Enhanced capacitive deionization of saline water using N-doped rod-like porous carbon derived from dual-ligand metal-organic frameworks

Capacitive deionization (CDI) removes ions from brine, and is forward-looking technology due to its low energy consumption, low cost and prevention of secondary pollution. Removal capacity is still an issue for CDI technology. It is quite urgent to design a high-performance CDI electrode material with a reasonable porous structure, excellent conductivity and hydrophilic surface. Herein, we originally designed nitrogen-doped rod-like porous carbon derived from dual-ligand metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), in which two ligands, namely 1,4-benzenedicarbocylic acid and triethylenediamine, coordinate with zinc (Zn). 1,4-Benzenedicarbocylic acid can be used as a pore-forming agent to increase the specific surface area of the carbon material, and triethylenediamine is used as a nitrogen doping source to increase the hydrophilicity and conductivity of the carbon material. By adjusting the ratio of the two ligands, the optimal specific surface area and nitrogen doping for the carbon material is obtained, thereby achieving the highest removal capacity for capacitive deionization of brine. The obtained carbon materials possess a hierarchical porous structure with moderate nitrogen doping. The large specific surface area of the electrode materials delivers many adsorption sites for adsorption of salt ions. The hierarchically porous structure provides rapid transport channels for salt ions, and high-level N doping enhances the conductivity and hydrophilicity of the carbon materials to some extent. More importantly, the salt removal capacity of the electrodes is as high as 24.17 mg g-1 at 1.2 V in 500 mg L-1 NaCl aqueous solution. Hence, the moderate nitrogen-doping porous carbon material derived from dual-ligand MOFs is a potential electrode material for CDI application. Such results provide a new method for the preparation of high-performance electrodes to remove ions from saline water.</p

Band Narrowing and Mott Localization in Iron Oxychalcogenides La2O2Fe2O(Se,S)2

Bad metal properties have motivated a description of the parent iron pnictides as correlated metals on the verge of Mott localization. What has been unclear is whether interactions can push these and related compounds to the Mott insulating side of the phase diagram. Here we consider the iron oxychalcogenides La2O2Fe2O(Se,S)2, which contain an Fe square lattice with an expanded unit cell. We show theoretically that they contain enhanced correlation effects through band narrowing compared to LaOFeAs, and we provide experimental evidence that they are Mott insulators with moderate charge gaps. We also discuss the magnetic properties in terms of a Heisenberg model with frustrating J1-J2-J2' exchange interactions on a "doubled" checkerboard lattice.Comment: 4 pages, 5 eps figures. Version to appear in Phys. Rev. Let

Serum N‐glycans outperform CA19‐9 in diagnosis of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Extensive efforts have been devoted to improve the diagnosis of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ECCA) due to its silent clinical character and lack of effective diagnostic biomarkers. Specific alterations in N‐glycosylation of glycoproteins are considered a key component in cancer progression, which can serve as a distinct molecular signature for cancer detection. This study aims to find potential serum N‐glycan markers for ECCA. In total, 255 serum samples from patients with ECCA (n = 106), benign bile tract disease (BBD, n = 60) and healthy controls (HC, n = 89) were recruited. Only 2 μL of serum from individual patients was used in this assay where the N‐glycome of serum glycoproteins was profiled by DNA sequencer‐assisted fluorophore‐assisted capillary electrophoresis (DSA‐FACE) technology. Multi‐parameter models were constructed by combining the N‐glycans and carbohydrate antigen 19‐9 (CA19‐9) which is currently used clinically. Quantitative analyses showed that among 13 N‐glycan structures, the bifucosylated triantennary N‐glycan (peak10, NA3F2) presented the best diagnostic performance for distinguishing ECCA from BBD and HC. Two diagnostic models (Glycotest1 and Glycotest2) performed better than single N‐glycan or CA19‐9. Additionally, two N‐glycan structures (peak9, NA3Fb; peak12, NA4Fb) were tightly related to lymph node metastasis in ECCA patients. In conclusion, sera of ECCA showed relatively specific N‐glycome profiling patterns. Serum N‐glycan markers and models are novel, valuable and noninvasive alternatives in ECCA diagnosis and progression monitoring.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/139072/1/elps6272.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/139072/2/elps6272_am.pd

A miR-137-XIAP axis contributes to the sensitivity of TRAIL-induced cell death in glioblastoma

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most lethal primary brain tumor in the central nervous system with limited therapeutic strategies to prolong the survival rate in clinic. TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-based strategy has been demonstrated to induce cell death in an extensive spectrum of tumor cells, including GBM, while a considerable proportion of malignant cells are resistant to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. MiR-137 is highly expressed in the brain, but significantly decreases with advanced progression of GBM. However, the functional link between miR-137 and TRAIL-induced apoptosis in GBM cells has not been established. Here, GBM cells were transfected with miR-137, and gene expression levels were examined by qRT-PCR and western blot. Apoptotic cells were measured by Annexin-V staining and TUNEL assay. Our data showed that miR-137 sensitizes GBM cells to the TRAIL-mediated apoptosis. Mechanistically, we identified that XIAP is a bona fide target of miR-137, which is essential for miR-137-regulated sensitivity of TRAIL-induced cell death in GBM cells. Finally, in a xenograft model, combined utilization of miR-137 and TRAIL potently suppresses tumor growth in vivo. Collectively, we demonstrate that a miR-137-XIAP axis is required for the sensitivity of TRAIL-induced cell death and shed a light on the avenue for the treatment of GBM

Recent Progresses in Electrocatalysts for Water Electrolysis

Abstract The study of hydrogen evolution reaction and oxygen evolution reaction electrocatalysts for water electrolysis is a developing field in which noble metal-based materials are commonly used. However, the associated high cost and low abundance of noble metals limit their practical application. Non-noble metal catalysts, aside from being inexpensive, highly abundant and environmental friendly, can possess high electrical conductivity, good structural tunability and comparable electrocatalytic performances to state-of-the-art noble metals, particularly in alkaline media, making them desirable candidates to reduce or replace noble metals as promising electrocatalysts for water electrolysis. This article will review and provide an overview of the fundamental knowledge related to water electrolysis with a focus on the development and progress of non-noble metal-based electrocatalysts in alkaline, polymer exchange membrane and solid oxide electrolysis. A critical analysis of the various catalysts currently available is also provided with discussions on current challenges and future perspectives. In addition, to facilitate future research and development, several possible research directions to overcome these challenges are provided in this article. Graphical Abstrac

Teaching Research and Reform of Higher Vocational Medical Education in Guizhou Province of China

With the development of Guizhou’s economy and society, higher vocational medical education in Guizhou has developed rapidly, making it its mission to cultivate practical and skilled talents oriented to the grassroots and serving for frontline. However, due to the social environment, policy environment and insufficient funding, many difficulties and problems are faced. It is necessary to have a unied management throughout the province, rationally lay out higher vocational colleges and specialties, and promote the healthy and rapid development of medical higher vocational education in Guizhou with advanced concepts, proper policies, and sufcient funds in place, making higher vocational medical education in Guizhou enter a benign development period

Ligand field effect tuned magnetic behaviors of two chain compounds based on MnIII3O units: From slow magnetic relaxation to metamagnetism

Two chain compounds built with anti-anti acetate bridged Mn III3O units, [Mn3O(Clppz)3(EtOH) 4(OAc)]n (1) and [Mn3O(Clppz) 3(EtOH)2(OAc)]n (2), were synthesized and characterized. The magnetic studies indicate that 1 is a single-chain magnet with two slow magnetization relaxation processes which has for the first time been found in this type of chain complex, while 2 shows a field-induced metamagnetic behavior. The quite different magnetic behaviors resulted from the different number of coordinated ethanol molecules on the MnIII 3O unit, four ethanol molecules for 1, and two ethanol molecules for 2. The best fittings to the experimental magnetic susceptibilities gave J 1 = -2.72 cm-1, J2 = -4.34 cm-1, zJ = 1.24 cm-1 for 1 and J1 = -5.91 cm-1, J 2 = -0.98 cm-1, zJ = 1.71 for 2 above 30 K. The positive zJ values indicate the presence of weak ferromagnetic interactions between the trinuclear units via acetate bridges in 1 and 2. ? The Royal Society of Chemistry 2013