Stretchable and High-Performance Supercapacitors with Crumpled Graphene Papers

Fabrication of unconventional energy storage devices with high stretchability and performance is challenging, but critical to practical operations of fully power-independent stretchable electronics. While supercapacitors represent a promising candidate for unconventional energy-storage devices, existing stretchable supercapacitors are limited by their low stretchability, complicated fabrication process, and high cost. Here, we report a simple and low-cost method to fabricate extremely stretchable and high-performance electrodes for supercapacitors based on new crumpled-graphene papers. Electrolyte-mediated-graphene paper bonded on a compliant substrate can be crumpled into self-organized patterns by harnessing mechanical instabilities in the graphene paper. As the substrate is stretched, the crumpled patterns unfold, maintaining high reliability of the graphene paper under multiple cycles of large deformation. Supercapacitor electrodes based on the crumpled graphene papers exhibit a unique combination of high stretchability (e.g., linear strain ~300%, areal strain ~800%), high electrochemical performance (e.g., specific capacitance ~196 F g[superscript −1]), and high reliability (e.g., over 1000 stretch/relax cycles). An all-solid-state supercapacitor capable of large deformation is further fabricated to demonstrate practical applications of the crumpled-graphene-paper electrodes. Our method and design open a wide range of opportunities for manufacturing future energy-storage devices with desired deformability together with high performance.United States. Office of Naval Research (N00014-14-1-0619)National Science Foundation (U.S.) (CMMI-1253495)National Science Foundation (U.S.) (DMR-1121107)National Science Foundation (U.S.) (EECS-1344745

Cardiovascular risk burden, dementia risk and brain structural imaging markers:a study from UK Biobank

Background:Cardiovascular risk burden is associated with dementia risk and neurodegeneration-related brain structure, while the role of genetics and incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains unclear. Aims:To examine the association of overall cardiovascular risk burden with the risk of major dementia subtypes and volumes of related brain regions in a large sample, and to explore the role of genetics and CVD onset. Methods:A prospective study among 354 654 participants free of CVD and dementia (2006–2010, mean age 56.4 years) was conducted within the UK Biobank, with brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurement available for 15 104 participants since 2014. CVD risk burden was evaluated by the Framingham General Cardiovascular Risk Score (FGCRS). Dementia diagnosis was ascertained from inpatient and death register data. Results:Over a median 12.0-year follow-up, 3998 all-cause dementia cases were identified. Higher FGCRS was associated with increased all-cause dementia risk after adjusting for demographic, major lifestyle, clinical factors and the polygenic risk score (PRS) of Alzheimer’s disease. Comparing the high versus low tertile of FGCRS, the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were 1.26 (1.12 to 1.41) for all-cause dementia, 1.67 (1.33 to 2.09) for Alzheimer’s disease and 1.53 (1.07 to 2.16) for vascular dementia (all ptrend&lt;0.05). Incident stroke and coronary heart disease accounted for 14% (95% CI: 9% to 21%) of the association between FGCRS and all-cause dementia. Interactions were not detected for FGCRS and PRS on the risk of any dementia subtype. We observed an 83% (95% CI: 47% to 128%) higher all-cause dementia risk comparing the high–high versus low–low FGCRS–PRS category. For brain volumes, higher FGCRS was associated with greater log-transformed white matter hyperintensities, smaller cortical volume and smaller grey matter volume. Conclusions:Our findings suggest that the positive association of cardiovascular risk burden with dementia risk also applies to major dementia subtypes. The association of cardiovascular risk burden with all-cause dementia is largely independent of CVD onset and genetic predisposition to dementia.</p

Cardiovascular risk burden, dementia risk and brain structural imaging markers:a study from UK Biobank

Background:Cardiovascular risk burden is associated with dementia risk and neurodegeneration-related brain structure, while the role of genetics and incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains unclear. Aims:To examine the association of overall cardiovascular risk burden with the risk of major dementia subtypes and volumes of related brain regions in a large sample, and to explore the role of genetics and CVD onset. Methods:A prospective study among 354 654 participants free of CVD and dementia (2006–2010, mean age 56.4 years) was conducted within the UK Biobank, with brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurement available for 15 104 participants since 2014. CVD risk burden was evaluated by the Framingham General Cardiovascular Risk Score (FGCRS). Dementia diagnosis was ascertained from inpatient and death register data. Results:Over a median 12.0-year follow-up, 3998 all-cause dementia cases were identified. Higher FGCRS was associated with increased all-cause dementia risk after adjusting for demographic, major lifestyle, clinical factors and the polygenic risk score (PRS) of Alzheimer’s disease. Comparing the high versus low tertile of FGCRS, the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were 1.26 (1.12 to 1.41) for all-cause dementia, 1.67 (1.33 to 2.09) for Alzheimer’s disease and 1.53 (1.07 to 2.16) for vascular dementia (all ptrend&lt;0.05). Incident stroke and coronary heart disease accounted for 14% (95% CI: 9% to 21%) of the association between FGCRS and all-cause dementia. Interactions were not detected for FGCRS and PRS on the risk of any dementia subtype. We observed an 83% (95% CI: 47% to 128%) higher all-cause dementia risk comparing the high–high versus low–low FGCRS–PRS category. For brain volumes, higher FGCRS was associated with greater log-transformed white matter hyperintensities, smaller cortical volume and smaller grey matter volume. Conclusions:Our findings suggest that the positive association of cardiovascular risk burden with dementia risk also applies to major dementia subtypes. The association of cardiovascular risk burden with all-cause dementia is largely independent of CVD onset and genetic predisposition to dementia.</p

miRNA profiling in intrauterine exosomes of pregnant cattle on day 7

Intrauterine exosomes have been identified to be involved in the embryo development and implantation. The aim of this study was to explore the role of miRNAs in intrauterine exosomes in bovine pregnancy. Intrauterine exosomes were collected from uterine flushing fluids of three donor and three recipient Xianan cows 7 days after fertilization. Intrauterine exosomes miRNAs were extracted and the exosomal miRNAs expression levels were analyzed. Sixty miRNAs differed significantly in their amounts between donors and recipients (p-value 1). Twenty-two miRNAs were upregulated and 38 downregulated in the group of donor cows. The bta-miR-184 was the most significant (PBenjamini-Hochberg < 0.001). A total of 9,775 target genes were predicted using the 60 miRNAs. GO and KEGG analysis showed that the target genes were enriched in several biological processes or pathways associated with embryo implantation and endometrial development, such as cell adhesion, cell junction, focal adhesion, and Rap1 signaling pathway. Our findings suggest that, in cattle early pregnancy stage, these differently expressed miRNAs in intrauterine exosomes involved in embryo implantation and endometrial development, which may exert a significant effect and influence the uterine microenvironment for embryo implantation. These results could provide reference for screening and exploring the intrauterine exosomal miRNA affecting embryo implantation

Comparison of proteomic landscape of extracellular vesicles in pleural effusions isolated by three strategies

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from pleural effusion (PE) is emerging as disease biomarkers. However, the methods for isolation of EVs from PE (pEVs) were rarely studied. In our study, three methods for isolating pEVs of lung cancer patients were compared, including ultracentrifugation (UC), a combination of UC and size exclusion chromatography (UC-SEC) and a combination of UC and density gradient ultracentrifugation (UC-DGU). The subpopulation of pEVs was identified by nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Western blotting (WB) and nano-flow cytometry (nFCM). Additionally, the proteomic landscape of pEVs was analyzed by Label-free proteomics. The results showed that, compared with UC and UC-DGU, the UC-SEC method separated pEVs with the highest purity. In the proteomic analysis, on average, 1595 proteins were identified in the pEVs isolated by UC-SEC, much more than pEVs isolated by UC (1222) or UC-DGU (807). Furthermore, approximately 90% of identified proteins in each method were found in the EVs public database ExoCarta. Consistent with this, GO annotation indicated that the core proteins identified in each method were mainly enriched in “extracellular exosome.” Many of the top 100 proteins with high expression in each method were suggested as protein markers to validate the presence of EVs in the MISEV2018 guidelines. In addition, combined with lung tissue-specific proteins and vesicular membrane proteins, we screened out and validated several novel protein markers (CD11C, HLA DPA1 and HLA DRB1), which were enriched in pEVs rather than in plasma EVs. In conclusion, our study shows that the method of UC-SEC could significantly improve the purity of EVs and the performance of mass spectrometry-based proteomic profiling in analyzing pEVs. The exosomal proteins CD11C, HLA DPA1 and HLA DRB1 may act as potential markers of pEVs. The proteomic analysis of pEVs provides important information and new ideas for studying diseases complicated with PE

Transient Receptor Potential V Channels Are Essential for Glucose Sensing by Aldolase and AMPK

Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate (FBP) aldolase links sensing of declining glucose availability to AMPK activation via the lysosomal pathway. However, how aldolase transmits lack of occupancy by FBP to AMPK activation remains unclear. Here, we show that FBP-unoccupied aldolase interacts with and inhibits endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-localized transient receptor potential channel subfamily V, inhibiting calcium release in low glucose. The decrease of calcium at contact sites between ER and lysosome renders the inhibited TRPV accessible to bind the lysosomal v-ATPase that then recruits AXIN:LKB1 to activate AMPK independently of AMP. Genetic depletion of TRPVs blocks glucose starvation-induced AMPK activation in cells and liver of mice, and in nematodes, indicative of physical requirement of TRPVs. Pharmacological inhibition of TRPVs activates AMPK and elevates NAD(+) levels in aged muscles, rejuvenating the animals' running capacity. Our study elucidates that TRPVs relay the FBP-free status of aldolase to the reconfiguration of v-ATPase, leading to AMPK activation in low glucose

Increased leaching and addition of amendments improve the properties of seawater-neutralized bauxite residue as a growth medium

Laboratory and greenhouse experiments were carried out to investigate the chemical, physical, and microbial properties of seawater-neutralized bauxite residues and the effects of additional leaching (1 pore volume of deionized water versus an additional 6 pore volumes) and amendment with gypsum (5%) and/or cattle manure (6%) on its properties and on the growth of Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana). Additional leaching resulted in a decrease in EC, exchangeable Na, SAR, and ESP. For unamended control treatments, additional leaching induced a rise in pH from 8.5 to 9.6 and pH from 9.1 to 10.1 due to dissolution of residual alkalinity. Addition of gypsum arrested this pH increase resulting in a final pH of 7.5 and pH of 8.8. In control treatments, additional leaching resulted in a pronounced decrease in Rhodes grass yields. However, in gypsum and cattle manure-amended treatments, it led to substantial yield increases and decreases in tissue Al and Na concentrations and increased K/Na ratios. Upon drying for the first time, bauxite residue was shown to contract and form a solid massive structure. The aggregates formed from crushing this material were water stable (as measured by wet sieving). Additions of cattle manure or gypsum to residue aggregates did not affect pore size distribution. Addition of cattle manure increased organic C and microbial biomass C content and basal respiration rate while additional leaching increased basal respiration and metabolic quotient. It was concluded that a combination of drying and crushing the residue, amending it with gypsum and organic manure followed by extensive leaching results in the formation of a medium that supports plant growth

Growth of Rhodes grass and leaching of ions from seawater neutralized bauxite residues after amendment with gypsum and organic wastes

A 32-week leaching column study was carried out in the greenhouse to investigate the effects of incorporation of gypsum, cattle manure, biosolids, gypsum plus cattle manure and gypsum plus biosolids into the topsoil layer (0–10 cm) on growth of Rhodes grass, and on root distribution and chemical and microbial properties in the topsoil and subsoil (10–30 cm) layers of seawater neutralized bauxite residues. The columns were leached for a period of 8 weeks prior to sowing Rhodes grass and during that time the bulk of the salts accumulated during seawater neutralization were leached out. The main cation leached was Na and the main balancing anions were Cl and SO . During this period the pH of leachates rose from 7 to 8 up to 9–10. At the end of the study, exchangeable Na and pH were lowered in the surface horizon by all treatments with a combination of gypsum plus organic amendments having the greatest effect. The latter treatments also caused a significant decrease in pH, extractable Al and exchangeable Na in the subsoil. Rhodes grass dry matter production followed the order Control < gypsum < cattle manure = gypsum plus cattle manure < biosolids = gypsum plus biosolids. Growth of roots into the subsoil layer was inhibited in the Control and gypsum treatments but when organic amendments were applied, 50% or more of root dry matter was recovered in the subsoil layer. It was concluded that incorporating a combination of gypsum and organic matter into the surface soil is an effective strategy for revegetation of bauxite residue

Properties of seawater neutralized bauxite residues and changes in chemical, physical and microbial properties induced by additions of gypsum and organic matter

Seawater neutralization is a technique that can be used to treat bauxite residue prior to its storage but, as yet, no attempts have been made to revegetate it. Seawater neutralized bauxite residue was found to have a pH of 9.3 and to be highly saline (EC 16.5 dS m). After leaching pH rose to 9.7 and the residue was still highly sodic (ESP = 64-69%). Addition of 1% gypsum, prior to leaching, arrested this increase in pH while with 5% gypsum addition the pH was lowered to 8.9. Addition of 5% gypsum also reduced ESP to 38% and increased watercress germination in the residue from 58% in control treatments to 88%. The major ions in leachates were Na and Cl and gypsum application increased the quantities of Na, Ca and SO leached. Addition of 6% biosolids or 6% poultry manure added exchangeable cations to the mud and lowered ESP by 5-11%.The EC was 2.8-3.7 (mean 3.1) times higher and pH 0.2-0.7 (mean 0.43) units lower in saturation paste compared with 1:5 soil:water extracts. Addition of amendments had only small effects on physical properties. While organic C content was increased more by biosolids than poultry manure addition the reverse was the case for soluble organic C, microbial biomass C and basal respiration. It was concluded that although seawater neutralization initially lowers the pH of bauxite residues it is unlikely to increase the ease with which they can be revegetated