Microstructure and electrochemical performance of thin film anodes for lithium ion batteries in immiscible Al-Sn system

The immiscible Al-Sn alloy thin films prepared by electron-beam deposition were first investigated as possible negative electrodes for lithium ion batteries. In the complex structure of the Al-Sn thin films, tiny Sn particles dispersed homogeneously in the Al active matrix. Their electrochemical characteristics were tested in comparison with the pure Al and Sn films. Cyclic voltammetry results indicated that the Li+-transport rates in these Al-Sn alloy films were significantly enhanced. Charge-discharge tests showed that the Al-Sn alloy film anodes had good cycle performance. The electrode with high Al content (Al-33 wt%Sn) delivered a high initial discharge capacity of 752 mAh g-1 while the electrode with high Sn content (Al-64 wt%Sn) had better cycleability with a stable specific capacity of about 300 mAh g-1 under 0.8 C rate. The good performance of these immiscible Al-Sn alloy film anodes was attributed to their unique microstructure. The mechanism of lithiation and delithiation reaction had been proposed based on cyclic voltammograms and impedance response of the Al-Sn alloy thin film electrodes. Our preliminary results demonstrate that the Al-Sn immiscible alloy is a potential candidate negative material for Li-ion battery. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Clinicopathological and Prognostic Significance of Cancer Stem Cell Markers in Ovarian Cancer Patients: Evidence from 52 Studies

Background/Aims: Relevant markers of cancer stem cells (CSCs) may serve as commonly used biomarkers of ovarian cancer (OC). However, their actual clinicopathological and prognostic significance remains inconclusive. Thus, we conducted a meta-analysis to quantitatively evaluate the association between the expression of CSC-relevant markers (ALDH1, CD117, CD133, and CD44) and OC. Methods: We used an odds ratio (OR) and a hazard ratio (HR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) to estimate the effects by analyzing 52 studies from a literature search. Heterogeneity and sensitivity were evaluated, as well. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plots and Egger tests. Results: ALDH1 expression was statistically associated with FIGO stage (OR=1.872, 95%CI=1.14-3.076, P=0.013) and lymph invasion (OR=2.78, 95%CI=1.08-7.152, P=0.034). CD117 expression was significantly associated with FIGO stage (OR=2.01, 95%CI=1.35-2.98, P=0.001). CD133 expression was correlated with FIGO stage (OR=3.410, 95%CI=2.196-5.294, P< 0.001) and differentiation grade (OR=2.672, 95%CI=1.354-5.272, P=0.005). CD44s was related to chemotherapy resistance (OR=3.218, 95%CI=1.148-9.016, P=0.026). Furthermore, overexpression of ALDH1 (HR=1.494, 95%CI=1.207-1.849, P< 0.001), CD117 (HR=1.395, 95%CI=1.025-1.898, P=0.034) or CD44s (HR=1.725, 95%CI=1.135-2.623, P=0.011) was associated with poor OS. Further, overexpression of both ALDH1 (HR=1.524, 95%CI=1.158-2.007, P=0.003) and CD44s (HR=2.12, 95%CI=1.692-2.657, P< 0.001) was correlated with worse DFS. Conclusion: CSC markers are useful predictive or prognostic biomarkers for OC in clinical assessments. Combined detection of CSC marker expression may be a powerful tool for prognostic predictions in clinical practice for patients with OC

An Optical Algorithm for Relative Thickness of Each Monochrome Component in Multilayer Transparent Mixed Films

A modification of the two-flux Kubelka-Munk (K-M) model was proposed to describe the energy conservation of scattered light in colored mixed material with a defined scattered photometric, which is applied for the relative quantity distribution of each colored monochrome component in mixed material. A series of systematical experiments demonstrated a higher consistency with the reference quantity distribution than the common Lambert-Beer (L-B) law. Its application in the fibrogram of each component for measuring the cotton fiber’s length was demonstrated to be good, extending its applicability to white and dark colored blended fibers, the length of which is harder to measure using L-B law

Interaction between Two Putative Glycosyltransferases Is Required for Glycosylation of a Serine-Rich Streptococcal Adhesin▿

Fap1, a serine-rich glycoprotein, is essential for fimbrial biogenesis and biofilm formation of Streptococcus parasanguinis (formerly S. parasanguis). Fap1-like proteins are conserved in many streptococci and staphylococci and have been implicated in bacterial virulence. Fap1 contains two serine-rich repeat regions that are modified by O-linked glycosylation. A seven-gene cluster has been identified, and this cluster is implicated in Fap1 biogenesis. In this study, we investigated the initial step of Fap1 glycosylation by using a recombinant Fap1 as a model. This recombinant molecule has the same monosaccharide composition profile as the native Fap1 protein. Glycosyl linkage analyses indicated that N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) is among the first group of sugar residues transferred to the Fap1 peptide. Two putative glycosyltransferases, Gtf1 and Gtf2, were essential for the glycosylation of Fap1 with GlcNAc-containing oligosaccharide(s) in both S. parasanguinis as well as in the Fap1 glycosylation system in Escherichia coli. Yeast two-hybrid analysis as well as in vitro and in vivo glutathione S-transferase pull-down assays demonstrated the two putative glycosyltransferases interacted with each other. The interaction domain was mapped to an N-terminal region of Gtf1 that was required for the Fap1 glycosylation. The data in this study suggested that the formation of the Gtf1 and Gtf2 complex was required for the initiation of the Fap1 glycosylation and that the N-terminal region of Gtf1 was necessary

Genome-Wide Analysis of Auxin Receptor Family Genes in <i>Brassica juncea</i> var. <i>tumida</i>

Transport inhibitor response 1/auxin signaling f-box proteins (TIR1/AFBs) play important roles in the process of plant growth and development as auxin receptors. To date, no information has been available about the characteristics of the TIR1/AFB gene family in Brassica juncea var. tumida. In this study, 18 TIR1/AFB genes were identified and could be clustered into six groups. The genes are located in 11 of 18 chromosomes in the genome of B. juncea var. tumida, and similar gene structures are found for each of those genes. Several cis-elements related to plant response to phytohormones, biotic stresses, and abiotic stresses are found in the promoter of BjuTIR1/AFB genes. The results of qPCR analysis show that most genes have differential patterns of expression among six tissues, with the expression levels of some of the genes repressed by salt stress treatment. Some of the genes are also responsive to pathogen Plasmodiophora brassicae treatment. This study provides valuable information for further studies as to the role of BjuTIR1/AFB genes in the regulation of plant growth, development, and response to abiotic stress

Cu(OAc)₂‑Promoted Cascade Carboamination/Oxidative Cyclization of <i>C</i>‑Acylimines with Alkenes

A Cu­(OAc)₂-promoted cascade carboamination/oxidative cyclization of alkenes with α-imino esters has been explored. This transformation provides a concise approach to rapid assembly of 2-oxo-3-iminopyrrole derivatives in moderate to good yields