Ultra-long Pt nanolawns supported on TiO2-coated carbon fibers as 3D hybrid catalyst for methanol oxidation

In this study, TiO2 thin film photocatalyst on carbon fibers was used to synthesize ultra-long single crystalline Pt nanowires via a simple photoreduction route (thermally activated photoreduction). It also acted as a co-catalytic material with Pt. Taking advantage of the high-aspect ratio of the Pt nanostructure as well as the excellent catalytic activity of TiO2, this hybrid structure has the great potential as the active anode in direct methanol fuel cells. The electrochemical results indicate that TiO2 is capable of transforming CO-like poisoning species on the Pt surface during methanol oxidation and contributes to a high CO tolerance of this Pt nanowire/TiO2 hybrid structure

Media images and the gendered representation of chefs

Images portrayed in online media may influence societal perceptions of chefs, with the potential to perpetuate gender segregation in the  professional kitchen. Little scholarly attention in previous research has been given to the examination of gender and images in hospitality media. This article aims to fill that gap through an exploration of how online hospitality media may socially construct the gendered nature of the chef  profession. The visual research method — the use of images to learn about the social world — was used to analyse 315 images collected from lifestyle magazines accessed online, food event websites, hospitality and restaurant industry-related websites, cookbooks and cooking equipment websites in New Zealand. Specifically, images depicting male and female chefs were sourced and analysed in relation to their gender  representation. The findings revealed a marked difference between the portrayed images of male and female chefs. Not only did female chefs feature less frequently in the images, they were also predominantly portrayed in more domestic settings, with feminine aspects emphasised. Thepotential implications of these results are discussed, including the reinforcement of gender stereotypes underpinning segregation in the chef profession. Keywords: female chefs, gender segregation, magazines, male chefs, metaphors, visual researc

THE VARIATION OF DOMINANT ELBOW RANGE OF MOTION AMONG DIFFERENT MATURE STAGE FOR BASEBALL PITCHERS

The purpose of this study was to examine the variation of elbow range of motion (ROM) in the dominant arm between different maturity levels in baseball pitchers. Sixty-two pitchers, including 17 early-puberty players, 22 later-puberty players, and 23 adult players, participated in this study. A goniometer was used to assess elbow ROM in the dominant arms, including elbow flexion, hyper-extension, supination, pronation and valgus angles. The results showed that smaller ROM was found in elbow flexion, supination, and pronation, and larger ROM in elbow valgue, in pithers of later puberty level (

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SHOULDER PAIN AND SCAPULAR MOBILITY IN TEENAGE BASEBALL PLAYERS

The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between shoulder pain and scapular mobility for teenage baseball players. Thirty-five teenage baseball players (shoulder pain, n=11; healthy, n=24) were recruited in this study. The lateral scapula slide test (LSST), which represented as scapular mobility, was used to measure the scapular position and symmetry under varying loads. The result of this study showed that there was a difference in distance from the superior angle of the scapula to the spinous process of T2 between the two groups at shoulder 90?abduction

Fibronectin and laminin promote differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells into insulin producing cells through activating Akt and ERK

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Islet transplantation provides a promising cure for Type 1 diabetes; however it is limited by a shortage of pancreas donors. Bone marrow-derived multipotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) offer renewable cells for generating insulin-producing cells (IPCs).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We used a four-stage differentiation protocol, containing neuronal differentiation and IPC-conversion stages, and combined with pellet suspension culture to induce IPC differentiation.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Here, we report adding extracellular matrix proteins (ECM) such as fibronectin (FN) or laminin (LAM) enhances pancreatic differentiation with increases in insulin and Glut2 gene expressions, proinsulin and insulin protein levels, and insulin release in response to elevated glucose concentration. Adding FN or LAM induced activation of Akt and ERK. Blocking Akt or ERK by adding LY294002 (PI3K specific inhibitor), PD98059 (MEK specific inhibitor) or knocking down Akt or ERK failed to abrogate FN or LAM-induced enhancement of IPC differentiation. Only blocking both of Akt and ERK or knocking down Akt and ERK inhibited the enhancement of IPC differentiation by adding ECM.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These data prove IPC differentiation by MSCs can be modulated by adding ECM, and these stimulatory effects were mediated through activation of Akt and ERK pathways.</p