Exploring the impact of Nafion modifier on electrocatalytic CO_(2) reduction over Cu catalyst

Nafion as a universal polymer ionomer was widely applied for nanocatalysts electrode preparation.However,the effect of Nafion on electrocatalytic performance was often overlooked,especially for CO_(2)electrolysis.Herein,the key roles of Nafion for CO_(2)RR were systematically studied on Cu nanoparticles(NPs)electrocatalyst.We found that Nafion modifier not only inhibit hydrogen evolution reaction(HER)by decreasing the accessibility of H_(2)O from electrolyte to Cu NPs,and increase the CO_(2)concentration at electrocatalyst interface for enhancing the CO_(2)mass transfer process,but also activate CO_(2)molecule by Lewis acid-base interaction between Nafion and CO_(2)to accelerate the formation of^(*)CO,which favor of C–C coupling for boosting C_(2)product generation.Owing to these features,the HER selectivity was suppressed from 40.6%to 16.8%on optimal Cu@Nafion electrode at-1.2 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode(RHE),and as high as 73.5%faradaic efficiencies(FEs)of C_(2)products were achieved at the same applied potential,which was 2.6 times higher than that on bare Cu electrode(~28.3%).In addition,Nafion also contributed to the long-term stability by hinder Cu NPs morphology reconstruction.Thus,this work provides insights into the impact of Nafion on electrocatalytic CO_(2)RR performance.

Breath-by-breath measurement of exhaled ammonia by acetonemodifier positive photoionization ion mobility spectrometry via online dilution and purging sampling

Exhaled ammonia(NH_(3))is an essential noninvasive biomarker for disease diagnosis.In this study,an acetone-modifier positive photoionization ion mobility spectrometry(AM-PIMS)method was developed for accurate qualitative and quantitative analysis of exhaled NH_(3)with high selectivity and sensitivity.Acetone was introduced into the drift tube along with the drift gas as a modifier,and the characteristic NH_(3)product ion peak of(C_(3)H_(6)O)_(4)NH_(4)^(+)(K_(0)=1.45 cm^(2)/V·s)was obtained through the ion-molecule reaction with acetone reactant ions(C_(3)H_(6)O)_(2)H^(+)(K_(0)=1.87 cm^(2)/V·s),which significantly increased the peak-to-peak resolution and improved the accuracy of exhaled NH_(3)qualitative identification.Moreover,the interference of high humidity and the memory effect of NH_(3)molecules were significantly reduced via online dilution and purging sampling,thus realizing breath-by-breath measurement.As a result,a wide quantitative range of 5.87-140.92μmol/L with a response time of 40 ms was achieved,and the exhaled NH_(3)profile could be synchronized with the concentration curve of exhaled CO_(2).Finally,the analytical capacity of AM-PIMS was demonstrated by measuring the exhaled NH_(3)of healthy subjects,demonstrating its great potential for clinical disease diagnosis.

Effects of binder components and PVA modifier on bonding performance of phosphate binder for sand core-making

A type of heat-curing phosphate binder was proposed,and orthogonal experiments based on the tensile strength of sand samples determined that the optimal composition of the binder was phosphoric acid:water:aluminum hydroxide:magnesium oxide:boric acid=300:70:60:9:8.Adding 10%polyvinyl alcohol(PVA)solution during the sand mixture process can significantly improve the 24 h tensile strength of sand samples.When adding 30 g phosphate binder and 8 g 10%PVA solution,the initial tensile strength of the sample is 0.76 MPa,the room temperature tensile strength is 2.29 MPa,and the 24 h tensile strength is 1.73 MPa.The heat-curing modified phosphate sand mold has high tensile strength and low gas generation,which can meet general casting production requirements.

Determination of Nickel and Palladium in Environmental Samples by Low Temperature ETV-ICP-OES Coupled with Liquid-liquid Extraction with Dimethylglyoxime as Both Extractant and Chemical Modifier

A novel method for the determination of nickel and palladium in environmental samples by low temperature ETV-ICP-OES with dimethylglyoxime（DMG） as both the extractant and chemical modifier has been developed. In this study, it was found that nickel and palladium can form complexes with dimethylglyoxime（0. 05%, mass fraction） at pH 6.0 and can be extracted into chloroform quantitatively. The complexes can be evaporated into plasma at a suita-ble temperature（ 1400℃） for ICP-OES detection. Under the optimized conditions, the detection limits of nickel and palladium are 0.48 and 0. 40 ng/mL, respectively, while the RSD values are separately 5.0% and 3.1% （p = 50 ng/mL, n = 7）. The proposed method was applied to the determination of the target analytes in environmental sam-ples with satisfactory results.

INFLUENCES OF MODIFIERS ON SURFACE PROPERTIES OF WHITE CARBON BLACK AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF SILICONE RUBBER

Various of modifiers were used to modify the surface activity of white carbon black. The oil absorption, viscosity, hydrophobic rate and burning loss of white carbon black and the mechanical propertiess of silicone rubber were measured. The influences of the modifiers on the properties of white carbon black and the mechanical properties of silicone rubber were discussed.

Morphology Control of SrCO_3 Crystals using Complexons as Modifiers in the Ethanol-water mixtures

Using SrC12-6H2O and Na2CO3 as the main raw materials and adding different complexons as modifiers with simple co-precipitation method, SrCO3 crystals with distinct morphologies like spherical, bundle-like, overlapping plate-like, hexagonal star-like, dumbbell-like, etc. can be synthesized in the ethanol-water mixtures. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction （XRD）, scanning electron microscopy （SEM） and Fourier transform infrared spectrograph （FT-IR）. The interrelated effect mechanism is presented in the end. Results show that the modifier carboxyl groups play a significant role in controlling the SrCO3 crystal morphologies, which can alter the crystal growth unit （Sr^2＋） supply mode and induce the crystal formation with the morphologies matching their spatial configurations.

Impact of viscosity modifier on asphalt properties used for bus rapid transit lanes in Chengdu

In order to find the effect of different viscosity modifier dosages on asphalt binder＇s performance in bus rapid transit lanes in the city of Chengdu, three different viscosity modifiers were analyzed： TAFPACK-super （TPS）, high-viscosity additive （HVA） and road-science- technology （RST）, and four different asphalt binders were investigated through laboratory experiments. The percent- ages of the viscosity modifiers used were： TPS （0%, 8%, 10%, 12%, 14% and 16%） and RST and HVA （8% and 12%） depending on the type of asphalt binder. Technical indicators of modifier asphalt were tested through con- ventional and unconventional binder tests. It has been found out that only a percentage greater than or equal to 14% TPS is reasonable to achieve the requirement set by 20,000 Pa. s for the 60℃ dynamic viscosity on local #70 grade asphalt. The results indicate that conventional bin- ders did not meet the requirements of the 60℃ dynamic viscosity when 12% of TPS or HVA modifiers were used. In addition, the B-type styrene-butadienne-styrene （SBS） modified asphalt binder has better viscosity balance than the A-type SBS modified when 8% of each of the three different kinds of viscosity modifiers is used. Therefore, the B-type modified SBS thus appears to be a suitable choice in asphalt mixtures for bus rapid transit lane with the 60℃ dynamic viscosity.

Effects of Modifiers on the Anti-wetting and Anti-icing Property of Aluminum Surface

The effects of modifiers on the anti-wetting and anti-icing property of the prepared rough aluminum surface were investigated.The rough aluminum substrates were obtained through electrochemical oxidization with 15 wt% sulfuric acid solution as the electrolyte at the constant current of 4 mA for 3 h.And then they were modified with octadecanoic acid (C18),polyethylene (PE),polystyrene (PS),polyethylene glycol (PEG) and hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA),respectively,whose surface free energies were 27.6,31.0,33.0,61.6 and 70.0 mN/m,respectively.The contact angles (CA) were 154.6°,128.4°,127.6°,5.0° and 0.0°,respectively,and the ice adhesion pressures were 15.9,36.3,55.9,155.3 and 216.1 kPa,respectively.The ice adhesion strengths decrease along with the increasing anti-wetting property of aluminum surfaces and the decreasing of the surface energy of modifiers.These provide some new insights when designing the aluminum surface with anti-icing properties in some special applications.

Ubiquitin-like modifier activating enzyme 2 promotes cell migration and invasion through Wnt/β-catenin signaling in gastric cancer

AIM To investigate the function and mechanism of ubiquitinlike modifier activating enzyme 2(Uba2) in progression of gastric cancer(GC) cells.METHODS Uba2 level in patients with GC was analyzed by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. MTT and colony formation assays were performed to examine cell proliferation.Flow cytometry was used for cell cycle analysis.Wound healing and Transwell assays were conducted to examine the effects of Uba2 on migration and invasion.Expression levels of cell cycle-related proteins, epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT) biomarkers, and involvement of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway was assessed by Western blotting. Activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway was confirmed by luciferase assay.RESULTS Uba2 expression was higher in GC than in normal tissues.Increased Uba2 expression was correlated with tissue differentiation, Lauren's classification, vascular invasion,and TNM stage, as determined by the analysis of 100 GC cases(P < 0.05). Knock-down of Uba2 inhibited GC cell proliferation, induced cell cycle arrest, and altered expression of cyclin D1, P21, P27, and Bcl-2, while upregulation of Uba2 showed the opposite effects. The wound healing and Transwell assays showed that Uba2 promoted GC cell migration and invasion. Western blotting revealed alterations in EMT biomarkers, suggesting the role of Uba2 in EMT. Furthermore, the luciferase reporter assay indicated the involvement of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway as a possible modulator of Uba2 oncogenic functions.CONCLUSION Uba2 plays a vital role in GC cell migration and invasion,possibly by regulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and EMT.

Sex as an effect modifier in the association between alcohol intake and gastric cancer risk

BACKGROUND The results of previous meta-analyses evaluating the association between the alcohol intake and gastric cancer risk have reported that a statistical significance only for men.AIM To investigate the different association between alcohol intake and gastric cancer risk between men and women.METHODS The selection criteria included a prospective cohort study for evaluating alcohol intake and gastric cancer risk,with relative risks adjusted for potential confounders.Adjusted relative risk(RR)for the potential confounders and its 95%confidence interval(CI)in the highest vs lowest level were extracted from each study and a random-effects meta-analysis was conducted.Subgroup analyses by region,level of adjustment for smoking status,adjusting for body mass index,and year of publication were conducted.RESULTS A meta-analysis of all 27 cohorts showed that alcohol intake increased the risk of gastric cancer(summary RR=1.13,95%CI:1.04-1.23,I2=58.2%).Further,13 men’s cohorts had higher summary RR while maintaining statistical significance,and only seven women’s cohorts had no statistical significance.CONCLUSION The present review suggests that alcohol consumption increases the risk of gastric cancer in men.These findings showed that the sex variable in the association between alcohol intake and gastric cancer risk seemed to be an effect modifier with an interaction term.It is necessary to re-estimate follow-up outcomes after stratifying for sex.

Epigenetic modifier-induced biosynthesis of novel fusaric acid derivatives in endophytic fungi from Datura stramonium L.

The treatment of fungi with DNA methyltransferase(DNMT)and/or histone deacetylase(HDAC)inhibitors is a promising way to activate secondary metabolite biosynthetic pathways that are dormant under normal conditions.In this study,we included an HDAC inhibitor,suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid(SBHA),in the culture medium of endophytic fungi isolated from the medicinal plant Datura stramonium L.The production of two compounds was induced in the culture supplemented with SBHA,and their structures were determined to be the fusaric acid derivatives 5-butyl-6-oxo-1,6-dihydropyridine-2-carboxylic acid and 5-(but-9-enyl)-6-oxo-1,6-dihydropyridine-2-carboxylic acid.The result confirmed that the use of chemical epigenetic modifiers is an effective technique for promoting the expression of silent biosynthetic pathways to produce unique secondary metabolites.

Ebselen-An in vivo Immune Response Modifier

Numerous biochemical activites are known for the selenoorganic drug ebse1en [(2-phenyl1, 2-benzoisoselenazol-3-(2H)-one]. The initial interest focussed on its GSH peroxidase-like activity and its inhibitory activity on 5-lipoxygenase, however, further activities of the drug on oxidative burst of leukocytes, nitric oxide synthases, protein kinases and on leukocyte migration were recognized.Here we report that Ebselen differentially interacts in vivo with the production and action of systemically released cytokines in various hyperinflammation models in mice. Ebselen given orally to mice protected dose-dependently from Concanavalin A-induced, T-cell dependent inflammatory liver injury. The release of the proinflammatory cytokines Tumor Necosis Factor α and Interferon γ was downregulated, while the production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine Interleukin 10 was increased. Similar results were found in galactosamine-sensitized mice in an inflammatory liver model using the superantigen staphylococcal enterotoxin B as a T-cell activator. Moreover, Ebselen inhibited the release of TNFα initiated by endotoxin in vivo in mice. In galactosamine-pretreated mice, Ebselen also at tenuated liver injury induced by recombinant Tumor Necosis Factor α and initiated enhanced release of Interleukin 10.These findings expand the pharmacological knowledge on ebselen to hitherto unknown immunomodulatory properties which encourage to develop the drug for treatment of T-cell related autoimmune diseases

Synthesis and Structure Control of A New Kind of Inelastomer Impact Modifier with Core-shell Structure and Impact Modification to PVC/CPE

A new kind of inelastomer impact modifier with a coreshell structure was synthesized by employing a multistep composite emulsion polymerization technique, the size and morphology structure of the coreshell particles could be controlled by the multistep composite emulsion polymerization technique. The study of the impact strength and the elongation at break of the PVC/CPE blend with different contents of coreshell particles(CS) indicated that the mechanical properties of PVC/CPE/CS composite were the best when the concentration of the particle was 25%(mass fraction) which showed the different regularities and characteristics of elastomer toughening plastic.

Influence of SBS modifiers on viscoelastic mechanical behavior of modified asphalt

In order to verify the influence of different block proportions S/B on the effect of SBS modified asphalt,the dynamic mechanical performance test and static loading test were performed on the samples composed of different kinds of SBS with base asphalt. It is found that different S/B values fix on different modified effects and different viscoelastic mechanical behaviors,due to biphasic separate fabric of polybutadiene and polystyrene in SBS. In low-speed running pavement,the modified asphalt with lower S/B value shows better pavement performance,while in high-speed running pavement,the modified asphalt with higher S/B value shows better pavement performance. As far as SBS modified asphalt itself is concerned,mixing proportion impacts on resisting displacement and block proportion S/B ratio impacts on strain recovery capacity. In the case that the conditions are the same,SBS modified asphalt with different S/B values can be used for different travelling speed pavement construction demands to get an intelligent use.

An experimental study on the effects of friction modifiers on wheel-rail dynamic interactions with various angles of attack

By modifying friction to the desired level,the application of friction modifiers(FMs)has been considered as a promising emerging tool in the railway engineering for increasing braking/traction force in poor adhesion conditions and mitigating wheel/rail interface deterioration,energy consumption,vibration and noise.Understanding the effectiveness of FMs in wheel–rail dynamic interactions is crucial to their proper applications in practice,which has,however,not been well explained.This study experimentally investigates the effects of two types of top-of-rail FM,i.e.FM-A and FM-B,and their application dosages on wheel–rail dynamic interactions with a range of angles of attack(AoAs)using an innovative well-controlled V-track test rig.The tested FMs have been used to provide intermediate friction for wear and noise reduction.The effectiveness of the FMs is assessed in terms of the wheel–rail adhesion characteristics and friction rolling induced axle box acceleration(ABA).This study provides the following new insights into the study of FM:the applications of the tested FMs can both reduce the wheel–rail adhesion level and change the negative friction characteristic to positive;stick–slip can be generated in the V-Track and eliminated by FM-A but intensified by FM-B,depending on the dosage of the FMs applied;the negative friction characteristic is not a must for stick–slip;the increase in ABA with AoA is insignificant until stick–slip occurs and the ABA can thus be influenced by the applications of FM.

Deciphering the modifiers for phenotypic variability of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy

X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy(X-ALD),an inborn error of peroxisomalβ-oxidation,is caused by defects in the ATP Binding Cassette Subfamily D Member 1(ABCD1)gene.X-ALD patients may be asymptomatic or present with several clinical phenotypes varying from severe to mild,severe cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy to mild adrenomyeloneuropathy(AMN).Although most female heterozygotes present with AMN-like symptoms after 60 years of age,occasional cases of females with the cerebral form have been reported.Phenotypic variability has been described within the same kindreds and even among monozygotic twins.There is no association between the nature of ABCD1 mutation and the clinical phenotypes,and the molecular basis of phenotypic variability in X-ALD is yet to be resolved.Various genetic,epigenetic,and environmental influences are speculated to modify the disease onset and severity.In this review,we summarize the observations made in various studies investigating the potential modifying factors regulating the clinical manifestation of X-ALD,which could help understand the pathogenesis of the disease and develop suitable therapeutic strategies.

Synthesis and Performance Evaluation of Organic Bentonite Modifier Dimethyldistearylammonium Bromide (DODMAB)

Dimethyldistearylammonium Bromide (DODMAB) is a bentonite modifier with good performance. In this experiment, 1-Bromooctadecane is the raw material, and completes tertiary amination and quaternization successively by changing the condition of experiment. The result is that the productivity can achieve 78.94% in the synthesis of DODMAB. It has been used in the experiment of bentonite modification and achieves good results;compared with using trimethylstearylammonium bromide as the organic modifier, the synthetic organic bentonite has better performance than the common organic modifier when used in the oil base drilling fluid of oilfield operation.

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Poly (Vinyl Chloride) Modified by Silica Fume /Acrylic Core-Shell Impact Modifier Blends

This research explored replacing acrylic core-shell impact modifier （AIM） by silica fume to toughen PVC. 100%, 75%, 50% and 25% of AIM （8 phr） were substituted by silica fume in PVC respectively, and then processed by dry blending and twin-screw extrusion. Severe silica fume agglomeration was observed by scanning electron microscope （SEM） in the PVC matrix when 8 phr pure silica fume was used and processed by screw speed of 20 rpm. Its tensile strength was thereby reduced by 38% comparing to unmodified PVC. The silica fume was successfully dispersed while the screw speed was slowed down to 10 rpm to give a stronger screw torque and a longer melt residential time in the extruder. The tensile strength was ’recovered’ to a level comparable to unmodified PVC. Impact test were performed on all formulations extruded at 10 rpm screw speed and synergetic toughening effect was found with 50% substitution and it had the impact strength that was comparable to 8 phr pure AIM toughened PVC.

Measurements of the Electrical Incidence Angle Modifiers of an Asymmetrical Photovoltaic/Thermal Compound Parabolic Concentrating-Collector

Reflector edges, sharp acceptance angles and by-pass diodes introduce large variations in the electrical performance of asymmetrical concentrating photovoltaic/thermal modules over a short incidence angle interval. It is therefore important to quantify these impacts precisely. The impact on the electrical performance of the optical properties of an asymmetrical photovoltaic/thermal CPC-collector was measured in Maputo, Mozambique. The measurements were carried out with the focus on attaining a high resolution incidence angle modifier in both the longitudinal and transversal directions, since large variations were expected over small angle intervals. A detailed analysis of the contribution of the diffuse radiation to the total output was also carried out. The solar cells have an electrical efficiency of 18% while the maximum measured electrical efficiency of the collector was 13.9 % per active glazed area and 20.9 % per active cell area, at 25 °C. Such data make it possible to quantify not only the electrical performance for different climatic and operating conditions but also to determine potential improvements to the collector design. The electrical output can be increased by a number of different measures, e.g. removing the outermost cells, turning the edge cells 90°, dividing each receiver side into three or four parts and directing the tracking, when used, along a north-south axis.

Triethylamine or diethylenetriamine as dynamic modifier for suppressing basic protein adsorption in capillary electrophoresis

Either triethylamine or diethylenetriamine can be conveniently used as a dynamic modifier to suppress the adsorption of basic proteins in capillary zone electrophoresis. Sufficiently high column efficiencies (> 2x10(5) plates/m for cytochrome C) were obtained with either of them along with the improvement of the peak shapes and repeatability of migration time. The relationship between the adsorption suppression effect of the modifier and its structure was discussed.