Bifunctionality of Rh3+ Modifier on TiO2 and Working Mechanism of Rh3+/TiO2 Photocatalyst under Irradiation of Visible Light

A rhodium(III) ion (Rh3+)-modified TiO2 (Rh3+/TiO2) photocatalyst, prepared by a simple adsorption method and exhibiting high levels of photocatalytic activity in degradation of organic compounds, was investigated by using X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) measurements, (photo)electrochemical measurements, double-beam photoacoustic (DB-PA) spectroscopic measurements, and photoluminescence measurements. Based on the results, the features of the Rh3+ modifier and the working mechanism of the Rh3+/TiO2 photocatalyst are discussed. XAFS measurements revealed that the Rh3+ species were highly dispersed and almost atomically isolated on TiO2. The (photo)electrochemical measurements, DB-PA spectroscopic measurements, and photoluminescence showed a unique bifunction of the Rh3+ modifier as a promoter for O2 reductions and an electron injector to the conduction band of TiO2 for response to visible light. The reasons for the Rh3+/TiO2 photocatalyst exhibiting higher levels of photocatalytic activity than those of TiO2 photocatalysts modified with other metal ions are also discussed on the basis of obtained results

Dopamine error signal to actively cope with lack of expected reward

目標に向けて努力し続けられる脳の仕組みを解明 --期待外れを乗り越えるためのドーパミン機能--. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2023-03-13.Dope defense against disappointment: Neurons in rats increase dopamine immediately after setbacks. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2023-06-20.To obtain more of a particular uncertain reward, animals must learn to actively overcome the lack of reward and adjust behavior to obtain it again. The neural mechanisms underlying such coping with reward omission remain unclear. Here, we developed a task in rats to monitor active behavioral switch toward the next reward after no reward. We found that some dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area exhibited increased responses to unexpected reward omission and decreased responses to unexpected reward, following the opposite responses of the well-known dopamine neurons that signal reward prediction error (RPE). The dopamine increase reflected in the nucleus accumbens correlated with behavioral adjustment to actively overcome unexpected no reward. We propose that these responses signal error to actively cope with lack of expected reward. The dopamine error signal thus cooperates with the RPE signal, enabling adaptive and robust pursuit of uncertain reward to ultimately obtain more reward

A Clinical Trial Evaluating the Usefulness of Tailored Antimicrobial Prophylaxis Using Rectal-culture Screening Media Prior to Transrectal Prostate Biopsy: A Multicenter, Randomized Controlled Trial

The aim of this report is to introduce an on-going, multicenter, randomized controlled trial to evaluate whether tailored antimicrobial prophylaxis guided by rectal culture screening prevents acute bacterial prostatitis following transrectal prostate biopsy (TRPB). Patients will be randomized into an intervention or non-intervention group; tazobactam-piperacillin or levofloxacin will be prophylactically administered according to the results of rectal culture prior to TRPB in the intervention group whereas levofloxacin will be routinely given in the non-intervention group. The primary endpoint is the occurrence rate of acute bacterial prostatitis after TRPB. Recruitment begins in April, 2021 and the target total sample size is 5,100 participants

Intrauterine infection with bovine leukemia virus in pregnant dam with high viral load

Enzootic bovine leukemia is caused by the bovine leukemia virus (BLV). BLV is transmitted vertically or horizontally through the transfer of infected cells via direct contact, through milk, insect bites and contaminated iatrogenic procedures. However, we lacked direct evidence of intrauterine infection. The purpose of this study was to confirm intrauterine BLV infection in two pregnant dams with high viral load by cesarean delivery. BLV was detected in cord and placental blood, and the BLV in the newborns showed 100% nucleotide identity with the BLV-env sequence from the dams. Notably, a newborn was seropositive for BLV but had no colostral antibodies. In this study, we presented a direct evidence of intrauterine BLV transmission in pregnant dam with a high proviral load. These results could aid the development of BLV control measures targeting viral load

Bifunctionality of Rh³⁺ Modifier on TiO₂ and Working Mechanism of Rh³⁺/TiO₂ Photocatalyst under Irradiation of Visible Light

A rhodium­(III) ion (Rh³⁺)-modified TiO₂ (Rh³⁺/TiO₂) photocatalyst, prepared by a simple adsorption method and exhibiting high levels of photocatalytic activity in degradation of organic compounds, was investigated by using X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) measurements, (photo)­electrochemical measurements, double-beam photoacoustic (DB-PA) spectroscopic measurements, and photoluminescence measurements. Based on the results, the features of the Rh³⁺ modifier and the working mechanism of the Rh³⁺/TiO₂ photocatalyst are discussed. XAFS measurements revealed that the Rh³⁺ species were highly dispersed and almost atomically isolated on TiO₂. The (photo)­electrochemical measurements, DB-PA spectroscopic measurements, and photoluminescence showed a unique bifunction of the Rh³⁺ modifier as a promoter for O₂ reductions and an electron injector to the conduction band of TiO₂ for response to visible light. The reasons for the Rh³⁺/TiO₂ photocatalyst exhibiting higher levels of photocatalytic activity than those of TiO₂ photocatalysts modified with other metal ions are also discussed on the basis of obtained results

Topotactic Synthesis of Mesoporous 12CaO·7Al₂O₃ Mesocrystalline Microcubes toward Catalytic Ammonia Synthesis

Topotactic Synthesis of Mesoporous 12CaO·7Al₂O₃ Mesocrystalline Microcubes toward Catalytic Ammonia Synthesi