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MCC/PLA/PPC composites were prepared by melt blending using PLA grafted with maleic anhydride (PLA-g-MAH) as a compatibilizer and MCC as a modifier. The effect of MCC on the mechanical properties, heat resistance and thermal stability of MCC/PLA/PPC composites were investigated by temperature-controlled stretching, dynamic thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. The results shown that the tensile strength flexural strength was improved by 12.7% and the glass translation temperature was increased by 9.8 °C when 40 wt% of MCC was added. On the other hand, the addition of 5 wt% PLA-g-MAH made the composites an increase in tensile strength by 53.7%, in flexural strength by 43.1% and in impact strength by 18 % due to an enhancement in interfacial adhesion. In this case, the breaking strength of the composites was also improved by 80% at 60 °C. Moreover, the thermal degradation temperature and maximum weight-loss temperature of the composites were improved by 25.31 and 61.83 °C compared to PLA/PPC composite, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Copper‐based hexacyanoferrates have received important interest as cathode candidates for aqueous sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs), owing to the room‐temperature synthesis route, fast reaction kinetics, and high working potential. However, they suffer from insufficient cycling performance in medium aqueous electrolytes. Herein, a nickel‐substituted copper hexacyanoferrate (Na2Cu0.6Ni0.4[Fe(CN)6]) is reported as a superior cathode for aqueous SIBs, which is developed by studying the effect of Ni substitution on the electrochemical properties of Na2Cu1‐xNix[Fe(CN)6] (0≤x≤1) series. It exhibits a reversible capacity of 62 mAh g−1 and an average working potential of 0.62 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) at a current rate of 0.5 C. Even though being cycled at a high current rate of 10 C, it can achieve a discharge capacity of 56 mAh g−1 and render a capacity retention of 96 % after 1000 cycles. Relative to most previously reported cathode materials, the material shows superior overall performance including improved specific energy, outstanding high‐rate capability, and excellent cycling performance. This indicates that Na2Cu0.6Ni0.4[Fe(CN)6] is a promising cathode candidate for aqueous SIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Susceptibility to tuberculosis (TB) is partially dependent on host genetic variability. SP110 and PMP22 are candidate genes identified in this study as associated with human susceptibility to TB. Here we performed an association analysis in a case-control study of a Tibetan population (217 cases and 383 controls). Using bioinformatics methods, we identified two SNPs in SP110 that may decrease susceptibility to TB (rs4327230, p<0.001, OR: 0.37, 95%CI: 0.25-0.55; rs2114591, p<0.001, OR: 0.59, 95%CI: 0.45-0.78), whereas one SNP in PMP22 appeared to increase TB risk (rs13422, p=0.003, OR: 1.45, 95%CI: 1.14-1.84). SNPs rs4327230 and rs2114591 remained significant after Bonferroni correction (p<0.00178). We found that the "GC" haplotype in SP110 was protective against TB, with a 64% reduction in disease risk. "CA" and "CG" in PMP22 were also associated with a protective effect. Our study indicates there is an association between specific gene polymorphisms and TB risk in a Tibetan population, and may help to identify those TB-affected individuals most susceptible to disease.