Rheumatoid arthritis(RA)is a prevalent and debilitating inflammatory disease that significantly impairs functional capacity and quality of life.RA accelerates musculoskeletal aging,leading to complications such as mus...Rheumatoid arthritis(RA)is a prevalent and debilitating inflammatory disease that significantly impairs functional capacity and quality of life.RA accelerates musculoskeletal aging,leading to complications such as muscle degeneration and sarcopenia.Recent research has identified myopenia as a condition of significant muscle loss associated with illness,distinct from the muscle wasting seen in other chronic diseases like cancer cachexia or heart failure.In RA,myopenia is characterized by muscle depletion without concurrent significant fat loss,and it can affect individuals of all ages.While inflammation plays a central role,it is not the sole factor contributing to the high incidence of muscle wasting in RA.In subsequent discussions,secondary sarcopenia will be considered alongside myopenia,as both involve muscle wasting decline primarily due to disease.This review summarizes recent findings on the impact of RA-related myopenia and secondary sarcopenia on functional capacity,explores its underlying mechanisms,and discusses contemporary strategies to mitigate the process of musculoskeletal aging in RA patients.展开更多
Background As the global population increases,the demand for protein sources is expected to increase,driving the demand for cell-based cultivated meat.This study aimed to enhance the productivity of cultivated meat th...Background As the global population increases,the demand for protein sources is expected to increase,driving the demand for cell-based cultivated meat.This study aimed to enhance the productivity of cultivated meat through optimization of the cell source and organization process.Results We engineered fibroblasts into myogenic cells via non-viral introduction of the MYOD1 gene,avoiding viral methods for safety.After confirming the stable derivation of myogenic cells,we combined knockout(KO)of MSTN,a negative regulator of myogenesis,with MYOD1-mediated myogenesis to improve cultivated meat production.Primary cells from MSTN KO cattle exhibited enhanced myogenic potential.Additionally,when tested in immortalized fibroblasts,myostatin treatment reduced MYOD1-induced myogenesis in two-dimensional cultures,while MSTN knockout increased it.To achieve muscle-like cell alignment,we employed digital light processing(DLP)-based three-dimensional(3D)bioprinting to organize cells into 3D groove-shaped hydrogels.These bioactive hydrogels supported stable cell proliferation and significantly improved muscle cell alignment.Upon differentiation into myotubes,the cells demonstrated an ordered alignment,particularly the MSTN KO cells,which showed highly efficient differentiation.Conclusions The integration of genetic modification and advanced DLP 3D bioprinting with groove-patterned hydrogels provides an effective strategy for producing high-quality,muscle-aligned cultivated meat.展开更多
Magnesium(Mg)alloys have attracted considerable attention as promising implant materials for biodegradable medical devices.In this study,we focused on investigating the effect of macroscopic environmental heterogeneit...Magnesium(Mg)alloys have attracted considerable attention as promising implant materials for biodegradable medical devices.In this study,we focused on investigating the effect of macroscopic environmental heterogeneity due to the degradation of Mg on its corrosion behavior.The immersion experiments using pure Mg plates,which were placed vertically in a culture medium(Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle’s Medium(DEME)+10%fetal bovine serum(FBS))for 1,5,and 10 days,were conducted.Surface analyses for the corrosion product layers and the measurements of the pH values and concentrations of eluted ions in the immersion medium around the upper and lower areas of the Mg plate were performed.The significant effect of the macroscopic environmental heterogeneity derived from Mg degradation on the corrosion behavior was demonstrated by in vitro tests.Additionally,the in vivo tests were carried out by implanting the pure Mg plates in the femur of rabbits.The in vivo results exhibited macroscopically heterogeneous Mg degradation,with areas of more severe corrosion compared to the in vitro test;it is especially noticeable during the early stage of degradation,even though the average corrosion rate was lower.展开更多
A comprehensive understanding of the dynamic processes at the catalyst/electrolyte interfaces is crucial for the development of advanced electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction(OER).However,the chemical pro...A comprehensive understanding of the dynamic processes at the catalyst/electrolyte interfaces is crucial for the development of advanced electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction(OER).However,the chemical processes related to surface corrosion and catalyst degradation have not been well understood so far.In this study,we employ LiCoO_(2) as a model catalyst and observe distinct OER activities and surface stabilities in different alkaline solutions.Operando X-ray diffraction(XRD)and online mass spectroscopy(OMS)measurements prove the selective intercalation of alkali cations into the layered structure of LiCoO_(2) during OER.It is proposed that the dynamic cation intercalations facilitate the chemical oxidation process between highly oxidative Co species and adsorbed water molecules,triggering the so-called electrochemical-chemical reaction mechanism(EC-mechanism).The results of this study emphasize the influence of cations on OER and provide insights into new strategies for achieving both high activity and stability in high-performance OER catalysts.展开更多
Japan aims to establish an international hydrogen supply chain by utilizing low-cost and abundantly available hydrogen sources and liquid hydrogen carriers to realize a future hydrogen economy that will enhance energy...Japan aims to establish an international hydrogen supply chain by utilizing low-cost and abundantly available hydrogen sources and liquid hydrogen carriers to realize a future hydrogen economy that will enhance energy security and help achieve carbon neutrality.While hydrogen does not emit CO_(2)when used as a fuel to generate energy,CO_(2)emissions can be attributed to hydrogen due to the energy and other resources required at each stage of the hydrogen supply chain.Therefore,from a life cycle perspective,if hydrogen is to contribute to the world’s carbon neutrality goal,the entire hydrogen supply chain must be low-carbon.This paper explores the life cycle CO_(2)emissions of international hydrogen supply chains envisaged by Japan.The target supply chains involve hydrogen produced from renewable electricity via electrolysis,as well as from fossil fuels with carbon capture and storage,sourced from resource-rich countries and imported to Japan using liquid hydrogen carriers such as liquid hydrogen,methylcyclohexane(MCH),and ammonia(NH_(3)).In addition,this paper addresses potential options for reducing life cycle CO_(2)emissions to effectively establish a low-carbon hydrogen supply chain.展开更多
It is highly challenging to precisely compare the impacts of anthropogenic pollutants on the photooxidation of isomeric volatile organic compounds with respect to molecular compositions and particle number/mass concen...It is highly challenging to precisely compare the impacts of anthropogenic pollutants on the photooxidation of isomeric volatile organic compounds with respect to molecular compositions and particle number/mass concentrations of secondary organic aerosols(SOAs).In this study,we conducted a series of well-defined indoor chamber experiments to compare the effects of NO_(x)(NO and NO_(2))on the photooxidation of isomeric monoterpenes ofβ-pinene and limonene.For the photooxidation ofβ-pinene with NO_(x),the increase of the initial concentrations of NO([NO]_(0))shows a monotonous suppression of the particle mass concentration,whereas the increase of[NO_(2)]_(0) shows a monotonous enhancement of the particle mass concentration.For the photooxidation of limonene with NO_(x),the increase of[NO]_(0) exhibits a monotonous suppression of the particle mass concentration,whereas the increase of[NO_(2)]_(0) shows a parabolic trend of the particle mass concentration.Utilizing a newly developed vacuum ultraviolet free electron laser(VUV-FEL),the online threshold photoionization mass spectrometry reveals a series of novel compounds at molecular weight(MW)=232 and 306 for theβ-pinene+NO_(x) system and MW=187,261,280,and 306 for the limonene+NO_(x) system.The molecular structures and formation pathways of these species were inferred,which led to the prediction of the diversity and difference of SOA products(i.e.,ester and peroxide accretion products)formed from different monoterpene precursors.To improve the predictions of future air quality,it is recommended that climate models should incorporate the NO_(x)-driven diurnal photooxidation of monoterpenes for SOA formation mechanisms.展开更多
Metastable β-Ti alloys exhibiting twinning-induced plasticity (TWIP) and transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) generally have excellent ductility, but typically at the expense of relatively low yield strengths whi...Metastable β-Ti alloys exhibiting twinning-induced plasticity (TWIP) and transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) generally have excellent ductility, but typically at the expense of relatively low yield strengths which has restricted their widespread use. Our work shows that interstitial oxygen can be employed to regulate β phase stability to significantly enhance both strength and ductility of TWIP/TRIP alloys. For a Ti-32Nb wt.% base alloy, inclusion of 0.3 wt.% O enhanced ductility by more than 140 %, reaching up to 54 % strain, and improved the tensile yield strength by over 95 % to 632 MPa. Compared to other common engineering alloys such as Ti-45Nb, elongation was increased by 29 %, and the yield strength increased by 182 MPa, respectively. Here, we elucidate on impacts of oxygen doping on TWIP/TRIP behaviors in the Ti-32Nb alloy. We reveal that oxygen regulates the critical stress for martensitic transformation, twinning, and dislocation slip. At lower oxygen doping concentrations (≤0.3 wt.% O), multi-stage martensitic transformation and martensitic twinning resulted in high ductility. In higher oxygen content alloys (≥0.5 wt.% O), deformation occurred initially via twinning, while strain induced martensite was subsequently induced in retained β phase regions. Oxygen concentrations control the deformation mechanisms, providing a flexible means to synergistically balance an alloy's strength and ductility. The use of oxygen to enhance stability of the β phase and regulate deformation behaviors is a promising new approach for creating high-performance TWIP/TRIP metastable β-Ti alloys with outstanding mechanical properties.展开更多
Earthquakes are caused by the rapid slip along seismogenic faults.Whether large or small,there is inevitably a certain nucleation process involved before the dynamic rupture.At the same time,significant foreshock acti...Earthquakes are caused by the rapid slip along seismogenic faults.Whether large or small,there is inevitably a certain nucleation process involved before the dynamic rupture.At the same time,significant foreshock activity has been observed before some but not all large earthquakes.Understanding the nucleation process and foreshocks of earthquakes,especially large damaging ones,is crucial for accurate earthquake prediction and seismic hazard mitigation.The physical mechanism of earthquake nucleation and foreshock generation is still in debate.While the earthquake nucleation process is present in laboratory experiments and numerical simulations,it is difficult to observe such a process directly in the field.In addition,it is currently impossible to effectively distinguish foreshocks from ordinary earthquake sequences.In this article,we first summarize foreshock observations in the last decades and attempt to classify them into different types based on their temporal behaviors.Next,we present different mechanisms for earthquake nucleation and foreshocks that have been proposed so far.These physical models can be largely grouped into the following three categories:elastic stress triggering,aseismic slip,and fluid flows.We also review several recent studies of foreshock sequences before moderate to large earthquakes around the world,focusing on how different results/conclusions can be made by different datasets/methods.Finally,we offer some suggestions on how to move forward on the research topic of earthquake nucleation and foreshock mechanisms and their governing factors.展开更多
The biotreatment of mine drainage containing dissolved manganese(Mn)using Mn(II)-oxidizing bacteria is challenging.Sequencing-batch(SBRs)and continuous-flow reactors(CFRs)packed with limestones and inoculated with the...The biotreatment of mine drainage containing dissolved manganese(Mn)using Mn(II)-oxidizing bacteria is challenging.Sequencing-batch(SBRs)and continuous-flow reactors(CFRs)packed with limestones and inoculated with the mine-drainage microbial communitywere compared to determine the removal efficiency of Mn(II)from mine drainage.Mn(II)removal in CFRs was 11.4%±0.0%(mean±standard deviation)in the first two weeks and;it slightly increased to 13.6%±0.0%after four weeks,and more than 94%of Mn(II)was removed under the steady-state treatment phase.The performance of SBRs was more effective,wherein 24.4%±0.1%of Mn was removed in the first two weeks,and in four weeks,surpassed 66.6%±0.2%.Rapid Mn(II)removal observed in the start-up of SBR resulted from higher microbial metabolic activities.The adenosine triphosphate(ATP)content of the microbial community was four-fold more than in CFR,but comparable during the steady-state phase.The Mn-oxide deposits occurring in the SBR and CFR at steady-state were mixed phases of birnessite and woodruffite,and the average Mn oxidation valence in the SBR(+3.73)was slightly higher than that in the CFR(+3.54).During the start-up treatment,the closest relatives of Methyloversatilis,Methylibium,and Curvibacter dominated the SBR,whereas putative Mn oxidizers were associated with Hyphomicrobium,Pedobacter,Pedomicrobium,Terricaulis sp.,Sulfuritalea,and Terrimonas organisms.The growth of potential Mnoxidizing genera,including Mesorhizobium,Rhodococcus,Hydrogenophaga,Terricaulis sp.,and‘Candidatus Manganitrophus-noduliformans’was observed under the steady state.The SBR operation was effective as a prior start-up treatment for mine drainage-containing Mn(II),through which the CFR performed well as posterior bio-treatment.展开更多
Lotus(Nelumbo spp.)is a valuable plant resource with promising applications in the cosmetic and food industries.To effectively utilize the aromatic compounds of lotus flowers,it is essential to clarify the optimal har...Lotus(Nelumbo spp.)is a valuable plant resource with promising applications in the cosmetic and food industries.To effectively utilize the aromatic compounds of lotus flowers,it is essential to clarify the optimal harvesting organ and flowering stage.In this study,headspace solidphase microextraction(HS-SPME)and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC—MS)were employed to investigate the volatile profiles of four lotus cultivars across different flowering stages and floral organs.A total of 63 volatile compounds were identified,including 36 terpenes,10 benzenoids/phenylpropanoids,and 17 fatty acid derivatives.Among them,1,4-dimethoxybenzene was the dominant aromatic compound.The volatile profiles of petals differed significantly from those of the other five floral organs.The appendages,a component of the stamens,released the highest concentrations of volatiles,with peak emission at the initial-flowering or full-flowering stages.However,due to pollen dispersal,lotus flowers at full flowering were unsuitable for food or cosmetic applications.Thus,appendages harvested during the initialflowering stage were the most suitable material for high-quality extraction.This study lays a foundation for the industrial development of lotus flower fragrance.展开更多
Quasi-one-dimensional(quasi-1D)van der Waals(vdWs)materials,such as ZrTe_(5),exhibit unique elec-trical properties and quantum phenomena,making them attractive for advanced electronic applications.However,large-scale ...Quasi-one-dimensional(quasi-1D)van der Waals(vdWs)materials,such as ZrTe_(5),exhibit unique elec-trical properties and quantum phenomena,making them attractive for advanced electronic applications.However,large-scale growth of ZrTe_(5) thin films presents challenges.We address this by employing sput-tering,a common semiconductor industry technique.The as-deposited ZrTe_(5) film is amorphous,and post-annealing induces a crystallization process akin to transition-metal dichalcogenides.Our study in-vestigates the electrical and optical properties during this amorphous-to-crystalline transition,reveal-ing insights into the underlying mechanism.This work contributes to the fundamental understanding of quasi-1D materials and introduces a scalable fabrication method for ZrTe_(5) which offers the possibility of fabricating unique future electronic and optical devices.展开更多
Small RNAs(sRNAs)are essential for regulating plant growth and development,and they possess the notable ability to travel long distances within organisms to regulate target gene expression.Our study examined the dcl2 ...Small RNAs(sRNAs)are essential for regulating plant growth and development,and they possess the notable ability to travel long distances within organisms to regulate target gene expression.Our study examined the dcl2 mutant,a key enzyme in s RNA biogenesis,to determine the role of the DCL2 protein in s RNA synthesis and to identify mobile s RNAs under DCL2 regulation.Through grafting experiments between dcl2 mutants and wild-type soybean plants,coupled with s RNA sequencing,we identified14,105 s RNAs significantly affected by DCL2 and discovered 375 mobile s RNAs under its regulation.Degradome analysis provided deeper insights into the regulatory effects of these mobile s RNAs on their target genes,enabling us to understand their potential influences on plant development and stress responses.Leveraging the systemic movement of s RNAs from roots to shoots,we propose a novel strategy for manipulating gene expression in aboveground tissues.Overall,our research findings not only deepen our understanding of the complex regulatory networks involving mobile s RNAs regulated by DCL2,but also provide a new strategy for gene regulation,which could have a positive impact on agricultural biotechnology.展开更多
For the accurate prediction of equilibrium distribution ratios of rare earth metals during solvent extraction under non-ideal conditions, the extraction equilibria of yttrium （Ⅲ） and europium （Ⅲ） from the hydroc...For the accurate prediction of equilibrium distribution ratios of rare earth metals during solvent extraction under non-ideal conditions, the extraction equilibria of yttrium （Ⅲ） and europium （Ⅲ） from the hydrochloric acid solutions with P507 in Shellsol D70 were studied. A chemically-based model was established and the extraction equilibrium constants were determined by the nonlinear least squares method. The proposed model involves the cation exchange reaction and the solvation extraction in the low and high acidity regions, respectively. In the model, the nonideality of the aqueous phase and was corrected by considering the complexation of the metals with Cl- and by replacing with its effective concentration, respectively. This model was verified by fair agreement between the calculated metal distribution ratios and those experimentally obtained in the single metal systems. The feed concentrations for the systems are in wide ranges of the metal （up to 0.1 mol/L）, hydrochloric acid （0.07-3.00 mol/L） and the extractant （0.25-1.00 mol/L）. The model enables the engineering prediction of the equilibrium distribution ratios with good accuracy in a binary metal system.展开更多
Fig fruit firmness decreases rapidly during ripening and after harvest,resulting in poor storability and transportation loss,which severely restricts development of the fresh fig industry.APETALA2/ethylene-responsive ...Fig fruit firmness decreases rapidly during ripening and after harvest,resulting in poor storability and transportation loss,which severely restricts development of the fresh fig industry.APETALA2/ethylene-responsive factor(AP2/ERF)transcription factors are downstream components of the ethylene-signaling pathway that play crucial roles in quality formation during fruit ripening.In this study,Ficus carica(Fc)ERF12 was clustered in repressor subfamily VIII of ERFs through phylogenetic analysis,and further recruited by its two EAR motifs and expression pattern during fig ripening.DNA affinity purification sequencing analysis indicated that FcERF12 binds to the promoter or gene body regions of multiple ripening-related genes,including cell wall-modification genes FcPG,FcXTH and FcPME,and ethylene-biosynthesis genes FcACS and FcACO.Yeast two-hybrid assay demonstrated that FcERF12 interacts with TOPLESS(TPL)co-repressors FcTPL1,FcTPL4 and FcTPL5,and histone deacetylases FcHDA6 and FcHDA19;interaction with FcTPL4 and FcTPL5 relied on the C-terminal EAR motif.Overexpressing FcERF12 in tomato did not change fruit size or yield,but resulted in an 18.37%increment in fruit firmness and a 49.62%reduction in ethylene-release rate at fruit ripening,accompanied by a significant decrease in seed number per fruit.Transcriptomic analysis revealed downregulation of tomato cell wallmodification genes SlPL,SlEXP and SlPG,and ethylene-synthesis genes SlACO and SlACS.Metabolomic profiling identified 82 differentially accumulated flavonoid metabolites,61 of them showing significantly decreased contents.Taken together,our results exhibit the negative regulatory role of FcERF12 in fig ethylene-signal transduction,providing new information on precise control of fruit firmness and other quality traits at ripening.展开更多
This paper provides a review on the development of structural monitoring in Japan, with an emphasis on the type, strategy, and utilization of monitoring systems. The review focuses on bridge and building structures us...This paper provides a review on the development of structural monitoring in Japan, with an emphasis on the type, strategy, and utilization of monitoring systems. The review focuses on bridge and building structures using vibration-based techniques. Structural monitoring systems in Japan historically started with the objective of evaluating structural responses against extreme events. In the development of structural monitoring, monitoring systems and collected data were used to verify design assumptions, update speci cations, and facilitate the ef cacy of vibration control systems. Strategies and case studies on monitoring for the design veri cation of long-span bridges and tall buildings, the performance of seismic isolation systems in building and bridges, the veri cation of structural retro t, the veri cation of structural control systems (passive, semi-active, and active), structural assessment, and damage detec- tion are described. More recently, the application of monitoring systems has been extended to facilitate ef cient operation and effective maintenance through the rationalization of risk and asset management using monitoring data. This paper also summarizes the lessons learned and feedback obtained from case studies on the structural monitoring of bridges and buildings in Japan.展开更多
Significant grain refinement was achieved in rare earth (RE) containing aeronautic magnesium alloy ZE41A through equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) using rotary die at 603 K. Influence of ECAP pass number on its mi...Significant grain refinement was achieved in rare earth (RE) containing aeronautic magnesium alloy ZE41A through equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) using rotary die at 603 K. Influence of ECAP pass number on its microstructure change and corrosion behavior was investigated by optical microscope (OM)/scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation and potentiostatic polarization tests in aqueous solution of NaCl, respectively. The results showed that ultrafine equiaxial grains (about 2.5 μm) were obtained over 16 passes due to plastic-induced grain refinement accommodated by dynamic recrystallization. The lower corrosion current density and nobler corrosion potential correlated with large number of pressing passes were attributed to the low tendency toward localized corrosion with broken secondary phase after homogenization on ultrafine-grained Mg matrix. The multi-pass ECAP method made the ZE41A aeronautic magnesium alloy more attractive since severe plastic deformation may significantly improve its corrosion resistance besides superior mechanical properties.展开更多
Cerium trichloride heptahydrate(CeCl_3·7H_2O) was found to be an efficient and recyclable catalyst for the three-component direct Mannich reaction of anilines and benzaldehydes with acetophenone.This protocol has...Cerium trichloride heptahydrate(CeCl_3·7H_2O) was found to be an efficient and recyclable catalyst for the three-component direct Mannich reaction of anilines and benzaldehydes with acetophenone.This protocol has advantages of high yield,no environmental pollution,mild condition,and simple work-up procedure.展开更多
The microstructure formation and grains refinement of two Mg-based alloys,i.e.AZ31 and AZ91D,were reported using an electromagnetic vibration(EMV) technique.These two alloys were solidified at various vibration freque...The microstructure formation and grains refinement of two Mg-based alloys,i.e.AZ31 and AZ91D,were reported using an electromagnetic vibration(EMV) technique.These two alloys were solidified at various vibration frequencies and the microstructures were observed.The average size of grains was quantitatively measured as a function of vibration frequencies. Moreover,the grain size distribution was outlined versus number fraction.A novel model was proposed to account for the microstructure formation and grain refinement when considering the significant difference of the electrical resistivity properties of the solid and the liquid during EMV processing in the semisolid state.The remarkable difference originates uncoupled movement between the mobile solid and the sluggish liquid,which can activate melt flow.The microstructure evolution can be well explained when the fluid flow intensity versus vibration frequency is taken into account.Moreover,the influence of the static magnetic field on texture formation is also considered,which plays an important role at higher vibration frequencies.展开更多
Cucurbitaceae is an important family of flowering plants containing multiple species of important food plants,such as melons,cucumbers,squashes,and pumpkins.However,a highly efficient genetic transformation system has...Cucurbitaceae is an important family of flowering plants containing multiple species of important food plants,such as melons,cucumbers,squashes,and pumpkins.However,a highly efficient genetic transformation system has not been established for most of these species(Nanasato and Tabei,2020).Watermelon(Citrullus lanatus),an economically important and globally cultivated fruit crop,is a model species for fruit quality research due to its rich diversity of fruit size,shape,flavor,aroma,texture.展开更多
Three industry-supplied, well-shaped Mo/HZSM-5 catalysts, two binder-added and one binder-free, were tested for the first time in methane dehydroaromatization to benzene at 1073 K and 10000 mL/（g·h） in periodic...Three industry-supplied, well-shaped Mo/HZSM-5 catalysts, two binder-added and one binder-free, were tested for the first time in methane dehydroaromatization to benzene at 1073 K and 10000 mL/（g·h） in periodic CH4-H2 switch operation mode, and their catalytic performances were compared with those of three self-prepared, binder-free powder Mo/HZSM-5 catalysts. XRD, 27Al NMR, SEM, BET and NH3-TPD characterizations of all the catalysts show that the zeolites in the two binder-added catalysts are comparable to those in the three binder-free powder catalysts in crystallinity, crystal size, micropore volume and Br{／o}nsted acidity. The test results, on the other hand, show that the catalytic performances of the two binder-added catalysts are worse than those of the four binder-free catalysts on both catalyst mass and zeolite mass bases. Then, TPO and BET measurements of all spent samples were conducted to get a deep insight into the negative effects of binder addition, and the results suggest that the binder additives functioned mainly to enhance the polyaromatization of formed aromatics to coke on their external surfaces and consequently lower the catalysts＇ benzene formation activity and selectivity.展开更多
基金supported in part by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.82350710800,82374470,82202757)Shenzhen Medical Research Fund B2302005,and NHMRC,APP1163933.
文摘Rheumatoid arthritis(RA)is a prevalent and debilitating inflammatory disease that significantly impairs functional capacity and quality of life.RA accelerates musculoskeletal aging,leading to complications such as muscle degeneration and sarcopenia.Recent research has identified myopenia as a condition of significant muscle loss associated with illness,distinct from the muscle wasting seen in other chronic diseases like cancer cachexia or heart failure.In RA,myopenia is characterized by muscle depletion without concurrent significant fat loss,and it can affect individuals of all ages.While inflammation plays a central role,it is not the sole factor contributing to the high incidence of muscle wasting in RA.In subsequent discussions,secondary sarcopenia will be considered alongside myopenia,as both involve muscle wasting decline primarily due to disease.This review summarizes recent findings on the impact of RA-related myopenia and secondary sarcopenia on functional capacity,explores its underlying mechanisms,and discusses contemporary strategies to mitigate the process of musculoskeletal aging in RA patients.
基金financially supported by the Korea Institute of Planning and Evaluation for Technology in Food,Agriculture and Forestry(IPET-RS-2024–00402320)by the Meterials/Parts Technology Development Pro-gram(1415187291,Development of composite formulation with a sustained release(gene)for the treatment of companion animal sarcopenia)funded By the Ministry of Trade,Industry&Energy(MOTIE,Korea)。
文摘Background As the global population increases,the demand for protein sources is expected to increase,driving the demand for cell-based cultivated meat.This study aimed to enhance the productivity of cultivated meat through optimization of the cell source and organization process.Results We engineered fibroblasts into myogenic cells via non-viral introduction of the MYOD1 gene,avoiding viral methods for safety.After confirming the stable derivation of myogenic cells,we combined knockout(KO)of MSTN,a negative regulator of myogenesis,with MYOD1-mediated myogenesis to improve cultivated meat production.Primary cells from MSTN KO cattle exhibited enhanced myogenic potential.Additionally,when tested in immortalized fibroblasts,myostatin treatment reduced MYOD1-induced myogenesis in two-dimensional cultures,while MSTN knockout increased it.To achieve muscle-like cell alignment,we employed digital light processing(DLP)-based three-dimensional(3D)bioprinting to organize cells into 3D groove-shaped hydrogels.These bioactive hydrogels supported stable cell proliferation and significantly improved muscle cell alignment.Upon differentiation into myotubes,the cells demonstrated an ordered alignment,particularly the MSTN KO cells,which showed highly efficient differentiation.Conclusions The integration of genetic modification and advanced DLP 3D bioprinting with groove-patterned hydrogels provides an effective strategy for producing high-quality,muscle-aligned cultivated meat.
基金supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number 22K12903.
文摘Magnesium(Mg)alloys have attracted considerable attention as promising implant materials for biodegradable medical devices.In this study,we focused on investigating the effect of macroscopic environmental heterogeneity due to the degradation of Mg on its corrosion behavior.The immersion experiments using pure Mg plates,which were placed vertically in a culture medium(Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle’s Medium(DEME)+10%fetal bovine serum(FBS))for 1,5,and 10 days,were conducted.Surface analyses for the corrosion product layers and the measurements of the pH values and concentrations of eluted ions in the immersion medium around the upper and lower areas of the Mg plate were performed.The significant effect of the macroscopic environmental heterogeneity derived from Mg degradation on the corrosion behavior was demonstrated by in vitro tests.Additionally,the in vivo tests were carried out by implanting the pure Mg plates in the femur of rabbits.The in vivo results exhibited macroscopically heterogeneous Mg degradation,with areas of more severe corrosion compared to the in vitro test;it is especially noticeable during the early stage of degradation,even though the average corrosion rate was lower.
基金financially supported by the Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Program(Grant No.JCYJ20220530150011024)。
文摘A comprehensive understanding of the dynamic processes at the catalyst/electrolyte interfaces is crucial for the development of advanced electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction(OER).However,the chemical processes related to surface corrosion and catalyst degradation have not been well understood so far.In this study,we employ LiCoO_(2) as a model catalyst and observe distinct OER activities and surface stabilities in different alkaline solutions.Operando X-ray diffraction(XRD)and online mass spectroscopy(OMS)measurements prove the selective intercalation of alkali cations into the layered structure of LiCoO_(2) during OER.It is proposed that the dynamic cation intercalations facilitate the chemical oxidation process between highly oxidative Co species and adsorbed water molecules,triggering the so-called electrochemical-chemical reaction mechanism(EC-mechanism).The results of this study emphasize the influence of cations on OER and provide insights into new strategies for achieving both high activity and stability in high-performance OER catalysts.
文摘Japan aims to establish an international hydrogen supply chain by utilizing low-cost and abundantly available hydrogen sources and liquid hydrogen carriers to realize a future hydrogen economy that will enhance energy security and help achieve carbon neutrality.While hydrogen does not emit CO_(2)when used as a fuel to generate energy,CO_(2)emissions can be attributed to hydrogen due to the energy and other resources required at each stage of the hydrogen supply chain.Therefore,from a life cycle perspective,if hydrogen is to contribute to the world’s carbon neutrality goal,the entire hydrogen supply chain must be low-carbon.This paper explores the life cycle CO_(2)emissions of international hydrogen supply chains envisaged by Japan.The target supply chains involve hydrogen produced from renewable electricity via electrolysis,as well as from fossil fuels with carbon capture and storage,sourced from resource-rich countries and imported to Japan using liquid hydrogen carriers such as liquid hydrogen,methylcyclohexane(MCH),and ammonia(NH_(3)).In addition,this paper addresses potential options for reducing life cycle CO_(2)emissions to effectively establish a low-carbon hydrogen supply chain.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.22125303,92361302,92061203,22103082,22273101,22288201,and 21327901)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2021YFA1400501)+3 种基金the Innovation Program for Quantum Science and Technology(No.2021ZD0303304)Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics(No.DICPI202437)Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.GJJSTD20220001)the International Partnership Program of CAS(No.121421KYSB20170012)。
文摘It is highly challenging to precisely compare the impacts of anthropogenic pollutants on the photooxidation of isomeric volatile organic compounds with respect to molecular compositions and particle number/mass concentrations of secondary organic aerosols(SOAs).In this study,we conducted a series of well-defined indoor chamber experiments to compare the effects of NO_(x)(NO and NO_(2))on the photooxidation of isomeric monoterpenes ofβ-pinene and limonene.For the photooxidation ofβ-pinene with NO_(x),the increase of the initial concentrations of NO([NO]_(0))shows a monotonous suppression of the particle mass concentration,whereas the increase of[NO_(2)]_(0) shows a monotonous enhancement of the particle mass concentration.For the photooxidation of limonene with NO_(x),the increase of[NO]_(0) exhibits a monotonous suppression of the particle mass concentration,whereas the increase of[NO_(2)]_(0) shows a parabolic trend of the particle mass concentration.Utilizing a newly developed vacuum ultraviolet free electron laser(VUV-FEL),the online threshold photoionization mass spectrometry reveals a series of novel compounds at molecular weight(MW)=232 and 306 for theβ-pinene+NO_(x) system and MW=187,261,280,and 306 for the limonene+NO_(x) system.The molecular structures and formation pathways of these species were inferred,which led to the prediction of the diversity and difference of SOA products(i.e.,ester and peroxide accretion products)formed from different monoterpene precursors.To improve the predictions of future air quality,it is recommended that climate models should incorporate the NO_(x)-driven diurnal photooxidation of monoterpenes for SOA formation mechanisms.
基金supported by the Key R&D Program of Zhejiang(No.KZ7240079).
文摘Metastable β-Ti alloys exhibiting twinning-induced plasticity (TWIP) and transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) generally have excellent ductility, but typically at the expense of relatively low yield strengths which has restricted their widespread use. Our work shows that interstitial oxygen can be employed to regulate β phase stability to significantly enhance both strength and ductility of TWIP/TRIP alloys. For a Ti-32Nb wt.% base alloy, inclusion of 0.3 wt.% O enhanced ductility by more than 140 %, reaching up to 54 % strain, and improved the tensile yield strength by over 95 % to 632 MPa. Compared to other common engineering alloys such as Ti-45Nb, elongation was increased by 29 %, and the yield strength increased by 182 MPa, respectively. Here, we elucidate on impacts of oxygen doping on TWIP/TRIP behaviors in the Ti-32Nb alloy. We reveal that oxygen regulates the critical stress for martensitic transformation, twinning, and dislocation slip. At lower oxygen doping concentrations (≤0.3 wt.% O), multi-stage martensitic transformation and martensitic twinning resulted in high ductility. In higher oxygen content alloys (≥0.5 wt.% O), deformation occurred initially via twinning, while strain induced martensite was subsequently induced in retained β phase regions. Oxygen concentrations control the deformation mechanisms, providing a flexible means to synergistically balance an alloy's strength and ductility. The use of oxygen to enhance stability of the β phase and regulate deformation behaviors is a promising new approach for creating high-performance TWIP/TRIP metastable β-Ti alloys with outstanding mechanical properties.
基金supported by U.S.National Science Foundation grant RISE-2425889.
文摘Earthquakes are caused by the rapid slip along seismogenic faults.Whether large or small,there is inevitably a certain nucleation process involved before the dynamic rupture.At the same time,significant foreshock activity has been observed before some but not all large earthquakes.Understanding the nucleation process and foreshocks of earthquakes,especially large damaging ones,is crucial for accurate earthquake prediction and seismic hazard mitigation.The physical mechanism of earthquake nucleation and foreshock generation is still in debate.While the earthquake nucleation process is present in laboratory experiments and numerical simulations,it is difficult to observe such a process directly in the field.In addition,it is currently impossible to effectively distinguish foreshocks from ordinary earthquake sequences.In this article,we first summarize foreshock observations in the last decades and attempt to classify them into different types based on their temporal behaviors.Next,we present different mechanisms for earthquake nucleation and foreshocks that have been proposed so far.These physical models can be largely grouped into the following three categories:elastic stress triggering,aseismic slip,and fluid flows.We also review several recent studies of foreshock sequences before moderate to large earthquakes around the world,focusing on how different results/conclusions can be made by different datasets/methods.Finally,we offer some suggestions on how to move forward on the research topic of earthquake nucleation and foreshock mechanisms and their governing factors.
基金funded by the JOGMEC Research Grant and JSPS KAKENHI(No.JP21H03636).
文摘The biotreatment of mine drainage containing dissolved manganese(Mn)using Mn(II)-oxidizing bacteria is challenging.Sequencing-batch(SBRs)and continuous-flow reactors(CFRs)packed with limestones and inoculated with the mine-drainage microbial communitywere compared to determine the removal efficiency of Mn(II)from mine drainage.Mn(II)removal in CFRs was 11.4%±0.0%(mean±standard deviation)in the first two weeks and;it slightly increased to 13.6%±0.0%after four weeks,and more than 94%of Mn(II)was removed under the steady-state treatment phase.The performance of SBRs was more effective,wherein 24.4%±0.1%of Mn was removed in the first two weeks,and in four weeks,surpassed 66.6%±0.2%.Rapid Mn(II)removal observed in the start-up of SBR resulted from higher microbial metabolic activities.The adenosine triphosphate(ATP)content of the microbial community was four-fold more than in CFR,but comparable during the steady-state phase.The Mn-oxide deposits occurring in the SBR and CFR at steady-state were mixed phases of birnessite and woodruffite,and the average Mn oxidation valence in the SBR(+3.73)was slightly higher than that in the CFR(+3.54).During the start-up treatment,the closest relatives of Methyloversatilis,Methylibium,and Curvibacter dominated the SBR,whereas putative Mn oxidizers were associated with Hyphomicrobium,Pedobacter,Pedomicrobium,Terricaulis sp.,Sulfuritalea,and Terrimonas organisms.The growth of potential Mnoxidizing genera,including Mesorhizobium,Rhodococcus,Hydrogenophaga,Terricaulis sp.,and‘Candidatus Manganitrophus-noduliformans’was observed under the steady state.The SBR operation was effective as a prior start-up treatment for mine drainage-containing Mn(II),through which the CFR performed well as posterior bio-treatment.
基金supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.32102413)the Biological Resources Programme CAS(Grant No.KFJ-BRP-017-44)Zhongshan Sinno Co.,Ltd.
文摘Lotus(Nelumbo spp.)is a valuable plant resource with promising applications in the cosmetic and food industries.To effectively utilize the aromatic compounds of lotus flowers,it is essential to clarify the optimal harvesting organ and flowering stage.In this study,headspace solidphase microextraction(HS-SPME)and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC—MS)were employed to investigate the volatile profiles of four lotus cultivars across different flowering stages and floral organs.A total of 63 volatile compounds were identified,including 36 terpenes,10 benzenoids/phenylpropanoids,and 17 fatty acid derivatives.Among them,1,4-dimethoxybenzene was the dominant aromatic compound.The volatile profiles of petals differed significantly from those of the other five floral organs.The appendages,a component of the stamens,released the highest concentrations of volatiles,with peak emission at the initial-flowering or full-flowering stages.However,due to pollen dispersal,lotus flowers at full flowering were unsuitable for food or cosmetic applications.Thus,appendages harvested during the initialflowering stage were the most suitable material for high-quality extraction.This study lays a foundation for the industrial development of lotus flower fragrance.
基金supported by the JSPS KAKENHI(Grant Nos.21H05009,22K20474,and 24K00915)the Murata Science Foundation+1 种基金supported by the Commissioned Research(No.JPJ012368C03701)of the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology(NICT),Japansupport from the Hirose Foundation and Iketani Science and Technology Foundation.
文摘Quasi-one-dimensional(quasi-1D)van der Waals(vdWs)materials,such as ZrTe_(5),exhibit unique elec-trical properties and quantum phenomena,making them attractive for advanced electronic applications.However,large-scale growth of ZrTe_(5) thin films presents challenges.We address this by employing sput-tering,a common semiconductor industry technique.The as-deposited ZrTe_(5) film is amorphous,and post-annealing induces a crystallization process akin to transition-metal dichalcogenides.Our study in-vestigates the electrical and optical properties during this amorphous-to-crystalline transition,reveal-ing insights into the underlying mechanism.This work contributes to the fundamental understanding of quasi-1D materials and introduces a scalable fabrication method for ZrTe_(5) which offers the possibility of fabricating unique future electronic and optical devices.
基金supported by the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(XDA24010205)the CAS Project for Young Scientists in Basic Research(YSBR-011)+1 种基金National Natural Science Foundation of China(32272101)the Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Program of CAAS。
文摘Small RNAs(sRNAs)are essential for regulating plant growth and development,and they possess the notable ability to travel long distances within organisms to regulate target gene expression.Our study examined the dcl2 mutant,a key enzyme in s RNA biogenesis,to determine the role of the DCL2 protein in s RNA synthesis and to identify mobile s RNAs under DCL2 regulation.Through grafting experiments between dcl2 mutants and wild-type soybean plants,coupled with s RNA sequencing,we identified14,105 s RNAs significantly affected by DCL2 and discovered 375 mobile s RNAs under its regulation.Degradome analysis provided deeper insights into the regulatory effects of these mobile s RNAs on their target genes,enabling us to understand their potential influences on plant development and stress responses.Leveraging the systemic movement of s RNAs from roots to shoots,we propose a novel strategy for manipulating gene expression in aboveground tissues.Overall,our research findings not only deepen our understanding of the complex regulatory networks involving mobile s RNAs regulated by DCL2,but also provide a new strategy for gene regulation,which could have a positive impact on agricultural biotechnology.
基金Project(P02426)supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science for Postdoctoral Fellowships for Foreign Researchers
文摘For the accurate prediction of equilibrium distribution ratios of rare earth metals during solvent extraction under non-ideal conditions, the extraction equilibria of yttrium （Ⅲ） and europium （Ⅲ） from the hydrochloric acid solutions with P507 in Shellsol D70 were studied. A chemically-based model was established and the extraction equilibrium constants were determined by the nonlinear least squares method. The proposed model involves the cation exchange reaction and the solvation extraction in the low and high acidity regions, respectively. In the model, the nonideality of the aqueous phase and was corrected by considering the complexation of the metals with Cl- and by replacing with its effective concentration, respectively. This model was verified by fair agreement between the calculated metal distribution ratios and those experimentally obtained in the single metal systems. The feed concentrations for the systems are in wide ranges of the metal （up to 0.1 mol/L）, hydrochloric acid （0.07-3.00 mol/L） and the extractant （0.25-1.00 mol/L）. The model enables the engineering prediction of the equilibrium distribution ratios with good accuracy in a binary metal system.
基金supported by the key research project for fig development of Weiyuan County(Grant No.1002-69199007),China.
文摘Fig fruit firmness decreases rapidly during ripening and after harvest,resulting in poor storability and transportation loss,which severely restricts development of the fresh fig industry.APETALA2/ethylene-responsive factor(AP2/ERF)transcription factors are downstream components of the ethylene-signaling pathway that play crucial roles in quality formation during fruit ripening.In this study,Ficus carica(Fc)ERF12 was clustered in repressor subfamily VIII of ERFs through phylogenetic analysis,and further recruited by its two EAR motifs and expression pattern during fig ripening.DNA affinity purification sequencing analysis indicated that FcERF12 binds to the promoter or gene body regions of multiple ripening-related genes,including cell wall-modification genes FcPG,FcXTH and FcPME,and ethylene-biosynthesis genes FcACS and FcACO.Yeast two-hybrid assay demonstrated that FcERF12 interacts with TOPLESS(TPL)co-repressors FcTPL1,FcTPL4 and FcTPL5,and histone deacetylases FcHDA6 and FcHDA19;interaction with FcTPL4 and FcTPL5 relied on the C-terminal EAR motif.Overexpressing FcERF12 in tomato did not change fruit size or yield,but resulted in an 18.37%increment in fruit firmness and a 49.62%reduction in ethylene-release rate at fruit ripening,accompanied by a significant decrease in seed number per fruit.Transcriptomic analysis revealed downregulation of tomato cell wallmodification genes SlPL,SlEXP and SlPG,and ethylene-synthesis genes SlACO and SlACS.Metabolomic profiling identified 82 differentially accumulated flavonoid metabolites,61 of them showing significantly decreased contents.Taken together,our results exhibit the negative regulatory role of FcERF12 in fig ethylene-signal transduction,providing new information on precise control of fruit firmness and other quality traits at ripening.
文摘This paper provides a review on the development of structural monitoring in Japan, with an emphasis on the type, strategy, and utilization of monitoring systems. The review focuses on bridge and building structures using vibration-based techniques. Structural monitoring systems in Japan historically started with the objective of evaluating structural responses against extreme events. In the development of structural monitoring, monitoring systems and collected data were used to verify design assumptions, update speci cations, and facilitate the ef cacy of vibration control systems. Strategies and case studies on monitoring for the design veri cation of long-span bridges and tall buildings, the performance of seismic isolation systems in building and bridges, the veri cation of structural retro t, the veri cation of structural control systems (passive, semi-active, and active), structural assessment, and damage detec- tion are described. More recently, the application of monitoring systems has been extended to facilitate ef cient operation and effective maintenance through the rationalization of risk and asset management using monitoring data. This paper also summarizes the lessons learned and feedback obtained from case studies on the structural monitoring of bridges and buildings in Japan.
基金Project supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) for UFG ZE41A FabricationQing Lan Project (Jiangsu,China)
文摘Significant grain refinement was achieved in rare earth (RE) containing aeronautic magnesium alloy ZE41A through equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) using rotary die at 603 K. Influence of ECAP pass number on its microstructure change and corrosion behavior was investigated by optical microscope (OM)/scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation and potentiostatic polarization tests in aqueous solution of NaCl, respectively. The results showed that ultrafine equiaxial grains (about 2.5 μm) were obtained over 16 passes due to plastic-induced grain refinement accommodated by dynamic recrystallization. The lower corrosion current density and nobler corrosion potential correlated with large number of pressing passes were attributed to the low tendency toward localized corrosion with broken secondary phase after homogenization on ultrafine-grained Mg matrix. The multi-pass ECAP method made the ZE41A aeronautic magnesium alloy more attractive since severe plastic deformation may significantly improve its corrosion resistance besides superior mechanical properties.
基金the financial support from Nanjing University of Science and Technology.
文摘Cerium trichloride heptahydrate(CeCl_3·7H_2O) was found to be an efficient and recyclable catalyst for the three-component direct Mannich reaction of anilines and benzaldehydes with acetophenone.This protocol has advantages of high yield,no environmental pollution,mild condition,and simple work-up procedure.
文摘The microstructure formation and grains refinement of two Mg-based alloys,i.e.AZ31 and AZ91D,were reported using an electromagnetic vibration(EMV) technique.These two alloys were solidified at various vibration frequencies and the microstructures were observed.The average size of grains was quantitatively measured as a function of vibration frequencies. Moreover,the grain size distribution was outlined versus number fraction.A novel model was proposed to account for the microstructure formation and grain refinement when considering the significant difference of the electrical resistivity properties of the solid and the liquid during EMV processing in the semisolid state.The remarkable difference originates uncoupled movement between the mobile solid and the sluggish liquid,which can activate melt flow.The microstructure evolution can be well explained when the fluid flow intensity versus vibration frequency is taken into account.Moreover,the influence of the static magnetic field on texture formation is also considered,which plays an important role at higher vibration frequencies.
基金supported by the Excellent Youth Foundation of Shandong Scientific Committee(No.ZR202103010168)the Shandong Science and Technology Innovation Funds,and the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(No.2021T140017)。
文摘Cucurbitaceae is an important family of flowering plants containing multiple species of important food plants,such as melons,cucumbers,squashes,and pumpkins.However,a highly efficient genetic transformation system has not been established for most of these species(Nanasato and Tabei,2020).Watermelon(Citrullus lanatus),an economically important and globally cultivated fruit crop,is a model species for fruit quality research due to its rich diversity of fruit size,shape,flavor,aroma,texture.
文摘Three industry-supplied, well-shaped Mo/HZSM-5 catalysts, two binder-added and one binder-free, were tested for the first time in methane dehydroaromatization to benzene at 1073 K and 10000 mL/（g·h） in periodic CH4-H2 switch operation mode, and their catalytic performances were compared with those of three self-prepared, binder-free powder Mo/HZSM-5 catalysts. XRD, 27Al NMR, SEM, BET and NH3-TPD characterizations of all the catalysts show that the zeolites in the two binder-added catalysts are comparable to those in the three binder-free powder catalysts in crystallinity, crystal size, micropore volume and Br{／o}nsted acidity. The test results, on the other hand, show that the catalytic performances of the two binder-added catalysts are worse than those of the four binder-free catalysts on both catalyst mass and zeolite mass bases. Then, TPO and BET measurements of all spent samples were conducted to get a deep insight into the negative effects of binder addition, and the results suggest that the binder additives functioned mainly to enhance the polyaromatization of formed aromatics to coke on their external surfaces and consequently lower the catalysts＇ benzene formation activity and selectivity.
