Preparation and Characterization of Acrylic Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives Crosslinked with UV Radiation-Influence of Monomer Composition on Adhesive Properties

In this study, syntheses of acrylate copolymers were performed based on the monomers butyl acrylate (BA), 2-ethylhexyl acrylate (2-EHA), and acrylic acid (AA) and the second-type unsaturated photoinitiator 4-acryloyloxybenzophenone (ABP). The structure of the obtained copolymers was confirmed via FT-IR spectroscopic analysis, and the viscosity and the content of non-volatile substances were determined. The adhesive films were then coated and cross-linked using ultraviolet radiation in the UV-C range at various doses (5–50 mJ/cm²). Due to the dependence of the self-adhesive properties of the adhesive layer on the basis weight, various basis weights of the layer in the range of 30–120 g/m² were tested. Finally, the self-adhesive properties were assessed: tack, peel adhesion, shear strength (cohesion) at 20 °C and 70 °C, as well as the SAFT test and shrinkage. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of the type of monomer used, the dose of ultraviolet radiation, and the basis weight on the self-adhesive and usable properties of the obtained self-adhesive tapes.     

Predominance of the α1D subunit in L-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channels of hair cells in the chicken’s cochlea

The voltage-gated Ca²⁺ channels that effect tonic release of neurotransmitter from hair cells have unusual pharmacological properties: unlike most presynaptic Ca²⁺ channels, they are sensitive to dihydropyridines and therefore are L-type. To characterize these Ca²⁺ channels, we investigated the expression of L-type α₁ subunits in hair cells of the chicken’s cochlea. In PCRs with five different pairs of degenerate primers, we always obtained α_1D products, but only once an α_1C product and never an α_1S product. A full-length α_1D mRNA sequence was assembled from overlapping PCR products; the predicted amino acid sequence of the α_1D subunit was about 90% identical to those of the mammalian α_1D subunits. In situ hybridization confirmed that the α_1D mRNA is present in hair cells. By using a quantitative PCR assay, we determined that the α_1D mRNA is 100–500 times more abundant than the α_1C mRNA. We conclude that most, if not all, voltage-gated Ca²⁺ channels in hair cells contain an α_1D subunit. Furthermore, we propose that the α_1D subunit plays a hitherto undocumented role at tonic synapses.     

Determination of the PIC700 Ceramic’s Complex Piezo-Dielectric and Elastic Matrices from Manageable Aspect Ratio Resonators

Achieving good piezoelectric properties, such as the widely reported d₃₃ charge coefficient, is a good starting point in establishing the potential applicability of piezoceramics. However, piezoceramics are only completely characterized by consistent piezoelectric-elastic-dielectric material coefficient matrices in complex form, i.e., including all losses. These matrices, which define the various alternative forms of the constitutive equations of piezoelectricity, are required for reliable virtual prototyping in the design of new devices. To meet this need, ten precise and accurate piezoelectric dielectric and elastic coefficients of the material, including all losses, must be determined for each alternative. Due to the difficulties arising from the coupling of modes when using the resonance method, this complete set of parameters is scarcely reported. Bi_0.5Na_0.5TiO₃-based solid solutions are already commercially available in Europe and Japan. Here, we report a case study of the determination of these sets of material coefficients (d_iα, g_iα, e_iα and h_iα; s^E,D_αβ and c^E,D_αβ; ε^T_ik and ε^S_ik; and β^T_ik and β^S_ik), including all losses, of the commercial PIC700 eco-piezoceramic. Plate, disk, and cylinder ceramic resonators of a manageable aspect ratio were used to obtain all the material coefficients. The validation procedure of the matrices is also given by FEA modeling of the considered resonators.     

Associations between angiogenic factors and intravoxel incoherent motion-derived parameters in diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of breast cancer

Intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to estimate perfusion-related parameters, but these parameters may differ, based on the curve-fitting algorithm used for IVIM. Microvessel density (MVD) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) status are used as angiogenic factors in breast cancer. We aimed to investigate the relationship between MVD, VEGF, and intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM)-derived parameters, obtained by 4 curve-fitting algorithms, in patients with invasive breast cancers.This retrospective study investigated IVIM-derived parameters, D (ie, tissue diffusivity), D^∗ (ie, pseudodiffusivity), and f (ie, perfusion fraction), of 55 breast cancers, using 10 b values (range, 0–800 s/mm²) and 4 curve-fitting algorithms: algorithm 1, linear fitting of D and f first, followed by D^∗; algorithm 2, linear fitting of D and f and nonlinear fitting of D^∗; algorithm 3, linear fitting of D and f, linear fitting of D^∗, and ignoring D contribution for low b values; and algorithm 4, full nonlinear fitting of D, f, and D^∗. We evaluated whole-tumor histograms of D, f, and D^∗ for their association with MVD and VEGF.D^∗₁₀, D^∗₂₅, D^∗₅₀, D^∗_mean, D^∗₇₅, D^∗₉₀, f₁₀, and f₂₅, derived using algorithm 3, were associated with VEGF expression (P = .043, P = 0.012, P = .019, P = .024, P = .044, P = .041, P = .010, and P = .005, respectively). However, no correlation existed between MVD and IVIM-derived parameters.Perfusion-related IVIM parameters obtained by curve-fitting algorithm 3 may reflect VEGF expression.     

Effect of Gd2O3 Addition on the Microstructure and Properties of Gd2O3-Yb2O3-Y2O3-ZrO2 (GYYZO) Ceramics

Gd and Yb elements have high chemical stability, which can stabilize the solid solution in ZrO₂. Gd₂O₃ and Yb₂O₃ have high melting points, and good oxidation resistance in extreme environments, stable chemical properties. Therefore, Gd₂O₃ and Yb₂O₃ were added to ZrO₂ to stabilize oxides, improve the high temperature stability, and effectively decrease the thermal conductivity at high temperature. In this work, 5 wt% Yb₂O₃ and 5 wt%, 10 wt%, 15 wt% Gd₂O₃ were doped into 8 wt% Y₂O₃ stabilized ZrO₂ (8YSZ) powders as thermal barrier coating materials, and sintered at 1650 °C for 6 h, 12 h, 24 h. The effects of Gd₂O₃ addition on the microstructure, density, thermal conductivity, hardness, and fracture toughness of Gd₂O₃-Yb₂O₃-Y₂O₃-ZrO₂ (GYYZO) bulk composite ceramics were investigated. It was found that the densification of the 8YSZ bulk and GYYZO bulk with 15 wt% Gd₂O₃ reached 96.89% and 96.22% sintered at 1650 °C for 24 h. With the increase of Gd₂O₃ addition, the hardness, elastic modulus and fracture toughness of the GYYZO bulk increased and the thermal conductivity and thermal expansion coefficient of the GYYZO bulk decreased. GYYZO bulk with 15 wt% Gd₂O₃ sintered at 1650 °C for 24h had the highest hardness, elastic modulus and fracture toughness of 15.61 GPa, 306.88 GPa, 7.822 MPa·m^0.5, and the lowest thermal conductivity and thermal expansion coefficient of 1.04 W/(m·k) and 7.89 × 10⁻⁶/°C at 1100 °C, respectively. The addition of Gd₂O₃ into YSZ could not only effectively reduce the thermal conductivity but also improve the mechanical properties, which would improve the thermal barrier coatings’ performances further.     

Effect of Polyimide-Phosphating Double Coating and Annealing on the Magnetic Properties of Fe-Si-Cr SMCs

Fe-Si-Cr soft magnetic powder cores (SMCs), with high electrical resistivity, magnetic permeability, saturation magnetic induction, and good corrosion resistance, are widely applied to inductors, filters, choke coils, etc. However, with the development of electronic technology with high frequency and high power density, the relative decline in the magnetic properties limits the high-frequency application of SMCs. In this paper, the phosphating process and polyimide (PI) insulation coating is applied to Fe-Si-Cr SMCs to reduce the core loss, including hysteresis loss and eddy current loss. The microstructure and composition of Fe-Si-Cr powders were analyzed by SEM, XRD, and Fourier-transform infrared spectra, respectively. The structural characteristics of the Fe-Si-Cr @ phosphate layer @ PI layer core–shell double coating were studied, and the best process parameters were determined through experiments. For SMCs with 0.4 wt% content of PI, the relative permeability is greater than 68%, and the core loss is the lowest, 7086 mW/cm³; annealed at 500 °C, the relative permeability is greater than 57%, and the core loss is the lowest, 6222 mW/cm³. A 0.4 wt% content of PI, annealed at 500 °C, exhibits the ideal magnetic properties: μ_e = 47 H/m, P = 6222 mW/cm³.     

Borosilicate Glass-Ceramics Containing Zirconolite and Powellite for RE- and Mo-Rich Nuclear Waste Immobilization

In order to increase the loading of rare earth- and molybdenum-rich high-level waste in the waste forms, zirconolite- and powellite-based multi-phase borosilicate glass-ceramics were synthesized via an in-situ heat treatment method. The effects of the CTZ (CaO, TiO₂ and ZrO₂) content on the crystallization, microstructure and aqueous durability of the multi-phase borosilicate glass-ceramics were studied. The results indicate that the increase of CTZ content can promote crystallization. The glass-ceramics presented even structures when the CTZ content was ≥ 40 wt%. For the glass-ceramic with 40 wt% CTZ, only zirconolite and powellite crystals were detected and powellite crystals were mainly distributed around zirconolite, whereas for the glass-ceramics with 50 wt% CTZ, perovskite was detected. Furthermore, the leaching rates of Na, Ca, Mo and Nd were in the ×10⁻³, ×10⁻⁴, ×10⁻³ and ×10⁻⁵ g·m⁻²·d·⁻¹ orders of magnitude on the 28th leaching day, respectively.     

Influence of Nanoclay on the Thermo-Mechanical Properties of Silicone Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives

This research was carried on newly obtained innovative materials—self-adhesive one-sided tapes based on silicone pressure-sensitive adhesives. In order to obtain tapes, the stable adhesive composition was subjected to physical modification by incorporating into it various amounts of selected silicon fillers. The produced pressure-sensitive adhesives were tested for viscosity and thermogravimetric analysis, as well as the manufactured tapes; i.e., peel adhesion, tack, cohesion at room and elevated temperature, SAFT test (shear adhesive failure temperature), and shrinkage. The prepared self-adhesive tapes retained their self-adhesive properties at a level close to the initial level while increasing the thermal resistance by 70–75 °C, reaching the level of 220–225 °C. The new self-adhesive materials have application potential and can be used as a material for special applications in the field of electrical engineering and heavy industry.     

Peculiarities of DRX in a Highly-Alloyed Austenitic Stainless Steel

The features of discontinuous dynamic recrystallization (DRX) in a highly-alloyed austenitic stainless steel were studied at temperatures of 800 °C to 1100 °C. Hot deformation accompanied by DRX was characterized by an activation energy of 415 kJ/mol. The frequency of the sequential DRX cycles depended on the deformation conditions; and the largest fraction of DRX grains with small grain orientation spread below 1° was observed at a temperature of around 1000 °C and a strain rate of about 10⁻³ s⁻¹. The following power law relationships were obtained for DRX grain size (D_DRX) and dislocation density (ρ) vs. temperature-compensated strain rate (Z) or peak flow stress (σ_P): D_DRX ~ Z^−0.25, ρ ~ Z^0.1, σ_P ~ D_DRX^−0.9, σ_P ~ ρ^1.4. The latter, i.e., σ_P ~ ρ^1.4, was valid in the flow stress range below 300 MPa and changed to σ_P ~ ρ^0.5 on increasing the stress. The obtained dependencies suggest a unique power law function between the dislocation density and the DRX grain size with an exponent of −0.5.     

Tcra gene recombination is supported by a Tcra enhancer- and CTCF-dependent chromatin hub

Antigen receptor locus V(D)J recombination requires interactions between widely separated variable (V), diversity (D), and joining (J) gene segments, but the mechanisms that generate these interactions are not well understood. Here we assessed mechanisms that direct developmental stage-specific long-distance interactions at the Tcra/Tcrd locus. The Tcra/Tcrd locus recombines Tcrd gene segments in CD4⁻CD8⁻ double-negative thymocytes and Tcra gene segments in CD4⁺CD8⁺ double-positive thymocytes. Initial V_α-to-J_α recombination occurs within a chromosomal domain that displays a contracted conformation in both thymocyte subsets. We used chromosome conformation capture to demonstrate that the Tcra enhancer (E_α) interacts directly with V_α and J_α gene segments distributed across this domain, specifically in double-positive thymocytes. Moreover, E_α promotes interactions between these V_α and J_α segments that should facilitate their synapsis. We found that the CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) binds to E_α and to many locus promoters, biases E_α to interact with these promoters, and is required for efficient V_α–J_α recombination. Our data indicate that E_α and CTCF cooperate to create a developmentally regulated chromatin hub that supports V_α–J_α synapsis and recombination.     

Encapsulated-guest rotation in a self-assembled heterocapsule directed toward a supramolecular gyroscope

The self-assembled heterocapsule 1·2, which is formed by the hydrogen bonds of tetra(4-pyridyl)-cavitand 1 and tetrakis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-cavitand 2, encapsulates 1 molecule of guests such as 1,4-diacetoxybenzene 3a, 1,4-diacetoxy-2,5-dimethylbenzene 3b, 1,4-diacetoxy-2,5-dialkoxybenzenes (3c, OCH₃; 3d, OC₂H₅; 3e, OC₃H₇; 3f, OC₄H₉; 3g, OC₅H₁₁; 3h, OC₆H₁₃; 3i, OC₈H₁₇), 1,4-diacetoxy-2,5-difluorobenzene 4a, and 1,4-diacetoxy-2,3-difluorobenzene 4b. The X-ray crystallographic analysis of 3c@(1·2) showed that the acetoxy groups at the 1,4-positions of 3c are oriented toward the 2 aromatic cavity ends of 1·2 and that 3c can rotate along the long axis of 1·2. Thus, the 1·2 (stator) with the encapsulation guest (rotator) behaves as a supramolecular gyroscope. A variable temperature (VT) ¹H NMR study in CDCl₃ showed that 3a, 3b, 4a, and 4b within 1·2 rotate rapidly even at 218 K, whereas guest rotation is almost inhibited for 3h and 3i even at 323 K. In this respect, 4b with a large dipole moment is a good candidate for the rotator of 1·2. For 3c–3g, the enthalpic (ΔH^‡) and entropic (ΔS^‡) contributions to the free energy of activation (ΔG^‡) for the guest-rotational steric barriers within 1·2 were obtained from Eyring plots based on line-shape analysis of the VT ¹H NMR spectra. The value of ΔG^‡ increased in the order 3c < 3d < 3e < 3f < 3g. Thus, the elongation of the alkoxy chains at the 2,5-positions of 3 puts the brakes on guest rotation within 1·2.     

Study on a High-Boron-Content Stainless Steel Composite for Nuclear Radiation

In this research, a high-boron-content composite material with both neutron and γ rays shielding properties was developed by an optimized design and manufacture. It consists of 304 stainless steel as the matrix and spherical boron carbide (B₄C) particles as the functional particles. The content of B₄C is 24.68 wt%, and the particles’ radius is 1.53 mm. The density of the newly designed material is 5.17 g·cm⁻³, about 68.02% of that of traditional borated stainless steel containing 1.7 wt% boron, while its neutrons shielding performance is much better. Firstly, focusing on shielding properties and material density, the content and the size of B₄C were optimized by the Genetic Algorithm (GA) program combined with the MCNP program. Then, some samples of the material were manufactured by the infiltration casting technique according to the optimized results. The actual density of the samples was 5.21 g cm⁻³. In addition, the neutron and γ rays shielding performance of the samples and borated stainless steel containing 1.7 wt% boron was tested by using an ²⁴¹Am–Be neutron source and ⁶⁰Co and ¹³⁷Cs γ rays sources, respectively, and the results were compared. It can be concluded that the new designed material could be used as a material for nuclear power plants or spent-fuel storage and transportation containers with high requirements for mobility.     

Comparing Triflate and Hexafluorophosphate Anions of Ionic Liquids in Polymer Electrolytes for Supercapacitor Applications

Two different ionic liquid-based biopolymer electrolyte systems were prepared using a solution casting technique. Corn starch and lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF₆) were employed as polymer and salt, respectively. Additionally, two different counteranions of ionic liquids, viz. 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BmImPF₆) and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate (also known as 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium triflate) (BmImTf) were used and studied in this present work. The maximum ionic conductivities of (1.47 ± 0.02) × 10⁻⁴ and (3.21 ± 0.01) × 10⁻⁴ S·cm⁻¹ were achieved with adulteration of 50 wt% of BmImPF₆ and 80 wt% of BmImTf, respectively at ambient temperature. Activated carbon-based electrodes were prepared and used in supercapacitor fabrication. Supercapacitors were then assembled using the most conducting polymer electrolyte from each system. The electrochemical properties of the supercapacitors were then analyzed. The supercapacitor containing the triflate-based biopolymer electrolyte depicted a higher specific capacitance with a wider electrochemical stability window compared to that of the hexafluorophosphate system.     

Detailed Inspection of γ-ray,Fast and Thermal Neutrons Shielding Competence of Calcium Oxide or Strontium Oxide Comprising Bismuth Borate Glasses

For both the B₂O₃-Bi₂O₃-CaO and B₂O₃-Bi₂O₃-SrO glass systems, γ-ray and neutron attenuation qualities were evaluated. Utilizing the Phy-X/PSD program, within the 0.015–15 MeV energy range, linear attenuation coefficients (µ) and mass attenuation coefficients (μ/ρ) were calculated, and the attained μ/ρ quantities match well with respective simulation results computed by MCNPX, Geant4, and Penelope codes. Instead of B₂O₃/CaO or B₂O₃/SrO, the Bi₂O₃ addition causes improved γ-ray shielding competence, i.e., rise in effective atomic number (Z_eff) and a fall in half-value layer (HVL), tenth-value layer (TVL), and mean free path (MFP). Exposure buildup factors (EBFs) and energy absorption buildup factors (EABFs) were derived using a geometric progression (G–P) fitting approach at 1–40 mfp penetration depths (PDs), within the 0.015–15 MeV range. Computed radiation protection efficiency (RPE) values confirm their excellent capacity for lower energy photons shielding. Comparably greater density (7.59 g/cm³), larger μ, μ/ρ, Z_eff, equivalent atomic number (Z_eq), and RPE, with the lowest HVL, TVL, MFP, EBFs, and EABFs derived for 30B₂O₃-60Bi₂O₃-10SrO (mol%) glass suggest it as an excellent γ-ray attenuator. Additionally, 30B₂O₃-60Bi₂O₃-10SrO (mol%) glass holds a commensurably bigger macroscopic removal cross-section for fast neutrons (Σ_R) (=0.1199 cm⁻¹), obtained by applying Phy-X/PSD for fast neutrons shielding, owing to the presence of larger wt% of ‘Bi’ (80.6813 wt%) and moderate ‘B’ (2.0869 wt%) elements in it. 70B₂O₃-5Bi₂O₃-25CaO (mol%) sample (B: 17.5887 wt%, Bi: 24.2855 wt%, Ca: 11.6436 wt%, and O: 46.4821 wt%) shows high potentiality for thermal or slow neutrons and intermediate energy neutrons capture or absorption due to comprised high wt% of ‘B’ element in it.     

Elucidation of G-protein and β-arrestin functional selectivity at the dopamine D2 receptor

The neuromodulator dopamine signals through the dopamine D2 receptor (D₂R) to modulate central nervous system functions through diverse signal transduction pathways. D₂R is a prominent target for drug treatments in disorders where dopamine function is aberrant, such as schizophrenia. D₂R signals through distinct G-protein and β-arrestin pathways, and drugs that are functionally selective for these pathways could have improved therapeutic potential. How D₂R signals through the two pathways is still not well defined, and efforts to elucidate these pathways have been hampered by the lack of adequate tools for assessing the contribution of each pathway independently. To address this, Evolutionary Trace was used to produce D₂R mutants with strongly biased signal transduction for either the G-protein or β-arrestin interactions. These mutants were used to resolve the role of G proteins and β-arrestins in D₂R signaling assays. The results show that D₂R interactions with the two downstream effectors are dissociable and that G-protein signaling accounts for D₂R canonical MAP kinase signaling cascade activation, whereas β-arrestin only activates elements of this cascade under certain conditions. Nevertheless, when expressed in mice in GABAergic medium spiny neurons of the striatum, the β-arrestin–biased D₂R caused a significant potentiation of amphetamine-induced locomotion, whereas the G protein-biased D₂R had minimal effects. The mutant receptors generated here provide a molecular tool set that should enable a better definition of the individual roles of G-protein and β-arrestin signaling pathways in D₂R pharmacology, neurobiology, and associated pathologies.G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest receptor family and transmit the physiological effects of numerous biologically active molecules. GPCR signal transduction cascades account for diverse genomic, biochemical, cellular, and behavioral responses including cell fate determination, developmental reprogramming, olfactory, taste and light sensation, as well as complex behaviors mediated by neuromodulators (1). The diversity of responses to a particular hormone or neuromodulator is dictated not only by its cognate receptor but also by the ability of that receptor to engage distinct signaling pathways. For a number of GPCRs, their propensity to activate distinct G proteins can elicit diverse responses depending on the cellular environment (2). However, an even more subtle but intriguing mode of signaling has been attributed to the ability of a receptor to activate signaling pathways independent of G-protein activation, through the scaffolding of signaling complexes by β-arrestin, a component of the GPCR desensitization and internalization machinery (3). These two signaling modes harbor distinct functional properties, and in instances the same ligand can act as an agonist for one pathway but antagonist at the other. The selective or biased activation of a given pathway is commonly referred to as “functional selectivity” and can be easily demonstrated in heterologous systems especially when biased small molecule ligands are available (4). Biased GPCR ligands may have high therapeutic potential as these receptors represent the largest targets of drugs on the market. However, determining the functional contributions of G-protein and β-arrestin signaling pathways to the biological actions of an endogenous ligand acting upon its receptor still remains a challenging undertaking.Dopamine (DA) is a neuromodulator that is known to regulate movement, reward, cognition, emotion, and affect. The dopamine D2 receptor (D₂R) is a prominent GPCR that mediates the actions of DA. All typical antipsychotics, such as haloperidol, are potent D₂R blockers (5), whereas atypical antipsychotics, such as aripiprazole and clozapine, have unique pharmacology, exhibiting weak partial agonist activity at D₂R or reduced antagonist efficacy, respectively (6). Previous studies have demonstrated the ability of D₂Rs to engage different signal transduction pathways depending on the cellular complement of G proteins as well as their ability to regulate different physiological processes (7–9). β-arrestin 2 knockout mice provided robust behavioral and biochemical evidence for a critical D₂R/β-arrestin signaling pathway in the striatum (10). Furthermore, neuronal selective deletion of GSK3β, a putative D₂R/β-arrestin 2 effector, could reproduce the pharmacological blockade of D₂Rs with antipsychotics (11). Although these studies suggest that D₂Rs, like many other GPCRs, use pleiotropic signaling pathways to mediate their effects, the brain DA system is uniquely complex, as diverse responses may also rely upon many other determinants. One well-documented variable is the mode of stimulation of DA receptors, which is a function of the tonic or phasic release of DA (12). The expression profile of D₂R is also complex, being expressed not only in DA synthesizing neurons of the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area where they function as presynaptic autoreceptors but also in GABAergic medium spiny neurons (MSNs), cholinergic interneurons of the striatum, and cortical neurons (13), where they function as postsynaptic receptors. Thus, understanding the contributions of functional selectivity at D₂R in intact biological systems is a challenge that cannot be elucidated in heterologous systems alone. To develop tools where this challenge can begin to be addressed, the Evolutionary Trace (ET) (14) approach was used to engineer D₂R mutants that selectively interact with either G proteins or β-arrestins, designated ^[Gprot]D₂R and ^[βarr]D₂R, respectively. These mutants show separation of G-protein and β-arrestin interactions, and expression of these mutants in vivo in the mouse striatum provides proof-of-concept for their biological activity and discrete functions.     

Medium-Entropy SrV1/3Fe1/3Mo1/3O3 with High Conductivity and Strong Stability as SOFCs High-Performance Anode

Perovskite oxides using solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) anodes should possess high chemical stability, adequate electronic conductivity and excellent catalytic oxidation for fuel gas. In this work, the medium-entropy SrV_1/3Fe_1/3Mo_1/3O₃ (SVFMO) with Fe, V and Mo co-existing in the B site of a perovskite structure was fabricated in reducing 5% H₂/Ar mixed gas: (1) SVFMO demonstrates more stable physicochemical properties when using SOFCs anodes in a reducing environment; (2) the co-existence of Fe, V and Mo in SVFMO forms more small-polaron couples, demonstrating greatly enhanced electronic conductivity. With SVFMO in a porous structure (simulating the porous anode layer), its electronic conductivity can also reach 70 S cm⁻¹ when testing at 800 °C in an H₂ atmosphere; (3) SVFMO with more oxygen vacancies achieves higher catalytic ability for fuel gas, as an SOFCs anode layer demonstrates 720 mW cm⁻² at 850 °C.     

Structural and Photoluminescence Investigations of Tb3+/Eu3+ Co-Doped Silicate Sol-Gel Glass-Ceramics Containing CaF2 Nanocrystals

In this work, the series of Tb³⁺/Eu³⁺ co-doped xerogels and derivative glass-ceramics containing CaF₂ nanocrystals were prepared and characterized. The in situ formation of fluoride crystals was verified by an X-ray diffraction technique (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The studies of the Tb³⁺/Eu³⁺ energy transfer (ET) process were performed based on excitation and emission spectra along with luminescence decay analysis. According to emission spectra recorded under near-ultraviolet (NUV) excitation (351 nm, ⁷F₆ → ⁵L₉ transition of Tb³⁺), the mutual coexistence of the ⁵D₄ → ⁷F_J (J = 6–3) (Tb³⁺) and the ⁵D₀ → ⁷F_J (J = 0–4) (Eu³⁺) luminescence bands was clearly observed. The co-doping also resulted in gradual shortening of a lifetime from the ⁵D₄ state of Tb³⁺ ions, and the ET efficiencies were varied from η_ET = 11.9% (Tb³⁺:Eu³⁺ = 1:0.5) to η_ET = 22.9% (Tb³⁺:Eu³⁺ = 1:2) for xerogels, and from η_ET = 25.7% (Tb³⁺:Eu³⁺ = 1:0.5) up to η_ET = 67.4% (Tb³⁺:Eu³⁺ = 1:2) for glass-ceramics. Performed decay analysis from the ⁵D₀ (Eu³⁺) and the ⁵D₄ (Tb³⁺) state revealed a correlation with the change in Tb³⁺–Eu³⁺ and Eu³⁺–Eu³⁺ interionic distances resulting from both the variable Tb³⁺:Eu³⁺ molar ratio and their partial segregation in CaF₂ nanophase.     

Tailoring the Stability of Ti-Doped Sr2Fe1.4TixMo0.6−xO6−δ Electrode Materials for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

In this work, the stability of Sr₂(FeMo)O_6−δ-type perovskites was tailored by the substitution of Mo with Ti. Redox stable Sr₂Fe_1.4Ti_xMo_0.6−xO_6−δ (x = 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3) perovskites were successfully obtained and evaluated as potential electrode materials for SOFCs. The crystal structure as a function of temperature, microstructure, redox stability, and thermal expansion properties in reducing and oxidizing atmospheres, oxygen content change, and transport properties in air and reducing conditions, as well as chemical stability and compatibility towards typical electrolytes have been systematically studied. All Sr₂Fe_1.4Ti_xMo_0.6−xO_6−δ compounds exhibit a regular crystal structure with Pm-3m space group, showing excellent stability in oxidizing and reducing conditions. The increase of Ti-doping content in materials increases the thermal expansion coefficient (TEC), oxygen content change, and electrical conductivity in air, while it decreases the conductivity in reducing condition. All three materials are stable and compatible with studied electrolytes. Interestingly, redox stable Sr₂Fe_1.4Ti_0.1Mo_0.5O_6−δ, possessing 1 μm grain size, low TEC (15.3 × 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹), large oxygen content change of 0.72 mol·mol⁻¹ between 30 and 900 °C, satisfactory conductivity of 4.1–7.3 S·cm⁻¹ in 5% H₂ at 600–800 °C, and good transport coefficients D and k, could be considered as a potential anode material for SOFCs, and are thus of great interest for further studies.     

Human autoantibodies specific for the α1A calcium channel subunit reduce both P-type and Q-type calcium currents in cerebellar neurons

The pharmacological properties of voltage-dependent calcium channel (VDCC) subtypes appear mainly to be determined by the α₁ pore-forming subunit but, whether P-and Q-type VDCCs are encoded by the same α₁ gene presently is unresolved. To investigate this, we used IgG antibodies to presynaptic VDCCs at motor nerve terminals that underlie muscle weakness in the autoimmune Lambert–Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS). We first studied their action on changes in intracellular free Ca²⁺ concentration [Ca²⁺]_i in human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cell lines expressing different combinations of human recombinant VDCC subunits. Incubation for 18 h with LEMS IgG (2 mg/ml) caused a significant dose-dependent reduction in the K⁺-stimulated [Ca²⁺]_i increase in the α_1A cell line but not in the α_1B, α_1C, α_1D, and α_1E cell lines, establishing the α_1A subunit as the target for these autoantibodies. Exploiting this specificity, we incubated cultured rat cerebellar neurones with LEMS IgG and observed a reduction in P-type current in Purkinje cells and both P- and Q-type currents in granule cells. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that the α_1A gene encodes for the pore-forming subunit of both P-type and Q-type VDCCs.     

Preparation and Properties of Highly Elastic,Lightweight, and Thermally Insulating SiO2 Fibrous Porous Materials

Fibrous porous materials are one of the most commonly used high-temperature insulation materials because of their high porosity and low thermal conductivity. Due to their wide applications in the aerospace and energy industries, the investigation of high-elastic thermally insulating porous materials has attracted increasing attention. In order to improve the elasticity of fibrous porous materials, quartz fibers with high aspect ratio were used as matrix, sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) was selected as dispersant. We innovatively reported that a unique three-dimensional skeleton structure was constructed by adjusting the dispersion of fibers in the slurry, and the lightweight, thermal insulating and elastic SiO₂ fibrous porous material was then prepared by the compression molding method. The characterization results of zeta potential and absorbance showed that the addition of SHMP was an effective method to enhance the dispersibility of quartz fibers in the slurry. SiO₂ fibrous porous materials with 0.4 wt% SHMP content exhibited an ideal three-dimensional skeleton structure, which endowed the porous material with high porosity (89.39%), low density (0.04751 g/cm³), and low thermal conductivity (0.0356 W·m⁻¹·K⁻¹). The three-dimensional skeleton structure formed by overlapping fibers with high aspect ratios endowed the porous material with excellent elasticity. SiO₂ fibrous porous materials with 0.4 wt% SHMP content could undergo large strains of 30% and achieved a resilience ratio of 81.69% under the 30th compression cycle. Moreover, after heat treatment at 800 °C, SiO₂ fibrous porous materials also maintained good elasticity with a resilience ratio of more than 80%.