Performance of Ion-gel Actuator Containing Ionic Liquids

1 Results Electroactive polymers (EAPs) driven by transducing electric energy into mechanical energy have been the subjects of recent interest[1].“Ionic liquids“,consisting entirely of cation and anion,have characteristic features such as negligible volatility,non-flammability,thermal and chemical stability,and high ionic conductivity.We proposed an EAP actuator utilizing ion-gels[2-3],which consist of ionic liquids and polymers,sandwiching with two carbon material sheets as shown in Fig.1.This electrol...     

A high-resolution environmental change record since 19 cal ka BP in Pumoyum Co,southern Tibet

A 380-cm-long sediment core was acquired from the deep water area of Pumoyum Co, southern Tibet. Twenty-five plant residue samples were selected, and organic carbon stable isotopes were obtained using the AMS ¹⁴C chronological method. The ¹⁴C age and carbon reservoir effect were calibrated with surface sedimentation rate measurements using ²¹⁰Pb dating. Results showed that the core sediment deposited over 19 cal ka BP. Based on a multi-proxy analysis of TOC and IC contents, grain size and pollen assemblage data, the palaeoclimatic evolution of Pumoyum Co was reconstructed since the last glacial. Pumoyum Co was a shallow lake prior to 16.2 cal ka BP; although the glacier around the lake began to melt due to increasing temperatures, climate was still cold and dry. In the interval of 16.2–11.8 cal ka BP, the sedimentary environment fluctuated drastically and frequently. Two cold-events occurred at 14.2 and 11.8 cal ka BP, and these may correspond to the Older Dryas and the Younger Dryas events, respectively. After 11.8 cal ka BP, Pumoyun Co developed into the deep lake as it is now. The lake water temperature was relatively lower at that time because of influx of cold water from glacial meltwater entering the lake. As a result, the multi-proxy indicators showed no sign of warm conditions. Comparisons between the sedimentary record of Pumoyum Co with that of other lakes of the same age in southern Tibet indicate a warmer climate following the last deglaciation influenced the southeastern Tibetan Plateau. These results imply that the southwest Asian monsoon gradually became stronger since the deglaciation during its expansion to the inner plateau. The glacial-supplied water of the lake responded sensitively to cold-events. The entire southern Tibet region was dominantly influenced climatically by the southwest Asian monsoon during the Holocene.     

Effects of retinoic acid on embryonic development of mice in culture

The effects of all-trans-retinoic acid (RA) (tretinoin) on the craniofacial development of mouse embryos were examined using whole embryo culture. In day 8 embryos cultured for 48 h, embryonic growth was inhibited concentration-dependently by all-trans-RA treatment. Most of the treated embryos exhibited hypoplasia of the primary palatal processes and a reduction in the development of the first visceral arches. In day 10 embryos cultured for 48 h, although embryonic growth was not inhibited at any concentrations of all-trans-RA, median cleft lip (93%), hypoplasia of the primary palatal processes (37%) and limb reduction deformities (48%) occurred commonly. Furthermore, RA treatment greatly reduced the size of the secondary palatal processes. The incorporation of 3H-thymidine in the treated maxillary processes was decreased to 65% of the control value at 1.0 x 10(-7) M all-trans-RA. These findings indicate that all-trans-RA is teratogenic in mouse whole embryo culture.     

Lowering of liver acetaldehyde but not ethanol concentrations by pretreatment with taurine in ethanol-loaded rats

A rise in blood and liver acetaldehyde concentrations following ethanol loading (1.5 g/kg b.wt) was significantly reduced when rats were pretreated orally with taurine (0.5 g/kg), a potent in vitro activator of yeast aldehyde dehydrogenase. This taurine pretreatment produced a 4-fold increase in liver taurine content.     

Morphological and biochemical effects of excessive amounts of biotin on embryonic development in mice

Pregnant mice received excessive amounts of biotin either subcutaneously (sc) or orally during gestation. There were no differences in the successful pregnancy rates and number of dead or resorbed fetuses between the control and biotin-treated groups. In biotin-treated groups no increased incidence of fetuses with external malformations was clearly demonstrable. However, biotin accumulated in maternal and embryonic organs; especially, the serum biotin level in the biotin-treated dam was 200-fold higher than that in the control dam. There was a difference in biotinidase activity in maternal serum and placenta between the control and biotin-treated groups. It was concluded that excessive amounts of biotin affected the specific activity of biotinidase in pregnant mice, but did not disturb normal reproductive functions and embryonic development.     

A morphometric study of spermatogenesis in the testes of mice of a senescence accelerated strain

The morphometric parameters of spermatogenic cells in a mouse strain prone to accelerated senescence (SAM-P), a novel murine model of spontaneously promoted aging, were compared with those of a SAM resistant strain (SAM-R) after birth until 40 weeks (mean life span of SAM-P). A mixture of gonocytes and spermatogonia were present in the testis in 1-week-old mice, and no gonocytes were observed in 2-week-old mice. At 6 weeks of age, the absolute number of spermatogonia in SAM-P was 27% greater than that in SAM-R, whereas the cell number in 40-week-old SAM-P was 17% less than in SAM-R. Primary spermatocytes were first observed in 3-week-old animals, and the cell numbers in SAM-P at 3, 5 and 6 weeks were 78%, 31% and 25%, respectively, greater than in SAM-R, whereas the cell number in SAM-P at 40 weeks was 30% less than SAM-R. Round spermatids were first observed in all SAM-P at 4 weeks old, but 20% of SAM-r had no spermatids and the rest had only a few. At 5 and 6 weeks old, the absolute numbers of round spermatids in SAM-P was about 34% and 41%, respectively, greater than in SAM-R, whereas the cell number in 40-week-old SAM-P was about 34% less than SAM-R. These results indicate that testicular maturation begins at an earlier age in SAM-P than SAM-R. Furthermore, at the age of 40 weeks signs of testicular deterioration are evident in SAM-P mice only     

Enhancement of the analgesic effect of morphine by sodium diethyldithiocarbamate in rats

Zusammenfassung Nach DDC-Vorbehandlung wurde bei männlichen Ratten eine deutliche Potenzierung der Morphinanalgesie beobachtet. Es konnte nachgewiesen werden, dass dieses Phänomen nicht durch die nach DDC-Gabe auftretende Veränderung des CA-Gehaltes im Gehirn bedingt ist.     

Dynorphin-degrading cysteine protease is highly specific for paired arginine residues

The cleavage of dynorphin and three analogs containing paired basic residues by several proteases was investigated. The cysteine protease of neuroblastoma cells cleaved only the bond between Arg-Arg residues. Submandibular arginylendopeptidase, however, cleaved bonds between both Arg-Arg and Arg-Lys residues, and pancreatic trypsin at the carboxyl sides of both arginine and lysine residues. This shows that the cysteine protease is highly specific for paired arginine residues.     

Myopathic changes at the end-plate region induced by neostigmine methylsulfate.

Administration of large dose of neostigmine caused very quickly marked myopathic changes at the motor end-plate region. With continued injections, however, some recovery of the structural features did occur suggesting the reconstructive changes in the affected regions.