Effects Of Different Components Research Articles

Heterophase Intermetallic Compounds for Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Production at Industrial-Scale Current Densities.

Heterophase nanomaterials have sparked significant research interest in catalysis due to their distinctive properties arising from synergistic effects of different components and the formed phase boundary. However, challenges persist in the controlled synthesis of heterophase intermetallic compounds (IMCs), primarily due to the lattice mismatch of distinct crystal phases and the difficulty in achieving precise control of the phase transitions. Herein, orthorhombic/cubic Ru2Ge3/RuGe IMCs with engineered boundary architecture are synthesized and anchored on the reduced graphene oxide. The Ru2Ge3/RuGe IMCs exhibit excellent hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance with a high current density of 1000 mA cm-2 at a low overpotential of 135 mV. The presence of phase boundaries enhances charge transfer and improves the kinetics of water dissociation while optimizing the processes of hydrogen adsorption/desorption, thus boosting the HER performance. Moreover, an anion exchange membrane electrolyzer is constructed using Ru2Ge3/RuGe as the cathode electrocatalyst, which achieves a current density of 1000 mA cm-2 at a low voltage of 1.73 V, and the activity remains virtually undiminished over 500 h.

Investigating the Inhibitory Factors of Sucrose Hydrolysis in Sugar Beet Molasses with Yeast and Invertase

Sugar beet molasses is a low-value byproduct from the sugar industry. It contains significant amounts of sucrose (approx. 50% (w/w)), which can be used for many different applications, for example, as feedstock for the production of fuel (as ethanol) and biobased chemicals such as 5-hydoxymethyl furfural (HMF). To produce platform chemicals, sucrose is hydrolyzed into its monomeric C6 sugars: glucose and fructose. When comparing the hydrolysis rates of molasses with a pure sucrose solution, the specific reaction rate is much slower (Qp/x,60min = 93 and 70 gprod L−1 h−1 gcell−1 for pure sucrose and crude molasses, respectively) at the same sucrose concentration (300 g/L) and process conditions. To clarify why molasses inhibits the enzymatic hydrolysis rate, the influence of its viscosity and inorganic and organic composition was investigated. Also, the effects of molasses and treated molasses on pure enzymes, invertase (from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, 0.05 mg/mL), compared with hydrolysis using whole cells of Baker’s yeast (3 mg/mL), were tested. The results indicate an inhibitory effect of potassium (Qp/x,60min = 76 gprod L−1 h−1 gcell−1), generally at high salt concentrations (Qp/x,60min = 67 gprod L−1 h−1 gcell−1), which could be correlated to the solution’s high salt concentrations and possibly the synergistic effects of different ions when applying concentrations that were four times that in the molasses. Also, the viscosity and sucrose purity seem to have an effect, where pure sucrose solutions and thick juice from the sugar mill yielded higher hydrolysis rates (Qp/x,60min = 97 gprod L−1 h−1 gcell−1) than molasses-type solutions with a higher viscosity (Qp/x,60min = 70–74 gprod L−1 h−1 gcell−1). Attempting to further understand the effects of different components on the invertase activity, an in silico investigation was performed, indicating that high salt concentrations affected the binding of sucrose to the active site of the enzyme, which can result in a lower reaction rate. This knowledge is important for future scale-up of the hydrolysis process, since reduced hydrolysis rates require larger volumes to provide a certain productivity, requiring larger process equipment and thereby higher investment costs.

Predicting the glass transition temperature and solubility parameter between rubber/silica and rubber/resins via all‐atom molecular dynamics simulation

AbstractResin is a widely used additive in rubber composites, which not only improves the processing properties of the composites but also enhances their mechanical properties, rolling resistance and wear resistance. However, there are specific differences in compatibility among resin, rubber and silica, which directly affect the performance of the composite materials. In this work, we first computed the glass transition temperature () of five resins in styrene−butadiene rubber (SBR) composites to prove the reliability of the computational method. Then, we explored the effects of different components and resin types on of SBR and found that the addition of silica can increase due to weak attractive interactions between silica and rubber molecular chains, which restrict the movement of the molecular chains. Furthermore, using solubility parameters, we analyzed the compatibility of rubber and five different resins and found that all five resins had good compatibility with rubber, especially C5/C9 copolymerized petroleum resin and hydrogenated resin. Finally, we revealed that there is a mutually attractive force between resin and silica. In summary, understanding the interactions among resins, silica and rubber is crucial for optimizing the performance of composite materials. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Comparison for the effects of different components of temperature variability on mortality: A multi-country time-series study

BackgroundTemperature variability (TV) is associated with increased mortality risk. However, it is still unknown whether intra-day or inter-day TV has different effects. ObjectivesWe aimed to assess the association of intra-day TV and inter-day TV with all-cause, cardiovascular, and respiratory mortality. MethodsWe collected data on total, cardiovascular, and respiratory mortality and meteorology from 758 locations in 47 countries or regions from 1972 to 2020. We defined inter-day TV as the standard deviation (SD) of daily mean temperatures across the lag interval, and intra-day TV as the average SD of minimum and maximum temperatures on each day. In the first stage, inter-day and intra-day TVs were modelled simultaneously in the quasi-Poisson time-series model for each location. In the second stage, a multi-level analysis was used to pool the location-specific estimates. ResultsOverall, the mortality risk due to each interquartile range [IQR] increase was higher for intra-day TV than for inter-day TV. The risk increased by 0.59% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.53, 0.65) for all-cause mortality, 0.64% (95% CI: 0.56, 0.73) for cardiovascular mortality, and 0.65% (95% CI: 0.49, 0.80) for respiratory mortality per IQR increase in intra-day TV0–7 (0.9 °C). An IQR increase in inter-day TV0–7 (1.6 °C) was associated with 0.22% (95% CI: 0.18, 0.26) increase in all-cause mortality, 0.44% (95% CI: 0.37, 0.50) increase in cardiovascular mortality, and 0.31% (95% CI: 0.21, 0.41) increase in respiratory mortality. The proportion of all-cause deaths attributable to intra-day TV0–7 and inter-day TV0–7 was 1.45% and 0.35%, respectively. The mortality risks varied by lag interval, climate area, season, and climate type. ConclusionsOur results indicated that intra-day TV may explain the main part of the mortality risk related to TV and suggested that comprehensive evaluations should be proposed in more countries to help protect human health.

Boosting oxygen reduction durability by embedding Co9S8 nanoparticles into Co single atoms anchored porous carbon frameworks

Developing an efficient and low-cost oxygen reduction electrocatalyst is essential for the application of aqueous zinc-air batteries (ZABs). Herein, we report a facile adsorption-confined pyrolysis strategy to fabricate the hybrid electrocatalyst (denoted as Co9S8/CoSA-PC) by embedding Co9S8 nanoparticles into Co single atoms (Co-SAs) anchored porous carbon sheets for boosting oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) durability. In this strategy, the Co2+ ions are first absorbed into oxygen-rich porous carbon nanosheets and further form the Co-SAs with the help of thiourea in the following pyrolysis procedure, which is believed to be able to confine the generated Co9S8 nanoparticles into carbon frameworks due to their interface interaction. Benefiting from the synergistic effect of different components, the obtained Co9S8/CoSA-PC electrocatalyst for ORR exhibits outstanding catalytic activity with a half-wave potential of 0.82 V and a distinguished long-term durability with a current retention of 80 % after cycling 80 h under alkaline conditions, which is superior to commercial Pt/C. Moreover, the assembled ZABs with Co9S8/CoSA-PC as cathodic catalyst deliver a high specific capacity of 764 mAh gZn−1 at 10 mA cm−2 and the outstanding peak power density of up to 221.4 mW cm−2. This work provides a novel structure design strategy to prepare transition metal sulfide-based electrocatalysts with superior durability for ORR.

Different components of cognitive-behavioral therapy affect specific cognitive mechanisms.

Psychological therapies are among the most effective treatments for common mental health problems-however, we still know relatively little about how exactly they improve symptoms. Here, we demonstrate the power of combining theory with computational methods to parse effects of different components of cognitive-behavioral therapies onto underlying mechanisms. Specifically, we present data from a series of randomized-controlled experiments testing the effects of brief components of behavioral and cognitive therapies on different cognitive processes, using well-validated behavioral measures and associated computational models. A goal setting intervention, based on behavioral activation therapy activities, reliably and selectively reduced sensitivity to effort when deciding how to act to gain reward. By contrast, a cognitive restructuring intervention, based on cognitive therapy materials, reliably and selectively reduced the tendency to attribute negative everyday events to self-related causes. The effects of each intervention were specific to these respective measures. Our approach provides a basis for beginning to understand how different elements of common psychotherapy programs may work.

Soil Respiration after Bark Beetle Infestation along a Vertical Transect in Mountain Spruce Forest

In recent decades, large-scale forest disturbances such as windthrow and bark beetle infestations have significantly impacted Earth’s carbon balance and forest ecosystems. This impact alters soil respiration (SR), along with decreased gross primary productivity. To investigate the impact of bark beetle (Ips typographus L.) infestations in mountain spruce forests on SR, we measured SR at sites infested by bark beetles and adjacent undisturbed stands in the Tatra National Park (Slovakia) during the vegetation period (May–September) in 2016–2017 five to six years after the initial bark beetle attack. The measurements were taken along an altitudinal gradient (1100–1400 m a.s.l.). The highest rates of SR were observed during the summer months in both years (from June to August). However, yearly SR from May to September at infested sites showed significantly higher rates than uninfested ones in both years. SR showed a decreasing pattern with elevation gain in 2016 at infested sites, but this pattern was not observed in 2017. This study provides important insights into the impact of bark beetle infestations on SR and emphasizes the need for further research on the long-term effects of forest disturbances on carbon cycling. It also underscores the importance of determining the effect of different components of SR on the changed environment due to bark beetle attacks on mountain spruce forests.

Analysing the Role of Globalisation in Environmental Degradation of West African Countries: A Method of Moments Quantile Regression Approach

Abstract Motivated by the need to achieve a sustainable environment as entrenched in the Sustainable Development Goals and the conflicting evidence in the literature, this study scrutinises the effect of different components of globalisation on the environmental degradation of West African nations within the Environmental Kuznets Curve framework. Fully modified ordinary least squares, dynamic ordinary least squares, and the method of moments quantile regression of Machado and Silva (2019) are deployed as the estimation techniques. In the panel, cross-sectional dependence and non-normality are established. The findings from the quantile regression reveal a significant positive impact of economic growth on environmental degradation. The square of economic growth has an insignificant negative influence on environmental degradation. Thus, the EKC hypothesis is not valid in West African nations. Aggregate globalisation significantly influences environmental degradation, while economic and political globalisation significantly negatively impacts environmental degradation across the quantiles. However, social globalisation negatively impacts environmental degradation at a lower quantile (10–50 %), while at a higher quantile, the impact is positive. Natural resources significantly affect environmental degradation, while energy consumption in the region benefits the environment. Nevertheless, urbanisation has a different impact on environmental degradation in the area. The results of these studies are robust to other methods of estimation. The implications of the study are discussed.

Effects of main components on energy output characteristics of thermobaric explosive — A case study of typical formulations

As a kind of high-efficiency explosive with compound destructive capability, the energy output law of thermobaric explosives has been receiving great attention. In order to investigate the effects of main components on the explosive characteristics of thermobaric explosives, various high explosives and oxidants were selected to formulate five different types of thermobaric explosive. Then they were tested in both open space and closed space respectively. Pressure measurement system, high-speed camera, infrared thermal imager and multispectral temperature measurement system were used for pressure, temperature and fireball recording. The effects of different components on the explosive characteristics of thermobaric explosive were analyzed. The results showed that in open space, the overpressure is dominated by the high explosives content in the formulation. The addition of the oxidants will decrease the explosion overpressure but will increase the duration and overall brightness of the fireball. While in closed space, the quasi-static pressure formed after the explosion is positively correlated with the temperature and gas production. In addition, it was found that the differences in shell constraints can also alter the afterburning reaction of thermobaric explosives, thus affecting their energy output characteristics. PVC shell constraint obviously increases the overpressure and makes the fireball burn more violently.

An extended generalized conditional intensity measure method for aftershock ground motion selection

AbstractThis study proposes an extended generalized conditional intensity measure (EGCIM)‐based approach to selecting aftershock ground motions that match the target aftershock EGCIM distributions. The main purposes of the proposed methodology are threefold: (a) to consider the multiple characteristics of aftershock ground motions (e.g., amplitude, frequency contents, cumulative effects, and duration), (b) to account for the correlations between mainshocks (MS) and aftershocks (AS) as well as cross‐correlations between AS IMs, and (c) to associate with the conventional mainshock GCIM approach to enforce mainshock‐consistency for practical applications. For these purposes, three components of the EGCIM methodology for aftershock ground motion selection are utilized: (1) the multivariate aftershock EGCIM distributions of any vector of aftershock intensity measures (IMs) are constructed conditioned on two MS‐AS IMs, (2) the correlations between mainshocks and aftershocks as well as the cross‐correlations between AS IMs are considered, and (3) the random realizations of aftershock IMs are generated as a target using the aftershock EGCIM distributions to select aftershock ground motions from the specific database. The proposed methodology is applied to a case study in the LPCC station in New Zealand, whose aftershock EGCIM distributions of the considered 18 IMs are constructed for the case scenario. Among them, the correlations between mainshocks (MS) and aftershocks (AS) as well as the cross‐correlations between AS IMs are determined using the total residuals (epsilons) based on 662 real MS–AS ground‐motion pairs. Several examples are then discussed to illustrate the application of the proposed aftershock EGCIM approach, including the comparison of the aftershock acceleration spectrum with the ASK14 model and the effects of different components of the aftershock IM weight vector. Then, the proposed approach is compared with the conventional aftershock synthesis methods. It is observed that the conventional methods perform biased representations of different aftershock characteristics, of which the limitations are improved in the proposed approach. Moreover, a sensitivity study is performed for a typical midrise structure to investigate the effects of aftershock ground motion selection on the aftershock fragility analysis. The results indicate that the selection of aftershock records considering different AS characteristics has a notable impact on the aftershock fragility assessment. The uncertainties associated with record‐to‐record variations in aftershock fragility analysis can be effectively reduced by using the proposed selection approach that incorporates the comprehensive ground motion characteristics. The findings in this study promote the extension of the existing methods for aftershock ground motion selection, which can be applied to structural design or seismic risk analysis considering the aftershock effects.

Novel montmorillonite/jute composites functionalized with polyethyleneimine and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide for Cr(VI) adsorption

Industrial wastewater containing heavy metal ions of Cr(VI) has drawn increasing attention because of extreme toxicity and detrimental effects on human health. This paper reported a novel nanocomposite adsorbent for Cr(VI) removal from water, consisting of montmorillonite (Mt), jute and the functional modifiers of polyethyleneimine (PEI) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), i.e., Mt/Jute-PEI-CTAB. The Mt/Jute-PEI-CTAB adsorbent was synthesized via a synergistic method of ultrasonic treatment and sand milling. Various methods were used to characterize the Mt/Jute-PEI-CTAB adsorbent, and the effects of different components on Cr(VI) adsorption behaviors were systematically investigated. The adsorption experiments indicated that Mt/Jute-PEI-CTAB exhibits an excellent Cr(VI) adsorption performance, with a maximum adsorption amount of 59.3 mg/g, 4 times higher that of the Mt/Jute adsorbent without PEI or CTAB. A high Cr(VI) removal efficiency of 99% was achieved, and it is superior to most of clay/biomass-based adsorbents reported. The significantly improved Cr(VI) adsorption capacity can be attributed to the amino functional groups in Mt/Jute-PEI-CTAB through the modification of biomass, CTAB and PEI. The Cr(VI) adsorption process on Mt/Jute-PEI-CTAB can well be described using the pseudo-second order kinetic model and the Langmuir isotherm model. This work provides a novel and environmentally friendly method to design high-performance Cr(VI) adsorbents using clay minerals and biomass for environmental remediation.

Training load as the conditioning of vertebral column dysfunction in road cyclists

Background. Spinal dysfunctions pose significant problems for road cyclists as they affect their efficiency and the quality of life. Despite this,fact only few studies are focused on the effect of training on the aforementioned dysfunctions. This gap in literature is even bigger as far as competitive/professional road cycling is concerned, despite the significant load the competitors are exposed to. This study is focused on understanding how different components of training load affect dysfunction of the vertebral column in road cyclists, both competitive and amateur ones. Additionally, the thesis how the program of adequate bioregeneration can contribute to reduction of spinal dysfunction risk is analyzed. Material and methods. The samle included 60 cyclists. The participants were divided into two groups: 30 competitive road cyclists UCI World Tour (first division) and 30 amateur road cyclists. The aim of the study was to understand the effect of different components of training load on the on the origin of spinal dysfunction in road cyclists . A questionnaire including the questions concerning personal data, the length of the road cyclist’s training period, training load, complementary training as the frequency and location of back pain, and also the questions, as the questions focused on information on the sustained injuries and contusions as well as as the access and the quality of the physiotherapeutic procedure. Results. The study using statistical tools revealed that many aspects of training affect vertebral column dysfunction in road cyclists, both competitive and amateur ones. The results also suggest that both professional and amateur cyclists should pay more attention to prevention and treatment of back pain. These procedures may involve regular workouts strengthening and stabilizing the vertebral column, control of training load as well as regular assessment by a physiotherapist. However, it was impossible to develop a concrete mathematical pattern for prognosing the aforementioned dysfunctions. Conclusion. The study provides new information on the training record in cyclists on the prevalence of back pain in road cyclists. The study found significant differences between the analyzed variables, however, in no case, the designated linear regression function allowed description of these relationships. This may indicate that the relationships are more complicated than it is suggested based on a simple linear model or that there are other factors responsible for back pain, which were not taken into consideration in this model. Further research using more complex regression models or taking into consideration additional variables are required for better understanding of the factors affecting vertebral column dysfunction in road cyclists – it will be the subject of further research by the authors.

Pollution Characteristics of Different Components of PM2.5 in Taiyuan during 2017–2020 Wintertime and Their Toxicity Effects on HepG2 Cells

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is a common pollutant, and its health risk has attracted much attention. Studies have shown that PM2.5 exposure is associated with liver disease. The composition of PM2.5 is complex, and its hepatotoxic effects and lipid metabolism process are not well understood. In this study, we detected the concentrations of PM2.5 and its components (metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs)) in the winter in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China, from 2017 to 2020 and then assessed the health risks. We also investigated the effects of different components (whole particles (WP), water-soluble particles (WSP), organic particles (OP)) of PM2.5 on the cytotoxicity and lipid metabolism in human liver cell line (HepG2) after 24 h of treatment. The changes in cytotoxicity indexes (LDH, IL-6, reactive oxygen species (ROS)) and lipids (triglyceride (TG), free fatty acid (FFA)) were measured after 24 h. The mRNA expression of lipid metabolism-related factors (SREBP1, CD36, MTTP) was determined by real-time quantitative RT-qPCR. Finally, the correlation between metals and PAHs with higher PM2.5 content in 4 years and biomarkers was analyzed. The results showed that: (1) The PM2.5 pollution was severe in Taiyuan during winter in 2017 and the subsequent four years. The calculation results of the metal enrichment factor (EF) value and PAHs characteristic ratio of PM2.5 showed that PM2.5 pollution sources differed in different years. (2) Exposure to metals and PAHs in PM2.5 did not cause a non-carcinogenic risk. Metals had no cancer risk, while PAHs inhaled in PM2.5 in 2017 and 2018 had a potential cancer risk. The atmospheric PM2.5 pollution in Taiyuan has had a downward trend, but the PAHs in the PM2.5 of 2017–18, when the pollution is relatively serious, have a potential carcinogenic risk. (3) WP, OP and WSP inhibited cell survival rate from 2017 to 2020, and OP had higher cytotoxicity at the same concentration. (4) WP, OP and WSP increased the levels of LDH, IL-6, TNF-α, ROS, MDA, TG and FFA, and inhibited SOD activity in a dose-effect relationship. The organic components in PM2.5 are more toxic to HepG2 cells and affect the expression of lipid metabolism-related factors at the transcriptional level. (5) The mRNA expressions of factors related to lipid synthesis, uptake, oxidation and output were up-regulated after treatment with PM2.5 and its components, suggesting a lipid metabolism disorder. (6) The biomarkers were associated with certain metals (Zn, Pb, Cu and Cr) and PAHs in PM2.5. These suggested that PM2.5- and PM2.5-bound organic matter caused HepG2 cytotoxicity and affected lipid metabolism.

Recent advances in copper-based materials for robust lithium polysulfides adsorption and catalytic conversion

Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries are considered one of the most promising next-generation secondary batteries owing to their ultrahigh theoretical energy density. However, practical applications are hindered by the shuttle effect of soluble lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) and sluggish redox kinetics, which result in low active material utilization and poor cycling stability. Various copper-based materials have been used to inhibit the shuttle effect of LiPSs, owing to the strong anchoring effect caused by the lithiophilic/sulphilic sites and the accelerated conversion kinetics caused by excellent catalytic activity. This study briefly introduces the working principles of Li–S batteries, followed by a summary of the synthetic methods for copper-based materials. Moreover, the recent research progress in the utilization of various copper-based materials in cathodes and separators of Li–S batteries, including copper oxides, copper sulfides, copper phosphides, copper selenides, copper-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), and copper single-atom, are systematically summarized. Subsequently, three strategies to improve the electrochemical performance of copper-based materials through defect engineering, morphology regulation, and synergistic effect of different components are presented. Finally, our perspectives on the future development of copper-based materials are presented, highlighting the major challenges in the rational design and synthesis of high-performance Li–S batteries.

Numerical study on weakening vortex-induced vibration of semi-ring diversion type component

Conventional spoiler components are commonly employed to mitigate vortex-induced vibration (VIV), but their effectiveness varies significantly. Therefore, detailed comparative studies should be made between different components and a more comprehensive suppression method will be proposed. In this paper, numerical simulations are conducted to explore the weakening effect of hydrodynamic shapes on VIV of structures. Different spoiler components, including rectangular spoiler, fairing, and fin plate are investigated, and for further optimization, a novel concept of semi-ring diversion type component is proposed. The attenuation effects of different components on vibration are compared. In addition, sensitivity analyses of the diversion component, including slit width (XW), front angle (α), and nozzle size (BL), are conducted at various reduced velocities to determine the optimal sizes. Results indicate that traditional spoiler components have inherent shortcomings in terms of weakening efficiency, which can only reduce the maximum resonance value (Ay(max)) to 50%–77%, extend the dimensionless critical velocity (Ucr) by −0.5–1.5, and shorten the length of frequency lock-in interval to 2.5–3, compared to the bare cylinder. The diversion component effectively reduces the frequency of vortex shedding around the cylinder. The optimal vibration damping effect is achieved when XW = 0.03, α = 60°, and BL = 0.11. Compared to the bare cylinder, the structure shows a substantial reduction in resonant frequency by 69%, a threefold decrease in the length of the frequency lock-in interval, a 68.2% reduction in Ay(max) and a delay in Ucr of 2.65, demonstrating a potential mitigation device for VIV.

Mechanical Enhancement of the Gelatin/Poly(zinc acrylate) Hydrogel Stent in Bile.

Hydrogels with the features of softness, biocompatibility, and modifiability have emerged as excellent materials in the biomedical field. However, the poor mechanical properties of the hydrogels limit their further practical applications. Double-network and metal ion coordination, such as Cu2+ and Zn2+, have achieved a significant reinforcement of the mechanical strength of the hydrogels. Herein, we report a Zn2+-enhanced polyelectrolyte double-network hydrogel stent with a mechanical enhancement phenomenon in bile. The gelatin/poly(zinc acrylate) (PZA) stent was constructed by dip-coating and UV irradiation. Although the mechanical strength of the as-prepared stent was quite weak, it was discovered to be mechanically enhanced by the natural bile. After exploring the effect of different components on the stents according to the components of bile, we found that Ca2+ in bile made a contribution to the mechanical enhancement of the stent. It is envisioned that this bile-enhanced gelatin/PZA stent provides a train of thought for the potential application of hydrogels in the biliary environment.

Regulation of Macronutrients in Insulin Resistance and Glucose Homeostasis during Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Insulin resistance is an important feature of metabolic syndrome and a precursor of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Overnutrition-induced obesity is a major risk factor for the development of insulin resistance and T2DM. The intake of macronutrients plays a key role in maintaining energy balance. The components of macronutrients distinctly regulate insulin sensitivity and glucose homeostasis. Precisely adjusting the beneficial food compound intake is important for the prevention of insulin resistance and T2DM. Here, we reviewed the effects of different components of macronutrients on insulin sensitivity and their underlying mechanisms, including fructose, dietary fiber, saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, and amino acids. Understanding the diet-gene interaction will help us to better uncover the molecular mechanisms of T2DM and promote the application of precision nutrition in practice by integrating multi-omics analysis.

Experimental study of novel nickel foam-based composite phase change materials for a large-capacity lithium-ion power battery module

Thermal management strategies play an important role in the thermal safety of a power battery. Phase change material (PCM) cooling is considered the most competitive passive heat dissipation mode. In this paper, a novel nickel foam/paraffin (PA)/expanded graphite (EG) composite PCM (CPCM) is proposed for large-capacity prismatic lithium-ion battery modules. First, different proportions of nickel foam-based CPCMs were prepared. Second, the effects of different components of high thermally conductive additive EG on the thermal conductivity, thermal physical properties, thermal stability, and mechanical properties of the composites were studied in depth. Moreover, the fundamental reasons for the aforementioned property changes were analyzed from the microscopic point of view. The results showed that when the content of EG was 4 wt%, the thermal conductivity of the CPCMs approached the peak, which was 1.66 W/(m·K). The peak tensile strength and bending strength of the CPCMs were 2.75 and 6.59 MPa, respectively. The comprehensive analysis showed that adding 4 wt% of EG in the CPCMs was an optimum strategy. Eventually, these compound CPCMs were applied to a large-capacity prismatic lithium-ion power battery module. The experimental results demonstrated that compared with the natural air-cooling module and forced air-cooling module, the peak temperatures (Tmax) of the CPCM cooling module were decreased by 19.52% and 5.79%, and the peak temperature differences (Tmax − Tmin) were decreased by 38.15% and 35.41%, respectively. It is worth noting that even at a 1.5C high-rate uninterrupted charge/discharge cycle repeated five times, the highest temperature is always maintained below the safe temperature (55 °C), and the peak temperature difference is less than 5 °C, showing the dual advantages of the excellent temperature-controlling and temperature-equalizing abilities. The relevant outcomes will provide new ideas and theoretical value for the heat dissipation modes of large-capacity lithium-ion power batteries, ultimately promoting thermal safety performance.

Ovarian toxicity of e-cigarette liquids: Effects of components and high and low nicotine concentration e-cigarette liquid in vitro.

Electronic cigarette use has become increasingly popular, with potential consequences for reproductive health. We aimed to investigate the effects of different components of e-liquid on the ovary and compare the impact of low nicotine concentration e-liquids (LN e-liquids) and high nicotine concentration e-liquids (HN e-liquids) on ovarian toxicity. A total of 378 rat ovaries were divided into seven groups, including control (no intervention), nicotine (0.05 mg/mL), flavoring (0.25 μL/mL), propylene glycol (PG) (2.5 μL/mL), vegetable glycerin (VG) (2.0 μL/mL), LN e-liquid (0.05 mg nicotine + 0.25 μL flavoring + 2.5 μL PG + 2.0 μL VG + 0.25 μL distilled water/mL medium) and HN e-liquid groups (0.05 mg nicotine + 0.05 μL flavoring + 0.5 μL PG + 0.4 μL VG + 0.05 μL distilled water/mL medium). After three hours of in vitro culture, ovarian morphology, oxidation levels [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and malondialdehyde (MDA)], and apoptosis levels [factor related apoptosis (Fas), Cyt-c, Caspase-9, Caspase-3] were analyzed. Our findings indicate that nicotine has limited impact on the ovary, while flavoring, PG, and VG all cause ovarian damage including morphological damage, disruption of oxidative balance and promotion of apoptosis, with VG having the most significant effect. Moreover, LN e-liquids may lead to more severe ovarian damage than HN e-liquids at an equal intake of total nicotine. Our study highlights that in e-liquid formula, nicotine has a limited effect on the ovaries, but flavoring, PG, and VG all cause damage to the ovaries, with VG the most damaging. At a consistent level of total nicotine intake, e-liquids with low nicotine concentrations cause more damage to the ovaries than those with high nicotine concentrations. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the impact of e-liquids on ovarian health and have important implications for public health policy.

Molecularly imprinted poly(o-phenylenediamine) coated ZIF-5-Ru(bpy)32+ composite for the sensitive and selective ECL detection of tetracycline

The widespread use of tetracycline unavoidably causes residue problems, hence its monitor in foods and environment is important. In this work, a simple but sensitive electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensor is prepared for tetracycline detection. The sensor is constructed using TiO2 nanoparticle, ZIF-5 loaded Ru(bpy)32+ (Ru@ZIF-5), and molecularly imprinted poly-o-phenylenediamine. The TiO2 NP acts as a co-reaction accelerator for tri-n-propylamine (TPrA) by producing electrons and holes at a certain potential to promote the production of TPrA. ZIF-5 has a large specific surface area and rich functional groups, thus can well immobilize a large amount of illuminant Ru(bpy)32+. The electrodeposited molecularly imprinted polymer acts as a recognition element. Due to the synergic effect of different components, the resulting ECL sensor shows a wide linear range of 10 nM–50 μM, high selectivity, low detection limit, and good stability. It can be used for the detection of tetracycline in food and environmental samples.