Two-Step Process of a Crystal Facet-Modulated BiVO4 Photoanode for Efficiency Improvement in Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Evolution.

The photoactivity of nanoporous bismuth vanadate (BiVO4, BVO) photoanodes that were fabricated by a two-step process (electrodeposition and then thermal conversion) in photoelectrochemical (PEC) hydrogen (H2) evolution can be enhanced about 1.44-fold by improving the constitutive ratio of (111̅), (061), and (242̅) crystal facets. The PEC characterization was carried out to investigate the factors altering the performance, which revealed that the crystal facet modulation could improve the photoactivity of the BVO photoanodes. In addition, the orientation-controlled BVO thin-film electrodes are introduced as evidence that the present crystal facet modulation is the positive effect for BVO photoanodes in PEC. The investigation of energy band structures and interfacial charge carrier dynamics of the BVO photoanodes reveals that the crystal facet modulation could result in a shorter lifetime of charge carrier recombination and larger band bending at the interface between BVO and electrolytes. This outcome could improve the charge separation and charge transfer efficiencies of BVO photoanodes, promoting the efficiency of PEC H2 evolution. Moreover, this crystal facet modulation can combine with co-catalyst decoration to further improve the solar-to-hydrogen efficiency of BVO photoanodes in PEC. This study presents a potential strategy to promote the PEC activity by crystal facet modulation and important insights into the interfacial charge transfer properties of semiconductor photoelectrodes for the application in solar fuel generation.

Serotonin Modulates the Correlations between Obsessive-compulsive Trait and Heart Rate Variability in Normal Healthy Subjects: A SPECT Study with [123I]ADAM and Heart Rate Variability Measurement.

Objective: The impact of serotonergic system on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is well studied. However, the correlation between OC presentations and autonomic nervous system (ANS) is still unclear. Furthermore, whether the correlation might be modulated by serotonin is also uncertain. Methods: We recruited eighty-nine healthy subjects. Serotonin transporter (SERT) availability by [123I]ADAM and heart rate variability (HRV) tests were measured. Symptoms checklist-90 was measured for the OC presentations. The interaction between HRV and SERT availability were calculated and the correlation between HRV and OC symptoms were analyzed after stratified SERT level into two groups, split at medium. Results: The interactions were significant in the factors of low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF), and root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD). Furthermore, the significantly negative correlations between OC symptoms and the above HRV indexes existed only in subjects with higher SERT availability. Conclusion: OC symptoms might be correlated with ANS regulations in subjects with higher SERT availability.

Biomonitoring of Urinary Nickel Successfully Protects Employees and Introduces Effective Interventions.

Nickel is a heavy metal used in many industries. Nickel exposure can induce respiratory diseases and allergic reactions, and increase cancer risk. This study evaluated the introduction of a grinding and polishing system to prevent injuries from nickel toxicity in workers. We performed a controlled, interventional, before-and-after study from January 2018 to December 2019 at a faucet component industrial manufacturing site. Results from workplace environmental monitoring, questionnaire responses, and biomonitoring were collected before and after the intervention. Thirty-seven workers (100% men) aged 25.0 (interquartile range (IQR): 22.0-33.5) years were categorized into two groups, those with and without nickel exposure. In the exposed group, the median exposure time was 18.0 months (IQR 14.0-20.0 months). Urinary nickel concentration was lower in the exposed group than in the non-exposed group (13.8 (IQR 1.7-20.7); 23.1 (IQR 11.3-32.8) µg/g creatinine, respectively; p = 0.047). The median urinary nickel concentration was lower in the second year than in the first year (17.4 (IQR 2.2-27.4), 7.7 (IQR 4.3-18.5) µg/g creatinine, respectively; p = 0.022). Significant reductions in urinary nickel concentration were observed following the intervention and educational program. Thus, biomonitoring of urinary nickel concentration can successfully reflect the effectiveness of interventions and their relationship to nickel exposure.

Associations of emotion recognition, loneliness, and social functioning in euthymic patients with bipolar disorder.

Emotion recognition deficit is related to impaired community functioning. Loneliness is also associated with impaired social performance. However, the way in which emotion recognition and loneliness may contribute to social functioning remains unclear in euthymic patients with bipolar disorder. We aimed to examine emotion recognition ability in Han Chinese euBD patients relative to healthy controls (HCs) and to investigate the associations between emotion recognition, loneliness, and social functioning. Thirty-nine HCs and 46 euthymic BD patients completed an emotion recognition task and nonsocial cognitive measures related to executive function and attention. The UCLA loneliness scale and Social Performance Scale were administered to evaluate psychological loneliness and social functioning, respectively. We observed lower emotion recognition accuracy, higher loneliness, and poorer social functioning in the BD patients after adjustment for demographic data. Loneliness was negatively associated with global social functioning in both the BD and HC groups. Higher loneliness and lower emotion recognition accuracy were associated with poorer social functioning in euthymic BD in different subdomains. Our study confirmed a subtle impairment of emotion recognition ability in euthymic BD. Loneliness impacts globally on social functioning, while emotion recognition ability may affect specific subdomains of social functioning in euthymic BD. Alleviation of loneliness and enhancement of social cognition might improve social functioning in BD patients.

Molecular cloning of a new immunomodulatory protein from Anoectochilus formosanus which induces B cell IgM secretion through a T-independent mechanism.

An immunomodulatory protein (IPAF) was purified and cloned from Anoectochilus formosanus, an Orchidaceae herbal plant in Asia. The major targeting immune cells of IPAF and its modulating effects toward B lymphocytes were investigated. Rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) was conducted to clone the IPAF gene, and the obtained sequence was BLAST compared on the NCBI database. MACS-purified mouse T and B lymphocytes were stimulated with IPAF and the cell proliferation, activation, and Igs production were examined. IPAF comprised a 25 amino acids signal peptide and a 138 amino acids protein which was homologous to the lectins from Orchidaceae plant. IPAF selectively induced the cell proliferation in mouse splenic B lymphocytes but not T lymphocytes. The IPAF-induced B cells exhibited increased CD69 and MHC class II expression, and a dose- and time-dependent enhancement in IgM production. These results suggested potential benefits of IPAF to strengthen the humoral immunity.