Geometric control and tuneable pore size distribution of buckypaper and buckydiscs

The fabrication of buckypaper from unfunctionalised multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) without the aid of surfactants or surface modification techniques is accomplished through a novel and quick frit compression method. The dimensions can be controlled through the size of the syringe housing and the through the mass of carbon nanotubes added. Their thicknesses are typically much larger than surfactant-cast buckypaper and range from 120 μm up to 650 μm; buckypaper with thicknesses larger than 500 μm we call buckydiscs. Buckypaper and buckydiscs are mechanically robust to handle, flexible, stable in solvents and possess larger porosities than Triton-X100 cast buckypaper. They also exhibit a memory effect when bending wetted samples, returning to their former geometry on drying. Buckypaper and buckydiscs were studied by mercury intrusion porosimetry to reveal a defined distribution of mesopores and small macropores that is, along with their density and apparent free volume, dependant on the casting solvent and therefore tuneable. Moreover, the frit compression system also allows control over the 3-dimensional geometry of the buckydiscs during the casting process.     

Cognitive deficits in docosahexaenoic acid-deficient rats.

This study investigated the influence of brain docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) deficiency on simple and complex olfactory-based learning and memory in 2nd generation (F2) adult male rats. Rats raised and maintained on either an n-3-adequate or an n-3-deficient diet were tested for acquisition of an olfactory learning set and an olfactory memory task, and for motivation to obtain a water reward. Despite a 76% decrease in brain DHA, n-3-deficient rats were able to acquire most simple 2-odor discrimination tasks but were deficient in the acquisition of a 20-problem olfactory learning set. This deficit could not be attributed to changes in sensory capacity but, instead, appeared to represent a deficit in higher order learning. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

DyP-Type Peroxidases: Recent Advances and Perspectives

In this review, we chart the major milestones in the research progress on the DyP-type peroxidase family over the past decade. Though mainly distributed among bacteria and fungi, this family actually exhibits more widespread diversity. Advanced tertiary structural analyses have revealed common and different features among members of this family. Notably, the catalytic cycle for the peroxidase activity of DyP-type peroxidases appears to be different from that of other ubiquitous heme peroxidases. DyP-type peroxidases have also been reported to possess activities in addition to peroxidase function, including hydrolase or oxidase activity. They also show various cellular distributions, functioning not only inside cells but also outside of cells. Some are also cargo proteins of encapsulin. Unique, noteworthy functions include a key role in life-cycle switching in Streptomyces and the operation of an iron transport system in Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli. We also present several probable physiological roles of DyP-type peroxidases that reflect the widespread distribution and function of these enzymes. Lignin degradation is the most common function attributed to DyP-type peroxidases, but their activity is not high compared with that of standard lignin-degrading enzymes. From an environmental standpoint, degradation of natural antifungal anthraquinone compounds is a specific focus of DyP-type peroxidase research. Considered in its totality, the DyP-type peroxidase family offers a rich source of diverse and attractive materials for research scientists.     

New catalytic technologies in Japan

Recent trends in R&D of catalytic technology in Japan (cleaner and more efficient production, environmental catalysts, and recycling processes) are overviewed and examples of recent achievements are listed. Examples are then described as zeolite-catalyzed organic reactions recently commercialized and expected to be commercialized: hydration of cyclohexene, synthesis of pyridine derivatives and gas-phase Beckmann rearrangement of cyclohexanone oxime. Finally, as an example of environmental catalysts, the NO_x storage–reduction type three-way automobile catalyst, is introduced.     

A statistical evaluation of the free energy of Fe-base ternary ordering alloys

The free energy of the Fe-base ternary ordering alloys whereB2 andD0₃ ordered structures are formed is evaluated. The statistical theory is employed using a pairwise interaction approximation taking into account not only the atomic interaction but also the magnetic interaction, based upon the Bragg-Williams-Gorsky model. The application of this model on Fe-Si-Co ordering alloys are demonstrated. The propriety of the calculation results are performed by comparing the experimental results. The influences of the magnetic energy to the stability of ordered structures are also demonstrated.     

Lightning occurrence data observed with lightning location systems of electric power companies in Japan: 2009–2013

Nine electric power companies in Japan have been collecting lightning data with lightning location systems. Five years of the lightning data (2009–2013) are summarized and analyzed in this paper. The recent annual number of lightning flashes of which the current is more than 10 kA in Japan is around 1 million. The variations of lightning occurrence characteristics by areas, seasons, and so on, are clarified. Meteorological conditions that may affect lightning occurrence are also discussed. Furthermore, we show that there is a clear correlation between the number of lightning strikes and the outage rate of transmission lines. © 2016 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis and photoinduced surface relief grating formation of novel photo-responsive amorphous molecular materials, 4-[bis(9,9-dimethylfluoren-2-yl)amino]-4′-cyanoazobenzene and 4-[bis(9,9-dimethylfluoren-2-yl)-amino]-4′-nitroazobenzene

Novel azobenzene-based photo-responsive amorphous molecular materials, 4-[bis(9,9-dimethylfluoren-2-yl)amino]-4′-cyanoazobenzene and 4-[bis(9,9-dimethylfluoren-2-yl)amino]-4′-nitroazobenzene, have been synthesized and the formation of surface relief grating on their amorphous films has been investigated. It was found that a relatively large surface relief grating could be inscribed on both amorphous films upon interference exposure to the writing laser beams. The modulation depth of the surface relief grating inscribed on the amorphous film of the cyano-substituted material was found to be larger than that inscribed on the film of the nitro-substituted one and seemed to be comparable to that inscribed on the amorphous film of the parent material, 4-[bis(9,9-dimethylfluoren-2-yl)amino]azobenzene. These results were discussed from the viewpoint of their trans–cis photoisomerizations as amorphous films and glass-transition temperatures.     

Redox‐Active Catalyst Based on Poly(Anilinesulfonic Acid)‐ Supported Gold Nanoparticles for Aerobic Alcohol Oxidation in Water

The hybrid consisting of gold nanoparticles and poly(2‐methoxyaniline‐5‐sulfonic acid), which works as a redox mediator for transferring protons and electrons, catalyzed the oxidation reaction of various alcohols in water under molecular oxygen.     

Polymer-derived β-SiAlON:Eu2+ phosphors

A series of β-SiAlON:Eu²⁺ phosphors were synthesized from single-source precursors, perhydropolysilazane chemically modified with Al(OCH(CH₃)₂)₃, AlCl₃, and EuCl₂. The single-source precursors were converted to β-SiAlON:Eu²⁺ phosphors by pyrolysis under flowing N₂ or NH₃ at 1000°C, followed by heat treatment at 1800°C under an N₂ gas pressure at 980 kPa. By varying the molar ratio of the chemical modifiers, β-SiAlON:Eu²⁺ with the compositions close to the theoretical ones expressed as Si_6−zAl_zO_z−2yN_8−z+2y:yEu²⁺ were synthesized, where the z values and Eu²⁺ contents were controlled in the ranges of .44–.78 and .35–1.48 mol%, respectively. The polymer-derived β-SiAlON:Eu²⁺ phosphors exhibited green emission under excitation at 460 nm attributed to the 4f⁷–4f⁶(7f³)5d¹ transition of dopant Eu²⁺. High-angle annular dark-field-scanning transmission microscopy analysis confirmed that the doped-Eu²⁺ existed interstitially within the channels along the c axis of host β-SiAlON. Compared with the conventional powder metallurgy route, the polymer-derived ceramic route in this study offers some advantages in the grain growth of host β-SiAlON and photoluminescence properties in terms of green emission intensity under excitation at 460 nm, and the highest intensity was achieved for the polymer-derived β-SiAlON:Eu²⁺ with z = .64 and .37 mol% Eu²⁺.