SOLID DEFECT STRUCTURE AND CATALYTIC ACTIVITY OF PEROVSKITE-TYPE CATALYSTS LA1-XSRXNIO3-LAMBDA AND LA1-1.333XTHXNIO3-LAMBDA

Two series of La1-xSrxNiO3-lambda and La1-1.333xThxNiO3-lambda catalysts have been prepared, and the relationships between the solid defect structure and catalytic activity for NH3 oxidation were measured. The results showed that in the range of x < 0.3, the samples possessed single perovskite-type structure, and as the content of Sr2+ decreased and that of Th4+ increased the catalytic activity increased which was paralleled with the Ni3+ concentration within the catalysts. The active oxygen species (O- or O2(2-)) were present not only on the surface but also in the bulk of the samples. The synergistic effect of transition metal ions with higher oxidation states and randomly distributed oxygen vacancies was the key factor determining catalytic activity of perovskite-type oxides. A redox mechanism for NH3 oxidation over ABO3 is proposed.

WATER-SOLUBLE AND AMPHIPHILIC POLYMERS .7. SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A NOVEL COMB-TYPE AMPHIPHILIC POLYMER PAMC16S

A novel comb-like amphiphilic polymer, poly (2-acrylamidohexadecylsulfonic acid) (PAMC16S), was synthesized by free radical polymerization of the corresponding amphiphilic monomer in 1,4-dioxane-water mixed solvents. Depending on the ratio of water/dioxane in the solvent, the reaction proceeded by either precipitation polymerization or micellar polymerization. The molecular weight of the polymer obtained under similar conditions decreased and subsequently increased with the increase of water content in the mixed solvent. The polyion nature of PAMC16S was confirmed by viscosity data of ethanolic solutions. In addition, the polymer was characterized by solubility, IR, TG and wide angle X-ray diffraction methods.

INVESTIGATION OF CETYLPYRIDINIUM BROMIDE ADSORPTION AT A GLASSY-CARBON ELECTRODE SURFACE BY SPECTROELECTROCHEMISTRY WITH A LONG OPTICAL-PATH LENGTH THIN-LAYER CELL

The adsorption of cationic surfactant cetylpyridinium bromide (CPB) on a glassy carbon (GC) electrode surface has been studied by spectroelectrochemistry with a long optical path length thin-layer cell (LOPTLC) for the first time. A fine adsorption isotherm of CPB molecules from an aqueous solution containing 0.10 M KBr has been obtained over the range of (1.00-8.00) x 10(-5) M. From theoretical calculation and experimental data, adsorption of CPB on the GC electrode surface shows four distinct orientations and three large orientation transitions. Compared with the ordinary isotherm, the differential isotherm is more characteristic and would be suitable for the study of orientation transitions of organic compounds. With a theoretical treatment of the adsorption isotherm, four orientations of adsorbed CPB on a GC electrode surface coincide with the Frumkin-Langmuir type. From adsorption parameters the Frumkin-Langmuir equations, the adsorption free energy and, therefore, the equilibrium constants of orientation transitions of the CPB molecule can be obtained.

Attenuation of Edwardsiella tarda Virulence by Small Peptides That Interfere with LuxS/Autoinducer Type 2 Quorum Sensing

Edwardsiella tarda is a gram-negative pathogen with a broad host range that includes humans, animals, and fish. Recent studies have shown that the LuxS/autoinducer type 2 (AI-2) quorum sensing system is involved in the virulence of E. tarda. In the present study, it was found that the E. tarda LuxS mutants bearing deletions of the catalytic site (C site) and the tyrosine kinase phosphorylation site, respectively, are functionally inactive and that these dysfunctional mutants can interfere with the activity of the wild-type LuxS. Two small peptides, 5411 and 5906, which share sequence identities with the C site of LuxS, were identified. 5411 and 5906 proved to be inhibitors of AI-2 activity and could vitiate the infectivity of the pathogenic E. tarda strain TX1. The inhibitory effect of 5411 and 5906 on AI-2 activity is exerted on LuxS, with which these peptides specifically interact. The expression of 5411 and 5906 in TX1 has multiple effects (altering biofilm production and the expression of certain virulence-associated genes), which are similar to those caused by interruption of luxS expression. Further study found that it is very likely that 5411 and 5906 can be released from the strains expressing them and, should TX1 be in the vicinity, captured by TX1. Based on this observation, a constitutive 5411 producer (Pseudomonas sp. strain FP3/pT5411) was constructed in the form of a fish commensal isolate that expresses 5411 from a plasmid source. The presence of FP3/pT5411 in fish attenuates the virulence of TX1. Finally, it was demonstrated that fish expressing 5411 directly from tissues exhibit enhanced resistance against TX1 infection.

Attenuation of Edwardsiella tarda Virulence by Small Peptides That Interfere with LuxS/Autoinducer Type 2 Quorum Sensing

Edwardsiella tarda is a gram-negative pathogen with a broad host range that includes humans, animals, and fish. Recent studies have shown that the LuxS/autoinducer type 2 (AI-2) quorum sensing system is involved in the virulence of E. tarda. In the present study, it was found that the E. tarda LuxS mutants bearing deletions of the catalytic site (C site) and the tyrosine kinase phosphorylation site, respectively, are functionally inactive and that these dysfunctional mutants can interfere with the activity of the wild-type LuxS. Two small peptides, 5411 and 5906, which share sequence identities with the C site of LuxS, were identified. 5411 and 5906 proved to be inhibitors of AI-2 activity and could vitiate the infectivity of the pathogenic E. tarda strain TX1. The inhibitory effect of 5411 and 5906 on AI-2 activity is exerted on LuxS, with which these peptides specifically interact. The expression of 5411 and 5906 in TX1 has multiple effects (altering biofilm production and the expression of certain virulence-associated genes), which are similar to those caused by interruption of luxS expression. Further study found that it is very likely that 5411 and 5906 can be released from the strains expressing them and, should TX1 be in the vicinity, captured by TX1. Based on this observation, a constitutive 5411 producer (Pseudomonas sp. strain FP3/pT5411) was constructed in the form of a fish commensal isolate that expresses 5411 from a plasmid source. The presence of FP3/pT5411 in fish attenuates the virulence of TX1. Finally, it was demonstrated that fish expressing 5411 directly from tissues exhibit enhanced resistance against TX1 infection.

Enhancement of atmospheric pressure chemical ionization for the determination of free and glycine-conjugated bile acids in human serum

A highly sensitive and accurate method based on the precolumn derivatization of bile acids (BA) with a high ionization efficiency labeling reagent 1,2-benzo-3,4-dihydrocarbazole-9-ethyl-benzenesulfonate (BDEBS) coupled with LC/MS has been developed. After derivatization, BA molecules introduced a weak basic nitrogen atom into the molecular core structure that was readily ionized in commonly used acidic HPLC mobile phases. Derivatives were sufficiently stable to be efficiently analyzed by atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI)-MS/MS in positive-ion mode. The MS/MS spectra of BA derivatives showed an intense protonated molecular ion at m/z [M + H](+). The collision-induced dissociation of the molecular ion produced fragment ions at [MH - H2O](+), [MH - 2H(2)O](+), [MH - 3H(2)O](+). The characteristic fragment ions were at m/z 320.8, 262.8, and 243.7 corresponding to a cleavage of N - CO, O - CO, and C - OCC, respectively, and bonds of derivatized molecules. The selected reaction monitoring, based on the m/z [M + H]+ -> [MH - H2O](+), [MH - H2O](+), [MH - 2H(2)O](+), [MH-3H(2)O](+), 320.8, 262.8, and 243.7 transitions, was highly specific for the BA derivatives. The LODs for APCI in a positive-ion mode, at an S/N of 5, were 44.36-153.6 fmol. The validation results showed high accuracy in the range of 93-107% and the mean interday precision for all standards was < 15% at broad linear dynamic ranges (0.0244-25nmol/mL). Good linear responses were observed with coefficients of > 0.9935 in APCI/MS detection. Therefore, the facile BDEBS derivatization coupled with mass spectrometric analysis allowed the development of a highly sensitive and specific method for the quantitation of trace levels of the free and glycine-conjugated BA from human serum samples.

Relations between A-type granites and copper mineralization as exemplified by the Machangqing Cu deposit

This paper deals with the relations between the Machangqing rockbody which corresponds to the A-type granites and porphyry copper mineralization in terms of petrochemistry, trace element geochemistry, fluid inclusion geochemistry and isotope geochemistry. The results show that the Machangqing porphyry copper deposit was formed from the fluid predominated by mag-matic fluid. This kind of ore-forming fluid was just differentiated from the magma responsible for the A-type granites. therefore,as viewed from whereer they contain water or not,the A-type granites can,at least,be divided into two types: water-bearing and water-free.The water-bearing A-type granites can serve as the host ofporphyry copper deposits under certain geological conditions.

Investigation of ideal zirconium-doped perovskite-type ceramic membrane materials for oxygen separation

Zirconium-doped perovskite-type membrane materials of BaCo0.4Fe0.6-xZrxO3-delta (x = 0-0.4) with mixed oxygen ion and electron conductivity were synthesized through a method of combining citric and EDTA acid complexes. The results of X-ray diffraction (XRD), oxygen temperature-programmed desorption (O-2-TPD) and hydrogen temperature-programmed reduction (H-2-TPR) showed that the incorporation of proper amount of zirconium into BaCo0.4Fe0.6O3-delta could stabilize the ideal and cubic structure of perovskite. Studies on the oxygen permeability of the as-synthesized membrane disks under air/He gradient indicated that the content of zirconium in these materials had great effects on oxygen permeation flux, activation energy for oxygen permeation and operation stability. The high oxygen permeation flux of 0.90 ml cm(-2) min(-1) at 950degreesC, the single activation energy for oxygen permeation in the range of 600-950 degreesC and the long-term operation stability at a relatively lower operational temperature of 800 degreesC under air/He gradient were achieved for the BaCo0.4Fe0.4Zr0.2O3-delta material. Meanwhile, the effect of carbon dioxide on structural stability and oxygen permeability of this material was also studied in detail, which revealed that the reversible stability could be attained for it. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Homogeneous time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay of bensulfuron-methyl by using terbium fluorescence energy transfer

A sensitive homogenous time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay (TR-FIA) method for bensulfuron-methyl (BSM) based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) from a Tb3+ fluorescent chelate with N,N,N',N'-[2,6-bis(3'-aminomethyl-1'-pyrazoly)-4-phenylpyridine] tetrakis(acetic acid) (BPTA-Tb3+) to organic dye, Cy3 or Cy3.5 has been developed. New method combined the use of BPTA-Tb3+ labeled streptavidin, Cy3 or Cy3.5 labeled anti-BSM monoclonal antibody and biotinylated BSM-BSA conjugate (BSA is bovine serum albumin) for competitive-type immunoassay. After BPTA-Tb3+ labeled streptavidin was reacted with a competitive immune reaction solution containing biotinylated BSM-BSA, BSM sample and Cy3 or Cy3.5 labeled anti-BSM monoclonal antibody, the sensitized and long-lived emission of Cy3 or Cy3.5 derived from FRET was measured, and thus the concentration of BSM in sample was calculated. The present method has the advantages of rapidity, simplicity and high sensitivity since the B/F (bound reagent/free reagent) separation steps and the solid-phase carrier are not necessary. The method gives the detection limit of 2.10 ng ml(-1). The coefficient variations of the method are less than 1.5% and the recoveries are in the range of 95-105% for BSM water sample measurement. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Wet air oxidation of nitrobenzene enhanced by phenol

Simultaneous nitrobenzene and phenol wet air oxidation was investigated in a stainless autoclave at temperature range of 180-220 &DEG; C and 1.0 MPa oxygen partial pressure. Compared with the single oxidation of nitrobenzene under the same conditions, the presence of phenol in the reaction media greatly improved the removal efficiency of nitrobenzene. The effect of temperature on the reaction was studied. Phenol was considered as a type of initiator in the nitrobenzene oxidation. © 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Nickel-promoted ligand-free palladium-catalyzed Suzuki coupling reaction

A Ni-promoted ligand-free palladium catalyst system for Suzuki coupling of aryl bromides has been developed in high efficiency under mild reaction conditions. It was obtained in situ by introducing NiCl2 to PdCl2/PVP using a parallel high-throughput screening technique. A wide range of aryl bromides bearing a variety of functional groups was evaluated.

Effect of polymeric properties on the operation of gel-type audio transducers.

A novel design of a moving-coil transducer coupled with a low-hardness elastomer called “the gel surround” is presented in this thesis. This device is termed a “gel-type audio transducer”. The gel-type audio transducer has been developed to overcome the problems that conventional loudspeakers have suffered - that is, the problem with size of the audio device against the quality of sound at low frequency range. Therefore the research work presented herein aims to develop the “gel-type audio transducer” as a next-generation audio transducer for miniaturized woofers. The gel-type audio transducer consists of the magnetic and coil-drive plate assembly, and these parts are coupled by the gel surround. The transducer is driven by the electromagnetic conversion mechanism (a moving-coil transducer) and its output driving force can be greatly enhanced by applying the novel mechanism of the gel surround especially at low frequency range, resulting in the enhanced acoustic efficiency. The transducer can be attached to a stiff and light panel with both the optimized impedance matching and minimised wave collisions. The performance of the gel-type audio transducer is greatly influenced by the mass of the magnetic assembly and compliance of the “gel surround”. But as the size of the magnet and its weight have to be kept minimal for a miniaturisation of the device, the focus of the research is on the effect of the of the gel surround. As a result, the effect of the gel surround, made of the RTV (room-temperature vulcanising) silicone elastomer, TPE (thermoplastic elastomer), and the silicone foam, on generation of the output driving force, the energy transfer from the transducer to a panel to which the transducer is attached, and sound radiation from the vibrating panel, was investigated. This effect was studied by COMSOL multiphysics (FE analysis) and thereby, the simulated results were verified by experiments such as the laser scanning measurement, DMA (dynamic mechanical analyzer), and the acoustic test. Successful development of prototypes of the gel-type audio transducers, with an enhanced acoustic efficiency at reduced size and weight, was achieved. Implementation of the transducers into consumer applications was also demonstrated with their commercial values.

Improving ICP with Easy Implementation for Free Form Surface Matching

Liu, Yonghuai. Improving ICP with Easy Implementation for Free Form Surface Matching. Pattern Recognition, vol. 37, no. 2, pp. 211-226, 2004.

Griping, bitching and speaking your mind: defamation and free expression on the internet

Diane Rowland, Griping, Bitching and Speaking Your Mind: Defamation and Free Expression on the Internet, Pennsylvania State Law Review Symposium Issue 110, no. 3 (2006): 519?538; RAE2008

Dissipative Chaos in Semiconductor Superlattices

We consider the motion of ballistic electrons in a miniband of a semiconductor superlattice (SSL) under the influence of an external, time-periodic electric field. We use the semi-classical balance-equation approach which incorporates elastic and inelastic scattering (as dissipation) and the self-consistent field generated by the electron motion. The coupling of electrons in the miniband to the self-consistent field produces a cooperative nonlinear oscillatory mode which, when interacting with the oscillatory external field and the intrinsic Bloch-type oscillatory mode, can lead to complicated dynamics, including dissipative chaos. For a range of values of the dissipation parameters we determine the regions in the amplitude-frequency plane of the external field in which chaos can occur. Our results suggest that for terahertz external fields of the amplitudes achieved by present-day free electron lasers, chaos may be observable in SSLs. We clarify the nature of this novel nonlinear dynamics in the superlattice-external field system by exploring analogies to the Dicke model of an ensemble of two-level atoms coupled with a resonant cavity field and to Josephson junctions.