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Core-shell hierarchical structured composites have demonstrated great advantages in numerous energy storage devices. In particular, structured composites with rationally structural components and controllable morphology are the most effective in enhancing electrochemical properties. In this work, MnO 2 @NiCo 2 O 4 @Ti 3 SiC 2 /CC (carbon cloth) core-shell hierarchical structured composites were designed and successfully synthesized via electrospinning followed by a two-step hydrothermal reaction. The Ti 3 SiC 2 /CC nanofibers and core-shell nanoarrays were able to improve the specific capacitance and cycling stability. In the three-electrode system, the specific capacitance of MnO 2 @NiCo 2 O 4 @Ti 3 SiC 2 /CC was observed as 1938.2 F/g at a current density of 1 A/g, while the rate capability retention was observed as 81.7% between 1 and 10 A/g. Furthermore, a superior cycling stability was observed following 5000 cycles with a specific capacitance retention rate of 55.4%. Employing MnO 2 @NiCo 2 O 4 @Ti 3 SiC 2 /CC as the all solid-state supercapacitor positive electrode exhibited a high energy density of 58.0 W h/kg at the power density of 800 W/kg. Results demonstrate the potential of the MnO 2 @NiCo 2 O 4 @Ti 3 SiC 2 /CC as an electrode material with phenomenal electrochemical properties for supercapacitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite of the high lethality of gallbladder cancer (GBC), little is known regarding molecular regulation of the tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment. Here, we determined tumor expression levels of YKL-40 and the molecular mechanisms by which YKL-40 regulates escape of anti-tumor immune surveillance. We found that elevated expression levels of YKL-40 in plasma and tissue were correlated with tumor size, stage IV and lymph node metastasis. Single cell transcriptome analysis revealed that YKL-40 was predominantly derived from M2-like subtype of infiltrating macrophages. Blockade of M2–like macrophage differentiation of THP-1 cells with YKL-40 shRNA resulted in reprogramming to M1-like macrophages and restricting tumor development. YKL-40 induced tumor cell expression and secretion of growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15), thus coordinating to promote PD-L1 expression mediated by PI3K, AKT and/or Erk activation. Interestingly, extracellular GDF15 inhibited intracellular expression of GDF15 that suppressed PD-L1 expression. Thus, YKL-40 disrupted the balance of pro- and anti-PD-L1 regulation to enhance expression of PD-L1 and inhibition of T cell cytotoxicity, leading to tumor immune evasion. The data suggest that YKL-40 and GDF15 could serve as diagnostic biomarkers and immunotherapeutic targets for GBC. • Increased YKL-40 in plasma were correlated with tissue expression of YKL-40 and GBC progression. • Blockade of YKL-40 in M2-like macrophages resulted in M1-like macrophage reprogramming. • YKL-40 promoted GDF15 secretion, which in turn inhibited intracellular GDF15 function that suppressed PD-L1 expression. • YKL-40 and GDF15 induced PD-L1 expression and abrogated cytotoxicity of infiltrating CD8+ T lymphocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An innovative and convenient method has been performed to stabilize the surface of O3-type NaNi 0.45 Mn 0.3 Ti 0.2 Zr 0.05 O 2 composited electrode by ultrathin MgO film. There are few reports on the modification on the fabricated electrode instead of the active material powder, especially by radio frequency magnetron sputtering. Besides, the surface stability and capacity retention of MgO coated cathode are superior compared to the bare one under the high rate. The protective effect could physically enhance electrochemical performance because the MgO coating has been identified strictly. Three main reasons are discovered by investigating the mechanisms. Firstly, the MgO layer suppresses the dissolution of the active material into electrolyte; this might be the origin for more stable electrode structure. Secondly, the MgO layer boosts sodium-ion and electron transport owing to its location of the deposition. Finally, the appropriate thickness of MgO can minimize transmission resistance and SEI formation. Particularly, the half-cell constructed with NaNi 0.45 Mn 0.3 Ti 0.2 Zr 0.05 O 2 –MgO cathode delivers a good rate performance (80.3 and 70.3 mA h g−1 at 1200 and 1920 mA g−1) and a long cycle life (71.6 mA h g−1 at 240 mA g−1 for 300 cycles) when sputtering time is 10 s; meanwhile, the reversible discharge capacity (140.7 mA h g−1 at 12 mA g−1) with a cut-off voltage of 2–4 V is also a considerable achievement. The work provides a broad idea to apply MgO as a protective coating. • MgO film is performed via magnetron sputtering on NaNi 0.45 Mn 0.3 Ti 0.2 Zr 0.05 O 2 electrode. • The surface stability and capacity retention of MgO coated cathode are superior at high rate. • MgO layer boosts sodium-ion and electron transport owing to its location of deposition. • The appropriate thickness of MgO can minimize transmission resistance and SEI formation. • The NaNi 0.45 Mn 0.3 Ti 0.2 Zr 0.05 O 2 –MgO cell delivers 80.3 and 70.3 mA h g−1 at 1200 and 1920 mA g−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the low cost and abundance of sodium, sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) show great potential as energy storage devices. As far as the current research is concerned, cathode materials are still the bottleneck for boosting the performance of SIBs. O3-type layered NaNi 0.5 Mn 0.5 O 2 is considered as an important cathode material of SIBs, but its irreversible phase transition, poor stability in air, and sluggish kinetics usually lead to reduced capacity, poor rate performance and high cost for material storage, which largely limit the large-scale application. Herein, a remarkable O3-type layered material NaNi 0.5-x Mn 0.3 Ti 0.2 Zr x O 2 (NaNMTZ, x = 0.02, 0.05), with stable phase structure has been synthesized by the solid-phase method. The partial substitution of electrochemical inactive Ti/Zr brings about higher electronic delocalization and entropy of mixing leading to enhanced structural stability. In addition, the enlarged interlayer spacing and good conductivity contribute to better rate capability. The micro-nano structure leads to faster Na+ diffusion rates and shorter diffusion paths for both ions and electrons. Therefore, NaNi 0.45 Mn 0.3 Ti 0.2 Zr 0.05 O 2 exhibits an initial reversible capacity of 141.4 mAh g−1 with a coulombic efficiency of 98.8% and remarkable capacity retention of 70% after 200 cycles at 0.05C, presenting better electrochemistry performance than the conventional NaNi 0.5 Mn 0.5 O 2. This study provides a new angle to design high capacity cathode materials with high rate capability and cycling stability through crystal lattice modulation. Image 1 • A remarkable O3-type layered NaNi 0.45 Mn 0.3 Ti 0.2 Zr 0.05 O 2 is designed as cathode material for sodium ion batteries. • The structural stability and rate performance of NaNi 0.45 Mn 0.3 Ti 0.2 Zr 0.05 O 2 are superior. • The higher electronic delocalization and better conductivity of NaNi 0.45 Mn 0.3 Ti 0.2 Zr 0.05 O 2 are provided. • The difference value about entropy of mixing between NaNi 0.5 Mn 0.5 and NaNi 0.45 Mn 0.3 Ti 0.2 Zr 0.05 O 2 is calculated. • The enlarged interlayer spacing and micro-nano structure contribute to the high rate capability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bimetallic carbides have aroused wide attention for energy-storage applications recently. In this work, one-dimensional Fe 2 MoC/CNFs (Fe 2 MoC/C nanofibers) are successfully synthesized via a facile electrospinning method for the first time. To obtain the most integrated structure between the Fe 2 MoC nanoparticles and carbon nanofibers, we explore the optimal heating rate during the carbonization treatment. Fe 2 MoC/CNFs exhibits an integrated one-dimensional structure under 800 °C with a heating rate of 5 °C/min. As revealed in the experimental results, Fe 2 MoC/CNFs possesses a high specific surface area of 196.9 m2/g, a high specific capacitance of 347.8 F/g at the current density of 1 A/g, an excellent rate capability of 91% capacitance retention from 1 A/g to 40 A/g, and shows superior cycling stability with the capacitance retention of about 85.6% and Coulombic efficiency of about 100% after 5000 cycles. An asymmetric supercapacitor coin-cell device using Fe 2 MoC/CNFs as the positive electrode displays an energy density of 14.5 Wh/kg at a power density of 300 W/kg and an outstanding cycling life of 93% retention after 5000 cycles. The impressive electrochemical performance indicates that the Fe 2 MoC/CNFs composite is a promising material for efficient supercapacitors. Image 1 • Fe 2 MoC nanofibers can be prepared via a facile electrospinning method. • Fe 2 MoC/CNFs-5 exhibits a superior rate capability and cycle stability. • ASC coin-cell device shows a promising energy and power density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]