bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sulfonated and Partially Fluorinated Poly(aryl) Multiblock-Co-Ionomer- and Blend Membranes As Proton Conductors for PEM Electrolysis
Authors: Kerres Jochen A. , Bender Johannes , Mayerhöfer Britta , Trinke Patrick , Bensmann Boris , Hanke-Rauschenbach Richard , Thiele Simon 
Published: May 2020

The core of a PEM water electrolyzer is represented by the proton conductive membrane. While nowadays PFSA-based materials such as Nafion are state of the art in large scale energy applications, there is a strong need for development of cost efficient alternatives, which exhibit reduced gas crossover, high ionic conductivity and durability.
Here, we present proton exchange membranes based on two different concepts: Blends of partially fluorinated polybenzimidazole and pyridine side-chain-modified polysulfones (3K-BM) as well as arylene main-chain multiblock co-ionomers (MB-O).
The 3K-BM ionomer membranes represent a blend of hydrophilic partially fluorinated and sulfonated aromatic polyethers with two hydrophobic components: F6-PBI and pyridine-modified PSU [1]. Proton conductivity is achieved by the hydrophilic parts of the material whereas the hydrophobic components ensure stability and enable adjustment of mechanical properties.
MB-O consists of hydrophobic and hydrophilic building blocks, which are synthesized via step-growth polycondensation. The former blocks are partially fluorinated aromatics, whereas the latter ones are based on sulfonated nonfluorinated aromatics [2].
Multiblock-co-ionomers are capable of forming nanophase-separated structures [2,3], which are tunable by varying the ratio of hydrophilic and hydrophobic proportions.
In addition to the polymer synthesis and membrane preparation, ex-situ characterization including NMR spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, thermogravimetric analysis, H2-crossover analysis via linear-sweep-voltammetry and AC impedance spectroscopy have been performed with our novel materials. First preliminary in-situ tests in a PEM electrolysis cell have already yielded high performances, which can potentially be increased further by optimization of electrodes with respect to binders for the respective membrane material.

Acknowledgements

This work has been funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) as part of the project: “Increasing Lifespan and Power of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Electrolysers through High Power Membrane Electrode Assemblies (POWER-MEE)“

References

[1] J. Kerres, A. Ullrich, M. Hein, J. Polym. Sci.: Part A: Polym. Chem. 39 (2001) 2874–2888
[2] F. Schönberger, J. Kerres, J.Polym. Sci. Part A: Polym. Chem. 45 (2007) 5237–5255.
[3] H. Ghassemi, J. E. McGrath, T. A. Zawodzinski, Polymer 47 (2006) 4132-4139
Understanding of Fouling of Ion Exchange Membranes in Reverse Electrodialysis
Authors: Lim Seohee , Park Jin-Soo 
Published: May 2020

Reverse electrodialysis(RED) is an energy conversion technology to convert chemical energy generated by concentration gradient into electrochemical energy. Mixing of two bodies with different concentration is common phenomena observed at places where river water meets sea water. When two bodies are mixed, energy of high concentration body suddenly transport to that of low concentration body. It is too short to extract the energy from the process. Thus, controlled concentration gradient could be formed in RED stacks which are alternately arranged by a cation- and an anion-exchange membrane between two electrodes. For the application of RED in several field sites, most of the technology using membranes needs fouling control to minimize a decrease in performance. In this study, the fouling phenomena of ion exchange membranes for various foulants possibly found in seawater and river water were investigated. Electrical resistance is used as indicator to evalue the degree of contamination by positively, negatively and non-charged foulants. The fouled membranes were regenerated, and the electric resistance and the degree of contamination with regeneration time were measured.
Acknolwedgment
This work was conducted under the framework of the Research and Development Program of the Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER) (Project Number: B9-2441).
Silicon Doping Titanium Dioxide to Produce Highly Conductive and Durable Catalyst Supports for Fuel Cells
Authors: Sullivan Mason Thomas , Alipour Moghadam Esfahani Reza , Easton E. Bradley 
Published: May 2020

The demand for clean energy has increased significantly over the last few decades with technological advancements. Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are one such advancement with reportedly high efficiencies. Indeed, extensive research and development on all aspects regarding this technology has been done over the past two decades. However, this technology still requires more advanced electrode materials. Platinum (Pt), which exhibits high activity in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), is the most common and efficient electrocatalyst used in anode and cathode materials in PEMFCs. Pt is a noble metal, expensive and limited in supply. In order to maximize the efficiency of the Pt catalyst, supporting materials onto which the Pt catalyst is dispersed can play a crucial role. Traditionally, Pt nanoparticles (NPs) are dispersed onto high surface area carbonaceous materials (Pt/C) to maximize the efficiency of Pt catalyst. However, carbon is known to suffer from electrochemical degradation (ie. carbon corrosion) under harsh conditions of PEMFC, resulting in either/or Pt agglomeration and dissolution, decreasing the electroactivity of Pt catalyst.
Metal oxides, such as TiO2, Nb2O5, and SiO2, have been extensively studied as alternative fuel cell catalyst supports to carbon-based materials for the ORR. Metal oxides are cheap, corrosion-resistant, and possess a large surface area. Unfortunately, these metal oxides are semi-conductive, making them impractical for fuel cell materials. Recently, there has been great interest to develop metal oxides with high electrical conductivity for fuel cell application. Among all conductive metal oxides, titanium suboxides (TixO2x-1) have shown great promise as replacements for carbon-supporting material in fuel cells. Herein, we are reporting an advanced, highly conductive metal oxide through Si-doping TiO2, yielding Ti3O5-Si (hereinafter referred to as TOS). The resulting Pt/TOS catalyst support exhibits remarkable electroactivity and durability toward the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Also, under advanced stability protocols including startup-shutdown and load-cycling, Pt/TOS demonstrates high stability and durability compared to commercial Pt/C (see Figure 1). This enhanced electroactivity and stability of Pt/TOS is attributed to the strong metal-support interaction (SMSI) occurring through electron donation from TOS support to the Pt nanoparticles.

Figure 1
Flexible Anode Catalysts for Direct Hydrazine Fuel Cells
Authors: Zabielaitė Aušrinė , Balčiūnaitė Aldona , Šimkūnaitė-Stanynienė Birutė , Naruskevicius Leonas , Tamašauskaitė-Tamašiūnaitė Loreta , Norkus Eugenijus 
Published: May 2020

In this study we report a facile approach for fabrication of flexible anode catalysts consisting of a fiber-shaped cobalt deposited on the polyimide (PI) surface for direct hydrazine fuel cells (DHFCs). At first, a thin copper layer has been deposited on the PI surface using electroless metal plating method. Then, the fiber-shaped cobalt coating has been plated by the electrochemical deposition method from the electrolyte containing CoSO4, NaOH and N-(2-Hydroxyethyl) ethylenediamine. For comparison, the cobalt layer that has the smooth structure has been deposited on the flexible PI surface via electroless deposition using morpholine borane as a reducing agent.
The morphology and composition of the prepared flexible catalysts have been characterized using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The activity of catalysts has been investigated with respect to the oxidation of hydrazine in an alkaline medium.
The results of electrochemical measurements showed that the deposited cobalt layer that has a fiber-shaped structure on the flexible PI surface exhibits an enhanced electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of hydrazine as compared with that for cobalt catalyst that has a smooth structure. Moreover, the prepared flexible catalysts seem to be a promising anode material for DHFCs.
Characterisation of Tantalum Carbide As a Support for Iridium Based Oxygen Evolution Reaction Catalyst for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Water Electrolysis
Authors: Rezaei Nafiseh , Peppley Brant A 
Published: May 2020

Due to the high price and limited production of iridium metal, reducing the iridium loading is a matter of great concern. One approach to lower the iridium loading is the deposition of Ir-based electrocatalysts on a low cost support, which not only enhances the dispersion of electrocatalysts but also improves the electrochemical stability. Another approach is increasing the surface area of the support. The larger the surface area of a support, the better the dispersion of the catalyst on the support. This implies a larger number of available active sites. Ball milling is a simple and environmentally friendly method to reduce the support particle size and increase the surface area of the support. The effect of TaC support surface area on the performance of the supported Ir-based catalyst was studied by Karimi et al. [1]. They found that a 7-fold increase in the TaC support surface area (from 0.9 m2/g to 6.2 m2/g) improves the performance of the supported catalyst by around 50%.
In this work, TaC was selected as a support and ball milled with mono-sized (3 mm in diameter) spherical zirconia balls for 7 and 14 days. The particle size and surface area of ball milled TaC were analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)/ImageJ and nitrogen physisorption methods, respectively. It was observed that ball milling decreases the particle size and increases the surface area of support. After 14 days of ball milling, the TaC showed smaller particle size and larger surface area compared to after 7 days of ball milling. Evaluating the support stability prior to catalyst stability is a crucial process to eliminate unsuitable supports. The electrochemical stability of TaC as a support was evaluated in a strong acidic environment (0.5M H2SO4) and at an oxidizing voltage using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and (EIS).
[1] F. Karimi and B. A. Peppley, “Metal Carbide and Oxide Supports for Iridium-Based Oxygen Evolution Reaction Electrocatalysts for Polymer-Electrolyte-Membrane Water Electrolysis,” Electrochim. Acta, vol. 246, pp. 654–670, 2017.
Grãos detríticos de zircão do Grupo Itacolomi em sua área tipo, Quadrilátero Ferrífero, Minas Gerais: idades, proveniência e significado tectônico
Authors: Duque Tiago Rocha Faria , Alkmim Fernando Flecha , Lana Cristiano De Carvalho 
Published: May 2020

O Grupo Itacolomi em sua localidade tipo, a serra homônima, situada na porção sudeste do Quadrilátero Ferrífero, Minas Gerais, caracteriza-se por uma sucessão de meta-arenitos, metaconglomerados e filitos. Nessa e demais ocorrências, o grupo é interpretado como uma associação de depósitos fluviais e de leques aluviais, acumulados em bacias intermontanas pós-orogênicas. As suas ocorrências na localidade tipo dão-se na forma de um bloco basal autóctone que jaz em discordância sobre rochas do Supergrupo Minas, e outro superior alóctone, lançado sobre o primeiro por uma falha de empurrão. O bloco autóctone corresponde à porção íntegra e internamente menos deformada do grupo e é constituído de um pacote de aproximadamente 400 m de meta-arenitos e metaconglomerados. No bloco alóctone, exposto no Pico do Itacolomi, meta-arenitos finos a médios com espessura de aproximadamente 145 m encontram-se, em geral, mais intensamente deformados. Os espectros de idades dos grãos de detríticos de zircão obtidos nos blocos autóctone e alóctone são ligeiramente diferentes. Os do primeiro são claramente unimodais, com picos em 2167, 2197 e 2203 Ma. Os do segundo são bimodais, com picos principais em 2156 e 2201 Ma. Eles indicam que as fontes principais do grupo devem ter sido, principalmente, os granitoides paleoproterozoicos do Cinturão Mineiro e do Complexo Mantiqueira, expostos respectivamente a sudoeste e leste da Serra do Itacolomi. A idade máxima de sedimentação do grupo pode ser estimada em 2129±11 Ma. Esses resultados, juntamente com outros disponíveis na literatura, indicam que o Grupo Itacolomi foi depositado em bacia de antepaís do orógeno paleoproterozoico que abarca o Quadrilátero Ferrífero e áreas adjacentes.
Metabolic Dysregulation of the Lysophospholipid/Autotaxin Axis in the Chromosome 9p21 Gene SNP rs10757274
Authors: Meckelmann Sven W. , Hawksworth Jade I. , White Daniel , Andrews Robert , Rodrigues Patricia , O’Connor Anne , Alvarez-Jarreta Jorge , Tyrrell Victoria J. , Hinz Christine , Zhou You , Williams Julie , Aldrovandi Maceler , Watkins William J. , Engler Adam J. , Lo Sardo Valentina , Slatter David A. , Allen Stuart M. , Acharya Jay , Mitchell Jacquie , Cooper Jackie , Aoki Junken , Kano Kuniyuki , Humphries Steve E. , O’Donnell Valerie B. 
Published: May 2020

Background:
Common chromosome 9p21 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) increase coronary heart disease risk, independent of traditional lipid risk factors. However, lipids comprise large numbers of structurally related molecules not measured in traditional risk measurements, and many have inflammatory bioactivities. Here, we applied lipidomic and genomic approaches to 3 model systems to characterize lipid metabolic changes in common Chr9p21 SNPs, which confer ≈30% elevated coronary heart disease risk associated with altered expression of ANRIL, a long ncRNA.

Methods:
Untargeted and targeted lipidomics was applied to plasma from NPHSII (Northwick Park Heart Study II) homozygotes for AA or GG in rs10757274, followed by correlation and network analysis. To identify candidate genes, transcriptomic data from shRNA downregulation of ANRIL in HEK-293 cells was mined. Transcriptional data from vascular smooth muscle cells differentiated from induced pluripotent stem cells of individuals with/without Chr9p21 risk, nonrisk alleles, and corresponding knockout isogenic lines were next examined. Last, an in-silico analysis of miRNAs was conducted to identify how ANRIL might control lysoPL (lysophosphospholipid)/lysoPA (lysophosphatidic acid) genes.

Results:

Elevated risk GG correlated with reduced lysoPLs, lysoPA, and ATX (autotaxin). Five other risk SNPs did not show this phenotype. LysoPL-lysoPA interconversion was uncoupled from ATX in GG plasma, suggesting metabolic dysregulation. Significantly altered expression of several lysoPL/lysoPA metabolizing enzymes was found in HEK cells lacking ANRIL. In the vascular smooth muscle cells data set, the presence of risk alleles associated with altered expression of several lysoPL/lysoPA enzymes. Deletion of the risk locus reversed the expression of several lysoPL/lysoPA genes to nonrisk haplotype levels. Genes that were altered across both cell data sets were
DGKA, MBOAT2, PLPP1
, and
LPL.
The in-silico analysis identified 4 ANRIL-regulated miRNAs that control lysoPL genes as miR-186-3p, miR-34a-3p, miR-122-5p, and miR-34a-5p.

Conclusions:
A Chr9p21 risk SNP associates with complex alterations in immune-bioactive phospholipids and their metabolism. Lipid metabolites and genomic pathways associated with coronary heart disease pathogenesis in Chr9p21 and ANRIL-associated disease are demonstrated.
Association of an Acute Myocardial Infarction Readmission-Reduction Program With Mortality and Readmission
Authors: Wasfy Jason H. , Hidrue Michael K. , Ngo Jacqueline , Tanguturi Varsha K. , Cafiero-Fonseca Elizabeth T. , Thompson Ryan W. , Johnson Natalie , McDermott Susan T. , Singh Jagmeet P. , del Carmen Marcela G. , Ferris Timothy G. 
Published: May 2020

Background:
Reducing hospital readmission after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has the potential to both improve quality and reduce costs. As such, readmission after AMI has been a target of financial penalties through Medicare. However, substantial concern exists about potential adverse effects and efficacious readmission-reduction strategies are not well validated.

Methods and Results:

We started an AMI readmissions reduction program in November 2017. Between July 2016 and February 2019, hospital billing data were queried to detect all inpatient hospitalizations at the Massachusetts General Hospital for AMI. Thirty-day readmission was identified through hospital billing data, and mortality was extracted from our electronic health record. The data set was merged with claims data for patients in accountable care organizations to detect readmission at other hospitals. We performed segmented linear regression, adjusting for secular trend and case mix, to assess the independent association of our program on both outcome variables. After inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, the study population included 2020 patients. The overall 30-day readmission rate was higher before the intervention than after the intervention (15.5% versus 10.7%,
P
=0.002). The overall 30-day mortality rate was similar in both time periods (1.8% versus 1.4%,
P
=0.457). The program was associated with initial reduction in 30-day readmission (−9.8%,
P
=0.0002) and 30-day mortality (−2.6%,
P
=0.041). The program did not change trend in 30-day readmission (+0.19% readmissions/mo,
P
=0.554) and trend in 30-day mortality (−0.21% deaths/mo,
P
=0.119).

Conclusions:
An AMI readmissions reduction program that increases outpatient and emergency department (ED) access to cardiology care is associated with reduced 30-day readmission and 30-day mortality. Similar statistical techniques can be used to conduct a rigorous, mechanistic program evaluation of other quality improvement initiatives.
Disparities and Impact of Medicaid Expansion on Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation and Outcomes
Authors: Wang Xiaowen , Luke Alina A. , Vader Justin M. , Maddox Thomas M. , Joynt Maddox Karen E. 
Published: May 2020

Background:
Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) therapy is an increasingly viable alternative for patients who are not candidates for heart transplantation or who are waiting for a suitable donor. We aimed to determine whether there is an association between sex, race/ethnicity, insurance coverage, and neighborhood income and access to/outcomes of LVAD implantation. We further analyzed whether access to LVAD improved in states that did versus did not expand Medicaid.

Methods and Results:
Retrospective cohort study using State Inpatient Databases to identify patients 18 to 85 years of age admitted for heart failure, cardiogenic shock, or LVAD implantation from 2012 to 2015. Logistic regression analyses adjusting for age, all the sociodemographic factors above, medical comorbidities, and a hospital random effect were used to quantify odds of receipt of LVADs, as well as outcomes conditional on receiving an LVAD, for the sociodemographic groups of interest. A total of 925 770 patients were included; 3972 (0.43%) received LVADs. After adjusting for age, comorbidities, and hospital effects, women (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.45 [0.41–0.49]), black patients (aOR, 0.83 [0.74–0.92]), and Hispanic patients (aOR, 0.74 [0.64–0.87]) were less likely to receive LVADs than whites. Medicare (aOR, 0.79 [0.72–0.86]), Medicaid (aOR, 0.52 [0.46–0.58]), and uninsured patients (aOR, 0.17 [0.11–0.25]) were less likely to receive LVADs than the privately insured, and patients in low-income ZIP codes were less likely than those in higher income areas (aOR, 0.71 [0.65–0.77]). Among those who received LVADs, women (aOR, 1.78 [1.38–2.30]), patients of unknown race or race other than white, black, or Hispanic (aOR, 1.97 [1.42–2.74]), and uninsured patients (aOR, 4.86 [1.92–12.28]) had higher rates of in-hospital mortality. Medicaid expansion was not associated with an increase in LVAD implantation.

Conclusions:
There are meaningful sociodemographic disparities in access and outcomes for LVAD implantation. Medicaid expansion was not associated with an increase in LVAD rates.
Suppression of Endothelial AGO1 Promotes Adipose Tissue Browning and Improves Metabolic Dysfunction
Authors: Tang Xiaofang , Miao Yifei , Luo Yingjun , Sriram Kiran , Qi Zhijie , Lin Feng-Mao , Gu Yusu , Lai Chih-Hung , Hsu Chien-Yi , Peterson Kirk L. , Van Keuren-Jensen Kendall , Fueger Patrick T. , Yeo Gene W. , Natarajan Rama , Zhong Sheng , Chen Zhen Bouman 
Published: May 2020

Background:
Metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes mellitus can cause dysfunction of endothelial cells (ECs) and vascular rarefaction in adipose tissues. However, the modulatory role of ECs in adipose tissue function is not fully understood. Other than vascular endothelial growth factor–vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-mediated angiogenic signaling, little is known about the EC-derived signals in adipose tissue regulation. We previously identified Argonaute 1 (AGO1; a key component of microRNA-induced silencing complex) as a crucial regulator in hypoxia-induced angiogenesis. In this study, we intend to determine the AGO1-mediated EC transcriptome, the functional importance of AGO1-regulated endothelial function in vivo, and the relevance to adipose tissue function and obesity.

Methods:
We generated and subjected mice with EC-AGO1 deletion (EC-AGO1-knockout [KO]) and their wild-type littermates to a fast food–mimicking, high-fat high-sucrose diet and profiled the metabolic phenotypes. We used crosslinking immunoprecipitation- and RNA-sequencing to identify the AGO1-mediated mechanisms underlying the observed metabolic phenotype of EC-AGO1-KO. We further leveraged cell cultures and mouse models to validate the functional importance of the identified molecular pathway, for which the translational relevance was explored using human endothelium isolated from healthy donors and donors with obesity/type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Results:

We identified an antiobesity phenotype of EC-AGO1-KO, evident by lower body weight and body fat, improved insulin sensitivity, and enhanced energy expenditure. At the organ level, we observed the most significant phenotype in the subcutaneous and brown adipose tissues of KO mice, with greater vascularity and enhanced browning and thermogenesis. Mechanistically, EC-AGO1 suppression results in inhibition of thrombospondin-1 (
THBS1
/TSP1), an antiangiogenic and proinflammatory cytokine that promotes insulin resistance. In EC-AGO1-KO mice, overexpression of TSP1 substantially attenuated the beneficial phenotype. In human endothelium isolated from donors with obesity or type 2 diabetes mellitus, AGO1 and THBS1 are expressed at higher levels than the healthy controls, supporting a pathological role of this pathway.

Conclusions:
Our study suggests a novel mechanism by which ECs, through the AGO1-TSP1 pathway, control vascularization and function of adipose tissues, insulin sensitivity, and whole-body metabolic state.