Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation(AMOC)plays a central role in long-term climate variations through its heat and freshwater transports,which can collapse under a rapid increase of greenhouse gas forcing in c...Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation(AMOC)plays a central role in long-term climate variations through its heat and freshwater transports,which can collapse under a rapid increase of greenhouse gas forcing in climate models.Previous studies have suggested that the deviation of model parameters is one of the major factors in inducing inaccurate AMOC simulations.In this work,with a low-resolution earth system model,the authors try to explore whether a reasonable adjustment of the key model parameter can help to re-establish the AMOC after its collapse.Through a new optimization strategy,the extra freshwater flux(FWF)parameter is determined to be the dominant one affecting the AMOC’s variability.The traditional ensemble optimal interpolation(EnOI)data assimilation and new machine learning methods are adopted to optimize the FWF parameter in an abrupt 4×CO_(2) forcing experiment to improve the adaptability of model parameters and accelerate the recovery of AMOC.The results show that,under an abrupt 4×CO_(2) forcing in millennial simulations,the AMOC will first collapse and then re-establish by the default FWF parameter slowly.However,during the parameter adjustment process,the saltier and colder sea water over the North Atlantic region are the dominant factors in usefully improving the adaptability of the FWF parameter and accelerating the recovery of AMOC,according to their physical relationship with FWF on the interdecadal timescale.展开更多
Multiple sclerosis(MS)is the most common chronic disease of the central nervous system(CNS)in young adults and represents the first cause of severe handicap,originally non-traumatic(Oh et al.,2018).MS is chara cterize...Multiple sclerosis(MS)is the most common chronic disease of the central nervous system(CNS)in young adults and represents the first cause of severe handicap,originally non-traumatic(Oh et al.,2018).MS is chara cterized by the infiltration of auto reactive lymphocytes specific to myelin through the blood-brain barrier,which results in the appearance of inflammatory demyelinating lesions caused by the death of the central nervous system myelinating cells,oligodendrocytes(Oh et al.,2018).There is a prevalence sexual with a ratio of three times more affected women than men.展开更多
Geometry optimization of p-C_(6)H_(4)-connected cyclo[20]carbon(p-C_(6)H_(4)-C_(20))was carried out at M062X/6-311G(d,p)level,three kinds of bond orders(Mayer,Laplacian,and Wiberg),electron-hole distributions,localize...Geometry optimization of p-C_(6)H_(4)-connected cyclo[20]carbon(p-C_(6)H_(4)-C_(20))was carried out at M062X/6-311G(d,p)level,three kinds of bond orders(Mayer,Laplacian,and Wiberg),electron-hole distributions,localized orbital locators(LOL),and infrared(IR)spectrum were also performed at the same level.Based on TD-DFT M062X/6-311G(d,p)method,the first 20 excited states and ultraviolet(UV)spectra of p-C_(6)H_(4)-C_(20) were calculated.Calculation results of π-electron delocalization analyses prove thatπ-electron delocalization of p-C_(6)H_(4)-C_(20) is more likely to occur on shorter C-C bonds rather than longer C-C bonds,and inside/outside of the ring plane rather than above/below the ring plane.Two absorption peaks of p-C_(6)H_(4)-C_(20) locate at about 319 nm and 236 nm,respectively.展开更多
The process of neurite outgrowth and branching is a crucial aspect of neuronal development and regeneration.Axons and dendrites,sometimes referred to as neurites,are extensions of a neuron's cellular body that are...The process of neurite outgrowth and branching is a crucial aspect of neuronal development and regeneration.Axons and dendrites,sometimes referred to as neurites,are extensions of a neuron's cellular body that are used to start networks.Here we explored the effects of diethyl(3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamino)(quinolin-4-yl)methylphosphonate(DDQ)on neurite developmental features in HT22 neuronal cells.In this work,we examined the protective effects of DDQ on neuronal processes and synaptic outgrowth in differentiated HT22cells expressing mutant Tau(mTau)cDNA.To investigate DDQ chara cteristics,cell viability,biochemical,molecular,western blotting,and immunocytochemistry were used.Neurite outgrowth is evaluated through the segmentation and measurement of neural processes.These neural processes can be seen and measured with a fluorescence microscope by manually tracing and measuring the length of the neurite growth.These neuronal processes can be observed and quantified with a fluorescent microscope by manually tracing and measuring the length of the neuronal HT22.DDQ-treated mTau-HT22 cells(HT22 cells transfected with cDNA mutant Tau)were seen to display increased levels of synaptophysin,MAP-2,andβ-tubulin.Additionally,we confirmed and noted reduced levels of both total and p-Tau,as well as elevated levels of microtubule-associated protein 2,β-tubulin,synaptophysin,vesicular acetylcholine transporter,and the mitochondrial biogenesis protein-pe roxisome prolife rator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1α.In mTa u-expressed HT22 neurons,we observed DDQ enhanced the neurite characteristics and improved neurite development through increased synaptic outgrowth.Our findings conclude that mTa u-HT22(Alzheimer's disease)cells treated with DDQ have functional neurite developmental chara cteristics.The key finding is that,in mTa u-HT22 cells,DDQ preserves neuronal structure and may even enhance nerve development function with mTa u inhibition.展开更多
Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders are neuroinflammatory demyelinating disorders that lead to permanent visual loss and motor dysfunction.To date,no effective treatment exists as the exact causative mechanism rem...Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders are neuroinflammatory demyelinating disorders that lead to permanent visual loss and motor dysfunction.To date,no effective treatment exists as the exact causative mechanism remains unknown.Therefore,experimental models of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders are essential for exploring its pathogenesis and in screening for therapeutic targets.Since most patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders are seropositive for IgG autoantibodies against aquaporin-4,which is highly expressed on the membrane of astrocyte endfeet,most current experimental models are based on aquaporin-4-IgG that initially targets astrocytes.These experimental models have successfully simulated many pathological features of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders,such as aquaporin-4 loss,astrocytopathy,granulocyte and macrophage infiltration,complement activation,demyelination,and neuronal loss;however,they do not fully capture the pathological process of human neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders.In this review,we summarize the currently known pathogenic mechanisms and the development of associated experimental models in vitro,ex vivo,and in vivo for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders,suggest potential pathogenic mechanisms for further investigation,and provide guidance on experimental model choices.In addition,this review summarizes the latest information on pathologies and therapies for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders based on experimental models of aquaporin-4-IgG-seropositive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders,offering further therapeutic targets and a theoretical basis for clinical trials.展开更多
BACKGROUND:Adeno-associated virus(AAV)gene therapy has been proven to be reliable and safe for the treatment of osteoarthritis in recent years.However,given the complexity of osteoarthritis pathogenesis,single gene ma...BACKGROUND:Adeno-associated virus(AAV)gene therapy has been proven to be reliable and safe for the treatment of osteoarthritis in recent years.However,given the complexity of osteoarthritis pathogenesis,single gene manipulation for the treatment of osteoarthritis may not produce satisfactory results.Previous studies have shown that nuclear factorκB could promote the inflammatory pathway in osteoarthritic chondrocytes,and bone morphogenetic protein 4(BMP4)could promote cartilage regeneration.OBJECTIVE:To test whether combined application of AAV-p65shRNA and AAV-BMP4 will yield the synergistic effect on chondrocytes regeneration and osteoarthritis treatment.METHODS:Viral particles containing AAV-p65-shRNA and AAV-BMP4 were prepared.Their efficacy in inhibiting inflammation in chondrocytes and promoting chondrogenesis was assessed in vitro and in vivo by transfecting AAV-p65-shRNA or AAV-BMP4 into cells.The experiments were divided into five groups:PBS group;osteoarthritis group;AAV-BMP4 group;AAV-p65shRNA group;and BMP4-p65shRNA 1:1 group.Samples were collected at 4,12,and 24 weeks postoperatively.Tissue staining,including safranin O and Alcian blue,was applied after collecting articular tissue.Then,the optimal ratio between the two types of transfected viral particles was further investigated to improve the chondrogenic potential of mixed cells in vivo.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The combined application of AAV-p65shRNA and AAV-BMP4 together showed a synergistic effect on cartilage regeneration and osteoarthritis treatment.Mixed cells transfected with AAV-p65shRNA and AAV-BMP4 at a 1:1 ratio produced the most extracellular matrix synthesis(P<0.05).In vivo results also revealed that the combination of the two viruses had the highest regenerative potential for osteoarthritic cartilage(P<0.05).In the present study,we also discovered that the combined therapy had the maximum effect when the two viruses were administered in equal proportions.Decreasing either p65shRNA or BMP4 transfected cells resulted in less collagen II synthesis.This implies that inhibiting inflammation by p65shRNA and promoting regeneration by BMP4 are equally important for osteoarthritis treatment.These findings provide a new strategy for the treatment of early osteoarthritis by simultaneously inhibiting cartilage inflammation and promoting cartilage repair.展开更多
Earthquake-induced soil liquefaction poses significant risks to the stability of geotechnical structures worldwide.An understanding of the liquefaction triggering,and the post-failure large deformation behaviour is es...Earthquake-induced soil liquefaction poses significant risks to the stability of geotechnical structures worldwide.An understanding of the liquefaction triggering,and the post-failure large deformation behaviour is essential for designing resilient infrastructure.The present study develops a Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics(SPH)framework for earthquake-induced liquefaction hazard assessment of geotechnical structures.The coupled flowdeformation behaviour of soils subjected to cyclic loading is described using the PM4Sand model implemented in a three-phase,single-layer SPH framework.A staggered discretisation scheme based on the stress particle SPH approach is adopted to minimise numerical inaccuracies caused by zero-energy modes and tensile instability.Further,non-reflecting boundary conditions for seismic analysis of semi-infinite soil domains using the SPH method are proposed.The numerical framework is employed for the analysis of cyclic direct simple shear test,seismic analysis of a level ground site,and liquefaction-induced failure of the Lower San Fernando Dam.Satisfactory agreement for liquefaction triggering and post-failure behaviour demonstrates that the SPH framework can be utilised to assess the effect of seismic loading on field-scale geotechnical structures.The present study also serves as the basis for future advancements of the SPH method for applications related to earthquake geotechnical engineering.展开更多
BACKGROUND Regulator of G protein signaling(RGS)proteins participate in tumor formation and metastasis by acting on theα-subunit of heterotrimeric G proteins.The speci-fic effect of RGS,particularly RGS4,on the progr...BACKGROUND Regulator of G protein signaling(RGS)proteins participate in tumor formation and metastasis by acting on theα-subunit of heterotrimeric G proteins.The speci-fic effect of RGS,particularly RGS4,on the progression of gastric cancer(GC)is not yet clear.AIM To explore the role and underlying mechanisms of action of RGS4 in GC develop-ment.METHODS The prognostic significance of RGS4 in GC was analyzed using bioinformatics based public databases and verified by immunohistochemistry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction in 90 patients with GC.Function assays were employed to assess the carcinogenic impact of RGS4,and the mechanism of its possible influence was detected by western blot analysis.A nude mouse xenograft model was established to study the effects of RGS4 on GC growth in vitro.RESULTS RGS4 was highly expressed in GC tissues compared with matched adjacent normal tissues.Elevated RGS4 expression was correlated with increased tumor-node-metastasis stage,increased tumor grade as well as poorer overall survival in patients with GC.Cell experiments demonstrated that RGS4 knockdown suppressed GC cell proliferation,migration and invasion.Similarly,xenograft experiments confirmed that RGS4 silencing significantly inhibited tumor growth.Moreover,RGS4 knockdown resulted in reduced phosphorylation levels of focal adhesion kinase,phosphatidyl-inositol-3-kinase,and protein kinase B,decreased vimentin and N-cadherin,and elevated E-cadherin.CONCLUSION High RGS4 expression in GC indicates a worse prognosis and RGS4 is a prognostic marker.RGS4 influences tumor progression via the focal adhesion kinase/phosphatidyl-inositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B pathway and epithelial-mesenchymal transition.展开更多
BACKGROUND Over the years,the numbers of treatment options for colorectal cancer(CRC)have increased,leading to notable improvements in the overall survival of CRC patients.Although therapy may initially yield positive...BACKGROUND Over the years,the numbers of treatment options for colorectal cancer(CRC)have increased,leading to notable improvements in the overall survival of CRC patients.Although therapy may initially yield positive results,the development of drug resistance can result in treatment failure and cancer recurrence.This resistance is often attributed to the presence of cancer stem cells(CSCs).These CSCs not only contribute to therapeutic resistance but also play crucial roles in the initiation and development of tumor metastasis.AIM To investigate the antitumor effects of SH-4-54,which are mediated by targeting CSCs relative to treatment outcomes.METHODS CSCs were enriched by culturing CRC cells in serum-free medium.Hallmarks of stemness and IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 signaling were detected by Western blotting.Indicators of CSC malignancy,including proliferation,invasion,and tumor formation,were measured.RESULTS In this study,we employed SH-4-54,which exhibits anticancer activity in solid tumors through targeting the SH2 domain of both the signal transducer and activator of transcription(STAT)3 and the STAT5,and evaluated its effects on stemness and chemoresistance in colorectal CSCs.As expected,SH-4-54 treatment inhibited the phosphorylation of STAT3(p-STAT3)and decreased the percentage of ALDH1A1-positive CRC cells.The addition of SH-4-54 dissociated colorectal spheroids and decreased the expression of stemness markers,including ALDH1A1,CD44 and Nanog.SH-4-54 treatment decreased IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 signaling by inhibiting p-STAT3 and thus inhibited spheroid formation by SW480 and LoVo cells.Moreover,SH-4-54 treatment inhibited indicators of malignancy,including cell proliferation,invasion,and tumor formation,in CSCs in vitro and in vivo.Notably,SH-4-54 treatment significantly increased chemosensitivity to oxaplatin.CONCLUSION Taken together,these results indicate that SH-4-54 is a promising molecule that exerts antitumor effects on colorectal CSCs by inhibiting STAT3 signaling.展开更多
Microglial activation that occurs rapidly after closed head injury may play important and complex roles in neuroinflammation-associated neuronal damage and repair.We previously reported that induced neural stem cells ...Microglial activation that occurs rapidly after closed head injury may play important and complex roles in neuroinflammation-associated neuronal damage and repair.We previously reported that induced neural stem cells can modulate the behavior of activated microglia via CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling,influencing their activation such that they can promote neurological recovery.However,the mechanism of CXCR4 upregulation in induced neural stem cells remains unclear.In this study,we found that nuclear factor-κB activation induced by closed head injury mouse serum in microglia promoted CXCL12 and tumor necrosis factor-αexpression but suppressed insulin-like growth factor-1 expression.However,recombinant complement receptor 2-conjugated Crry(CR2-Crry)reduced the effects of closed head injury mouse serum-induced nuclear factor-κB activation in microglia and the levels of activated microglia,CXCL12,and tumor necrosis factor-α.Additionally,we observed that,in response to stimulation(including stimulation by CXCL12 secreted by activated microglia),CXCR4 and Crry levels can be upregulated in induced neural stem cells via the interplay among CXCL12/CXCR4,Crry,and Akt signaling to modulate microglial activation.In agreement with these in vitro experimental results,we found that Akt activation enhanced the immunoregulatory effects of induced neural stem cell grafts on microglial activation,leading to the promotion of neurological recovery via insulin-like growth factor-1 secretion and the neuroprotective effects of induced neural stem cell grafts through CXCR4 and Crry upregulation in the injured cortices of closed head injury mice.Notably,these beneficial effects of Akt activation in induced neural stem cells were positively correlated with the therapeutic effects of induced neural stem cells on neuronal injury,cerebral edema,and neurological disorders post–closed head injury.In conclusion,our findings reveal that Akt activation may enhance the immunoregulatory effects of induced neural stem cells on microglial activation via upregulation of CXCR4 and Crry,thereby promoting induced neural stem cell–mediated improvement of neuronal injury,cerebral edema,and neurological disorders following closed head injury.展开更多
Electromagnetic interference,which necessitates the rapid advancement of substances with exceptional capabilities for bsorbing electromagnetic waves,is of urgent concern in contemporary society.In this work,CoFe_(2)O_...Electromagnetic interference,which necessitates the rapid advancement of substances with exceptional capabilities for bsorbing electromagnetic waves,is of urgent concern in contemporary society.In this work,CoFe_(2)O_(4)/residual carbon from coal gasification fine slag(CFO/RC)composites were created using a novel hydrothermal method.Various mechanisms for microwave absorption,including conductive loss,natural resonance,interfacial dipole polarization,and magnetic flux loss,are involved in these composites.Consequently,compared with pure residual carbon materials,this composite offers superior capabilities in microwave absorption.At 7.76GHz,the CFO/RC-2 composite achieves an impressive minimum reflection loss(RL_(min))of-43.99 dB with a thickness of 2.44 mm.Moreover,CFO/RC-3 demonstrates an effective absorption bandwidth(EAB)of up to 4.16 GHz,accompanied by a thickness of 1.18mm.This study revealed the remarkable capability of the composite to diminish electromagnetic waves,providing a new generation method for microwave absorbing materials of superior quality.展开更多
The study by Cao et al aimed to identify early second-trimester biomarkers that could predict gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM)development using advanced proteomic techniques,such as Isobaric tags for relative and ab...The study by Cao et al aimed to identify early second-trimester biomarkers that could predict gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM)development using advanced proteomic techniques,such as Isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.Their analysis revealed 47 differentially expressed proteins in the GDM group,with retinol-binding protein 4 and angiopoietin-like 8 showing significantly elevated serum levels compared to controls.Although these findings are promising,the study is limited by its small sample size(n=4 per group)and lacks essential details on the reproducibility and reliability of the protein quantification methods used.Furthermore,the absence of experimental validation weakens the interpretation of the protein-protein interaction network identified through bioinformatics analysis.The study's focus on second-trimester biomarkers raises concerns about whether this is a sufficiently early period to implement preventive interventions for GDM.Predicting GDM risk during the first trimester or pre-conceptional period may offer more clinical relevance.Despite its limitations,the study presents valuable insights into potential GDM biomarkers,but larger,well-validated studies are needed to establish their predictive utility and generalizability.展开更多
Several studies have shown that activation of unfolded protein response and endoplasmic reticulum(ER)stress plays a crucial role in severe cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.Autophagy occurs within hours after cereb...Several studies have shown that activation of unfolded protein response and endoplasmic reticulum(ER)stress plays a crucial role in severe cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.Autophagy occurs within hours after cerebral ischemia,but the relationship between ER stress and autophagy remains unclear.In this study,we established experimental models using oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation in PC12 cells and primary neurons to simulate cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.We found that prolongation of oxygen-glucose deprivation activated the ER stress pathway protein kinase-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase(PERK)/eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 subunit alpha(e IF2α)-activating transcription factor 4(ATF4)-C/EBP homologous protein(CHOP),increased neuronal apoptosis,and induced autophagy.Furthermore,inhibition of ER stress using inhibitors or by si RNA knockdown of the PERK gene significantly attenuated excessive autophagy and neuronal apoptosis,indicating an interaction between autophagy and ER stress and suggesting PERK as an essential target for regulating autophagy.Blocking autophagy with chloroquine exacerbated ER stress-induced apoptosis,indicating that normal levels of autophagy play a protective role in neuronal injury following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.Findings from this study indicate that cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury can trigger neuronal ER stress and promote autophagy,and suggest that PERK is a possible target for inhibiting excessive autophagy in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.展开更多
Wastewater electrolysis cells(WECs)for decentralized wastewater treatment/reuse coupled with H_(2)production can reduce the carbon footprint associated with transportation of water,waste,and energy carrier.This study ...Wastewater electrolysis cells(WECs)for decentralized wastewater treatment/reuse coupled with H_(2)production can reduce the carbon footprint associated with transportation of water,waste,and energy carrier.This study reports Ir-doped NiFe_(2)O_(4)(NFI,~5 at%Ir)spinel layer with TiO_(2)overlayer(NFI/TiO_(2)),as a scalable heterojunction anode for direct electrolysis of wastewater with circumneutral pH in a single-compartment cell.In dilute(0.1 M)NaCl solutions,the NFI/TiO_(2)marks superior activity and selectivity for chlorine evolution reaction,outperforming the benchmark IrO_(2).Robust operation in near-neutral pH was confirmed.Electroanalyses including operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy unveiled crucial roles of TiO_(2) which serves both as the primary site for Cl−chemisorption and a protective layer for NFI as an ohmic contact.Galvanostatic electrolysis of NH4+-laden synthetic wastewater demonstrated that NFI/TiO_(2)not only achieves quasi-stoichiometric NH_(4)^(+)-to-N_(2)conversion,but also enhances H_(2)generation efficiency with minimal competing reactions such as reduction of dissolved oxygen and reactive chlorine.The scaled-up WEC with NFI/TiO_(2)was demonstrated for electrolysis of toilet wastewater.展开更多
Noise-induced hearing loss is the primary non-genetic factor contributing to auditory dysfunction.However,there are currently no effective pharmacological interventions for patients with noise-induced hearing loss.Her...Noise-induced hearing loss is the primary non-genetic factor contributing to auditory dysfunction.However,there are currently no effective pharmacological interventions for patients with noise-induced hearing loss.Here,we present evidence suggesting that the lysine-specific demethylase 1 inhibitor–tranylcypromine is an otoprotective agent that could be used to treat noise-induced hearing loss,and elucidate its underlying regulatory mechanisms.We established a mouse model of permanent threshold shift hearing loss by exposing the mice to white broadband noise at a sound pressure level of 120 d B for 4 hours.We found that tranylcypromine treatment led to the upregulation of Sestrin2(SESN2)and activation of the autophagy markers light chain 3B and lysosome-associated membrane glycoprotein 1 in the cochleae of mice treated with tranylcypromine.The noise exposure group treated with tranylcypromine showed significantly lower average auditory brainstem response hearing thresholds at click,4,8,and 16 k Hz frequencies compared with the noise exposure group treated with saline.These findings indicate that tranylcypromine treatment resulted in increased SESN2,light chain 3B,and lysosome-associated membrane glycoprotein 1 expression after noise exposure,leading to a reduction in levels of 4-hydroxynonenal and cleaved caspase-3,thereby reducing noise-induced hair cell loss.Additionally,immunoblot analysis demonstrated that treatment with tranylcypromine upregulated SESN2 expression via the autophagy pathway.Tranylcypromine treatment also reduced the production of NOD-like receptor family pyrin domaincontaining 3(NLRP3)production.In conclusion,our results showed that tranylcypromine treatment ameliorated cochlear inflammation by promoting the expression of SESN2,which induced autophagy,thereby restricting NLRP3-related inflammasome signaling,alleviating cochlear hair cell loss,and protecting hearing function.These findings suggest that inhibiting lysine-specific demethylase 1 is a potential therapeutic strategy for preventing hair cell loss and noise-induced hearing loss.展开更多
The development of low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells(LT-SOFCs)is of significant importance for realizing the widespread application of SOFCs.This has stimulated a substantial materials research effort in developi...The development of low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells(LT-SOFCs)is of significant importance for realizing the widespread application of SOFCs.This has stimulated a substantial materials research effort in developing high oxide-ion conductivity in the electrolyte layer of SOFCs.In this context,for the first time,a dielectric material,CaCu_(3)Ti_(4)O_(12)(CCTO)is designed for LT-SOFCs electrolyte application in this study.Both individual CCTO and its heterostructure materials with a p-type Ni_(0.8)Co_(0.15)Al_(0.05)LiO_(2−δ)(NCAL)semiconductor are evaluated as alternative electrolytes in LT-SOFC at 450–550℃.The single cell with the individual CCTO electrolyte exhibits a power output of approximately 263 mW cm^(-2) and an open-circuit voltage(OCV)of 0.95 V at 550℃,while the cell with the CCTO–NCAL heterostructure electrolyte capably delivers an improved power output of approximately 605 mW cm^(-2) along with a higher OCV over 1.0 V,which indicates the introduction of high hole-conducting NCAL into the CCTO could enhance the cell performance rather than inducing any potential short-circuiting risk.It is found that these promising outcomes are due to the interplay of the dielectric material,its structure,and overall properties that led to improve electrochemical mechanism in CCTO–NCAL.Furthermore,density functional theory calculations provide the detailed information about the electronic and structural properties of the CCTO and NCAL and their heterostructure CCTO–NCAL.Our study thus provides a new approach for developing new advanced electrolytes for LT-SOFCs.展开更多
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China [grant number 2023YFF0805202]the National Natural Science Foun-dation of China [grant number 42175045]the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences [grant number XDB42000000]。
文摘Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation(AMOC)plays a central role in long-term climate variations through its heat and freshwater transports,which can collapse under a rapid increase of greenhouse gas forcing in climate models.Previous studies have suggested that the deviation of model parameters is one of the major factors in inducing inaccurate AMOC simulations.In this work,with a low-resolution earth system model,the authors try to explore whether a reasonable adjustment of the key model parameter can help to re-establish the AMOC after its collapse.Through a new optimization strategy,the extra freshwater flux(FWF)parameter is determined to be the dominant one affecting the AMOC’s variability.The traditional ensemble optimal interpolation(EnOI)data assimilation and new machine learning methods are adopted to optimize the FWF parameter in an abrupt 4×CO_(2) forcing experiment to improve the adaptability of model parameters and accelerate the recovery of AMOC.The results show that,under an abrupt 4×CO_(2) forcing in millennial simulations,the AMOC will first collapse and then re-establish by the default FWF parameter slowly.However,during the parameter adjustment process,the saltier and colder sea water over the North Atlantic region are the dominant factors in usefully improving the adaptability of the FWF parameter and accelerating the recovery of AMOC,according to their physical relationship with FWF on the interdecadal timescale.
基金supported by a grant from the French Multiple Sclerosis Society(ARSEP,Grant Number:R20163LL)(to AMG)。
文摘Multiple sclerosis(MS)is the most common chronic disease of the central nervous system(CNS)in young adults and represents the first cause of severe handicap,originally non-traumatic(Oh et al.,2018).MS is chara cterized by the infiltration of auto reactive lymphocytes specific to myelin through the blood-brain barrier,which results in the appearance of inflammatory demyelinating lesions caused by the death of the central nervous system myelinating cells,oligodendrocytes(Oh et al.,2018).There is a prevalence sexual with a ratio of three times more affected women than men.
文摘Geometry optimization of p-C_(6)H_(4)-connected cyclo[20]carbon(p-C_(6)H_(4)-C_(20))was carried out at M062X/6-311G(d,p)level,three kinds of bond orders(Mayer,Laplacian,and Wiberg),electron-hole distributions,localized orbital locators(LOL),and infrared(IR)spectrum were also performed at the same level.Based on TD-DFT M062X/6-311G(d,p)method,the first 20 excited states and ultraviolet(UV)spectra of p-C_(6)H_(4)-C_(20) were calculated.Calculation results of π-electron delocalization analyses prove thatπ-electron delocalization of p-C_(6)H_(4)-C_(20) is more likely to occur on shorter C-C bonds rather than longer C-C bonds,and inside/outside of the ring plane rather than above/below the ring plane.Two absorption peaks of p-C_(6)H_(4)-C_(20) locate at about 319 nm and 236 nm,respectively.
基金supported by NIH grants AG079264(to PHR)and AG071560(to APR)。
文摘The process of neurite outgrowth and branching is a crucial aspect of neuronal development and regeneration.Axons and dendrites,sometimes referred to as neurites,are extensions of a neuron's cellular body that are used to start networks.Here we explored the effects of diethyl(3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamino)(quinolin-4-yl)methylphosphonate(DDQ)on neurite developmental features in HT22 neuronal cells.In this work,we examined the protective effects of DDQ on neuronal processes and synaptic outgrowth in differentiated HT22cells expressing mutant Tau(mTau)cDNA.To investigate DDQ chara cteristics,cell viability,biochemical,molecular,western blotting,and immunocytochemistry were used.Neurite outgrowth is evaluated through the segmentation and measurement of neural processes.These neural processes can be seen and measured with a fluorescence microscope by manually tracing and measuring the length of the neurite growth.These neuronal processes can be observed and quantified with a fluorescent microscope by manually tracing and measuring the length of the neuronal HT22.DDQ-treated mTau-HT22 cells(HT22 cells transfected with cDNA mutant Tau)were seen to display increased levels of synaptophysin,MAP-2,andβ-tubulin.Additionally,we confirmed and noted reduced levels of both total and p-Tau,as well as elevated levels of microtubule-associated protein 2,β-tubulin,synaptophysin,vesicular acetylcholine transporter,and the mitochondrial biogenesis protein-pe roxisome prolife rator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1α.In mTa u-expressed HT22 neurons,we observed DDQ enhanced the neurite characteristics and improved neurite development through increased synaptic outgrowth.Our findings conclude that mTa u-HT22(Alzheimer's disease)cells treated with DDQ have functional neurite developmental chara cteristics.The key finding is that,in mTa u-HT22 cells,DDQ preserves neuronal structure and may even enhance nerve development function with mTa u inhibition.
文摘Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders are neuroinflammatory demyelinating disorders that lead to permanent visual loss and motor dysfunction.To date,no effective treatment exists as the exact causative mechanism remains unknown.Therefore,experimental models of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders are essential for exploring its pathogenesis and in screening for therapeutic targets.Since most patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders are seropositive for IgG autoantibodies against aquaporin-4,which is highly expressed on the membrane of astrocyte endfeet,most current experimental models are based on aquaporin-4-IgG that initially targets astrocytes.These experimental models have successfully simulated many pathological features of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders,such as aquaporin-4 loss,astrocytopathy,granulocyte and macrophage infiltration,complement activation,demyelination,and neuronal loss;however,they do not fully capture the pathological process of human neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders.In this review,we summarize the currently known pathogenic mechanisms and the development of associated experimental models in vitro,ex vivo,and in vivo for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders,suggest potential pathogenic mechanisms for further investigation,and provide guidance on experimental model choices.In addition,this review summarizes the latest information on pathologies and therapies for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders based on experimental models of aquaporin-4-IgG-seropositive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders,offering further therapeutic targets and a theoretical basis for clinical trials.
文摘BACKGROUND:Adeno-associated virus(AAV)gene therapy has been proven to be reliable and safe for the treatment of osteoarthritis in recent years.However,given the complexity of osteoarthritis pathogenesis,single gene manipulation for the treatment of osteoarthritis may not produce satisfactory results.Previous studies have shown that nuclear factorκB could promote the inflammatory pathway in osteoarthritic chondrocytes,and bone morphogenetic protein 4(BMP4)could promote cartilage regeneration.OBJECTIVE:To test whether combined application of AAV-p65shRNA and AAV-BMP4 will yield the synergistic effect on chondrocytes regeneration and osteoarthritis treatment.METHODS:Viral particles containing AAV-p65-shRNA and AAV-BMP4 were prepared.Their efficacy in inhibiting inflammation in chondrocytes and promoting chondrogenesis was assessed in vitro and in vivo by transfecting AAV-p65-shRNA or AAV-BMP4 into cells.The experiments were divided into five groups:PBS group;osteoarthritis group;AAV-BMP4 group;AAV-p65shRNA group;and BMP4-p65shRNA 1:1 group.Samples were collected at 4,12,and 24 weeks postoperatively.Tissue staining,including safranin O and Alcian blue,was applied after collecting articular tissue.Then,the optimal ratio between the two types of transfected viral particles was further investigated to improve the chondrogenic potential of mixed cells in vivo.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The combined application of AAV-p65shRNA and AAV-BMP4 together showed a synergistic effect on cartilage regeneration and osteoarthritis treatment.Mixed cells transfected with AAV-p65shRNA and AAV-BMP4 at a 1:1 ratio produced the most extracellular matrix synthesis(P<0.05).In vivo results also revealed that the combination of the two viruses had the highest regenerative potential for osteoarthritic cartilage(P<0.05).In the present study,we also discovered that the combined therapy had the maximum effect when the two viruses were administered in equal proportions.Decreasing either p65shRNA or BMP4 transfected cells resulted in less collagen II synthesis.This implies that inhibiting inflammation by p65shRNA and promoting regeneration by BMP4 are equally important for osteoarthritis treatment.These findings provide a new strategy for the treatment of early osteoarthritis by simultaneously inhibiting cartilage inflammation and promoting cartilage repair.
基金The insights gained through these works,particularly from projects IITD/IRD/CW14168,CW14469,and CW14378,have significantly contributed to the development of the analysis presented in this study。
文摘Earthquake-induced soil liquefaction poses significant risks to the stability of geotechnical structures worldwide.An understanding of the liquefaction triggering,and the post-failure large deformation behaviour is essential for designing resilient infrastructure.The present study develops a Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics(SPH)framework for earthquake-induced liquefaction hazard assessment of geotechnical structures.The coupled flowdeformation behaviour of soils subjected to cyclic loading is described using the PM4Sand model implemented in a three-phase,single-layer SPH framework.A staggered discretisation scheme based on the stress particle SPH approach is adopted to minimise numerical inaccuracies caused by zero-energy modes and tensile instability.Further,non-reflecting boundary conditions for seismic analysis of semi-infinite soil domains using the SPH method are proposed.The numerical framework is employed for the analysis of cyclic direct simple shear test,seismic analysis of a level ground site,and liquefaction-induced failure of the Lower San Fernando Dam.Satisfactory agreement for liquefaction triggering and post-failure behaviour demonstrates that the SPH framework can be utilised to assess the effect of seismic loading on field-scale geotechnical structures.The present study also serves as the basis for future advancements of the SPH method for applications related to earthquake geotechnical engineering.
基金Supported by the Fundamental Research Program of Shanxi Province,No.202203021222418Research Program of Shanxi Provincial Health Commission,No.2023061+2 种基金Fundamental Research Cooperation Program of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region of Natural Science Foundation of Tianjin,No.22JCZXJC00140Tianjin Major Science and Technology Project,No.21ZXJBSY00110Tianjin Health and Science and Technology Project,No.TJWJ2024ZK001.
文摘BACKGROUND Regulator of G protein signaling(RGS)proteins participate in tumor formation and metastasis by acting on theα-subunit of heterotrimeric G proteins.The speci-fic effect of RGS,particularly RGS4,on the progression of gastric cancer(GC)is not yet clear.AIM To explore the role and underlying mechanisms of action of RGS4 in GC develop-ment.METHODS The prognostic significance of RGS4 in GC was analyzed using bioinformatics based public databases and verified by immunohistochemistry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction in 90 patients with GC.Function assays were employed to assess the carcinogenic impact of RGS4,and the mechanism of its possible influence was detected by western blot analysis.A nude mouse xenograft model was established to study the effects of RGS4 on GC growth in vitro.RESULTS RGS4 was highly expressed in GC tissues compared with matched adjacent normal tissues.Elevated RGS4 expression was correlated with increased tumor-node-metastasis stage,increased tumor grade as well as poorer overall survival in patients with GC.Cell experiments demonstrated that RGS4 knockdown suppressed GC cell proliferation,migration and invasion.Similarly,xenograft experiments confirmed that RGS4 silencing significantly inhibited tumor growth.Moreover,RGS4 knockdown resulted in reduced phosphorylation levels of focal adhesion kinase,phosphatidyl-inositol-3-kinase,and protein kinase B,decreased vimentin and N-cadherin,and elevated E-cadherin.CONCLUSION High RGS4 expression in GC indicates a worse prognosis and RGS4 is a prognostic marker.RGS4 influences tumor progression via the focal adhesion kinase/phosphatidyl-inositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B pathway and epithelial-mesenchymal transition.
文摘BACKGROUND Over the years,the numbers of treatment options for colorectal cancer(CRC)have increased,leading to notable improvements in the overall survival of CRC patients.Although therapy may initially yield positive results,the development of drug resistance can result in treatment failure and cancer recurrence.This resistance is often attributed to the presence of cancer stem cells(CSCs).These CSCs not only contribute to therapeutic resistance but also play crucial roles in the initiation and development of tumor metastasis.AIM To investigate the antitumor effects of SH-4-54,which are mediated by targeting CSCs relative to treatment outcomes.METHODS CSCs were enriched by culturing CRC cells in serum-free medium.Hallmarks of stemness and IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 signaling were detected by Western blotting.Indicators of CSC malignancy,including proliferation,invasion,and tumor formation,were measured.RESULTS In this study,we employed SH-4-54,which exhibits anticancer activity in solid tumors through targeting the SH2 domain of both the signal transducer and activator of transcription(STAT)3 and the STAT5,and evaluated its effects on stemness and chemoresistance in colorectal CSCs.As expected,SH-4-54 treatment inhibited the phosphorylation of STAT3(p-STAT3)and decreased the percentage of ALDH1A1-positive CRC cells.The addition of SH-4-54 dissociated colorectal spheroids and decreased the expression of stemness markers,including ALDH1A1,CD44 and Nanog.SH-4-54 treatment decreased IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 signaling by inhibiting p-STAT3 and thus inhibited spheroid formation by SW480 and LoVo cells.Moreover,SH-4-54 treatment inhibited indicators of malignancy,including cell proliferation,invasion,and tumor formation,in CSCs in vitro and in vivo.Notably,SH-4-54 treatment significantly increased chemosensitivity to oxaplatin.CONCLUSION Taken together,these results indicate that SH-4-54 is a promising molecule that exerts antitumor effects on colorectal CSCs by inhibiting STAT3 signaling.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,Nos.82271397(to MG),82001293(to MG),82171355(to RX),81971295(to RX),and 81671189(to RX)。
文摘Microglial activation that occurs rapidly after closed head injury may play important and complex roles in neuroinflammation-associated neuronal damage and repair.We previously reported that induced neural stem cells can modulate the behavior of activated microglia via CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling,influencing their activation such that they can promote neurological recovery.However,the mechanism of CXCR4 upregulation in induced neural stem cells remains unclear.In this study,we found that nuclear factor-κB activation induced by closed head injury mouse serum in microglia promoted CXCL12 and tumor necrosis factor-αexpression but suppressed insulin-like growth factor-1 expression.However,recombinant complement receptor 2-conjugated Crry(CR2-Crry)reduced the effects of closed head injury mouse serum-induced nuclear factor-κB activation in microglia and the levels of activated microglia,CXCL12,and tumor necrosis factor-α.Additionally,we observed that,in response to stimulation(including stimulation by CXCL12 secreted by activated microglia),CXCR4 and Crry levels can be upregulated in induced neural stem cells via the interplay among CXCL12/CXCR4,Crry,and Akt signaling to modulate microglial activation.In agreement with these in vitro experimental results,we found that Akt activation enhanced the immunoregulatory effects of induced neural stem cell grafts on microglial activation,leading to the promotion of neurological recovery via insulin-like growth factor-1 secretion and the neuroprotective effects of induced neural stem cell grafts through CXCR4 and Crry upregulation in the injured cortices of closed head injury mice.Notably,these beneficial effects of Akt activation in induced neural stem cells were positively correlated with the therapeutic effects of induced neural stem cells on neuronal injury,cerebral edema,and neurological disorders post–closed head injury.In conclusion,our findings reveal that Akt activation may enhance the immunoregulatory effects of induced neural stem cells on microglial activation via upregulation of CXCR4 and Crry,thereby promoting induced neural stem cell–mediated improvement of neuronal injury,cerebral edema,and neurological disorders following closed head injury.
基金financially supported by the Key Project of Natural Science Research in Colleges and Universities of Anhui Province,China(No.2022AH050816)the Open Research Grant of Joint National-Local Engineering Research Centre for Safe and Precise Coal Mining(Nos.EC2023013 and EC2022018)+1 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52200139)the Introduction of Talent in Anhui University of Science and Technology,China(Nos.2021yjrc18 and 2023yjrc79)。
文摘Electromagnetic interference,which necessitates the rapid advancement of substances with exceptional capabilities for bsorbing electromagnetic waves,is of urgent concern in contemporary society.In this work,CoFe_(2)O_(4)/residual carbon from coal gasification fine slag(CFO/RC)composites were created using a novel hydrothermal method.Various mechanisms for microwave absorption,including conductive loss,natural resonance,interfacial dipole polarization,and magnetic flux loss,are involved in these composites.Consequently,compared with pure residual carbon materials,this composite offers superior capabilities in microwave absorption.At 7.76GHz,the CFO/RC-2 composite achieves an impressive minimum reflection loss(RL_(min))of-43.99 dB with a thickness of 2.44 mm.Moreover,CFO/RC-3 demonstrates an effective absorption bandwidth(EAB)of up to 4.16 GHz,accompanied by a thickness of 1.18mm.This study revealed the remarkable capability of the composite to diminish electromagnetic waves,providing a new generation method for microwave absorbing materials of superior quality.
文摘The study by Cao et al aimed to identify early second-trimester biomarkers that could predict gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM)development using advanced proteomic techniques,such as Isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.Their analysis revealed 47 differentially expressed proteins in the GDM group,with retinol-binding protein 4 and angiopoietin-like 8 showing significantly elevated serum levels compared to controls.Although these findings are promising,the study is limited by its small sample size(n=4 per group)and lacks essential details on the reproducibility and reliability of the protein quantification methods used.Furthermore,the absence of experimental validation weakens the interpretation of the protein-protein interaction network identified through bioinformatics analysis.The study's focus on second-trimester biomarkers raises concerns about whether this is a sufficiently early period to implement preventive interventions for GDM.Predicting GDM risk during the first trimester or pre-conceptional period may offer more clinical relevance.Despite its limitations,the study presents valuable insights into potential GDM biomarkers,but larger,well-validated studies are needed to establish their predictive utility and generalizability.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,Nos.82260245(to YX),81660207(to YX),81960253(to YL),82160268(to YL),U1812403(to ZG)Science and Technology Projects of Guizhou Province,Nos.[2019]1440(to YX),[2020]1Z067(to WH)+1 种基金Cultivation Foundation of Guizhou Medical University,No.[20NSP069](to YX)Excellent Young Talents Plan of Guizhou Medical University,No.(2022)101(to WH)。
文摘Several studies have shown that activation of unfolded protein response and endoplasmic reticulum(ER)stress plays a crucial role in severe cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.Autophagy occurs within hours after cerebral ischemia,but the relationship between ER stress and autophagy remains unclear.In this study,we established experimental models using oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation in PC12 cells and primary neurons to simulate cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.We found that prolongation of oxygen-glucose deprivation activated the ER stress pathway protein kinase-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase(PERK)/eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 subunit alpha(e IF2α)-activating transcription factor 4(ATF4)-C/EBP homologous protein(CHOP),increased neuronal apoptosis,and induced autophagy.Furthermore,inhibition of ER stress using inhibitors or by si RNA knockdown of the PERK gene significantly attenuated excessive autophagy and neuronal apoptosis,indicating an interaction between autophagy and ER stress and suggesting PERK as an essential target for regulating autophagy.Blocking autophagy with chloroquine exacerbated ER stress-induced apoptosis,indicating that normal levels of autophagy play a protective role in neuronal injury following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.Findings from this study indicate that cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury can trigger neuronal ER stress and promote autophagy,and suggest that PERK is a possible target for inhibiting excessive autophagy in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.
基金supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF)grants(2022R1A2C4001228,2022M3H4A4097524,2022M3I3A1082499,and 2021M3I3A1084818)the Technology Innovation Program(20026415)of the Ministry of Trade,Industry&Energy(MOTIE,Korea)the supports from Nanopac for fabrication of scaled-up reactor.
文摘Wastewater electrolysis cells(WECs)for decentralized wastewater treatment/reuse coupled with H_(2)production can reduce the carbon footprint associated with transportation of water,waste,and energy carrier.This study reports Ir-doped NiFe_(2)O_(4)(NFI,~5 at%Ir)spinel layer with TiO_(2)overlayer(NFI/TiO_(2)),as a scalable heterojunction anode for direct electrolysis of wastewater with circumneutral pH in a single-compartment cell.In dilute(0.1 M)NaCl solutions,the NFI/TiO_(2)marks superior activity and selectivity for chlorine evolution reaction,outperforming the benchmark IrO_(2).Robust operation in near-neutral pH was confirmed.Electroanalyses including operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy unveiled crucial roles of TiO_(2) which serves both as the primary site for Cl−chemisorption and a protective layer for NFI as an ohmic contact.Galvanostatic electrolysis of NH4+-laden synthetic wastewater demonstrated that NFI/TiO_(2)not only achieves quasi-stoichiometric NH_(4)^(+)-to-N_(2)conversion,but also enhances H_(2)generation efficiency with minimal competing reactions such as reduction of dissolved oxygen and reactive chlorine.The scaled-up WEC with NFI/TiO_(2)was demonstrated for electrolysis of toilet wastewater.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China,No.2022YFC2402701(to WC)Key International(Regional)Joint Research Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81820108009(to SY)+5 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China,Nos.81970890(to WC)and 82371148(to WG)Fujian Provincial Healthcare Young and Middle-aged Backbone Talent Training Project,No.2023GGA035(to XC)Spring City Planthe High-level Talent Promotion and Training Project of Kunming,No.2022SCP001(to SY)the Natural Science Foundation of Hainan Province of China,No.824MS052(to XS)the Sixth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital Innovation Cultivation,No.CXPY202116(to LX)。
文摘Noise-induced hearing loss is the primary non-genetic factor contributing to auditory dysfunction.However,there are currently no effective pharmacological interventions for patients with noise-induced hearing loss.Here,we present evidence suggesting that the lysine-specific demethylase 1 inhibitor–tranylcypromine is an otoprotective agent that could be used to treat noise-induced hearing loss,and elucidate its underlying regulatory mechanisms.We established a mouse model of permanent threshold shift hearing loss by exposing the mice to white broadband noise at a sound pressure level of 120 d B for 4 hours.We found that tranylcypromine treatment led to the upregulation of Sestrin2(SESN2)and activation of the autophagy markers light chain 3B and lysosome-associated membrane glycoprotein 1 in the cochleae of mice treated with tranylcypromine.The noise exposure group treated with tranylcypromine showed significantly lower average auditory brainstem response hearing thresholds at click,4,8,and 16 k Hz frequencies compared with the noise exposure group treated with saline.These findings indicate that tranylcypromine treatment resulted in increased SESN2,light chain 3B,and lysosome-associated membrane glycoprotein 1 expression after noise exposure,leading to a reduction in levels of 4-hydroxynonenal and cleaved caspase-3,thereby reducing noise-induced hair cell loss.Additionally,immunoblot analysis demonstrated that treatment with tranylcypromine upregulated SESN2 expression via the autophagy pathway.Tranylcypromine treatment also reduced the production of NOD-like receptor family pyrin domaincontaining 3(NLRP3)production.In conclusion,our results showed that tranylcypromine treatment ameliorated cochlear inflammation by promoting the expression of SESN2,which induced autophagy,thereby restricting NLRP3-related inflammasome signaling,alleviating cochlear hair cell loss,and protecting hearing function.These findings suggest that inhibiting lysine-specific demethylase 1 is a potential therapeutic strategy for preventing hair cell loss and noise-induced hearing loss.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC)supported this work under Grant No.32250410309,11674086,51736006,and 51772080funding from Science and Technology Department of Jiangsu Province under Grant No.BE2022029Shenzhen University under Grant No.86902/000248 also supported part of this work.
文摘The development of low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells(LT-SOFCs)is of significant importance for realizing the widespread application of SOFCs.This has stimulated a substantial materials research effort in developing high oxide-ion conductivity in the electrolyte layer of SOFCs.In this context,for the first time,a dielectric material,CaCu_(3)Ti_(4)O_(12)(CCTO)is designed for LT-SOFCs electrolyte application in this study.Both individual CCTO and its heterostructure materials with a p-type Ni_(0.8)Co_(0.15)Al_(0.05)LiO_(2−δ)(NCAL)semiconductor are evaluated as alternative electrolytes in LT-SOFC at 450–550℃.The single cell with the individual CCTO electrolyte exhibits a power output of approximately 263 mW cm^(-2) and an open-circuit voltage(OCV)of 0.95 V at 550℃,while the cell with the CCTO–NCAL heterostructure electrolyte capably delivers an improved power output of approximately 605 mW cm^(-2) along with a higher OCV over 1.0 V,which indicates the introduction of high hole-conducting NCAL into the CCTO could enhance the cell performance rather than inducing any potential short-circuiting risk.It is found that these promising outcomes are due to the interplay of the dielectric material,its structure,and overall properties that led to improve electrochemical mechanism in CCTO–NCAL.Furthermore,density functional theory calculations provide the detailed information about the electronic and structural properties of the CCTO and NCAL and their heterostructure CCTO–NCAL.Our study thus provides a new approach for developing new advanced electrolytes for LT-SOFCs.