Colonsteele4871

More importantly, we demonstrate a convenient synthesis strategy to control the metal-to-oxide structure evolution within carbon matrices, which is of great importance in exploring high-performance electrodes for next generation LIBs.Metal sulfides are recognized as potential candidates for the anode materials of lithium ion batteries (LIBs) because of their high theoretical capacity. However, the low reaction kinetics of metal sulfides leads to their poor cycle life and rate performance, which limits their practical application in the field of energy storage. In this work, we synthesized a self-assembled carbon-free vanadium sulfide (V3S4) nanosheet via a facile and efficient method. The unique mesoporous nanostructure of V3S4 can not only accelerate the migration of ions/electrons, but also alleviate the volume expansion during the lithium ion insertion/extraction process. When used as the anode material of LIBs, the carbon-free V3S4 electrode exhibits remarkable electrochemical performance with ultra-high charge capacity (1099.3 mAh g-1 at 0.1 A g-1), superior rate capability (668.8 mAh g-1 at 2 A g-1 and 588.8 mAh g-1 at 5 A g-1) and impressive cycling ability (369.6 mAh g-1 after 200 cycles at 10 A g -1), which is very competitive compared with those of most metal sulfides-based anode materials reported so far. The strategy in this work provides inspiration for the rational design of advanced nanostructured electrode materials for energy storage devices.

The synthesis and characterization of aminated nanocrystalline cellulose (ANCC), a new member of the hairy nanocellulose family, is reported. Hairy nanocelluloses consist of a crystalline rod-like body with amorphous cellulose chains ("hairs") at both ends, on which various functional groups can be accommodated. In ANCC these groups are reactive primary amine groups, which are useful for bioconjugation- and Schiff base-centered modifications. We hypothesize that a two-step oxidation-reductive amination of cellulose fibers followed by hydrothermal treatment will result in the formation of rod-like hairy ANCC.

ANCC was prepared by converting the aldehyde groups in cellulose, introduced by a periodate oxidation, to primary amines using ammonia and sodium borohydride, followed by a hot water treatment, during which diamine modified cellulose fibers were converted to ANCC. ANCC was characterized by AFM, TEM, DLS, ELS, FTIR, NMR, XPS and conductometric titration. Antibacterial activity of ANCC was assessed by t analysis confirmed the introduction of surface primary amine groups. M3541 ANCC showed promising bactericidal activities, against Gram-negative species due to their thinner and penetrable cell wall.

A large number of papers discuss merits and mechanisms of low salinity waterflooding. For each mechanism proposed, there are counter examples to invalidate the stated mechanism. The effect of wettability from low salinity water, which is predominantly stated in literature as the dominant mechanism, may not be valid. We introduce a direct correlation between oil-brine interfacial viscoelasticity and oil recovery from waterflooding.

The oil recovery is investigated in carbonate rocks for three light crude oils, by injection of a wide range of aqueous phases, ranging from deionized water to very high salinity brine of 28 wt%, and low concentration of a non-ionic surfactant at 100 ppm. The oil-brine interfacial viscoelasticity is quantified and supplementary measurements of interfacial tension and wettability are performed.

In our experiments, oil recovery is higher from high salinity water injection than from low salinity water injection. A strong relationship is observed between interface elasticity and o0 ppm in injection water very effective. Contrary to widespread assertions in the literature, we find no definitive correlation between oil recovery and wettability.The intracellular O2-supply not only can relieve tumor hypoxia but also enhance the effects of photodynamic therapy (PDT). In this work, metallic Mo2C@N-carbon@PEG nanoparticles were constructed to reveal the near infrared (NIR)-photocatalytic O2 generation and promote photodynamic therapy (PDT). Here, (NH4)6Mo7O24·4H2O nanorods and urea were adopted as resources that were calcined to obtain Mo2C@N-carbon nanoparticles (20 nm). All samples displayed high NIR absorption as well as photothermal conversion efficiency of up to 52.7 % (Mo2C@N-Carbon-3@PEG). The density functional theory calculations demonstrated the metallic characteristic of Mo2C and that the consecutive interband/intraband charge-transition was responsible for the high NIR harvest and redox ability of electron-hole pairs, making the NIR-photocatalytic O2 and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. In comparison with the pure Mo2C, the heterostructure displayed twice the performance due to the enhanced charge-segregation between Mo2C and N-carbon. Given the high X-ray absorption coefficient and photothermal ability, the nanocomposite could be used in novel computer tomography and photothermal imaging contrast. Furthermore, the novel biodegradation and metabolism behaviors of nanocomposites were investigated, which were reflected as elimination from the body (mouse) via feces and urine within 14 days. The as-synthesized Mo2C@N-Carbon@PEG nanocomposites integrated the dual-model imaging, intracellular O2-supply, and phototherapy into one nanoplatform, revealing its potential for anti-cancer therapy.

To evaluate and compare the diagnostic performances of whole-lesion apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) histogram analysis and single-slice ADC measurement in the differentiation of benign and malignant soft tissue tumors.

Fifty-three patients (mean age 48.5±21.4) with soft tissue tumors (27 benign and 26 malignant) were evaluated with diffusion-weighted MRI. Whole-lesion ADC histogram parameters (mean, median, 10

percentile, 90

percentile, minimum, maximum, range, mean absolute deviation, interquartile range, kurtosis, skewness, root mean squared, variance and inhomogeneity) of the lesions were measured using the whole solid tumor volume region of interest (ROI). In other sessions, five ROIs were manually drawn on the tumor slices, and mean ADC and minimum ADC of the measurements were calculated. Diagnostic accuracies of the two methods were assessed and compared.

Mean, median, minimum, 10

percentile, 90

percentile, range, root mean squared and inhomogeneity of ADC histogram analysis, and mean ADC and minimum ADC of single-slice ADC measurement were significantly different between malignant and benign lesions (p<0.001 - p=0.002). Among the ADC histogram parameters, 10

percentile had the highest diagnostic performance (AUC=0.825) followed by mean (AUC=0.792) and median (AUC=0.789). For the single-slice ADC measurement, the AUC of mean ADC and minimum ADC were 0.842 and 0.786, respectively. Mean ADC of single-slice measurement had a similar diagnostic performance with the 10

percentile, mean, and median of ADC histogram analysis (p=0.070-1.000).

Both whole-lesion ADC histogram analysis and single-slice ADC measurement can differentiate benign and malignant soft tissue tumors with similar diagnostic performances.

Both whole-lesion ADC histogram analysis and single-slice ADC measurement can differentiate benign and malignant soft tissue tumors with similar diagnostic performances.Lipophilicity plays a significant role in the permeability of the drugs through cell membranes and impacts the drug activity in the human body. In this paper, the spectrophotometric method was used to determine the apparent partition coefficients of two amphoteric drugs ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin. The apparent partition coefficient was determined with the classic shake-flask method with n-octanol according to OECD guidelines. The lipophilicity profiles in a wide range of pH were determined and described quantitatively with the quadratic function. Basing on the macro- and microdissociation constants, the true partition coefficient for both drugs was calculated. Both levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin were lipophilic. The neutral forms, i.e., zwitterionic and uncharged, dominate in the pH relevant to the one in the intestines, the place from which they are absorbed.Infrared spectra for the β and γ phases of oleic acid were obtained at room temperature (~25 °C) under pressures of up to 5 and 10 GPa, respectively. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to examine the changes in the infrared spectra and crystal lattices of the β and γ phases that occur under pressure. Mode assignments for peaks that were observed to have a low-wavenumber shift with pressure were made based on the DFT-calculated infrared spectra. The CO stretching and OH stretching vibration peaks shifted to a lower wavenumber with pressure in both the β and γ phases because the hydrogen bonds became stronger with pressure and the CO and OH bonds weakened. The difference in the shift amount between the two phases was related to anisotropic compression in the crystal lattice.Nutraceuticals activating the Kelch-like epichlorohydrin (ECH)-associated protein 1 (Keap1)-nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway are widely used for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) because no specific drugs are approved yet. The pathology of NAFLD is summarized as the 'two-hit' hypothesis. The 'first hit' includes insulin resistance and lipid accumulation. Oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, and inflammation are regarded as the 'second hit'. Now there is controversial evidence about the roles of the Keap1-Nrf2-ARE pathway and its activators in NAFLD. When the 'first hit' occurs, the hepatocyte-specific Nrf2 deficiency reduces insulin resistance and significantly attenuates lipid accumulation. However, when the 'second hit' occurs, Nrf2 activation reduces oxidative stress and combats inflammation. We reviewed the roles of the Keap1-Nrf2-ARE pathway as a double-edged sword in the development of NAFLD, its inhibitors as a novel therapeutic approach for early NAFLD, and the nutraceutical character of its activators.

To determine the normal values for non-activated thromboelastometry parameters among pregnant women.

Prospective, observational study.

Tertiary care hospital.

Non-laboring women at term gestation without history of bleeding or clotting disorder or anticoagulation use.

Venous blood samples were collected and ROTEM® was performed using NATEM and NaHEPTEM assays.

Reference ranges were derived by calculating 2.5 and 97.5 percentiles for the following parameters clotting time (CT), clot formation time (CFT), amplitude at 10 (A10) and 20min (A20), alpha angle, maximum clot firmness (MCF), and lysis index at 30 (LI30) and 60min (LI60). The NATEM/NaHEPTEM CT ratio was calculated to determine the baseline ratio in term pregnant women.

146 women were screened and 120 were enrolled. The median age was 34years [31-36], median gestational age was 39.1weeks [38.3-39.3], and median parity was 1 [0-2]. Median pre-delivery platelet and hematocrit levels were within the normal ranges. The reference ranges for NATnagement in pregnancy.