DataSheet1.DOCX

<p>Li/CF_x is one of the highest-energy-density primary batteries; however, poor rate capability hinders its practical applications in high-power devices. Here we report a preparation of fluorinated graphene (GF_x) with superior performance through a direct gas fluorination method. We find that the so-called “semi-ionic” C-F bond content in all C-F bonds presents a more critical impact on rate performance of the GF_x in comparison with sp² C content in the GF_x, morphology, structure, and specific surface area of the materials. The rate capability remains excellent before the semi-ionic C-F bond proportion in the GF_x decreases. Thus, by optimizing semi-ionic C-F content in our GF_x, we obtain the optimal x of 0.8, with which the GF_0.8 exhibits a very high energy density of 1,073 Wh kg⁻¹ and an excellent power density of 21,460 W kg⁻¹ at a high current density of 10 A g⁻¹. More importantly, our approach opens a new avenue to obtain fluorinated carbon with high energy densities without compromising high power densities.</p

Economical Synthesis and Promotion of the Electrochemical Performance of Silicon Nanowires as Anode Material in Li-Ion Batteries

Silicon is considered as one of the most promising anodes alternative, with a low voltage and a high theoretical specific capacity of ∼4200 mAh/g, for graphite in lithium-ion batteries. However, the large volume change and resulting interfacial changes of the silicon during cycling cause unsatisfactory cycle performance and hinder its commercialization. In this study, electrochemical performance and interfacial properties of silicon nanowires (SiNWs) which are prepared by the Cu-catalyzed chemical vapor deposition method, with 1 M LiPF₆/EC + DMC (1:1 v/v) containing 2 wt % or no vinylene carbonate (VC) electrolyte, are investigated by using different electrochemical and spectroscopic techniques, i.e., cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) techniques. It is shown that the addition of VC has greatly enhanced the cycling performance and rate capability of SiNWs and should have an impact on the wide utilization of silicon anode materials in Li-ion batteries

NiSi_<i>x</i>/a-Si Nanowires with Interfacial a‑Ge as Anodes for High-Rate Lithium-Ion Batteries

Conductive metal nanowire is a promising current collector for the Si-based anode material in high-rate lithium-ion batteries. However, to harness this remarkable potential for high power density energy storage, one has to address the interfacial potential barrier that hinders the electron injection from the metal side. Herein, we present that, solely by inserting ultrathin amorphous germanium (a-Ge) (∼5 nm) at the interface of NiSi_<i>x</i>/amorphous Si (a-Si), the rate capacity was substantially enhanced, 477 mAh g^–1 even at a high rate of 40 A g^–1. In addition, batteries containing the NiSi_<i>x</i>/Ge+Si anodes cycled over 1000 times at 10 A g^–1 while the capacity retaining more than 877 mAh g^–1, which is among the highest reported. The excellent electrochemical performance is directly correlated with the significantly improved electrical conductivity and mechanical stability throughout the entire electrode. The potential barrier between the NiSi_<i>x</i> and a-Si was modulated by a-Ge, which constructs an electron highway. Besides, the a-Ge interlayer enhances the interfacial adhesion by reducing void fraction and the inhomogeneous strain of the Li–Ge and Li–Si stacking structure was accommodated through the bending and twist of relatively thin NiSi_<i>x</i>, thus ensures a more stable high-rate cycling performance. Our work shows an effective way to fabricate metal/a-Si nanowires for high-rate lithium-ion battery anodes

Encapsulating Silica/Antimony into Porous Electrospun Carbon Nanofibers with Robust Structure Stability for High-Efficiency Lithium Storage

To address the volume-change-induced pulverization problems of electrode materials, we propose a “silica reinforcement” concept, following which silica-reinforced carbon nanofibers with encapsulated Sb nanoparticles (denoted as SiO₂/Sb@CNFs) are fabricated <i>via</i> an electrospinning method. In this composite structure, insulating silica fillers not only reinforce the overall structure but also contribute to additional lithium storage capacity; encapsulation of Sb nanoparticles into the carbon–silica matrices efficiently buffers the volume changes during Li–Sb alloying–dealloying processes upon cycling and alleviates the mechanical stress; the porous carbon nanofiber framework allows for fast charge transfer and electrolyte diffusion. These advantageous characteristics synergistically contribute to the superior lithium storage performance of SiO₂/Sb@CNF electrodes, which demonstrate excellent cycling stability and rate capability, delivering reversible discharge capacities of 700 mA h/g at 200 mA/g, 572 mA h/g at 500 mA/g, and 468 mA h/g at 1000 mA/g each after 400 cycles. <i>Ex situ</i> as well as <i>in situ</i> TEM measurements confirm that the structural integrity of silica-reinforced Sb@CNF electrodes can efficiently withstand the mechanical stress induced by the volume changes. Notably, the SiO₂/Sb@CNF//LiCoO₂ full cell delivers high reversible capacities of ∼400 mA h/g after 800 cycles at 500 mA/g and ∼336 mA h/g after 500 cycles at 1000 mA/g

Encapsulating Silica/Antimony into Porous Electrospun Carbon Nanofibers with Robust Structure Stability for High-Efficiency Lithium Storage

To address the volume-change-induced pulverization problems of electrode materials, we propose a “silica reinforcement” concept, following which silica-reinforced carbon nanofibers with encapsulated Sb nanoparticles (denoted as SiO₂/Sb@CNFs) are fabricated <i>via</i> an electrospinning method. In this composite structure, insulating silica fillers not only reinforce the overall structure but also contribute to additional lithium storage capacity; encapsulation of Sb nanoparticles into the carbon–silica matrices efficiently buffers the volume changes during Li–Sb alloying–dealloying processes upon cycling and alleviates the mechanical stress; the porous carbon nanofiber framework allows for fast charge transfer and electrolyte diffusion. These advantageous characteristics synergistically contribute to the superior lithium storage performance of SiO₂/Sb@CNF electrodes, which demonstrate excellent cycling stability and rate capability, delivering reversible discharge capacities of 700 mA h/g at 200 mA/g, 572 mA h/g at 500 mA/g, and 468 mA h/g at 1000 mA/g each after 400 cycles. <i>Ex situ</i> as well as <i>in situ</i> TEM measurements confirm that the structural integrity of silica-reinforced Sb@CNF electrodes can efficiently withstand the mechanical stress induced by the volume changes. Notably, the SiO₂/Sb@CNF//LiCoO₂ full cell delivers high reversible capacities of ∼400 mA h/g after 800 cycles at 500 mA/g and ∼336 mA h/g after 500 cycles at 1000 mA/g

Development of 2, 7-Diamino-1, 8-Naphthyridine (DANP) Anchored Hairpin Primers for RT-PCR Detection of Chikungunya Virus Infection - Fig 1

<p>A. Excitation-emission spectrum of DANP-DNA complexes. 365 nm UV-light is selected for excitation because only basal level of absorbance by DANP-C-bulge complex can be seen while the DANP-dsDNA complex absorbed substantially at this wavelength. Similarly, emission light at 430 nm is measured mainly because it generates the most significant difference when DANP-dsDNA and DANP-C-bulge complexes. B. Illustration of the chemical binding change happens to DANP molecule during PCR procedure.</p

Encapsulating Silica/Antimony into Porous Electrospun Carbon Nanofibers with Robust Structure Stability for High-Efficiency Lithium Storage

To address the volume-change-induced pulverization problems of electrode materials, we propose a “silica reinforcement” concept, following which silica-reinforced carbon nanofibers with encapsulated Sb nanoparticles (denoted as SiO₂/Sb@CNFs) are fabricated <i>via</i> an electrospinning method. In this composite structure, insulating silica fillers not only reinforce the overall structure but also contribute to additional lithium storage capacity; encapsulation of Sb nanoparticles into the carbon–silica matrices efficiently buffers the volume changes during Li–Sb alloying–dealloying processes upon cycling and alleviates the mechanical stress; the porous carbon nanofiber framework allows for fast charge transfer and electrolyte diffusion. These advantageous characteristics synergistically contribute to the superior lithium storage performance of SiO₂/Sb@CNF electrodes, which demonstrate excellent cycling stability and rate capability, delivering reversible discharge capacities of 700 mA h/g at 200 mA/g, 572 mA h/g at 500 mA/g, and 468 mA h/g at 1000 mA/g each after 400 cycles. <i>Ex situ</i> as well as <i>in situ</i> TEM measurements confirm that the structural integrity of silica-reinforced Sb@CNF electrodes can efficiently withstand the mechanical stress induced by the volume changes. Notably, the SiO₂/Sb@CNF//LiCoO₂ full cell delivers high reversible capacities of ∼400 mA h/g after 800 cycles at 500 mA/g and ∼336 mA h/g after 500 cycles at 1000 mA/g

Encapsulating Silica/Antimony into Porous Electrospun Carbon Nanofibers with Robust Structure Stability for High-Efficiency Lithium Storage

To address the volume-change-induced pulverization problems of electrode materials, we propose a “silica reinforcement” concept, following which silica-reinforced carbon nanofibers with encapsulated Sb nanoparticles (denoted as SiO₂/Sb@CNFs) are fabricated <i>via</i> an electrospinning method. In this composite structure, insulating silica fillers not only reinforce the overall structure but also contribute to additional lithium storage capacity; encapsulation of Sb nanoparticles into the carbon–silica matrices efficiently buffers the volume changes during Li–Sb alloying–dealloying processes upon cycling and alleviates the mechanical stress; the porous carbon nanofiber framework allows for fast charge transfer and electrolyte diffusion. These advantageous characteristics synergistically contribute to the superior lithium storage performance of SiO₂/Sb@CNF electrodes, which demonstrate excellent cycling stability and rate capability, delivering reversible discharge capacities of 700 mA h/g at 200 mA/g, 572 mA h/g at 500 mA/g, and 468 mA h/g at 1000 mA/g each after 400 cycles. <i>Ex situ</i> as well as <i>in situ</i> TEM measurements confirm that the structural integrity of silica-reinforced Sb@CNF electrodes can efficiently withstand the mechanical stress induced by the volume changes. Notably, the SiO₂/Sb@CNF//LiCoO₂ full cell delivers high reversible capacities of ∼400 mA h/g after 800 cycles at 500 mA/g and ∼336 mA h/g after 500 cycles at 1000 mA/g

Mosquito Cellular Factors and Functions in Mediating the Infectious entry of Chikungunya Virus

<div><p>Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an arthropod-borne virus responsible for recent epidemics in the Asia Pacific regions. A customized gene expression microarray of 18,760 transcripts known to target <em>Aedes</em> mosquito genome was used to identify host genes that are differentially regulated during the infectious entry process of CHIKV infection on C6/36 mosquito cells. Several genes such as epsin I (EPN1), epidermal growth factor receptor pathway substrate 15 (EPS15) and Huntingtin interacting protein I (HIP1) were identified to be differentially expressed during CHIKV infection and known to be involved in clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME). Transmission electron microscopy analyses further revealed the presence of CHIKV particles within invaginations of the plasma membrane, resembling clathrin-coated pits. Characterization of vesicles involved in the endocytic trafficking processes of CHIKV revealed the translocation of the virus particles to the early endosomes and subsequently to the late endosomes and lysosomes. Treatment with receptor-mediated endocytosis inhibitor, monodansylcadaverine and clathrin-associated drug inhibitors, chlorpromazine and dynasore inhibited CHIKV entry, whereas no inhibition was observed with caveolin-related drug inhibitors. Inhibition of CHIKV entry upon treatment with low-endosomal pH inhibitors indicated that low pH is essential for viral entry processes. CHIKV entry by clathrin-mediated endocytosis was validated via overexpression of a dominant-negative mutant of Eps15, in which infectious entry was reduced, while siRNA-based knockdown of genes associated with CME, low endosomal pH and RAB trafficking proteins exhibited significant levels of CHIKV inhibition. This study revealed, for the first time, that the infectious entry of CHIKV into mosquito cells is mediated by the clathrin-dependent endocytic pathway.</p> </div

Encapsulating Silica/Antimony into Porous Electrospun Carbon Nanofibers with Robust Structure Stability for High-Efficiency Lithium Storage

To address the volume-change-induced pulverization problems of electrode materials, we propose a “silica reinforcement” concept, following which silica-reinforced carbon nanofibers with encapsulated Sb nanoparticles (denoted as SiO₂/Sb@CNFs) are fabricated <i>via</i> an electrospinning method. In this composite structure, insulating silica fillers not only reinforce the overall structure but also contribute to additional lithium storage capacity; encapsulation of Sb nanoparticles into the carbon–silica matrices efficiently buffers the volume changes during Li–Sb alloying–dealloying processes upon cycling and alleviates the mechanical stress; the porous carbon nanofiber framework allows for fast charge transfer and electrolyte diffusion. These advantageous characteristics synergistically contribute to the superior lithium storage performance of SiO₂/Sb@CNF electrodes, which demonstrate excellent cycling stability and rate capability, delivering reversible discharge capacities of 700 mA h/g at 200 mA/g, 572 mA h/g at 500 mA/g, and 468 mA h/g at 1000 mA/g each after 400 cycles. <i>Ex situ</i> as well as <i>in situ</i> TEM measurements confirm that the structural integrity of silica-reinforced Sb@CNF electrodes can efficiently withstand the mechanical stress induced by the volume changes. Notably, the SiO₂/Sb@CNF//LiCoO₂ full cell delivers high reversible capacities of ∼400 mA h/g after 800 cycles at 500 mA/g and ∼336 mA h/g after 500 cycles at 1000 mA/g