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Few studies on population-specific health effects of extreme temperature on cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) deaths have been conducted in the subtropical and tropical climates of China. We examined the association between extreme temperature and CVD across four cities in China. We performed a two-stage analysis; we generated city-specific estimates using a distributed lag non-linear model (DLNM) and estimated the overall effects by conducting a meta-analysis. Heat thresholds of 29 °C, 29 °C, 29 °C, and 30 °C and cold thresholds of 6 °C, 10 °C, 14 °C, and 15 °C were observed in Hefei, Changsha, Nanning, and Haikou, respectively. The lag periods for heat-related CVD mortality were observed only for 0–2 days, while those of cold-related CVD mortality were observed for 10–15 days. The meta-analysis showed that a 1 °C increase above the city-specific heat threshold was associated with average overall CVD mortality increases of 4.6% (3.0%–6.2%), 6.4% (3.4%–9.4%), and 0.2% (−4.8%–5.2%) for all ages, ≥65 years, and <65 years over a lag period of 0–2 days, respectively. Similarly, a 1 °C decrease below the city-specific cold threshold was associated with average overall CVD mortality increases of 4.2% (3.0%–5.4%), 4.9% (3.5%–6.3%), and 3.1% (1.7%–4.5%), for all ages, ≥65 years, and <65 years over a lag period of 0–15 days, respectively. This work will help to take appropriate measures to reduce temperature-mortality risk in different populations in the subtropical and tropical climates of China.

ABSTRACTPolymer gel electrolytes consisting of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVdF), tetraethylammoniumtetrafluoroborate (TEABF4), and propylene carbonate (PC) as a plasticizer have been investigatedfor electric double layer capacitors. The PVdF gel electrolytes showed high ionic conductivity (ca.6 mS cm-1at 298 K). To assemble model capacitors with the PVdF gel electrolytes and activatedcarbon fiber cloth electrodes, a pair of the fixed electrodes was soaked in a precursor solutioncontaining PC, PVdF, and TEABF4, followed by evaporation of the PC solvent in a vacuumoven. The resulting gel electrolytes were in good contact with the electrodes. The modelcapacitors with the PVdF gel electrolytes showed a large value of capacitance and high coulombicefficiency in operation voltage ranges of 1–2 and 1–3 V. It is worth noting that the capacitors withthe PVdF electrolytes showed long voltage retention in a self-discharge test. These goodcharacteristics of our gel capacitors were comparable to those of typical double layer capacitorswith a liquid organic electrolyte containing PC and TEABF4; rather, the voltage retentivity of thePVdF gel capacitors was much superior to that of the capacitors with the organic electrolyte.

The dissolution of Cr-rich oxides in and the decontamination of contaminated specimens by sulfuric acid-Ce(IV) (SC) solution have been investigated. The results have been com-pared with those by the reported typical decontamination reagents. The SC solution can dissolve simultaneously not only Cr but also Fe and Ni in the Cr-rich oxides. The dissolution mainly depends on Ce(IV) concentration (1.3–10−3 M) and temperature (40–90°C), but is independent of H2SO4-concentration (0.2–0.5 M at 5 x 10−3M Ce(IV)). The DF is ca. 33 at 90°C for 24 h with 0.25 M H2SO4-5 x 10−3M Ce(IV). Under electrolytic regeneration of Ce(IV) from Ce(III) during the decontamination, the DF is raised to 460 even at 80°C for 24 h with 0.25 M H2SO4-1.3 x 10−3M Ce(IV). The SC solution can be applicable to the decontamination for decommissioning of both BWR and PWR. Fcrthermore the combination of the chemical cleaning with an additional ultrasonic cleaning provides a promissing cleaning procedure for post-disassembly components.

We evaluated the effects of different antisecretory agents (H2-receptor antagonists and a proton pump inhibitor) on collagen regeneration in rat gastric lesions induced by intragastric administration of 50% ethanol +0.15 N HCl (EtOH-HCl). The lesion indices showed the highest value 30 min after administration of EtOH-HCl and a significantly decreased value 15 h later. The mucosal hydroxyproline concentration was significantly increased 30 min after EtOH-HCl administration, reached a maximum 6 h later and subsequently decreased as time passed. Intraperitoneal administration of cimetidine at a dose of 100 mg/kg or famotidine at a dose of 5 mg/kg 30 min after EtOH-HCl administration could not reduce the lesion indices in less than 24 h and suppressed the increase in mucosal hydroxyproline concentrations significantly compared with the control group. On the other hand, treatment with 10 mg/kg of E-3810, a proton pump inhibitor, had no effects on the lesion healing nor on the fluctuation of mucosal hydroxyproline concentrations. These facts suggest that H2-receptor antagonists might delay the healing of EtOH-HCl-induced gastric lesions through the suppression of collagen regeneration under the condition of exclusion of gastric acid secretion.

The structural kinetics of surface events on a Pt3Co/C cathode catalyst in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) was investigated by operando time-resolved X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) with a time resolution of 500 ms. The rate constants of electrochemical reactions, the changes in charge density on Pt, and the changes in the local coordination structures of the Pt3Co alloy catalyst in the PEFC were successfully evaluated during fuel-cell voltage-operating processes. Significant time lags were observed between the electrochemical reactions and the structural changes in the Pt3Co alloy catalyst. The rate constants of all the surface events on the Pt3Co/C catalyst were significantly higher than those on the Pt/C catalyst, suggesting the advantageous behaviors (cell performance and catalyst durability) on the Pt3Co alloy cathode catalyst.

This paper presents the first application of ethnobotanical studies to screen for allelopathic species among medicinal plants for sustainable weed management. This study assesses the possible relationship between ethnobotanical indices and allelopathy of medicinal plants. Ethnobotanical data were collected in 2016 by using semi-structured interviews with 140 informants in the Ejisu-Juaben Municipality, Ghana. Data were analysed using statistical tool and ethnobotanical indices including use value (UV), Fidelity Level (FL), Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC). The Sandwich and Dish pack methods were respectively used to evaluate allelopathy through leachates and volatiles of collected samples. Ninety-five species belonging to 43 families are reported in this study, with leaves (52%) cited the most utilised plant part. Cleistopholis patens (UV = 0.54; FL = 90.7%; RFC = 0.37) and Ocimum gratissimum (UV = 0.37; FL = 38.4%; RFC = 0.35) were among the most cited species. Thirty-two species showed inhibition (≥49.3%) by leachates, while twenty-four species were found with potential volatile inhibitory compounds against lettuce radicle growth. There was a significant positive correlation (Pearson) between the UV and RFC of medicinal plants and allelopathy by leaf leachates (r = 0.639 **; p = 0.01 and r = 0.653 **; p = 0.01 respectively). This systematic documentation of medicinal plants in Ejisu-Juaben Municipality shows medicinal plants with ethnomedicinal values and potential allelopathy that can be utilised in sustainable weed control.

In the current era, the importance of proper hand hygiene to reduce the transmission of infectious diseases has become difficult to debate. Yet, compliance rates remain low and are affected by many factors, amongst which is user acceptability of hand hygiene products.The present study aimed at investigating drivers of preference towards different hand hygiene formulations.Three different formulations (liquid, foam and gel) of the same brand were randomly and blindly evaluated by 54 participants based on the WHO Protocol for Evaluation of Tolerability and Acceptability of Alcohol-based Handrubs.The majority (76%) of respondents indicated that the product formulation impacted their level of compliance with hand hygiene protocols. The preferred formulation was liquid, with 50% of participants ranking it as first choice. General product satisfaction, the product texture, the drying speed and the ease of application, were the statistically significant drivers for participants to rank a formulation as their first choice vs not ranking it as their first choice.When designing alcohol formulations and implementing hand hygiene protocols, understanding drivers of preference for formulations may enhance product user acceptability and therefore compliance with hand hygiene.

Microbial fuel cells are a promising technology for energy generation from various waste types. However, the molecular mechanisms of microbial extracellular electron transfer to the electrode need to be elucidated. G. sulfurreducens is a common key player in electricity generation in mixed-culture microbial fuel cell systems and a model microorganism for the study of extracellular electron transfer.