Mixed-Dimensional Partial Dealloyed PtCuBi/C as High-Performance Electrocatalysts for Methanol Oxidation with Enhanced CO Tolerance.

Developing efficient electrocatalysts for methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) is crucial in advancing the commercialization of direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). Herein, carbon-supported 0D/2D PtCuBi/C (0D/2D PtCuBi/C) catalysts are fabricated through a solvothermal method, followed by a partial electrochemical dealloying process to form a novel mixed-dimensional electrochemically dealloyed PtCuBi/C (0D/2D D-PtCuBi/C) catalysts. Benefiting from distinctive mixed-dimensional structure and composition, the as-obtained 0D/2D D-PtCuBi/C catalysts possess abundant accessible active sites. The introduction of Cu as a water-activating element weakens the COads, and oxophilic metal Bi facilitates the OHads, thereby enhancing its tolerance to CO poisoning and promoting MOR activity. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (XAFS) collectively reveal the electron transfer from Cu and Bi to Pt, the electron-enrichment effect induced by dealloying, and the strong interactions among Pt-M (Cu, Pt, and Bi) multi-active sites, which improve the tuning of the electronic structure and enhancement of electron transfer ability. Impressively, the optimized 0D/2D D-PtCuBi/C catalysts exhibit the superior mass activity (MA) of 17.68 A mgPt -1 for MOR, which is 14.86 times higher than that of commercial Pt/C. This study offers a proposed strategy for Pt-based alloy catalysts, enabling their use as efficient anodic materials in fuel cell applications.

Dual-doped medium-entropy phosphides for complete urea electrolysis.

Developing dual-functional electrocatalysts for urea-water decomposition still faces significant challenges. In this study, the vanadium (V) and cerium (Ce) co-doped FeCoNi medium-entropy phosphide (VCe-FeCoNiP/NF) were effectively fabricated on nickel foam (NF) via "two-step method," which involved hydrothermal treatment followed by phosphorization. Experimental results indicate that, benefiting from dual-ion doping and medium-entropy configuration, VCe-FeCoNiP/NF demonstrates unique electronic effects among the multimetallic elements, thereby exhibited remarkable catalytic activity for both urea oxidation reaction (UOR) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Under urea-water conditions (1 M KOH with 0.33 M urea), the VCe-FeCoNi/NF catalyst merely required 1.338 V (vs RHE) and an overpotential of 173 mV to attain a current density of 100 mA·cm-2 for UOR and HER, respectively. Moreover, it could stably operate at a current density of 20 mA·cm-2 for 225 h in overall urea-water decomposition. This work provides new insights for designing high-performance urea-water electrolysis catalysts.

Risk assessment for yachting tourism in China using dynamic Bayesian networks.

Scientific evaluation of yachting tourism safety risks (YTSRs) is crucial to reducing accidents in this sector. This paper is based on the data of 115 yachting tourism accidents in China's coastal areas from 2008 to 2021. A fishbone diagram and the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) were used to identify the risk factors of yachting tourism from four aspects human, yachting, environmental, and management risk and to construct an evaluation index system. To perform dynamic evaluation, a dynamic evaluation model of YTSRs was built using dynamic Bayesian networks (DBN). The results indicate that human factors, such as the unsafe behavior of yachtsmen and tourists, are the primary risk factors; the risk is higher in summer than in winter, and the Pearl River Delta region has a greater risk of yachting tourism. It is suggested to improve the normal safety risk prevention and control system of yachting tourism, to advocate for multi-subject coordination and co-governance, and to improve the insurance service system so as to provide a guarantee for the safe and healthy development of yachting tourism in China. The findings provide theoretical and practical guidance for marine and coastal tourism safety management, as well as the prevention and control of YTSRs.

In situ grown high-valence Mo-doped NiCo Prussian blue analogue for enhanced urea electrooxidation.

Mo-doped NiCo Prussian blue analogue (PBA) electrocatalysts self-supported on Ni foam are elaborately designed, which exhibit a low potential of 1.358 V (vs. RHE) to reach 100 mA cm-2 for catalyzing the urea oxidation reaction (UOR). The incorporation of high-valence Mo (+6) modifies the electronic structure and improves the electron transfer ability. Using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) techniques, we confirm the effect of Mo doping on the NiCo PBA electronic structure.

Pain Relief and Safety of Microwave Ablation Combined with Percutaneous Vertebroplasty for Vertebral Metastasis: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: We investigate the pain relief and safety of microwave ablation (MWA) combined with percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) in the treatment of metastatic vertebral tumors. METHODS: This prospective pilot study enrolled patients with metastatic vertebral tumors treated between January 2018 and October 2019. The participants were randomized to the PVP and MWA + PVP groups. Clinical parameters, pain visual analog scale (VAS), analgesic use scores (AUS), and quality-of-life score (QLS) were compared between groups. RESULTS: Sixty-seven participants were enrolled (PVP: n = 35; MWA + PVP: n = 32). There were no differences in bone cement injection volume, extravasation, and X-ray exposure time between the two groups (p > 0.05), but treatment costs were higher for the MWA + PVP group (26,418 ± 194 vs. 15,606 ± 148 yuan; p < 0.05). There were no significant improvements in VAS from baseline to 24 hours, 72 hours, 7 days, 1 month, and 3 months in the two groups (p > 0.05); at 6 and 12 months after the operation, the improvement from baseline was significant in the two groups (p < 0.05). The VAS was lower at 6 months (2.7 ± 0.7 vs. 3.2 ± 0.7) and 12 months (3.5 ± 0.8 vs. 4.0 ± 0.7) in the MWA + PVP group (both p < 0.01 vs. PVP). The AUS and QLS were improved with PVP at 6 and 12 months (p < 0.05) and with MWA + PVP at 12 months (p < 0.05). The AUS was lower at 6 and 12 months in the MWA + PVP group (p < 0.05 vs. PVP). CONCLUSION: MWA combined with PVP might be a safe and effective palliative treatment for pain from metastatic vertebral tumors.

[Relation between dietary patterns and insulin resistance in 40-59 years old Guangzhou adults].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the overall diet quality of adults in Guangzhou and investigate whether adherence to the Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents could help to reduce the risk of obesity and insulin resistance. METHODS: All 540 adults aged 40-59 years completed 3 consecutive 24-hour diet recalls. Diet quality were evaluated by using Chinese Diet Balance Index (DBI) scoring and evaluating system. Anthropometric parameters, fast glucose and fast insulin were measured. Insulin resistance was defined as the highest quartile of the homeostasis model assessment scores. RESULTS: The DBI-Lower Bound Score (DBI-LBS), DBI-Higher Bound Score (DBI-HBS) and DBI-Diet Quality Distance (DBI-DQD) were 16.1-17.5, 7.6-8.2, 23.6-25.7 relatively. The intake of cereals, beans and dietary products were insufficient in the population, while the intake of animal food, salt and edible oils were excessive. Subjects in model A had a lower body mass index (BMI, P=0.022) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR, P=0.001) than those in model E. Compared with model A, subjects in model E had greater odds ratio for insulin resistance (odds ratio: 3.00; 95% CI: 1.21, 7.67). CONCLUSION: The dietary structure of the residents in Guangzhou was relatively balanced and reasonable, but the problems such as inadequate food intake and excessive food intake still co-exist. Adherence to the Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents could help to reduce the risk of insulin resistance.

[Study of effects of dietary fatty acids on the serum lipids in hypercholesterolemic subjects].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of dietary fatty acids on the serum lipids in hypercholesterolemic subjects. METHODS: All 297 residents with hypercholesterolemia were enrolled in Guangzhou. The dietary composition and the changes in serum lipid levels during the 6-month follow-up were analyzed. RESULTS: (1) 297 subjects were enrolled and 281 subjects (88 male, 193 female) completed the 6-month follow-up. The serum TC concentration of the subjects was (6.09+/-0.68) mmol/L at baseline. (2) According to the percentage of energy from total fat, all of the subjects were divided into three groups, including total fat % en<25% (group I, 90 subjects), 25%-30% (group II, 97 subjects), >30% (group III, 94 subjects). The reduction of TC and LDL-C in group I and group II was greater than that in group III. (3) According to the percentage of energy from SFA, all of the subjects were divided into three groups, including SFA % en<7% (group I, 81 subjects), 7%-10% (group II, 129 subjects), >10% (group III, 71 subjects). The reduction of TC and LDL-C in group I and group II was greater than that in group III. (4) All of the subjects were divided into three groups, according to the percentage of energy from MUFA, including MUFA % en<10% (group I, 93 subjects), 10%-13% (group II, 106 subjects), >13% (group III, 82 subjects). The reduction of TC and LDL-C in group II was greater than that in group I and group III. (5) All of the subjects were divided into three groups according to the percentage of energy from PUFA, including PUFA % en<7% (88 subjects), 7%-9% (94 subjects), >9% (99 subjects). No significant difference was found among the reduction of serum lipids in the three groups. CONCLUSION: Dietary total fat % en

[Relationship between dietary soy isoflavones and blood lipid levels in 40 - 65 year-olds in Guangzhou].

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between dietary soy isoflavones and blood lipids among residents of 40 - 65 years old, in Guangzhou. METHODS: Dietary soy isoflavones and other nutrients intakes were assessed with quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) and LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) in plasma were measured with colorimetry. RESULTS: Ranges of dietary soy isoflavones intake among 134 males and 261 females were from 0 mg/day to 61.96 mg/day and 0 mg/day to 82.52 mg/day, with means of 11.95 mg/day, 14.90 mg/day, respectively. After adjusted for total energy intake and fat percent energy, differences of TC, LDL-C in total population and TC in women were statistically significant between groups (P value was 0.002, 0.008, 0.004, respectively) and dose-effect relationships (P value was < 0.001, 0.012, 0.001, respectively) were observed between dietary soy isoflavones intake and the upper mentioned three indices. Compared with the low-intake group, these three indices lowered 7.06%, 10.13% and 7.48%, respectively in high-intake group. Critical significance of LDL-C was observed both in women and men between groups. Further controlled for age, BMI and WHR, no obvious change of the results was observed. CONCLUSION: Moderate intakes of soy isoflavone as part of a regular diet seemed to be associated with favorable blood lipid levels.

Greater habitual soyfood consumption is associated with decreased carotid intima-media thickness and better plasma lipids in Chinese middle-aged adults.

Many clinical studies have shown high-dose supplemental soy protein has beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk factors. We examined the association between habitual soyfood intake and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and plasma lipids in a cross-sectional study including 406 (M 134, F 272) middle-aged Chinese adults (40-65 years) without confirmed relevant diseases. We found significantly dose-respondent decreases in bifurcation IMT, total and LDL cholesterol associated with increased usual soyfood intake after adjusting for potential confounders (p for trend, all p<0.05). Covariate-adjusted mean bifurcation IMT, total and LDL cholesterol decreased by 9.4%, 6.2% and 10.4% in women (p=0.020, 0.035, 0.110), 16.0%, 12.3% and 19.6% in men (p=0.036, 0.005, 0.002), and 9.9%, 9.3% and 15.4% in total men and women combined (p=0.010, <0.001, <0.001) when the mean intake of soy protein increased from 0.87 (F) or 0.64 (M) g/day (1st tertile) to 8.35 (F) or 7.48 (M) g/day (3rd tertile), respectively. Significant interaction between sex and soy consumption on bifurcation IMT was observed (p=0.008). In conclusion, higher habitual soyfood consumption is associated with decreased bifurcation IMT, plasma TC and LDL-c in middle-aged Chinese adults. The association is more apparent in men than in women.