Group on the Study of Severe Hepatitis B (COSSH), Development and validation of a new prognostic score for hepatitis B virus-related acute-onchronic liver failure,

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Compared with the advanced anode, the energy density of LIBs is more largely determined by discharge capacity and voltage of the cathode. [3][4][5] Lithium and manganese rich nickel cobalt manganese oxide (LMRNCM), xLi 2 MnO 3 •(1-x)LiTMO 2 (TM (transition metal) = Mn, Ni, Co), has been considered as an attractive next-generation cathode candidate owing to its high energy density (≈1000 Wh kg −1 ) and low cost. [6] According to the charge compensation mechanism and the energy level theory, when the Li + extraction voltage is lower than 4.4 V, the TM ions of high electron energy level is mainly oxidized to maintain electrical neutrality. [7,8] When the voltage is higher than 4.4 V, the electronic energy level of TM 4+ →TM n+ (n > 4) is lower than that of O 2− →O m− (0 ≤ m < 2), [9,10] and the electrical neutrality is maintained by the oxidation of lattice oxygen. On the one hand, lattice oxygen redox reaction provides higher specific capacity, [11,12] which is a key factor that determines high energy density. On the other hand, the unstable high-valence lattice oxygen accelerates the degradation of the LMRNCM layered structure. [13] Specifically, high-valence oxygen is unstable in the crystal lattice, and is easily released with Li + in the form of Li 2 O. [14] The absence of lattice oxygen in the octahedron causes unstable Lithium and manganese rich nickel cobalt manganese oxide (LMRNCM), as an attractive high energy density cathode for advanced lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), suffers from inevitable lattice oxygen release, irreversible transition metal (TM) ion migration, and interface side reactions at high charge cut-off voltage. Herein, a facile and efficient surface strategy is proposed to stabilize the layered structure by regulating the chemical bond interaction between the polyacrylonitrile (PAN) binder and the LMRNCM particles. Due to the high retention of discharge specific capacity and average discharge voltage, the energy density retention of the PAN-modified LMRNCM sample is up to 80.12% after 300 cycles at 100 mA g −1 current density, and the initial Coulombic efficiency and rate capacity are also improved simultaneously. Experimental and density functional theory evidence demonstrates that the exceptional performance is caused by the coordination bond interaction between the carbon-nitrogen-triple-bond of PAN and the TM ion in the unstable transition metal oxygen octahedron. The interaction suppresses the irreversible migration of TM ions by increasing the energy barrier, and ensures that the PAN adheres to the LMRNCM particles tightly, which relieves electrolyte corrosion and enhances cohesiveness. This work exploits a modification strategy to stabilize the LMRNCM-layered structure for high-energy density LIB applications.

Unwanted experimental/biological variation and technical error are frequently encountered in current metabolomics, which requires the employment of normalization methods for removing undesired data fluctuations. To ensure the ‘thorough’ removal of unwanted variations, the collective consideration of multiple criteria (‘intragroup variation’, ‘marker stability’ and ‘classification capability’) was essential. However, due to the limited number of available normalization methods, it is extremely challenging to discover the appropriate one that can meet all these criteria. Herein, a novel approach was proposed to discover the normalization strategies that are consistently well performing (CWP) under all criteria. Based on various benchmarks, all normalization methods popular in current metabolomics were ‘first’ discovered to be non-CWP. ‘Then’, 21 new strategies that combined the ‘sample’-based method with the ‘metabolite’-based one were found to be CWP. ‘Finally’, a variety of currently available methods (such as cubic splines, range scaling, level scaling, EigenMS, cyclic loess and mean) were identified to be CWP when combining with other normalization. In conclusion, this study not only discovered several strategies that performed consistently well under all criteria, but also proposed a novel approach that could ensure the identification of CWP strategies for future biological problems.

Background Alcohol-induced intestinal dysbiosis disrupts and inflammatory responses are essential in the development of alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD). Here, we investigated the effects of Fmo5 on changes in enteric microbiome composition in a model of AFLD and dissected the pathogenic role of Fmo5 in AFLD-induced liver pathology. Methods The expression profile data of GSE8006 and GSE40334 datasets were downloaded from the GEO database. The WGCNA approach allowed us to investigate the AFLD-correlated module. DEGs were used to perform KEGG pathway enrichment analyses. Four PPI networks were constructed using the STRING database and visualized using Cytoscape software. The Cytohubba plug-in was used to identify the hub genes. Western blot and immunohistochemistry assays were used to detect protein expression. ELISA assay was used to detect the levels of serum inflammatory cytokines. Lipid droplets in the cytoplasm were observed using Oil Red O staining. Apoptosis was detected using a TUNEL assay and flow cytometry analysis. ROS levels were detected using flow cytometry analysis. Nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 was observed using immunofluorescence staining. Co-immunoprecipitation was used to detect the co-expression of PPARα and Fmo5 in L02 cells. 16S rDNA sequencing defined the bacterial communities in mice with AFLD. Results Fmo5 is a key DEG and is closely associated with the gut microbiota and PPAR signaling pathway. Gut microbiome function in AFLD was significantly related to the PPAR signaling pathway. AFLD induced shifts in various bacterial phyla in the cecum, including a reduction in Bacteroidetes and increased Firmicutes. Fmo5 and PPARα co-expression in cell and animal models with AFLD, which decreased significantly. Silencing of Fmo5 and PPARα aggravated the functions of AFLD inducing apoptosis and inflammatory response, promoting liver injury, and activating the NF-κB signaling pathway in vivo and in vitro. The NF-κB inhibitor abolished the functions of silencing of Fmo5 and PPARα promoting AFLD-induced apoptosis, inflammatory response, and liver injury. Conclusion Our data indicated that the co-expression of Fmo5 and PPARα was involved in AFLD-related gut microbiota composition and alleviated AFLD-induced liver injury, apoptosis, and inflammatory response by inhibiting the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 to inhibit the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Stretchable resistive sensors attract wide attention due to their feasible fabrication method and promising application prospect, while the sensitivity (gauge factor (GF)) and response time for quick and effective response in working are very important for stretchable resistive sensors. Herein, a facile method combined with solution coating and laser direct writing is promoted to fabricate a silver nanowire/silver/poly­(dimethylsiloxane) (AgNW/Ag/PDMS) strain sensor. The reduced Ag welds the AgNWs to make the conductive layer robust for deformation, and the obtained stretchable resistive sensor has a high GF of 623.2, a short response time of 51 ms, a recovery time of 50 ms, a wide sensing range beyond 35%, and good cyclic repeatability (over 2000 times). The sensor features highly sensitive and stable performance for monitoring diverse human and mechanical motions, demonstrating a promising and attractive application for wearable devices and human–machine interaction.

This paper presents a method for dry calibration of an electromagnetic flowmeter (EMF). This method, which determines the voltage induced in the EMF as conductive liquid flows through a magnetic field, numerically solves a coupled set of multiphysical equations with measured boundary conditions for the magnetic, electric, and flow fields in the measuring pipe of the flowmeter. Specifically, this paper details the formulation of dry calibration and an efficient algorithm (that adaptively minimizes the number of measurements and requires only the normal component of the magnetic flux density as boundary conditions on the pipe surface to reconstruct the magnetic field involved) for computing the sensitivity of EMF. Along with an in-depth discussion on factors that could significantly affect the final precision of a dry calibrated EMF, the effects of flow disturbance on measuring errors have been experimentally studied by installing a baffle at the inflow port of the EMF. Results of the dry calibration on an actual EMF were compared against flow-rig calibration; excellent agreements (within 0.3%) between dry calibration and flow-rig tests verify the multiphysical computation of the fields and the robustness of the method. As requiring no actual flow, the dry calibration is particularly useful for calibrating large-diameter EMFs where conventional flow-rig methods are often costly and difficult to implement.