Hefei Institutes of Physical Science

About: Hefei Institutes of Physical Science is a facility organization based out in Hefei, China. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Perovskite (structure) & Graphene. The organization has 3583 authors who have published 2468 publications receiving 41122 citations.

High lithium anodic performance of highly nitrogen-doped porous carbon prepared from a metal-organic framework

Abstract: Nitrogen-doped graphene can be used for lithium storage, but the nitrogen content is often quite low. Here, the authors synthesize graphene analogous with high nitrogen content using a zeolitic imidazolate framework, which show exceptional battery performances.

Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition)

Abstract: In 2008, we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, this topic has received increasing attention, and many scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Thus, it is important to formulate on a regular basis updated guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Despite numerous reviews, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to evaluate autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a dogmatic set of rules, because the appropriateness of any assay largely depends on the question being asked and the system being used. Moreover, no individual assay is perfect for every situation, calling for the use of multiple techniques to properly monitor autophagy in each experimental setting. Finally, several core components of the autophagy machinery have been implicated in distinct autophagic processes (canonical and noncanonical autophagy), implying that genetic approaches to block autophagy should rely on targeting two or more autophagy-related genes that ideally participate in distinct steps of the pathway. Along similar lines, because multiple proteins involved in autophagy also regulate other cellular pathways including apoptosis, not all of them can be used as a specific marker for bona fide autophagic responses. Here, we critically discuss current methods of assessing autophagy and the information they can, or cannot, provide. Our ultimate goal is to encourage intellectual and technical innovation in the field.

Carbon coated porous nickel phosphides nanoplates for highly efficient oxygen evolution reaction

Abstract: Electrochemical splitting of water provides an attractive way to produce hydrogen fuel. Unfortunately, the efficient and large-scale H2 production is still hindered by the sluggish kinetics of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) at the anode side of a water electrolyzer. Starting from metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), we demonstrate a template-engaged strategy to transform Ni–Ni Prussian blue analogue (PBA) nanoplates into porous carbon coated nickel phosphides nanoplates with mixed phases of Ni5P4 and Ni2P. For comparison, NiO and Ni(OH)2 porous nanoplates with the similar morphology have also been synthesized from the same precursor. Benefitting from their structural merits and the in situ formed catalytically active oxidized nickel species, the as-derived nickel phosphides manifest excellent electrocatalytic activity for OER superior to NiO and Ni(OH)2.

Identification of a novel senolytic agent, navitoclax, targeting the Bcl-2 family of anti-apoptotic factors.

Abstract: Clearing senescent cells extends healthspan in mice. Using a hypothesis-driven bioinformatics-based approach, we recently identified pro-survival pathways in human senescent cells that contribute to their resistance to apoptosis. This led to identification of dasatinib (D) and quercetin (Q) as senolytics, agents that target some of these pathways and induce apoptosis preferentially in senescent cells. Among other pro-survival regulators identified was Bcl-xl. Here, we tested whether the Bcl-2 family inhibitors, navitoclax (N) and TW-37 (T), are senolytic. Like D and Q, N is senolytic in some, but not all types of senescent cells: N reduced viability of senescent human umbilical vein epithelial cells (HUVECs), IMR90 human lung fibroblasts, and murine embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs), but not human primary preadipocytes, consistent with our previous finding that Bcl-xl siRNA is senolytic in HUVECs, but not preadipocytes. In contrast, T had little senolytic activity. N targets Bcl-2, Bcl-xl, and Bcl-w, while T targets Bcl-2, Bcl-xl, and Mcl-1. The combination of Bcl-2, Bcl-xl, and Bcl-w siRNAs was senolytic in HUVECs and IMR90 cells, while combination of Bcl-2, Bcl-xl, and Mcl-1 siRNAs was not. Susceptibility to N correlated with patterns of Bcl-2 family member proteins in different types of human senescent cells, as has been found in predicting response of cancers to N. Thus, N is senolytic and acts in a potentially predictable cell type-restricted manner. The hypothesis-driven, bioinformatics-based approach we used to discover that dasatinib (D) and quercetin (Q) are senolytic can be extended to increase the repertoire of senolytic drugs, including additional cell type-specific senolytic agents.

Metal Sulfide Hollow Nanostructures for Electrochemical Energy Storage

Abstract: Metal sulfide hollow nanostructures (MSHNs) have received intensive attention as electrode materials for electrical energy storage (EES) systems due to their unique structural features and rich chemistry. Here, we summarize recent research progress in the rational design and synthesis of various metal sulfide hollow micro-/nanostructures with controlled shape, composition and structural complexity, and their applications to lithium ion batteries (LIBs) and hybrid supercapacitors (HSCs). The current understanding of hollow structure control, including single-shelled, yolk-shelled, multi-shelled MSHNs, and their hybrid micro-/nanostructures with carbon (amorphous carbon nanocoating, graphene and hollow carbon), is focused on. The importance of proper structural and compositional control on the enhanced electrochemical properties of MSHNs is emphasized. A relationship between structural and compositional engineering with improved electrochemical activity of MSHNs is sought, in order to shed some light on future electrode design trends for next-generation EES technologies.