Electronic conduction in LaNiO3-delta: the dependence on the oxygen stoichiometry delta

We report a systematic study of the electronic transport properties of the metallic perovskite oxide LaNiO3-delta as a function of the oxygen stoichiometry delta (delta less than or equal to 0.14). The electrical resistivity, magnetoresistance, susceptibility, Hall effect and thermopower have been studied, All of the transport coefficients are dependent on the value of delta. The resistivity increases almost exponentially as delta increases. We relate this increase in rho to the creation of Ni2+ with square-planar coordination. We find that there is a distinct T-1.5-contribution to the resistivity over the whole temperature range. The thermopower is negative, as expected for systems with electrons as the carrier, but the Hall coefficient is positive. We have given a qualitative and quantitative explanation for the different quantities observed and their systematic variation with the stoichiometry delta.

Thermodynamic properties of LaFeO3-delta and LaFe12O19

The standard Gibbs energies of formation of lanthanum orthoferrite (LaFeO3-delta) and hexaferrite (LaFe12O19)were determined using solid-state electrochemical cells incorporating yttria-stabilized zirconia as the electrolyte and pure oxygen gas at ambient pressure as the reference electrode. From emf of the solid-state cell, the Gibbs energy of formation of nonstoichiometric orthoferrite (LaFeO3-delta) is obtained. To derive values for the stoichiometric phase, variation of the oxygen nonstoichiometric parameter with oxygen partial pressure was measured using thermogravimetry under controlled gas mixtures. The results obtained for LaFeO3 and LaFe12O19 can be summarized by the following equations, which represent the formation of ternary oxides from their component binary oxides: 1/2 La2O3 + 1/2 Fe2O3 -> LaFeO3: Delta G degrees (LaFeO3) (+/- 450) (J mol(-1)) = -62920 - 2.12T (K), and 1/2 La2O3 + 9/2Fe(2)O(3) + Fe3O4 -> LaFe12O19; Delta G degrees (LaFe12O19) (+/- 200) (J mol(-1)) = -103900 + 21.25T (K). These data are discussed critically in comparison with thermodynamic values reported in the literature from a variety of measurements. The values obtained in this study are consistent with calorimetric entropy and enthalpy of formation of the perovskite phase and with some of the Gibbs energy measurements reported in the literature. For the lanthanum hexaferrite (LaFe12O19) there are no prior thermodynamic measurements for comparison. (c) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Role of two consecutive alpha,beta-dehydrophenylalanines in peptide structure: Crystal and molecular structure of Boc-Leu-Delta Phe-Delta Phe-Ala-Phe-NHMe

An N-alpha-protected model pentapeptide containing two consecutive Delta Phe residues, Boc-Leu-Delta Phe-Delta Phe-Ala-Phe-NHMe, has been synthesized by solution methods and fully characterized. H-1-nmr studies provided evidence for the occurrence of a significant population of a conformer having three consecutive, intramolecularly II-bonded beta-bends in solution. The solid state structure has been determined by x-ray diffraction methods. The crystals grown from aqueous methanol are orthorhombic, space group P2(1)2(1)2(1),, a = 11.503(2), b = 16.554(2), c = 22.107(3) Angstrom, V = 4209(1) Angstrom,(3) and Z = 4. The x-ray data were collected on a CAD4 diffractometer using CuKalpha radiation (lambda = 1.5418 Angstrom). The structure was determined using direct methods and refined by full-matrix least-squares procedure. The R factor is 5.3%. The molecule is characterized by a right handed 3(10)-helical conformation ((phi) = -68.2 degrees (psi) = -26.3 degrees), which is made up of two consecutive type III beta-bends and one type I beta-bend. In the solid state the helical molecules are aligned head-to-tail, thus forming long rod like structures. A comparison with other peptide structures containing consecutive Delta Phe residues is also provided. The present study confirms that the -Delta Phe-Delta Phe-sequence can be accommodated in helical structures. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Superconducting YBa2Cu3O7-delta thick films on Ba2RETaO6 (RE=Pr, Nd, Eu, and Dy) substrates

Thick films of YBa2Cu3O7-delta fabricated on polycrystalline Ba2RETaO6 (where RE= Pr, Nd, Eu, and Dy) substrates by dip-coating and partial melting techniques are textured and c-axis oriented, showing predominantly (00l) orientation. All the thick films show a superconducting zero resistance transition of 90 K. SEM studies clearly indicate platelike and needlelike grain growth over a wide area of the thick films. The values of the critical current density for these thick films are similar to 10(4) A/cm(2) at 77 K as determined by the nonresonant R.F. absorption method. Various processing conditions that affect the critical current density of thick films are also discussed.

The log delta log t method for the determination of the coefficient of consolidation

The behaviour of saturated soils undergoing consolidation is very complex, It may not follow Terzaghi's theory over the entire consolidation process, Different soils may behave in such a way as to fit into Terzaghi's theory over some specific stages of the consolidation process (percentage of consolidation), This may be one of the reasons for the difficulties faced by the existing curve-fitting procedures in obtaining the coefficient of consolidation, c(v). It has been shown that the slope of the initial linear portion of the theoretical log U-log T curve is constant over a wider range of degree of consolidation, U, when compared with the other methods in use, This initial well-defined straight line in the log U-log T plot intersects the U = 100% line at T = pi/4, which corresponds to U = 88.3%, The proposed log delta-log t method is based on this observation, which gives the value of c(v) through simple graphical construction, In the proposed method, which is more versatile, identification of the characteristic straight lines is very clear; the intersection of these lines is more precise and the method does not depend upon the initial compression for the determination of c(v).

Magnetoresistance of the metallic perovskite oxide LaNiO3-delta

We report a study of the magnetoresistance (MR) of the metallic perovskite oxide LaNiO3-delta as a function of the oxygen stoichiometry delta (delta less than or equal to 0.14), magnetic field (H less than or equal to 6 T) and temperature (1.5 K less than or equal to T less than or equal to 25 K). We find a strong dependence of the nature of the MR on the oxygen stoichiometry. The MR at low temperatures changes from positive to negative as the sample becomes more oxygen deficient (i.e. delta increases). Some of the samples, which are more resistive, show resistivity minima at T-min approximate to 20 K. We find that in these samples the MR is positive for T > T-min and negative for T < T-min. We conclude that in the absence of strong magnetic interaction, the negative MR in these oxides can arise from weak-localization effects.

Progesterone receptor expression in the human placenta

The presence of progesterone receptors (PR) in the human placenta has been demonstrated using the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction technique. It was observed that the amount of PR in the human placenta is less during late gestation. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays with nuclear extract isolated from the first trimester and term placenta revealed three complexes when incubated with [P-32]dCTP-labelled progesterone response element, and, in competition with unlabelled progesterone response element, the formation of all three complexes was inhibited. When supershift analysis of these complexes was carried out using antibodies which cross-react with both the A and B types of the PR or only with the B type receptor, only the A-form of PR was detected in the human placenta.

Structure and activity cyclase activated of OK-GC: A kidney receptor-guanylate cyclase activated by guanylin peptides

Uroguanylin, guanylin, and lymphoguanylin are small peptides that activate renal and intestinal receptor guanylate cyclases (GC). They are structurally similar to bacterial heat-stable enterotoxins (ST) that cause secretory diarrhea. Uroguanylin, guanylin, and ST elicit natriuresis, kaliuresis, and diuresis by direct actions on kidney GC receptors. A 3,762-bp cDNA characterizing a uroguanylin/guanylin/ST receptor was isolated from opossum kidney (OK) cell RNA/cDNA. This kidney cDNA (OK-GC) encodes a mature protein containing 1,049 residues sharing 72.4�75.8% identity with rat, human, and porcine forms of intestinal GC-C receptors. COS or HEK-293 cells expressing OK-GC receptor protein were activated by uroguanylin, guanylin, or ST13 peptides. The 3.8-kb OK-GC mRNA transcript is most abundant in the kidney cortex and intestinal mucosa, with lower mRNA levels observed in urinary bladder, adrenal gland, and myocardium and with no detectable transcripts in skin or stomach mucosa. We propose that OK-GC receptor GC participates in a renal mechanism of action for uroguanylin and/or guanylin in the physiological regulation of urinary sodium, potassium, and water excretion. This renal tubular receptor GC may be a target for circulating uroguanylin in an endocrine link between the intestine and kidney and/or participate in an intrarenal paracrine mechanism for regulation of kidney function via the intracellular second messenger, cGMP.

Structure and activity of OK-GC: a kidney receptor guanylate cyclase activated by guanylin peptides

Uroguanylin, guanylin, and lymphoguanylin are small peptides that activate renal and intestinal receptor guanylate cyclases (GC). They are structurally similar to bacterial heat-stable enterotoxins (ST) that cause secretory diarrhea. Uroguanylin, guanylin, and ST elicit natriuresis, kaliuresis, and diuresis by direct actions on kidney GC receptors. A 3,762-bp cDNA characterizing a uroguanylin/guanylin/ST receptor was isolated from opossum kidney (OK) cell RNA/cDNA. This kidney cDNA (OK-GC) encodes a mature protein containing 1,049 residues sharing 72.4-75.8% identity with rat, human, and porcine forms of intestinal GC-C receptors. COS or HEK-293 cells expressing OK-GC receptor protein were activated by uroguanylin, guanylin, or ST13 peptides. The 3.8-kb OK-GC mRNA transcript is most abundant in the kidney cortex and intestinal mucosa, with lower mRNA levels observed in urinary bladder, adrenal gland, and myocardium and with no detectable transcripts in skin or stomach mucosa. We propose that OK-GC receptor GC participates in a renal mechanism of action for uroguanylin and/or guanylin in the physiological regulation of urinary sodium, potassium, and water excretion. This renal tubular receptor GC may be a target for circulating uroguanylin in an endocrine link between the intestine and kidney and/or participate in an intrarenal paracrine mechanism for regulation of kidney function via the intracellular second messenger, cGMP.

Structures of the catalytic site mutants D99A and H48Q and the calcium-loop mutant D49E of phospholipase A(2)

Crystal structures of the active-site mutants D99A and H48Q and the calcium-loop mutant D49E of bovine phospholipase A(2) have been determined at around 1.9 Angstrom resolution. The D99A mutant is isomorphous to the orthorhombic recombinant enzyme, space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), The H48Q and the calcium-loop mutant D49E are isomorphous to the trigonal recombinant enzyme, space group P3(1)21, The two active-site mutants show no major structural perturbations. The structural water is absent in D99A and, therefore, the hydrogen-bonding scheme is changed. In H48Q, the catalytic water is present and hydrogen bonded to Gln48 N, but the second water found in native His48 is absent. In the calcium-loop mutant D49E, the two water molecules forming the pentagonal bipyramid around calcium are absent and only one O atom of the Glu49 carboxylate group is coordinated to calcium, resulting in only four ligands.

Thermal expansion of LaBa2Cu2CoO7+delta

In this paper, we report high-temperature X-ray diffraction (HTXRD) and dilatometric studies on LaBa2Cu2CoO7+delta. Bulk and volume thermal expansion studies, along with a study of its phase transition, were carried out. The linear and volume thermal expansion coefficients were found to be 11.7 X 10(-6) K-1 and 42.3 X 10(-6) K-1, respectively. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd.

Aerodynamics of delta wings with flaps at hypersonic speeds

Control surface effectiveness is an important parameter for any aeroplane. For a hypersonic aircraft, though the power required to operate the flaps is determined by low speed flying conditions, it is imperative to know the effect of flaps at hypersonic speeds. Hence, studies have been done on this topic by aerodynamicists for over 40 years. In spite of this, only a limited data is available in the literature on this subject. This paper discusses the experimental study of the effect of sweep on the aerodynamic characteristics of thin slab delta wings with flaps at hypersonic speeds. For the purpose of this investigation, a novel special thin six-component balance, which has a thickness of 4mm and can be housed inside wings with 8mm thickness, has been designed. The wings had a sweep of 76degrees, 70degrees and 65degrees, t/c of 0.053 and flaps with 12% of wing area and 12% of wing chord. Testing were done at Mach 8.2, Re number of 2.13 x 10(6) (based on chord), from alpha = -12degrees to 12degrees and flap angle of 20degrees, 30degrees and 40degrees. Separation lengths, measured from Schlieren pictures, clearly show that there is 'no appreciable' effect of sweep on them. Also, using a simple local flow field calculation, the separation has been identified to be transitional in nature. These features of separation reflect in the force data. Because of the small separation length, the flaps (inspite of their small size) were very effective in generating additional C-N, C-M and C-l, which increased with increase in flap angle. In general, the C-N, C-M and X-CP were unaffected by sweep for symmetric flap deflection at positive incidences and asymmetric flap case, For symmetric flap case at negative incidences, only C-N was not influenced by the sweep but C-M decreased and X-CP moved upstream as the sweep is decreased, The wing with lower sweep produces higher CA and lower (L/D)(max) for both symmetric and asymmetric flaps. The rolling moment and adverse yaw increased with decrease in sweep for asymmetric flap deflection. Newtonian theory is shown to be incapable of predicting the effect of sweep on C-l, C-n and on the incremental values of C-N, C-M and C-A. In conclusion, it can be said that a small flap is generally adequate for hypersonic aeroplanes provided they operate at altitudes where transitional and turbulent separation can be expected to occur. This would make the flaps effective and thus enable ample control authority.

Suppression of low-frequency noise in two-dimensional electron gas at degenerately doped Si:P delta layers

We report low-frequency 1/f-noise measurements of degenerately doped Si:P delta layers at 4.2 K. The noise was found to be over six orders of magnitude lower than that of bulk Si:P systems in the metallic regime and is one of the lowest values reported for doped semiconductors. The noise was nearly independent of magnetic field at low fields, indicating negligible contribution from universal conductance fluctuations. Instead, the interaction of electrons with very few active structural two-level systems may explain the observed noise magnitude.

Crystal structure and thermal and electrical properties of the perovskite solid solution Nd1-xSrxFeO3-delta (0 <= x <= 0.4)

The crystal structure, thermal expansion and electrical conductivity of strontium-doped neodymium ferrite (Nd1-xSrxFeO3-delta where 0less than or equal toxless than or equal to0.4) were investigated. All compositions had the GdFeO3-type orthorhombic perovskite structure. The lattice parameters were determined at room temperature by X-ray powder diffraction. The orthorhombic distortion decreases with increasing Sr substitution. The pseudocubic lattice parameter shows a minimum at x=0.3. The thermal expansion curves for x=0.2-0.4 displayed rapid increase in slope at higher temperatures. The electrical conductivity increased with Sr content and temperature. The calculated activation energies for electrical conduction decreased with increasing x. The electrical conductivity can be described by the small polaron hopping mechanism. The charge compensation for divalent ion on the A-site is provided by the formation of Fe4+ ions on the B site and vacancies on the oxygen sublattice. The results indicate two defect domains: for low values of x, the predominant defect is Fe4+ ions, whereas for higher values of x, oxygen vacancies dominate. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Expression of the receptor guanylyl cyclase C and its ligands in reproductive tissues of the rat: A potential role for a novel signaling pathway in the epididymis

Guanylyl cyclase C (GC-C) is a membrane-associated form of guanylyl cyclase and serves as the receptor for the heat-stable enterotoxin (ST) peptide and endogenous ligands guanylin, uroguanylin, and lymphoguanylin. The major site of expression of GC-C is the intestinal epithelial cell, although GC-C is also expressed in extraintestinal tissue such as the kidney, airway epithelium, perinatal liver, stomach, brain, and adrenal glands. Binding of ligands to GC-C leads to accumulation of intracellular cGMP, the activation of protein kinases G and A, and phosphorylation of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), a chloride channel that regulates salt and water secretion. We examined the expression of GC-C and its ligands in various tissues of the reproductive tract of the rat. Using reverse transcriptase and the polymerase chain reaction, we demonstrated the presence of GC-C, uroguanylin, and guanylin mRNA in both male and female reproductive organs. Western blot analysis using a monoclonal antibody to GC-C revealed the presence of differentially glycosylated forms of GC-C in the caput and cauda epididymis. Exogenous addition of uroguanylin to minced epididymal tissue resulted in cGMP accumulation, suggesting an autocrine or endocrine activation of GC-C in this tissue. Immunohistochemical analyses demonstrated expression of GC-C in the tubular epithelial cells of both the caput epididymis and cauda epididymis. Our results suggest that the GC-C signaling pathway could converge on CFTR in the epididymis and perhaps control fluid and ion balance for optimal sperm maturation and storage in this tissue.