Photocatalytic Estrogen Degradation by the Composite of Tin Oxide Fine Particles and Graphene-like Carbon Nitride.

This study investigates whether 17β-estradiol (E2), a natural estrogen and one of the endocrine-disrupting chemicals responsible for water pollution, can be oxidatively decomposed under simulated solar light using a composite of tin oxide nanoparticles and graphene-like carbon nitride (g-CN) as a photocatalyst. The composite photocatalyst was prepared by heating a mixture of urea and tin acetate. FT-IR measurements revealed that g-CN possesses structural units similar to g-CN, a well-studied graphite-like carbon nitride.

Strain-induced long-range charge-density wave order in the optimally doped BiSrLaCuO superconductor.

The mechanism of high-temperature superconductivity in copper oxides (cuprate) remains elusive, with the pseudogap phase considered a potential factor. Recent attention has focused on a long-range symmetry-broken charge-density wave (CDW) order in the underdoped regime, induced by strong magnetic fields. Here by Cu-nuclear magnetic resonance, we report the discovery of a long-range CDW order in the optimally doped BiSrLaCuO superconductor, induced by in-plane strain exceeding ∣ε∣ = 0.

Lithium-ion battery electrode properties of hydrogen boride.

Recently, hydrogen boride (HB) with a pseudo-two-dimensional sheet structure was successfully synthesized, and it is theoretically predicted to have high potential as a negative electrode material for alkali metal ion batteries, making it a promising new candidate. This study represents the first experimental examination of the negative electrode properties of HB. HB was synthesized cation exchange from MgB.

An ependymin-related blue carotenoprotein decorates marine blue sponge.

Marine animals display diverse vibrant colors, but the mechanisms underlying their specific coloration remain to be clarified. Blue coloration is known to be achieved through a bathochromic shift of the orange carotenoid astaxanthin (AXT) by the crustacean protein crustacyanin, but other examples have not yet been well investigated. Here, we identified an ependymin (EPD)-related water-soluble blue carotenoprotein responsible for the specific coloration of the marine blue sponge Haliclona sp.

Symbiosis of Carpenter Bees with Uncharacterized Lactic Acid Bacteria Showing NAD Auxotrophy.

Eusocial bees (such as honey bees and bumble bees) harbor core gut microbiomes that are transmitted through social interaction between nestmates. Carpenter bees are not eusocial; however, recent microbiome analyses found that species harbor distinctive core gut microbiomes. In this study, we analyzed the gut microbiomes of three species in Japan between 2016 and 2021 by V1 to V2 region-based 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing, and 14 candidate novel species were detected based on the full-length 16S rRNA gene sequences.

Single-walled carbon nanotubes as a reducing agent for the synthesis of a Prussian blue-based composite: a quartz crystal microbalance study.

We investigated the synthesis mechanism of Prussian blue (PB) crystals supported on single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), by performing quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) measurements to probe the change in the electrode mass during the reaction, and using photoirradiation at designated stages of the process. We found that in contrast to existing hypotheses, light irradiation played no role in the synthesis process of Prussian blue on SWCNTs. On the other hand, the number of electrons transferred per one mole of the obtained product, and the number of electrons transferrable from SWCNTs, calculated from the density of states (DOS) of the SWCNTs in the sample, both favor the hypothesis of the reaction being triggered by direct electron transfer from SWCNTs to Fe, which occurs because of the energy difference between the Fermi level of SWCNTs and redox potential of Fe ions.

Major Carotenoids of Are Deinoxanthin Glucoside Esters, Not Meiothermoxanthin Glucoside Esters.

DSMZ 1279 was isolated from a hot spring in Kamchatka and was red in color. The major carotenoid present was reported to be 1'-(β-d-glucopyranosyloxy)-3,4,3',4'-tetradehydro-1',2'-dihydro-β,ψ-caroten-2-one after saponification (Burgess et al. 1999, 62, 859-863).

Characteristics of falls occurring during rehabilitation in an acute care hospital in older and non-older patients: A retrospective cohort study.

Introduction: Although falls are often reported in hospitals and are common in older individuals, no reports on falls during rehabilitation exist. This study evaluated patients with falls occurring during rehabilitation and identified the characteristics of older and non-older patients.

Materials And Methods: Our study retrospectively analyzed reports of falls occurring during rehabilitation at a university hospital from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2022.

Investigation of Adverse Events Occurring during Rehabilitation in Acute Care Hospital.

Adverse events (AEs) during intensive care unit (ICU) rehabilitation and serious AEs during acute care hospital stays have been reported previously. However, no AEs have been reported for all patients needing rehabilitation in a non-ICU setting at an acute care hospital. This study aimed to investigate all AEs during acute-phase rehabilitation.

One-step and room-temperature fabrication of carbon nanocomposites including Ni nanoparticles for supercapacitor electrodes.

With the increasing importance of power storage devices, demand for the development of supercapacitors possessing both rapid reversible chargeability and high energy density is accelerating. Here we propose a simple process for the room temperature fabrication of pseudocapacitor electrodes consisting of a faradaic redox reaction layer on a metallic electrode with an enhanced surface area. As a model metallic electrode, an Au foil was irradiated with Ar ions with a simultaneous supply of C and Ni at room temperature, resulting in fine metallic Ni nanoparticles dispersed in the carbon matrix with local graphitization on the ion-induced roughened Au surface.

Switching of alternative electrochemical charging mechanism inside single-walled carbon nanotubes: a quartz crystal microbalance study.

We probed electrochemical ion storage in single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) of different diameters in two different organic electrolytes using electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) tracking. The measurements showed that charge storage probed by cyclic voltammetry did not deteriorate when steric effects seemed to hinder the accessibility of counter-ions into SWCNTs, and instead proceeded predominantly by co-ion desorption, as was shown by the decrease in the electrode mass probed by EQCM. The dominant mechanism correlated with the SWCNT diameter/ion size ratio; counter-ion adsorption dominated in the whole potential range when the diameter of SWCNTs was comparable to the size of the largest ion, whereas for larger diameters the charge increase coincided with a decrease in the electrode mass, indicating the dominance of co-ion desorption.

Follow-Up Study of Subdermal Low-Echoic Lesions in the Ischial Region in Wheelchair Users With Spinal Cord Injuries.

Objective: To follow up patients with spinal cord injuries with subdermal low-echoic lesions in the ischial region for abnormalities after 1 year.

Design: A retrospective cohort study.

Setting: A Japanese rehabilitation center.

Distribution of the Water-Soluble Astaxanthin Binding Carotenoprotein (AstaP) in Scenedesmaceae.

Photooxidative stress-inducible water-soluble astaxanthin-binding proteins, designated as AstaP, were identified in two Scenedesmaceae strains, Ki-4 and Oki-4N; both strains were isolated under high light conditions. These AstaPs are classified as a novel family of carotenoprotein and are useful for providing valuable astaxanthin in water-soluble form; however, the distribution of AstaP orthologs in other microalgae remains unknown. Here, we examined the distribution of AstaP orthologs in the family Scenedesmaceae with two model microalgae, and .

One-step synthesis of visible light CO reduction photocatalyst from carbon nanotubes encapsulating iodine molecules.

We describe the synthesis and visible-light CO photoreduction catalytic properties of a three-component composite consisting of AgI, AgIO, and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). The catalyst is synthesized by immersing SWCNTs encapsulating iodine molecules in AgNO aqueous solution, during which neutral iodine (I) molecules encapsulated in SWCNTs transform disproportionately to I (AgIO) and I (AgI), as revealed from the characterization of the composite by Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. In addition, photoirradiation experiments using a solar-simulator (AM1.

The effect of diameter size of single-walled carbon nanotubes on their high-temperature energy storage behaviour in ionic liquid-based electric double-layer capacitors.

We investigated the effect of the diameter size of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), on their high-temperature energy storage behavior in an electric double layer capacitor (EDLC) using the ionic liquid triethyl(2-methoxyethyl) phosphonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (P-TFSI). We used four SWCNT samples with diameter sizes ranging from 0.8 to 5 nm, and evaluated their electrochemical charge storage behavior through galvanostatic charge/discharge and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS).

Photooxidative stress-inducible orange and pink water-soluble astaxanthin-binding proteins in eukaryotic microalga.

Lipid astaxanthin, a potent antioxidant known as a natural sunscreen, accumulates in eukaryotic microalgae and confers photoprotection. We previously identified a photooxidative stress-inducible water-soluble astaxanthin-binding carotenoprotein (AstaP) in a eukaryotic microalga (Coelastrella astaxanthina Ki-4) isolated from an extreme environment. The distribution in eukaryotic microalgae remains unknown.

Preoperative In-Hospital Rehabilitation Improves Physical Function in Patients with Pancreatic Cancer Scheduled for Surgery.

Low preoperative physical function in cancer patients is associated with postoperative complications; however, there have been no reports on the benefits of in-hospital preoperative rehabilitation on preoperative physical function in patients with pancreatic cancer. Therefore, the aim of this study was to quantitatively determine the effects of preoperative in-hospital rehabilitation provided under the supervision of a physiotherapist, on preoperative physical function in patients with pancreatic cancer. The study subjects were 26 patients (15 males, 11 females; age 71.

H-NS Family Proteins Drastically Change Their Targets in Response to the Horizontal Transfer of the Catabolic Plasmid pCAR1.

H-NS family proteins regulate the expression of many genes by preferably binding to AT-rich genomic regions and altering DNA topology. They are found in both bacterial chromosomes and plasmids, and plasmid-encoded H-NS family proteins have sometimes been suggested to act as a molecular backup of the chromosomally encoded ones. Pmr is an H-NS family protein encoded on the catabolic plasmid pCAR1, which belongs to incompatibility P-7 group.

Relationship between ultrasonographically low-echoic lesions under the skin, wheelchair sitting time, and interface pressure on ischial region in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury.

To determine the relationship between physical findings, wheelchair sitting time, and interface pressure on ischial region in subjects with spinal cord injury (SCI). Cross-sectional study. Rehabilitation center in Japan.

High ion adsorption densities of site-selective nitrogen doped carbon sheets prepared from natural lignin.

Carbon fibers and sheets were prepared from jet-milled natural chitin and cellulose samples, and from natural lignin sample using ice-templating technique, respectively. Nitrogen doping treatments using melamine were also performed for the carbon fibers and sheets. Electric double layer capacitor (EDLC) electrode properties of the prepared carbon fibers and sheets including the nitrogen doped samples were investigated with aqueous (sulfuric acid) and organic (tetraethylammonium tetrafluoroborate in propylene carbonate) electrolytes.

Electrochemical Reactions of Iodine Molecules Encapsulated in Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes.

We prepared iodine molecules encapsulated in single-walled carbon nanotubes (I@SWCNTs) by electro-oxidation of iodide ions with empty SWCNT electrode. Li-ion battery electrode properties of I@SWCNTs were investigated. It was found that the I@SWCNT sample can catch and release Li ions reversibly.

Alkali Metal Ion Storage of Quinone Molecules Grafted on Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes at Low Temperature.

9,10-Anthraquinone and 9,10-phenanthrenequinone (PhQ) were grafted onto two kinds of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) samples having different mean tube diameters by diazo-coupling reactions. The structural details of PhQ-grafted SWCNT (PhQ/SWCNT) samples were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and Raman measurements. It was discussed that a few-nanometer-thick layer of polymerized PhQs covers the outside of SWCNT bundles.

Free flavins accelerate release of ferrous iron from iron storage proteins by both free flavin-dependent and -independent ferric reductases in Escherichia coli.

Ferredoxin NADP oxidoreductase (Fpr) and oxygen-insensitive NAD(P)H nitroreductase (NfnB) are purified from Escherichia coli JM109 (E. coli JM109) as a predominant free flavin-independent ferric reductase. In the present study, we prepared natural iron storage proteins, E.

Purified thioredoxin reductase from O-sensitive Bifidobacterium bifidum degrades HO by interacting with alkyl hydroperoxide reductase.

Bifidobacterium is beneficial for host health and exhibits different O sensitivity levels among species or strains via unknown mechanisms. Bifidobacterium bifidum JCM1255, a type species of Bifidobacterium, is an O-sensitive bacterium that can grow under low-O (5%) conditions, and the growth of this species is inhibited under high-O conditions (10% ∼) with accumulation of HO. We previously reported that NADH or NAD(P)H oxidase-active fractions were detected during purification using microaerobically grown B.

O-inducible HO-forming NADPH oxidase is responsible for the hyper O sensitivity of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis.

Bifidobacteria are beneficial anaerobes, and their O sensitivity levels differ among species as a function of unknown molecular mechanisms. Bifidobacterium longum subspecies infantis (B. infantis), a predominant colonizer of the gastrointestinal tract of infants, showed a hyper O-sensitive growth profile with accompanying a production of HO.