A Model of the Relationship Between Psychosocial Variables and Diurnal Cortisol Rhythm Under Chronic Stress by Using Structural Equations

By using structural equations, we investigated the effect of chronic stress on salivary cortisol rhythm and proposed a causal model of chronic stress by using psychosocial and physiological data. First, 111 healthy workers (48 males, 63 females) completed questionnaires on chronic stress and lifestyle habits. Then, they provided saliva samples and answered questionnaires that were prepared to assess their psychological states 5 times (on waking up and at 10:00, 11:40, 14:00, and 16:00) on workdays. Structural equation modeling (SEM) revealed that chronic stress and longer commuting time resulted in sleep irregularities and this disrupted the cortisol circadian rhythm. This suggests that chronic stress disrupts the cortisol circadian rhythm even in healthy individuals, and sleep regularity mediates the effect of chronic stress on the cortisol rhythm.

     

Hydrogenation of CSC8 graphite intercalation compound by atomic hydrogen

A hydrogenated caesium-graphite intercalation compound, of which the Raman spectrum indicates its second-stage structure, is found to be formed by exposure of CsC₈ to atomic hydrogen generated on a hot tungsten filament.     

Structural change in the Brill transition of Nylon m/n (1) Nylon 10/10 and its model compounds

Structural changes in the Brill transitions of Nylon 10/10 and its model compounds have been investigated by carrying out the temperature-dependent measurements of X-ray diffraction and infrared spectra along with the DSC measurement. The crystal structure at room temperature was found to be the so-called α form with the all-trans zigzag methylene segments. When the samples were heated, the infrared progression bands of the methylene segments, which are sensitive to the length of all-trans segmental parts, were found to change their spectral patterns in the transition temperature region: the progression bands decreased in intensity and disappeared above the transition region. At the same time several new bands were observed to appear, which were found to correspond to the progression bands of (CH₂)₇-(CH₂)₅trans-zigzag segments. These spectral changes indicate that the methylene segments were conformationally disordered by an invasion of some gauche bonds and as a result the effective length of trans-zigzag segments became shorter. This conformational disordering was found to occur more remarkably in the methylene segment of NH-(CH₂)₁₀-NH part than the CO-(CH₂)₈-CO part. At the same time the infrared bands of amide groups, in particular the bands sensitive to the twisting angles about the CH₂-amide bonds were found to show the remarkable change, indicating the local conformational change from planar-zigzag to twisted form in the CH₂-amide moiety. The frequency shift of amide A band (NH stretching mode) indicated a weakening of intermolecular hydrogen bonds, which however, did not disappear up to the melting region. From these data combined with the X-ray diffraction data, the structural disordering in the Brill transition phenomena was deduced concretely.     

A localized surface plasmon resonance based immunosensor for the detection of casein in milk

In this research, a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) immunosensor based on gold-capped nanoparticle substrate for detecting casein, one of the most potent allergens in milk, was developed. The fabrication of the gold-capped nanoparticle substrate involved a surface-modified silica nanoparticle layer (core) on the slide glass substrate between bottom and top gold layers (shell). The absorbance peak of the gold-capped nanoparticle substrate was observed at ∼520 nm. In addition, the atomic force microscopy (AFM) images demonstrated that the nanoparticles formed a monolayer on the slide glass. After immobilizing anti-casein antibody on the surface, our device, casein immunosensor, could be applied easily for the detection of casein in the raw milk sample without a difficult pretreatment. Under the optimum conditions, the detection limit of the casein immunosensor was determined as 10 ng/mL. Our device brings several advantages to the existing LSPR-based biosensors with its easy fabrication, simple handling, low-cost, and high sensitivity.     

Microscopic structure of athabasca oil sand

A refined structural model for in situ oil sands is proposed in terms of the mutual arrangement of sand grains, fines, water and bitumen. In the Athabasca deposit, the sand grains consist mainly of quartz and their packing is such that the porosity is about 35%. In rich oil sand, 10–15% of the pore space is occupied by connate water whereas the remainder is occupied by bitumen. For lower grade oil sands, a direct correlation exists between the water content and the amount of fines (particles smaller than 44 μm) and an inverse correlation exists between the bitumen content and the amount of fines. These relationships are successfully explained in terms of the irreducible water saturation in a porous medium and the double layer interaction between sand and bitumen surfaces.     

Conformational disorder in the Brill transition of uniaxially-oriented nylon 10/10 sample investigated through the temperature-dependent measurement of X-ray fiber diagram

X-ray fiber diagram of uniaxially-oriented nylon 10/10 sample has been measured at the various temperatures. The 11th layer line originating from the methylene zigzag sequences became diffuse above the Brill transition region (140-170 °C), while the layer reflections corresponding mainly to the original repeating period of the parent nylon chains were kept almost unchanged. This observation makes us confirm that in the Brill transition region, the conformational disordering occurs in the methylene sequential parts with keeping the repeating period of the whole skeletal chain by still forming the intermolecular hydrogen bonds between the amide groups of the neighboring chains. This conclusion is consistent with the already-reported infrared spectral data. The characteristic X-ray diffraction patterns observed at the various temperatures were reproduced well by a computer simulation technique utilizing the previously-reported molecular dynamics calculation results.     

Electrochemical reaction of the SiMn/C composite for anode in lithium ion batteries

The SiMn-graphite composite powder was prepared by mechanical ball milling and its electrochemical performances were evaluated as the candidate anode materials for lithium ion batteries. It is found that the cyclic performance of the composite materials is improved significantly compared to SiMn alloy and pure silicon. The heat treatment of the electrodes is beneficial for enhancing the cyclic stabilities. The SiMn-20 wt.% graphite composite electrode after annealing at 200 °C has an initial reversible capacity of 463 mAh g⁻¹ and a charge-discharge efficiency of 70%. Moreover, the reversible capacity maintains 426 mAh g⁻¹ after 30 cycles with a coulomb efficiency of over 97%. The phase structure and morphology of the composite were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy. The lithiation/delithiation behavior was investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry. The composite materials appear to be promising candidates as negative electrodes for lithium rechargeable batteries.     

Reprint of “Suppressing propylene carbonate decomposition by coating graphite electrode foil with silver”

A method has been developed to suppress the decomposition of propylene carbonate (PC) by coating graphite electrode foil with a layer of silver. Results from electrochemical impedance measurements show that the Ag-coated graphite electrode presents lower charge transfer resistance and faster diffusion of lithium ions in comparison with the virginal one. Cyclic voltammograms and discharge-charge measurements suggest that the decomposition of propylene carbonate and co-intercalation of solvated lithium ions are prevented, and lithium ions can reversibly intercalate into and deintercalate from the Ag-coated graphite electrode. These results indicate that Ag-coating is a good way to improve the electrochemical performance of graphitic carbon in PC-based electrolyte solutions.     

Immobilization of multicopper oxidase from Pyrobaculum aerophilum onto an electrospun-aligned single-walled carbon nanotube surface via a carbon-nanotube-binding peptide for biocathode

Biofuel cells (BFCs) that produce electrical energy from organic resources through enzymatic reactions have been attracting significant attention. Owing to the high electrical conductivity of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), their modification on the electrode surface of a BFC is expected to increase the current, and their high specific surface area may be useful in increasing the power output. Previously, we constructed a biocathode by immobilizing multicopper oxidase from Pyrobaculum aerophilum (McoP) with a carbon nanotube binding peptide (CBP) sequence on the CNTs. This resulted in higher current densities than when using enzymes without CBP sequences. However, owing to the randomly stacked CNTs on the surface of the electrodes, their conductive properties were impaired and performance as biocathodes was poor. Herein, we constructed a biocathode in which single-walled CNTs (SWCNTs) were oriented one-dimensionally and McoP is immobilized on the surface of an SWNCT via CBP. The current density was successfully increased by two-fold by orienting the CNTs and orienting and immobilizing McoP on their surfaces. This technology provides insights into the development of biodevices with controlled orientation of both the SWCNTs and enzymes immobilized on their surfaces.