LiNO3 -Based Electrolytes via Electron-Donation Modulation for Sustainable Nonaqueous Lithium Rechargeable Batteries.

LiPF6 as a dominant lithium salt of electrolyte is widely used in commercial rechargeable lithium-ion batteries due to its well-balanced properties, including high solubility in organic solvents, good electrochemical stability, and high ionic conductivity. However, it suffers from several undesirable properties, such as high moisture sensitivity, thermal instability, and high cost. To address these issues, herein, we propose an electron-donation modulation (EDM) rule for the development of low-cost, sustainable, and electrochemically compatible LiNO3 -based electrolytes. We employ high donor-number solvents (HDNSs) with strong electron-donation ability to dissolve LiNO3 , while low donor-number solvents (LDNSs) with weak electron-donation ability are used to regulate the solvation structure to stabilize the electrolytes. As an example, we design the LiNO3 -DMSO@PC electrolyte, where DMSO acts as an HDNS and PC serves as an LDNS. This electrolyte exhibits excellent electrochemical compatibility with graphite anodes, as well as the LiFePO4 and LiCoO2 cathodes, leading to stable cycling over 200 cycles. Through spectroscopy analyses and theoretical calculation, we uncover the underlying mechanism responsible for the stabilization of these electrolytes. Our findings provide valuable insights into the preparation of LiNO3 -based electrolytes using the EDM rule, opening new avenues for the development of advanced electrolytes with versatile functions for sustainable rechargeable batteries.

Protective effects and potential mechanisms of (2-Carboxyethyl) dimethylsulfonium Bromide (Br-DMPT) on gill health status of on-growing grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) after infection with Flavobacterium columnare.

In this study, the protective effects and potential mechanisms of (2-Carboxyethyl) dimethylsulfonium Bromide (Br-DMPT) were evaluated in relation to the gill health status of on-growing young grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). A total of 450 grass carp (216.49 ± 0.29 g) were randomly distributed into five treatments of three replicates each (30 fish per replicate) and were fed diets supplemented with gradational Br-DMPT (0-520.0 mg/kg levels) for 60 days. Subsequently, the fish were challenged with Flavobacterium columnare for 3 days, and the gills were sampled to evaluate antioxidant status and immune responses evaluation. Our results showed that, when compared to the control group, dietary supplementation with appropriate Br-DMPT levels resulted in the following: (1) decreased gill rot morbidity and improved gill histological symptoms after exposure to F. columnare (P < 0.05); (2) improved activities and gene expression levels (except GSTP2 gene) of antioxidant enzymes and decreased oxidative damage parameter values (reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl) (P < 0.05), which may be partially associated with the nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signalling pathway (P < 0.05); (3) increased lysozyme (LZ) and acid phosphatase (ACP) activities and complement 3 (C3), C4 and immunoglobulin M (IgM) contents, and upregulated genes expressions of antibacterial peptides (liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide-2A, -2B, hepcidin, ß-defensin and mucin2) (P < 0.05); (4) upregulated gene expressions of anti-inflammatory cytokines (except IL--4/13B) that may be partially to the TOR/(S6K1, 4E-BP1) signalling pathway, and downregulated gene expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines (except IL-12P35) may be partially to the IKK ß, γ/IκBα/NF-kB) signalling pathway (P < 0.05). Taken together, our results indicate that dietary supplementation with appropriate amounts of Br-DMPT may effectively protect on-growing grass carp from F. columnare by strengthening gill antioxidant capacity and immunity. Furthermore, based on measures of combatting gill rot, antioxidant indices (MDA) and immune indices (LZ), the dietary Br-DMPT supplementation levels for on-growing grass carp are recommended to be 291.14, 303.38 and 312.01 mg/kg diet, respectively.

(2-Carboxyethyl) dimethylsulfonium bromide supplementation in non-fish meal diets for on-growing grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella): Beneficial effects on immune function of the immune organs via modulation of NF-κB and TOR signalling pathway.

The immune function of immune organs is extremely crucial for maintaining organism health status, which ultimately affects fish growth. Our previous study has found that dietary supplementation of (2-carboxyethyl)dimethylsulfonium Bromide (Br-DMPT) in non-fish meal (NFM) diet could promote the growth of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), whereas the underlying reason or mechanism for this results is largely unclear. Herein, we further explored whether dietary supplementation of Br-DMPT promoted fish growth is connected with the enhanced immune function in the immune organs (the head kidney, spleen and skin). In this study, 540 fish (216.49 ± 0.29 g) were irregularly distributed to six groups with three replicates (30 fish replicate-1) and fed corresponding diets group containing a fish meal (FM) diet group and five different NFM diets supplemented with gradational Br-DMPT (0-520.0 mg/kg level) group for 60 days. After the 60-days feeding trial, 8 fish from each replicate were selected and then conducted a challenge test with A. hydrophila for 14 days. Our results indicated that in the NFM diets, appropriate Br-DMPT: (1) significantly decreased the morbidity of skin haemorrhage and lesion after A. hydrophila infection (P < 0.05). (2) significantly improved the innate and adaptive immune components (lysozyme, complement 3, immunoglobulin M and antibacterial peptides et al.) (P < 0.05). (3) increased the gene expressions of main anti-inflammatory cytokines partially by referring to TOR signalling pathway, and decreased the gene expressions of main pro-inflammatory cytokines partially by referring to NF-kB signalling pathway (P < 0.05). Strikingly, no statistical difference could be found in the most of above immune parameters between 260.0 mg/kg Br-DMPT diet group and FM diet group (P > 0.05). Taken together, in non-fish meal diet, appropriate supplementation of Br-DMPT could improve the disease resistance capacity, non-specific immunity and ameliorate inflammation, and simultaneously could mitigate these adverse effects induced by the non-fish meal diet in fish immune organs. Moreover, this study may be helpful to decipher the underlying mechanisms of how Br-DMPT promote fish growth by immune organs and also provide scientific theoretical evidence for the future application of Br-DMPT as a new immunopotentiator in aquaculture industry.

Novel insights into the intestinal immune regulatory effects of (2-Carboxyethyl) dimethylsulfonium Bromide (Br-DMPT) in on-growing grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella).

The present study evaluated the effects of (2-Carboxyethyl)dimethylsulfonium Bromide (Br-DMPT) supplementation on the intestinal immune function and potential mechanisms of on-growing grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) by feeding fish (initial weight 216.49 ± 0.29 g) five diets with gradational Br-DMPT (0-520 mg/kg diet) concentrations for 60 days and then infecting them with Aeromonas hydrophila for 14 days. Our results firstly indicated that compared with the control group, appropriate Br-DMPT supplementation increased the number of beneficial bacteria Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium and enteritis resistance, decreased the number of detrimental bacteria Aeromonas and E. coli, and relieved the intestinal histopathological symptoms of fish. In addition, compared with the control group, appropriate Br-DMPT supplementation (1) increased lysozyme (LZ) and acid phosphatase (ACP) activities, as well as complement 3 (C3), C4 and immunoglobulin M (IgM) content; (2) upregulated the mRNA levels of anti-microbial substance: liver expressed anti-microbial peptide (LEAP) -2A, LEAP-2B, hepcidin, ß-defensin-1 and Mucin2; (3) partially downregulated the mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines [interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß), IL-6, IL-8, IL-12p40, IL-15, IL-17D, tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interferon γ2 (IFN-γ2)] by inhibiting [IKKß/IκBα/(NF-κBp65 and c-Rel)] signalling; and (4) partially upregulated the mRNA levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines [IL-4/13A, IL-10, IL-11, transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1] by activating [TOR/(S6K1 and 4E-BP)] signalling. The aforementioned results indicated that appropriate amount of Br-DMPT exerted a positive effect on the regulation of intestinal immune function in fish. Finally, based on enteritis morbidity, the IgM content and the lysozyme activity in the PI, the appropriate levels of Br-DMPT supplementation for on-growing grass carp were established as 295.43, 301.73 and 320.36 mg/kg diet, respectively.

Protective effects of CX3CR1 on autoimmune inflammation in a chronic EAE model for MS through modulation of antigen-presenting cell-related molecular MHC-II and its regulators.

BACKGROUND: Recent evidences have implicated neuroprotective effects of CX3CR1 in multiple sclerosis (MS). But whether CX3CR1 is involved in modulation of antigen-presenting cell (APC)-related molecular MHC-II and what the possible mechanism is remain unidentified. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we intended to investigate the effects of CX3CR1 on MHC-II expressions on brain myeloid cells in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mice and explore the possible regulators for it. METHODS: CX3CR1-deficient EAE mice were created. Disease severity, pathological damage, and the expressions of MHC-II and its mediators on myeloid cells were detected. RESULTS: We found that compare with wile-typed EAE mice, CX3CR1-deficient EAE mice exhibited more severe disease severity. An accumulation of CD45+CD115+Ly6C-CD11c+ cells was reserved in the affected EAE brain of CX3CR1-deficient mice, consistent with disease severity and pathological damage in the brain. The expressions of MHC-II on the brain CD45+CD115+Ly6C-CD11c+ cells of CX3CR1-deficient EAE mice were elevated, in accord with the increased protein and mRNA expressions of class II transactivator (CIITA) and interferon regulatory factor-1 (IRF-1). CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicated that CX3CR1 might be an important regulator for MHC-II expressions on APCs, playing a beneficial role in EAE. The mechanism was probably through regulation on the MHC-II regulators CIITA and IRF-1.

Characteristic findings by phototrichogram in southern Chinese women with Female pattern hair loss.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the characteristics of hairs in Female pattern hair loss (FPHL) patients and healthy females in Southern China. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three fundamental hair parameters in different scalp areas of 90 Southern Chinese FPHL patients and 83 healthy controls were analyzed by phototrichogram. RESULTS: Female pattern hair loss patients showed reduced hair density, hair diameter, and terminal/vellus hair ratio. The reduction correlated with the severity of Ludwig staging. Midscalp was the most affected area in FPHL, but occipital and temporal sites were also involved. In normal women, the highest hair density was observed in midscalp, followed by occipital and temporal areas. Peak hair density at midscalp sites was reached at 20s group, then declined with age. Maximum hair diameter at midscalp and occipital sites occurred in 40s group. Terminal/vellus hair ratio tended to increase with age and peak on 50-60s group. CONCLUSION: Reduced hair density and hair diameter, and miniaturization of hair follicles are the characteristics of FPHL in Southern Chinese women. Occipital and temporal sites are also affected in FPHL. Age-associated changes might have an influence on the hair condition. The values of hair parameters obtained in this study will help to establish reference data for better evaluation of hair disorders.

MCP-1 produced by keratinocytes is associated with leucocyte recruitment during elicitation of nickel-induced occupational allergic contact dermatitis.

To investigate the expression profile of monocyte chemoattractant peptide-1 (MCP-1) by keratinocytes after nickel exposure and to identify its role for leucocyte migration during nickel-induced occupational allergic contact dermatitis (OACD), 26 workers diagnosed with nickel-induced OACD were enrolled. Skin biopsies from the positive nickel-challenged sites at different time points were assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) for MCP-1, CD68, CD45RO, and in situ hybridization (ISH) for MCP-1, using chronic periumbilical dermititis as controls. The expressions of MCP-1 in HaCaT cell culture after nickel treatment were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results showed that at positive nickel-challenged sites, strong expressions of MCP-1, both messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein, were detected in the basal keratinocytes during the early phase (24-48 h after nickel application), paralleled by the recruitment of CD68+ and CD45RO+ cells to the skin compartments. The expressions of MCP-1 declined gradually in the late phase (72-96 h after nickel application). Treatment with nickel sulfate at noncytotoxic concentrations (0.01-100 µM) induced a concentration-related elevation of MCP-1 expression by HaCaT cells compared to the untreated cells. The data indicated that a temporal expression pattern of MCP-1 produced by keratinocytes after nickel exposure was involved in the complex process of mononuclear cell infiltration during elicitation of nickel-induced OACD. Targeting MCP-1 might be a potential therapeutic strategy for OACD.

Reinforcement of tungsten carbide grains by nanoprecipitates in cemented carbides.

In contrast to the conventional method that obtains a high fracture strength of tungsten carbide-cobalt (WC-Co) cemented carbides by reducing WC grain size to near-nano or nanoscale, a new approach has been developed to achieve ultrahigh fracture strength by strengthening the WC grains through precipitate reinforcement. The cemented carbides were prepared by liquid-state sintering the in situ synthesized WC-Co composite powders with a little excess carbon and pre-milled Cr3C2 particles having different size scales. It was found that the nanoscale dispersed particles precipitate in the WC grains, which mainly have a coherent or semi-coherent interface with the matrix. The pinning effect of the nanoparticles on the motion of dislocations within the WC grains was observed. The mechanisms for the precipitation of nanoparticles in the WC grains were discussed, based on which a new method to enhance the resistance against the transgranular fracture of cemented carbides was proposed.

Orientation relationship in WC-Co composite nanoparticles synthesized by in situ reactions.

Using the nanoscale violet tungsten oxide as the tungsten source, the WC-Co composite powder was synthesized by the in situ reactions. The particle size of the WC-Co composite powder has a narrow distribution with the mean particle size below 100 nm, and the single composite particle has a nanocrystalline structure with a mean grain size smaller than 10 nm. The detailed characterizations of the nanoparticle microstructure reveal that the orientation relationship and coherence at the interfaces can form during the in situ reactions and further inherit in the consolidated cemented carbide bulk material. The favorable crystallographic characteristics of the WC-Co composite nanoparticles play a significant role in the enhancement of the mechanical properties of the prepared cemented carbide bulk material.

Integrative analysis of single-cell and bulk RNA-sequencing data revealed T cell marker genes based molecular sub-types and a prognostic signature in lung adenocarcinoma.

Immunotherapy has emerged as a promising modality for addressing advanced or conventionally drug-resistant malignancies. When it comes to lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), T cells have demonstrated significant influence on both antitumor activity and the tumor microenvironment. However, their specific contributions remain largely unexplored. This investigation aimed to delineate molecular subtypes and prognostic indicators founded on T cell marker genes, thereby shedding light on the significance of T cells in LUAD prognosis and precision treatment. The cellular phenotypes were identified by scrutinizing the single-cell data obtained from the GEO repository. Subsequently, T cell marker genes derived from single-cell sequencing analyses were integrated with differentially expressed genes from the TCGA repository to pinpoint T cell-associated genes. Utilizing Cox analysis, molecular subtypes and prognostic signatures were established and subsequently verified using the GEO dataset. The ensuing molecular and immunological distinctions, along with therapy sensitivity between the two sub-cohorts, were examined via the ESTIMATE, CIBERSORT, and ssGSEA methodologies. Compartmentalization, somatic mutation, nomogram development, chemotherapy sensitivity prediction, and potential drug prediction analyses were also conducted according to the risk signature. Additionally, real-time qPCR and the HPA database corroborated the mRNA and protein expression patterns of signature genes in LUAD tissues. In summary, this research yielded an innovative T cell marker gene-based signature with remarkable potential to prognosis and anticipate immunotherapeutic outcomes in LUAD patients.

Up-regulated expression of Fas antigen in peripheral T cell subsets in patients with myasthenia gravis.

PURPOSE: Recent reports have linked various autoimmune diseases to defective Fas-mediated apoptosis or Fas expression. Here we aimed to determine whether Fas-mediated apoptosis is involved in the pathogenesis of myasthenia gravis (MG). METHODS: The expression of Fas antigen in peripheral T cell subsets from 17 Chinese patients with MG and 13 healthy individuals was determined by flow cytometry, and its associations with clinical classification, thymus pathology, the concomitance with hyperthyroidism (HT) and corticosteroid treatment were investigated. RESULTS: Compared with normal controls, a significantly up-regulated expression of Fas antigen was observed in the peripheral CD4+, CD4+CD8- and CD4-CD8- T cell subsets from patients with MG. Fas expression in CD4-CD8+ T cells of MG patients with normal thymus was significantly higher than that of patients with thymoma. Fas expressions in CD4+CD8+ T cells in MG patients with HT was significantly higher than controls and the ones without HT. Enhanced Fas expressions was found in CD4-CD8+ and CD4-CD8- T cells of MG patients with corticosteroid treatment, but no significant difference of Fas expression in peripheral T cells between patients with ocular MG (OMG) and general MG (GMG) was observed. CONCLUSION: Fas antigen may play a role in the pathogenesis of MG. It may be involved in the mechanisms of corticosteroid treatment, and with the occurrence of HT. OMG may represent a systemic disease, similar to that of GMG.

All-Climate High-Voltage Commercial Lithium-Ion Batteries Based on Propylene Carbonate Electrolytes.

Propylene carbonate (PC)-based electrolytes have many attractive advantages over the commercially used ethylene carbonate (EC)-based electrolytes like a wider operating temperature and higher oxidation stability. Therefore, PC-based electrolytes become the potential candidate for lithium-ion batteries with higher energy density, longer lifespan, and better low- and high-temperature performance. In spite of the superiority, PC is incompatible with the graphite anode because PC fails to passivate the graphite anode, leading to severe decomposition and gas evolution, which seriously restrict the development of the PC-based electrolytes. Nevertheless, it is recently found that the usage of diethyl carbonate (DEC) as a cosolvent will greatly improve the anodic tolerance of PC to realize the reversible lithiation/delithiation of the graphite anode in the PC-based electrolyte. It is because DEC induces anions into the solvation shell of Li+ to form an anion-induced ion-solvent-coordinated (AI-ISC) structure with higher reduction stability. In this work, we fabricated 4.4 V pouch cells to assess in detail the practical viability of the PC-based electrolyte in a commercial battery system. In comparison to conventionally used EC-based cells, the pouch cells with the PC-based electrolyte exhibit more excellent high-voltage tolerance and electrochemical performance at all temperature ranges (-40 to 85 °C), demonstrating the wide application prospect of the PC-based electrolyte.

High-Voltage and Intrinsically Safe Sodium Metal Batteries Enabled by Nonflammable Fluorinated Phosphate Electrolytes.

Sodium metal is a promising anode for high-energy-density sodium rechargeable batteries (RSBs). However, the low Coulombic efficiency (CE) of the Na plating/stripping process and the problem of safety hinder their practical application. Herein, we report a facile strategy for employing the fluorinated phosphate solvents to realize highly reversible Na plating/stripping and improve the safety performance. The fluorinated phosphate molecules reduce the polarity of the solvent and lower the coordination number to Na+, which makes it possible to form the anion-induced ion-solvent-coordinated (AI-ISC) structures with high reduction tolerance. Moreover, the fluorination treatment enhances the oxidation resistance of the phosphate solvent, enabling compatibility with the high-voltage Na3V2(PO4)2F3 (NVPF) cathode. As expected, the Na@Al//NVPF full cell with the as-prepared 0.9 M NaFSI/tris(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl) phosphate (TFEP) demonstrates a capacity retention of 83.4% after 200 cycles with an average CE of 99.6%. This work opens a new avenue for designing high-energy-density RSBs with improved safety performance.

The underlying mechanism for reduction stability of organic electrolytes in lithium secondary batteries.

Many organic solvents have very desirable solution properties, such as wide temperature range, high solubility of Li salts and nonflammability, and should be able but fail in reality to serve as electrolyte solvents for Li-ion or -metal batteries due to their reduction instability. The origin of this interfacial instability remains unsolved and disputed so far. Here, we reveal for the first time the origin of the reduction stability of organic carbonate electrolytes by combining ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations, density functional theory (DFT) calculations and electrochemical stability experiments. It is found that with the increase of the molar ratio (MR) of salt to solvent, the anion progressively enters into the solvation shell of Li+ to form an anion-induced ion-solvent-coordinated (AI-ISC) structure, leading to a "V-shaped" change of the LUMO energy level of coordinated solvent molecules, whose interfacial stability first decreases and then increases with the increased MRs of salt to solvent. This mechanism perfectly explains the long-standing puzzle about the interfacial compatibility of organic electrolytes with Li or similar low potential anodes and provides a basic understanding and new insights into the rational design of the advanced electrolytes for next generation lithium secondary batteries.

Magnetic properties of Al-SiC co-sputtered films grown by radio frequency sputtering.

Room-temperature ferromagnetism was observed in the Al-SiC co-sputtered films fabricated by radio frequency (RF) sputtering. When the annealing temperature (Ta) was increased from 800 to 1100 degrees C, the ferromagnetic ordering was present with the formation of Al-C bonds. Both annealing and Al-doped the films can improve the crystallization of SiC and induce long-range magnetic order in the Al-SiC co-sputtered films. Experiments show that the Al solubility was less than 0.8 at% in SiC matrix. As a possible explanation for the existence of local magnetic moment in Al-doped SiC, unpaired spins arise in a conversion from sp3 to the sp3/sp2 hybridization. The partial Si-C bonds in SiC were converted to Al-C bonds when the trivalent aluminum entered into Si sites. Al atoms introduce some net spins in Al doped film with the calculated integrated spin density 0.467 microB. The structural defects produced by Al-doping have provided an exciting possibility of nonmagnetic atoms-doped to control the spin moments and induce ferromagnetism in wide-gap semiconductor.

Effects of Static Magnetic Field on Compression Properties of Mg-Al-Gd Alloys Containing Gd-Rich Ferromagnetic Phase.

The Mg-0.6Al-20.8Gd (wt.%) alloys were homogenized at 620 °C for 20 min under 0 T and 1 T, followed by furnace cooling, quenching, and air cooling, respectively. The effects of the magnetic field on the phase constituent, microstructure, secondary phase precipitation, and mechanical properties of the Mg-Al-Gd alloys were investigated. The Mg-Al-Gd alloys contained α-Mg, Mg5Gd, Al2Gd, and GdH2 phases, and the phase constituents were hardly influenced by the applied magnetic field. However, the precipitation of the paramagnetic Mg5Gd upon cooling was accelerated by the magnetic field, and that of the ferromagnetic Al2Gd phases was inhibited. In addition, the Al2Gd phase was significantly refined and driven to segregate at the grain boundaries by the magnetic field, and the resultant pinning effect led to the microstructure change from dendritic α-Mg grains to rosette-like ones. When the magnetic field was only applied to the homogenization stage, the content of the Mg5Gd phase remained unchanged in the quenched alloy, whereas the Mg5Gd laths were significantly refined. By contrast, the contents of the Al2Gd and GdH2 phases were increased, while the precipitation sites were still within the α-Mg grains. The Mg5Gd laths were incapable of providing precipitation strengthening, while the Al2Gd and GdH2 particles brought positive effects on the enhancement of the mechanical properties. In the quenching condition, the hardness, compression strength, and ductility can be improved by the magnetic treatment, whereas these mechanical properties can be suppressed in the furnace cooled condition by the magnetic treatment.

Enabling electrochemical compatibility of non-flammable phosphate electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries by tuning their molar ratios of salt to solvent.

We develop a new type of electrolyte with a high molar ratio (MR) of salt to solvent but a low molar concentration by adjusting the molar mass of the solvent. The present 1 : 2 LiFSI-triamyl phosphate electrolyte exhibits a low molar concentration of only 1.35 M along with excellent electrochemical stability against the graphite anode.

DNASE1L3 as an indicator of favorable survival in hepatocellular carcinoma patients following resection.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignancy with a dismal prognosis. It is of great importance to identify biomarkers for the prediction of patients' survival.The mRNA expression level of deoxyribonuclease 1 like 3 (DNASE1L3) and its correlation with survival were accessed in 424 samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. Its expression level was confirmed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting in 20 pairs of postsurgical specimens. In addition, immunohistochemistry staining of DNASE1L3 was also performed in 113 postoperative samples, using a histochemistry score system. The relationship between patients' survival and DNASE1L3 expression level was evaluated by the Kaplan-Meier method.DNASE1L3 is downregulated in both mRNA and protein levels in HCC tissues, compared with adjacent normal tissues. 52 of 113 HCC specimens showed positive DNASE1L3 protein expression. Patients with positive DNASE1L3 expression had significantly longer overall survival, compared with patients with negative expression (p = 0.023). However, the DNASE1L3 fails to discriminate progression-free survival (p = 0.134). Multivariate COX analysis revealed that positive DNASE1L3 expression and higher differentiation were significantly associated with better overall survival.This study demonstrated that positive DNASE1L3 expression is an independent prognostic factor for better survival in HCC patients following radical resection.

Crystal defects responsible for mechanical behaviors of a WC-Co composite at room and high temperatures - a simulation study.

The microstructure evolution and changes in the structures of crystal defects of the nanocrystalline WC-Co composite in the process of uniaxial compression were studied by simulations at both room and high temperatures. The deformation processes were demonstrated as a function of stress and temperature for the stages prior to and after yielding of the composite. The Peierls stresses were evaluated for Co and WC dislocations with increasing temperature. The deformation mechanisms for each stage of the stress-strain curve were disclosed, in which the effect of temperature was clarified. It was found that with the increase of stress, from elastic deformation to plastic deformation then to yielding of the composite, the dominant mechanisms are grain boundary migration, formation and motion of dislocations in Co, concurrent motion and reaction of dislocations in Co and WC, and then rotation of WC grains in combination with motion of Co and WC dislocations. At the yielding stage, sliding of WC grain boundaries plays an increasingly important role in the contribution to plastic deformation at high temperatures. With strain the proportion of mobile dislocations decreases, and dislocations pile up at triple junctions of WC grains, WC/WC grain boundaries and WC/Co phase boundaries in priority order, leading to the nucleation and propagation of microcracks in these regions.

High-Safety Symmetric Sodium-Ion Batteries Based on Nonflammable Phosphate Electrolyte and Double Na3V2(PO4)3 Electrodes.

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have been viewed as a promising candidate for grid-scale energy storage systems owing to their low cost and abundant Na resources. However, insufficient safety and poor cycling performance of current SIBs are hampering their implementation. Herein, we develop a symmetric SIB by employing Na3V2(PO4)3 as both cathode and anode along with the nonflammable triethyl phosphate dissolving 0.9 M NaClO4 as the electrolyte. The symmetric SIB demonstrates a superior rate capability (35.1 mA h g-1 at 32 C) and excellent cycling performance with a capacity retention of 88.9% after 500 cycles at 2 C. This work demonstrates a new avenue to construct safe and long-cycle-life SIBs with a simple electrode manufacturing process.