Rational construction of graphitic carbon nitride composited Li-rich Mn-based oxide cathode materials toward high-performance Li-ion battery

Li-rich Mn-based oxides (LRMOs) are considered as one of the most-promising cathode materials for next generation Li-ion batteries (LIBs) because of their high energy density. Nevertheless, the intrinsic shortcomings, such as the low first coulomb efficiency, severe capacity/voltage fade, and poor rate performance seriously limit its commercial application in the future. In this work, we construct successfully g-C3N4 coating layer to modify Li1.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2 (LMNC) via a facile solution. The g-C3N4 layer can alleviate the side-reaction between electrolyte and LMNC materials, and improve electronic conduction of LMNC. In addition, the g-C3N4 layer can suppress the collapse of structure and improve cyclic stability of LMNC materials. Consequently, g-C3N4 (4 wt%)-coated LMNC sample shows the highest initial coulomb efficiency (78.5%), the highest capacity retention ratio (78.8%) and the slightest voltage decay (0.48 V) after 300 loops. Besides, it also can provide high reversible capacity of about 300 and 93 mAh g-1 at 0.1 and 10C, respectively. This work proposes a novel approach to achieve next-generation high-energy density cathode materials, and g-C3N4 (4 wt%)-coated LMNC shows an enormous potential as the cathode materials for next generation LIBs with excellent performance.

Determination and prediction of standardized ileal amino acid digestibility of wheat in broilers

This experiment evaluated the standard ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA) in 8 different sources of wheat fed to broilers and established prediction equations based on the chemical properties of wheat. A total of five hundred forty 1-day-old broilers were tested in 2 stages (from d 10 to 13 and from d 25 to 28). On d 13, 324 broilers were randomly assigned to 9 diets (6 replicate cages, 6 broilers per cage); on d 28, 216 broilers were randomly assigned to 9 diets (6 replicate cages, 4 broilers per cage). The 9 experimental diets included 8 test diets and 1 nitrogen-free diet. Titanium dioxide was added as an exogenous indicator at 0.5% of the diet. In 8 wheat samples, the mean values of total amino acids (TAA), dispensable amino acids (DAA), and indispensable amino acids (IAA) were 12.16% (CV 13.70%), 7.97% (CV 15.49%), and 4.20% (CV 11.47%). On d 13, the lowest SID of AA was Lys (86.71%), and the highest was Pro (97.98%). On d 28, the lowest SID of AA was His (81.31%), and the highest was Pro (96.83%). There was an effect of wheat source on the SID of AA except for Trp (P < 0.05); the broiler age had an effect on the SID of AA except for Tyr (P < 0.05); the SID of most AA were higher at d 13 compared to d 28. At d 13, the SID of AA was correlated with CP, NDF, and ST (P < 0.05). At d 28, the SID of AA was correlated with EE, Ash, ADF, and NDF (P < 0.05). The R2 value of stepwise regression equations to predict the SID of AA at d 13 was highest for Leu (R2 = 0.972), lowest for Asp (R2 = 0.785); at d 28 was highest for Gly (R2 = 0.995), lowest for His (R2 = 0.678). In conclusion, this experiment showed that the chemical properties of wheat can be used to establish accurate equations for predicting the SID of AA. This made it more efficient to obtain the SID of AA for wheat.

High-performance Li-ion battery driven by a hybrid Li storage mechanism in a three-dimensional architectured ZnTiO3-CeO2 microsphere anode

ZnTiO₃ and ZnTiO₃-CeO₂ microspheres with particle sizes of about 100-300 nm were synthesized for the first time by a simple solvothermal process followed by calcination. The results indicate that CeO₂ modification does not alter the morphology of the microspheres. ZnTiO₃-CeO₂ (0, 3, 6, and 9 wt%) show an initial charge (discharge) capacity of 171.01 (253.2), 204.6 (507.5), 213.4 (451.6) and 126.2 (367.2) mA h g^-1 at 500 mA g^-1, respectively. After 500 cycles, the corresponding charge (discharge) capacities were 191.1 (192.3), 298.7 (300.3), 322.4 (328.5) and 211.2 (212.3) mA h g^-1, respectively. Obviously, the charge (discharge) capacities of the ZnTiO₃-CeO₂ composites are superior to those of pristine ZTO, which demonstrates that the Li storage performance of the CeO₂-modified ZTO electrodes is improved. The CeO₂ shell provides a good electronic contact between ZnTiO₃ and CeO₂, decreasing charge transfer resistance and facilitating the charge transportation of the ZnTiO₃-CeO₂ composite. In addition, the formed phase interface between CeO₂ and ZnTiO₃ may provide more active sites for electrochemical reactions, improving the reversibility of Li-ion intercalation and decreasing the electrochemical polarization during cycling, especially at high current densities. Therefore, such ZnTiO₃-CeO₂ microspheres can be regarded as hopeful candidates for anode materials for Li-ion batteries.

An outbreak of Candida parapsilosis fungemia among preterm infants

In this article, we describe the first outbreak of Candida parapsilosis fungemia in our hospital. We examined a cluster of four nosocomial cases of C. parapsilosis fungemia that occurred in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of the Affiliated Xingtai People's Hospital of Hebei Medical University over a two-week period. We ascertained patient parameters including clinical characteristics, blood and sputum cultures, and drug sensitivity test results. Cultures from eight blood samples obtained from the four infected preterm infants showed identical characteristics and were identified as C. parapsilosis. In order to determine the infection-related factors and to control the spread of the infection among the population, we immediately initiated the emergency plan. All four of the preterm infants recovered from the infection; there were no deaths. Outbreaks of C. parapsilosis, mostly involving preterm infants of very low birth weight or extremely low birth weight, can and do occur in NICUs. Cultures prepared using multiple samples taken from different patients contribute to a more definitive diagnosis. Established measures that control and prevent the infection, as well as effective and comprehensive treatments, can lead to a favorable outcome. That is to say, improving both disinfection and isolation, as well as interrupting the pathway of transmission, is the key to controlling the spread of infection.

The impact of LH, E2, and P level of HCG administration day on outcomes of in vitro fertilization in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) levels on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) administration on outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF) in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH).

STUDY DESIGN

In this retrospective study, 129 infertile women undergoing IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatments were included; these cycles were stratified according to LH levels of ≥ 1.12 IU/L or < 1.12 U/L and according to E2 levels of ≥ 1,005.89 pmol/L or < 1,005.89 pmol/L. The main outcome measure was the clinical pregnancy rate.

RESULTS

The clinical pregnancy rate was significantly higher in the group with LH ≥ 1.12 IU/L than in the group with LH < 1.12 U/L (43.28% vs. 30.65%, p < 0.05). The clinical pregnancy rate was also higher in the group with E2 ≥ 1,005.89 pmol/L than in the group with average E2 < 1,005.89 pmol/L (42.86% vs. 30.51%, p < 0.05). Among the LH, E2, and P levels on the day of HCG administration, LH level was the most important predictor of outcomes of IVF in COH. The present data showed an adverse effect of low serum LH level (LH < 1.12 IU/L) on the day of HCG administration on clinical pregnancy rate. E2 level can also predict the outcomes of IVF in COH.

CONCLUSIONS

Low serum LH level (LH < 1.12 IU/L) and low serum E2 level (average E2 < 1,005.89 pmol/L) on the day of HCG administration led to low clinical pregnancy rates, while the P level on the day of HCG administration may have had little effect on clinical pregnancy.

[Plant regeneration from protoplast culture in flax (Linum usitatissimum)]

Shoot protoplasts of four fiber flax (Linum usitatissimum) varieties (7309, 948, Belinka and Viking) were isolated and cultured. The optimal condition for higher protoplast yield 1.8 x 10(6)/gFW and activity 85.5% (c.v. 948) were from 10 day old seedings. Culture in V-KM Agroase-island medium led to first divisions after 3 days (c. v. 948), and after twenty days with an efficiency of 36% of divided cells and 5.2% in plating efficiency. Plant regeneration was obtained in 7309 and Belinka on agar media B5-2, MS3 containing 0.6 mg/L 6-BA and 0.1 mg/L NAA. Roots and leaves regeneration were observed in Viking and 948 respectively.