Highly Efficient Phosphazene-Derivative-Based Flame Retardant with Comprehensive and Enhanced Fire Safety and Mechanical Performance for Polycarbonate.

Polycarbonate (PC) as a widely used engineering plastic that shows disadvantages of flammability and large smoke production during combustion. Although many flame-retardant PCs have been developed, most of them show enhanced flame retardancy but poor smoke suppression or worsened mechanical performance. In this work, a novel nitrogen-phosphorus-sulfur synergistic flame retardant (Pc-FR) was synthesized and incorporated into PC with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The extremely low content of PC-FR (0.1-0.5 wt%) contributes significantly to the flame retardancy, smoke suppression and mechanical performance of PC. PC/0.3 wt% Pc-FR/0.3 wt% PTFE (PC-P0.3) shows the UL-94 V-0 and LOI of 33.5%. The PHRR, THR, PSPR, PCO and TCO of PC-P0.3 decreased by 39.44%, 14.38%, 17.45%, 54.75% and 30.61%, respectively. The impact strength and storage modulus of PC-P0.1 increased by 7.7 kJ/m2 and 26 MPa, respectively. The pyrolysis mechanism of PC-P0.3 is also revealed. The pyrolysis mechanism of PC-P0.3 is stochastic nucleation and subsequent growth and satisfies the Aevrami-Erofeev equation. The reaction order of PC-P0.3 is 1/2. The activation energy of PC-P0.3 is larger than PC-0, which proves that the Pc-FR can suppress the pyrolysis of the PC. This work offers a direction on how to design high-performance PC.

Cognition of the warning symptoms and risk factors for cancer among Chinese college students: a cross-sectional study based on a summer social practice activity.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the cognition of cancer warning symptoms and cancer risk factors among Chinese college students, analyze the influencing factors, and explain the correlations between cancer cognition and cancer symptom discrimination, cancer fear and psychological distress. METHODS: Chinese college students were recruited in this cross-sectional study funded by a summer social practice activity in Yunnan Province, China. Cognition rates of cancer warning symptoms and cancer risk factors were evaluated using Cancer Warning symptoms Cognition Questionnaire (CWSCQ) and Cancer Risk Factors Cognition Questionnaire (CRFCQ), respectively. Factors associated with cognition of cancer warning symptoms, and factors associated with cognition of cancer risk factors were evaluated using multiple linear regression analysis. Interactions between cancer cognition, cancer symptom discrimination, psychological distress, and cancer fear were evaluated by structural equation modeling. RESULTS: There were 846 effective samples, with an effective rate of 80.9%. The cognition rates of cancer warning symptoms were from 47.9% to 84.4%, which were affected by cancer symptom discrimination, education, attitudes towards cancer screening, living expenses, drinking history, and ways to obtain cancer knowledge (p < 0.05). The cognition rates of cancer risk factors were from 46.3% to 91.3% in participants, which were affected by education, cancer symptom discrimination, psychological distress, attitudes towards cancer screening, life satisfaction, cancer history in relatives and friends, ways to obtain cancer knowledge, smoking history, and nursing history for cancer patients (p < 0.05). Cancer cognition and cancer symptom discrimination showed intermediary effects on psychological distress and cancer fear (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The overall cancer cognition situation among Chinese college students is not optimistic, which highlights the necessity of improving the cancer health literacy among Chinese college students. With the increasing morbidity and mortality rates of cancer, it is necessary to raise awareness of early detection, and early treatment of cancer among the general public. Health education interventions are helpful to improve cancer health literacy.

Development and reliability and validity test of the Fear of Cancer Scale (FOCS).

OBJECTIVE: To develop a Fear of Cancer Scale (FOCS) for non-cancer populations. METHODS: FOCS was developed by classical measurement theory. A total of 15 college students were invited to conduct semi-structured interviews. Seven experts were invited for expert consultation. A total of 2012 Chinese college students who had completed the electronic questionnaire on WJX.cn platform was included. The reliability and validity of FOCS were verified. Multiple linear regression analysis was adopted to explore the influencing factors of cancer fear among college students and further verify the validity of FOCS. RESULTS: There were 17 items in the FOCS, including two subscales - direct fear (8 items), and indirect fear (9 items). FOCS had good validity and reliability. Multiple linear regression showed that GAD-7 score, CSDS score, negative coping score, positive coping score, guardian's highest education, gender, life satisfaction, nationality and major were the influencing factors of cancer fear (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The 17-item FOCS was a reliable and valid measure to examine the level of cancer fear in non-cancer populations.

Investigation of the potential curative effects of Gui-Zhi-Jia-Ge-Gen decoction on wind-cold type of common cold using multidimensional analysis.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Gui-Zhi-Jia-Ge-Gen decoction (GJGD) is a classical Chinese medicine prescription that has been widely used in clinical practice for centuries. In recent times, TCM has received considerable attention for its potential efficacy in treating a wind-cold type of common cold. However, the effect of the Gui-Zhi-Jia-Ge-Gen decoction on the wind-cold type of common cold is still not fully understood, which presents challenges for both quality control, research and development. Furthermore, the identification of potential pharmacodynamic ingredients (PPIs) is important for developing quality control procedures for industrial and large-scale production. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to investigate the potential curative effect of Gui-Zhi-Jia-Ge-Gen decoction on wind-type of common cold using multidimensional qualitative analysis that combined water-decoction spectrums, in vivo plasma spectrums, and molecular docking to identify key constituents of GJGD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Water-based GJGDs were formulated according to the clinical usage documented in ancient medical texts. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS) was combined with computer-aided modeling screening to identify GJGD PPIs in rats following oral administration. Molecular docking experiments were carried out to predict the binding affinity of the PPIs to tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß). Finally, the active ingredients of GJGD were further validated through pharmacodynamic experiments by assessing their efficacy in treating a wind-cold type of common cold in rats. RESULTS: A total of 61 compounds were identified in the GJGD, 8 of which were detected in rat blood samples, providing stronger evidence for PPIs. Molecular docking also confirmed that these 8 compounds had a better affinity for TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1ß. In animal studies, various doses of the GJGD groups and the positive control groups caused significant elevations (P < 0.05) in the levels of white blood cell count and lymphocyte ratio and caused a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in the monocyte ratio and neutrophilic granulocyte ratio compared to the model group. Organ indexes of the GJGD treated groups were higher than the model group (P < 0.05). Significant neutrophil infiltration, hemorrhage, compensatory vacuole, and interstitium proliferation were observed in the lung tissue of the model group. However, the lung tissues of the various dose groups that received GJGD showed a near normal appearance, except for slight thickening, interstitium proliferation, and compensatory vacuole in some areas. The GJGD was found to be effective against a cold-wind type of common cold, which is in accordance with molecular docking studies suggesting that GJGD may be effective against a cold-wind type of common cold. Finally, based on multidimensional analysis, 8 potential compounds in GJGD were identified as PPIs (puerarin, 3'-hydroxy puerarin, 3'- methoxy puerarin, daidzin, cinnamic acid, paeoniflorin, liquiritin, and glycyrrhizic acid). CONCLUSION: The present study combined water decoction spectral analysis, molecular docking, and in vivo blood plasma spectrum analysis to develop a multidimensional qualitative approach for the development of GJGD and to assess its effectiveness in a wind type of common cold in Sprague Dawley rats. Meanwhile, 8 compounds in the GJGD were identified as PPIs in this study, which may be useful in developing quality standards for complex TCM prescriptions.

Seroepidemiology of Neosporosis in Various Animals in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.

Neosporosis is a worldwide infectious disease caused by intracellular parasite Neospora caninum that is a major pathogen of abortion in cattle and neurological disorders in other hosts. However, limited data are available on animals exposed to N. caninum in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Area (QTPA), and little is known about whether animals in the plateau area play an important role in the epidemiology of N. caninum. Therefore, indirect ELISAs based on a combination of NcSAG1 and NcGRA7 antigens were developed to examine both N. caninum-specific IgG and IgM antibodies in Tibetan sheep, yak, cow, pig, cattle, horse, chicken, camel, and donkey from the QTPA in this study. The results showed that all current species present- IgG and IgM-positive animals, and that the overall seroprevalence of N. caninum were 18.6 (703/3,782) and 48.1% (1,820/3,782) for the IgG and IgM antibodies, respectively. Further analysis found significant differences from different altitudes in IgG in Tibetan sheep and IgM in the yak. Hence, the present serological results indicate that the tested animal populations in the QTPA are suffering from N. caninum infections or have become carriers of N. caninum antibodies. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on current N. caninum-infected animals in the QTPA, the first epidemiology of neosporosis in cow and camel in China, and the first record of N. caninum IgM antibodies in all the surveyed animals in China. This study provides the latest valuable data on the epidemiology of neosporosis in China and in plateau areas of the world.

Multifunctional High-Efficiency Additive with Synergistic Anion and Cation Coordination for High-Performance LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 Lithium Metal Batteries.

Safety and high energy density have long restricted the large-scale practical application of lithium metal batteries because of the unbridled growth of lithium dendrites and the rapid deteriorating cycle performance of the LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 (NCM811) cathode. Herein, an additive of RbNO3 with multiple functions is proposed for dendrite-free NCM811 lithium metal batteries. Benefiting from the electrostatic shielding effect formed by Rb+ during the Li+ deposition process and the solvation effect of NO3- to regulate lithium deposition, a high Coulombic efficiency of 95.02% (compared with the low Coulombic efficiency of 89.37% in the blank electrolyte) is acquired in Li//Cu cells, and the uniform growth of the lithium metal deposition with a large strawberry-like morphology is achieved. Moreover, when a cathode of NCM811 matches with a lithium metal anode, an extraordinary capacity retention of 93.67% after 200 cycles with a high Coulombic efficiency of 99.7% in the electrolyte with the RbNO3 system (a capacity retention of 80.1% with a Coulombic efficiency of 98.0% for the blank electrolyte) is achieved at 1C. This work provides guidance for the development of high-efficiency additives with dual synergistic regulation effects of anions and cations for lithium metal batteries in the future.

A metal-organic framework template derived hierarchical Mo-doped LDHs@MOF-Se core-shell array electrode for supercapacitors.

Herein, we have managed to conceive and fabricate a core-shell structured triangle-like array, where a selenylation-treated MOF array was grown in situ on a conducting substrate as a highly conductive framework to support a high loading of Mo-doped nickel-cobalt LDH nanoflakes. This hierarchical electrode integrates the advantages of a defect-rich electronic state, large active area and rich reaction sites, delivering a high areal capacity of 5.16 C cm-2 and a high rate capability.

Controllable Core-Shell BaTiO3@Carbon Nanoparticle-Enabled P(VDF-TrFE) Composites: A Cost-Effective Approach to High-Performance Piezoelectric Nanogenerators.

Piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENGs), as a promising solution to harvest mechanical energy from ambient environment, have attracted much attention over the past decade. Here, the core-shell structured BaTiO3@Carbon (BT@C) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by a simple surface-modifying method and then used to fabricate the efficient PENGs with poly[(vinylidene fluoride)-co-trifluoroethylene] (P(VDF-TrFE)). The carbon shell with the uniform thickness of 10-15 nm can increase the content of the polar ß phase in P(VDF-TrFE) and significantly enhance the interfacial polarization between BT NPs and the polymer matrix during the poling process. Out of all compositions, the 15 wt % BT@C/P(VDF-TrFE) PENG exhibited the optimal piezoelectric performance with an output voltage of ∼17 V and a maximum power of 14.3 µW under bending-releasing mode. More importantly, the PENG can also efficiently harvest other types of mechanical energy from human activities and exhibits stable output after 1500 bending-releasing cycles. When the PENG was bent and beat by bicycle spokes, a peak voltage of 16 V was generated, which can light up 12 white LEDs directly and charge the commercial capacitors. Our research provides a new strategy to fabricate flexible and efficient PENGs from a nanoscale viewpoint; it can be hopefully applied in energy-harvesting systems and wearable electric sensors.

A mutually stabilized host-guest pair.

By using click chemistry, a hexacationic cage was synthesized. The cage contains two triscationic π-electron-deficient trispyridiniumtriazine (TPZ3+) platforms that are bridged in a face-to-face manner by three ethylene-triazole-ethylene linkers. A diversity of π-electron-rich guests can be recognized within the pocket of the cage, driven by host-guest π-π interactions. The cage cavity acts as a protecting group, preventing an anthracene guest from undergoing Diels-Alder reaction. Under ultraviolet (UV) light, the pyridinium C─N bonds in TPZ3+ platforms are polarized and weakened, resulting in the occurrence of cage decomposition via ß-elimination. Guest recognition could help to prevent this UV-stimulated cage decomposition by suppressing the excitation of the TPZ3+ units.

NiCo2O4/NiCoP nanoflake-nanowire arrays: a homogeneous hetero-structure for high performance asymmetric hybrid supercapacitors.

Transition metal phosphides (TMPs) represent an important class of compounds with metalloid characteristics and good electrical conductivity, which are of great benefit to enhance electrochemical performances. Thus it is important to clarify the correlation between the electrochemical properties and the phosphating degree of the precursor. Herein, we report a superior electrode for battery-like capacitors based on NiCo2O4/NiCoP hetero-structure nanoflake-nanowire arrays grown on nickel foams using a one-pot facile hydrothermal approach and a controllable phosphorization treatment method. The Ni-Co precursor nanoflake-nanowire array based electrode treated with 500 mg NaH2PO2 shows significantly improved electrochemical performances with an ultrahigh specific capacitance of 2288.8 F g-1 and 1644 F g-1 at a current density of 1 A g-1 and 20 A g-1, respectively. The electrode also shows superior cycling stability. In addition, the NiCo2O4/NiCoP//AC device exhibits a relatively high energy density of 35.5 W h kg-1 at 750.4 W kg-1. The results suggest that this NiCo2O4/NiCoP nanoflake-nanowire array is a promising electrode material for high performance hybrid supercapacitor applications.

An RNA-Seq transcriptome analysis revealing novel insights into aluminum tolerance and accumulation in tea plant.

MAIN CONCLUSION: The tea plant ( Camellia sinensis L. O. Kuntze) is a high aluminum (Al) tolerant and accumulator species. Candidate genes related to Al tolerance in tea plants were assembled based on de novo transcriptome analysis. The homologs implied some common and distinct Al-tolerant mechanism between tea plants and rice, Arabidopsis and buckwheat. In addition to high Al tolerance, the tea plant exhibits good performance exposure to a proper Al level, and accumulates high Al in the leaves without any toxicity symptom. Therefore, Al was considered as a hyperaccumulator and beneficial element for tea plants. However, the whole-genome molecular mechanisms accounting for Al-tolerance and accumulation remain unknown in tea plants. In this study, transcriptome analysis by RNA-Seq following a gradient Al-level exposure was assessed to further reveal candidate genes involved. Totally more than 468 million high-quality reads were generated and 213,699 unigenes were de novo assembled, among which 8922 unigenes were all annotated in the seven databases used. A large number of transporters, transcription factors, cytochrome P450, ubiquitin ligase, organic acid biosynthesis, heat shock proteins differentially expressed in response to high Al (P ≤ 0.05) were identified, which were most likely ideal candidates involved in the Al tolerance or accumulation. Furthermore, a few of the candidate Al-responsive genes related to Al sequestration, cell wall modification and organic acid excretion have been well elucidated as was already found in Arabidopsis, rice, and buckwheat. Thus, some consistent Al-tolerance mechanisms across the species are indicated. In conclusion, the transcriptome data provided useful insights of promising candidates for further characterizing the functions of genes involved in Al tolerance and accumulation in tea plants.