Preparation of BiVO 4

We prepared BiVO4-graphene nanocomposites by using a facile single-step method and characterized the material by x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible diffuse-reflection spectroscopy, and three-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy. The results show that graphene oxide in the catalyst was thoroughly reduced. The BiVO4 is densely dispersed on the graphene sheets, which facilitates the transport of electrons photogenerated in BiVO4, thereby leading to an efficient separation of photogenerated carriers in the coupled graphene-nanocomposite system. For degradation of rhodamine B dye under visible-light irradiation, the photocatalytic activity of the synthesized nanocomposites was over ∼20% faster than for pure BiVO4 catalyst. To study the contribution of electrons and holes in the degradation reaction, silver nitrate and potassium sodium tartrate were added to the BiVO4-graphene photocatalytic reaction system as electron-trapping agent and hole-trapping agent, respectively. The results show that holes play the main role in the degradation of rhodamine B

Investigation on SMT Product Defect Recognition Based on Multi-Source and Multi-Dimensional Data Reconstruction

The recognition of defects in the solder paste printing process significantly influences the surface-mounted technology (SMT) production quality. However, defect recognition via inspection by a machine has poor accuracy, resulting in a need for the manual rechecking of many defects and a high production cost. In this study, we investigated SMT product defect recognition based on multi-source and multi-dimensional data reconstruction for the SMT production quality control process in order to address this issue. Firstly, the correlation between features and defects was enhanced by feature interaction, selection, and conversion. Then, a defect recognition model for the solder paste printing process was constructed based on feature reconstruction. Finally, the proposed model was validated on a SMT production dataset and compared with other methods. The results show that the accuracy of the proposed defect recognition model is 96.97%. Compared with four other methods, the proposed defect recognition model has higher accuracy and provides a new approach to improving the defect recognition rate in the SMT production quality control process

Is extracellular matrix (ECM) a promising scaffold biomaterial for bone repair?

The increasing demand for bone grafts and the scarcity of donors worldwide are promoting researchers to seek alternatives. The extracellular matrix (ECM) has been reported to enhance properties of osteoconduction and osteoinduction by simulating the molecular structure of bone and facilitating cell infiltration for bone repair. As one of several novel biomaterials, ECM has many desirable properties, including biocompatibility, bioactivity, and biosafety. Thus, we evaluated whether ECM is a promising scaffold biomaterial for bone repair. In this review, we explore ECM composition, the sources and fabrication methods, especially the decellularization technique, of ECM scaffolds. Furthermore, we highlight recent progress in the use of ECM as a scaffold biomaterial for bone repair. Generally, ECM is used in 1) threedimensional (3D) cell cultures to promote osteogenic differentiation, 2) combinations with other biomaterials to increase their osteogenic effects, 3) 3D printing to produce customized or patient-tailored scaffolds for bone repair, and 4) hydrogels derived from ECM used for bone repair. In addition, we focus on future prospects for application of ECM as a scaffold material used for bone repair. From this review, we expect to have a perfect understanding of ECM-based scaffold materials in the hope that this leads to further research of the production of ECM biomaterials to meet the clinical needs for bone repair

Preparation of BiVO4-Graphene Nanocomposites and Their Photocatalytic Activity

We prepared BiVO4-graphene nanocomposites by using a facile single-step method and characterized the material by x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible diffuse-reflection spectroscopy, and three-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy. The results show that graphene oxide in the catalyst was thoroughly reduced. The BiVO4 is densely dispersed on the graphene sheets, which facilitates the transport of electrons photogenerated in BiVO4, thereby leading to an efficient separation of photogenerated carriers in the coupled graphene-nanocomposite system. For degradation of rhodamine B dye under visible-light irradiation, the photocatalytic activity of the synthesized nanocomposites was over ∼20% faster than for pure BiVO4 catalyst. To study the contribution of electrons and holes in the degradation reaction, silver nitrate and potassium sodium tartrate were added to the BiVO4-graphene photocatalytic reaction system as electron-trapping agent and hole-trapping agent, respectively. The results show that holes play the main role in the degradation of rhodamine B

The HMGB1-CXCL12 Complex Promotes Inflammatory Cell Infiltration in Uveitogenic T Cell-Induced Chronic Experimental Autoimmune Uveitis.

It is largely unknown how invading autoreactive T cells initiate the pathogenic process inside the diseased organ in organ-specific autoimmune diseases. In experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) induced by uveitogenic, interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP)-specific T cells (tEAU) in mice, we have previously reported that high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) released as a consequence of the direct interaction between IRBP-specific T cells and retinal parenchymal cells is an early and critical mediator in induction of intraocular inflammation. Our present study explored the roles of HMGB1 in intraocular inflammation, focusing on its role in recruiting inflammatory cells into the eye. Our results showed that supernatants from retinal explants either stimulated with HMGB1 or cocultured with IRBP-specific T cells attracted leukocytes. Notably, HMGB1 antagonists blocked supernatant-induced chemoattraction when present from the start of coculture, but not when added to the culture supernatants after coculture, indicating that molecules released by HMGB1-treated retinal cells are chemoattractive. Moreover, CXCL12 levels in the coculture supernatants were dependent on HMGB1, since they were increased in the cocultures and reduced when HMGB1 antagonists were added at the beginning of the coculture. When either anti-CXCL12 Ab was added to the supernatants after coculture or the responding lymphocytes were pretreated with Ab against CXCL12 specific receptor, CXCR4, chemoattraction by the coculture supernatants was decreased. Finally, induction of tEAU was significantly inhibited by a CXCR4 antagonist, AMD3100, at the time of autoreactive T cell transfer. Our study demonstrates that, at a very early stage of intraocular inflammation initiated by uveitogenic autoreactive T cells, synergism between HMGB1 and CXCL12 is crucial for the infiltration of inflammatory cells

Mixing-rules calculations and AAMD simulations for EOSs of deuterium-xenon mixtures

We present the calculated equations of state (EOSs) for deuterium-xenon mixtures using mixing rules. Three mixing rules, which are ideal rule, volume rule and pressure rule, were used for the calculations, and the thermodynamic self-consistency was evaluated. The volume rule predicts the pressures of mixtures rather accurately, but it fails in the predictions of energies. The pressure ionization has an impact on energy and pressure. Furthermore, the calculated results of the mixing rules were compared with average-atom molecular dynamics (AAMD) simulations, and the pressure rule performs well than the ideal and volume rules over the investigated range.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author

D-Mannose prevents bone loss under weightlessness

Abstract Background Astronauts undergo significant microgravity-induced bone loss during space missions, which has become one of the three major medical problems hindering human's long-term space flight. A risk-free and antiresorptive drug is urgently needed to prevent bone loss during space missions. D-mannose is a natural C-2 epimer of D-glucose and is abundant in cranberries. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects and potential mechanisms of D-mannose against bone loss under weightlessness. Methods The hind legs of tail-suspended (TS) rats were used to mimic weightlessness on Earth. Rats were administered D-mannose intragastrically. The osteoclastogenic and osteogenic capacity of D-mannose in vitro and in vivo was analyzed by micro-computed tomography, biomechanical assessment, bone histology, serum markers of bone metabolism, cell proliferation assay, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and western blotting. RNA-seq transcriptomic analysis was performed to detect the underlying mechanisms of D-mannose in bone protection. Results The TS rats showed lower bone mineral density (BMD) and poorer bone morphological indices. D-mannose could improve BMD in TS rats. D-mannose inhibited osteoclast proliferation and fusion in vitro, without apparent effects on osteoblasts. RNA-seq transcriptomic analysis showed that D-mannose administration significantly inhibited the cell fusion molecule dendritic cell-specific transmembrane protein (DC-STAMP) and two indispensable transcription factors for osteoclast fusion (c-Fos and nuclear factor of activated T cells 1 [NFATc1]). Finally, TS rats tended to experience dysuria-related urinary tract infections (UTIs), which were suppressed by treatment with D-mannose. Conclusion D-mannose protected against bone loss and UTIs in rats under weightlessness. The bone protective effects of D-mannose were mediated by inhibiting osteoclast cell fusion. Our findings provide a potential strategy to protect against bone loss and UTIs during space missions