Search

Low-grade iron ore with high combined water (CW) content (e.g., goethite) has been first dehydrated at low temperatures mildly to be slit-shaped nano-order pore, then has been reduced by ethanol (C 2 H 5 OH) charging under the heating conditions. Bioethanol as derived from biomass, regarded as a renewable and carbon-neutral resource, is a promising candidate as a reducing agent for ironmaking. In the experiments, ethanol was dropwise added to the mild-dehydrated, porous iron ore beds at heating conditions using the temperature-program. As a result, the ethanol was soon decomposed to CO and H 2 , which then reduced the iron oxides. Porous iron ore acts as a good catalyst for ethanol decomposition as it simultaneously reduces to metallic iron. Interestingly, iron oxides were reduced at a lower temperature, compared to conventional coal-based ironmaking in the blast furnace. Metallic Fe was obtained at only 750 °C, showing a reduction degree of 81%, due to the contribution of hydrogen reduction. The longer charging time of ethanol promotes the higher reduction degree as well as sufficient compositions of reducing gas (H 2 -CO) for the reduction process. The results of experiments using different iron ores revealed the general rule that the higher CW content in ore makes the larger surface area of the iron ore by mild-dehydration, causing higher reactivity in the reduction process. The results appealed that mild-dehydrated iron ore is good raw materials of bioethanol ironmaking, due to its nanopores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Fe2VAl was synthesized by single thermite-type combustion synthesis (STCS). [•] The Fe2VAl synthesized by STCS had low thermal conductivity. [•] The maximum value of the power factor was 99.6μWm−1 K−2. [•] The maximum value of the dimensionless figure of merit was 2.19×10−3 at 309K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Heat-resistant nanocomposite films with high refractive indices. [•] In situ polymerization to disperse refractive nanoparticles into polyimide films. [•] A combination of thermal and chemical imidizations to enhance refractive index. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: The St. Jude Medical (SJM) Regent prosthetic valve (St. Paul, MN), a recently developed mechanical valve, is an improvement on the conventional SJM valve, having a wider valve area than the SJM HP valve. We evaluated this mechanical valve by Doppler echocardiography and dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE). Methods: The functions of the SJM Regent valve were evaluated by continuous-wave Doppler echocardiography and DES in 58 cases of aortic valve replacement during a stable postoperative period. Results: The peak pressure gradient of the replaced valves sized 17, 19, 21, and 23 mm was 27.5 ± 11.1, 20.0 ± 9.8, 15.6 ± 5.7, and 14.3 ± 9.1, mm Hg respectively, and the effective orifice area index was 0.97 ± 0.32, 1.01 ± 0.29, 1.09 ± 0.30, and 1.41 ± 0.54 cm 2 /m 2 , respectively, with prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) found in 1, 3, 2, and 0 cases for the 17-, 19-, 21- and 23-mm valves, respectively, with a total incidence of 10.3%. In 20 cases, the peak pressure gradient and the effective orifice area index were significantly increased during DSE compared with those at rest. Conclusions: Although the PPM incidence was 6.6%, it was deemed from the data of DSE and clinical symptoms that there were no clinical issues for such cases of PPM in the early and intermediate phases after operation. Particularly, the effectiveness of the 17- and 19-mm valves in patients with a small aortic annulus was demonstrated, confirming the satisfactory functions of the SJM Regent prosthetic valve. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this study, we investigated the effects of δ-opioid receptor antagonists on the G protein-coupled inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK) channel currents induced by serotonin (5-HT) and noradrenaline (NAd) in the dorsal raphe and the locus coeruleus neurons, respectively. Perforated patch and conventional whole-cell patch clamp recording techniques were used for the study. Neurons were acutely dissociated from neonatal rats. Both naltrindole (NTI) and naltriben (NTB), which are selective δ-antagonists possessing antitussive activity in in vivo animal studies, reversibly inhibited the 5-HT-induced GIRK channel currents (I5-HT) in dorsal raphe neurons. This inhibition was concentration-dependent and voltage-independent. The half-maximum inhibitory concentration (IC50) on I5-HT was 9.84×10−5 M for NTI and 1.28×10−5 M for NTB. The inhibition was not reversed by 10−5 M DPDPE, a selective δ-opioid receptor agonist. NTI did not affect 50% effective concentration (EC50) on the concentration–response relationship for 5-HT but inhibited the maximum response. In neurons internally perfused with GTPγS, both NTI and NTB also inhibited the GIRK channel currents irreversibly activated by 5-HT. Furthermore, these antagonists concentration dependently inhibited 10−6 M NAd-induced currents (INAd) in locus coeruleus neurons. The IC50 of NTI on INAd was 8.44×10−5 M, which was close to that on I5-HT. The results suggest that NTI and NTB, which are δ-opioid receptor antagonists possessing antitussive activity, may inhibit GIRK channel currents through a non-opioid action, and give further support to our idea previously proposed that centrally acting non-narcotic antitussives have a common characteristic of the inhibitory action on GIRK channels. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The angular dependence of de Haas–van Alphen effect has been measured to reveal the electronic structure of filled skutterudite PrRu4Sb12. The angular dependence of de Haas–van Alphen frequency of PrRu4Sb12 is in good agreement with that of LaRu4Sb12. Compared with PrFe4P12, no anomalous enhancement of cyclotron effective mass has been observed in this system. This change of electronic structure is attributed to the difference in the c−f hybridization strength, which is expected from the large difference in the lattice parameters. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• A reticulated dome supported by a substructure composed of BRBs is investigated. • The response reduction of the dome due to plasticization of the BRBs is analyzed. • Feasibility of construction of 120 m span single layer dome in seismic prone zone. This study investigates the effectiveness of buckling restrained braces (BRBs) adopted for reducing dynamic responses of a grid dome to severe earthquakes. The diameter of the dome is 120 m of a circular plan. The dome is supported by a ductile substructure composed of BRBs, and the substructure is proportioned so as to initially yield under a base shear coefficient of approximately 0.30 and to bear a base shear coefficient of 0.40 against earthquake motions of the ultimate limit state. Artificial seismic accelerations based on a design spectrum specified in a Japanese code are applied in the present analysis. The intensity of the applied accelerations ranges from the serviceability limit level to the ultimate limit level. The results of responses have provided us with valuable information indicating that the ductile substructure of the dome absorbs seismic energy with a stable hysteresis loop, significantly decreasing the responses of the dome. The responses also show that the dynamic amplification within the dome is greatly suppressed in comparison with those in domes supported by elastic substructures. A formulation for the response reduction rate is proposed. The present paper clearly indicates the feasibility of constructing large reticulated domes of this type in regions prone to severe seismicity using such BRBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brownmillerite-structured Ca 2 AlMnO 5 is inexpensive and capable of rapid oxygen storage and release. This study focused on improving the oxygen storage/release rate of Ca 2 AlMnO 5 , which is essential for its application in practical oxygen production systems. Two approaches were investigated for improving the oxygen-trapping ability of Ca 2 AlMnO 5 : heat treatment for 2 h and 24 h after solution combustion synthesis (SCS) and the addition of Pt nanoparticles as a catalyst. Noticeably, crystalline Ca 2 AlMnO 5 was formed after heat treatment at 1250 °C for at least 2 h. For the 2-h heat treatment, the average particle size of Ca 2 AlMnO 5 was 11.4 μm, while that for the 24-h treatment was 18.9 μm. This reduction in the particle size increases the oxygen storage/release rate because of the relatively short diffusion distance within the particles. The oxygen storage rate increased with the addition of Pt nanoparticles because the nanoparticles were distributed across the surface and acted as catalyst. This catalyst accelerated the oxygen-evolution reaction by activating the surface reactions between oxygen ions and the Ca 2 AlMnO 5 particles. The short 2-h heat treatment prevented the Pt nanoparticles from aggregating. When the Pt nanoparticle addition was implemented in combination with the 2-h heat treatment, the storage and release rates were drastically improved, i.e., by 2.5 and 6.1 times, respectively, compared with the sample after 24-h heat treatment without Pt nanoparticles. The oxygen storage/release rate remained constant even after repeated use at 550 °C, for over 25 cycles. Furthermore, Ca 2 AlMnO 5 suffered no surface damage, and none of the Pt nanoparticles re-agglomerated after this test, further indicating the durability of the treated material. • Solution combustion synthesis of Ca 2 AlMnO 5 as oxygen storage material was studied. • Effects of heating time and Pt nanoparticles as catalysts were investigated. • Short heat treatment and Pt addition increased the storage/release rate. • The combination of Pt addition and 2 h heat treatment was a good condition. • The Pt/2 h condition achieved 2.5- and 6.1-times higher storage and release rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • Daily treatment with 25(OH)D 3 rescued rachitic phenotypes in the Cyp27b1 KO mice. • 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 was detected at a normal level in the plasma of Cyp27b1 KO mice. • The most probable candidate of another 1α-hydroxylase is Cyp27a1. • 25(OH)D 3 may be useful for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis. Abstract We have reported that 25-hydroxyvitamin D 3 [25(OH)D 3 ] binds to vitamin D receptor and exhibits several biological functions directly in vitro. To evaluate the direct effect of 25(OH)D 3 in vivo, we used Cyp27b1 knockout (KO) mice, which had no detectable plasma 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 [1,25(OH) 2 D 3 ] when fed a diet containing normal Ca and vitamin D. Daily treatment with 25(OH)D 3 at 250 μg kg-1 day-1 rescued rachitic phenotypes in the Cyp27b1 KO mice. Bone mineral density, female sexual cycles, and plasma levels of Ca, P, and PTH were all normalized following 25(OH)D 3 administration. An elevated Cyp24a1 mRNA expression was observed in the kidneys, and plasma concentrations of Cyp24a1-dependent metabolites of 25(OH)D 3 were increased. To our surprise, 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 was detected at a normal level in the plasma of Cyp27b1 KO mice. The F1 to F4 generations of Cyp27b1 KO mice fed 25(OH)D 3 showed normal growth, normal plasma levels of Ca, P, and parathyroid hormone, and normal bone mineral density. The curative effect of 25(OH)D 3 was considered to depend on the de novo synthesis of 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 in the Cyp27b1 KO mice. This suggests that another enzyme than Cyp27b1 is present for the 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 synthesis. Interestingly, the liver mitochondrial fraction prepared from Cyp27b1 KO mice converted 25(OH)D 3 to 1,25(OH) 2 D 3. The most probable candidate is Cyp27a1. Our findings suggest that 25(OH)D 3 may be useful for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis for patients with chronic kidney disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The present report describes for the first time that anticholinesterase type insecticides specifically inhibit the fatty acid amide hydrolase and/or monoacylglycerol lipase, as secondary target(s), in the murine male reproductive system (testis and epididymis cauda), thereby presumably being involved with spermatotoxicity such as deformity, underdevelopment, and reduced motility. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]