Role of polar side chains in Li+ coordination and transport properties of polyoxetane-based polymer electrolytes.

Lithium ion conducting polymer electrolytes (PEs) have been the subject of intense research for lithium metal battery applications. Here, we investigate the effects of polar side chains on Li+ coordination and ionic transport properties to gain insights for improving the insufficient conductivity of traditional ether-based solid PEs. Poly(trimethyleneoxide)-based (or polyoxetane-based) polymers with ether or nitrile groups were synthesized by ring-opening polymerization. The thermal, ionic transport, and electrochemical properties and the local structure of Li+ coordination were studied in the presence of lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide (LiTFSA). The glass transition temperature (Tg) of the PEs with ether side chains increased with increasing LiTFSA content, whereas the PEs with the nitrile functionality showed the opposite trend at higher salt concentrations. In addition to the unique trend for the Tg values of the PEs in the presence of LiTFSA, the nitrile groups played pivotal roles as coordination sites for Li+ ions in the first coordination shell and as a polar medium to increase the permittivity of the PEs. These characteristics of the nitrile groups can endow PEs with improved ionic transport properties.

The Effect of Nitric Oxide on Ammonia Decomposition in Co-cultures of Hepatocytes and Hepatic Stellate Cells.

Hepatic functions, such as albumin secretion and ammonia metabolism, are upregulated in response to hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) produced by hepatic stellate cells (HSC), as well as nitric oxide (NO) produced by endothelial cells under shear stress. However, the simultaneous effect of HSC and NO has not been previously investigated in a tri-co-culture model containing hepatocytes with HSC and endothelial cells under shear stress. We hypothesized that NO inhibits HGF production from HSC. To test this idea, we constructed a mono-culture model of hepatocytes and a co-culture model of hepatocytes and HSC and measured ammonia decomposition and HGF production in each model under NO load. Ammonia decomposition was significantly higher in the co-culture model under 0 ppm NO load, but no significant increase was observed under NO load. In the co-culture model, HGF was produced at 1.0 ng/mL under 0 ppm NO load and 0.3 ng/mL under NO load. Ammonia decomposition was increased by 1.0 ng/mL HGF, but not by 0.3 ng/mL HGF. These results indicated that NO inhibits HGF production from HSC; consequently, the effects of NO and co-culture with HSC cannot improve hepatic function simultaneously. Instead, the simultaneous effect of 1.0 ng/mL HGF and NO may further enhance hepatic function in vitro.

Improved palatability and bio-functionality of super-hard rice by soaking in a barley-koji miso suspension.

Cooked grains of ae rice cultivars are too hard and non-sticky due to the presence of long-chain amylopectin, and ae rice cultivars are therefore called ``super-hard rice'' and cannot be used as table rice. However, they are promising in terms of their bio-functionality such as preventing diabetes. Miso (soybean paste) is a yeast-fermented food, made from steamed soybeans, salt, and inoculated cereals known as koji, made from rice, barley, or soybeans.We investigated the effects of soaking ae mutant rice cultivars in a miso suspension. Their chemical components, physical properties, and enzyme activities were measured under different conditions (milled rice before or after soaking in a 5% barley-koji miso suspension). Rice grains cooked after soaking in the miso suspension were less hard and more sticky than those cooked after soaking in water. Rice grains cooked after soaking in a 5% barley-koji miso suspension maintained high amounts of resistant starch and dietary fiber, and were fortified with polyphenols and isoflavones. Palatable and bio-functional ae rice could therefore be produced by cooking after soaking in a 5% barley-koji miso suspension.