Analysis of availability and accessibility of hydrogen production: An approach to a sustainable energy system using methane hydrate resources

It is considered that use of hydrogen as an energy source may contribute to environmental improvement and provide an alternative energy system. Moreover, it is anticipated that hydrogen will be in great demand in the near future for use in such vehicles as fuel cell-based cars. Research and development of a number of advanced methods of hydrogen production (OTEC, water photolysis using a semiconductor, a municipal waste gasification—smelting system, etc.) is currently under way.A comparison of different hydrogen-rich fuels in this paper shows that methane is advantageous for hydrogen production from the viewpoint of energy efficiency as measured by thermodynamic analysis. This paper therefore proposes combining existing technology for hydrogen production with an unconventional methane source in order to facilitate the realization of a hydrogen energy system: i.e., this paper proposes combining the process of steam reforming, which is commercialized worldwide, with use of untouched natural gas hydrate (NGH) resources. Gas hydrate deposits, which are distributed worldwide, hold great amounts of methane gas and have hardly been touched. This paper presents the economic parameters of NGH development and discusses the concept of devising useful applications of NGHs, with consideration given to (1) independence from current fossil fuels; (2) energy transport using the hydrate system; (3) CO₂ sequestration — replacement of methane hydrate with CO₂ hydrate in the submarine layer and (4) improvement of current steam reforming of methane by CO₂ reuse and zeolite application. This paper thus proposes a new solution that will make a key contribution to the systematic development of a new sustainable energy structure.Readers should send their comments on this paper to: BhaskarNath@aol.com within 3 months of publication of this issue.     

Gorlin syndrome (naevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome): Prenatal detection in a fetus with macrocephaly and ventriculomegaly

The Gorlin (naevoid basal cell carcinoma) syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder consisting principally of naevoid basal cell carcinomas, odontogenic keratocysts, skeletal abnormalities, and intracranial calcification. We report the prenatal detection of the Gorlin syndrome by ultrasonography in a fetus with macrocephaly and mild ventriculomegaly.     

染料敏化太阳能电池纳米TiO2制备及多孔电极膜研究进展

本文就目前在染料敏化太阳能电池产业化中急需解决的TiO2纳晶制备、电极薄膜修饰与改进等热点问题的最新研究进展进行了综合评述,分析了存在的问题并提出了对策.     

Real-time PCR with molecular beacons provides a highly accurate assay for detection of Tay-Sachs alleles in single cells

The results presented here provide the first single-cell genetic assay for Tay-Sachs disease based on real-time PCR. Individual lymphoblasts were lysed with an optimized lysis buffer and assayed using one pair of primers that amplifies both the wild type and 1278 + TATC Tay-Sachs alleles. The resulting amplicons were detected in real time with two molecular beacons each with a different colored fluorochrome. The kinetics of amplicon accumulation generate objective criteria by which to evaluate the validity of each reaction. The assay had an overall utility of 95%, based on the detection of at least one signal in 235 of the 248 attempted tests and an efficiency of 97%, as 7 of the 235 samples were excluded from further analysis for objective quantitative reasons. The accuracy of the assay was 99.1%, because 228 of 230 samples gave signals consistent with the genotype of the cells. Only two of the 135 heterozygous samples were allele drop-outs, a rate far lower than previously reported for single-cell Tay-Sachs assays using conventional methods of PCR. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evaluation of amniotic fluid cell filtration: An experimental approach to early amniocentesis

Prior to a prospective application of amniotic fluid (AF) cell filtration to early amniocentesis, we tested the technique on a surplus from mid-trimester samples. By using the same sample size of 5 ml in experiments with a filter and in routine diagnostic procedures (control), we evaluated an optimal filter system. The prolonged culture time of filtered cells and the reduced number of clones are most probably due to mechanical stress (filtration pressure), whereas loss of the cells by adhesion to the filter system, and an AF-free culture medium (growth factors) are suggested to be less important. The AF cells are very sensitive to mechanical stress. Slow filtration (⩽3 ml AF/min) through filters with a high porosity and the largest possible pore size should be preferred. A mixed cellulose ester filter membrane with a pore size of 5·0 μm proved to be the most efficient, allowing harvest of the filtered cells after only a slight prolongation of the culture time (+2·4 days) compared with unfiltered aliquots. A filter set with a bypass connected by three-way taps allows cell filtration during either aspiration or reinjection of the AF. Cell filtration after amniocentesis and consecutive reverse flushing of the membrane with the appropriate amount of culture medium proved to be the best with regard to easy handling and reducing the risk of bacterial contamination.     

Enhancement of ultrasonic disintegration of sewage sludge by aeration

Sonication is an effective way for sludge disintegration,which can significantly improve the efficiency of anaerobic digestion to reduce and recycle use of sludge.But high energy consumption limits the wide application of sonication.In order to improve ultrasonic sludge disintegration efficiency and reduce energy consumption,aeration was introduced.Results showed that sludge disintegration efficiency was improved significantly by combining aeration with ultrasound.The aeration flow rate,gas bubble size,ultrasonic density and aeration timing had impacts on sludge disintegration efficiency.Aeration that used in later stage of ultrasonic irradiation with low aeration flow rate,small gas bubbles significantly improved ultrasonic disintegration sludge efficiency.At the optimal conditions of 0.4 W/m L ultrasonic irradiation density,30 m L/min of aeration flow rate,5 min of aeration in later stage and small gas bubbles,ultrasonic sludge disintegration efficiency was increased by 45% and one third of ultrasonic energy was saved.This approach will greatly benefit the application of ultrasonic sludge disintegration and strongly promote the treatment and recycle of wastewater sludge.     

H2O2和NO互作调控SO2诱导的胡杨细胞死亡

二氧化硫(SO_2)是一种常见的大气污染物,目前关于SO_2对木本植物的毒害作用及相关机制并不清楚.本文以木本植物胡杨的愈伤细胞为材料,研究SO_2衍生物对胡杨细胞的致死效应,以及过氧化氢(H_2O_2)与一氧化氮(NO)在SO_2诱导胡杨细胞死亡中的信号调节作用.研究发现:SO_2衍生物处理(1~5 mmol·L-1)可诱发胡杨细胞死亡,且SO_2衍生物浓度越大、处理时间越长,细胞死亡率越高.2 mmol·L-1SO_2衍生物处理胡杨细胞后,胞内H_2O_2和NO水平显著升高,且H_2O_2水平的升高先于NO.一定浓度的外源H_2O_2或NO供体SNP能够提高SO_2胁迫下胡杨细胞的死亡率;而使用H_2O_2清除剂CAT和ASA、NO清除剂c PTIO、NO合成抑制剂钨酸钠后,SO_2诱导的细胞死亡率明显降低.进一步实验发现,外源H_2O_2可以提高SO_2胁迫下胡杨细胞的硝酸还原酶(NR)活性,促进胞内NO产生;而利用CAT和ASA清除H_2O_2后,细胞NR活性和NO产生均受到明显抑制.此外,SO_2胁迫下,外源SNP能够抑制抗氧化酶(CAT和APX)活性,增加胡杨细胞内的H_2O_2水平,而一定浓度的c PTIO和钨酸钠均可提高CAT和APX活性,降低胞内H_2O_2水平.结果表明:SO_2胁迫下,胡杨细胞快速产生的H_2O_2能够激活硝酸还原酶活性,促进NO生成,同时NO能够通过抑制抗氧化酶活性而提高H_2O_2水平.H_2O_2与NO互作调控SO_2诱导的胡杨细胞死亡.