Negative thermal expansion (NTE) of BiNi 1Àx Fe x O 3 is investigated. All x ¼ 0.05, 0.075, 0.10, and 0.15 samples shows large NTE with the coefficient of linear thermal expansion (CTE) a L exceeding À150 ppm K À1 induced by charge transfer between Bi 5þ and Ni 2þ in the controlled temperature range near room temperature. Compared with Bi 1Àx Ln x NiO 3 (Ln: rare-earth elements), the thermal hysteresis that causes a problem for practical application is suppressed because random distribution of Fe in the Ni site changes the first order transition to second order-like transition. The CTE of BiNi 0.85 Fe 0.15 O 3 reaches À187 ppm K À1 and it is demonstrated that 18 vol. % addition of the present compound compensates for the thermal expansion of epoxy resin. V C 2015 AIP Publishing LLC. [http://dx.

Background: The global incidence of diabetes mellitus (DM) has risen precipitously, even in middle-and low-income countries. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) plays an important role in the control of cellular glucose metabolism. Activation of PPARγ beneficially results in increased insulin sensitivity. However, the expression of PPARγ is reduced by obesity and several nutritional factors. Here we examined the effect of geranylgeraniol (GGOH), a bioactive compound found naturally in fruits, vegetables, and grains, on the expression and activation of PPARγ. Materials and Methods: C3H10T1/2 mouse embryonic fibroblasts and 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were used as in vitro models of adipocyte differentiation and function. Quantitative reversetranscriptase polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, Oil Red O staining, and luciferase assay were performed to respectively assess mRNA expression, protein levels, lipid droplet formation and transcriptional activity. Results: GGOH increased the expression of PPARγ in adipocyte lineage cells. GGOH also enhanced adipogenesis induced by rosiglitazone, a thiazolidinedione class PPARγ agonist. Conclusion: GGOH induces PPARγ expression and enhances the biological effects of a PPARγ agonist in adipocyte lineage cells.

No abstract

To examine the feasibility ofJapan ' s own Jovjan − system exp ［ oration ， the effectiveness ofaeroassist is analyzed by trajectory calculation of flights 象 hroロ gh Jovian atmosphere ． As a resuh ， aeroassist enables hyperbolica 睡 y ・ approaching spacecraft to be inserIed into Jovian circumf ¢rence orbits． And moreover ， 忙 is clarified that aeroassist is by far more effective than rocket retrofiring as far as weight is concerned ， Consequently ， Japan ' s own Jovian exp 雇 oration wiH be feasible ifcarr ｛ ed out by aeroassist ．

<div class="section abstract"><div class="htmlview paragraph">Dimethyl ether (DME) is an oxygenated fuel with the molecular formula CH₃OCH₃, economically produced from various energy sources, such as natural gas, coal and biomass. It has gained prominence as a substitute for diesel fuel in Japan and in other Asian countries, from the viewpoint of both energy diversification and environmental protection. The greatest advantage of DME is that it emits practically no particulate matter when used in compression ignition (CI) engine. However, one of the drawbacks of DME CI engine is the increase carbon monoxide (CO) emission in high-load and high exhaust gas circulation (EGR) regime.</div><div class="htmlview paragraph">In this study, we have investigated the CO formation characteristics of DME CI combustion based on chemical kinetics. In order to understand the equivalence ratio (φ) - temperature (T) dependence of CO formation in DME combustion, we generated the CO φ-T map through numerical calculations with detailed chemical reaction models and compared it with that of methane combustion.</div><div class="htmlview paragraph">Our results show that DME combustion has a local CO peak at a temperature of around 1000 K, which is a distinctive feature of DME, although general CO formation properties are not unlike those of methane combustion, in which the CO emission increases with temperature and equivalence ratio. The analysis of reaction paths shows that this local CO peak is produced by active low-temperature reactions during DME oxidation process.</div></div>