Efficient and durable oxygen reduction and evolution of a hydrothermally synthesized La(Co0.55Mn0.45)0.99O3-δ nanorod/graphene hybrid in alkaline media

The increasing global energy demand and the depletion of fossil fuels have stimulated intense research on fuel cells and batteries. Oxygen electrocatalysis plays essential roles as the electrocatalytic reduction and evolution of di-oxygen are always the performance-limiting factors of these devices relying on oxygen electrochemistry. A novel perovskite with the formula La(Co0.55Mn0.45)0.99O3-δ (LCMO) is designed from molecular orbital principles. The hydrothermally synthesized LCMO nanorods have unique structural and chemical properties and possess high intrinsic activities for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The synergic covalent coupling between LCMO and NrGO enhances the bifunctional ORR and OER activities of the novel LCMO/NrGO hybrid catalyst. The ORR activity of LCMO/NrGO is comparable to the state-of-the-art Pt/C catalyst and its OER activity is competitive to the state-of-the-art Ir/C catalyst. LCMO/NrGO generally outperforms Pt/C and Ir/C with better bifunctional ORR and OER performance and operating durability. LCMO/NrGO represents a new class of low-cost, efficient and durable electrocatalysts for fuel cells, water electrolysers and batteries.

Co3O4 nanoparticles decorated carbon nanofiber mat as binder-free air-cathode for high performance rechargeable zinc-air batteries

An efficient, durable and low cost air-cathode is essential for a high performance metal-air battery for practical applications. Herein, we report a composite bifunctional catalyst, Co3O4 nanoparticles-decorated carbon nanofibers (CNFs), working as an efficient air-cathode in high performance rechargeable Zn-air batteries (ZnABs). The particles-on-fibers nanohybrid materials were derived from electrospun metal-ion containing polymer fibers followed by thermal carbonization and a post annealing process in air at a moderate temperature. Electrochemical studies suggest that the nanohybrid material effectively catalyzes oxygen reduction reaction via an ideal 4-electron transfer process and outperforms Pt/C in catalyzing oxygen evolution reactions. Accordingly, the prototype ZnABs exhibit a low discharge-charge voltage gap (e.g. 0.7 V, discharge-charge at 2 mA cm(-2)) with higher stability and longer cycle life compared to their counterparts constructed using Pt/C in air-cathode. Importantly, the hybrid nanofiber mat readily serves as an integrated air-cathode without the need of any further modification. Benefitting from its efficient catalytic activities and structural advantages, particularly the 3D architecture of highly conductive CNFs and the high loading density of strongly attached Co3O4 NPs on their surfaces, the resultant ZnABs show significantly improved performance with respect to the rate capability, cycling stability and current density, promising good potential in practical applications.

Eggplant-derived microporous carbon sheets: towards mass production of efficient bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts at low cost for rechargeable Zn–air batteries

Microporous carbon sheets derived from eggplant via carbonization and KOH activation serve as efficient bifunctional catalysts for high performance zinc–air batteries.

Cobalt sulfide nanoparticles impregnated nitrogen and sulfur co-doped graphene as bifunctional catalyst for rechargeable Zn–air batteries

Cobalt sulfide nanoparticle impregnated nitrogen and sulfur co-doped graphene nanosheets synthesized in water-based media equip Zn–air batteries with good cycling stability.

Co3O4 nanoparticles grown on N-doped Vulcan carbon as a scalable bifunctional electrocatalyst for rechargeable zinc–air batteries

Balancing the loading of in situ grown Co₃O₄ nanoparticles with the N-doped Vulcan carbon underneath is essential to produce scalable high-performance bifunctional catalysts of Co₃O₄/NVC for rechargeable Zn–air batteries.

Effects of Elderberry Juice from Different Genotypes on Oxidative and Inflammatory Responses in Microglial Cells

Many species of berries are nutritious food and offer health benefits. However, among the different types of berries, information on health effects of American elderberries (Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis) has been lacking and little is known about whether elderberry consumption can confer neuroprotective effects on the central nervous system. Microglial cells constitute a unique class of immune cells and exhibit characteristic properties to carry out multifunctional duties in the brain. Activation of microglial cells has been implicated in brain injury and in many types of neurodegenerative diseases. Our recent studies demonstrated the ability for endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) and interferon gamma (IFNγ) to induce reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) in murine microglial cells (BV-2) through activating NADPH oxidase and the MAPK pathways. In this study, BV-2 microglial cells were used to examine effects of elderberry juice obtained from different genotypes on oxidative and inflammatory responses induced by LPS and IFNγ. Results show that 'Wyldewood' extract demonstrated antioxidant properties by inhibiting IFNγ-induced ROS production and p-ERK1/2 expression. On the other hand, most juice extracts exerted small effects on LPS-induced NO production and some extracts showed an increase in NO production upon stimulation with IFNγ. The disparity of responses on ROS and NO production from different extracts suggests possible presence of unknown endogenous factor(s) in the extract in promoting the IFNγ-induced iNOS synthesis pathway.

Liquid-phase growth of platinum nanoparticles on molybdenum trioxide nanosheets: an enhanced catalyst with intrinsic peroxidase-like catalytic activity

A facile method for the synthesis of metal nanostructure-decorated two-dimensional (2D) semiconductor nanosheets was developed. The solution-processable molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) nanosheet was used as a template for direct liquid-phase growth of platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs) under ambient conditions. Results show that the Pt NPs with sizes of 1-3 nm were uniformly grown on the MoO3 surface. Importantly, the Pt-MoO3 hybrid nanomaterial exhibits an enhanced peroxidase-like catalytic activity compared to the MoO3 nanosheet, Pt NPs, and their physical mixture under the same conditions. As a proof-of-concept application, the Pt-MoO3 hybrid nanomaterial was used as a high-efficiency peroxidase-mimic for ultrasensitive colorimetric detection of glucose in serum samples. This work provides a promising strategy for design and development of biomimetic catalysts by smart assembly of different dimensional nanomaterials.

Dual-phase spinel MnCo2O4 and spinel MnCo2O4/nanocarbon hybrids for electrocatalytic oxygen reduction and evolution

Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) are essential reactions for energy-storage and -conversion devices relying on oxygen electrochemistry. High-performance, nonprecious metal-based hybrid catalysts are developed from postsynthesis integration of dual-phase spinel MnCo2O4 (dp-MnCo2O4) nanocrystals with nanocarbon materials, e.g., carbon nanotube (CNT) and nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide (N-rGO). The synergic covalent coupling between dp-MnCo2O4 and nanocarbons effectively enhances both the bifunctional ORR and OER activities of the spinel/nanocarbon hybrid catalysts. The dp-MnCo2O4/N-rGO hybrid catalysts exhibited comparable ORR activity and superior OER activity compared to commercial 30 wt % platinum supported on carbon black (Pt/C). An electrically rechargeable zinc-air battery using dp-MnCo2O4/CNT hybrid catalysts on the cathode was successfully operated for 64 discharge-charge cycles (or 768 h equivalent), significantly outperforming the Pt/C counterpart, which could only survive up to 108 h under similar conditions.

[Application of self-efficacy theory in patients of diabetic osteoporosis]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the impact of self-efficacy theory health education in patients of diabetic osteoporosis.

METHODS

We used SPSS 19.0 software to generate random numbers and 260 diabetic osteoporosis patients were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group. There was 130 patients in observation group, 130 in control group. The self-efficacy theory health education was carried out in observation group, and routine health education in control group. SF-36 questionnaire was used to assess the quality of life. Osteoporosis self-efficacy scale (OSES) was used to assess self-efficacy. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Blood glucose was detected by glucose oxidase method. Glycosylated hemoglobin was detected by high efficiency liquid chromatography to estimate the index change before intervention and after one year's follow up.

RESULTS

The number of patients that had completed follow-up was 104 in control group and 107 in observation group. The self-efficacy scores, movement efficiency scores and calcium intake efficiency scores were all higher in intervention group ((82.25 ± 13.54) , (79.26 ± 15.37) , (84.39 ± 17.09) points) than which in the control group ((71.14 ± 14.19), (63.89 ± 19.87), (75.24 ± 10.70) points) after one year's follow up, there were significant differences in two groups (t values were 6.04, 7.95, 5.77, all P values<0.05). The scores of quality of life in the dimension of general health, vitality, social function, role emotional and mental health were all higher in intervention group ((75.29 ± 14.90) , (68.61 ± 17.38) , (75.74 ± 18.50) , (71.22 ± 17.93) , (73.69 ± 14.40 ) points) than in the control group ( (44.25 ± 11.01) , (47.39 ± 18.90) , (63.54 ± 15.95), (49.04 ± 19.36), (55.15 ± 19.74) points), there were significant differences in two groups (t values were 8.45, 8.83, 6.92, 8.79, 8.05, all P values<0.05) . Fasting blood-glucose 2 hour postprandial blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin were all lower in intervention group ((7.29 ± 1.81) mmol/L, (8.21 ± 2.37) mmol/L, (6.59 ± 0.92) %) than in the control group ((8.53 ± 1.66) mmol/L, (9.41 ± 3.30) mmol/L, (7.66 ± 1.50) %) , there were significant differences in two groups (t values were 5.33, 4.67, 5.49, all P values<0.05). There were 1 (0.93%) fracture case in observation group and 7 (6.73%) cases in control group during one year's follow up, there are significant difference in two groups (χ(2) = 4.86, P = 0.028).

CONCLUSIONS

The self-efficacy theory health education may improve the quality of life and decreased fracture risk of diabetic osteoporosis patients.

Electrospun aggregation-induced emission active POSS-based porous copolymer films for detection of explosives

Electrospun AIE-active POSS-based copolymer films exhibit an approximately 9-fold increase in response to explosive vapors compared to dense films.

Abstract P6-06-57: Progesterone receptor status and Ki-67 index may predict early relapse in luminal B/HER2 negative breast cancer patients

Purpose

Few studies has documented early relapse in luminalB/HER2-negative breast cancer. We examined prognostic factors for early relapse among these patients to improve treatment decision-making.

Patients and Methods

A total 398 patients with luminalB/HER2-negative breast cancer were included. Kaplan-Meier curves were applied to estimate disease-free survival (DFS) and Cox regression to identify prognostic factors.

Results

Absence of progesterone receptor (PR) expression was associated with higher tumor grade (p&lt; .001) and Ki-67 index (p = .010). PR-absent patients received more chemotherapy than the PR-present group (p = .009). After a median follow-up of 2 years, 17 patients (4.3%) had early relapses and 6 patients (1.5%) had died. The 2-year disease-free survival (DFS) was 97.2% in the PR-present and 88.6% in the PR-absent groups (Log-rank p = .004). Also, patients with a high Ki-67 index (defined as &gt;30%) had a reduced DFS when compared with low Ki-67 index group (≤30%) (97.6% vs 91.3%, respectively, Log-rank p = .025). In multivariate analysis, PR absence was significantly associated with a reduced DFS (HR = 4.031, 95% CI 1.293-12.574, p = .016).

Conclusion

PR absence was a prognostic factor for early relapse in luminal B/HER2-negative breast cancer, while a high Ki-67 index suggested a higher risk of early relapse.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P6-06-57.

Co3O4 nanoparticle-modified MnO2 nanotube bifunctional oxygen cathode catalysts for rechargeable zinc-air batteries

We report the preparation of MnO2 nanotubes functionalized with Co3O4 nanoparticles and their use as bifunctional air cathode catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction and oxygen evolution reaction in rechargeable zinc-air batteries. These hybrid MnO2/Co3O4 nanomaterials exhibit enhanced catalytic reactivity toward oxygen evolution reaction under alkaline conditions compared with that in the presence of MnO2 nanotubes or Co3O4 nanoparticles alone.

Functionalized mesoporous silica particles for application in drug delivery system

In these years, ordered mesoporous silica materials have shown promising applications in drug delivery system as drug carriers. These carriers with stable mesoporous structure, large surface area, good biocompatibility and tailored size of mesopores exhibit significant property of higher drug loading. However, silica-based mesoporous materials cannot control the release of the loaded drug without modifications. In this paper, we review the recent research work discussing functionalization of mesoporous materials by various components and methods for application in drug delivery systems. All the examples show that these functionalized mesoporous silica-based systems have great potential for a variety of drug delivery applications, specifically in the fields of the drug targeted and controlled delivery systems.

Stray light correction algorithm for multichannel hyperspectral spectrographs

An algorithm is presented that corrects a multichannel fiber-coupled spectrograph for stray or scattered light within the system. The efficacy of the algorithm is evaluated based on a series of validation measurements of sources with different spectral distributions. This is the first application of a scattered-light correction algorithm to a multichannel hyperspectral spectrograph. The algorithm, based on characterization measurements using a tunable laser system, can be extended to correct for finite point-spread response in imaging systems.