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This investigation employs first‐principles calculations to explore the interaction between imidazolium ionic liquids (ILs) and fluoride additives on lithium metal surface. Our focus lies in the comprehensive analysis of three distinct categories of fluorinated additives, each differing in their degree of fluorination. The computations reveal that fluorination plays a significant role in determining both the ionic conductivity and the formation of the solid–electrolyte interphase (SEI) film. Specifically, heightened fluorination enhances the oxidative stability of the system but diminishes the strength of solvent binding, resulting in the formation of larger salt/anion clusters and a decrease in ionic conductivity. Conversely, increased fluorination facilitates the interaction between fluorinated additives and the lithium metal surface, thereby aiding in the formation of a stable SEI film characterized by an abundance of inorganic LiF components. This is important as it serves to suppress dendrite growth and mitigate interface side reactions. Considering the combined influences of ionic conductivity and film formation, 1FP is suggested as the optimal candidate for pyridine‐based additive systems, with FEC preferred for cyclic ester‐based additive systems and BC for chain ester‐based additive systems. This study provides theoretical references for the design of ionic liquid‐fluorinated additive electrolyte systems that can protect the lithium metal anode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis [acellular, component] [DTacP]) vaccine is a combined vaccine designed to prevent three potentially fatal diseases including pertussis, tetanus, and diphtheria in both children and adults. We utilized advanced technology to develop a novel DTacP vaccine that was previously unavailable in China. The nonclinical studies were performed to evaluate the immunogenicity, potential toxicity, and local tolerance of the vaccine in animal models. In the immunogenicity study, three batches of the vaccine were intraperitoneally administered to National Institutes of Health (NIH) mice, resulting in 100% seropositivity for all three batches. Additionally, antibody levels notably increased as the immunization dosage increased. In acute toxicity study, no mortality was observed among the animals during the 14‐day observation period, and no abnormalities in clinical signs were reported. Active systemic anaphylaxis assessment in guinea pigs showed no evidence of serious allergic reactions in the vaccine groups. In the repeat‐dose toxicity study, where five intramuscular doses were administered every 2 weeks, gross autopsy and histopathological examination revealed no vaccine‐related systemic pathological changes in rats, with dose site irritant reactions mostly recovered at the end of recovery period. In conclusion, the vaccine demonstrated good local and systemic tolerance, supporting its clinical development. We developed a novel DTacP vaccine that was previously unavailable in China and evaluated the immunogenicity, potential toxicity, and local tolerance of the vaccine in animal models. The seropositivity of vaccines reached 100% in mice. Acute toxicity study, active systemic anaphylaxis study, and repeat‐dose toxicity study showed no clinical signs abnormalities, and moderate irritant reactions were observed and mostly recovered at the end of recovery period. The DTacP vaccine demonstrated good local and systemic tolerance, supporting its clinical development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

FeS2 is a promising electrode material for alkali metal ion storage due to its high theoretical capacity. However, it still faces critical issues such as suboptimal rate and cycling performances owing to sluggish charge transport and significant volume variations. Herein, we constructed FeS2 (m-FeS2) and pyrite FeS2 (p-FeS2) nanocomposites embedded in N,S-doped carbon nanoboxes (m/p-FeS2@NSCN) to conquer such challenges. The microstructure design of nanoboxes effectively alleviates the stress caused by the volume expansion of FeS2 during lithiation processes, thereby improving the cycling stability of the FeS2 electrode. The marcasite/pyrite compositing design further increases the electronic conductivity of FeS2 and optimizes ion migration. As expected, the target m/p-FeS2@NSCN exhibits improved rate capability (595.5 mA h g−1 at 5.0 A g−1) and robust cycling stability (500 cycles without significant capacity decay at 0.1 A g−1) in lithium-ion batteries. Furthermore, m/p-FeS2@NSCN also shows excellent battery performances and potential application prospects in the field of sodium-ion batteries. It achieves a capacity of 355 mA h g−1 at 10.0 A g−1 and sustains 800 cycles without noticeable capacity decay at 0.5 A g−1. This work offers valuable guidance for rationally designing high-performance energy storage materials for alkali metal ion storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The resurgence of pertussis in vaccinated communities may be related to the reduced long-term immunity induced by acellular pertussis vaccines. Therefore, developing improved pertussis vaccine candidates that could induce strong Th1 or Th17 cellular immunity is an urgent need. The use of new adjuvants may well meet this requirement. In this research, we developed a novel adjuvant candidate by combining liposome and QS-21 adjuvant. Adjuvant activity, protective efficacy, the level of neutralizing antibody against PT, and the resident memory T (TRM) cells in lung tissue after vaccination were studied. We then performed B. pertussis respiratory challenge in mice after they received vaccination with traditional aluminum hydroxide and the novel adjuvant combination. Results showed that the liposome + QS-21 adjuvant group had a rapid antibody and higher antibody (PT, FHA, Fim) level, induced anti-PT neutralizing antibody and recruited more IL-17A-secreting CD4+ TRM cells along with IL-17A-secreting CD8+ TRM cells in mice, which provided robust protection against B. pertussis infection. These results provide a key basis for liposome + QS-21 adjuvant as a promising adjuvant candidate for developing an acellular pertussis vaccine that elicits protective immunity against pertussis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving Na‐ion diffusion kinetics is an effective strategy to boost the sodium storage performance of electrode materials for sodium ion batteries (SIBs). Herein, an oxygen vacancy engineering is reported to evidently enhance Na‐ion diffusion kinetics of Na3V2(PO4)3 and accordingly boost sodium storage performance. Na3V2(PO4)3/C with different molar contents of Cu doping (0%, 2.5%, 4%, 5%, and 6%) are synthesized using a simple sol–gel method followed by an annealing treatment. The experimental results show that Cu2+ successfully replaces the V3+ sites of Na3V2(PO4)3 and that does not change its phase composition. The introduction of Cu2+ not only results in the formation of V4+ to maintain charge balance, leading to a shorter VO bond, but also promotes the generation of oxygen vacancies and accordingly facilitates Na‐ion diffusion kinetics. As expected, the optimal sample displays a stable capacity of 111.4 mA h g−1 with capacity retention of 90.4% over 300 cycles at 1 C and a high rate capacity of 83.8 mA h g−1 at 20 C. The studies demonstrate that the Cu doping is favorable for the electrochemical enhancement of Na3V2(PO4)3, which provides a promising prospect for Na3V2(PO4)3 as a cathode for SIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tensile experiments were conducted on composite–composite joints and composite–steel joints with countersunk bolts while three-dimensional finite element models using progressive damage method on composite were developed to simulate bearing failure of joints. Experimental results showed good repeatability and bearing damage showed obvious difference between the two kinds of joints. Solid elements were chosen to model all the parts and laminates were partitioned into actual number of plies in order to gain accurate stress distribution and damage profile in each ply. A 3D Hashin-type criteria and degradation rules were implemented using a user subroutine in ABAQUS. Numerical results had good agreement with experimental results considering clearance effects. Composite–steel joints showed better carrying capacity than composite–composite joints according to load–displacement curves and damage evolution processes. Delamination were more severe in composite–composite joints indicating that it is necessary to pay attention to designing composite laminates and structures under certain load condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of experimental and numerical studies on temperature dependence of carbon fiber/bismaleimides composites subjected to transverse tensile load at −120℃, 25℃, 150℃, 170℃, 200℃ are summarized. The scanning electron microscopic fractographs showed that fibers were coated by a small amount of resin along with split resin at −120℃, melted resin attached to fibers is found in the view at 200℃ and naked fibers were observed at room temperature. It is concluded that the interfacial strength reduced with the increase of temperature. Experimental stress versus strain curves showed that modulus decreased with the increase of the temperature, and the obviously nonlinear tendency was observed at 200℃. Employed Mohr–Coulomb criterion to characterize plastic behavior of bismaleimides matrix, representative volume element based on random sequential expansion algorithm was modeled to simulate the entire damage progress with thermomechanical load. The analytical results showed that high stress concentration occurred in the matrix band between closely arranged fibers and became more severe with temperature rising. The percentage of interfacial debonding was larger at room temperature than those at higher and lower temperature. The experimental and analytical results showed that transverse failure modes at different temperature are related to thermal residual stress and the Young’s module of matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micro RNAs have been shown to be important regulators of immune homeostasis as patients with aberrant micro RNA expression appeared to be more susceptible to autoimmune diseases. We recently found that mi R-146a was up-regulated in activated B cells in response to rat acetylcholine receptor ( ACh R) α-subunit 97-116 peptide, and this up-regulation was significantly attenuated by Antagomi R-146a. Our data also demonstrated that silencing mi R-146a with its inhibitor Antagomi R-146a effectively ameliorated clinical myasthenic symptoms in mice with ongoing experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis. Furthermore, multiple defects were observed after mi R-146a was knocked down in B cells, including decreased anti- R97-116 antibody production and class switching, reduced numbers of plasma cells, memory B cells and B-1 cells, and weakened activation of B cells. Previously, mi R-146a has been identified as a nuclear factor-κ B-dependent gene and predicted to base pair with the tumour necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 ( TRAF6) and interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 ( IRAK1) genes to regulate the immune response. However, our study proved that mi R-146a inhibition had no effect on the expression of TRAF6 and IRAK1 in B cells. This result suggests that the function of mi R-146a in B cells does not involve these two target molecules. We conclude that silencing mi R-146a exerts its therapeutic effects by influencing the B-cell functions that contribute to the autoimmune pathogenesis of myasthenia gravis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

FeS 2 is a promising electrode material for alkali metal ion storage due to its high theoretical capacity. However, it still faces critical issues such as suboptimal rate and cycling performances owing to sluggish charge transport and significant volume variations. Herein, we constructed FeS 2 (m-FeS 2 ) and pyrite FeS 2 (p-FeS 2 ) nanocomposites embedded in N,S-doped carbon nanoboxes (m/p-FeS 2 @NSCN) to conquer such challenges. The microstructure design of nanoboxes effectively alleviates the stress caused by the volume expansion of FeS 2 during lithiation processes, thereby improving the cycling stability of the FeS 2 electrode. The marcasite/pyrite compositing design further increases the electronic conductivity of FeS 2 and optimizes ion migration. As expected, the target m/p-FeS 2 @NSCN exhibits improved rate capability (595.5 mA h g -1 at 5.0 A g -1 ) and robust cycling stability (500 cycles without significant capacity decay at 0.1 A g -1 ) in lithium-ion batteries. Furthermore, m/p-FeS 2 @NSCN also shows excellent battery performances and potential application prospects in the field of sodium-ion batteries. It achieves a capacity of 355 mA h g -1 at 10.0 A g -1 and sustains 800 cycles without noticeable capacity decay at 0.5 A g -1 . This work offers valuable guidance for rationally designing high-performance energy storage materials for alkali metal ion storage.