Electrochemical properties of MOF-derived nickel compounds for high performance supercapacitor and electrocatalysts

There are many different ways that energy is used in daily life. From applications that require a high energy density to long-term storage in a stable manner, the requirements for energy usage are diverse. Therefore, the greater the number of uses a designed material exhibit, the more practical it may be for wide-scale manufacture. An emerging class of functional porous materials referred to as metal-organic framework (MOF) has received considerable attention over the past two decades, partially because of their potential use in a wide variety of applications, including gas storage, molecular separations, water splitting, and supercapacitor devices. In addition, an electrode material with high performance as an essential part is highly desirable for supercapacitors. Herein, we synthesize the nickel-MOF (Ni-MIL-77) via an in-situ synthesis route using glutaric acid in a hydrothermal process at different temperatures @ 140, 160, and 180 °C. As an electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), Ni-MIL-77@140 displayed the lowest overpotential of 126 mV. On the other hand, Ni-MIL-77@160 showed the lowest overpotential of 330 mV among all samples for oxygen evolution reactions (OER). In terms of energy storage, the Ni-MIL-77@160 had the highest specific capacitance of 603 F/g at a current density of 1 A/g with an energy density of 25 W-h/kg and power density of 272 W/kg. This works offers the facile way to rationally design and synthesize the MOF-based electrodes for powerful and stable supercapacitor and also the efficient way for water splitting

Bio-based coating of modified limonene via UV light technology

Coating industries expanded the use of petroleum-based commodities for better coating properties, which is rising the pollution concern. In this research, bio-based material such as limonene was used to deplete the usage of petroleum raw-material for coating. Limonene-polyol was prepared through a thiol-ene reaction and then methacrylate with methacrylic anhydride via esterification reaction to proceed further for UV curing formulation. As per FT-IR examination, hydroxyl functional groups held by the structure of limonene were transfigured into the corresponding methacrylate and by analysis of C=C peak after curing, cure percentage was noticed near to 92%. The methacrylated limonene-polyol was formulated for UV curing through the addition of a photoinitiator and an alternate measure of cross-linker, where this combination was applied to a steel surface and relieved under UV light to give a cross-linked formation, which gives solid surface grip and scratch-resistant coating. The coated material was also characterized by FT-IR, thermal, tensile, flexural test whereas results give strong tensile strength about 79 MPa by increasing the 30% of the amount of methacrylated limonene-polyol and banding modulus (flexural) observed 38 GPa. Alter the amount of methacrylated limonene-polyol was also tested. This research presents a convenient synthesis procedure for coating applications by using bio-based material at a lower cost

Bio-based polyurethanes foams: Effects of green flame-retardants

The wide range of physical and chemical properties of polyurethanes make them one of the most popular polymers for industrial applications. Polyurethanes are synthesized using isocyanates, polyols, surfactants, additives, and catalysts. Polyurethane foams can be rigid or flexible and find vast applications in the automotive, construction, furniture, and medical industries. Despite the numerous applications of polyurethanes, their high flammability is a major concern for their safe use in many applications. In addition, current research seeks renewable sources such as vegetable oils and other biomass for polyurethane synthesis. In our research, highly flame-retardant polyurethane foams using bio-derived polyol were prepared and characterized. Sunflower oil was used in the synthesis of a bio-based polyol as an alternative to petroleum-based polyols. Epoxidation followed by ring-opening reactions were carried out to synthesize the sunflower oil polyol whose formation was confirmed with other tests. Expandable graphite (EG) and dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) which are non-halogenated flame retardants were used in varying concentrations for the preparation of bio-based rigid polyurethane foams. The effects of these flame retardants on the physicomechanical properties and flame retardancy of the sunflower-based foams were studied. Mechanical and thermogravimetric analysis showed that the foams had a high compressive strength along with high thermal stability. The closed-cell contents of the foams were over 90% with a uniform distribution of cell size. The burning test revealed a significant effect of the flame-retardants on the flammability of the foams. And with the addition of EG, the burning weight loss time was reduced from 80 s to 4 s and that of DMMP from 70 s to 3 s. Our research suggests that sunflower oil could be a potential candidate for the polyurethane industries and the use of non-halogenated DMMP or EG can serve as green and effective flame-retardants in bio-based polyurethane foams

Assessment of psychological parameters, psychomotor speed, and quality of life in pre-hypertensive women

Background: Individual is considered as pre-hypertensive when the blood pressure is between 120 and 139/80–89 mmHg. There is an increase in the prevalence of pre-hypertension in Indian population. Hence, early diagnosis of pre-hypertension helps to prevent these diseases and increase the quantity and quality of life. Aims and Objectives: The present study was undertaken to observe the psychological parameters, psychomotor speed, and quality of life in pre-hypertensive women. Materials and Methods: Thirty cases of pre-hypertensive women between the age of 25 and 50 years and 30 age-matched non-pre-hypertensive women were included in the study. Depression, anxiety and stress, self-esteem, negative affectivity (NA) and social inhibition (SA), and quality of life were assessed using standard questionnaires. Visual and auditory reaction time (RT) was assessed using RT apparatus. Results: There was a significant (P<0.001) lower physical health score, psychological score, social relationships score, and environmental scores pre-hypertensive women when compared to healthy individuals. There was significantly (P<0.05) longer visual and auditory RT for the right and left responses in pre-hypertensive women when compared to healthy individuals. Significantly higher (P<0.05) levels of depression, anxiety, and stress and significantly lower self-esteem scores were observed in pre-hypertensive women when compared with healthy individuals. NA and SA were significantly higher (P<0.001) in pre-hypertensive women when compared with healthy individuals. Conclusion: Pre-hypertension has strong negative impact on psychological parameters, RT and quality of life. It is the need of time to increase awareness of pre-hypertension in general population. We recommend planning and implementation of special care programs for these individuals

Retrospective evaluation of whole exome and genome mutation calls in 746 cancer samples

Funder: NCI U24CA211006Abstract: The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) curated consensus somatic mutation calls using whole exome sequencing (WES) and whole genome sequencing (WGS), respectively. Here, as part of the ICGC/TCGA Pan-Cancer Analysis of Whole Genomes (PCAWG) Consortium, which aggregated whole genome sequencing data from 2,658 cancers across 38 tumour types, we compare WES and WGS side-by-side from 746 TCGA samples, finding that ~80% of mutations overlap in covered exonic regions. We estimate that low variant allele fraction (VAF < 15%) and clonal heterogeneity contribute up to 68% of private WGS mutations and 71% of private WES mutations. We observe that ~30% of private WGS mutations trace to mutations identified by a single variant caller in WES consensus efforts. WGS captures both ~50% more variation in exonic regions and un-observed mutations in loci with variable GC-content. Together, our analysis highlights technological divergences between two reproducible somatic variant detection efforts

Sunflower Oil as a Renewable Resource for Polyurethane Foams: Effects of Flame-Retardants

Currently, polyurethane (PU) manufacturers seek green alternatives for sustainable production. In this work, sunflower oil is studied as a replacement and converted to a reactive form through epoxidation and oxirane opening to produce rigid PU foams. Confirmatory tests such as Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and hydroxyl value among others were performed to characterize the synthesized polyol. Despite the versatility of rigid PU foams, they are highly flammable, which makes eco-friendly flame retardants (FRs) desired. Herein, expandable graphite (EG) and dimethyl methyl phosphonate (DMMP), both non-halogenated FR, were incorporated under different concentrations to prepare rigid PU foams. Their effects on the physio-mechanical and fire-quenching properties of the sunflower oil-based PU foams were elucidated. Thermogravimetric and compression analysis showed that these foams presented appreciable compressive strength along with good thermal stability. The closed-cell contents (CCC) were around 90% for the EG-containing foams and suffered a decrease at higher concentrations of DMMP to 72%. The burning test showed a decrease in the foam’s flammability as the neat foam had a burning time of 80 s whereas after the addition of 13.6 wt.% of EG and DMMP, separately, there was a decrease to 6 and 2 s, respectively. Hence, our research suggested that EG and DMMP could be a more viable alternative to halogen-based FR for PU foams. Additionally, the adoption of sunflower polyol yielded foams with results comparable to commercial ones

Sex differences in oncogenic mutational processes

Funder: Canadian Network for Research and Innovation in Machining Technology, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC Canadian Network for Research and Innovation in Machining Technology); doi: https://doi.org/10.13039/501100002790Funder: Genome Canada (Génome Canada); doi: https://doi.org/10.13039/100008762Funder: Canada Foundation for Innovation (Fondation canadienne pour l'innovation); doi: https://doi.org/10.13039/501100000196Funder: Terry Fox Research Institute (Institut de Recherche Terry Fox); doi: https://doi.org/10.13039/501100004376Abstract: Sex differences have been observed in multiple facets of cancer epidemiology, treatment and biology, and in most cancers outside the sex organs. Efforts to link these clinical differences to specific molecular features have focused on somatic mutations within the coding regions of the genome. Here we report a pan-cancer analysis of sex differences in whole genomes of 1983 tumours of 28 subtypes as part of the ICGC/TCGA Pan-Cancer Analysis of Whole Genomes (PCAWG) Consortium. We both confirm the results of exome studies, and also uncover previously undescribed sex differences. These include sex-biases in coding and non-coding cancer drivers, mutation prevalence and strikingly, in mutational signatures related to underlying mutational processes. These results underline the pervasiveness of molecular sex differences and strengthen the call for increased consideration of sex in molecular cancer research

Sex differences in oncogenic mutational processes

Sex differences have been observed in multiple facets of cancer epidemiology, treatment and biology, and in most cancers outside the sex organs. Efforts to link these clinical differences to specific molecular features have focused on somatic mutations within the coding regions of the genome. Here we report a pan-cancer analysis of sex differences in whole genomes of 1983 tumours of 28 subtypes as part of the ICGC/TCGA Pan-Cancer Analysis of Whole Genomes (PCAWG) Consortium. We both confirm the results of exome studies, and also uncover previously undescribed sex differences. These include sex-biases in coding and non-coding cancer drivers, mutation prevalence and strikingly, in mutational signatures related to underlying mutational processes. These results underline the pervasiveness of molecular sex differences and strengthen the call for increased consideration of sex in molecular cancer research.Sex differences have been observed in multiple facets of cancer epidemiology, treatment and biology, and in most cancers outside the sex organs. Efforts to link these clinical differences to specific molecular features have focused on somatic mutations within the coding regions of the genome. Here we report a pan-cancer analysis of sex differences in whole genomes of 1983 tumours of 28 subtypes as part of the ICGC/TCGA Pan-Cancer Analysis of Whole Genomes (PCAWG) Consortium. We both confirm the results of exome studies, and also uncover previously undescribed sex differences. These include sex-biases in coding and non-coding cancer drivers, mutation prevalence and strikingly, in mutational signatures related to underlying mutational processes. These results underline the pervasiveness of molecular sex differences and strengthen the call for increased consideration of sex in molecular cancer research.Peer reviewe

Retrospective evaluation of whole exome and genome mutation calls in 746 cancer samples

Funder: NCI U24CA211006Abstract: The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) curated consensus somatic mutation calls using whole exome sequencing (WES) and whole genome sequencing (WGS), respectively. Here, as part of the ICGC/TCGA Pan-Cancer Analysis of Whole Genomes (PCAWG) Consortium, which aggregated whole genome sequencing data from 2,658 cancers across 38 tumour types, we compare WES and WGS side-by-side from 746 TCGA samples, finding that ~80% of mutations overlap in covered exonic regions. We estimate that low variant allele fraction (VAF < 15%) and clonal heterogeneity contribute up to 68% of private WGS mutations and 71% of private WES mutations. We observe that ~30% of private WGS mutations trace to mutations identified by a single variant caller in WES consensus efforts. WGS captures both ~50% more variation in exonic regions and un-observed mutations in loci with variable GC-content. Together, our analysis highlights technological divergences between two reproducible somatic variant detection efforts

Retrospective evaluation of whole exome and genome mutation calls in 746 cancer samples

The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) curated consensus somatic mutation calls using whole exome sequencing (WES) and whole genome sequencing (WGS), respectively. Here, as part of the ICGC/TCGA Pan-Cancer Analysis of Whole Genomes (PCAWG) Consortium, which aggregated whole genome sequencing data from 2,658 cancers across 38 tumour types, we compare WES and WGS side-by-side from 746 TCGA samples, finding that ~80% of mutations overlap in covered exonic regions. We estimate that low variant allele fraction (VAF < 15%) and clonal heterogeneity contribute up to 68% of private WGS mutations and 71% of private WES mutations. We observe that ~30% of private WGS mutations trace to mutations identified by a single variant caller in WES consensus efforts. WGS captures both ~50% more variation in exonic regions and un-observed mutations in loci with variable GC-content. Together, our analysis highlights technological divergences between two reproducible somatic variant detection efforts.The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) curated consensus somatic mutation calls using whole exome sequencing (WES) and whole genome sequencing (WGS), respectively. Here, as part of the ICGC/TCGA Pan-Cancer Analysis of Whole Genomes (PCAWG) Consortium, which aggregated whole genome sequencing data from 2,658 cancers across 38 tumour types, we compare WES and WGS side-by-side from 746 TCGA samples, finding that -80% of mutations overlap in covered exonic regions. We estimate that low variant allele fraction (VAFPeer reviewe