PFAS-Free Energy Storage: Investigating Alternatives for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

The class-wide restriction proposal on perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the European Union is expected to affect a wide range of commercial sectors, including the lithium-ion battery (LIB) industry, where both polymeric and low molecular weight PFAS are used. The PFAS restriction dossiers currently state that there is weak evidence for viable alternatives to the use of PFAS in LIBs. In this Perspective, we summarize both the peer-reviewed literature and expert opinions from academia and industry to verify the legitimacy of the claims surrounding the lack of alternatives.

[Clinical observation on acupuncture at infusion points of "four seas" on refractory peripheral facial paralysis].

Objective: To observe the clinical effect of acupuncture at the infusion points of "four seas" for refractory peripheral facial paralysis on the basis of conventional acupuncture.

Methods: A total of 52 patients with refractory peripheral facial paralysis were randomized into an observation group (26 cases, 2 cases dropped out) and a control group (26 cases, 1 case dropped out). On the basis of conventional acupuncture (Yintang [GV 24] and Yangbai [GB 14], Dicang [ST 4] at affected side, etc.

Alzheimer-like behavior and synaptic dysfunction in 3 × Tg-AD mice are reversed with calcineurin inhibition.

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by impairments in synaptic plasticity and cognitive performance. Current treatments are unable to achieve satisfactory therapeutic effects or reverse the progression of the disease. Calcineurin has been implicated as part of a critical signaling pathway for learning and memory, and neuronal calcineurin may be hyperactivated in AD.

Molecular mechanism of Osthole against chitin synthesis of Ustilaginoidea virens based on combined transcriptome and metabolome analyses.

Rice false smut, caused by the fungus Ustilaginoidea virens, is a destructive grain disease in rice-producing areas worldwide. To reveal the action mechanism of osthole against U. virens, the mycelial morphology, differential genes and metabolites of osthole-treated U.

Visualization of the entire process of rice spikelet infection by through nondestructive inoculation.

Introduction: Rice false smut caused by , is a destructive fungal disease encountered in many rice-producing areas worldwide. To determine the process by which infects rice spikelets in the field.

Methods: The green fluorescent protein-labeled was used as an inoculum to conduct artificial inoculation on rice at the booting stage via non-destructive panicle sheath instillation inoculation.

Astragalus polysaccharide promotes osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells by facilitating ANKFY1 expression through miR-760 inhibition.

Aims: Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) participates in various processes, such as the enhancement of immunity and inhibition of tumours. APS can affect osteoporosis (OP) by regulating the osteogenic differentiation of human bone mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs). This study was designed to elucidate the mechanism of APS in hBMSC proliferation and osteoblast differentiation.

Lithium-ion battery recycling: a source of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to the environment?

Recycling of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is a rapidly growing industry, which is vital to address the increasing demand for metals, and to achieve a sustainable circular economy. Relatively little information is known about the environmental risks posed by LIB recycling, in particular with regards to the emission of persistent (in)organic fluorinated chemicals. Here we present an overview on the use of fluorinated substances - in particular per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) - in state-of-the-art LIBs, along with recycling conditions which may lead to their formation and/or release to the environment.

Complex gas formation during combined mechanical and thermal treatments of spent lithium-ion-battery cells.

Spent lithium-ion batteries (LIB) contain volatile and reactive chemicals possibly generating toxic and/or flammable gases during the related recycling. In this study, two types of spent LIB cells were subjected to combined mechanical and thermal treatments at the constant temperatures of 20 °C, 120 °C, 200 °C, and 400 °C under a nitrogen atmosphere. A total of 46 gaseous species, including electrolyte components, oxygenated hydrocarbons, hydrocarbons, and others, were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed by mass spectrometry.

Lauric Acid Induces Apoptosis of Rice Sheath Blight Disease Caused by by Affecting Fungal Fatty Acid Metabolism and Destroying the Dynamic Equilibrium of Reactive Oxygen Species.

Rice sheath blight, caused by , is one of the major rice diseases. In order to better understand the inhibitory mechanism of lauric acid on the disease, RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) was used to analyze the transcriptome changes in treated with lauric acid for 3 h, 6 h, 18 h, and 24 h, including 2306 genes; 1994 genes; 2778 genes; and 2872 genes. Based on gene ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses, we found that protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum (KO04141), carbon metabolism (KO01200), and starch and sucrose metabolism were significantly enriched.

Repellency Mechanism of Natural Guar Gum-Based Film Incorporated with Citral against Brown Planthopper, (Stål) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae).

Using of plant essential oil that coevolved as a defense mechanism against agriculture insects is an alternative means of controlling many insect pests. In order to repel brown planthoppers (BPHs), the most notorious rice insect pest, a new film based on guar gum incorporated with citral (GC film) was formulated, which was effective while being environmentally friendly. In this paper, the effect and mechanism of GC film repellency against BPHs were determined.

Establishment of an Artificial Inoculation Method of Without Damaging the Rice Panicle Sheaths.

Rice false smut (RFS) is a destructive disease of rice worldwide caused by . Nevertheless, there is a lack of efficient and stable artificial inoculation method to simulate the natural infection of , which is an important factor limiting further research on the pathogen. The purpose of this study was to establish an artificial inoculation method, which can simulate the natural infection process of without destroying the panicle sheath structure of rice.

Naturally produced magnolol can significantly damage the plasma membrane of Rhizoctonia solani.

Rice sheath blight is a destructive fungal disease caused by Rhizoctonia solani. To find a safe and green measure, the biological activity of six plant extracts against R. solani was determined by mycelial growth rate method.

Growth Restriction of via Breakage of Intracellular Organelles Using Crude Extracts of Gallnut and Clove.

Plant diseases reduce crop yield and quality, hampering the development of agriculture. Fungicides, which restrict chemical synthesis in fungi, are the strongest controls for plant diseases. However, the harmful effects on the environment due to continued and uncontrolled utilization of fungicides have become a major challenge in recent years.

A novel process on the recovery of zinc and manganese from spent alkaline and zinc-carbon batteries.

Spent alkaline and zinc-carbon batteries contain valuable elements (notably, Zn and Mn), which need to be recovered to keep a circular economy. In this study, the black mass materials from those spent batteries are pyrometallurgically treated via a series of process steps in a pilot-scale KALDO furnace to produce an Mn-Zn product, a ZnO product, and an MnO (manganese monoxide) product, toward applications of Mn-Zn micronutrient fertilizer, zinc metal, and manganese alloy, respectively. After an oxidative roasting step, an Mn-Zn product, containing 43% Mn, 22% Zn, and negligible amounts of toxic elements (notably, Cd, Hg, and Pb), could be produced, being suitable for the micronutrient fertilizer application.

Intention to adopt bicycle-sharing in China: introducing environmental concern into the theory of planned behavior model.

Bicycle-sharing is regarded as a new mode of transportation with low-carbon and low-cost advantages, which could effectively alleviate traffic congestion. Understanding the factors and influence paths that affect users' willingness to adopt bicycle-sharing is of great importance. This study aims to investigate how users' environmental concern affects their willingness to adopt bicycle-sharing through the impacts of attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavior control.

Fourier spectrometer built by a permanent magnet cylinder falling uniformly in a conductive tube.

The possibility of constructing a Fourier transform spectrometer by uniform motion of a permanent magnet cylinder falling in an upright conductive tube was researched. Two identical permanent magnet cylinders were reversely connected to two ends of a non-magnetic rod, making a compound permanent magnet cylinder, to reduce the lateral swing of a single permanent magnet cylinder as it falls. Falling velocity fluctuation of the compound permanent magnet cylinder was measured by laser diode self-mixing interferometry.

Spatial distribution, risk assessment and source identification of heavy metals in sediments of the Yangtze River Estuary, China.

The aim of this study was to determine the spatial distribution, potential risks and sources of seven heavy metals in sediments of the Yangtze River Estuary. Analyses of 55 sediment samples revealed that the distributions of metals within the YRE were determined by the combined effects of their sources, hydrodynamic conditions, pH and Eh. According to the geoaccumulation index (I) and sediment quality guidelines, Pb, Cd and Cr were present at low levels of pollution, with Cd posing the largest ecological risk.

MicroRNA-323 regulates ischemia/reperfusion injury-induced neuronal cell death by targeting BRI3.

Purpose: MicroRNA-323 (miR-323) has been reported to be upregulated in Ischemia/Reperfusion (I/R) injury-treated neuronal cell. However, the effect and underlying mechanism of miR-323 in I/R-induced neuronal cell death remains poorly understood. The current study was aim to investigate the role and molecular basis of miR-323 in I/R-induced neuronal cell.