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High-performance magnesium alloys are moving towards a trend of being produced on a large scale and in an integrated manner. The foundational key to their successful production is the high-quality cast ingots. Magnesium alloys produced through the conventional semi-continuous casting process inevitably contain casting defects, which makes it challenging to manufacture high-quality ingots. The integration of external field assisted controlled solidification technology, which combines physical fields such as electromagnetic and ultrasonic fields with traditional semi-continuous casting processes, enables the production of high-quality magnesium alloy ingots characterized by a homogeneous microstructure and absence of cracks. This article mainly summarizes the technical principles of those external field assisted casting process. The focus is on elaborating the refinement mechanism of different types of electromagnetic fields, ultrasonic fields, and combined physical fields during the solidification of magnesium alloys. Finally, the development prospects of producing highquality magnesium alloy ingots through semi-continuous casting under the external field were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Simultaneous improvement of strength and conductivity is urgently demanded but challenging for bimetallic materials. Here we show by creating a self-assembled lamellar (SAL) architecture in W-Cu system, enhancement in strength and electrical conductivity is able to be achieved at the same time. The SAL architecture features alternately stacked Cu layers and W lamellae containing high-density dislocations. This unique layout not only enables predominant stress partitioning in the W phase, but also promotes hetero-deformation induced strengthening. In addition, the SAL architecture possesses strong crack-buffering effect and damage tolerance. Meanwhile, it provides continuous conducting channels for electrons and reduces interface scattering. As a result, a yield strength that doubles the value of the counterpart, an increased electrical conductivity, and a large plasticity were achieved simultaneously in the SAL W-Cu composite. This study proposes a flexible strategy of architecture design and an effective method for manufacturing bimetallic composites with excellent integrated properties [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A transient 3D model was established to investigate the effect of spatial interaction of ultrasounds on the dual-frequency ultrasonic field in magnesium alloy melt. The effects of insertion depth and tip shape of the ultrasonic rods, input pressures and their ratio on the acoustic field distribution were discussed in detail. Additionally, the spacing, angle, and insertion depth of two ultrasonic rods significantly affect the interaction between distinct ultrasounds. As a result, various acoustic pressure distributions and cavitation regions are obtained. The spherical rods mitigate the longitudinal and transversal attenuation of acoustic pressure and expand the cavitation volume by 53.7% and 31.7%, respectively, compared to the plate and conical rods. Increasing the input pressure will enlarge the cavitation region but has no effect on the acoustic pressure distribution pattern. The acoustic pressure ratio significantly affects the pressure distribution and the cavitation region, and the best cavitation effect is obtained at the ratio of 2:1 (P15:P20). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Rare Metals is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Central South University is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Acute myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the leading causes of death in humans. Our previous studies showed that gastrin alleviated acute myocardial ischaemia–reperfusion injury. We hypothesize that gastrin might protect against heart injury after MI by promoting angiogenesis. An MI model was simulated by ligating the anterior descending coronary artery in adult male C57BL/6J mice. Gastrin was administered twice daily by intraperitoneal injection for 2 weeks after MI. We found that gastrin reduced mortality, improved myocardial function with reduced infarct size and promoted angiogenesis. Gastrin increased HIF-1α and VEGF expression. Downregulation of HIF-1α expression by siRNA reduced the proliferation, migration and tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. These results indicate that gastrin restores cardiac function after MI by promoting angiogenesis via the HIF-1α/VEGF pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mobile health (mHealth) messaging has been used to enhance quitting. Optimal sequencing of more personalized and intensive interventions may increase abstinence for mHealth non-responders (continuing smokers). We aim to test the effectiveness and cost of an adaptive design intervention based on chat-based personalized instant messaging (PIM) versus that based on regular instant messaging (RIM; non-personalized) on validated abstinence. Sequential, multiple assignment randomized trial proactively recruited adult daily cigarette smokers in Hong Kong. At baseline, participants received brief cessation advice plus referral assistance to cessation services and were randomized to receive PIM (PIM group, n = 422) or RIM (RIM group, n = 422). At 1 month, PIM non-responders were further randomized (ratio 3:1) to receive either combined cessation interventions (CCI, including multi-media messages, nicotine replacement therapy sampling, incentive for service referral, phone counselling, family/peer group chat) or maintained PIM for 2 months. RIM non-responders were further randomized (ratio 1:3) to receive PIM or maintained RIM. Responders (quitters) in either group continued to receive the respective initial intervention. Bio-validated abstinence at 6 months by intention-to-treat. The 844 participants were mostly male (82.3%). At 1 month, 370 (87.7%) and 373 (88.4%) non-responded to PIM and RIM, respectively. Of non-responders, 273 (73.8%) received CCI and 91 (24.4%) received PIM. At 6 months, PIM group had non-significantly higher validated abstinence than RIM group (10.2% vs. 8.3%, risk ratio [RR] 1.23, 95%CI 0.80 to 1.88) at doubled cost (US$33,228.8 vs. 15,985.5). In non-responders, receiving CCI (vs. maintained PIM: 4.8% vs. 6.2%, RR 0.77, 95%CI 0.30 to 1.97) or PIM (vs. maintained RIM: 3.3% vs 5.7%, RR 0.58, 95%CI 0.17 to 1.95) did not increase validated abstinence. The PIM-based adaptive intervention did not significantly increase validated abstinence than that of non-personalized IM. Non-responders to PIM or RIM did not benefit from more intensive interventions. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03992742 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The semi-solid processed Mg2Si/A356 composites were fabricated using a sloping plate, and the phase and morphology evolution of the semi-solid Mg2Si/A356 slurry during the remelting process was investigated. Results indicate that compared to as-cast microstructure, the size of primary α-Al phase and Mg2Si phase of semi-solid microstructure fabricated by using a sloping plate decreases and the morphology of α-Al phase becomes fine and globular. With increasing the reheating temperature and prolonging the holding time, the primary α-Al phase spheroidizes, the liquid fraction in semi-solid microstructure increases, and the Chinese script Mg2Si phase embedded in the primary α-Al phase cannot be observed. The Chinese script Mg2Si phase is distributed in the secondary α-Al phase and becomes smaller. The net-shaped eutectic phase also becomes finer after reheating. The optimum remelting parameters suitable for thixoforming in this study are remelting at 580 °C for 30 min. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ocean-bottom seismometers (OBSs) were deployed at a shallow water depth (< 50 m) and recorded data from air-gun shootings with a large volume of about 8000 in3 along HX07 (26 OBSs) in June 2015 and HX08 (12 OBSs) in June 2016 across Littoral Fault Zone and Taiwan Shoal in the southern Taiwan Strait. Travel times of the refracted and reflected waves from the hydrophone component of OBS data were picked and the travel-time errors (< 0.1 s) were reduced layer-by-layer to invert the P-wave velocity-interface models. Based on the OBS models along HX07 and HX08, the large lateral variations of P-wave velocity (4.8–5.8 km/s) in the upper crust, interpreted as normal faults, were imaged in Littoral Fault Zone and Dongshan Fault. These normal faults, extend to the middle crust, have caused two horst structures (Dongshan Platform, Taiwan Shoal) and a graben structure (Taiwan Strait Cenozoic Depression). In the southern Taiwan Strait, the shallowest depth of 4 km and 12.5 km respectively at the top and the bottom of the middle crust near Littoral Fault Zone became deep (8 km and 17 km) toward both sides below Taiwan Strait Cenozoic Depression and Dongshan Platform. The shallow middle crust near Littoral Fault Zone may have resulted from crustal bending. However, since the location of crustal bending is far from Taiwan orogeny, the crust might be bent by continental rifting. Based on the iso-depth maps consisting of 9 OBS models in the southern Taiwan Strait, the depth of the basement (1–2 km) and the bottom of the upper crust (about 5.5–6 km) became shallow below Taiwan Shoal. These structural highs have been affected by a loading of Taiwan orogen to conform the forebulge (the Taiwan Shoal) in a foreland basin system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three novel multi-microalloying TiAl-based alloys containing high Nb were designed and fabricated. Thermogravimetric method was applied to investigate the influence of Cr on the oxidation behavior of high Nb- TiAl alloy at 1,073 K for 200 h in laboratory air. The 2at.% and 4at.% Cr were added into the alloy, (respectively named 2Cr and 4Cr compared to the Cr-free ternary alloy, 0Cr alloy). The alloys' microstructure and composition as well as the composition distribution of the oxidation scale were analyzed by means of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), and X-Ray Diffractometry (XRD). The results show that the addition of Cr decreases the grain size of the Nb-TiAl alloy and leads to a transformation from a fully lamellar structure to a nearly fully lamellar structure. When oxidized at 1,073 K for 200 h, the oxidized mass gain of the alloy increases with an increase in Cr addition amount in the first 100 h and decreases in the last 100 h. With the increase of Cr content, the oxidation surface turns compact but uneven in morphology, which may affect the oxidation resistance of the alloy by increasing the peeling off risk of the oxidation layer at friction conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proteasome–ubiquitin receptor hRpn13/Adrm1 binds and activates deubiquitinating enzyme Uch37/UCHL5 and is targeted by bis-benzylidine piperidone RA190, which restricts cancer growth in mice xenografts. Here, we solve the structure of hRpn13 with a segment of hRpn2 that serves as its proteasome docking site; a proline-rich C-terminal hRpn2 extension stretches across a narrow canyon of the ubiquitin-binding hRpn13 Pru domain blocking an RA190-binding surface. Biophysical analyses in combination with cell-based assays indicate that hRpn13 binds preferentially to hRpn2 and proteasomes over RA190. hRpn13 also exists outside of proteasomes where it may be RA190 sensitive. RA190 does not affect hRpn13 interaction with Uch37, but rather directly binds and inactivates Uch37. hRpn13 deletion from HCT116 cells abrogates RA190-induced accumulation of substrates at proteasomes. We propose that RA190 targets hRpn13 and Uch37 through parallel mechanisms and at proteasomes, RA190-inactivated Uch37 cannot disassemble hRpn13-bound ubiquitin chains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purple plants with higher anthocyanin content have attracted increasing attention in recent years due to their advantageous biological functions and nutritional value. A spontaneous mutant with purple leaves, designated 1280-1, was discovered in Brassica juncea line 1280. A previous genetic analysis indicated that the purple leaf trait in 1280-1 was controlled by a dominant gene (BjPl1). In the present study, an analysis of total anthocyanin content further indicated that the purple leaf trait was controlled by a complete dominance gene. According to a survey of 426 primers available from public resources, BjPl1 was assigned to linkage group B2 of B. juncea. In the early stage of this research, based on comparative mapping in Brassica, two simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers developed from A2 of B. rapa delimited the BjPl1 gene to a 0.7-cM genetic interval in the corresponding linkage map. According to information on the B. juncea genome released recently, the location of BjPl1 was further narrowed to a 225-kb interval (17.74–17.97 Mb). Within the target region, whole-genome re-sequencing identified two candidate regions (17.74–17.78 Mb and 17.93–17.96 Mb). Through Blast analysis of the two candidate intervals, four homologous anthocyanin biosynthetic genes were identified and localized to a 17.93–17.96 Mb interval of B2 (approximately 27 kb), which might include BjPl1. This work lays the foundation for the isolation of BjPl1 and will further improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of the anthocyanin metabolic pathway in Brassica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The modification effects of ytterbium (Yb), Na3PO4 and Yb + Na3PO4 on primary Mg2Si phase in Mg- 4Si alloys were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis in this work. The results indicate that the morphology of the primary Mg2Si phase apparently changes from coarse dendrites to fine dispersive polygonal particles and the mean size decreases from 276.6 µm to 7.1 µm, with combined modification of 0.8wt.% Yb and 2.64wt.% Na3PO4. Such a morphological evolution results in improvement in the ultimate tensile strength and elongation of the alloys as compared to the base alloy. This may be attributed to the formation of the YbP particles that acted as the heterogeneous nucleation substrates for the primary Mg2Si particles, resulting in a refined distribution of these precipitates. The results of XRD examination show that there was no reaction between Si and Yb or Na3PO4. Solo addition of Yb or Na3PO4 into the melt has no real modification effect on the microstructure, but the primary Mg2Si particles and α-Mg phases become coarser than that in the unmodified alloy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Priority of neurological decompression was regarded as necessary for scoliosis patients associated with Chiari I malformation in order to decrease the risk of spinal cord injury from scoliosis surgery. We report a retrospective series of scoliosis associated with Chiari I malformation in 13 adolescent patients and explore the effectiveness and safety of posterior scoliosis correction without suboccipital decompression. One-stage posterior approach total vertebral column resection was performed in seven patients with scoliosis or kyphosis curve >90° (average 100.1° scoliotic and 97.1° kyphotic curves) or presented with apparent neurological deficits, whereas the other six patients underwent posterior pedicle screw instrumentation for correction of spinal deformity alone (average 77.3° scoliotic and 44.0° kyphotic curves). The apex of the scoliosis curve was located at T7-T12. Mean operating time and intraoperative hemorrhage was 463 min and 5,190 ml in patients undergoing total vertebral column resection, with average correction rate of scoliosis and kyphosis being 63.3 and 71.1%, respectively. Mean operating time and intraoperative hemorrhage in patients undergoing instrumentation alone was 246 min and 1,450 ml, with the average correction rate of scoliosis and kyphosis being 60.8 and 53.4%, respectively. The mean follow-up duration was 32.2 months. No iatrogenic neurological deterioration had been encountered during the operation procedure and follow-up. After vertebral column resection, neurological dysfunctions such as relaxation of anal sphincter or hypermyotonia that occurred in three patients preoperatively improved gradually. In summary, suboccipital decompression prior to correction of spine deformity may not always be necessary for adolescent patients with scoliosis associated with Chiari I malformation. Particularly in patients with a severe and rigid curve or with significant neurological deficits, posterior approach total vertebral column resection is likely a good option, which could not only result in satisfactory correction of deformity, but also decrease the risk of neurological injury secondary to surgical intervention by shortening spine and reducing the tension of spinal cord. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corynebacterium glutamicum played a central role in the establishment of fermentative production of amino acids, and it is a model for genetic and physiological studies. The general aromatic amino acid transporter, AroP, was the sole functionally identified aromatic amino acid transporter from C. glutamicum. In this study, the ncgl1108 (named as pheP), which is located upstream of the genetic cluster ( ncgl1110 ∼ ncgl1113) for resorcinol catabolism, was identified as a new l-Phe specific transporter from C. glutamicum RES167. The disruption of pheP resulted in RES167∆ ncgl1108, and this mutant showed decreased growth on l-Phe (as nitrogen source) but not on l-Tyr or l-Trp. Uptake assays with unlabeled and C-labeled l-Phe and l-Tyr indicated that the mutants RES167∆ ncgl1108 showed significant reduction in l-Phe uptake than RES167. Expression of pheP in RES167∆ ncgl1108/pGXKZ1 or RES167∆( ncgl1108- aroP)/pGXKZ1 restored their ability to uptake for l-Phe and growth on l-Phe. The uptake of l-Phe was not inhibited by nine amino acids but by l-Tyr. The K and V values of RES167∆( ncgl1108-aroP) /pGXKZ1 for l-Phe were determined to be 10.4 ± 1.5 μM and 1.2 ± 0.1 nmol min (mg DW), respectively, which are different from K and V values of RES167∆( ncgl1108-aroP) for l-Phe [4.0 ± 0.4 μM and 0.6 ± 0.1 nmol min (mg DW)]. In conclusion, this PheP is a new l-Phe transporter in C. glutamicum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) protein family is a large protein family that includes proteins accumulated at late stages of seed development or in vegetative tissues in response to drought, salinity, cold stress and exogenous application of abscisic acid. In order to isolate peanut genes, an expressed sequence tag (EST) sequencing project was carried out using a peanut seed cDNA library. From 6258 ESTs, 19 LEA-encoding genes were identified and could be classified into eight distinct groups. Expression of these genes in seeds at different developmental stages and in various peanut tissues was analysed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. The results showed that expression levels of LEA genes were generally high in seeds. Some LEA protein genes were expressed at a high level in non-seed tissues such as root, stem, leaf, flower and gynophore. These results provided valuable information for the functional and regulatory studies on peanut LEA genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The traditional nonabsorbable silicone buckling implant (buckle) may cause some long-term complications when it is used in the retinal detachment surgery. In this study we fabricated a chitosan-gelatin based buckling implant to replace the traditional one. We evaluated its biocompatibility with human scleral fibroblasts (HSF) in vitro and its cytotoxicity with L929 cell. To evaluate elasticity and hardness of the blends buckle, the mechanical properties of the chitosan-gelatin buckle were compared with the traditional silicone buckle. The light and electron microscopy coupled with immunocytochemistry demonstrated that chitosan-gelatin blends supported the survival and growth of primarily cultured HSF without significant cytotoxic effects. MTT analysis and cell cycle analysis indicated that chitosan-gelatin blends promoted the proliferation of HSF. A preliminary in vivo implantation test indicated that chitosan-gelatin buckling implant were compatible with the surrounding tissue. The results collectively demonstrated that chitosan-gelatin blends could be a candidate biodegradable material for scleral buckling surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Candidate genes of multisubunit (MS) and multifunctional (MF) acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase) including accB1, accB2, accC, accA, accD, and MF-ACCase were isolated from peanut by sequencing a full-length cDNA library and homology-based cloning. Primary structures of peanut ACCases were highly conserved, especially biochemical function domains, compared with other higher plants and Escherichia coli. The numbers of homologs of each ACCase gene expressed in developing seed of peanut varied from two to five. Two editing sites of peanut accD were identified by comparing genomic DNA and its corresponding cDNAs. The MS-ACCase of Arachis hypogaea and Arabidopsis thaliana shared a conservative structure of gene organization. Semiquantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis indicated that MS-ACCase and MF-ACCase genes were expressed in all peanut tissues examined, but their mRNA expression level were quite different. In peanut seed development, accC, accA, accD, and MF-ACCase mRNAs were expressed strongly at 60 days after pegging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new visible-light-response photocatalyst Nd2InTaO7 with pyrochlore-type structure crystallized in a cubic system with the space group Fd3m was synthesized by a solid-state reaction method. The H2 evolution was obtained from Pt/CH3OH/H2O solution and pure H2O, and O2 evolution was generated from an aqueous AgNO3 solution under visible light irradiation (λ > 400 nm). The high photocatalytic performance of Nd2InTaO7 supported the existing view that the photocatalytic activity correlated with the lattice distortion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cultivated peanut is a valuable source of dietary oil and ranks fifth among the world oil crops. Plant fatty acid biosynthesis is catalysed by type II fatty acid synthase (FAS) in plastids and mitochondria. By constructing a full-length cDNA library derived from immature peanut seeds and homology-based cloning, candidate genes of acyl carrier protein (ACP), malonyl-CoA:ACP transacylase, β-ketoacyl-ACP synthase (I, II, III), β-ketoacyl-ACP reductase, β-hydroxyacyl-ACP dehydrase and enoyl-ACP reductase were isolated. Sequence alignments revealed that primary structures of type II FAS enzymes were highly conserved in higher plants and the catalytic residues were strictly conserved in Escherichia coli and higher plants. Homologue numbers of each type II FAS gene expressing in developing peanut seeds varied from 1 in KASII, KASIII and HD to 5 in ENR. The number of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was quite different in each gene. Peanut type II FAS genes were predicted to target plastids except ACP2 and ACP3. The results suggested that peanut may contain two type II FAS systems in plastids and mitochondria. The type II FAS enzymes in higher plants may have similar functions as those in E. coli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field study was conducted in a semi-arid sand land ecosystem in eastern Inner Mongolia, China, to explore the mechanisms underlying how human-induced environmental degradation in sandy grasslands influences ecosystem plant diversity, productivity, soil erodibility, and soil carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) accumulation and storage. We investigated (1) C, N and P accumulation to 20cm soil depth; (2) C, N and P storage in plant litter, above- and below-ground biomass; and (3) the rate of surface wind erosion measured as the amount of aeolian soil accumulating in the traps and C, N and P output from the topsoil removal due to wind erosion during the erosive season in four habitats of differently degraded sandy grasslands. Environmental degradation has resulted in significant and differential reductions in soil C, N and P accumulation within the top 20cm soil layer across habitats. On average, the most severely degraded sandy grassland stored 474%, 198% and 56% less soil C, N and P, while the severely degraded sandy grassland stored 215%, 121% and 27% less soil C, N and P and the moderately degraded sandy grassland stored 111%, 60% and 17% less soil C, N and P than did the lightly degraded sandy grassland. Two key variables associated with reduced soil C, N and P accumulation in sandy grasslands as a result of environmental degradation are reduced plant litter and above- and below-ground biomass production (i.e. less plant C, N and P inputs in the soil) and increased C, N and P output from the removal of nutrient-rich topsoil layers resulted from increased rates of wind erosion. This study suggests a complex mechanism by which environmental degradation influences soil C, N and P accumulation and dynamics via its significant effects on ecosystem plant diversity, productivity and soil erodibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A rapid and highly sensitive fluorogenic method has been developed for the determination of total primary aliphatic amines with a novel fluorogenic derivatizing reagent, 3-(4-fluorobenzoyl)-2-quinolinecarboxaldehyde (FBQCA). FBQCA selectively reacts with amines to form a highly fluorescent isoindole in buffer of pH 9.7 and in the presence of potassium cyanide solution. The fluorescence intensity of derivatized products are detected at λex/λem = 480/546 nm. The results of the experiments showed a linear dynamic range of 1 × 10−8 to 6 × 10−6 mol L−1 with a detection limit ( S/ N = 3) of 6 nmol L−1. The method was successfully used for the direct spectrofluorimetric determination of aliphatic amines in water samples with recoveries of 95–104%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we mainly discuss some potential theory in the framework of right Markov processes. We introduce the concept of α–excessive function, α–recurrence and α–transience for right processes with α ≤ 0, and give a thorough investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantum-mechanical entanglement of three or four particles has been achieved experimentally, and has been used to demonstrate the extreme contradiction between quantum mechanics and local realism. However, the realization of five-particle entanglement remains an experimental challenge. The ability to manipulate the entanglement of five or more particles is required for universal quantum error correction. Another key process in distributed quantum information processing, similar to encoding and decoding, is a teleportation protocol that we term ‘open-destination’ teleportation. An unknown quantum state of a single particle is teleported onto a superposition of N particles; at a later stage, this teleported state can be read out (for further applications) at any of the N particles, by a projection measurement on the remaining particles. Here we report a proof-of-principle demonstration of five-photon entanglement and open-destination teleportation (for N = 3). In the experiment, we use two entangled photon pairs to generate a four-photon entangled state, which is then combined with a single-photon state. Our experimental methods can be used for investigations of measurement-based quantum computation and multi-party quantum communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous studies have focused on generation of unfixed bovine pericardium (BP) extracellular matrix (ECM) for clinical application. However, the extent to which maintenance of native ECM niche is capable of directing behavior of repopulating cells remains relatively unexplored. By exploiting the sidedness of BP scaffolds (i.e., serous or fibrous surface), this study aims to determine the effect of ECM niche preservation on cellular repopulation using different scaffold generation methods. BP underwent either sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) decellularization or stepwise, solubilization-based antigen removal using amidosulfobetaine-14 (ASB-14). SDS scaffolds were toxic to repopulating human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC). Scanning electron microscopy revealed distinct surface ultrastructure of ASB-14 scaffolds based on native BP sidedness. Basement membrane structures on the serous side stimulated hMSC cell monolayer formation, whereas fibrous side facilitated cell penetration into scaffold. Additionally, serous side seeding significantly increased hMSC adhesion and proliferation rate compared to the fibrous side. Furthermore, scaffold ECM niche stimulated sidedness dependent differential hMSC human leukocyte antigen expression, angiogenic and inflammatory cytokine secretion. This work demonstrates that ECM scaffold preparation method and preservation of BP side-based niches critically affects in vitro cell growth patterns and behavior, which has implications for use of such ECM biomaterials in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new visible-light-response photocatalyst Nd2InTaO7 with pyrochlore-type structure crystallized in a cubic system with the space group Fd3m was synthesized by a solid-state reaction method. The H2 evolution was obtained from Pt/CH3OH/H2O solution and pure H2O, and O2 evolution was generated from an aqueous AgNO3 solution under visible light irradiation (λ > 400 nm). The high photocatalytic performance of Nd2InTaO7 supported the existing view that the photocatalytic activity correlated with the lattice distortion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]