Additive treatment effect of TiO2 as supports for Pt-based electrocatalysts on oxygen reduction reaction activity

In this study, we investigated the additive treatment effect of TiO₂ as alternative support materials to common carbon black for Pt-based electrocatalysts on electrocatalytic activity for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The shape of TiO₂ was varied by hydrothermal treatment with various additives, such as urea, thiourea, and hydrofluoric acid. From the results of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis) spectra, it was identified that the morphology of hydrofluoric acid (HF)-treated TiO₂ was changed into a round shape having lower aspect ratio than other samples, and its band gap was decreased. Notably, the electronic state of HF-treated TiO₂ support was changed into highly reduced (electron rich) state which led to the increase of ORR activity, compared to other samples treated with different additives or before treatment. The electrocatalytic characteristics changes after treatment with various additives were investigated by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS), cyclic voltammograms (CV), and rotating disk electrode (RDE) techniques.     

Analysis of oxygen sources and reaction pathways of carbon support corrosion at the cathode in PEMFC using oxygen-18 DEMS

Oxygen gas, water used to humidify the gases, and surface oxides originated from the carbon black and catalyst preparation are the three possible oxygen sources contributing to carbon support corrosion (CSC) at the cathode in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). To discriminate among them, oxygen was isotopically labeled by replacing regular water with oxygen-18 (¹⁸O) enriched water (H₂¹⁸O, 98%) in differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS). The DEMS spectra of the cathode exhaust gases O₂, O¹⁸O, ¹⁸O₂, CO₂, CO¹⁸O and C¹⁸O₂ (m/z equal to 32, 34, 36, 44, 46 and 48 correspondingly), sampled by a mass spectrometer during cyclic voltammetry (potential cycled for 100-1400 mV at the rate of 10 mV s⁻¹) and chronoamperometry, were analyzed to identify the sources of oxygen, identify mechanistic pathways, and classify the surface oxides on carbon for CSC.It was found that water is the main direct oxygen source for CSC. Water reacts with carbon to produce at least three types of carbon surface oxides, which are then further oxidized with water to produce CO₂ in different potential ranges.     

The improved electrocatalytic activity of palladium/graphene nanosheets towards ethanol oxidation by tin oxide

Tin oxide (SnO₂)/graphene nanosheets (GNS) composite was prepared by a simple chemical-solution method as the catalyst support for direct ethanol fuel cells. Then the SnO₂-GNS composites supporting Pd (Pd/SnO₂-GNS) catalysts were synthesized by a microwave-assisted reduction process. The Pd/SnO₂-GNS catalysts were characterized by using X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy techniques. The electrocatalytic performances of Pd/SnO₂-GNS catalysts for ethanol oxidation were studied by cyclic voltammetric and chronoamperometric measurements. It was found that compared with Pd/GNS, the Pd/SnO₂-GNS catalyst showed superior electrocatalytic activity for ethanol oxidation when the mass ratio of SnCl₂·2H₂O precursor salt to graphite oxide was about 1:2.     

Oxytocin Signaling as a Target to Block Social Defeat-Induced Increases in Drug Abuse Reward

There is huge scientific interest in the neuropeptide oxytocin (OXT) due to its putative capacity to modulate a wide spectrum of physiological and cognitive processes including motivation, learning, emotion, and the stress response. The present review seeks to increase the understanding of the role of OXT in an individual’s vulnerability or resilience with regard to developing a substance use disorder. It places specific attention on the role of social stress as a risk factor of addiction, and explores the hypothesis that OXT constitutes a homeostatic response to stress that buffers against its negative impact. For this purpose, the review summarizes preclinical and clinical literature regarding the effects of OXT in different stages of the addiction cycle. The current literature affirms that a well-functioning oxytocinergic system has protective effects such as the modulation of the initial response to drugs of abuse, the attenuation of the development of dependence, the blunting of drug reinstatement and a general anti-stress effect. However, this system is dysregulated if there is continuous drug use or chronic exposure to stress. In this context, OXT is emerging as a promising pharmacotherapy to restore its natural beneficial effects in the organism and to help rebalance the functions of the addicted brain.     

Salivary Proteome Changes in Response to Acute Psychological Stress Due to an Oral Exam Simulation in University Students: Effect of an Olfactory Stimulus

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) plays a crucial role both in acute and chronic psychological stress eliciting changes in many local and systemic physiological and biochemical processes. Salivary secretion is also regulated by ANS. In this study, we explored salivary proteome changes produced in thirty-eight University students by a test stress, which simulated an oral exam. Students underwent a relaxation phase followed by the stress test during which an electrocardiogram was recorded. To evaluate the effect of an olfactory stimulus, half of the students were exposed to a pleasant odor diffused in the room throughout the whole session. Saliva samples were collected after the relaxation phase (T0) and the stress test (T1). State anxiety was also evaluated at T0 and T1. Salivary proteins were separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis, and patterns at different times were compared. Spots differentially expressed were trypsin digested and identified by mass spectrometry. Western blot analysis was used to validate proteomic results. Anxiety scores and heart rate changes indicated that the fake exam induced anxiety. Significant changes of α-amylase, polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (PIGR), and immunoglobulin α chain (IGHA) secretion were observed after the stress test was performed in the two conditions. Moreover, the presence of pleasant odor reduced the acute social stress affecting salivary proteome changes. Therefore, saliva proteomic analysis was a useful approach to evaluate the rapid responses associated to an acute stress test also highlighting known biomarkers.     

基于混合特征LLE融合与SVM的质量异常模式识别

针对生产过程中存在的异常模式识别的问题,提出基于LLE融合与支持向量机的质量异常模式识别方法。首先从动态数据流中提取其原始特征、统计特征、几何特征并将其进行混合,形成动态数据流的混合特征,然后利用LLE算法对混合特征进行降维,将降维后的特征集作为MSVM分类器的输入进行训练,同时采用粒子群算法对MSVM分类器进行参数寻优。最后用训练好的模型对动态数据流进行异常模式的识别。并将所提方法与单一类型特征方法、混合特征方法的识别模型进行比较,仿真结果和应用实例表明,所提方法的识别精度较高,可用于生产过程的质量异常模式识别中。     

基于支持向量机和磁记忆技术的管道缺陷深度的定量化反演研究

金属管道表面往往存在不同深度的腐蚀缺陷。金属磁记忆检测技术是目前唯一能对铁磁性构件的早期损伤进行诊断的无损检测技术,然而磁记忆原始信号本身并不能直接实现对管道腐蚀缺陷深度特征的定量化识别,进而无法实现对管道腐蚀程度的预警。针对该问题,采用支持向量机方法建立了管道缺陷深度的定量化反演模型,利用该模型对管道上深度为1~15mm的腐蚀缺陷进行了多次反演,反演结果的平均误差为2.398mm,平均均方根误差为3.205mm,结果表明,模型对管道腐蚀缺陷深度的定量化反演是可行的。研究结果可为该领域的研究提供一定的参考,且具有较高的实际应用价值。     

板裂状围岩下薄矿脉开采稳定性相似模拟试验研究

赣南某钨矿矿体上下盘岩体多为板岩,结构面发育且岩体破碎,在留矿法放矿过程中,上盘岩体暴露后在次生应力的影响下极易发生板裂状滑落或溃曲破坏,使得采幅难以控制。针对此问题,提出了普通留矿法、静态留矿法、散体人工矿柱+锚固留矿法3种回采方法。通过分析上下盘板裂状围岩随开采过程的位移变形情况,最终选择散体人工矿柱+锚固留矿法作为试验采场回采方法。基于正交试验原理,进行了相似材料配比试验,最终确定的材料配比为ω(沙)∶ω(石膏)∶ω(水)=5.0∶1.0∶1.2。相似模拟试验结果表明:采高较小时,锚杆支护对控制围岩的稳定是有效的,然而随着采高的增大,采场出现应力集中,锚杆逐渐失去了作用,因此仅对围岩进行锚固支护并不足以改善地压环境;散体人工矿柱+锚固留矿法利用人工矿柱减小了回采跨度,提高了整个采场的稳定性。对比模拟结果可知,其上下盘及顶板的位移量远小于其他2种回采方法。     

掺杂多孔碳材料催化硝基苯还原反应的研究进展

苯胺是重要的化工原料和合成中间体,通过硝基苯的催化还原反应可以方便地制备苯胺类化合物。多孔碳材料因其高比表面积、发达的孔隙结构和容易回收等特点在催化领域越来越受到重视,然而其应用受到自身活性位点缺乏和化学惰性的限制。杂原子掺杂可以增强碳材料的表面极性,调节电子结构,改善其催化性能,可作为硝基苯催化还原反应的有效催化剂。本文对近年来掺杂多孔碳材料在硝基苯催化还原反应中的研究进展进行了总结。本文概述了氮掺杂型多孔碳材料、共掺杂型多孔碳材料、负载贵金属的掺杂多孔碳材料和负载廉价金属的掺杂多孔碳材料这4种主要的掺杂多孔碳材料的制备方法,并详细介绍了不同掺杂多孔碳材料在催化硝基苯催化还原反应时的催化性能、可能的催化活性位点以及催化机理。最后,指出目前掺杂多孔碳材料催化硝基苯还原还需要解决反应选择性、催化剂催化活性和生产成本等问题,以生物质为前体,开发共掺杂型和二元双金属负载的掺杂多孔碳材料是未来的重要发展方向之一。     

Zn(Al)O复合氧化物负载Au催化剂催化氧化甘油制备1,3-二羟基丙酮

以尿素为沉淀剂,采用均匀沉积沉淀法制备了Zn(Al)O复合氧化物负载Au催化剂,并用于无碱条件下催化氧化甘油制备1,3-二羟基丙酮（DHA）反应,值得注意的是随着载体中Zn/Al摩尔比的不同,负载Au催化剂的催化活性和产物DHA的选择性呈现明显差距。结合X射线衍射（XRD）、X射线光电子能谱（XPS）、透射电镜（TEM）、CO吸附傅里叶变换红外光谱（CO吸附FTIR）等表征手段,发现载体Zn(Al)O复合氧化物中Zn/Al摩尔比会影响表面氧物种的含量并进一步会影响催化剂的催化活性和选择性。当Zn/Al摩尔比为7∶1、反应温度为80℃、氧气压力为10bar、反应2h时获得最佳的甘油转化率（58.5%）和DHA的选择性（95.3%）。同时,还考察了反应温度、反应时间、反应压力及载体的焙烧温度对催化性能的影响,并发现反应条件对催化剂的催化活性和选择性均有不同程度的影响。此外,以Au/Zn(Al)O-7∶1催化剂为基准考察了催化剂的稳定性,并通过表征手段分析了催化剂失活的主要原因。