The neutrophil–osteogenic cell axis promotes bone destruction in periodontitis

The immune-stromal cell interactions play a key role in health and diseases. In periodontitis, the most prevalent infectious disease in humans, immune cells accumulate in the oral mucosa and promote bone destruction by inducing receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) expression in osteogenic cells such as osteoblasts and periodontal ligament cells. However, the detailed mechanism underlying immune–bone cell interactions in periodontitis is not fully understood. Here, we performed single-cell RNAsequencing analysis on mouse periodontal lesions and showed that neutrophil–osteogenic cell crosstalk is involved in periodontitis-induced bone loss. The periodontal lesions displayed marked infiltration of neutrophils, and in silico analyses suggested that the neutrophils interacted with osteogenic cells through cytokine production. Among the cytokines expressed in the periodontal neutrophils, oncostatin M (OSM) potently induced RANKL expression in the primary osteoblasts, and deletion of the OSM receptor in osteogenic cells significantly ameliorated periodontitis-induced bone loss. Epigenomic data analyses identified the OSM-regulated RANKL enhancer region in osteogenic cells, and mice lacking this enhancer showed decreased periodontal bone loss while maintaining physiological bone metabolism. These findings shed light on the role of neutrophils in bone regulation during bacterial infection, highlighting the novel mechanism underlying osteoimmune crosstalk.

Tuning the intermediate reaction barriers by a CuPd catalyst to improve the selectivity of CO_(2) electroreduction to C_(2) products

Electrochemical CO2 reduction is a promising strategy for the utilization of CO2 and intermittent excess electricity.Cu is the only single metal catalyst that can electrochemically convert CO2 into multicarbon products.However,Cu exhibits an unfavorable activity and selectivity for the generation of C2 products because of the insufficient amount of CO*provided for the C‐C coupling.Based on the strong CO2 adsorption and ultrafast reaction kinetics of CO*formation on Pd,an intimate CuPd(100)interface was designed to lower the intermediate reaction barriers and improve the efficiency of C2 product formation.Density functional theory(DFT)calculations showed that the CuPd(100)interface enhanced the CO2 adsorption and decreased the CO2*hydrogenation energy barrier,which was beneficial for the C‐C coupling.The potential‐determining step(PDS)barrier of CO2 to C2 products on the CuPd(100)interface was 0.61 eV,which was lower than that on Cu(100)(0.72 eV).Encouraged by the DFT calculation results,the CuPd(100)interface catalyst was prepared by a facile chemical solution method and characterized by transmission electron microscopy.CO2 temperature‐programmed desorption and gas sensor experiments further confirmed the enhancement of the CO2 adsorption and CO2*hydrogenation ability of the CuPd(100)interface catalyst.Specifically,the obtained CuPd(100)interface catalyst exhibited a C2 Faradaic efficiency of 50.3%±1.2%at‒1.4 VRHE in 0.1 M KHCO3,which was 2.1 times higher than that of the Cu catalyst(23.6%±1.5%).This study provides the basis for the rational design of Cu‐based electrocatalysts for the generation of multicarbon products by fine‐tuning the intermediate reaction barriers.

Recent update on electrochemical CO_(2)reduction catalyzed by metal sulfide materials

Seeking and developing efficient CO_(2)reduction reaction(CO_(2)RR)electrocatalysts is a hot topic in this era of global warming.Among material candidates for sustainable and cost-effective applications,metal sulfides have attracted attention as promising nature-inspired materials due to multiple adsorption sites which are enhanced by the covalent character of sulfur.This article summarizes the current status regarding the utilization and development of metal sulfide materials as CO_(2)RR electrocatalysts.First,the research background and basic principles of electrochemical CO_(2)RR are introduced.Next,an overview of the main obstacles to developing efficient CO_(2)RR electrocatalysts is presented.The section is followed by a summary of the empirical evidence supporting the application of metal sulfides as CO_(2)RR electrocatalysts beside nature-inspired motivation.The summary of synthesis methods of various metal sulfides is also presented.Furthermore,the paper also highlights the recent works on metal sulfide as efficient CO_(2)RR including the undertaking strategy on the activity enhancement,and finally,discusses the challenges and prospect of metal sulfides-based CO_(2)RR electrocatalysts.Despite recent efforts,metal sulfides remain relatively unexplored as materials for CO_(2)RR electrocatalytic applications.Therefore,this review aims to stimulate novel ideas and research for improved catalyst designs and functionality.

Photocatalytic dry reforming of methane by rhodium supported monoclinic TiO_(2)-B nanobelts

The conversion of methane and carbon dioxide into syngas(dry reforming of methane;DRM)has attracted attention owing to the potential to reuse greenhouse gases.Titanium dioxide(TiO_(2))-based photocatalysts,which have been widely commercialized owing to their high efficiency,non-toxicity,and low cost,are strongly desired in DRM.Here,we report a monoclinic-phase TiO_(2)-B nanobelts-supported rhodium(Rh/TiO_(2)-B nanobelts)catalyst that efficiently promotes DRM under ultraviolet light irradiation at low temperatures.Photogenerated holes in the TiO_(2)-B nanobelts were used to oxidize methane,while the electrons were trapped in rhodium to reduce carbon dioxide.Rh/TiO_(2)-B nanobelts exhibited considerably higher durability and activity than Rh-loaded conventional TiO_(2)(anatase and rutile),owing to the lattice and/or surface oxygen reactivity in TiO_(2)-B nanobelts,which was suggested by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements and photocatalytic performance tests under an atmosphere of methane alone.This study paves the path for the effective utilization of methane by constructing active TiO_(2)-based nanometal photocatalysts.

Characteristics and Problem of Chrome-containing Refractory

One of characteristics of Cr2O3-containing refractory is excellent corrosion resistance. However, there is a problem of hexavalent chromium, which is noxious to the human body, and easily formed by the reactions among the refractory and CaO, Na2O and/or K2O in slag. In this article, the reason why the Cr2O3-containing refractory has excellent corrosion resistance, the forming conditions of hexavalent compounds, and the methods for suppressing generation of the compound, are described as a base of further development of excellent refractories.

Recent advances in the utilization of copper sulfide compounds for electrochemical CO2 reduction

Converting carbon dioxide(CO2)into value-added chemicals by CO2 reduction has been considered as a potential way to solve the current energy crisis and environmental problem.Among the methods of CO2 reduction,the electrochemical method has been widely used due to its mild reaction condition and high reaction efficiency.In the electrochemical reduction system,the CO2 electrocatalyst is the most important part.Although many CO2 electrocatalysts have been developed,efficient catalysts with high activity,selectivity and stability are still lacking.Copper sulfide compound,as a low-toxicity and emerging material,has broad prospects in the field of CO2 reduction due to its unique structural and electrochemical properties.Much progress has been achieved with copper sulfide nanocrystalline and the field is rapidly developing.This paper summarizes the preparation,recent progress in development,and factors affecting the electrocatalytic CO2 reduction performance with copper sulfide compound as a catalyst.Prospects for future development are also outlined,with the aim of using copper sulfide compound as a highly active and stable electrocatalyst for CO2 reduction.

Numerical Simulation of Countercurrent Flow in a PWR Hot Leg by Using Two-Fluid Model

In order to evaluate CCFL （countercurrent flow limitation） characteristics in a PWR （pressurized water reactor） hot leg under reflux condensation, numerical simulations have been conducted using a 2F （two-fluid） model and a VOF （volume of fluid） method implemented in the CFD （computational fluid dynamics） software, FLUENT6.3.26. The 2F model gave good agreement with CCFL data in low pressure conditions but did not give good results for high pressure steam-water conditions. In the previous study, the computational grid and schemes were improved in the VOF method to improve calculations in circular tubes, and the calculated CCFL characteristics agreed well with the UPTF （Upper Plenum Test Facility） data at 1.5 MPa. In this study, therefore, using the 2F model and the computational grid previously improved for the VOF calculations, numerical simulations were conducted for steam-water flows at 1.5 MPa under PWR full-scale conditions. In the range of medium gas volumetric fluxes, the calculated CCFL characteristics agreed well with the values calculated by the VOF method and the UPTF data at 1.5 MPa. This indicated that the reference set of the interfacial drag correlations employed in this study could be applied not only to low pressures but also to high pressures.

Criteria for versatile GaN MOVPE tool:high growth rate GaN by atmospheric pressure growth

Growth rate has a direct impact on the productivity of nitride LED production. Atmospheric pressure growth of GaN with a growth rate as high as 10/zm/h and also Alo.lGao.gN growth of 1μm/h by using 4 inch by 11 production scale MOVPE are described. XRD of （002） and （102） direction was 200 arcsec and 250 arcsec, respectively. Impact of the growth rate on productivity is discussed.