Synergy of a hierarchical porous morphology and anionic defects of nanosized Li_(4)Ti_(5)O_(12) toward a high-rate and large-capacity lithium-ion battery

Exploring electrode materials with a high volumetric energy density and high rate capability remains of a great challenge for nanosized-Li_(4)Ti_(5)O_(12)(LTO)batteries.Here,hierarchical porous Ti^(3+)-C-N-Br co-doped LTO(LTOCPB-CC)is synthesized using carboxyl-grafted nanocarbon(CC)and cetylpyridinium bromide(CPB)as combined structure-directing agents.Ti^(4+)-O-CPB/Li^(+)-CC is designed as a new molecular chelate,in which CPB and CC promote the uniform mixing of Li^(+)and Ti^(4+)and control the morphology of TiO_(2) and the final product.The defects(oxygen vacancies and ion dopants)formed during the annealing process increase the electron/hole concentration and reduce the band gap,both of which enhance the n-type electron modification of LTO.As-prepared LTOCPB-CC has a large specific surface area and high tap density,as well as a high electronic conductivity(2.84×10^(-4) S cm^(-1))and ionic conductivity(3.82×10^(-12)cm^(2) s^(-1)),which are responsible for its excellent rate capability(157.7 mA h g^(-1) at 20 C)and stable long-term cycling performance(0.008% fade per cycle after 1000 cycles at 20 C).

Enhanced lysosome escape mediated by 1,2-dicarboxylic-cyclohexene anhydride-modified poly-L-lysine dendrimer as a gene delivery system

Antisense oligodeoxynucleotide(ASODN)can directly interfere a series of biological events of the target RNA derived from tumor cells through Watson-Crick base pairing,in turn,plays antitumor therapeutic roles.In the study,a novel HIF-1αASODN-loaded nanocomposite was formulated to efficiently deliver gene to the target RNA.The physicochemical properties of nanocomposite were characterized using TEM,FTIR,DLS and zeta potentials.The mean diameter of resulting GEL-DGL-FA-ASODN-DCA nanocomposite was about 170–192 nm,and according to the agarose gel retardation assay,the loading amount of ASODN accounted for 166.7 mg/g.The results of cellular uptake showed that the nanocomposite could specifically target to HepG2 and Hela cells.The cytotoxicity assay demonstrated that the toxicity of vectors was greatly reduced by using DCA to reversibly block the cationic DGL.The subcellular distribution images clearly displayed the lysosomal escape ability of the DCA-modified nanocomposite.In vitro exploration of molecular mechanism indicated that the nanocomposite could inhibit m RNA expression and HIF-1αprotein translation at different levels.In vivo optical images and quantitative assay testified that the formulation accumulated preferentially in the tumor tissue.In vivo antitumor efficacy research confirmed that this nanocomposite had significant antitumor activity and the tumor inhibitory rate was 77.99%.These results manifested that the GEL-DGL-FA-ASODNDCA nanocomposite was promising in gene therapeutics for antitumor by interacting directly with target RNA.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among patients with hand, foot and mouth disease in Henan, China: a hospital-based study

Background:The prevalence of infection with Toxoplasma gondii(T.gondii)in humans has been increasing in China due to the growing number of cats in the country.Hand,foot and mouth disease(HFMD)is a serious public health issue in China and still one of the leading causes of child mortality.However,little is known about the epidemiology of T.gondii infection among HFMD patients.Methods:A case–control study of 281 HFMD patients from the First People’s Hospital of Pingdingshan in Pingdingshan city,Henan province,central China,and 222 controls from Pingdingshan city was conducted.Anti-T.gondii antibodies were serologically detected using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results:We found that the overall anti-T.gondii immunoglobulin G(IgG)antibody prevalence among HFMD patients was 12.46%,which was significantly higher than that in clinically healthy children(1.80%).The highest T.gondii seroprevalence was detected in critical cases(22.58%),followed by severe cases(11.50%),and the lowest was detected in mild cases(8.33%).Conclusion:The present study is the first survey of T.gondii seroprevalence among HFMD patients in China;12.46%were defined as seropositive.It is imperative that improved integrated measures are taken to prevent and control T.gondii infection among HFMD patients.

Towards online optimisation of solid oxide fuel cell performance: Combining deep learning with multi-physics simulation

The use of solid oxide fuel cells(SOFCs)is a promising approach towards achieving sustainable electricity pro-duction from fuel.The utilisation of the hydrocarbons and biomass in SOFCs is particularly attractive owing to their wide distribution,high energy density,and low price.The long-term operation of SOFCs using such fuels remains difficult owing to a lack of an effective diagnosis and optimisation system,which requires not only a precise analysis but also a fast response.In this study,we developed a hybrid model for an on-line analysis of SOFCs at the cell level.The model combines a multi-physics simulation(MPS)and deep learning,overcoming the complexity of MPS for a model-based control system,and reducing the cost of building a database(compared with the experiments)for the training of a deep neural network.The maximum temperature gradient and heat generation are two target parameters for an efficient operation of SOFCs.The results show that a precise predic-tion can be achieved from a trained AI algorithm,in which the relative error between the MPS and AI models is less than 1%.Moreover,an online optimisation is realised using a genetic algorithm,achieving the maximum power density within the limitations of the temperature gradient and operating conditions.This method can also be applied to the prediction and optimisation of other non-liner,dynamic systems.

Is 2D stereological method good enough for quantification of solid oxide fuel cell electrode microstructure？

Nowadays,by the significant progresses in the development of solid oxide fuel cell(SOFC)materials and the thin-film fabrication methods for electrolyte,the performance of SOFC has been dominated by the microstructures of electrodes[1,2].Based on the first generation electrodes consisting of a single phase catalyst,the new generation electrodes consisting of interpenetrating percolating multiple phases with multiple functionalities have been usually employed in commercially-viable SOFCs[3].As