilized zirconia was measured by means of the laser-flash method from room temperature to 1400° C. It was found, in general, that the thermal diffusivity could be decreased significantly by the combined effects of solid solution alloying, microcracking and by the presence of the low conductivity dispersed phase of zirconia. The decrease in thermal diffusivity by microcracking was found to be present in the solid solution with low chromia content which underwent extensive grain growth. The effectiveness of solid solution formation and microcracking on thermal diffusivity was found to be greatest at the lower and intermediate ranges of temperature. The decrease in the thermal diffusivity due to the zirconia inclusions was found to be effective over the total temperature range. A numerical example is presented for the thermal conductivity calculated from the thermal diffusivity multiplied by the volumetric heat capacity.     

Discovery of selective, small-molecule inhibitors of RNA complexes--I. The Tat protein/TAR RNA complexes required for HIV-1 transcription

We have developed a therapeutic program focusing on the inhibition of a human immunodeficiency virus-1 specific protein-RNA interaction. This program begins with a search for small organic molecules that would interfere with the binding of Tat protein to TAR RNA. The methodologies chosen to study the HIV-1 Tat-TAR interaction and inhibition include gel mobility shift assays, scintillation proximity assays, filtration assays, and mass spectrometry. These methods helped establish in vitro high-throughput screening assays which rapidly identified Tat-TAR inhibitors from our corporate compound library. Tat-activated reporter gene assays were then used to investigate the cellular activities of the Tat-TAR inhibitors. The cellular activity, selectivity, and toxicity data for select Tat-TAR inhibitors were determined. Evaluation of both the cellular data and the Tat-TAR inhibition results led to further testing in anti-HIV-1 infection assays.     

The Dentin Disc surface: a plausible model for dentin physiology and dentin sensitivity evaluation

Dentin sensitivity (DS) is a painful clinical condition which may affect 8-35% of the population. Various treatment modalities have claimed success in relieving DS, although at present there does not appear to be a universally accepted desensitizing agent. Current opinion based on Br?nnstr?m's Hydrodynamic Theory would suggest that following exposure of the dentin surface (through attrition, abrasion, or erosion), the presence of open dentinal tubules, patent to the pulp, may be a prerequisite for DS. The concept of tubule occlusion as a method of dentin desensitization, therefore, is a logical conclusion from the hydrodynamic theory. The fact that many of the agents used clinically to desensitize dentin are also effective in reducing dentin permeability tends to support the hydrodynamic theory. This paper reviews the in vitro evaluation of desensitizing agents, the techniques used to characterize their effects on the prepared dentin surface, and the ability of these agents to reduce permeability through tubule occlusion, and presents recent findings from ongoing research based on the Pashley Dentin Disc model. It can be concluded that the use of this model to determine surface characteristics, and reductions in dentin permeability through tubule narrowing or occlusion, provides a useful screening method for evaluating potential desensitizing agents. Interpreting changes observed in vitro is difficult, and extrapolation to the clinical situation must be tempered with caution.