Development and application of ordered membrane electrode assemblies for water electrolysis.

With the development of hydrogen energy, there has been increasing attention toward fuel cells and water electrolysis. Among them, the zero-gap membrane electrode assembly (MEA) serves as an important triple-phase reaction site that determines the performance and efficiency of the reaction system. The development of efficient and durable MEAs plays a crucial role in the development of hydrogen energy.

Ultrathin ternary PtNiRu nanowires for enhanced oxygen reduction and methanol oxidation catalysis via d-band center regulation.

Direct methanol fuel cells rely on the efficiency of their anode/cathode electrocatalysts to facilitate the methanol oxidation reaction and oxygen reduction reaction, respectively. Platinum-based nanocatalysts are at the forefront due to their superior catalytic properties. However, the high-cost, scarcity, and low CO tolerance of platinum pose challenges for the scalable application of DMFCs.

Partially fluorinated poly(arylene-alkane)s containing cobaltocenium for alkaline-stable anion exchange membranes.

Alkali-resistant metal-based cationic polyelectrolytes are designed as anion exchange membranes. After grafting aminocobaltocene hexafluorophosphates onto partially fluorinated ether-free poly(arylene-alkane)s a simple nucleophilic substitution reaction, the membrane exhibits excellent chemical, thermal and mechanical stability, high hydroxide conductivity, as well as durability of single cells for 400 h.

Surface-Modified Approach to Fabricate Nafion Membranes Covalently Bonded with Polyhedral Oligosilsesquioxane for Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries.

An aminopropyl isobutyl polyhedral oligosilsesquioxane (NH-POSS) surface-modified Nafion membrane has been designed by chemical grafting for vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs). NH-POSS is a cage-like macromer consisting of an inorganic SiO core surrounded by seven inert isobutyl groups and one active aminopropyl group. The sulfonic acid groups on the surface of Nafion can be activated by 1,1-carbonyldiimidazole for further modification with NH-POSS.

Elevated serum FGF21 predicts the major adverse cardiovascular events in STEMI patients after emergency percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: Although there have been several studies related to serum fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) levels and acute myocardial infarction, the value of serum FGF21 levels in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients after emergency percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has not been previously investigated.

Methods: A total of 348 STEMI patients who underwent emergency PCI were enrolled from January 2016 to December 2018. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), with a median follow-up of 24 months.

Effects of Mg and Sb Substitution on the Magnetic Properties of Magnetic Field Annealed MnBi Alloys.

Rare-earth-free permanent magnets have attracted considerable attention due to their favorable properties and applicability for cost-effective, high-efficiency, and sustainable energy devices. However, the magnetic field annealing process, which enhances the performance of permanent magnets, needs to be optimized for different magnetic fields and phases. Therefore, we investigated the effect of composition on the crystallization of amorphous MnBi to the ferromagnetic low-temperature phase (LTP).

Beating Thermal Deterioration of Magnetization with Mn₄C and Exchange Bias in Mn⁻C Nanoparticles.

The magnetization of most materials decreases with increasing temperature due to thermal deterioration of magnetic ordering. Here, we show that Mn₄C phase can compensate the magnetization loss due to thermal agitation. The Mn⁻C nanoparticles containing ferrimagnetic Mn₄C and other Mn⁻C/Mn-O phases were prepared by using the traditional arc-discharge method.

In situ Observation of Phase Transformation in MnAl(C) Magnetic Materials.

The phase transformation in two modes, including both displacive and massive growth of τ-phase from ε-MnAl(C), was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The exact temperature range for different phase transformation modes was determined by magnetic measurements. The displacive growth of ε→τ in MnAl (or MnAlC) occurs at temperatures below 650 K (or 766 K), above which both modes coexist.

Evidence-based study on antithrombotic therapy in patients at risk of a stroke with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

The aim of the present study was to determine the optimal intensity of anticoagulation therapy in elderly patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF), using aspirin and varied concentrations of warfarin. Elderly patients with PAF (n=1,162) who met the inclusion criteria of the study and were at middle or high-risk of a stroke were investigated. Patients were divided into six groups (four high-risk groups and two middle-risk groups).

Ultrathin films of organic networks as nanofiltration membranes via solution-based molecular layer deposition.

Ultrathin films of organic networks on various substrates were fabricated through the solution-based molecular layer deposition (MLD) technique. The rigid tetrahedral geometries of polyfunctional amine and acyl chloride involved in the reaction ensure the continuity of the polymerization process. A linear increase in film thickness with respect to cycle number was observed by UV-vis adsorption, ellipsometry, and quartz crystal microbalance.

Olmesartan attenuates the impairment of endothelial cells induced by oxidized low density lipoprotein through downregulating expression of LOX-1.

Oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) and its receptor, lectin-Like ox-LDL receptor-1 (LOX-1), play important roles in the development of endothelial injuries. Olmesartan can protect endothelial cells from the impairment caused by various pathological stimulations. In the present study we investigated whether olmesartan decreased the impairment of endothelial cells induced by ox-LDL by exerting its effects on LOX-1 both in vitro and in vivo.