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The escalating demand for energy coupled with the escalating concerns over environmental pollution has propelled the advancement of renewable energy technologies. Among these, aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) stand out as the most promising energy system for large-scale storage, attributed to their high safety standards, cost-effectiveness, and substantial volumetric capacity. However, significant scientific challenges persist, encompassing issues such as the formation of zinc anode dendrites, hydrogen precipitation reactions, and the dissolution of anode materials in AZIBs. A critical component in this context is the separator, which serves as a pivotal barrier preventing direct contact between the positive and negative electrodes, thereby exerting a substantial influence on the reversible cycle life of AZIBs. Notably, commercial glass fiber (GF) separators are marred by insufficient mechanical toughness and considerable thickness, resulting in compromised electrochemical performance. Consequently, there exists an urgent imperative to explore and scrutinize alternative non-GF nanoporous separator materials to realize high-performance AZIBs. This paper provides a comprehensive review of recent non-GF nanoporous separator types and summarizes the current research status on their modification methods. Moreover, the paper offers a forward-looking perspective on the potential advancements in separators for AZIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study the direct economic burden of dry eye diseases (DED) on Chinese residents and analyze the influencing factors of the direct economic burden of patients with DED. Two hundred and twenty-one Chinese adults with DED who underwent treatment in Wuhan Aier Hankou Eye Hospital were enrolled in this health economics research from January 2018 to August 2018 and followed for at least 1 year. Examination, pharmacological therapy, and nonpharmacological therapy costs were collected to calculate the annual direct economic burden of DED on patients through the outpatient medical record system. Annual direct economic burden caused by DED on each patient was $465.54 ± 303.08. The direct economic burden of female patients in the 40–49 years group was significantly higher than that of male patients (P <.05). Age, number of hospital visits and severity of DED were showed a significant influence on the direct economic burden both in univariate linear regression analysis and multiple linear regression analysis. Subtype of DED was showed a significant influence on the direct economic burden in multiple linear regression analysis after eliminating confounding factors. This study preliminarily analyzed the direct economic burden of Chinese DED patients. Age, number of hospital visits, severity of DED, mixed and evaporative dry eye (EDE) subtypes are shown to be the significant influencing factors of the direct economic burden and sex is a potential influencing factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of transition‐metal oxides in the energy storage field is hampered by its low electronic conductivity, sluggish Li+ diffusion, and huge volume changes. The construction of oxygen vacancy defects can effectively modify the electronic structure of the active materials, accelerating the charge transfer process. Herein, the CoMoO4 nanorods with different oxygen vacancy concentrations are synthesized through the facile calcination process under N2 and Air atmospheres. The ultraviolet‐visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV‐Vis DRS) analysis and Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculation results confirm that the bandgap reduces along with the increment of the oxygen vacancy content. The CoMoO4‐N2 with higher oxygen vacancy concentration exhibits more superior electrochemical performance than CoMoO4‐Air, which delivers an ultrahigh specific capacity (999 mA h g−1 after 500 cycles at 0.5 A g−1), remarkable rate capacity (477 mA h g−1 at 9 A g−1), and excellent cycling stability (650 mA h g−1 after 1000 cycles at 2 A g−1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Although Botulinum Toxin Type A (BTXA) has been applied to scar prevention and treatment, the mechanisms still require further exploration. Objective. To investigate the effects of BTXA on microvessels in the hypertrophic scar models on rabbit ears. Methods. Eight big-eared New Zealand rabbits (males or females) were selected to establish scar models. One ear of each rabbit (4 models in each ear) was selected randomly to be injected with BTXA immediately after modeling and included in the treated group, while the opposite ear was untreated and included in the control group. The growth of scars in each group was observed and recorded, and 4 rabbits were sacrificed on days 30 and 45 after modeling. Then, scar height was measured by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression was detected by immunohistochemical (IHC) testing, and microvessel density (MVD) was calculated based on CD34 (human hematopoietic progenitor cell antigen). Results. The wounds in each group were well healed and free from infection or necrosis. On days 30 and 45, the scar height, MVD value, and VEGF expression in the treated group were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). For the treated group, the above indicators on day 45 were lower than on day 30 (P > 0.05). Besides, there was a positive correlation between the MVD value and the VEGF expression in the treated group (P < 0.05). Conclusion. The injection of BTXA immediately after modeling inhibits VEGF expression and reduces angiogenesis, thereby inhibiting hypertrophic scar formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The binary transition metal oxides have attracted great attention because of their considerable energy and power densities. However, they suffer from low reaction kinetics and large volume change, limiting their practical energy applications. The construction of a mesoporous structure with a large surface area, the development of a carbon matrix, as well as heteroatom doping can effectively overcome the above challenges. Herein, the synthesis of phosphorous‐containing Fe2VO4/nitrogen‐doped carbon mesoporous nanowires (P‐Fe2VO4/NCMNWs) is reported. In this unique structure, the atomic‐level P‐doping could increase the conductivity of Fe2VO4 by reducing its band gap, which is confirmed by DFT calculations. Furthermore, the phosphorus can covalently "bridge" the carbon layer and Fe2VO4 through P−C and Fe−O−P bondings. As a result, this anode material exhibits a high capacity (1002 mA h g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 after 250 cycles), excellent rate performance (448 mA h g−1 at 10 A g−1), and prominent long‐term cycling stability (533 mA h g−1 at 5 A g−1 after 500 cycles, 364 mA h g−1 at 10 A g−1 after 1000 cycles). All of these attractive features make the P‐Fe2VO4/NCMNWs a promising electrode material for high‐performance lithium‐ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rechargeable aqueous zinc ion batteries are particularly attractive for large-scale application due to their features including low cost, environmental friendliness, and safety. Herein, we report the use of defect engineering to generate oxygen vacancies in tunneled α-MnO 2 through surface gradient Ti doping for long-life Zn MnO 2 battery. Interestingly, the introduction of surface gradient Ti doping leads to shrinkage of the interlayer, but simultaneously generates oxygen vacancies as compensated by electron due to the decreased valence state of Mn. Moreover, Ti substitution as well as the created oxygen vacancies open the [MnO 6 ] octahedral walls and result in imbalanced charge distribution and local electric field in the crystal structure, accelerating ion/electron migration rates. Thus, diffusion coefficients of both Zn2+ and H+ ions in Ti MnO 2 nanowires are improved. Consequently, the Ti MnO 2 nanowires show improved both H+ and Zn2+ ions storage capacity in Zn/MnO 2 battery and achieved excellent high-rate capability and ultralong cycling stability with a low capacity decay rate of 0.005% per cycle at high rate of 1 A g−1. It is believed that the intentionally created vacancies in this work opens up approaches to enhance existing materials that may have applications in more efficient and durable multi-valent ion battery and other technologies. • Ti substitution in α-MnO 2 created oxygen vacancies. • Local electric field accelerates ion/electron migration rates. • Ion diffusion coefficients in Ti-MnO 2 nanowires are improved. • A low capacity decay rate of 0.005% per cycle at 1 A g-1 is achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hollow microspheres with a high surface area, sufficient void space, and short ion/electron transport distance have attracted much attention as a superior electrode structure for high-rate lithium-ion batteries. In this work, a facile and low-cost hydrothermal approach followed by annealing is developed to synthesize Co3V2O8 interconnected hollow microspheres, which are able to endure an extremely high current density of 20 A g−1 and achieve a reversible discharge capacity of 320 mA h g−1. Furthermore, a stable capacity of 424 mA h g−1 can be obtained after 300 cycles at 10 A g−1. Such remarkable rate capability and cycling performance make the Co3V2O8 interconnected hollow microspheres a promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structural and morphological control of the LiV3O8 material has a significant impact on its electrochemical performance. In order to obtain a favorable structure, a hierarchical LiV3O8 nanowire-in-network is designed and constructed by electrospinning through a polymer crosslinking strategy. The crosslinking effect between poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) not only benefits electrospinning, but also realizes a mild multi-step degradation process during calcination. Based on temperature-dependent experiments and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis, the function of polymer blends and the formation mechanism of the structure are discussed in detail. As a cathode for lithium batteries, LiV3O8 exhibits a high initial capacity of 320.6 mA h g−1 at 100 mA g−1 and a high-rate capacity of 202.8 mA h g−1 at 2000 mA g−1. This remarkable performance is attributed to its unique structure, which provides a large effective contact area, low charge transfer resistance, and improved structural stability. Our work indicates that the hierarchical LiV3O8 nanowire-in-network material is a promising cathode for use in high-rate and long-life rechargeable lithium batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing rechargeable lithium ion batteries with fast charge/discharge rate, high capacity and power, long lifespan, and broad temperature adaptability is still a significant challenge. In order to realize the fast and efficient transport of ions and electrons during the charging/discharging process, a 3D hierarchical carbon-decorated Li3V2(PO4)3 is designed and synthesized with a nanoscale amorphous carbon coating and a microscale carbon network. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area is 65.4 m2 g−1 and the porosity allows for easy access of the electrolyte to the active material. A specific capacity of 121 mAh g−1 (91% of the theoretical capacity) can be obtained at a rate up to 30 C. When cycled at a rate of 20 C, the capacity retention is 77% after 4000 cycles, corresponding to a capacity fading of 0.0065% per cycle. More importantly, the composite cathode shows excellent temperature adaptability. The specific discharge capacities can reach 130 mAh g−1 at 20 C and 60 °C, and 106 mAh g−1 at 5 C and -20 °C. The rate performance and broad temperature adaptability demonstrate that this hierarchical carbon-decorated Li3V2(PO4)3 is one of the most attractive cathodes for practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Layered intercalation compounds Na\(_{x}\)MnO\(_{2}\) (x = 0.7 and 0.91) nanoflakes have been prepared directly through wet electrochemical process with Na\(^{+}\) ions intercalated into MnO\(_{2}\) interlayers spontaneously. The as-prepared Na\(_{x}\)MnO\(_{2}\) nanoflake based supercapacitors exhibit faster ionic diffusion with enhanced redox peaks, tenfold-higher energy densities up to 110 Wh·kg\(^{-1}\) and higher capacitances over 1000 F·g\(^{-1}\) in aqueous sodium system compared with traditional MnO\(_{2}\) supercapacitors. Due to the free-standing electrode structure and suitable crystal structure, Na\(_{x}\)MnO\(_{2}\) nanoflake electrodes also maintain outstanding electrochemical stability with capacitance retention up to 99.9% after 1000 cycles. Besides, pre-intercalation effect is further studied to explain this enhanced electrochemical performance. This study indicates that the suitable pre-intercalation is effective to improve the diffusion of electrolyte cations and other electrochemical performance for layered oxides, and suggests that the as-obtained nanoflakes are promising materials to achieve the hybridization of both high energy and power density for advanced supercapacitors., Chemistry and Chemical Biology