Changes in Aging Behavior and Defect Structure of Yttria-Fully-Stabilized ZrO2 with Sc2O3 Doping

Methods of suppressing decreased conductivity in 8 mol% Y₂O₃-stabilized–92 mol% ZrO₂ (8YSZ) with aging were investigated. Different amounts of Sc₂O₃ were doped into 8YSZ. The electrochemical properties of Sc₂O₃-doped 8YSZ were measured, and the microstructural and local structural changes were characterized. The present results indicate that an appropriate amount of Sc₂O₃ doping, 3 or 4 mol%, effectively suppresses decreased conductivity with aging in 8YSZ.     

Interactions oftrans-cinnamic acid,its related phenolic allelochemicals,and abscisic acid in seedling growth and seed germination of lettuce

Phenolic compounds have been identified as the most common allelochemicals produced by higher plants. Inhibitions of cinnamic acid, its related phenolic derivatives, and abscisic acid (ABA) on seedling growth and seed germination of lettuce were studied.trans-Cinnamic acid, ando-,m-, andp-coumaric acids inhibited the growth of etiolated seedlings of lettuce at concentrations higher than 10^–4 M and seed germination above 10^–3 M. Coumarin inhibited seedling growth and seed germination at 10^–5 M or above. Chlorogenic acid inhibited seedling growth above 10^–4 M, but did not inhibit seed germination at 10^–5–5×10^–3 M. Low concentrations (below 10^–3 M) of caffeic and ferulic acids promoted the elongation of hypocotyls, but higher concentrations (over 10^–3 M) inhibited seedling growth and seed germination. These phenolic compounds and abscisic acid had additive inhibitory effects both on seedling growth and seed germination. The inhibition on lettuce was reversed by caffeic and ferulic acids at concentrations lower than 10^–3 M except for the inhibition of germination by coumarin. These results suggest that in naturetrans-cinnamic acid,o-, m-, p-coumaric acids, coumarin, and chlorogenic acid inhibit plant growth regardless of their concentration. However, caffeic and ferulic acids can either promote or inhibit plant growth according to their concentration.     

Construction of human monoclonal single-chain Fv antibodies against small-cell lung cancer by phage display libraries derived from cell-immunized SCID mice engrafted with human peripheral blood lymphocytes

In this study, we describe a phage display strategy to obtain human monoclonal single-chain Fv (scFv) antibodies binding target cancer cell surface proteins. By developing a cancer cell immunization protocol for SCID mice engrafted with human peripheral blood lymphocytes in combination with an antibody phage display method, we have isolated phage antibodies binding small-cell lung cancer cell line H889 by subtractive selection. One of the isolated scFv antibodies, 12EAb, recognized the E2 component of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC-E2) by immunoprecipitation according to MALDI-TOF MS analysis. Furthermore, we have confirmed the plasma membrane localization of PDC-E2 in small-cell lung cancer cells by immunocytochemistry and cell surface protein biotinylation, although PDC-E2 is usually located in the mitochondrial matrix. These results, including unique localization of identified antigens, were obtained by proteomic approaches. The present methods can be applied to generate human monoclonal scFv antibodies against tumor cells and to identify new molecular targets for immunotherapy and markers for diagnosis.     

Amorphization Boost Multi-Ions Storage for High-Performance Aqueous Batteries

Regarding the complex properties of various cations, the design of aqueous batteries that can simultaneously store multi-ions with high capacity and satisfactory rate performance is a great challenge. Here an amorphization strategy to boost cation-ion storage capacities of anode materials is reported. In monovalent (H⁺, Li⁺, K⁺), divalent (Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺) and even trivalent (Al³⁺) aqueous electrolytes, the capacity of the resulting amorphous MoO_x is more than quadruple than that of crystalline MoO_x and exceeds those of other reported multiple-ion storage materials. Both experimental and theoretical calculations reveal the generation of ample active sites and isotropic ions in the amorphous phase, which accelerates cation migration within the electrode bulk. Amorphous MoO_x can be coupled with multi-ion storage cathodes to realize electrochemical energy storage devices with different carriers, promising high energy and power densities. The power density exceeded 15000 W kg⁻¹, demonstrating the great potential of amorphous MoO_x in advanced aqueous batteries.     

基于模型的装备快速测试方法研究

装备测试方法主要包括测试模型建立和测试资源配置两个方面;针对当前自动测试系统存在的不足,提出了一种基于模型的装备快速测试方法;首先利用结构和参数未知的被测对象的观测数据,通过系统辨识技术建立其数学模型;在将数学模型分解为基本数学模型单元的线性组合后,再利用匹配算法建立数学模型单元与装备物理模型单元的匹配关系,即把一个黑箱逼近成一个结构和参数已知的白箱;最后根据其白箱模型建立测试需求,实现装备的快速测试;实验表明,模拟电路的匹配度高达92.22%。     

Analysis of PD-generated SF/sub 6/ decomposition gases adsorbed on carbon nanotubes

Chemical byproducts analysis has been recognized as a powerful diagnosis method for SF₆ gas-insulated switchgear (GIS). The authors have previously demonstrated that a carbon nanotube (CNT) gas sensor could detect partial discharge (PD) generated in SF₆ gas. However, PD-generated decomposition gas species, which were responsible for the CNT gas sensor response, have not been identified yet. In this paper, two kinds of experiments were conducted in order to identify the responsible decomposition gas species. At first, the decomposition gas molecules adsorbed on CNTs were analyzed by Fourier transformation infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. FTIR absorbance was observed around 735 cm^-1 after CNTs were exposed to PD generated in SF₆. In the second experiment, the CNT gas sensor responses to typical SF₆ decomposition products (HF and SF₄) were examined. The CNT gas sensor responded to these gases in the same way as to PD generated in SF₆. SF₄ response was larger than HF response. Based on these results, SF ₄ and SOF₂ emerged as candidates for the responsible decomposition gases. Electrochemical interactions between adsorbed gas molecules and CNT were discussed based on theoretical predictions of molecular orbital calculations. The calculation results suggested that both of SOF₂ and SF₄ could increase the CNT gas sensor conductance     

Human Chorionic Villous Differentiation and Placental Development

In humans, the placenta provides the only fetomaternal connection and is essential for establishing a pregnancy as well as fetal well-being. Additionally, it allows maternal physiological adaptation and embryonic immunological acceptance, support, and nutrition. The placenta is derived from extra-embryonic tissues that develop rapidly and dynamically in the first weeks of pregnancy. It is primarily composed of trophoblasts that differentiate into villi, stromal cells, macrophages, and fetal endothelial cells (FEC). Placental differentiation may be closely related to perinatal diseases, including fetal growth retardation (FGR) and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), and miscarriage. There are limited findings regarding human chorionic villous differentiation and placental development because conducting in vivo studies is extremely difficult. Placental tissue varies widely among species. Thus, experimental animal findings are difficult to apply to humans. Early villous differentiation is difficult to study due to the small tissue size; however, a detailed analysis can potentially elucidate perinatal disease causes or help develop novel therapies. Artificial induction of early villous differentiation using human embryonic stem (ES) cells/induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells was attempted, producing normally differentiated villi that can be used for interventional/invasive research. Here, we summarized and correlated early villous differentiation findings and discussed clinical diseases.     

Mutated KIT Tyrosine Kinase as a Novel Molecular Target in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

KIT is a type-III receptor tyrosine kinase that contributes to cell signaling in various cells. Since KIT is activated by overexpression or mutation and plays an important role in the development of some cancers, such as gastrointestinal stromal tumors and mast cell disease, molecular therapies targeting KIT mutations are being developed. In acute myeloid leukemia (AML), genome profiling via next-generation sequencing has shown that several genes that are mutated in patients with AML impact patients’ prognosis. Moreover, it was suggested that precision-medicine-based treatment using genomic data will improve treatment outcomes for AML patients. This paper presents (1) previous studies regarding the role of KIT mutations in AML, (2) the data in AML with KIT mutations from the HM-SCREEN-Japan-01 study, a genome profiling study for patients newly diagnosed with AML who are unsuitable for the standard first-line treatment (unfit) or have relapsed/refractory AML, and (3) new therapies targeting KIT mutations, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors and heat shock protein 90 inhibitors. In this era when genome profiling via next-generation sequencing is becoming more common, KIT mutations are attractive novel molecular targets in AML.     

The Effect of Sodium-Dependent Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitor Tofogliflozin on Neurovascular Coupling in the Retina in Type 2 Diabetic Mice

We investigated the effect of tofogliflozin, a sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i), on retinal blood flow dysregulation, neural retinal dysfunction, and the impaired neurovascular coupling in type 2 diabetic mice. Tofogliflozin was added to mouse chow to deliver 5 mg/kg/day and 6-week-old mice were fed for 8 weeks. The longitudinal changes in the retinal neuronal function and blood flow responses to systemic hyperoxia and flicker stimulation were evaluated every 2 weeks in diabetic db/db mice that received tofogliflozin (n =6) or placebo (n = 6) from 8 to 14 weeks of age. We also evaluated glial activation and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression by immunofluorescence. Tofogliflozin treatment caused a sustained decrease in blood glucose in db/db mice from 8 weeks of the treatment. In tofogliflozin-treated db/db mice, both responses improved from 8 to 14 weeks of age, compared with vehicle-treated diabetic mice. Subsequently, the electroretinography implicit time for the oscillatory potential was significantly improved in SGLT2i-treated db/db mice. The systemic tofogliflozin treatment prevented the activation of glial fibrillary acidic protein and VEGF protein expression, as detected by immunofluorescence. Our results suggest that glycemic control with tofogliflozin significantly improved the impaired retinal neurovascular coupling in type 2 diabetic mice with the inhibition of retinal glial activation.     

低黏二氰胺类离子液体乙烯汽液相平衡研究

从工业废气中回收分离乙烯（C₂H₄）具有重要意义,选用了三种低黏度二氰胺类离子液体,分别测定了293.15~333.15 K下其密度、黏度等物化性质,研究了其对乙烯（C₂H₄）吸收性能。采用非随机（局部）双液体模型（NRTL）关联了三种二元体系溶解度数据,实验值与计算值的平均相对偏差均小于3%。结果表明,低黏度二氰胺类离子液体对C₂H₄气体吸收性能良好,其中阳离子侧链长度增加和羟基功能团引入可增强对C₂H₄溶解度。同时,离子液体1-丁基-3-甲基咪唑二氰胺盐（[Bmim][DCN]）经过3次的吸收解吸循环,仍可以保持较好的C₂H₄吸收性能,表明该离子液体循环稳定性好,而1-丁基-3-甲基咪唑二氰胺盐（[Bmim][DCN]）对乙烯吸收量较高,具有作为C₂H₄吸收剂的潜力。