Improved controllability of wet infiltration technique for fabrication of solid oxide fuel cell anodes

Ni/yttria-stabilized zirconia anodes of solid oxide fuel cells are fabricated by a wet infiltration technique and the ability of the infiltration technique to control the anode microstructure is quantitatively demonstrated by a detailed three-dimensional microstructural analysis. The microstructural analysis reveals favorable aspects of the infiltrated anodes, such as larger triple-phase boundary density and sufficiently large pore size, and they are mostly unachievable by the conventional powder-mixing and sintering approaches. The improved controllability of the infiltration technique is expected to be useful to tailor porous microstructures to meet the multiple requirements for transport and electrochemical reactions within the anodes

PET/CTを用いたマウス骨格筋インスリン抵抗性の評価

Measuring glucose uptake in the skeletal muscle in vivo is an effective method to determine glucose metabolism abnormalities as the skeletal muscle is the principal tissue responsible for glucose disposal and is a major site of peripheral insulin resistance. In this study, we investigated the pathological glucose metabolism dynamics of the skeletal muscle of C57BL/6J mice in a noninvasive and time-sequential manner using positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), an imaging technique that uses radioactive substances to visualize and measure metabolic processes in the body, with [18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG). FDG-PET/CT imaging revealed that insulin administration and exercise load significantly increased FDG accumulation in the skeletal muscle of C57BL/6J mice. FDG accumulation was lower in the skeletal muscle of 14-week-old db/db diabetic model mice exhibiting remarkable insulin resistance compared to that of 7-week-old db/db mice. Based on the continuous observation of FDG accumulation over time in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice, FDG accumulation significantly decreased in 17-week-old mice after the acquisition of insulin resistance. Although insulin-induced glucose uptake in the skeletal muscle was markedly attenuated in 20-week-old DIO mice that had already developed insulin resistance, exercise load effectively increased FDG uptake in the skeletal muscle. Thus, we successfully confirmed that glucose uptake accompanied by insulin administration and exercise load increased in the skeletal muscle using PET-CT. FDG-PET/CT might be an effective tool that could noninvasively capture the chronological changes of metabolic abnormalities in the skeletal muscle of mice

Up-regulation of stanniocalcin 1 expression by 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 and parathyroid hormone in renal proximal tubular cells

Stanniocalcin 1 and stanniocalcin 2 are two glycoprotein hormones, which act as calcium phosphate-regulating factor on intestine and kidney. We have previously reported that stanniocalcin 2 expression is positively and negatively controlled by 1,25(OH)2D3 and parathyroid hormone in renal proximal tubular cells. However, it has been unclear whether they regulate the stanniocalcin 1 gene expression. In this study, we identified the opossum stanniocalcin 1 cDNA sequence. The opossum stanniocalcin 1 amino acid sequence had 83% homology with human stanniocalcin 1, and has a conserved putative N-linked glycosylation site. Real-time PCR analysis using opossum kidney proximal tubular (OK-P) cells revealed that the mRNA levels of stanniocalcin 1 gene is up-regulated by both 1,25(OH)2D3 and parathyroid hormone in dose-dependent and time-dependent manners. We also demonstrated that the stanniocalcin 1 expression was increased in parathyroid hormone injected rat kidney. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of stanniocalcin 1 and stanniocalcin 2 were oppositely regulated by phorbol 12,13-myristic acetate, a specific PKC activator. Interestingly, the up-regulation of stanniocalcin 1 gene by 1,25(OH)2D3 and phorbol 12,13-myristic acetate were not prevented in the presence of actinomycin D, an RNA synthesis inhibitor. These results suggest that the stanniocalcin 1 gene expression is up-regulated by 1,25(OH)2D3 and parathyroid hormone through mRNA stabilization in renal proximal tubular cells

Enhanced Si and B diffusion in semiconductor-grade SiO 2 and the effect of strain on diffusion

Abstract We present experimental and simulation results of Si self-diffusion and B diffusion in SiO 2 formed directly on Si substrates by thermal oxidation. We show that both Si and B diffusion in SiO 2 are enhanced by SiO generated at the Si/SiO 2 interface and diffusing into SiO 2 . We also show that the existence of high-concentration B in SiO 2 enhances SiO diffusion, which enhances both Si self-diffusion and B diffusion. This correlated diffusion of Si and B in SiO 2 is consistent with the first-principles calculation results, which show that B diffuses via a complex of BSiO with frequent bond exchanges in the SiO 2 network. Furthermore, based on the results, the enhancement of Si self-diffusion and B diffusion in SiO 2 by compressive strain and their retardation by tensile strain are suggested.

DESEMPENHO MOTOR DE PRATICANTES DE FUTSAL.

RESUMO O futsal é uma modalidade que requer, para seu desempenho, a boa execução das ações técnicas, que pode ser diretamente influenciada pelo condicionamento físico dos praticantes. O estudo teve como objetivo analisar o nível de Aptidão Física relacionada ao desempenho esportivo de praticantes de futsal de uma equipe de futsal da cidade de Manaus. A investigação caracterizou-se como descritiva e exploratória. A caracterização da amostra se deu a partir da avaliação antropométrica (peso corporal e estatura) e teste de desempenho motor (flexibilidade, resistência muscular localizada e potência de membros inferiores) das atletas. A análise descritiva dos dados foi feita através do programa SPSS 23.0 e os resultados foram interpretados com base no American College of Sports Medicine (2016).  Os resultados obtidos demonstram que 80% das atletas encontram-se em níveis inadequados de flexibilidade, ao mesmo tempo que 90% da amostra, em relação à resistência muscular localizada, está em níveis medianos ou acima. Por fim, a respeito da força explosiva de membros inferiores, 50% também apresenta resultados medianos ou acima. Considerando os resultados encontrados, sugerimos que se intensifiquem os treinos de força e flexibilidade e que haja continuidade no trabalho desenvolvido para a resistência muscular localizada.  PALAVRAS CHAVE: Futsal feminino, aptidão física, desempenho motor.   ABSTRACT  Futsal is a sport that requires, for its performance, the good execution of technical actions, which can be directly influenced by the physical conditioning of practitioners. The study aimed to analyze the level of Physical Fitness related to the sports performance of futsal practitioners of a futsal team in the city of Manaus. The investigation was characterized as descriptive and exploratory. The characterization of the sample occurred from the anthropometric evaluation (body weight and height) and motor performance test (flexibility, localized muscle resistance and power of lower limbs) of the athletes. The tests were performed based on the Manual of Tests and Evaluation - PROJETO ESPORTE BRASIL. The descriptive analysis of the data was performed using the SPSS 23.0 program and the results were interpreted based on the American College of Sports Medicine (2016).  The results obtained show that 80% of the athletes are in inadequate levels of flexibility, at the same time that 90% of the sample, in relation to the located muscular resistance, is in median levels or above. Finally, regarding the explosive strength of lower limbs, 50% also presents median results or above. Considering the results found, we suggest that the strength and flexibility trainings be intensified and that there be continuity in the work developed for the localized muscular resistance.  KEY WORDS: Female futsal, physical fitness, motor performance

APTIDÃO FÍSICA: Percepção de escolares da cidade de Manaus em relação ao do nível requerido.

RESUMO O objetivo desta pesquisa foi verificar se existe relação entre a percepção e o nível de aptidão física requerida de escolares adolescentes de uma escola pública da cidade de Manaus. Foram avaliados 112 escolares de ambos os sexos, com idade de 14 anos, sendo 56 meninas e 56 meninos. Para a coleta de dados foi utilizado um questionário próprio referente à percepção dos alunos, bem como a aplicação dos testes de aptidão física relacionada à saúde segundo o ACSM (2016), normas de referência do PROESP-BR (2016) e da WHO (2020). Na aptidão física relacionada à saúde, os escolares encontravam-se eutróficos. Observou-se que na percepção nos grupos, o nível de desempenho fraco de aptidão física prevaleceu. Entre os meninos e meninas a idade não foi um fator importante, pois o comportamento das médias de percepção da aptidão física teve desempenhos similares na maioria dos grupos. Estima-se que, desde a infância os meninos são mais encorajados, motivados e engajados em atividades físicas que as meninas. Portanto, fatores como motivação, interação social e nível de realizações podem influenciar na percepção. Diante dos resultados encontrados, pode-se concluir que, os escolares deste estudo não evidenciaram real percepção, assim, não se pode afirmar que existe relação entre percepção e o nível aptidão física requerida de escolares. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Percepção; Aptidão Física; Escolares.   ABSTRACT The objective of this research was to verify if there is a relationship between the perception and the level of physical fitness required of adolescent students from a public school in Manaus. 112 schoolchildren of both sexes, aged 14 years, with 56 girls and 56 boys, were evaluated. For data collection, a questionnaire was used for students’ perception, as well as the application of health-related physical fitness tests according to ACSM (2016), reference standards of PROESP-BR (2016) and WHO (2020). In health-related physical fitness, students were eutrophic. It was observed that in the perception in the groups, the level of poor performance of physical fitness prevailed. Among boys and girls, age was not an important factor, since the behavior of the means of perception of physical fitness had similar performances in most groups. It is estimated that, since childhood, boys are more encouraged, motivated and engaged in physical activities than girls. Therefore, factors such as motivation, social interaction and level of achievement can influence perception. In view of the results found, it can be concluded that the students in this study did not show real perception. Thus, it cannot be said that there is a relationship between perception and the level of physical fitness required of students. KEY WORDS: Perception; Physical Fitness; Schoolchildren