Cobalt Nitride Nanoparticles Encapsulated in N-Doped Carbon Nanotubes Modified Separator of Li-S Battery Achieving the Synergistic Effect of Restriction-Adsorption-Catalysis of Polysulfides.

Although lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries have broad market prospects due to their high theoretical energy density and potential cost-effectiveness, the practical applications still face serious shuttle effects of polysulfides (LiPSs) and slow redox reactions. Therefore, in this paper, cobalt nitride nanoparticles encapsulated in nitrogen-doped carbon nanotube (CoN@NCNT) are prepared as a functional layer for the separator of high-performance Li-S batteries. Carbon nanotubes with large specific surface areas not only promote the transport of ions and electrons but also weaken the migration of LiPSs and confine the dissolution of LiPSs in electrolytes. The lithiophilic heteroatom N adsorbs LiPSs by strong chemical adsorption, and the CoN particles with high catalytic activity greatly improve the kinetics of the conversion between LiPSs and Li2S2/Li2S during the charge-discharge process. Due to these advantages, the battery with CoN@NCNT modified separator has superior rate performance (initial discharge capacity of 834.7 mAh g-1 after activation at 1 C) and excellent cycle performance (capacity remains 729.7 mAh g-1 after 200 cycles at 0.2 C). This work proposes a strategy that can give the separator a strong ability to confinement-adsorption-catalysis of LiPSs in order to provide more possibilities for the development of Li-S batteries.

Constructing CoNC coordination in Co9S8 embedded N,S-codoped carbon nanotube as an advanced electrode for supercapacitor and Na-ion battery.

Yolk-shell-structured transition metal sulfides (TMSs)/carbon nanocomposites are highly desirable in advanced energy storage system, such as sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) and supercapacitors (SCs). Nevertheless, practical applications are still prevented by the loose attachment of TMSs with carbon caused by conversion stress, the aggregation of TMSs nanoparticles and the sluggish ion transport caused by high crystallinity of carbon. Here, the disperse hollow Co9S8 nanoparticles encapsulated into N,S-codoped carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with poor crystallinity through CoNC bond was synthesized (CS-NSCNT) to overcome the above obstacles. The designed CS-NSCNT can provide the short diffusion path and prevent the huge volume expansion of conversion reaction. Moreover, the established CoNC bond endows the strong interaction and regulates the electronic structure thus promote the stability and rate performance effectively. The CS-NSCNT SCs's electrode delivers a high specific capacitance of 1150 F g-1 at 1 A g-1, with a high cycling life stability and rate performance. For SIBs, the CS-NSCNT cathode demonstrates an initial reversible capacity of 475 mAh g-1 at 0.1 A g-1 and an excellent rate performance with a capacity retention of 53 % at 10 A g-1. This work may satisfy the long-stability, high-capacitance/capacity, high-power/energy density application requirements of future applications.

Changes in Plant-Based Dietary Quality and Subsequent Risk of Cognitive Impairment Among Older Chinese Adults: a National Community-Based Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: It is unclear how changes in plant-based dietary quality are linked to the subsequent risk of cognitive impairment. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate this relationship using data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. METHODS: A total of 6662 participants free of cognitive impairment in 2008 were included and followed ≤2018. Plant-based dietary quality was assessed by 3 indices: overall plant-based diet index (PDI), healthful PDI (hPDI), and unhealthful PDI (uPDI). Changes in plant-based diet quality from 2008 to 2011 were classified into quintiles. In addition, we assessed incident cognitive impairment (from 2011 to 2018) by using the Mini-Mental State Examination. Cox proportional-hazards models were performed. RESULTS: We recorded 1571 incident cases of cognitive impairment during a median of 10 y of follow-up. Compared with participants whose plant-based diet had no change or was relatively stable over 3 y, the full-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for cognitive impairment were 0.77 (0.64, 0.93), 0.72 (0.60, 0.86), and 1.50 (1.27, 1.77) among participants with a large increase in PDI, hPDI, and uPDI, respectively. The HRs with 95% CI were 1.22 (1.02, 1.44), 1.30 (1.11, 1.54), and 0.80 (0.67, 0.96) among participants with a large decrease in PDI, hPDI, and uPDI, respectively. Every 10-point increase in PDI and hPDI was associated with a 26% and 30% lower risk of cognitive impairment, whereas every 10-point increase in uPDI was associated with a 36% higher risk. CONCLUSIONS: Older adults with increased adherence to an overall plant-based diet and a healthful plant-based diet over 3 y have a lower risk of cognitive impairment, whereas those with increased adherence to an unhealthy plant-based diet had a higher risk of cognitive impairment.

Tunable and switchable multi-wavelength random distributed feedback fiber laser based on SMF and a cascaded Sagnac ring filter.

A tunable and switchable multi-wavelength random distributed feedback fiber laser based on cascaded Sagnac loops is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The random distribution feedback of the laser is provided by the Rayleigh scattering generated by the single-mode fiber (SMF). The cascaded Sagnac loops act as a filter and a reflector in the half-open cavity laser. The single-, dual-, three-, and four-wavelength channels can be realized by adjusting the angle of the polarization controller at the pump power of 300 mW. In the single-, dual-, and three-wavelength channels, the wavelength spacing can be maintained, and the laser wavelength position can be changed at the same time. The maximum wavelength tuning ranges of single-, dual-, and three-wavelength outputs are about 4.5 nm, 2.6 nm, and 1 nm, respectively. The proposed multi-wavelength random fiber laser has the advantages of simple structure and low threshold, and it has good application prospects in remote sensing and imaging systems.

The use of GRADE approach in Cochrane reviews of TCM was insufficient: a cross-sectional survey.

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a cross-sectional survey on the application status of the Grades of Recommendations Assessment Development and Evaluation (GRADE) in Cochrane systematic reviews (CSRs) of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: We searched CSRs of TCM from the inception to December 2020 in the Cochrane Library database. General characteristics and details of GRADE were extracted. RESULTS: Among 226 CSRs of TCM, 86 (38.05%) involving 711 outcomes used GRADE to rate the certainty of evidence. Topics mainly focused on genitourinary diseases (17.44%), diseases of the musculoskeletal system or connective tissue (11.63%), and diseases of the nervous system (10.47%). Only 15.89% of the outcomes reported high or moderate certainty of evidence. Acupuncture was the most common intervention. There were no significant differences in evidence certainty between acupuncture and non-acupuncture, between TCM alone and integrated Chinese and western medicine, or between Chinese patent medicines and non-Chinese patent medicines (P > 0.05). Among 1 273 instances of downgrading, 44.62% were due to the risk of bias and 40.14% due to imprecision. CONCLUSION: Overall, GRADE approach is not widely used in CSRs of TCM. The certainty of evidence is generally low to very low, mainly because of the serious risk of bias and imprecision.

Long Noncoding RNA X-Inactive Specific Transcript Facilitates Cellular Functions in Melanoma via miR-139-5p/ROCK1 Pathway.

PURPOSE: Although X-inactive specific transcript (XIST) is known to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of melanoma, the mechanisms through which this remains unclear. METHODS: RNAseq, immunohistochemistry, and qRT-PCR were used to identify the levels of XIST, miR-139-5p, and Rho-Associated Coiled-Coil Containing Protein Kinase-1 (ROCK1) in melanoma tissues and cells. A subcellular fractionation assay was used to determine the location of XIST. CCK-8 and colony formation assays were used to evaluate cellular proliferation. Cell migration and wound healing assays were used to detect the effects on cell migration. RNA pull-down was used to confirm the interaction between XIST and miR-139-5p. Besides, the xenograft tumor experiment was performed to further verify the roles of XIST in melanoma. RESULTS: In this study, an increased level of XIST was revealed in melanoma tissues and cells, which was associated with higher TNM stage and positive lymph node metastasis. XIST was found to function as a "molecular sponge" of miR-139-5p to facilitate cellular functions. Moreover, these consequences could be partially reversed by inhibition of miR-139-5p. MiR-139-5p was found to target ROCK1 directly, leading to suppression of ROCK1 expression; this effect could be partially reversed by inhibiting XIST expression. Furthermore, the deletion of ROCK1 induced anti-oncogenic effects similar to those seen with knockout of XIST. Upregulation of miR-139-5p and knockdown of XIST could inhibit cell functions in melanoma. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggested that the lncRNA XIST facilitates cellular functions in melanoma via the miR-139-5p/ROCK1 pathway.

Exercise Training for Improving Patient-Reported Outcomes in Patients With Advanced-Stage Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

CONTEXT: Patients with advanced-stage cancer often suffer many physical and psychological symptoms. Exercise has been shown to improve quality of life (QoL), decrease cancer-related symptoms, and maintain or improve functional status in cancer survivors or patients with early stage cancer. However, the effect of exercise on these outcomes in patients with advanced-stage cancer is unclear. OBJECTIVES: This meta-analysis aimed to assess the effectiveness of exercise interventions for patients with advanced-stage cancer in improving cancer-related symptoms and functional status outcomes. METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive literature search in PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science from their inception to February 3, 2019, to include randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing exercise and usual care for improving outcomes in patients with advanced-stage cancer. Two reviewers independently screened the studies, extracted data of interest, and assessed the risk of bias of individual RCTs using the Cochrane Handbook, Version 5.1.0. RESULTS: About 15 RCTs enrolling 1208 patients were included. Compared with usual care, exercise showed a significant improvement in QoL (standardized mean difference [SMD] 0.22; 95% CI 0.06-0.38; P = 0.009), fatigue (SMD -0.25; 95% CI -0.45 to -0.04; P = 0.02), insomnia (SMD -0.36; 95% CI -0.56 to -0.17; P = 0.0002), physical function (SMD 0.22; 95% CI 0.05-0.38; P = 0.009), social function (SMD 0.18; 95% CI 0.02-0.34; P = 0.03), and dyspnea reduction (SMD -0.18; 95% CI -0.34 to -0.01; P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Exercise serves as an effective intervention to improve QoL and alleviate fatigue, insomnia, dyspnea, and physical and social functions for patients with advanced-stage cancer.

Magnetic MoS2: a promising microwave absorption material with both dielectric loss and magnetic loss properties.

In order to obtain magnetic MoS2 and investigate the influence of magnetic moment on the microwave absorption properties of MoS2, transition metal element Ni-doped MoS2 (0-30 at%) was obtained by a hydrothermal synthesis. The results revealed that the low doping concentration (<10 at%) did not significantly change the crystal structure of MoS2, and the Ni element formed a Ni x Mo1-x S2 compound within the MoS2 bulk phase. While the high doping concentration (10-30 at%) led to the formation of impurities. The hydrothermal products which were formed by the accumulation of pleated nanosheets looked like spherical flowers. As the doping concentration further increased, the spherical particles became more compact. The magnetization of MoS2 could be increased by proper amount of Ni doping. When doping with 3 at% Ni (Ni-3), the M s value increased from 0.53 emu g-1 for non-doped MoS2 to 0.93 emu g-1. When the doping ratio was further increased, the M s value of the material decreased. The zigzag edges and variations in the number of vacancies in the materials may be the root of changes in magnetic properties. The overall performance of Ni-3 was also the best in the examined doping range. Compared with non-doped MoS2, the matching thickness decreased from 3.50 to 2.05 mm, while the minimum reflection loss value decreased from -55.18 to -58.08 dB, and the effective absorption bandwidth (<-10 dB) increased from 3.05 to 5.19 GHz. The excellent absorption performance of the doped materials can be attributed to the change of complex dielectric constant and complex permeability of MoS2 and resulting in the improvement of loss capability. This study may introduce new opportunities for fully exploiting these nanocrystals for microwave absorption, even for diluted magnetic semiconductors.

A facile solution route to deposit TiO2 nanowire arrays on arbitrary substrates.

A facile solution-based technique was developed to grow vertically aligned TiO2 nanowires with predominantly anatase phase on arbitrary substrates of stainless steel, glass, silicon wafer and carbon cloth at the low temperature of 80 °C and in an open atmosphere.