The photocatalytic activity of (Ga(1-x)Zn(x))(N(1-x)O(x)) loaded with Rh-Cr mixed-oxide (Rh(2-y)Cr(y)O3) nanoparticles for overall water splitting under visible-light irradiation (lambda > 400 nm) is investigated with respect to reaction pH and gas pressure. The photocatalytic performance of the catalyst is found to be strongly dependent on the pH of the reactant solution but largely independent of gas pressure. The present photocatalyst exhibits stable and high photocatalytic activity in an aqueous solution of pH 4.5 for 72 h. The photocatalytic performance is much lower at pH 3.0 and pH 6.2, attributable to corrosion of the cocatalyst and hydrolysis of the catalyst. The dispersion of Rh(2-y)Cr(y)O3 as a cocatalyst on the (Ga(1-x)Zn(x))(N(1-x)O(x)) surface promotes hydrogen evolution, which is considered to be the rate-determining step for overall water splitting on this catalyst.

The photocatalytic activity of (Ga1- x Zn x )(N1- x O x ), a solid solution of GaN and ZnO, for H2 and O2 evolution in the presence of methanol and silver nitrate as sacrificial reagents under visible light (λ > 420 nm) is investigated in detail. (Ga1- x Zn x )(N1- x O x ) evolves H2 from an aqueous methanol solution when loaded with nanoparticulate Rh2- y Cr y O3 as a cocatalyst, and evolves O2 from an aqueous silver nitrate solution without a cocatalyst. Structural analyses indicate that the H2 evolution activity is strongly dependent on the crystallinity and composition of the catalyst, while the rate of O2 evolution is proportionally related to the specific surface area. The activity for H2 evolution from methanol solution is of the same order as for overall water splitting, but is an order of magnitude lower than that for O2 evolution from silver nitrate solution. The results of photocatalytic reactions and photoelectrochemical measurements suggest that the rate-determining step for overall water splitting using (Ga1- x Zn x )(N1- x O x ) is the H2 evolution process.

ObjectiveFacioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is a heterogenetic disorder predominantly characterized by progressive facial and scapular muscle weakness. Patients with FSHD either have a contraction of the D4Z4 repeat on chromosome 4q35 or mutations in D4Z4 chromatin modifiers SMCHD1 and DNMT3B, both causing D4Z4 chromatin relaxation and inappropriate expression of the D4Z4-encoded DUX4 gene in skeletal muscle. In this study, we tested the hypothesis whether LRIF1, a known SMCHD1 protein interactor, is a disease gene for idiopathic FSHD2.MethodsClinical examination of a patient with idiopathic FSHD2 was combined with pathologic muscle biopsy examination and with genetic, epigenetic, and molecular studies.ResultsA homozygous LRIF1 mutation was identified in a patient with a clinical phenotype consistent with FSHD. This mutation resulted in the absence of the long isoform of LRIF1 protein, D4Z4 chromatin relaxation, and DUX4 and DUX4 target gene expression in myonuclei, all molecular and epigenetic hallmarks of FSHD. In concordance, LRIF1 was shown to bind to the D4Z4 repeat, and knockdown of the LRIF1 long isoform in muscle cells results in DUX4 and DUX4 target gene expression.ConclusionLRIF1 is a bona fide disease gene for FSHD2. This study further reinforces the unifying genetic mechanism, which postulates that FSHD is caused by D4Z4 chromatin relaxation, resulting in inappropriate DUX4 expression in skeletal muscle.

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Mesenchymal stem cells on polyrotaxane surfaces underwent enhanced osteoblast and adipocyte differentiation. Two independent parameters, high molecular mobility and negative charge on the surfaces, may not offset the effect to promote both differentiation.

Factors that cause spreading of urban fires among buildings are flame contact, radiant heat, convective heat, and firebrands. There are many cases in which firespread is caused by leaping flames resulting from many firebrands in places that are distant from the fire outbreak site, especially under strong wind conditions. Firebrands and leaping flames caused by them are important factors to clarify the mechanism of urban fires. Nevertheless, their systematic engineering study has not been greatly implemented because of limited availability of experimental facilities. Therefore, the authors performed a Fire Wind Tunnel experiment using a real-scale fire preventive wooden house to investigate firebrands. This study is aimed at quantitatively and qualitatively elucidating the chronological relationship of fire evolution and firebrand generation.

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