Synthesis of full concentration gradient cathode studied by high energy X-ray diffraction

Li, Yan,Xu, Rui,Ren, Yang,Lu, Jun,Wu, Huiming,Wang, Lifen,Miller, Dean J.,Sun, Yang-Kook,Amine, Khalil,Chen, Zonghai Elsevier 2016 Nano energy Vol.19 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Nickel-rich metal oxides have been widely pursued as promising cathode materials for high energy-density lithium-ion batteries. Nickel-rich lithium transition metal oxides can deliver a high specific capacity during cycling, but can react with non-aqueous electrolytes. In this work, we have employed a full concentration gradient (FCG) design to provide a nickel-rich core to deliver high capacity and a manganese-rich outer layer to provide enhanced stability and cycle life. <I>In situ</I> high-energy X-ray diffraction was utilized to study the structural evolution of oxides during the solid-state synthesis of FCG lithium transition metal oxide with a nominal composition of LiNi<SUB>0.6</SUB>Mn<SUB>0.2</SUB>Co<SUB>0.2</SUB>O<SUB>2</SUB>. We found that both the pre-heating step and the sintering temperature were critical in controlling phase separation of the transition metal oxides and minimizing the content of Li<SUB>2</SUB>CO<SUB>3</SUB> and NiO, both of which deteriorate the electrochemical performance of the final material. The insights revealed in this work can also be utilized for the design of other nickel-rich high energy-density cathode materials.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Solid-state synthesis of FCG cathode is investigated by <I>in situ</I> XRD. </LI> <LI> Covariance analysis and Rietveld refinement are used to analyze the HEXRD data. </LI> <LI> Synthetic optimization of FCG cathode with excellent electrochemical performance. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>Benefit from the covariance analysis and Rietveld refinement of <I>in situ</I> HEXRD data during the solid state synthesis, we can optimized the solid state synthesis conditions in a short time. And the full concentration gradient cathode composites (nickel-rich core and manganese-rich outer layer) with excellent electrochemical performance are obtained.</P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Aprotic and Aqueous Li–O₂ Batteries

Lu, Jun,Li, Li,Park, Jin-Bum,Sun, Yang-Kook,Wu, Feng,Amine, Khalil American Chemical Society 2014 Chemical reviews Vol.114 No.11

<P><B>Graphic Abstract</B> <IMG SRC='http://pubs.acs.org/appl/literatum/publisher/achs/journals/content/chreay/2014/chreay.2014.114.issue-11/cr400573b/production/images/medium/cr-2013-00573b_0033.gif'></P>

Neutrophil Count and the Inflammation-based Glasgow Prognostic Score Predict Survival in Patients with Advanced Gastric Cancer Receiving First-line Chemotherapy

Li, Qing-Qing,Lu, Zhi-Hao,Yang, Li,Lu, Ming,Zhang, Xiao-Tian,Li, Jian,Zhou, Jun,Wang, Xi-Cheng,Gong, Ji-Fang,Gao, Jing,Li, Jie,Li, Yan,Shen, Lin Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.2

Purpose: To explore the value of systemic inflammatory markers as independent prognostic factors and the extent these markers improve prognostic classification for patients with inoperable advanced or metastatic gastric cancer (GC) receiving palliative chemotherapy. Methods: We studied the prognostic value of systemic inflammatory factors such as circulating white blood cell count and its components as well as that combined to form inflammation-based prognostic scores (Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS), Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), Platelet Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR), Prognostic Index (PI) and Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI)) in 384 patients with inoperable advanced or metastatic gastric cancer (GC) receiving first-line chemotherapy. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to examine the impact of inflammatory markers on overall survival (OS). Results: Univariate analysis revealed that an elevated white blood cell, neutrophil and/or platelet count, a decreased lymphocyte count, a low serum albumin concentration, and high CRP concentration, as well as elevated NLR/PLR, GPS, PI, PNI were significant predictors of shorter OS. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that only elevated neutrophil count (HR 3.696, p=0.003) and higher GPS (HR 1.621, p=0.01) were independent predictors of poor OS. Conclusion: This study demonstrated elevated pretreatment neutrophil count and high GPS to be independent predictors of shorter OS in inoperable advanced or metastatic GC patients treated with first-line chemotherapy. Upon validation of these data in independent studies, stratification of patients using these markers in future clinical trials is recommended.

Predictive value of preoperative lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio for patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma

Li, Tao,Xu, Hang,Yang, Lu,Tan, Ping,Wei, Qiang Elsevier 2019 Clinica chimica acta Vol.492 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P><B>Background</B></P> <P>To determine the predictive value of preoperative lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) for pathological and survival outcomes in upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) after radical nephroureterectomy (RNU).</P> <P><B>Methods</B></P> <P>This retrospective study included 704 UTUC patients between 2008 and 2017. We used a cutoff LMR of 3.6 to evaluate its relationship with oncological outcomes after RNU, using the Kaplan–Meier method and logistic regression models.</P> <P><B>Results</B></P> <P>During median follow-up of 39 months, decreased preoperative LMR was an independent predictor of poor pathological outcomes. Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed that patients with low LMR (<3.6) had poor cancer-specific survival (CSS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and overall survival (OS); this prognostic value was ascertained for patients with high pathological grade and more advanced stage UTUC, but not for patients with low pathological features. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards model revealed that low LMR was an independent predictor of poor CSS, RFS and OS [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.42, <I>P</I> = 0.02; HR = 1.39, <I>P</I> = 0.008; HR = 1.38, <I>P</I> = 0.017, respectively].</P> <P><B>Conclusion</B></P> <P>Preoperative low LMR was an independent predictor of poor pathological and oncological outcomes of UTUC after RNU. Subgroup analysis confirmed that the prognostic value of LMR was confined to patients with a high pathological grade and more advanced stage tumor.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Preoperative low lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) predicts worse pathologic result for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) patients after radical nephroureterectomy (RNU). </LI> <LI> Preoperative low LMR is associated with poor clinical outcomes for UTUC patients after RUN. </LI> <LI> Preoperative low LMR exert a prognostic value mainly for UTUC patient with high pathologic grade and stage tumor. </LI> </UL> </P>

A stable and highly efficient visible-light-driven hydrogen evolution porous CdS/WO₃/TiO₂ photocatalysts

Qian, Yongteng,Yang, Mengke,Zhang, Fangfang,Du, Jimin,Li, Kaidi,Lin, Xialing,Zhu, Xinrui,Lu, Yayun,Wang, Weimin,Kang, Dae Joon Elsevier 2018 Materials characterization Vol.142 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>It is well known that both catalytic efficiency and stability are the two important parameters of photocatalysts for visible-light-driven hydrogen production reactions. However, light-driven hydrogen evolution based applications still suffer from sluggish reaction kinetics due to the lack of high-performance photocatalysts. In this paper, we successfully synthesized a ternary porous CdS/WO<SUB>3</SUB>/TiO<SUB>2</SUB> photocatalyst with high efficiency and stability via two-stage approach. The as-prepared samples are characterized by XRD, FESEM, EDS, TEM, XPS, and UV–Vis, respectively, which illustrated that the CdS and WO<SUB>3</SUB> moieties are in-situ formed inside the porous TiO<SUB>2</SUB>. Particularly, the photocatalytic hydrogen (H<SUB>2</SUB>) evolution rate of such ternary 8% CdS/WO<SUB>3</SUB>/TiO<SUB>2</SUB> (molar ration of CdS:WO<SUB>3</SUB>:TiO<SUB>2</SUB> = 8:8:100) photocatalyst ranges up to 2106 μmol h<SUP>−1</SUP> g<SUP>−1</SUP> under visible-light irradiation, which is higher than that of pure TiO<SUB>2</SUB> and other binary (CdS/TiO<SUB>2</SUB> and WO<SUB>3</SUB>/TiO<SUB>2</SUB>) porous photocatalysts. The superior H<SUB>2</SUB> evolution efficiency can be attributed to the coexistence of CdS and WO<SUB>3</SUB> in porous TiO<SUB>2</SUB> which can promote the interfacial charge transfer and separation as well as extend the light absorption up to the visible range.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Highly efficient and stable photocatalytic activity of CdS/WO<SUB>3</SUB>/TiO<SUB>2</SUB> photocatalysts were synthesized by a two-step method. </LI> <LI> CdS and WO<SUB>3</SUB> inlaid on porous TiO<SUB>2</SUB> can extend the light absorption and enhance photogenerated electron-hole pairs separation. </LI> <LI> The porous structure can provide more reaction active sites and improve photoproduced-electrons and holes transport speed. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical Abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Urinary Biomarkers for the Noninvasive Detection of Gastric Cancer

Li, Dehong,Yan, Li,Lin, Fugui,Yuan, Xiumei,Yang, Xingwen,Yang, Xiaoyan,Wei, Lianhua,Yang, Yang,Lu, Yan The Korean Gastric Cancer Association 2022 Journal of gastric cancer Vol.22 No.-

Gastric cancer (GC) is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Thus, early diagnosis is important to improve disease prognosis. Endoscopic assessment represents the most reliable imaging method for GC diagnosis; however, it is semi-invasive and costly and heavily depends on the skills of the endoscopist, which limit its clinical applicability. Therefore, the search for new sensitive biomarkers for the early detection of GC using noninvasive sampling collection methods has attracted much attention among scientists. Urine is considered an ideal biofluid, as it is readily accessible, less complex, and relatively stable than plasma and serum. Over the years, substantial progress has been made in screening for potential urinary biomarkers for GC. This review explores the possible applications and limitations of urinary biomarkers in GC detection and diagnosis.

MIGSHIELD: A new model-based interactive point kernel gamma ray shielding package for virtual environment

Li Mengkun,Xu Zhihui,Li Wei,Yang Jun,Yang Ming,Hongxin Lu,Dai Xinyu 한국원자력학회 2020 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.52 No.7

In this paper, 3D model-based interactive gamma ray shielding package (MIGSHIELD) is developed in virtual reality platform for windows operating system. In MIGSHIELD, the computational methodology is based on point kernel algorithm (PK), several key parameters of PK are obtained using new technique and new methods. MIGSHIELD has interactive capability with virtual world. The main features made in the MIGSHIELD are (i) handling of physical information from virtual world, (ii) handling of arbitrary shapes radioactive source, (iii) calculating the mean free path of gamma ray, (iv) providing interactive function between PK and virtual world, (v) making better use of PK for virtual simulation, (vi) plug and play. The developed package will be of immense use for calculations involving radiation dose assessment in nuclear safety and contributing to fast radiation simulation for virtual nuclear facilities.

Synthesis of novel hierarchically porous Fe3O4@MgAl–LDH magnetic microspheres and its superb adsorption properties of dye from water

Lu Lu,Jia Li,Dickon H.L. Ng,Ping Yang,Peng Song,Min Zuo 한국공업화학회 2017 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.46 No.-

Hierarchically porous Fe3O4@MgAl–LDH magnetic microspheres were reported as novel efficientadsorbent for the removal of anionic dye from water. The as-prepared microspheres had vertically/slantly/horizontally oriented platelets-coated morphology, and exhibited superb adsorption capacity of813.0 mg/g for Congo red (CR), which was the highest reported value of magnetic adsorbents. Theadsorption kinetics and isotherm of CR on microspheres followed the pseudo-second-order andLangmuir model, respectively, and the adsorption processes were spontaneous and endothermic innature. The adsorbed samples could be regenerated by methanol, and easily magnetically separated fromaqueous solution. The synthesized materials might act as excellent adsorbents for environmentalprocesses.

Proposal of a Pretreatment Nomogram for Predicting Local Recurrence after Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy in T4 Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Retrospective Review of 415 Chinese Patients

Lu-Lu Zhang,Yi-Yang Li,Jiang Hu,Guan-Qun Zhou,Lei Chen,Wen-Fei Li,Ai-Hua Lin,Jun Ma,Zhen-Yu Qi,Ying Sun 대한암학회 2018 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.50 No.4

Purpose Local relapse-free survival (LRFS) differs widely among patients with T4 category nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). We aimed to build a nomogram incorporating clinicopathological information to predict LRFS in T4 NPC after definitive intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). Materials and Methods Retrospective study of 415 Chinese patients with non-metastatic T4 NPC treated with definitive IMRT with or without chemotherapy at our cancer center between October 2009 and September 2013. The nomogram for LRFS at 3 and 5 years was generated based on multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression, and validated using bootstrap resampling, assessing discriminative performance using the concordance index (C-index) and determining calibration ability via calibration curves. Results Five-year LRFS was 88.8%. We identified and incorporated four independent prognostic factors for LRFS: ethmoid sinus invasion, primary gross tumor volume, age, and pretreatment body mass index. The C-index of the nomogram for local recurrence was 0.732 (95% confidence interval, 0.726 to 0.738), indicating excellent predictive accuracy. The calibration curve revealed excellent agreement between nomogram-predicted and observed LRFS probabilities. Risk subgroups based on total point score cutoff values enabled effective discrimination of LRFS. Conclusion This pretreatment nomogram enables clinicians to accurately predict LRFS in T4 NPC after definitive IMRT, and could help to facilitate personalized patient counselling and treatment strategies.

Weight Loss Correlates with Macrophage Inhibitory Cytokine-1 Expression and Might Influence Outcome in Patients with Advanced Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Lu, Zhi-Hao,Yang, Li,Yu, Jing-Wei,Lu, Ming,Li, Jian,Zhou, Jun,Wang, Xi-Cheng,Gong, Ji-Fang,Gao, Jing,Zhang, Xiao-Tian,Li, Jie,Li, Yan,Shen, Lin Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.15

Background: Weight loss during chemotherapy has not been exclusively investigated. Macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 (MIC-1) might play a role in its etiology. Here, we investigated the prognostic value of weight loss before chemotherapy and its relationship with MIC-1 concentration and its occurrence during chemotherapy in patients with advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Materials and Methods: We analyzed 157 inoperable locally advanced or metastatic ESCC patients receiving first-line chemotherapy. Serum MIC-1 concentrations were assessed before chemotherapy. Patients were assigned into two groups according to their weight loss before or during chemotherapy:>5% weight loss group and ${\leq}5%$ weight loss group. Results: Patients with weight loss>5% before chemotherapy had shorter progression-free survival period (5.8 months vs. 8.7 months; p=0.027) and overall survival (10.8 months vs. 20.0 months; p=0.010). Patients with weight loss >5% during chemotherapy tended to have shorter progression-free survival (6.0 months vs. 8.1 months; p=0.062) and overall survival (8.6 months vs. 18.0 months; p=0.022), and if weight loss was reversed during chemotherapy, survival rates improved. Furthermore, serum MIC-1 concentration was closely related to weight loss before chemotherapy (p=0.001) Conclusions: Weight loss both before and during chemotherapy predicted poor outcome in advanced ESCC patients, and MIC-1 might be involved in the development of weight loss in such patients.