Superconductivity in MgB2

In January of 2001 the superconductivity of the compound MgB2 with a critical temperature Tc of up to 39 K was discovered. This Tc is the highest in all intermetallic compound and alloy superconductors. MgB2 has a simple structure and its manufacturing capital cost is lower, therefore it could become a practical superconductor in the future. The recent progress is reviewed here which covers the progress in electronic structure, high Tc mechanism, superconducting parameters (Debye temperature, specific heat coefficient of electron, critical fields, coherent length, penetration depth, energy gap, critical current and relaxation rate of flux). Moreover the issue on power transmission is discussed.     

Dissociation of NO2 in femtosecond intense fields

The study of molecules in strong laser fields is a challenging topic in molecular science[1―10]. With the advent of short-pulse lasers, the behavior of molecules can be explored on the time scale of vibrational mo-tions. An intense and linearly polarized…     

Satellite-derived surface water pCO2 and air–sea CO2 fluxes in the northern South China Sea in summer

An empirical approach is presented for the estimation of the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) and air–sea CO2 fluxes in the northern South China Sea in summer using satellite-derived sea surface temperatures (SSTs), chlorophyll-a (Chl a) concentrations, and wind fields. Two algorithms were tested. The first used an SST-dependent equation, and the other involved the introduction of Chl a. Regression equations were developed for summer based on in situ data obtained in July, 2004. Using the monthly average SST and Chl a fields derived from the advanced very high resolution radiometer (AVHRR) and the SeaWiFS (sea-viewing wide field of view sensor), respectively, the monthly pCO2 fields were computed. The derived pCO2 was compared with the shipboard pCO2 observations conducted in July, 2000. This resulted in a root-mean-square error of 4.6 μatm, suggesting that the satellite-derived pCO2 was in general agreement with the in situ observations. The air–sea CO2 flux was further computed with the aid of the monthly mean QuikSCAT wind speed. We contend that more shipboard data are necessary for refining the empirical algorithms and reducing the uncertainty in the results.     

Heat and hyposmotic stimulation increase in [Ca^2＋]i by Ca^2＋ influx in rat synoviocytes

Rheumatoid arthritis （RA）, which is marked by inflammatory synovitis, is a common, chronic autoimmune-disease, whose pathogenesis is complex and still unclear. In order to explore the effects of heat and hyposmotic stimuli on synoviocytes in rheumatoid arthritis, the changes of [Ca^2＋]i induced by heat, hyposmotic and 4α-PDD stimuli were observed in synoviocytes. [Ca^2＋]i elevation induced by heat 28℃, hyposmotic and 4α-PDD stimuli is found to be positively relative to increasing temperature, decreasing osmolality and rising concentration of 4α-PDD. Results show that there is reciprocity among these stimuli and desensitization, and that [Ca^2＋]i elevation depends on Ca^2＋ influx, but not necessarily links to Ca^2＋ release from intracellular stores and voltage-dependent Ca^2＋ channel in synoviocytes. The above characteristics of Ca^2＋ influx are similar to those of TRPV4. A probable mechanism has been suggested that heat and hyposmotic stimulation might increase the level of [Ca^2＋]i by activating the TRPV4-like channel and Ca^2＋ influx in the synoviocytes.     

Electrochemical derusting in molten Na_2CO_3–K_2CO_3

The formation of a rust layer on iron and steels surfaces accelerates their degradation and eventually causes material failure.In addition to fabricating a protective layer or using a sacrificial anode, repairing or removing the rust layer is another way to reduce the corrosion rate and extend the lifespans of iron and steels.Herein, an electrochemical healing approach was employed to repair the rust layer in molten Na_2CO_3-K_2CO_3.The rusty layers on iron rods and screws were electrochemically converted to iron in only several minutes and a metallic luster appeared.Scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(EDS) analyses showed that the structures of the rust layer after healing were slightly porous and the oxygen content reached a very low level.Thus, high-temperature molten-salt electrolysis may be an effective way to metalize iron rust of various shapes and structures in a short time, and could be used in the repair of cultural relics and even preparing a three-dimensional porous structures for other applications.     

Nano-sized LiCoO_2 Cathode for Use in Lithium-ion Cells

1 Results Lithium ion batteries are widely used in many portable devices.However,their power density is not sufficient for use in electric vehicles.One of the most effective methods to improve the power density is the use of very fine cathode particles.We investigated new method,excess lithium method,of preparing nano-sized LiCoO2 powders.To begin with,lithium acetate and cobalt acetate are mixed by the molar ratio 9,13 or 21 to 1,uniformly.And the mixture is calcined at 600 ℃ for 6 hours.Finally,obtained powders are washed with large amount of water to remove impurity and dried.By using this method,we obtained nano-sized spherical LiCoO2 particles with a diameter of about 25 nm or needlelike LiCoO2 particles with a diameter of about 5 nm and a length of about 60 nm.The discharge capacity of Li/5 μm LiCoO2 cell was 51 mAh/g.However,when the nano-sized LiCoO2 was used,the capacity increased to about 100 mAh/g at the same cycling condition[1].     

Charge recombination in dye-sensitized nanoporous TiO2 solar cell

As a new type of renewable energy, solar energy offers a promising future in application. In 1991, Gratzel[1] de-veloped a new type of solar cell, dye-sensitized nanopor-ous TiO2 solar cell (DSSC) which took the complex of ruthenium as the sensitizer. This solar cell has brought up the world’s attention with a high conversion efficiency of about 7.1%―7.9% and the high current intensity above 12 mA/cm2. Nowadays, with the overall conversion effi-ciency improved up to 11.18% [2―4], DSSC …     

Doping effects of ZrC and ZrB2 in the powder-in-tube processed MgB2 tapes

We have investigated the effects of ZrC and ZrB2 doping on the superconducting properties of the powder-in-tube processed MgB2/Fe tapes. Sam- ples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM/EDX), transport and magnetic measurements. We confirmed the fol- lowing quite different roles of ZrC and ZrB2 in MgB2. ZrC doping was found to decrease the transport critical current density (Jc) at 4.2 K, while the critical temperature (Tc) kept constant. In contrast, the Jc values in magnetic fields were enhanced greatly by the ZrB2 addition, which resulted in a decrease in Tc by only 0.5 K. The reason for different effects of two dopants is also discussed.     

Involvement of Oxidative Stress and Down-Regulation of Bcl-2 in Arachidonic Acid-Induced Apoptosis in HUVECs

0IntroductionAraacicdhi,diosn fiocu ancidd p(reAdAo)m i,naanntelsys eantt itahle p sonl-y2u npsoastiutiroante doff actetl-ylular phospholipids . Normal free AAconcentrationin humanblood ranges from5 .8μmol/Lto 49 .3μmol/L[1].It is re-leased mostlythroughactivation of phospholipase A2by physi-ological and pathological sti muli[2]. Free AAcan be metabo-lizedinto various eicosanoids via specific enzymes such as cy-clooxygenases ( COX) , lipoxygenase and cytochromesP-450[3]. During AA met…     

Protein tyrosine phosphatases involved in signaling of the ABA-induced H2O2 generation in guard cells of Vicia faba L.

Although protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPases) play an important role in signal transduction in animal cells, little is known about the function of PTPases in higher plants. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are the critical components of ABA signaling pathway in guard cells. PTPase is an important regulator of MAPK, which is believed to mediate ABA-induced H2O2 generation in guard cells of Vicia faba L. Here, we investigate the possible role of PTPases in stomatal movement process. Phenylarsine oxide (PAO), a specific inhibitor of PTPases, could prevent ABA or H2O2-induced stomatal closure of Vicia faba L; furthermore, it could promote opening of the stomata closed by ABA or H2O2. The activity of PTPases can be effectively inhibited by PAO and H2O2. DTT had no effect on the PAO-induced inhibition of PTPases activity, but it could relieve the inhibition of H2O2 on PTPases activity. PAO could also inhibit the ABA-induced H2O2 generation in guard cells of V‘wia faba L. These results suggested that PTPases is a critical signaling component in ABA-induced stomatal closure, and serve as targets for H2O2 lying on the signaling pathways downstream of ABA induced H2O2 generation.     

Risk Analysis and Consumer Protection in B2C Transactions

Recent studies have shown that the perceived lack of security is a major obstacle to the wider acceptance of e-commerce. To overcome this barrier, businesses need to implement comprehensive consumer protection systems that protect consumers during every stage of the purchasing process. This paper used the consumer behaviour model as the basis for analysing risks in Bussiness-to-Consumer (B2C) transactions. Four categories of risks were identified: information, agreement, payment and delivery risk. By combining these risk categories with the three dimensions of management, technology and legislation, a comprehensive B2C consumer protection framework is developed.     

Supercritical CO2-based solvents in next generation microelectronics processing

Large amount of chemicals and highly purified-water are needed in microelectronic manufacture. The ability of solutions to penetrate tiny spaces will become significantly more challenging as the feature size of semiconductor devices decreases to nanoscale dimensions and the functional complexity of integrated circuitries (ICs) ever increases. Supercritical fluids (SCFs) possess a unique combination of properties (no surface tension and gas-like viscosity) that can potentially be exploited for application in microelectronics manufacturing and processing in response to needs for material-compatible cleaning systems, small-dimension developing solvents, and low chemical-use processes. Recent microelec- tronics processes for cleaning and rinsing of patterned porous low-k dielectrics and drying of photo- resist in CO2-based solvents are the main focus of this review. Additional topics in supercritical fluid processing include spin coating of photoresists, development with nanoscale dimensions, metal deposition and silylation.     

Adaptive Trust Management Framework in P2P Grid Computing

In P2P Grid computing systems, the authorization decision is often tackled by two different trust management methods： policy-based approach, where authorization are built on logical rules and verifiable properties encoded in signed credentials, and reputation-based approach, based on collecting, aggregating and disseminating reputation among the peers. However, the overhead caused by proof of compliance on authorization and the absence of certifying authorities may negate the strong and objective security advantages of policy-based approach, whilst vagueness, complexity and inaccurate characterization caused by reputation evolution may eliminate the quantitative and flexible advantages of reputation-based approach. We propose an adaptive trust management framework, which combines the merit of policy proof and reputation evolution such that authorization is aware of not only the strong and objective security traits, but also the calculability and the availability security traits. Finally, the framework of system is proposed.     

Glucose-induced Ca2+ signals in rat pancreatic β cells

Using microfluorometry to assay intracellular Ca2+ , the influences of varied factors on glucose induced Ca22+ signals, such as glucose-induced initial decline phase (GIDP), Ca2+ oscillation, and Ca2+ release from internal stores, were investigated in single rat pancreatic β cells. Glucose was able to evoke GIDP even at non-stimulus concentration (5 mol/L), which is insufficient to induce Ca2+ spikes. GIDP was dependent on neither membrane depo larization nor extraeellular Ca2+ . However, GIDP was inhibited by thapsigargin, indicating a dependence on Ca2+ up take by Ca22+ stores. The glucose-induced calcium oscillation was inhibited when external Ca2+ was removed. However, thapsigargin could not block the Ca2+ oscillation. These results suggest that maintenance of Ca22+ oscillation requires ex tracellular Ca2+ but not Ca2+ stores. Glucose was able to evoke Ca2+ signals even in the absence of external Ca2+ . The glucose-induced Ca2+ release from intracellular Ca2+ stores was blocked by TTX. However, TTX had no effect on high K--induced Ca2+ store release, suggesting that membrane depolarization can directly release Ca2+ from some internal Ca2+ stores in β cells.     

Structural phase transition in nanostructured γ-Fe_2O_3

Conclusions We have found that there is an exothermal peak on the DTA curve of nanostructured γ-Fe₂O₃ sample and that this peak is not repeatable. The XRD microstructure analysis confirms for the first time that this exothermal peak corresponds to the structural phase transition from γ-Fe₂O₃ to α-Fe₂O₃. After this transition, the nanostructured Fe₂O₃ crystalline grains grow continuously with increasing temperature.     

Role of FGF-2／FGFR signaling pathway in cancer and its signification in breast cancer

Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) is a member of a large family of proteins that bind heparin and heparan sulfate and modulate the function of a wide range of cell types. It has been proved that FGF-2 stimulates the growth and development of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) that contribute to the pathogenesis of several diseases (i.e. cancer, atherosclerosis). However, many of the biological activities of FGF-2 have been found to depend on its receptor抯 intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity and second messengers such as the mitogen activated protein kinases. This review will focus on the mechanism of FGF-2/FGFR induced signaling pathway in tumor and human breast cancer.     

Myoglobin as Mimetic Enzyme and Its Analytical Application in Determination of H2O2

0 IntroductionSltougdiiceasl csoynstceermnsin gharveeac btieveen o txhyeg ei nm psopretcaienst ( oRbjOecSt) iinn bbiioo--medicine and analytical chemistry in recent years[1-4]. Manyi mportant life phenomena and diseases are relatedtotheinter-mediates of ROS[5-7].ROS have beeni mplicated as ani mpor-tant causative factor in cell damage,including apoptosis andnecrosis . Their proposed actions comprise lipid peroxidation,DNAdamage,the mitochondrial respiratory chain destructionand protein mo…     

Anomalous dielectric behavior in nanocrystalline γ-Fe_2O_3

The measurements of electric capacities and dielectric loss angles for nanocrystalline γ-Fe₂O₃, under air and vacuum atmospheres have been conducted by using ac LRC method, and the conductivity and the polarization relaxation time have also been calculated from the frequency spectra of real and imaginary parts of the dielectric constants. The anomalous dielectric behavior implies the existence of two kinds of polarization mechanisms with different relaxation times, which are caused by the defects and the dangling bonds in the interfaces, respectively. The experimental and calculated results indicated that the polarization loss and the conductance loss are dominant in air atmosphere and vacuum, respectively.     

Effects of H_2O_2 on Oxygen Supply in the Process of DCA Fermentation

IntroductionLong chainα,ω- dicarboxylic acids (DCA ) areversatile chemical intermediates used as rawmaterials for the preparation of perfumes,polymers,and adhesives[1] .Various strains of C.tropicalis are known to produce DCA whencultured with alkanes or fatty acids as the carbonsource[2 ,3] .　During aerobic and viscous fermentation,theoxygen supply is of crucial importance becauseinsufficient oxygen can lead to suboptimalproductivities[4 ] as well as products of low quality.Several meth…