05]. In the multiple-element linear mixed models, the men in the highest versus lowest quartiles of urinary Zn and Mo had a higher sperm concentration of 17.5% (95% CI 2.8%, 34.2%; p-value for trend=0.006) and total sperm count of 18.3% (95% CI 1.4%, 38.0%; p-value for trend=0.027), respectively. Urinary Zn was also positively associated with total sperm count in a dose-dependent manner (p-value for trend=0.036), though the percentile difference in total sperm count between men in the highest and lowest quartile was not statistically significant (16.4%, 95% CI -1.7%, 37.9%). These associations appeared to be stronger when urinary Zn and Mo were measured at 0-9days before the date of semen examination (i.e., corresponding to epididymal storage).
 
  Higher urinary Zn and Mo, particularly during the period of epididymal storage, were associated with greater sperm production.
 Higher urinary Zn and Mo, particularly during the period of epididymal storage, were associated with greater sperm production.Dynamic variations in chemical composition and size distribution of dissolved copper (Cu) along the river-sea interface in the Yellow River Estuary (China) were investigated. On average, ~64% and ~8% of bulk dissolved Cu (100 kDa Cu and tended to be a stable polymer, with stability increasing towards the sea. The source of less then 1 kDa Cu was complex and may be supplemented by the decomposition of small molecular colloids and the addition of the sediments or particles ligands.Based on data of 285 Chinese cities from 2003 to 2017, this paper mainly studies the impact of the spatial agglomeration of Foreign direct investment (FDI) on the green total factor productivity(TFP) of Chinese cities by SDM model. It is measured that China's urban green TFP generally has been developing well from 2003 to 2017, and progress in green technology plays an important role in improving urban green TFP. Both global Moran index and local Moran scatter plots show that FDI and green TFP are characterized by strong spatial agglomeration. This suggests green TFP is closely related to the spatial agglomeration of FDI in a region. The paper finds that FDI plays a positive role in promoting green TFP in high-high and high-low cluster cities, and the technology spillover effect of highly agglomerated FDI is more significant than that of decentralized FDI, thus promoting the upgrading and agglomeration of green TFP in itself and surrounding cities. The positive benefits of low-high and low-low cluster cities are not significant. Therefore, it is necessary to go beyond its policy of administrative regions and give full play to radiation effect of High-high FDI agglomeration cities and promote the green TFP of their surrounding cities.A new reductive catalytic fractionation biorefinery process (RCF) is currently being developed transforming wood into high-value end-products. RCF is considered to be in the pilot stage with a technology readiness level of 5-6. Apart from the RCF-process characteristics, the economic feasibility also depends on the investment decisions that are made upstream and downstream within the wood value chain, increasing the level of uncertainty. Two investment options within the value chain are considered an option to invest in harvesting equipment and an option to invest in the RCF. To understand the impact of multiple sources of uncertainty on the decision to invest in an innovative RCF-driven wood value chain, an analytical two-factor real options model is presented, accounting for correlated cost and price uncertainties. Two different scenarios, separated and united investments in harvesting equipment and RCF, are analyzed. In both scenarios, market uncertainty postpones investment in comparison to the traditional NPV approach. When both investments are considered separately, the investment in RCF is expected to be earlier than the investment in harvesting equipment.  https://www.selleckchem.com/products/loxo-292.html  When both investment decisions are united, the probability of investment increases. The study reveals that RCF has the potential to stimulate investments from different investors, -upstream and midstream-, within the wood value chain. Besides, the introduced real options model proofs its ability to assess the economic feasibility of innovative technologies (e.g RCF) individually or within the value chain, taking into account multiple sources of uncertainty.
  Waterborne sulfopolyesters have gained considerable interest as coating materials due to their excellent film-forming and optical properties. Their commercial use has been limited, however, due to their fragile nature. Incorporating cellulose nanofiber (CNF), a sustainable biopolymer, into the polymer matrix is expected to enhance the mechanical integrity of the nanocomposite as these two components synergistically interact.
 
  In this study, we have investigated the suspension and film characteristics of three sulfopolyesters varying in charge density, glass transition temperature and molecular weight, as well as their mixtures with CNF. We have performed steady-shear rheology on mixtures with different CNF loading levels, and resulting films have been subjected to quasistatic uniaxial tensile and water contact-angle tests to elucidate the effects of CNF on mechanical and surface properties.
 
  Addition of CNF to waterborne polyester promotes shear-thinning behavior that remains unaffected by the CNF content. Solid films cast from these suspensions possess enhanced mechanical properties, as well as tailorable surface hydrophilicity, depending on composition and film-drying temperature. Tensile tests reveal that films containing 10wt% CNF display the greatest mechanical improvements, suggesting the existence of a previously unidentified Goldilocks composition window.
 Addition of CNF to waterborne polyester promotes shear-thinning behavior that remains unaffected by the CNF content. Solid films cast from these suspensions possess enhanced mechanical properties, as well as tailorable surface hydrophilicity, depending on composition and film-drying temperature. Tensile tests reveal that films containing 10 wt% CNF display the greatest mechanical improvements, suggesting the existence of a previously unidentified Goldilocks composition window.