Phase-interpolated averaging for analyzing electroencephalography and magnetoencephalography epochs

Stimulus-locked averages of electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetoencephalography (MEG) epochs reveal characteristic waveforms. EEG/MEG generation models to have reconstruct such waveforms have been recently proposed. These models assume that evoked, phase-modulated, and amplitude-modulated activities occur solely or simultaneously. We propose a two-stage stimulus-locked averaging method, called phase-interpolated averaging, to investigate the EEG/MEG generation process. First, virtual EEG/MEG epochs, which would be obtained as if instantaneous phases for each time sampling point were on a phase-grid, are interpolated from actually measured EEG/MEG epochs. Then, the virtual EEG/MEG epochs are discrete Fourier transformed. A simulation revealed that the zeroth Fourier term revealed the evoked activity, the first Fourier term revealed the amplitude-modulated activity, and the condition number of the interpolation reflected the phase-modulated activity. On the basis of these facts, a preliminary EEG analysis implied that the evoked activity is much smaller than what would be expected by using conventional averaging, the evoked and phase-modulated activities simultaneously occur, and the amplitude-modulated activity occasionally associates with the evoked and phase-modulated activities. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that these three activities have been shown to coexist by actually separating them.     

Graphene and nanostructured MnO2 composite electrodes for supercapacitors

Graphene-based materials are promising electrodes for supercapacitors, owing to their unique two-dimensional structure, high surface area, remarkable chemical stability, and electrical conductivity. In this paper, graphene is explored as a platform for energy storage devices by decorating graphenes with flower-like MnO₂ nanostructures fabricated by electrodeposition. The as-prepared graphene and MnO₂, which were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), have been assembled into an asymmetric supercapacitor. The specific capacitance of the graphene electrode reached 245 F/g at a charging current of 1 mA after an electro-activation process. This value is more than 60% larger than the one before electro-activation. The MnO₂ nano-flowers which consisted of tiny rods with a thickness of less than 10 nm were coated onto the graphene electrodes by electrodeposition. The specific capacitance after the MnO₂ deposition is 328 F/g at the charging current of 1 mA with an energy density of 11.4 Wh/kg and 25.8 kW/kg of power density. This work suggests that our graphene-based electrodes are a promising candidate for the high-performance energy storage devices.     

Amorphous nanosilica induce endocytosis-dependent ROS generation and DNA damage in human keratinocytes

Background

The alveolar macrophage (AM) - first line of innate immune defence against pathogens and environmental irritants - constitutively expresses peroxisome-proliferator activated receptor γ (PPARγ). PPARγ ligand-induced activation keeps the AM quiescent, and thereby contributes to combat invaders and resolve inflammation by augmenting the phagocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils and inhibiting an excessive expression of inflammatory genes. Because of these presumed anti-inflammatory functions of PPARγ we tested the hypothesis, whether reduced functional receptor availability in mutant mice resulted in increased cellular and molecular inflammatory response during acute inflammation and/or in an impairment of its resolution.

Methods

To address this hypothesis we examined the effects of a carbon-nanoparticle (CNP) lung challenge, as surrogate for non-infectious environmental irritants, in a murine model carrying a dominant-negative point mutation in the ligand-binding domain of PPARγ (P465L/wt). Animals were instilled intratracheally with Printex 90 CNPs and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was gained 24 h or 72 h after instillation to investigate its cellular and protein composition.

Results

Higher BAL cell numbers - due to higher macrophage counts - were found in mutants irrespective of treatment. Neutrophil numbers in contrast were slightly lower in mutants. Intratracheal CNP instillation resulted in a profound recruitment of inflammatory neutrophils into the alveolus, but genotype related differences at acute inflammation (24 h) and resolution (72 h) were not observed. There were no signs for increased alveolar-capillary membrane damage or necrotic cell death in mutants as determined by BAL protein and lactate-dehydrogenase content. Pro-inflammatory macrophage-derived cytokine osteopontin was higher, but galectin-3 lower in female mutants. CXCL5 and lipocalin-2 markers, attributed to epithelial cell stimulation did not differ.

Conclusions

Despite general genotype-related differences, we had to reject our hypothesis of an increased CNP induced lung inflammation and an impairment of its resolution in PPARγ defective mice. Although earlier studies showed ligand-induced activation of nuclear receptor PPARγ to promote resolution of lung inflammation, its reduced activity did not provide signs of resolution impairment in the settings investigated here.     

Monitoring of methanogen density using near-infrared spectroscopy

In order to improve anaerobic digester productivity, raising the microbial mass in the reactor and the prediction of changes in the biomass is required. In this study the possibilities for using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR) to monitor methanogen density in a biogas process was examined. Methane production from H₂ and CO₂ was carried out with acclimated-methanogens with fed-batch substrate gas (H₂/CO₂, 80:20 v/v) at pH 7 and 37°C. The cells of the methanogens were washed and dried, and then original NIR spectra for predicting methanogen density were recorded. The specified absorption spectra were collected and examined. As a result, absorption spectrum peaks were found to be predominantly based on alpha proteins and lipids mainly from the cytoplasm and cell membranes of the methanogens. Furthermore, NIR was used to monitor the methane fermentation system using acetic acid as substrate. The responses from NIR analysis were correlated to methanogen density of fermentation broth by partial least-squares regressions. The correlation coefficient (R), model standard error of calibration (SEC) and standard error of prediction (SEP) of the test calibration for methanogen density were 0.99, 0.14 gl⁻¹ and 0.55 gl⁻¹, respectively. For volatile fatty acids (acetic acid) R, SEC and SEP were 0.99, 0.36 gl⁻¹ and 0.63 gl⁻¹, respectively. The results indicated that within the range of the density of methanogens and the concentration of acetic acid used in this study, it was possible to monitor the important variables of methanogen density and acetate concentration simultaneously in pure substrate-fed anaerobic digesters.     

Preparation and characterization of porous granular ceramic containing dispersed aluminum and iron oxides as adsorbents for fluoride removal from aqueous solution

Porous granular ceramic adsorbents containing dispersed aluminum and iron oxides were synthesized by impregnating with salt solutions followed by precipitation at 600°C. In the present work detailed studies were carried out to investigate the effect of contact time, adsorbent dose, initial solution pH and co-existing anions. Characterization studies on the adsorbent by SEM, XRD, EDS, and BET analysis were carried out to clarify the adsorption mechanism. The adsorbents were sphere in shape, 2-3mm in particle size, highly porous and showed specific surface area of 50.69 sq m/g. The fluoride adsorption capacity of prepared adsorbent was 1.79 mg/g, and the maximum fluoride removal was obtained at pH 6. Both the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were found to represent the measured adsorption data well. The experimental data were well explained with pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Results from this study demonstrated potential utility of Al/Fe dispersed in porous granular ceramics that could be developed into a viable technology for fluoride removal from aqueous solution.     

Nitrate removal from groundwater by cooperating heterotrophic with autotrophic denitrification in a biofilm-electrode reactor

An intensified biofilm-electrode reactor (IBER) combining heterotrophic and autotrophic denitrification was developed for treatment of nitrate contaminated groundwater. The reactor was evaluated with synthetic groundwater (NO₃⁻-N50 mg L⁻¹) under different hydraulic retention times (HRTs), carbon to nitrogen ratios (C/N) and electric currents (I). The experimental results demonstrate that high nitrate and nitrite removal efficiency (100%) were achieved at C/N = 1, HRT = 8 h, and I = 10 mA. C/N ratios were reduced from 1 to 0.5 and the applied electric current was changed from 10 to 100 mA, showing that the optimum running condition was C/N = 0.75 and I = 40 mA, under which over 97% of NO₃⁻-N was removed and organic carbon (methanol) was completely consumed in treated water. Simultaneously, the denitrification mechanism in this system was analyzed through pH variation in effluent. The CO₂ produced from the anode acted as a good pH buffer, automatically controlling pH in the reaction zone. The intensified biofilm-electrode reactor developed in the study was effective for the treatment of groundwater polluted by nitrate.     

Layer-by-layer self-assembled mesoporous PEDOT-PSS and carbon black hybrid films for platinum free dye-sensitized-solar-cell counter electrodes

A thin film of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(4-styrenesulfonic acid) (PEDOT-PSS), which is an alternative cathodic catalyst for Pt in dye-sensitized solar cells, was prepared using the layer-by-layer self-assembly method (LbL). The film is highly adhesive to the substrate and has a controllable thickness. Therefore, the PEDOT-PSS film prepared using LbL is expected have high performance and durability as a counter electrode. Moreover, when carbon black was added to the PEDOT-PSS solution, highly mesoporous PEDOT-PSS and carbon black hybrid films were obtained. These films showed high cathodic activity. In this study, we investigated the change in morphology in the obtained film with increasing carbon black content, and the influence of the porosity and thickness on the performance of the cells. In this study, a Pt-free counter electrode with performance similar to that of Pt-based counter electrodes was successfully fabricated. The achieved efficiency of 4.71% was only a factor of 8% lower than that of the cell using conventional thermally deposited Pt on fluorine-doped tin oxide glass counter electrodes.     

Verification analysis of thermoluminescent albedo neutron dosimetry at MOX fuel facilities

Radiation workers engaging in the fabrication of MOX fuels at the Japan Atomic Energy Agency-Nuclear Fuel Cycle Engineering Laboratories are exposed to neutrons. Accordingly, thermoluminescent albedo dosemeters (TLADs) are used for individual neutron dosimetry. Because dose estimation using TLADs is susceptible to variation of the neutron energy spectrum, the authors have provided TLADs incorporating solid-state nuclear tracks detectors (SSNTDs) to selected workers who are routinely exposed to neutrons and have continued analysis of the relationship between the SSNTD and the TLAD (T/R(f)) over the past 6 y from 2004 to 2009. Consequently, the T/R(f) value in each year was less than the data during 1991-1993, although the neutron spectra had not changed since then. This decrease of the T/R(f) implies that the ratio of operation time nearby gloveboxes and the total work time has decreased.     

A new microbial method for more efficient production of Nalpha-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-aminoadipate delta-semialdehyde and Nalpha-benzyloxycarbonyl-D-aminoadipate delta-semialdehyde

A new biochemical method for more efficient production of Nalpha-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-aminoadipate delta-semialdehyde (Nalpha-Z-L-AASA) and Nalpha-Z-D-AASA was developed with cells of Rhodococcus sp. AIU Z-35-1. Using the cells harvested after 1 d of cultivation, more than 95 mM Nalpha-Z-L-AASA was produced from 100 mM Nalpha-Z-L-lysine by incubating at pH 5.0 for 1 d at 30 degrees C or by incubating at pH 7.0 for 2 d at 10 degrees C. A similar conversion yield of Nalpha-Z-D-AASA was also obtained under the same conditions. These reaction times required were 1/4 and 1/2 of the respective ones by the method with amine oxidase, and the yields of Nalpha-Z-L-AASA and Nalpha-Z-D-AASA were 2 times higher than the respective ones by the method with amine oxidase. In addition, this method had the advantages of not requiring purification of enzyme and addition of catalase. Thus, the microbial method proposed here was superior to the chemical and other biochemical methods in simplicity, reaction rate, and yield.     

Preparation and dispersibility of poly(L‐lactide)‐grafted silica nanoparticle

To improve dispersibility of silica nanoparticle in organic solvents, the grafting of poly(L ‐lactide) (PLLA) onto silica nanoparticle surface by ring‐opening polymerization of L‐lactide (LA) was investigated in the presence of an amidine base catalyst. The ring‐opening polymerization of LA successfully initiated in the presence of silica having amino groups (silica‐NH₂) and an amidine base catalyst to give PLLA‐grafted silica, but not in the presence of untreated silica (silica‐OH). In the absence of the amidine base catalyst no ring‐opening polymerization of LA even in the presence of silica‐NH₂ and no grafting of PLLA onto silica were observed. It became apparent that the amidine base catalyst acts as an effective catalyst for the ring‐opening graft polymerization of LA from the surface of silica‐NH₂. In addition, it was found that the percentage of PLLA grafting onto silica could be controlled according to the reaction conditions. The average particle size of PLLA‐grafted silica was smaller than that of silica‐NH₂. Therefore, it was considered that the aggregation structure of silica nanoparticles was considerably destroyed by grafting of PLLA onto the surface. The PLLA‐grafted silica gave a stable dispersion in polar solvents, which are good solvents for PLLA. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012