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Iron sulfide is a promising candidate anode material for high performance Na-ion batteries because of its high theoretical capacity and low price. Unfortunately, it usually shows frustrating performance because of its inherent low conductivity and large volume expansion during charge–discharge processes. Here, we have synthesized uniform yolk–shell structured FeS@mesoporous carbon spheres (FeS@meso-C) by combining a facile one-pot coating strategy with a sulfuration method. The resultant yolk–shell structured FeS@meso-C with a diameter of ∼200 nm possess ∼120 nm single crystalline FeS yolks, ∼40 nm void space and uniform mesoporous carbon shells (∼15 nm thickness and ∼5 nm mesopores). In this unique structure, the void spaces provide enough room to buffer the FeS expansion, the mesopores in the carbon shells facilitate the transport of Na ions and the mesoporous carbon shells can improve the conductivity of the active composites. When used as the anode for Na-ion batteries, the yolk–shell structured FeS@meso-C show a high specific capacity of 596 mA h g−1 even after 100 cycles at 0.2 A g−1 and show an excellent rate capability (capabilities of 578, 438, 420, 358, 320, 256 and 214 mA h g−1 at 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 10 A g−1) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CO2 (GWP = 1) is considered as a promising natural alternative refrigerant to HFC-134a in mobile air conditioning (MAC) applications. The objective of this study is to investigate the cooling performance characteristics of a CO2 MAC system. A prototype CO2 MAC system, consisting of a CO2 electrical compressor, CO2 parallel flow microchannel heat exchangers, and an electrical expansion valve, was developed and tested. Factor analysis experiments were conducted to reveal the effect of outdoor temperature on the cooling performance of this CO2 MAC system. Compared with a conventional R134a MAC system, the prototype CO2 MAC system achieved comparable cooling capacity, but had COP reductions of 26% and 10% at 27 °C and 45 °C outdoor conditions, respectively. In addition, based on refrigerant properties, theoretical cycle analysis was done to reveal the impact of evaporator, gas cooler and compressor, on the system cooling performance. It is concluded that the increase of overall compressor efficiency or the decrease of gas cooler approaching temperature could greatly improve the COP of this CO2 MAC system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to show the estrogen-like effect of Bazi Bushen capsule (BZBS), a Chinese herbal compound, in ovariectomized mice. Female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into six groups: a sham-operated group, a model group (OVX), a progynova group, and BZBS groups (1, 2, and 4 d/kg/d). An ovariectomy was performed on all rats except those in the sham-operated group. Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) scanning, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, immunohistochemistry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) detection were performed after 4 months of BZBS treatment. As a result, compared with the OVX group, rats treated with BZBS showed an increased number and area of trabecular bone and bone marrow cells, and a decreased number of adipose cells. The bone volume, trabecular number, and trabecular thickness of the right tibia in the medication groups increased and the trabecular space decreased. The 17β-estradiol and serum calcium levels in the medication groups were elevated, but the levels of serum phosphorus, sclerostin, β-CTX, and TRACP-5b were decreased. In the medication groups, the RANKL and sclerostin levels were decreased, while the osteoprotegerin (OPG) level was increased. In conclusion, this protocol systematically evaluated the therapeutic effects and potential molecular mechanisms of Chinese herbal compounds in ovariectomized rats with a variety of techniques.