Reduced graphene oxide-supported nickel oxide catalyst with improved CO tolerance for formic acid electrooxidation

The superior catalytic activity along with improved CO tolerance for formic acid electrooxidation has been demonstrated on a NiO-decorated reduced graphene oxide (rGO) catalyst. The cyclic voltammetry response of rGO–NiO/Pt catalyst elucidates improved CO tolerance and follows direct oxidation pathway. It is probably due to the bene?cial effect of residual oxygen groups on rGO support which is supported by FT-IR spectrum. A strong interaction of rGO support with NiO nanoparticles facilitates the removal of CO from the catalyst surface. The chronoamperometric response indicates a higher catalytic activity and stability of rGO–NiO/Pt catalyst than the NiO/Pt and unmodified Pt electrode catalyst for a prolonged time of continuous oxidation of formic acid.     

Changes in sleep and wake in response to different sleeping surfaces: a pilot study

Six married couples (12 adults, mean age 34.8 years) were randomized as couples in a cross-over design to sleep on a queen-size conventional mattress for 2 weeks and a specially-designed pressure-relief mattress for 2 weeks. The pressure-relief mattress was designed to reduce the number of contact points exceeding 30 mm Hg. Actigraphic measurements of sleep and self-reports of sleep and daytime symptoms were collected at baseline for 2 weeks on each couple's home mattress and box springs at home, followed by 2 weeks of data collection on each randomized mattress for a total of 6 weeks of data collection. Pressure maps were created for each participant on each sleeping surface. There were no significant differences between the randomized sleeping surfaces for any measure of actigraphic sleep or self-reported sleep and daytime symptoms. However, poor pressure relief performance of the home mattress was associated with better actigraphic sleep on the randomized pressure-relief mattress. We conclude that while pressure-relief mattresses may not be universally preferred, baseline characteristics of the sleeper and/or their mattress may explain performance and sleeper preferences on future mattress selection.     

Frugal information systems (IS)

A discussion of the factors contributing to a likely increase in austerity establishes the case for a greater emphasis on frugal information systems (IS), which is defined as an information system that is developed and deployed with minimal resources to meet the pre-eminent goal of the client. The U-constructs are adopted as a foundation for a frugal IS, and two simple messaging system-based case studies illustrate their application. Design guidelines and practices for frugal IS are considered. The challenges and potential gains of frugal IS are reviewed.     

Acceleration of lipid peroxidation in alpha-tocopherol transfer protein-knockout mice following the consumption of drinking water containing a radical initiator

To assess the antioxidative role of vitamin E (VE) in a mouse model of severe VE deficiency by using biomarkers, alpha-tocopherol transfer protein (alpha-TTP(-/-))-knockout mice were maintained on a VE-deficient diet for 28 weeks [KO group, n = 6]. Wild-type C57BL/6 mice were maintained on a diet containing 0.002% alpha-tocopherol [WT group, n = 6]. The animals were housed individually in a metabolic cage from the age of 9 weeks (Week 0) to 27 weeks. Urine was collected every week, and the levels of total hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid (tHODE), 7-hydroxycholesterol (t7-OHCh), and 8-iso-prostaglandin F(2alpha)(t8-isoPGF(2alpha)), which are biomarkers for lipid peroxidation, were measured by gas chromatography (GC)-mass spectrometry. From the age of 21 weeks (Week 12), three mice in each group were provided drinking water containing the water-soluble radical initiator 2,2'-azobis[2-(2-imidazolin-2-yl)propane] dihydrochloride (AIPH) until the end of the study (Week 19). Blood and tissue samples were collected, and the levels of the abovementioned biomarkers therein were assessed. AIPH consumption clearly elevated the plasma and erythrocyte levels of tHODE and t8-isoPGF(2alpha) in both the WT and KO groups except for the erythrocyte level of tHODE in the WT group. Furthermore, this elevation was more prominent in the KO group than in the WT group. Interestingly, AIPH consumption reduced the stereoisomer ratio of HODE (ZE/EE), which is reflective of the efficacy of a compound as an antioxidant in vivo; this suggests that free radical-mediated oxidation reduces the antioxidant capacity in vivo. The urine levels of tHODE, t7-OHCh, and t8-isoPGF(2alpha) tended to increase with AIPH consumption, but these individual levels fluctuated. It was clearly demonstrated by the proposed biomarkers that maintaining alpha-TTP(-/-) mice on a VE-deficient diet results in a severe VE deficiency and promotes lipid peroxidation.     

Relative susceptibilities of linoleates and cholesterol to oxidation assessed by total hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid and 7-hydroxycholesterol

We have investigated the relative susceptibilities of cholesterol and linoleates to free radical-mediated oxidation in vitro using model compounds to understand the in vivo observation chemically. It was found that linoleates were preferentially oxidized in the plasma, while cholesterol was concomitantly oxidized with linoleates in the erythrocytes. Importantly, the oxidizability depends on the kinds of solvent, implying that the in vivo oxidation may be in part influenced by the milieu where the substrates exist.     

Practical technique for the successive overrelaxation method

An empirical method is proposed in order to estimate the successive overrelaxation parameter for the solution of Laplace's equation over an arbitrary region.     

Association of chronic infection of Chlamydia pneumoniae and coronary heart disease in the Japanese

The association of Chlamydia pneumoniae with atherosclerosis of coronary and carotid arteries and the aorta has been demonstrated by seroepidemiology and by detection of the organism in atheromata. We investigated the frequency of C. pneumoniae seropositivity in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). C. pneumoniae-specific antibodies were measured by the microimmunofluorescence test in 160 AMI patients and 160 control subjects matched for age and gender. The odds ratios (ORs) were 2.2 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.2 to 3.9) for immunoglobulin (Ig)G and 2.7 (95% CI, 1.7 to 4.3) for IgA. After adjustment for other cardiovascular risk factors of age, gender, hypertension, diabetes, cigarette smoking and serum cholesterol, the ORs were essentially unchanged. This study confirmed that the observations of an association between antibody against C. pneumoniae and coronary heart disease in Western nations is also present in Japan. Our results are comparable to the previous seroepidemiological studies reporting ORs of 2.0 or greater.     

High surface area BaZrO3 photocatalyst prepared by base-hot-water treatment

Barium zirconate (BaZrO₃) nanoparticles have been prepared by modified sol-gel route. Low temperature process of base-hot-water treatment (BHWT) was conducted to obtain high surface area BaZrO₃. The treatments were carried out at 90 °C and at pH 14 with various concentrations of NaOH solution. Single phase nanocrystalline perovskite structure of BaZrO₃ powders was successfully obtained by immersing the BaZrO₃ precursor into hot-basic condition of 1 M NaOH solution for 1 h and consecutively calcined at 1000 °C for 2 h. BaZrO₃ powders with BHWT showed surface area of 18.4 m²/g which is nearly 8 times larger than those of the powders without BHWT. Photocatalytic activities of BaZrO₃ powders upon bleaching of methylene blue in an aqueous solution under UV light irradiation were enhanced by the increment of their surface area.     

Sustainable Polymers from Renewable Resources: Polymer Blends of Furan‐Based Polyesters

A series of blends of furan‐based green polyesters, for eco‐friendly packaging materials, are synthesized. Poly(ethylene 2,5‐furandicarboxylate) (PEF), poly(propylene 2,5‐furandicarboxylate) (PPF), and poly(butylene 2,5‐furandicarboxylate) (PBF) are synthesized by applying melt polycondensation. Blends of the above polyesters with 50/50 w/w composition as well as blends of furanoate/terephthalate (PPF/PPT) are also prepared. The glass temperature along with the crystallization and melting behaviors of melt quenched blends are studied aiming at understanding their dynamic state and miscibility. Based on their T_g and crystallization behavior, PEF/PPF shows dynamic homogeneity and miscibility whereas PPF/PBF and PEF/PBF exhibit partial miscibility and immiscibility, respectively. In an effort to dynamically homogenize the compounds, reactive blending is applied and the behavior of the resulting blends is monitored following quenching. A profound improvement in blend homogenization is observed with increasing melt mixing time for the PPF/PPT sample, evidenced by the single glass temperature and by the narrowing in liquid‐to‐glass regime. The obtained single glass temperature together with the suppressed tendency for crystallization with increasing mixing time are taken as evidences of dynamic and thermodynamic homogeneity.