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Tin-graphene tubes as anodes for lithium-ion batteries with high volumetric and gravimetric energy densities.
Limited by the size of microelectronics, as well as the space of electrical vehicles, there are tremendous demands for lithium-ion batteries with high volumetric energy densities. Current lithium-ion batteries, however, adopt graphite-based anodes with low tap density and gravimetric capacity, resulting in poor volumetric performance metric. Here, by encapsulating nanoparticles of metallic tin in mechanically robust graphene tubes, we show tin anodes with high volumetric and gravimetric capacities, high rate performance, and long cycling life. Pairing with a commercial cathode material LiNi0.6Mn0.2Co0.2O2, full cells exhibit a gravimetric and volumetric energy density of 590âWâh Kg-1 and 1,252âWâh L-1, respectively, the latter of which doubles that of the cell based on graphite anodes. This work provides an effective route towards lithium-ion batteries with high energy density for a broad range of applications
Risk factors for BK virus infection in DCD donor kidney transplant recipients
BackgroundBK virus infection after kidney transplantation can negatively impact the prognosis of patients. However, current risk factor analyses primarily focus on BK virus nephropathy, while BK viruria and BK viruria progressing to BK viremia receive less attention. This study aims to analyze the risk factors associated with BK viruria and BK viruria progressing to BK viremia in recipients of donation after cardiac death (DCD), with the goal of facilitating early intervention.MethodsDonor characteristics and clinical data of recipients before and after transplantation were evaluated, and logistic univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the risk factors associated with BK viruria and the progression of BK viruria to BK viremia. Additionally, machine learning techniques were employed to identify the top five features associated with BK viruria evolving into BK viremia.ResultsDuring a median follow-up time of 1,072âdays (range 739â1,418), 69 transplant recipients (15.6% incidence rate) developed BK viruria after transplantation, with 49.3% of cases occurring within 6âmonths post-transplantation. Moreover, 19 patients progressed to BK viremia. Donor age [OR: 1.022 (1.000, 1.045), p =â0.047] and donor procalcitonin (PCT) levels [0.5â10âng/ml; OR: 0.482 (0.280, 0.828), p =â0.008] were identified as independent risk factors for BK viruria. High BK viruria [OR: 11.641 (1.745, 77.678), p =â0.011], recipient age [OR: 1.106 (1.017, 1.202), p =â0.018], and immunoinduction regimen [ATG; OR: 0.063 (0.006, 0.683), p =â0.023] were independent risk factors for BK viruria progressing to BK viremia. Machine learning analysis confirmed the importance of high BK viruria, recipient age, and immunoinduction regimen (ATG) in predicting the progression of BK viruria to BK viremia.ConclusionThe development and progression of BK virus in DCD kidney transplant recipients is influenced by multiple factors. Early intervention and treatment could potentially extend the lifespan of the transplanted organ
Wip1-dependent modulation of macrophage migration and phagocytosis
Macrophage accumulation within the vascular wall is a hallmark of atherosclerosis. Controlling macrophage conversion into foam cells remains a major challenge for treatment of atherosclerotic diseases. Here, we show that Wip1, a member of the PP2C family of Ser/Thr protein phosphatases, modulates macrophage migration and phagocytosis associated with atherosclerotic plaque formation. Wip1 deficiency increases migratory and phagocytic activities of the macrophage under stress conditions. Enhanced migration of Wip1-/- macrophages is mediated by Rac1-GTPase and PI3K/AKT signalling pathways. Elevated phagocytic ability of Wip1-/- macrophages is linked to CD36 plasma membrane recruitment that is regulated by AMPK activity. Our study identifies Wip1 as an intrinsic negative regulator of macrophage chemotaxis. We propose that Wip1-dependent control of macrophage function may provide avenues for preventing or eliminating plaque formation in atherosclerosis
Quantitative trait locus mapping and candidate gene analysis for salt tolerance at bud stage in rice
Soil salinization has a serious influence on rice yield and quality. How to enhance salt tolerance in rice is a topical issue. In this study, 120 recombinant inbred line populations were generated through nonstop multi-generation selfing using a male indica rice variety Huazhan (Oryza sativa L. subsp. indica cv. âHZâ) and a female variety of Nekken2 (Oryza sativa L. subsp. japonica cv. âNekken2â) as the parents. Germination under 80 mM NaCl conditions was measured and analyzed, and quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping was completed using a genetic map. A total of 16 salt-tolerance QTL ranges were detected at bud stage in rice, which were situated on chromosomes 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12. The maximum limit of detection was 4.69. Moreover, the qST12.3 was narrowed to a 192 kb region on chromosome 12 using map-based cloning strategy. Statistical analysis of the expression levels of these candidate genes under different NaCl concentrations by qRT-PCR revealed that qST12.3 (LOC_Os12g25200) was significantly down-regulated with increasing NaCl concentration, and the expression level of the chlorine-transporter-encoding gene LOC_Os12g25200 in HZ was significantly higher than that of Nekken2 under 0 mM NaCl. Sequencing analysis of LOC_Os12g25200 promoter region indicated that the gene expression difference between parents may be due to eight base differences in the promoter region. Through QTL mining and analysis, a plurality of candidate genes related to salt tolerance in rice was obtained, and the results showed that LOC_Os12g25200 might negatively regulate salt tolerance in rice. The results provide the basis for further screening and cultivation of salt-tolerant rice varieties and have laid the foundation for elucidating further molecular regulation mechanisms of salt tolerance in rice
The Airborne Metagenome in an Indoor Urban Environment
The indoor atmosphere is an ecological unit that impacts on public health. To investigate the composition of organisms in this space, we applied culture-independent approaches to microbes harvested from the air of two densely populated urban buildings, from which we analyzed 80 megabases genomic DNA sequence and 6000 16S rDNA clones. The air microbiota is primarily bacteria, including potential opportunistic pathogens commonly isolated from human-inhabited environments such as hospitals, but none of the data contain matches to virulent pathogens or bioterror agents. Comparison of air samples with each other and nearby environments suggested that the indoor air microbes are not random transients from surrounding outdoor environments, but rather originate from indoor niches. Sequence annotation by gene function revealed specific adaptive capabilities enriched in the air environment, including genes potentially involved in resistance to desiccation and oxidative damage. This baseline index of air microbiota will be valuable for improving designs of surveillance for natural or man-made release of virulent pathogens
Search for continuous gravitational wave emission from the Milky Way center in O3 LIGO--Virgo data
We present a directed search for continuous gravitational wave (CW) signals
emitted by spinning neutron stars located in the inner parsecs of the Galactic
Center (GC). Compelling evidence for the presence of a numerous population of
neutron stars has been reported in the literature, turning this region into a
very interesting place to look for CWs. In this search, data from the full O3
LIGO--Virgo run in the detector frequency band have been
used. No significant detection was found and 95 confidence level upper
limits on the signal strain amplitude were computed, over the full search band,
with the deepest limit of about at .
These results are significantly more constraining than those reported in
previous searches. We use these limits to put constraints on the fiducial
neutron star ellipticity and r-mode amplitude. These limits can be also
translated into constraints in the black hole mass -- boson mass plane for a
hypothetical population of boson clouds around spinning black holes located in
the GC.Comment: 25 pages, 5 figure
All-sky search for continuous gravitational waves from isolated neutron stars using Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo O3 data
We present results of an all-sky search for continuous gravitational waves which can be produced by spinning neutron stars with an asymmetry around their rotation axis, using data from the third observing run of the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo detectors. Four different analysis methods are used to search in a gravitational-wave frequency band from 10 to 2048 Hz and a first frequency derivative from to Hz/s. No statistically-significant periodic gravitational-wave signal is observed by any of the four searches. As a result, upper limits on the gravitational-wave strain amplitude are calculated. The best upper limits are obtained in the frequency range of 100 to 200 Hz and they are at 95\% confidence-level. The minimum upper limit of is achieved at a frequency 111.5 Hz. We also place constraints on the rates and abundances of nearby planetary- and asteroid-mass primordial black holes that could give rise to continuous gravitational-wave signals
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