Energy density is the main property of rechargeable batteries that has driven the entire technology forward in past decades. Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) now surpass other, previously competitive battery types (for example, lead–acid and nickel metal hydride) but still require extensive further improvement to, in particular, extend the operation hours of mobile IT devices and the driving mileages of all-electric vehicles. In this Review, we present a critical overview of a wide range of post-LIB materials and systems that could have a pivotal role in meeting such demands. We divide battery systems into two categories: near-term and long-term technologies. To provide a realistic and balanced perspective, we describe the operating principles and remaining issues of each post-LIB technology, and also evaluate these materials under commercial cell configurations. Post-lithium-ion batteries are reviewed with a focus on their operating principles, advantages and the challenges that they face. The volumetric energy density of each battery is examined using a commercial pouch-cell configuration to evaluate its practical significance and identify appropriate research directions.

Promise and reality of post-lithium-ion batteries with high energy densities

The NF-κB family of transcription factors has an essential role in inflammation and innate immunity. Furthermore, NF-κB is increasingly recognized as a crucial player in many steps of cancer initiation and progression. During these latter processes NF-κB cooperates with multiple other signaling molecules and pathways. Prominent nodes of crosstalk are mediated by other transcription factors such as STAT3 and p53 or the ETS related gene ERG. These transcription factors either directly interact with NF-κB subunits or affect NF-κB target genes. Crosstalk can also occur through different kinases, such as GSK3-β, p38, or PI3K, which modulate NF-κB transcriptional activity or affect upstream signaling pathways. Other classes of molecules that act as nodes of crosstalk are reactive oxygen species and miRNAs. In this review, we provide an overview of the most relevant modes of crosstalk and cooperativity between NF-κB and other signaling molecules during inflammation and cancer.

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The complexity of NF-κB signaling in inflammation and cancer

Only women with symptoms need to have their breast implants removed, says government

From the moment of conception, we begin to age. A decay of cellular structures, gene regulation, and DNA sequence ages cells and organisms. DNA methylation patterns change with increasing age and contribute to age related disease. Here we identify 88 sites in or near 80 genes for which the degree of cytosine methylation is significantly correlated with age in saliva of 34 male identical twin pairs between 21 and 55 years of age. Furthermore, we validated sites in the promoters of three genes and replicated our results in a general population sample of 31 males and 29 females between 18 and 70 years of age. The methylation of three sites—in the promoters of the EDARADD, TOM1L1, and NPTX2 genes—is linear with age over a range of five decades. Using just two cytosines from these loci, we built a regression model that explained 73% of the variance in age, and is able to predict the age of an individual with an average accuracy of 5.2 years. In forensic science, such a model could estimate the age of a person, based on a biological sample alone. Furthermore, a measurement of relevant sites in the genome could be a tool in routine medical screening to predict the risk of age-related diseases and to tailor interventions based on the epigenetic bio-age instead of the chronological age.

/pdf/epigenetic-predictor-of-age-bcfy1q9g7q.pdf

Epigenetic Predictor of Age

The ever increasing demand to develop highly fuel efficient engines coincides with the need to minimize air pollution originating from the exhaust gases of internal combustion engines. Dramatically improved fuel efficiency can be achieved at air-to-fuel ratios much higher than stoichiometric. In the presence of oxygen in large excess, however, traditional three-way catalysts are unable to reduce NOx. Among the number of lean-NOx reduction technologies, selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NOx by NH3 over Cu- and Fe-ion exchanged zeolite catalysts has been extensively studied over the past 30+ years. Despite the significant advances in developing a viable practical zeolite-based catalyst for lean NOx reduction, the insufficient hydrothermal stabilities of the zeolite structures considered cast doubts about their real-world applicability. During the past decade renewed interest in zeolite-based lean NOx reduction was spurred by the discovery of the very high activity of Cu–SSZ-13 (and the isostructural Cu–SAPO-34) in the NH3-SCR of NOx. These new, small-pore zeolite-based catalysts not only exhibited very high NOx conversion and N2 selectivity, but also exhibited exceptionally high hydrothermal stability at high temperatures. In this review we summarize the key discoveries of the past ∼5 years that led to the introduction of these catalysts into practical applications. This review first briefly discusses the structure and preparation of the CHA structure-based zeolite catalysts, and then summarizes the key learnings of the rather extensive (but not complete) characterisation work. Then we summarize the key findings of reaction kinetic studies, and provide some mechanistic details emerging from these investigations. At the end of the review we highlight some of the issues that still need to be addressed in automotive exhaust control catalysis.

Recent advances in automotive catalysis for NOx emission control by small-pore microporous materials

Hydrothermal stability of CuSSZ13 for reducing NOx by NH3

A comparison of covered and uncovered Wallstents for the management of distal malignant biliary obstruction.

https://www.giejournal.org/article/S0016-5107(12)03062-3/pdf

A prospective, comparative trial to optimize sampling techniques in EUS-guided FNA of solid pancreatic masses

The catalysis of methanol-to-olefin (MTO) reactions over SAPO-34 and ZSM-5 was strongly shown to depend on the crystallites sizes. Four samples (average size of 50–5000 nm) of each catalyst were characterized for shape, size, acidity and diffusion properties. Materials adsorbed and occluded on them during the reaction were directly monitored in situ by IR spectroscopy and analyzed ex situ by GC–MS after extraction. Crystallites of 200–500 nm showed the best conversions and lifetimes because of their large external surfaces and short diffusion lengths. SAPO-34 with the smallest crystallites (

SAPO-34 and ZSM-5 nanocrystals’ size effects on their catalysis of methanol-to-olefin reactions

A wide variety of different linear, diquaternary alkylammonium ions have been used as supplementary crystallization structure-directing agents (SDAs) in the synthesis of UZM-12, a high-silica version of zeolite erionite, via a charge density mismatch (CDM) approach. When tetraethylammonium is used as a CDM SDA, the crystallization of UZM-12 was found to be critically dependent not only on the type of alkali metal cations added as another crystallization SDA to the synthesis mixture, but also on the size of the groups on the diquaternary ammonium ion employed and the length of its central polymethylene chain that are closely related to the dimensions of cylindrical 23-hedral [4126586] eri cages in this small-pore zeolite. 27Al MQ MAS NMR measurements reveal a preferential location of Al on the high-multiplicity site over the lower-multiplicity site of the UZM-12 framework. The catalytic results from the methanol-to-olefin reaction over a series of H-UZM-12 zeolites with similar acidic properties but differ...

Jun Kyu Lee

Papers

Hydrothermal stability of CuSSZ13 for reducing NOx by NH3

A comparison of covered and uncovered Wallstents for the management of distal malignant biliary obstruction.

A prospective, comparative trial to optimize sampling techniques in EUS-guided FNA of solid pancreatic masses

SAPO-34 and ZSM-5 nanocrystals’ size effects on their catalysis of methanol-to-olefin reactions

Synthesis and characterization of ERI-type UZM-12 zeolites and their methanol-to-olefin performance.