Hydrogen diffusion in C′_(1) phase clathrate hydrate

Recently,a new phase C'_(1) H_(2) hydrate was experimentally identified.In this work,the diffusive behaviors of H_(2) in C'_(1)phase clathrate hydrate are explored using classic molecular dynamics(MD)simulations.It reveals that the cage occupancy by H_(2) molecule negligibly influences the C'_(1) phase clathrate structure but greatly dictates the diffusion coefficient of H_(2)molecule.Due to the small cage size and small windows connecting the neighboring cages in C'_(1) phase clathrate,nonoccupancy of the neighboring cages is demanded to enable the diffusion of H_(2) molecule that is primarily dominated by hopping mechanism.Moreover,the analysis of diffusive free energy landscape reveals lower energy barrier of H_(2) molecule in C'_(1) phase clathrate hydrate than that of other gases in conventional clathrate hydrates,and that H_(2) molecule travels through the windows between neighboring cages with preferential molecular orientation.This study provides critical physical insights into the diffusion behaviors of H_(2) in the C'_(1) phase clathrate hydrate,and implies that the C'_(1) clathrate hydrate is a promising solid structure for the next-generation H_(2) storage.

A flexible CNT@nickel silicate composite film for high-performance sodium storage

Due to the sufficient ion diffusion channels provided by the large interlayer spacing, layered silicates are widely considered as potential anode materials for lithium ion and sodium ion batteries. However, due to the poor electronic conductivity, the application of layered silicates for electrochemical energy storage has been greatly limited. Carbon nanotube(CNT) film has excellent electrical conductivity and a unique interconnected network, making it an ideal matrix for composite electrochemical material. We herein report a CNT@nickel silicate composite film(CNT@NiSiO) fabricated by a SiO2-mediated hydrothermal conversion process, for sodium storage with excellent electrochemical properties. The obtained composite possesses a cladding structure with homogeneous nanosheets as the outermost and CNT film as the inner network matrix, providing abundant ion diffusion channels, high electronic conductivity, and good mechanical flexibility. Due to these merits, this material possesses an excellent electrochemical performance for sodium storage, including a high specific capacity up to 390 mAh g-1 at 50 mA g-1, good rate performance up to 205 mAh g-1 at 500 mA g-1, and excellent cycling stability. On this basis, this work would bring a promising material for various energy storage devices and other emerging applications.

Ultrathin Ni_(x)Co_(y)-silicate nanosheets natively anchored on CNTs films for flexible lithium ion batteries

The rapid development of portable and wearable electronics has called for novel flexible electrodes with superior performance.The development of flexible electrode materials with excellent mechanical and electrochemical properties has become one of the key factors for this goal.Here,a Ni_(x)Co_(y)-silicate@CNTs film is developed as a flexible anode for lithium ion batteries(LIBs).On this film,Ni_(x)Co_(y)-silicate nanosheets are firmly and intimately anchored on the surface of CNTs,which have a 3D network structure and link the adjacent nanosheets together.Benefitted from this,the composite film is not only sufficient to withstand various deformations due to its excellent flexibility but also has excellent electrochemical properties,in terms of high reversible capacity of 1047 mAh g^(-1) at 0.1 A g^(-1) as well as a high rate and cycling performance(capacity retention up to 78.13% after 140 cycles).The pouch-type full flexible LIB using this material can stably operate under various bending conditions,showing the great potential of this 3 D Ni_(x)Co_(y)-silicate@CNTs film for flexible energy storage devices with high durability.

The five major autoimmune diseases increase the risk of cancer:epidemiological data froma large-scale cohort study in China

Background:Cancer incidence and mortality have received critical attention during the long-term management of morbidities in patients with autoimmune diseases(AIDs).This study aimed to investigate and compare the risk of cancer associated with five major AIDs in a large-scale Chinese cohort.Methods:A total of 8,120 AID patients consecutively admitted to a national tertiary referral center in China were included and followed-up for 38,726.55 patient-years,including those with systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE),rheumatoid arthritis(RA),Sjoren’s syndrome(SS),systemic scleroderma(SSc),and idiopathic inflammatory myositis(IIM).Demographic data,cancer incidence,predilecting sites and cancer onset time were recorded and compared among the five AIDs.Results:Four hundred and thirty(5.3%)patients developed cancer.Their median agewas 57.5 years and AID durationwas 79.8 months.The estimated total standardized incidence ratio(SIR)of cancer in AIDs patients was 3.37,with the highest SIR observed in IIM(4.31),followed by RA(3.99),SSc(3.77),SS(2.88)and SLE(2.58).The increased SIR of cancers in AID patients showed a female predominance(female vs.male:3.59 vs.2.77)and younger patient involvement(age<50 vs.≥50 years:4.88 vs.3.04).Patientswith SLE had increased SIRs for developing hematologic malignancies and solid tumors located in the urinary bladder,corpus uteri and cervix uteri.Patients with SS had a significantly high SIR for developing non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.Within 3 years of IIM diagnosis,74.6%of the patients developed cancer and they had a high risk of ovarian cancer.RA was associated with a wide distribution of scancers,including non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma,gynecologic,urinary tract,thyroid gland and lung cancers.SSc patients had increased SIRs for developing cervical uterine,lung,and breast cancers.Conclusion:Patients with five major AIDs in China had an increased risk of developing cancer,with a predominance in women and younger patients,although cancer incidence,predilection sites and cancer onset time may vary greatly in each AID entity.