Na x MnO 2 shows Mn 3+ and Mn 4+ charge separation with the charge stripe ordering upon Na deintercalation at x = 5/8. In this paper it is shown that, surprisingly, at lower Na compositions of 5/8 > x ≥ 1/18 the phase evolution pathway of Na x MnO 2 upon Na deintercalation shows a unique phenomenon of super charge separation, where the Mn 3+ and Mn 4+ ions fully charge‐separate into charge superplanes formed by succession of charge stripes in the third dimension. The Mn 3+ superplanes attract Na ions electronically, and dominate the antiferromagnetic interactions in NaMnO 2 . Na ions in Mn 3+ superplanes also naturally pillar the MnO 2 layers to form the unusual O1 phases with large interlayer distances at x < 1/3, which dominates the unique electrochemical behavior of NaMnO 2 .
The synergism between nanoparticles and different kinds of halogen‐free fire retardants leading to reduction in flammability and smoke generation of polyethylene was investigated. The composites were evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis, oxygen index test, cone calorimeter measurements, and a single‐chamber test. Moreover, the semivolatile and volatile compounds evolved in the thermal degradation processes of polyethylene were determined using a steady state tube furnace and gas chromatograph with mass spectrometer. Morphological and structural characteristics as well as thermomechanical properties of the composites were characterized using various techniques including scanning electron microscopy ( SEM ), X‐ray diffraction ( XRD ), and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis ( DMTA ). The obtained data were compared to the results received for polyethylene and polymer with bromine‐containing fire retardants. The incorporation of nanofillers and halogen‐free fire retardants caused a reduction in combustibility as a consequence of the formation of char. Furthermore, the presence of nanoparticles has a beneficial effect on the inhibition of dripping. The polyethylene with carbon nanotubes, zinc borate, and aluminum hydroxide exhibited better combined properties of fire behavior and production of nontoxic smoke compared to the remaining composition and reference materials.
Sodium ion batteries have attracted much attention in recent years, due to the higher abundance and lower cost of sodium, as an alternative to lithium ion batteries. However, a major challenge is their lower energy density. In this work, we report a novel multi‐electron cathode material, KVOPO 4 , for sodium ion batteries. Due to the unique polyhedral framework, the V 3+ ↔ V 4+ ↔ V 5+ redox couple was for the first time fully activated by sodium ions in a vanadyl phosphate phase. The KVOPO 4 based cathode delivered reversible multiple sodium (i.e. maximum 1.66 Na + per formula unit) storage capability, which leads to a high specific capacity of 235 Ah kg −1 . Combining an average voltage of 2.56 V vs. Na/Na + , a high practical energy density of over 600 Wh kg −1 was achieved, the highest yet reported for any sodium cathode material. The cathode exhibits a very small volume change upon cycling (1.4% for 0.64 sodium and 8.0% for 1.66 sodium ions). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicate that the KVOPO 4 framework is a 3D ionic conductor with a reasonably, low Na + migration energy barrier of ≈450 meV, in line with the good rate capability obtained.
The properties of the unbalanced superconducting state on a square lattice with the constant value of the electron–phonon coupling function are analyzed. The analysis is conducted in the framework of the Eliashberg formalism, explicitly considering the k ‐dependence of the electron and phonon dispersion relations. It is found that the balanced superconducting state does not induce itself in the system due to the high value of the electron effective mass. However, in the unbalanced case, the thermodynamic properties of the superconducting condensate can be distinctly different from the predictions of the Bardeen–Cooper–Schieffer theory, when the coupling constant value in the diagonal channel of the self‐energy is diminished compared with the non‐diagonal channel. This is due to the reduced dimensionality of the tested system and the strong‐coupling effects included in the Eliashberg formalism.
Margarines and spreads contribute greatly to the intake of saturated and trans fats in the diet. Therefore, the objective of this work was to produce margarines using the oleogel technology and to verify the physical, thermal, oxidative, and sensorial properties of this product during six months of shelf life, comparing it with commercial margarine. When compared with commercial margarine, the oleogel margarine showed similar color results. Due to the different structural shape, the results of microstructure and the melting curve were differentiated, but this indicated a structure more resistant to temperature oscillations and an overall softer product. However, the sensorial difference between the samples was easily detected by the consumers, mainly with respect to the parameters of taste, texture, and overall impression. It was concluded that it is possible to produce margarines using the oleogel technology, which display good physical properties, similar shelf life, and improved nutritional characteristics.
The synthesis, biological tests, and computer modeling of a series of novel promising tacrine hybrids for the therapy of Alzheimer's disease are reported. Firstly, new tacrine–acridine hybrids with different carbon linker lengths were synthesized. Secondly, all the compounds were tested in vitro for their ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) enzyme activity. After that, the most promising compound 3d was tested using the amyloid‐β aggregation assay. To evaluate possible toxic effects, cytotoxicity tests were conducted. The most active compound 3d (IC 50 = 7.6 pM for AChE and 1.7 pM for BuChE) appeared to be a much more active inhibitor than tacrine (IC 50 = 89.9 nM for AChE and 14.9 nM for BuChE). At the highest concentration (100 μM), 3d exhibited 57.77% activity, retaining it as the concentration decreased: 50 μM – 54.74%, 20 μM – 48.28%, 10 μM – 31.66%. The compound showed no significant cytotoxic effect at the tested concentrations. At the end, docking studies using methods of computer modeling were performed to visualize the binding mode of the inhibitor 3d . It showed dual‐binding mode for AChE, by binding to the catalytic anionic site and the peripheral anionic site simultaneously. Thus, compound 3d is a promising multitarget hybrid that can be used for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
Epidemiological, biological, and molecular data suggest links between endometriosis and endometrial cancer, with recent epidemiological studies providing evidence for an association between a previous diagnosis of endometriosis and risk of endometrial cancer. We used genetic data as an alternative approach to investigate shared biological etiology of these two diseases. Genetic correlation analysis of summary level statistics from genomewide association studies (GWAS) using LD Score regression revealed moderate but significant genetic correlation ( r g = 0.23, P = 9.3 × 10 −3 ), and SNP effect concordance analysis provided evidence for significant SNP pleiotropy ( P = 6.0 × 10 −3 ) and concordance in effect direction ( P = 2.0 × 10 −3 ) between the two diseases. Cross‐disease GWAS meta‐analysis highlighted 13 distinct loci associated at P ≤ 10 −5 with both endometriosis and endometrial cancer, with one locus (SNP rs2475335) located within PTPRD associated at a genomewide significant level ( P = 4.9 × 10 −8 , OR = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.07–1.15). PTPRD acts in the STAT3 pathway, which has been implicated in both endometriosis and endometrial cancer. This study demonstrates the value of cross‐disease genetic analysis to support epidemiological observations and to identify biological pathways of relevance to multiple diseases.