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The lithium-sulfur battery is an attractive option for next-generation energy storage owing to its much higher theoretical energy density than state-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries. However, the massive volume changes of the sulfur cathode and the uncontrollable deposition of Li2 S2 /Li2 S significantly deteriorate cycling life and increase voltage polarization. To address these challenges, we develop an ϵ-caprolactam/acetamide based eutectic-solvent electrolyte, which can dissolve all lithium polysulfides and lithium sulfide (Li2 S8 -Li2 S). With this new electrolyte, high specific capacity (1360 mAh g-1 ) and reasonable cycling stability are achieved. Moreover, in contrast to conventional ether electrolyte with a low flash point (ca. 2 °C), such low-cost eutectic-solvent-based electrolyte is difficult to ignite, and thus can dramatically enhance battery safety. This research provides a new approach to improving lithium-sulfur batteries in aspects of both safety and performance.

Vascular calcification is highly prevalent in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), one of the most common chronic diseases with high morbidity and mortality. In recent years, microRNAs have been widely reported as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of T2DM. We hypothesized that miR-128-3p is associated with cardiovascular calcification and insulin resistance (IR) in rats with T2DM by targeting ISL1 via the Wnt pathway. Microarray analysis was adopted to identify differentially expressed genes related to T2DM. T2DM models were induced in rats. Blood samples from normal and T2DM rats were used to detect islet β-cell function, islet sensitivity, and calcium content. Next, islet tissues were obtained to identify the expression of miR-128-3p, ISL1, and the Wnt signaling pathway- and apoptosis-related genes. Finally, apoptosis of islet β-cells was determined by flow cytometry. Through microarray analysis of GSE27382 and GSE23343, ISL1 was found to be downregulated in T2DM. In blood samples from T2DM rats, basic biochemical indicators, IR, and calcium content were increased, and islet sensitivity and islet β-cell function were decreased. Furthermore, upregulation of miR-128-3p and ISL1 gene silencing promoted the expression of Wnt-1, β-catenin, GSK-3β, and Bax and the phosphorylation of β-catenin and GSK-3β, inhibited c-fos, PDX-1, and Bcl-2 expression, and enhanced cell apoptosis. The key findings of our study demonstrate that miR-128-3p aggravates cardiovascular calcification and IR in T2DM rats by downregulating ISL1 through the activation of the Wnt pathway. Thus, miR-128-3p may serve as a potential target for the treatment of T2DM.

High resolution mesoscale model WRFV3.4.1 is used to simulate the deep convective process during TWP-ICE. Simulation data from the forth nested domain outputted every five minutes is employed to analyze the characteristics of an updraft mass flux profile and the trajectories of convective transportation with the FLEXPART Lagrangian dispersion model. Analyses of Lagrangian characteristics of hydrometeor transportation and mass flux vertical variation show that around the top of conditional instability, some hydrometeor has been detrained from the deep convective system. Convective hydrometeor is conveyed by steering current from the deep convective system to their downstream. However, influenced by low level wind disturbance, some hydrometeor is also conveyed to upstream. The largest distance over which the hydrometeor is transported from the deep convective system to the downstream is about 200∼300 km. About 10%∼20% of the hydrometeor has an important influence on the anvil area 50∼150 km downward from the deep convective system, of which the time scale is 4∼6 hours.

Native grasses play an important role in the sustainable development of grassland animal husbandry, land protection, and the lawn industry. However, with seed yields often low and variable, it is necessary to develop techniques for increasing seed production in these species. From 2007 to 2012, field trials using nine planting densities (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, and 50 plants m(-2)) were conducted in an arid region of China. The effect of planting density on seed yield and its components was investigated for a drought-tolerant grass species, Cleistogenes songorica (Roshev.) Ohwi. Seed yield persistence and yield response to seasonal rainfall during the trials were also examined. The highest seed yield was obtained at 30 plants m-2, with a mean seed yield of 500 kg ha(-1) over the 6 yr. Among seed yield components, the number of fertile tillers m-2 had the greatest influence on seed yield. The percentage factual seed yield vs. potential seed yield was 40 to 47%. There was a positive correlation between seed yield and precipitation during heading and flowering stages. The present study showed that C. songorica can be used in seed production for at least six consecutive harvests. Irrigation during the heading and flowering stages may be used to increase the seed yield of C. songorica.

Objectives/Hypothesis Elevated inflammatory biomarkers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and the recently identified neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were demonstrated to be associated with prognosis in human cancers. The aim of our present study is to analyze the relationship of preoperative levels of CRP and NLR with clinicopathological factors and prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients. Study Design Retrospective study. Methods This study was performed on 226 OSCC patients between July 2007 and April 2012. Their serum CRP levels and NLR were measured preoperatively. Results CRP level ≥ 5.0 mg/L was significantly associated with NLR ≥ 2.44 (linear regression, P

Ablating Right-Sided Accessory Pathways With Atrial Insertions Far From Tricuspid Annulus. Background: It is difficult to ablate a right-sided accessory pathway (AP) with atrial insertion far from the tricuspid annulus (TA). We report our initial experience of ablating this rare AP by a 3-dimensional electroanatomical mapping system (CARTO). Methods: From January of 2006 to April of 2008, 18 patients with right-sided APs who failed previous outside ablations were enrolled in this study. Retrograde AP conduction was mapped during pacing at the right ventricular apex by activation-mapping the right atrium (RA) using a 3-dimensional electroanatomical mapping system. AP atrial insertion was defined as the earliest retrograde atrial activations and successful ablation of the APs at this site. Results: Among the 18 patients who had failed previous ablation, 10 patients (7 patients with right manifest APs and 3 patients with right conceal APs) had atrial insertions far from the TA. Of the 10 patients, the atrial insertions were found at the base of the RA appendage in 3 patients, at the high lateral RA in 5 patients, at the low lateral RA in other 2 patients. Ablation at the atrial insertions successfully abolished the AP conduction. The mean distance between the atrial insertion sites and the TA was 20.2 ± 2.7 mm. No patients reported recovered AP conduction or recurrent tachycardias after 6-month follow-up. Conclusions: The right-sided APs may have atrial insertion far from the TA. These uncommon variation of APs can be reliably identified and ablated using CARTO system. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 22, pp. 499-505 May 2011)

Understanding the details of free radical polymerization (FRP) in multi-component mixtures and solutions is of great importance for the synthesis of polymeric functional materials. Using the framework of dissipative particle dynamics (DPD), we develop a new computational approach to model FRP that couples the reaction kinetics for the polymerization processes to the dynamics of the complex fluid. We specifically consider two mechanisms of chain termination: disproportionation and combination. We analyze the effects of initiation, propagation, and termination on the polymerization kinetics in three-dimensional bulk polymerization by varying the corresponding reaction probabilities. Our model not only allows us to capture the interplay between hydrodynamics and reaction kinetics, but also provides an effective means to model polymerization in the presence of solid inclusions. We demonstrate the latter feature by simulating the formation of polymer-clay nanocomposite gels by FRP in solution in the absence of organic cross-linking agents, where the exfoliated clay particles serve as multi-functional cross-linkers for the polymer network. We observe that increasing the volume fraction of clay particles can lead to an increase in the number of inter-particle cross-linking chains, which could improve the mechanical properties of the material. Our findings provide insight into the polymerization kinetics of the FRP, as well as potential guidelines for tailoring experimental conditions to achieve the desired polymerization products.

The new regioisomer 7-methyl-pyrazolo[4,5-e][1,2,4]thiadiazine nucleus (5) was synthesized, and its novel mono-N2- or N4-substituted pyrazolo[4,5-e][1,2,4]thiadiazines (6, 7) were regioselectively prepared by deprotonation of N2 or/and N4 atoms with different molar ratio of NaH and alkyl halides. Anti-HIV-1 screening tests showed some compounds to be potent as HIV-1 non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (HIV-1 NNRTIs).

Organocatalytic asymmetric direct aldol reactions in brine with high diastereo- and enantioselectivities, using a readily available bifunctional amide catalyst, were developed.Key words: aldol reaction, organocatalyst, asymmetric catalysis, water.

Sterically and electronically tunable and bifunctional organocatalysts have been developed and evaluated in the direct aldol reaction of heterocyclic ketones. Catalysts with different substituents showed variable catalytic efficiency for analogous substrates, indicating the importance of fine-tuning the strength of the hydrogen bonding in the two NH groups. The reactions all proceeded in good to high yield and with excellent enantioselectivities ranging from 90% to >99% ee. In most cases, high diastereoselectivities ranging from 96/4 to 99/1 were obtained for the anti aldol adduct.