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In the development of new electrochemical concepts for the fabrication of high-energy-density batteries, fluoride-ion batteries (FIBs) have emerged as one of the valid candidates for the next generation electrochemical energy storage technologies, showing the potential to match or even surpass the current lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in terms of energy density, safety without dendritic grains, and elimination of dependence on scarce lithium and cobalt resources. However, the development of FIBs is still in its infancy and their performance is far from satisfactory, with issues such as the lower fluoride-ion conductivity of the electrolytes and the reversibility of the electrodes hindering their commercialization. Previous reviews have mainly focused on inorganic solid electrolytes with a brief emphasis on the development of various fluoride-ion conductors and their ion-conducting properties. Therefore, this review summarizes the current developments in various electrolytes, a systematic overview of the current progress for various fluoride-ion electrolytes is presented by beginning with the history, structure and classification of FIBs, ion-transport mechanisms are briefly discussed. Recent advances in different classes of fluoride-ion electrolytes are described. The methods for optimizing the ionic conductivity characteristics of the fluoride-ion electrolytes are highlighted. Finally, an outlook on the future research direction of FIBs is given by highlighting some critical issues, challenges and prospects of fluoride-ion electrolytes.

Abstract High glucose-induced vascular endothelial injury is a major pathological factor involved in non-healing diabetic wounds. To interrupt this pathological process, we design an all-peptide printable hydrogel platform based on highly efficient and precise one-step click chemistry of thiolated γ-polyglutamic acid, glycidyl methacrylate-conjugated γ-polyglutamic acid, and thiolated arginine-glycine-aspartate sequences. Vascular endothelial growth factor 165-overexpressed human umbilical vein endothelial cells are printed using this platform, hence fabricating a living material with high cell viability and precise cell spatial distribution control. This cell-laden hydrogel platform accelerates the diabetic wound healing of rats based on the unabated vascular endothelial growth factor 165 release, which promotes angiogenesis and alleviates damages on vascular endothelial mitochondria, thereby reducing tissue hypoxia, downregulating inflammation, and facilitating extracellular matrix remodeling. Together, this study offers a promising strategy for fabricating tissue-friendly, high-efficient, and accurate 3D printed all-peptide hydrogel platform for cell delivery and self-renewable growth factor therapy.

Abstract With the rapid development of novel energy conversion and storage technologies, there is a growing demand for enhanced performance in a wide range of electrocatalysts. Perovskite oxides (ABO3) have caused widespread concerns due to their excellent electrocatalytic properties, low cost, stable and reliable performance. In recent years, the research on anion O‐site doping of perovskite oxides has been a cynosure, which is considered as a promising route for enhancing performance. However, a systematic review summarizing the research progress of anion‐doped perovskite oxides is still lacking. Therefore, this review mainly introduces the elements and strategies of various common anions doped at O‐site of perovskite oxides, analyzes their influence on the physical and chemical properties of perovskites, and separately concludes their applications in electrocatalysis. This review will provide ideas and prospects for the development of subsequent anion doping strategies for high performance perovskite oxides.

Hydrogen energy, the cleanest fuel, presents extensive applications in renewable energy technologies such as fuel cells. However, the transition process from carbon-based (fossil fuel) energy to desired hydrogen energy is usually hindered by inevitable scientific, technological, and economic obstacles, which mainly involves complex hydrocarbon reforming reactions. Hence, this paper provides a systematic and comprehensive analysis focusing on the hydrocarbon reforming mechanism. Accordingly, recent related studies are summarized to clarify the intrinsic difference among the reforming mechanism. Aiming to objectively assess the activated catalyst and deactivation mechanism, the rate-determining steps of reforming process have been emphasized, summarized, and analyzed. Specifically, the effect of metals and supports on individual reaction processes is discussed followed by the metal-support interaction. Current tendency and research map could be established to promote the technology development and expansion of hydrocarbon reforming field. This review could be considered as the guideline for academics and industry designing appropriate catalysts.

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) of the pancreas are a risk factor for the development of adenocarcinoma. However, the presence of a component of sarcomatoid carcinoma in the malignant tumor has rarely been described in the literature. A 30-year-old Chinese woman was admitted to our hospital with vague abdominal pain and a poor appetite for 2 months. Computed tomography revealed a huge, unilocular, solid-cystic mass in the pancreatic body, and tail. The patient underwent an en bloc resection of the distal pancreatic tumor with splenectomy and regional lymphadenectomy. Pathologic examination revealed an IPMN associated tubular adenocarcinoma containing a component of sarcomatoid (spindle-shaped cell) carcinoma. Immunohistochemical results revealed that the mononuclear spindle-shaped cells were positive for both pan-cytokeratin and vimentin. There was no evidence of perineural or vascular infiltration, lymph nodal metastasis, or positive surgical margins. The patient developed local recurrence 3 months after surgery for which she received chemoradiotherapy at another hospital. Distant metastases were detected 6 months after the surgery and the patient expired 9 months after surgical resection. We concluded that the presence of sarcomatoid change in IPMN-associated pancreatic adenocarcinoma may indicate poor prognosis.

Graphite carbon nitride (g-C3N4), a two-dimensional polymer semiconductor material, has good semiconductor properties, suitable electronic energy band structure, excellent physical and chemical stability. It is widely used in the field of energy and materials science such as photoelectric conversion. In this paper, the progress of g-C3N4 in dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC) and perovskite solar cells (PSC) was reviewed. As a new semiconductor material, g-C3N4 has the advantages of simple preparation, abundant amino and Lewis basic groups. Therefore, on the basis of excellent structure of g-C3N4, its electronic and optical properties are utilized to further expand its application in the field of photoelectric conversion.

Nitrogen–oxygen sensors are pivotal for NOX emission detection, and they have been designed as key components in vehicles’ exhaust systems. However, severe thermal stress concentrations during thermal cycling in the sensors create knotty structural damage issues, which are inevitable during the frequent start–stop events of the vehicles. Herein, to illustrate the effect of thermal concentration on a sensor’s structure, we simulated the temperature and stress field of a sensor through finite element analysis. The failure modes of the sensor based on the multilayer structure model were analyzed. Our simulation indicated that the thermal deformation and stress of the sensors increased significantly when the heating temperature in the sensors increased from 200 to 800 °C. High stress regions were located at the joint between the layers and the right angle of the air chamber. These results are consistent with the sensor failure locations that were observed by SEM, and the sensor’s failures mainly manifested in the form of cracks and delamination. The results suggest that both the multilayer interfaces and the shape of the air chamber could be optimized to reduce the thermal stress concentrations of the sensors. It is beneficial to improve the reliability of the sensor under thermal cycling operation.

Sweet potato is a rich source of resistant starch, fibre, vitamins and minerals, which is associated with healthy benefits. In this study, the effects of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatment at 200–600 MPa on the digestibility of sweet potato flour (SPF) through starch composition analysis, in vitro digestion assays, and glycemic index (GI) and response in diabetic mice. Changes in the morphology of starch granules post-treatment were observed using an scanning electron microscope (SEM). Treatments at 400 and 600 MPa increased amylose in sweet potato starch and significantly increased the proportion of slowly digestible starch (SDS), as indicated by in vitro digestion assays. Resistant starch content decreased, with no significant change in rapidly digestible starch. Peak glucose levels in diabetic mice post-consuming SPF treated at 400 and 600 MPa were 476 and 514, respectively, significantly lower than 608 in the control group. The area under the curve (AUC) of 400 MPa treated-SPF is 14% lower than control SPF. The GI of SPF in the control group was 78.6, reducing to 66.2 and 68.3 post-HHP treatment at 400 and 600 MPa, respectively, with no significant difference in the 200 MPa group from that of the control group. SEM observations showed that damage to starch granules increased with increasing processing pressure. HHP caused the starch granules to gelatinize and recoagulate, forming an irregular shape. The HHP treatment changed the composition of SPF, significantly increasing SDS content and it stabilized postprandial blood glucose levels and reduced GI, rendering it a potential method to develop processed products of sweet potatoes with a low GI, providing a novel technical option for developing health-promoting products.

Stannous oxide (SnO) nanowires were synthesized by a template and catalyst-free thermal oxidation process. After annealing a Sn nanowires-embedded anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template in air, we obtained a large amount of SnO nanowires. SnO nanowires were first prepared by electrochemical deposition and an oxidization method based on an AAO template. The preparation of SnO nanowires used aluminum sheet (purity 99.999%) and then a two-step anodization procedure to obtain a raw alumina mold. Finally, transparent alumina molds (AAO template) were obtained by reaming, soaking with phosphoric acid for 20 min, and a stripping process. We got a pore size of < 20 nm on the transparent alumina mold. In order to meet electroplating needs, we produced a platinum film on the bottom surface of the AAO template by using a sputtering method as the electrode of electroplating deposition. The structure was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) with X-ray energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) were used to observe the morphology. The EDS spectrum showed that components of the materials were Sn and O. FE-SEM results showed the synthesized SnO nanowires have an approximate length of ~10−20 μm with a highly aspect ratio of > 500. SnO nanowires with a Sn/O atomic ratio of ~1:1 were observed from EDS. The crystal structure of SnO nanowires showed that all the peaks within the spectrum lead to SnO with a tetragonal structure. This study may lead to the use of the 1D structure nanowires into electronic nanodevices and/or sensors, thus leading to nano-based functional structures.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002218.].

This study examines the linkage between industrial specialization and economic contribution in the smartphone component industry. The value created from the manufacturing process may shift the leading positions of countries involved in the supply chain. In turn, the regional hierarchy will further influence the slicing up of the smartphone component value chain based on each country’s comparative advantages. The economic contribution from the Apple and HTC supply chains are analyzed in terms of value added, jobs created and employee composition in Taiwan and other countries. Analysis found that for every smartphone produced, Apple's component supply chain created 37.3 USD of value in Taiwan, as opposed to 58.7 USD for HTC. This study recommends that industrial efforts should further focus on the production of application processors, LCD panels and passive components.

Prehypertension is related to a higher risk of cardiovascular events than normotension. Our previous study reported that cold exposure elevates the amplitude of the morning blood pressure surge (MBPS) and is associated with a sympathetic increase during the final sleep transition, which might be critical for sleep-related cardiovascular events in normotensives. However, few studies have explored the effects of cold exposure on autonomic function during sleep transitions and changes of autonomic function among prehypertensives. Therefore, we conducted an experiment for testing the effects of cold exposure on changes of autonomic function during sleep and the MBPS among young prehypertensives are more exaggerate than among young normotensives. The study groups consisted of 12 normotensive and 12 prehypertensive male adults with mean ages of 23.67 ± 0.70 and 25.25 ± 0.76 years, respectively. The subjects underwent cold (16°C) and warm (23°C) conditions randomly. The room temperature was maintained at either 23°C or 16°C by central air conditioning and recorded by a heat-sensitive sensor placed on the forehead and extended into the air. BP was measured every 30 minutes by using an autonomic BP monitor. Electroencephalograms, electrooculograms, electromyograms, electrocardiograms, and near body temperature were recorded by miniature polysomnography. Under cold exposure, a significantly higher amplitude of MBPS than under the warm condition among normotensives; however, this change was more exaggerated in prehypertensives. Furthermore, there was a significant decrease in parasympathetic-related RR and HF during the final sleep transition and a higher early-morning surge in BP and in LF% among prehypertensives, but no such change was found in normotensives. Our study supports that cold exposure might increase the risk of sleep-related cardiovascular events in prehypertensives.

Abstract Ovarian cancer is a major gynecological cancer that has poor prognosis associated mainly to its late diagnosis. Cisplatin is an FDA approved ovarian cancer therapy and even though the therapy is initially promising, the patients mostly progress to resistance against cisplatin. The underlying mechanisms are complex and not very clearly understood. Using two different paired cell lines representing cisplatin-sensitive and the cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cells, the ES2 and the A2780 parental and cisplatin-resistant cells, we show an elevated proto-oncogene c-Myb in resistant cells. We further show down-regulated lncRNA NKILA in resistant cells with its de-repression in resistant cells when c-Myb is silenced. NKILA negatively correlates with cancer cell and invasion but has no effect on cellular proliferation or cell cycle. C-Myb activates NF-κB signaling which is inhibited by NKILA. The cisplatin resistant cells are also marked by upregulated stem cell markers, particularly LIN28A and OCT4, and downregulated LIN28A-targeted let-7 family miRNAs. Whereas LIN28A and downregulated let-7s individually de-repress c-Myb-mediated cisplatin resistance, the ectopic expression of let-7s attenuates LIN28A effects, thus underlying a c-Myb-NKILA-LIN28A-let-7 axis in cisplatin resistance of ovarian cancer cells that needs to be further explored for therapeutic intervention.

Gastrodia longistyla, a new species of Orchidaceae from Yunnan Province, China, is described and illustrated. It is morphologically similar to Gastrodia peichatieniana, but can be easily distinguished from the latter by having a rhombic epichile, long column (6.0–7.5 mm long), and a needle-shaped appendage (1.8–3.2 mm in length) at the base of the stigma. Identification key and colour photographs are provided. A preliminary risk-of-extinction assessment, according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, is given for the new species. The plastome of G. longistyla is 30464 bp in length with GC content approximately 24.8%, and the plastome does not contain some housekeeping genes, such as matK, rpl16, or all photosynthesis genes. In addition, the G. longistyla plastome lacks an IR region. This indicates that the plastome is in the last stage of degradation.

Abstract This article outlines Taiwan’s experience in developing smart cities, including visions, implementation strategies and application cases. To take global trends and local needs into account, Taiwan has applied a dual development model that combines top‐down (theme‐based)/bottom‐up (needs‐based) approaches for a synergy effect in balancing innovations and local needs. Furthermore, a public–private partnership program has been adopted to prompt collaboration between central/local authorities with local businesses.Meanwhile, Taiwan uses a private finance initiative program and a global marketing strategy for strengthening the scalability and sustainability of smart city solutions. Three visions in the project help achieve the transformation to ensure smarter urban governance, more comprehensive industrial business models and better livelihoods of residents. Moreover, this article also presents five application cases in the top‐down approach and four application cases in the bottom‐up approach with proven track records which covered eight industry sectors: agriculture, healthcare, education, mobility, retail, energy, governance and environment.

Abstract In this study, alpha nickel sulfide (α-NiS) nanosphere films have been successfully synthesized by electroplating the nickel nanosheet film on the indium tin oxide (ITO) glass substrate and sulfuring nickel-coated ITO glass substrate. First, we electrodeposited the nickel nanosheet films on the ITO glass substrates which were cut into a 0.5 × 1 cm2 size. Second, the nanosheet nickel films were annealed in vacuum-sealed glass ampoules with sulfur sheets at different annealing temperatures (300, 400, and 500 °C) for 4 h in vacuum-sealed glass ampoules. The α-NiS films were investigated by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), variable vacuum scanning electron microscopy (VVSEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectrometer (FE-SEM/EDS), cyclic voltammogram (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), ultraviolet/visible/near-infrared (UV/Visible/NIR) spectra, and photoluminescence (PL) spectra. Many nanospheres were observed on the surface of the α-NiS films at the annealing temperature 400 °C for 4 h. We also used the high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) for the analysis of the α-NiS nanospheres. We demonstrated that our α-NiS nanosphere film had a linear current response to different glucose concentrations. Additionally, our α-NiS nanosphere films were preserved at room temperature for five and a half years and were still useful for detecting glucose at low concentration.

The protozoan Giardia lamblia differentiates into infectious cysts within the human intestinal tract for disease transmission. Expression of the cyst wall protein (cwp) genes increases with similar kinetics during encystation. However, little is known how their gene regulation shares common mechanisms. DNA topoisomerases maintain normal topology of genomic DNA. They are necessary for cell proliferation and tissue development as they are involved in transcription, DNA replication, and chromosome condensation. A putative topoisomerase II (topo II) gene has been identified in the G. lamblia genome. We asked whether Topo II could regulate Giardia encystation. We found that Topo II was present in cell nuclei and its gene was up-regulated during encystation. Topo II has typical ATPase and DNA cleavage activity of type II topoisomerases. Mutation analysis revealed that the catalytic important Tyr residue and cleavage domain are important for Topo II function. We used etoposide-mediated topoisomerase immunoprecipitation assays to confirm the binding of Topo II to the cwp promoters in vivo. Interestingly, Topo II overexpression increased the levels of cwp gene expression and cyst formation. Microarray analysis identified up-regulation of cwp and specific vsp genes by Topo II. We also found that the type II topoisomerase inhibitor etoposide has growth inhibition effect on Giardia. Addition of etoposide significantly decreased the levels of cwp gene expression and cyst formation. Our results suggest that Topo II has been functionally conserved during evolution and that Topo II plays important roles in induction of the cwp genes, which is key to Giardia differentiation into cysts.