Characterization and sensor application of cellulose electro-active paper （EAPap）

As a novel piezoelectric material, the mechanical and piezoelectric properties of cellulose electro-active paper （EAPap） were studied. Young＇s modulus of piezoelectric EAPap was dependant on the material orientation as compared with other EAP materials. The highest Young＇s modulus was obtained at 0° direction, while the highest direct piezoelectric charge constant was achieved at 45°. By measuring the induced output voltage from the thin piezoelectric cellulose film under the applied impact force, we demonstrate that piezoelectric EAPap film has a potential for sensor applications.     

Validating global hydrological models by ground and space gravimetry

The long-term continuous gravity observations obtained by the superconducting gravimeters (SG) at seven globally-distributed stations are comprehensively analyzed. After removing the signals related to the Earth’s tides and variations in the Earth’s rotation, the gravity residuals are used to describe the seasonal fluctuations in gravity field. Meanwhile, the gravity changes due to the air pressure loading are theoretically modeled from the measurements of the local air pressure, and those due to land water...     

t-bit semiclassical quantum Fourier transform

Because of the difficulty of building a high-dimensional quantum register,this paper presents an implementation of the high-dimensional quantum Fourier transform(QFT)based on a low-dimensional quantum register.First,we define the t-bit semi- classical quantum Fourier transform.In terms of probability amplitude,we prove that the transform can realize quantum Fourier transformation,illustrate that the requirement for the two-qubit gate reduces obviously,and further design a quantum circuit of the transform.Combining the classical fixed-window method and the implementation of Shor’s quantum factorization algorithm,we then redesign a circuit for Shor’s algorithm,whose required computation resource is approximately equal to that of Parker’s.The requirement for elementary quantum gates for Parker’s algorithm is 3 O (logN),and the quantum register for our circuit re- quires t-1 more dimensions than Parker’s.However,our circuit is t2 times as fast as Parker’s,where t is the width of the window.     

The comparative investigation on redox property and second-order nonlinear response of Keggin-type α-[PM12O39NPh]3− (M = W and Mo) and Mo6NPh

Keggin-type phenylimido-polyoxometalates α-[PM₁₂O₃₉NPh]³⁻ (M = W and Mo) have been systematically investigated on the electronic structures, redox as well as nonlinear optical (NLO) properties by density functional theory (DFT). The strong M≡N bond confirmed by natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis comprises one s bond and two π bonds, the same as Mo≡N in [Mo₆O₁₈NPh]²⁻. Furthermore, phenylimido segment effectively modifies the electronic properties of α-[PM₁₂O₃₉NPh]³⁻. On one hand, when enlarging the inorganic cluster from {Mo₆O₁₈} to {PMo₁₂O₃₉}, the energy gap between HOMO and LUMO in α-[PMo₁₂O₃₉NPh]³⁻ decreased, resulting in enormously anodic shift for the reduction potential, while the excitation energy is less and the total second-order polarizability β ₀ is up to 438-3×10⁻³⁰ esu, which is nearly 10 times larger than that of [Mo₆O₁₈NPh]²⁻. On the other hand, when metal W in α-[PM₁₂O₃₉NPh]³⁻ is substituted by Mo, the interaction between Mo and N is enhanced and the redox ability becomes stronger. The β ₀ value for α-[PMo₁₂O₃₉NPh]³⁻ is more than 5 times higher than that of α-[PW₁₂O₃₉NPh]³⁻. It indicates that changing appropriate metal or enlarging the inorganic cluster will improve the redox properties and second-order nonlinear response. Moreover, the electron transition for three compounds mentioned above occurred mainly from organoimido segment (as the electron donor) to polyanion cluster (as the acceptor). As a result, α-[PMo₁₂O₃₉NPh]³⁻ may be a promising candidate for oxidant and nonlinear optical material. Electronic Supplementary Material  Supplementary material is available for this article at and is accessible for authorized users. Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 20573016), Training Fund of NENU’s Scientific Innovation Project (Grant No. NENUSTC07017), Science Foundation for Young Teachers of Northeast Normal University (Grant No. 20070304) and Program for Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team in University (PCSIRT)     

Mineralogical and sink-float studies of Jajarm low-grade bauxite

Jajarm’s bauxite deposits are mainly diasporic, and they have a low mass ratio of Al₂O₃/SiO₂. It is necessary to increase the run-of-mine mass ratio before feeding the material to the Bayer process. Chemical analysis indicated that the low-grade bauxite sample from Jajarm contained 43.9wt% Al₂O₃ and 13.35wt% SiO₂, resulting in a mass ratio of 3.29. According to mineralogical studies, the presence of aluminosilicate minerals such as kaolinite, illite, and quartz was the main reason for the decrease of the mass ratio. Microscopic observations revealed that, with the size reduction from -1000+710 to -38 μm, the liberation degree of diaspore increased from 10% to 60%, and that of aluminosilicates increased from 20% to 85%. Heavy liquids with the densities of 2.8, 3.0, 3.2, and 3.4 g/cm3 were used to evaluate the heavy media separation in three sizes, i.e., -3350+710, -710+212, and -212+125 μm. Laboratory studies confirm that the density of 3.2 g/cm3 can produce the concentrates (in sunk fractions) with recoveries of 89.09%, 91.24%, and 84.68% with the Al₂O₃/SiO₂ mass ratios of 5.03, 5.16, and 5.15 for the -3350+710, -710+212, and -212+125 μm sizes, respectively.     

The comparison of Cu（ll） adsorption capability of baker＇s yeast,nano-titania and their composite adsorbent

The anatase nano-TiO2 powder, with crystal size between 40 and 80 nm, was prepared by the liquid phase hydrolysis of TiCI4. At the same time, the nano-TiO2 was utilized with the baker＇s yeast biomass as a composite adsorbent to adsorb the Cu ions in the artificial aqueous solution. The investigation showed that the composite adsorbent had a fine adsorption efficiency. The TiO2 in the composite adsorbent could cooperate well with baker＇s yeast to improve the adsorbing capability of Cu^2＋ under the following experimental conditions as well： a quantity of composite adsorbent of 5 g·L^-1, pH≥4.0, an adsorption time of 40 min and an initial concentration of Cu ions of 10 mg·L^-1. In addition, the results of measurements, obtained with a scanning electron microscope, an infrared spectrophotometer and a Zeta potential analyzer, revealed that the baker＇s yeast and nano-TiO2 produced the composite adsorbent through coordination and hydrogen bonds in particular, etc. The stability of the composite adsorbent and the amount of titania loaded were largely dependent on the concentration of hydrogen ion in the solution.     

Determination of omethoate by cathodically sweeping oscillopolarography

Determination of omethoate by cathodically sweeping oscillopolarography is described. The product of the alkaline hydrolysis exhibited a sensitive second derivative wave at −0.50 V (vs. SCE) in a 1.0 ×10⁻⁵mol/L sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS)+0.1 mol/L HAc-NaAc (pH 4.0) buffer. The peak current was linearly proportional to the concentration of omethoate in the range from 6.4×10⁻⁷ to 5.1×10⁻⁵ mol/L. The detection limit is 2.0×10⁻⁷ mol/L with the relative standard derivation (RSD) of 3.5%. The hydrolysis procedure and the electrode reaction were studied by voltammetry. Supported by the Foundation of Chinese-Franch Cooperation Programme on the Advanced Research Wang Yu: born in 1964. Lecturer. Cangzhou Teacher’s College, Cangzhou, Hebei, 061001     

Trace determination of zirconium using anodic adsorptive voltammetry at a carbon paste electrode modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes

A carbon paste electrode modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes （MWCNT） was prepared and the determination of ultra trace amount of zirconium based on the anodic adsorptive voltammetry of the zirconium-calcium-alizarin red S mix-polynuclear complex is described in this paper for the first time. The results showed that the sensitivity and the selectivity of the method are excellent. The second derivative linear scan voltammograms of the complex were recorded by polarographic analyzer from 200 to 1200 mV （vs. SCE） and it was found that the complex can be adsorbed on the surface of the electrode, yielding a peak at about 840 mV, corresponding to the oxidation of ARS in the complex. The peak current increases linearly with Zr （IV） concentration in the range of 6.0×10^-12--6.0×10^-11 mol. L^-1 （accumulation time 120 s）, 6.0×10^-11--2.0×10^-9 mol. L-1 （accumulation time 90 s） and 2.0×10^-9--1.0×10^-7 mol. L^-1 （accumulation time 60 s） and the detection limit （S/N = 3） is 2.0×10^-12 mol. L^-1 （accumulation time 180 s）. The procedure has been successfully applied to the determination of zirconium in the ore samples.     

Study of the voltammetric behavior of heme and its direct analysis application

The electroanalytical method of ferriheme was studied by linear sweep voltammetry in medium of 0.05 mol/L Tris+0.05 mol/L NH₃−NH₄Cl buffer at hang mercury drop electrodes (HMDE). Heme exhibits two pair reversible redox peaks and one irreversible peak. The cathodic peak potentials are−;0.236 V, −0.422 V and −1.408 V respectively. The first and the third peaks can be used for directly quantitative determination of heme concentrations. The peak currents are good linear relationship with heme concentration in ranges of 3×10⁻⁶–6×10⁻⁵ mol/L and 3×10⁻⁷–1.5×10⁻⁵ mol/L respectively. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China Lju Huihong: born in 1965, Lecturer. Visiting scholar from Xiangyang Teacher’s College, Hubei, 441053     

Observation of small-scale processes over shelf break in the East China Sea

The turbulent dissipation along with temperature and salinity was measured on board R/V Dong Fang Hong 2 over the shelf break of the East China Sea from March 7 to 9, 2004. Applying the Turner angle, it is found that the ＇diffusive＇ double diffusion, salt-fingering, and stable stratification coexist in the upper water column of about 50 m. Below that depth, there exists weak salt-fingering. The turbulent dissipation rates are enhanced along the ray paths of M2 internal tides emanating from the shelf break with values ranging from 1.0×10^-9 W·kg^-1 to 1.2×10^-6 W·kg^-1. The corresponding diapycnal mixing rates are from 1×10^-6 m^2· s^-1 to 1×10^-2 m^2· s^-1. The spatially averaged mixing rate over the whole observation section is 2.3×10^-3 m^2· s^-1, which is much larger than 1×10^-5 m^2·s^-1 of the background diapycnal mixing rate in the open ocean.     

Nonlinear version of Holub’s theorem and its application

Holub proved that any bounded linear operator T or -T defined on Banach space L 1(μ) satisfies Daugavet equation1+‖T‖=Max{‖I+T‖, ‖I-T‖}.Holub's theorem is generalized to the nonlinear case: any nonlinear Lipschitz operator f defined on Banach space l 1 satisfies1+L(f)=Max{L(I+f), L(I-f)},where L(f) is the Lipschitz constant of f. The generalized Holub theorem has important applications in characterizing the invertibility of nonlinear operator.     

A Bayesian based quasi-analytical algorithm for retrieval of inherent optical properties from ocean color

The recently developed quasi-analytical algorithm （QAA） is a promising algorithm for deriving inherent optical properties from ocean color. Unlike the conventional semi-analytical algorithm, QAA does not need a priori knowledge of the spectral shape of chlorophyll absorption. However, several empirical relations, which may not be universally applicable and can result in low noise tolerance, are involved in QAA. In this study, the Bayesian inversion theory is introduced to improve the performance of QAA. In the estimation of total absorption coefficient at the reference wavelength, instead of empirical algorithms used in the QAA, the Bayesian approach is employed in combination with an optical model that uses separate parameters to account explicitly for the contribution of molecular and particle scatterings to remote sensing reflectance, a priori knowledge produced by the QAA, the Akaike＇s Bayesian information criterion （ABIC） for choosing the optimal regularization parameter, and genetic algorithms for global optimization. Coefficients at other wavelengths are then derived using an empirical estimate of particle backscattering spectral shape. When applied to a simulated dataset synthesized by IOCCG, the Bayesian algorithm outperforms QAA algorithm, especially in higher chlorophyll concentration waters. The root mean square errors （RMSEs） between the true and the derived α（440） and bb（440） are reduced from 0.918 and 0.039 m^-1 for QAA-555 to 0.367 and 0.023 m^-1 for Bayes-555, 0.205 and 0.007 m^-1 for QAA-640 to 0.092 and 0.005 m^-1 for Bayes-640, and 0.207 and 0.007 m^-1 for QAA-blending to 0.096 and 0.005 m^-1 for Bayes-blending. Results of noise sensitivity analysis show that the Bayesian algorithm is more robust than QAA.     

The mitochondrial function was impaired in APP knockout mouse embryo fibroblast cells

The amyloid precursor protein (APP) is recognized as the source of Aβ, which plays an important role in Alzheimer’s disease. However, the biological function of APP is obscure. Previous studies showed that mitochondria could be a target of APP. In this work, APP knockout mouse embryo fibroblast (MEF) cells were used to test if APP plays any role in maintaining the mitochondrial function. As the result, APP knockout MEF cells (APP-/- cells) showed the abnormal mitochondrial function, including slower cell pr...     

Electronic structures and infrared spectra of C120O2, C120OS and C120S2

Electronic structures and infrared spectra of C₁₂₀XY molecules (X, Y=O, S) and some of the corresponding ions are investigated using PM3 semi-empirical molecular orbital calculations with full optimization of geometrical structures. It is found that the energy penalty is about 30–42 kJ/mol due to introducing a double bond in the fivemembered ring except for C₁₂₀O₂ ⁻ and triplet C₁₂₀O₂ ²⁻. It is also found that the structures of neutral molecules and the corresponding ions are almost the same; for instance, the change of bond length is less than 0.001 nm. The change of frontier orbits from oxide to sulfide is little as well. The triplet states of C₁₂₀O₂ ²⁻ and C₁₂₀OS²⁻ are more stable than their singlet states, which means that C₁₂₀O₂ ²⁻ and C₁₂₀OS²⁻ follow the Hund’s rule. The vibration analysis showed that the infrared spectra of neutral C₁₂₀O₂ and C₁₂₀OS molecules are in good agreement with the experimental results. Compared with the neutral molecule, vibration frequencies of triplet C₁₂₀O₂ ²⁻ change little, but the vibration intensities are enhanced obviously.     

Pollen flux and vertical dispersion in coniferous and deciduous broadleaved mixed forest in the Changbai Mountains

The pollen flux in coniferous and deciduous broadleaved mixed forest in the Changbai Mountains is presented in one year's experiments. The results indicate that arboreal pollen percentages are more than 65% and pollen flux is higher than 5000 grain·cm-2·a-1,while less than 2% and lower than 1000 grain·cm-2·a-1 for shrubby pollen,and less than 20% and lower than 3000 grain·cm-1·a-1 for herbaceous pollen for most samples at different heights. The pollen assemblages are similar to those in the samples under 8 m height where Pinus and Ouercus are dominant and followed by the few non-local pollen types,and Fraxinus percentages are high with a few non-local pollen types at 16 m to 32 m height as well as non-local pollen clearly increased at 40 m height. Comparisons between pollen assemblages and vegetation composition suggest that similarities are higher for pollen trap samples than for surface moss samples.     

Photodegradation of bisphenol a induced by metal ions in aqueous solution in the presence of ascorbic acid

The photodegradation of bisphenol A (BPA) in aqueous solution containing metal ions and ascorbic acid (AsA) was investigated. After strong irradiation, the aqueous solution containing AsA and Cu²⁺ could produce hydroxyl radicals that induced the photodegradation of BPA. The photodegradation efficiency of BPA in the solution containing 70 μmol·L⁻¹ Cu²⁺ and 15 mg·L⁻¹ AsA reached 59% at pH 6.0 after 4 hours irradiation with high pressure mercury lamp. The photodegradation efficiency of BPA reached 10% after 4 hours irradiation with daylight lamp in the presence of 70 μmol·L⁻¹ Cu²⁺ and 15 mg·L⁻¹ ascorbic acid. BPA was not degraded in the aqueous solution only containing AsA or Cu²⁺. The BPA photodegradation in aqueous solution containing AsA and Fe³⁺ was weaker than in aqueous solution that containing AsA and Cu²⁺ at the same concentration. This work showed a new route of the BPA photodegradation in aqueous environment. Biography: PENG Zhang’e (1970–), female, Ph. D. candidate, research direction: aquatic environmental chemistry.     

Interaction of aloe-emodin with human serum albumin

The presence of several high affinity binding sites on human serum albumin (HSA) makes it a possible target for many drugs. This study is designed to examine the effect of aloe-emodin on HSA by fluo-rescence, CD spectroscopy and molecular modeling. The results of fluorescence measurements sug-gested that the hydrophobic interaction was the predominant intermolecular force stabilizing the AE-HSA complex, which was in good agreement with the result of molecular modeling study. And the enthalpy change ΔH0 and the entropy change ΔS0 were calculated to be -7.041 kJ·mol-1 and 76.619 J·mol-1·K-1 according to the Van't Hoff equation. The alterations of protein secondary structure in the presence of AE in aqueous solution were quantitatively calculated from CD spectra, and the content of α-helices obviously increased.     

Direct electrochemistry and electrocatalysis of horseradish peroxidase in MnO2 nanosheet film

A novel material MnO2 nanosheet has been used as the support matrix for the immobilization of horseradish peroxidase （HRP）. HRP entrapped in MnO2 nanosheet film exhibits facile direct electron transfer with the electron transfer rate constant of 6.86 s^-1. The HRP/MnO2 nanosheet film gives a reversible redox couple with the apparent formal peak potential （E^0＇） of -0.315 V （vs. Ag/AgCl） in pH 6.5 phosphate buffer solution （PBS）. The formal potential E^0＇ of HRP shifts linearly with pH with a slope of -53.75 mV.pH^-1, denoting that an electron transfer accompanies single-proton transportation. The immobilized HRP shows an electrocatslytic activity to the reduction of H2O2. The response time of the biosensor for H2O2 is less than 3 s, and the detection limit is 0.21 μmol · L^-1 based on signal/noise = 3.     

Synthesis, Characterization and Properties of LiFePO4/C Cathode Material

Lithium iron phosphate coated with carbon (LiFePO₄/C) was synthesized by improved solid-state reaction using comparatively lower temperature and fewer sintering time. The carbon came from citric acid, which acted as a new carbon source. It was characterized by thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA), X ray diffractometer (XRD), Element Analysis (EA) and Scanning electron microscope (SEM). We also studied the electrochemical properties of the material. The first discharge capacity of the LiFePO₄/C is 121 mAh·g⁻¹ at 10 mA·g⁻¹, at room temperature. When the current density increased to 100 mA·g⁻¹, the first discharge capacity decreased to 110 mAh·g⁻¹ and retained 95% of the initial capacity after 100 cycles. The LiFePO₄/C obtained shows a good electrochemical capacity and cycle ability at a large current density. Foundation item: Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (20071026) Biography: ZHOU Xin-wen (1980-), male, Master, research direction: inorganic material chemistry.     

Electrochemistry study on PEO-LiClO<Subscript>4</Subscript>-ZSM5 composite polymer electrolyte

Allsolid-statelithiumpolymerbatteriesmaybeoneofthebestchoicesforelectrochemicalpowersourceofthefuturecharacterizedbyitshighenergydensities,goodcyclability,reliabilityandsafety[1,2].PEO-LiXbasedpoly-merelectrolyteshadreceivedextensiveattention[4,5],foritspotentialcapabilitytobeusedascandidatematerialforthetraditionalliquidelectrolytes,sinceWrightetal.foundthatthecomplexofPEOandalkalinesaltshadtheabilityofionicconductivityin1973[3].ThegeneralconceptofthetransportofLi+inthepolymerelectrolytewa…