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A homogeneous electrochemical deposition method was used in this study of CdAl nanoparticles onto CP fibers at −1.1, −1.2, −1.3, and −1.4 V vs. RHE to prepare highly active, selective, and stable CdAl-LDHs nanocatalysts. The electrochemically deposited materials exhibited extremely high CO selectivity during CO 2 RR, with the CO FE reaching 99.71% at −1.6 V vs. RHE and a partial current density of 22.13 mA cm−2. The CdAl-LDHs maintained excellent CO FE along with high CO partial current density. Remarkably, the CdAl-LDHs demonstrated outstanding electrochemical performance that exceeded most of the reported CO 2 reduction to CO electrocatalysts, maintaining stable electrocatalytic performance for more than 30 h with the FE remaining stable at about 99% and a current density at 10.05 mA cm−2 with little decay. [Display omitted] • CdAl nanoparticles with high activity, selectivity and stability were directly deposited on CP fibers by electrochemical deposition method. • The materials prepared by electrochemical deposition exhibit extremely high CO selectivity in the CO 2 RR process, with Faraday efficiency up to 99.71 %. • CdAl-LDHs can maintain the electrocatalytic performance for more than 30 h, and in this process, and the Faraday efficiency can be stable at about 99 %. Layered bimetallic hydroxides are at the forefront of current research in electrocatalytic materials. Although there is considerable research on various bimetallic hydroxides, the study of bimetallic hydroxides for electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide is limited. In this paper, cadmium-aluminum layered bimetallic hydroxide nanoparticles (CdAl-LDHs) were prepared using a simple electrochemical deposition method. The prepared CdAl-LDHs was characterized in detail, and its potential application as an electrocatalyst was discussed. CdAl-LDHs prepared using different methods showed different selectivity in the electrocatalytic reduction of CO 2 to CO. The nanomaterial exhibits excellent CO selectivity in a reaction chamber using 2 %-BMIM(PF 6)(1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate)/DMF(N-N dimethyl formamide) as the electrolyte. The CdAl-LDHs prepared by electrochemical deposition exhibited a maximum CO partial current density of 22.13 mA cm−2 with a remarkable CO Faraday efficiency (FE) of 99.71 %, which is comparable to or even higher than that of noble metal catalysts. This high selectivity for CO indicates its potential as an alternative to expensive noble metal catalysts. Moreover, the catalyst demonstrated high stability over 30 h of continuous operation with stable FE of around 99 % and a current density of around 10.5 mA cm−2, with minimal degradation during the entire reaction cycle. In addition, the catalyst showed a low HER current density of less than 0.1 mA cm−2 at all tested potentials, indicating that the catalyst maintains a high level of CO 2 conversion over the entire range of tested potentials. This suggests its great potential for industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing pressure on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) budget nowadays, it is such a major challenge to cut waste and improve efficiency in the research funding allocation. To meet this challenge, this paper explores research hotspots and disciplinary trends of the biomedical area, and discusses the relationship between these factors and the government funding, thereby uncovering biomedical hotspots of interest to academia and the evolution law of the U.S. federal government funding through an entitymetrics analysis. Considering that the rapid proliferation of biomedical literature provides large amounts of information resources for knowledge discovery, entities extracted from articles in PubMed and NIH-funded projects during 1988–2017 are taken as experimental data. They are divided into four categories: species, diseases, genes, and drugs. Subsequently, a comparative analysis of entity trajectories in the four domains is performed, which includes occurrence frequency calculations of disease entities to explore frequency variation trends in high-frequency entities and the situation of the distribution of research funds. Finally, we conduct an evolutionary analysis of two sides, respectively: the relationship between research popularity and the amount of funding; the relationship between research popularity and the number of funded projects. The results suggest that research on gene and disease entities is at the stage of rapid development. Diseases with high prevalence rate and mortality and diseases associated with genetic factors will be the emphasis of research trends in the future. The distribution of NIH grant appears obvious long tail effect and can influence overall trends in the heat of research topics.. We also find that there is a strong linear correlation between the research popularity of bio-entities, and the amount and number of funding grants, respectively. However, the impact of the amount and number of grant funds on the entity research popularity is decreasing. The above results indicate the extensive applicability of entitymetrics in funding research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To obtain sensitive analytical detection methods, many unique materials have been developed and made them promising candidates for biosensing. In this study, a type of core-shell gold nanorods, GNR@Au 2 S/AuAgS/CuS, possessing peroxidase-like activity was prepared in a simple, facile manner. A colorimetric strategy for detection of blood glucose, insulin and differentiating type 1 and type 2 diabetes was developed based on the unique GNR@Au 2 S/AuAgS/CuS. The sensitive colorimetric approach for detection of glucose in the dynamic range of 2.5–200 μM was first established based on the catalytic performance of GNR@Au 2 S/AuAgS/CuS. Meanwhile, the catalytic activity of the peroxidase-like GNR@Au 2 S/AuAgS/CuS can be regulated by introducing the high affinity and specific reaction between DNA aptamer and insulin on the surface of GNR@Au 2 S/AuAgS/CuS, which allows the colorimetric assay to be extended to the detection of insulin, and a quantitative analysis of insulin based on the specific recognition can be implemented at the range from 0.014 to 1.08 μU/mL. Furthermore, colorimetric approach coupling peroxidase-like performance and specific recognition on the surface of GNR@Au 2 S/AuAgS/CuS nanoparticles was developed to measure glucose/insulin ratio and directly differentiate type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Practical human serum samples were tested and only the glucose/insulin ratio greater than 2.2 (μU/mL) may lead to the appearance of color change. The coupling of this different bioassay on the same nanoparticles reflects the versatility and integration characteristics of the colorimetric assay and is highly promising for improving diabetes management. Image 1 • Core-shell gold nanorods, GNR@Au 2 S/AuAgS/CuS, possessing peroxidase-like activity were prepared with facile method. • A colorimetric assay for detection of blood glucose and insulin was developed based on GNR@Au 2 S/AuAgS/CuS nanoparticles. • Strategy coupling peroxidase-like performance and specific recognition was developed to measure glucose/insulin ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Fluorescent eggshell membrane-templated gold nanoclusters (Au-ESM) can be obtained in a facile and low-cost manner in this study. The fluorescence of the Au-ESM may be significantly quenched by mercapto-compounds and peroxidase-like activity of Au-ESM could be regulated by the reaction process with glutathione. Moreover, the catalytic activity of the mimetic enzyme membrane could be modulated by immunoreactions. An immunoassay for colorimetric determination of staphylococcal enterotoxins B (SE-B) using colored gold nanoparticles was established based on the catalytic activity adjusted by the target molecules. This colorimetric assay can detect SE-B at the concentration range of 0.4–20 ng/mL and the limit of detection (LOD) is 0.12 ng/mL. As a practical application, the proposed colorimetric assay was further utilized to detect SE-B in food samples such as flour, corn and rice, requiring very low volume of sample and exhibiting great sensitivity and high accuracy, which provides promising platform for development of point-of-care diagnostic devices with biomedical and food safety applications. Graphical abstract fx1 Highlights • A regulatable peroxidase-like egg shell membrane embedded gold nanoclusters (Au-ESM) was prepared with simple method. • The Au-ESM serves as substrate to develop plasmonic colorimetric assay for detecting staphylococcal enterotoxin B. • The colorimetric assay provides rapid detection of staphylococcal enterotoxin B in food samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • UV-induced peroxidase-like activity of gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) was prepared with simple method. • A colorimetric assay was developed by integrating the AuNC-chitosan composite membrane with varying colored GNPs serving as output signal. • The extendable colorimetric strategy was used to differentiate pathogenic bacteria and detect SE-B with high sensitivity. Abstract In this study, gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) in the presence of chitosan were prepared assisted by UV irradiation, which exhibit peroxidase-like property tested with H 2 O 2 /3,3,5,5-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB). The chitosan-AuNCs composite membrane also behaves peroxidase-like property and was characterized by TEM, AFM and SEM, which reveal the formed membrane was homogeneous and the AuNCs are predominantly spherical and well-dispersed without agglomeration in the membrane. A colorimetric assay was established by integrating immunoreactions occurred on the enzyme mimicking AuNC-chitosan composite membrane with varying colored GNPs serving as output signal. Three kinds of bacteria were chosen to serve as model bacteria to evaluate the selectivity of this sensor and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), can be easily differentiated from Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis). Such a colorimetric sensing is an extendable strategy due to the recognition element of probe may be replaceable on the catalytic AuNC-chitosan composite membrane. Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SE-B) as low as 1.0 × 10−12 g/mL may be sensitively detected by naked-eye readout. As a practical application, the developed colorimetric strategy was used for rapid onsite screening strategy for S. aureus and detecting SE-B in food samples. This colorimetric strategy provides promising platform for rapid onsite screening pathogenic bacteria and detection of enterotoxin in food safety and environmental monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Of late, various constitutive models have been proposed in the literature for the purpose of capturing the various complex physical mechanisms governing the creep behavior of soft soil. However, the more complex the model, the greater the number of associated uncertain parameters it has, and the less robustness it is. In this study, the Bayesian model class selection approach is applied to select the most plausible/suitable model describing the creep behavior of soft soil using laboratory measurements. In total, one elastic plastic (EP) model and eight elastic viscoplastic (EVP) models are investigated. To assess the performance of the different models in the prediction of creep behavior of soft soils, Bayesian model class selection is respectively performed using the oedometer test data from the intact samples of Vanttila clay and reconstituted samples of Hong Kong Marine Clay collected from the literature. All unknown model parameters are identified simultaneously by adopting the transitional Markov Chain Monte Carlo (TMCMC) method, and their uncertainty is quantified through the obtained posterior probability density functions (PDFs). The result shows that the proposed method is an excellent candidate for identifying the most plausible model and its associated parameters for different kinds of soft soils. The approach also provides uncertainty evaluation of the model prediction based on the given data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance Medicinal diets have a history of more than 2000 years. Locally referred to as yaoshan (Chinese: 药膳), a medicinal diet is understood in China as a dietary product that combines herbs and food with the purpose of preventing and treating diseases or improving health under the guidance of traditional Chinese medicine theory. Medicinal diets are used in Chinese people's daily life and in specialized restaurants. Hundreds of Chinese materia medica (CMM) are used in medicinal diets; however, a comprehensive evaluation of medicinal diets is lacking. Aims of the study This is an exploratory study that aims to identify the CMM that are most frequently used in medicinal diets and to provide an updated view of the current situation of medicinal diets in China. Materials and methods A field study of 1221 people in 32 Chinese provinces was conducted over a period of approximately 6 months and included various types of interviews as well as a written questionnaire. Two approaches were used to analyse the data collected in the survey: (1) estimating the frequency of CMM consumed in daily diets; and (2) collecting CMM used in medicinal diet restaurants. Complementary information on the selected CMM was obtained from relevant databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, Baidu Scholar, CNKI, and Web of Science. Results Ten CMM were reported as commonly used by more than 50% of the participants. Among these 10 species, most medicinally used parts were seeds and fruits. Pharmacological data from the literature revealed that these species are associated with a wide spectrum of biological properties, including antitumour (80%), antioxidant (50%), anti-diabetic (40%), antilipemic (40%), anti-aging (40%), antimicrobial (40%) and cardioprotective (40%) activities. Our survey shows that most medicinal diet restaurants are located in the eastern part of China, with the greatest numbers being found in Beijing and Guangzhou. Only Dioscoreae Rhizoma, Lycii Fructus, Chrysanthemi Flos and Longan Arillus were frequently consumed both in daily diets and at medicinal diet restaurants. Some of the similarities shared by these 4 species include an extensive history of use (>2000 years); a sweet flavour; and antioxidant, antidiabetic, antilipemic and cardioprotective effects. Conclusions The 10 most commonly consumed CMM possess various biological effects that are currently target the most frequent health problems for the majority of the population. The development of medicinal diet restaurants has certain regional restrictions and is associated with the local climate environment and dietary culture. The data revealed by this study provided useful information for commercial exploitation of medicinal diets and their components and serve as a basis for further studies on various aspects of medicinal diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A novel strategy through strong metal-support interaction and incorporation of Er was proposed. • Monodisperse MoO 2 /Mo 2 N 3 clusters were synthesized by supramolecular-confinement pyrolysis. • Hollow capsules structure and graphitic carbon accelerate electron and mass transfer. • Er-MoO 2 /Mo 2 N 3 @P,NC shows high efficiency electrocatalytic and structural stability during HER. The realization of a hydrogen-based economy with robust hydrogen evolution reaction catalysts remains a challenge. In this study, we prepared MoO 2 /Mo 2 N 3 heterostructure nanoclusters co-doped with nitrogen, phosphorus, and erbium for the first time. The introduction of the nitrogen and phosphorus atoms into the transition metal increases the d-electron density and contracts the d-band, which leads to a rearranged electronic structure of the MoO 2 /Mo 2 N 3 heterojunction. The coupling of the rare earth erbium dopant with the valence band of the heterojunction leads to the redistribution of the electron density in the catalyst and promotes covalent interaction with the adsorbed intermediates, thereby optimizing the Gibbs free energy of intermediate adsorption and improving the catalytic activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction. Not only is an efficient and economical catalyst for electrolytic aquatic hydrogen production provided in this work, but a new synthesis scheme is also proposed for the rational synthesis of homologous core–shell polymetallic nanostructures with broad application prospects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atmospheric particles can undergo nucleation, coagulation, chemical-aging, dissolution-precipitation or other atmospheric processes, resulting in complex multicomponent aerosols. The coexisting species have potentially important consequences in the heterogeneous reactions of multicomponent aerosol particles with polluted gases, which are still poorly understood. The effect of coexisting Na 2 SO 4 on heterogeneous uptake of NO 2 on CaCO 3 particles is investigated in a broad RH range. The combination of DRIFTS, Raman, SEM and IC provides qualitative and quantitative information about the formation of nitrate and other surface species. Ca(NO 3 ) 2 and NaNO 3 are generated on mixed CaCO 3 -Na 2 SO 4 particles under dry condition. Both the amount of NO 3 − formed and the NO 3 − formation rates for the mixtures can be predicted based on the linear addition of those for pure CaCO 3 and Na 2 SO 4 particles under dry condition. The further reaction of Ca(NO 3 ) 2 with Na 2 SO 4 could lead to the formation of crystal NaNO 3 and CaSO 4 ·0.5H 2 O at 30% RH. Coagulation between Ca 2 + and SO 4 2 − in surface adsorbed water is observed after part conversion of CaCO 3 to Ca(NO 3 ) 2 , resulting in the formation of CaSO 4 ·2H 2 O at 80% RH. The amount of NO 3 − formed on the mixtures is dramatically enhanced relative to the predictions at 30% and 80% RH. The findings presented here highlight the role of coexisting species in the heterogeneous reactions of trace gases with multicomponent aerosols due to the complexity of atmospheric particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a method of predicting the soil water retention curve (SWRC) of a soil using a set of measured SWRC data from a soil with the same texture but different initial void ratio. The relationships of the volumetric water contents and the matric suctions between two samples with different initial void ratios are established. An adjustment parameter ( β ) is introduced to express the relationships between the matric suctions of two soil samples. The parameter β is a function of the initial void ratio, matric suction or volumetric water content. The function can take different forms, resulting in different predictive models. The optimal predictive models of β are determined for coarse-grained and fine-grained soils using the Bayesian method. The optimal models of β are validated by comparing the estimated matric suction and measured data. The comparisons show that the proposed method produces more accurate SWRCs than do other models for both coarse-grained and fine-grained soils. Furthermore, the influence of the model parameters of β on the predicted matric suction and SWRC is evaluated using Latin Hypercube sampling. An uncertainty analysis shows that the reliability of the predicted SWRC decreases with decreasing water content in fine-grained soils, and the initial void ratio has no apparent influence on the reliability of the predicted SWRCs in coarse-grained and fine-grained soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aim of this study was to explore the expression of sulfonylurea receptor 1 (SUR1), the regulatory subunit of the NCCa-ATP channel, and to investigate the protective effects of gliclazide following middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO)/reperfusion in male Wistar rats. Adult rats underwent 2h of the left MCAO using the intraluminal thread technique before reperfusion. The core areas of the infarct at different reperfusion time points were examined for the mRNA level and protein expression of SUR1 using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blotting respectively. Gliclazide was administered intravenously into the right jugular vein for 12h simultaneously with the reperfusion. The number of apoptotic cells was determined using the TUNEL assay. The neurological functional deficits were evaluated using Bederson׳s test, and the cerebral infarction volume was visualized with TTC staining. We found up-regulation of SUR1 mRNA and protein levels in ischemic infarct tissues after reperfusion following MCAO, and SUR1 mRNA and protein were maximally upregulated 8–12h after a 2-hour ischemia. The treatment with low-dose of gliclazide reduced the total number of TUNEL-positive cells, the neurological functional deficits and the brain infarct volume. These results suggest that the SUR1-regulated NCCa-ATP channel may be associated with MCAO/reperfusion injury and the infarct-reducing effects of intravenous treatment with gliclazide may be due, in part, to the blocked upregulation of SUR1 expression, the decreased infarct size and the reduced apoptosis in the ischemia–reperfusion brain. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this work, Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped 40Bi 2 O 3 -30GeO 2 -15Ga 2 O 3 -15Na 2 O glass was papered by melt-quenching method. The thermal properties and spectroscopic were studied. The glass has good thermal stability and the maximum phonon energy is 750 cm−1, which is benefited for 1.53 μm emission. According to the J-O theory and absorption spectra, the J-O intensity parameters were calculated, the spectral quality factor χ = Ω 4 /Ω 6 of BGGN4 glass is 2.236. Under 980 nm excitation, the 1.53 μm luminescence characteristics of these glasses were studied. When the Er3+/Yb3+ ions doping concentration ratio (mol%) reaches 0.5:1.0, the maximum fluorescence intensity can be obtained, and the maximum emission cross section is 6.4 × 10−21cm2. The maximum stimulated gain coefficient in the 1.53 μm band is 4.6 cm−1. Finally, the up-conversion emission and energy transition mechanism of Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped BGGN glass were studied. The results indicate the prepared Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped bismuth germanate glass have good gain performance and is an ideal 1.53 μm laser gain material. • Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped 40Bi 2 O 3 -30GeO 2 -15Ga 2 O 3 -15Na 2 O glass was prepared by melt-quenching method. • The prepared glass has relatively low maximum phonon energy (750 cm−1). • Large σ emi indicate good gain properties of prepared glass. • Up-conversion and energy transfer mechanism are analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We report the fabrication of screen printed microelectrode arrays which are comprised of six working electrodes (50μm radii) which are separated from their nearest neighbour by an average distance of 2272 (±0.3)μm and arranged in a circular configuration around a common counter and reference electrode. Due to their facile fabrication, different inks can be used to give rise to both graphite- and gold-based screen printed microelectrode arrays. Additionally due to their fabrication design, the microelectrodes comprising the array are sufficiently separated to ensure no diffusional overlap which is commonly encountered by microelectrode arrays reported within the literature. The electrochemical sensing characteristics of the graphite screen printed microelectrode arrays are evaluated using acetaminophen, dopamine and nitrite giving rise to limits of detection (3σ) of 4.29, 3.24 and 5.24μM respectively. Further to this, the gold-based screen printed microelectrode arrays are explored towards the electroanalytical sensing of chromium (VI) yielding a limit of detection (3σ) of 8.28μM. Proof-of-concept is further demonstrated through the determination of chromium (VI) within an environmental (canal water) sample. Due to the analytically useful responses observed at the graphite and gold screen printed microelectrode arrays, these disposable and economical electrodes hold promise for in-the-field sensing applications. Additionally the working electrode composition can be readily changed through the use of the desired screen printing ink (i.e. Pd, Pt, Cu, etc.) allowing the tailoring of the electrode surface enabling electrocatalytic microelectrode arrays to be readily derived. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A new organically modified silicate (ormosil) material was synthesized as a matrix to encapsulate enzyme labeled antibody for preparation of immunosensors. The ormosil matrix was prepared by hydrolyzing tetraethyoxysilane and (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane in weak alkali solution. It possessed three-dimensional ordered nanoporous structure with high electrical conductivity and good mechanical stability. Its hydrophilicity provided a microenvironment for retaining the biological activity of the immobilized protein. Particularly, using horseradish peroxidase-labeled human chorionic gonadotrophin antibody (HRP-anti-hCG) as a model, the immobilized HRP showed direct electron transfer at about −35mV with a rate constant of 15.8±3.8s−1. By a simple one-step immunoreaction between human serum chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) in sample solution and the immobilized HRP-anti-hCG, the differential pulse voltammetric peak current of HRP decreased linearly with an increasing hCG concentration from 0.5 to 50mIU/ml with a relatively low limit of detection of 0.3mIU/ml at 3σ. Excellent analytical performance, fabrication reproducibility and operational stability of the proposed biosensor indicated its promising application in clinical diagnostics. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The excellent direct electron transfer (DET) of enzyme labeled to antibody immobilized in designer organically modified silicate (ormosil) sol–gel was achieved at an electrode, which was used to construct a novel reagentless immunosensor for antigen determination. The synthesized ormosil architecture provided a hydrophilic interface for retaining the activity of immobilized enzyme labeled immunocomponent. The proposed immunosensor for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) prepared by immobilizing horseradish peroxidase-labeled CEA antibody (HRP-anti-CEA) in the architecture showed a surface-controlled electrode process attributed to the DET between electrode and HRP with a rate constant of 5.94±0.40s−1. The formation of immunocomplex upon incubation in CEA or sample solution led to block of DET and linearly decrease in voltammetric response over CEA concentration ranging from 0.5 to 3.0 and 3.0 to 120ngml−1. The limit of detection for CEA was 0.4ngml−1. The immunosensor showed good accuracy and acceptable storage stability, precision and reproducibility. The proposed method was simple, low-cost and potentially attractive for clinical immunoassays. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• TBBPA and metabolites were first identified and quantified simultaneously in vivo. • Six TBBPA metabolites were identified in vivo , two of which were first detected. • The distribution of TBBPA metabolites in tissues of fish was first studied. • Methanol/water and methylene dichloride/n-hexane were promising extraction. Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) is extensively used as brominated flame retardant. TBBPA and some of its metabolites had been identified as endocrine disrupter with potential health risk. Understanding the distribution characters of TBBPA and its metabolites in fish is essential to evaluate the potential impacts of TBBPA on aqueous ecosystem. This study developed a simple method to identify and quantify TBBPA and its metabolites simultaneously in tissues of alult zebrafish by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography couple with Orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry(UHPLC-Orbitrap-HRMS). Six TBBPA metabolites were identified in liver, kidney, gill and muscle of adult zebrafish exposed to water containing different TBBPA levels, two of them, 1,3-dibromo-2‑methoxy‑5-vinylbenzene and 2,6-dibromo-4-nitrophenol were first detected. TBBPA and its metabolites were mainly distributed in the livers and kidneys of zebrafish. The levels of TBBPA and metabolites reached maximum on exposed day 3, then decreased gradually in liver and kidney. TBBPA oxidative cleavage products and TBBPA-monosulfate were the dominant metabolites. UHPLC-Orbitrap-HRMS provided an effective solution to study the distribution and metabolite characters of TBBPA in aquatic organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jet grouting column is widely used in ground improvements of hydraulic and geotechnical structures. Estimation of the diameter of the jet grouting column is indispensable to the design of those structures. Existing prediction models of the jet grouting column perform poorly when applied to the recently emerged double and triple-jet grouting systems and cannot quantify the prediction uncertainties. This study has compiled a global-wide jet grouting database and proposed an explicit model that is suitable for all three popular jet grouting systems (i.e., single, double, and triple). The Bayesian inference method was employed to estimate the regression parameters for the proposed model and quantify the prediction uncertainty. The proposed model is compared with a widely used empirical model through a cross-validation procedure. The comparisons show the proposed model is free of systematic errors and has much higher accuracy than the existing method, although the two have similar complexities in terms of the number of unknown regression parameters. The new model can reasonably quantify the prediction uncertainty in the sense that the 95% confidence interval of jet grouting column diameter covers the actual value with a probability of around 95%. To facilitate practice use, analytical formulas have been derived to calculate the statistics of jet grouting column diameter. This unique feature developed here to quantify the prediction uncertainty provides a potentially fundamentally new tool for engineers to estimate the jet grouting column diameter and assess the associated prediction errors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pregnancy-related anxiety (PRA) is a global public health concern. This study aims to understand the PRA among Chinese pregnant women at mid-late pregnancy and to explore the significant correlates.Methods: The Chinese PRA scale was used to measure PRA among 342 pregnant women from Zhejiang Province in China at their mid- and late- pregnancy respectively.Results: The participants aged from 21 to 42 years old, and their mean age was 30. 1 (SD=4. 0). The average scores of the Chinese PRA scale at mid- and late- pregnancy were 1. 60 (SD=0. 33) and 1. 58 (SD=0. 33) respectively. Unplanned pregnancy (mid-pregnancy: β=0. 18, p<0. 001; late-pregnancy: β=0. 11, p = 0. 024) and gender of the first child being male (mid-pregnancy:β=-0. 20, p = 0. 001; late-pregnancy: β=-0. 14, p = 0. 016) were significantly correlated with PRA among pregnant women at mid- and late- pregnancy. Living with parents-in-law was not associated with the PRA overall and domain scores.Limitations: This study was done among pregnant women at their mid-late pregnancy, and no follow-up was conducted at postpartum. The sample size of this study was relatively small which might affect the generalizability of the findings.Conclusions: The current study found that the correlates of PRA at mid- and late-pregnancy were generally similar. For future studies, special attention should be paid to pregnant women who are in the condition of unplanned pregnancy and those who already have a female child to relieve their anxiety levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hybrid water electrolysis affords a green route for the generation of fine chemicals accompanied with hydrogen production relying on the rapid development of anodic electrocatalysts. Herein, a nickel‐cobalt layered double hydroxide (Ni Co LDH) modified nickel foam, prepared at room temperature via simple soaking processes, could effectively catalyze the dehydrogenation oxidation of primary amines to generate aromatic and aliphatic nitriles with good yields. Further expanding the application of the easily available electrode, the Ni Co LDH electrode could function as the electron reservoir to realize the decoupled water electrolysis with 100% coulombic efficiency in the membrane-free electrolytic cell. [Display omitted] • Co Ni LDH grown on nickel foam was facilely synthesized via simple soaking processes. • Co Ni LDH boosted primary amine electrooxidation coupled with hydrogen production. • Aromatic and aliphatic nitriles were generated over Ni Co LDH anode with good yields. • Decoupled water electrolysis was achieved relying on Ni Co LDH as electron reservoir. • Hydrogen production in the membrane-free cell reduced electrolytic equipment costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphene quantum dot (GQD) has been attractive in analytical science field due to its low toxicity, stable photoluminescence. Herein, nitrogen-doped GQD (N-GQD) was prepared by a facile solvothermal treatment of GO using dimethylformamide, and exhibited a green emission with 23.1% quantum yield. The N-GQD probe showed a selective and sensitive fluorescence enhancement response to Al 3+ , the mechanism might be the formation of a complex between Al 3+ and N-GQD constrained the photo-induced electron transfer (PET) process of N-GQD itself. With Benesi-Hildebrand equation, the binding constant and molar ratio between N-GQD and Al 3+ was calculated to be 4.6 × 10 4 L mol −1 and 1:1 respectively. The p K a value of N-GQD was also determined to be 4.4 by capillary electrophoresis. In pH 4.0 PBS solution, there was a good linear relation between the fluorescence intensity and the logarithm of concentration of Al 3+ in the range of 2.5–75 μmol L −1 , the limit of detection (3σ) was 1.3 μmol L −1 . This “Off - On” fluorescence method had been applied to accurate quantification of aluminum in hydrotalcite tablets. What's more, the fluorescence switch property of N-GQD was explored by alternate addition of Al 3+ and EDTA. The probe was also utilized for detection Al 3+ in living cells due to its excellent biocompatibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to present a novel attempt for parametric estimation in the hydrostatic-season-time (HST) model. The empirical HST-model has been widely used for the analysis of different measurement data types on dams. The significance of individual parameters or their sub-groups for modelling the influence of the water level, air and water temperature, and irreversible deformations due to the ageing of the dam, depends on the structure itself. The process of finding an accurate HST-model for a given data set, which remains robust to outliers, cannot only be demanding but also time consuming. The Bayesian model class selection approach imposes a penalisation against overly complex model candidates and admits a selection of the most plausible HST-model according to the maximum value of model evidence provided by the data or relative plausibility within a set of model class candidates. The potential of Bayes interference and its efficiency in an HST-model are presented on geodetic time series as a result of a permanent monitoring system on a rock-fill embankment dam. The method offers high potential for engineers in the decision making process, whilst the HST-model can be promptly adapted to new information given by new measurements and can enhance the safety and reliability of dams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of a manual jet ventilation device for bronchoscopic removal of foreign bodies in children. Methods: 360 children aged from 10 months to 12 years old undergoing rigid bronchoscopy for airway foreign body (FB) removal from February 2005 to June 2009 were included in the study. Patients were randomly divided into three groups of 120 patients per group (S, P and J). In group S, anesthesia was induced with propofol and γ-hydroxybutyrate sodium and maintained by intermittent bolus administration of propofol; the patients were breathing spontaneously throughout the procedure. In group P, anesthesia was induced with propofol (4–5mg/kg), fentanyl (1–2μg/kg) and succinylcholine (2mg/kg). Mechanical ventilation was performed through the side arm of the rigid bronchoscope. In group J, the patient received propofol, fentanyl and succinylcholine as the same doses administered in group P, and manual jet ventilation was performed by using the Manujet III device. Condition for insertion of bronchoscope, occurrence of hypoxemia, successful rate of FB removal, the duration of the operation, the time of emergence and recovery from anesthesia, and perioperative complications (adverse events) were recorded. Results: Groups P and J had significantly higher rates of successful bronchoscope insertion (P <0.05), significantly higher success rates for FB removal (P <0.05), and lower incidences of hypoxemia during intra- and post-operative periods when compared with group S. Perioperative complications were lower (P <0.05), duration of operation was shorter, and emergence from anesthesia was faster (P <0.05) in groups P and J when compared with group S. Incidences of hypoxemia were lower in Group J when compared with Group P (P <0.05). Conclusion: This study confirmed the safety and efficacy of performing manual jet ventilation with Manujet III in foreign body removal by rigid bronchoscopy in children. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Soil flooding is a seasonal factor that negatively affects plant performance and crop yields. In order to investigate the effects of spermidine (Spd) and spermine (Spm) on the waterlogging stress, it was checked that the content of relative water content (RWC), proline, chlorophyll and malondialdehyde (MDA), net photosynthesis, the rate of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and superoxide radicals (O2 −) generation and the antioxidant enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) (EC 1.15.1.1), catalase (CAT) (EC 1.11.1.6), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) (EC 1.11.1.11) and glutathione reductase (GR) (EC 1.6.4.2) in Welsh onion (Allium fistulosum L) plants. Pretreatment with 2 mM of Spd and Spm effectively maintained the balance of water content in plant leaves and roots under flooding stress. In addition, the data indicate that the protective role of proline should be considered minimal, as its accumulation was found to be inversely correlated with tolerance to stress; it also significantly retarded the loss of chlorophyll, enhanced photosynthesis, decreased the rate of O2 − generation and H2O2 content, and prevented flooding-induced lipid peroxidation. Spd and Spm helped to maintain antioxidant enzyme activities under flooding; however, APX activity was found to increase slightly in response to Spm. The antioxidant system, an important component of the water-stress-protective mechanism, can be changed by PAs, which are able to moderate the radical scavenging system and to lessen in this way the oxidative stress. The results suggest that pretreatment with Spd and Spm prevents oxidative damage, and the protective effect of Spd was found to be greater than that of Spm. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A sensitive, rapid and simple method for analysis of protein was proposed by introducing an electric field-driven technique to the incubation process of immunoassay and immobilizing horseradish peroxidase (HRP) labeled antibody in a newly designed gel matrix to construct an immunosensor. With an electric field-driven technique, the incubation for immuno-recognition could be completed within 2min. The immobilized HRP showed excellent direct electrochemistry in this new gel matrix, and the detection procedure was greatly simplified by directly monitoring the sensitive electrochemical signal of HRP upon the immunoreaction. Using α-fetoprotein as a model the linear detection range was from 0.02 to 2.0ngmL−1 with a detection limit down to 138amolmL−1. The immunosensor and the proposed detection method showed good specificity and acceptable stability and accuracy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• In this paper, DOPS and triazine-trione groups are introduced into the same molecular to construct a new efficient flame retardant system through the synergistic effect of double functional groups. • Adding DOPS-THEIC to EP, we found that when DOPS-THEIC was added at 12.5 wt%, the LOI value of EP/DOPS-THEIC increased to 32.8%, achieving a UL-94 V-0 rating. • The PHRR, THR and MLR values of EP/DOPS-THEIC are significantly lower than pure EP, indicating that DOPS-THEIC can effectively inhibit EP's heat release. The char layer produced during combustion reduces substrate mass loss, proving that DOPS-THEIC has good char formation ability. • The flame retardant DOPS-THEIC participated in the curing process of EP composites, forming a variety of cross-linked network structures and improving EP's flexural strength. • The introduction of the S element in DOPO allows the EP to release more sulphur-containing compounds upon combustion, which combine with some water to form strong acids such as sulphuric acid, promoting the dehydration of the substrate into char. To reduce the risk of fire due to the flammability of epoxy resins (EP), the use of low-cost, non-toxic raw materials for the synthesis of efficient flame retardants is becoming an important research direction in the field of flame retardant technology. This research with tris (2-hydroxyethyl) isocyanurate (THEIC), maleic anhydride (MAH) and 9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10- phospha-phenanthrene-10-sulfide (DOPS) as raw materials, through esterification reaction successfully synthesised a novel structure of DOPS-triazine-trione flame retardant tris (3-(9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phospha-phenant hrene-10-sulfide)-butanedioic acid monoethyl ester-based) triazine-trione (DOPS-THEIC) and apply it to EP to prepare EP/DOPS-THEIC. The results demonstrate that the incorporation of 12.5 wt% DOPS-THEIC in EP leads to a significant increase in the Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI) value, reaching 32.8 %, which corresponds to achieving a UL-94 V-0 rating. Moreover, the CONE test revealed notable reductions in the peak heat release rate (PHRR), total heat release (THR), and mass loss rate (MLR) values by 74.1 %, 32.4 %, and 52.6 %, respectively, compared to pure EP. These findings indicate that the addition of DOPS-THEIC effectively suppresses the heat release during combustion, attributed to the formation of a char layer that minimizes mass loss and acts as an improved flame retardant in the condensed phase. Furthermore, as the DOPS-THEIC content increased, the EP composites exhibited remarkable retention of their excellent mechanical properties. This observation reinforces the promising potential of DOPS-THEIC as an effective flame retardant for enhancing the fire resistance of EP materials. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Nrf2 participates in HCC tumorigenesis by regulating ROS production, in which autophagy may contribute to oxidant metabolic reprogramming of HCC cells. • Nrf2 is participated in HCC proliferation, migration and invasion through autophagy. • Nrf2 exhibits chemoresistance through its binding sites in the promoter region of the target genes. Autophagy, an evolutionarily conserved catabolic process, is the most important pathogenic events in the development and progression of liver diseases. Deregulation of Nrf2 is proposed to play a key pathogenic role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Under certain pathophysiological conditions, such as oxidative stress, impaired autophagy is accompanied by the Nrf2 activation that leads to the detrimental effects favoring the proliferation and survival of HCC. Elucidating its role and potential mechanism is essential for understanding tumorigenesis and the development of effective clinical application. Nrf2 is participated in HCC proliferation, migration and invasion through autophagy pathways. These includes the negatively regulated-Nrf2 by Keap1 that participates in HCC tumorigenesis via regulating ROS production, in which autophagy may contribute to oxidant metabolic reprogramming of HCC cells. Post-transcriptional modifications, such as phosphorylation and ubiquitination of Nrf2, can be positively or negatively induced by multiple transcription factors. Nrf2 exhibits chemoresistance through its binding sites in the promoter region of the target genes. Nrf2 may be a valuable potential biomarker and therapeutic strategy for diagnostics, prognostics and treatment of HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intestinal microbiota plays profound roles in host nutrition, physiology, and evolution. The development of DNA sequencing technologies has increased dramatically research on fish intestinal microbiota. However, most studies conducted so far have focused on the microbial structure and diversity. Studies targeting the exact function of commensal microbes in aquatic animals are still scarce, which limits the application of microbiota related knowledge in aquaculture. Gnotobiotic models (animals cultured in axenic conditions or with defined microbial lineages) are excellent tools for identifying the molecular interactions between intestinal microbiota and host, which drive studies of microbiota from correlation to causality in mammals. In recent decades, gnotobiotic fish models have been established and applied in aquaculture research. This review summarizes the colonization conditions in gnotobiotic zebrafish model and its application in understanding intestinal microbiota-host interactions in aquaculture. Furthermore, methods and research progress on other gnotobiotic models including freshwater and marine fishes, molluscs and crustaceans are also discussed. Application of gnotobiotic models in aquaculture has deepened our understanding of the relationship between the host and intestinal microbiota, which will facilitate the modulation of intestinal microbiota for production of healthy animals and sustainable development of aquaculture. • This manuscript summarizes the colonization conditions of gnotobiotic zebrafish model. • Application of gnotobiotic zebrafish model help understanding intestinal microbiota-host interactions in aquaculture. • This manuscript summarizes the challenges of gnotobiotic models in aquaculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heterogeneous reactions of SO 2 and O 3 with CaCO 3 particles were investigated at a series of relative humidity (RH, 1% to 90%) and 298 K using a diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS). The uptake coefficients of SO 2 on CaCO 3 at different RHs were obtained for the first time. Our results proved that high RH could substantially promote the formation of sulfate, for which the highest concentration (80% RH and reaction time of 200 min) and highest formation rate in stable stage (85% RH) were 14 times and 43 times that at 1% RH, respectively. The surface products, increment of concentration and formation rate of sulfate changed with RH which were due to the surface adsorbed water (SAW) on the particles. SAW could increase the reactive sites on the particles and thus accelerate the conversion of SO 2 into sulfite, and sulfite could be oxidized rapidly. Liquid-like water layers formed on the particle surface could enhance the ion mobility and promote the aggregation of CaSO 4 hydrates, which could expose more reactive sites and result in additional adsorption of SO 2 . Piecewise equations of uptake coefficient with RH were given and could be referred by model simulation. The results are of importance in understanding the explosive growth of sulfate during severe haze episodes accompanied with high RH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, visual detection of trace lead ion was established by aptamer and silver staining. The basic strategy was that aminated PS2.M aptamer was immobilized onto slide and formed stable G-quadruplex structure. PbS was generated by adding S 2− , and it catalyzed subsequent silver staining reaction, through the silver staining amplification effect, the slide presented visible ash black. The gray value of slide after silver staining was analyzed and the semi-quantitative detection of Pb 2+ in solution was realized. The results showed that optical darkness ratio (ODR) and logarithmic value of Pb 2+ concentration had a good linear relationship (R 2  = 0.951) over the range of 0.5–10 μM. In addition, there was no obvious interference of other common metal ions for the detection, indicating that this method presented outstanding selectivity. And it was also used for qualitative and semi-quantitative determination of Pb 2+ in soil sample successfully. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are considerable evidence of reproductive impairment in male organisms with Wilson disease (WD). The purpose of this study was to observe spermatogenesis, mitochondrial damage, apoptosis, and the level of oxidative stress in the testes of Wilson disease model TX mice, and to observe the effect and mechanism of glutathione on testicular spermatogenesis. Mice were divided into a normal control group (control group), Wilson disease model TX mice group (WD group), penicillamine-treated TX mice group (penicillamine group) and glutathione-treated TX mice group (glutathione group). Testicular coefficient, histomorphology of testis and epididymis, number of spermatozoa, apoptosis of spermatogenic cells and expression of apoptosis-related proteins were observed. Ultrastructural analysis of mitochondria and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) monitored using JC-1 dye were used to detect mitochondrial damage. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in testicular cells were measured to assess oxidative stress. Testicular coefficient did not change in mice with Wilson disease. However, the tissue structure of the testicular seminiferous tubules was damaged, and the number of spermatozoa in the epididymal lumen was significantly reduced in WD group. The apoptosis rate in the testes was significantly increased. The protein expression of the pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and Caspase-3 significantly increased, and the expressions of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 significantly decreased. The levels of ROS and MDA significantly increased, and the levels of CAT and GSH significantly decreased. Mitochondria with abnormal ultrastructure and the rate of JC-1 positive cells were significantly increased in the WD group. After copper chelation by penicillamine, the structure of the testicular seminiferous tubules and the number of spermatozoa in the epididymal lumen were significantly improved. The number of apoptotic cells was significantly reduced. The levels of Bax and Caspase-3 decreased, and the expression of Bcl-2 increased. The contents of CAT and GSH increased, and the levels of ROS and MDA decreased significantly. The abnormal mitochondria and JC-1 positive cells was significantly decreased. The histomorphology of seminiferous tubules, spermatogenic function, apoptosis rate, apoptosis-related proteins, mitochondrial damage, and oxidative stress in Wilson disease TX mice significantly improved after glutathione treatment. Copper deposition in Wilson disease can lead to oxidative stress injury, mitochondrial damage, and apoptosis in the testis, leading to the impairment of spermatogenesis. Glutathione may improve testicular spermatogenesis in male Wilson disease TX mice by inhibiting copper deposition-induced oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage, and apoptosis. [Display omitted] • Copper deposition caused impaired spermatogenesis in mice with Wilson disease (WD). • 2、Copper deposition caused oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage, and apoptosis in WD. • 3、Glutathione improved spermatogenesis in testis of mice with WD. • 4、Glutathione inhibited oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage, and apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Functional boron clusters modified GO to anchor ultrafine and highly dispersed Pd nanoparticles. • Pd/BGO can efficiently catalyze the hydrogenation of nitroaromatics to realize value-added. • Pd/BGO-catalyzed hydrogenation reaction of nitroarenes exhibits ultrafast reaction kinetics. • Pd/BGO exhibits durable stability in catalytic hydrogenation of nitroaromatic hydrocarbons. The reduction of nitroaromatics to aminoaromatics is essential for fine chemical production and effective sewage treatment. However, the activity of an external catalyst is essential for the reaction. In this study, Pd nanocrystals were anchored in situ on two-dimensional graphene oxide (GO), which acted as a catalyst support with high specific surface area. The oxygen-containing groups on the surface of GO bonded to the functionally rich boron clusters through hydrogen bonding interactions. A mildly reducible closed-dodecahydrododecaboric acid anion cluster (closo‑ [B 12 H 12 ]2–) was employed as the target site. The mild reducibility of closo‑ [B 12 H 12 ]2– resulted in a wide dispersion of ultrafine Pd nanocrystals on GO. Under ambient conditions, Pd/BGO rapidly hydrogenated nitroaromatics, such as 4-nitrophenol, to aminoaromatics with approximately 100% efficiency. Moreover, Pd/BGO retained its high catalytic activity for the hydrogenation/reduction of 4-nitrophenol after five catalytic cycles. Therefore, Pd/BGO could be a promising and economically viable candidate for various practical applications. The proposed innovative preparation strategy and highly efficient catalytic activity suggested the effective performance of closo‑ [B 12 H 12 ]2– as nanometal nucleation target sites. In addition to providing an alternate route for preparing supported nanometals, this study presents a stable and efficient catalyst for the hydrogenation of nitroaromatics. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Functional boron clusters modified GO to anchor ultrafine and highly dispersed Pd nanoparticles. • Pd/BGO can efficiently catalyze the hydrogenation of nitroaromatics to realize value-added. • Pd/BGO-catalyzed hydrogenation reaction of nitroarenes exhibits ultrafast reaction kinetics. • Pd/BGO exhibits durable stability in catalytic hydrogenation of nitroaromatic hydrocarbons. The reduction of nitroaromatics to aminoaromatics is essential for fine chemical production and effective sewage treatment. However, the activity of an external catalyst is essential for the reaction. In this study, Pd nanocrystals were anchored in situ on two-dimensional graphene oxide (GO), which acted as a catalyst support with high specific surface area. The oxygen-containing groups on the surface of GO bonded to the functionally rich boron clusters through hydrogen bonding interactions. A mildly reducible closed-dodecahydrododecaboric acid anion cluster (closo‑ [B 12 H 12 ]2–) was employed as the target site. The mild reducibility of closo‑ [B 12 H 12 ]2– resulted in a wide dispersion of ultrafine Pd nanocrystals on GO. Under ambient conditions, Pd/BGO rapidly hydrogenated nitroaromatics, such as 4-nitrophenol, to aminoaromatics with approximately 100% efficiency. Moreover, Pd/BGO retained its high catalytic activity for the hydrogenation/reduction of 4-nitrophenol after five catalytic cycles. Therefore, Pd/BGO could be a promising and economically viable candidate for various practical applications. The proposed innovative preparation strategy and highly efficient catalytic activity suggested the effective performance of closo‑ [B 12 H 12 ]2– as nanometal nucleation target sites. In addition to providing an alternate route for preparing supported nanometals, this study presents a stable and efficient catalyst for the hydrogenation of nitroaromatics. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• P,Cu-codoped cobalt selenide nanoarrays were synthesized via hydrothermal method. • The Cu and P elements are simultaneously doped into the hierarchical nanoarrays. • The as-prepared catalysts showed enhanced activity for overall water splitting. • The co-doped P plays a key factor for boosting the electrocatalyst activity. Highly efficient electrocatalysts with low cost for electrochemical water splitting is important for the intermediate energy conversion. In the present work, P and Cu dual-doped cobalt selenide nanoarrays with hierarchical structure were fabricated via a facile hydrothermal method, involving in-situ growth on a self-supported conductive Ni foam substrate (P,Cu-Co 0.85 Se/NF). The overall water splitting (OWS) performance of the catalysts was systematically studied in alkaline solution. Compared to single-ion-doped or pure Co 0.85 Se, dual incorporation of the anion and cation can contort the lattice and induce powerful electronic interactions, thereby exposing abundant catalytic sites and optimizing the adsorption energy of the reaction intermediates. Benefiting from the merits of P, the Cu-co-doped Co 0.85 Se/NF electrode exhibited outstanding catalytic activity towards hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), generating a 10 mA cm−2 current density at the overpotential of 96.8 mV in 1 M KOH, and the overpotential is 300 mV towards oxygen evolution reaction (OER) with the current density of 100 mA cm−2. Furthermore, when applied it to fabricate OWS cell, the cell voltage is as low as 1.57 V at the current density of 10 mA cm−2. This present work broaden the potential application of the electrocatalytic performance of transition metal dichalcogenides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]