Hexavalent Ions Insertion in Garnet Li7La3Zr2O12 Toward a Low Temperature Densification Reaction

Nowadays, solid electrolytes are considered the main alternative to conventional liquid electrolytes in lithium batteries. The fabrication of these materials is however limited by the strict synthesis conditions, requiring high temperatures which can negatively impact the final performances. Here, it is shown that a modification of garnet-based Li7La3Zr2O12 (LLZO) and the incorporation of tellurium can accelerate the synthesis process by lowering the formation temperature of cubic LLZO at temperatures below 700 °C. Optimized synthesis at 750 °C showed a decrease in particle size and cell parameter for samples with higher amounts of Te and the evaluation of electrochemical performances reported for LLZO Te0.25 a value of ionic conductivity of 5,15×10−5 S cm−1 after hot-pressing at 700 °C, two orders of magnitude higher than commercial Al-LLZO undergoing the same working conditions, and the highest value at this densification temperature. Partial segregation of Te-rich phases occurs for high-temperature densification. Our study shows the advantages of Te insertion on the sintering process of LLZO garnet and demonstrates the achievement of highly conductive LLZO with a low-temperature treatment

Direct observation of lithium metal dendrites with ceramic solid electrolyte

Dendrite formation, which could cause a battery short circuit, occurs in batteries that contain lithium metal anodes. In order to suppress dendrite growth, the use of electrolytes with a high shear modulus is suggested as an ionic conductive separator in batteries. One promising candidate for this application is Li7La3Zr2O12 (LLZO) because it has excellent mechanical properties and chemical stability. In this work, in situ scanning electron microscopy (SEM) technique was employed to monitor the interface behavior between lithium metal and LLZO electrolyte during cycling with pressure. Using the obtained SEM images, videos were created that show the inhomogeneous dissolution and deposition of lithium, which induce dendrite growth. The energy dispersive spectroscopy analyses of dendrites indicate the presence of Li, C, and O elements. Moreover, the cross-section mapping comparison of the LLZO shows the inhomogeneous distribution of La, Zr, and C after cycling that was caused by lithium loss near the Li electrode and possible side reactions. This work demonstrates the morphological and chemical evolution that occurs during cycling in a symmetrical Li–Li cell that contains LLZO. Although the superior mechanical properties of LLZO make it an excellent electrolyte candidate for batteries, the further improvement of the electrochemical stabilization of the garnet–lithium metal interface is suggested

TRAP1-dependent regulation of p70S6K is involved in the attenuation of protein synthesis and cell migration: Relevance in human colorectal tumors

TNF receptor-associated protein 1 (TRAP1) is an HSP90 chaperone involved in stress protection and apoptosis in mitochondrial and extramitochondrial compartments. Remarkably, aberrant deregulation of TRAP1 function has been observed in several cancer types with potential new opportunities for therapeutic intervention in humans. Although previous studies by our group identified novel roles of TRAP1 in quality control of mitochondria-destined proteins through the attenuation of protein synthesis, molecular mechanisms are still largely unknown. To shed further light on the signaling pathways regulated by TRAP1 in the attenuation of protein synthesis, this study demonstrates that the entire pathway of cap-mediated translation is activated in cells following TRAP1 interference: consistently, expression and consequent phosphorylation of p70S6K and RSK1, two translation activating kinases, are increased upon TRAP1 silencing. Furthermore, we show that these regulatory functions affect the response to translational stress and cell migration in wound healing assays, processes involving both kinases. Notably, the regulatory mechanisms controlled by TRAP1 are conserved in colorectal cancer tissues, since an inverse correlation between TRAP1 and p70S6K expression is found in tumor tissues, thereby supporting the relevant role of TRAP1 translational regulation in vivo. Taken as a whole, these new findings candidate TRAP1 network for new anti-cancer strategies aimed at targeting the translational/quality control machinery of tumor cells

Biomass-derived carbon–silicon composites (C@Si) as anodes for lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries: A promising strategy towards long-term cycling stability: A mini review

The global need for high energy density and performing rechargeable batteries has led to the development of high-capacity silicon-based anode materials to meet the energy demands imposed to electrify plug-in vehicles to curtail carbon emissions by 2035. Unfortunately, the high theoretical capacity (4200 mA h g−1) of silicon by (de-)alloy mechanism is limited by its severe volume changes (ΔV ∼ 200% − 400%) during cycling for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), while for sodium-ion batteries (NIBs) remain uncertain, and hence, compositing with carbons (C@Si) represent a promising strategy to enable the aforementioned practical application. The present review outlines the recent progress of biomass-derived Si-carbon composite (C@Si) anodes for LIBs and NIBs. In this perspective, we present different types of biomass precursors, silicon sources, and compositing strategies, and how these impact on the C@Si physicochemical properties and their electrochemical performance are discussed

On high-temperature evolution of passivation layer in Li–10 wt % Mg alloy via in situ SEM-EBSD

Li–10 wt % Mg alloy (Li–10 Mg) is used as an anode material for a solid-state battery with excellent electrochemical performance and no evidence of dendrite formation during cycling. Thermal treatment of Li metal during manufacturing improves the interfacial contact between a Li metal electrode and solid electrolyte to achieve an all solid-state battery with increased performance. To understand the properties of the alloy passivation layer, this paper presents the first direct observation of its evolution at elevated temperatures (up to 325°C) by in situ scanning electron microscopy. We found that the morphology of the surface passivation layer was unchanged above the alloy melting point, while the bulk of the material below the surface was melted at the expected melting point, as confirmed by in situ electron backscatter diffraction. In situ heat treatment of Li-based materials could be a key method to improve battery performance

Comparison of the Nutritional Quality of Branded and Private-Label Food Products Sold in Italy: Focus on the Cereal-Based Products Collected From the Food Labeling of Italian Products Study

The packaged foods sold in food stores may be \u201cprivate-label\u201d products (PL), when branded by the supermarket, and \u201cbranded\u201d products (BR). PL products are generally cheaper than the BR counterparts, and this can be perceived as a sign of general low quality by consumers, when items are compared with their branded counterparts. Thus, the aim of the present study was to compare the nutrient content of BR and PL cereal-based foods, by evaluating the nutritional declaration reported on the food pack of products on the home-shopping website of major retailers present on the Italian market. A total of 3,775 items (~58% BR and ~42% PL), collected in the period from July 2018 to March 2019 and updated in March 2020, were included in the final analysis. Data were analyzed by means of the Mann\u2013Whitney nonparametric test for two independent samples for differences between BR and PL categories and types. Overall, BR products showed higher contents of total and saturates than PL items. When products were grouped for categories and types, items only differed for the content of total fats, saturates, total carbohydrates, proteins, and salt. No differences were instead found for energy and sugar contents among any of the categories. However, we did not find any consistency in the direction of results. These results could be useful for future education activities aimed to help consumers in making informed food choices

Salt content of prepacked cereal-based products and their potential contribution to salt intake of the Italian adult population: Results from a simulation study

Background and aims: High sodium intake is one of the main risk factors for noncommunicable diseases, and its consumption should be reduced. This study aimed to simulate changes in the daily salt intake of the Italian adult population based on consumption scenarios of prepacked cereal-based foods sold in Italy. Methods and results: Information on food packages was retrieved from 2893 cereal-based products. Potential changes in salt intake were simulated based on food consumption scenarios that consider the daily consumption of cereal-based products suggested in the Italian Dietary Guidelines and their current daily consumption by Italian adults. The highest salt content was retrieved in bread (median, 25th–75th percentile: 1.3, 1.1–1.4 g/100 g) and bread substitutes (1.8, 1.0–2.2 g/100 g). If the suggested daily amounts were consumed, bread would contribute to 44% of the 5 g salt/day target, whereas bread substitutes, breakfast cereals, biscuits and sweet snacks would marginally contribute (1–2%). Compared to bread with median salt content, a −44% and +10% salt intake would be observed if products within the first and the last quartile of salt content were chosen, respectively. However, considering the actual intake of Italian consumers, bread would cover 25% and bread substitutes 7% of the daily salt target. Conclusion: Food labels have a pivotal role and efforts are required to encourage consumers to use them to make healthy choices. Moreover, these results may contribute to setting sodium benchmarks in cereal-based products and encourage the food industry to reduce the salt content in the products

Determinants of Deep Gray Matter Atrophy in Multiple Sclerosis: A Multimodal MRI Study

Deep gray matter involvement is a consistent feature in multiple sclerosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between different deep gray matter alterations and the development of subcortical atrophy, as well as to investigate the possible different substrates of volume loss between phenotypes. Seventy-seven patients with MS (52 with relapsing-remitting and 25 with progressive MS) and 41 healthy controls were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. MR imaging investigation included volumetric, DTI, PWI and Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping analyses. Deep gray matter structures were automatically segmented to obtain volumes and mean values for each MR imaging metric in the thalamus, caudate, putamen, and globus pallidus. Between-group differences were probed by ANCOVA analyses, while the contribution of different MR imaging metrics to deep gray matter atrophy was investigated via hierarchic multiple linear regression models. Patients with MS showed a multifaceted involvement of the thalamus and basal ganglia, with significant atrophy of all deep gray matter structures (P.001). In the relapsing-remitting MS group,WMlesion burden proved to be the main contributor to volume loss for all deep gray matter structures (P .006), with a minor role of local microstructural damage, which, in turn, was the main determinant of deep gray matter atrophy in patients with progressive MS (P .01), coupled with thalamic susceptibility changes (P .05). Our study confirms the diffuse involvement of deep gray matter in MS, demonstrating a different behavior between MS phenotypes, with subcortical GM atrophy mainly determined by global WM lesion burden in patients with relapsing-remitting MS, while local microstructural damage and susceptibility changes mainly accounted for the development of deep gray matter volume loss in patients with progressive MS

Long-chain polyphosphates impair SARS-CoV-2 infection and replication

Inorganic polyphosphates (polyPs) are linear polymers composed of repeated phosphate (PO43−) units linked together by multiple high-energy phosphoanhydride bonds. In addition to being a source of energy, polyPs have cytoprotective and antiviral activities. Here, we investigated the antiviral activities of long-chain polyPs against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. In molecular docking analyses, polyPs interacted with several conserved amino acid residues in angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the host receptor that facilitates virus entry, and in viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). ELISA and limited proteolysis assays using nano– LC-MS/MS mapped polyP120 binding to ACE2, and site-directed mutagenesis confirmed interactions between ACE2 and SARS-CoV-2 RdRp and identified the specific amino acid residues involved. PolyP120 enhanced the proteasomal degradation of both ACE2 and RdRp, thus impairing replication of the British B.1.1.7 SARS-CoV-2 variant. We thus tested polyPs for functional interactions with the virus in SARS-CoV-2–infected Vero E6 and Caco2 cells and in primary human nasal epithelial cells. Delivery of a nebulized form of polyP120 reduced the amounts of viral positive-sense genomic and subgenomic RNAs, of RNA transcripts encoding proinflammatory cytokines, and of viral structural proteins, thereby presenting SARS-CoV-2 infection in cells in vitro

PERL: a dataset of geotechnical, geophysical, and hydrogeological parameters for earthquake-induced hazards assessment in Terre del Reno (Emilia-Romagna, Italy)

In 2012, the Emilia-Romagna region (Italy) was struck by a seismic crisis characterized by two main shocks (ML 5.9 and 5.8) which triggered relevant liquefaction events. Terre del Reno is one of the municipalities that experienced the most extensive liquefaction effects due to its complex geostratigraphic and geomorphological setting. This area is indeed located in a floodplain characterized by lenticular fluvial channel bodies associated with crevasse and levee clay–sand alternations, related to the paleo-Reno River. Therefore, it was chosen as a case study for the PERL project, which aims to define a new integrated methodology to assess the liquefaction susceptibility in complex stratigraphic conditions through a multi-level approach. To this aim, about 1800 geotechnical, geophysical, and hydrogeological investigations from previous studies and new realization surveys were collected and stored in the PERL dataset. This dataset is here publicly disclosed, and some possible applications are reported to highlight its potential.</p