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Sorption-enhanced reaction process (SEPR) can produce high yield of hydrogen with in-situ CO2 removal using CaO. A key requirement for the process is the integration of effective Ca-based sorbents into catalytic schemes. In this work, the research progress of Ca-based CO2 sorbents in SEPR is summarized. The positive effects by Ca-based sorbents are analyzed. The methods to improve the reactivity of Ca-based sorbents are discussed. A good prospect of compound materials of catalysts/sorbents in SERP is pointed out, for which the relationship between the performance and structure or reaction condition should be further studied. The optimization of process parameters is critically reviewed to provide recommendations for industrial operation. The comprehensiveness of this work extends to the discussion about the applications of Density Functional Theory study in SERP. Process economics requires the integrated H2 production with by-product conversion, renewable resources utilization, waste recycling and heat coupling optimization for the future research.

To develop a new process of sulfur recovery for activated coke desulfurization, reduction of sulfur dioxide by activated coke and pyrolysis gas from powder coke fast preparation system was studied experimentally and theoretically. The distribution of gas products in the experiment was measured by GC-MS analyzer and refinery gas analyzer, while the thermodynamic equilibrium data was calculated by the Factsage software. The activated coke presented great catalytic performance for SO2 reduction by CO and H2. The reactivity of CO reducing SO2 was higher than that of H2, and the two gaseous reducing agents were independent of each other during the reaction process. The effect of CO2 on SO2 reduction was slight, while the participation of H2O resulted in a significant decrease in S yield. The unsteady state experiment shows that the catalytic ability of activated coke did not affect by reaction between carbon and SO2, CO2 or H2O.

To reduce surface contamination and increase battery life, MoO3 nanoparticles were coated with a high-voltage (5 V) LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 cathode material by in-situ method during the high-temperature annealing process. To avoid charging by more than 5 V, we also developed a system based on anode-limited full-cell with a negative/positive electrode (N/P) ratio of 0.9. The pristine LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 was initially prepared by high-energy ball-mill with a solid-state reaction, followed by a precipitation reaction with a molybdenum precursor for the MoO3 coating. The typical structural and electrochemical behaviors of the materials were clearly investigated and reported. The results revealed that a sample of 2 wt.% MoO3-coated LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 electrode exhibited an optimal electrochemical activity, indicating that the MoO3 nanoparticle coating layers considerably enhanced the high-rate charge–discharge profiles and cycle life performance of LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 with a negligible capacity decay. The 2 wt.% MoO3-coated LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 electrode could achieve high specific discharge capacities of 131 and 124 mAh g−1 at the rates of 1 and 10 C, respectively. In particular, the 2 wt.% MoO3-coated LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 electrode retained its specific capacity (87 mAh g−1) of 80.1% after 500 cycles at a rate of 10 C. The Li4Ti5O12/LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 full cell based on the electrochemical-cell (EL-cell) configuration was successfully assembled and tested, exhibiting excellent cycling retention of 93.4% at a 1 C rate for 100 cycles. The results suggest that the MoO3 nano-coating layer could effectively reduce side reactions at the interface of the LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 cathode and the electrolyte, thus improving the electrochemical performance of the battery system.

The rapid identification of bacterial antibiotic susceptibility is pivotal to the rational administration of antibacterial drugs. In this study, cefotaxime (CTX)-derived resistance in Salmonella typhimurium (abbr. CTXr-S. typhimurium) during 3 months of exposure was rapidly recorded using a portable Raman spectrometer. The molecular changes that occurred in the drug-resistant strains were sensitively monitored in whole cells by label-free surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). Various degrees of resistant strains could be accurately discriminated by applying multivariate statistical analyses to bacterial SERS profiles. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values showed a positive linear correlation with the relative Raman intensities of I990/I1348, and the R2 reached 0.9962. The SERS results were consistent with the data obtained by MIC assays, mutant prevention concentration (MPC) determinations, and Kirby-Bauer antibiotic susceptibility tests (K-B tests). This preliminary proof-of-concept study indicates the high potential of the SERS method to supplement the time-consuming conventional method and help alleviate the challenges of antibiotic resistance in clinical therapy.

Supercapacitors (SCs) have been regarded as alternative electrochemical energy storage devices, however, optimizing the electrode materials to further enhance their specific energy and retain their rate capability is highly essential. Herein, the influence of nitrogen content and structural characteristics (i.e., porous and non-porous) of the NiS/nitrogen-doped carbon nanocomposites on their electrochemical performances in an alkaline electrolyte is explored. Due to their distinctive surface and the structural features of the porous carbon (A-PVP-NC), the as-synthesized NiS/A-PVP-NC nanocomposites not only reveal a high wettability with 6 M KOH electrolyte and less polarization but also exhibit remarkable rate capability (101 C/g at 1 A/g and 74 C/g at 10 A/g). Although non-porous carbon (PI-NC) possesses more nitrogen content than the A-PVP-NC, the specific capacity output from the latter at 10 A/g is 3.7 times higher than that of the NiS/PI-NC. Consequently, our findings suggest that the surface nature and porous architectures that exist in carbon materials would be significant factors affecting the electrochemical behavior of electrode materials compared to nitrogen content.

To develop a new method to recover elemental sulfur from the desulfurization process, a study on the sulfur evolution mechanism during the reduction of SO2 with CO over carbon was carried out. Ther...

Rational design and synthesis of transition metal sulfide complex nanostructures are significant for achieving desired materials properties for a variety of applications. Herein, we synthesized nickel sulfide (NiS) nanostructures using laser irradiation in an aqueous solution and under the ambient condition. Crystalline nanostructures with high phase-purity were achieved without further calcination. Other transition metal sulfides, such as CuS and ZnS, were also successfully synthesized using the laser irradiation approach, suggesting the practical application of this method. The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) measurements show the NiS nanostructures synthesized for 4h (NiS-4h) not only exhibited competitive overpotential (−159 mV vs. RHE at 10 A/g), lower Tafel slope (218 mV/dec) but also delivered long-term stability (14 A/g at −250 mV vs. RHE for 12h). Moreover, the NiS-4h functioned as the electrode for supercapacitor with excellent specific capacitance (3761 F/g at 10 mV/s), reversibility and rate capability (1152 F/g at 100 mV/s). These superb electrochemical performances are attributed to the remarkable value of electrochemically active surface area (ECSA) and synergistic effect of Ni3+OOH for HER electrocatalytic activities, while the co-existence of Ni2+ and Ni3+ facilitates the rich redox reactions of NiS for supercapacitor.

Microwave-assisted methane reforming with carbon dioxide was dealt with in this work, using a Fe-rich biomass-derived char by one-step preparation. The main factors on the reforming reaction and stability of this catalyst were evaluated, together with a series of characterization on the produced gas and the used char. The char obtained from biomass pyrolysis with Fe2O3 addition of 10% exhibited the best performance on dry reforming reaction. A target CH4 conversion of 95% over this char was realized at 800 °C. Moreover, H2/CO ratio achieved with this char was prone to approach the stoichiometric value. Compared to CO2 conversion, CH4 conversion was more promoted with the increase of CO2/CH4 ratio. The variation of CO2/CH4 ratio also leaded to a noticeable changes on H2/CO ratio. More importantly, the selected char presented a satisfied stability, evidenced by the total decrease of 4.8% for CH4 conversion and 3.1% for CO2 conversion in the test of 160 min. This was contributed to a depressed in-situ carbon consumption and a moderate deterioration of porous structure. Gaseous products obtained with the appropriate char in a long run had a syngas content of 88.79% and H2/CO ratio of 0.92 on average.

Contrary to conventional methane dry reforming on metallic catalyst using electric heating, dry reforming catalyzed by biomass-derived char with microwave heating was studied in this work. The results showed bio-char catalytic activity could be affected by raw material for char preparation, since it was greatly connected to the remained metal after char preparation. As a whole, cotton stalk char presented better activity than others. Bio-char with a particle size in 0.25–0.83 mm was suitable for being served as the catalyst. Supporting an appropriate additive on bio-char, particularly for Ni, was effective to improve bio-char catalytic ability. Original bio-char could only maintain its catalytic effect at an acceptable level in 70 min, due to an unavoidable carbon gasification reaction. Nevertheless, carbon gasification meanwhile generated part of CO production and it was a contributor to total syngas production. When applying original bio-char for the reforming reaction, the contribution of char-derived CO production to total syngas production was finally up to 10.2%. Deposited bio-char obtained from methane decomposition could be self-regenerated, when further using for dry reforming. No matter original bio-char or deposited bio-char was adopted, a noticeable decrease of H2/CO ratio passed through the test. For example, the ratio achieved on original bio-char reduced from 0.88 to 0.71. Through carbon balance and direct weight measurement, it was obtained a loss by 8.3% was occurred on original bio-char after the test.

This paper presents a simple strategy for manufacturing bifunctional electrocatalysts-graphene nanosheets (GNS) coated with an ultrafine NiCo-MOF as nanocomposites (denoted NiCo-MOF@GNS) having a N-doped defect-rich and abundant cavity structure through one-pool treatment of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). The precursors included N-doped dodecahedron-like graphene nanosheets (GNS), in which the NiCo-MOF was encompassed within the inner cavities of the GNS (NiCo-MOF@GNS) at the end or middle portion of the tubular furnace with several graphene layers. Volatile imidazolate N x species were trapped by the NiCo-MOF nanosheets during the pyrolysis process, simultaneously inserting N atoms into the carbon matrix to achieve the defect-rich porous nanosheets and the abundantly porous cavity structure. With high durability, the as-prepared nanomaterials displayed simultaneously improved performance in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and photocatalysis. In particular, our material NiCo-MOF@GNS-700 exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity, including a half-wave potential of 0.83 V (EORR, 1/2), a low operating voltage of 1.53 V (EOER, 10) at 10 mA cm-2, a potential difference (ΔE) of 1.02 V between EOER, 10 and EORR, 1/2 in 0.1 M KOH, and a low band gap of 2.61 eV. This remarkable behavior was due to the structure of the defect-rich porous carbon nanosheets and the synergistic impact of the NPs in the NiCo-MOF, the N-doped carbon, and NiCo-N x . Furthermore, the hollow structure enhanced the conductivity and stability. This useful archetypal template allows the construction of effective and stable bifunctional electrocatalysts, with potential for practical viability for energy conversion and storage.

A novel design and synthesis methodology is the most important consideration in the development of a superior electrocatalyst for improving the kinetics of oxygen electrode reactions, such as the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in Li-O2 battery application. Herein, we demonstrate a glycine-assisted hydrothermal and probe sonication method for the synthesis of a mesoporous spherical La0.8Ce0.2Fe0.5Mn0.5O3 perovskite particle and embedded graphene nanosheet (LCFM(8255)-gly/GNS) composite and evaluate its bifunctional ORR/OER kinetics in Li-O2 battery application. The physicochemical characterization confirms that the as-formed LCFM(8255)-gly perovskite catalyst has a highly crystalline structure and mesoporous morphology with a large specific surface area. The LCFM(8255)-gly/GNS composite hybrid structure exhibits an improved onset potential and high current density toward ORR/OER in both aqueous and non-aqueous electrolytes. The LCFM(8255)-gly/GNS composite cathode (ca. 8475 mAh g−1) delivers a higher discharge capacity than the La0.5Ce0.5Fe0.5Mn0.5O3-gly/GNS cathode (ca. 5796 mAh g−1) in a Li-O2 battery at a current density of 100 mA g−1. Our results revealed that the composite’s high electrochemical activity comes from the synergism of highly abundant oxygen vacancies and redox-active sites due to the Ce and Fe dopant in LaMnO3 and the excellent charge transfer characteristics of the graphene materials. The as-developed cathode catalyst performed appreciable cycle stability up to 55 cycles at a limited capacity of 1000 mAh g−1 based on conventional glass fiber separators.

Background: Dasatinib, as an oral multi-targeted inhibitor of BCR-ABL and SRC family kinases, has been widely used for the treatment of Philadelphia Chromosome Positive Leukemias in imatinib-acquired resistance and intolerance. The study aimed to develop and validate a simple and robust assay with a small volume of plasma based on liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry to determine the concentration of dasatinib and to investigate the impact of the cytochrome 3A4 inhibitors, including ketoconazole, voriconazole, itraconazole and posaconazole, on the pharmacokinetics of dasatinib in rats. Methods: Thirty rats were divided randomly into five groups, control group (0.5% carboxymethylcellulose sodium), ketoconazole (30 mg/kg) group, voriconazole group (30 mg/kg), itraconazole group (30 mg/kg) and posaconazole group (30 mg/kg). After 150 μL blood samples were collected at 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 24, and 48 h and precipitated with acetonitrile, the plasma concentration of dasatinib was determined through Fluoro- Phenyl column (150 mm×2.1 mm, 3 μm) in a positive ionization mode. Results: The results suggested that ketoconazole, voriconazole, and posaconazole could increase the AUC0-t of dasatinib to varying degrees while significantly reducing its clearance. However, there was no significant impact on the pharmacokinetics of dasatinib, co-administered with itraconazole except for the CL and MRT0-t of dasatinib. Additionally, voriconazole could significantly increase Cmax of dasatinib by approximately 4.12 fold. Conclusion: These data indicated that ketoconazole, posaconazole and voriconazole should be cautiously co-administered with dasatinib or close therapeutic drug monitoring of dasatinib concentration, which might cause the drug-drug interaction.

Li-ion batteries play a significant role in portable electronic devices in the running world. However, the limited energy density still needs to be improved for the growing future. Hence, we developed a photocathode nanocomposite material composed of Cadmium Selenide/Zinc Sulfide Quantum Dots with Carbon nanotube (CdSe/ZnS QD@CNT) for an efficient and tunable performance of the photoelectrochemical Li–O2 battery system to overcome the key issue of overpotential. The QD and CNT networks can provide efficient transportation paths of the electron–hole pairs and the O2 gas and lithium ions, respectively. The charging voltage of the photoelectrode is 2.65–4.0 V; therefore, decreased overpotential was due to efficient oxidation of Li2O2 by photoexcited electron–hole pairs by using QDs, resulting in a long-term operational stability over 100 cycles. On the basis of the advantages, the QDs exhibit efficient potential in Li–O2 batteries.

Bifunctional electrocatalysts are important to optimize the overpotential in Li–O2 battery cycles. Catalysts with a size distribution in the nanometer range perform efficiently because of the availability of numerous active sites. Carbonaceous composites of materials derived from transition metal series are exploited as bifunctional catalysts for oxygen reactions in the Li–O2 batteries. Cobalt nitride (Co4N) as predicted by density functional theory is believed to possess metallic properties. In this study, we have examined the viability of Co4N nanoparticles to oxygen reactions in Li–O2 batteries. Oxidized multiwall carbon nanotubes are further added to Co4N nanoparticles to form a composite. Structural characterizations reveal that nanoparticles arranged conformally around the nanotubes, creating active centers for both oxygen evolution and reduction through the nanotube as a charge-transport channel. Electrochemical measurements for Li–O2 characteristics are performed on both pristine and composite cat...

In this study we investigated the effect of the Li-excess on electrochemical properties of LixNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2 cathode materials, which was obtained by sintering Ni0.6Co0.2Mn0.2(OH)2 with a various amounts of LiOH (samples with Li-excesses of 5, 10, 20, and 25 mol% are denoted herein as NCM-5, NCM-10, NCM-20, and NCM-25, respectively). The LixNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2 samples retained their excellent crystalline ordering in the rhombohedral layered structure, with the space group R3-m. When the Li-excess increased, Rietveld refinement revealed that cation mixing occurred, the lattice parameters decreased, the transition metal slab thickness increased, and the inter-slab Li space thickness decreased. Nevertheless, an appropriate degree of cation mixing could retain the structural stability and improve the rate capability of the electrodes. It was found that the sample containing the 20 mol% Li-excess (NCM-20) achieved the best cyclic stability, with a capacity retention of 90% at a current rate of 1C/1C for 200 cycles between 2.8 and 4.5 V at room temperature. In situ X-ray diffraction confirmed the greater stability of the crystal phase and physical structure of NCM-20 upon initial cycling. In operando microcalorimetry revealed that the thermal stability of NCM-20 was greater than that of the other cathode materials; it exhibited markedly less heat-generated flux and prevented thermal runaway.

In the field, the chemical constituents of the essential oil of Pelargonium graveolens cutting (diploid) and polyploid seedlings are the same, but the principal components of geraniol, geranyl formate, and linalool in polyploid plants are remarkably higher than those of cutting seedlings. The contents of citronellol, citronellyl formate, and rose oxide are significantly lower in polyploid seedlings than in cutting seedlings. ISSR and RAPD molecular markers were used to analyze P. graveolens in two different genetic populations and to compare the genetic background of differences between cutting and polyploid seedlings. The genomic DNA of 60 cutting and polyploid seedlings was extracted for PCR amplification by using 3 ISSR primers and 11 RAPD primers for random sampling from adjacent cultivated fields. Among the primers, ISSR-25 primer detected the highest diversity of the loci. Seven loci of variation were found in the two populations. The variation rates detected using 3 ISSR primers were 13.3% and 6.7% for the cutting and polyploid populations, respectively. Genetic polymorphisms in P. graveolens genome with mutation rates of 11.7% and 3.3% were respectively determined in cutting and polyploid seedlings by using 3 RAPD primers (B11, P4, and R19). Both types of molecular markers also revealed the mutation in cutting and polyploid seedlings. Results demonstrated that a genetic difference can be observed by the molecular markers, although no evident phenotypic difference exists in cutting and polyploid seedlings in fields. The trend of these molecular markers is consistent, that is, individual genetic differences in cutting seedlings are greater than those in polyploid seedlings. These results suggested that polyploid seedlings in a population are relative uniform and applicable to production.

Accurate evaluation of soil productivity has been a long-standing challenge. Although numerous models for productivity assessment exist, most are cumbersome to use and require substantial parameter inputs. We developed a new empirical soil productivity model based on field investigations of soil erosion, soil physicochemical properties, and crop yields in the dry-hot valleys (DHVs) in China. We found that soil pH, and organic matter and available potassium contents significantly affected crop yields under eroded conditions of the DHVs. Moreover, available potassium content was the key factor affecting soil productivity. We then modified an existing soil productivity model by adding the following parameters: contents of effective water, potassium, organic matter, and clay, soil pH, and root weighting factor. The modified soil productivity model explained 63.5% of the crop yield. We concluded that the new model was simple, realistic, and exhibited strong predictability. In addition to providing an accurate assessment of soil productivity, our model could potentially be applied as a soil module in comprehensive crop models.

Porous carbon materials have emerged as a new technology with tremendous potential as energy-saving and environmentally friendly pathways for SO2 removal due to its advantages, which include recyclability and a high adsorption capacity. However, the degradation of the performance of adsorbents using thermal regeneration has become a key issue limiting the scaling-up of this new technology. The main purpose of this study is to clarify the effect of the regeneration temperature on the physicochemical properties of activated coke and secondary SO2 removal performance, as well as explore the mechanism by which the circulating adsorbent is deactivated. Using powdered activated coke (PAC) prepared from coal. Experimental results show that adsorbed SO2 desorbs at temperatures between 200 and 500 ℃, while both excess CO2 and CO are released over a wide temperature range owing to the regeneration reaction and decomposition of newly formed oxygen-containing functional groups. The physicochemical properties of PAC are significantly affected by the regeneration temperature. As this temperature rises, the adsorbed sulfuric acid in the pores evaporates and the functional groups decompose, producing several micropores and a large specific surface area. Moreover, the SO2 adsorption–desorption process increases the number of C–O groups such that the active adsorption sites are occupied and SO2 adsorption is prevented. The C-O groups decompose to produce CO2 when exposed to even higher temperatures. The secondary SO2 adsorption experiment demonstrated that the ability of the adsorbent to perform desulfurization could be recovered completely by controlling the regeneration temperature.

Sodium titanium phosphate (NaTi2(PO4)3, NTP) with a sodium superionic conductor structure is considered as an efficient anode material for aqueous sodium-ion batteries because of its moderate potential range and high structural stability. In this study, a series of NTP nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized using a facile and cost-effective hydrothermal method without further calcination to explore the influence of reaction time on their crystalline structures and morphologies. The NTP NPs hydrothermally synthesized for 5 h were subsequently subjected to a carbon-coating procedure, and the resulting carbon-coated NTP NPs exhibited remarkable reversible capacities, rate capabilities, and cycling performances. These features were attributable to the nanotailoring of the NTP NPs, which reduced both the ionic and electronic transporting paths, and continuous carbon layers coated on the NTP surfaces to promote their electronic conductivities.

It is now clear that connexin-based, gap junction “hemichannels” in an undocked state are capable of opening and connecting cytoplasm to the extracellular milieu. Varied studies also suggest that such channel activity plays a vital role in diverse cell processes and abnormal hemichannel activity contributes to pathogenesis. To pursue fundamental questions in this area, investigators require methods for studying hemichannel permeability and dynamics that are quantitative, sensitive, versatile, and available to most cellular and molecular laboratories. Here we first provide a theoretical background for this work, including the role of cellular membrane potentials. We then describe in detail our computer-assisted methods for both dye uptake and leakage along with illustrative results from different cell systems. A key feature of our protocol is the inclusion of a mechanical stimulation step. We describe dye uptake, interpreted as connexin dependent, that is shown to be enhanced with reduced extracellular Ca2+, mechanically responsive, inhibited by TPA, inhibited by EL186 antibodies for Cx43 and sustained for more than 15 min following mechanical stimulation. We describe dye leakage that displays these same properties, with estimates of hemichannel numbers per cell being derived from leakage rates. We also describe dye uptake that is shown to be unaffected by a reduction in external Ca2+, insensitive to EL186 antibodies and relatively short-lived following mechanical stimulation; this uptake may occur via pannexin 1 channels expressed in the cells studied here. It is unlikely that cell damage plays a significant role in dye uptake following mechanical stimulation, given compelling results from various control experiments.

Aim Protein tyrosine phosphatases receptor type D (PTPRD) is a tumour suppressor gene, and its epigenetic silencing is frequently found in glioblastoma. As aberrant deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) methylation patterning has been shown to play a role in leukaemogenesis, we studied the promoter methylation, expression profiles and molecular functions of PTPRD in paediatric patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Methods Bone marrow specimens were obtained from 32 Chinese patients with a mean age of 7.2 years (range 1.1–16.5). PTPRD and methylation status were evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and methylation-specific PCR. Western blot and flow cytometry techniques were also used. Results PTPRD expression was decreased by promoter region methylation in six AML cells and methylated in 21 (65.6%) of the 32 samples. In addition, PTPRD expression could be induced by the DNA demethylating agent 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine. Furthermore, functional studies showed that overexpression of PTPRD in AML cells inhibited cell proliferation and clonogenicity as well as inducing apoptosis. However, PTPRD knockdown increased cell proliferation. These effects were associated with downregulation of cyclin D1, c-myc and upregulation of Bax. Conclusion The results of this study demonstrated that PTPRD was a potential tumour suppressor gene inactivated by DNA methylation in paediatric AML.

To develop a new process for reducing SO2 to elemental sulfur, the reduction of SO2 with carbon materials heated by electrical and microwave were investigated on a fixed bed experimental system. The effects of carbon species, temperature, SO2 concentration and C/SO2 molar ratio on SO2 reduction were studied. The results showed that coconut shell activated carbon has the best reduction effect among the six carbon materials. With the increase of reaction temperature, the XSO2 gradually increased. However, the YS rapidly decreased at 800°C and reached a minimum value of only 55 % at 900℃. The XSO2 increased with the increase of C/S mole ratio, but the YS showed a different trend according to the different reaction temperature. By comparing the effects of microwave heating and electrical heating on the reduction of SO2, the much lower temperature was required to obtain the same XSO2 under microwave heating than that under electrical heating. Also for the SS, the results obtained under microwave heating were higher than that of electrical heating. When the reaction temperature was 950℃, XSO2 was about 98 % under both heating modes. However, YS under microwave heating was 95 %, while YS under electrical heating was only 85 %.

Herein, potential-tunable Na2 Ni1-x Cux Fe(CN)6 nanoparticles with three-dimensional frameworks and large interstitial spaces were synthesized as alternative cathode materials for aqueous sodium-ion batteries by controlling the molar ratio of Ni(II) to Cu(II) at ambient temperature. The influence of the value of x on the crystalline structure, lattice parameters, electrochemical properties, and charge transfer of the resultant compound was explored by using powder X-ray diffractometry, density functional theory, cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge-discharge techniques, and Bader charge analysis. Of the various formulations investigated, that with x=0.25 delivered the highest reversible capacity, superior rate capability, and outstanding cycling performance. These attributes are ascribed to its unique face-centered cubic structure for facile sodium-ion insertion/extraction and the strong interactions between Cu and N atoms, which promote structural stability.

The development of Li-O2 battery electrocatalysts has been extensively explored recently. The Co3O4 oxide has attracted much attention because of its bifunctional activity and high abundance. In the present study, toxic Co(2+) has been replaced through the substitution on the tetrahedral spinel A site ions with environmental friendly metals (Mn(2+), Fe(2+), Ni(2+), and Zn(2+)), and porous nanorod structure are formed. Among these spinel MCo2O4 cathodes, the FeCo2O4 surface has the highest Co(3+) ratio. Thus, oxygen can be easily adsorbed onto the active sites. In addition, Fe(2+) in the tetrahedral site can easily release electrons to reduce oxygen and oxidize to half electron filled Fe(3+). The FeCo2O4 cathode exhibits the highest discharging plateau and lowest charging plateau as shown by the charge-discharge profile. Moreover, the porous FeCo2O4 nanorods can also facilitate achieving high capacity and good cycling performance, which are beneficial for O2 diffusion channels and Li2O2 formation/decomposition pathways.

2-Fluoroalkyl-substituted indoles were prepared in moderate to excellent yields through bromotriphenylphosphonium salt promoted ring formation with fluorine-containing carboxylic acids in the presence of triethylamine in toluene at reflux temperature. A range of 2-fluoroalkyl-substituted indole derivatives can be conveniently prepared.

Considerable efforts have been exerted in the development of non-noble metal catalysts (NNMCs) for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs). The effects of the preparation strategy, including carbon support, metal and nitrogen precursors, as well as heat-treatment conditions, on the ORR activity for such NNMCs have also been extensively explored. In this review, we mainly focused on the recent advances in carbon-incorporated NNMCs, specifically carbon-incorporated iron nitride (FeCN)-based catalysts. Influences of pyrolysis temperature on the crystalline and local structures, chemical environment, morphology, and ORR activity of FeCN-based catalysts were discussed, and the ORR mechanism was also proposed.

A UDP-glycosyltransferase from Bacillus licheniformis was exploited for the glycosylation of phloretin. The in vitro glycosylation reaction confirmed the production of five phloretin glucosides, including three novel glucosides. Consequently, we demonstrated the application of the same glycosyltransferase for the efficient whole-cell biocatalysis of phloretin in engineered Escherichia coli .

Herein, mesoporous sodium vanadium phosphate nanoparticles with highly sp(2) -coordinated carbon coatings (meso-Na3 V2 (PO4 )3 /C) were successfully synthesized as efficient cathode material for rechargeable sodium-ion batteries by using ascorbic acid as both the reductant and carbon source, followed by calcination at 750 °C in an argon atmosphere. Their crystalline structure, morphology, surface area, chemical composition, carbon nature and amount were systematically explored. Following electrochemical measurements, the resultant meso-Na3 V2 (PO4 )3 /C not only delivered good reversible capacity (98 mAh g(-1) at 0.1 A g(-1) ) and superior rate capability (63 mAh g(-1) at 1 A g(-1) ) but also exhibited comparable cycling performance (capacity retention: ≈74 % at 450 cycles at 0.4 A g(-1) ). Moreover, the symmetrical sodium-ion full cell with excellent reversibility and cycling stability was also achieved (capacity retention: 92.2 % at 0.1 A g(-1) with 99.5 % coulombic efficiency after 100 cycles). These attributes are ascribed to the distinctive mesostructure for facile sodium-ion insertion/extraction and their continuous sp(2) -coordinated carbon coatings, which facilitate electronic conduction.

The sulfonated graphene nanosheet-supported platinum (s-Pt/GNS) catalyst synthesized via a simple thermal-treatment in the presence of concentrated sulfuric acid was reported in this study. Influence of sulfonation on its structural, surface, morphological and catalytic characteristics of as-prepared s-Pt/GNS was explored using X-ray diffractometer, Raman spectrometry, zeta potential analyzer, scanning and transmission electron microscopes, and cyclic voltammetry. For the oxygen reduction reaction, the current density generated from the s-Pt/GNS at 0.6 V was approximately 32.5 A g � 1 Pt, which was about

In this study, lithium phosphorus oxynitride (LiPON) thin films were deposited by radio frequency (r.f.) magnetron sputtering of a lithium phosphate (Li3PO4) target with various powers. The crystal structure, morphology, chemical environment, ionic conductivity, electronic state and coordination type were sequentially characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and X-ray absorption spectroscopy, respectively. As the results, the optimal ionic conductivity was achieved by the r.f. power of 75 W. Furthermore, the P-N valence states of hybrid orbitals were increased with increasing the nitrogen amounts.

In the present study, the Nafion ® -based self-humidifying composite membrane (N-SHCM) with sulfonated carbon nanofiber-supported Pt ( s -Pt/CNF) catalyst, N- s -Pt/CNF, is successfully prepared using the solution-casting method. The scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) images of N- s -Pt/CNF indicate that s -Pt/CNF is well dispersed in the Nafion ® matrix due to the good compatibility between Nafion ® and s -Pt/CNF. Compared with those of the non-sulfonated Pt/CNF-containing N-SHCM, N-Pt/CNF, the properties of N- s -Pt/CNF, including electronic resistivity, ion-exchange capacity (IEC), water uptake, dimensional stability, and catalytic activity, significantly increase. The maximum power density of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) fabricated with N- s -Pt/CNF operated at 50 °C under dry H 2 /O 2 condition is about 921 mW cm −2 , which is approximately 34% higher than that with N-Pt/CNF.

Several compounds from Cinnamomum kotoense show anticancer activities. However, the detailed mechanisms of most compounds from C. kotoense remain unknown. In this study, we investigated the anticancer activity of obtusilactone A (OA) and (−)-sesamin in lung cancer. Our results show that human Lon is upregulated in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines, and downregulation of Lon triggers caspase-3 mediated apoptosis. Through enzyme-based screening, we identified two small-molecule compounds, obtusilactone A (OA) and (−)-sesamin from C. kotoense, as potent Lon protease inhibitors. Obtusilactone A and (−)-sesamin interact with Ser855 and Lys898 residues in the active site of the Lon protease according to molecular docking analysis. Thus, we suggest that cancer cytotoxicity of the compounds is partly due to the inhibitory effects on Lon protease. In addition, the compounds are able to cause DNA double-strand breaks and activate checkpoints. Treatment with OA and (−)-sesamin induced p53-independent DNA damage responses in NSCLC cells, including G1/S checkpoint activation and apoptosis, as evidenced by phosphorylation of checkpoint proteins (H2AX, Nbs1, and Chk2), caspase-3 cleavage, and sub-G1 accumulation. In conclusion, OA and (−)-sesamin act as both inhibitors of human mitochondrial Lon protease and DNA damage agents to activate the DNA damage checkpoints as well induce apoptosis in NSCLC cells. These dual functions open a bright avenue to develop more selective chemotherapy agents to overcome chemoresistance and sensitize cancer cells to other chemotherapeutics. (Cancer Sci 2010; 101: 2612–2620)

CoSe2 nanorods are prepared via hydrothermal approach and characterized by using various techniques to examine crystallinity, crystallite size, morphology, and defects present within. CoSe2 is grafted on graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) for oxygen reactions in a non-aqueous medium. Li-O2 batteries are assembled in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and investigated for charge-discharge cycles at various current densities. Li-O2 battery with CoSe2@g-C3N4 delivers 2158 mAh g−1 discharge capacity at 0.1 mA cm−2 current density. The charging potential of the Li-O2 battery is reduced by 280 mV in a combination of CoSe2 and g-C3N4. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) of the Li-O2 battery shows that charge transfer resistance of CoSe2 catalyst is reduced from 311 Ω to 181 Ω by adding g-C3N4. Tetra-ethylene glycol dimethyl ether also used as electrolyte to ensure better performing in terms of stability of the cell in comparison to DMSO electrolyte. Upon illumination of solar light without any redox mediator, the overpotential of charging step can be reduced. Under solar light illumination, the charging potential plateau shows a reduction of 330 and 170 mV in CoSe2 and CoSe2@g-C3N4 samples, respectively.

In the present study, a series of highly efficient single-layer gas diffusion layers (SL-GDLs) was successfully prepared by the addition of a vapor grown carbon nanofiber (VGCF) in the carbon black/poly(tetrafluoroethylene) composite-based SL-GDL through a simple and inexpensive process. The scanning electron micrographs of the as-prepared VGCF-containing SL-GDLs (SL-GDL-CFs) showed that the GDLs had a microporous layer (MPL)-like structure, while the wire-like VGCFs were well dispersed and crossed among the carbon black particles in the SL-GDL matrix. Utilization of the SL-GDL-CFs for MEA fabrication was also done by direct coating with the catalyst layer. Due to the presence of VGCFs, the properties of the SL-GDL-CFs, including electronic resistivity, mechanical characteristic, gas permeability, and water repellency, varied with the VGCF content, with the overall effect beneficial to the performance of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). The best performances obtained from the PEMFC with VGCFs at 15 wt.% was approximately 63% higher than those without VGCFs, and about 85% as efficient as ELAT GDL, a commercial dual-layer GDL, for both the H2/O2 and H2/air systems.

The high water content of municipal solid waste (MSW) will reduce the efficiency of mechanical sorting, consequently unfavorable for beneficial utilization. In this study, a combined hydrolytic-aerobic biodrying technology was introduced to remove water from MSW. The total water removals were proved to depend on the ventilation frequency and the temporal span in the hydrolytic stage. The ventilation frequency of 6 times/d was preferable in the hydrolytic stage. The hydrolytic span should not be prolonged more than 4 d. At this optimal scenario, the final water content was 50.5% reduced from the initial water content of 72.0%, presenting a high water removal efficiency up to 78.5%. A positive correlation was observed between the organics losses and the water losses in both hydrolytic and aerobic stages (R = 0.944, p < 0.01). The evolutions of extracellular enzyme activities were shown to be consistent with the organics losses.

A series of poly(tetrafluoroethylene)/carbon black composite-based single-layer gas diffusion layers (PTFE/CB-GDLs) for proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) was successfully prepared from carbon black and un-sintered PTFE, which included powder resin and colloidal dispersion, by a simple inexpensive method. The scanning electron micrographs of PTFE/CB-GDLs indicated that the PTFE resins were homogeneously dispersed in the carbon black matrix and showed a microporous layer (MPL)-like structure. The as-prepared PTFE/CB-GDLs exhibited good mechanical property, high gas permeability, and sufficient water repellency. The best current density obtained from the PEMFC with the single-layer PTFE/CB-GDL was 1.27 and 0.42 A cm −2 for H 2 /O 2 and H 2 /air system, respectively.

2-Fluoroalkyl-substituted indoles were prepared in moderate to excellent yields through bromotriphenylphosphonium salt promoted ring formation with fluorine-containing carboxylic acids in the presence of triethylamine in toluene at reflux temperature. A range of 2-fluoroalkyl-substituted indole derivatives can be conveniently prepared.

According to the theory of flow diffusion and convection, we establish the three-dimensional state equations describing the radon field with the constants and variables of diffusion coefficients and convection rates. The numerical solutions of different coefficients and different boundary conditions are given for the two theoretical models of the radon field having sources at the side of and inside of the collapse column. Numerical computation is performed with the difference method based on characteristics and boundary conditions of the models. The computation results indicate the distribution characteristics of the radon field in space. The field measurement and model test accord with each other.

A method for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the air of class-100 clean rooms at semiconductor fabrication facilities was developed. Air samples from two semiconductor factories were collected each hour on multisorbent tubes (including Carbopack B, Carbopack C, and Carbosieve SIII) with a 24-h automatic active sampling system and analyzed using adsorption/thermal desorption coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Experimental parameters, including thermal desorption temperature, desorption time, and cryofocusing temperature, were optimized. The average recoveries and the method detection limits for the target compounds were in the range 94-101% and 0.31-0.89 ppb, respectively, under the conditions of a 1 L sampling volume and 80% relative humidity. VOCs such as acetone, isopropyl alcohol, 2-heptanone, and toluene, which are commonly used in the semiconductor and electronics industries, were detected and accurately quantified with the established method. Temporal variations of the analyte concentrations observed were attributed to the improper use of organic solvents during operation.

Considerable efforts have been exerted in the development of non-noble metal catalysts (NNMCs) for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs). The effects of the preparation strategy, including carbon support, metal and nitrogen precursors, as well as heat-treatment conditions, on the ORR activity for such NNMCs have also been extensively explored. In this review, we mainly focused on the recent advances in carbon-incorporated NNMCs, specifically carbon-incorporated iron nitride (FeCN)-based catalysts. Influences of pyrolysis temperature on the crystalline and local structures, chemical environment, morphology, and ORR activity of FeCN-based catalysts were discussed, and the ORR mechanism was also proposed.

During the assembly of gap junctions, a hemichannel in the plasma membrane of one cell is thought to align and dock with another in an apposed membrane to form a cell-to-cell channel. We report here on the existence and properties of nonjunctional, plasma membrane connexin43 (Cx43) hemichannels. The opening of the hemichannels was demonstrated by the cellular uptake of 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein from the culture medium when extracellular calcium levels were reduced. Dye uptake exhibited properties similar to those of gap junction channels. For example, using different dyes, the levels of uptake were correlated with molecular size: 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (approximately 32%), 7-hydroxycoumarin-3-carboxylic acid (approximately 24%), fura-2 (approximately 11%), and fluorescein-dextran (approximately 0.4%). Octanol and heptanol also reduced dye uptake by approximately 50%. Detailed analysis of one clone of Novikoff cells transfected with a Cx43 antisense expression vector revealed a reduction in dye uptake levels according to uptake assays and a corresponding decrease in intercellular dye transfer rates in microinjection experiments. In addition, a more limited decrease in membrane resistance upon reduction of extracellular calcium was detected in electrophysiological studies of antisense transfectants, in contrast to control cells. Studies of dye uptake in HeLa cells also demonstrated a large increase following transfection with Cx43. Together these observations indicate that Cx43 is responsible for the hemichannel function in these cultured cells. Similar dye uptake results were obtained with normal rat kidney (NRK) cells, which express Cx43. Dye uptake can be dramatically inhibited by 12-O-tetradeconylphorbol-13-acetate-activated protein kinase C in these cell systems and by a temperature-sensitive tyrosine protein kinase, pp60v-src in LA25-NRK cells. We conclude that Cx43 hemichannels are found in the plasma membrane, where they are regulated by multiple signaling pathways, and likely represent an important stage in gap junction assembly.