Synthesis of Graphitic Carbon Coated ZnPS and its Superior Electrochemical Properties for Lithium and Sodium Ion Storage.

Graphitic carbon-coated ZnPS is prepared via direct phosphosulfurization and high energy mechanical milling (HEMM) with multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and first introduced as an anode for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). The HEMM process with MWCNTs reduces the particle size of as-synthesized ZnPS bulk to 100-500 nm and yields the ≈5 nm thick graphitic carbon coated ZnPS nanoparticles, which are the nanocomposites of 5 nm sized nanocrystallites embedded in the amorphous matrix. The ZnPS electrode undergoes the combined conversion and alloying reactions with Li and Na ions and exhibits high initial discharge and charge capacities in both LIBs and SIBs.

Bright-Field and Edge-Enhanced Imaging Using an Electrically Tunable Dual-Mode Metalens.

The imaging of microscopic biological samples faces numerous difficulties due to their small feature sizes and low-amplitude contrast. Metalenses have shown great promise in bioimaging as they have access to the complete complex information, which, alongside their extremely small and compact footprint and potential to integrate multiple functionalities into a single device, allow for miniaturized microscopy with exceptional features. Here, we design and experimentally realize a dual-mode metalens integrated with a liquid crystal cell that can be electrically switched between bright-field and edge-enhanced imaging on the millisecond scale.

Liquid Crystalline Systems from Nature and Interaction of Living Organisms with Liquid Crystals.

Biomaterials, which are substances interacting with biological systems, have been extensively explored to understand living organisms and obtain scientific inspiration (such as biomimetics). However, many aspects of biomaterials have yet to be fully understood. Because liquid crystalline phases are ubiquitously found in biomaterials (e.

Laser-based three-dimensional manufacturing technologies for rechargeable batteries.

Laser three-dimensional (3D) manufacturing technologies have gained substantial attention to fabricate 3D structured electrochemical rechargeable batteries. Laser 3D manufacturing techniques offer excellent 3D microstructure controllability, good design flexibility, process simplicity, and high energy and cost efficiencies, which are beneficial for rechargeable battery cell manufacturing. In this review, notable progress in development of the rechargeable battery cells via laser 3D manufacturing techniques is introduced and discussed.

Holographic metasurface gas sensors for instantaneous visual alarms.

The rapid detection of biological and chemical substances in real time is particularly important for public health and environmental monitoring and in the military sector. If the process of substance detection to visual reporting can be implemented into a single miniaturized sensor, there could be a profound impact on practical applications. Here, we propose a compact sensor platform that integrates liquid crystals (LCs) and holographic metasurfaces to autonomously sense the existence of a volatile gas and provide an immediate visual holographic alarm.

Stimuli-Responsive Dynamic Metaholographic Displays with Designer Liquid Crystal Modulators.

Flat optics, realized by the artificially created 2D material platform called optical metasurfaces, is currently undergoing a science-to-technology transition. However, "real-time" active operations of such flat optical devices remain yet unresolved. Here, liquid crystals (LCs)-integrated metaholograms for ultracompact dynamic holographic displays are proposed.

The Effect of Prophylactic Central Neck Dissection During Hemithyroidectomy on Locoregional Recurrence in Patients With Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: A Meta-Analysis.

Objectives: Hemithyroidectomy is commonly performed in patients with low- to intermediate-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the effect of prophylactic central neck dissection on locoregional recurrence in patients undergoing hemithyroidectomy.

Methods: A meta-analysis was performed of full-text publications published in English retrieved from the Embase database.

The Effect of Prophylactic Central Neck Dissection During Hemithyroidectomy on Locoregional Recurrence in Patients With Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: A Meta-Analysis.

Objectives.: Hemithyroidectomy is commonly performed in patients with low- to intermediate-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the effect of prophylactic central neck dissection on locoregional recurrence in patients undergoing hemithyroidectomy.

Solid solution phosphide (MnFeP) as a tunable conversion/alloying hybrid anode for lithium-ion batteries.

The substitutional solid solution Mn1-xFexP compounds between alloying reaction-type MnP and conversion reaction-type FeP are successfully synthesized via facile high energy mechanical milling and their electrochemical properties as an anode for lithium ion batteries (LIBs) are investigated. A complete solid solution is formed between two end members and the Mn1-xFexP solid solution phosphide electrodes show an enhanced electrochemical performance, delivering a capacity of 360 mA h g-1 after 100 cycles at a high current density of 2 A g-1 when the advantages of the two reaction mechanisms are beneficially combined. These synergistic effects resulted from the in situ generated nanocomposite of the Li-Mn-P alloying element and the Fe nano-network in combination with the surrounding amorphous lithium phosphide, which effectively buffers the accompanying volume variation, hinders the aggregation of the alloying element, and ensures the electron and ion transport.

Mesoporous Si-Cu nanocomposite anode for a lithium ion battery produced by magnesiothermic reduction and electroless deposition.

Copper deposited mesoporous silicon was fabricated by magnesiothermic reduction and electroless deposition and its electrochemical properties as an anode for lithium ion batteries were investigated. The 300-400 nm sized mesoporous Si particles were synthesized by magnesiothermic reduction of SiO nanospheres prepared by the Stöber method. The mesopores of Si particles were effectively decorated with Cu using Sn sensitization/Pd activation and subsequent Cu electroless deposition.

Medical Procedure-Related Transient Global Amnesia.

Background: Transient global amnesia (TGA) is an interesting clinical syndrome characterized by sudden memory loss for recent events and an inability to retain new memories usually lasting several hours and recovering spontaneously. We conducted a literature search of medical procedure-related TGA and its predisposing conditions.

Methods: We performed PubMed searches using the keyword "transient global amnesia" combined with "procedure," "test," "therapy," or various other individual medical procedures.

Fabrication of an Anion-Exchange Membrane by Pore-Filling Using Catechol-1,4-Diazabicyclo-[2,2,2]octane Coating and Its Application to Reverse Electrodialysis.

We have successfully exploited the Michael-type addition reaction between catechol and DABCO (1,4-diazabicyclo-[2,2,2]octane) molecules under alkaline conditions for the formation of new quaternary ammonium (QA) groups in an anion-exchange membrane. The anion-exchange membranes (AEMs) were prepared using the pore-filling method by addition of electrolytes (vinyl benzyl trimethylammonium chloride (VBTMA), dopamine methacrylamide (DMA) bearing a catechol group, and ethylene glycol diacrylate as a cross-linker) to a porous substrate. The formation of new QA groups by the reaction of DABCO with catechol components was confirmed by characterization of new peaks in the Fourier transform infrared spectra of the AEMs.

Highly stable SnO-FeO-C hollow spheres for reversible lithium storage with extremely long cycle life.

SnO-FeO-C triple-shell hollow nano-spheres are fabricated by combining the template-based sol-gel coating technique and hydrothermal method, and their electrochemical performance as an anode for lithium ion batteries (LIBs) is investigated, particularly focusing on their structural stability and long term cyclability. To accomplish this, same-sized SnO solid spheres, FeO solid spheres, SnO-FeO solid spheres, SnO-FeO-C solid spheres, SnO hollow spheres and SnO-FeO hollow spheres are prepared in a similar manner and their cyclic performances are compared. It is found that the as-synthesized 80 nm-sized SnO-FeO-C hollow sphere electrode exhibits an extraordinary reversible capacity (1100 mA h g after 100 cycles at 200 mA g) and excellent long cycle stability (475 mA h g after 1000 cycles at 2000 mA g), which are attributed to the Fe-enhanced reversibility of the LiO reduction reaction, high electrical conductivity, high Li ion mobility, and structural stability of the carbon-coated triple-shell hollow spheres.

A highly effective and versatile technology for the isolation of RNAs from grapevines and other woody perennials for use in virus diagnostics.

Background: Isolation of pure RNA from woody perennials, especially fruit crops such as grapevine rich in complex secondary metabolites, has remained very challenging. Lack of effective RNA isolation technology has resulted in difficulties in viral diagnosis and discovery as well as studies on many biological processes of these highly important woody plants. It is imperative to develop and refine methodologies with which large amounts of pure nucleic acids can be readily isolated from woody perennials.

Brookite TiO2 thin film epitaxially grown on (110) YSZ substrate by atomic layer deposition.

Epitaxial brookite TiO2 (B-TiO2) film was deposited on (110) yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) substrate using plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition, and its structural, optical, and gas sensing properties were investigated. As-deposited TiO2 film was a pure brookite and (120) oriented. The determined in-plane orientation relationships were [21̅0]B-TiO2//[1̅10]YSZ and [001]B-TiO2 //[001]YSZ.

Scalable synthesis of silicon nanosheets from sand as an anode for Li-ion batteries.

The silicon nanostructure is a promising candidate for an anode of Li-ion batteries due to its high theoretical capacity. In this work, we have demonstrated the scalable synthesis of Si nanosheets from natural sand by magnesiothermic reduction, and suggested a new formation mechanism for Si nanosheets. In the suggested mechanism, an Mg₂Si intermediate phase was formed at an early stage of the reduction process, which leads to the two-dimensional Si nanostructure.

SnO2@TiO2 double-shell nanotubes for a lithium ion battery anode with excellent high rate cyclability.

SnO2@TiO2 double-shell nanotubes have been facilely synthesized by atomic layer deposition (ALD) using electrospun PAN nanofibers as templates. The double-shell nanotubes exhibited excellent high rate cyclability for lithium ion batteries. The retention of hollow structures during cycling was demonstrated.

Complete genome sequence of Japanese erwinia strain ejp617, a bacterial shoot blight pathogen of pear.

The Japanese Erwinia strain Ejp617 is a plant pathogen that causes bacterial shoot blight of pear in Japan. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of strain Ejp617 isolated from Nashi pears in Japan to provide further valuable insight among related Erwinia species.

SnO(2) nanotubes fabricated using electrospinning and atomic layer deposition and their gas sensing performance.

A novel method is developed to fabricate a SnO(2) nanotube network by utilizing electrospinning and atomic layer deposition (ALD), and the network sensor is proven to exhibit excellent sensitivity to ethanol owing to its hollow, nanostructured character. The electrospun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers of 100-200 nm diameter are used as a template after stabilization at 250 degrees C. An uniform and conformal SnO(2) coating on the nanofiber template is achieved by ALD using dibutyltindiacetate (DBTDA) as the Sn source at 100 degrees C and the wall thickness is precisely controlled by adjusting the number of ALD cycles.

H(2) sensing characteristics of SnO(2) coated single wall carbon nanotube network sensors.

SnO(2) nanoparticle coated single wall nanotube (SWNT) network sensors were fabricated by forming a SWNT network on the Pt patterned SiO(2)/Si substrate using a dip coating method and subsequently depositing SnO(2) nanoparticles on the SWNT network by rf magnetron sputtering. Their H(2) gas sensing properties were investigated. The SnO(2)-SWNT network sensors stably and reversibly responded to H(2) gas even at room temperature and could detect H(2) gas down to 100 ppm.

Erwinia amylovora: modern methods for detection and differentiation.

Erwinia amylovora is the causative agent of fire blight, a very destructive disease of numerous members of the rosaceae. The primary route of infection for host species, including commercially grown apple and pear, is the newly opened blossom. Susceptibility of flowers to infection for only a few days creates narrow window for infection.

Duplex real-time polymerase chain reaction reveals competition between Erwinia amylovora and E. pyrifoliae on pear blossoms.

Erwinia amylovora and E. pyrifoliae are the causative agents of fire blight and Asian pear blight, respectively. The pathogens are closely related, with overlapping host ranges.

Distribution of trkA in cerebral cortex and diencephalon of the mongolian gerbil after birth.

TrkA is essential components of the high-affinity NGF receptor necessary to mediate biological effects of the neurotrophins NGF. Here we report on the expression of trkA in the cerebral cortex and diencephalon of mongolian gerbils during postnatal development. The expression of trkA was identified by immunohistochemical method.

Expression of bacteriophage phiEa1h lysozyme in Escherichia coli and its activity in growth inhibition of Erwinia amylovora.

A 3.3 kb fragment from Erwinia amylovora phage Ea1h in plasmid pJH94 was previously characterized and found to contain an exopolysaccharide depolymerase (dpo) gene and two additional ORFs encoding 178 and 119 amino acids. ORF178 (lyz) and ORF119 (hol) were found to overlap by 19 bp and they resembled genes encoding lysozymes and holins.