Enhanced Photocatalytic Degradation by the Preparation of a Stable La-Doped FeTiO3 Photocatalyst: Experimental and DFT Study.

The rapid photocarrier recombination limits the photocatalytic activity of iron titanate (FeTiO3) to be further improved. Developing novel approaches to inhibit the rapid recombination rate of the FeTiO3 photocatalysts is crucial for efficiently degrading pollutants in wastewater. Rare earth ions, with unique electron dispositions and large ion radii, could effectively inhibit photocarrier recombination. Herein, novel lanthanum (La)-doped FeTiO3 photocatalysts were designed and successfully synthesized. The photocatalytic performance of the 12 mol % La/FeTiO3 photocatalyst was superior in degrading tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH), methylene blue (MB), and brilliant blue (BB). These degradation rate constants (k) were 0.12358, 0.01357, and 0.03064 L mg-1 min-1, respectively, which were 12.83, 1.61, and 7.78 times that of pure FeTiO3. The photoelectronic tests and density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that the La 4f orbital forms an impurity energy level in the conduction band of FeTiO3. This level narrows the bandgap and acts as an electron acceptor, capturing photoexcited electrons and inhibiting the rapid recombination of photoexcited electron-hole pairs in FeTiO3. This work enhances the potential of FeTiO3 in the photocatalysis field and provides important insights into the efficient degradation of organic pollutants in wastewater.

Surface modification of rare earth Sm-doped WO3 films through polydopamine for enhanced electrochromic energy storage performance.

Electrochromic materials (ECMs) could exhibit reversible color changes upon application of the external electric field, which exhibits huge application prospects in smart windows, energy storage devices, and displays. For the practical application of ECMs, the fast response speed and long cyclic stability are urgent. In this work, the nanoporous Sm-doped WO3 (WSm) films were constructed using hydrothermal technology, then polydopamine (PDA) was modified on the surface of WSm film to obtain the WSm/Px (x = 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0) hybrid films. WSm/Px hybrid films displayed high optical contrast and large areal capacitance. In addition, in comparison with WSm film, the WSm/Px hybrid films exhibited faster response speed and better cyclic stability because PDA film enhanced the interface ion transport ability and electrochemical structural stability of the nanoporous WSm film. Notably, the WSm/P1.0 hybrid film displayed the colored/bleached times of 7.4/2.9 s, retained 90.2% of the primitive optical contrast (68.5%) after 5000 electrochromic cycles. Furthermore, the areal capacitance of WSm film could be increased by 224% through the modification of the PDA. Therefore, WSm/Px hybrid films are great prospects for electrochromic energy-saving and storage windows.

Unusual magnetotransport properties in graphene fibers.

Graphene, purely sp2-hybridized, has already been extensively studied for magnetoelectronics, however, the magnetotransport properties of graphene fibers (GrFib) have not been explored very well to date. Herein, unique magnetotransport properties of graphene fibers are detected. All the GrFib-samples show the highest positive magnetoresistance (MR ∼ 60%) at room temperature (300 K) that gradually decreases (MR ∼ 37%) at low temperature (5 K), indicating quite different behavior for a graphene derivative. The MR of three different morphologies are compared: single graphene sheet (60-100% at 300 K and 100-110% at 5 K under an applied magnetic field of 5 T), graphene foam (GF-100% at 300 K and 158% at 5 K under an applied magnetic field of 5 T), and graphene fiber (60% at 300 K and 37% at 300 K under an applied magnetic field of 5 T), and found that each morphology has a different magnitude of MR under similar magnitude of magnetic field and temperature. Unlike graphene and GF, GrFib shows a decreasing trend of MR at low temperatures, violating commonly used weak anti-localization phenomena in graphene. Technologically, each morphology of graphene has a unique set of magnetotransport properties that can be considered for particular magnetoelectronic devices depending upon the mechanical, electrical, and magnetotransport properties.

Interfacial Engineering of a MoO2-CeF3 Heterostructure as a High-Performance Hydrogen Evolution Reaction Catalyst in Both Alkaline and Acidic Solutions.

Exploring an efficient and pollution-free hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalyst based on the combination of rare-earth metal and nonnoble metal is of significant importance. However, successfully achieving such a goal remains highly challenging. Herein, a nanosheet comprising a MoO2-CeF3 heterojunction (MoO2-CeF3/NF) is successfully prepared via a three-step method. (1) Growth of hexahedral nickel hydroxide [Ni(OH)2] on a 3D nickel foam (NF) as the scaffold. (2) In situ hydrothermal growth of a precursor nanosheet structure on the scaffold. (3) Calcination treatment at 450 °C in the presence of hydrogen. Herein, the electron redistribution at the heterointerface of CeF3 and MoO2 is a contributing factor toward enhanced HER activity. Appropriate introduction of CeF3 can enlarge the size of nanosheets, increase numerous active sites, increase the catalytic durability of the material, and change electron distribution on the MoO2 interface; all of the above improve HER activity. Because of its interfacial nanosheet structure, MoO2-CeF3/NF demonstrates pre-eminent HER capability in both alkaline (1.0 M KOH) and acidic (0.5 M H2SO4) electrolytes, with extremely small overpotentials of 18 and 42 mV at 10 mA cm-2, respectively. This is obviously lower than the overpotential of Pt/C in alkaline media (27 mV), and it is also close to the overpotential of Pt/C in acidic media (41 mV), at the same current density. More importantly, MoO2-CeF3/NF displays a better HER activity than Pt/C at a current density of >112 mA cm-2 in both alkaline and acidic electrolytes. This work offers a novel strategy toward high-performance hydrogen production by designing a transition metal oxide and rare-earth metal heterojunction.

Synergistic Flame Retardant Effect of an Intumescent Flame Retardant Containing Boron and Magnesium Hydroxide.

In this study, to develop an organic/inorganic synergistic flame retardant and to reduce the dosage and cost of flame retardants, organic/inorganic synergistic flame retardants, hexakis(4-boronic acid-phenoxy)-cyclophosphazene (CP-6B), and magnesium hydroxide (MH) were chosen. The flame retardant properties of CP-6B/MH in epoxy resin (EP) were discussed. EP/CP-6B/MH had better flame retardancy and heat resistance compared with EP/CP-6B and EP/MH. A limiting oxygen index of EP/3.0%CP-6B/0.5%MH of 31.9% was achieved, and vertical burning V-0 rating was achieved. Compared with EP, the cone calorimeter dates of EP/CP-6B/MH decreased. CP-6B/MH inhibited combustion and did little to damage mechanical properties. Besides, the flame retardant mechanism was studied by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. CP-6B/MH exerted good synergistic effects.

Multicolored, Low-Voltage-Driven, Flexible Organic Electrochromic Devices Based on Oligomers.

In this study, a series of organic conjugated oligomers containing 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) and aromatic groups are synthesized, which are as follows: 2,5-di(methyl benzoate)-3,4-ethylenedioxy-thiophene (1EDOT-2B-COOCH3 ), 5,5'-di(methyl benzoate)-2,2'-bi(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (2EDOT-2B-COOCH3 ), 5,5″-di(methyl benzoate)-2,2':5',2″-ter(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (3EDOT-2B-COOCH3 ), and 5,5″'-di(methyl benzoate)-2,2':5',2″: 5″,2″'-quater(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (4EDOT-2B-COOCH3 ). Using these oligomers as active materials, flexible organic electrochromic devices are fabricated. The device structure is indium tin oxide-PET plastic slide (ITO-PET)/active layer/conducting gel/ITO-PET, and the electrochromic properties of oligomers are investigated. These oligomers exhibit reversible color changes upon electrochemical doping and dedoping. The highest optical contrast is exhibited by 4EDOT-2B-COOCH3 , which is 75.2% at 700 nm.

Synthesis and Electrochromic Properties of Star-Shaped Oligomers with Phenyl Cores.

A series of star-shaped conjugated oligomers, 1,3,5-tri(2'-thienyl) benzene (3TB), 1,3,5-tri(3',4'-ethylenedioxythienyl) benzene (3EB), 1,3,5-tri[5',2"-(3",4"-ethylenedioxy-thienyl)-2'-thienyl] benzene (3ETB), and 1,3,5-tri[5',2"-(3",4"-ethylenedioxy-thienyl)-2'-thienyl]-4-(3',4'-ethylenedioxythienyl)benzene (3TB-4EDOT), were synthesized. The star-shaped polymer, poly(1,3,5-tri[5',2"-(3",4"-ethylenedioxythineyl)-2'-thienyl]benzene) (P3ETB), was also prepared. The electrochemical and electrochromic properties of these conjugated oligomers and polymer were investigated. These oligomer and polymer films showed reversible, clear color changes upon electrochemical doping and dedoping. The color of the P3ETB film reversibly changed from orange to blue under doping and dedoping. The switching times for doping and dedoping were 1.2 and 0.9 s, respectively.

Cold blood versus crystalloid cardioplegia for myocardial protection in adult cardiac surgery: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article was to systematically review randomized controlled trials in which cold blood cardioplegia was compared with cold crystalloid cardioplegia for cardiac surgery. DESIGN: Correlation studies were searched independently in the EMBASE, MEDLINE and Cochrane library databases. The primary endpoints of interest were spontaneous sinus rhythm (SSR) after declamping, perioperative myocardial infarction (MI) and mortality (within 30 days). SETTING: A hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Randomized controlled trials. INTERVENTION: A meta-analysis of 12 studies. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The 12 included trials recruited a total of 2866 participants; 1357 patients received cold crystalloid cardioplegia, and 1509 patients received cold blood cardioplegia. The pooled analysis showed no significant difference favoring either cold crystalloid cardioplegia or cold blood cardioplegia in terms of spontaneous sinus rhythm (SSR) after declamping (789/1028 [76.75%] v 773/1025 [75.41%], relative risk (RR) = 0.92 [0.76, 1.13], p = 0.43 with 6 studies included), mortality (within 30 days) (20/1335 [1.50%] v 24/1469 [1.63%], relative risk (RR) = 1.09 [0.62, 1.91], p = 0.77 with 11 studies included), atrial fibrillation (AF) (329/1043 [31.54%] v 365/1040 [35.10%], RR =0.90 [0.80, 1.01], p = 0.08 with 6 studies included) or stroke (45/1114 [4.04%] v 20/1240 [1.61%], RR = 2.18 [0.69, 6.93], p = 0.19 with 4 studies included). The aggregate data showed that the incidence of perioperative myocardial infarction was lower in patients who received cold blood cardioplegia (CB) (32/1310 [2.44%] v 17/1434 [1.19%], RR = 2.30 [1.33, 3.98], p = 0.003 with 11 studies included). CONCLUSIONS: Cold blood cardioplegia reduced perioperative myocardial infarction when compared with cold crystalloid cardioplegia. No differences in the overall incidence rates of spontaneous sinus rhythm, mortality (within 30 days), atrial fibrillation or stroke were observed.

APOE gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

Associations between apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene polymorphisms and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) have been reported, but the results from many of these studies are conflicting. To investigate the association between APOE polymorphisms and CJD risk, we performed a meta-analysis. We used odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) to assess the strength of the association. The frequency of putative risk alleles in control subjects was estimated with the Mantel-Haenszel method. Cochran's Q statistic and the inconsistency index (I(2)) were used to test heterogeneity. Egger's test and an inverted funnel plot were used to assess bias. Our study included 11 published case-control studies with APOE genotyping, involving a total of 1001 CJD patients and 1211 controls. Overall, the APOE 34 (OR 1.37, 95% CI: 1.09-1.72), and APOE 44 (OR 3.16, 95% CI: 1.37-7.26) genotypes and the APOE 4 (OR 1.41, 95% CI: 1.08-1.85) allele were associated with an increased risk of CJD, and the APOE 33 (OR 0.81, 95% CI: 0.67-0.97) genotype tended to protect against CJD. However, we did not find significant evidence supporting associations of the APOE 22 (OR 1.15, 95% CI: 0.45-2.93), APOE 23 (OR 0.84, 95% CI: 0.64-1.09), or APOE 24 (OR 1.40, 95% CI: 0.70-2.77) genotypes, nor the APOE 2 (OR 1.02, 95% CI: 0.73-1.42) or APOE 3 (OR 0.82, 95% CI: 0.65-1.02) alleles with CJD using a fixed-effects model. Our results support a genetic association between APOE polymorphisms and CJD.

Screening key genes and pathways in glioma based on gene set enrichment analysis and meta-analysis.

Glioma is a highly invasive, rapidly spreading form of brain cancer, while its etiology is largely unknown. A few recently reported studies have been developed using gene expression microarrays of glioma to identify differentially expressed genes from several to hundreds. This study was designed to analyze vast amounts of glioma-related microarray data and screen the key genes and pathways related to the development and progression of glioma. We used gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and meta-analysis of seven included studies after standardized microarray preprocessing, which increased concordance between these gene datasets. After GSEA, there were 14 mixing pathways including 13 up- and 1 down-regulated pathways. Based on the meta-analysis, 268 significant genes were screened out (P < 0.05); there were 249 genes identified by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and 27 KEGG pathways closely related to the set of the imported genes were identified. At last, six consistent pathways and key genes in these pathways related to glioma were obtained with combined GSEA and meta-analysis. The gene pathways that we identified could provide insight concerning the development of glioma. Further studies are needed to determine the biological function for the positive genes.