MnOx-Promoted PdAg Alloy Nanoparticles for the Additive-Free Dehydrogenation of Formic Acid at Room Temperature

Formic acid (HCOOH) has a great potential as a safe and a convenient hydrogen carrier for fuel cell applications. However, efficient and CO-free hydrogen production through the decomposition of formic acid at low temperatures (<363 K) in the absence of additives constitutes a major challenge. Herein, we present a new heterogeneous catalyst system composed of bimetallic PdAg alloy and MnOx nanoparticles supported on amine-grafted silica facilitating the liberation of hydrogen at room temperature through the dehydrogenation of formic acid in the absence of any additives with remarkable activity (330 mol H2·mol catalyst-1·h-1) and selectivity (>99%) at complete conversion (>99%). Moreover this new catalytic system enables facile catalyst recovery and very high stability against agglomeration, leaching, and CO poisoning. Through a comprehensive set of structural and functional characterization experiments, mechanistic origins of the unusually high catalytic activity, selectivity, and stability of this unique catalytic system are elucidated. Current heterogeneous catalytic architecture presents itself as an excellent contender for clean hydrogen production via room-temperature additive-free dehydrogenation of formic acid for on-board hydrogen fuel cell applications. © 2015 American Chemical Society

Whole genome sequencing for USH2A-associated disease reveals several pathogenic deep-intronic variants that are amenable to splice correction

A significant number of individuals with a rare disorder such as Usher syndrome (USH) and (non-)syndromic autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa (arRP) remain genetically unexplained. Therefore, we assessed subjects suspected of USH2A-associated disease and no or mono-allelic USH2A variants using whole genome sequencing (WGS) followed by an improved pipeline for variant interpretation to provide a conclusive diagnosis. One hundred subjects were screened using WGS to identify causative variants in USH2A or other USH/arRP-associated genes. In addition to the existing variant interpretation pipeline, a particular focus was put on assessing splice-affecting properties of variants, both in silico and in vitro. Also structural variants were extensively addressed. For variants resulting in pseudoexon inclusion, we designed and evaluated antisense oligonucleotides (AONs) using minigene splice assays and patient-derived photoreceptor precursor cells. Biallelic variants were identified in 49 of 100 subjects, including novel splice-affecting variants and structural variants, in USH2A or arRP/USH-associated genes. Thirteen variants were shown to affect USH2A pre-mRNA splicing, including four deep-intronic USH2A variants resulting in pseudoexon inclusion, which could be corrected upon AON treatment. We have shown that WGS, combined with a thorough variant interpretation pipeline focused on assessing pre-mRNA splicing defects and structural variants, is a powerful method to provide subjects with a rare genetic condition, a (likely) conclusive genetic diagnosis. This is essential for the development of future personalized treatments and for patients to be eligible for such treatments.</p

Sintering effects on chemical and physical properties of bioactive ceramics

The objective of this study was to characterize the chemical and physical properties of bioactive ceramics prepared from an aqueous paste containing hydroxyapatite (HA) and beta tri-calcium phosphate (β-TCP). Prior to formulating the paste, HA and β-TCP were calcined at 800 °C and 975 °C (11 h), milled, and blended into 15%/85% HA/β-TCP volume-mixed paste. Fabricated cylindrical rods were subsequently sintered to 900 °C, 1100 °C or 1250 °C. The sintered specimens were characterized by helium pycnometry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR), and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectroscopy for evaluation of porosity, crystalline phase, functional-groups, and Ca:P ratio, respectively. Mechanical properties were assessed via 3-point bending and diametral compression. Qualitative microstructural evaluation using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed larger pores and a broader pore size distribution (PSD) for materials sintered at 900 °C and 1100 °C, whereas the 1250 °C samples showed more uniform PSD. Porosity quantification showed significantly higher porosity for materials sintered to 900 °C and 1250 °C (p< 0.05). XRD indicated substantial deviations from the 15%/85% HA/β-TCP formulation following sintering where lower amounts of HA were observed when sintering temperature was increased. Mechanical testing demonstrated significant differences between calcination temperatures and different sintering regimes (p < 0.05). Variation in chemical composition and mechanical properties of bioactive ceramics were direct consequences of calcination and sintering.Peer reviewedChemical Engineerin

properties

Small organic molecules are promising candidates for cheaper, flexible and good-performance sources for organic solar cells (OSCs) due to their easy fabrication, low cost and slightly cheaper processing. However, the lower power conversion efficiency of OSCs is the main problem for their applications. Ferrocene structures could be the best candidates for the active layers of OSCs due to their unique properties such as thermal and chemical stability. The electrochemical, electro-optical and solar cell performances of 2,5-dicyano-3-ferrocenyl-4-ferrocenylethynylhexa-2,4-dienedinitrile (DiCN-Fc) structures were investigated. First, the electrochemical and electro-optical properties were examined for finding the highest occupied and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital values and bandgap of DiCN-Fc. The best photovoltaic performance was obtained with 7 wt% of DiCN-Fc loading, with a power conversion efficiency of about 4.27%. In the light of our investigations, ferrocenyl-substituted small organic molecules could contribute to the development of organic photovoltaic devices

Pain perception: predictive value of sex, depression, anxiety, somatosensory amplification, obesity, and age

Yuksel Kivrak,1 Hatice Kose-Ozlece,2 Mehmet Fatih Ustundag,3 Mehmet Asoglu4 1Department of Psychiatry, 2Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Kafkas University, Kars, 3Department of Psychiatry, Medical Faculty, Ataturk University, Erzurum, 4Department of Psychiatry, Medical Faculty, Harran University, Sanliurfa, Turkey Objective: Factors affecting pain sensation are still being investigated. In this study, we aimed to examine the effects of sex, age, body mass index (BMI), somatosensory amplification, anxiety, and depression on the perception of pain.Methods: Venipuncture was performed on 140 healthy individuals. All the cases completed a sociodemographic data form, visual analog scale (VAS), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory, and Somatosensory Amplification Scale. Height and weight were also measured.Results: When both the sexes were compared, there was no difference in terms of VAS, BMI, age, and Beck Depression Inventory, but Somatosensory Amplification Scale and BAI were found to be higher in females. A correlation was found among VAS points, BAI, and BMI. The results of a regression analysis show that the BAI score is a predictor for the VAS score.Conclusion: These results indicate that anxiety may be a predictor of pain, whereas sex, depression, somatosensory amplification, age, and weight do not appear to influence the perception of pain. Keywords: pain perception, anxiety, depression, obesit

Pain perception: predictive value of sex, depression, anxiety, somatosensory amplification, obesity, and age

Yuksel Kivrak,1 Hatice Kose-Ozlece,2 Mehmet Fatih Ustundag,3 Mehmet Asoglu4 1Department of Psychiatry, 2Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Kafkas University, Kars, 3Department of Psychiatry, Medical Faculty, Ataturk University, Erzurum, 4Department of Psychiatry, Medical Faculty, Harran University, Sanliurfa, Turkey Objective: Factors affecting pain sensation are still being investigated. In this study, we aimed to examine the effects of sex, age, body mass index (BMI), somatosensory amplification, anxiety, and depression on the perception of pain.Methods: Venipuncture was performed on 140 healthy individuals. All the cases completed a sociodemographic data form, visual analog scale (VAS), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory, and Somatosensory Amplification Scale. Height and weight were also measured.Results: When both the sexes were compared, there was no difference in terms of VAS, BMI, age, and Beck Depression Inventory, but Somatosensory Amplification Scale and BAI were found to be higher in females. A correlation was found among VAS points, BAI, and BMI. The results of a regression analysis show that the BAI score is a predictor for the VAS score.Conclusion: These results indicate that anxiety may be a predictor of pain, whereas sex, depression, somatosensory amplification, age, and weight do not appear to influence the perception of pain. Keywords: pain perception, anxiety, depression, obesit