Poetics of Interplay and Interferences of Potentiodynamic Sweeps and Peaks in Electrocatalysis for Oxygen Electrode Reactions

Strong irreversible adsorptive monolayer growth of the surface (Pt=O→1), out of the reversible primary (Pt−OH→0) oxides, imposes typical highly pronounced reaction polarization, and that way prevents, at least partially, the reversible electrocatalytic properties and behavior of even all plain and non-interactive supported noble metals (Pt, Pt/C) for oxygen electrode reactions, within closed loop of potentiodynamic spectra between hydrogen and oxygen evolving limits. Substantially quite another type of assembly afford nanostructured hyper-d-electronic-metals (Pt,Au,Ru), interactive grafted upon hypo-d-(f)-oxide supports, in particular of mixed and higher alter-valence values (W,Mo,Ta,Nb), well and for longer known in heterogeneous catalysis as SMSI (Strong Metal-Support Interaction, the ones of strongest in the entire chemistry). The most promising being Magneli phases (MPs, TinO(2n−1), or Ti4O7 in average, and as the optimum in catalytic activity), which arise after simple thermal recrystallization (pure entropy change contribution) yield effect, out of anatase and/or rutile titania (TiO2). The main accompanying achievements of substantial significance then have been: (i) Prevailing percentage in spontaneous adsorptive dissociation of molecular water upon hypo-d-(f)-oxide surfaces, or the corresponding latent storage and spillover of the yielding primary oxides (Pt−OH); (ii) Extra high stability MPs, (Plate type electrodes of MPs are straightforward employed in industrial chlorate cell production, and/or Li-batteries); (iii) Spontaneously adsorptive dissociated water molecules (or, hydroxide ions), then undergo membrane type ionic transfer all along hypo-d-(f)-oxide supports, until approaching catalytic metal surface, when the latter takes the prevailing amount of electron charge, and that way creates the primary oxide dipole species (Pt−OH); (iv) these undergo spillover by repulsion upon metallic, hypo-d-(f)-oxide and even over the suboxide MPs surfaces; (v) while the Magneli phases themselves feature a rather high n-type electron conductivity (up to and even above 1,000 S/cm). The wetness impact factor and effect have been introduced as the lowest threshold level associated with the Pt−OH (Au−OH), bellow which there is no (electro)catalytic oxidation reaction taking place, such as the CO tolerance. The overall result of the present study has then been the development and achievement of the reversible electrocatalysts for the oxygen electrode reactions (ORR, OER), primarily for L&MT PEMFCs. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

Age, Successive Waves, Immunization, and Mortality in Elderly COVID-19 Haematological Patients: EPICOVIDEHA Findings

Introduction: elderly patients with haematologic malignancies face the highest risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes. The infection impact in different age groups remains unstudied in detail. Methods: We analysed elderly patients (age groups: 65-70, 71-75, 76-80 and >80 years old) with hematologic malignancies included in the EPICOVIDEHA registry between January 2020 and July 2022. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression models were conducted to identify factors influencing death in COVID-19 patients with haematological malignancy. results: the study included data from 3,603 elderly patients (aged 65 or older) with haematological malignancy, with a majority being male (58.1%) and a significant proportion having comorbidities. The patients were divided into four age groups, and the analysis assessed COVID-19 outcomes, vaccination status, and other variables in relation to age and pandemic waves.tThe 90-day survival rate for patients with COVID-19 was 71.2%, with significant differences between groups. The pandemic waves had varying impacts, with the first wave affecting patients over 80 years old, the second being more severe in 65-70, and the third being the least severe in all age groups. factors contributing to 90-day mortality included age, comorbidities, lymphopenia, active malignancy, acute leukaemia, less than three vaccine doses, severe COVID-19, and using only corticosteroids as treatment. Conclusions: These data underscore the heterogeneity of elderly haematological patients, highlight the different impact of COVID waves and the pivotal importance of vaccination, and may help in planning future healthcare efforts

Correction: Need for ICU and outcome of critically ill patients with COVID-19 and haematological malignancies: results from the EPICOVIDEHA survey

Peer reviewe

Decoding the historical tale: COVID-19 impact on haematological malignancy patients-EPICOVIDEHA insights from 2020 to 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic heightened risks for individuals with hematological malignancies due to compromised immune systems, leading to more severe outcomes and increased mortality. While interventions like vaccines, targeted antivirals, and monoclonal antibodies have been effective for the general population, their benefits for these patients may not be as pronounced.Peer reviewe

Evaluation of the composition and morphology of a WTi/Si system processed by a picosecond laser

In this work we studied the influence of laser radiation on the composition, structure and morphology of WTi thin films deposited on n-type (100) silicon wafers. The films were deposited by d.c. sputtering from a 70:30 at% W-Ti target, using Ar ions, to a thickness of similar to 190 nm. Irradiation was performed with a pulsed Nd:YAG laser operating at 1064 nm, whereas the pulse duration was 150 ps. Laser fluences of 3.2 and 5.9 J/cm(2) were found to be sufficient for modification of the WTi/silicon target system. The results show: (i) ablation of WTi thin film and a Si substrate in the central zone of spots, (ii) appearance of hydrodynamic features like resolidified material, (iii) partial ablation of the WTi thin film at the periphery and (iv) appearance of thin film cracks at the far periphery. On the non-ablated areas, the laser modification induced changes in composition, such as inter-mixing of components at the WTi/Si interface with formation of silicides in both metals. Surface oxidation was the dominant process in the ablated areas, which is demonstrated by the presence of a SiO2 phase

Chemical and structural modifications of laser treated WTi surfaces at different ambient conditions

In this work we have studied the influence of laser modification on the composition and structure of tungsten titanium (WTi) thin films, deposited on n-type (100) silicon wafers. After deposition, the samples were multi-pulse laser irradiated in a nitrogen, oxygen, and helium ambient. The composition of the WTi/Si sample was determined by Elastic Recoil Detection Analysis (ERDA). Surface morphology was monitored by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). In the experiment, typical laser output parameters were: wavelength 1064 nm, pulse duration 150 ps, and laser pulse energy 30 mJ. Surface concentrations of W and Ti, as well as the concentration of gas components nitrogen and oxygen were determinated before and after the action of laser radiation in different ambient conditions. The contents of W and Ti decreased after irradiation due to adsorbed gases from the surrounding atmosphere. After surface irradiation in the inert ambient (He), the concentrations of the components were not significantly changed. In other cases, oxygen was the dominant component at the surface, probably due to the high affinity of thin film components. Also, the morphological changes occurred at the surface of WTi, as an increase in the surface roughness and formation of the granular structures are a result of laser-induced surface oxidation and recrystallization.International Conference on Advanced Laser Technologies (ALT10), Sep 11-16, 2010, Egmond aan Zee, Netherland