Lipopolysaccharide inhibits osteoblast formation and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand degradation via autophagy inhibition.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-κB Ligand (RANKL) are the two important factors causing bone loss, which is an important pathogenesis for osteoporosis. However, the relationship between LPS and RANKL is not yet clear. LPS can be involved in the weakened osteoblast formation as an autophagy regulator, and osteoblasts and their precursors are the source cells for RANKL production. Our study aimed to explore the relationship between autophagy changes and RANKL production during LPS-regulated osteoblasts. Our results showed that LPS inhibited autophagy (LC3 conversion and autophagosome formation) and enhanced the protein and mRNA expression of RANKL in MC3T3-E1 osteoblast precursor line. Autophagy upregulation with Rapamycin over BECN1 overexpression rescued LPS-inhibited osteoblast formation and -promoted RANKL protein production in MC3T3-E1 cells. In vivo experiments supported that damaged bone mass, bone microstructure, osteoblastic activity (ALP and P1NP production by ELISA assays) and enhanced RANKL production by LPS administration were partially rescued by Rapamycin application. In conclusion, LPS can inhibit autophagy in osteoblast precursors, thereby inhibiting osteoblast formation and RANKL autophagic degradation.

Persulfate enhanced removal of bisphenol A by copper oxide/reduced graphene oxide foam: Influencing factors, mechanism and degradation pathway.

The CuO/reduced graphene oxide foam (CuO/RGF) with excellent recyclability was prepared via hydrothermal method followed by freeze drying treatment for bisphenol A (BPA) removal via activating peroxydisulfate (PDS). SEM, XRD, XPS, FT-IR, BET, and TG techniques were used to investigate the structure and property of CuO/RGF. The effect of degradation conditions (pH, PDS amount, Cl-, HCO3-, HA and FA) on BPA removal by CuO/RGF were investigated. The result presented that CuO nanosheet was inserted into the RGF carrier with three-dimensional structure. The degradation rate constant of BPA over CuO/RGF (0.00917 min-1) was 1.24 and 6.46 times higher than those of BPA over CuO (0.00714 min-1) and RGF (0.00142 min-1). More importantly, the pore structure of RGF can successfully limit the release of Cu (II) compared to pure CuO. According to quenching test as well as electron spin resonance (EPR) spectra, BPA degradation was triggered by 1O2, •OH and SO4•-, which was the combination of nonradical (1O2) and radical activation of PDS (•OH and SO4•-). The possible degradation route of BPA was proposed based on intermediates obtained by combining solid phase extraction pretreatment technique with high performance liquid-mass spectrometry. After assessing the viability of MCF-7 cells, we can see that the estrogenic activities of treated solution reduced without producing stronger endocrine disruptors.

The comparative study on inhibitory effect of natural organic matters on the TiO2 and activated carbon/TiO2 composites for the removal of 17α-ethinylestradiol.

To reduce or eliminate the inhibition effect of natural organic matters (NOMs) in water on TiO2 photocatalysis for removal of emerging contaminants, four activated carbon/titanium dioxide (AC/TiO2) composites with different pore structure were prepared by hydrothermal method. The results showed that anatase TiO2 particles were uniformly distributed in the pores or onto the surface of activated carbons. The total removal rate of 6 mg L-1 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) on the four AC/TiO2 composites reached above 90%, 30% higher than that of EE2 on TiO2. The degradation rate constants of EE2 on four kinds of AC/TiO2 were much higher than that on TiO2. Further study indicated that the adsorption removal ratio of EE2 on the composites was slightly reduced mainly because competitive adsorption between hydrophilic NOMs (HA and FA) and EE2 molecules when HA and FA coexisted with EE2 in water. But importantly, the obvious inhibitory effect of FA for TiO2 photocatalysis was eliminated on four composites because the introduction of AC with excellent adsorption capacity can preferentially transfer hydrophobic EE2 molecules onto adsorption sites of TiO2/AC composites.

Accuracy and digital screw path design of TiRobot-assisted pedicle screw placement for lumbar spondylolisthesis.

PURPOSE: To investigate lumbar spondylolisthesis screw placement assisted by TiRobot in terms of digital screw path design, accurate implementation, and accuracy evaluation method. METHODS: In this study, we enrolled 40 patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis between December 2020 and August 2021 who underwent spine surgery at the Affiliated Hospital of PuTian University. Pre-operative computed tomography position and screw path designation, intra-operative pedicle screw placement according to pre-operative planning, and post-operative evaluation of the accuracy of screw placement were performed. 3D coordinates of the entry and exit points before and after the operation were collected. The qualified points at different levels of accuracy were counted. The screw placement accuracy was based on the absolute difference using the Chi-squared test. RESULTS: In total, 194 screws were successfully implanted with no screws penetrating the cortex. The absolute difference of entry points X, Y, and Z coordinates before and after the operation was 0.425 ± 0.294 mm, 0.417 ± 0.310 mm, and 0.466 ± 0.327 mm, respectively. The corresponding values in terms of exit points were 0.702 ± 0.470 mm, 0.963 ± 0.595mm, and 0.983 ± 0.566 mm, respectively. No obvious differences in coordinates before and after the operation were observed with an entry point degree of accuracy of ≥ 1.2 mm and exit point degree of accuracy of ≥ 2.1 mm. Therefore, the real surgery was consistent with the design. CONCLUSIONS: TiRobot-assisted lumbar spondylolisthesis surgery achieved optimal path designation and precise surgery.

Fitness Apps, Live Streaming Workout Classes, and Virtual Reality Fitness for Physical Activity During the COVID-19 Lockdown: An Empirical Study.

Background: Physical activity is an essential need of the human body that helps improve the physical fitness of an individual and creates a positive impact on overall wellbeing. Smartphone applications play an essential role in providing several benefits to consumers by offering various capabilities in terms of health and fitness.COVID-19 preventive measures shut down public places, and people cannot go to the gym and parks for physical activity. Smart applications for physical activity are an effective way to keep active while staying at home. Objective: The objective of the present study was to assess the mediating role of the e-platforms physical activity among the Chinese people in China during the COVID-19 lockdown. Method: The participants in this study were Chinese citizens living in home isolation during the early stages of the epidemic in China. The primary data was collected via an online survey using a convenience sample strategy in accordance with the study purpose. The collected data were cleaned by using the SPSS-25 statistical software. SmartPLS 3.0 software was used to investigate the suggested study framework utilizing the structural equation modeling technique. Results: Descriptive statistics shows that the ratio of gender includes 49% (n = 2,626) male and 51% females in the entire sample. SEM results show that all hypotheses (H1: ß = 0.497, T = 43.068, P = <0.001; H2: ß = 0.498, T = 41.078, P = <0.001; H3: ß = 0.498, T = 41.078, P = <0.001; H4: ß = 0.471, T = 39.103, P = <0.001; H5: ß = 0.468, T = 42.633, P = <0.001; H6: ß = 0.251, T = 11.212, P = <0.001; H7: ß = 0.367, T = 16.032, P = <0.001; H8: ß = 0.170, T = 13.750, P = <0.001; H9: ß = 0.125, T = 10.604, P = <0.001; H10: ß = 0.173, T = 14.842, P = <0.001) were statistically confirmed. Conclusion: In COVID-19, when there are limited physical activity resources, smart applications play an essential role as an alternative to gyms and change people's perspective regarding the adoption of health and fitness. Smart applications have made exercise and physical activity accessible and convenient to adopt.

The COVID-19 Pandemic and Overall Wellbeing: Mediating Role of Virtual Reality Fitness for Physical-Psychological Health and Physical Activity.

Background: Virtual reality applications are made for various objectives such as business, entertainment, education, and healthcare. Anxiety, phobias, distress, disordered eating, drug addiction, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, psychosis, depression, and autism spectrum disorders may benefit from virtual reality-based approaches. The 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted the way we live, enjoy, study, sport, and socialize significantly. Virtual reality fitness technology gained much attention during the COVID-19 preventive measures time. Objective: The present study explores the role of virtual reality fitness in improving overall wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic home isolation period in terms of physical-psychological health and physical activity. Methods: A total of 2300 individuals were recruited using the snowball sampling technique to participate in the study. The primary data were collected using an anonymous web-based survey. SPSS-23 and Smart-PLS 3.2.9 software were used to analyze the data. Results: The direct path coefficient analysis of the study constructs show that virtual reality fitness has (preventive measures -> virtual reality fitness -> overall wellbeing, preventive measures -> virtual reality fitness -> physical exercise, and preventive measures -> virtual reality fitness -> physical health) profound effects on the research participants' mental and physical wellbeing of the study participants while indirect mediation analysis shows that virtual reality fitness has (preventive measures -> virtual reality fitness ->overall wellbeing, preventive measures -> virtual reality fitness -> physical exercise, preventive measures -> virtual reality fitness ->physical health) significant impacts. Conclusion: Our study results concluded that house exercises through virtual reality fitness are a good substitute for public gyms and private group fitness programs during the first pandemic wave for physical-psychological and overall wellbeing. Virtual reality fitness technology can alleviate many of the challenges brought on by the epidemic, resulting in increased utilization.

Virtual Reality Fitness (VRF) for Behavior Management During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mediation Analysis Approach.

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, cellphone health apps and virtual reality fitness for treating neurological disorders such as Parkinson's were beneficial. Virtual reality has been used to treat PTSD, depression, anxieties, dementia, ADHD, dyslexia, and pain control in various settings. Virtual reality exercise has been studied for its effects on biological, mental, rehabilitation, behavior, and attitude management. PURPOSE: This research aimed to find out the role of virtual reality fitness (VRF) for behavior management during the COVID-19 pandemic concerning the demographic characteristics of the study participants and the use of fitness and health apps. METHODS: The population for the current study was Chinese residents across China who were in home isolation during the early pandemic in China. According to the study objective, a convenience sampling method was used to collect the primary data through an online survey. SPSS-25 statistical software was used to analyze the demographic information and clean and prepare the data to test all proposed hypotheses. The proposed research framework was examined using the structural equation modeling (SEM) approach through SmartPLS 3.0 software. RESULTS: The structural equation model analysis shows that all the proposed hypotheses (H1: ß = 0.137, t = 10.454, p = <0.000; H2: ß = 0.256, t = 16.824, p = <0.000; H3: ß = 0.418, t = 27.827, p = <0.000; H4: ß = 0.133, t = 8.913, p = <0.000; H5: ß = 0.076, t = 4.717, p = <0.000; H6: ß = 0.162, t = 10.532, p = <0.000; H7: ß = 0.384, t = 26.645, p = <0.000) are confirmed. CONCLUSION: Fitness and health apps with virtual reality fitness play a substantial role in improving the overall quality of life and positively influencing behavior and attitude.

The Influence of COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical Health-Psychological Health, Physical Activity, and Overall Well-Being: The Mediating Role of Emotional Regulation.

Background: Highly infectious respiratory disease COVID-19 emerged in Wuhan, China, and spread worldwide. Different measures have been adopted worldwide to contain the COVID-19, and these measures have various impacts on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic (CP) and lockdown policy on physical health (PH)-psychological health (PsH), physical activity (PA), and overall well-being (OW) in the context of HRQoL, exploring the mediating role of emotional regulation (ER). Method: The current study was conducted in two provincial cities of China. An online survey was conducted in both the cities to collect the data. After quantifying the data, a total of 2,200 respondents data were analyzed through appropriate statistical techniques. Results: The study results indicate that CP was found significantly and negatively related to PH (ß = -0.157, t = 9.444, p < 0.001). A significant relationship was found between CP and PsH (ß = 0.779, t = 45.013, p < 0.001). The third prediction revealed a significant negative relationship between the CP and OW (ß = -0.080, t = 5.261, p < 0.001). The CP and PA had a significant negative relationship (ß = -0.047, t = 3.351, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The PH, PsH, and OW of the Chinese people were affected due to the CP and lockdown measures. It is suggested that ER intervention reduces the negative psychological impacts for improving quality of life. ER can function one's sentiments in their social environment effectively for quality of life.

Physical Activity among Adults Residing in 11 Countries during the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown.

During the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, physical activity (PA) behaviors were altered worldwide due to public health measures such as "lockdown." This study described PA among adults residing in 11 countries during COVID-19 lockdown and examined factors associated with PA engagement. We conducted a cross-sectional anonymous survey among adults (≥18 years old) in 11 countries (Brazil, Bulgaria, China, India, Ireland, Malaysia, North Macedonia, Singapore, Spain, Turkey, United States). Of 11,775 participants, 63.7% were female and 52.8% were 18-34 years old. More than 40% of participants were insufficiently active (43.9%) and reported a decrease in their PA during lockdown (44.8%). Statistically significant differences were observed in (1) proportions of participants being insufficiently active, (2) level of PA, and (3) decrease in PA across the 11 countries. More stringent governmental policy responses were associated with greater likelihood of being insufficiently active during lockdown (adjusted odds ratio = 1.22, 95% confidence interval = 1.03, 1.45). Higher depression or anxiety scores were associated with greater likelihood of decreased level of PA during lockdown.We found substantial reductions in PA levels during COVID-19 lockdown across countries. Country-specific PA promotion interventions are needed during this and similar global emergencies.

Physical Inactivity, Non-Communicable Diseases and National Fitness Plan of China for Physical Activity.

BACKGROUND: China has the world's largest population, going under health transition due to industrialization, urbanization, and a sedentary lifestyle. About 82% of China's disease burden is due to the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Physical activity (active travel) is the best preventive measure against NCDs. The Chinese government has introduced several steps to improve national fitness and overcome NCDs among the aging population. Exercise and sports play a vital role in promoting physical activity and helpful in accomplishing the national fitness level for Healthy China under the national fitness plan (NFP). OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed to explore the role of national fitness plan (NFP) in promoting physical activity and health well-being preventing NCDs under built environment intervention. METHODS: The study was exploratory, and the mixed-method approach was used to analyze the primary and secondary data. Quantitative content analysis was used to analyze the collected data. A purposive sampling technique was used to collect the primary data from those individuals rich in knowledge about the National Fitness Plan (NFP) of China and its role in promoting physical activity for physical fitness. RESULTS: The majority of the participants (32.0%) said that the national fitness plan helps promote sports environment and health. About 28.0% reported that NFP helps promote cycling and walk environments for physical activity and health promotion and preventing non-communicable diseases (NCDs). CONCLUSION: Participation in physical exercise and sports is the preferred approach to prevent different diseases. In the context of rising active living among the Chinese people, the facilities such as built environment and green parks under the national fitness plan (NFP) for sports play a crucial role in the mitigation of NCDs.

Mental Health among Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown: A Cross-Sectional Multi-Country Comparison.

Despite the global impact of COVID-19, studies comparing the effects of COVID-19 on population mental health across countries are sparse. This study aimed to compare anxiety and depression symptoms during the COVID-19 lockdown among adults from 11 countries and to examine their associations with country-level COVID-19 factors and personal COVID-19 exposure. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among adults (≥18 years) in 11 countries (Brazil, Bulgaria, China, India, Ireland, North Macedonia, Malaysia, Singapore, Spain, Turkey, United States). Mental health (anxiety, depression, resilient coping, hope) and other study data were collected between June-August 2020. Of the 13,263 participants, 62.8% were female and 51.7% were 18-34 years old. Participants living in Brazil had the highest anxiety and depression symptoms while participants living in Singapore had the lowest. Greater personal COVID-19 exposure was associated with increased anxiety and depression symptoms, but country-level COVID-19 factors were not. Higher levels of hope were associated with reduced anxiety and depression; higher levels of resilient coping were associated with reduced anxiety but not depression. Substantial variations exist in anxiety and depression symptoms across countries during the COVID-19 lockdown, with personal COVID-19 exposure being a significant risk factor. Strategies that mitigate COVID-19 exposure and enhance hope and resilience may reduce anxiety and depression during global emergencies.

Physical Activity is a Medicine for Non-Communicable Diseases: A Survey Study Regarding the Perception of Physical Activity Impact on Health Wellbeing.

BACKGROUND: A modifiable risk factor for many diseases is physical inactivity. In this modern era, physical activity is acknowledged as a vital strategy to promote good health. According to the WHO, regular physical activity has various benefits for psycho-physical health. Decreased physical inactivity is happening in China due to the increased participation of the Chinese population in physical activity. The human body needs a specific level of physical activity to maintain good health. OBJECTIVE: The main aim of the present study was to assess the Chinese people's understanding of physical activity and participation in physical activity as a preventive measure against different diseases. METHODS: The present study was exploratory and conducted in the Kunshan county-level city in Jiangsu Province, China. A well-designed questionnaire was used to collect the data from the survey participants. A total of 3390 residents were selected from 1300 households through a simple random sampling technique. The collected data were analyzed through SPSS software. Both univariate and bivariate analysis were performed. RESULTS: The survey results showed that the majority of women are participating in physical activity. Most of the Kunshan people participate in physical activity one time or more than one time per week. They perform 30-60 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity to improve physical fitness, recreation, and disease prevention. Fitness walking is the most common type of physical activity among Kunshan people, and most of them participate in physical activity at night. Wilcoxon signed-rank test indicated that post-test ranks are statistically higher than pre-test ranks (P<0.0039, 0.0039, 0.0039, 0.0020, 0.0001, 0.0156, 0.0313). CONCLUSION: The study results showed that physical activity plays a catalyst role in improving human health on a natural path. It reduces the risk factor of non-communicable diseases and promotes general wellbeing. These findings show that physical activity level increases in Chinese society as more people participate in physical activity for health-being.

Sustainable Development Goals, Sports and Physical Activity: The Localization of Health-Related Sustainable Development Goals Through Sports in China: A Narrative Review.

Sport has been recognized as an essential tool for the implementation of the SDGs by The Agenda 2030 for sustainable development. The Chinese government has launched a Healthy China 2030 plan in response to the health-related SDGs. The Chinese government has introduced different kinds of measures under Healthy China 2030 plan to achieve health-related SDGs through sport and physical activity. The Healthy China program is compatible with SDGs regarding health, sport, and physical activity. After introducing the program with sustainable built environment intervention for sport and physical activity, the elderly population of China is participating in sport and physical activity to improve the national fitness level and prevent NCDs. Sport is playing a vital role in preventing NCDs in the shape of increasing physical activity among the Chinese people. Sports and physical activity play a crucial role in the implementation of health-related SDGs and further help in the achievement of "Healthy China" 2030 goal. China's localization policies for the realization of SDGs have a global impact through glocalization in the BRI participant's countries and supporting them to make their public health system secure and promoting global health governance.

Morphometric measurement of lower lumbar intervertebral foramina based on digital three-dimensional simulation.

AIM: This study aimed to investigate the morphology of the lower lumbar intervertebral foramina through use of a digital three-dimensional (3D) simulation model to guide the endoscope through the intervertebral foramina. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Individuals without disease affecting the lumbar vertebrae underwent computed tomography (CT) scanning in the supine position. The CT images obtained were imported to medical software to reconstruct a 3D model of the lumbar vertebrae. The stereoscopic longitudinal and transverse diameters of the lumbar intervertebral foramina were measured directly on the established simulation model. Comparisons in terms of sex and age were performed using t-test or analysis of variance. RESULTS: In total, 100 individuals were included in the study. Average longitudinal and transverse diameters of the lower lumbar intervertebral foramen decreased moving inferiorly. The longitudinal and transverse diameters of the lower lumbar intervertebral foramina were similar between sexes and between age groups. However, longitudinal diameter decreased with age (P 0.05). CONCLUSION: The reconstructed lumbar vertebrae simulation model presented in this study has high fidelity to the structure of the human lumbar spine. This approach provides individualized, accurate, standardized, and detailed guidance for endoscopic surgery through the lumbar intervertebral foramen.

The comparative study of two kinds of ß-Bi2O3/TiO2 binary composite and their removal of 17ɑ-ethynylestradiol.

In this work, we used TiO2 nanobelts and P25 particles as titanium sources to combine with ß-Bi2O3 to form ß-Bi2O3/TiO2 and ß-Bi2O3/P25 composites. The prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), infrared spectroscopy (IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and UV-vis absorbance spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy. The structure and performance of two composites were comparatively investigated, and the ß-Bi2O3 molar ratios in them were optimized and their roles in them were studied. The results showed that the TiO2 nanobelts and commercial TiO2 (P25) particles combined with ß-Bi2O3 nanosheets. The optimal molar ratios of Bi to Ti element in two kinds of composites are 1:1. The ß-Bi2O3 in P25/ß-Bi2O3 makes more contribution to the improvement of photocatalytic activity of them than that in ß-Bi2O3/TiO2 because P25 particles are distributed on ß-Bi2O3 nanosheet more uniformly. The photocatalytic activities of ß-Bi2O3/TiO2 (0.02275 min-1) and ß-Bi2O3/P25 (0.02382 min-1) are 3.72 times and 3.90 times than that of pure ß-Bi2O3 (0.0061 min-1) for EE2 removal. The enhanced photocatalytic activities of two kinds of composites are ascribed to photo-induced interfacial charge transfer on the heterojunction between ß-Bi2O3 and TiO2 or P25. From the economic view, ß-Bi2O3/P25 composites are better than ß-Bi2O3/TiO2 because TiO2 nanobelts in the ß-Bi2O3/TiO2 composite are obtained from P25 via extra hydrothermal treatment in strong alkaline environment. The free radical capture experiment indicated that the dominant reactive species are h+ and •O-2 for EE2 removal by TiO2/ß-Bi2O3 and P25/ß-Bi2O3 composites.

Heavy fermion quantum criticality at dilute carrier limit in CeNi2-δ(As1-xPx)2.

We study the quantum phase transitions in the nickel pnctides, CeNi2-δ(As1-xPx)2 (δ ≈ 0.07-0.22) polycrystalline samples. This series displays the distinct heavy fermion behavior in the rarely studied parameter regime of dilute carrier limit. We systematically investigate the magnetization, specific heat and electrical transport down to low temperatures. Upon increasing the P-content, the antiferromagnetic order of the Ce-4f moment is suppressed continuously and vanishes at xc ~ 0.55. At this doping, the temperature dependences of the specific heat and longitudinal resistivity display non-Fermi liquid behavior. Both the residual resistivity ρ0 and the Sommerfeld coefficient γ0 are sharply peaked around xc. When the P-content reaches close to 100%, we observe a clear low-temperature crossover into the Fermi liquid regime. In contrast to what happens in the parent compound x = 0.0 as a function of pressure, we find a surprising result that the non-Fermi liquid behavior persists over a nonzero range of doping concentration, xc < x < 0.9. In this doping range, at the lowest measured temperatures, the temperature dependence of the specific-heat coefficient is logarithmically divergent and that of the electrical resistivity is linear. We discuss the properties of CeNi2-δ(As1-xPx)2 in comparison with those of its 1111 counterpart, CeNi(As1-xPx)O. Our results indicate a non-Fermi liquid phase in the global phase diagram of heavy fermion metals.

Magnetoresistance and robust resistivity plateau in MoAs2.

We have grown the MoAs2 single crystal which crystallizes in a monoclinic structure with C2/m space group. Transport measurements show that MoAs2 displays a metallic behavior at zero field and undergoes a metal-to-semiconductor crossover at low temperatures when the applied magnetic field is over 5 T. A robust resistivity plateau appears below 18 K and persists for the field up to 9 T. A large positive magnetoresistance (MR), reaching about 2600% at 2 K and 9 T, is observed when the field is perpendicular to the current. The MR becomes negative below 40 K when the field is rotated to be parallel to the current. The Hall resistivity shows the non-linear field-dependence below 70 K. The analysis using two-band model indicates a compensated electron-hole carrier density at low temperatures. A combination of the breakdown of Kohler's rule, the abnormal drop and the cross point in Hall data implies that a possible Lifshitz transition has occurred between 30 K and 60 K, likely driving the compensated electron-hole density, the large MR as well as the metal-semiconductor transition in MoAs2. Our results indicate that the family of centrosymmetric transition-metal dipnictides has rich transport behavior which can in general exhibit variable metallic and topological features.

Electronic structure and topological properties of centrosymmetric MoAs2/WAs2 from first principles.

We investigate the electronic structure of group VI-B transition metal di-arsenides (TAs2, T = Mo, W). By comparing the formation energies, the centrosymmetric di-arsenides compounds are energetically more stable, in contrast to the di-phosphorides (MoP2/WP2). Both compounds can be well described by a two-band model with a pair of well-separated electron/hole bands. The electron/hole carrier density is nearly compensated in MoAs2 (|n e - n h |/n h < 1%). The [Formula: see text] classification for all partially occupied bands are topologically strong (1;001), and therefore robust surface states are expected in these materials. Using the adaptive K-mesh method, no energy degenerate state could be found except the spin degeneracy in the whole Brillouin zone, excluding the possibility of intrinsic Dirac or Weyl points near the Fermi level in the system.

Antiferromagnetic Kondo lattice compound CePt3P.

A new ternary platinum phosphide CePt3P was synthesized and characterized by means of magnetic, thermodynamic and transport measurements. The compound crystallizes in an antiperovskite tetragonal structure similar to that in the canonical family of platinum-based superconductors APt3P (A = Sr, Ca, La) and closely related to the noncentrosymmetric heavy fermion superconductor CePt3Si. In contrast to all the superconducting counterparts, however, no superconductivity is observed in CePt3P down to 0.5 K. Instead, CePt3P displays a coexistence of antiferromagnetic ordering, Kondo effect and crystalline electric field effect. A field-induced spin-flop transition is observed below the magnetic ordering temperature TN1 of 3.0 K while the Kondo temperature is of similar magnitude as TN1. The obtained Sommerfeld coefficient of electronic specific heat is γCe = 86 mJ/mol·K2 indicating that CePt3P is a moderately correlated antiferromagnetic Kondo lattice compound.

A Modified Ceramic-Coating Separator with High-Temperature Stability for Lithium-Ion Battery.

In this work, the ceramic coating separator (CCS-CS) prepared with polyethylene (PE) separator, Al2O3 inorganic particles, carboxymethyl cellulose sodium (CMC) and styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) mix binders is further modified by coating with a thin polydopamine (PDA) layer through a simple chemical deposition method. Compared with the bare ceramic coating separator, the PDA-modified CCS-CS (CCS-CS-PDA) exhibits excellent thermal stability, which shows no thermal shrinkage after storing at 200 °C for 30 min. Compared with the PE separator, both the uptake and wettability with the electrolyte and water of CCS-CS-PDA are improved significantly. Meanwhile, when saturated with liquid electrolyte, the CCS-CS-PDA also shows enabled high ionic conductance. Furthermore, the test of the electrochemical impedances changing with the temperatures suggests that only the PE separator exhibits no thermal shutdown behaviors, and the CCS-CS separator only has a shutdown temperature range from 138 to 160 °C, while the CCS-CS-PDA shows a shutdown temperature range from 138 to more than 200 °C. The cells prepared with the CCS-CS-PDA also show stable repeated cycling performance and good rate capacity at room temperature.