Scalable 3‑D Carbon Nitride Sponge as an Efficient Metal-Free Bifunctional Oxygen Electrocatalyst for Rechargeable Zn–Air Batteries

Rational design of efficient and durable bifunctional oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts is critical for rechargeable metal–air batteries. Here, we developed a facile strategy for fabricating three-dimensional phosphorus and sulfur codoped carbon nitride sponges sandwiched with carbon nanocrystals (P,S-CNS). These materials exhibited high surface area and superior ORR and OER bifunctional catalytic activities than those of Pt/C and RuO₂, respectively, concerning its limiting current density and onset potential. Further, we tested the suitability and durability of P,S-CNS as the oxygen cathode for primary and rechargeable Zn–air batteries. The resulting primary Zn–air battery exhibited a high open-circuit voltage of 1.51 V, a high discharge peak power density of 198 mW cm^–2, a specific capacity of 830 mA h g^–1, and better durability for 210 h after mechanical recharging. An extraordinary small charge–discharge voltage polarization (∼0.80 V at 25 mA cm^–2), superior reversibility, and stability exceeding prolonged charge–discharge cycles have been attained in rechargeable Zn–air batteries with a three-electrode system. The origin of the electrocatalytic activity of P,S-CNS was elucidated by density functional theory analysis for both oxygen reactions. This work stimulates an innovative prospect for the enrichment of rechargeable Zn–air battery viable for commercial applications such as armamentaria, smart electronics, and electric vehicles

Scalable 3‑D Carbon Nitride Sponge as an Efficient Metal-Free Bifunctional Oxygen Electrocatalyst for Rechargeable Zn–Air Batteries

Rational design of efficient and durable bifunctional oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts is critical for rechargeable metal–air batteries. Here, we developed a facile strategy for fabricating three-dimensional phosphorus and sulfur codoped carbon nitride sponges sandwiched with carbon nanocrystals (P,S-CNS). These materials exhibited high surface area and superior ORR and OER bifunctional catalytic activities than those of Pt/C and RuO₂, respectively, concerning its limiting current density and onset potential. Further, we tested the suitability and durability of P,S-CNS as the oxygen cathode for primary and rechargeable Zn–air batteries. The resulting primary Zn–air battery exhibited a high open-circuit voltage of 1.51 V, a high discharge peak power density of 198 mW cm^–2, a specific capacity of 830 mA h g^–1, and better durability for 210 h after mechanical recharging. An extraordinary small charge–discharge voltage polarization (∼0.80 V at 25 mA cm^–2), superior reversibility, and stability exceeding prolonged charge–discharge cycles have been attained in rechargeable Zn–air batteries with a three-electrode system. The origin of the electrocatalytic activity of P,S-CNS was elucidated by density functional theory analysis for both oxygen reactions. This work stimulates an innovative prospect for the enrichment of rechargeable Zn–air battery viable for commercial applications such as armamentaria, smart electronics, and electric vehicles

Biofouling Control with Bead-Entrapped Quorum Quenching Bacteria in Membrane Bioreactors: Physical and Biological Effects

Recently, interspecies quorum quenching by bacterial cells encapsulated in a vessel was described and shown to be efficient and economically feasible for biofouling control in membrane bioreactors (MBRs). In this study, free-moving beads entrapped with quorum quenching bacteria were applied to the inhibition of biofouling in a MBR. Cell entrapping beads (CEBs) with a porous microstructure were prepared by entrapping quorum quenching bacteria (Rhodococcus sp. BH4) into alginate beads. In MBRs provided with CEBs, the time to reach a transmembrane pressure (TMP) of 70 kPa was 10 times longer than without CEBs. The mitigation of biofouling was attributed to both physical (friction) and biological (quorum quenching) effects of CEBs, the latter being much more important. Because of the quorum quenching effect of CEBs, microbial cells in the biofilm generated fewer extracellular polymeric substances and thus formed a loosely bound biofilm, which enabled it to slough off from the membrane surface more easily. Furthermore, collisions between the moving CEBs and membranes gave rise to frictional forces that facilitated detachment of the biofilm from the membrane surface. CEBs bring bacterial quorum quenching closer to being a practical solution to the problem of biofouling in MBRs

MSM suppresses RANKL-induced osteoclast marker gene and protein expression.

<p>BMMs were cultured in the presence of M-CSF (30 ng/ml) and RANKL (100 ng/ml) for the indicated number of days, with or without various concentrations of MSM. (A and B) Expression levels of the RANKL-induced osteoclast marker proteins examined by western blot analyses. (C) Expression of mRNAs for RANKL and OPG in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). (D) Expression of mRNA for RANKL-induced osteoclast marker genes examined by RT-PCR analyses. Beta-actin and GAPDH were used as loading controls. Data shown are representative of three independent experiments.</p

MSM inhibits RANKL-induced signaling in BMMs.

<p>BMMs were incubated with various concentration of MSM for 1 h, together with controls without MSM exposure, were then incubated with or without RANKL (100ng/ml) for 10 min. Cell lysates were immunoblotted for the indicated proteins. (A) MSM inhibits RANKL-induced activation of ERK. (B) MSM suppresses RANKL-induced activation of Gab2, PLCγ2, and Syk. (C) MSM suppresses RANKL-induced IKK phosphorylation, IκB degradation, and NF-κB activation. Tata binding protein (TBP) was used as nuclear protein loading control. (D) NF-κB DNA binding was detected by EMSA. Data shown are representative of three independent experiments.</p

MSM attenuates RANKL-induced osteoclastic marker gene expression by blocking STAT3.

<p>(A) RAW264.7 cells were incubated with or without MSM for 1 h and then either exposed (or not) to RANKL (100ng/ml) for 10 min. Cell lysates were then blotted and immunostained with p-STAT3 and STAT3 antibodies. (B) RAW264.7 cells were transfected with STAT3 shRNA or a non-targeting shRNA for 48 h, then stimulated with RANKL (100 ng/ml) for 10 min. Cell lysates were prepared for western blot with antibodies as indicated. The relative levels of protein were determined using densitometry and normalized to β-actin. (C) RAW264.7 cells were transfected as in (B) and then stimulated with RANKL (100 ng/ml) for 24 h, with total RNA isolated using Qiagen. Expression of osteoclastic marker genes and STAT3 were examined using real-time PCR with GAPDH used as an internal control. Data shown are representative of three independent experiments. Asterisks indicate a significant increase by t-test (**p <0.01, ***p < 0.001).</p

Additional file 2 of Specific triacylglycerol, diacylglycerol, and lyso-phosphatidylcholine species for the prediction of type 2 diabetes: a ~ 16-year prospective study in Chinese

Additional file 2: Table S1. Stepwise model selection coefficients and Wald-Z tests. Table S2. List of measured lipid species. Table S3. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis module components. Table S4. Boruta analysis result

Additional file 1 of Specific triacylglycerol, diacylglycerol, and lyso-phosphatidylcholine species for the prediction of type 2 diabetes: a ~ 16-year prospective study in Chinese

Additional file 1. Methods. Figure S1. WGCNA of the lipid species profile. Figure S2. Boruta analysis result. Figure S3. Violin Plot of the Targeted Lipidomics. Figure S4. Correlation among identified lipid species

Baseline characteristics of patients.

<p>Baseline characteristics of patients.</p

Association of baseline factors with incident fracture.

<p>Association of baseline factors with incident fracture.</p