Transition Metal Chalcogenides for the Electrocatalysis of Water

Sustainable energy technology has received enormous attention in recent years. Specifically, electrochemical water splitting is considered to be the cleanest technique for the production of promising fuels, for example, hydrogen and oxygen, where transition metal (di)chalcogenides (TMCs) as electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) have been a growing interest. In this chapter, the typical preparation methods of TMCs such as chemical vapor phase deposition (CVD) and solvothermal synthesis are introduced. Then, several TMC materials for catalyzing HER and OER are reviewed. Most importantly, this chapter also introduced some in situ approaches to realize the mechanism of electrocatalytic behavior toward HER and OER. Finally, the conclusion and futuristic prospects of TMCs in HER and OER are discussed

An expanded toolkit for gene tagging based on MiMIC and scarless CRISPR tagging in

We generated two new genetic tools to efficiently tag genes in Drosophila. The first, Double Header (DH) utilizes intronic MiMIC/CRIMIC insertions to generate artificial exons for GFP mediated protein trapping or T2A-GAL4 gene trapping in vivo based on Cre recombinase to avoid embryo injections. DH significantly increases integration efficiency compared to previous strategies and faithfully reports the expression pattern of genes and proteins. The second technique targets genes lacking coding introns using a two-step cassette exchange. First, we replace the endogenous gene with an excisable compact dominant marker using CRISPR making a null allele. Second, the insertion is replaced with a protein::tag cassette. This sequential manipulation allows the generation of numerous tagged alleles or insertion of other DNA fragments that facilitates multiple downstream applications. Both techniques allow precise gene manipulation and facilitate detection of gene expression, protein localization and assessment of protein function, as well as numerous other applications. Research organism: D. melanogaste

Carbon-Based Nanocomposite Materials for High-Performance Supercapacitors

Lightweight, flexible, wearable, and portable electronic gadgets have drawn significant attention in modern electronics industry. To power these gadgets, great efforts have been made to develop highly efficient energy-storage equipment. Among various power sources, a supercapacitor, acting as a bridge between the conventional battery and electrolytic capacitor, has been considered a promising portable energy storage device because of its high power density, fast charge/discharge rate, adequate operational safety, and excellent working lifetime. Hybrid supercapacitors, which combine redox materials with carbon-based materials, exhibit tremendous potential to fulfill the requirement of practical applications. In this chapter, we will review recent reports focusing on composite materials (i.e. metal oxide, metal hydroxide, and metal dichalcogenide composited with carbon materials) for the application in supercapacitors. The conclusion and futuristic prospects and challenges of highly efficient supercapacitors are briefly discussed

Negotiating The Maze: Confronting Dysphagia Together With My Stroke-Afflicted Family Member

Aim: To generate a descriptive theory grounded in the responses of family caregivers caring for their family stroke survivors with dysphagia during hospitalization. Design and Method: A qualitative study employing the grounded theory method was used. Fifteen family caregivers participated in comprehensive interviews. The interview data were analyzed using the constant comparative method. Findings: ‘Negotiating the maze: Confronting dysphagia with my stroke-afflicted family member’ was the core category guiding the care process for dysphagia family members among caregivers. After surviving stroke, the caregivers felt ‘more confusion less rejoicing’ as the antecedent condition. The following three interaction categories were identified: (1) ‘being overwhelmed by nasogastric (NG) tube issues’; (2) ‘searching for the right helper and information’; and (3) ‘food culture conflicts with the formula diet administered through the NG tube’. Additionally, ‘Maintaining positivity’ described the consequence of this process. Conclusions: This study highlights the critical perspective of family members who care for dysphagia stroke survivors in the hospital. Participants were under tremendous pressure during the disease treatment process. However, all attempted to maintain a positive attitude and treasured the chance to accompany their family members. Clinical Relevance: These findings can assist health professionals in charting the effects of dysphagia and in understanding the problems and needs according to the subjective perspectives of family caregivers. They can also provide a necessary foundation for comprehensive care interventions for family caregivers of stroke survivors with dysphagia

Functional roles of arginine residues in mung bean vacuolar H+-pyrophosphatase

AbstractPlant vacuolar H+-translocating inorganic pyrophosphatase (V-PPase EC 3.6.1.1) utilizes inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi) as an energy source to generate a H+ gradient potential for the secondary transport of ions and metabolites across the vacuole membrane. In this study, functional roles of arginine residues in mung bean V-PPase were determined by site-directed mutagenesis. Alignment of amino-acid sequence of K+-dependent V-PPases from several organisms showed that 11 of all 15 arginine residues were highly conserved. Arginine residues were individually substituted by alanine residues to produce R→A-substituted V-PPases, which were then heterologously expressed in yeast. The characteristics of mutant variants were subsequently scrutinized. As a result, most R→A-substituted V-PPases exhibited similar enzymatic activities to the wild-type with exception that R242A, R523A, and R609A mutants markedly lost their abilities of PPi hydrolysis and associated H+-translocation. Moreover, mutation on these three arginines altered the optimal pH and significantly reduced K+-stimulation for enzymatic activities, implying a conformational change or a modification in enzymatic reaction upon substitution. In particular, R242A performed striking resistance to specific arginine-modifiers, 2,3-butanedione and phenylglyoxal, revealing that Arg242 is most likely the primary target residue for these two reagents. The mutation at Arg242 also removed F− inhibition that is presumably derived from the interfering in the formation of substrate complex Mg2+–PPi. Our results suggest accordingly that active pocket of V-PPase probably contains the essential Arg242 which is embedded in a more hydrophobic environment

Neurogenetic and genomic approaches reveal roles for Dpr/DIP cell adhesion molecules in Drosophila reproductive behavior

Drosophila reproductive behaviors are directed by fruitless neurons (fru P1 isoforms). A reanalysis of genomic studies shows that genes encoding dpr and DIP Immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF) members are expressed in fru P1 neurons. Each fru P1and dpr/DIP (fru P1 ∩ dpr/DIP) overlapping expression pattern is similar in both sexes, with dimorphism in neuronal morphology and cell number. Behavioral studies of fru P1 ∩ dpr/DIP perturbation genotypes point to the mushroom body functioning together with the lateral protocerebral complex. Functionally, we find that perturbations of sex hierarchy genes and DIP-ε changes sex-specific morphology of fru P1 ∩ DIP-α neurons. A single-cell RNA-seq analysis shows that the DIPs have high expression in a restricted set of fru P1 neurons, whereas the dprs are expressed in larger set of neurons at intermediate levels, with a myriad of combinations

Joint relationship between renal function and proteinuria on mortality of patients with type 2 diabetes: The Taichung Diabetes Study

Abstract Background Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is a powerful predictor of mortality in diabetic patients with limited proteinuria data. In this study, we tested whether concomitant proteinuria increases the risk of mortality among patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods Participants included 6523 patients > 30 years with type 2 diabetes who were enrolled in a management program of a medical center before 2007. Renal function was assessed by eGFR according to the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study equation for Chinese. Proteinuria was assessed by urine dipstick. Results A total of 573 patients (8.8%) died over a median follow-up time of 4.91 years (ranging from 0.01 year to 6.42 years). The adjusted expanded cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related mortality rates among patients with proteinuria were more than three folds higher for those with an eGFR of 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 or less compared with those with an eGFR of 90 mL/min/1.73 m2 or greater [hazard ratio, HR, 3.15 (95% confidence interval, CI, 2.0–5.1)]. The magnitude of adjusted HR was smaller in patients without proteinuria [1.98 (95% CI, 1.1–3.7)]. An eGFR of 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 to 89 mL/min/1.73 m2 significantly affected all-cause mortality and mortality from expanded CVD-related causes only in patients with proteinuria. Similarly, proteinuria affected all outcomes only in patients with an eGFR of <60 mL/min/1.73 m2. Conclusion The risks of all-cause mortality, as well as expanded and non-expanded mortality from CVD-related causes associated with proteinuria or an eGFR of 90 mL/min/1.73 m2 or greater are independently increased. Therefore, the use of proteinuria measurements with eGFR increases the precision of risk stratification for mortality.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/112804/1/12933_2012_Article_558.pd