Ru Changes Research Articles

Formation and Segregation of the Ru- and Rh-MgO Solid Solutions.

Structural changes in Ru- and Rh-loaded magnesium oxide (MgO) subjected to thermal treatment were investigated by using X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The thermal treatment of the MgO-loaded Ru and Rh nanoparticles led to the formation of Ru-MgO and Rh-MgO solid solutions, respectively. The valences of Ru and Rh in the solutions were 4+ and 3+, respectively, as determined by the Ru and Rh K-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES). The degree of solid solution formation was the highest at 873 and 1073 K in Ru-MgO and Rh-MgO, respectively, as observed in the extended X-ray absorption fine structure and XANES analyses. The nearest neighboring Ru-O and Rh-O bond distances were shorter than the Mg-O bond in MgO. The dispersion of Ru and Rh on the MgO surface, measured by CO adsorption, increased for samples thermally heated at 1273 K, suggesting that the segregation of Ru or Rh from the solid solutions occurred at this temperature. Consequently, a relatively high dispersion was realized in the sample thermally heated to 1273 K. A good correlation was found between the dispersion value of Ru in Ru/MgO and the NH3 decomposition activity.

Exergoenvironment evaluation of carbon resource conversion and utilization via CO2 direct hydrogenation for methanol and power cogeneration

CO2 hydrogenation technology is pivotal for achieving low-carbon and sustainable development goals by curbing carbon dioxide emissions and enabling new value chains. Traditional CO2 hydrogenation systems face challenges like excessive unreacted gas cycling and inefficient component usage. This study employed direct CO2 hydrogenation for methanol production, and integrated the chemical looping combustion (CLC) concept to enhance energy efficiency and carbon cycle utilization in methanol-electricity production. The proposed method has yielded remarkable results, attaining an exergy efficiency of 57.72 %, with CO2 equivalent emissions at 0.27 kgCO2/kgCH3OH. Furthermore, it has demonstrated a reduction of approximately 9.60 % in energy consumption and an impressive 83.63 % decrease in carbon emissions compared to the reference system. Exergoenvironmental analysis was conducted for the entire process and individual units. The results indicated superior environmental performance of the cogeneration system compared to the single-production system when the recycling ratio of unreacted gas (Ru) ranged from 1.64 to 2.72. Furthermore, CLC was identified as a key area requiring optimization within the system and determined by the values of rb,k and B˙D,k. This observation remains consistent even as Ru changes. The system showcases significant potential in thermodynamics and environmental sustainability, and lays a theoretical foundation and innovative perspective for CO2 utilization technologies.

Colour/luminescence changes of transition metal complexes induced by gaseous small molecules for monitoring reaction progress and environmental changes.

Transition metal complexes act as monitoring devices for reaction progress and environmental changes through their color/luminescence changes. In this paper, we focus on colour/luminescence changes induced by gaseous small molecules in the environment. The gradual decrease in O2 content in solution can be monitored by the luminescence enhancement of an Ir(III) complex in dimethyl sulfoxide during photoirradiation. CO2 in air can be captured by a Pt(II) complex in basic aqueous solution, resulting in a colour change from yellow to red to blue-green due to higher degree aggregate formation. Moisture in air induces colour/luminescence changes in Ru(II) and Ir(III) complex salts due to the sorption of H2O into hydrophilic channels in the crystal. Volatile organic compound vapours such as CHCl3 and CH2Cl2 change the purple colour of Pt(II) complex crystals to red and blue, respectively. The purple crystal can adsorb two CHCl3 molecules under ambient conditions but only one CH2Cl2 molecule.

Recreational Soccer Can Improve the Reflex Response to Sudden Trunk Loading Among Untrained Women

A slower reflex response to sudden trunk loading (SL) has been shown to increase future risk of low back injuries in healthy subjects, and specific readiness training can improve the response to SL among healthy subjects. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of recreational soccer training on the reaction to SL among untrained healthy women. Thirty-six healthy, untrained, Danish women (age 19-45 years) were randomly assigned to a soccer group (SO, n = 19) and a running group (RU, n = 17). In addition, an untrained control group (CON, n = 10) was recruited. Training was performed for 1 hour twice a week (mean heart rate of 165 b.min-1 in SO and 164 b.min-1 in RU) for 16 weeks. Test of reactions to sudden unexpected trunk loading was performed before and after the training period. Furthermore, time-motion analysis of the soccer training was performed for 9 subjects. Group assignment was blinded to the test personnel. Physical education students organized the training. During 1 hour of soccer training, the total number of sudden moves including sudden loading of the upper body (e.g. turns, stops, throw-ins, headers, and shoulder tackles) was 192 (63). In SO, time elapsed until stopping of the forward movement of the trunk (stopping time) decreased (p < 0.05) by 15% and distance moved after unexpected SL decreased (p < 0.05) by 24% compared with no changes in RU and CON. In conclusion, football training includes a high number of sudden loadings of the upper body and can improve the reflex response to SL. The faster reflex response indicates that soccer training can reduce the risk of low back injuries.

Poly(ethylene glycol)-based biosensor chip to study heparin–protein interactions

Poly(ethylene glycol)-based biosensor chip to study heparin–protein interactions

Amorphous Fe-valve metal-Pt group metal alloy catalysts for methanation of CO 2

Amorphous Fe-valve metal alloys containing a small amount of Pt group elements were activated by immersion in HF acid for surface roughening and for surface enrichment of Pt group elements, and were used for methanation of CO 2. The FeZrRu alloy showed an activity about one order of magnitude higher than those with the alloys containing other Pt group elements and produced only CH 4. The less active Pd- and Ir-containing alloys produced CO as well as CH 4. The addition of Nb to the highly active Fe70Zr2Ru alloy led to a significant decrease in the activity for CH 4 production, but only CH 4 was produced, even if Nb was added. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis revealed that the Ru and Fe contents in the surface were not markedly changed by the addition of Nb. However, the peak binding energy of Ru 3 d 5 2 electrons of metallic Ru changes with the Nb content of the surface. The change in the electronic state of Ru by the addition of Nb seems to be one of the reasons for the decrease in the activity for the methanation of CO 2.

Changes in upper and lower airway resistance after inhalation of antigen in sensitized rats.

To assess the contribution of upper and lower airways to the changes in pulmonary resistance after inhalation of antigen by sensitized rats, we measured changes in upper airway resistance (Ru) and lower pulmonary resistance (Rlo) after inhalation of ovalbumin (OA) in anesthetized, spontaneously breathing, sensitized BN rats. Aerosols of antigen were inhaled through the nose and through a tracheostomy in random order; there was a 1-h recovery interval between challenges. After inhalation of OA through the nose, Ru increased from 0.441 +/- 0.057 (mean +/- 1 SE) to 1.342 +/- 0.504 cm H2O X ml-1 X s (n = 6; p less than 0.05) and Rlo increased from 0.099 +/- 0.017 to 0.269 +/- 0.08 cm H2O X ml-1 X s (p less than 0.05). Changes in Ru and Rlo were strongly correlated (r = 0.938; p less than 0.001). After OA was inhaled through the tracheostomy, Rlo increased from 0.089 +/- 0.021 to 0.152 +/- 0.041 cm H2O X ml-1 X s (p less than 0.05). However, Ru did not change significantly. Pretreatment of the lower airways with inhaled atropine did not affect the magnitude of the changes in Ru after inhalation of OA through the nose but significantly attenuated the response of the lower airways. We conclude that when sensitized, spontaneously breathing rats inhale antigen through the nose, the predominant reaction occurs in the upper airways; changes in upper airway resistance do not result from reflexes originating in the lower airways; lower airway responses are mediated in part by cholinergic mechanisms.

Partitioning of airway responses to inhaled methacholine in the rat.

We measured the changes in upper and lower airway resistance after inhalation of aerosols of methacholine (MCh) in doubling concentrations (16, 32, 64, and 128 mg/ml) in 11 anesthetized nonintubated spontaneously breathing rats. Upper airway resistance (Ru) increased from a control value of 0.48 +/- 0.04 cmH2O X ml-1 X s (mean +/- SE) to 0.85 +/- 0.15 after 128 mg/ml MCh, whereas lower airway resistance (Rlo) increased from 0.11 +/- 0.03 to 0.21 +/- 0.04. However, there was no correlation between the magnitudes of the changes in Ru and Rlo. In a further seven anesthetized spontaneously breathing rats aerosols of MCh were delivered into the lower airways via a tracheostomy and resulted in increases in Rlo from a control value of 0.20 +/- 0.03 to 0.66 +/- 0.12 after 128 mg/ml MCh. Ru also increased to approximately double its control value. We conclude that inhaled MCh causes narrowing of both Ru and Rlo in the anesthetized rat, the changes in Ru and Rlo are not correlated, and changes in Ru can occur when MCh deposition occurs only in the lower airways.