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Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) can minimize the risk of birth defects. However, the accuracy and applicability of routine PGT is confounded by uneven genome coverage and high allele drop‐out rate from existing single‐cell whole genome amplification methods. Here, a method to diagnose genetic mutations and concurrently evaluate embryo competence by leveraging the abundant mRNA transcript copies present in trophectoderm cells is developed. The feasibility of the method is confirmed with 19 donated blastocysts. Next, the method is applied to 82 embryos from 26 families with monogenic defects for simultaneous mutation detection and competence assessment. The accuracy rate of direct mutation detection is up to 95%, which is significantly higher than DNA‐based method. Meanwhile, this approach correctly predicted seven out of eight (87.5%) embryos that failed to implant. Of six embryos that are predicted to implant successfully, four met such expectations (66.7%). Notably, this method is superior at conditions for mutation detection that are challenging when using DNA‐based PGT, such as when detecting pathogenic genes with a high de novo rate, multiple pseudogenes, or an abnormal expansion of CAG trinucleotide repeats. Taken together, this study establishes the feasibility of an RNA‐based PGT that is also informative for assessing implantation competence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a highly heritable disease. The morphological changes of cortical cortex (such as, cortical thickness and surface area) in AD always accompany by the change of the functional connectivity to other brain regions and influence the short‐ and long‐range brain network connections, causing functional deficits of AD. In this study, the first hypothesis is that genetic variations might affect morphology‐based brain networks, leading to functional deficits; the second hypothesis is that protein–protein interaction (PPI) between the candidate proteins and known interacting proteins to AD might exist and influence AD. 600 470 variants and structural magnetic resonance imaging scans from 175 AD patients and 214 healthy controls were obtained from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative‐1 database. A co‐sparse reduced‐rank regression model was fit to study the relationship between non‐synonymous mutations and morphology‐based brain networks. After that, PPIs between selected genes and BACE1, an enzyme that was known to be related to AD, are explored by using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and co‐immunoprecipitation (Co‐IP) experiments. Eight genes affecting morphology‐based brain networks were identified. The results of MD simulation showed that the PPI between TGM4 and BACE1 was the strongest among them and its interaction was verified by Co‐IP. Hence, gene variations influence morphology‐based brain networks in AD, leading to functional deficits. This finding, validated by MD simulation and Co‐IP, suggests that the effect is robust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial biosynthesis, as an alternative method for producing quantum dots (QDs), has gained attention because it can be conducted under mild and environmentally friendly conditions, distinguishing it from conventional chemical and physical synthesis approaches. However, there is currently no method to selectively control this biosynthesis process in a subset of microbes within a population using external stimuli. In this study, we have attained precise and selective control over the microbial biosynthesis of QDs through the utilization of an optogenetically engineered Escherichia coli (E. coli). The recombinant E. coli is designed to express smCSE enzyme, under the regulation of eLightOn system, which can be activated by blue light. The smCSE enzymes use L‐cysteine and Cd2+ as substrates to form CdS QDs. This system enables light‐inducible bacterial biosynthesis of QDs in precise patterns within a hydrogel for information encryption. As the biosynthesis progresses, the optical characteristics of the QDs change, allowing living materials containing the recombinant E. coli to display time‐dependent patterns that self‐destruct after reading. Compared to static encryption using fluorescent QD inks, dynamic information encryption based on living materials offers enhanced security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The symmetry in a polymorph is one of the most important elements for determining the inherent lattice nature. The MnO2 host tends to high‐symmetry MnO6 octahedra as a result of the electronic structure t2g3eg0 of Mn4+ ions, displaying an ordered structure accompanying with poor polarization loss and limiting its application toward high‐performance microwave absorbers. Here, a pseudo‐Jahn−Teller (PJT) distortion and PJT disordering design with abundant self‐forming interfaces and local magnetic domains in the monoclinic birnessite–MnO2 host is first reported. The PJT distortion can give rise to asymmetric MnO6 octahedra, inducing the formation of interfaces and increased electron spin magnetic moment in the lattice. The resultant birnessite with PJT distortions and PJT disordering delivers an outstanding reflection loss value of −42.5 dB at an ultralow thickness of 1.7 mm, mainly derived from the excited interfacial polarization and magnetic loss. This work demonstrates an effective approach in regulating the lattice structure of birnessite for boosting microwave absorption performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For stage III colorectal cancer (CRC) patients with a high risk of recurrence, intensified adjuvant chemotherapy can improve overall survival. We aimed to develop a circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) methylation marker model for predicting the relapse risk of stage III CRC patients. Differentially methylated markers identified between 53 normal mucosa samples and 165 CRC tissue samples, as well as between plasma samples from 75 stage I/II (early‐stage) CRC patients and 55 stage IV (late‐stage) CRC patients, were analyzed using Student's t‐tests. The overlapping methylation markers shared by plasma and tissue samples were used to establish a methylation marker model to evaluate the tumor burden in the peripheral blood of CRC patients using the random forest method. This model was verified in the validation cohort (n = 44) and then applied to predict recurrence risk in 50 stage III CRC patients and monitor the clinical disease course in serial samples from four CRC patients. We built a five‐marker‐based ctDNA methylation model that had high sensitivity (84.21%) and specificity (84%) in identifying late‐stage CRC in a validation cohort containing 24 stage I/II CRC patients and 20 stage IV CRC patients. The model achieved high sensitivity (87.5%) and specificity (94.12%) in predicting tumor relapse in an independent cohort of 50 stage III CRC patients and could be an independent recurrence risk factor for stage III patients [Hazard ratio (HR), 60.4; 95% confidence interval (CI): 7.68–397; p = 9.73e−5]. Analysis of serial blood samples of CRC showed that the model could monitor disease relapse earlier than imaging examination and serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and so may provide an opportunity for the early adjustment of therapeutic strategies. Moreover, the model could potentially monitor the clinical course and treatment response dynamically. © 2022 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although birnessite‐type manganese dioxide (δ‐MnO2) with a large interlayer spacing (≈7 Å) is a promising cathode candidate for aqueous Zn/MnO2 batteries, the poor structural stability associated with Zn2+ intercalation/deintercalation limits its further practical application. Herein, δ‐MnO2 ultrathin nanosheets are coupled with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) via van der Waals (vdW) self‐assembly in a vacuum freeze‐drying process. It is interesting to find that the presence of vdW interaction between δ‐MnO2 and rGO can effectively suppress the layered‐to‐spinel phase transition in δ‐MnO2 during cycling. As a result, the coupled δ‐MnO2/rGO hybrid cathode with a sandwich‐like heterostructure exhibits remarkable cycle performance with 80.1% capacity retained after 3000 cycles at 2.0 A g−1. The first principle calculations demonstrate that the strong interfacial interaction between δ‐MnO2 and rGO results in improved electron transfer and strengthened layered structure for δ‐MnO2. This work establishes a viable strategy to mitigate the adverse layered‐to‐spinel phase transition in layered manganese oxide in aqueous energy storage systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High‐salt diets (HSDs) are associated with elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which play a key role in ovarian disorders. However, it is not yet clear whether HSDs impact ovarian redox balance and metabolism. Accordingly, in this study, we analyzed the effect of HSDs on ovarian redox balance by biochemical analysis and further dissected its possible mechanism by metabolic analysis combined with the correlation network method. We found that ROS and H2O2 levels significantly increased in the ovarian tissue of mice receiving an HSD for 4 weeks. The enhanced activity of NADPH oxidase may contribute to an increase in ROS in ovarian tissue after excessive salt consumption. Meanwhile, the activities of key antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase 2, glutathione peroxidase, glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase, and 6‐phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, increased significantly. The apparent activation of antioxidant defense appeared insufficient as the glutathione, GSH/GSSG ratio, and NADPH/NADP+ ratio decreased significantly. In addition, HSDs significantly altered the metabolic patterns of ovarian tissue in mice, and pathways were mainly enriched in fatty acid metabolism. Arachidonic acid was an altered hub metabolite according to Pearson correlation network analysis. Mechanistically, an HSD increased the concentration of arachidonic acid in ovarian tissue, inducing high NADPH oxidase activity, which increased the levels of ROS and H2O2. Our results indicate that HSDs can lead to increased oxidative stress and dramatically alter the metabolic patterns in mouse ovarian tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combination of gene therapy and chemotherapy provides a We developed a simple and versatile approach to prepare a series of two‐in‐one nanodrugs through direct self‐assembly of cyanine‐labeled single‐stranded DNA (Cys‐DNA) and different types of drug molecules. Molecular dynamics simulation showed that the Cys introduced into the DNA could enhance the noncovalent interaction between Cys‐DNA and drug molecules. More drug molecules were incorporated into Cys‐DNA, tending to spontaneously form hybrid Cys‐DNA/drug nanosphere. Such nanospheres serve as both carriers and cargoes, excluding the extra use of nontherapeutic excipients and showing ultrahigh drug loading capacity. Following this approach, an antisense oligonucleotides/doxorubicin nanodrug model was constructed, demonstrating the significant synergistic anti‐tumor therapeutic effect. As a proof of the concept, our study establishes a simple and reproducible two‐in‐one nucleic acid‐based drug formulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photopolymerization refers to a type of polymerization process in which light is utilized as excitation source to initiate polymerization of monomers and oligomers. Despite great progress, photopolymerization is typically induced by ultraviolet or visible light, which still greatly restrains its applications. Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) represent a class of optical nanomaterials that are able to convert low‐energy near‐infrared (NIR) light into high‐energy ultraviolet (or visible light) emissions. In this context, UCNP‐assisted photopolymerization has recently attracted extensive attentions due to its unique advantages. In this account, recent advances in the fundamentals, optimization and emerging applications of UCNP‐based photopolymerization are reviewed. Fundamental theories of upconversion luminescence and photopolymerization will be introduced first. Various optimization approaches to improve UCNP‐assisted photopolymerization are then summarized, followed by diverse emerging applications. Challenges and future perspectives in this area will be provided as a conclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Currently, there is limited knowledge of dysregulation of cellular proliferation and apoptosis that contribute to the malignant phenotype in HCC. Copper metabolism gene MURR1 domain 10 (COMMD10) is initially identified as a suppressor gene in the pathogenesis of HCC in our observations. Here we aimed to explore its function and prognostic value in the progression of HCC. Methods: Functional experiments were performed to explore the role of COMMD10 in HCC. The molecular mechanisms of COMMD10 were determined by luciferase assay, immunofluorescence, and immunoprecipitation. The nomogram was based on a retrospective and multicenter study of 516 patients who were pathologically diagnosed with HCC from three Chinese hospitals. The predictive accuracy and discriminative ability of the nomogram were determined by a C‐index and calibration curve and were compared with COMMD10 and the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging system. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). Results: COMMD10 expression was significantly lower in HCC than that in normal liver tissues. In vitro and in vivo experiments revealed that COMMD10 suppressed cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in HCC. Mechanistically, COMMD10 inhibits TNFα mediated ubiquitination of IκBα and p65 nuclear translocation through the combination of COMMD10‐N terminal to the Rel homology domain of p65, which inhibited NF‐κB activity and increased expression of cleaved caspase9/3 in HCC. Clinically, COMMD10 stratifies early‐stage HCC patients into two risk groups with significantly different OS. Additionally, the nomogram based on COMMD10 and BCLC stage yielded more accuracy than BCLC stage alone for predicting OS of HCC patients in three cohorts. Conclusions: COMMD10 suppresses proliferation and promotes apoptosis by inhibiting NF‐κB signaling and values up BCLC staging in predicting OS, which provides evidence for the identification of potential therapeutic targets and the accurate prediction of prognosis for patients with HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To establish a method for noninvasive fetal cell isolation from maternal blood and prenatal testing of monogenic diseases by a combination of direct sequencing and targeted NGS‐based SNP haplotyping from single fetal cells. Method: Peripheral blood of pregnant women in two families (congenital deafness and ichthyosis) was collected. After density‐based separation and immunostaining with multiple biomarkers, candidate fetal cells were identified by high‐throughput imagine analysis and picked up by automation. Individual fetal cells were subjected to STR‐genotyping to identify their origin. Pathogenic mutations were identified by direct Sanger sequencing, and a combination of targeted NGS and SNP haplotyping using a custom panel. All the results were compared with amniotic fluid DNA. Results: Fetal trophoblasts were successfully harvested from maternal blood. STR‐genotyping confirmed the fetal origin. Direct sequencing of pathogenic genetic mutations in fetal cells showed consistent results with amniotic fluid samples. For congenital deafness family, NGS‐based SNP haplotyping also correctly identified the fetal haplotype. This single cell haplotyping method can be used to diagnose various genetic diseases. Conclusion: We have established a method for noninvasive prenatal testing of monogenic diseases from circulating trophoblast cells. This cell‐based NIPT can be further applied to the prenatal diagnosis of various monogenic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cervical cancer is the most common gynaecological malignancy, with a high incidence rate and mortality rate in middle‐aged women. Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) have been implicated in the initiation and subsequent development of cancer, along with the involvement of extracellular vesicles (EVs) mediating intracellular communication by delivering microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs). This study is aimed at investigating the physiological mechanisms by which EVs‐encapsulated miR‐144‐3p derived from hBMSCs might mediate the progression of cervical cancer. The expression profiles of centrosomal protein, 55 Kd (CEP55) and miR‐144‐3p in cervical cancer cell lines and tissues, were quantified by RT‐qPCR and Western blot analysis. The binding affinity between miR‐144‐3p and CEP55 was identified using in silico analysis and luciferase activity determination. Cervical cancer cells were co‐cultured with EVs derived from hBMSCs that were treated with either miR‐144‐3p mimic or miR‐144‐3p inhibitor. Cervical cancer cell proliferation, invasion, migration and apoptosis were detected in vitro. The effects of hBMSCs‐miR‐144‐3p on tumour growth were also investigated in vivo. miR‐144‐3p was down‐regulated, whereas CEP55 was up‐regulated in cervical cancer cell lines and tissues. CEP55 was targeted by miR‐144‐3p, which suppressed cervical cancer cell proliferation, invasion and migration and promoted apoptosis via CEP55. Furthermore, similar results were obtained by hBMSCs‐derived EVs carrying miR‐144‐3p. In vivo assays confirmed the tumour‐suppressive effects of miR‐144‐3p in hBMSCs‐derived EVs on cervical cancer. Collectively, hBMSCs‐derived EVs‐loaded miR‐144‐3p impedes the development and progression of cervical cancer through target inhibition of CEP55, therefore providing us with a potential therapeutic target for treating cervical cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) of genetic diseases, combined with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing (PGD‐HLA), is a useful technique to have healthy offspring that are compatible with a sibling for hematopoietic stem cells transplantation (HSCT) to treat their genetic diseases. Here, we report a new strategy using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) linkage analysis for monogenic disease PGD combined with HLA typing, to simultaneously obtain the information of chromosomal aneuploidy, target mutations and HLA typing through a single low‐depth next generation sequencing (NGS) procedure. In this study, five couples with probands underwent SNP linkage analysis for PGD‐HLA typing were recruited. Within these five couples, two couples fortunately harvested four unaffected and HLA matched embryos with their siblings. After embryo transfer, two healthy neonates were born successfully. Subsequently, cord blood hematopoietic stem cells obtained from these two neonates were collected and frozen for treating their sick siblings. This novel strategy could provide abundant and specific SNPs for each family, therefore linkage information adjacent and even within HLA clusters were apparent. This study offers a highly flexible and precise method which could eliminate misdiagnosis caused by chromosomal recombination of the HLA gene, thus potentially benefit the success rate of HSCT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The formation of the soluble polysulfides (Na2Sn, 4 ≤ n ≤ 8) causes poor cycling performance for room temperature sodium–sulfur (RT Na–S) batteries. Moreover, the formation of insoluble polysulfides (Na2Sn, 2 ≤ n < 4) can slow down the reaction kinetics and terminate the discharge reaction before it reaches the final product. In this work, coffee residue derived activated ultramicroporous coffee carbon (ACC) material loading with small sulfur molecules (S2–4) as cathode material for RT Na–S batteries is reported. The first principle calculations indicate the space confinement of the slit ultramicropores can effectively suppress the formation of polysulfides (Na2Sn, 2 ≤ n ≤ 8). Combining with in situ UV/vis spectroscopy measurements, one‐step reaction RT Na–S batteries with Na2S as the only and final discharge product without polysulfides formation are demonstrated. As a result, the ultramicroporous carbon loaded with 40 wt% sulfur delivers a high reversible specific capacity of 1492 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C (1 C = 1675 mA g−1). When cycled at 1 C rate, the carbon–sulfur composite electrode exhibits almost no capacity fading after 2000 cycles with 100% coulombic efficiency, revealing excellent cycling stability and reversibility. The superb cycling stability and rate performance demonstrate ultramicropore confinement can be an effective strategy to develop high performance cathode for RT Na–S batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of stimuli‐responsiveness into energy storage devices has become an attractive way to manage the operation of devices. Current stimuli approaches (light, chemical, and temperature) require transparent windows and specific systems, or are subject to the tolerant temperature of batteries, hampering their widespread applications. Herein, a fast and reversible on‐demand switching of batteries, which is realized by incorporating a magnetic control component, is reported. The component is capable of undergoing a reversible transition between electrical conduction and insulation over 500 cycles, showing superior cycling stability. Batteries with this component internally incorporated can retain excellent electrochemical performance in a wide potential window at normal conditions. More importantly, this approach can manage the operation of batteries in light of human requirements. The battery can shut down within 0.11 s of applying a magnetic field and rapidly resume a normal battery function under the magnetic field, showing an excellent response speed. Notably, this on‐demand switching behavior in batteries can be repeated over 25 times, excelling most reported switching batteries. The design combines fast and repeatable characteristics without sacrificing electrochemical performance, providing possibilities in advancing the development of smart electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pseudocapacitors hold great promise as charge storage systems that combine battery‐level energy density and capacitor‐level power density. The utilization of pseudocapacitive material, however, is usually restricted to the surface due to poor electrode kinetics, leading to less accessible charge storage sites and limited capacitance. Here, tin oxide is successfully endowed with outstanding pseudocapacitance and fast electrode kinetics in a negative potential window by engineering oxygen‐deficient homo‐interfaces. The as‐prepared SnO2−x@SnO2−x electrode yields a specific capacitance of 376.6 F g−1 at the current density of 2.5 A g−1 and retains 327 F g−1 at a high current density of 80 A g−1. The theoretical calculation reveals that the oxygen defects are more favorable at homo‐interfaces than at the surface due to the lower defect formation energy. Meanwhile, as compared with the surface, the homo‐interface possesses more stable Li+ storage sites that are readily accessed by Li+ due to the occurrence of oxygen vacancies, enabling outstanding pseudocapacitance as well as high rate capability. This oxygen‐deficient homo‐interface design opens up new opportunities to develop high‐energy and power pseudocapacitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims/Introduction: Previous studies have shown that glucose peak time during the oral glucose tolerance test varies in type 2 diabetes patients; however, characteristics of this heterogeneity remain unclear. This research aimed to investigate the characteristics of delayed glucose peak time in type 2 diabetes. Materials and Methods: A total of 178 participants who underwent the oral glucose tolerance test were divided into five groups according to glucose peak time. Results: A total of 25 participants with normal glucose tolerance had a glucose peak at 30 min. Among participants with type 2 diabetes, 28 had a glucose peak at 60 min, 48 at 90 min, 45 at 120 min and 32 at 150 min. With the glucose peak time delayed, glycated hemoglobin, area under the glucose curve and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance increased gradually (P = 0.038, P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001, respectively), and oral glucose insulin sensitivity, homeostatic model assessment of β‐cell function, insulinogenic index, modified β‐cell function index and disposition indices decreased (P < 0.0001 for all). On multinominal logistic regression, insulinogenic index (odds ratio 0.73, 95% confidence interval 0.57–0.93, P = 0.01), modified β‐cell function index (odds ratio 0.67, 95% confidence interval 0.47–0.94, P = 0.023) and oral glucose insulin sensitivity (odds ratio 0.91, 95% confidence interval 0.87–0.96, P < 0.0001) were independently correlated with delayed glucose peak time. Conclusions: Delay in glucose peak time indicated an increase in blood glucose and a decrease in insulin sensitivity and secretion. Furthermore, insulinogenic index, modified β‐cell function index and oral glucose insulin sensitivity contributed to delayed glucose peak time. The purpose of this research was to investigate the characteristics of delayed glucose peak time of type 2 diabetes. Along with the delay of glucose peak time, blood glucose increased while insulin sensitivity and secretion decreased. Insulinogenic index, modified beta‐cell function index, oral glucose insulin sensitivity contributed to delayed glucose peak time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: At the forefront of energy storage field, developing sodium ion batteries (SIBs) has drew a wide concern due to relatively low cost and abundant resource, comparing with lithium ion batteries (LIBs). Serious volume expansion constraints the electrochemical performance of the conversion/alloying materials, despite of their high reversible capacities or theoretical capacities. Here, from the perspective of structural designs, we systematically study four types of routes to accommodate volume expansion. Delicate and peculiar nanostructures based on nanocrystallization engineering are widely focused on, covering nanosheet assembly and nanoarray construction. Robust materials such as carbon‐based materials can be utilized as the buffer matrix, mitigating the mechanical stress during the charge/discharge process. Besides, recent studies have demonstrated void space reservation in nanostructures was also beneficial for adapting to volume changes. Moreover, for conversion materials, numerous works have confirmed the advantageous influence of interlayer spacing regulation. We also explained the superiority and challenges for further giving scope to structural designs. Sketching out the future studies in SIBs, in situ characterizations are supposed to be highlighted, as well as in‐depth researches on the stress evolution caused by volume expansion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents abstracts on geological topics which include the origin and structure of zircon in metamorphic rocks, the role of fluids during processes involving the continental crust, and geochemical characteristics of granites found in the Dabie Mountains, China.

Na0.44MnO2 with tunnel structure is considered a promising low‐cost cathode material for sodium‐ion batteries. However, the sluggish Na+ transport kinetics and low initial Coulombic efficiency restrict its practical applications in rechargeable sodium‐ion batteries. Herein, a manganese‐based tunnel‐structured cathode with high rate capability and high initial Coulombic efficiency is prepared by niobium doping and sodium compensation. Via materials characterizations and theoretical calculations, it is demonstrated that a proper amount of niobium doping in tunnel structure can effectively improve its structural stability and charge transport kinetics, resulting in outstanding rate capability (76.6% capacity retained from 0.5 to 30 C) and superior cycling performance (82.3% capacity retention after 800 cycles at 5 C) for the optimized Nb‐doped Na0.44MnO2 cathode (Na0.44Mn0.98Nb0.02O2). Furthermore, NaCrO2 is added into the Na0.44Mn0.98Nb0.02O2 cathode as a self‐sacrificing sodium compensation additive, and a high initial Coulombic efficiency close to 100% is achieved for the composite cathode. This work establishes a facile strategy to design advanced manganese‐based cathode materials for large‐scale energy storage applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The North Qaidam orogenic belt (NQOB) lies at the northeast margin of Tibet Plateau, between the Qilian massif to the north and Qaidam massif to the south. It consists of predominantly gneisses and marbles with minor eclogite and garnet peridotite, and is known as an Early Paleozoic continental deep subduction ultrahigh pressure (UHP) metamorphic belt in northwest China. Recently some studies suggest that the NQOB experienced oceanic deep subduction prior to the continental deep subduction. However, the records of ocean events are rarely preserved because of the complex multi‐stage transformation. Therefore, whether the Early Paleozoic ocean exists and the formation, nature and evolution of the Early Paleozoic ocean in North Qaidam are still in controversies. In this contribution, we report a new discovered SSZ‐type ophiolite suite in Kaipinggou area, the western segment of the NQOB. The ophiolite is mainly composed of peridotite, gabbro, basalt, boninite, andesitic porphyrite and plagiogranite. In which, the basalt and homogeneous gabbro are both enriched in LILE and depleted in HFSE, and display flat or LREE‐depleted REE patterns, similar to the MORB‐like geochemical characteristics of fore‐arc basalts; the boninite exhibits characteristics of fore‐arc boninites with high Si and Mg, but low Ti and Ca contents; the andesitic porphyrite is enriched in LILE but depleted in HFSE, similar to island arc magmatic rocks. Rock assemblage and their geochemical characteristics suggest that this SSZ‐type ophiolite was formed in fore‐arc setting of intra‐oceanic arc. The plagiogranite is a low‐potassium tholeiite metaluminous granite with low trace elements contents, slight enrichment of LREE, depletion of HREE and positive Eu anomaly; combining with ∊Hf (t) values (13.8–17.1) of zircons, the plagiogranite could be originated from partial melting of gabbros. LA–ICP–MS zircon U–Pb dating yielded the crystallization ages of 535±2 Ma, 513±3 Ma and 510±3 Ma for two cumulate gabbros and one homogeneous gabbro, respectively, and a formation age of 492±8 Ma for the plagiogranite. All these data suggest the existence of an Early Paleozoic ocean in the North Qaidam, and the initial subduction of the oceanic slab occurred earlier than 535Ma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Upconversion is a nonlinear optical phenomenon that involves the emission of high‐energy photons by sequential absorption of two or more low‐energy excitation photons. Due to their excellent physiochemical properties such as deep penetration depth, little damage to samples, and high chemical stability, upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) are extensively applied in bioimaging, biosensing, theranostic, and photochemical reactions. Here, recent achievements in the synthesis, optimization, and applications of UCNP‐based nanomaterials are reviewed. The state‐of‐the‐art approaches to synthesize UCNPs in the past few years are introduced first, followed by a summary of several strategies to optimize upconversion emissive properties and various applications of UCNPs. Lastly, the challenges and future perspectives of UCNPs are provided as a conclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transition metal oxides, possessing high theoretical specific capacities, are promising anode materials for sodium‐ion batteries. However, the sluggish sodiation/desodiation kinetics and poor structural stability restrict their electrochemical performance. To achieve high and fast Na storage capability, in this work, rambutan‐like hybrid hollow spheres of carbon confined Co3O4 nanoparticles are synthesized by a facile one‐pot hydrothermal treatment with postannealing. The hierarchy hollow structure with ultrafine Co3O4 nanoparticles embedded in the continuous carbon matrix enables greatly enhanced structural stability and fast electrode kinetics. When tested in sodium‐ion batteries, the hollow structured composite electrode exhibits an outstandingly high reversible specific capacity of 712 mAh g−1 at a current density of 0.1 A g−1, and retains a capacity of 223 mAh g−1 even at a large current density of 5 A g−1. Besides the superior Na storage capability, good cycle performance is demonstrated for the composite electrode with 74.5% capacity retention after 500 cycles, suggesting promising application in advanced sodium‐ion batteries. A facile and effective one‐pot strategy is rationally designed to fabricate rambutan‐like carbon confined Co3O4 nanoparticle hybrid hollow spheres. When tested as an anode in sodium‐ion batteries, this unique hybrid hollow architecture, possessing high structural stability and fast electrode kinetics, demonstrates large reversible specific capacity, superior rate capability, and outstanding long cycle life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of sodium‐ion batteries is hindered by the poor Na+ transport kinetics and structural instability of electrode materials during Na+ intercalation/deintercalation. In this work, surface‐dominated Na storage is demonstrated on the oxygen‐functionalized graphene nanosheets (FGS) with fast surface redox reaction and robust structural stability. The FGS samples with tunable oxygen contents and species are fabricated via a two‐step thermal exfoliation method from graphite oxides. The surface‐induced oxygen functional groups can serve as the surface‐redox sites for the FGS electrode, attaining a high specific capacity of 603 mAh g−1 at a current density of 0.05 A g−1, excellent rate capability (214 mAh g−1 at 10 A g−1), and ultrastable cycling stability (capacity retention close to 100% after 10 000 cycles at 5 A g−1). Even at a slow scan rate of 0.1 mV s−1 for cyclic voltammetry, about 67.7% capacity is contributed from the surface adsorption/desorption and surface‐redox reaction, suggesting surface‐dominated Na storage for the FGS‐700 (FGS sample obtained at 700 °C) electrode. The present work demonstrates that the surface oxygen functionalization is an effective strategy to develop high‐performance graphene‐based anodes due to the surface‐dominated Na storage with improved reaction kinetics and suppressed structural variation. Surface‐dominated Na storage is demonstrated on the oxygen‐functionalized graphene nanosheets with fast surface‐capacitive storage and robust structural stability. The enhanced Na storage is realized by tuning the overall oxygen content and specific C = O groups on the graphene matrix for adequate surface‐active sites, accompanying with the high electrical conductivity, high specific surface area, and optimized Na+ transport paths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inside cover picture shows that four effective routes are applied to the anode material to help it keep fit, which is out of shape due to the intake of sodium ions. As a result, the sodium ion batteries (SIBs) with this anode exhibit high electrochemical performances, so that they tend to meet the demand for large‐scale energy storage devices. In this review, four strategies based on structural designs are summarized in order to accommodate volume changes of anode materials in SIBs, including nanoarchitecture configuration, buffer matrix protection, cavity volume reservation, and interlayer spacing regulation. More details are discussed in the review by Fu et al. on page 866–874. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the title compound, C(10)H(9)BrN(4), the dihedral angle between the benzene and pyrazine rings is 61.34 (5)°. Inter-molecular N-H⋯N hydrogen bonds and N-H⋯π inter-actions assemble the mol-ecules into a three-dimensional network structure.

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, 2C(7)H(2)F(4)O(2)·C(10)H(8)N(2), contains one mol-ecule of 2,3,4,5-tetra-fluoro-benzoic acid (tfb) and half of a centrosymmetric 4,4'-bipyridine mol-ecule. Inter-molecular O-H⋯N hydrogen bonds link two tfb mol-ecules and one 4,4'-bipyridine mol-ecule into a trimer. Weak inter-molecular C-H⋯F inter-actions assemble these trimers into a three-dimensional network structure.

In the title compound, [Zn(C(5)O(5))(C(12)H(8)N(2))(2)], the Zn atom is in a slightly distorted octa-hedral environment. The mol-ecule lies across a twofold rotation axis, around which two 1,10-phenanthroline ligands are arranged. There are short contacts between the 1,10-phenanthroline groups and the O atoms of the croconate ligand, which probably stabilize the crystal structure via weak C-H⋯O interactions.

The structure of the electrochemically crystallized title compound, (C(10)H(8)S(8))(3)[CoCl(4)](2), consists of two types of bis-(ethyl-enedithio)tetra-thia-fulvalene (BEDT-TTF) radical cation stacks separated by sheets of tetra-hedral [CoCl(4)](2-) anions. One of the BEDT-TTF mol-ecules is generated by inversion. There are short S⋯S contacts between the stacks in the a direction and short C-H⋯Cl contacts between the radical cations and the anions.