Nanocomposites Based on Polyethylene and Nickel Ferrite: Preparation, Characterization, and Properties.

Composite materials based on NiFeO nanoparticles and polyethylene matrix have been synthesized by thermal decomposition to expand the application area of high-pressure polyethylene by filling it with nanoscale particles. The synthesized compositions were obtained in the form of a dark gray powder and compressed for further study According to TEM, the average particle size in composites was 2, 3, and 4 nm in samples with a filling of 10%, 20% and 30%. The concentration dependences of the specific electrical resistivity ρ, dielectric permittivity ε, saturation magnetization M and the parameters of reflection and attenuation of microwave power of the obtained composites were investigated.

A humidity/thermal dual response 3D-fabric with porous poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) hydrogel towards efficient atmospheric water harvesting.

Atmospheric water harvesting is a promising approach for obtaining freshwater resources, but achieving high levels of light absorption, hygroscopic capacity, and desorption efficiency simultaneously remains a challenge. In this study, we developed an innovative atmospheric water harvester that incorporates a poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogel and a polydopamine/polypyrrole-modified 3D raised-fabric. The interlacing structure and polydopamine/polypyrrole synergistically enhance the harvester's photothermal conversion capability, while the hydrogel-modified raised-fabric with its increased pore structure and high specific surface area ensures effective contact between the internal adsorbent and external moisture, thereby improving moisture capture and storage capacity.

Counting d-Orbital Vacancies of Transition-Metal Catalysts for the Sulfur Reduction Reaction.

The electrocatalytic sulfur reduction reaction (SRR) would allow the production of renewable high-capacity rechargeable lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries using sustainable and nontoxic elemental sulfur as a cathode material, but its slow reaction rate causes a serious shuttle effect and dramatically reduces the capacity. We found that a catalyst composed of Pd nanoparticles supported by ordered mesoporous carbon (Pd/OMC) had a high reaction rate in the SRR, and a Li-S battery assembled with this catalyst had a low shuttle constant of 0.031 h and a high-rate performance with a specific capacity of 1527 mAh g at 0.

Ultra-Fast Mass Spectrometry in Plant Biochemistry: Response of Winter Wheat Proteomics to Pre-Sowing Treatment with Iron Compounds.

In recent years, ultrafast liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry methods have been extensively developed for the use in proteome profiling in biochemical studies. These methods are intended for express monitoring of cell response to biotic stimuli and elucidation of correlation of molecular changes with biological processes and phenotypical changes. New technologies, including the use of nanomaterials, are actively introduced to increase agricultural production.

Changes in the Number of Residual γH2AX Foci in Ki-67-Positive and Ki-67-Negative Human Fibroblasts Irradiated with X-Rays in Doses of 2-10 Gy.

We studied changes in the number of residual γH2AX foci in cultured human fibroblasts with different expression of the cell proliferation marker protein Ki-67 24, 48, and 72 h after exposure to X-ray radiation in doses of 2-10 Gy. It was shown that, regardless of the expression of Ki-67, the number of residual γH2AX foci in irradiated cells linearly depends on the absorbed dose of X-ray radiation. However, the quantitative yield of residual γH2AX foci per unit of the absorbed dose in Ki-67 cells 24 and 48 h after irradiation was higher than in Ki-67 cells by 1.

[Spatial Models of Piezo Proteins and Protein-Protein Interaction Networks in Trichoplax Animals (Placozoa)].

The marine free-living organism Trichoplax (phylum Placozoa) resembles a unicellular amoeba in shape and type of movement. Trichoplax diverged from the main evolutionary tree in the Neoproterozoic Era. Trichoplax provides one of the simplest models of multicellular animals and a strong example of how cells of an organism interact to form an ensemble during its development and movement.

Regulation of straw decomposition and its effect on soil function by the amount of returned straw in a cool zone rice crop system.

The degradation process of returned straw in rice fields can improve soil organic matter and promote sustainable agriculture. The degradation process of returned straw is a humification process as well as a mineralization process involving microorganisms and enzymes. However, the degradation process of returned straw, the effect on straw decomposing microorganisms and the regulatory mechanism on potential functionality under cool climate flooding conditions are currently unknown.

Neuronal K-Cl cotransporter KCC2 as a promising drug target for epilepsy treatment.

Epilepsy is a prevalent neurological disorder characterized by unprovoked seizures. γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) serves as the primary fast inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, and GABA binding to the GABA receptor (GABAR) regulates Cl and bicarbonate (HCO) influx or efflux through the channel pore, leading to GABAergic inhibition or excitation, respectively. The neuron-specific K-Cl cotransporter 2 (KCC2) is essential for maintaining a low intracellular Cl concentration, ensuring GABAR-mediated inhibition.

Understanding the Mechanism of Light-Induced Age-Related Decrease in Melanin Concentration in Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cells.

It is known that during the process of aging, there is a significant decrease in the number of melanosomes in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells in the human eye. Melanosomes act as screening pigments in RPE cells and are fundamentally important for protection against the free radicals generated by light. A loss or change in the quality of melanin in melanosomes can lead to the development of senile pathologies and aggravation in the development of various retinal diseases.

Boosting the ammonia synthesis activity of ceria-supported Ru catalysts achieved through trace Pr addition.

The amount of dopant used in conventional cases for improving catalytic performance is higher than 5%. In this work, a strategy to enhance the ammonia synthesis performance of a Ru/CeO catalyst by using trace Pr (0.1 mol%) is reported.

IQMMA: Efficient MS1 Intensity Extraction Pipeline Using Multiple Feature Detection Algorithms for DDA Proteomics.

One of the key steps in data dependent acquisition (DDA) proteomics is detection of peptide isotopic clusters, also called "features", in MS1 spectra and matching them to MS/MS-based peptide identifications. A number of peptide feature detection tools became available in recent years, each relying on its own matching algorithm. Here, we provide an integrated solution, the intensity-based Quantitative Mix and Match Approach (IQMMA), which integrates a number of untargeted peptide feature detection algorithms and returns the most probable intensity values for the MS/MS-based identifications.

On the excessive use of coefficient of variation as a metric of quantitation quality in proteomics.

The coefficient of variation (CV) is often used in proteomics as a proxy to characterize the performance of a quantitation method and/or the related software. In this note, we question the excessive reliance on this metric in quantitative proteomics that may result in erroneous conclusions. We support this note using a ground-truth Human-Yeast-E.

Facile Construction of Nanostructured Cermet Anodes with Strong Metal-Oxide Interaction for Efficient and Durable Solid Oxide Fuel Cells.

Nanostructured anodes generate massive reaction sites to oxidize fuels in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs); however, the nonexistence of a practically viable approach for the construction of nanostructures and the retention of these nanostructures under the harsh operating conditions of SOFCs poses a significant challenge. Herein, a simple procedure is reported for the construction of a nanostructured Ni-Gd-doped CeO anode based on the direct assembly of pre-formed nanocomposite powder with strong metal-oxide interaction. The directly assembled anode forms heterointerfaces with the electrolyte owing to the electrochemical polarization current and exhibits excellent structural robustness against thermal ripening.

Fracture of Epoxy Matrixes Modified with Thermo-Plastic Polymers and Winding Glass Fibers Reinforced Plastics on Their Base under Low-Velocity Impact Condition.

The work is aimed at studying the impact resistance of epoxy oligomer matrices (EO) modified with polysulfone (PSU) or polyethersulfone (PES) and glass fibers reinforced plastics (GFRP) based on them under low-velocity impact conditions. The concentration dependences of strength and fracture energy of modified matrices and GFRP were determined. It has been determined that the type of concentration curves of the fracture energy of GFRP depends on the concentration and type of the modifying polymer.

Catalytic Decomposition of HO in the Aqueous Dispersions of the Potassium Polytitanates Produced in Different Conditions of Molten Salt Synthesis.

It is shown that the potassium polytitanate powder (PPT) synthesized at 500 °C via the treatment of powdered TiO (rutile) in molten mixtures of KOH and KNO is a cheap and effective catalyst of HO chemical decomposition in aqueous solutions. At the same time, the PPT catalytic activity strongly depends on the [TiO]:[KOH]:[KNO] weight ratio in the mixture used for the synthesis, increasing with [KNO] in the order of PPT (30:30:40) < PPT (30:50:20) < PPT (30:70:0). The obtained results are explained by increased [Ti] in the PPT structure (XPS data), which is grown in this order from 0 to 4.

2D MXenes polar catalysts for multi-renewable energy harvesting applications.

The synchronous harvesting and conversion of multiple renewable energy sources for chemical fuel production and environmental remediation in a single system is a holy grail in sustainable energy technologies. However, it is challenging to develop advanced energy harvesters that satisfy different working mechanisms. Here, we theoretically and experimentally disclose the use of MXene materials as versatile catalysts for multi-energy utilization.

Interaction between hydrophobic chitosan derivative and asphaltene in heavy oil to reduce viscosity of heavy oil.

The high viscosity of heavy oil made it difficult to exploit and transport heavy oil in pipeline. In this research, N-[(2-hydroxy-3-trimethylammonium) propyl] O-stearoyl chitosan tetraphenylboride (sc-CTS-st) was synthesized from chitosan, 2, 3-epoxy-propyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, sodium tetraphenylboron and stearyl chloride. sc-CTS-st contains long chain saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon, hydroxyl group and benzene ring, which could be dissolved in heavy oil fully and interacted with asphaltene.

Study on the Hydroconversion Law of Coal-Based Heavy Fractions with Different Catalyst Contents Based on an Improved Separation Method.

Heavy fractions (e.g., asphaltene and resin) can easily be subjected to physical aggregation and chemical coking reaction through molecular force in the process of lightweight processing and use of coal tar (CT), such that the normal processing and use can be affected.

Does Pallidal Physiology Determine the Success of Unilateral Deep Brain Stimulation in Cervical Dystonia?

Pallidal deep brain stimulation is a well-known surgical treatment for cervical dystonia. The resolution of dystonia typically requires bilateral pallidal stimulation, but in some instances, unilateral stimulation has been successful. In such instances, generally, the stimulated hemisphere was contralateral to the dystonic sternocleidomastoid, but rarely it was ipsilateral.

Retrofitting Zr-Oxo Nodes of UiO-66 by Ru Single Atoms to Boost Methane Hydroxylation with Nearly Total Selectivity.

Direct selective oxidation of methane (DSOM) to high value-added oxygenates under mild conditions is attracting considerable interest. Although state-of-the-art supported metal catalysts can improve methane conversion, it is still challenging to avoid the deep oxidation of oxygenates. Here, we develop a highly efficient metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)-supported single-atom Ru catalyst (Ru/UiO-66) for the DSOM reaction using HO as an oxidant.

ZIF-67 Incorporated Sulfonated Poly (Aryl Ether Sulfone) Mixed Matrix Membranes for Pervaporation Separation of Methanol/Methyl Tert-Butyl Ether Mixture.

Mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) with nano-fillers dispersed in polymer matrix have been proposed as alternative pervaporation membrane materials. They possess both promising selectivity benefiting from the fillers and economical processing capabilities of polymers. ZIF-67 was synthesized and incorporated into the sulfonated poly (aryl ether sulfone) (SPES) matrix to prepare SPES/ZIF-67 mixed matrix membranes with different ZIF-67 mass fractions.

Non-Noble FeCrO Bimetallic Nanoparticles for Efficient NH Decomposition.

Ammonia has the advantages of being easy to liquefy, easy to store, and having a high hydrogen content of 17.3 wt%, which can be produced without CO through an ammonia decomposition using an appropriate catalyst. In this paper, a series of FeCr bimetallic oxide nanocatalysts with a uniform morphology and regulated composition were synthesized by the urea two-step hydrolysis method, which exhibited the high-performance decomposition of ammonia.

FLIM imaging revealed spontaneous osteogenic differentiation of stem cells on gradient pore size tissue-engineered constructs.

Background: There is an urgent clinical need for targeted strategies aimed at the treatment of bone defects resulting from fractures, infections or tumors. 3D scaffolds represent an alternative to allogeneic MSC transplantation, due to their mimicry of the cell niche and the preservation of tissue structure. The actual structure of the scaffold itself can affect both effective cell adhesion and its osteoinductive properties.