Reactivity and characterisation of various rank turkish bituminous coal chars

A set of seven bituminous coal chars has been characterised by IR spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetry (TG) and elemental analysis. FTIR study provided suitable information to establish differences between coal samples according to their chemical compositions. The reactivity of these samples was also studied and correlated with the coal parameters of mean vitrinite reflectance, fuel ratio and H/C ratio. The data suggest that reactivity as determined can be correlated with the mean vitrinite reflectance, fuel ratio and H/C ratio (0.90). The order of reactivity of samples were; Amasra (S1) (R _m= 0.65)>Azdavay (S4) (R _m=0.99)»Armutcuk (S2) (R _m=0.81)»Acenta (S3) (R _m=0.92)>Ac2l2k (S6) (R _m=1.11) Cay (S5) (R _m=1.03)>Sogutozu (S7) (R _m=2.14).     

Study of transition metal oxide doped LaGaO3 as electrode materials for LSGM-based solid oxide fuel cells

Transition metal oxide doped lanthanum gallates, La_0.9Sr_0.1Ga_0.8M_0.2O₃ (where M=Co, Mn, Cr, Fe, or V), are studied as mixed ionic-electronic conductors (MIECs) for electrode applications. The electrochemical properties of these materials in air and in H₂ are characterized using impedance spectroscopy, open cell voltage measurement, and gas permeation measurement. Three single cells based on La_0.9Sr_0.1Ga_0.8 Mg_0.2O₃ (LSGM) electrolyte (1.13 to 1.65 mm thick) but with different electrode materials are studied under identical conditions to characterize the effectiveness of the lanthanum gallate-based MIECs for electrode applications. At 800 °C, a single cell using La_0.9Sr_0.1- Ga_0.8Co_0.2O₃ as the cathode and La_0.9Sr_0.1Ga_0.8Mn_0.2O₃ as the anode shows a maximum power density of 88 mW/cm², which is better than that of a cell using Pt as both electrodes (20 mW/cm²) and that of a cell using La_0.6Sr_0.4CoO₃ (LSC) as the cathode and CeO₂-Ni as the anode (61 mW/cm²) under identical conditions. The performance of LSGM-based fuel cells with MIEC electrodes may be further improved by reducing the electrolyte thickness and by optimizing the microstructures of the electrodes through processing. Received: 9 January 1998 / Accepted: 1 May 1998     

The use of 1H NMR microscopy to study proton-exchange membrane fuel cells.

To understand proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) better, researchers have used several techniques to visualize their internal operation. This Concept outlines the advantages of using 1H NMR microscopy, that is, magnetic resonance imaging, to monitor the distribution of water in a working PEMFC. We describe what a PEMFC is, how it operates, and why monitoring water distribution in a fuel cell is important. We will focus on our experience in constructing PEMFCs, and demonstrate how 1H NMR microscopy is used to observe the water distribution throughout an operating hydrogen PEMFC. Research in this area is briefly reviewed, followed by some comments regarding challenges and anticipated future developments.     

An Absence of Non-specific Immune Response towards para-Sulphonato-calix[n]arenes

The effects of para-Sulphonato-calix[4]arene, para-Sulphonato-calix[6]arene and para-Sulphonato-calix[8]arene on the activation of NADPH oxidase in neutrophils has been studied. All three molecules do not induce NADPH oxidase activation, and hence do not stimulate neutrophils. Measurement of cell viability demonstrates that these three water-soluble calix[n]arene derivatives are not cytotoxic.     

A colloid perspective of hair cell cilia: a selective literature review

Cilia of hair cells are structurally similar to unilaminar phospholipid vesicles. The close juxtaposition of adjacent cilia is similar to the intervesicle distances found in groups of vesicles. Both cilia and vesicles operate in similar ionic environments. By comparing the cross section of cilia, which are cylinders with the cross section of vesicles, which are spherical, we can see how colloid theory can be applied to both cilia and vesicles. While vesicles have been studied as colloid particles, thus far colloid theory has not been applied to hair cell cilia. This paper presents a basic explanation of colloid theory in a simple graphic form that facilitates a colloid perspective of hair cell cilia behavior. A review of relevant hair cell cilia behavior supports the hypothesis that colloid knowledge is applicable to the problem of understanding cilia functionality in the hair cell. The electromagnetic nature of colloid forces allows for their involvement in the relatively high speed operation required of hair cells which are dealing with signals of up to 2×10⁵ Hz. A fresh look at the biophysics of the hair cell from a colloid perspective may lower the barrier to a closer understanding of active mechanical sensory transduction, amplification and adaptation, and suggest a new domain for the application of colloid theory.     

Natural products of the medicinal fungus Ganoderma lucidum: occurrence,biological activities,and pharmacological functions

Ganoderma lucidum, a fungus used in traditional Chinese medicine, produces polysaccharides and oxygenated triterpenoids with a very broad spectrum of biological activities and pharmacological functions. Among the Ganoderma triterpenoids, many pairs of C-3 alpha/beta stereoisomers and C-3/C-15 positional isomers have been identified. Biosynthetic study has indicated that the C-3alpha series of oxygenated triterpenoids is derived from the C-3beta series via an oxidation-reduction pathway. The interaction of Ganoderma triterpenoids with human platelets in the induction of aggregation and inhibition of agonist-induced aggregation and signal transduction has been elucidated. Reduction of cellular mevalonate content to a stage in which cholesterol synthesis is strongly inhibited and cell growth is marginally arrested sensitizes hepatoma cells to the oxygenated triterpenoids. A combination treatment of lovastatin and Ganoderma triterpenoids in animal studies has exhibited a potential anticancer effect.     

An NMR study of methanol diffusion in polymer electrolyte fuel cell membranes

Methanol diffusion in two polymer electrolyte membranes, Nafion 117 and BPSH 40 (a 40% disulfonated wholly aromatic polyarylene ether sulfone), was measured using a modified pulsed field gradient NMR method. This method allowed for the diffusion coefficient of methanol within the membrane to be determined while immersed in a methanol solution of known concentration. A second set of gradient pulses suppressed the signal from the solvent in solution, thus allowing the methanol within the membrane to be monitored unambiguously. Over a methanol concentration range of 0.5–8 M, methanol diffusion coefficients in Nafion 117 were found to increase from 2.9 × 10⁻⁶ to 4.0 × 10⁻⁶ cm² s⁻¹. For BPSH 40, the diffusion coefficient dropped significantly over the same concentration range, from 7.7 × 10⁻⁶ to 2.5 × 10⁻⁶cm² s⁻¹. The difference in diffusion behavior is largely related to the amount of solvent sorbed by the membranes. Increasing the methanol concentration results in an increase in solvent uptake for Nafion 117, while BPSH 40 actually excludes the solvent at higher concentrations. In contrast, diffusion of methanol measured via permeability measurements (assuming a partition coefficient of 1) was lower (1.3 × 10⁻⁶ and 6.4 × 10⁻⁷ cm² s⁻¹ for Nafion 117 and BPSH 40 respectively) and showed no concentration dependence. The differences observed between the two techniques are related to the length scale over which diffusion is monitored and the partition coefficient, or solubility, of methanol in the membranes as a function of concentration. For the permeability measurements, this length is equal to the thickness of the membrane (178 and 132 μm for Nafion 117 and BPSH 40 respectively) whereas the NMR method observes diffusion over a length of approximately 4–8 μm. Regardless of the measurement technique, BPSH 40 is a greater barrier to methanol permeability at high methanol concentrations.     

Fluorometric detection with a packed flow cell in micro high-performance liquid chromatography

Summary A packed flow cell was used for fluorometric detection in micro high-performance liquid chromatography. The flow cell consisted of fused-silica tubing packed with the same material as the separation column. A focusing effect of the stationary phase on the signal intensity was observed, leading to an improvement of the mass detection limit, as achieved by on-column detection.     

Electroorganic synthesis of benzathine

Benzathine is prepared in good yields from cyanobenzene by a combination of electrochemical hydrogenation and Kolbe electrolysis using nickel and platinum electrodes in the presence of methanolic sodium methoxide in an undivided cell.     

Production and properties of 3-cyanopyridine hydratase inRhodococcus equi SHB-121

A strain ofRhodococcus equi SHB-121 forming 3-cyanopyridine hydratase was screened from nitrile-polluted soil. The optimum conditions for the formation of 3-cyanopyridine hydratase by the strain SHB-121 have been studied. Under the optimum conditions, the specific activity of the enzyme reached 5.32 U/mg of dry cell, 95 times higher than that cultured in screening medium. In addition, the activity of coexistent amidase was very low. 3-Cyanopyridine hydratase was purified from methylacrylamide-induced cells ofRh. equi SHB-121 by procedures including ultrasonic oscillation, ammonium sulfate precipitation, and column chromatographies on DEAE-cellulose DE52, hydroxyapatite, and Sephadex G-25. The overall purification was 31-fold. The molecular weight of the enzyme was about 30 kDA by SDS-PAGE. The pI value was 4.1. The transition temperature and pH were 7.0°C and 6.0, respectively, resulting from the differential spectra. The optimum pH and temperature for the enzyme reaction were 8.0 and 30°C. The enzyme activity was strongly inhibited by Ag⁺, Hg²⁺, Cu²⁺, and NH₄ ⁺, whereas it was enhanced by Fe³⁺ slightly. The enzyme catalyzed the hydration of 3-cyanopyridine to nicotinamide, and itsKm value was 0.1 mol/L. Uncompetitive inhibitor sodium cyanide has a K, value of 5 mmol/L.