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Layered transition metal dichalcogenides are of intensive interest for potassium‐ion batteries (PIBs) due to their high theoretical capacity, relatively low working potential, and layered structures. However, the limited interlayer spacing poses challenges in accommodating large‐radius potassium ions, significantly affecting their rate and cycling performances, particularly for selenide counterparts. Herein, a class of the strongly coupled NbSe2 nanosheets (NSs)/graphene (G) heterostructure with expanded interlayer spacings and high electron conductivity for boosting the performance of potassium storage is reported. NbSe2 NSs/G delivers a reversible capacity of 348.4 mAh g−1 at 0.05 A g−1, exceptional rate performance (117.5 mAh g−1 at an ultrahigh current density of 10.0 A g−1), and excellent cycle stability (capacity retention of 167.8 mAh g−1 after 2350 cycles under 2.0 A g−1), placing it among the top performers in reported TMD‐based PIB anodes. In situ XRD and Raman measurements reveal the intercalation‐based mechanism in NbSe2 NSs/G and the introduction of graphene can alleviate the severe volume change, making it possess superior rate performance and cycle stability Prominently, full‐cell PIBs employing NbSe2 NSs/G anodes demonstrate remarkable rate capability, and achieve a high energy density of 103.0 Wh kg−1 and a high power density of 1140.6 W kg−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to examine the impact of greenness and fine particulate matter <2.5 μm (PM2.5) on overweight/obesity among older adults in China. Methods: A total of 21,355 participants aged ≥65 years were included from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey between 2000 and 2018. Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) with a radius of 250 m and PM2.5 in a 1 × 1‐km grid resolution were calculated around each participant's residence. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the effects of NDVI and PM2.5 on overweight/obesity. Interaction and mediation analyses were conducted to explore combined effects. Results: The study observed 1895 incident cases of overweight/obesity over 109,566 person‐years. For every 0.1‐unit increase in NDVI the hazard ratio of overweight/obesity was 0.91 (95% CI: 0.88–0.95), and for every 10‐μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 the hazard ratio was 1.11 (95% CI: 1.07–1.14). The effect of NDVI on overweight/obesity was partially mediated by PM2.5, with a relative mediation proportion of 20.10% (95% CI: 1.63%‐38.57%). Conclusions: Greenness exposure appears to lower the risk of overweight/obesity in older adults in China, whereas PM2.5, acting as a mediator, partly mediated this protective effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is primarily regulated by type I hypersensitivity, with Th2 and immunoglobulin E (IgE) playing essential roles. This study aimed to determine whether angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)2 could participate in the regulation of AR. Methods: Nasal mucosal tissues of AR patients were collected to determine ACE2 levels. Following AR mouse models were established, ACE2 levels in nasal mucosa were determined. Then the influences of diminazene aceturate (ACE2 agonist) on AR symptoms, pathology, specific antibodies, histamine, and interleukins (ILs) release in vivo were evaluated. Afterward, human nasal mucosa epithelial cells were exposed to IL‐13, and the impacts of ACE2 overexpression on the secretion of pro‐inflammatory factors in vitro were assessed. Results: ACE2 levels significantly declined in nasal mucosa both in patients and mouse models (p < .001). Diminazene aceturate treatment elevated the ACE2 level in mice (p < .01), accompanied by reduced frequency of nasal spray and nasal friction, decreased eosinophils and goblet cells (p < .001) according to histopathological staining. Furthermore, lgE, lgG1, histamine, and IL levels in mice were also decreased (p < .05). In vitro experiments revealed that ACE2 overexpression suppressed the secretion of pro‐inflammatory factors (p < .001). Conclusion: Together, ACE2 activation can alleviate the symptoms of AR in mice and inhibit the release of Th2 cytokines. Activating ACE2 is a promising therapeutic approach for AR.This study found that angiotensin converting enzyme 2 activation can alleviate the symptoms of allergic rhinitis in mice and inhibit the release of Th2 cytokines. Activating angiotensin converting enzyme 2 is a promising therapeutic approach for allergic rhinitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) show great potential as anodes for potassium‐ion batteries (PIBs) due to their high theoretical capacity and relatively low working potential. However, usually the conversion mechanism seriously hinders the long‐term cycle stability for PIBs due to the huge structural change. Herein, the synthesis of a class of ultrathin metallic 2H‐phase NbS2 nanosheets with large expanded interlayer spacing of 0.65 nm and high conductivity for boosting the potassium ion storage is reported. It is demonstrated that the as‐prepared NbS2 nanosheets show an unexpected intercalation mechanism for potassium ion storage, which is conceptually different from the well‐known intercalation‐conversion mechanism of typical TMDs. As a consequence, the ultrathin NbS2 nanosheets deliver superior rate capability (205.5 mAh g−1 at ultrahigh current density of 10 A g−1) and outstanding long‐term cycling performance (169.5 mAh g−1 at 5 A g−1 after 4000 cycles with a very low decay rate of 0.005% per cycle), representing the most stable TMD‐based anode materials for PIBs. Ex situ measurements and first‐principles calculations disclose and interpret that NbS2 nanosheets store potassium ions through only the intercalation mechanism without any conversion reaction taking place in the potassiation/depotassiation process, which highly improves the structural stability of electrode materials, hence promoting the long‐term cycle performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excessive nitrogen (N) use in agriculture, industry, and household waste leads to widespread N release throughout the environment, causing eutrophication in both freshwater and coastal areas. To better understand N‐induced eutrophication and other N‐use‐related environmental impacts at the local scale, improvements in the spatial resolution of life cycle impact assessment measures are required. Here, we present a method to estimate gridded fate factors (FFs) at a half‐degree resolution based on the Integrated Model to Assess the Global Environment‐Global Nutrient Model to provide eutrophication indicators for global N‐related manufacture, trade, and consumption in life cycle assessment. Across global freshwater systems, our cumulative FFs have a 5th percentile of 0.9 days and a 95th percentile of 184.0 days. Aggregated FFs for administrative units range from 0.3 days to 211.9 days. The hotspots of cumulative FFs are mainly distributed upstream of large reservoirs or lakes. On a global level, advection is the dominant process controlling the FF (69.7% of areas), followed by retention (29.0%), and water consumption (1.3%). N retention dominates in advection‐favoring, high‐discharge regions due to the high residence times, while water consumption tends to dominate water‐scarce zones. The results demonstrate the importance of gridded information to assess eutrophication impacts, as it characterizes N emissions from anthropogenic sources at high spatial resolution in comparison to basin‐ or country‐level assessments. Introducing soil–freshwater N fate complements existing P‐related fates to improve global assessments of eutrophication. This article met the requirements for a Gold–Gold Badge JIE data openness badge described at http://jie.click/badges [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sluggish oxygen reaction kinetics concomitant with the high overpotentials and parasitic reactions from cathodes and solvents is the major challenge in aprotic lithium‐oxygen (Li–O2) batteries. Herein, PtIr multipods with a low Lewis acidity of the Pt atoms are reported as an advanced cathode for improving overpotentials and stabilities. DFT calculations disclose that electrons have a strong disposition to transfer from Ir to Pt, since Pt has a higher electronegativity than Ir, resulting in a lower Lewis acidity of the Pt atoms than that on the pure Pt surface. The low Lewis acidity of Pt atoms on the PtIr surface entails a high electron density and a down‐shifting of the d‐band center, thereby weakening the binding energy towards intermediates (LiO2), which is the key in achieving low oxygen‐reduction‐reaction (ORR) and oxygen‐evolution‐reaction (OER) overpotentials. The Li–O2 cell based on PtIr electrodes exhibits a very low overall discharge/charge overpotential (0.44 V) and an excellent cycle life (180 cycles), outperforming the bulk of reported noble‐metal‐based cathodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potassium‐ion batteries (PIBs) show great potential in the application of large‐scale energy storage devices due to the comparable high operating voltage with lithium‐ion batteries and lower cost. Carbon‐based materials are promising candidates as anodes for PIBs, for their low cost, high abundance, nontoxicity, environmental benignity, and sustainability. In this review, we will first discuss the potassium storage mechanisms of graphitic and defective carbon materials and carbon‐based composites with various compositions and microstructures to comprehensively understand the potassium storage behavior. Then, several strategies based on heteroatoms doping, unique nanostructure design, and introduction of the conductive matrix to form composites are proposed to optimize the carbon‐based materials and achieve high performance for PIBs. Finally, we conclude the existing challenges and perspectives for further development of carbon‐based materials, which is believed to promote the practical application of PIBs in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is a pivotal element of electrochemical water splitting which is able to produce clean hydrogen as an alternative to fossil fuel. Developing efficient Pt‐based electrocatalysts for the HER to work at all pHs is highly desirable, however, still a significant challenge, especially in alkaline conditions due to sluggish water dissociation and OHad transfer. Here, a new strategy for making a class of amorphous WOx‐surface decorated PtNi@Pt dendritic nanowires (WOx‐PtNi@Pt DNWs) to achieve highly efficient pH‐universal HER electrocatalysis is reported. The as‐made WOx‐PtNi@Pt DNWs display superior HER performance with the overpotentials of 24, 5, and 22 mV in 0.1 m KOH, 0.1 m HClO4, and 0.5 m phosphate‐buffered saline, respectively, at a current density of 10 mA cm−2. The mass activity of WOx‐PtNi@Pt DNWs in alkaline conditions is 3.3 mA μgPt−1 at an overpotential of 70 mV, among the best in all the reported materials. Theoretical calculations confirm the introduction of WOx to the PtNi DNWs plays a pivotal role in promoting the efficient electron transfer for the alkaline and acidic HER. The activation of the PtNi region within the PtNiWO interface is achieved by the WOx induced strain effect, which guarantees the superior performance in the HER. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen production through proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers (PEMWE) requires more active and stable electrocatalysts in acidic media. Herein, a class of Ir‐based alloys is reported with flower‐like structure as excellent electrocatalysts both for hydrogen and oxygen generation in acid. Specially, the IrNi alloy nanoflowers (IrNi NFs) present the best hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance, revealed by a low Tafel slope and overpotential at current density of 10 mA cm−2, exceeding the commercial Pt/C. It is discovered that alloying Ir with Ni can decrease the hydrogen binding energy (HBE) of Ir metal, resulting in almost 2.5 times increase in the HER intrinsic activity of IrNi NFs than Ir NFs. The IrNi NFs catalyst is also highly efficient in oxygen evolution reaction with mass activity of 379 A g−1 Ir at 1.51 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode. Furthermore, the overall water‐splitting devices using the IrNi NFs as catalysts for both cathode and anode show a low cell voltage of 1.60 V at 10 mA cm−2 and long‐term stability within 1000 cycles. This work uncovers that HBE optimization is the key of enhancing HER activity on Ir‐based alloys and these Ir‐based NFs hold great promise in future application in the PEMWE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The adequate potassium resource on the earth has driven the researchers to explore new‐concept potassium‐ion batteries (KIBs) with high energy density. Graphite is a common anode for KIBs; however, the main challenge faced by KIBs is that K ions have the larger size than Li and Na ions, hindering the intercalation of K ions into electrodes and thus leading to poor rate performance, low capacity, and cycle stability during the potassiation and depotassiation process. Herein, an amorphous ordered mesoporous carbon (OMC) is reported as a new anode material for high‐performance KIBs. Unlike the well‐crystallized graphite, in which the K ions are squeezed into the restricted interlayer spacing, it is found that the amorphous OMC possesses larger interlayer spacing in short range and fewer carbon atoms in one carbon‐layers cluster, making it more flexible to the deformation of carbon layers. The larger interlayer spacing and the unique layered structure in short range can intercalate more K ions into the carbon layer, accommodate the increase of the interlayer spacing, and tolerate the volume expansion, resulting in a battery behavior with high capacity, high rate capability, and long cycle life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT A crosslinked nanofibrous cation exchange membrane with high ion permeability and robust mechanical properties was fabricated by electrospinning. Copolymer, poly(sodium styrene sulfonate- co-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate), was selected as the electrospun material. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance, and scanning electron microscopy were employed to characterize the copolymer and nanofibrous mat. After a series of preliminary experiments, the proper solvents and their ratio, H2O/tetrahydrofuran/ N, N′-dimethylformamide (2/1/3 vol/vol/vol), was selected and the electrospinning optimal parameters were determined by orthogonal experiments. Formaldehyde vapor was employed to crosslink the mat. It was observed that the water sorption decreased from 47.9% to 18.4% as the crosslinking time increased from 20 to 32 h. The robust mat with the high tensile strength of 4.85 MPa and 40% elongation at break was obtained at 28 h. The permselectivities of Na+, K+, and Ca2+ were 89%, 85%, and 81%, respectively. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 45541. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple, rapid, and reliable liquid-liquid extraction coupled to GC-MS method was developed and validated for the quantification of 22 phthalate esters (PAEs) in honey and royal jelly. Instrument parameters for GC-MS were tested to obtain the satisfactory separation between 22 PAEs with high sensitivity. The extraction procedure was optimized in order to achieve the best recovery. The following criteria were used to validate the developed method: linearity, LOD, lower LOQ, precision, accuracy, matrix effect and carry-over. Correlation coefficients were >0.999 by applying the linear regression model based on the least-squares method with a weighting factor (1/ x). The intra- and interday precision were within 12.7% in terms of RSD, and the accuracy was within −11.8% in terms of relative error. The mean extraction recoveries ranged between 80.1 and 110.9% for honey and royal jelly. No significant matrix effect and carry-over for PAEs were observed for the analysis of honey and royal jelly samples. A total of 20 real samples were analyzed for a mini-survey using the developed method. Seven PAEs in honey samples and five PAEs in royal jelly samples were found, indicating potential contamination with several PAEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of honeybee venom in traditional medicine is increasing due to its unexpected beneficial effects in the treatment of diseases. In this study, a simple and environmentally friendly sample preparation procedure was developed to quantify five biogenic amines—histamine, 5‐hydroxytryptamine, dopamine, adrenaline, and noradrenaline—in honeybee venom using high‐performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The instrument and sample preparation method were optimized to achieve stable, sensitive, and accurate quantification of the five biogenic amines. The peak purities of five biogenic amines in bee venom were examined using a diode array detector to ensure that endogenous impurities will not interfere with biogenic amines during the chromatographic separation procedure. The correlation coefficient of each compound was higher than 0.998 in the range of 0.5–1000 ng/mL. The limits of detection and quantification of the developed method ranged between 0.09 and 0.17, and 0.3 and 0.59 μg/g, respectively. The average recoveries of spiked biogenic amines with different concentrations were higher than 70.95%, and the intra‐ and intermediate‐day precisions were lower than 7.51% and 10.17%, respectively. The carry‐over between each injection and the stability of the target analytes were also evaluated to ensure the effectiveness of this method. The data obtained are presented in various formats, including boxplot, heat map, and principal component analysis diagram, to visualize the differences in the biogenic amine contents of the honeybee venoms from different subspecies. This method hopes to provide the opportunity to distinguish the bee venom produced by different subspecies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrializing water electrolyzers demands better electrocatalysts, especially for the anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The prevailing OER catalysts are Ir or Ru‐based nanomaterials, however, they still suffer from insufficient stability. An alternative yet considerably less explored approach is to upgrade Rh, a known stable but moderately active element for OER electrocatalysis, via rational structural engineering. Herein, a precise synthesis of assembled RhRuFe trimetallenes (RhRuFe TMs) with an average thickness of 1 nm for boosting overall water splitting catalysis is reported. Favorable mass transport and optimized electronic structure collectively render RhRuFe TMs with an improved OER activity of an overpotential of 330 mV to deliver 10 mA cm−2, which is significantly lower than the Rh/C control (by 601 mV) and reported Rh‐based OER electrocatalysts. In particular, the RhRuFe TMs‐based water splitting devices can achieve the current density of 10 mA cm−2 at a low voltage of 1.63 V, which is among the best in the Rh‐based bifunctional catalysts for electrolyzers. The addition of Fe in RhRuFe TMs can modulate the strain/electron distribution of the multi‐alloy, which regulates the binding energies of H* and OH* in hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions for achieving the enhanced bifunctional OER and HER catalysis is further demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]