A novel flexible three-dimensional (3D) architecture of nitrogen and sulfur codoped graphene has been successfully synthesized via thermal treatment of a liquid crystalline graphene oxide-doping agent composition, followed by a soft self-assembly approach. The high temperature process turns the layer-by-layer assembly into a high surface area macro- and nanoporous free-standing material with different atomic configurations of graphene. The interconnected 3D network exhibits excellent charge capacitive performance of 305 F g(-1) (at 100 mV s(-1)), an unprecedented volumetric capacitance of 188 F cm(-3) (at 1 A g(-1)), and outstanding energy density of 28.44 Wh kg(-1) as well as cycle life of 10 000 cycles as a free-standing electrode for an aqueous electrolyte, symmetric supercapacitor device. Moreover, the resulting nitrogen/sulfur doped graphene architecture shows good electrocatalytic performance, long durability, and high selectivity when they are used as metal-free catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction. This study demonstrates an efficient approach for the development of multifunctional as well as flexible 3D architectures for a series of heteroatom-doped graphene frameworks for modern energy storage as well as energy source applications.

Multifunctional cellular architecture of sulfur doped graphene paves the way for high performance flexible energy device application.

Background Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) impairs T-cell–mediated immunity. In regions where VAD is prevalent, vitamin A supplementation (VAS) reduces child mortality, perhaps by improving immune function. Objective Our objective was to determine if neonatal VAS would improve thymic function in Bangladeshi infants, and to determine if such effects differed by sex or nutritional status (i.e., birth weight above/below the median). Methods Three hundred and six infants were randomly assigned to 50,000 IU vitamin A (VA) or placebo (PL) within 48 h of birth. Primary outcomes were measured at multiple ages and included 1) thymic index (TI) at 1, 6, 10, and 15 wk; 2) T-cell receptor excision circles (TREC), an index of thymic output of naïve T cells; and 3) total/naïve T cells in peripheral blood at 6 wk, 15 wk, and 2 y. A mixed linear model for repeated measures was used to assess group differences at each age and identify interactions with sex and birth weight. Results VAS did not significantly (P = 0.21) affect TI overall (i.e., at all ages) but decreased TI by 7.8% (P = 0.029) at 6 wk: adjusted TI means for the PL and VA groups at 1, 6, 10, and 15 wk were 4.09 compared with 3.80 cm2, 7.78 compared with 7.18 cm2, 8.11 compared with 7.84 cm2, and 7.91 compared with 7.97 cm2, respectively. VAS did not significantly (P = 0.25) affect TREC overall but decreased TREC by 19% (P = 0.029) at 15 wk: adjusted TREC means for the PL and VA groups at 6 wk, 15 wk, and 2 y were 13.6 compared with 16.1 copies/pg DNA, 19.4 compared with 15.7 copies/pg DNA, and 11.8 compared with 10.0 copies/pg DNA, respectively. VAS did not significantly affect overall total (P = 0.10) or naïve (P = 0.092) T cells: adjusted naïve T-cell means for the PL and VA groups at 6 wk, 15 wk, and 2 y were 3259 compared with 3109 cells/µL, 3771 compared with 3487 cells/µL, and 1976 compared with 1898 cells/µL, respectively. Conclusion In contrast to our hypothesis, VAS decreased thymic function early in infancy but health effects are presumably negligible owing to the transience and small magnitude of this effect. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01583972 and NCT02027610.

A novel aqueous-based self-assembly approach to a composite of iron oxide nanorods on conductive-polymer (CP)-functionalized, ultralarge graphene oxide (GO) liquid crystals (LCs) is demonstrated here for the fabrication of a fl exible hybrid material for charge capacitive application. Uniform decoration of α-Fe 2 O 3 nanorods on a poly(3,4-ethylene-dioxythiophene): poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS)-functionalized, ultralarge GO scaffold results in a 3D interconnected layer-by-layer (LBL) architecture. This advanced interpenetrating network of ternary components is lightweight, foldable, and possesses highly conductive pathways for facile ion transportation and charge storage, making it promising for high-performance energy-storage applications. Having such structural merits and good synergistic effects, the fl exible architecture exhibits a high specifi c discharge capacitance of 875 F g −1 and excellent volumetric specifi c capacitance of 868 F cm −3 at 5 mV s −1 , as well as a promising energy density of 118 W h kg −1 (at 0.5 A g −1 ) and promising cyclability, with capacity retention of 100% after 5000 chargedischarge (CD) cycles. This synthesis method provides a simple, yet effi cient approach for the solution-processed LBL insertion of the hematite nanorods (HNR) into CP-functionalized novel composite structure. It provides great promise for the fabrication of a variety of metal-oxide (MO)-nanomaterialbased binder and current collector-free fl exible composite electrodes for high-performance energy-storage applications.

A free‐standing, 3D, macro/microstructured atomic‐cobalt/cobalt‐oxide–reduced‐graphene‐oxide (Co/Co3O4‐Gr) composite has been developed for complete water splitting. The self‐assembled porous morphology associated with the metal/metal oxide active sites makes the whole surface of the electrode conducive toward catalyzing hydrogen and oxygen evolution in alkaline media at a low onset potential. The liquid‐crystal‐mediated free‐standing electrocatalyst shows oxygen evolution at the onset potential of 1.38 V and at the potential of 1.66 V for a current density of 10 mA cm−2. These potentials are comparable to the corresponding values for Ru/C (1.46 and 1.62 V, respectively). In addition, the promising hydrogen evolution performance of our composite compared to Pt/C in alkaline media makes it an efficient bifunctional electrocatalyst for comprehensive water splitting, as well as provides guidance for future electrochemical energy material technologies.

not availableJahangirnagar University J. Biol. Sci. 5(1): 81-85, 2016 (June)

Chemically modified graphene oxide wrapped porous hematite nanorods: an interconnected hollow network for excellent lithium storage in lithium ion batteries.

An experiment was conducted for a period of 10 weeks to compare the effect of planting density on the growth and yield of Indian spinach (Basella alba) and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in a re- circulating aquaponics system. Indian spinach was planted at four densities (4 plants/m2, 8 plants/m2, 12 plants/m2 and 16 plants/m2). Stocking density of Nile tilapia (Av. body wt. 32.5 g) was 45 fish/tank (water capacity 300 L) in all planting densities. The highest weight gain, percent weight gain, specific growth rate and protein efficiency ratio of fish were obtained at planting density of 12 plants/m2. Feed conversion ratio was also lowest at this density. Number of leaves per plant, plant length, plant weight and yield of Indian spinach were the highest at 12 plants/m2. It was concluded that the plant density of 12 plants/m2, for Indian spinach integrated with 45 fish/tank was suitable for production of both vegetable and Nile tilapia in a recirculating aquaponics system.