The effect of Na addition on the first hydrogen absorption kinetics of cast hypoeutectic Mg–La alloys

With superior properties of Mg such as high hydrogen storage capacity (7.6 wt% H/MgH₂), low price, and low density, Mg has been widely studied as a promising candidate for solid-state hydrogen storage systems. However, a harsh activation procedure, slow hydrogenation/dehydrogenation process, and a high temperature for dehydrogenation prevent the use of Mg-based metal hydrides for practical applications. For these reasons, Mg-based alloys for hydrogen storage systems are generally alloyed with other elements to improve hydrogen sorption properties. In this article, we have added Na to cast Mg–La alloys and achieved a significant improvement in hydrogen absorption kinetics during the first activation cycle. The role of Na in Mg–La has been discussed based on the findings from microstructural observations, crystallography, and first principles calculations based on density functional theory. From our results in this study, we have found that the Na doped surface of Mg–La alloy systems have a lower adsorption energy for H₂ compared to Na-free surfaces which facilitates adsorption and dissociation of hydrogen molecules leading to improvement of absorption kinetic. The effect of Na on the microstructure of these alloys, such as eutectic refinement and a density of twins is not highly correlated with absorption kinetics.     

Characterization of pigmented granules in minocycline-induced cutaneous pigmentation: observations using fluorescence microscopy and high-performance liquid chromatography

Ambiguous abdominal situs, asplenia/polysplenia and severe cardiac malformations characterize heterotaxy in humans. These anomalies result from the inability of the developing embryo to establish normal left-right asymmetry. We have studied an interesting family in which the heterotaxy phenotype segregates as an X-linked recessive trait. In order to map the heterotaxy locus (HTX), we have analysed 39 family members using highly-polymorphic microsatellite markers from the X chromosome. One of these markers, DXS994, shows no recombination with the disease locus in 20 informative meioses. Linkage analysis results in a maximum lod score of 6.37. Current genetic and physical mapping data assign the order of loci in Xq24-q27.1 as cen-DXS1001-(DXS994, HTX)-DXS984-tel. These results establish the first mapping assignment of situs abnormalities in humans.     

Characterization and electrochemical properties of CF4 plasma-treated boron-doped diamond surfaces

The effect of CF₄ plasma etching on diamond surfaces, with respect to treatment time, was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and electrochemical measurements. SEM observations and Raman spectra indicated an increase in surface roughening on a scale of 10–20 nm, and an increase in crystal defect density was apparent with treatment time in the range of 10 s to 30 min. In contrast, alteration of the diamond surface terminations from oxygen to fluorine was found to be rather rapid, with saturation of the F/C atomic ratio estimated from XPS analysis after treatment durations of 1 min and more. The redox kinetics of Fe(CN)₆^3−/4− was also found to be significantly modified after 10 s of CF₄ plasma treatment. This behavior shows that C–F terminations predominantly affect the redox kinetics compared to the effect on the surface roughness and crystal defects. The double-layer capacitance (C_dl) of the electrolyte/CF₄ plasma-treated boron-doped diamond interface was found to show a minimum value at 1 min of treatment. These results indicate that a short-duration CF₄ plasma treatment is effective for the fabrication of fluorine-terminated diamond surfaces without undesirable surface damage.     

Effectiveness of spatial representation in the formation of network communities: experimental study on community organizer

In this paper, we present and discuss Community Organizer, a system designed to support network communities. The main characteristic of Community Organizer is the use of spatial representations for the relationships among community members including the communications exchanged among these members. These spatial representations reflect the degree of closeness of interests and concerns among the members, and are intended to provide users with clues on how to form network communities. In order to investigate the effectiveness of the proposed spatial representations, we conducted experiments with two different versions of the software. One version offered meaningful spatial representations while the other version did not. The subjects who used the former software version felt a greater sense of ‘community’, enjoyed using the software more, and actively used it longer than the subjects using the latter software version (control condition). These results indicated that the proposed spatial representations are effective in supporting network community formation.     

Boron removal by titanium addition in solidification refining of silicon with Si-Al melt

In order to effectively remove B from Si for its use in solar cells, a process involving B removal by solidification refining of Si using a Si-Al melt with Ti addition was investigated. For clarifying the effect of Ti addition on B removal from the Si-Al melt, TiB₂ solubilities in Si-64.6 at. pct Al melt at 1173 K and Si-60.0 at. pct Al melt at 1273 K were determined by measuring the equilibrium concentrations of B and Ti in the presence of TiB₂ precipitates. The small solubilities of TiB₂ in the Si-Al melt indicate the effective removal of B from the Si-Al melt by Ti addition. Further, solidification experiments of Si-Al alloys containing B by Ti addition were performed, and the effect of Ti addition on the solidification refining of Si with the Si-Al melt was successfully confirmed.     

Comparative studies on Ar and He closed-cycle MHD power plants combined with fossil fuel

Comparative studies on Ar and He closed-cycle MHD power plants combined with fossil fuel are performed. The sizes of a regenerative heat exchanger and a boiler are expected to be smaller for He than for Ar. The pressure loss of a working gas in a regenerative heat exchanger is reduced for He. The purification subsystem for He is expected to be more compact and economical than that for Ar; but a larger compressor is required for He than for Ar.     

Clinical features of primary and secondary atypical mycobacteriosis

A clinical investigation was carried out in 39 patients with atypical mycobacteriosis (AM). The patients at our hospital diagnosed as having AM during an 11-year period from 1981 to 1991 were reviewed in this study. The incidence of AM among all of mycobacterial infections has been increasing since 1988. The atypical mycobacteria detected included M. avium complex (MAC) in 79%, M. kansasii in 26%, and other organisms in 5%. Patients who had primary infection without underlying respiratory disease were compared with those who had secondary infection. In secondary infection, MAC was detected in the sputum of a high percentage of patients and was positive for more than 6 months despite therapy. Gamma globulin levels were also increased in patients with secondary infection. Cell mediated immunity was examined by the DNCB reaction and the detection of CD4- and CD8- positive T lymphocytes. The DNCB skin reaction was positive in 6 out of 26 patients with secondary infection. The percentage of CD8- positive T lymphocytes was higher in patients with secondary disease. Fischer's ratio (indicating the balance of plasma amino acids) was also examined as an index of the nutritional status. It was significantly lower in secondary infection compared with primary infection. Moreover, secondary infection was associated with a lower positive rate for the DNCB skin reaction and a lower Fischer's ratio when compared with pulmonary tuberculosis. Thus impairment of cell-mediated immunity, malnutrition, and a poor prognosis were significantly more common in secondary infection compared with primary infection.     

An image analyzing system using an artificial neural network forevaluating the parenchymal echo pattern of cirrhotic liver and chronichepatitis

To objectively evaluate the parenchymal echo pattern of cirrhotic liver and chronic hepatitis, the authors applied an image analyzing system (IAS) using a neural network. Autopsy specimens in a water tank (n=13) were used to examine the relationship between the diameter of the regenerative nodule and the coarse score (CS) calculated by IAS. CS was significantly correlated with the diameter of the regenerative nodule (p<0.0001, r=0.966). CS is considered to be useful for evaluating the coarseness of the parenchymal echo pattern