| 11. |
- Lu, Chan, et al.
(författare)
-
Long-term exposure to mould/damp stains and mouldy odour increases low birth weight
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Building and Environment. - : Elsevier. - 0360-1323 .- 1873-684X. ; 222
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Low birth weight (LBW), as a major concern in public health, is now increasing worldwide, but its main indoor environmental factors remain unclear.Objective: We examined whether LBW including term-LBW (T-LBW) and preterm-LBW (P-LBW) was associated with maternal exposure to indoor environmental factors, with a purpose to identify the key indoor environmental factor(s) contributing to LBW.Methods: A nationwide retrospective cohort study of 30,735 pre-schoolers in six Chinese cities was performed from 2010 to 2012. One questionnaire survey was conducted to collect information on the pre-schoolers' birth outcomes and their maternal exposure of indoor environmental factors including new furniture, house redecoration, cooking fuels, mould/damp stains, and mouldy odour during pregnancy. Maternal exposure of trafficrelated air pollutant (NO2), industrial pollutant (SO2), and inhalable particulate matter (PM10), as well as meteorological parameters, was estimated in pregnancy. Associations of LBW, T-LBW and P-LBW with indoor environmental factors were evaluated by two-level (city-child) logistic regression models with an odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI).Results: We found that P-LBW (1.0%) and T-LBW (1.4%) prevalence were respectively associated with persistent mould/damp stains and mouldy odour exposure in utero, ORs = 1.81 (95% CI: 1.01-3.24) and 1.49 (95% CI: 1.01-2.21). Exposure to high temperature and PM2.5 in pregnancy significantly enhanced the effect of persistent mould/damp stains and/or mouldy odour on P-LBW and LBW, ORs (95% CI) = 2.92 (1.40-6.07) and 1.78 (1.00-3.15) with significant interaction p values of 0.067 and 0.094 respectively. Sensitivity analysis suggested that raising cats and dogs significantly increased LBW risk of persistent mould/damp stains and mouldy odour exposure.
|
|
| 12. |
- Lv, Jiezhao, et al.
(författare)
-
Numerical Investigation of the Stimulated Growth of Single-Crystal Fibers by Point-Effect-Induced Fluid Dynamics
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Crystal Growth & Design. - : AMER CHEMICAL SOC. - 1528-7483 .- 1528-7505. ; 22:12, s. 7031-7039
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Using molecular dynamics analysis and a two-component diffusion model that accounts for the time-dependent crystal surface chemical reaction, we show by extensive numerical simulations that the recently observed prismatic facet growth suppression in single-crystal fibers is the combined action of self-shielding by crystal surface selectivity and self-channeling arising from a point effect due to fibers small diameters and large aspect ratios. We further show that the self-channeling leads to a pyramidal-face-aiming solute flow, resulting in accelerated single-crystal fiber growth. This mesoscopic stimulated matter growth acceleration theory can satisfactorily explain all experimental results reported to date. This new crystal fiber growth technology opens a realm of application possibilities for single-crystal fiber architectures in chip-size photonics.
|
|
| 13. |
- Pan, Qinying, et al.
(författare)
-
Ultrafast charge transfer dynamics in 2D covalent organic frameworks/Re-complex hybrid photocatalyst
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Nature Communications. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2041-1723. ; 13:1
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Rhenium(I)-carbonyl-diimine complexes have emerged as promising photocatalysts for carbon dioxide reduction with covalent organic frameworks recognized as perfect sensitizers and scaffold support. Such Re complexes/covalent organic frameworks hybrid catalysts have demonstrated high carbon dioxide reduction activities but with strong excitation energy-dependence. In this paper, we rationalize this behavior by the excitation energy-dependent pathways of internal photo-induced charge transfer studied via transient optical spectroscopies and time-dependent density-functional theory calculation. Under band-edge excitation, the excited electrons are quickly injected from covalent organic frameworks moiety into catalytic RheniumI center within picosecond but followed by fast backward geminate recombination. While under excitation with high-energy photon, the injected electrons are located at high-energy levels in RheniumI centers with longer lifetime. Besides those injected electrons to RheniumI center, there still remain some long-lived electrons in covalent organic frameworks moiety which is transferred back from RheniumI. This facilitates the two-electron reaction of carbon dioxide conversion to carbon monoxide.
|
|
| 14. |
- Ross, A., et al.
(författare)
-
Tailoring critical Al concentration to form external Al2O3 scale on Ni–Al alloys by computational approach
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Journal of The American Ceramic Society. - : Wiley. - 0002-7820 .- 1551-2916. ; 105:12, s. 7770-7777
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Nickel (Ni)-based superalloys for high-temperature applications are often designed to form a continuous and slow-growing oxide scale by adding Al and Cr and other beneficial elements. In the present work, the critical Al concentration in Ni–Al alloys needed to establish an α-Al2O3 scale in contrast to internal oxide formation is predicted as a function of temperature by means of the CALPHAD approach coupled with models in the literature, which account for the thermodynamics and kinetics of oxidation. The present thermodynamic remodeling of the Ni–O system results in a better agreement with experimental data of oxygen solubility in Ni at high temperatures. The oxygen solubility is combined with kinetic parameters to determine oxygen permeability in Ni, and the critical Al concentration needed to establish an α-Al2O3 scale at a given exposure temperature. Good agreement is found with available experimental data for both oxygen permeability and critical Al concentration, indicating the capacity of the CALPHAD approach to tailor oxidation resistance for materials of interest using thermodynamic and kinetic knowledge.
|
|
| 15. |
- Shangguan, Zhichun, et al.
(författare)
-
A rechargeable molecular solar thermal system below 0 °C
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Chemical Science. - : Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). - 2041-6539 .- 2041-6520. ; 13:23, s. 6950-6958
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- An optimal temperature is crucial for a broad range of applications, from chemical transformations, electronics, and human comfort, to energy production and our whole planet. Photochemical molecular thermal energy storage systems coupled with phase change behavior (MOST-PCMs) offer unique opportunities to capture energy and regulate temperature. Here, we demonstrate how a series of visible-light-responsive azopyrazoles couple MOST and PCMs to provide energy capture and release below 0 degrees C. The system is charged by blue light at -1 degrees C, and discharges energy in the form of heat under green light irradiation. High energy density (0.25 MJ kg(-1)) is realized through co-harvesting visible-light energy and thermal energy from the environment through phase transitions. Coatings on glass with photo-controlled transparency are prepared as a demonstration of thermal regulation. The temperature difference between the coatings and the ice cold surroundings is up to 22.7 degrees C during the discharging process. This study illustrates molecular design principles that pave the way for MOST-PCMs that can store natural sunlight energy and ambient heat over a wide temperature range.
|
|
| 16. |
- Wang, Fei, et al.
(författare)
-
Endothelial cell heterogeneity and microglia regulons revealed by a pig cell landscape at single-cell level
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Nature Communications. - : Springer Nature. - 2041-1723. ; 13:1
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Pigs are valuable large animal models for biomedical and genetic research, but insights into the tissue- and cell-type-specific transcriptome and heterogeneity remain limited. By leveraging single-cell RNA sequencing, we generate a multiple-organ single-cell transcriptomic map containing over 200,000 pig cells from 20 tissues/organs. We comprehensively characterize the heterogeneity of cells in tissues and identify 234 cell clusters, representing 58 major cell types. In-depth integrative analysis of endothelial cells reveals a high degree of heterogeneity. We identify several functionally distinct endothelial cell phenotypes, including an endothelial to mesenchymal transition subtype in adipose tissues. Intercellular communication analysis predicts tissue- and cell type-specific crosstalk between endothelial cells and other cell types through the VEGF, PDGF, TGF-beta, and BMP pathways. Regulon analysis of single-cell transcriptome of microglia in pig and 12 other species further identifies MEF2C as an evolutionally conserved regulon in the microglia. Our work describes the landscape of single-cell transcriptomes within diverse pig organs and identifies the heterogeneity of endothelial cells and evolutionally conserved regulon in microglia.
|
|
| 17. |
- Wang, Xiaohua, et al.
(författare)
-
Tacrolimus Causes Hypertension by Increasing Vascular Contractility via RhoA (Ras Homolog Family Member A)/ROCK (Rho-Associated Protein Kinase) Pathway in Mice
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Hypertension. - : Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health). - 0194-911X .- 1524-4563. ; 79:10, s. 2228-2238
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: To provide tacrolimus is first-line treatment after liver and kidney transplantation. However, hypertension and nephrotoxicity are common tacrolimus side effects that limit its use. Although tacrolimus-related hypertension is well known, the underlying mechanisms are not. Here, we test whether tacrolimus-induced hypertension involves the RhoA (Ras homolog family member A)/ROCK (Rho-associated protein kinase) pathway in male C57Bl/6 mice. methods: Intra-arterial blood pressure was measured under anesthesia. The reactivity of renal afferent arterioles and mesenteric arteries were assessed in vitro using microperfusion and wire myography, respectively. Results: Tacrolimus induced a transient rise in systolic arterial pressure that was blocked by the RhoA/ROCK inhibitor Fasudil (12.0 +/- 0.9 versus 3.2 +/- 0.7; P<0.001). Moreover, tacrolimus reduced the glomerular filtration rate, which was also prevented by Fasudil (187 +/- 20 versus 281 +/- 8.5; P<0.001). Interestingly, tacrolimus enhanced the sensitivity of afferent arterioles and mesenteric arteries to Ang II (angiotensin II), likely due to increased intracellular Ca2+ mobilization and sensitization. Fasudil prevented increased Ang II-sensitivity and blocked Ca2+ mobilization and sensitization. Preincubation of mouse aortic vascular smooth muscle cells with tacrolimus activated the RhoA/ROCK/MYPT-1 (myosin phosphatase targeting subunit 1) pathway. Further, tacrolimus increased cytoplasmic reactive oxygen species generation in afferent arterioles (107 +/- 5.9 versus 163 +/- 6.4; P<0.001) and in cultured mouse aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (100 +/- 7.5 versus 160 +/- 23.2; P<0.01). Finally, the reactive oxygen species scavenger Tempol inhibited tacrolimus-induced Ang II hypersensitivity in afferent arterioles and mesenteric arteries. Conclusions: The RhoA/ROCK pathway may play an important role in tacrolimus-induced hypertension by enhancing Ang II-specific vasoconstriction, and reactive oxygen species may participate in this process by activating the RhoA/ROCK pathway.
|
|
| 18. |
- Wang, Yuwen, et al.
(författare)
-
Fast room-temperature hydrogenation of nitroaromatics on Pd nanocrystal-boron cluster/graphene oxide nanosheets
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Molecular Catalysis. - : Elsevier. - 2468-8231. ; 529
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The reduction of nitroaromatics to aminoaromatics is essential for fine chemical production and effective sewage treatment. However, the activity of an external catalyst is essential for the reaction. In this study, Pd nanocrystals were anchored in situ on two-dimensional graphene oxide (GO), which acted as a catalyst support with high specific surface area. The oxygen-containing groups on the surface of GO bonded to the functionally rich boron clusters through hydrogen bonding interactions. A mildly reducible closed-dodecahydrododecaboric acid anion cluster (closo‑[B12H12]2–) was employed as the target site. The mild reducibility of closo‑[B12H12]2– resulted in a wide dispersion of ultrafine Pd nanocrystals on GO. Under ambient conditions, Pd/BGO rapidly hydrogenated nitroaromatics, such as 4-nitrophenol, to aminoaromatics with approximately 100% efficiency. Moreover, Pd/BGO retained its high catalytic activity for the hydrogenation/reduction of 4-nitrophenol after five catalytic cycles. Therefore, Pd/BGO could be a promising and economically viable candidate for various practical applications. The proposed innovative preparation strategy and highly efficient catalytic activity suggested the effective performance of closo‑[B12H12]2– as nanometal nucleation target sites. In addition to providing an alternate route for preparing supported nanometals, this study presents a stable and efficient catalyst for the hydrogenation of nitroaromatics.
|
|
| 19. |
- Zhao, Hongxing, et al.
(författare)
-
Detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in serum and dried blood spot samples of vaccinated individuals using a sensitive homogeneous proximity extension assay.
- 2022
-
Ingår i: New biotechnology. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-6784 .- 1876-4347. ; 72, s. 139-148
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A homogeneous PCR-based assay for sensitive and specific detection of antibodies in serum or dried blood spots (DBS) is presented and the method is used to monitor individuals infected with or vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. Detection probes were prepared by conjugating the recombinant spike protein subunit 1 (S1), containing the receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2, to each of a pair of specific oligonucleotides. The same was done for the nucleocapsid protein (NP). Upon incubation with serum or DBS samples, the bi- or multivalency of the antibodies (IgG, IgA or IgM) brings pairs of viral proteins with their conjugated oligonucleotides in proximity, allowing the antibodies to be detected by a modified proximity extension assay (PEA). Anti-S1 and anti-NP antibodies could be detected simultaneously from one incubation reaction. This Antibody PEA (AbPEA) test uses only 1 µl of neat or up to 100,000-fold diluted serum or one ø1.2 mm disc cut from a DBS. All 100 investigated sera and 21 DBS collected prior to the COVID-19 outbreak were negative, demonstrating a 100% specificity. The area under the curve, as evaluated by Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis reached 0.998 (95%CI: 0.993-1) for samples taken from 11 days after symptoms onset. The kinetics of antibody responses were monitored after a first and second vaccination using serially collected DBS from 14 individuals. AbPEA offers highly specific and sensitive solution-phase antibody detection without requirement for secondary antibodies, no elution step when using DBS sample in a simple procedure that lends itself to multiplex survey of antibody responses.
|
|
| 20. |
- Zhao, Yi, et al.
(författare)
-
Improved Proton Adsorption and Charge Separation on Cadmium Sulfides for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Energy Technology. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 2194-4288 .- 2194-4296. ; 10:12
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Cadmium sulfide has attracted wide attention in photocatalytic hydrogen production, due to its appropriate bandgap and band positions. However, high-rate photogenerated electron-hole recombination and few active sites on CdS lead to its low photocatalytic activity. Herein, a PANI/NCPP/CdS (PANI/NiCoP/NiCoPi/CdS) hybrid as a noble metal-free visible light-driven photocatalyst is reported, with metal phosphides, metal phosphates, and polyaniline (PANI) as reduction and oxidation cocatalysts, respectively. This hybrid not only facilitates the charge separation and transfer owing to the formation of heterojunction, but also improves the local concentration of H+ on the surface of catalysts due to the formation of the protonated amine groups on PANI, bene?cial to hydrogen evolution reaction. As a result, the as-prepared photocatalyst could show a high hydrogen evolution rate of 170.3 mmol g(-1) h(-1) and an apparent quantum efficiency of 41.37% at 420 nm, representing one of the best performances of all-CdS-based photocatalysts.
|
|
