Influences of synthesis methods and modifier addition on the properties of Ni-based catalysts supported on reticulated ceramic foams

A method of synthesizing Ni-based catalysts supported on α-Al₂O₃-based foams was developed. The foams were impregnated with aqueous solutions of metal chlorides under an air atmosphere using an aerosol route. Separate procedures involved calcination to form oxides and drying to obtain chlorides on the foam surface. The synthesized samples were subsequently reduced with hydrogen. With respect to the Ni/Al₂O₃ catalysts, the chloride reduction route enabled the formation of a Ni coating without agglomerates or cracks. Further research included catalyst modification by the addition of Pd, Cu, and Fe. The influences of the additives on the degree of reduction and on the low-temperature reduction effectiveness (533 and 633 K) were examined and compared for the catalysts obtained from oxides and chlorides. Greater degrees of reduction were achieved with chlorides, whereas Pd was the most effective modifier among those investigated. The reduction process was nearly complete at 533 K in the sample that contained 0.1wt% Pd. A lower reduction temperature was utilized, and the calcination step was avoided, which may enhance the economical and technological aspects of the developed catalyst production method.     

Optical nano-imaging of gate-tunable graphene plasmons

The ability to manipulate optical fields and the energy flow of light is central to modern information and communication technologies, as well as quantum information processing schemes. However, because photons do not possess charge, a way of controlling them efficiently by electrical means has so far proved elusive. A promising way to achieve electric control of light could be through plasmon polaritons—coupled excitations of photons and charge carriers—in graphene. In this two-dimensional sheet of carbon atoms, it is expected that plasmon polaritons and their associated optical fields can readily be tuned electrically by varying the graphene carrier density. Although evidence of optical graphene plasmon resonances has recently been obtained spectroscopically, no experiments so far have directly resolved propagating plasmons in real space. Here we launch and detect propagating optical plasmons in tapered graphene nanostructures using near-field scattering microscopy with infrared excitation light. We provide real-space images of plasmon fields, and find that the extracted plasmon wavelength is very short—more than 40 times smaller than the wavelength of illumination. We exploit this strong optical field confinement to turn a graphene nanostructure into a tunable resonant plasmonic cavity with extremely small mode volume. The cavity resonance is controlled in situ by gating the graphene, and in particular, complete switching on and off of the plasmon modes is demonstrated, thus paving the way towards graphene-based optical transistors. This successful alliance between nanoelectronics and nano-optics enables the development of active subwavelength-scale optics and a plethora of nano-optoelectronic devices and functionalities, such as tunable metamaterials, nanoscale optical processing, and strongly enhanced light–matter interactions for quantum devices and biosensing applications.     

Scanning electron microscope observations of the canaliculi in the rat pineal gland

Summary The scanning electron microscope has shown rich ramifications of the parenchymal canaliculi forming a three-dimensional network of anastomosing intercellular spaces in the rat pineal gland. Every pineal cell seems to be in contact with this channel system. An abundance of cellular processes can be found within the canaliculi which may play an important role in the histophysiology of the pineal body. Dedicated to Prof. Dr. med.W. Bargmann on the occasion of his 70th birthday.     

Adrenergic blocking action of cysteamine

Résumé Il a été démontré que la cystéamine provoque une activation centrale adrénergique accompagnée par une libération des catécholamines de la surrénale. Plus tard cet effet est suivi par un blocage périférique des recepteurs adrénergiques.     

35S-Sulphate incorporation into myelin sulphated mucopolysaccharides during rat brain development

Summary Rat brain myelin acid mucopolysaccharides (AMPS) incorporate 15%, 8%, 5.5% and 4% of tojtal associated³⁵S-sulphate, 14, 21, 30 and 75 days after birth, respectively. The course of³⁵S-sulphate incorporation into total rat brain mucopolysaccharides, as well in those from myelin, had a similar feature with peak on the 2nd week and a significant decrease on the 3rd and 4th week postnatally.     

The influence of histone fraction F1 and ATP on the amplitude of contractions of the isolated right ventricle of rats

Résumé L'action de la fraction F₁ des histones et de l'ATP sur l'amplitude des contractions a été examinée sur le ventricule droit des rats blancs. On a constaté que l'ATP appliqué après l'arrêt des contractions dû à l'histone F₁ provoquait la reprise de celles-ci. La présence de l'ATP avant l'application des histones F₁ abaisse seulement l'amplitude, mais les contractions persistent jusqu'à la fin de l'expérience. L'application simultanée de l'ATP et des histones F₁ provoque une inhibition irréversible des contractions ventriculaires.     

Inheritable precocious opening of the vagina in laboratory rats exposed to 300 R and 200 R of X-rays on day 6 of their intrauterine life

Summary A highly significant inheritable advancement in opening of the vagina in laboratory rats has been induced by the X-ray application to pregnant females of different filial generations originating from the X-irradiated F₀ embryos. The reaction to X-rays has so far been followed through 9 filial generations.     

The effect of X-irradiation on the amount of dopamine in corpus striatum of the rat

Summary The effect of ionizing radiation on the amount of dopamine in corpus striatum was investigated in rats exposed to 650 or 850 R of X-rays. The amount of dopamine in the corpus striatum was measured fluorimetrically in various periods of time after irradiation. It was found that, irrespective of the dose applied, the ionizing radiation caused a significant depletion of dopamine in the striatum.