Synthesis of Silane Functionalized LDH-Modified Nanopowders to Improve Compatibility and Enhance Corrosion Protection for Epoxy Coatings.

Novel modified Zn-Al LDH/epoxy coatings are synthesized and applied to steel substrates, providing active corrosion protection and improved barrier properties. This protective coating is made by combining Epon 828 as a polymer matrix with modified layered-double-hydroxy (LDH) nanoparticles acting as corrosion inhibitor containers. To synthesize the coatings, nitrate was intercalated into Zn-Al-LDH layers through an aqueous co-precipitation method to obtain Zn-Al LDH-NO, and decavanadate replaced nitrate within the LDH layers through an anion exchange process to obtain Zn-Al LDH-(VO).

Stability and activity of titanium oxynitride thin films for the electrocatalytic reduction of nitrogen to ammonia at different pH values.

The production of ammonia for agricultural and energy demands has accelerated research for more environmentally-friendly synthesis options, particularly the electrocatalytic reduction of molecular nitrogen (nitrogen reduction reaction, NRR). Catalyst activity for NRR, and selectivity for NRR over the competitive hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), are critical issues for which fundamental knowledge remains scarce. Herein, we present results regarding the NRR activity and selectivity of sputter-deposited titanium nitride and titanium oxynitride films for NRR and HER.

Corrosion Inhibition Effect of Pyridine-2-Thiol for Brass in An Acidic Environment.

In this study, the inhibitive performance of pyridine-2-thiol added to a corrosive solution was investigated for brass using potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Electrochemical experiments were performed with different inhibitor concentrations in 0.5 M HSO as the corrosive medium.

Corrosion Resistance of Electrochemically Synthesized Modified Zaccagnaite LDH-Type Films on Steel Substrates.

Modified zaccagnaite layered double hydroxide (LDH) type films were synthesized on steel substrates by pulsed electrochemical deposition from aqueous solutions. The resulting films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy/X-ray dispersive spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Structural characterization indicated a pure layered double hydroxide phase; however, elemental analysis revealed that the surface of the films contained Zn:Al ratios outside the typical ranges of layered double hydroxides.

Chemical and electronic structures of cobalt oxynitride films deposited by NHvs. N plasma: theory vs. experiment.

The chemical structures of Co oxynitrides - in particular, interactions among N and O atoms bonded to the same cobalt - are of great importance for an array of catalytic and materials applications. X-ray diffraction (XRD), core and valence band X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and plane wave density functional theory (DFT) calculations are used to probe chemical and electronic interactions of nitrogen-rich CoON (x > 0.7) films deposited on Si(100) using NH or N plasma-based sputter deposition or surface nitridation.

Structure and Electronic Properties of InSb Nanowires Grown in Flexible Polycarbonate Membranes.

A dense array of vertically aligned indium antimonide (InSb) nanowires with high aspect ratio (diameter 150 nm, length 20 μ m) were grown in the pores of a track-etched polycarbonate membrane via a one-step electrochemical method. There are several reports on InSb nanowire growth in the pores of a mechanically rigid, nano-channel alumina template (NCA), where nanowire growth occurs in the pores of the NCA. This work on InSb nanowire growth in pores of track-etched polycarbonate (PC) membrane sheds light on the various factors that affect nucleation and nanowire growth.

Surface Activation and Pretreatments for Biocompatible Metals and Alloys Used in Biomedical Applications.

To improve the biocompatibility of medical implants, a chemical composition of bone-like material (e.g., hydroxyapatite) can be deposited on the surface of various substrates.

Functionalization of Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles to Influence Hydrophobic Properties.

Electroless functionalization of cerium oxide nanoparticles (NPs) based on the grafting of aryl groups from the reduction of diazonium salts is presented as a useful and facile method for enhancing the properties of the NPs. For this study, 4-methyl-, 4-ethyl-, and 4- n-butyl-benzene diazonium salts were used as model molecules to demonstrate the ability to change the hydrophobic properties of the cerium oxide (CeO) NPs. The grafting reaction was investigated under two reducing environments: the addition of a chemical reducing agent and the use of cerium oxide's native reducing property.

Differential gene expression profile analysis in corticosterone-treated PC12 cells.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a highly prevalent psychiatric disorder that has been ranked as the 4th leading cause of disability worldwide. Past clinical and laboratory evidence has confirmed that abnormalities of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-axis are involved in MDD development. In this study, we took advantage of corticosterone treatment of PC12 cells as a model to identify genes regulated by HPA-axis hormones.

The stress response HPA-axis hormone, glucocorticoid, reduces cellular SKA complex gene expression.

The Spindle- and Kinetochore-Associated (SKA) complex has been proven to be involved in many human mental behavioral disorders. Glucocorticoid, a hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hormone, is a critical mediator of stress response in neurons. However, the underlying mechanisms of glucocorticoid's effects on human neuronal cells remain unclear.

Correlative study of peripheral ATP1A1 gene expression level to anxiety severity score on major depressive disorder patients.

Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) frequently co-occurs with other psychiatric problems. Our previous study showed that ATP1A1 gene expression level was significantly decreased in MDD patients. This research explores the potential correlations between the ATP1A1 expression level reduction and MDD patients' clinical manifestation.

Laser ablation coupled with DAPNe-NSI-MS applied to redacted documents.

Laser ablation has been applied to redacted documents, where the text has been concealed by other ink. This technique strips the redacting ink revealing the text that was once redacted. Once removed, a nanomanipulation technique is used to extract the ink of the underlying text where mass spectrometry is then implemented to analyze its ink chemistry.

Target genes involved in corticosterone-induced PC12 cell viability and neurite disorders: A potential molecular mechanism of major depressive disorder.

Past studies confirmed that hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-axis hormones involved in major depressive disorder (MDD) development. This study used corticosterone treated PC12 cells to explore the potential role of MAPK signal transduction pathway in response to corticosterone stimulation. The results showed that both live cell numbers and cellular neurite outgrowth were remarkably reduced in response to corticosterone treatments.

The effects of metal ion PCR inhibitors on results obtained with the Quantifiler(®) Human DNA Quantification Kit.

Forensic DNA samples may include the presence of PCR inhibitors, even after extraction and purification. Studies have demonstrated that metal ions, co-purified at specific concentrations, inhibit DNA amplifications. Metal ions are endogenous to sample types, such as bone, and can be introduced from environmental sources.

The Functional Study of a Chinese Herbal Compounded Antidepressant Medicine--Jie Yu Chu Fan Capsule on Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress Mouse Model.

Jie Yu Chu Fan capsule (JYCF) is a new compounded Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of depression. The present study was designed to explore the antidepressant effects and the possible mechanisms of JYCF by using chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) mouse model and comparing results to that of fluoxetine. Behavioral tests including an open field test, sucrose preference test and forced swim test were performed to evaluate the antidepressant effects of JYCF.

A MRS study of metabolic alterations in the frontal white matter of major depressive disorder patients with the treatment of SSRIs.

Background: Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy provides a non-invasive technology to study brain metabolite levels in vivo, which can be used to measure biochemical compounds or metabolite concentrations in circumscribed brain regions. Previous research has highlighted the role of glial cells in brain white matter. It has been assumed that antidepressant treatment with SSRIs not only affects neurons, but also activates glial cells.

Templated electrodeposition and photocatalytic activity of cuprous oxide nanorod arrays.

Cuprous oxide (Cu2O) nanorod arrays have been prepared via a novel templated electrodeposition process and were characterized for their photocatalytic behavior in nonaqueous photoelectrochemical cells. Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorod films serve as sacrificial templates for the in situ formation of polymer nanopore membranes on transparent conductive oxide substrates. Nitrocellulose and poly(lactic acid) are effective membrane-forming polymers that exhibit different modes of template formation, with nitrocellulose forming conformal coatings on the ZnO surface while poly(lactic acid) acts as an amorphous pore-filling material.

Nanomanipulation-coupled to nanospray mass spectrometry applied to document and ink analysis.

A method for the extraction and analysis of ink samples was developed using microscopy with direct analyte probe nanoextraction coupled to nanospray ionization mass spectrometry (DAPNe-NSI-MS) for localized chemical analysis of document inks. Nanomanipulation can be effectively coupled to nanospray ionization mass spectrometry providing picomolar sensitivity, and the capability to analyze ultra-trace amounts of material and reduce the required sample volume to as low as 300 nL. This new and innovative technique does not leave destructive footprints on the surface of a document.

Transforming nursing workflow, part 1: the chaotic nature of nurse activities.

Objective: To quantitatively measure workflow and computer use, the activities of 27 medical-surgical RNs were recorded through direct observation.

Background: Previous studies have shown how nurses spend their time but have not documented the pattern, duration, or frequency of activities. The absence of this information is problematic for leaders charged with improving performance and staff development.

An outcomes-based approach to improve registered nurse retention.

A 230-bed facility determined that 64% of its registered nurse (RN) voluntary turnover rate occurred with newly hired RNs. Inadequate orientation processes and practices were determined to be the root cause. The pilot project's 36% reduction in newly hired RN departures results in an annual savings of over $1 million.

Elevated levels of Ser/Thr protein phosphatase 5 (PP5) in human breast cancer.

Ser/Thr protein phosphatase 5 (PP5) regulates several signaling-cascades that suppress growth and/or facilitate apoptosis in response to genomic stress. The expression of PP5 is responsive to hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) and estrogen, which have both been linked to the progression of human breast cancer. Still, it is not clear if PP5 plays a role in the development of human cancer.

The role of serine/threonine protein phosphatase type 5 (PP5) in the regulation of stress-induced signaling networks and cancer.

Although the aberrant actions of protein kinases have long been known to contribute to tumor promotion and carcinogenesis, roles for protein phosphatases in the development of human cancer have only emerged in the last decade. In this review, we discuss the data obtained from studies examining the biological and pathological roles of a serine/threonine protein phosphatase, PP5, which suggest that PP5 is a potentially important regulator of both hormone- and stress-induced signaling networks that enable a cell to respond appropriately to genomic stress.

Constitutive over expression of serine/threonine protein phosphatase 5 (PP5) augments estrogen-dependent tumor growth in mice.

Serine/threonine protein phosphatase 5 (PP5) appears to play an underappreciated role in the regulation of cellular proliferation. In estrogen-responsive cells, PP5 expression is stimulated by 17 beta-estradiol, and in a variety of p53 wild-type tumor cells the suppression of PP5 expression with ISIS 15534 inhibits growth. To further explore the relationship between PP5 and the development of human cancer, here we tested the effect of elevated PP5 expression on tumor growth using a mouse xenograph model and a stable MCF-7 cell line in which the expression of wild-type PP5 was placed under the control of tetracycline-off regulated transactivator and operator plasmids.

Ser/Thr protein phosphatase 5 inactivates hypoxia-induced activation of an apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1/MKK-4/JNK signaling cascade.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascades are multifunctional signaling networks that influence cell growth, differentiation, apoptosis, and cellular responses to stress. Since the activation/propagation of MAPK signaling requires the sequential phosphorylation of many downstream proteins, the phosphatases that dephosphorylate MAPKs represent critical elements in the control of MAPK-signaling networks. Here we show that hypoxia induces a transient increase in the activity of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK-1), a MAPKKK that responds to oxidative stress by triggering cascades leading to the phosphorylation/activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) and p38-MAPK.

Dissolved phosphorus retention of light-weight expanded shale and masonry sand used in subsurface flow treatment wetlands.

Using surface flow constructed wetlands for long-term phosphorus (P) retention presents a challenge due to the fact that P is stored primarily in the sediments. Subsurface flow wetlands have the potential to greatly increase P retention; however, the substrate needs to have both high hydraulic conductivity and high P sorption capacity. The objective of our study was to assess the P retention capacity of two substrates, masonry sand and lightweight expanded shale.