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Iron and nitrogen co-doped carbon materials (Fe–N–Cs) have enormous application prospects in cathodic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) as efficient electrode materials. However, their stability is of great importance, but is still limited by severe Fenton reaction due to the preferential reaction between Fe2+ and H 2 O 2. This paper intends to rationally design a series of rare earth (RE) metals based carbon matrix anchoring RE centers directly converted from RE oxides and small nitrogen-containing carbon molecules by employing the molten-salts-assisted pyrolysis. A class of prepared RE based carbon (RE-N-Cs) catalysts surprisingly exhibits ORR activities comparable to that of Pt/C. The Tb–N–Cs sample with the best catalytic activity among them was characterized by aberration-corrected high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (AC-HAADF-STEM) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). The characterization results show the presence of Tb single-sites in carbon substrate, with E onset of 1.06 V and J d of 6.37 mA cm−2, exceeding those of the commercial Pt/C (E onset = 0.96 V vs. RHE; J d = 5.64 mA cm−2). [Display omitted] • The RE oxides and carbon molecules are directly converted into a series of RE-N-Cs. • The RE-N-Cs is prepared by molten salt-assisted pyrolysis. • The molten salts can provide a high polarity environment. • The Tb–N–Cs shows excellent ORR activity in alkaline solution. • Atomically dispersed Tb in Tb–N–Cs is embedded on nitrogen-doped carbonspheres. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is necessary to seek oxygen reduction reactions (ORRs) electrocatalyst that can replace commercial Pt/C for new energy conversion devices. Herein, we used molten salt-assisted pyrolysis to successfully convert small nitrogen-containing carbon molecules directly into iron-nitrogen codoped carbon nanospheres (Fe–N–Cs) without the need for external templates. Molten salts provide a solvo-like environment for the high-temperature pyrolysis of small carbon molecules and bulk oxides. Small molecules containing nitrogen and carbon are subjected to spatial domain-limiting effect, reducing volatilization in the calcination processes. Besides, the strong polarity provided by molten salts can not only dissolve bulk oxides but also prevent free metal atoms from gathering again to form particles or clusters. The synthesized Fe–N–Cs exhibit excellent ORR activity. The half wave potential (E 1/2 , 0.67 V vs. RHE) in acidic solution is almost equivalent to Pt/C. Furthermore, Fe–N–Cs have the ability to prevent methanol poisoning and its stability is strong. [Display omitted] • Small molecules containing nitrogen were directly converted into carbon nanospheres. • The Fe–N–Cs was prepared by template-free melting salt-assisted pyrolysis. • The molten salts can provide a high polarity environment. • The Fe–N–Cs showed excellent ORR activity in alkaline and acidic solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Both endogenous and exogenous sources of complexity can affect workplace accidents. • An increase in the level of complexity leads to a significant increase in occupational injuries. • A decrease in complexity does not necessarily reduce occupational injuries. Today's environment requires operations and supply chains to be adaptable and flexible, leading to a constant state of change. This complex business environment presents multiple difficulties in managing occupational safety. To date, safety research has largely focused on the complexity of a firm's operations, directly linking the complexity of the operational environment to workforce safety. This research explores the effect of complexity on occupational injuries from multiple dimensions (operational, supply chain and market) to answer the question: "Do the absolute level of complexity and changes in the level of complexity exert a negative effect on a company's safety performance?" Using secondary data from global companies listed in the United States, our results indicate that an increase in occupational injuries is generally associated with higher levels of operational complexity. This study contributes to the existing literature by conceptually and empirically confirming that supply chain and market complexity have negative implications for occupational safety. The findings also extend the existing literature, showing that an increase in the level of complexity leads to a significant increase in occupational injuries, while a decrease in complexity does not necessarily reduce occupational injuries. Our findings suggest that practitioners should be aware of the implications for safety performance when making structural decisions that create greater complexity. Furthermore, the findings also inform policymakers and regulators, suggesting that companies that are exposed to more complexity − even complexity that is exogenous to the operations − require greater attention in monitoring and auditing to ensure the safety of the workforce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LHPP was recently shown to be a risk gene for major depressive disorder. LHPP has been proven to dephosphorylate the residues of histidine, serine, threonine, and tyrosine. However, much remains unknown about how LHPP contributes to depression. In the current study, we addressed this issue by integrating approaches of genetics, molecular biology, behavioral testing, and electrophysiology. We found that levels of LHPP were upregulated in glutamatergic neurons of the ventral hippocampus in mice that displayed stress-induced depression-like behaviors. Knockout of LHPP in glutamatergic neurons of the brain improved the spontaneous activity of LHPP flox/flox·CaMKIIαCre+ (conditional knockout) mice. Adeno-associated virus–mediated LHPP knockdown in the ventral hippocampus enhanced resistance against chronic social defeat stress in mice. Manipulations of LHPP levels impacted the density of dendritic spines and excitability of CA1 pyramidal neurons by mediating the expressions of BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) and PSD95 via the modulation of the dephosphorylation of CaMKIIα and ERK. Notably, compared with wild-type LHPP , human mutant LHPP (E56K, S57L) significantly increased the activity of the CaMKIIα/ERK-BDNF/PSD95 signaling pathway. Finally, esketamine, not fluoxetine, markedly alleviated the LHPP upregulation–induced depression-like behaviors. These findings provide evidence that LHPP contributes to the pathogenesis of depression via threonine and serine hydrolases, thereby identifying LHPP as a potential therapeutic target in treating patients with major depressive disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Celastrol alleviates HG-induced oxidative stress damage and podocyte depletion. • Celastrol overturns HG-evoked inflammatory response and insulin resistance. • Treatment with celastrol restores HG-impaired autophagy pathway. • Celastrol restores HG-induced podovyte dysfunction by activating HO-autophagy pathway. Abstract Diabetic nephropathy (DN) contributes to end-stage renal disease and kidney dysfunction with a proverbial feature of podocyte injury. Inflammation and insulin resistance is recently implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic kidney injury. Celastrol exerts critical roles in inflammatory diseases and injury progression. However, its function and mechanism in DN remains elusive. Here, celastrol dose-dependently restored podocyte viability under high glucose (HG) conditions, but with little cytotoxicity in podocyte. Preconditioning with celastrol counteracted HG-evoked cell apoptosis, LDH release, ROS production and podocyte depletion. Additionally, HG-elevated high transcripts and secretions of pro-inflammatory cytokines were reversed following celastrol treatment, including IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6. Simultaneously, the inhibitory effects of HG on insulin-triggered glucose uptake and nephrin expression were overturned after celastrol exposure. Intriguingly, celastrol restored HG-induced deficiency of autophagy pathway. Nevertheless, blocking the autophagy signaling by its antagonist 3-MA muted celastrol-protected against HG-evoked cell injury, inflammation and insulin resistance. Importantly, celastrol enhanced heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression in HG-stimulated podocytes. Notably, HO-1 cessation depressed autophagy pathway activation and subsequently blunted beneficial effects of celastrol on HG-exposed podocytes. These finding suggest that celastrol may protect against HG-induced podocyte injury, inflammation and insulin resistance by restoring HO-1-mediated autophagy pathway, implying a promising therapeutic strategy against DN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is considerable scientific interest in the newly available family of MXenes material. An analog as graphene, this two-dimensional (2D) layered material with the structure of transition metal carbides or nitrides exhibits superior electronic conductivity, large interlayer spacing for highly efficient lithium ions diffusion pathways and environmental benignity, making it useful as energy storage material. However, the inferior capability to store lithium ions impedes its wide application in lithium-ion batteries. Therefore, a facile strategy for preparing Co 3 O 4 nanoparticles incorporated with MXene nanosheets on Ni foams has been developed. Small-size Co 3 O 4 nanoparticles are uniformly distributed within the MXene nanosheets leading to the highly efficient lithium ions and electrons transmission, as well as the prevention for the restacking of MXene nanosheets and huge volume change of the Co 3 O 4 nanoparticles. Under the cooperative effect of Co 3 O 4 nanoparticles and MXene nanosheets, the Co 3 O 4 /MXene composite electrode with the mass ratio of Co 3 O 4 /MXene = 1:1 exhibits an excellent reversible capacity of 1005 mAh g−1 after 300 cycles at the current density of 1 C, which significantly exceeds that of pristine Co 3 O 4 electrode. Though the current density climbs to 5 C, the composite electrode remains a stable capacity of 307 mAh g−1 after 1000 cycles. It is demonstrated that Co 3 O 4 /MXene composite electrode has the potential as an anode for the high-performance lithium-ion batteries. The scheme illustrates a facile strategy of mixing MXene nanosheets and Co 3 O 4 NPs to form the Co 3 O 4 /MXene composite. The composite electrode with the mass ratio of Co 3 O 4 /MXene = 1:1 fabricated by this strategy delivers an excellent capacity of 1005 mAh g−1 after 300 cycles at the current densities of 1 C (C = 890 mA g−1). Image 1 • Co 3 O 4 nanoparticles/MXene nanosheets composite was prepared on the nickel foams. • MXene nanosheets acted as a buffer to accommodate the volume change and prevent the agglomeration of Co 3 O 4 nanoparticles. • MXene nanosheets were used to improve the conductivity of the electrode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]