Unlocking Charge Transfer Limitations for Extreme Fast Charging of Li-Ion Batteries.

Extreme fast charging (XFC) of high-energy Li-ion batteries is a key enabler of electrified transportation. While previous studies mainly focused on improving Li ion mass transport in electrodes and electrolytes, the limitations of charge transfer across electrode-electrolyte interfaces remain underexplored. Herein we unravel how charge transfer kinetics dictates the fast rechargeability of Li-ion cells. Li ion transfer across the cathode-electrolyte interface is found to be rate-limiting during XFC, but the charge transfer energy barrier at both the cathode and anode have to be reduced simultaneously to prevent Li plating, which is achieved through electrolyte engineering. By unlocking charge transfer limitations, 184 Wh kg-1 pouch cells demonstrate stable XFC (10-min charge to 80 %) which is otherwise unachievable, and the lifetime of 245 Wh kg-1 21700 cells is quintupled during fast charging (25-min charge to 80 %).

[Effects of Vegetation Restoration on the Structure and Function of the Rhizosphere Soil Bacterial Community of Solanum rostratum].

Invasive plants can change soil microbial communities and therefore promote invasion. While vegetation restoration has been adopted in certain infested lands to curb the invasion of Solanum rostratum, changes in the composition and function of rhizosphere soil bacterial communities of the species before and after the restoration has not yet been reported. In this study, two vegetation combinations used in previous studies were selected as candidates:Astragalus adsurgens+Elymus dahuricus+Bromus inermis (T1) and A. adsurgens+Festuca arundinacea+Agropyron cristatum+Leymus chinensis (T2). Rhizosphere soil samples were collected from each combination (T1 and T2), a S. rostratum invaded area (SR), and the native plant (NP) control to analyze the bacterial community structure and diversity using 16S rDNA gene sequencing on the Illumina MiSeq platform. PICRUSt was further used to predict the functional abilities of soil bacterial communities. Results of 16S rDNA gene sequencing showed that both the Simpson and Chao1 indices were higher in the SR treatment than in the NP treatment, but neither reached a significant level, although both indices decreased significantly after vegetation restoration (T1 and T2; P<0.05). The relative abundance of Microvirga, Skermanella, and Sphingomonas from phylum Proteobacteria and Bryobacter from the phylum Acidobacteria were significantly lower in the SR treatment (P<0.05) when compared with the NP treatment and higher in restoration treatments (T1 and T2). The RDA analysis showed that soil organic matter (OM), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), total potassium (TK), and available potassium (AK) were important factors affecting the composition of the bacterial community. Based on the PICRUSt analysis of soil bacterial community functions, the relative abundance of gene families related to biosynthesis of amino acids, purine metabolism, pyrimidine metabolism, ribosome, and aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis were higher in the rhizosphere samples of the SR treatment than those of the NP treatment and reduced significantly after vegetation restoration (T1 and T2; P<0.05). The structure and function of rhizosphere soil bacterial community of S. rostratum and vegetation restoration were analyzed and provided a theoretical basis for the invasion mechanism and ecological restoration of S. rostratum.

[Variation Characteristics and Source Analysis of Carbonaceous Aerosols in Winter in Jiashan].

Organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), and PM2.5 concentration data obtained from Shanxi Super Station in Jiashan County of Jiaxing City, in the winter of 2018 and 2019, were analyzed to determine the variation and potential source areas of carbonaceous aerosols. The results show that OC concentrations in the winter of 2018 and 2019 were 6.90 µg·m-3 and 5.63 µg·m-3, respectively, while EC concentrations were 2.47 µg·m-3 and 1.57 µg·m-3, respectively. The concentrations of OC and EC in the winter of 2019 were lower than those in the winter of 2018, by approximately 18.4% and 36.4%, respectively. In 2018 and 2019, the concentrations of secondary organic carbon (SOC), calculated using the minimum R-squared (MRS) method, were 1.49 µg·m-3 and 1.97 µg·m-3, respectively, and the concentrations of primary organic carbon (POC) were 5.41 µg·m-3 and 3.66 µg·m-3, respectively. The proportion of POC in OC showed a downward trend, from 96.0% in December 2018 to 64.9% in February 2020, indicating a decrease of 31.1 percentage points. SOC showed an upward trend, increasing by 31.1 percentage points from 4.0% in December 2018 to 35.1% in February 2020. It is worth noting that with the increase in PM2.5 concentration, the concentration of OC and EC increased by 474.7% and 408.2%, respectively, although the proportion of OC in PM2.5 decreased from 18.8% to 12.3%. and the percentage of OC decreased from 5.8% to 3.3%. The contribution of POC to PM2.5 did not fluctuate, and only decreased significantly above 150 µg·m-3, while the contribution of SOC to PM2.5 first decreased and then increased. In Jiaxing, the potential sources of OC and EC were mainly southern Jiangsu, southeastern Anhui, local Jiaxing, and northern Zhejiang. In the winter of the contribution concentrations of OC and EC in the main potential source regions were approximately 2 µg·m-3 and 6 µg·m-3 lower, respectively, than in winter 2018. The range of high values in the potential source regions also decreased in 2019. Before the COVID-19 epidemic, it was affected by both motor vehicle exhaust emissions and coal burning. During the Spring Festival and home isolation, due to traffic control and other reasons, motor vehicle emissions were reduced, which leaving coal burning as the main contributor.

[Effects of anti-gene and antisense therapeutics on human prostate cancer xenograft in nude mice].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of triple-helix forming oligonucleotide (TFO) and antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) on androgen receptor (AR) expression and tumor growth of human prostate cancer xenografts in nude mice. METHODS: Thirty-two nude mice were inoculated with human prostate cancer cells of the line LNCaP-C4-2 were randomized into 4 equal groups: TFO treatment group, undergoing intra-tumor injection of TFO at the dose of 25 mgxkg(-1)x(2d)(-1) for 14 times, ASO treatment group, undergoing intra-tumor injection of ASO at the same dose for 14 times, SCO group, undergoing intra-rumor injection of sequence control oligonucleotide (SCO) at the same dose for 14 times, and control group. The body weight and xenograft tumor volume of the nude mice were monitored during the therapy. 28 days later venous blood samples were collected to measure the level of prostate specific antigen (PSA) by radioimmunoassay and then the mice were killed with their tumors taken out to measure the weight, and RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and radioligand binding assay were used to detect the AR gene mRNA and protein expression in the tumor tissues. RESULTS: By the end of experiment the volumes and weights of tumor of the ASO and ASO groups were all significantly lower than those of the control group (all P < 0.01) with the inhibition rates of 67.55% and 41.06% respectively, and the volumes and weights of tumor of the TFO group were all significantly lower than those of the ASO group (all P < 0.05). The tumor weight and AR expression levels of TFO group were significantly lower than those of ASO group (P < 0.05). The serum PSA level of TFO group was (6.6 +/- 1.0) ng/ml, significantly lower than that of the ASO group [(19.8 +/- 3.7) ng/ml, P < 0.05]. The mRNA and protein expression levels of AR of the TFO group were significantly lower than those of the other groups (all P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in all the above mentioned markers between the SCO and control groups (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: TFO shows significantly higher inhibitory effect on AR expression and tumor growth of human prostate cancer xenograft than ASO, and is a promising agent for prostate cancer gene therapy.

[Modeling Study of A Typical Summer Ozone Pollution Event over Yangtze River Delta].

WRF/Chem model was used to analyze the temporal and spatial distribution characteristics and physical and chemical mechanism of a typical summer ozone pollution event over Yangtze River Delta (YRD). The result showed that the model was capable of reproducing the temporal and spatial distribution and evolution characteristics of the typical summer ozone pollution event over YRD. The YRD region was mainly affected by the subtropical high-pressure control, and the weather conditions of sunshine, high temperature and small wind were favorable for the formation of photochemical pollution on August 10-18, 2013. The results of simulation showed that the spatial and temporal distribution of O3 was obviously affected by the meteorological fields, geographic location, regional transport and chemical formation over YRD. The sensitivity experiment showed that the O3 concentration affected by maritime airstream was low in Shanghai, but the impact of Shanghai emissions on the spatial and temporal distribution of O3 concentration over YRD was significant; The main contribution of the high concentration of O3 in Nanjing surface was chemical generation ( alkene and aromatic) and the vertical transport from high-altitude O3, whereas the main contribution of the high concentration of O3 in Hangzhou and Suzhou was physics process. The influence of the 15:00 peak concentration of O3 over YRD was very obvious when O3 precursor was reduced at the maximum O3 formation rate (11-13 h).

[Comparative analysis methods of haze distinction over Yangtze River Delta Region ].

It is crucial to compare the difference and applicability of different haze discrimination methods and its criteria in haze study. Due to the requirement of methods and limitation of data, 4 common methods in two views of regional and temporal in one site are analyzed and studied. Based on the meteorological data from 38 observatories from 1980-2009, haze-day and haze-hour number are both counted for each station, employing Method 1 and 2 (with daily mean observation) and Method 3 (with 14:00 observation). The characteristics and applicability of these three methods are also compared and summarized. Statistical results via these methods are all capable to represent the long-term trend of haze, but haze-day numbers counted via these methods show differences, which become less remarkable with decadal changes. Haze days are the most by using Method 1. Method 3 considering the weather phenomenon is more reasonable than Method 1 and 2. According to the data of visibility, relative humidity and PM2.5 concentration in northern Nanjing from May, 2012 to April, 2013, employing 4 haze discrimination methods including the additional one (QX/T 113-2010, i. e. Method 4) , haze-day and haze-hour numbers are counted and compared. The result shows that: the haze-day number obtained employing Method 3 is less than others, while the haze-day number obtained employing Method 4 is between those with Method 1 and 3; using all Methods but Method 3 can distinguish the severity of haze significantly.

[Source apportionment of VOCs in the northern suburb of Nanjing in summer].

Hourly concentrations of ambient volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were sampled in August 2012 in the northern suburb of Nanjing. Emissions of VOCs were analyzed by using PMF (positive matrix factorization) and CPF (conditional probability function). The hourly average mixing ratio of the TVOCs in summer was (33.84 +/- 27.77) x 10(-9), with a bimodal diurnal variation trend. 49.3% of the TVOCs were alkanes, 24.4% were alkenes, 18.5% were aromatics and 7.81% were acetylene. Five sources were identified as summer major contributors to ambient VOCs concentrations by PMF. 33.1% of the total VOCs was attributed to vehicle related emissions, 25.8% to fuel evaporation, 23.2% to industrial emissions, 8.1% to solvent evaporation and 9.7% to plant emissions. For alkanes, vehicle emissions, industrial emissions, fuel and solvent evaporation accounted for 23.7%, 35.3%, 31.3% and 2%, respectively. For alkenes, fuel evaporation accounted for 41.1% , industrial emissions for 18.4%, and vehicle emission for 24.3%. Vehicle emission was the major contributor to aromatics, accounting for 49.2%, followed by solvent evaporation, which accounted for 30.8%.

[Characteristics of VOCs and their photochemical reactivity in autumn in Nanjing northern suburb].

A continuous observation campaign was carried out with the GC5000 volatile organics online monitoring system and the EMS system for one month in November 2011 in the northern suburb of Nanjing, and 56 VOC components and reactive gases (NO(x), CO and O3) were measured. The results showed that the VOC hourly averaged volume fraction in Nanjing northern suburb was about 48.17 x 10(-9), and the minimum value of VOCs occurred at 16:00. The diurnal variation showed a bimodal characteristic, indicating the significant impact of motor vehicle emission. The VOC concentration and O3 concentration exhibited negative correlation in the daytime. The average OH consumption rate of VOCs was approximately 3.26 x 10(-12) cm3 x (molecule x s)(-1), and the largest incremental reactivity was about 3.26 mol x mol(-1); Alkenes contributed the largest-parts of the OH consumption rate (L(OH)) and the ozone formation potential (OFP), followed by aromatics. Although alkanes were the most abundant components of VOCs in the atmosphere, it is not the main contributor of L(OH) and OFP. The key active components in VOCs were ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, m,p-xylene and isoprene, etc. The dominant factor of ozone formation was VOCs in this observation.

[Analysis of the impact of two typical air pollution events on the air quality of Nanjing].

Nanjing and the surrounding area have experienced two consecutive serious air pollution events from late October to early November in 2009. The first event was long-lasting haze pollution, and the second event was resulted from the mixed impact of crop residue burning and local transportation. The effects of regional transport and local sources on the two events were discussed by cluster analysis, using surface meteorological observations, air pollution index, satellite remote sensing of fire hot spots data and back trajectory model. The results showed that the accumulation-mode aerosol number concentrations were higher than those of any other aerosol modes in the two pollution processes. The peak value of aerosol particle number concentrations shifted to large particle size compare with the previous studies in this area. The ratio of SO4(2-)/NO3(-) was 1.30 and 0.99, indicating that stationary sources were more important than traffic sources in the first event and the reverse in the second event. Affected by the local sources from east and south, the particle counts below 0.1 microm gradually accumulated in the first event. The second event was mainly affected by a short-distance transport from northeast and local sources from southwest, especially south, the concentration of aerosol particles was higher than those in other directions, indicating that the sources of crop residue burning were mainly in this direction.

Inhibition of human prostate cancer xenograft growth by 125I labeled triple-helix forming oligonucleotide directed against androgen receptor.

BACKGROUND: The failure of hormone treatment for advanced prostate cancer might be related to aberrant activation of the androgen receptor. We have shown that (125)I labeled triple-helix forming oligonucleotide (TFO) against the androgen receptor gene inhibits androgen receptor expression and cell proliferation of LNCaP prostate cancer cells in vitro. This study aimed at exploring the effects of the (125)I-TFO on prostate tumor growth in vivo using a nude mouse xenograft model. METHODS: TFO was labeled with (125)I by the iodogen method. Thirty-two nude mice bearing LNCaP xenograft tumors were randomized into 4 groups and were intratumorally injected with (125)I-TFO, unlabeled TFO, Na(125)I and normal saline. Tumor size was measured weekly. The tumor growth inhibition rate (RI) was calculated by measurement of tumor weight. The expression of the androgen receptor gene was performed by RT-PCR and immunohistochemical study. The prostate specific antigen (PSA) serum levels were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The tumor cell apoptosis index (AI) was detected by TUNEL assay. RESULTS: Tumor measurements showed that tumor development was significantly inhibited by either (125)I-TFO or TFO, with tumor RIs of 50.79% and 32.80% respectively. (125)I-TFO caused greater inhibition of androgen receptor expression and higher AIs in tumor tissue than TFO. Both the tumor weight and the PSA serum levels in (125)I-TFO treated mice ((0.93 +/- 0.15) g and (17.43 +/- 1.85) ng/ml, respectively) were significantly lower than those ((1.27 +/- 0.21) g and (28.25 +/- 3.41) ng/ml, respectively) in TFO treated mice (all P < 0.05). Na(125)I did not significantly affect tumor growth and androgen receptor expression in tumor tissue. CONCLUSIONS: The (125)I-TFO can effectively inhibit androgen receptor expression and tumor growth of human prostate cancer xenografts in vivo. The inhibitory efficacy of (125)I-TFO is more potent than that of TFO, providing a reference for future studies of antigen radiotherapy.

[Significance of both nuclear and cytosol androgen receptor (AR) in assessment of AR status in prostate carcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Androgen receptor (AR) is closely associated with the genesis,development,treatment and assessment of prognosis of prostate carcinoma (PC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). How to determine the AR status accurately has important clinical significance. This study was designed to investigate the significance of androgen receptor(AR) in cell nucleus for assessment of the AR status of patients with PC and HCC. METHODS: A total of 94 PC and 192 HCC tissues were analyzed for the affinity (KD),cytosol AR (AcR) and nuclear AR(AnR) using radioligand binding assay(RBA). RESULTS: In 94 PC tissues, the Bmax values of AcR and AnR were 58.82+/-34.73 and 543.70+/-249.44 fmol/mg protein which were significantly higher than those of the surrounding tissues (21.63+/-14.89 and 89.20+/-47.32 fmol/mg protein, P< 0.001). The KD values of AcR and AnR were 0.84+/-0.52 and 2.15+/-0.79 nmol/L which were not significantly different as compared with the surrounding tissues(0.78+/-0.49 and 2.24+/-0.84 nmol/L, P >0.50). In 192 HCC tissues, the Bmax values of AcR and AnR were 18.09+/-16.87 and 59.93+/-34.12 fmol/mg protein, which were significantly higher than those of the surrounding tissues (10.87+/-7.60 and 25.54+/-20.10 fmol/mg protein, P< 0.001 ). The KD values of AcR and AnR were 0.76+/-0.57 and 1.89+/-0.74 nmol/L)which were not significantly different as compared with the surrounding tissues(0.69+/-0.48 and 1.94+/-0.88 nmol/L, P >0.50). The ratio of AnR/AcR was also higher (P< 0.001). Of 94 PC tissues, 48.94% were both AcR and AnR positive, being lower than that of the tissues with positive AcR alone (77.66%). Of 192 HCC tissues, 34.09% were both AcR and AnR positive, being also lower than that of AcR positive alone (56.26%). However, 63.01% of PC and 62.03% of HCC AcR-positive tissues were accompanied by AnR-positive. CONCLUSION: Despite the fact that the Bmax of both AcR and AnR increased in PC and HCC tissues as compared to the surrounding tissues, the AnR showed more significant changes. In assessment of the AR status of PC and HCC tissues, it would be more accurate to analyze with both AcR and AnR than with AcR alone.

[Expression of growth hormone receptor in hepatocellular carcinoma and its significance].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) has been proved effective in clinic, such as promoting protein synthesis and decreasing the mortality. But there are still many arguments on whether it can be used in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. rhGH cannot work except that it combines to its own receptor growth hormone receptor (GHR). The current study was designed to explore the expression of GHR in HCC tissues and to investigate the viability of rhGH for HCC treatment. METHODS: Radioreceptor assays were used to determine growth hormone receptor (GHR) in 40 HCC tissues; 6 normal liver tissues were used as control. Receptor binding capacity(RT) and affinity constant(Kd) of GHR were calculated by Scatchard's method; the relationship between RT of GHR in cancer and clinicopathologic factors were also analyzed. RESULTS: The growth hormone- specific singular binding site, namely GHR, was detected respectively in 35 HCC cases and control tissues. The RT and Kd of GHR were 18.5416+/-4.1686 fmol/mg protein and 0.6319+/-0.1978 nmol/L in tumor tissues, 39.5467+/-3.4770 fmol/mg protein and 0.6167+/-0.1007 nmol/L in control tissues, respectively. Compared with the normal liver tissue, RT of GHR in tumor was lower (P< 0.05) but Kd did not show any difference(P >0.05). The RT of the GHR was negatively relevant to the tumor size and disease stage, but was not associated with differentiation of tumor, ages of the patients or whether the patient suffered from cirrhosis at the same time. GHR was undetectable in 5 cases. CONCLUSION: This study showed that most of the HCC tissues express low levels of GHR. Before their functions are well understood, rhGH should be very carefully used in HCC patients.

[Expression of estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor in colorectal cancer: a quantitative study].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: It was indicated that there was relationship between estrogen and colorectal cancer. Estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) were expressed in colorectal cancer tissue. They were measured using immunohistochemistry with various results,but there was little quantitative study. This study was designed to quantitatively measure the expression of ER and PR in tumor tissues and normal mucosas and analyze its relationship with clinicopathological parameters in colorectal cancer. METHODS: ER and PR expression in cytoplasm and nucleus of tumor tissues and normal mucosas from 45 colorectal cancer patients were quantitatively measured using radioligand binding assay (RBA). RESULTS: ER and PR were expressed in all tumor tissues and normal mucosas. In cytoplasm, the ER expression level of tumor tissues was higher than that of normal mucosas; they were 7.96+/-3.69 fmol/mg protein and 4.34+/-2.84 fmol/mg protein (P< 0.01) respectively. And that was the same for PR expression; they were 3.89+/-2.64 fmol/mg protein and 2.50+/-1.73 fmol/mg protein(P< 0.01)respectively. In nucleus, the ER expression level of tumor tissues was higher than that of normal mucosas; they were 18.42+/-8.30 fmol/mg protein and 11.24+/-5.44 fmol/mg protein (P< 0.01)respectively. And that was the same for PR expression, they were 9.36+/-5.90 fmol/mg protein and 7.84+/-7.41 fmol/mg protein (P< 0.05) respectively. There was positive correlation between ER and PR expression in cytoplasm and nucleus of tumor tissues (P< 0.01) respectively,so was in cytoplasm in normal mucosas (P< 0.01) respectively, but not in nucleus (P >0.05). There was correlation between ER expression in tumor tissues and patients' age,and the expression in these people over 45 years old was higher than those less 45 years old (P< 0.05), but no correlation between tumor tissues PR expression and age (P >0.05). There was no correlation between tumor tissues ER, PR expression and sex, staging, tumor location, size, gross and histological type, invasive depth, lymph nodes metastasis, or tumor tissue CEA expression (P >0.05). CONCLUSIONS: ER and PR expression in colorectal tumor tissues were higher than those in normal mucosas, and there was positive correlation between ER and PR expression in tumor tissues. All these indicate that ER in colorectal cancer tissues has some activity. The level of the ER, PR expression in tumor tissue could not predict the malignant biological behaviors of colorectal cancer.