Synthesis of LiNiO2 cathode by the combustion method

To determine optimum conditions for the synthesis of LiNiO₂ by the combustion method, syntheses were carried out in air and under oxygen at various calcination temperatures and for different times. The electrochemical properties of the prepared samples were then investigated. The optimum conditions are preheating at 400 °C for 30 min in air in the mole ratio of urea to nitrate 3.6 and calcination at 750 °C for 36 h under O₂. The LiNiO₂ synthesized under these conditions had a first discharge capacity of 189 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.1 C-rate and relatively good cycling performance. This sample has a larger value of I ₀₀₃/I ₁₀₄ (smaller cation mixing) and a smaller R-factor (larger hexagonal ordering). Cycling performance was investigated in various voltage ranges. The first discharge capacity increased as the upper limit of the voltage range rose. The first discharge capacity was small but cycling performance was good when the sample was cycled in the voltage range with the lowest upper limit.     

GENERATING OPTIMAL CONFIGURATIONS IN STRUCTURAL DESIGN USING SIMULATED ANNEALING

This paper presents a combinatorial optimization procedure based on the simulated annealing approach for generation of optimal configuration of structural members. The work is based on altering the finite element model of structure by removing or restoring elements to minimize the material use subject to constraints on maximum stress value and maintenance of connectivity between elements. Such an optimization problem is categorized as a large-scale, non-convex and non-linear problem. Thus, the problem can have multi-minima and it is important to find the global optimum solution as opposed to a local minimization. To improve the computational efficiency, the non-linear shape optimization problem has been linearized and to account for the difference between the non-linear and the linearized values a correction factor is implemented. To illustrate the approach, several design examples are presented and the effect of the parameter of the simulated annealing on the final configuration design is examined. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Admittance Spectroscopy of Polycrystalline ZnO-Bi2O3 and ZnO-BaO Systems

Admittance spectroscopy was used to characterize the bulk electron traps in polycrystalline ZnO-Bi²O³ and ZnO-BaO systems. Temperatures from 30 to 350 K and a frequency range from 1.0 to 33.3 kHz were used. Admittance spectra for the ZnO-Bi²O³ system showed large variations with sintering atmosphere and heat treatment. A trap is observed at 0.33 eV below the conduction band edge in both systems. This trap is likely to be associated with an ionized oxygen vacancy. A possible explanation of primitive varistor characteristics in terms of the roles of the electronic defects is presented.     

INDUCTION OF APOPTOSIS BY GINSENG SAPONIN METABOLITE IN U937 HUMAN MONOCYTIC LEUKEMIA CELLS

We report the cytotoxicity of the ginseng saponin metabolite, Compound K (20‐O‐D‐glucopyranosyl‐20(S)‐protopanaxadiol, IH901) on various human leukemia cell lines. Compound K had the most effect on U937, a human monocytic leukemia cell line among the tested cell lines. Compound K‐treated U937 cells showed characteristics of apoptosis: an exposure of phosphatidylserine from the inner cell membrane to the outer cell membrane, the formation of apoptotic bodies and DNA fragmentation. Compound K induced apoptosis by up‐regulating Bax, disrupting the mitochondrial membrane potential, and by activating caspase 9 and caspase 3. Therefore, we suggest that Compound K inhibits U937 cell growth by inducing apoptosis through the up‐regulation of Bax and caspase activation.     

一株降解芘的苍白杆菌的分离、鉴定及性能表征

采用富集培养的方法从北京焦化厂多环芳烃(PAHs)污染土壤中筛选到一株高效降解芘的微生物,命名为PW,分子生物学等手段鉴定此菌株属于苍白杆菌属(Ochrobactrum sp.).经一次性大剂量方法对此菌株进行驯化后,考察了摇瓶条件下环境因素对此菌株降解芘效率的影响.结果表明,驯化培养使得菌株5d内对0.5mmol/L芘的降解率由62.3%提高到92.7%.此外,该菌株的环境耐受性好,在环境温度为20￣40℃下该菌株对芘均具有一定的降解能力,30℃培养时降解效果最好;在pH为5～10的培养基中,PW对芘的降解率均在45%以上;当盐度小于3%时,此菌株对芘降解率在60%以上;同时菌株PW还可耐受一定浓度的重金属.     

Effects of poly‐γ‐glutamic acid on the physicochemical characteristics of skim milk yoghurt

The physicochemical and sensory properties of skim milk yoghurts containing poly‐γ‐glutamic acid (PGA) at different levels (0.0025, 0.005 and 0.01%) were evaluated. Addition of PGA up to 0.01% to reconstituted skim milk (11%, w/v) did not affect the growth of lactic acid bacteria or the development of titratable acidity in yoghurt, whereas full‐fat control yoghurt had reduced acid production. No changes were found in viable cell counts of PGA yoghurts during storage (4 weeks at 4 °C). The addition of PGA (0.005%) significantly decreased syneresis in skim milk yoghurt and did not cause any undesirable effects in sensory acceptability.     

Gibbs Energy of Formation of Lead Zirconate

The Gibbs energy of formation of zirconia-saturated lead zirconate was determined by emf measurements on the solid state cells
and
at 800 to 1400 K. The results obtained differ significantly from those reported in the literature based on vapor-pressure measurements, using Knudsen effusion and transportation techniques and assuming that the vapor phase consisted entirely of monomeric PbO molecules. A reanalysis of the data obtained in the earlier vapor-pressure studies, using mass-spectrometric measurements on polymeric PbO species in the gas phase, gives Gibbs energies of formation of lead zirconate which are in better agreement with those obtained in this study. Recent electrochemical measurements using CaO-ZrO₂ and PbF₂ solid electrolytes are in good agreement with the present study. The results obtained in this study are also consistent with the phase diagram which shows decomposition of the zirconate to tetragonal zirconia and a liquid phase rich in PbO at 1843 K.