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Centriole amplification in multiciliated cells occurs in a pseudo-cell cycle regulated process that typically utilizes a poorly characterized molecularly dense structure called the deuterosome. We identified the centrosomal protein Cep70 as a novel deuterosome-associated protein that forms a complex with other deuterosome proteins, CCDC78 and Deup1. Cep70 dynamically associates with deuterosomes during centriole amplification in the ciliated epithelia of Xenopus embryos. Cep70 is not found in nascent deuterosomes prior to amplification. However, it becomes localized at deuterosomes at the onset of centriole biogenesis and remains there after the completion of centriole amplification. Deuterosome localization requires a conserved C-terminal "Cep70" motif. Depletion of Cep70 using morpholino oligos or CRISPR/Cas9 editing in F0 embryos leads to a severe decrease in centriole formation in both endogenous MCCs, as well as ectopically induced MCCs. Consistent with a decrease in centrioles, endogenous MCCs have defects in the process of radial intercalation. We propose that Cep70 represents a novel regulator of centriole biogenesis in MCCs. • Cep70 is a novel component of the deuterosome that biochemically interacts with CCDC78 and Deup1. • Cep70 dynamically associates with the deuterosome during development of multiciliated cells. • Morpholino or CRISPR depletion of Cep70 dramatically decreases centriole biogenesis in multiciliated cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO), Sn(Sb)O2, nanophase catalysts (containing 43 mol% Sb calcined at temperatures of 250, 600, and 1000°C, respectively) have been studied by correlated electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) and Z-contrast imaging in a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) and by high-resolution electron microscopy (HREM). As reference materials, pure SnO2, Sb2O3, and Sb2O5 are also analyzed. Results show that the particle size of these ATO catalysts increases with the calcination temperature. At low calcination temperatures, the catalyst contains crystalline nanoparticles surrounded by amorphous material, while the nanoparticles become well crystallized when calcined at higher temperatures. EEL spectra acquired from these ATO catalysts are qualitatively interpreted using ‘fingerprints’ from the reference materials. Results suggest that at low calcination temperatures (250°C), Sb exists in the pentavalent state Sb (V) either incorporated into the SnO2 lattice or as an amorphous layer surrounding the SnO2 crystals. At higher temperatures (≥600°C), Sb segregation occurs as trivalent Sb (III) at the surface and Sb (V) in the core of the majority of the nanoparticles. However, it should be noted that nearly no Sb was detected in some particles. The surface Sb (III) ions are proposed as active sites in the ATO catalysts. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The spatial distribution of cerium valence in H2-reduced model planar Pd/Ce0.7Zr0.3O2 catalysts was determined by electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) in a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM). Spherical reduction zones were found beneath each Pd particle, consistent with a Pd-catalyzed, oxygen anion diffusion-limited bulk oxide reduction process. Evidence was also found for a more extended surface reduction process, possibly associated with hydrogen spillover from the Pd particles. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Raw liquid anaerobic digestate was synthesised into nutrient-dense solid digestates via acidification and evaporation. Acidification retained ammonium in the digestate whilst also donating the anion to free ammonium to form an ammonium salt. Digestate was treated with the addition of sulphuric, nitric, and phosphoric acid resulting in the formation of ammonium sulphate, ammonium nitrate and ammonium phosphate, respectively then evaporated into a solid fertiliser product. FTIR, XRD and SEM-EDS collectively confirm that the addition of acids completely converted the free ammonium in the raw digestate into their respective ammonium salt counterparts. Compounds of potassium chloride, silicon dioxide, calcium carbonate, magnesium ammonium phosphate, sodium nitrate, and sodium chloride were identified in all solid digestate samples. Plant growth and grain yield was higher in urea ammonium nitrate, raw liquid digestate and acidified digestate products compared to control and unacidified solid digestate. Urea ammonium nitrate and ammonium nitrate solid digestate had the highest dry shoot, likely due to the high available nitrogen found in both fertilisers. Overall, acidification and evaporation of liquid digestate can efficiently transform it into a valuable solid fertiliser with a high nutrient density. This process not only has the potential to mitigate handling and storage constraints of low nutrient density digestate in anaerobic digestion facilities but also offers a sustainable alternative to conventional fertilisers. [Display omitted] • Ammonium salts were confirmed in acidified digestates via FTIR, XRD and SEM-EDS. • Retaining ammonium in digestate using acids increased nutrient density. • Digestate products and urea ammonium nitrate were compared in a field trial. • Urea ammonium nitrate, raw digestate and acidified digestate had the highest yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A new high-pressure phase of U3O8, which has a fluorite-type structure, forms at pressures greater than ~8.1GPa that was confirmed by in situ x-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. The fluorite-type U3O8 is stable at pressures at least up to ~40GPa and temperatures to 1700K, and quenchable to ambient conditions. Based on the XRD analysis, there is a huge volume collapse (>20%) for U3O8 during the phase transition and the quenched high-pressure phase is 28% denser than the initial orthorhombic phase at ambient conditions. The high-pressure phase has a very low compressibility comparing with the starting orthorhombic phase. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Since 4-1BB plays a predominant role in CD8+ T cell responses, we investigated the effects of 4-1BB triggering on the primary and memory CD8+ T responses to HSV-1 infection. 4-1BB was detected on 10–15% of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells following the infection. 4-1BB-positive T cells were in the proliferative mode and showed the enhanced expression of anti-apoptotic proteins. Agonistic anti-4-1BB treatment exerted preferential expansion of CD8+ T cells and gB/H-2Kb-positive CD8+ T cells, and enhanced cytotoxicity against HSV-1 that was mainly mediated by CD11c+CD8+ T cells. CD11c+CD8+ T cells were re-expanded following re-challenge with HSV-1 at post-infection day 50, indicating that CD11c+CD8+ phenotype was maintained in memory CD8+ T cell pool. Our studies demonstrated that 4-1BB stimulation enhanced both primary and memory anti-HSV-1 CD8+ T cell responses, which was mediated by a massive expansion of antigen-specific CD11c+CD8+ T cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]