Unlocking the Potential of 2D MoS2 Cathodes for High-Performance Aqueous Al-Ion Batteries: Deciphering the Intercalation Mechanisms.

In recent years, there have been significant advancements in Al-ion battery development, resulting in high voltage and capacity. Traditionally, only carbon-based materials with layered structures and strong bonding capabilities can deliver superior performance. However, most other materials exhibited low discharge voltages of 1.4 V, especially in aqueous Al-ion battery systems lacking anion intercalation. Thus, the development of high-voltage cathode materials has become crucial. This study introduces 2D MoS2 as a high-performance cathode for aqueous Al-ion batteries. The material's interlayer structure enables the intercalation of AlCl4 - anions, resulting in high-voltage intercalation. The resulting battery achieved a high voltage of 1.8 V with a capacity of 750 mAh g-1 , contributing to a high energy density of 890 Wh kg-1 and an impressive retention rate of ≈100% after 200 cycles. This research not only sheds light on the high-voltage anion-intercalation mechanism of MoS2 but also paves the way for the further development of advanced cathode materials in the field of Al-ion batteries. By demonstrating the potential of using 2D MoS2 as a cathode material, this finding can lead to the development of more efficient and innovative energy storage technologies, ultimately contributing to a sustainable and green energy future.

Nephrotoxic effects of iodixanol and iopromide in patients with abnormal renal function receiving N-acetylcysteine and hydration before coronary angiography and intervention: a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: The use of contrast agents during coronary intervention can result in nephropathy, particularly in patients with renal dysfunction. We aimed to determine whether the use of iso-osmolar iodixanol is less nephrotoxic than that of low-osmolar iopromide when patients are adequately prehydrated and have received N-acetylcysteine. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, multicentre study of patients with impaired renal function undergoing a coronary interventional procedure. Primary end-point was the incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) on day 2, defined as an increase in serum creatinine concentration of > or =44 micromol/L (0.5 mg/dL) or by a relative increase of > or =25% from baseline. Secondary end-points included peak increase in serum creatinine between baseline and day 7. RESULTS: Of 191 patients recruited, 15% (95% CI: 8-22) of the patients receiving iopromide and 12% (95% CI: 5-19) of the patients receiving iodixanol developed CIN (95% CI of the difference: 13 to -7, P = 0.56). When including peak serum creatinine on day 7, CIN developed in 23% of patients receiving iopromide and in 27% of patients receiving iodixanol (95% CI of the difference: 8 to -16, P = 0.48). The peak increase in serum creatinine concentration at day 7 was similar in both groups (patients receiving iopromide, 18.4 +/- 24.4 micromol/L, vs patients receiving iodixanol, 21.9 +/- 24.2 micromol/L; P = 0.33). CONCLUSION: There remains a high incidence of CIN despite prehydration and routine use of N-acetylcysteine in patients with pre-existing renal dysfunction undergoing coronary interventional procedures. Although our study is underpowered, iodixanol was not associated with a statistically significant lower incidence of CIN when compared with iopromide.

Degradation of biodiesel under different storage conditions.

This paper aimed to investigate the biodiesel degradation characteristics under different storage conditions. The qualities of twelve biodiesel samples, which were divided into 3 groups and stored at different temperatures and environments, were monitored at regular interval over a period of 52 weeks. Experimental results demonstrated that the biodiesel under test degraded less than 10% within 52 weeks for those samples stored at 4 and 20 degrees C while nearly 40% degradation was found for those samples stored at a higher temperature, i.e. 40 degrees C. The results suggested that high temperature, together with air exposure, greatly increase the biodiesel degradation rate. The temperature or air exposure alone, however, had little effect on biodiesel degradation. Water content in biodiesel will enhance biodiesel degradation due to hydrolysis but its effect is much less than the above two factors.

Changes in regional left atrial function with aging: evaluation by Doppler tissue imaging.

AIMS: This study applies pulsed wave Doppler tissue imaging and colour Doppler tissue imaging to study changes in atrial function with ageing. We tested the following hypotheses: (1) pulsed wave Doppler tissue imaging can detect global changes of left atrial function associated with ageing similar to standard echocardiographic methods, (2) colour Doppler tissue imaging can reproducibly detect regional changes in atrial function (wall motion) of the normal young and normal aging atrium. METHODS AND RESULT: We studied 92 healthy subjects, divided into Group B (>or=50 years) and Group A (<50 years). As a reference standard the conventional measures of atrial function were determined: peak mitral A wave velocity, A wave velocity time integral, atrial emptying fraction and atrial ejection force. Pulsed wave Doppler tissue imaging estimated atrial contraction velocity (A' velocity) in late diastolic and segmental atrial contraction was determined by colour Doppler tissue imaging. A' velocities were significantly higher in Group B vs Group A (9.8+/-1.8 vs 8.5+/-1.5cm/s; P=0.0005). A' velocity correlated with atrial fraction (r=0.28; P=0.007) and atrial ejection force (r=0.21; P=0.04). Age correlated significantly with atrial ejection force (r=0.47; P=0.0001), atrial fraction (r=0.61; P=0.0001) and A' velocity (r=0.4; P=0.0002). Longitudinal segmental atrial contraction using colour Doppler tissue imaging showed an annular to superior segment decremental gradient with contraction velocities higher in Group B vs Group A. CONCLUSION: Pulsed wave Doppler tissue imaging and colour Doppler tissue imaging are reproducible and readily obtained parameters that provide unique data about global and segmental atrial contraction. In this study, changes in atrial contraction with aging were consistent with increased atrial contribution to filling accomplished by augmented atrial contractility.