In-situ PECVD-enabled graphene-V₂O₃ hybrid host for lithium–sulfur batteries

Song, Yingze,Zhao, Wen,Wei, Nan,Zhang, Li,Ding, Feng,Liu, Zhongfan,Sun, Jingyu Elsevier 2018 Nano energy Vol.53 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries have been regarded as promising candidates for current energy-storage technologies due to their remarkable advantages in energy density and theoretical capacity. However, one of the daunting challenges remained for advanced Li–S systems thus far deals with the synchronous suppression of polysulfide (LiPS) shuttle and acceleration of redox kinetics. Herein, a cooperative interface bridging adsorptive V<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB> and conductive graphene is constructed <I>in-situ</I> by virtue of direct plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), resulting in the design of a novel V<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB>-graphene hybrid host to synergize the LiPS entrapment and conversion. The redox kinetics and electrochemical performances of thus-derived cathodes were accordingly enhanced owing to the smooth adsorption-diffusion-conversion of LiPSs even at a sulfur mass loading of 3.7 mg cm<SUP>–2</SUP>. Such interfacial engineering offers us a valuable opportunity to gain insight into the comprehensive regulation of LiPS anchoring ability, electrical conductivity and ion diffusive capability in hybrid hosts on suppressing the LiPS shuttle and propelling the redox kinetics. Our devised PECVD route might pave a new route toward the facial and economic design of hetero-phased multi-functional hosts for high-performance Li–S systems.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Graphene-V<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB> hybrid host was designed <I>in-situ</I> based on PECVD route. </LI> <LI> Thus-derived cathode showed a low capacity decay of merely 0.046% per cycle at 2 C after 1000 cycles. </LI> <LI> Cathodes with a relatively high sulfur mass loading (3.7 mg cm<SUP>–2</SUP>) were fabricated. </LI> <LI> The smooth adsorption-diffusion-conversion of polysulfides was thoroughly probed <I>via</I> experimental studies and DFT simulations. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Membrane technologies for Li+/Mg2+ separation from salt-lake brines and seawater: A comprehensive review

Ye Zhang,Li Wang,Wei Sun,Yue-hua Hu,Honghu Tang 한국공업화학회 2020 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.81 No.-

Recent years have seen rapid improvement of technology and large-scale applications of lithium-ionbatteries, which leads to an increasing market demand for lithium. Since the land lithium resources arediminishing drastically, the sources of lithium extraction have shifted to the large amount of waterresources containing salt-lake brines and seawater. Among the varieties of aqueous recovery approaches,membrane technology seems to have huge development potential and good application prospect. This isbecause the membrane technologies exhibit excellent Li/Mg separation selectivity, with low energyconsumption and green process owing to no addition of chemicals. The present work reviews the latestadvances in various membrane technologies, including nanofiltration membrane, electrodialysis,membrane capacitive deionization approaches, solid electrolyte electrolysis-based technology, etc. Therecent developments in positively charged nanofiltration membrane are discussed in terms of thepreparation methods, membrane properties, and Li/Mg separation coefficient. In addition, the effects ofseveral factors on electrodialysis for lithium extraction and relevant mechanisms in both simple andactual saline systems are discussed, including applied voltage, VC/VD, and coexisting ions. Theapplications of electrodialysis with novel selective membrane involving nanofiltration membrane as wellas solid electrolyte membrane and perspectives for further investigation are proposed.

Li-Water Battery with Oxygen Dissolved in Water as a Cathode

Kim, Jae-Kwang,Yang, Wei,Salim, Jason,Ma, Chao,Sun, Chunwen,Li, Jianqi,Kim, Youngsik The Electrochemical Society 2014 Journal of the Electrochemical Society Vol.161 No.3

<P>In this work, we demonstrate a lithium-water battery that uses oxygen dissolved in water as a cathode, Sr<SUB>0.95</SUB>Ce<SUB>0.05</SUB>CoO<SUB>3-δ</SUB> (SCCO)-copper nanoparticles as an efficient bifunctional catalyst, and with hybrid electrolytes. The SCCO-Cu composite catalyst exhibits an efficient and stable bifunctional catalytic activity, especially for the OER. The round-trip efficiency of the cell with SCCO-Cu nanoparticles catalyst reaches 84.1%, close to that of the 50% Pt/carbon-black catalyst (87.2%). The improved performance of the SCCO-Cu catalyst can be ascribed to the synergetic effect of SCCO and copper. The preliminary results demonstrate that the rechargeable lithium-water battery with oxygen dissolved in water flow can be achieved with high efficient and low cost oxide catalyst. This can be a good candidate for a large stationary energy storage system (ESS) with a low-cost.</P>

Cholinesterases inhibition studies of biological active compounds from the rhizomes of <i>Alpinia officinarum</i> Hance and <i>in silico</i> molecular dynamics

Lee, Ji Sun,Kim, Jang Hoon,Han, Yoo Kyong,Ma, Jin Yeul,Kim, Young Ho,Li, Wei,Yang, Seo Young Elsevier 2018 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES Vol.120 No.2

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Six diarylheptanoids (<B>1</B>–<B>6</B>) and two flavonoids (<B>7</B> and <B>8</B>) derived from <I>Alpinia officinarum</I> were evaluated for their ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase. Compound <B>1</B> showed the highest degree of inhibition, with an IC<SUB>50</SUB> of approximately 2 μM, followed by moderate degrees of inhibition by <B>2</B>, <B>4</B> and <B>7</B>, with IC<SUB>50</SUB> values ranging from 20 to 40 μM. The remaining isolated compounds <B>3</B>, <B>5</B>, <B>6</B> and <B>8</B> had IC<SUB>50</SUB> values greater than 50 μM. Enzyme kinetic studies showed that the compounds with high or moderate activity were competitive inhibitors, anchored to the active site of acetylcholinesterase. In particular, compounds <B>1</B> and <B>2</B> were docked at slightly different positions from those occupied by <B>4</B> and <B>7</B>. Furthermore, molecular dynamics studies showed that compound <B>1</B> maintained its interactions with residues Thr74 and Phe295 throughout the simulation trajectory. Our findings suggest that compound <B>1</B> is a potential therapeutically relevant inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Six diarylheptanoids (<B>1</B>–<B>6</B>) and two flavonoids (<B>7</B> and <B>8</B>) were isolated from <I>Alpinia officinarum</I>. </LI> <LI> Compound <B>1</B> showed acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity with IC<SUB>50</SUB> value of approximately 2 μM. </LI> <LI> Compounds <B>1</B>, <B>2</B>, <B>4</B>, and <B>7</B> inhibited the catalytic reaction of acetylcholinesterase as competitive mode. </LI> <LI> Computational simulation study suggested the predicted binding position of the compound <B>1</B> with catalytic site of receptor. </LI> </UL> </P>

Realizing highly efficient multicolor tunable emissions from Tb³⁺ and Eu³⁺ co-doped CaGd₂(WO₄)₄ phosphors via energy transfer by single ultraviolet excitation for lighting and display applications

Huang, Xiaoyong,Li, Bin,Du, Peng,Guo, Heng,Cao, Renping,Yu, Jae Su,Wang, Kai,Sun, Xiao Wei Elsevier 2018 Dyes and pigments Vol.151 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>In this paper, we reported on multicolor emission tuning in Tb<SUP>3+</SUP> and Eu<SUP>3+</SUP> co-doped CaGd<SUB>2</SUB>(WO<SUB>4</SUB>)<SUB>4</SUB> phosphors prepared by a traditional high-temperature solid-state reaction. Upon 380 nm ultraviolet excitation, the emission color of CaGd<SUB>2</SUB>(WO<SUB>4</SUB>)<SUB>4</SUB>:Tb<SUP>3+</SUP>,Eu<SUP>3+</SUP> phosphors can be readily tuned from green to yellow, orange and finally to pure red through varying the concentration ratio of Eu<SUP>3+</SUP> and Tb<SUP>3+</SUP> ions. The energy transfer mechanism from Tb<SUP>3+</SUP> to Eu<SUP>3+</SUP> was systematically investigated by photoluminescence spectra, luminescence decay times, and time-resolved spectra. The internal quantum efficiencies of these phosphors were measured, and their thermal stability was also studied. A prototype white light-emitting diode (LED) device was fabricated by using an ultraviolet chip combined with a blend of blue-emitting BaMgAl<SUB>10</SUB>O<SUB>l7</SUB>:Eu<SUP>2+</SUP> phosphors, green-emitting BaSrSiO<SUB>4</SUB>:Eu<SUP>2+</SUP> phosphors, and red-emitting CaGd<SUB>2</SUB>(WO<SUB>4</SUB>)<SUB>4</SUB>:50%Tb<SUP>3+</SUP>,50%Eu<SUP>3+</SUP> phosphors. All the results indicate that the CaGd<SUB>2</SUB>(WO<SUB>4</SUB>)<SUB>4</SUB>:Tb<SUP>3+</SUP>,Eu<SUP>3+</SUP> has great potential application in lighting and displays.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> CaGd<SUB>2</SUB>(WO<SUB>4</SUB>)<SUB>4</SUB>:Tb<SUP>3+</SUP>,Eu<SUP>3+</SUP> showed efficient energy-transfer from Tb<SUP>3+</SUP> to Eu<SUP>3+</SUP>. </LI> <LI> CaGd<SUB>2</SUB>(WO<SUB>4</SUB>)<SUB>4</SUB>:Tb<SUP>3+</SUP>,Eu<SUP>3+</SUP> exhibited tunable color emission under 380 nm excitation. </LI> <LI> The energy-transfer mechanism was studied in detail. </LI> <LI> Quantum efficiency and thermal stability were investigated. </LI> <LI> The proof-of-concept LED lamps were fabricated by employing phosphors and UV LEDs. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Effect of Glutamate on the Vestibulo-Solitary Projection after Sodium Nitroprusside-Induced Hypotension in Conscious Rats

Li, Li-Wei,Ji, Guang-Shi,Yang, Yan-Zhao,Ameer, Abdul Nasir,Kim, Min Sun,Park, Byung Rim,Jin, Yuan-Zhe The Korean Society of Pharmacology 2015 The Korean Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology Vol.19 No.3

Orthostatic hypotension is most common in elderly people, and its prevalence increases with age. Attenuation of the vestibulo-sympathetic reflex (VSR) is commonly associated with orthostatic hypotension. In this study, we investigated the role of glutamate on the vestibulo-solitary projection of the VSR pathway to clarify the pathophysiology of orthostatic hypotension. Blood pressure and expression of both pERK and c-Fos protein were evaluated in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) after microinjection of glutamate into the medial vestibular nucleus (MVN) in conscious rats with sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-induced hypotension that received baroreceptor unloading via sinoaortic denervation (SAD). SNP-induced hypotension increased the expression of both pERK and c-Fos protein in the NTS, which was abolished by pretreatment with glutamate receptor antagonists (MK801 or CNQX) in the MVN. Microinjection of glutamate receptor agonists (NMDA or AMPA) into the MVN increased the expression of both pERK and c-Fos protein in the NTS without causing changes in blood pressure. These results indicate that both NMDA and AMPA receptors play a significant role in the vestibulo-solitary projection of the VSR pathway for maintaining blood pressure, and that glutamatergic transmission in this projection might play a key role in the pathophysiology of orthostatic hypotension.

Novel arylhydrazone derivatives bearing a rhodanine moiety: synthesis and evaluation of their antibacterial activities

Wei Li,Chang-Ji Zheng,Liang-Peng Sun,Ming-Xia Song,Yan Wu,Yin-Jing Li,Yi Liu,Hu-Ri Piao 대한약학회 2014 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.37 No.7

A series of arylhydrazone derivatives bearing arhodanine moiety have been synthesized, characterized, andevaluated as antibacterial agents. Some of these compoundsshowed potent antibacterial activities against several differentstrains of Gram-positive bacteria, including multidrug-resistant clinical isolates. Of the compounds tested, IIkand IIIk were identified as the most effective, with minimuminhibitory concentration values of 2–4 lg/mL against multidrug-resistant Gram-positive organisms, including methicillin-resistant and quinolone-resistant Staphylococcusaureus. None of the compounds exhibited any activityagainst the Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli 1356 at64 lg/mL.

MicroRNA-3200-5p Promotes Osteosarcoma Cell Invasion via Suppression of BRMS1

Li, Gen,Li, Li,Sun, Qi,Wu, Jiezhou,Ge, Wei,Lu, Guanghua,Cai, Ming Korean Society for Molecular and Cellular Biology 2018 Molecules and cells Vol.41 No.6

Tumour metastasis is one of the most serious challenges of cancer as it is the major cause of mortality in patients with solid tumours, including osteosarcoma (OS). In this regard, anti-metastatic genes have potential for metastasis inhibition strategies. Recent evidence showed the importance of breast cancer metastasis suppressor 1 (BRMS1) in control of OS invasiveness, but the regulation of BRMS1 in OS remains largely unknown. Here, we used bioinformatics analyses to predict BRMS1-targeting microRNAs (miRNAs), and the functional binding of miRNAs to BRMS1 mRNA was evaluated using a dual luciferase reporter assay. Among all BRMS1-targeting miRNAs, only miR-151b, miR-7-5p and miR-3200-5p showed significant expression in OS specimens. Specifically, we found that only miR-3200-5p significantly inhibited protein translation of BRMS1 via pairing to the 3'-UTR of the BRMS1 mRNA. Moreover, we detected significantly lower BRMS1 and significantly higher miR-3200-5p in the OS specimens compared to the paired adjacent non-tumour bone tissues. Furthermore, BRMS1 and miR-3200-5p levels were inversely correlated to each other. Low BRMS1 was correlated with metastasis and poor patient survival. In vitro, overexpression of miR-3200-5p significantly decreased BRMS1 levels and promoted OS cell invasion and migration, while depletion of miR-3200-5p significantly increased BRMS1 levels and inhibited OS cell invasion and migration. Thus, our study revealed that miR-3200-5p may be a critical regulator of OS cell invasiveness.

Correlation between in vitro fertilization and artificial insemination in Holstein bulls

Sun Wei,Li Yunxia,Su Jie,Bao Xiangnan,Ding Rui,Zhao Gaoping,Cao Guifang,Hu Shuxiang,Wang Jianguo,Sun Qingyuan,Yu Haiquan,Li Xihe 아세아·태평양축산학회 2021 Animal Bioscience Vol.34 No.12

Objective: Owing to the lack of a breeding index for efficient and quick fertility evaluations of Holstein bulls when using traditional or genome-wide detection methods, this study aimed to determine whether in vitro fertilization (IVF) could be used as an indicator of conception rate of artificial insemination (AI).Methods: Conventional and sexed frozen semen from nine bulls were used for IVF and AI.Results: The IVF and AI conception rates of each bull were confirmed to be positively correlated between the conventional frozen and sexed frozen semen. The correlation coefficient R values of nine bulls between IVF and AI methods were 0.73 and 0.97 for the conventional frozen and sexed frozen semen, respectively. The average conception rate of three bulls undergoing AI was 69.5% and 64.2%, 61.8% and 58.8%, and 48.2% and 46.2% in first-, second-, and third-born cows when conventional frozen and sexed frozen semen were used, respectively, which showed a positive correlation with the fertilization rate in the same parity. We propose an evaluation standard to assess the fertilization ability of bulls based on their IVF test results, which is categorized into three grades: grade one, normal fertility bull with an AI conception rate of 40%±5% and IVF rate of 45% to 60%; grade two, higher fertility bull with an AI conception rate of 50%±5% and IVF rate of 61% to 80%; and grade three, highest fertility bull with an AI conception rate of 60%±5% and IVF rate of >80%.Conclusion: These findings reveal that IVF results can be used as a breeding index for bulls to evaluate their AI conception ability, which may shorten the time required to select bulls for breeding. Objective: Owing to the lack of a breeding index for efficient and quick fertility evaluations of Holstein bulls when using traditional or genome-wide detection methods, this study aimed to determine whether in vitro fertilization (IVF) could be used as an indicator of conception rate of artificial insemination (AI). Methods: Conventional and sexed frozen semen from nine bulls were used for IVF and AI. Results: The IVF and AI conception rates of each bull were confirmed to be positively correlated between the conventional frozen and sexed frozen semen. The correlation coefficient R values of nine bulls between IVF and AI methods were 0.73 and 0.97 for the conventional frozen and sexed frozen semen, respectively. The average conception rate of three bulls undergoing AI was 69.5% and 64.2%, 61.8% and 58.8%, and 48.2% and 46.2% in first-, second-, and third-born cows when conventional frozen and sexed frozen semen were used, respectively, which showed a positive correlation with the fertilization rate in the same parity. We propose an evaluation standard to assess the fertilization ability of bulls based on their IVF test results, which is categorized into three grades: grade one, normal fertility bull with an AI conception rate of 40%±5% and IVF rate of 45% to 60%; grade two, higher fertility bull with an AI conception rate of 50%±5% and IVF rate of 61% to 80%; and grade three, highest fertility bull with an AI conception rate of 60%±5% and IVF rate of >80%. Conclusion: These findings reveal that IVF results can be used as a breeding index for bulls to evaluate their AI conception ability, which may shorten the time required to select bulls for breeding.

Cytotoxic Constituents from Solanum Lyratum

Sun Li-Xin,Fu Wen-wei,Ren Jing,Xu Liang,Bi Kai-Shun,Wang Min-Wei The Pharmaceutical Society of Korea 2006 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.29 No.2

Activity-guided fractionation of the ethanol extract of the whole plant from Solanum lyratum resulted in the isolation of a new pregnane derivative glycoside, 16-dehydropregnenolone 3-O-${\alpha}$-L-rhamnopyranosyl-($1{\to}2$)-${\beta}$-D-glucopyranosid uronic acid (2), as well as other six known compounds: 16-dehydropregnenolone (1), allopregenolone (3), protocatechuic acid (4), vanillic acid (5), caffeic acid (6), and scopoletin (7). The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated on the basis of their spectral data and chemical evidences. Compounds 1, 3, 4 were isolated for the first time from this plant. Cytotoxic activities of the isolated compounds were evaluated. Compound 1 exhibited significant cytotoxic activity against A375-S2, HeLa, SGC-7901, and Bel-7402 with $IC_{50}$ values of $13.1{\pm}0.9,\;21.5{\pm}1.0,\;40.2{\pm}0.7$, and $49.8{\pm}1.2\;{\mu}g/mL$, respectively.