A facile N-doped NiFe(B) (Oxy)hydroxide monolithic electrode for enhanced water oxidation.

N-doped NiFe(B) (oxy)hydroxide can promote the catalytic activity for an alkaline oxygen evolution reaction (OER) significantly, but fabrication is difficult. Herein, we introduced a B-induction route to the N-NiFe(B) (oxy)hydroxide monolithic electrode under a relatively low temperature. We observed an excellent catalytic performance benefiting from an optimal electronic structure, enlarged surface area and improved hydrophilicity. Moreover, this mild protocol could be extended to fabricate an S-doped NiFe-based catalyst. This research could aid large-scale manufacture.

Multi-Function of the Ni Interlayer in the Design of a BiVO4-Based Photoanode for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting.

BiVO4 with an appropriate band structure is considered to be an ideal candidate for photoanodes. However, slow water oxidation kinetics and low charge separation efficiency seriously restrict its application. To address these issues, an NF/N/BVO photoanode with a hierarchical network structure was successfully constructed by direct-current magnetron sputtering of Ni followed by electrochemical deposition of nickel-iron layered double hydroxide (NiFe-LDH) on BiVO4. A photocurrent density of 4.50 mA/cm2 was obtained for NF/N/BVO, which was 2.4 times that for pristine BiVO4. The introduction of the Ni layer contributed to the following growth of NiFe-LDH nanosheets with larger size, which acted as active sites and speeded up water oxidation kinetics. Furthermore, surface photovoltage microscopy revealed that Ni and NiFe-LDH acted as the electron collector and hole reservoir, respectively. The co-existence of the two components constituted a highly efficient surface charge separation structure, which was one of the important issues for the excellent water oxidation activity.

Technological innovation and clinical application of direct percutaneous computed tomography-guided enterostomy vs other enterostomy techniques.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the technological innovation, safety, operational advantages, and clinical application value of direct percutaneous computed tomography (CT)-guided enterostomy. METHODS: This retrospective study included patients who underwent direct percutaneous CT-guided enterostomy (n = 52), percutaneous endoscopic gastrojejunostomy (PEG-J, n = 39), or laparoscopic jejunostomy (n = 68) at Fujian Provincial Hospital between October 2019 and July 2021. The study indices included stoma surgery success rate, operation time, complication rate, and postoperative pain score. We concurrently analyzed the technological innovation of direct percutaneous CT-guided enterostomy and the changes in body mass index (BMI), serum albumin, prealbumin, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and patient-generated subjective global assessment (PG-SGA) scores after patients received 2 months of nutritional support. RESULTS: Direct percutaneous CT-guided enterostomy had a high success rate (100%) and low postoperative complication rate (5.77%). Compared to laparoscopic jejunostomy, direct percutaneous CT-guided enterostomy had a shorter operation time (36.92 ± 10.60) minutes, lower postoperative pain score (4.06 ± 2.02), lower anesthesia risk, and lower operative cost. The anesthetic risk for direct percutaneous CT-guided enterostomy is lower than that for PEG-J and has wider applications. After 2 months of postoperative nutritional support, patients had increased BMI, serum albumin level, and serum prealbumin level and decreased PG-SGA scores and CRP level with statistically significant differences compared to the preoperative state ( p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Direct percutaneous CT-guided enterostomy is an important method of establishing an enteral nutrition therapy pathway, especially when endoscopic jejunostomy is not possible. It has a high safety profile and few complications, has unique advantages, and deserves further promotion of its application in clinical practice.

HF promoted increased nitrogen doping in TiO2(B) photocatalyst.

Increased nitrogen doping in TiO2(B) with obviously enhanced visible light absorption ability was achieved via a facile pretreatment of HF followed by an annealing process in NH3. The optimized samples showed a 2.8 times photocatalytic hydrogen evolution rate and 4.2 times RhB degradation rate compared with the original TiO2(B).

Monodispersed silver-palladium nanoparticles for ethanol oxidation reaction achieved by controllable electrochemical synthesis from ionic liquid microemulsions.

Alloyed nanoparticles are promising electrocatalysts for electrochemical energy storage and conversion devices. However, syntheses of alloyed nanoparticles with controllable size and stoichiometry remain challenging. In this study, continuous, uniform and monodispersed bimetallic AgPd nanoparticles (NPs) with diameters ∼10 nm are achieved by electrochemical synthesis from quaternary ionic liquid microemulsion (ILM) for use as electrocatalysts for ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR). It is found that the ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium chloride ([BMIM]Cl), acts not only as a soft template and co-surfactant for the formation of micro-reactors, but also as an electrolyte for enhancing conductivity. The stoichiometry (AgxPdy), size and size distribution of AgPd NPs can be accurately tuned by varying electrolyte composition, electrodeposition conditions, and ionic liquids concentrations. Attributed to the high surface area, optimal stoichiometric ratio, and strong attachment onto substrates without using organic binders, the as-deposited AgxPdy NPs exhibit extraordinary electrocatalytic activity and stability for EOR. It is found that the mass activity of Ag49Pd51 NPs/Pt electrode reaches 3360 mA mg-1 for EOR in 1.0 M ethanol and 1.0 M KOH aqueous solution, which is much higher than commercial Pd/C catalyst (210.5 mA mg-1) and also the highest among state-of-the-art AgPd NPs electrocatalysts reported to date for EOR in alkaline media.

Surface Assistant Charge Separation in PEC Cu2S-Ni/Cu2O Cathode.

Fabrication of a high efficiency photocathode is a challenging issue in photoelectrocatalysis (PEC). In this work, a Cu2S-Ni/Cu2O photocathode was constructed via electrodeposition followed by a two-step overlayer deposition procedure including direct-current magnetron sputtering (DCMS) and ion exchange reaction. We found that the presence of Ni in the inner-layer could not only affect the morphology but also enhance the formation rate of the outer-layer Cu2S. The XPS results indicate that the Ni exist as NiOx instead of Ni0. The photocurrent of Cu2S-Ni/Cu2O achieved 2 times of it on the pristine Cu2O. The charge dynamic characterizations, including electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), Tafel slopes, and photoluminescence (PL) spectra, demonstrated that the Ni can promote the hydrogen evolution reaction follow the Heyrovsky reaction, while Cu2S shows a crucial role on the surface charge separation. At last, surface photovoltage microscopy (SPVM) technology was used to reveal the function of each overlayer. It gives direct evidence for the charge transportation pathway in the system and explains the function of each component.

Robust Conductive Micropatterns on PTFE Achieved via Selective UV-Induced Graft Copolymerization for Flexible Electronic Applications.

Fabrication of stable and functional patterns on the surface of PTFE remains a great technical challenge owing to its inertness and high hydrophobicity. Here, we report for the first time the fabrication of functional micropatterns on the PTFE surface by selectively irradiating plasma-treated PTFE coated with the monomer solution. A series of uniform highly dense poly(dopamine methacrylamide) (denoted as PDMA) line patterns with line/pitch widths of 20/20 and 50/50 µm are fabricated on the surface of PTFE (denoted as PDMA-p/PTFE) using dopamine methacrylamide (DMA) as the monomer. Surface graft copolymerization occurs and is attributed to the universal adsorption of DMA and the low grafting energy barrier, compared with the polymerization energy barrier, which is also demonstrated by the DFT calculations. Further, robust well-defined metal Ag or Cu patterns with strong adhesion strength are fabricated on the surface of the PTFE film by electroless deposition and are demonstrated for applications in flexible electronics. The approach is demonstrated to be versatile for fabrication of PDMA micropatterns onto a wide range of polymeric substrates, including polypropylene and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.

Synergistic Nanotubular Copper-Doped Nickel Catalysts for Hydrogen Evolution Reactions.

Developing highly active electrocatalysts with low cost and high efficiency for hydrogen evolution reactions (HERs) is of great significance for industrial water electrolysis. Herein, a 3D hierarchically structured nanotubular copper-doped nickel catalyst on nickel foam (NF) for HER is reported, denoted as Ni(Cu), via facile electrodeposition and selective electrochemical dealloying. The as-prepared Ni(Cu)/NF electrode holds superlarge electrochemical active surface area and exhibits Pt-like electrocatalytic activity for HER, displaying an overpotential of merely 27 mV to achieve a current density of 10 mA cm-2 and an extremely small Tafel slope of 33.3 mV dec-1 in 1 m KOH solution. The Ni(Cu)/NF electrode also shows excellent durability and robustness in both continuous and intermittent bulk water electrolysis. Density functional theory calculations suggest that Cu substitution and the formation of NiO on the surface leads to more optimal free energy for hydrogen adsorption. The lattice distortion of Ni caused by Cu substitution, the increased interfacial activity induced by surface oxidation of nanoporous Ni, and numerous active sites at Ni atom offered by the 3D hierarchical porous structure, all contribute to the dramatically enhanced catalytic performance. Benefiting from the facile, scalable preparation method, this highly efficient and robust Ni(Cu)/NF electrocatalyst holds great promise for industrial water-alkali electrolysis.

Fabrication of Nanoporous Nickel-Iron Hydroxylphosphate Composite as Bifunctional and Reversible Catalyst for Highly Efficient Intermittent Water Splitting.

Global-scale application of water-splitting technology for hydrogen fuel production and storage of intermittent renewable energy sources has called for the development of oxygen- and hydrogen-evolution catalysts that are inexpensive, efficient, robust, and can withstand frequent power interruptions and shutdowns. Here, we report the controlled electrodeposition of porous nickel-iron hydroxylphosphate (NiFe-OH-PO4) nanobelts onto the surface of macroporous nickel foams (NF) as a bifunctional electrocatalyst for efficient whole-cell water electrolysis. The NiFe-OH-PO4/NF electrode shows both high water oxidation and water reduction catalytic activity in alkaline solutions and is able to deliver current densities of 20 and 800 mA cm-2 at overpotentials of merely 249 and 326 mV for oxygen-evolution reaction, current densities of 20 and 300 mA cm-2 at overpotentials of only 135 and 208 mV for hydrogen-evolution reaction. Further, in a two-electrode water electrolytic cell, the bifunctional NiFe-OH-PO4/NF electrodes can obtain the current densities of 20 and 100 mA cm-2 at an overall cell potential of only 1.68 and 1.91 V, respectively. Remarkably, the NiFe-OH-PO4/NF catalyst also represents prolonged stability under both continuous and intermittent electrolysis and can be used for oxygen evolution and hydrogen evolution reversibly without degradation.

[Differences in clinical features between cholesteatoma in external auditory meatus and middle ear].

OBJECTIVE: Differences in clinical features, especially facial nerve canal leision between cholesteatoma in external auditory meatus and middle ear were compaired. METHOD: A retrospective clinical analysis was made. Clinical data included 125 cases of middle ear cholesteatoma with facial nerve canal leision and 28 cases of cholesteatoma occurred in external auditory canal from 2003-01-2014-08 in our hospital. RESULT: Clinical course of cholesteatoma in external auditory canal was 4.97 ± 7.51 years, course of middle ear cholesteatoma was 16.60 ± 14.42 years (P < 0.01). 21 cases (75%) of external auditory canal cholesteatoma were manifested as pneumatic mastoid and 110 cases (88%) of middle ear cholesteatoma were manifested as diploic mastoid respectively. 22 cases (78.6%) of facial nerve canal damage-in mastoid segment in cholesteatoma of external auditory meatus and 76 cases (60.8%) of facial nerve canal damage in tympanic segment in cholesteatoma of middle ear were observed (P < 0.01). The incidence rate of ossicular errosion in middle ear chol-esteatoma was significantly higher than that in external auditory meatus (P < 0.01). The incidence of semicircular canal defects in middle ear cholesteatoma (30.4%), was significantly higher when comparing to the incidence (10.7%) in cholesteatoma of external auditory meatus (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The site of facial nerve canal lesion in middle ear cholesteatoma and cholesteatoma of external auditory meatus were different. More attention should be paid before and during operation to avoid facial nerve injury, including physical examinations, especial otologic exams, radiological reading and careful operation.

Improvement in the etching performance of the acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin by MnO2-H3PO4-H2SO4 colloid.

The present study aimed to evaluate the surface etching of the acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) resin in the MnO2-H3PO4-H2SO4 colloid. To enhance the soluble Mn(IV) ion concentration and improve the etching performance of ABS resin, H3PO4 was added as a complexing agent into the MnO2-H2SO4 etching system. The effects of the H2SO4 concentration and etching time on the surface topography, surface roughness, adhesion strength, and the surface chemistry of the ABS substrates were investigated. The optimal oxidation potentials of MnO2 in the colloids decreased from 1.426 to 1.369 V with the addition of H3PO4. Though the etching conditions changed from 70 °C for 20 min to 60 °C for 10 min, the adhesion strength between the ABS substrates and electroless copper film increased from 1.19 to 1.33 KN/m after etching treatment. This could be attributed to the significant increase of the soluble Mn(IV) ion concentration in the MnO2-H3PO4-H2SO4 colloid. The surface chemistry results demonstrated that the oxidation reaction of -C═C- bonds in the polybutadiene phase was accelerated in the etching process by the addition of H3PO4, and the abundant -COOH and -OH groups were formed rapidly on the ABS surface with the etching treatment. These results were in agreement with the results of surface scanning electron microscopic observations and adhesion strength measurement. The results suggested that the MnO2-H3PO4-H2SO4 colloid was an effective surface etching system for the ABS surface roughness.

Wettability of a quartz surface in the presence of four cationic surfactants.

Advancing contact angle (θ) measurements were carried out for aqueous solutions of four cationic surfactants, hexadecanol glycidyl ether ammonium chloride (C(16)PC), guerbet alcohol hexadecyl glycidyl ether ammonium chloride (C(16)GPC), hexadecanol polyoxyethylene(3) glycidyl ether ammonium chloride (C(16)(EO)(3)PC), and guerbet alcohol hexadecyl polyoxyethylene(3) glycidyl ether ammonium chloride (C(16)G(EO)(3)PC), on the quartz surface using the sessile drop analysis. The influences of surfactant type and bulk concentration on contact angle were expounded, and the changes in adhesional tension and adhesion work were discussed. The contact angle increases up to a maximum with the increasing concentration for all cationic surfactants. Surfactants with branched chain have more hydrophobic group density on the quartz surface, which results in higher values of maxima in contact angle curves. When ethylene oxide groups CH(2)CH(2)O were incorporated in the hydrophobic group, the decrease in contact angle maximum was observed for C(16)(EO)(3)PC and C(16)G(EO)(3)PC. Moreover, an increase in quartz-water interfacial free energy (γ(SL)) has been observed due to the adsorption of four cationic surfactants. The four cationic surfactants can form a monolayer with alignment structure on the quartz surface through electrostatic interaction and then form the bilayer with increasing bulk concentration. In contrast with literature, the maximal contact angles may not necessarily correspond to the beginning of the formation of bilayer for cationic surfactants at the quartz-water interface. Moreover, the concentrations corresponding to maximal contact angles for C(16)PC and C(16)(EO)(3)PC were much lower than their CMC. The contact angle passes through a maximum at a concentration obviously higher than CMC for C(16)G(EO)(3)PC.

Preparation and capacitance property of MnO2-pillared Ni(2+)-Fe3+ layered double hydroxides nanocomposite.

A novel MnO(2)-pillared Ni(2+)-Fe(3+) layered double hydroxides nanocomposite has been successfully fabricated using an intercalation/reduction reaction followed by heating treatment. The structural evolution of the samples obtained at different stages has been characterized by XRD, TEM, XPS, IR and N(2) adsorption-desorption. The layered structure of MnO(2)-pillared Ni(2+)-Fe(3+) layered double hydroxides nanocomposite can be maintained at 300 °C, and the obtained material has a large surface area of 202 m(2) g(-1). Electrochemical studies indicate that the material obtained by heating at 200 °C exhibits an ideal capacitive behavior and good cycling property in 1 mol L(-1) Na(2)SO(4) aqueous solution, and the specific capacitance value was 190 F g(-1) at a scan rate of 5 mV s(-1).

[The role of transbronchial needle aspiration in the staging of bronchogenic carcinoma].

BACKGROUND: To explore the role of transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) in the staging of bronchogenic carcinoma. METHODS: To 42 cases of primary bronchogenic carcinoma with suspected lymph node metastasis by X-ray and CT scan of chest, the TBNA was performed before operation. The cytological results and c-TNM by TBNA were compared with the pathological ones and p-TNM after operation. RESULTS: The diagnosis of 10 cases with N2 metastasis was completely corresponding by TBNA and pathological examination after operation. Nineteen out of 22 cases with N1 metastasis were confirmed by TBNA, and the false negative results ocurred in 3 cases. The results of TBNA in lymph nodes' size from 2 to 3 cm was completely accordant with pathological ones after operation. For 1 to 2 cm lymphnodes, the accurate rate of TBNA was 88.5% (23/26). The overall accurate rate of c-TNM by TBNA was 85.7% (36/42) compared with p-TNM. A small amount of hemoptysis ocurred in 3 cases, no pneumothorax and other serious complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The TBNA for staging of bronchogenic carcinoma is a simple and economic method with high correct rate and high clinical applicable value.