Effect of the surface morphology of alkaline-earth metal oxides on the oxidative coupling of methane.

Alkaline-earth metal oxides with the rocksalt structure, which are simple ionic solids, have attracted attention in attempts to gain fundamental insights into the properties of metal oxides. The surfaces of alkaline-earth metal oxides are considered promising catalysts for the oxidative coupling of methane (OCM); however, the development of such catalysts remains a central research topic. In this paper, we performed first-principles calculations to investigate the ability of four alkaline-earth metal oxides (MgO, CaO, SrO, and BaO) to catalyze the OCM.

Sharp decline in male fertility in F2 hybrids of the female-heterogametic silk moth Bombyx.

Sexual selection drives rapid evolution of morphological, physiological, and behavioral traits, especially in males, and it may also drive the rapid evolution of hybrid male sterility. Indeed, the faster male theory of speciation was once viewed as a major cause of Haldane's rule in male-heterogametic XY taxa, but is increasingly being replaced by the genetic conflict hypothesis partly because it cannot explain the faster evolution of hybrid female sterility in female-heterogametic ZW taxa. The theory nonetheless predicts that there should be more genes for hybrid male sterility than for hybrid female sterility even in such taxa, but this remains untested.

Janus-Type Immunofluorescent Probes and a Quantitative Immunoassay System.

To realize highly sensitive immunoassays, high optical density probes conjugated with antibodies for target antigens have been demanded in order to increase the visibility of antigen-antibody complex formation. We herein demonstrate the development of an immunoassay system using magnetic and fluorescent Janus particles as probes in conjunction with an antibody-immobilized microfluidic device. The concentration of the detection limit at which there was a significant difference between SARS-CoV-2 and human coronavirus 229E antigens was 3.

A case of recurrent peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis caused by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia during ongoing antibiotic treatment for Enterococcus faecalis-induced peritonitis.

Recurrent peritonitis is a serious complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD), which could result in PD withdrawal and mortality. However, cases of recurrent peritonitis occurring during ongoing antimicrobial therapy are rarely reported. Herein, we present a 71-year-old man who experienced initial peritonitis due to Enterococcus faecalis.