Synthesis and Characterization of MnInS/Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Composites as an Anode Material for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

In this study, we synthesized a transition metal sulfide (TMS) with a spinel structure, i.e., MnInS (MIS), using a two-step hydrothermal and sintering process.

Cryptococcal granulomas of basal ganglia due to Cryptococcus neoformans in a cat: a case report and literature review.

A 3-year-old spayed female domestic short-haired cat presented with a head turning to the left, circling to the right, seizures, and opisthotonos for approximately one month. Neurological examination revealed a deficit in the postural reaction of the left limbs and visual abnormalities. Forensic computed tomography revealed a hyperattenuating round mass of 1.

Co/ZnO/Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Composite Anode Derived from Metal Organic Frameworks for Lithium Ion Batteries.

Through high-temperature sintering and carbonization, two Co/ZnO nitrogen-doped porous carbon (NC) composites derived from ZIF-8 and ZIF-67 were manufactured for use as anodes for Li ion batteries: composite-type Co/ZnO-NC and core-shell-type Co@ZnO-NC. X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method were performed to identify the pore distribution and surface morphology of these composites. The findings of the BET method indicated that the specific surface area of Co/ZnO-NC was 350 m/g, which was twice that of Co@ZnO-NC.

Mitochondrial DNA methylation profiling of the human prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens: correlations with aging and drug use.

Background: Despite the brain's high demand for energy, research on its epigenetics focuses on nuclear methylation, and much of the mitochondrial DNA methylation remains seldom investigated. With a focus on the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) and the prefrontal cortex (PFC), we aimed to identify the mitochondrial methylation signatures for (1) distinguishing the two brain areas, (2) correlating with aging, and (3) reflecting the influence of illicit drugs on the brain.

Result: We collected the brain tissue in the NAcc and the PFC from the deceased individuals without (n = 39) and with (n = 14) drug use and used whole-genome bisulfite sequencing to cover cytosine sites in the mitochondrial genome.

Facile and Green Process to Synthesize a Three-Dimensional Network Few-Layer Graphene/Carbon Nanotube Composite for Electromagnetic Interference Shielding.

We propose an environmentally friendly liquid exfoliation approach and subsequent freeze-drying process for constructing a three-dimensional (3D) carbon-based network by using few-layer graphene (FLG) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding applications. Systematic characterizations-such as X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy-as well as Raman characterization and EMI shielding tests were performed. The results indicated that the as-synthesized 3D-FLG/CNT composite obtained through the freeze-drying process exhibited excellent electromagnetic interference shielding.

Corrigendum: An Ethnobotanical Study of Medicinal Plants in Kinmen.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.

An Ethnobotanical Study of Medicinal Plants in Kinmen.

Kinmen is an outlying island that has the richest plant resources in Taiwan. The objective of this study was to record the methods that people in Kinmen use medicinal plants and to analyze the cultural characteristics of their use. Field investigations were carried out in various towns and villages in Kinmen, and 80 respondents were included in the survey.

Industrial Silicon-Wafer-Wastage-Derived Carbon-Enfolded Si/Si-C/C Nanocomposite Anode Material through Plasma-Assisted Discharge Process for Rechargeable Li-Ion Storage.

Silicon is a promising anode material for high-performance Li-ion batteries as a result of its high theoretical specific capacity and elemental abundance. Currently, the commercial application of the Si-based anode is still restricted by its large volume changes during the lithiation cycles and low electrical conductivity. To address these issues, we demonstrate a facile plasma-assisted discharge process to anchor nano-sized Si particles into methanol with quick quenching.

Ethnobotanical Survey of Natural Galactagogues Prescribed in Traditional Chinese Medicine Pharmacies in Taiwan.

Natural medicinal materials have been used to promote breast milk secretion. Here, we investigated the natural medicinal materials prescribed in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) pharmacies across Taiwan to induce lactation. We collected medicinal materials from 87 TCM pharmacies, identified them in the prescriptions, and analyzed their drug contents.

Effect of Polyaniline on Sulfur/Sepiolite Composite Cathode for Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

Composite materials with a stable network structure consisting of natural sepiolite (Sp) powders (both sieved sepiolite and post-treated sepiolite), sulfur(S), and conductive polymer Polyaniline (PAni) have been successfully synthesized using a simple heat treatment. The morphology of composites illustrates that the sepiolite is composed of many needle-like fibrous clusters. The initial discharge capacity of the post-treated sepiolite/sulfur/PAni composite is about 1230 mA h g at 0.

High Capacity Prismatic Type Layered Electrode with Anionic Redox Activity as an Efficient Cathode Material and PVdF/SiO Composite Membrane for a Sodium Ion Battery.

A prismatic type layered NaNiMnO cathode material for a sodium ion battery is prepared via two different methods viz., the solid state and sol-gel method with dissimilar surface morphology and a single phase crystal structure. It shows tremendous electrochemical chattels when studied as a cathode for a sodium-ion battery of an initial specific discharge capacity of 244 mAh g with decent columbic efficiency of 98% up to 250 cycles, between the voltage range from 1.

Superior Ionic Transferring Polymer with Silicon Dioxide Composite Membrane via Phase Inversion Method Designed for High Performance Sodium-Ion Battery.

Superior sodium-ion-conducting polymer poly(vinyledene fluoride)-silicon dioxide (PVdF-SiO) composite separator membrane was prepared via simple phase inversion method, which is a suitable alternative conventional polypropylene membrane. Basically, PVdF is the promising for use as high porous polymer electrolyte membrane due to its high dielectric constant ( = 8.4).

Structural Design of Three-Dimensional Graphene/Nano Filler (AlO, BN, or TiO) Resins and Their Application to Electrically Conductive Adhesives.

In this study, we designed a three-dimensional structure of electrically conductive adhesives (ECAs) by adding three different kinds of nano filler, including BN, TiO, and AlO particles, into a few-layered graphene (FLG)/polymer composite to avoid FLG aggregation. Three different lateral sizes of FLG (FLG3, FLG8, and FLG20) were obtained from graphite (G3, G8, and G20) by a green, facile, low-cost, and scalable jet cavitation process. The corresponding characterizations, such as Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), verified the successful preparation of graphene flakes.

Carbon Loaded Nano-Designed Spherically High Symmetric Lithium Iron Orthosilicate Cathode Materials for Lithium Secondary Batteries.

In the present study, LiFeSiO (LFS) cathode material has been prepared via a modified polyol method. The stabilizing nature of polyol solvent was greatly influenced to reduce the particle size (~50 nm) and for coating the carbon on the surface of the as-mentioned materials (~10 nm). As-prepared nano-sized LiFeSiO material deliver initial discharge capacity of 186 mAh·g at 1C with the coulombic efficiency of 99% and sustain up to 100 cycles with only 7 mAh·g is the difference of discharge capacity from its 1st cycle to 100th cycle.

Impacts of Genetic Polymorphism on Urothelial Cell Carcinoma Development.

Urothelial cell carcinoma (UCC) is the most common primary malignancy of the urinary system and the second-most common type of renal cell carcinoma. Aurora kinase A (AURKA), a serine/threonine kinase, has a critical role in centrosome duplication, spindle assembly checkpoint, and cytokinesis. Here, we determined the correlation between UCC susceptibility and polymorphisms.

Risk of Cancer after Lower Urinary Tract Infection: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

To investigate the association among lower urinary tract infection (UTI), the type and timing of antibiotic usage, and the subsequent risk of developing cancers, especially genitourinary cancers (GUC), in Taiwan. This retrospective population-based cohort study was conducted using 2009⁻2013 data from the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database. This study enrolled patients who were diagnosed with a UTI between 2010 and 2012.

Facile and Green Synthesis of Graphene-Based Conductive Adhesives via Liquid Exfoliation Process.

In this study, we report a facile and green process to synthesize high-quality and few-layer graphene (FLG) derived from graphite via a liquid exfoliation process. The corresponding characterizations of FLG, such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Raman spectroscopy, were carried out. The results of SEM show that the lateral size of as-synthesized FLG is 1⁻5 μm.

Graphene oxide conjugated with polymers: a study of culture condition to determine whether a bacterial growth stimulant or an antimicrobial agent?

Background: The results showed that the deciding factor is the culture medium in which the bacteria and the graphene oxide (GO) are incubated at the initial manipulation step. These findings allow better use of GO and GO-based materials more and be able to clearly apply them in the field of biomedical nanotechnology.

Results: To study the use of GO sheets applied in the field of biomedical nanotechnology, this study determines whether GO-based materials [GO, GO-polyoxyalkyleneamine (POAA), and GO-chitosan] stimulate or inhibit bacterial growth in detail.

Efficient two-photon luminescence for cellular imaging using biocompatible nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots conjugated with polymers.

Nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dot (N-GQD) nanomaterials conjugated with polyethylenimine (PEI)-polystyrene sulfonate (PSS)-anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (Ab) antibody (N-GQD-PEI-PSS-Ab) demonstrated impressive two-photon properties and stability, signifying that they can serve as an effective two-photon contrast agent in two-photon bioimaging. Furthermore, they provided high intensity, brightness, and signal-to-noise ratios at an ultra-low two-photon excitation (TPE) power level in an observation extending to a deep, three-dimensional depth.

Investigation of length heteroplasmy in mitochondrial DNA control region by massively parallel sequencing.

Accurate sequencing of the control region of the mitochondrial genome is notoriously difficult due to the presence of polycytosine bases, termed C-tracts. The precise number of bases that constitute a C-tract and the bases beyond the poly cytosines may not be accurately defined when analyzing Sanger sequencing data separated by capillary electrophoresis. Massively parallel sequencing has the potential to resolve such poor definition and provides the opportunity to discover variants due to length heteroplasmy.

Chelating agent-assisted heat treatment of a carbon-supported iron oxide nanoparticle catalyst for PEMFC.

Iron complexes were supported on commercial carbon black and heat treated to create FeO(x)/C catalysts that showed a larger normalized current density and normalized power density than commercial Pt/C catalysts; the coordination number of the iron complexes used affected the formation of the active site for oxygen reduction in PEMFC.

Synthesis of a CNT-grafted TiO(2) nanocatalyst and its activity triggered by a DC voltage.

Carbon nanotube (CNT)-grafted TiO(2) (CNT/TiO(2)) was synthesized as an electrically conductive catalyst that exhibits redox ability under electrical excitation besides ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. The CNT/TiO(2) material was synthesized by a two-step process. Ni nanoparticles were photodeposited onto TiO(2) first.

Visible-light-responsive nano-TiO(2) with mixed crystal lattice and its photocatalytic activity.

Ultraviolet- and visible-light-responsive titania-based photocatalysts were synthesized and employed in the photocatalytic oxidation of NO(x). Sol-gel processes using tetrabutyl orthotitanate and ethanol under acid catalyzed condition and controlled calcination were performed to synthesize titanium dioxide with a mixed crystal lattice of anatase, brookite and rutile phases. The TiO(2) prepared under calcination at 200 °C exhibited high photocatalytic activity for degradation of NO(x) under both ultraviolet (UV) and visible-light illumination.