Development of PEG-mediated genetic transformation and gene editing system of Bryum argenteum as an abiotic stress tolerance model plant.

KEY MESSAGE: To establish a sterile culture system and protoplast regeneration system for Bryum argenteum, and to establish and apply CRISPR/Cas9 system in Bryum argenteum. Bryum argenteum is a fascinating, cosmopolitan, and versatile moss species that thrives in various disturbed environments. Because of its comprehensive tolerance to the desiccation, high UV and extreme temperatures, it is emerging as a model moss for studying the molecular mechanisms underlying plant responses to abiotic stresses. However, the lack of basic tools such as gene transformation and targeted genome modification has hindered the understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the survival of B. argenteum in different environments. Here, we reported the protonema of B. argenteum can survive up to 95.4% water loss. In addition, the genome size of B. argenteum is approximately 313 Mb by kmer analysis, which is smaller than the previously reported 700 Mb. We also developed a simple method for protonema induction and an efficient protoplast isolation and regeneration protocol for B. argenteum. Furthermore, we established a PEG-mediated protoplast transient transfection and stable transformation system for B. argenteum. Two homologues of ABI3(ABA-INSENSITIVE 3) gene were successfully cloned from B. argenteum. To further investigate the function of the ABI3 gene in B. argenteum, we used the CRISPR/Cas9 genetic editing system to target the BaABI3A and BaABI3B gene in B. argenteum protoplasts. This resulted in mutagenesis at the target in about 2-5% of the regenerated plants. The isolated abi3a and abi3b mutants exhibited increased sensitivity to desiccation, suggesting that BaABI3A and BaABI3B play redundant roles in desiccation stress. Overall, our results provide a rapid and simple approach for molecular genetics in B. argenteum. This study contributes to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of plant adaptation to extreme environmental.

Pre-Oxidation Strategy Transforming Waste Foam to Hard Carbon Anodes for Boosting Sodium Storage Performance.

Large reserves, high capacity, and low cost are the core competitiveness of disordered carbon materials as excellent anode materials for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). And the existence and improper treatment of a large number of organic solid wastes will aggravate the burden on the environment, therefore, it is significant to transform wastes into carbon-based materials for sustainable energy utilization. Herein, a kind of hard carbon materials are reported with waste biomass-foam as the precursor, which can improve the sodium storage performance through pre-oxidation strategy. The introduction of oxygen-containing groups can promote structural cross-linking, and inhibit the melting and rearrangement of carbon structure during high-temperature carbonization that produces a disordered structure with a suitable degree of graphitization. Moreover, the micropore structure are also regulated during the high-temperature carbonization process, which is conducive to the storage of sodium ions in the low-voltage plateau region. The optimized sample as an electrode material exhibits excellent reversible specific capacity (308.0 mAh g-1 ) and initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE, 90.1%). In addition, a full cell with the waste foam-derived hard carbon anode and a Na3 V2 (PO4 )3 cathode is constructed with high ICE and energy density. This work provides an effective strategy to conversion the waste to high-value hard carbon anode for sodium-ion batteries.

Achieving All-Plateau and High-Capacity Sodium Insertion in Topological Graphitized Carbon.

Hard carbon anodes with all-plateau capacities below 0.1 V are prerequisites to achieve high-energy-density sodium-ion storage, which holds promise for future sustainable energy technologies. However, challenges in removing defects and improving the insertion of sodium ions head off the development of hard carbon to achieve this goal. Herein, a highly cross-linked topological graphitized carbon using biomass corn cobs through a two-step rapid thermal-annealing strategy is reported. The topological graphitized carbon constructed with long-range graphene nanoribbons and cavities/tunnels provides a multidirectional insertion of sodium ions whilst eliminating defects to absorb sodium ions at the high voltage region. Evidence from advanced techniques including in situ XRD, in situ Raman, and in situ/ex situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicates that the sodium ions' insertion and Na cluster formation occurred between curved topological graphite layers and in the topological cavity of adjacent graphite band entanglements. The reported topological insertion mechanism enables outstanding battery performance with a single full low-voltage plateau capacity of 290 mAh g-1 , which is almost 97% of the total capacity.

Advanced Li/Na-CO2 Batteries Enabled by the γ-MnO2 Catalyst with Enhanced Carbonate Decomposition.

Metal-CO2 batteries, especially Li-CO2 and Na-CO2 batteries, are regarded as ideal new-generation energy storage systems owing to their high energy density and extraordinary CO2 capture capability. However, the advancement of metal-CO2 batteries is still at an early stage. The problems caused by accumulation of carbonates during charge-discharge cycles, such as large polarization and poor reversibility, restrict their practical application. Therefore, designing efficient catalysts is crucial for promoting the decomposition of carbonate to improve the electrochemical performance of metal-CO2 batteries. Herein, we first adopted sea urchin-like γ-MnO2 as the cathode material for Li/Na-CO2 batteries. Benefiting from the unique structure and excellent catalytic activity of γ-MnO2, the as-prepared Li-CO2 and Na-CO2 batteries can achieve low overpotentials of 1.28 and 1.36 V, respectively, at a current density of 100 mA g-1 with a cutoff capacity of 1000 mA h g-1. The overpotentials are lower than those of most of the state-of-the-art catalysts in previous reports. After 100 and 50 cycles of Li-CO2 and Na-CO2 batteries, respectively, their charging termination voltages remain at around 4.1 and 3.9 V, respectively; such a low charging platform indicates the excellent catalytic activity of the γ-MnO2 cathode on the discharge products. Our findings offer a promising guideline to design efficient electrocatalysts for high-performance metal-CO2 batteries.

Carbon nanosphere synthesis and applications for rechargeable batteries.

Carbon nanospheres (CNSs) have attracted great interest in energy conversion and storage technologies due to their excellent chemical and thermal stability, high electrical conductivity and controllable size structure characteristics. In order to further improve the energy storage properties, many efforts have been made to design suitable nanocarbon spherical materials to improve electrochemical performance. In this overview, we summarize the recent research progress on CNSs, mainly focusing on the synthesis methods and their application as high-performance electrode materials in rechargeable batteries. As for the synthesis methods, hard template methods, soft template methods, the extension of the Stöber method, hydrothermal carbonization, aerosol-assisted synthesis are described in detail. In addition, the use of CNSs as electrodes in energy storage devices (mainly concentrated on lithium-ion batteries (LIBs)), sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) and potassium-ion batteries (PIBs) are also discussed in detail in this article. Finally, some perspectives on the future research and development of CNSs are provided.

Na1.51 Fe[Fe(CN)6 ]0.87 ·1.83H2 O Hollow Nanospheres via Non-Aqueous Ball-Milling Route to Achieve High Initial Coulombic Efficiency and High Rate Capability in Sodium-Ion Batteries.

Prussian blue analogues (PBAs) have attracted extensive attention as cathode materials in sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) due to their low cost, high theoretical capacity, and facile synthesis process. However, it is of great challenge to control the crystal vacancies and interstitial water formed during the aqueous co-precipitation method, which are also the key factors in determining the electrochemical performance. Herein, an antioxidant and chelating agent co-assisted non-aqueous ball-milling method to generate highly-crystallized Na2- x Fe[Fe(CN)6 ]y with hollow structure is proposed by suppressing the speed and space of crystal growth. The as-prepared Na2- x Fe[Fe(CN)6 ]y hollow nanospheres show low vacancies and interstitial water content, leading to a high sodium content. As a result, the Na-rich Na1.51 Fe[Fe(CN)6 ]0.87 ·1.83H2 O hollow nanospheres exhibit a high initial Coulombic efficiency, excellent cycling stability, and rate performance via a highly reversible two-phase transition reaction confirmed by in situ X-ray diffraction. It delivers a specific capacity of 124.2 mAh g-1 at 17 mA g-1 , presenting ultra-high rate capability (84.1 mAh g-1 at 3400 mA g-1 ) and cycling stability (65.3% capacity retention after 1000 cycles at 170 mA g-1 ). Furthermore, the as-reported non-aqueous ball-milling method could be regarded as a promising method for the scalable production of PBAs as cathode materials for high-performance SIBs.

High-Voltage, Highly Reversible Sodium Batteries Enabled by Fluorine-Rich Electrode/Electrolyte Interphases.

High energy density and long-term cycling stability are crucial factors for the commercialization of sodium batteries in large scale. In this regard, cathode materials that can operate at high voltage have attracted great interest owing to their high energy density. However, traditional electrolytes cannot be used in high-voltage sodium batteries due to their limited oxidative stability. Therefore, there is a great challenge to develop appropriate electrolytes for high-voltage cathode materials. Herein, a diluted fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC)-based electrolyte (1 m NaPF6 in FEC/DMC = 2/8 by volume) is designed for Na4 Co3 (PO4 )2 P2 O7 (NCPP) cathode with a high operation voltage of 4.7 V to achieve superior electrochemical performance with a capacity retention of 90.10% after 500 cycles at 0.5 C and capacity retention of 89.99% after 1000 cycles at 1 C. The excellent electrochemical performance of the NCPP||Na cells can be attributed to the formation of inorganic and robust NaF-rich cathode electrolyte interphase and F-rich solid electrolyte interface on high voltage NCPP cathode and Na metal anode, respectively. This work points out a very promising strategy to develop high-voltage sodium batteries toward practical applications.

Binders for sodium-ion batteries: progress, challenges and strategies.

Binders as a bridge in electrodes can bring various components together thus guaranteeing the integrity of electrodes and electronic contact during battery cycling. In this review, we summarize the recent progress of traditional binders and novel binders in the different electrodes of SIBs. The challenges faced by binders in terms of bond strength, wettability, thermal stability, conductivity, cost, and environment are also discussed in details. Correspondingly, the designing principle and advanced strategies of future research on SIB binders are also provided. Moreover, a general conclusion and perspective on the development of binder design for SIBs in the future are presented.

Fire-Retardant, Stable-Cycling and High-Safety Sodium Ion Battery.

The safety of energy storage equipment has always been a stumbling block to the development of battery, and sodium ion battery is no exception. However, as an ultimate solution, the use of non-flammable electrolyte is susceptible to the side effects, and its poor compatibility with electrode, causing failure of batteries. Here, we report a non-flammable electrolyte design to achieve high-performance sodium ion battery, which resolves the dilemma via regulating the solvation structure of electrolyte by hydrogen bonds and optimizing the electrode-electrolyte interphase. The reported non-flammable electrolyte allows stable charge-discharge cycling of both sodium vanadium phosphate@hard carbon and Prussian blue@hard carbon full pouch cell for more than 120 cycles with a capacity retention of >85 % and high cycling Coulombic efficiency (99.7 %).

Soft-Carbon-Coated, Free-Standing, Low-Defect, Hard-Carbon Anode To Achieve a 94% Initial Coulombic Efficiency for Sodium-Ion Batteries.

Developing hard carbon with a high initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE) and very good cycling stability is of great importance for practical sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). Defects and oxygen-containing groups grown along either the carbon edges or the layers, however, are inevitable in hard carbon and can cause a tremendous density of irreversible Na+ sites, decreasing the efficiency and therefore causing failure of the battery. Thus, eliminating these unexpected defect structures is significant for enhancing the battery performance. Herein, we develop a strategy of applying a soft-carbon coating onto free-standing hard-carbon electrodes, which greatly hinders the formation of defects and oxygen-containing groups on hard carbon. The electrochemical results show that the soft-carbon-coated, free-standing hard-carbon electrodes can achieve an ultrahigh ICE of 94.1% and long cycling performance (99% capacity retention after 100 cycles at a current density of 20 mA g-1), demonstrating their great potential in practical sodium storage systems. The sodium storage mechanism was also investigated by operando Raman spectroscopy. Our sodium storage mechanism extends the "adsorption-intercalation-pore filling-deposition" model. We propose that the pore filling in the plateau area might be divided into two parts: (1) sodium could fill in the pores near the inner wall of the carbon layer; (2) when the sodium in the inner wall pores is close to saturation, the sodium could be further deposited onto the existing sodium.

Recent Progress on Intercalation-Based Anode Materials for Low-Cost Sodium-Ion Batteries.

Intercalation-based anode materials can be considered as the most promising anode candidates for large-scale sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), owing to their long-term cycling stability and environmental friendliness, as well as their natural abundance. Nevertheless, their low energy density, low initial coulombic efficiency, and poor cycling lifespan, as well as sluggish sodium diffusion dynamics are still the main issues for the application of intercalation-based anode materials in SIBs in terms of meeting the benchmark requirements for commercialization. Over the past few years, tremendous efforts have been devoted to improving the performance of SIBs. In this Review, recent progress in the development of intercalation-based anode materials, including TiO2 , Li4 Ti5 O12 , Na2 Ti3 O7 , and NaTi2 (PO4 )3 , is summarized in terms of their sodium storage performance, critical issues, sodiation/desodiation behavior, and effective strategies to enhance their electrochemical performance. Additionally, challenges and perspectives are provided to further understand these intercalation-based anode materials.

Depressive State in the Emergency Department During COVID-19: A National Cross-Sectional Survey in China.

Chinese emergency department (ED) staff encountered significant mental stress while fighting the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. We sought to investigate the prevalence and associated factors for depressive symptoms among ED staff (including physicians, nurses, allied health, and auxiliary ED staff). A cross-sectional national survey of ED staff who were on duty and participated in combating the COVID-19 pandemic was conducted March 1-15, 2020. A total of 6,588 emergency medical personnel from 1,060 hospitals responded to this survey. A majority of respondents scored above 10 points on the PHQ-9 standardized test, which is associated with depressive symptoms. Those aged 31-45, those working in the COVID-19 isolation unit, and those with relatives ≤ 16 or ≥70 years old at home all had statistically significant associations with scoring >10 points. Depressive symptoms among Chinese emergency medical staff were likely quite common during the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and reinforce the importance of targeted ED staff support during future outbreaks.

[Protective effect of baicalin against LPS-induced intestinal injury].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect of baicalin on the intestinal mucosal injury caused by endotoxin-lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the anti-oxidative injury in colonic and ileal mucosa of rats with septicopyemia. METHOD: Fifty healthy male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 5 groups: the normal control group, the model group, and baicalin high-dose, medium-dose and low-dose groups. They were orally administered with double distilled water, 100 mg x kg(-1) of baicalin, 50 mg x kg(-1) of baicalin, and 25 mg x kg(-1) of baicalin respectively for three days, once a day. 1 h after the oral administration on 3 d, they were intraperitoneally injected with normal saline or LPS (17 mg x kg(-1)). At 20 h after the injection of LPS, all of the mice were sacrificed, and their colonic and ileal tissues were collected. The mental status, life state and death rate of mice in each group were observed, and the lengths of colonic were measured. Chiu's scoring method was used to assess the intestinal mucosal injury. Histopathological changes of intestinal tissues were tested by HE staining. The ultraviolet spectrophotometry was used to detect total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) of intestinal homogenate. The immunohistochemical method was used to analyze the expression of PCNA in intestinal tissues of each group. RESULT: The death of mice was observed after the intraperitoneal injection of LPS. The death rates of baicalin groups were remarkably lower than the death rate of the model group. The colons in the medium-dose baicalin group were much longer than that in the model group (P < 0.05), with a much lower intestinal mucosa injury degree than the model group. Colonic and ileal injuries in the high-dose baicalin group significantly (P < 0.05). Colonic and ileal injuries in the medium-dose baicalin group and the low-dose baicalin group significantly reduced compare with the model group (P < 0.000 1). The medium-dose baicalin group showed no significant increase in homogenate's T-AOC, T-SOD and GSH-PX compare with the model group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between baicalin groups and the model group in PCNA. CONCLUSION: Baicalin can protect intestinal epithelial cells suffering from injury from oxygen radicals, and relieve the intestinal injury caused by LPS by improving the intestinal mucosa structure and functions.