A novel CuS/graphene-coated separator for suppressing the shuttle effect of Lithium/sulfur batteries

We demonstrate a facile synthesis process to fabricate and deposit flower-like CuS/graphene nanocomposite on a multi-functional separator for efficient immobilization of polysulfides of lithium/sulfur (Li/S) batteries

Characterization of ultrathin InSb nanocrystals film deposited on SiO2/Si substrate

Recently, solid-phase recrystallization of ultrathin indium antimonide nanocrystals (InSb NCs (films grown on SiO2/Si substrate is very attractive, because of the rapid development of thermal annealing technique. In this study, the recrystallization behavior of 35 nm indium antimonide film was studied. Through X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, it is demonstrated that the InSb film is composed of nanocrystals after high temperature rapid thermal annealing. Scanning electron microscopy shows that the film has a smooth surface and is composed of tightly packed spherical grains, the average grain size is about 12.3 nm according to XRD results. The optical bandgap of the InSb NCs film analyzed by Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy measurement is around 0.26 eV. According to the current-voltage characteristics of the InSb NCs/SiO2/p-Si heterojunction, the film has the rectifying behavior and the turn-on voltage value is near 1 V

Nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes coated with zinc oxide nanoparticles as sulfur encapsulator for high-performance lithium/sulfur batteries

Nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes coated with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO@NCNT) were prepared via a sol–gel route as sulfur encapsulator for lithium/sulfur (Li/S) batteries. The electrochemical properties of the S/ZnO@NCNT composite cathode were evaluated in Li/S batteries. It delivered an initial capacity of 1032 mAh·g−1 at a charge/discharge rate of 0.2C and maintained a reversible capacity of 665 mAh·g−1 after 100 cycles. The coulombic efficiency of the cathode remains unchanged above 99%, showing stable cycling performance. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis confirmed the formation of S–Zn and S–O bonds in the composite. This indicates that an enhanced cycling and rate capability of the S/ZnO@NCNT composite could be ascribed to advantages of the ZnO@NCNT matrix. In the composite, the active ZnO-rich surfaces offer a high sulfur-bonding capability and the NCNT core acts as a conductive framework providing pathways for ion and electron transport. The as-prepared S/ZnO@NCNT composite is a promising cathode material for Li/S batteries

Factors explaining the gender disparity in lipid-lowering treatment goal attainment rate in Chinese patients with statin therapy

Background: The lipid-lowering treatment goal attainment rate is lower for women than for men among Chinese patients, but the reasons for this disparity have not been fully explored yet. Objectives: To elucidate the potential factors and the significance of their contributions towards the observed discrepancy in lipid-lowering treatment goal attainment rates between Chinese women and men. Methods: We used data from 1808 patients from 21 tertiary and 6 secondary hospitals in China who received and maintained statin therapy treatment for at least 2 months. Lipid-lowering treatment goal attainment was defined as low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) reaching the treatment targets recommended by the Chinese Guidelines on Prevention and Control of Dyslipidemia in Adults. Logistic Regression was used to explore possible factors associated with gender disparity in goal attainment rates, and to what extent each factor contributes. Results: A total of 674 women and 1134 men were enrolled in the study. Women had a significantly lower LDL-C goal attainment rate than that of men (46.0% vs 53.8%, P = 0.002), particularly in high and very high CVD risk groups. Among high and very high risk patients, approximately 35%, 7%, 5%, and 5% of gender disparity in LDL-C goal attainment rate was attributable to the gender difference in baseline LDL-C level, cardiovascular co-morbidities and associated risk factors, socioeconomic status, and the dosage of statin treatment, respectively. Approximately 50% of the gender disparity remained unexplained by these factors. Conclusions: Although nearly half of the gender disparity in lipid-lowering treatment goal attainment rate can be explained by the gender differences in baseline lipid level, socioeconomic status, cardiovascular co-morbidities and associated risk factors, and the dosage of statin in high and very high CVD risk patients, the other half of the gender disparity remains unexplained and requires further study to fully understand what other factors are at play.Biochemistry & Molecular BiologyNutrition & DieteticsSCI(E)PubMed6ARTICLE591

The structural and optical properties of GaSb/InGaAs type-II quantum dots grown on InP (100) substrate

We have investigated the structural and optical properties of type-II GaSb/InGaAs quantum dots [QDs] grown on InP (100) substrate by molecular beam epitaxy. Rectangular-shaped GaSb QDs were well developed and no nanodash-like structures which could be easily found in the InAs/InP QD system were formed. Low-temperature photoluminescence spectra show there are two peaks centered at 0.75eV and 0.76ev. The low-energy peak blueshifted with increasing excitation power is identified as the indirect transition from the InGaAs conduction band to the GaSb hole level (type-II), and the high-energy peak is identified as the direct transition (type-I) of GaSb QDs. This material system shows a promising application on quantum-dot infrared detectors and quantum-dot field-effect transistor

Increase in Docetaxel-Resistance of Ovarian Carcinoma-Derived RMG-1 Cells with Enhanced Expression of Lewis Y Antigen

Epithelial carcinomas of the ovary exhibit the highest mortality rate among gynecologic malignancies. Studies found that the metabolism of glycolipids or carbohydrates is associated with acquirement of anticancer drug-resistance by cancer cells. This study was to characterize possible involvement of Lewis Y (LeY) antigen in the drug-resistance of cancer cells. We transfected the α1,2-fucosyltransferase gene into human ovarian carcinoma-derived RMG-1 cells and established RMG-1-hFUT cells with enhanced expression of LeY. We determined the effects of docetaxel on the survival of cells by MTT assaying and observed the apoptosis of cells in the presence of docetaxel by flow cytometric analysis and by transmission electron microscopy. Plasma membranes and intracellular granules in RMG-1-hFUT cells were stained with anti-LeY antibody, the intensity of the staining was higher than that in control cells. The RMG-1-hFUT cells exhibited higher resistance to docetaxel than the control cells with regard to the docetaxel concentration and time course. After treatment with 10 μg/mL docetaxel for 72 h, the control cells, but not RMG-1-hFUT, contained abundant positively stained cell debris due to disintegration of the cytoskeleton. On transmission electron microscopy, although the control cells treated with docetaxel as above showed the following morphology, i.e., absence of villi, cells shrunken in size, pyknosis, agglutinated chromatin and cell buds containing nuclei in the process of apoptosis, the RMG-1-hFUT cells showed only agglutinated chromatin and vacuoles in the cytoplasm. In summary, cells with enhanced expression of LeY were shown to acquire docetaxel-resistance, indicating the possible involvement of glycoconjugates in the drug-resistance

Association between plant-based diets and blood pressure in the INTERMAP study.

BACKGROUND: Plant-based diets are associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases; however, little is known how the healthiness of the diet may be associated with blood pressure (BP). We aimed to modify three plant -based diet indices: overall plant-based diet index (PDI), healthy PDI (hPDI), and unhealthy PDI (uPDI) according to country-specific dietary guidelines to enable use across populations with diverse dietary patterns - and assessed their associations with BP. DESIGN: We used cross-sectional data including 4,680 men and women ages 40-59y in Japan, China, the United Kingdom, and the United States from the INTERnational study on MAcro/micronutrients and blood Pressure (INTERMAP). During four visits, eight BP measurements, and four 24-h dietary recalls were collected. Multivariable regression coefficients were estimated, pooled, weighted, and adjusted extensively for lifestyle/dietary confounders. RESULTS: Modified PDI was not associated with BP. Consumption of hPDI higher by 1SD was inversely associated with systolic (-0.82 mm Hg;95% CI:-1.32,-0.49) and diastolic BP (-0.49 mm Hg; 95% CI:-0.91, -0.28). In contrast, consumption of an uPDI was directly associated with systolic (0.77 mm Hg;95% CI:0.30,1.20). Significant associations between hPDI with BP were attenuated with separate adjustment for vegetables and whole grains; associations between uPDI and BP were attenuated after adjustment for refined grains, sugar-sweetened beverages, and meat. CONCLUSION: An hPDI is associated with lower BP while a uPDI is adversely related to BP. Plant-based diets rich in vegetables and whole grains and limited in refined grains, sugar-sweetened beverages, and total meat may contribute to these associations. In addition to current guidelines, the nutritional quality of consumed plant foods is as important as limiting animal-based components. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: The observational INTERMAP study was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00005271

Association of Monosodium Glutamate Intake With Overweight in Chinese Adults: The INTERMAP Study

Animal studies indicate that monosodium glutamate (MSG) can induce hypothalamic lesions and leptin resistance, possibly influencing energy balance, leading to overweight. This study examines the association between MSG intake and overweight in the human species. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 752 healthy Chinese (48.7% women), ages 40 to 59 years, randomly sampled from three rural villages in north and south China. The great majority of participants prepared their foods at home, without use of commercially processed foods. Diet was assessed with four in-depth multi-pass 24-hour recalls. Participants were asked to demonstrate MSG amounts added in food preparation. Amounts shaken out were weighed by trained interviewers. Overweight was defined as body mass index ≥25.0 kg/m2 or ≥23.0 (based on World Health Organization recommendations for Asian populations). Eighty-two percent of participants used MSG. Average intake was 0.33 gram/day (standard deviation=0.40). With adjustment for potential confounders including physical activity and total energy intake, MSG intake was positively related to body mass index. Prevalence of overweight was significantly higher in MSG users than non-users. For users in the highest tertile of MSG intake compared to non-users, the multivariable-adjusted odds ratios of overweight (body mass index ≥23.0 and ≥25.0) were 2.10 (95% CI, 1.13–3.90, P for trend across four MSG categories=0.03) and 2.75 (95% CI, 1.28–5.95, P=0.04). This research provides human data that MSG intake may be associated with increased risk of overweight independent of physical activity and total energy intake

Effect of Interfacial Bonds on the Morphology of InAs QDs Grown on GaAs (311) B and (100) Substrates

The morphology and transition thickness (tc) for InAs quantum dots (QDs) grown on GaAs (311) B and (100) substrates were investigated. The morphology varies with the composition of buffer layer and substrate orientation. Andtcdecreased when the thin InGaAs was used as a buffer layer instead of the GaAs layer on (311) B substrates. For InAs/(In)GaAs QDs grown on high miller index surfaces, both the morphology andtccan be influenced by the interfacial bonds configuration. This indicates that buffer layer design with appropriate interfacial bonds provides an approach to adjust the morphologies of QDs grown on high miller surfaces

Cold-induced modulation and functional analyses of the DRE-binding transcription factor gene, GmDREB3, in soybean (Glycine max L.)

DREB (dehydration-responsive element-binding protein) transcription factors have important roles in the stress-related regulation network in plants. A DREB orthologue, GmDREB3, belonging to the A-5 subgroup of the DREB subfamily, was isolated from soybean using the RACE (rapid amplification of cDNA ends) method. Northern blot analysis showed that expression of GmDREB3 in soybean seedlings was induced following cold stress treatment for 0.5 h and was not detected after 3 h. However, it was not induced by drought and high salt stresses or by abscisic acid (ABA) treatment. This response was similar to those of members in the A-1 subgroup and different from those of other members in the A-5 subgroup, suggesting that the GmDREB3 gene was involved in an ABA-independent cold stress-responsive signal pathway. Furthermore, analysis of the GmDREB3 promoter elucidated its cold-induced modulation. A promoter fragment containing bases −1058 to −664 was involved in response to cold stress, and its effect was detected for 1 h after treatment, but a transcriptional repressor appeared to impair this response by binding to a cis-element in the region −1403 to −1058 at 24 h after the beginning of cold stress. Moreover, the GmDREB3 protein could specifically bind to the DRE element in vitro, and activated expression of downstream reporter genes in yeast cells. In addition, overexpression of GmDREB3 enhanced tolerance to cold, drought, and high salt stresses in transgenic Arabidopsis. Physiological analyses indicated that the fresh weight and osmolality of GmDREB3 transgenic Arabidopsis under cold stress were higher than those of wild-type controls. GmDREB3 transgenic tobacco accumulated higher levels of free proline under drought stress and retained higher leaf chlorophyll levels under high salt stress than wild-type tobacco. In addition, constitutive expression of GmDREB3 in transgenic Arabidopsis caused growth retardation, whereas its expression under control of the stress-inducible Rd29A promoter minimized negative effects on plant growth under normal growth conditions, indicating that a combination of the Rd29A promoter and GmDREB3 might be useful for improving tolerance to environmental stresses in crop plants