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•C/NiCo2S4 hollow nanospheres are fabricated for supercapacitor electrode materials.•C/NiCo2S4 electrode exhibits remarkable specific capacitance and cycle stability.•Hierarchically ...hollow architecture and compositional features give high performance.•An asymmetric supercapacitor was assembled with enhanced performance.
Binary transition metal sulfides hold immense promise for use in energy storage devices thanks to their higher electronic conductivity and capacity compared to that of the mono-metal sulfides arising from the richer redox reactions. Herein, hierarchically hollow C/NiCo2S4 nanosphere composites have been synthesized through carbon coating and hydrothermal processes with SiO2 nanosphere and glucose as the hard template and carbon source, respectively. The interconnected NiCo2S4 nanosheets, void spaces in the interior of nanospheres and the conductive carbon layer enable the C/NiCo2S4 composite electrode to achieve an outstanding conductivity and good stability. Accordingly, the hollow C/NiCo2S4 nanosphere electrode exhibits an extraordinary specific capacitance of 1545 F g−1, as well as an enhanced cycling stability (90.1% after 6000 cycles) at a high current density of 10 A g−1. Satisfactory energy density (34.1 Wh kg−1 at 160 W kg−1) and high power density (8000 W kg−1 at 19.8 Wh kg−1) can be obtained by fabricating an asymmetric supercapacitor with activated carbon in the operation window of 0–1.6 V. These encouraging results further reveal the promising prospects of the as-prepared C/NiCo2S4 nanocomposite for high efficient electrochemical supercapacitor.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) has a crucial role in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Tumour cells must develop anoikis resistance in order to survive before metastasis. This study aimed ...to investigate the mechanism of IQGAP1 in HBV-mediated anoikis evasion and metastasis in HCC cells.
IQGAP1 expression was detected by immunohistochemistry, real-time PCR and immunoblot analysis. Lentiviral-mediated stable upregulation or knockdown of IGAQP1, immunoprecipitation, etc. were used in function and mechanism study.
IQGAP1 was markedly upregulated in HBV-positive compared with HBV-negative HCC cells and tissues. IQGAP1 was positively correlated to poor prognosis of HBV-associated HCC patients. IQGAP1 overexpression significantly enhanced the anchorage-independent growth and metastasis, whereas IQGAP1-deficient HCC cells are more sensitive to anoikis. Mechanistically, we found that HBV-induced ROS enhanced the association of IQGAP1 and Rac1 that activated Rac1, leading to phosphorylation of Src/FAK pathway. Antioxidants efficiently inhibited IQGAP1-mediated anoikis resistance and metastasis.
Our study indicated an important mechanism by which upregulated IQGAP1 by HBV promoted anoikis resistance, migration and invasion of HCC cells through Rac1-dependent ROS accumulation and activation of Src/FAK signalling, suggesting IQGAP1 as a prognostic indicator and a novel therapeutic target in HCC patients with HBV infection.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Precisely introducing topological defects is an important strategy in nanographene crystal engineering because defects can tune π‐electronic structures and control molecular assemblies. The ...synergistic control of the synthesis and assembly of nanographenes by embedding the topological defects to afford two‐dimensional (2D) crystals on surfaces is still a great challenge. By in‐situ embedding ladder bipyrazinylene (LBPy) into acene, the narrowest nanographene with zigzag edges, we have achieved the precise preparation of 2D nonbenzenoid heteroacene crystals on Au(111). Through intramolecular electrocyclization of o‐diisocyanides and Au adatom‐directed 2+2 cycloaddition, the nonbenzenoid heteroacene products are produced with high chemoselectivity, and lead to the molecular 2D assembly via LBPy‐derived interlocking hydrogen bonds. Using bond‐resolved scanning tunneling microscopy, we determined the atomic structures of the nonbenzenoid heteroacene product and diverse organometallic intermediates. The tunneling spectroscopy measurements revealed the electronic structure of the nonbenzenoid heteroacene, which is supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The observed distinct organometallic intermediates during progression annealing combined with DFT calculations demonstrated that LBPy formation proceeds via electrocyclization of o‐diisocyanides, trapping of heteroarynes by Au adatoms, and stepwise elimination of Au adatoms.
Two‐dimensional (2D) nonbenzenoid heteroacene crystals are synthesized via the in‐situ embedding of ladder bipyrazinylenes (LBPys) on Au(111). Through the intramolecular electrocyclization of o‐diisocyanides and Au adatom‐directed 2+2 cycloaddition, the nonbenzenoid heteroacene products are produced with high chemoselectivity, and give rise to the molecular 2D assembly via LBPy‐derived interlocking hydrogen bonds.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
This study investigated the impact of axial load on the dynamic response of reinforced concrete (RC) members to asymmetrical lateral impact loads. A series of asymmetrical-span impact tests were ...conducted on circular and square RC members with and without Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRP) while varying the axial compression ratios. The impact process was simulated using ABAQUS software, and the time history curves of deflection and impact were measured. The study found that specific impact loads caused bending and shearing failures. The axial compression ratio ranged from 0.05 to 0.13 when the impact curve reached its maximum deflection before the component's impact resistance decreased. Analysis of the impact point and inclined crack location revealed that axial load affects the maximum local concrete. The speed of inclined crack penetration and inclined cracks take longer to form, with weaker resistance to damage to local concrete when the axial compression ratio is between 0.05 and 0.13. When the axial compression ratio is greater than 0.13, inclined cracks form sooner with more brittle and severe damage to the impact point's concrete. The study also identified key parameters affecting the dynamic response of RC members, including impact height, CFRP layer thickness, axial force, and impact location. Thicker CFRP layers in RC can improve impact resistance, especially when the impact location is farther from the center. However, there is a limit to the impact of axial force on this resistance.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Wildfires are an important contributor to atmospheric aerosols in
Australia and could significantly affect the regional and even global climate.
This study investigates the impact of fire events on ...aerosol properties
along with the long-range transport of biomass-burning aerosol over
Australia using multi-year measurements from Aerosol Robotic Network
(AERONET) at 10 sites over Australia, a satellite dataset derived from the
Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and the Cloud-Aerosol
Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIOP), reanalysis data from Modern-Era
Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications version 2 (MERRA-2),
and back-trajectories from the Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated
Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model. The fire count, fire radiative power (FRP), and aerosol optical
depth (AOD) showed distinct and
consistent interannual variations, with high values during September–February
(biomass-burning period, BB period) and low values during March–August
(non-biomass-burning period, non-BB period) every year. Strong correlation
(0.62) was found between FRP and AOD over Australia. Furthermore, the correlation coefficient between
AOD and fire count was much higher (0.63–0.85) during October–January than
other months (−0.08 to 0.47). Characteristics of Australian aerosols showed
pronounced differences between the BB period and non-BB period. AOD values
significantly increased and fine-mode aerosol dominated during the BB period,
especially in northern and southeastern Australia. Carbonaceous aerosol was
the main contributor to total aerosols during the BB period, especially in
September–December when carbonaceous aerosol contributed the most
(30.08 %–42.91 %). Aerosol size distributions showed a bimodal character,
with both fine and coarse aerosol particles generally increasing during the BB
period. The megafires during the BB period of 2019/2020 further
demonstrated the significant impact of wildfires on aerosol properties, such
as the extreme increase in AOD for most of southeastern Australia, the
dominance of fine particle aerosols, and the significant increase in
carbonaceous and dust aerosols in southeastern and central Australia,
respectively. Moreover, smoke was found to be the dominant aerosol type
detected at heights from 2.5 to 12 km in southeastern Australia in December 2019 and
at heights from roughly 6.2 to 12 km in January 2020. In contrast, dust was
detected more frequently at heights from 2 to 5 km in November 2019 and
January and February 2020. A case study emphasized that the transport of
biomass-burning aerosols from wildfire plumes in eastern and southern
Australia significantly impacted the aerosol loading, aerosol particle size,
and aerosol type of central Australia.
Urbanization and industrialization have spurred air pollution, making it a global problem. An understanding of the spatiotemporal characteristics of PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations (particulate matter ...with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5 μm and 10 μm, respectively) is necessary to mitigate air pollution. We compared the characteristics of PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations and their trends of China, India, and the U.S. from 2014 to 2017. Particulate matter levels were lowest in the U.S., while China showed higher concentrations, and India showed the highest. Interestingly, significant declines in PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations were found in some of the most polluted regions in China as well as the U.S. No comparable decline was observed in India. A strong seasonal trend was observed in China and India, with the highest values occurring in winter and the lowest in summer. The opposite trend was noted for the U.S. PM2.5 was highly correlated with PM10 for both China and India, but the correlation was poor for the U.S. With regard to reducing particulate matter pollutant concentrations, developing countries can learn from the experiences of developed nations and benefit by establishing and implementing joint regional air pollution control programs.
Background and Purpose
Immunosuppressive drugs have shown great promise in treating autoimmune diseases in recent years. A series of novel oxazole derivatives were screened for their ...immunosuppressive activity. PO‐322 1H‐indole‐2,3‐dione 3‐(1,3‐benzoxazol‐2‐ylhydrazone) was identified as the most effective of these compounds. Here, we have investigated the mechanism(s) underlying the inhibition of T‐cell proliferation in vitro by PO‐322, as well as its effects on the delayed‐type hypersensitivity (DTH) response and imiquimod‐induced dermatitis in vivo.
Experimental Approach
T‐cell proliferation and apoptosis were analysed with flow cytometry. Cell viability was assessed with a CCK‐8 assay. Protein kinase activity was assessed by SelectScreen Kinase Profiling Services. The phosphorylation of signal‐regulated molecules was measured by Western blot. Cytokine levels were determined by elisa. The effect of PO‐322 on DTH and imiquimod‐induced dermatitis was evaluated in BALB/c mice.
Key Results
PO‐322 inhibited human T‐cell proliferation with anti‐CD3/anti‐CD28 mAbs or alloantigen without significant cytotoxicity. Importantly, PO‐322 was a selective inhibitor of the serum‐ and glucocorticoid‐regulated kinase 1 (SGK1) and decreased NDRG1 phosphorylation but not p70S6K, STAT5, Akt, or ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Furthermore, PO‐322 inhibited IFN‐γ, IL‐6, and IL‐17 expression but not IL‐10 expression. Finally, treatment with PO‐322 was safe and effective for ameliorating the DTH response and imiquimod‐induced dermatitis in mice.
Conclusions and Implications
PO‐322 exerted immunosuppressive activity in vitro and in vivo by selectively inhibiting SGK1 activity. PO‐322 represents a potential lead compound for the design and development of new drugs for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.
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BFBNIB, DOBA, FZAB, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
This article investigates the adaptive guaranteed‐performance consensus problem for high‐order nonlinear multi‐agent systems (MASs) with switching topologies, and briefly analyzes the special ...leader‐following situation. To further handle the problem of adaptive guaranteed‐performance consensus for higher‐order nonlinear MASs with switching topologies, two novel distributed control protocols are introduced, which are applied to the leaderless and leader tracking cases, respectively. In addition, the methods based on the linear matrix inequality (LMI) and Riccati inequality provide the judgment basis for the stability of Lyapunov function theorem. Eventually, the theoretical results are efficiently and successfully validated by numerical simulations.
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FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Gut dysbiosis has been found to be involved in the pathogenesis of energy metabolic disorders and might be a new strategy for these ailments. Berberine (BBR), a botanical medicine, shows therapeutic ...efficacy in patients with metabolic diseases. Numerous reports have shown BBR's modulating effect on gut microbiota, opening a new avenue to understand BBR's mechanism. In this study, a colon‐specific delivery system, BBR‐CS/PT‐NP, is investigated by the assembly of pH/gut microflora dual stimuli‐responsive nanoparticles for enhancing the interaction between BBR and gut microbiota. After oral administration, the delivering system remains stable in the stomach and small intestine, followed by a burst release of BBR after reaching the colon segment rich in intestinal bacteria. The enzymes produced by bacteria degrade the nanoparticle, causing direct exposure of BBR to gut microbiota. In the high fat diet‐induced obese hamsters, BBR‐CS/PT‐NP intervention inhibits weight‐gain and fat deposition, decreases plasma lipids and glucose levels, improves inflammation condition and insulin resistance, alleviates hepatic steatosis, at a level significantly higher than the pure BBR does. The mechanisms might be attributable to the enhanced interaction between BBR and the gut flora. The results provide a novel proof‐of‐concept for drug delivery targeting gut microbiota to ameliorate metabolic disorders.
Gut dysbiosis is involved in the pathogenesis of energy metabolic disorders and represents a new strategy for treating these ailments. In this study, a pH/gut microflora dual stimuli‐responsive system, berberine (BBR)‐CS/PT‐NP with colon‐homing and microbiota‐targeting characteristics, is investigated to enhance the interaction between BBR and the gut microbiota. It provides a novel proof‐of‐concept for drug delivery targeting gut microbiota to ameliorate metabolic diseases.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
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