Electrocatalytic oxidation of ascorbic acid by norepinephrine embedded in lipid cast film at glassy carbon electrode

A stable lipid cast film was made by casting a lipid in chloroform onto a glassy carbon electrode. We imbedded a new mediator norepinephrine into this lipid cast film, which was considered as a biological membrane model. Through electro catalytic oxidation of ascorbic acid by this system, the anodic overpotential was reduced by about 250 mV compared with that obtained at a bare glassy carbon electrode. The electrochemical behavior of norepinephrine in the cast film was controlled by diffusion. The obtained diffusion coefficient of ascorbic acid was 1.87 x 10(-5) cm 2 s(-1). The catalytic current increased linearly with the concentration of ascorbic acid in the range from 0.5 to 10 mM. Using cyclic voltammetry, we obtained two peaks for ascorbic acid and uric acid in the same solution. The separation between the two peaks is about 147 mV. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

A new model for the energy release rate of fibre/matrix interfacial fracture

On the basis of the well-known shear-lag analysis of fibre/matrix interface stresses and the assumption of identical axial strains in the fibre and matrix, a new model for predicting the energy release rate of interfacial fracture of the fibre pull-out test model is attempted. The expressions for stresses in the fibre, matrix and interface are derived. The formula for interfacial debonding energy release rate is given. Numerical calculations are conducted and the results obtained are compared with those of the existing models.

Load-Unload Response Ratio and Accelerating Moment/Energy Release Critical Region Scaling and Earthquake Prediction

The main idea of the Load-Unload Response Ratio (LURR) is that when a system is stable, its response to loading corresponds to its response to unloading, whereas when the system is approaching an unstable state, the response to loading and unloading becomes quite different. High LURR values and observations of Accelerating Moment/Energy Release (AMR/AER) prior to large earthquakes have led different research groups to suggest intermediate-term earthquake prediction is possible and imply that the LURR and AMR/AER observations may have a similar physical origin. To study this possibility, we conducted a retrospective examination of several Australian and Chinese earthquakes with magnitudes ranging from 5.0 to 7.9, including Australia's deadly Newcastle earthquake and the devastating Tangshan earthquake. Both LURR values and best-fit power-law time-to-failure functions were computed using data within a range of distances from the epicenter. Like the best-fit power-law fits in AMR/AER, the LURR value was optimal using data within a certain epicentral distance implying a critical region for LURR. Furthermore, LURR critical region size scales with mainshock magnitude and is similar to the AMR/AER critical region size. These results suggest a common physical origin for both the AMR/AER and LURR observations. Further research may provide clues that yield an understanding of this mechanism and help lead to a solid foundation for intermediate-term earthquake prediction.

Damage Localization, Sensitivity of Energy Release and the Catastrophe Transition

Large earthquakes can be viewed as catastrophic ruptures in the earth’s crust. There are two common features prior to the catastrophe transition in heterogeneous media. One is damage localization and the other is critical sensitivity; both of which are related to a cascade of damage coalescence. In this paper, in an attempt to reveal the physics underlying the catastrophe transition, analytic analysis based on mean-field approximation of a heterogeneous medium as well as numerical simulations using a network model are presented. Both the emergence of damage localization and the sensitivity of energy release are examined to explore the inherent statistical precursors prior to the eventual catastrophic rupture. Emergence of damage localization, as predicted by the mean-field analysis, is consistent with observations of the evolution of damage patterns. It is confirmed that precursors can be extracted from the time-series of energy release according to its sensitivity to increasing crustal stress. As a major result, present research indicates that the catastrophe transition and the critical point hypothesis (CPH) of earthquakes are interrelated. The results suggest there may be two cross-checking precursors of large earthquakes: damage localization and critical sensitivity.

Debonding and cracking energy release rate of the fiber/matrix interface

An investigation of fiber/matrix interfacial fracture energy is presented in this paper. Several existing theoretical expressions for the fracture energy of interfacial debonding are reviewed. For the single-fiber/matrix debonding and pull-out experimental model, a study is carried out on the effect of interfacial residual compressive stress and friction on interface cracking energy release rate.

Release of Sulfur and Chlorine during Cofiring RDF and Coal in an Internally Circulating Fluidized Bed

An internally circulating fluidized bed (ICFB) was applied to investigate the behavior of chlorine and sulfur during cofiring RDF and coal. The pollutant emissions in the flue gas were measured by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry (Gasmet DX-3000). In the tests, the concentrations of the species CO, CO2, HCl, and SO2 were measured online. Results indicated when cofiring RDF and char, due to the higher content of chlorine in RDF, the formation of HCl significantly increases. The concentration of SO2 is relatively low because alkaline metal in the fuel ash can absorb SO2. The concentration of CO emission during firing pure RDF is relatively higher and fluctuates sharply. With the CaO addition, the sulfur absorption by calcium quickly increases, and the desulfuration ratio is bigger than the dechlorination ratio. The chemical equilibrium method is applied to predict the behavior of chlorine. Results show that gaseous HCl emission increases with increasing RDF fraction, and gaseous KCl and NaCl formation might occur.

Spatio-Temporal Scanning and Statistical Test of the Accelerating Moment Release (AMR) Model Using Australian Earthquake Data

The Accelerating Moment Release (AMR) preceding earthquakes with magnitude above 5 in Australia that occurred during the last 20 years was analyzed to test the Critical Point Hypothesis. Twelve earthquakes in the catalog were chosen based on a criterion for the number of nearby events. Results show that seven sequences with numerous events recorded leading up to the main earthquake exhibited accelerating moment release. Two occurred near in time and space to other earthquakes preceded by AM R. The remaining three sequences had very few events in the catalog so the lack of AMR detected in the analysis may be related to catalog incompleteness. Spatio-temporal scanning of AMR parameters shows that 80% of the areas in which AMR occurred experienced large events. In areas of similar background seismicity with no large events, 10 out of 12 cases exhibit no AMR, and two others are false alarms where AMR was observed but no large event followed. The relationship between AMR and Load-Unload Response Ratio (LURR) was studied. Both methods predict similar critical region sizes, however, the critical point time using AMR is slightly earlier than the time of the critical point LURR anomaly.

A Trabecular Bone Explant Model of Osteocyte–Osteoblast Co-Culture for Bone Mechanobiology

The osteocyte network is recognized as the major mechanical sensor in the bone remodeling process, and osteocyte-osteoblast communication acts as an important mediator in the coordination of bone formation and turnover. In this study, we developed a novel 3D trabecular bone explant co-culture model that allows live osteocytes situated in their native extracellular matrix environment to be interconnected with seeded osteoblasts on the bone surface. Using a low-level medium perfusion system, the viability of in situ osteocytes in bone explants was maintained for up to 4 weeks, and functional gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) was successfully established between osteocytes and seeded primary osteoblasts. Using this novel co-culture model, the effects of dynamic deformational loading, GJIC, and prostaglandin E-2 (PGE(2)) release on functional bone adaptation were further investigated. The results showed that dynamical deformational loading can significantly increase the PGE(2) release by bone cells, bone formation, and the apparent elastic modulus of bone explants. However, the inhibition of gap junctions or the PGE(2) pathway dramatically attenuated the effects of mechanical loading. This 3D trabecular bone explant co-culture model has great potential to fill in the critical gap in knowledge regarding the role of osteocytes as a mechano-sensor and how osteocytes transmit signals to regulate osteoblasts function and skeletal integrity as reflected in its mechanical properties.

Release of Sulfur and Chlorine During Cofiring Rdf and Coal In An Internally Circulating Fluidized Bed

An internally circulating fluidized bed (ICFB) was applied to investigate the behavior of chlorine and sulfur during cofiring RDF and coal. The pollutant emissions in the flue gas were measured by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry (Gasmet DX-3000). In the tests, the concentrations of the species CO, CO2, HCl, and SO2 were measured online. Results indicated when cofiring RDF and char, due to the higher content of chlorine in RDF, the formation of HCl significantly increases. The concentration Of SO2 is relatively low because alkaline metal in the fuel ash can absorb SO2. The concentration of CO emission during firing pure RDF is relatively higher and fluctuates sharply. With the CaO addition, the sulfur absorption by calcium quickly increases, and the desulfuration ratio is bigger than the dechlorination ratio. The chemical equilibrium method is applied to predict the behavior of chlorine. Results show that gaseous HCl emission increases with increasing RDF fraction, and gaseous KCl and NaCl formation might occur.

Purification, characterization and cytokine release function of a novel Arg-49 phospholipase A(2) from the venom of Protobothrops mucrosquamatus

Group IIA phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) are major components in Viperidae/Crotalidae venom. In the present study, a novel PLA(2) named promutoxin with Arg at the site 49 has been purified from the venom of Protobothrops muerosquamatus by chromatography. It

The effect of organic matter accumulation on phosphorus release in sediment of Chinese shallow lakes

The effects of organic matter in sediment on phosphorus release were studied by field investigations in eight Chinese shallow freshwater lakes with different trophic status and a laboratory experiment. The sediment organic matter content paralleled the trophic status, ranging from 6.1 to 173.0 g kg(-1) (dry weight), with the mean value of 63.1 g kg(-1) (dry weight). It was positively proportional to Soluble reactive phosphorus concentration in the interstitial water in a form of exponential function, but inversely related to the sediment Fe/P ratio. The sediment alkaline phosphatase activity was significantly related not only to the organic matter content (r = 0.829, P < 0.01, n = 120), but also to the soluble reactive phosphorus concentration in interstitial water (r = 0.454, P < 0.01, n = 42). In the laboratory experiment, the addition of organic matter (dry materials of an aquatic macrophyte) into the sediment significantly enhanced alkaline phosphatase activity and soluble reactive phosphorus release. However, in the treatment with organic matter added and aeration, this release was generally prevented in spite of an increase in APA. Hence, sediment organic matter can effectively accelerate phosphorus release by enzymatic hydrolysis and anaerobic desorption. The latter mechanism seems to be more important.

Seasonal Variations in Chlorophyll a Concentrations in Relation to Potentials of Sediment Phosphate Release by Different Mechanisms in a Large Chinese Shallow Eutrophic Lake (Lake Taihu)

The relationship between chlorophyll a and fractionation of sediment phosphorus, inorganic phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (IPB), and organic phosphate-mineralizing bacteria (OPB) was evaluated in a large Chinese shallow eutrophic lake (Lake Taihu) and its embayment (Wuli Bay). At the three study sites, the increase of chlorophyll a concentrations in April paralleled those of the iron bound phosphate accounting for major portion of sediment inorganic phosphate, and in June significantly higher OPB and IPB numbers (especially OPB) in sediment were main contributors to the peaks of chlorophyll a concentration. Even though IPB peaked from February to June, it should serve as an unimportant P source due to the irrelevancy with chlorophyll a and soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP). By contrast, at the other site in the embayment, the calcium-bound phosphate was predominant and solid, which was difficult to be released, and neither IPB nor OPB were detectable in the sediment, indicating weak potential for phosphorus release from the sediment, which was reflected in the small seasonal variation in SRP concentration in water column. Hence, the extents to which the three general mechanisms behind phosphate release from sediment (desorption of iron bound phosphate, solubilization by IPB and enzymatic hydrolysis by OPB) operated were different depending on seasons and sites in Lake Taihu, they may jointly drive phosphate release and accelerate the eutrophication processes.