A geopolymer membrane for application in a structural mechanics and energy storage difunctional supercapacitor.

A structural mechanics and energy storage difunctional supercapacitor based on a geopolymer membrane injected with a 0.5 M Na2SO4 electrolyte and a pseudocapacitive electrode Mn7O13 is designed and assembled. The geopolymer membrane is prepared as a structural electrolyte with metakaolin and alkaline activator solution. The wide channels in the geopolymer matrix provide paths for ion movement. The Mn7O13 electrode is prepared by different hydrothermal treatments at different temperatures and times, and assembled with activated carbon and a geopolymer with different moduli to form a difunctional supercapacitor. The results show that the electrode sample annealed at 300 °C for 45 min after hydrothermal treatment at 160 °C for 24 h exhibits the best comprehensive performance. The specific capacitance of the electrode is 175.5 F g-1 (2392.6 F m-2) at 1 A g-1, and the specific capacitance of the difunctional structure supercapacitor assembled with a geopolymer with a modulus of 1.2 and cured for 28 days is 144.12 F g-1 (1960.0F m-2) at 1 A g-1 under 15 MPa.

Flow Electrode Capacitive Deionization System with Simultaneous Desalting of Na+ and Gathering of Na.

Oceans contain many freshwater resources and metal elements that people need, so the rational development of marine resources can solve the two major problems of shortage of freshwater resources and metal elements for people. To solve these two challenges, a system was designed to obtain freshwater resources and metallic elements simultaneously. An ion enrichment module was added to the conventional flow capacitor deionization system to collect metal elements while the seawater was deionized. A flowing electrode allows the metal elements to enter the flowing electrode through the desalination ability. It transports the metal elements to the enrichment module through the fluidity of the fluid while reducing the ion concentration at the flowing electrode, thus reducing the effect caused by the rejection of the same ion and collecting and enriching the metal elements. We purchased activated carbon to test the feasibility of the system with different mass fractions of activated carbon suspensions. The results showed that the elemental enrichment capacity of the system increased from 12.291 to 14.795 mg, and the enrichment rate increased from 13.536 to 16.294 mg cm-2 h-1 as the mass fraction of activated carbon increased. Thus, the system accomplished the goals of desalination and metal collection simultaneously.

Fabrication of a cost effective and broadband self-powered photodetector based on Sb2Te3 and silicon.

The excellent conductive surface electronic states of topological insulators make them suitable candidates for the next generation optoelectronic devices. Moreover, their unique semiconducting properties are favorable for building heterojunctions with other semiconductors. Here, we fabricated a low cost and broadband self-powered photodetector based on Sb2Te3 and Si. The photolithography and thermal evaporation technique were combined to fabricate a series of asymmetric planar Sb2Te3 electrodes on the surface of an n-type silicon substrate. An obvious asymmetrical current voltage curve occurred under dark conditions, which is ascribed to the asymmetry of each electrode. During the photodetection test, self-powered photodetection was obtained upon 940 nm light irradiation. Moreover, the photodetector exhibited fast and broadband photodetection from 365 nm to 940 nm with a response time less than 40 ms.

MicroRNA-32 inhibits osteosarcoma cell proliferation and invasion by targeting Sox9.

Increasing reports suggest that discovery of microRNAs (miRNAs) might provide a novel therapeutical target for human cancers, including osteosarcoma. Previous studies have shown that miR-32 was dysregulated in breast and endometrial cancer. However, its biological roles in osteosarcoma remain unclear. In the current study, we found that miR-32 was significantly down-regulated in osteosarcoma tissues, compared with the adjacent normal tissues. In vitro studies further demonstrated that miR-32 mimics were able to suppress, while its antisense oligos promoted cell proliferation in Saos-2 and U2OS cells. At the molecular level, our data further revealed that expression of Sox9 was negatively regulated by miR-32. Therefore, our results identify an important role for miR-32 in the osteosarcoma through regulating Sox9 expression.

Giant cell tumours of the mobile spine: characteristic imaging features and differential diagnosis.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristic imaging features of giant cell tumours (GCTs) of the mobile spine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty pathologically proven GCTs of the mobile spine were reviewed. X-ray (n = 18), computed tomography (CT) (n = 24) and magnetic resonance (MR) (n = 21) images were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: Five tumours were located in the cervical spine, 15 tumours were located in the thoracic spine and 10 tumours in the lumbar spine. The characteristic X-ray findings included an osteolytic and expansile lesion with a "soap bubble" or purely lytic appearance. Cortical destruction was commonly seen. Margin sclerosis was seen in two lesions. No mineralised tumour matrix or periosteal reaction appeared. The CT findings were similar but outlined the cortical alterations in a more accurate way. The characteristic MR findings included a well-defined and expansile mass with heterogeneous low-to-iso signal intensity on T2-weighted images. Cystic areas were commonly seen in 17 cases. Five cases presented fluid-fluid levels, suggesting the development of aneurysmal bone cyst. The solid portions of the tumours were enhanced with a very heterogeneous signal pattern reflecting high blood supply after contrast-enhanced scan. Tumour involvement in the epidural space occurred in 12 cases, causing spinal cord and/or nerve root compression. Involvement of intervertebral discs and/or adjacent vertebrae appeared in two cases. CONCLUSIONS: Although rare, GCT can occur in the mobile spine as a kind of benign but locally aggressive tumour. Radiologists should be familiar with its characteristic imaging features in order to make a correct diagnosis and to help preoperative evaluations.

In-depth analysis of local recurrence of giant cell tumour of bone with soft tissue extension after intralesional curettage.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the local recurrence rate of giant cell tumour of bone (GCTB) with soft tissue extension, to identify characteristics of the soft tissue extension that can best indicate recurrence of GCTB after intralesional curettage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 48 cases of GCTB with soft tissue extension after intralesional curettage were recruited. Patients were divided into two groups based on various objective features of soft tissue extension including size, number, margins, involvement of adjacent tissues, signal intensity, static enhancement and Jaffe grade. The local recurrence rate was compared using the Chi-square test and Chi-square value correction for continuity. Risk factors were assessed by multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The local recurrence rate was significantly different according to soft tissue extension size, number and margins (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the groups of adjacent tissue involvement and Jaffe grade (p > 0.05). Size, number and margins of the soft tissue extension were independent risk factors of local recurrence of GCTB after intralesional curettage (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The local recurrence rate of GCTB with soft tissue extension after intralesional curettage is higher if the soft tissue extension is large, multiple and lacking bone envelope integrity. For cases with the above-mentioned features, we suggest that the higher recurrence rate can be taken into full consideration when choosing appropriate surgical procedures.

[Inhibitory effect and significance of rapamycin on the mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway in osteosarcoma stem cells and osteosarcoma cells].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of rapamycin on the MG-63 osteosarcoma cells (OC), osteosarcoma stem cells (OSC) and on mTOR signaling pathway, and explore the feasibility of rapamycin as a novel therapeutic measure in osteosarcoma chemotherapy regimens. METHODS: OC and OSC were cultured in vitro. Immunofluorescence assay was used to detect the expression of Nanog and Oct4 in OC and OSC. OC and OSC were treated with rapamycin in concentrations of 0, 20, 50 and 100 nmol/L. Semi-quantitative PCR and RT-PCR were used to detect the mTOR mRNA and CCK-8 assay was used to detect cell proliferation, and the cell morphology was observed under an inverted microscope. RESULTS: The cores of MG-63 cellular spheres exhibited embryonic stem cell characteristics such as Nanog and Oct4 expession. The mTOR pathway was activated in the OSC and the expression of mTOR mRNA was higher in OSC (0.761 ± 0.080) than that in OS (0.406 ± 0.090, P < 0.05) by semi-quantitative PCR. RT-PCR showed that the expression of mTOR mRNA was lower in OSCs treated with 100 nmol/L rapamycin (0.961 ± 0.060) than that with 0 nmol/L rapamycin (1.654 ± 0.246, P < 0.05). Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay showed that the proliferation of OC treated with 20, 50 and 100 nmol/L rapamycin was significantly inhibited, compared with that with 0 nmol/L rapamycin (P < 0.05). Compared with 0 nmol/L rapamycin, the proliferation of OSC treated with 20 and 50 nmol/L rapamycin was not significantly inhibited (P > 0.05), but that with 100 nmol/L rapamycin was significantly inhibited (P < 0.05). The invert microscopic observation revealed that rapamycin inhibited the formation of OSC spheres. CONCLUSIONS: Rapamycin can effectively inhibit cell proliferation and the ability of sphere formation of OSCs. It will provide a basis for a novel therapeutic approach in osteosarcoma chemotherapy regimens.

Switchable NaCl cages via a MWCNTs/Ni[Fe(CN)6]2 nanocomposite for high performance desalination.

With the application of nanomaterials in seawater desalination technology increasing, the adjustable characteristics of carbon-based nanomaterials make it possible to use multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) materials in seawater desalination technology. In this study, Ni[Fe(CN)6]2 is loaded onto the inner wall of MWCNTs by the co-precipitation method to prepare MWCNTs with variable pore size, making it a switchable cage for NaCl. During the procedure, most of the Ni[Fe(CN)6]2 is transferred to the outer surface of the MWCNTs after adsorption, and NaCl is stored inside the MWCNTs (which have been proved by characterization); at the same time, Ni can improve the cell stability of Ni[Fe(CN)6]2. The effect of adsorbent reaction time and addition amount on the desalination performance of MWCNTs/Ni[Fe(CN)6]2 has been tested. According to the results, the best desalination performance of MWCNTs/Ni[Fe(CN)6]2 is 1354.6 mg g-1 when the reaction time is 0.5 h and the addition amount is 20 mg. After 3 cycles of adsorption and desorption, its desalting performance decreased to 242.3 mg g-1.

Low-dimensional high entropy oxide (FeCoCrMnNi)3O4 for supercapacitor applications.

Previous studies have found that high entropy oxides can be used as electrode materials for supercapacitors. However, there is still the problem of their low energy density. We tried to increase the energy density while increasing the specific capacitance of high entropy oxides from the potential window. Transition metal elements Fe, Co, Cr, Mn and Ni were selected for their electrochemical activity, and high entropy oxides were prepared by a sol-gel method under different calcination temperatures. The calcination temperature affects the structural morphology and crystallinity of the high entropy oxides and thus also affects the electrochemical performance. The spinel-phase (FeCoCrMnNi)3O4 with a high specific surface area of 63.1 m2 g-1 was prepared at a low calcination temperature of 450 °C. The specific capacitance is 332.2 F g-1 at a current density of 0.3 A g-1 in 1 M KOH electrolyte with a wide potential window of (-1, 0.6). An improved energy density of 103.8 W h kg-1 is reached via the designed microstructure of the high entropy oxide electrode.

[Variation of Raman spectra of oligoclase under 1.0-4.4 GPa].

Variation of crystal structure of oligoclase with pressure was investigated by the approach of diamond anvil cell (DAC) and in situ micro-Raman spectroscopic measurement at room temperature and under pressures from 1.0 to 4.4 GPa. At 2.9 GPa a new peak round 517 cm(-1) appeared, and a new phase was produced. Near 3.4 GPa a major discontinuity occurs in the pressure dependence of 288 cm(-1) peak arising from the stretching mode of M-O, and 517 cm(-1) peak disappeared, it implied that the oligoclase underwent triclinic to monoclinic phase transition completely at about 3.4 GPa. The peaks at 458 and 516 cm(-1) peaks arising from flexural vibrational mode of Si-O-Si shifted linearly with the increasing pressures, the pressure-related slopes are 1.667 cm(-1)/GPa and 3.560 cm(-1)/GPa, respectively, whereas, the flexural vibrational mode of Al-O-Al at 480 cm(-1) did not shifted linearly with the increasing pressures. The position of 288 cm(-1) peak did not change obviously in comparision with 458, 516 and 480 cm(-1) peaks, which shifted to lower frequency during decompression. The phase transition pressure of feldspar relates to the species of cation in the octatomic rings.

Deep Learning for Approaching Hepatocellular Carcinoma Ultrasound Screening Dilemma: Identification of α-Fetoprotein-Negative Hepatocellular Carcinoma From Focal Liver Lesion Found in High-Risk Patients.

Background: First-line surveillance on hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected populations with B-mode ultrasound is relatively limited to identifying hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) without elevated α-fetoprotein (AFP). To improve the present HCC surveillance strategy, the state of the art of artificial intelligence (AI), a deep learning (DL) approach, is proposed to assist in the diagnosis of a focal liver lesion (FLL) in HBV-infected liver background. Methods: Our proposed deep learning model was based on B-mode ultrasound images of surgery that proved 209 HCC and 198 focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) cases with 413 lesions. The model cohort and test cohort were set at a ratio of 3:1, in which the test cohort was composed of AFP-negative HBV-infected cases. Four additional deep learning models (MobileNet, Resnet50, DenseNet121, and InceptionV3) were also constructed as comparative baselines. To evaluate the models in terms of diagnostic power, sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, confusion matrix, F1-score, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were calculated in the test cohort. Results: The AUC of our model, Xception, achieved 93.68% in the test cohort, superior to other baselines (89.06%, 85.67%, 83.94%, and 78.13% respectively for MobileNet, Resnet50, DenseNet121, and InceptionV3). In terms of diagnostic power, our model showed sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and F1-score of 96.08%, 76.92%, 86.41%, and 87.50%, respectively, and PPV, NPV, FPR, and FNR calculated from the confusion matrix were respectively 80.33%, 95.24%, 23.08%, and 3.92% in identifying AFP-negative HCC from HBV-infected FLL cases. Satisfactory robustness of our proposed model was shown based on 5-fold cross-validation performed among the models above. Conclusions: Our DL approach has great potential to assist B-mode ultrasound in identifying AFP-negative HCC from FLL found in surveillance of HBV-infected patients.

Thermodynamics of the interaction of sweeteners and lactisole with fullerenols as an artificial sweet taste receptor model.

The thermodynamics of the mimetic interaction of lactisole and sweeteners with fullerenols as a synthetic sweet receptor model was elucidated by Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC) technique. The presence of lactisole resulted in great differences in thermodynamics of the sweeteners binding with fullerenols in which lactisole led to much more entropy contribution to the free energy compared with the interaction of sweeteners with fullerenols. Two interaction equilibrium states were found in ITC titration profiles and competitive binding of lactisole and sweeteners with fullerenols was disclosed. Our results indicated that the larger value of the ratio of two equilibrium constant K1/K2, the more effectively lactisole inhibited the sweetness of the sweetener. The combined results of sensory evaluation and ITC thermodynamics revealed that introducing a synthetic receptor model to interact with the sweeteners and inhibitors helps to understand the inhibition mechanism and the thermodynamic basis for the initiation of sweetness inhibition.

Theoretical investigation of the low lying electronic states of MgGa.

In this work, we investigate the low-lying electronic states correlated to the first and the second dissociation channels of MgGa molecule, neglecting and including the spin-orbit coupling effect. High-level ab initio calculations have been performed by using the icMRCI + Q method. Potential energy curves, spectroscopic constants, electron configurations and dipole moments are derived and discussed. Molecular structures of several magnesium-group 13 diatomics have been probed and analyzed. Information associated with transition dipole moments, Franck-Condon factors, vibrational branching ratios and radiative lifetimes between the Ω states are also well characterized. It is anticipated this work will provide some inspiration for further studies on MgGa.

Ab initio investigation on the low-lying electronic states of magnesium antimonide.

The twelve Λ-S electronic states of the first four dissociation limits of the MgSb molecule have been examined at the icMRCI+Q level employing basis sets of quintuple-ζ quality. The potential energy curves, vibrational levels and spectroscopic constants of the species have been investigated. The permanent dipole moments of the interested states are derived, and the transition dipole moments, Einstein emission coefficients, radiation lifetimes and Franck-Condon factors between selected states are also determined. Four Λ-S states of the first two dissociation limits split into seven Ω states under the effect of spin-orbit coupling. Characterizations of the MgSb low-lying Ω states are performed for the first time. In addition, the results and relevant data provided in this work on MgSb are compared with the antimony-IIA group and magnesium-VA group diatomic species. It is anticipated that this work will shed some light on further investigations of MgSb and other antimony-IIA group systems.

Characterization of the low-lying electronic states of tin monohydride cation including the spin-orbit coupling effect: A theoretical perspective.

High-level ab initio computations have been performed on SnH+. The potential energy curves and spectroscopic constants of the low-lying Λ-S electronic states, as well as their associated Ω states, are derived at the icMRCI + Q level employing basis sets of quintuple-ζ quality. The transition dipole moments, Einstein coefficients, radiative lifetimes and Franck-Condon factors of three spin-forbidden transition bands ( [Formula: see text] , [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] ) are determined. Comparisons between our predictions and available experimental results indicate reasonable agreement. The spin-orbit coupling effect has been proved to affect these low-lying electronic states significantly.

Theoretical study of the low-lying electronic states, including the spin-orbit interactions, of the sulfur monochloride cation.

High-level ab initio computations have been performed on the experimentally unknown species SCl+. The low-lying Λ-S electronic states correlated to the first and the second dissociation channels as well as their corresponding Ω states have been investigated by the icMRCI+Q methodology employing basis sets up to quintuple-ζ quality. Information about potential energy curves, electron configurations, spectroscopic constants, dipole moments and transition properties are derived and discussed. The results for SCl+ represent an improvement over our previous theoretical descriptions for the ground state. In addition, several low-lying excited states that have not been accessed experimentally and theoretically are also been well characterized in this work. The accuracy of our predictions for SCl+ are verified by comparisons of spectroscopic constants and vibrational levels between our accompany SCl computations and those reported in literatures for the neutral species. The feasibility of performing laser cooling of SCl+ has also been discussed and the photoelectron spectrum of SCl+(X3Σ-) + e â† SCl(X2Π) is simulated.

Theoretical investigation on the low-lying electronic states of beryllium antimonide.

The Λ-S electronic states with respect to the lowest four dissociation limits of BeSb are investigated theoretically on the icMRCI + Q level employing basis set of quintuple-ζ quality. The geometrical parameters, potential energy curves, vibrational energy levels, spectroscopic constants for the twelve Λ - S states are obtained, analyzed and compared with those of the Beryllium-VA group diatomic family species where data are available. The permanent dipole moments, transition dipole moments, Einstein emission coefficients, radiative lifetimes and Franck-Condon factors for interested Λ - S states are also derived. Further assessments of the spin-orbit coupling effect are performed for states associated with the first two dissociation asymptotes of BeSb. Four Λ - S states split into seven Ω states, and some of the PECs are distorted significantly through the spin-orbit coupling effect, which is similar to its isovalent diatomics BeAs. In consideration of potential risks of manipulating beryllium-containing species directly, the information associated with molecular structures, spectroscopic parameters as well as transition properties that provide in this paper is anticipated to serve as guidelines for further researches of BeSb.

Coprecipitation Reaction System Synthesis and Lithium-Ion Capacitor Energy Storage Application of the Porous Structural Bimetallic Sulfide CoMoS4 Nanoparticles.

Lithium-ion capacitors (LICs) are noticed as a new-type of energy storage device with both capacitive mechanism and battery mechanism. The LICs own outstanding power density and energy density. In our work, an LIC was constructed by using a simple method to prepare a bimetallic sulfide of CoMoS4 nanoparticles as the anode and a self-made biochar [fructus cannabis's shells (FCS)] with excellent specific surface area as the cathode. The CoMoS4//FCS LIC demonstrated that the range of energy density is from 10 to 41.9 W h/kg and the range of power density is from 75 to 3000 W/kg in the meantime, and it also demonstrated a remarkable cycling performance with the capacitance retention of 95% after 10 000 cycles of charging-discharging at 1 A/g. The designed CoMoS4//FCS LIC device exhibits a superior electrochemical performance because of the CoMoS4 loose porous structure leading to excellent dynamic performance, which is conducive to the diffusion of electrolyte and lithium ion transport, and good electric double layer performance of biochar with large specific surface area could be achieved. Therefore, this bimetallic sulfide is a promising active material for LICs, which could be applied to electric vehicles in the future.

In-Situ X-ray Tomography Observation of Structure Evolution in 1,3,5-Triamino-2,4,6-Trinitrobenzene Based Polymer Bonded Explosive (TATB-PBX) under Thermo-Mechanical Loading.

In order to study the fracture behavior and structure evolution of 1,3,5-Triamino-2,4,6-Trinitrobenzene (TATB)-based polymer bonded explosive in thermal-mechanical loading, in-situ studies were performed on X-ray computed tomography system using quasi-static Brazilian test. The experiment temperature was set from −20 °C to 70 °C. Three-dimensional morphology of cracks at different temperatures was obtained through digital image process. The various fracture modes were compared by scanning electron microscopy. Fracture degree and complexity were defined to quantitatively characterize the different types of fractures. Fractal dimension was used to characterize the roughness of the crack surface. The displacement field of particles in polymer bonded explosive (PBX) was used to analyze the interior structure evolution during the process of thermal-mechanical loading. It was found that the brittleness of PBX reduced, the fracture got more tortuous, and the crack surface got smoother as the temperature rose. At lower temperatures, especially lower than glass transition temperature of binders, there were slipping and shear among particles, and particles tended to displace and disperse; while at higher temperatures, especially above the glass transition temperature of binders, there was reorganization of particles and particles tended to merge, disperse, and reduce sizes, rather than displacing.

Nitrogen-doped micro-nano carbon spheres with multi-scale pore structure obtained from interpenetrating polymer networks for electrochemical capacitors.

A chemical process was developed to prepare N-doped micro-nano carbon spheres with multi-scale pore structures via carbonization of N-PF/PMMA interpenetrating polymer networks, which contain melamine resin as the nitrogen source, PF as the carbon source, and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) as the pore-former. The N-content of N-doped micro-nano carbon spheres was controlled by adjusting the mass ratio of melamine and phenol before polymerization. The N-doped micro-nano carbon spheres as electrode materials possess appropriate pore size distribution, higher specific surface area (559 m2 g-1) and consistently dispersed nitrogen atoms with adjustable doping content. These distinct characteristics endow the prospective electrode materials with excellent performance in electrochemical capacitors. In particular, N-CS-IPN-4 exhibits the highest specific capacitance of 364 F g-1 at 0.5 A g-1 in 6 M KOH aqueous electrolyte in a three-electrode system. It also possesses superior rate capability (57.7% retention at current densities ranging from 0.5 to 50 A g-1) and excellent cycling performance at 2 A g-1 (100% retention after 10 000 cycles). All these results confirm that the N-doped micro-nano carbon spheres are promising electrochemical capacitor materials, which possesses the advantages of simple preparation procedure, multi-scale pore structures, higher specific surface areas, easy adjustment of N-content and excellent electrochemical properties.