Shanghai University

About: Shanghai University is a education organization based out in Shanghai, Shanghai, China. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Microstructure & Catalysis. The organization has 59583 authors who have published 56840 publications receiving 753549 citations. The organization is also known as: Shànghǎi Dàxué.

Sn@CNT nanostructures rooted in graphene with high and fast Li-storage capacities.

Abstract: Development of materials with carefully crafted nanostructures has been an important strategy for the next-generation lithium-ion batteries to achieve higher capacity, longer cycle life, and better rate capability. Graphene-based and Sn-based anode materials are promising anodes with higher capacities than graphite; however, most of them exhibit fast capacity fading at prolonged cycling and poor rate capability. This paper reports a hierarchical Sn@CNT nanostructure rooted in graphene, which exhibits larger than theoretical reversible capacities of 1160–982 mAh/g in 100 cycles at 100 mA/g and excellent rate capability (828 mAh/g at 1000 mA/g and 594 mAh/g at 5000 mA/g). The excellent electrochemical performances compared to graphene/Sn-based anodes have been attributed to the efficient prevention of graphene agglomeration by Sn@CNT decoration and the increased electrochemical activities of Sn by CNT shell protection and GNS support.

Lossless and Reversible Data Hiding in Encrypted Images With Public-Key Cryptography

Abstract: This paper proposes lossless, reversible, and combined data hiding schemes for ciphertext images encrypted by public-key cryptosystems with probabilistic and homomorphic properties. In the lossless scheme, the ciphertext pixels are replaced with new values to embed the additional data into several least significant bit planes of ciphertext pixels by multilayer wet paper coding. Then, the embedded data can be directly extracted from the encrypted domain, and the data-embedding operation does not affect the decryption of original plaintext image. In the reversible scheme, a preprocessing is employed to shrink the image histogram before image encryption, so that the modification on encrypted images for data embedding will not cause any pixel oversaturation in plaintext domain. Although a slight distortion is introduced, the embedded data can be extracted and the original image can be recovered from the directly decrypted image. Due to the compatibility between the lossless and reversible schemes, the data-embedding operations in the two manners can be simultaneously performed in an encrypted image. With the combined technique, a receiver may extract a part of embedded data before decryption, and extract another part of embedded data and recover the original plaintext image after decryption.

Metal-catalyzed C–H functionalization involving isocyanides

Abstract: Isocyanides have a broad range of applications in multicomponent reactions such as Passerini and Ugi processes. Recent advances in metal catalysis have tremendously increased the versatility of isocyanides in organic chemistry. Suitable metal catalysts could selectively activate various C–H bonds to allow direct functionalization under mild conditions, which represents a chemical process with broad synthetic potential. The synergy from the combination of isocyanide insertion and C–H bond activation offers an efficient and powerful tool to establish complicated reactions and to construct useful substances, from which the high potential of such strategy has been convincingly demonstrated in drug discovery, organic synthesis, and materials science. The present review highlights the most recent advances of isocyanide chemistry in metal-catalyzed C–H bond functionalization.

Chinese red yeast rice (Monascus purpureus) for primary hyperlipidemia. A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract: Extracts of Chinese red yeast rice (RYR, a traditional dietary seasoning of Monascus purpureus) contains several active ingredients including lovastatin, and several trials of its possible lipid-lowering effects have been conducted. This meta-analysis assesses the effectiveness and safety of RYR preparations on lipid modification in primary hyperlipidemia. We included randomized controlled trials testing RYR preparation, compared with placebo, no treatment, statins, or other active lipid-lowering agents in people with hyperlipidemia through searching PubMed, CBMdisk, TCMLARS, the Cochrane Library, and AMED up to December 2004. Ninety-three randomized trials (9625 participants) were included and three RYR preparations (Cholestin, Xuezhikang and Zhibituo) were tested. The methodological quality of trial reports was generally low in terms of generation of the allocation sequence, allocation concealment, blinding, and intention-to-treat. The combined results showed significant reduction of serum total cholesterol levels (weighted mean difference -0.91 mmol/L, 95% confidence interval -1.12 to -0.71), triglycerides levels (-0.41 mmol/L, -0.6 to -0.22), and LDL-cholesterol levels (-0.73 mmol/L, -1.02 to -0.043), and increase of HDL-cholesterol levels (0.15 mmol/L, 0.09 to 0.22) by RYR treatment compared with placebo. The lipid modification effects appeared to be similar to pravastatin, simvastatin, lovastatin, atorvastatin, or fluvastatin. Compared with non-statin lipid lowering agents, RYR preparations appeared superior to nicotinate and fish oils, but equal to or less effective than fenofibrate and gemfibrozil. No significant difference in lipid profile was found between Xuezhikang and Zhibituo. RYR preparations were associated with non-serious adverse effects such as dizziness and gastrointestinal discomfort. Current evidence shows short-term beneficial effects of RYR preparations on lipid modification. More rigorous trials are needed, and long-term effects and safety should be investigated if RYR preparations are to be recommended as one of the alternative treatments for primary hyperlipidemia.