•Hot extrusion greatly modifies the microstructure of AP65 alloy.•Hot extrusion effectively enhances the discharge performance of AP65 alloy.•The correlation between microstructure and performance of ...AP65 alloy is analysed.
AP65 is a promising magnesium alloy used as anode for high-power seawater activated battery. This alloy is specially required to exhibit a high anodic efficiency and provide a negative discharge potential with a short activation time for the potential to reach the steady value. Here we demonstrate that this is possible, using a hot extrusion at 450°C with an extrusion ratio of 24.5:1. The discharge behaviour of AP65 alloys before and after hot extrusion is investigated by electrochemical techniques. Furthermore, the microstructure evolution during hot extrusion and its impact on the discharge performance of AP65 alloy are also analysed.
Lager-brewing arose in 15th century Bavaria 1 and is nowadays the most popular technique for alcoholic beverage production in the world. The technique is characterized by low temperature fermentation ...using the domesticated yeast Saccharomyces pastorianus (synonym S. carlsbergensis). It has been clear that the lager yeast is a hybrid with one portion of its genome having originated from S. cerevisiae ale yeast 2. However, the source of the non-ale subgenome, which endows lager yeast with cold tolerance, had been a matter of debate 3. Recently, a Patagonian origin hypothesis of lager yeast has been proposed based on the discovery of a new cryotolerant Saccharomyces species from Patagonian native forests of Argentina 4. This yeast, named S. eubayanus, exhibited the closest known match (99.56%) to the non-ale portion of lager yeast and, thus, was believed to be its progenitor. However, we now show that this yeast species is likely native to the Tibetan Plateau. One of the Tibetan populations of the species exhibits closer affinity with lager yeast than the Patagonian population as inferred from population genetics and genome sequence analyses. We thus provide strong evidence for a Far East Asian origin hypothesis of lager yeast, which apparently corresponds better with geography and world trade history.
Bing et al. pinpoint the origin of yeast used for lager brewing to Asia.
Few studies have evaluated the global burden of ischemic heart disease (IHD) in adolescents and young adults (AYAs).
Age-standardized rates (ASRs) of incidence (ASIR), mortality (ASMR) and ...Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) (ASDR) were used to describe the burden of IHD in AYAs. Estimated Annual Percentage Changes (EAPCs) of ASRs were used to describe the trend from 1990 to 2019. Risk factors were calculated by population attributable fractions (PAFs). Analyses were conducted in 2023.
In 2019, the ASIR, ASMR, and ASDR of IHD in AYAs were 26.81 (95% uncertainty interval UI: 20.36–34.54) per 100,000, 7.15 (95% UI: 6.56–7.87) per 100,000 and 409.51 (95% UI: 376.57–449.59) per 100,000. The ASIR and ASMR were higher among men than among women. From 1990 to 2019, the ASIR increased (EAPC=0.18%, 95% CI 0.14%–0.22%), while the ASMR (EAPC=−0.39%, −0.50% to −0.27%) and ASDR (EAPC=−0.40%, −0.52% to −0.29%) decreased. The largest increase in ASIR was observed in countries with a middle sociodemographic index (SDI) (EAPC=0.56%, 0.51%–0.60%). Globally, the proportional contribution of risk factors for DALY varied across regions, with the highest proportions of high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in high SDI regions (PAF=74.26%) and high-middle (PAF=71.30%) and the highest proportions of air pollution in low (PAF=41.79%) and low-middle SDI regions (PAF=40.90%).
The burden of IHD in AYAs remains high globally, and varies by age, sex, (male/female), region, and country. Targeted measures are needed to address the rising burden of IHD in AYAs, focusing on prevention, early diagnosis, and reduction in disparities.
This Perspective article deals with recent computational and experimental findings in boron-based heterocyclic clusters, which focuses on binary B-O and B-S clusters, as well as relevant ternary ...B-X-H (X = O, S, N) species. Boron is electron-deficient and boron clusters do not form monocyclic rings or linear chains. Boron-based heterocyclic clusters are intuitively even more electron-deficient and feature exotic chemical bonding, which make use of O 2p, S 3p, or N 2p lone-pairs for π delocalization over heterocyclic rings, facilitating new cluster structures and new types of bonding. Rhombic, pentagonal, hexagonal, and polycyclic clusters are discussed herein. Rhombic species are stabilized by four-center four-electron (4c-4e) π bonding, that is, the o-bond. An o-bond cluster differs from a typical 4π antiaromatic system, because it has 4π electrons in an unusual bonding/nonbonding combination, which takes advantage of the empty 2p
z
atomic orbitals from electron-deficient boron centers. A variety of examples (notably including boronyl boroxine) possess a hexagonal ring, as well as magic 6π electron-counting, making them new members of the inorganic benzene family. Pentagonal clusters bridge rhombic o-bond systems and inorganic benzenes, but they do not necessarily favor 6π electron-counting as in cyclopentadienide anion. In contrast, pentagonal 4π clusters are stable, leading to the concept of pentagonal o-bond. One electron can overturn the potential energy landscape of a system, enabling rhombic-to-hexagonal structural transition, which further reinforces the idea that 4π electron-counting is favorable for rhombic systems and 6π is magic for hexagonal rings. The bonding analogy between heterocyclic clusters and hydrocarbons goes beyond monocyclic species, which allows rational design of boron-based inorganic analogs of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, including
s
-indacene as a puzzling aromatic/antiaromatic system. Selected linear B-O clusters are also briefly discussed, featuring dual 3c-4e π bonds, that is, ω-hyperbonds. Dual ω-hyperbonds, rhombic or pentagonal o-bond, and inorganic benzenes share a common chemical origin. The field of boron-based heterocyclic clusters is still in its infant stage, and much new chemistry remains to be discovered in forthcoming experimental and theoretical studies.
Boron-based heterocyclic clusters feature rhombic/pentagonal o-bonds, inorganic benzenes, and chemical analogy to hydrocarbons and PAHs. One electron overturns the potential landscape in certain cases.
An ability to develop sequence-defined synthetic polymers that both mimic lipid amphiphilicity for self-assembly of highly stable membrane-mimetic 2D nanomaterials and exhibit protein-like ...functionality would revolutionize the development of biomimetic membranes. Here we report the assembly of lipid-like peptoids into highly stable, crystalline, free-standing and self-repairing membrane-mimetic 2D nanomaterials through a facile crystallization process. Both experimental and molecular dynamics simulation results show that peptoids assemble into membranes through an anisotropic formation process. We further demonstrated the use of peptoid membranes as a robust platform to incorporate and pattern functional objects through large side-chain diversity and/or co-crystallization approaches. Similar to lipid membranes, peptoid membranes exhibit changes in thickness upon exposure to external stimuli; they can coat surfaces in single layers and self-repair. We anticipate that this new class of membrane-mimetic 2D nanomaterials will provide a robust matrix for development of biomimetic membranes tailored to specific applications.
Solution processable flexible transparent electrodes (FTEs) are urgently needed to boost the efficiency and mechanical stability of flexible organic solar cells (OSCs) on a large scale. However, how ...to balance the optoelectronic properties and meanwhile achieve robust mechanical behavior of FTEs is still a huge challenge. Silver nanowire (AgNW) electrodes, exhibiting easily tuned optoelectronic/mechanical properties, are attracting considerable attention, but their poor contacts at the junction site of the AgNWs increase the sheet resistance and reduce mechanical stability. In this study, an ionic liquid (IL)-type reducing agent containing Cl– and a dihydroxyl group was employed to control the reduction process of silver (Ag) in AgNW-based FTEs precisely. The Cl– in the IL regulates the Ag+ concentration through the formation and dissolution of AgCl, whereas the dihydroxyl group slowly reduces the released Ag+ to form metal Ag. The reduced Ag grew in situ at the junction site of the AgNWs in a twin-crystal growth mode, facilitating an atomic-level contact between the AgNWs and the reduced Ag. This enforced atomic-level contact decreased the sheet resistance, and enhanced the mechanical stability of the FTEs. As a result, the single-junction flexible OSCs based on this chemically welded FTE achieved record power conversion efficiencies of 17.52% (active area: 0.062 cm2) and 15.82% (active area: 1.0 cm2). These flexible devices also displayed robust bending and peeling durability even under extreme test conditions.
Several studies in the past decades have reported anti-tumor activity of the bioactive compounds extracted from tea leaves, with a focus on the compound epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). However, ...further investigations are required to unravel the underlying mechanisms behind the anti-tumor activity of EGCG. In this study, we demonstrate that EGCG significantly inhibits the growth of 4T1 breast cancer cells
and
. EGCG ameliorated immunosuppression by significantly decreasing the accumulation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and increasing the proportions of CD4
and CD8
T cells in spleen and tumor sites in 4T1 breast tumor-bearing mice. Surprisingly, a low dose of EGCG (0.5-5 μg/mL) effectively reduced the cell viability and increased the apoptosis rate of MDSCs
. EGCG down-regulated the canonical pathways in MDSCs, mainly through the Arg-1/iNOS/Nox2/NF-κB/STAT3 signaling pathway. Moreover, transcriptomic analysis suggested that EGCG also affected the non-canonical pathways in MDSCs, such as ECM-receptor interaction and focal adhesion. qRT-PCR further validated that EGCG restored nine key genes in MDSCs, including
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
and
. Our results provide new insight into the mechanism of EGCG-associated key pathways/genes in MDSCs in the murine breast tumor model.
Objective. To assess the clinical efficacy of image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) for cervical cancer and its impact on patients’ serum tumor markers and Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) scores. ...Methods. Between August 2018 and July 2020, 94 patients with cervical cancer diagnosed and treated in our hospital were recruited and assigned via the random number table method to receive either IGRT (study group) or conventional radiotherapy (control group), with 47 cases to each group. The primary endpoint was clinical efficacy, and secondary endpoints included serum tumor markers levels and KPS scores. Results. IGRT was associated with a significantly higher efficacy (97.87%) versus convention radiotherapy (74.46%) (P<0.05). IGRT resulted in significantly lower levels of squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-Ag), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen 50 (CA50), and carbohydrate antigen 724 (CA724) versus conventional radiotherapy (P<0.05). The eligible patients after IGRT showed significantly higher KPS scores versus conventional radiotherapy (P<0.05). Conclusion. IGRT enhances the survival of patients with cervical cancer, lowers their serum tumor marker levels, and elevates the KPS scores. Further clinical trials are, however, required prior to clinical promotion.
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