Electron energy loss studies of room-temperature co adsorption on Cu(100) induced by electron or ion irradiation

A custom-built multi-technique portable spectrometer was used to study the vibrational (and electronic) excitations associated with the “anomalous” CO adsorption recently observed on clean and oxidized Cu(100) surfaces at room temperature. Results from the electron energy loss (and thermal desorption) experiments have provided strong evidence for in-situ CO production induced by low-energy electron or ion irradiation of CO or C₂H₄ on Cu(100). In particular, the C-O vibrational stretch frequency for the room-temperature CO adsorption was found to be red-shifted by 9 meV from its nominal position (259 meV) and could be observed even at temperature as high as 420 K. Several plausible mechanisms involving coadsorbate interactions with CO on metal surfaces have been discussed. A direct interaction model involving partial bonding between CO, adsorbed on an atop site, and a coadsorbed O atom in a four-fold hollow site was found to be adequate in explaining the observed red shift and the apparent stabilization of CO on Cu(100) at room temperature.     

Comment on papers by K. Shanahan that propose to explain anomalous heat generated by cold fusion

Dr. Shanahan has published two papers (Thermochim. Acta 428 (2005) 207, Thermochim. Acta 382 (2002) 95) in which he argues that excess heat claimed to be produced by cold fusion is actually caused by errors in heat measurement. In particular, he proposes that unrecognized changes in the calibration constant are produced by changes in the locations where heat is being generated within the electrolytic cell over the duration of the measurement. Because these papers may lend unwarranted support to rejection of cold fusion claims, these erroneous arguments used by Shanahan need to be answered.     

The peptide hormone angiotensin II: its new functions in tissues and organs

The peptide hormone angiotensin II is well established to play an endocrine role in the regulation of blood pressure, fluid and electrolyte homeostasis. In addition to its hemodynamic function, recent studies have shown that numerous tissues and organs contain their own locally generated angiotensin products (angiotensin II, III, IV and Ang 1-7) and they exhibit their respective activities. Such an intrinsic angiotensin-generating system renders to specific tissue function of our body, frequently via the regulatory mechanism of a paracrine, autocrine or intracrine manner. These tissues and organs include, to name but a few, the brain, bone marrow, adipose, epididymis, carotid body, liver, and pancreas. This local system has been shown to be responsive to various stimuli of physiological and pathophysiological importance. Moreover, the locally generated angiotensin peptides have multiple and novel actions including cell growth, anti-proliferation, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species generation, hormonal secretion, pro-inflammatory, and pro-fibrogenic actions, as well as vasoconstriction and vasodilatation. Notwithstanding the emerging roles of angiotensin II in various tissues and organs, the physiological significance and ultimately the clinical relevance remain largely undefined. Future target for these new functions by making use of specific renin-angiotensin system inhibitors, such as the angiotensin-converting enzyme and angiotensin II receptor blockers either in mono-therapy or in combination, could be of clinical importance. The current review is to focus on some of the new functions arising from the locally formed angiotensin II in tissues and organs, with particular attention to its emerging roles in the liver and the pancreas.     

Simultaneous determination of hydrogen as its iodine equivalent and of nitrogen by a volumetric method

Summary The method developed for simultaneous determination of hydrogen (by means of an equivalent amount of iodine) and of nitrogen by a volumetric method, is based on a flash combustion technique in a stream of CO₂ (100 ml/min) with controlled addition of O₂ (20%). Hydrogen is determined by conversion of water into hydrogen chloride on anhydrous magnesium chloride heated at 600–650° C, and reaction of the hydrogen chloride with Ag₂OI₂ at 220° C to yield iodine, which is collected on silver and weighed. The precision of the determination of hydrogen is excellent, the standard deviation being 0.008–0.017% abs., about a tenth of that obtained by the classical methods. The error in the determination of hydrogen was ±0.006% abs.

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Gleichzeitige Bestimmung von Wasserstoff als dessen Jodäquivalent und von Stickstoff auf volumetrischem Wege

Zusammenfassung Die entwickelte Methode zur gleichzeitigen Bestimmung von Wasserstoff in Form seines Jodäquivalents und von Stickstoff auf gasvolumetrischem Wege beruht auf der Entflammungsmineralisation im CO₂-Strom (100 cm³/min) mit kontrolliertem Zusatz von O₂ (20%). Der Gasstrom wird zusätzlich über P₂O₅ getrocknet. Die dem Wasserstoff äquivalente Jodmenge wird an metallischem Silber gebunden und gravimetrisch bestimmt, wobei Wasser bei 600–650° C mit Magnesiumchlorid in Chlorwasserstoff übergeführt wird, der nachfolgend bei 220° C mit Ag₂Oj₂ zu Jod umgesetzt wird. Für Verbindungen, die neben C, H, N und O auch Br, Cl, P und S enthalten, werden Wasserstoffresultate mit hoher Präzision erzielt:s _H beträgt 0,008 bis 0,017% absolut und ist etwa 10mal kleiner als bei den üblichen, klassischen Methoden. Die Genauigkeit der Wasserstoffbestimmung entspricht einem mittleren Fehler=±0,006% absolut. Die Resultate für den Wasserstoff und Stickstoff verlangen eine Blindwertkorrektur.

     

Side-chain crystallinity. III. Influence of side-chain crystallinity on the glass transition temperatures of selected copolymers incorporating n-octadecyl acrylate or vinyl stearate

The influence of side-chain crystallinity on the glass transition temperatures of selected copolymers was investigated. The copolymers were selected, in part, from those whose crystallinity was treated in the preceding paper. These included the lower amorphous acrylate esters, such as methyl, ethyl, n-butyl, and 2-ethylhexyl acrylates, together with methyl methacrylate and acrylonitrile, each copolymerized with n-octadecyl acrylate over the range of composition. The decline in the glass transition temperature was linear with increasing weight fraction of n-octadecyl acrylate for all systems in the composition range where the copolymers were essentially amorphous. The extrapolated T_g for the amorphous state of poly(n-octadecyl acrylate), and for amorphous poly(oleyl acrylate), was close to ?111°C. This coincided with a value previously obtained by an extrapolation of data on homologs. Beyond a critical fraction of octadecyl acrylate (0.3 to 0.5), developing side-chain crystallinity in n-octadecyl acrylate raised the glass temperature steadily for all systems, up to a value of 17-C, obtained for the crystalline homopolymer. Crystallinity did not develop in stiff copolymers until T_g was about 30°C below the melting point of the most perfect crystals. In compositionally heterogeneous copolymers incorporating vinyl stearate, blocks of crystalline units appeared to be dispersed in a glassy matrix of amorphous co-units. An empirical equation was derived which fitted the experimental data for random copolymers, over all composition ranges, with fair accuracy.     

Enumeration of total yeasts and molds in foods by the SimPlate Yeast and Mold-Color Indicator method and conventional culture methods: collaborative study

The relative effectiveness of the SimPlate Yeast and Mold-Color Indicator method (Y&M-CI) was compared to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM) method and the proposed International Organization for Standardization (ISO) method, ISO/CD 21527, for enumerating yeasts and molds in foods. Test portions were prepared and incubated according to the conditions stated in both the BAM and ISO methods. Six food types were analyzed: frozen corn dogs, nut meats, frozen fruits, cake mix, cereal, and fresh cheese. Nut meats, frozen fruits, and fresh cheese were naturally contaminated. All other foods were artificially contaminated with either a yeast or mold. Seventeen laboratories throughout North America and Europe participated in the study. Three method comparisons were conducted. In general, there was <0.3 mean log count difference in recovery between the SimPlate method and the 2 corresponding reference methods. Moreover, mean log counts between the 2 reference methods were also very similar. The repeatability (Sr) and reproducibility (SR) standard deviations were comparable between the 3 method comparisons. These results indicate that the BAM method and the SimPlate method are equivalent for enumerating yeast and mold populations in foods. Similarly, the SimPlate method is comparable to the proposed ISO method when test portions are prepared and incubated as defined in the proposed ISO method.     

The Extracts of Polygonum cuspidatum Root and Rhizome Block the Entry of SARS-CoV-2 Wild-Type and Omicron Pseudotyped Viruses via Inhibition of the S-Protein and 3CL Protease

COVID-19, resulting from infection by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, caused a contagious pandemic. Even with the current vaccines, there is still an urgent need to develop effective pharmacological treatments against this deadly disease. Here, we show that the water and ethanol extracts of the root and rhizome of Polygonum cuspidatum (Polygoni Cuspidati Rhizoma et Radix), a common Chinese herbal medicine, blocked the entry of wild-type and the omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 pseudotyped virus into fibroblasts or zebrafish larvae, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.015 to 0.04 mg/mL. The extracts were shown to inhibit various aspects of the pseudovirus entry, including the interaction between the spike protein (S-protein) and the angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2) receptor, and the 3CL protease activity. Out of the chemical compounds tested in this report, gallic acid, a phytochemical in P. cuspidatum, was shown to have a significant anti-viral effect. Therefore, this might be responsible, at least in part, for the anti-viral efficacy of the herbal extract. Together, our data suggest that the extracts of P. cuspidatum inhibit the entry of wild-type and the omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2, and so they could be considered as potent treatments against COVID-19.     

Cavity Ring Down Laser Absorption Spectroscopy of NiI

用激光蒸发/反应、超声射流和光腔衰荡吸收光谱方法研究NiI在445～510 nm的吸收光谱. 发现两个新的跃迁体系[21.3]²?_5/2～X²?_5/2和[21.9]²Π_3/2～X²?_5/2,并且观察到了同位素分子⁵⁸NiI和⁶⁰NiI光谱. 同时计算得到了电子态[21.3]^{2相似文献}