Biomass-Derived Carbon Materials for Electrochemical Energy Storage.

The environmental impact from the waste disposal has been widely concerned around the world. The conversion of wastes to useful resources is important for the sustainable society. As a typical family of wastes, biomass materials basically composed of collagen, protein and lignin are considered as useful resources for recycle and reuse. In recent years, the development of carbon material derived from biomasses, such as plants, crops, animals and their application in electrochemical energy storage have attracted extensive attention. Through the selection of the appropriate biomass, the optimization of the activation method and the control of the pyrolysis temperatures, carbon materials with desired features, such as high-specific surface area, variable porous framework, and controllable heteroatom-doping have been fabricated. Herein, this review summarized the preparation methods, morphologies, heteroatoms doping in the plant/animal-derived carbonaceous materials, and their application as electrode materials for secondary batteries and supercapacitors, and as electrode support for lithium-sulfur batteries. The challenges and prospects for the controllable synthesis and large-scale application of biomass-derived carbonaceous materials have also been outlooked.

The enrichment process for family caregivers of persons living with dementia: A grounded theory approach.

AIM: Many persons living with dementia (PLWD) reside in the community and are cared for by family members. The aim of this qualitative study was to gain an understanding the enrichment process for family caregivers of PLWD in Taiwan. DESIGN: A grounded theory approach with face-to-face semi-structured interviews was conducted with family caregivers of PLWD in Taiwan. METHODS: Interview data from 30 family caregivers of PLWD recruited from dementia clinics or support groups in Taiwan were obtained from the first wave of a larger study conducted from January 2018 to September 2021. Glaser's grounded theory approach with theoretical sampling was used to understand the enrichment process of family caregivers of PLWD. RESULTS: Analysis indicated the core category that characterized the process of enrichment was 'holding together'. Caregivers were able to maintain their connection to the person with dementia through activities that deepened their relationship and strengthened their bond. 'Holding together' included four components: maintaining continuity, creative interactions, interacting with humour and sharing pleasurable activities. Through these components, family caregivers generated positive interactions and relationships with the person living with dementia and sustained their motivation for caregiving. Three modifying elements facilitated or impeded the process of holding together: 'previous daily interactions', 'caregiving beliefs' and 'filial piety'. CONCLUSION: Through the enrichment process of 'holding together', family caregivers used different strategies to conduct pleasurable and meaningful activities with the person living with dementia to maintain and improve their relationship and enhance their happiness in life. IMPACT: To facilitate the enrichment process, health care providers should encourage activities between family caregivers and PLWD that promote continuity, increase interactions, provide humour and foster pleasurable activities. REPORTING METHOD: This study adhered to the COREQ guideline checklist. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution.

Intercross population study reveals that co-mutation of mitfa genes in two subgenomes induces red skin color in common carp ( Cyprinus carpio wuyuanensis).

Common carp are among the oldest domesticated fish in the world. As such, there are many food and ornamental carp strains with abundant phenotypic variations due to natural and artificial selection. Hebao red carp (HB, Cyprinus carpio wuyuanensis), an indigenous strain in China, is renowned for its unique body morphology and reddish skin. To reveal the genetic basis underlying the distinct skin color of HB, we constructed an improved high-fidelity (HiFi) HB genome with good contiguity, completeness, and correctness. Genome structure comparison was conducted between HB and a representative wild strain, Yellow River carp (YR, C. carpio haematopterus), to identify structural variants and genes under positive selection. Signatures of artificial selection during domestication were identified in HB and YR populations, while phenotype mapping was performed in a segregating population generated by HB×YR crosses. Body color in HB was associated with regions with fixed mutations. The simultaneous mutation and superposition of a pair of homologous genes ( mitfa) in chromosomes A06 and B06 conferred the reddish color in domesticated HB. Transcriptome analysis of common carp with different alleles of the mitfa mutation confirmed that gene duplication can buffer the deleterious effects of mutation in allotetraploids. This study provides new insights into genotype-phenotype associations in allotetraploid species and lays a foundation for future breeding of common carp.

Core-shell anatase anode materials for sodium-ion batteries: the impact of oxygen vacancies and nitrogen-doped carbon coating.

In this work, the impact of oxygen vacancies and nitrogen-doped carbon coating on the sodium-ion storage properties of anatase TiO2 has been demonstrated. Oxygen vacancies and nitrogen-doped carbon coating were introduced simultaneously by the calcination of core-shell structured TiO2 spheres in a reducing atmosphere. Compared to the anatase TiO2 with and without oxygen vacancies, TiO2-x@NC exhibits much better electrochemical performance in the storage of sodium ions. A high reversible capacity of 245.6 mA h g-1 is maintained at 0.1 A g-1 after 200 cycles, and a high specific capacity of 155.6 mA h g-1 is achieved at a high rate of 5.0 A g-1. The significantly improved electrochemical performance of the core-shell structured anatase TiO2 spheres is attributed to the synergistic effect of the oxygen vacancies in the anatase lattice and surface nitrogen-doped carbon coating. This work provides an efficient strategy for improving the electrochemical performance of metal-oxide-based electrode materials for sodium-ion batteries.

Neuron-Inspired Design of High-Performance Electrode Materials for Sodium-Ion Batteries.

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are generally considered as promising cheap alternatives of lithium-ion batteries for stationary renewable energy storage and have received increasing attention in recent years. The exploration of anode materials with efficient electron transportation is essential for improving the performance of SIBs. Inspired by the signal transfer mode of a neuron, we designed a composite by stringing MoS2 nanoflower (soma) with multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) (axons). High-resolution TEM observation reveals a lattice matching growth mechanism of MoS2 nanosheets on the interface of MWCNTs and the lattice expansion of the (002) plane of MoS2. The lattice matching among the MoS2 nanosheet and MWCNT could facilitate electron transfer and structure maintenance upon cycling. The expanded distance of the (002) plane of MoS2 would also promote the sodium-ion intercalation/deintercalation kinetics of the composite. Benefiting from the structural features, when used as an anode material for SIBs, the composite exhibits excellent electrochemical performance, including high specific capacity, excellent cycle stability, and superior rate capabilities. A stable capacity of 527.7 mAh g-1 can be achieved after 110 cycles at a current density of 100 mA g-1. The neuron-inspired design proposed is a promising and efficient strategy for the development of electrode materials for SIBs with high mass transport kinetics and structural stability.

Rubber-based carbon electrode materials derived from dumped tires for efficient sodium-ion storage.

The development of sustainable and low cost electrode materials for sodium-ion batteries has attracted considerable attention. In this work, a carbon composite material decorated with in situ generated ZnS nanoparticles has been prepared via a simple pyrolysis of the rubber powder from dumped tires. Upon being used as an anode material for sodium-ion batteries, the carbon composite shows a high reversible capacity and rate capability. A capacity as high as 267 mA h g-1 is still retained after 100 cycles at a current density of 50 mA g-1. The well dispersed ZnS nanoparticles in carbon significantly enhance the electrochemical performance. The carbon composites derived from the rubber powder are proposed as promising electrode materials for low-cost, large-scale energy storage devices. This work provides a new and effective method for the reuse of dumped tires, contributing to the recycling of valuable waste resources.

Type I Choledochal Cyst Complicated With Acute Hemorrhagic Pancreatitis: A Case Report.

Choledochal cysts rarely present with acute pancreatitis. We report a patient with type I choledochal cyst(s) who had concomitant acute frank hemorrhagic pancreatitis. A 14-year-old male noted with a history of recurrent abdominal pain, fever and jaundice. Ultrasonography (US) of abdomen at the Emergency Department depicted distended gall bladder with wall thickening. Apparently dilated intrahepatic ducts (IHDs) and fusiform dilatation of the common bile duct (CBD), and mild dilatation of the pancreatic duct were also noted, suggesting a type I choledochal cyst( ). Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated calcifications in the uncinate process of the pancreas in addition to the similar findings on US. He subsequently underwent choledochal cyst excision with a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. After surgical treatment, he has been doing well for 3 years.

Gossypium barbadense genome sequence provides insight into the evolution of extra-long staple fiber and specialized metabolites.

Of the two cultivated species of allopolyploid cotton, Gossypium barbadense produces extra-long fibers for the production of superior textiles. We sequenced its genome (AD)2 and performed a comparative analysis. We identified three bursts of retrotransposons from 20 million years ago (Mya) and a genome-wide uneven pseudogenization peak at 11-20 Mya, which likely contributed to genomic divergences. Among the 2,483 genes preferentially expressed in fiber, a cell elongation regulator, PRE1, is strikingly At biased and fiber specific, echoing the A-genome origin of spinnable fiber. The expansion of the PRE members implies a genetic factor that underlies fiber elongation. Mature cotton fiber consists of nearly pure cellulose. G. barbadense and G. hirsutum contain 29 and 30 cellulose synthase (CesA) genes, respectively; whereas most of these genes (>25) are expressed in fiber, genes for secondary cell wall biosynthesis exhibited a delayed and higher degree of up-regulation in G. barbadense compared with G. hirsutum, conferring an extended elongation stage and highly active secondary wall deposition during extra-long fiber development. The rapid diversification of sesquiterpene synthase genes in the gossypol pathway exemplifies the chemical diversity of lineage-specific secondary metabolites. The G. barbadense genome advances our understanding of allopolyploidy, which will help improve cotton fiber quality.