Polyether-Functionalized Comb-Shaped Alkali Ionic Liquid Polymers for Knoevenagel Condensations.

Comb-shaped ionic liquid polymers P[VB(EG)Im][OH] ( = 0, 2, 3, 4) with varying polymerization degrees of polyether groups were successfully synthesized and characterized by FTIR, NMR, and ESI-MS. The Knoevenagel condensation reaction was selected as a model reaction to evaluate their catalytic performances. The influence of the polymerization degree of polyether groups on catalytic activity was studied.

Diabetic retinal vessel segmentation algorithm based on MA-DUNet.

Background: Precise retinal vessel segmentation is crucial for the diagnosis of ocular diseases. This meticulous process can promptly capture retinal vessel abnormalities, which in turn can facilitate early diagnosis and timely treatment. However, retinal vessels exhibit complex branching patterns with different diameters and contrasts, making it difficult to segment tiny vessels and low-contrast areas, and identify subtle terminal branches.

Hierarchical-Porous Hollow Nitrogen-Doped Carbon-Supported Pt Alloy Catalysts with a Controllable Triheterointerface for Methanol Electrooxidation.

Carbon-supported Pt-based catalysts are the most effective catalysts for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). However, challenges such as high Pt loading, cost, and susceptibility to CO poisoning severely hinder the development of DMFCs. In this paper, CoFeO@polymer@ZIF-67 is prepared successfully through sequential solution polymerization and in situ growth with modified CoFeO as the core.

Impact of diverse aerobic exercise plans on glycemic control, lipid levels, and functional activity in stroke patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Aims: This study aimed to assess the effects of Low-to-Moderate Intensity Continuous Training (LMICT), Moderate-Intensity Interval Training (MIIT), and Reduced-Exertion High-Intensity Training (REHIT) on blood glucose regulation, functional recovery, and lipid levels in individuals who have experienced a stroke and are diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: Forty-two T2DM stroke patients were randomly allocated to four groups: LMICT, MIIT, REHIT, and a control group (CON). Participants continuously monitored their blood glucose levels throughout the intervention using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices.

Unraveling the Structure-Activity-Stability Relationship over Gallium-Promoted HZSM-5 Nanocrystalline Aggregates for Propane Aromatization.

The aromatization of light alkane is an important process for increasing the aromatic production and utilization efficiency of light alkane resources simultaneously. Herein, Ga-modified HZSM-5 catalysts were prepared and investigated by a series of characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, N adsorption-desorption, and NH temperature-programmed desorption to study their physicochemical properties. The catalytic performance in propane aromatization was also tested.

Fluorinated Polyimide Tunneling Layer for Efficient and Stable Perovskite Photovoltaics.

Despite the remarkable progress of perovskite solar cells (PSCs), challenges remain in terms of finding effective and viable strategies to enhance their long-term stability while maintaining high efficiency. In this study, a new insulating and hydrophobic fluorinated polyimide (FPI: 6FDA-6FAPB) was used as the interface layer between the perovskite layer and the hole transport layer (HTL) in PSCs. The functional groups of FPI play a pivotal role in passivating interface defects within the device.

Synergetic Regulation of the Microstructure and Acidity of HZSM-5/MCM-41 for Efficient Catalytic Cracking of -Decane.

Alkane catalytic cracking is regarded as one of the most significant processes for light olefin production; however, it suffers from serve catalyst deactivation due to coke formation. Herein, HZSM-5/MCM-41 composites with different Si/Al ratios were first prepared by the hydrothermal method. The physicochemical properties of the prepared catalysts were analyzed by a series of bulk and surface characterization methods, and the catalytic performance was tested in -decane catalytic cracking.

Novel Side-Chain Type Sulfonated Poly(phenylquinoxaline) Proton Exchange Membranes for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells.

Side-chain type sulfonated poly(phenylquinoxaline) (SPPQ)-based proton exchange membranes (PEMs) with different ionic exchange capacity (IEC) were successfully synthesized by copolymerization from 4,4'-bis (2-diphenyletherethylenedione) diphenyl ether, 4,4'-bis (2-phenylethylenedione) diphenyl ether and 3,3',4,4'-tetraaminobiphenyl, and post-sulfonation process. The sulfonic acid groups were precisely grafted onto the -position of phenoxy groups in the side chain of PPQ after the convenient condition of the post-sulfonation process, which was confirmed by H NMR spectra and FTIR. The sulfonic acid groups of side-chain type SPPQ degraded at around 325 °C, and their maximum stress was higher than 47 MPa, indicating great thermal and mechanical stability.

Magnetically-separable acid-resistant CoFeO@Polymer@MIL-100 core-shell catalysts for the acetalization of benzaldehyde and methanol.

Novel reusable acid-resistant magnetic polymer nanospheres-immobilized MIL-100 (CoFeO@Polymer@MIL-100) catalyst was prepared by a layer-by-layer method to achieve a controllable structure. The obtained core-shell catalyst consisted of modified magnetic nanoparticles as the core, a carboxylic-functionalized polymer as the protective layer, and an MIL-100 shell as the active catalytic layer by chemical bonds on the polymer. The catalysts showed good stability, good magnetic saturation, and acid corrosion resistance.

Pomegranate-like Core-Shell Ni-NSs@MSNSs as a High Activity, Good Stability, Rapid Magnetic Separation, and Multiple Recyclability Nanocatalyst for DCPD Hydrogenation.

A novel pomegranate-like Ni-NSs@MSNSs nanocatalyst was successfully synthesized via a modified Stöber method, and its application in the hydrogenation of dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) was firstly reported. The Ni-NSs@MSNSs possessed a high specific area (658 m/g) and mesoporous structure (1.7-3.

PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and Hsp70 activate in hippocampus of rats with chronic manganese sulfate exposure.

Manganese (Mn) has come to the forefront of environmental concerns due to its neurotoxicity. However, the toxic effect of Mn is not fully understood. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impacts of chronic manganese sulfate (MnSO) exposure in regulating the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway in rats.

Chronic exposure to manganese sulfate leads to adverse dose-dependent effects on the neurobehavioral ability of rats.

Manganese sulfate is the main combustion product of methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT). Currently, little is known about the neurobehavioral consequences of chronic manganese sulfate exposure. In this study, rats were treated with 0, 5.

Manganese accumulation in hair and teeth as a biomarker of manganese exposure and neurotoxicity in rats.

Manganese (Mn) is an essential trace element to humans. However, excessive Mn causes cognitive impairment resulting from injury to the central nervous system within the hippocampus. No ideal biomarker is currently available for evaluating Mn exposure and associated neurotoxicity in the body.

Increased oxidative stress and plasma Hsp70 levels among gasoline filling station attendants.

Objectives: Methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT) is an organic derivative of manganese (Mn) and is used as an antiknock agent and octane enhancer in gasoline. In this article, we tested the oxidative stress and heat stress protein (Hsp) 70 levels of gasoline station attendants to explore potential plasma biomarkers. Furthermore, the dose-response relationship was also identified.

[Effects of chronic manganese sulfate toxicity test on myocardial ultrastructure and heart organ index of rats].

Objective: To observe the effects of manganese sulfate on blood pressure, myocardial ultrastructure and heart organ index of rats.

Methods: Forty male SPF SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: control group (0 mg/kg), 5 mg/kg dose group, 15 mg/kg dose group and 25 mg/kg dose group, 10 rats each group. Intraperitoneal injection was performed for six months, by five times each week, the rat blood pressure was measured by tail cuff method, and the heart organ index of the rats was computed.

Effects of chronic manganese exposure on the learning and memory of rats by observing the changes in the hippocampal cAMP signaling pathway.

Chronic manganese exposure can produce cognitive deficits; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear; reliable peripheral biomarker of Mn neurotoxicity have not yet been fully developed. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the mechanism of Mn-induced cognitive deficits and the potential biomarker of Mn neurotoxicity in rats. Thirty-two male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups; these groups received intraperitoneal injections of 0, 5, 10 and 20 mg Mn/kg once daily, five days/week for 18 weeks.

Synergistic impaired effect between smoking and manganese dust exposure on pulmonary ventilation function in Guangxi manganese-exposed workers healthy cohort (GXMEWHC).

Purpose: The aims of this study were to investigate the effects of manganese (Mn) dust exposure on lung functions and evaluate the potential synergistic effect between smoking and Mn dust exposure among refinery workers.

Methods: A retrospective study including 1658 workers in a ferromanganese refinery was conducted, with subjects who were from the Guangxi manganese-exposed workers healthy cohort (GXMEWHC). Based on the Mn manganese cumulative exposure index (Mn-CEI), all subjects were divided into the low exposure group (n = 682) and the high exposure group (n = 976).

Rationale, design and baseline results of the Guangxi manganese-exposed workers healthy cohort (GXMEWHC) study.

Objective: To determine the relationship between biomarkers of exposure, disease and susceptibility, and early health effects and long-term diseases related to occupational manganese (Mn) exposure.

Design: Baseline survey of a longitudinal cohort study of workers in a ferromanganese refinery.

Participants: A total of 1888 individuals (1197 men, 691 women; average seniority 15.

Cognitive function and plasma BDNF levels among manganese-exposed smelters.

Objectives: To explore the potential dose-response relationship between manganese (Mn) exposure and cognitive function and also plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in occupational Mn exposure workers.

Methods: A total 819 workers were identified from our Mn-exposed workers, and 293 control workers were recruited in the same region. All exposed workers were divided into three groups based on Mn cumulative exposure index.

Interaction of occupational manganese exposure and alcohol drinking aggravates the increase of liver enzyme concentrations from a cross-sectional study in China.

Background: Over exposure to manganese (Mn) can damage the human central nervous system and potentially cause liver toxicity. Alcohol drinking is also one of the well-known harmful factors to hepatic organism. The interaction between Mn exposure and alcohol consumption to liver function was investigated in this study.

Poly(sulfonated phenylene)-block-Polyimide Copolymers for Fuel Cell Applications.

Novel poly(2-(3-sulfo)benzoyl-1,4-phenylene)-block-polynaphthalimide (PSP-b-PI) copolymers were successfully synthesized by Ni(0)-catalyzed copolymerization of 2,5-dichloro-3'-sulfo-benzophenone and dichloro-terminated naphthalimide oligomer. The membranes exhibited a microphase-separated structure and good hydrolytic stability at 130 °C. They showed a fairly strong anisotropy of membrane swelling with much smaller in-plane swelling, but a rather weak anisotropy of proton conductivity.