Electrochemical Realization of 3D Interconnected MoS_(3)/PPy Nanowire Frameworks as Sulfur-Equivalent Cathode Materials for Li-S Batteries

The development of freestanding and binder-free electrode is an effective approach to perform the inherent capacity of active materials and promote the mechanism study by minimizing the interference from additives.Herein,we construct a freestanding cathode composed of MoS_(3)/PPy nanowires(NWs)deposited on porous nickel foam(NF)(MoS_(3)/PPy/NF)through electrochemical methods,which can work efficiently as sulfur-equivalent cathode material for Li-S batteries.The structural stability of the MoS_(3)/PPy/NF cathode is greatly enhanced due to its significant tolerance to the volume expansion of MoS_(3)during the lithiation process,which we ascribe to the flexible 3D framework of PPy NWs,leading to superior cycling performance compared to the bulk-MoS_(3)/NF reference.Eliminating the interference of binder and carbon additives,the evolution of the chemical and electronic structure of Mo and S species during the discharge/charge was studied by X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy(XANES).The formation of lithium polysulfides was excluded as the driving cathode reaction mechanism,suggesting the great potential of MoS_(3)as a promising sulfur-equivalent cathode material to evade the shuttle effect for Li-S batteries.The present study successfully demonstrates the importance of structural design of freestanding electrode enhancing the cycling performances and revealing the corresponding mechanisms.

Isolation,Purification and Bioactivities of Polysaccharides from Irpex lacteus

Irpex lacteus has been widely used for treating chronic glomerulonephritis as a traditional Chinese medicine.Seven water-soluble polysaccharide fractions（ILN I,ILN II,ILN III,ILA I,ILA II,ILB I and ILB II） were isolated and purified from Irpex lacteus by hot-water extraction,deproteinization,decolorization,dicthy laminoethyl（DEAE）-cellulose ion exchange and sephadex G100 chromatographies,respectively.The average molecular weights and monosaccharide composition of these polysaccharide fractions greatly differed from each other.The antitumor and antinephritis activities of the seven polysaccharide fractions were evaluated.It was found that ILN III displayed significant inhibition effects on both humar hepatocellular liver carcinoma（HepG2） and hentietta lacks（HeLa） tumor cells with IC 50 values of 60.95 and 99.95 μg/mL,respectively.ILA I exhibited significant inhibition effects on murine mesangial cells（HBZT-1） with an IC 50 value of 185.06 μg/mL.The inhibition effects of other polysaccharide fractions on these three cells were significantly different.These results suggest that the polysaccharide fractions isolated from Irpex lacteus have potential antitumor and antinephritis activities.

Spectroscopic Properties of Methyl Ketone Bridged Electrochromic Materials: a Quantum Chemical and Experimental Study

Tuning accurately the color of electrochromic materials has been considered as a crucial step to achieve successful electrochromic display. In this paper, the effect of substitution on the color of methyl ketone bridged electrochromic materials has been investigated systematically by experimental and TDDFT methods. By screening 15 functional and 11 basis sets, a statistical method based on M052 X data is developed to estimate the maximum absorption wavelengths(λ_(max)) of electrochromic materials, based on analyzing λ_(max) of 18 molecules. For methyl ketone bridged electrochromic materials, the color from yellow to green and λ_(max) from 400 to 690 nm can be adjusted by electron-withdrawing functional group on Ar2 and electron-donating functional group on Ar1. This work not only exhibits the suitable method to predict the maximum absorption wavelength and color of electrochromic materials, but also inspires and accelerates further development of electrochromic materials for future displays.

ROS does not contribute to acute development of nitroglycerine tolerance in rat aortas

The development of nitroglycerine tolerance limits its clinical efficacy of nitric oxide(NO)donors. Several cellular mechanisms have been proposed to explain this phenomenon,one of which is an exaggerated production of reactive oxygen specious(ROS).The present study examined whether ROS contribute to the occurrence of nitroglycerine tolerance which is induced

Anti-inflammatory effects of Mangifera indica L.extract in a model of colitis

AIM:To investigate the effect of aqueous extract from Mangifera indica L.(MIE)on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in rats.METHODS:MIE(150 mg/kg)was administered in two different protocols:(1)rectally,over 7 d at the same time as DSS administration;and(2)once daily over 14 d (by oral gavage,7 d before starting DSS,and rectally for 7 d during DSS administration).General observations of clinical signs were performed.Anti-inflammatory activity of MIE was assessed by myeloperoxidase(MPO)activity. Colonic lipid peroxidation was determined by measuring the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS).Reduced glutathione(GSH)levels,expression of inflammatory related mediators[inducible isoforms of nitric oxide synthase(iNOS)and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2,respectively]and cytokines[tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-αand TNF receptors 1 and 2]in colonic tissue were also assessed.Interleukin(IL)-6 and TNF-α serum levels were also measured. RESULTS:The results demonstrated that MIE has anti-inflammatory properties by improvement of clinical signs,reduction of ulceration and reduced MPO activity when administered before DSS.In addition,administration of MIE for 14 d resulted in an increase in GSH and reduction of TBARS levels and iNOS,COX-2, TNF-αand TNF R-2 expression in colonic tissue,and a decrease in IL-6 and TNF-αserum levels. CONCLUSION:MIE has anti-inflammatory activity in a DSS-induced rat colitis model and preventive administration(prior to DSS)seems to be a more effective protocol.

Antimicrobial Activities of Essential Oils against Common Hospital Fungi Species

Introduction: In hospitals and other healthcare settings the presence of airborne and sedimented fungi is an extrinsic risk factor for opportunistic infections involving both immunocompromised and non-immunocompromised persons. In hospitalized patients, it is estimated that 9% of hospital-acquired infections are caused by fungi. Lethality rate varies from 40% to 100% depending on the immunosuppression degree of stakeholders. To prevent healthcare-associated infections, the control of environmental fungal contamination through use of sanitizing/disinfecting practices is basic. However, the widespread use of common disinfectants could promote the growth of antibiotic-resistant superbugs and cause environmental harm. These aspects stimulated the search of new antimicrobial agents. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of essential oils of Mentha insularis Req., Mentha pulegium L., Mentha requienii Bentham, Artemisia caerulescens L. ssp. densiflora (Viv), Rosmarinus officinalis L. var. albiflorus, Rosmarinus officinalis L. var. lavandulescens, and Ocotea puchury major Mart. against fungi species frequently found in hospitals and potentially responsible for opportunistic mycoses. Methods: The essential oils’ antifungal activity was carried out by agar disc diffusion technique. Results: All tested essential oils are effective, though to a different degree, against both molds that yeasts assessed. The major antifungal activity was showed by Mentha oils. Particularly, Mentha requienii and Mentha insularis oils were active until 1:8 dilution against Rhodotorula spp. and 1:16 dilution against mixed molds, while M. pulegium was strongly active until 1:2 against both fungi. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, few or no data are available in literature on the activity of essential oils against hospital environmental isolates of fungi. Results suggest their potential application in sanitation procedures of the hospital, and in general, of the “care settings”.

Chlorination strategy on polymer donors toward efficient solar conversions

Bulk heterojunction(BHJ)polymer solar cells(PSCs)are promising candidates for next-generation solar cells.Benefitting from the persistent efforts in material design and synthesis,systematic device engineering and fundamental understanding of the device physics,the power conversion efficiency(PCE)of single PSC has been pushed to surpass 15%,and that of the tandem PSCs is over 17%.Recently,chlorination has drawn much interest and the chlorinated PSCs have been frequently reported in donor-acceptor(D-A)type conjugated polymers.This review summarizes the recent progress of the chlorinated strategy for highly efficient photovoltaic applications.We firstly discuss the chlorination on the acceptor units in D-A type donor polymers,emphasizing the 4 widely used acceptor units with their improved PCE.secondly,the chlorination on the donor units will be discussed,mainly focusing on the chlorination of benzo[1,2-b:4,b]dithiophene(BDT)unit and 2,2-bithiophene unit.Remarkably,the PCE of the chlorinated BDT-based device has been improved to over 14%.Overall,this review discusses the structure-property correlations of these chlorinated polymers in photovoltaic study,which could further provide guidance on the chlorinated strategy and the molecular design for high-performance photovoltaic devices.

Fabrication of New Transparent and Hydrophilic Hybrid Anti-fog Coating from Silane Coupler Modified by Polyethylene Glycols

A new and effective organic-inorganic hybrid hydrophilic anti-fog coating was proposed and prepared. As is well-known, the presence of an inorganic component typically decreases the hydrophilicity and transparency of the coating. To solve this problem, we used polyethylene glycol with two different molecular weights to modify the si- lane coupling agent and mixed it with hydrophilic copolymer to form coating formulas. We coated these formulas on polycarbonate（PC） substrates to measure the anti-fogging properties via contact angle and anti-fogging tests, com- pared their transparency properties using UV-Vis spectra and evaluated the hardness using a pencil hardness tester. The results demonstrate that the molecular weight of PEG has a strong influence on the properties of the anti-fog coatings. After the corresponding optimization, we manufactured an excellent anti-fog coating. In addition to good adhesion and hardness, the coating also exhibited excellent mechanical properties, optical transparency and perfect anti-fogging performance.

Roots and rhizomes of wild Asparagus:Nutritional composition,bioactivity and nanoencapsulation of the most potent extract

The nutritional composition and bioactive properties of roots and rhizomes of Asparagus stipularis were evaluated.Antioxidant activity of extracts obtained by infusion was evaluated using free radicals scavenging and reducing power methods.Porcine liver primary cell was used to check the hepatotoxicity of infusions.Results revealed that Asparagus samples are likely a source of nutrients,such as dietary fibre and essential fatty acids.HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS characterization of infusions allowed the identification and quantitation of 7 phenolic compounds,all hydroxycinnamoyl derivatives,with caffeic acid as the most abundant.Roots infusion contained the highest amounts of these compounds.It also exhibited the highest antioxidant activity in all assays,with EC_(50) values of 0.44±0.01,0.98±0.03 and 0.64±0.01 mg/mL for DPPH,ABTS and FRAP assays,respectively,with no toxicity towards PLP2 primary cell cultures(GI_(50)>400μg/mL).PLGA nanoparticles loaded with root extract were prepared using solvent-evaporation double emulsion method.Nanoparticles size was about 260 nm and a polydispersity index around 0.1,with a zeta potential of about-36 mV,as well as a good encapsulation efficiency of approximately 83%.Their morphology was analysed by SEM and spherical polymeric nanoparticles with a smooth surface were observed.FTIR and DSC were also performed,which allowed corroborating the efficacy of the encapsulation and to confirm the production of a stable and robust system to load Asparagus extracts.The developed nanoparticles are expected to be used as delivery systems for bioactive compounds of A.stipularis and they could be used as an innovative dietary supplement.

Congruent responses of vascular plant and ant communities to pastoral land-use abandonment in mountain areas throughout different biogeographic regions

Background:There is a long-term trend towards the abandonment of agro-pastoral activities in the mountain areas of Europe:the following encroachment process of semi-natural grasslands by shrubs is one of the main severe threats to the conservation of biodiversity in mountain environments.To better understand the impact of land abandonment,we analysed the reliability of plant functional groups,ant traits,and ant functional groups as indicators of land use changes.We carried out the research in Italy at four sites along a latitudinal/altitudinal gradient in three biogeo-graphic regions(Mediterranean,Continental,Alpine).We identified three stages of a chronosequence at each site as representative of the plant succession in response to pastoral land-use abandonment.Results:As expected,both the plant and ant assemblages considerably differed across sites at the species level and,within each site,among the three stages.This trend was found also using ant traits,functional groups of ants,and plant functional groups.Ant and plant communities were related in terms of composition and functionality.Harvester ants and ants with collective foraging strategy were associated with annual legumes and grasses(Therophytes);ants with a strictly individual foraging strategy with Phanerophytes.Ant traits and plant functional groups indicated significant differences among the three stages of the chronosequence.However,ant functional groups could not discriminate between the stages represented by secondary grasslands currently grazed and shrub-encroached grasslands ungrazed.Conclusion:Despite some limitations of ant functional groups in explaining the succession stages of land abandonment,our results suggest that ants are a good surrogate taxon and might be used as bioindicators of land-use changes and ecosystem functioning.Furthermore,our findings indicate that the functional group approach should be applied to other European ecosystems.Finally,reducing the taxonomic complexity could contribute to developing predictive models to detect early environmental changes and biodiversity loss in mountain habitats.

Dissolution of WO_(3) modified with IrO_(x) overlayers during photoelectrochemical water splitting

WO_(3),an abundant transition metal semiconductor,is one of the most discussed materials to be used as a photoanode in photoelectrochemical water-splitting devices.The photoelectrochemical properties,such as photoactivity and selectivity of WO_(3) in different electrolytes,are already well understood.However,the understanding of stability,one of the most important properties for utilization in a commercial device,is still in the early stages.In this work,a photoelectrochemical scanning flow cell coupled to an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer is applied to determine the influence of co-catalyst overlayers on photoanode stability.Spray-coatedWO_(3) photoanodes are used as a model system.Iridium is applied to the electrodes by atomic layer deposition in controlled layer thickness,as determined by ellipsometry and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.Photoactivity of the iridium-modified WO_(3) photoanodes decreases with increasing iridium layer thickness.Partial blocking of the WO_(3) surface by iridium is proposed as the main cause of the decreased photoelectrochemical performance.On the other hand,the stability of WO_(3) is notably increased even in the presence of the thinnest investigated iridium overlayer.Based on our findings,we provide a set of strategies to synthesize nanocomposite photoelectrodes simultaneously possessing high photoelectrochemical activity and photostability.

Nitrogen-Doped Nanoporous Carbons through Direct Carbonization of a MetaI-Biomolecule Framework for Supercapacitor

Nitrogen-doped nanoporous carbons have been successfully synthesized by direct carbonization of a nitrogen- rich metal-biomolecule framework, zinc glutamate （Zn（HzO）（CsHyNO4）-H20）, as a template without any additional carbon or nitrogen sources. The surface area and pore size distribution of the resultant carbon materials were studied based on the carbonization temperature. These carbons exhibited high specific surface area （as high as 1619.2 m2og i for ZGC-1000）. Furthermore, ZGC-1000 also provided a large specific capacitance of 140.8 F·g^- 1 at a current density of 0.25 A·g^-1 when measured in a three-electrode system. It is believed that the presence of the nitro- gen-doped nanoporous carbons prepared from the metal-organic frameworks will further facilitate the exploration of such materials as supercapacitors.

A single-molecule multicolor electrochromic device generated through medium engineering

Multicolor organic electrochromic materials are important for the generation of full-color devices.However,achieving multiple colors using a single-molecule material has proved challenging.In this study,a multicolor electrochromic prototype device is generated by integrating medium engineering/in situ‘electro base’/laminated electrode technologies with the simple flying fish-shaped methyl ketone TM1.This multicolor electrochromic(green,blue and magenta)device is durable and has a high coloration efficiency(350 cm^(2) C^(-1)),a fast switching time(50 ms)and superior reversibility.This study is a successful attempt to integrate solvatochromism and basochromism in an electronic display.This integration not only introduces a new avenue for color tuning,in addition to the structural design of the colorant,but will also inspire further developments in the tuning of many other properties by this medium engineering approach,such as conductance and the redox property,and thereby accelerate versatile applications in data recording,ultrathin flexible displays,and optical communication and sensing.

ITPK1 is an InsP_(6)/ADP phosphotransferase that controls phosphate signaling in Arabidopsis.

In plants, phosphate (Pi) homeostasis is regulated by the interaction of PHR transcription factors with stand-alone SPX proteins, which act as sensors for inositol pyrophosphates. Here, we combined different methods to obtain a comprehensive picture of how inositol (pyro)phosphate metabolism is regulated by Pi and dependent on the inositol phosphate kinase ITPK1. We found that inositol pyrophosphates are more responsive to Pi than lower inositol phosphates, a response conserved across kingdoms. With CE-ESI-MS we could separate different InsP7 isomers in Arabidopsis and rice, and identify 4/6-InsP7 and a PP-InsP4 isomer hitherto not reported in plants. We found that the inositol pyrophosphates 1/3-InsP7, 5-InsP7 and InsP8 increase severalfold in shoots after Pi resupply and that tissue-specific accumulation of inositol pyrophosphates relies on ITPK1 activities and MRP5-dependent InsP6 compartmentalization. Notably, ITPK1 is critical for Pi-dependent 5-InsP7 and InsP8 synthesis in planta and its activity regulates Pi starvation responses in a PHR-dependent manner. Furthermore, we demonstrate that ITPK1-mediated conversion of InsP6 to 5-InsP7 requires high ATP concentrations and that Arabidopsis ITPK1 has an ADP phosphotransferase activity to dephosphorylate specifically 5-InsP7 under low ATP. Collectively, our study provides deeper insights into Pi-dependent changes in nutritional and energetic states with the synthesis of regulatory inositol pyrophosphates.

Temperature-dependent dielectric anomalies in powder aerosol deposited ferroelectric ceramic films

Room-temperature fabrication of functional ceramic films using powder aerosol deposition(AD)is important for practical applications.However,the as-processed ferroelectric films show unusual temperature-dependent dielectric response,including enhanced conductivity in the as-processed state and subsequent significant increase in the permittivity following heat treatment.In this work,we investigate the influence of the residual internal stresses developed during the high-impact consolidation process on the dielectric response.Moreover,the recombination of charged defects generated during deposition is driven by the temperature and the atmospheric condition during the heat treatment as well as the carrier gas type used during deposition.Thermal treatment up to 500℃ in different atmospheres was used to tune the dielectric and ferroelectric response,highlighting that irrespective of the type of carrier gas,AD deposition process induces charged defects in polar oxide ceramics that can be reduced through heat-treatment far-below their bulk sintering temperature.Macroscopic electromechanical properties are contrasted to in-situ heating scanning transmission electron microscopy to observe possible local effects,such as crystallization,grain growth,crystal defect structure,or grain reorientation.In addition X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies were conducted to gain insight into the effect of annealing on the crystal structure and local moisture adsorption.