When It's Heavier: Interfacial and Solvation Chemistry of Isotopes in Aqueous Electrolytes for Zn-ion Batteries

The electrochemical effect of isotope (EEI) of water is introduced in the Zn-ion batteries (ZIBs) electrolyte to deal with the challenge of severe side reactions and massive gas production. Due to the low diffusion and strong coordination of ions in D2O, the possibility of side reactions is decreased, resulting in a broader electrochemically stable potential window, less pH change, and less zinc hydroxide sulfate (ZHS) generation during cycling. Moreover, we demonstrate that D2O eliminates the different ZHS phases generated by the change of bound water during cycling because of the consistently low local ion and molecule concentration, resulting in a stable interface between the electrode and electrolyte. The full cells with D2O-based electrolyte demonstrated more stable cycling performance which displayed ∼100 % reversible efficiencies after 1,000 cycles with a wide voltage window of 0.8–2.0 V and 3,000 cycles with a normal voltage window of 0.8–1.9 V at a current density of 2 A g−1

Galacto-Oligosaccharides as an Anti-Infective and Anti-Microbial Agent for Macrolide-Resistant and -Sensitive Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

The worldwide increase in the incidence of antibiotic resistance of the atypical bacterium Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) challenges the treatment of MP infections, especially in children. Therefore, alternative strategies for the treatment of MP infections are warranted. Galacto- and fructo-oligosaccharides (GOS and FOS) are a specific group of complex carbohydrates that were recently shown to possess direct anti-pathogenic properties. In this study, we assessed whether GOS and FOS exert anti-microbial and anti-infective effects against MP and, especially, macrolide-resistant MP (MRMP) in vitro. The MIC values of GOS for MP and MRMP were 4%. In contrast, the MIC values of FOS for both MP and MRMP were 16%. A time-kill kinetic assay showed that FOS possess bacteriostatic properties, while for GOS, a bactericidal effect against MP and MRMP was observed after 24 h at a concentration of 4x MIC. In co-cultures with human alveolar A549 epithelial cells, GOS killed adherent MP and MRMP and also concentration-dependently inhibited their adherence to A549 cells. Further, GOS suppressed (MR)MP-induced IL-6 and IL-8 in A549 cells. None of the aforementioned parameters were affected when FOS were added to these co-cultures. In conclusion, the anti-infective and anti-microbial properties of GOS could provide an alternative treatment against MRMP and MP infections

Further Optimization of Maxwell-Type Dynamic Vibration Absorber with Inerter and Negative Stiffness Spring Using Particle Swarm Algorithm

Dynamic vibration absorbers (DVAs) are widely used in engineering practice because of their good vibration control performance. Structural design or parameter optimization could improve its control efficiency. In this paper, the viscoelastic Maxwell-type DVA model with an inerter and multiple stiffness springs is investigated with the combination of the traditional theory and an intelligent algorithm. Firstly, the expressions and approximate optimal values of the system parameters are obtained using the fixed-point theory to deal with the H∞ optimization problem, which can provide help with the range of parameters in the algorithm. Secondly, we innovatively introduce the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm to prove that the algorithm could adjust the value of the approximate solution to minimize the maximum amplitude by analyzing and optimizing the single variable and four variables. Furthermore, the validity of the parameters is further verified by simulation between the numerical solution and the analytical solution using the fourth-order Runge–Kutta method. Finally, the DVA demonstrated in this paper is compared with typical DVAs under random excitation. The timing sequence and variances, as well as the decreased ratios of the displacements, show that the presented DVA has a more satisfactory control performance. The inerter and negative stiffness spring can indeed bring beneficial effects to the vibration absorber. Remarkably, the intelligent algorithm can make the resonance peaks equal in the parameter optimization of the vibration absorber, which is quite difficult to achieve with theoretical methods at present. The results may provide a theoretical and computational basis for the optimization design of DVA

An Improved Bayesian Learning Method for Multi-agent System

A multi-agent coordinate ion is addressed in urban traffic control, which uses the recursive modeling method (RMM) that enables an agent to select its rational act ion by examining with other agents by modeling their decision making in a distributed multi-agent environment. Bayesian learning is used in conjunction with RMM for belief update. Based on this method, a multi-agent traffic control system is established and the results rated its effective

Does varicocele grade predict the postoperative changes of semen parameters following left inguinal micro-varicocelectomy?

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between preoperative grade and postoperative changes of semen parameters following left inguinal varicocelectomy. Methods: This study included 44 patients undergoing left microsurgical inguinal varicocelectomy. Internal spermatic veins were classified as large (4 mm or more in diameter), medium (2–4 mm), or small (2 mm or less). Changes in sperm activity, morphology and count were estimated perioperatively. The introperative findings and semen parameters were compared between varicocele groups of grades 2 and 3. Results: Both sperm motility and count improved significantly postoperatively (from (31.9 ± 16.3)% to (47.3  ± 15.5)%, from (28.1 ± 28.1) × 106/mL to (52.1 ± 74.2) × 106/mL). In varicoceles with grade 2 and 3, significant differences were found in the number of large veins (0.4 ± 0.6 vs. 1.2 ± 0.7, p < 0.001) and ultrasonographic maximum diameters of spermatic vein in supine and standing positions (2.3 ± 0.4 cm vs. 2.8 ± 0.6 cm, 3.1 ± 0.7 cm vs. 3.9 ± 0.7 cm, p = 0.001 and 0.001 respectively). However no difference of changes in sperm motility and count was detected ((16.3  ±  13.5)% vs. (14.4  ±  12.6)%, (30.5 ± 84.4) × 106/mL vs. (12.9 ± 20.6) × 106/mL respectively, p = 0.65 and 0.40 respectively). Conclusion: Preoperative varicocele grade might not predict postoperative semen changes regardless of possible existence of anatomic and ultrasonographic associations

Zinc activates damage-sensing TRPA1 ion channels.

Zinc is an essential biological trace element. It is required for the structure or function of over 300 proteins, and it is increasingly recognized for its role in cell signaling. However, high concentrations of zinc have cytotoxic effects, and overexposure to zinc can cause pain and inflammation through unknown mechanisms. Here we show that zinc excites nociceptive somatosensory neurons and causes nociception in mice through TRPA1, a cation channel previously shown to mediate the pungency of wasabi and cinnamon through cysteine modification. Zinc activates TRPA1 through a unique mechanism that requires zinc influx through TRPA1 channels and subsequent activation via specific intracellular cysteine and histidine residues. TRPA1 is highly sensitive to intracellular zinc, as low nanomolar concentrations activate TRPA1 and modulate its sensitivity. These findings identify TRPA1 as an important target for the sensory effects of zinc and support an emerging role for zinc as a signaling molecule that can modulate sensory transmission

Adaptive changes of gastro-fntero-pancreatic system endocrine cells in the black-spotted pond frog Rana nigromaculata after fasting

Changes in distribution density, morphology and secretory content of endocrine cells in the gastro-entero-pancreatic system of black-spotted frogs Rana nigromaculata before and after fasting were investigated using immunohistochemistry and antisera to six gut hormones. Six types of endocrine cells were detected in the digestive tract of Rana nigromaculata, including 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), gastrin (GAS), somatostatin (SOM), glucagon (GLU), pancreatic polypeptide (PP) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) cells. After fasting, the density of 5-HT cells in the esophagus, cardia and fundus, GAS cells in fundus and pylorus, PP cells in the fundus decreased significantly(P 0.05), while SOM, GAS, GLU and PP cells increased significantly (P <0.01). Furthermore, the secretory content of GLU cells increased significantly. Considering their functionalities, our results indicate that the changes of GEP endocrine cells in Rana nigromaculata responded adaptively to starvation-induced stress [Current Zoology 55 (4):301–308, 2009]