Two-Stage Microporous Layers with Gradient Pore Size Structure for Improving the Performance of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells.

In this paper, we report the preparation of a gas diffusion layer (GDL) with different gradient pore size structures. The pore structure of microporous layers (MPL) was controlled by the amount of pore-making agent sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO). We investigated the effects of the two-stage MPL and the different pore size structures in the two-stage MPL on the performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC).

Integration of life cycle assessment and life cycle costing for the eco-design of rubber products.

Rubber hoses are a category of rubber products that are widely and intensively employed in construction sites for concrete conveying. There has been lack of study to investigate the life cycle environmental and economic impacts of the rubber hoses as an industrial product. In this study, we analyze four types of rubber hoses with the inner layer made of different rubber composites to resist abrasion, i.

Transcervical minimally invasive esophagectomy: hemodynamic study on an animal model.

Background: Transcervical esophagectomy is a less invasive procedure performed within mediastinum. However, the mediastinum offers limited surgical space and the surgery via this route differs from conventional minimally invasive esophagectomy. Therefore, the physiological study of this surgical approach on an animal model would be necessary before the procedure gained more popularity.

Tumor Response to Irinotecan is Associated with IL-10 Expression Level in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer-Results from mCRC Biomarker Study.

Purpose: Metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death. Resistance to chemotherapy is the main reason for the failure of the treatment of mCRC. IL-10 has been reported to decrease after surgery and increase after mCRC reoccurrence.

Decreased mean platelet volume predicts poor prognosis in metastatic colorectal cancer patients treated with first-line chemotherapy: results from mCRC biomarker study.

Background: Metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) is a major cause of death of malignant tumor and the valuable prognostic biomarker for chemotherapy is crucial in decreasing mortality. Previous studies have proved the prognostic value of the mean platelet volume (MPV) in survival of primary operable CRC patients. However, the prognostic impact of MPV in mCRC is still unclear.

Small-scale spatial analysis of intermediate and definitive hosts of Angiostrongylus cantonensis.

Background: Angiostrongyliasis is a food-borne parasitic zoonosis. Human infection is caused by infection with the third-stage larvae of Angiostrongylus cantonensis. The life cycle of A.

Co-circulation of Aedes flavivirus, Culex flavivirus, and Quang Binh virus in Shanghai, China.

Background: With increases in global travel and trade, the spread of arboviruses is undoubtedly alarming. Pathogen detection in field-caught mosquitoes can provide the earliest possible warning of transmission. Insect-specific flavivirus (ISFV) has been first detected in 1991 and documented worldwide in the latest ten years.

Synthesis of DOPO-HQ-functionalized graphene oxide as a novel and efficient flame retardant and its application on polylactic acid: Thermal property, flame retardancy, and mechanical performance.

The fabrication of biodegradable polymer nanocomposites with improved flame retardancy has been an urgent task in practical because of the huge benefits of biodegradable polymers. In this work, 10-(2,5-dihydroxyl phenyl)-9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide (DOPO-HQ)-functionalized graphene oxide (GO) (FGO-HQ) was used as a novel and highly efficient flame retardant (FR) to improve the flame retardancy of polylactide (PLA) nanocomposites. Contributed by the bi-phase flame retardant action, including the physical barrier char in solid phase and the decreased flammable volatiles in gas phase, the resultant PLA/FGO-HQ nanocomposites presented excellent flame resistance at the loading of 6 wt% FR: UL-94 reached V-0 rating; peak heat release rate (PHRR) and total heat release (THR) decreased by 24.