Imparting CO₂ reduction selectivity to ZnGa₂O₄ photocatalysts by crystallization from hetero nano assembly of amorphous-like metal hydroxides

Imparting an enhanced CO₂ reduction selectivity to ZnGa₂O₄ photocatalysts has been demonstrated by controlled crystallization from interdispersed nanoparticles of zinc and gallium hydroxides. The hydroxide precursor in which Zn(II) and Ga(III) are homogeneously interdispersed was prepared through an epoxide-driven sol–gel reaction. ZnGa₂O₄ obtained by a heat-treatment exhibits a higher surface basicity and an enhanced affinity for CO₂ molecules than previously-reported standard ZnGa₂O₄. The enhanced affinity for CO₂ molecules of the resultant ZnGa₂O₄ leads to highly-selective CO evolution in CO₂ photo-reduction with H₂O reductants. The present scheme is promising to achieve desirable surface chemistry on metal oxide photocatalysts

Short-Term Treatment with Empagliflozin Resulted in Dehydration and Cardiac Arrest in an Elderly Patient with Specific Complications: A Case Report and Literature Review

Empagliflozin is a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor widely used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus and heart failure. Our case study involved a 68-year-old patient who was admitted to the hospital because of a cerebral infarction. The patient was simultaneously diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and heart failure, for which empagliflozin was initiated. However, food and fluid intake were reduced due to poor appetite. In addition to the side effects of empagliflozin, the patient developed severe dehydration and cardiac arrest. Careful assessment of dehydration and preventive water intake is recommended in elderly patients and those with neurological deficits, especially when receiving empagliflozin

Natural variation in the glucose content of dilute sulfuric acid–pretreated rice straw liquid hydrolysates: implications for bioethanol production

<p>Rice straw is a promising resource for bioethanol production. Because the glucose content of pretreatment liquid hydrolysates is highly correlated with ethanol yield, the selection of appropriate rice cultivars is essential. The glucose content in liquid hydrolysates of pretreated rice straws of 208 diverse cultivars was evaluated in natural field in 2013 and 2014 using a novel high-throughput system. The glucose content of the rice straw samples varied across cultivars and was affected by environmental factors such as temperature and solar radiation. Several high-quality cultivars exhibiting high glucose content in both years were identified. The results of this study can aid in development of novel rice cultivars suitable as both feedstocks for bioethanol production and cooking.</p> <p>The rice straw glucose content after pretreatment varied by cultivar. Thus selecting suitable cultivars is crucial for efficient ethanol production.</p

Leukoaraiosis significantly worsens driving performance of ordinary older drivers.

BACKGROUND: Leukoaraiosis is defined as extracellular space caused mainly by atherosclerotic or demyelinated changes in the brain tissue and is commonly found in the brains of healthy older people. A significant association between leukoaraiosis and traffic crashes was reported in our previous study; however, the reason for this is still unclear. METHOD: This paper presents a comprehensive evaluation of driving performance in ordinary older drivers with leukoaraiosis. First, the degree of leukoaraiosis was examined in 33 participants, who underwent an actual-vehicle driving examination on a standard driving course, and a driver skill rating was also collected while the driver carried out a paced auditory serial addition test, which is a calculating task given verbally. At the same time, a steering entropy method was used to estimate steering operation performance. RESULTS: The experimental results indicated that a normal older driver with leukoaraiosis was readily affected by external disturbances and made more operation errors and steered less smoothly than one without leukoaraiosis during driving; at the same time, their steering skill significantly deteriorated. CONCLUSIONS: Leukoaraiosis worsens the driving performance of older drivers because of their increased vulnerability to distraction