Si-Ni-San alleviates intestinal and liver damage in ulcerative colitis mice by regulating cholesterol metabolism.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Si-Ni-San (SNS), a traditional Chinese medicinal formula derived from Treatise on Febrile Diseases, is considered effective in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases based upon thousands of years of clinical practice. However, the bioactive ingredients and underlying mechanisms are still unclear and need further investigation. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to evaluate the effect, explore the bioactive ingredients and the underlying mechanisms of SNS in ameliorating ulcerative colitis (UC) and associated liver injury in dextran sodium sulphate (DSS)-induced mouse colitis models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effect of SNS (1.5, 3, 6 g/kg) on 3% DSS-induced acute murine colitis was evaluated by disease activity index (DAI), colon length, inflammatory cytokines, hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining, tight junction proteins expression, ALT, AST, and oxidative stress indicators. HPLC-ESI-IT/TOF MS was used to analyze the chemical components of SNS and the main xenobiotics in the colon of UC mice after oral administration of SNS. Network pharmacological study was then conducted based on the main xenobiotics. Flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry techniques were used to demonstrate the inhibitory effect of SNS on Th17 cells differentiation and the amelioration of Th17/Treg cell imbalance. LC-MS/MS, Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and western blotting techniques were performed to investigate the oxysterol-Liver X receptor (LXRs) signaling activity in colon. Targeted bile acids metabolomics was conducted to reveal the change of the two major pathways of bile acid synthesis in the liver, and the expression of key metabolic enzymes of bile acids synthesis was characterized by RT-qPCR and western blotting techniques. RESULTS: SNS (1.5, 3, 6 g/kg) decreased the DAI scores, protected intestinal mucosa barrier, suppressed the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, improved hepatic and splenic enlargement and alleviated liver injury in a dose-dependent manner. A total of 22 components were identified in the colon of SNS (6 g/kg) treated colitis mice, and the top 10 components ranked by relative content were regarded as the potential effective chemical components of SNS, and used to conduct network pharmacology research. The efficacy of SNS was mediated by a reduction of Th17 cell differentiation, restoration of Th17/Treg cell homeostasis in the colon and spleen, and the experimental results were consistent with our hypothesis and the biological mechanism predicted by network pharmacology. Mechanistically, SNS regulated the concentration of 25-OHC and 27-OHC by up-regulated CH25H, CYP27A1 protein expression in colon, thus affected the expression and activity of LXR, ultimately impacted Th17 differentiation and Th17/Treg balance. It was also found that SNS repressed the increase of hepatic cholesterol and reversed the shift of BA synthesis to the acidic pathway in UC mice, which decreased the proportion of non-12-OH BAs in total bile acids (TBAs) and further ameliorated colitis and concomitant liver injury. CONCLUSIONS: This study set the stage for considering SNS as a multi-organ benefited anti-colitis prescription based on the significant effect of ameliorating intestinal and liver damage, and revealed that derivatives of cholesterol, namely oxysterols and bile acids, were closely involved in the mechanism of SNS anti-colitis effect.

A study on properties of electroless Ni-B/MgB2 coatings on AZ91 magnesium alloy.

This study explores MgB2 as a reinforcing agent in electroless deposition on AZ91 magnesium alloy substrates, evaluating its impact on coating properties. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis shows that the amorphous Ni-B coating masks initial magnesium peaks, while MgB2 enhances MgB2O(OH)6, MgB2O5, MgO, and MgB2xOy oxide phases. SEM images illustrate morphological shifts from cauliflower-like Ni-B structures to dendritic and fibrous MgB2 forms, with higher MgB2 concentrations leading to granular structures with randomly oriented crystallites resembling platelets, indicating increased magnesium content. MgB2-reinforced Ni-B coatings exhibited higher hardness than the substrate but lower than as-deposited Ni-B. Friction coefficients initially decreased with Ni-B, increased significantly with 0.1 g MgB2, and decreased with higher reinforcements, remaining higher than substrate and as-deposited Ni-B. MgB2 reinforcement increased surface roughness, causing local agglomerations in 0.5 g MgB2 coatings. Contact angle measurements demonstrated enhanced hydrophilicity due to MgB2's superhydrophilic properties influenced by surface roughness. Antibacterial tests revealed superior properties with 0.1 g MgB2, suggesting a transition to MgB2-enriched structures and influencing material properties. While Ni-B/MgB2 coatings improved over substrate, further research is needed to optimize parameters and understand stabilizer effects. These coatings also exhibited superhydrophilicity and promising antibacterial properties, suggesting potential in advanced surface engineering applications.

Enhanced photocatalytic activity of Bi2MoO6/CdS/Ni ternary heterojunction: Role of Mott Schottky barrier and 2D-2D nanostructure for superior photodegradation of 2-aminophenol.

A unique heterojunction combining Bi2MoO6/CdS with Ni nanoparticles has been synthesized using the solvothermal method. This novel heterojunction, composed of NSs and NRs, was characterized using XRD, Raman, SEM, TEM, STEM, EDX, XPS, UV, and PL techniques. The synthesized heterojunctions exhibited substantial photocatalytic activity towards the degradation of 2-aminophenol, significantly outperforming their single-metal counterparts. The photocatalytic efficiency of the tripartite sheet and rod composite was about 26 and 16 times higher than that of the separate CdS sheets and rods for the reduction of 2-aminophenol. The primary reactive species for photocatalytic degradation were identified as the holes of Bi2MoO6 and the electrons of CdS. The Mott Schottky barrier established between CdS and Ni nanoparticles prevents the transfer of electrons from Ni nanoparticles back to CdS, allowing Ni nanoparticles to efficiently capture electrons and prevent any backward flow. This, in turn, results in enhanced photocatalytic activity. The improved photocatalytic capability is ascribed to the S-scheme heterojunction between Bi2MoO6/CdS, which promotes better separation of electrons and holes. The Mott Schottky barrier between CdS and Ni also ensures a more abundant electron supply for chemical reactions, minimizing potential losses. The 2D-2D nanostructure morphology of Bi2MoO6 and CdS extends the surface area, enhancing light utilization and providing more active reaction sites. The synthesized heterojunction demonstrated impressive stability over three cycles, highlighting its potential for recycling and repeated use.

Cold and Liquid Crystal Properties of Square-Planar Copper(II) Versus Nickel(II)-iminophenolate/naphthalen-2-olate Schiff Base Complexes.

Reaction of  the phenolate or naphthalen-2-olate based Schiff base ligands, (E)-1-((2-ethylphenylimino)methyl)phenol (HL1) or (E)-1-((2-ethylphenylimino)methyl)naphthalen-2-ol (HL2) with nickel(II) and copper(II) acetate provides the complexes bis[(E)-1-((2-ethylphenylimino)methyl)phenolato-ĸ2N,O]Ni/Cu(II), [Ni(L1)2] (1) and [Cu(L1)2] (2), or bis[(E)-1-((2-ethylphenylimino)methyl)naphthalen-2-olato-ĸ2N,O]Ni/Cu(II), [Ni(L2)2] (3) and [Cu(L2)2] (4), respectively. Single crystal X-ray structure determinations for 1, 3 and 4 reveal N2,O2-metal coordination of two chelating Schiff base ligands in a square-planar geometry. Powder X-ray diffractograms confirm the phase purity of the bulk microcrystalline samples. Thermal analyses by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarized light microscopic (PLM) indicate the copper(II) complexes to exhibit cold crystal (2) and liquid crystal (4) property. Cyclic voltammograms suggest an irreversible electrochemical process with two one electron charge transfer processes in N,N-dimethylformamide. Variable temperature magnetic measurements at the solid-state prove the diamagnetic nature of the low-spin Ni2+ centres in 1 or 3, as expected from the square-planar coordination geometry with rather strong ligands. The complexes expose medium level of antioxidant activity in methanol. Optimized geometry and excited state property by DFT/TD-DFT correspond well to the experimental results of the electronic and molecular structure at the ground state.

Ni-Based Materials for Industrial Alkaline Hydrogen Production.

Hydrogen has been recognized as a green energy carrier, which can relieve energy shortage and environmental pollution. Currently, alkaline water electrolysis (AWE) driven by renewable energy to produce large-scale green hydrogen is a mainstream technology. However, tardy cathodic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and stability issue of catalysts make it challenging to meet the industrial requirements. Ni-based materials have attracted wide attention, thanks to their low cost and rich tuning possibilities, and many efforts have focused on their activity and stability. However, due to the significant discrepancy between laboratory and industrial conditions, these catalysts have not been widely deployed in industrial AWE. In this review, we first introduce the differences between laboratory and industrial stage, especially concerning equipment, protocols and evaluation metrics. To shorten these gaps, some strategies are proposed to improve the activity and stability of the Ni-based catalysts. Besides, some key issues related to the catalysts in industrial AWE device are also emphasized, including reverse-current and foreign ions in the electrolyte. Finally, the challenges and outlooks on the industrial alkaline AWE are discussed.

Polyoxometalate-Based Single-Atom Catalyst with Precise Structure and Extremely Exposed Active Site for Efficient H2 Evolution.

Single-atom catalysts with precise structure and extremely high catalytic efficiency remain a fervent focus in the fields of materials chemistry and catalytic science. Herein, a nickel-substituted polyoxometalate (POM) {NiSb6O4(H2O)3[ß-Ni(hmta)SbW8O31]3}15- (NiPOM) with one extremely exposed nickel site [NiO3(H2O)3] was synthesized using the conventional aqueous method. The uniform dispersion of single nickel center with well-defined structure was facilely achieved by anchoring nanosized NiPOM on graphene oxide (GO). The resulting NiPOM/GO can couple with CdS photoabsorber for the construction of low-cost and ultra-efficient hydrogen evolution system. The H2 yield can reach to 2753.27 mmol gPOM-1 h-1, which represents a record value among all the POM-based photocatalytic systems. Remarkablely, an extremely high hydrogen yield of 3647.28 mmol gPOM-1 h-1 was achieved with simultaneous photooxidation of commercial waste plastic, representing the first POM-based photocatalytic system for H2 evolution and waste plastic conversion. This work highlights a straightforward strategy for constructing extremely exposed single-metal site with precise microenvironment by facilely manipulating nanosized molecular cluster to control individual atom.

Fluorine-Tuned Carbon-Based Nickel Single-Atom Catalysts for Scalable and Highly Efficient CO2 Electrocatalytic Reduction.

Electrocatalytic CO2 reduction is garnering significant interest due to its potential applications in mitigating CO2 and producing fuel. However, the scaling up of related catalysis is still hindered by several challenges, including the cost of the catalytic materials, low selectivity, small current densities to maintain desirable selectivity. In this study, Fluorine (F) atoms were introduced into an N-doped carbon-supported single nickel (Ni) atom catalyst via facile polymer-assisted pyrolysis. This method not only maintains the high atom utilization efficiency of Ni in a cost-effective and sustainable manner but also effectively manipulates the electronic structure of the active Ni-N4 site through F doping. The catalyst has also been further optimized by controlling the F states, including convalent and semi-ionic states, by adjusting the fluorine sources involved. Consequently, this catalyst with unique structure exhibited comparable electrocatalytic performance for CO2-to-CO conversion, achieving a Faradaic efficiency (FE) of over 99% across a wide potential range and an exceptional CO evolution rate of 9.5 × 104 h-1 at -1.16 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE). It also delivered a practical current of 400 mA cm-2 while maintaining more than 95% CO FE. Experimental analysis combined with density functional theory (DFT) calculations have also shown that F-doping modifies the electron configuration at the central Ni-N4 sites. This modification lowers the energy barrier for CO2 activation, thereby facilitating the production of the crucial *COOH intermediate.

A first step towards the detection of damage processes in endodontic Ni-Ti alloy files, using acoustic emission.

Despite major instrumental developments over the last decade, endodontic files are still not infallible. It is well known that NiTi rotary files can break without any visible sign of deformation. Instrument breakage under combined flexion-torsion loading is still common in clinical practice. Unfortunately, breakage of this type of instrument mainly occurs in narrow canals, through pinching in the apical region. When such an incident occurs, the endodontist must adopt a debris retrieval strategy that is both stressful and not guaranteed success. This study proposes a new method for experimental damage detection leading to the fracture of Ni-Ti shape memory alloy endodontic files. It is based on the acoustic emission (AE) technique and mechanical parameters measured in real-time and image analysis. It has been shown that the AE results correlate with the damage observations and torque and force measurements recorded during the tests. Having carried out numerous root canal treatment on resin blocks, it appears that this new detection and analysis technique can be used to analyze and anticipate the first signs of damage leading to endodontic file failure. The technological development of such a method, at the level of the engine itself, associated with the act in service procedure, would constitute a revolution in the field of endodontics.

The effect of cobalt alloying on the phase transformation kinetics of Ni-Ti alloys.

This study investigates the influence of cobalt (Co) alloying addition and heat treatment temperature on the phase transformation behaviour controlling the superelasticity and shape memory effect (SME) of Nickel-Titanium (Ni-Ti) alloys, commonly known as nitinol. The microstructural evolution upon heat treatment conducted at a temperature ranging from 440 to 560 °C was thoroughly analyzed via Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). Increase in heat treatment temperatures from 470 °C up to 530 °C led to the dissolution of particles present in as-received (cold-worked) condition. It was determined that Co addition into the Ni-Ti alloy system resulted in a change in the nucleation and growth kinetics of Ti-rich precipitates, leading to the formation of larger and fewer particles during processing. Both binary and ternary alloys showed a decrease in austenite finish temperature (Af) with increasing heat treatment temperatures, however, the rate of decrease was found to be higher for Co containing ternary alloys. This is linked with faster structural relaxation when Co is present and evidenced by lattice size variation during heat treatment. It is highlighted that heat treatment methodology needs to be tailored to the specific alloy composition for controlling superelasticity and SME via alloy design.

Pulsed electroplating of ZrO2-reinforced Ni-Cr alloy coatings from the duplex complexing agents-containing bath for engineering applications: Importance of operating conditions.

The progress in tribocorrosion performance of the engineering parts is in dire need of improving their surface properties. In the present contribution, Ni-Cr-ZrO2 layers were electrodeposited on St37 steel. The stress was put on optimizing the process factors, including the parameters involved in pulsed current electrodeposition and level of the ZrO2 reinforcing nanoparticles (0-20 g/L) in the bath. The surface characteristics of the electrodeposits were evaluated using FESEM, EDS, AFM, and XRD. The tribomechanical characteristics of the films were determined using a Vickers microhardness tester and pin-on-disk apparatus. The electrochemical behavior of the samples was studied using OCP, EIS, PDP, and immersion techniques. The results demonstrated that the included ZrO2 nanoparticles led to more homogenous, rougher, and defect-free surfaces, while they did not change the phase composition of the alloy electrodeposits. The polarization resistance of the Ni-Cr alloy coating increases by 6.7 times when 10 g/L of the reinforcing nanoparticles is added to the electrolyte. A decrease of ≈42 % in the mean COF value was obtained by the incorporation of 10 g/L ZrO2 nanoparticles into the plating bath. The coating system developed holds the promise to address both technical requirements and health concerns.

Atomic Layer Deposition of Nickel Using Ni(dmamb)2 and ZnO Adhesion Layer Without Plasma.

In this study, a novel deposition technique that utilizes diethylzinc (C4H10ZnO) with H2O to form a ZnO adhesion layer was proposed. This technique was followed by the deposition of vaporized nickel(II) 1-dimethylamino-2-methyl-2-butoxide (Ni(dmamb)2) and H2 gas to facilitate the deposit of uniform layers of nickel on the ZnO adhesion layer using atomic layer deposition. Deposition temperatures ranged from 220 to 300 °C. Thickness, composition, and crystallographic structure results were analyzed using spectroscopic ellipsometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. An average growth rate of approximately 0.0105 angstroms per cycle at 260 °C was observed via ellipsometry. Uniform deposition of ZnO with less than 1% of Ni was displayed by utilizing the elemental analysis function via SEM, thereby providing high-quality images. XPS revealed ionizations consistent with nickel and ZnO through the kinetic and binding energies of each detected electron. XRD provided supplemental information regarding the validity of ZnO by exhibiting crystalline attributes, revealing the presence of its hexagonal wurtzite structure.

Zinc Vaporization Induced Formation of Desired Ni Nanoparticles Coated with Ultrathin Carbon Shells for Efficient Electrocatalytic H2 Production Coupling with Methanol Upgrading.

The integration of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) with the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) has been demonstrated to be a viable strategy for the energy-saving generation of H2 and value-added formate, which relies primarily on highly active and cost-effective bifunctional electrocatalysts. Herein, an efficient electrocatalyst consisting of controllable Ni nanoparticles (NPs) coated with ultrathin graphitic carbon shells was obtained by the pyrolysis of a Ni-Zn metal-organic framework. Intriguingly, we found that zinc vaporization not only resulted in the relatively small Ni NPs but also ultrathin carbon shells (≤3 layers). The density functional theory simulations confirmed that these ultrathin carbon shells significantly influenced electrocatalytic activity by facilitating electron transfer from the Ni core to the carbon shell. The optimized Ni1(Zn)@C demonstrated high catalytic activity for both HER and MOR, and only a low potential of 97 mV at 10 mA cm-2 was required for HER and 1.48 V at 30 mA cm-2 for MOR. In a two-electrode electrocatalytic cell measurement, a cell voltage of 1.63 V was observed at 10 mA cm-2 in the presence of methanol, 240 mV lower than that without methanol.

Nanoarchitectonics of Fe-Doped Ni3S2 Arrays on Ni Foam from MOF Precursors for Promoted Oxygen Evolution Reaction Activity.

Oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is a critical half-reaction in electrochemical overall water splitting and metal-air battery fields; however, the exploitation of the high activity of non-noble metal electrocatalysts to promote the intrinsic slow kinetics of OER is a vital and urgent research topic. Herein, Fe-doped Ni3S2 arrays were derived from MOF precursors and directly grown on nickel foam via the traditional solvothermal way. The arrays integrated into nickel foam can be used as self-supported electrodes directly without any adhesive. Due to the synergistic effect of Fe and Ni elements in the Ni3S2 structure, the optimized Fe2.3%-Ni3S2/NF electrode delivers excellent OER activity in an alkaline medium. The optimized electrode only requires a small overpotential of 233 mV to reach the current density of 10 mA cm-2, and the catalytic activity of the electrode can surpass several related electrodes reported in the literature. In addition, the long-term stability of the Fe2.3%-Ni3S2/NF electrode showed no significant attenuation after 12 h of testing at a current density of 50 mA cm-2. The introduction of Fe ions could modulate the electrical conductivity and morphology of the Ni3S2 structure and thus provide a high electrochemically active area, fast reaction sites, and charge transfer rate for OER activity.

Ni-Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction Toward Ethanol.

The electroreduction of CO2 offers a sustainable route to generate synthetic fuels. Cu-based catalysts have been developed to produce value-added C2+ alcohols; however, the limited understanding of complex C-C coupling and reaction pathway hinders the development of efficient CO2-to-C2+ alcohols catalysts. Herein, a Cu-free, highly mesoporous NiO catalyst, derived from the microphase separation of a block copolymer, is reported, which achieves selective CO2 reduction toward ethanol with a Faradaic efficiency of 75.2% at -0.6 V versus RHE. The dense mesopores create a favorable local reaction environment with CO2-rich and H2O-deficient interfaces, suppressing hydrogen evolution and maximizing catalytic activity of NiO for CO2 reduction. Importantly, the C1-feeding experiments, in situ spectroscopy, and theoretical calculations consistently show that the direct coupling of *CO2 and *COOH is responsible for C-C bond formation on NiO, and subsequent reduction of *CO2-COOH to ethanol is energetically facile through the *COCOH and *OC2H5 pathway. The unconventional C-C coupling mechanism on NiO, in contrast to the *CO dimerization on Cu, is triggered by strong CO2 adsorption on the polarized Ni2+-O2- sites. The work not only demonstrates a highly selective Cu-free Ni-based alternative for CO2-to-C2+ alcohols transformation but also provides a new perspective on C-C coupling toward C2+ synthesis.

Surface Coating of Nickel-Titanium (Ni-Ti) Pediatric Rotary File Using Graphene Oxide: A Scanning Electron Microscopy Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of endodontic files relies significantly on the characteristics of the outermost layer, which can be greatly improved through suitable surface treatments and appropriate coatings. Graphene-based materials (GBMs) have been utilized to fabricate nanocomposite coatings aimed at improving surface characteristics and mechanical behavior, including resilience, sustainability, oxidation resistance, solidity, and traction. AIM: This research aims to study the surface topography of a nickel-titanium (Ni-Ti) pediatric rotary file coated with graphene oxide (GO) using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). METHODS: The study utilized Ni-Ti pediatric rotary instruments that were 16 mm long and had the same ISO tip size of #25. The Ni-Ti pediatric rotary files had a titanium oxide coating that needed to be removed for the application of the GO coating. The GO coating was applied to the files using an electrophoretic deposition (EPD) procedure. Data were gathered to evaluate the surface topography and structural profiles of the GO-coated endodontic files through SEM analysis. RESULTS: SEM imaging showed that the GO coatings consisted of numerous layers of GO sheets, which were uniformly and thoroughly applied to the endodontic instrument. A substantial portion of the GO layers aligned with neighboring layers along the edges, creating a continuous structure. CONCLUSION: GO coatings were effectively applied to Ni-Ti endodontic instruments using EPD. The deposition of the GO coating is consistent throughout the surface of the Ni-Ti rotary instrument.

Effects of Fe addition on the mechanical and corrosive properties of biomedical Co-Cr-W-Ni alloys for balloon-expandable stents.

Co-20Cr-15W-10Ni (mass%, CCWN) alloy is extensively used as a platform material for balloon-expandable stents. In this study, the mechanical properties of CCWN alloy are improved following the addition of Fe, and the effects of Fe addition on the mechanical and corrosive properties of the alloy are investigated. As-cast specimens were fabricated by adding pure Fe to a commercially available CCWN alloy (base alloy) such that the resulting alloys contained 4, 6, and 8 mass% Fe. The as-cast specimens were subjected to homogenization heat treatment at 1523 K for 7.2 ks and then hot-forged at 1473 K (as-forged specimens). The as-forged specimens were cold-rolled at a reduction rate of 30% and heat-treated at 1473 K for 300 s (recrystallized specimens). The matrix of the recrystallized base- and Fe-containing alloys consisted of a single γ (face-centered cubic)-phase. The Fe-added alloys revealed precipitates composed of the η-phase (M6X-M12X-type phase, M: metallic element, X: C and/or N). The average grain size of the recrystallized base and Fe-added alloy specimens was approximately 34 µm and the amount of added Fe had no significant effect on the static recrystallization behavior of the resulting alloys. Alloys containing 6 mass% or more Fe showed improvements in strength and ductility compared with the base alloy. When the Fe-added alloys were compared, their strength decreased whereas their ductility increased when the added Fe increased. Because Fe acts as a γ-phase-stabilizing element for Co, Fe addition increases the stacking fault energy of the base alloy, resulting in the formation of the ε (hexagonal close-packed)-phase owing to the suppression of strain-induced martensitic transformation (SIMT), and improvements in ductility. No deterioration in corrosion resistance was observed following the addition of up to 8 mass% Fe to the base alloy. Based on these results, the addition of Fe to CCWN alloy may be considered an effective method to improve its mechanical properties, especially ductility, without impairing its corrosion resistance. The results of this study will be useful for the future development of Ni-free Co-Cr alloys for next-generation, small-diameter stents.

Structural Regulation Enables High Interfacial Functionality for Ni-Rich Single-Crystalline Cathodes.

Ni-rich single-crystalline layered cathodes have garnered significant attention due to their high energy density and thermal stability. However, they experience severe capacity degradation caused by lattice strain and interfacial side reactions during practical applications. In this study, an effective yttrium modification method is employed to stabilize the structure of Ni-rich single-crystalline LiNi0.83Mn0.05Co0.12O2 (SC-NMC83) to solve these issues. This innovative approach successfully immobilizes oxygen within the material, preventing crack formation while simultaneously broadening the diffusion path of Li+. The yttrium-modified sample (SC-NMC83-Y) exhibits a superior capacity retention compared to the SC-NMC83 sample, with values of 90% and 76.1% after 100 cycles, respectively. This work demonstrates the promising potential of a doping strategy for Ni-rich single-crystalline cathodes and paves a pathway for its practical implementation, such as all-solid-state batteries.

Visible-light enhanced tetracycline degradation via SnO2/TiO2-Ni@rGO ternary heterostructures.

This study explores the synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic performance of a SnO2/TiO2-Ni@rGO nanocomposite for tetracycline (TC) degradation under visible light irradiation. The nanocomposite was precisely designed to enhance structural stability, charge transfer efficiency, and catalytic activity. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the structural integrity of the SnO2/TiO2-Ni@rGO composite, demonstrating excellent reusability and resistance to photo-corrosion after multiple cycles. Photocatalytic experiments revealed that the SnO2/TiO2-Ni@rGO nanocomposite significantly outperformed individual SnO2/TiO2-Ni and rGO catalysts, achieving a remarkable 94.6% degradation of TC within 60 min. The degradation process followed pseudo-first-order kinetics, with a rate constant (k) of 0.046 min-1. The Z-scheme charge transfer mechanism facilitated efficient separation and migration of photogenerated charge carriers, generating reactive oxygen species such as superoxide (•O2 -) and hydroxyl (•OH) radicals crucial for the oxidation of TC. Radical scavenger studies confirmed that superoxide and hydroxyl radicals were the primary active species. The SnO2/TiO2-Ni@rGO composite also exhibited excellent reusability, maintaining high catalytic performance over four consecutive cycles. These findings suggest that the SnO2/TiO2-Ni@rGO nanocomposite is a promising candidate for the efficient and sustainable photocatalytic degradation of persistent organic pollutants like TC, offering significant potential for environmental remediation applications.

Effect of Strain Engineering on the Spin State of the Ni-N4/C Single-Atom Catalyst and Its Consequence in Electrocatalysis.

Strain engineering is an effective strategy to improve the activity of catalysts, especially for flexible carbon-based materials. Nitrogen-coordinated single atomic metals on a carbon skeleton (M-Nx/C) are of interest in catalytic electroreduction reactions due to their high activity and atomic utilization. However, the effect of strain on the structure-activity relationship between the electrochemical activity and the electronic and geometric structures of Ni-Nx/C remains unclear. Here, we found that by applying tensile strain on the Ni-N4/C, the spin state of the single atom can be changed from a low-spin to a high-spin state. Moreover, the energy gap between the highest occupied d orbital of Ni and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital of the adsorbed species narrowed. With an increasing strain rate, the catalytic activity of O2 and CO2 electroreduction can be improved. Especially for the 2e- O2 reduction, the implicit solvent model, constant-potential method, and microkinetic model were used to verify the positive effect of suitable stretching on the catalytic activity from thermodynamic and kinetic viewpoints. This work can reveal the relationship between strain, spin state, and the catalytic activity of Ni-Nx/C.

[Long-term effectiveness of Ni-Ti memory alloy tripod fixator in treatment of Kienböck disease].

Objective: To investigate the long-term effectiveness of Ni-Ti memory alloy tripod fixator in the treatment of Kienböck disease. Methods: The clinical data of 22 patients with Kienböck disease who were treated with Ni-Ti memory alloy tripod fixator between January 2011 and September 2013 and followed up more than 10 years was retrospectively analyzed. There were 14 males and 8 females with an average age of 45 years (range, 20-64 years). The Lichtman staging was stage Ⅲb. According to AO/Association for the Study of Internal Fixation (AO/ASIF) classification, there were 6 cases of type B1, 2 cases of type B2, 10 cases of type B3, and 4 cases of type C2. The disease duration ranged from 18 to 50 months, with an average of 30.7 months. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and complications were recorded. Wrist height ratio and scapholunate angle were measured by wrist anteroposterior and lateral X-ray films before and after operation. The grip strength of bilateral hands was measured by Jamar dynamometer. The wrist pain was evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and the wrist function was evaluated by Mayo score, and the radial deviation, ulnar deviation, dorsiflexion, and palmar flexion range of motion of wrist were measured. Results: The operation time was 45-60 minutes, with an average of 52.21 minutes; the intraoperative blood loss was 50-60 mL, with an average of 58.63 mL. No nerve or blood vessel injury occurred during operation. All patients were followed up 10-13 years (mean, 11.3 years). X-ray films at 3 months after operation showed that the density of lunate bone was lower than that before operation. Satisfactory fusion of the scapho-trapezio-trapezoeid joint was achieved at 3-6 months after operation (mean, 4.5 months), and the wrist height ratio and the scapholunate angle after fusion significantly improved when compared with those before operation ( P<0.05). Wrist pain relieved, scaphoid rotation and dislocation improved, and no radiocarpal joint degeneration was found during follow-up, and no internal fixator loosening, breakage, or lunate bone necrosis occurred. At last follow-up, the wrist radial deviation, ulnar deviation, dorsiflexion, and palmar flexion range of motion, VAS score, and grip strength of the affected side significantly improved when compared with those before operation ( P<0.05); the grip strength of the affected side recovered to 99.00%±1.25% of the healthy side. Mayo score ranged from 72 to 93, with an average of 85; 14 cases were rated as excellent, 5 good, and 3 satisfactory, the excellent and good rate was 86.4%. Conclusion: In the treatment of stage Ⅲb Kienböck's disease, the scapho-trapezio-trapezoeid joint usion using Ni-Ti memory alloy tripod fixator can effectively reduce pain, improve hand function, and prevent further deterioration, and achieve good long-term effectiveness.