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Highlights: [•] SiGe porous nanorod arrays were synthesized via template-assisted method. [•] The SiGe porous nanorod arrays were used as anode materials of Li-ion batteries. [•] The SiGe porous nanorod arrays show better performance than planar electrode. [•] The porous structure and addition of Ge is responsible for the good performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We demonstrate the large-area synthesis of Ni3Si2-supported Si (Ni3Si2–Si) nanowires on the surface of a Ni foam via a simple and rich-yield chemical vapor deposition and subsequent rf-sputtering method. When used as an anode of Li-ion batteries, the Ni3Si2–Si nanowires show a high reversible capacity of ~1800 and ~1600mAhg−1 at a high current rate of 1C and 2C during 100 cycles, respectively. The good contact, adhesion and conductivity of Ni3Si2–Si nanowires with the current collectors during the charge–discharge process may be responsible for the good performance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Neuropeptide S and its receptor represent a novel neurotransmitter system mainly expressed in the brain. A single nucleotide polymorphism in the first extracellular loop (I107) increases the potency of neuropeptide S and has been identified for both the human neuropeptide S receptor short (A) and long (B) C-terminal forms. Preliminary human genetic studies link this polymorphism to asthma, panic disorders and altered sleep behavior. No polymorphism or splice variants have been reported for the rat neuropeptide S receptor, however it carries an isoleucine at position 107. To identify a suitable tracer for neuropeptide S receptor binding and investigate the role of specific amino acids within neuropeptide S we carried out mutagenesis of the peptide and assessed the ability of the mutations to stimulate calcium release in HEK293 cells expressing human neuropeptide S receptor variants (A, B, AI107, BI107) and rat neuropeptide S receptor. Replacement of threonine at position 8 by arginine and methionine at position 10 by tyrosine resulted in a mutant peptide slightly more potent on all neuropeptide S receptor variants compared to neuropeptide S and more importantly the iodinated mutant peptide was found to be a suitable tracer for binding studies with improved signal to noise ratio and stability compared to [125I–Y10] neuropeptide S. Replacement of serine at position 1 of neuropeptide S peptide by arginine resulted in a complete loss of potency for the neuropeptide S receptor (long and short form) but not for the I107 receptor variants (long and short) or rat neuropeptide S receptor. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We demonstrate the synthesis of order-aligned Mn3O4 nanostructures by electrochemically depositing Mn3O4 on a pre-fabricated Cu nanowire array current collector. When used as an electrode for lithium-ion batteries, it exhibits a capacity up to 637 and 494 mA h g−1 after 100 cycles at a current rate of 10 C and 20 C (10 C = 9.4 A g−1), respectively. The excellent cycling performance and superior rate capability can be attributed to the good electrical contact, fast electron transport and good strain accommodation of the order-aligned nanostructured electrodes. The relationship between the thickness of the Mn3O4 film and its electrochemical performance has also been investigated. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We demonstrate the synthesis of new Cu–Si1−x Ge x core–shell nanowire array electrodes by directly depositing Si1−x Ge x layer on the surface of pre-synthesized Cu nanowire arrays via co-sputtering method. When used as anodes of lithium-ion batteries, the Cu–Si1−x Ge x (x =0.4) nanowire array electrodes show excellent electrochemical performance in terms of cycle stability and rate capability, which is much better than that of planar electrodes. The improved performance can be attributed to the good strain accommodation, fast electron transport and good electrical contact of the nanowire array electrodes. The effect of Ge content and the thickness of alloy film on the electrochemical performance of the three-dimensional electrodes have also been investigated. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We have demonstrated large-scale synthesis of Si nanowire arrays (SiNA) on Ti substrate and their application as high-performance anode of Li-ion batteries. SiNA were controllably synthesized through hot-filament chemical vapour deposition (HFCVD) using Au films of different thickness as a catalyst. We found that the thickness of the Au film based catalysts played important role in controlling the morphology of Si nanostructures. The thick Au layer (e.g., 50nm) resulted in the formation of the SiNA, while the thin Au layer (e.g., 5nm) led to the disordered Si nanowires. The as-synthesized SiNA exhibited large reversible capacity (3600mAhg−1) and high initial Coulombic efficiency (86.4%), which is much better than the disordered Si nanowires. The good contact and adhesion of SiNA with current collectors, as well as excellent strain accommodation might be responsible for the enhanced performance as anode of Li-ion batteries. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A layer-by-layer approach has been developed to synthesize ZnO/SnO2 composite nanowire arrays on copper substrate. ZnO nanowire arrays have been first prepared on copper substrate through seed-assisted method, and then, the surface of ZnO nanowires have been modified by the polyelectrolyte. After oxidation–reduction reaction, SnO2 layer has been deposited onto the surface of ZnO nanowires. The as-synthesized ZnO/SnO2 composite nanowire arrays have been applied as anode for lithium-ion batteries, which show high reversible capacity and good cycling stability compared to pure ZnO nanowire arrays and SnO2 nanoparticles. It is believed that the improved performance may be attributed to the high capacity of SnO2 and the good cycling stability of the array structure on current collector. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper reports the large-scale synthesis of carbon-coated tin (Sn–C) nanorods through a facile solvothermal carbonization approach by using Sn nanorods as templates and ethanol as a solvent. The as-synthesized Sn–C nanorods have been applied as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries. The Sn–C anode, which exhibits relatively higher initial Coulombic efficiency and lithium storage capacities, is more attractive than the previously reported tin oxide or sulfide anodes. The superior performance of the Sn–C nanorods makes it a promising anode material in high-energy density batteries. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Relaxin-3 is a potent agonist for both G-protein coupled receptors (GPCR) RXFP3 (also known as GPCR135) and RXFP4 (also known as GPCR142) while insulin-like peptides 5 (INSL5) is a selective RXFP4 agonist. INSL5 is also a weak (low affinity) RXFP3 antagonist. RXFP3 and RXFP4 share about 50% homology. We have used gain-of-function (RXFP3 → RXFP4) and loss-of-function (RXFP4 → RXFP3) chimeras to identify the domains critical for the binding and activation induced by INSL5. Replacing extracellular loop (EL) 1 or EL3 of RXFP3 with the corresponding domains from RXFP4 does not change the RXFP3 pharmacological profile. Exchanging the N-terminus and EL2 of RXFP3 with these of RXFP4 results in a chimeric receptor (CR5) with a high affinity for INSL5. However, in contrast to native RXFP4, INSL5 does not elicit an agonist response from CR5. Conversely, replacing the N-terminus and EL2 of RXFP4 with counterparts from RXFP3 (CR15) results in a chimeric receptor for which relaxin-3 and INSL5 are high and low affinity agonists, respectively. Further mutagenesis studies indicate that transmembrane (TM) domains 2, 3 and 5 of RXFP4 are critical determinants of functional receptor activation by INSL5. Replacement of TM2, 3, and 5 of RXFP3 with equivalent domains from RXFP4 results in a chimeric receptor that can be activated by INSL5. These results suggest that the N-terminus and EL2 domains of RXFP3 and RXFP4 are involved in ligand binding while TM2, 3, and 5 are critical for receptor activation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The umbrella-like ZnO nanostructures have been prepared by the morphological tailoring in the aqueous solution at 95°C in the addition of heterogeneous seeds such as MnO2 and CdS nanoparticles. The morphology and structure of as-synthesized umbrella-like ZnO nanostructures have been characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The heterogeneous seeds play the critical role for the formation of umbrella-like ZnO nanostructures. Furthermore, the formation mechanism of the umbrella-like nanostructures has been phenomenally presented. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]