Immunoelectron localization of mitochondrial F1 factor in cryosections of heart muscle cells

Immunocytochemistry was used to investigate the localization of F1 ATPase in mitochondria of cryosections of adult mouse heart muscle cells. The initial aldehyde fixation was the only denaturation step for antigens. The fine structure was preserved with contrast enhancement as the sections were maintained hydrated, with the advantage that the entire procedure is completed in one working day. The reaction was highly specific, and entire mitochondria were labeled with the Protein A-gold complex. A new analytical technique, electron spectroscopic imaging (ESI), contributed to a better visualization of the localization of the F1 factor.     

PHOSPHORUS AND PHOSPHATE LEVELS IN THE ALEURONE CELLS OF CEREAL GRAINS

The aleurone cells of barley, wheat, rice, rye, oats and triticale contained, comparatively, higher percentages of phosphorus than the aleurone cells of sorghum, maize or millet. The aleurone tissues of barley, wheat and rice had more phosphate than corresponding tissues of sorghum and maize. Phosphate was not detected in the aleurone tissue of maize but was found in trace amounts in the aleurone tissue of sorghum.     

Synthesis of 2,7‐Carbazolenevinylene‐Based Copolymers and Characterization of Their Photovoltaic Properties

New electroactive and photoactive conjugated copolymers consisting of alternating 2,7‐carbazole and oligothiophene moieties linked by vinylene groups have been developed. Different oligothiophene units have been introduced to study the relationship between the polymer structure and the electronic properties. The resulting copolymers are characterized by UV‐vis spectroscopy, size‐exclusion chromatography, and thermal and electrochemical analyses. Bulk heterojunction photovoltaic cells from different copolymers and a soluble fullerene derivative, [6,6]‐phenyl‐C₆₁ butyric acid methyl ester, have been fabricated, and promising preliminary results are obtained. For instance, non‐optimized devices using poly(N‐(4‐octyloxyphenyl)‐2,7‐carbazolenevinylene‐alt‐3″,4″‐dihexyl‐2,2′;5′,2″;5″,2″′;5″′,2″″‐quinquethiophenevinylene 1″,1″‐dioxide) as an absorbing and hole‐carrier semiconductor exhibit power conversion efficiency up to 0.8 % under air mass (AM) 1.5 illumination. These features make 2,7‐carbazolenevinylene‐based and related polymers attractive candidates for solar‐cell applications.     

Sensitizing Mechanism and Adsorption Properties of Dye—Sensitized TiO2 Thin Films

The dye-sensitized TiO2 complex films were prepared by the dye coat onto TiO2 surfaces,and the sensitizing mechanism and adsorption properties of the dye-sensitized TiO2 complex films were inverstigated.The influence of the application conditions of dye adsorbed on TiO2 films on the amount of dye adsorption was discussed.Experimental results show that the concentration,the temperature of dye solutions and the dipping time of TiO2 films in the dye solutions have a significant influence on the amount of dye adsorption.Cell test indicates that the conversion efficiency of light to electricity increases with the amount of dye adsorption.     

Solar assisted cooling with sorption systems: status of the research in Mexico and Latin America

Solar refrigeration projects both national and international with sorption and other refrigeration systems have been developed in Mexico and other Latin American countries in the last 15 years. A review of the main projects, both for solar cooling and refrigeration and the results obtained are presented in this paper. A methodology where 19 solar technologies for cooling were identified is also presented. Although solar cooling is still not an economically viable technology, the advances made and the experience gained in the projects described and the improved systems envisaged, will make solar refrigeration systems play an important role in the future.     

原油集输太阳能加热节能技术的应用

在油田的采油、集输等过程中,传统技术使用燃烧煤、油、天然气和电加热方法来实现原油加热,造成大量的能源消耗和严重的环境污染。原油集输太阳能加热计算机控制节能系统,为油田的采油、集输开辟了节能新途径。该系统不仅具有自动化、智能化的特点,而且节能效果显著,实际节气率超过40%。文章介绍了该系统的结构、工作原理、功能特点以及应用效果。     

Preliminary<Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis> and<Emphasis Type="Italic">in vivo</Emphasis> characterizations of a sol-gel derived bioactive glass-ceramic system

This study investigates quantitatively and qualitatively the sol-gel derived bioactive glass-ceramic system (BGS)—apatite-wollastonite (AW) type granules in the size range of 0.5–1 mm, as an effective graft material for bone augmentation and restoration. Scanning electron micrographs (SEM) of the sintered granules revealed the rough material surface with micropores in the range 10–30 μm. X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of the granules revealed the presence of crystalline phases of the hydroxyapatite and wollastonite, and the functional groups of the silicate and phosphates were identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Thein vitro cell culture studies with L929 mouse fibroblast cell line showed very few cells adhered on the BGS disc after 24 h. This could be due to the highly reactive surface of the disc concomitant with the crystallization but not due to the cytotoxicity of the material, since the cellular viability (MTT assay) with the material was 80‰ Cytotoxicity and cytocompatibility studies proved that the material was non-toxic and biocompatible. After 12 weeks of implantation of the BGS granules in the tibia bone of New Zealand white rabbits, the granules were found to be well osteointegrated, as observed in the radiographs. Angiogram with barium sulphate and Indian ink after 12 weeks showed the presence of microcapillaries in the vicinity of the implant site implicating high vascularity. Gross observation of the implant site did not show any inflammation or necrosis. SEM of the implanted site after 24 weeks revealed good osteointegration of the material with the newly formed bone and host bone. New bone was also observed within the material, which was degrading. Histological evaluation of the bone healing with the BGS granules in the tibial defect at all time intervals was without inflammation or fibrous tissue encapsulation. After 2 weeks the new bone was observed as a trabeculae network around the granules, and by 6 weeks the defect was completely closed with immature woven bone. By 12 weeks mature woven bone was observed, and new immature woven bone was seen within the cracks of the granules. After 24 weeks the defect was completely healed with lamellar bone and the size of the granules decreased. Histomorphometrically the area percentage of new bone formed was 67.77% after 12 weeks and 63.37% after 24 weeks. Less bone formation after 24 weeks was due to an increased implant surface area contributed by the material degradation and active bone remodeling. The osteostimulative and osteoconductive potential of the BGS granules was established by tetracycline labelling of the mineralizing areas by 2 and 6 weeks. This sol-gel derived BGS granules proved to be bioactive and resorbable which in turn encouraged active bone formation.     

低剂量X射线照射诱导HeLa细胞存活的

采用集落形成法观察了低剂量X射线照射HeLa细胞的存活率，结果表明，小于0．5Gy的X射线照射细胞的存活率高于对照，得到了HeLa细胞存活的“兴奋效应”，而且在0．25Gy附近这种效应更为明显；低剂量D1（0．05，0．75Gy)的预照射降低了随后攻击量D2对细胞的损伤程度，反映出低剂量照射可诱发细胞存活的“适应性反应”。     

Fuel cell techno-personal milestones 1984–2006

This paper is based on my award acceptance talk on the occasion of receiving the Grove Medal for Fuel Cell Science and Technology, at the 2006 Grove meeting in Torino, Italy. I chose to name the talk: “Fuel Cell Techno-Personal Milestones 1984–2006”, trying to reflect on important milestones in the history of the science and technology of hydrogen/air and methanol/air polymer electrolyte fuel cells, in which I was fortunate to be involved for over 20 years.     

Strategies to increase CdTe solar-cell voltage

There is a significant difference in performance between today's highest efficiency of CdTe solar cells and single-crystal cells of comparable band gap. The largest contribution to this difference is the voltage, where the values for the best CdTe cells are about 230 mV below the best GaAs cells when an appropriate adjustment is made for band gap. CdTe voltage and fill-factor are currently compromised by low recombination lifetime (near 1 ns), low hole density (near 10¹⁴ cm^− 3), and in some cases an excessive back-contact barrier. Numerical simulation is used to evaluate how combinations of lifetime, carrier density, back electron reflection, and interfacial properties affect voltage and cell performance. Two different strategies for improving voltage and performance are explored.