A Mild Strategy to Strengthen Three Dimensional Graphene Aerogel for Supporting Sulfur as a Free‐standing Cathode in Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

Yinglin Yan,Haichao Qin,Yiqi Wei,Rong Yang,Yunhua Xu,Liping Chen,Qiaole Li,Mangmang Shi 대한화학회 2018 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.39 No.5

Recently, three dimensional graphene aerogel (3DGA) supported sulfur microparticles was used as a cathode material for lithium?sulfur batteries, which was considered as one of the most promising next generation rechargeable batteries due to its ultra?high theoretical specific capacity (1675 mAh/g). However, the mechanical strength of 3DGA remains an issue for further application. Herein, a strengthened 3DGA (S3DGA) was achieved by soaking in a low concentration ammonia solution at a relative low temperature. Then the S3DGA loaded sulfur (S3DGA?S) was cut into a round piece and directly used as a cathode without additional binders or conductive additives in Li?S batteries. The mechanical strength, microstructure, and electrochemical properties were investigated by compare with a 3DGA prepared without strengthen. The S3DGA?S presented good mechanical strength, excellent capacity retention, and lower electrochemical impedance.

Effect of Cooling Rate on Solidification and Segregation Characteristics of 904L Super Austenitic Stainless Steel

Yunong Li,Dening Zou,Wanwan Chen,Yingbo Zhang,Wei Zhang,Fanghong Xu 대한금속·재료학회 2022 METALS AND MATERIALS International Vol.28 No.8

To study and understand the solidification behavior of super austenitic stainless steel under different cooling rates and segregationlaws of alloying elements is of great significance to optimize the subsequent diffusion annealing homogenizationtreatment process and improve product quality. According to Thermo-Calc thermodynamic simulation results and combinedwith high temperature laser confocal scanning electron microscope (HT-CSLM), the tissue morphology of 904L superaustenitic stainless steel was observed in-situ during solidification. The solidification path of the test steel was determinedvia calculation with the Scheil-Gulliver model. Microscopy techniques, including true color microscopy, scanning electronmicroscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), and electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA) were used to analyzethe influence of different cooling rates (6 ℃/min, 50 ℃/min, and 100 ℃/min) on the solidification structure and determine themain distribution law of alloying elements. This analysis determined that the solute distribution coefficient (K) of Cr, Mn,Mo, Cu, and Si elements is less than 1 during the solidification process, which means that they will accumulate in the liquidphase. Among them, elemental Mo segregation is the most severe, while elemental Ni hardly segregates. As the cooling rateincreases, the crystallization temperature of the test steel decreases, and the secondary dendrite arm spacing λ2 decreases,the concentration of Mo in the residual liquid phase increases.

Identification of candidate odorant‐degrading enzyme genes in the antennal transcriptome of Aphidius gifuensis

Kang Zhi‐Wei,Liu Fang‐Hua,Xu Yong‐Yu,Cheng Jia‐Hui,Lin Xiao‐Li,Jing Xiang‐Feng,Tian Hong‐Gang,Liu Tong‐Xian 한국곤충학회 2021 Entomological Research Vol.51 No.1

Odorant‐degrading enzymes (ODEs) have been found in insect antennae and play a critical role in signal chemical degradation once the message is conveyed. Significant progress has been made in characterizing ODEs in a variety of pests but very little is known in their natural enemies. We have carried out an antennae‐ and sex‐specific transcriptome of Aphidius gifuensis, a natural enemy of aphid, to identify the candidate ODEs. Based on the antennae‐ and sex‐specific transcriptome, a total of 100 putative ODEs were identified including one aldehyde oxidase (AOX), four alcohol dehydrogenases (ADs), eight UDP‐glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs), 45 cytochrome P450 (P450s), nine glutathione S‐transferases (GSTs) and 40 carboxylesterases (CCEs or CXEs). Additionally, we used RT‐qPCR to determine the expression profiles of these genes in tissues of both sexes. Based on the phylogenic analysis and tissue‐expression patterns, AgifEstE4, AgifCXE3, AgifCCE4, AgifCCE7, and AgifCCE18 were suggested as key ODEs in A. gifuensis. In addition, the female or male specifically enriched genes, such as AgifCCE17, AgifEstB1, AgifCYP18a1, AgifUGT2C2, were also considered to involve in the chemosensory processing in A. gifuensis. This study not only identified the candidate ODEs in A. gifuensis but also provided source for further exploration of the molecular mechanisms of chemical signal transductions in A. gifuensis, as well as other hymenopteran species.

Triboelectric electronic-skin based on graphene quantum dots for application in self-powered, smart, artificial fingers

Xu, Zhongwei,Wu, Chaoxing,Li, Fushan,Chen, Wei,Guo, Tailiang,Kim, Tae Whan Elsevier 2018 Nano energy Vol.49 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>The development of electronic-skin (e-skin) with artificial tactile-perception is crucial for emerging artificial-intelligence systems. However, considering the relatively simple function of existing e-skins, their performances still have much room for improvement. Here, a cuttable, transparent, stretchable, and lightweight e-skin that functions on the basis of the triboelectric effect is demonstrated. Well-designed micro-gaps are introduced to make the e-skin respond sensitively to various mechanical stimulations, including pressing, stretching, folding, and twisting. Ag nanowires coated with graphene quantum dots are employed as the electrode, as well as the friction layer, to increase the sensitivity to external mechanical stimulations. Self-powered, smart, artificial fingers with tactile sensation to monitor the actions of the fingers were fabricated to demonstrate the potential application of our newly developed e-skin. The architecture and the material system of the device demonstrated in this work will promote the development of human-machine interfaces and intelligent machines.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> E-skins on the basis of the triboelectric effect are demonstrated. </LI> <LI> The e-skin responds sensitively to various mechanical stimulations. </LI> <LI> Graphene quantum dot-coated Ag nanowires are employed to increase the sensitivity to the mechanical stimulations. </LI> <LI> Self-powered, smart, artificial fingers based on the e-skins are demonstrated. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Stretchable Wire-Shaped Asymmetric Supercapacitors Based on Pristine and MnO₂ Coated Carbon Nanotube Fibers

Xu, Ping,Wei, Bingqing,Cao, Zeyuan,Zheng, Jie,Gong, Ke,Li, Faxue,Yu, Jianyong,Li, Qingwen,Lu, Weibang,Byun, Joon-Hyung,Kim, Byung-Sun,Yan, Yushan,Chou, Tsu-Wei American Chemical Society 2015 ACS NANO Vol.9 No.6

<P>While the emerging wire-shaped supercapacitors (WSS) have been demonstrated as promising energy storage devices to be implemented in smart textiles, challenges in achieving the combination of both high mechanical stretchability and excellent electrochemical performance still exist. Here, an asymmetric configuration is applied to the WSS, extending the potential window from 0.8 to 1.5 V, achieving tripled energy density and doubled power density compared to its asymmetric counterpart while accomplishing stretchability of up to 100% through the prestrainning-then-buckling approach. The stretchable asymmetric WSS constituted of MnO<SUB>2</SUB>/CNT hybrid fiber positive electrode, aerogel CNT fiber negative electrode and KOH-PVA electrolyte possesses a high specific capacitance of around 157.53 μF cm<SUP>–1</SUP> at 50 mV s<SUP>–1</SUP> and a high energy density varying from 17.26 to 46.59 nWh cm<SUP>–1</SUP> with the corresponding power density changing from 7.63 to 61.55 μW cm<SUP>–1</SUP>. Remarkably, a cyclic tensile strain of up to 100% exerts negligible effects on the electrochemical performance of the stretchable asymmetric WSS. Moreover, after 10 000 galvanostatic charge–discharge cycles, the specific capacitance retains over 99%, demonstrating a long cyclic stability.</P><P><B>Graphic Abstract</B> <IMG SRC='http://pubs.acs.org/appl/literatum/publisher/achs/journals/content/ancac3/2015/ancac3.2015.9.issue-6/acsnano.5b01244/production/images/medium/nn-2015-012442_0007.gif'></P>

Moxibustion for medical personnel with negative emotion and insomnia during COVID-19 pandemic: A randomized, controlled trial

Li Xiying,Li Xiaojuan,Wang Xian,Yin Xuan,Li Shanshan,Wu Junyi,Ren Xiumei,Zhang Wei,Mi Yiqun,Xu Shifen 한국한의학연구원 2023 Integrative Medicine Research Vol.12 No.3

Background: We conducted this randomized controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of moxibustion at Sanyinjiao (SP6) acupoint for treatment of negative mood and sleep quality in healthcare workers during the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Methods: A total of 180 participants were divided in a 1:1 ratio into two groups, the treatment group (for moxibustion) and the control group (for no treatment). The treatment group had a 30-minute moxibustion therapy once a day for two weeks, followed by a two-week follow-up. The Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) was used to assess the degree of the participants' anxiety, and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was utilized to examine their depressed condition. The Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS) was used to measure the level of burnout among healthcare workers. To determine the severity of insomnia, the Sleep Dysfunction Rating Scale (SDRS) was utilized. At baseline, week 2, and week 4, all scales were evaluated. Results: Compared to the control group, The treatment group improved more significantly in the HAMA at week 2 (MD = -19.01, 95% CI: -21.89 to -16.14; P<0.001) and at week 4 follow-up visits (MD = -8.96, 95% CI: -11.19 to -6.73; P<0.001). A subgroup study of HAMA scores revealed that position and education had significant impact on treatment effectiveness. During the 2-week intervention period, the treatment group showed more significant improvements in depressive symptoms measured by PHQ-9 (13.00±2.41 vs. 15.60±3.65; P<0.001), work burnout symptoms measured by MBI-GS (MD = -11.88, 95% CI, -15.73 to -8.03; P<0.001), and insomnia symptoms measured by SDRS (MD = -2.45, 95% CI, -4.24 to -0.66; P<0.01). There were no significant adverse effects reported. Conclusion: Moxibustion at SP6 may be an effective treatment to improve anxiety, depression, sleep quality, and quality of life for healthcare workers during COVID-19.

Concurrent Weekly Docetaxel Chemotherapy in Combination with Radiotherapy for Stage III and IVA-B Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Wei, Wei-Hong,Cai, Xiu-Yu,Xu, Tao,Zhang, Guo-Yi,Wu, Yong-Feng,Feng, Wei-Neng,Lin, Li,Deng, Yan-Ming,Lu, Qiu-Xia,Huang, Zhe-Li Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.3

Background and Purpose: Cisplatin is the most common chemotherapeutic agent for loco-regionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC); however, toxicity is a limiting factor for some patients. We retrospectively compared the efficacy and toxicity of weekly docetaxel-based and cisplatin-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy in loco-regionally advanced NPC. Methods and Materials: Eighty-four patients with Stage III and IVA-B NPCs, treated between 2007 and 2008, were retrospectively analyzed. Thirty received weekly docetaxel-based concurrent chemotherapy, and 43 were given weekly cisplatin-based concurrent chemotherapy. Radiotherapy was administered using a conventional technique (seven weeks, 2.0 Gy per fraction, total dose 70-74 Gy) with 6-8 Gy boosts for some patients with locally advanced disease. Results: Median follow-up time was 42.3 months (range, 8.6-50.8 months). There were no significant differences in the 3-year loco-regional failure-free survival (85.6% vs. 92.3%; p=0.264), distant failure-free survival (87.0% vs. 92.5%; p=0.171), progression-free survival (85.7% vs. 88.4%; p=0.411) or overall survival (86.5% vs. 92.5%, p=0.298) of patients treated concurrently with docetaxel or cisplatin. Severe toxicity was not common in either group. Conclusions: Weekly docetaxel-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy is potentially effective and has a tolerable toxicity; however, further investigations are required to determine if docetaxel is superior to cisplatin for advanced stage NPC.

Celastrol, produced by Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F. enhances defense response in cucumber seedlings against diverse environmental stresses

Li-jun Zhu,Xing-guang Deng,Li-juan Zou,Peng-xu Li,Jun-qiang Wu,Da-wei Zhang,Honghui Lin 한국식물학회 2017 Journal of Plant Biology Vol.60 No.1

Celastrol is an active triterpenoid compound isolated from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F.. Many reports have highlighted that celastrol is an effective, safe and desirable approach to the treatment of cancers. However, their biological function during environmental stresses in plants is rarely reported. In the present study, the effects of celastrol on the tolerance against high light (HL), polyethylene glycol (PEG) and cold stress in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) were investigated. Celastrol pretreatment could enhance cucumber seedlings stress tolerance at a concentration of 1 μg ml–1. The results showed that pretreatment with 1 μg ml–1 celastrol clearly induced the activities of antioxidative enzymes, which subsequently alleviated stress-induced oxidative damage in plant cells. We also provided evidence that celastrol upregulated ABA biosynthetic gene NCED2 expression and ABA accumulation in cucumber seedlings, which resulted to the enhanced tolerance in response to environmental stresses. Furthermore, the celastrol-pretreated seedlings showed less photosystem damaged caused by the stress conditions, when compared with the control. Therefore, our findings provide a novel role of celastrol in plant against environmental stresses and indicate that the celastrol-induced activities of antioxidative enzymes and ABA content might contribute to the stress tolerance.

Clinical Study of Tumor Angiogenesis and Perfusion Imaging Using Multi-slice Spiral Computed Tomography for Breast Cancer

Xu, Na,Lei, Zhen,Li, Xiao-Long,Zhang, Jun,Li, Chen,Feng, Guo-Quan,Li, Di-Nuo,Liu, Jing-Yi,Wei, Qiang,Bian, Ting-Ting,Zou, Tian-Yu Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.1

Objectives: To explore the correlation between multi-slice spiral CT (MSCT) perfusion parameters and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as well as matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in breast cancer. Methods: Forty five breast cancer patients and 16 patients with benign breast tumor, both confirmed by pathology examination, were enrolled. All underwent MSCT perfusion imaging to obtain perfusion maps and data for parameters including blood flow (BF), blood volume (BV) and permeability surface (PS). Cancer patients did not receive treatment prior to surgery. The expression of VEGF and MMP-2 were examined with both immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Results: The levels of VEGF and MMP-2 by immunohistochemistry were significantly higher in the breast cancer group (P < 0.01) than the benign tumor group. Relative OD values from Western blotting were also higher in cancer cases (P < 0.05). Similarly, the mean MSCT perfusion parameters (BF, BV, PS) were significantly higher in the breast cancer group (P < 0.01), BF and BV positively correlating with VEGF expression (r = 0.878 and 0.809 respectively, P < 0.01); PS and VEGF and MMP-2 expression were also positively correlated (r= 0.860, 0.786 respectively, P < 0.01). Conclusion: There is a correlation between breast cancer MSCT perfusion parameters and VEGF andMMP-2 expression, which might be useful for detection of breast lesions, qualitative diagnosis of breast cancer, and evaluation of breast cancer treatment.

Tertiary Amination/Hydroxypropylsulfonation of Cornstarch to Improve the Adhesion-to-Fibers and Film Properties for Warp Sizing

Wei Li,Zhenzhen Xu,Zongqian Wang,Changlong Li,Quan Feng,Yanan Zhu 한국섬유공학회 2018 Fibers and polymers Vol.19 No.7

To investigate the effects of tertiary amination/hydroxypropylsulfonation on the adhesion-to-fibers and film properties of corn starch for warp sizing, a series of tertiary aminated and hydroxypropylsulfonated corn starch (TAHPSS) samples were prepared by the tertiary amination and hydroxypropylsulfonation of acid-hydrolyzed corn starch (AHS) with 2- dimethylaminoethyl chloride hydrochloride (DMC-HCl) and 3-chloro-2-hydroxy-1-propanesulfonic acid sodium salt (CHPS-Na) simultaneously. The adhesion was evaluated by measuring the bonding force of starch to the fibers. The film properties were investigated in terms of tensile strength, breaking elongation, degree of crystallinity, and moisture regain. The results showed that tertiary amination/hydroxypropylsulfonation was able to increase bonding forces of starch to cotton and polyester fibers, enhance breaking elongation and moisture regain of the starch film and to decrease the tensile strength and degree of crystallinity of the film, thereby improving the adhesion and reducing film brittleness. Increasing the level of tertiary amination/hydroxypropylsulfonation was favorable for gradually improving the adhesion and decreasing the brittleness. The TAHPSS showed potential for use in cotton warp sizing.