Chemical reactivity of CO and CO2 at a Cu(110)-Cs surface

Carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide undergo reactive chemisorption with cesium modified Cu(110) and Cu(110)-O surfaces and via the anionic intermediate CO ₂ ^– (a) form a surface carbonate. The CO ₂ ^– (a) species was characterised by VEELS and XPS at low temperature (80 K) and the surface carbonate at 295 K. For cesium modified Cu(110) surfaces chemisorption of carbon monoxide gives rise to electron energy loss peaks (v _co) as low as 1450 cm^–1 at 295 K.     

Joining carbon nanotubes

To fully exploit the exceptional electronic and mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes in real-world applications, it is desirable to create carbon nanotube networks in which separate, multiple nanotubes are joined so that as many as possible of the properties of single nanotubes are conserved. In this review we summarize the progress made towards this goal, covering techniques including electron and ion beam irradiation, Joule heating and spark plasma sintering.     

Stress grading for high voltage motor and generator coils

Stress grading on high voltage motor and generator stator windings is becoming more important as the electrical stress in the ground insulation is increased. While there are a variety of possible ways to relieve surface stress, non-linear resistive tapes have been almost universally adopted because of their simplicity and efficiency. However, selection and quality control on these materials has been problematic, as the means to characterize these materials has not been clearly set out. Most types of material can be characterized in terms of two parameters, a threshold stress and a gradient index, which can be determined from simple current and voltage measurements. It is hoped, therefore, that manufactures of grading products will adopt such measurements and publish these values as a matter of course. This will enable coil manufacturers to improve the specification and quality control of stress grading coatings     

Stereological estimation of the total volume of MR visible brain lesions in patients with multiple sclerosis

Point counting represents a convenient and efficient technique for estimating the area of transects through multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions on magnetic resonance (MR) images obtained for sections through the brain. When sectioning has been performed according to the Cavalieri method, unbiased estimates of the total volume of MR-visible MS plaques can be obtained with a precision of 3–5% in 5–10 min.     

The Vitrifix process

The Vitrifix process solves the problems of nonbiodegradability and the legal liability for asbestos in a landfill by totally destroying the asbestos and converting it into a safe, useful product-glass. The process uses well-established glass technology in a unique fashion. The use of an existing technology gives great reliability, and the way it is applied makes the process intrinsically safe. The successful demonstration of the process to the US Environmental Protection Agency and its commercial operation in the UK are described. Comprehensive testing of the glass product using transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction confirmed that the product is totally amorphous glass. No trace of asbestos or any crystalline structure was detected     

Shear-induced migration and axial development of particles in channel flows of non-Brownian suspensions

We present an experimental study on the shear-induced migration and axial development of particles in the channel flows of non-Brownian suspensions. The suspending fluid is Newtonian. We investigate fracturing flows with a Hele-Shaw type scaling through building a unique channel setup and an advanced optical system. The local particle concentration profiles are measured via the refractive-index matching technique for a wide range of bulk volume fraction, that is, . Simultaneously, the particle image velocimetry is performed to determine the velocity profile of the particle phase. We compare our experimental results with the available two-phase continuum frameworks and show discrepancies and similarities in the fully developed and axial development of the solid volume fraction profiles. We discuss directions in which the continuum frameworks require improvements.     

Synthesis and Biochemical Evaluation of Biotinylated Conjugates of Largazole Analogues: Selective Class I Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors

The synthesis of biotinylated conjugates of synthetic analogues of the potent and selective histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor largazole is reported. The thiazole moiety of the parent compound's cap group was derivatized to allow the chemical conjugation to biotin. The derivatized largazole analogues were assayed across a panel of HDACs 1–9 and retained potent and selective inhibitory activity towards the class I HDAC isoforms. The biotinylated conjugate was further shown to pull down HDACs 1, 2, and 3.     

Regulatory RNAs: A Universal Language for Inter-Domain Communication

In eukaryotes, microRNAs (miRNAs) have roles in development, homeostasis, disease and the immune response. Recent work has shown that plant and mammalian miRNAs also mediate cross-kingdom and cross-domain communications. However, these studies remain controversial and are lacking critical mechanistic explanations. Bacteria do not produce miRNAs themselves, and therefore it is unclear how these eukaryotic RNA molecules could function in the bacterial recipient. In this review, we compare and contrast the biogenesis and functions of regulatory RNAs in eukaryotes and bacteria. As a result, we discovered several conserved features and homologous components in these distinct pathways. These findings enabled us to propose novel mechanisms to explain how eukaryotic miRNAs could function in bacteria. Further understanding in this area is necessary to validate the findings of existing studies and could facilitate the use of miRNAs as novel tools for the directed remodelling of the human microbiota.     

Chromium redox couples for application to redox flow batteries

Both anodic and cathodic chromium-EDTA (ethylenediaminetetra-acetate) complex redox processes have been studied using cyclic voltammetry. Their potential use in a redox battery has been evaluated by comparing the charge and discharge performance of a simple redox battery employing several redox couples including the conventional Fe-Cr redox couples. The cyclic voltammetry experiments suggested that oxidation of Cr(III)-EDTA formed Cr(V)-EDTA rather than a hexavalent chromium species. It was found that the kinetics of the Cr(III)-EDTA/Cr(II)-EDTA redox reaction are fast at a graphite rod electrode, whereas the Cr(V)-EDTA/Cr(III)-EDTA redox reaction is relatively slow. In spite of the slow kinetics, the battery employing solely these chromium-EDTA based redox couples provided higher energy output and longer life than the conventional Fe-Cr redox system.     

Pressurized fluidized-bed hydro retort ing of raw and beneficiated Eastern oil shales

Bench-scale tests were conducted with raw and beneficiated shales in an advanced multi-purpose research reactor. Raw Alabama shale and raw and beneficiated Indiana shales were retorted at 515 °C using hydrogen pressures of 4 and 7 MPa. Shale feed rates were 15 to 34 kg h⁻¹. High oil yields and carbon conversions were achieved in all tests. Oil yield from Alabama shale hydroretorted at 7 MPa was 200% of Fischer assay. Raw and beneficiated Indiana shales hydroretorted at 7 MPa produced oil yields of 170 and 195% of Fischer assay respectively. Total carbon conversions were >70% for all tests conducted at 7 MPa.