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In situ neutron diffraction studies of changes in the dislocation density, volume fraction of carbides, and crystallographic texture have been performed during annealing of a cold-rolled multi-principal element CoCrFeNi alloy doped with 1 at.%C. In addition, microstructures of the as-rolled and several annealed samples of this alloy have been investigated using electron microscopy-based techniques. It is found that cold rolling to a thickness reduction of 74% results in a brass-type rolling texture with a spread of orientations between the Goss and brass components and with a pronounced 〈111〉//ND fiber. The deformed microstructure is characterized by a high density of dislocations and shows large variations in deformation structures in regions of different crystallographic orientations. In particular, bundles of deformation twins and high frequencies of shear bands are observed in regions having orientations along the 〈111〉//ND fiber. Annealing at 700 °C–1000 °C leads to recovery and recrystallization, during which shear bands and regions of mixed orientations act as preferential nucleation sites for recrystallized grains. Precipitation of M 23 C 6 particles also takes place during annealing. The particles retard boundary migration, thus slowing down recrystallization and restricting grain growth. The average size of recrystallized grains does not exceed 5 μm even after annealing at 1000 °C for 60 min. While rolling textures are retained in some annealed samples, other samples demonstrate distinct recrystallization textures with new texture components. The results obtained in this work are compared with the literature data for several carbon-doped face-centered cubic multi-principal element alloys and for a carbon-free CoCrFeNi alloy. • Microstructural changes during annealing are studied in CoCrFeNi doped with 1at%C. • The deformed microstructure is inhomogeneous and contains numerous shear bands. • Shear bands are preferential nucleation sites. • M 23 C 6 precipitation occurs concurrently with recrystallization. • A range of annealing textures is observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We present the case of a HIV-positive, antiretroviral therapy–naïve patient with extrapulmonary pneumocystosis. • The splenic mass reduced in size with drainage, and the other masses resisted interventions. • Early antiretroviral therapy served as a successful treatment strategy. Pneumocystis jirovecii is a common opportunistic fungal pathogen that commonly affects immunocompromised individuals and can cause P. jirovecii pneumonia. Extrapulmonary P. jirovecii infections are extremely rare. Herein, we present a case of an HIV-positive, antiretroviral therapy–naïve patient who had extrapulmonary pneumocystosis (EPC). He presented with complaints of decreased appetite, abdominal fullness, and weight loss. Computed tomography (CT) revealed multiple low-attenuation masses in the spleen, liver, and both adrenal glands but no pulmonary involvement. A core-needle biopsy of a splenic lesion confirmed the diagnosis of EPC. The patient was initiated on intravenous trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) and CT–guided percutaneous catheter drainage of the splenic lesion was performed. Intravenous TMP-SMX therapy was completed in 3 weeks and intravenous pentamidine (250 mg daily) therapy was commenced. Pentamidine was completed after 3 weeks, and antiretroviral treatment (ART) was initiated with dolutegravir 50 mg and Descovy HT (emtricitabine [200 mg] and tenofovir alafenamide fumarate [25 mg]). After starting ART, the patient's clinical condition improved, and the abscesses gradually reduced. TMP-SMX is commonly used to treat EPC; however, there is no standard method of treatment. ART may become the key to EPC treatment in individuals with HIV infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to understand the effect of the difference in chemical composition and microstructure of bond coat (BC) layer on delamination properties, pushout tests were performed on modeled air plasma-sprayed thermal barrier coatings (APS-TBCs). Nickel-platinum-aluminides (Ni-Pt-Al), hafnium modified nickel-platinum-aluminides (Ni-Pt-Al-Hf) and NiCoCrAlY alloys were used as BC alloy. Hafnium and aluminum oxide were formed in needle like shape when the Ni-Pt-Al-Hf alloy was used. Vickers hardness of BC alloy decreased up to 50 hours heat exposure and then increased with increasing heat exposure time. Interfacial delamination toughness increased and then decreased with the increase in heat exposure time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work two techniques are combined to optimize bond coat properties before thermal barrier coating (TBC) application, the cold gas dynamic spraying (CGDS) and electron beam remelting (EB). Results of the work focused on comparison of high velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) and CGDS CoNiCrAlY bond coats are firstly presented. Than the effect of the electron beam remelting of the CoNiCrAlY coating manufactured by HVOF and CGDS deposition techniques is deeply investigated. The CoNiCrAlY bond coat to Inconel substrate interface displayed locations with very poor bonding, in larger extent for the states prepared by HVOF comparing to CGDS. The bond coats prepared by both ways being EB remelted are typically removal of the defects on the substrate to bond coat interface. The microstructure of the bond coat after this treatment is formed by Inconel fine grain layer being followed by the surface layer consisting of elongated dendritic microstructure. An increased porosity has been observed in interdendritical space in larger extent for CGDS samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A shape descriptor combining the Radon transform, the amplitude extraction, and the log-mapping is proposed in this paper. It is invariant to shape rotation, scaling, and translation. Invariance to translation is achieved by amplitude extraction on the radial coordinate. Rotation and scaling are log-mapped into two-dimensional translations and recovered with the phase-only correlation function. In addition, all transformation parameters (rotating angle, scaling factor, and position shift) can be determined also. The efficiency of the proposed descriptor compared to existing methods is shown experimentally on different kind of datasets. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In a survey of nonpeptide noncovalent inhibitors of the human 20S proteasome, we found that a novel tamoxifen derivative, RID-F (compound 6), inhibits all three protease activities of the proteasome at submicromolar levels. Structure–activity relationship studies revealed that a RID-F analog (RID-F-S*4, compound 25) is the smallest derivative compound capable of inhibiting proteasome activity, with a potency similar to that of RID-F. Kinetic analyses of the inhibition mode and competition experiments involving biotin-belactosin A (a proteasome inhibitor) binding indicated that the RID-F derivatives interact with the protease subunits in a different manner. Culturing of human cells with these compounds resulted in accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins and induction of apoptosis. Thus, the RID-F derivatives may be useful lead chemicals for the generation of a new class of proteasome inhibitors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: We compared joint pain (JP) in patients diagnosed with and without articular disc displacement without reduction (ADD) based on the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) and identified the characteristics of each JP. Study Design: Fifty-eight patients with restricted mouth opening and pain in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and with a magnetic resonance imaging diagnosis of ADD were selected. Diagnosis of ADD + JP and nonADD + JP was made with the use of the RDC/TMD. Results: A multiple regression analysis of the data disclosed a positive correlation between range of motion on maximum assisted mouth opening and visual analog scale (VAS) (severity of JP) in the ADD + JP group, and between chronic pain grade (CPG) and VAS in the nonADD + JP group. A significant difference was observed between ADD + JP and nonADD + JP groups in CPG; CPG was higher in the nonADD + JP than in the ADD + JP group. Conclusions: It is suggested that JP related and unrelated to ADD can indicate different types of disease. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this study, we performed tests to determine whether tooth pulp stimulation (TPS) increases hippocampal blood flow (HBF), and if so, to investigate whether the increase in HBF is mediated via the activation of adenosine receptors. We measured HBF in urethane-anesthetized rats using laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) and examined the effect of theophylline, a nonselective adenosine receptor antagonist, on TPS-induced HBF responses. TPS increased HBF, and its response was significantly attenuated by the intraperitoneal administration of theophylline (20mg/kg). These results suggest that the HBF response induced by TPS may be, at least in part, produced through adenosine receptors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In honeybees, queens synthesize the “queen pheromone,” whereas workers synthesize fatty acid components of “royal jelly” in their mandibular glands (MGs). To identify candidate proteins involved in the caste-selective MG function, we performed a proteomic analysis and identified three proteins that were expressed selectively in queen MGs (aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 [ALDH1], medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase [MCAD], and electron transfer flavoprotein α [ETFα)]), and a protein that was expressed selectively in worker MGs (fatty acid synthase [FAS)]). The quantitative reversed transcription-polymerase chain reaction demonstrated that the level of aldh1 transcription in MGs was significantly higher, whereas that of fas transcription was lower in queens than in workers. Among the eight genes encoding proteins similar to ALDH1 that are registered in the honeybee genome database, aldh6, aldh7, and aldh1 were expressed at significantly higher levels in queen MGs than in worker MGs. In situ hybridization showed that in the queen head, aldh1 was expressed in MG cells, whereas aldh6 and aldh7 were expressed in fat cells attached to the MGs. These results suggest caste- and cell type-selective aldehyde/fatty acid metabolism in honeybee MGs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Belactosin A is a potent proteasome inhibitor isolated from Streptomyces metabolites. Here we show that a hydrophobic belactosin A derivative, dansyl-KF33955, can covalently, and specifically, affinity label the catalytic subunits of the 26S proteasome, which consists of the 20S protein degrading core particle and the 19S regulatory particles. The labeling of catalytic subunits proceeds faster in intact proteasomes in vivo than in isolated 20S core particles. These data suggest that the 19S regulatory particle may facilitate entry of the inhibitor into the 20S core particle. This cell-permeable chemical probe is an excellent tool with which to study the interactions of this proteasome inhibitor with proteasomes in intact cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Three types of latex nanoparticles carrying naltrindole (NTI) derivatives were synthesized as probes for the affinity isolation of their binding proteins including the δ-opioid receptor. The effect of the attachment of NTI to different positions on the linker was investigated. Only latex nanoparticles in which the NTI derivative was linked through the phenol group were useful for isolating the recombinant δ-opioid receptor solubilized from CHO cell membrane. These latex nanoparticles could be a useful tool for investigations of the pharmacological activity of NTI. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Presents study findings confirming that mycotoxin penicillic acid (PCA) inhibits Fas ligand (FasL)-induced apoptosis by blocking self-processing of caspase-8 in death-induced signaling complex. Effect of PCA of preventing activation of caspase-8 and caspase-3 upon treatment with FasL; Impact of glutathione and cysteine of neutralizing an inhibitory effect of PCA on caspase-8.

Abstract: Cycloisomerization of 1,6-enynes is successfully carried out in the presence of a dicationic platinum(IV) catalyst to afford five-membered ring systems. The use of a weakly coordinating axial ligand is the key to bringing out the catalytic activity of platinum porphyrin for the reaction. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• A flume experiment for two forms of bed materials was conducted presupposing that the particle size distribution was similar to the mixed-particle size state of the actual sediment environment. • The flow velocity can be evaluated according to the characteristics of each debris flow. • STIV acquires continuous images and arranges the positional relationship and brightness values in the image in the direction of the time axis to produce STIs. This method measures the flow velocity based on the angles of the stripes formed in the spatial image. • To develop a model for understanding the image analysis prediction performance of STIs using CNNs. Various methods have been applied to the velocity measurement in the soil and rocks waterway experiment. Although most velocity measurements use observation sensors, soil and rocks are two-phase flow in which water and soil are mixed, and the velocity measurement method using direct contact with soil and sensors has various problems, including the potential for equipment damage and noise. Therefore, a velocity measurement method that employs high-resolution image analysis using a high-speed camera, which is an indirect velocity measurement method, has been proposed. Although the measurement of the velocity using high-resolution image analysis is associated with a very little risk of equipment damage, several problems have been reported, such as expensive system construction costs, analysis methods to eliminate noise present in images, and the low accuracy of the velocity measurement according to the slope (velocity) evaluation by space–time image (STI), indicating the movement velocity for each frame (moving distance). This study aims to measure the velocity of soil and rocks by applying space–time image velocimetry (STIV), which has not yet been applied to the soil and rocks waterway experiment. To evaluate the STIV performance, an indoor waterway experiment was carried out, and the results were compared with the velocity measured using a general-purpose high-speed camera. Machine learning was applied to the STI slope estimation method to improve the performance of the velocity measurement according to the noise interference included in the image. The use of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) is a useful way of extracting the characteristics of images, and they have learned to detect slopes using STI's 2D Fourier transform images. As a result, the performance of the velocity evaluation was significantly improved. Furthermore, it is possible to easily measure the velocity with high accuracy by freely setting an area to be measured in the captured image, such as the approaching velocity of soil and rocks or the overflow velocity at a debris barrier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon fiber-reinforced ultra-high temperature ceramic matrix composites (C/UHTCMCs) were fabricated via Zr-Ti alloy melt infiltration (Zr-Ti MI) using carbon-carbon composite (C/C) preforms and alloys with three different compositions. Alloys were successfully infiltrated into C/C to form solid solutions of TiC and ZrC, with melting temperatures > 2900 °C. Notably, residual alloys were not observed after MI occurred at 1750 °C. Bending strength and fracture toughness of the C/UHTCMCs at room temperature and 1500 °C in air/Ar revealed that mechanical properties of the composites were similar to those of the C/C preform. During arc wind tunnel tests at 2000 °C, a recession of C/UHTCMCs fabricated using Ti-rich alloys was observed; however, this behavior was not observed for the composites prepared using Zr-rich alloys owing to the formation of a ZrO 2 solid solution. Accordingly, Zr-Ti MI is a viable method for preparing C/UHTCMCs without degrading the mechanical properties of the C/C preform, while increasing the ablation resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) can cause a wide variety of infections, ranging from skin and soft tissue infections to life-threatening invasive diseases such as necrotizing pneumonia and infective endocarditis. Here, we present a case of a healthy young female presenting with fever, headache and nausea, who was diagnosed with mitral valve infective endocarditis due to CA-MRSA and whose course was complicated by meningitis and multiple septic emboli. The causative MRSA strain belonged to sequence type 97 and harbored SCC mec Ⅳc but not lukS/F-PV genes. ST97, which is frequently isolated from livestock animals and known as a common lineage of livestock-associated MRSA, may cause invasive infection in the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Despite the wide utility of ferrite nanoparticles (FP), a methodology to conjugate heterologous molecules to FP is still limited and characterization of small molecule-conjugated FP is not well known. Here, we describe what kinds of proteins and amino acids are selectively immobilized onto FP when FP is synthesized in the presence of these molecules. Two-dimentional gel electrophoresis (2D SDS-PAGE) showed that proteins with low pI value were selectively bound to FP. Quantitative analyses using HPLC suggested that l-aspartic acid (Asp) and l-cysteine (Cys) were bound to FP selectively among natural amino acids examined. Additional analysis of compounds-conjugated FP revealed that selective binding of Asp to FP was attributed with its molecular structure. It was found that the substructure of amino acid-bound to FP specifically was composed of a defined chelation of two carboxyl groups separated by two carbon atoms as deduced from FT-IR measurement. Thus, we concluded that molecules possessing two carboxyl groups separated by two carbons were bound to FP spontaneously and selectively, which might enable the attachment of free functional groups onto the FP surface if their molecules have functional groups other than carboxyl groups. The resulting complex might be applicable as a chemical tag to immobilize various molecules onto FP. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]