Core-shell Ru@CoP synergistic catalyst as polysulfides adsorption-catalytic conversion mediator with enhanced redox kinetics in lithium-sulfur batteries.

Lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) have emerged as the research hotspot due to their compelling merits, including high specific capacity (1675 mAh g1), theoretical energy density (2600 Wh kg1), environmental friendliness, and economic advantages. However, challenges still exist for further application due to their inherent issues such as the natural insulation, shuttle effect, and volume expansion of sulfur cathode during the continuous cycle processes. These factors obstruct the lithium ions (Li) transfer process and sulfur utilization, resulting in significant impedance and inducing inferior battery performance.

Nanoscale detection of carbon dots-induced changes in actin skeleton of neural cells.

Understanding the cytotoxicity of fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) is crucial for their applications, and various biochemical assays have been used to study the effects of CDs on cells. Knowledge on the effects of CDs from a biophysical perspective is integral to the recognition of their cytotoxicity, however the related information is very limited. Here, we report that atomic force microscopy (AFM) can be used as an effective tool for studying the effects of CDs on cells from the biophysical perspective.

Cobalt-vanadium sulfide yolk-shell nanocages from surface etching and ion-exchange of ZIF-67 for ultra-high rate-capability sodium ion battery.

Development of high-performance metal sulfides anode materials is a great challenge for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). In this work, a cobalt-based imidazolate framework (ZIF-67) were firstly synthesized and applied as precursor. After the successive surface etching, ion exchange and sulfidation processes, the final cobalt-vanadium sulfide yolk-shell nanocages were obtained (CoS/VS@NC) with VS shell and CoS yolk encapsulated into nitrogen doped carbon frameworks.

Synergistic enhancement of chemisorption and catalytic conversion in lithium-sulfur batteries via CoFe/CoN separator mediator.

Lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) show considerable potential in next-generation high performance batteries, but the heavy shuttle effect and sluggish redox kinetics of polysulfide hinder their further applications. In this paper, to address these shortcomings of LSBs, CoFe/CoN heterostructure were prepared and constructed from their Fe-Co Prussian blue analogue precursors under the condition of high temperature pyrolysis. The obtained CoFe/CoN display excellent immobilization-diffusion-conversion performance for polysulfides by synergistic effect in successfully hindering the shuttle effect of polysulfides.

Construction of 2D sandwich-like NaVO·3HO@MXene heterostructure for advanced aqueous zinc ion batteries.

Aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) have attained enormous attention in the last few years. The cathode materials of aqueous zinc ion batteries play a vital effect in their electrochemical and battery properties. In this manuscript, Sandwich-like MXene@NaVO·3HO (NVO@MXene) heterostructure was successfully prepared by the combination and cooperation of the layer lattice structure of NaVO·3HO and the high conductivity of MXene.

Modified separators boost polysulfides adsorption-catalysis in lithium-sulfur batteries from Ni@Co hetero-nanocrystals into CNT-porous carbon dual frameworks.

In this manuscript, nickel/cobalt bimetallic nanocrystals confining into three-dimensional interpenetrating dual-carbon conductive structure (NiCo@C/CNTs) were successfully manufactured by annealing its core-shell structure (Ni-ZIF-67@ZIF-8) precursor under the high temperature. The results presented that the bimetallic nickel and cobalt nanocrystals with superior catalytic activity could quickly convert solid LiS/LiSinto soluble LiPSs and effectively decrease the energy barrier. While the hierarchical CNT-porous carbon dual frameworks can provide quick electron/ion transport because of their large specific surface area and the exposure of enough active sites.

Synergistic catalytic conversion and chemisorption of polysulfides from Fe/FeC/FeN nanocubes modified separator for advanced Li-S batteries.

Lithium sulfur batteries (LSBs) have been considered as one of the most promising options for next generation high-performance batteries. However, the heavy shuttle effect and inferior redox conversion during the charge/discharge processes of the batteries have greatly hindered their further applications. In this study, to address these disadvantages of LSBs, Fe/FeC/FeN heterostructured nanocubes were designed and prepared through high temperature carbonization process using Prussian blue precursor.

Temperature and pressure sensitive ionic conductive triple-network hydrogel for high-durability dual signal sensors.

In this work, the fabrication of strengthened triple network hydrogels was successfully achieved based on in-situ polymerization of polyacrylamide by combining both chemical and physical cross-linking methods. The ion conductive phase of lithium chloride (LiCl) and solvent in the hydrogel were regulated through soaking solution. The pressure and temperature sensing behavior and durability of the hydrogel were investigated.

Selenide-doped bismuth sulfides (BiSSe) and their hierarchical heterostructure with ReSfor sodium/potassium-ion batteries.

In this work, selenide-doped bismuth sulfides (BiSSe) was successfully prepared through Se doping BiS Se to improve the electronic conductivity and increase the interlayer spacing. Then the anisotropic ReS nanosheet arrays were grown on the surface of BiSSe to form a hierarchical heterostructure (BiSSe@ReS). The doping and construction of heterostructure processes can greatly improve the electrochemical conductivity of electrode materials and relieve the volume expansion during the continuous charge/discharge processes.

MOF derived cobalt-nickel bimetallic phosphide (CoNiP) modified separator to enhance the polysulfide adsorption-catalysis for superior lithium-sulfur batteries.

Lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) have aroused great research interest due to their high theoretical capacity and high energy density. To further develop lithium-sulfur batteries, it has become more and more important to put more efforts in promoting the adsorption and rapid catalytic conversion of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs). Herein, Ni/Co bimetallic phosphides were encapsulated into nitrogen-doped dual carbon conductive network (NiCoP@NC) by annealing and phosphorizing Ni-ZIF-67 precursor at high temperature.

Defect engineering of molybdenum disulfide nanosheets boosting super Zn storage from polyaniline intercalation.

In this work, peony-like structured MoS with intercalation of polyaniline and crystal defects was prepared by a simple hydrothermal method. The defect-rich structure and broad interlayer distance can effectively provide vast ion transport paths to enhance the ion diffusion rate. PA-MoS can maintain 157.

Reproductive Success of a Tropical Barn Swallow Population Is Lower Than That in Temperate Regions.

Temperate-tropical comparisons of avian life history traits are helpful to understand the different selective pressures placed on birds by different climate zones. Although there have been many comparative studies targeting multiple species in different regions, there are few comparative studies on the reproductive successes of the same species between tropical and temperate regions. In this study, we monitored the breeding activities of the Barn Swallow () simultaneously at a single tropical site and a single temperate site in China, compared the breeding performances of the two populations, and investigated the effects of weather conditions on reproductive success separately.

MULT1-Encoding DNA Alleviates Schistosomiasis-Associated Hepatic Fibrosis via Modulating Cellular Immune Response.

Purpose: In schistosomiasis-associated hepatic fibrosis, the role of murine UL16-binding protein-like transcript 1 (MULT1), the strongest ligand of natural killer group 2-member D receptor (NKG2D), remains unclear. Here, -infected mice administered with MULT1-encoding DNA were used to test MULT1 as a potential therapy for schistosomiasis-associated hepatic fibrosis and explore relevant mechanisms.

Materials And Methods: A recombinant plasmid encoding MULT1 (p-rMULT1) was constructed and administered to -infected BALB/c mice via hydrodynamic tail vein injection.

Co-intercalation strategy of constructing partial cation substitution of ammonium vanadate {(NH)VO} for stable zinc ion storage.

Recently, aqueous zinc-ion batteries have become a hot research topic in the field of grid-scale application, which can be attributed to their low-cost, aqueous electrolyte and dominant theoretical reversible capacity. Nevertheless, the lack of suitable cathode materials greatly hinders the development of aqueous zinc-ion batteries. In this work, we adopt a simple one-step synthesis strategy to prepare (NH)VO with an intercalation of Na and HO, which exhibits a novel crystal structure in which the ammonium ion, crystal water, and sodium ion co-locate in the VO layers.

A patient with femoral osteitis fibrosa cystica mimicking bone neoplasm: a case report.

Background: Osteitis fibrosa cystica is a rare, benign and osteolytic lesion attributed to hyperparathyroidism. The high level of parathyroid hormone cause rapid bone loss.

Case Presentation: The patient is a 50-year-old male complaining of severe and persistent pain in the right knee joint.

NiSe@CoSe hetero-nanocrystals encapsulated into CNT-porous carbon interpenetrating frameworks for high-performance sodium ion battery.

Core-shell structured Ni-ZIF-67@ZIF-8 derived bimetal selenides encapsulating into a 3D interpenetrating dual-carbon framework (NiSe@CoSe@C/CNTs) have been designed and prepared via carbonization and subsequent selenization processes. In this hierarchical structure, NiSe@CoSe nanocrystals were uniformly dispersed into the 3D carbon frameworkstructure/carbon nanotubes networks, which greatly enhanced the electronic conductivity and further enabled ultrafast Na-ion diffusion kinetics. When used as anode materials of sodium ion battery (SIB), The NiSe@CoSe@C/CNTs electrode delivered the excellent rate capability of 206 mA h g at 3 A g and marvelous cyclic stability with capacity retention of 243 mA h g after 600 cycles at 1 A g.

Binary zinc-cobalt metal-organic framework derived mesoporous ZnCoO@NC polyhedron as a high-performance lithium-ion battery anode.

Ternary transition metal oxides have attracted increasing attention due to their many merits, and will enhance electrochemical performance via the synergistic effects of the different single metal oxides. Herein, ZnCo2O4 nanoparticles encapsulated in nitrogen-doped carbon (ZnCo2O4@NC) polyhedrons have been successfully prepared through a facile two-step method. The as-prepared products had a uniform size and consisted mainly of interconnected ZnCo2O4 nanoparticles (NPs), which were uniformly distributed in the materials.

ApoE deficiency promotes hepatic pathology by aggravating Th17/Treg imbalance in murine schistosomiasis japonica.

Aims: The Schistosoma japonicum (S japonicum)-infected ApoE gene deficiency (ApoE ) mice were used to determine effect of ApoE on hepatic immunopathology.

Methods: Murine activities and appetite, body weight, and ratio of liver weight to its body weight (Hepatic mass index, HMI) were observed. Worm load and liver egg burden were evaluated as the infection intensity.

B cells induced by Schistosoma japonicum infection display diverse regulatory phenotypes and modulate CD4 T cell response.

Background: The increased activity of regulatory B cells (Breg) is known to be involved in immunosuppression during helminth infection, which is characterized by inducing IL-10-producing Breg cells. However, the current knowledge of B cell subsets differentiation and IL-10-independent immunoregulatory mechanisms of B cells in schistosomiasis is insufficient.

Methods: BALB/c mice were percutaneously infected with cercariae for investigating the profile of B cell subsets during Schistosoma japonicum infection.

miR-29a inhibits adhesion, migration, and invasion of osteosarcoma cells by suppressing CDC42.

Osteosarcoma is one of the most common tumors of the bone in children and adolescents worldwide. The relapse and metastasis of osteosarcoma are a major therapeutic challenge. Recently, several metastasis regulators, including miRNAs, kinases, and lncRNAs, were reported in osteosarcoma.

Heterogeneity of antigen specificity between HLA-A*02:01 and other frequent Chinese HLA-A2 subtypes detected by a modified autologous lymphocyte-monocyte coculture.

HLA-A2 is the most common serological HLA type among all ethnic groups. Through advances in DNA typing, more than 800 subtypes of HLA-A2 have been identified, and the existence of heterogeneity of antigen specificity among the HLA-A2 subtypes has been suggested by retrospective analyses of allogeneic transplantation patients and by studies of antigen amino acid structure. However, prior to this study, the antigenicity of a given subtype or the mismatch extent between two given subtypes could not be studied in vitro.

Long non-coding RNA HAND2-AS1 targets glucose metabolism and inhibits cancer cell proliferation in osteosarcoma.

Long non-coding RNA heart and neural crest derivatives expressed 2-antisense RNA 1 (lncRNA HAND2-AS1) is a known tumor suppressor gene in endometrioid endometrial carcinoma; however, its function in osteosarcoma is currently unknown. In the present study, HAND2-AS1 expression in the tumor tissues and adjacent healthy tissues of patients with osteosarcoma, and in the serum of patients and heathy controls was detected by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. lncRNA HAND2-AS1 small interfering RNA was transfected into osteosarcoma cells, and cell proliferation, glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) expression and glucose uptake were detected using the Cell Counting Kit-8, western blotting and glucose uptake assays, respectively.

MicroRNA‑671‑3p regulates the development of knee osteoarthritis by targeting TRAF3 in chondrocytes.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease characterized by articular cartilage degradation and joint inflammation. A previous study showed that microRNA (miR)‑671‑3p is involved in the development of OA, however, its function and molecular target in chondrocytes during the pathogenesis of OA remain to be fully elucidated. In the present study, miR‑671‑3p was significantly downregulated in knee OA cartilage tissues compared with normal cartilage tissues.

EPEL promotes the migration and invasion of osteosarcoma cells by upregulating ROCK1.

E2F-mediated cell proliferation enhancing long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) (EPEL) is a newly identified lncRNA involved in the regulation of lung cancer cell proliferation. However, its association with other types of cancer is unknown. The present study recruited patients with osteosarcoma and healthy controls.