Powering fuel cells with CO via aqueous polyoxometalates and gold catalysts

Electricity was produced by catalytic oxidation of carbon monoxide (CO) by using gold catalysts at room temperature. The observed rates are faster than conventional processes operating at 500 kelvin or higher for the conversion of CO with water to produce hydrogen and carbon dioxide through the water-gas shift (WGS). By eliminating the WGS reaction, we remove the need to transport and vaporize liquid water in the production of energy for portable applications. This process can use CO-containing gas streams from the catalytic reforming of hydrocarbons to produce an aqueous solution of reduced polyoxometalate compounds that can be used to generate power. The reduced polyoxometalate can be reoxidized in fuel cells that contain simple carbon anodes.     

Evaluation of new direct dyes for mutagenicity using the salmonella mammalian mutagenicity assay

A series of new direct dyes based on benzidine congeners, 2,2′-dimethyl-5,5′-dipropoxybenzidine and 5,5′-dipropoxybenzidine, were evaluated for mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100. All of the dyes examined were judged to be non-mutagenic with and without metabolic activation while toxicity was seen in some dyes at high doses. The study also suggested that the standard Salmonella mutagenicity plate-incorporated assay was an excellent method for evaluation of direct dyes for mutagenicity.     

信阳地区杂交水稻高产高效益栽培模式的研究与应用

河南信阳地区提出了该地区杂交水稻大面积亩产６００公斤以上的最佳栽培模式为：适栽组合应以汕优６３为主;苗栽１．８～２万穴,两段育秧,亩施纯氮１０～１８公斤;钙镁磷肥５０公斤,多效唑１６０克左右;普及一喷三防技术．１９９２年在固始县,罗山县、满川县共推广７．１３万亩,增产１２６３．３６万公斤,增收８８４．３５万元．     

Svalbamides A and B,Pyrrolidinone-Bearing Lipodipeptides from Arctic Paenibacillus sp.

Two new secondary metabolites, svalbamides A (1) and B (2), were isolated from a culture extract of Paenibacillus sp. SVB7 that was isolated from surface sediment from a core (HH17-1085) taken in the Svalbard archipelago in the Arctic Ocean. The combinational analysis of HR-MS and NMR spectroscopic data revealed the structures of 1 and 2 as being lipopeptides bearing 3-amino-2-pyrrolidinone, d-valine, and 3-hydroxy-8-methyldecanoic acid. The absolute configurations of the amino acid residues in svalbamides A and B were determined using the advanced Marfey’s method, in which the hydrolysates of 1 and 2 were derivatized with l- and d- forms of 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrophenyl-5-alanine amide (FDAA). The absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were completely assigned by deducing the stereochemistry of 3-hydroxy-8-methyldecanoic acid based on DP4 calculations. Svalbamides A and B induced quinone reductase activity in Hepa1c1c7 murine hepatoma cells, indicating that they represent chemotypes with a potential for functioning as chemopreventive agents.     

Antioxidant Capacity of Newly Developed Pigmented Rice Cultivars in Korea

The antioxidant capacity of newly developed and highly popular pigmented rice cultivars (black rice, Galsaekchalmi, Jeoktomi, Hongchalmi, and Nogwonmi) in South Korea was analyzed. The rice grains were ground into powder, extracted with 70% ethanol, filtered, and concentrated with a rotary evaporator. The samples were analyzed for phenolic, flavonoid, and phytic acid contents, free radical scavenging activity, reducing power, ferrous ion chelating ability, lipid peroxidation inhibition, and superoxide dismutase‐like activity. The ethanolic extracts from pigmented rice cultivars showed greater antioxidant activity than that of the normal white rice. The black rice exhibited the highest free radical scavenging activity, ferrous chelating ability, and total phenolic and flavonoid contents. The reducing power and phytic acid content were found to be highest in Hongchalmi cultivar. The inhibition of lipid peroxidation was markedly higher in Jeoktomi compared with the other rice samples. The Nogwonmi rice showed the lowest antioxidant activity among the pigmented varieties analyzed. These findings provide valuable information on the antioxidant potential of newly developed pigmented rice varieties and may assist plant breeders in the selection of cultivars for the development of new lines of rice with enhanced functional quality.     

Measurement of cardiac output by transesophageal Doppler ultrasonography in anesthetized dogs: comparison with thermodilution

Thermodilution (TD) is the standard method for cardiac output (CO) monitoring in human medicine. Although called the ‘gold standard’, TD is related to numerous complications and data misinterpretations. Recently, a noninvasive, continuous, ultrasound‐based technique for CO measurement has been developed (Hemosonic 100, Arrow Intl). This study compared transesophageal Doppler ultrasonography (TED) for measuring CO with TD in anesthetized dogs. In this study, ten dogs were used to simultaneously measure CO by TED and TD. All dogs were pre‐medicated with acepromazine at 0.1 mg kg^?1 IM, induced with thiopental at 10 mg kg^?1 IV, and maintained on isoflurane at end‐tidal concentrations of 1.3%. Baseline and four different levels of CO were used for comparison. Low CO levels were induced by caudal vena cava occlusion. High CO levels were induced by the constant IV infusion of dopamine, dobutamine, or norepinephrine. Each level of CO allowed one comparison between TED and TD. Forty‐nine paired comparisons of CO were determined ranging from 0.73 to 10.9 L minute^?1. Simple linear regression was used to determine the correlation between the two techniques. Correlation coefficient (r²) was 0.53. Bland and Altman statistical method was used for assessing agreement between the two methods. The difference between the TD and TED when all data were included was 0.82 (bias) ± 1.63 L minute^?1 (mean ± SD). At low CO levels (baseline and caudal vena cava occlusion), the correlation coefficient was 0.77, bias was 0.35 ± 0.64 L minute^?1. At high CO levels (dopamine, dobutamine, or norepinephrine), the correlation coefficient was 0.39. It was concluded that TED was not a reliable monitoring method in determining CO when positive inotropes were used. TED might have importance in situations of low CO values; however, further investigation is warranted.     

A comparison of anesthetic risk factors and outcomes in light and draft horses

As a result of anatomic and physiologic differences, draft breeds may be at greater risk of developing anesthetic complications. The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare anesthetic management of draft (DR) and light (LT) horses. A case‐matched retrospective study of 371 clinical case records of DR (124 cases) and LT (247 cases) horses presented for general anesthesia between 1991 and 1998 was performed. Data were tabulated and comparisons were made using Student's t‐test (significance p < 0.05). Prior to induction, there were significant differences in mean body weight, rectal temperature, PCV, RBC, and serum TP concentration between DR and LT breeds. There were differences in mean doses of pre‐operative butorphanol (LT 21 µg kg^?1; DR 17 µg kg^?1), induction guaifenesin (LT 99 mg kg^?1; DR 88 mg kg^?1), and intraoperative ketamine (LT 0.35 mg kg^?1; DR 0.56 mg kg^?1) required. There were no significant differences in the mean doses of pre‐operative xylazine, detomidine, or induction barbiturate administered. The mean, average, and maximum concentrations of inspired halothane were significantly higher for DR than for LT horses. Draft horses received 33% less intraoperative IV fluids (8.2 mL kg^?1 hour^?1) than LT horses. Mean anesthetic duration, time to extubation, and standing recovery were not significantly different. Induction complications were not reported for either group. Rates of occurrence of intraoperative bradycardia, hypercarbia, hypoxemia, and metabolic acidosis (SBE, TCO₂, and bicarbonate concentration) did not differ significantly. Average MAP was greater in DR horses, but neither the degree nor the mean duration of hypotension differed between DR and LT horses. Mean PaO₂ was significantly lower in DR (246 mm Hg, 32.8 kPa) than in LT (305 mm Hg, 40.7 kPa) breeds. Draft horses were at greater relative risk of hypoventilation than LT horses. The greater MAP and requirement for halothane and intraoperative ketamine may indicate problems in achieving and maintaining a surgical plane of anesthesia. Draft horses may be at a greater risk of ventilation–perfusion mismatching.     

Halochromic chemosensor prepared by pyran-based nanofibers

Colorimetric chemosensors can easily detect and prevent the primary danger or change of the surrounding environmental pollutions and sources of infection in the various fields. Pyran based colorant having the function of colorimetric chemosensor was synthesized. Synthesized colorant was characterized by ¹H NMR, GC-Mass, EA and UV-vis spectroscopy and then mixed with polyacrylonitrile for electrospinning. Electrospun fibers containing pyran based colorant were used as pH detecting chemosensor and were analyzed by SEM, XPS, and spectrophotometer.     

Influence of Extraction Solvents on Antioxidant Activity and the Content of Bioactive Compounds in Non-pungent Peppers

Bioactive compounds in foods have been shown to maintain human health. However, the relative amounts of bioactive compounds and the variation in the amounts are still poorly understood. In this study, the efficacy of different extraction solvents (hexane, ethyl acetate, acetone, methanol, and a methanol:water mixture), as well as the levels of certain bioactive compounds in non-pungent pepper cultivars (TMH, TMJ, PA137, and B58) were investigated using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Antioxidant activities were determined using 2,2,-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), reducing power, and deoxyribose degradation. Hexane extracts had the highest level of carotenoids (47.2-628.8 μg/g), and methanol extracts contained maximum flavonoids (24.9-152.2 μg/g) in four different cultivars. Higher DPPH scavenging activity was found in the hexane extracts from TMH, TMJ, PA137, and B58 (IC?? value: 0.67, 0.74, 0.55, and 0.48 μg/ml, respectively), whereas the reducing power was high in ethyl acetate and acetone extracts. Inhibition of deoxyribose degradation was highest in methanolic extracts from TMH, TMJ, PA137, and B58 (51.2, 49.5, 52.6, and 47.4 %, respectively). These data demonstrate that solvent chemical properties such as polarity can differentially impact the efficiency with which different bioactive compounds are recovered from foods, and this could lead to differences in estimated biological activity such as antioxidant capacity.     

Molecular cloning of a cDNA encoding vitellogenesis-inhibiting hormone in the whiteleg shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei and preparation of its recombinant peptide using an E. coli expression system

The cDNA encoding a precursor of Liv-SGP-G, the most abundant crustacean hyperglycemic hormone-family peptide in the sinus gland of the whiteleg shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei, was cloned by RT-PCR coupled with 5′- and 3′-RACE. The determined cDNA sequence consisted of 621 nucleotides comprising a 69-bp 5′-untranslated region, a 357-bp open reading frame, and a 195-bp 3′-untranslated region. The deduced sequence of 72 amino acid residues corresponding to mature Liv-SGP-G was completely identical to that of natural Liv-SGP-G, determined in our previous study. The recombinant Liv-SGP-G was thereafter heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli, and its vitellogenesis-inhibiting activity in ex vivo cultured ovarian fragments was examined. The recombinant peptides inhibited vitellogenin gene expression with almost the same efficacy as that of natural Liv-SGP-G purified from sinus glands.