Normal Salt Concentration Research Articles

Low-cost and long-life Zn/Prussian blue battery using a water-in-ethanol electrolyte with a normal salt concentration

Although rechargeable aqueous Zn-ion batteries (ZIBs) are very attractive as one of the most promising energy storage systems with merits of low cost, environmental friendliness, high power density and high safety, practical applications of ZIBs are largely limited by Zn corrosion, Zn dendrite growth and cathode dissolution. In this work, a cost-effective water/ethanol hybrid (WEH) electrolyte with a normal salt concentration was proposed to solve the above issues in Daniell-type zinc/manganese Prussian blue (MnPB) battery with MnPB cathode and Zn anode. The unique WEH electrolyte endows the batteries with a high specific capacity of ∼80 mAh g–1, superior rate capability with 90.4% capacity yielded at 50 C relative to 0.5 C, and an extremely stable cycling with 91.6% capacity retained after 20000 cycles at 5 C (the cycling time lasts as long as ∼ 1 year). Dendrite-free Zn stripping/deposition is confirmed by in situ optical microscopy and first-principles calculation. Pouch-type batteries were assembled which exhibit stable cycling and easy scale up in capacity and voltage by connecting cells in series and parallel. A low-cost strategy was further demonstrated by using low-concentration salt, cheap salt (Na2SO4) and waste liquor. This work provides a practical strategy to design low-cost, environmentally friendly and high-performance Zn-based batteries.

Superior long-term cycling of high-voltage lithium-ion batteries enabled by single-solvent electrolyte

A new single-solvent electrolyte system comprising lithium bis(fluorosuflonyl) imide (LiFSI) and β -fluorinated sulfone (TFPMS) was designed to enable very stable long-term cycling of high-voltage lithium-ion batteries. Compared to other fluorinated solvents such as α -fluorinated sulfone (FMES) and fluorinated carbonate (FEMC), which are prone to reduction on the graphite anode, the LiFSI-TFPMS system displayed outstanding compatibility with graphite. While regular carbonate and sulfone from the LiFSI electrolyte system are compatible with the graphite anode, their high solvating power not only induces severe corrosion on the aluminum cathode current collector at high voltage, but also renders a low aggregation level at a normal salt concentration (about 1.0 M), resulting in the formation of an unstable solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) on the graphite anode. Owing to the low solvating power of TFPMS, the aggregation level of the LiFSI-TFPMS system is relatively high even at normal salt concentration, which not only facilitates the formation of a robust SEI by the sacrificial decomposition of LiFSI, but also suppresses the aluminum corrosion of the LiFSI electrolyte system at high voltage. Together with the high intrinsic anodic stability of TFPMS, the superior cycling performance of graphite||LiNi 0.6 Co 0.2 Mn 0.2 O 2 cells was achieved by employing the non-flammable LiFSI-TFPMS single-solvent electrolyte system. • Introduce a new single-solvent electrolyte system comprising LiFSI and TFPMS for very stable cycling of high-voltage LIBs. • Unlike α -fluorinated sulfone, LiFSI-TFPMS system at normal salt concentration is compatible with the graphite anode. • The LiFSI-TFPMS electrolyte enables the formation of a robust SEI by the sacrificial decomposition of LiFSI. • The LiFSI-TFPMS system outperformed many reported electrolytes for high-voltage lithium-ion system.

Purification of landfill leachate with the reverse osmosis and nanofiltration membrane process - practical experiences and results with regard to applications in Scandinavia

The most important membrane process for purification of landfill leachate is reverse osmosis. With this technology the negative impact of leachate on the environment can be nearly fully eliminated. The first large-scale plants went into operation in the mid eighties. Today, approximately one third of the installed capacity worldwide bases on this technology. Based on experiences with numerous systems which have been in operation for many years, results concerning the main parameters such as COD, ammonia etc. are presented. Depending on how the permeate is discharged, either directly into a surface water or indirectly into a municipal sewage treatment plant (i.e. RO works as pre-treatment), excellent quality parameters for the permeate may be achieved. With such systems working within a pressure range up to 65 bar, recovery rates between 65% and 80% permeate may be achieved with leachates with normal salt concentrations. In order to achieve higher recovery rates, the treatment of landfill leachate by RO has been significantly improved by the introduction of high-pressure osmosis. This results in a minimised concentrate amount which considerably eases disposal. The utmost reduction of concentrate is achieved in the additional combination with nanofiltration which may yield a recovery rate of more than 90%. The application of nanofiltration makes sense for the concentration of such leachates where not the osmotic pressure due to high salt concentration but the presence of membrane sealing factors such as earth alkaline ions limit the recovery rate. Nanofiltration selectively retains two or more valent ions and thus enables high concentration factors to be achieved. For Scandinavian applications with dilute leachate simpler concepts with single stage units have been realized. By demonstration and commercial size applications it could be proven that such membrane systems are suitable for purifying high amounts of leachate with low concentration of salt and organic components.

Establishment and initial development in vitro of Yellow Ipe

Micropropagation protocol success clearly depends on the establishment and initial development in vitro . Following steps can only be performed after obtaining of aseptic cultures endowed with good plant vigor. This study aimed to evaluate different culture medium and agar concentrations in the establishment and early development in vitro yellow ipe. For both experiments the source of explants were shoot apical segments, obtained in vitro seed germination. For the first experiment was used a ½ WPM (diluted to 50% normal salt concentration) and different concentrations of agarose (4, 6, 8 and 10 g L -1 ). For the experiment of culture nutrient medium treatments were: control (agar and water); MS medium; ½ and ¼ MS; WPM; ½ and ¼ WPM. After 30 days of culture were performed evaluations. For the agar concentration experiment evaluated the percentage of contamination, establishment, in vitro root formation and callus, number of roots and leaves. For the experiment of culture medium evaluated the percentage of establishment and in vitro formation of roots, number of roots and leaves. With increasing concentrations of agar added to the culture medium, it was found that there is a significant increase in the formation and in the number of roots per plant yellow ipe. The WPM and the diluted ½ and ¼ provided greater root formation and with better training, and more training leaves. We conclude that higher agar concentration, the lower the callus formation and the WPM and their dilutions are effective in establishing and initial in vitro development of yellow ipe.

Modeling of the structure of ribosomal protein L1 from the archaeon Haloarcula marismortui

The halophilic archaeon Haloarcula marismortui proliferates in the Dead Sea at extremely high salt concentrations (higher than 3 M). This is the only archaeon, for which the crystal structure of the ribosomal 50S subunit was determined. However, the structure of the functionally important side protuberance containing the abnormally negatively charged protein L1 (HmaL1) was not visualized. Attempts to crystallize HmaL1 in the isolated state or as its complex with RNA using normal salt concentrations (≤500 mM) failed. A theoretical model of HmaL1 was built based on the structural data for homologs of the protein L1 from other organisms, and this model was refined by molecular dynamics methods. Analysis of this model showed that the protein HmaL1 can undergo aggregation due to the presence of a cluster of positive charges unique for proteins L1. This cluster is located at the RNA–protein interface, which interferes with the crystallization of HmaL1 and the binding of the latter to RNA.

Antihypertensive therapy improves insulin resistance and serum levels of interleukin-6 and -10 in spontaneously hypertensive rats with steatohepatitis.

Metabolic syndrome based on insulin resistance (IR) and hypertension is a risk factor for advanced liver disease and cardiovascular disease in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The present study investigated the effects of severe hypertension induced by a high‑salt (HS) diet and antihypertensive therapy on the pathophysiological condition of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) with steatohepatitis. Steatohepatitis was induced using a choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined diet (CDAA). Male SHRs (7‑week‑old) were randomly divided into five groups: Those receiving 6weeks of standard chow with a normal salt concentration, followed by an additional 8weeks of standard chow or CDAA with a normal salt concentration (control and CDAA groups, respectively); and those receiving 6weeks of standard chow with HS, followed by CDAA with HS for an additional 8weeks, with or without the antihypertensive agents, amlodipine (Aml) or hydralazine. In the CDAA and CDAA+HS groups, blood pressure was significantly correlated with serum levels of insulin, fasting blood glucose and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA)‑IR. Antihypertensive therapy ameliorated the elevated glucose, insulin and HOMA‑IR. Furthermore, the increased levels of serum interleukin (IL)‑6 following the CDAA+HS diet were attenuated by antihypertensive therapy. The serum levels of IL‑10 were increased by antihypertensive therapy, and the decrease in the proportion of splenic CD4+CD25+forkhead box P3+ T cells observed following the CDAA+HS diet tended to be restored by Aml. In conclusion, antihypertensive therapy improved glucose metabolism and imbalances in cytokine expression in the rat model of hypertension with steatohepatitis, suggesting that antihypertensive therapy acting through immunological factors may be beneficial for patients with metabolic syndrome-associated NASH.

Hypertension exacerbates liver injury and hepatic fibrosis induced by a choline-deficient L-amino acid-defined diet in rats

The effect of hypertension on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remains unclear at the molecular level. In this study, we investigated the effects of hypertension on the degree of hepatic steatosis, liver injury and hepatic fibrosis induced by a choline-deficient L-amino acid-defined (CDAA) diet in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Seven-week-old male SHRs were fed standard chow with high or normal salt concentrations for 7 weeks, followed by a CDAA diet containing high or normal salt for an additional 8 or 24 weeks. Hepatic steatosis was assessed using hepatic triglyceride levels and Oil red O staining. Hepatic fibrosis was evaluated using Sirius red and Azan staining. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) gradually increased with a high-salt diet and was significantly higher after 7 weeks of feeding with high-salt vs. normal-salt chow. After 8 weeks on the CDAA diet, the degree of hepatic steatosis did not differ between the high-salt and normal-salt groups; however, alanine aminotransferase and fasting blood glucose levels were significantly higher and hepatic mRNA levels for interleukin (IL)-10 and heme oxygenase (HO)-1 were significantly lower in the high-salt group compared with the normal-salt group. After 24 weeks on the CDAA diet, the high-salt group had significantly more severe hepatic fibrosis and a higher hepatic mRNA expression of α-smooth muscle actin and lower hepatic IL-10 and HO-1 mRNA levels compared with the normal-salt group. In conclusion, our results indicate that hypertension is a potential risk factor for liver injury and hepatic fibrosis through glucose intolerance and decreased IL-10-mediated or HO-1-induced anti-inflammatory mechanisms.

Histone N-terminal Tails Interfere with Nucleosome Traversal by RNA Polymerase II

We determined the effect of the N-terminal histone tails on nucleosome traversal by yeast and human RNA polymerase II (pol II). Removal of H2A/H2B tails, H3/H4 tails, or all tails increased complete traversal of the nucleosome by human pol II, although the increase varied considerably depending on the template and on which tails were removed. Human pol II achieved >80% traversal of one nucleosomal template lacking the H2A/H2B tails, but even in those reactions, the transcript elongation rate was lower than the rate on pure DNA templates. For yeast pol II, transcription proceeded much farther into the nucleosome in the absence of tails, but complete read-through was not substantially increased by tail removal. Transcription factor IIS provided roughly the same level of read-through stimulation for transcript elongation in the presence or absence of tails. FACT also stimulated elongation on nucleosomal templates, and this effect was similar regardless of the presence of tails. For both polymerases, removal of the H2A/H2B tails reduced pausing throughout the nucleosome, suggesting that histone tails affect a common step at most points during nucleosome traversal. We conclude that histone tails provide a significant part of the nucleosomal barrier to pol II transcript elongation.

Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Gating Requires Cytosolic Electrolytes

Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), which causes cystic fibrosis when nonfunctional, is an anion channel and a member of the ATP binding cassette superfamily. After phosphorylation, CFTR gates by binding and hydrolyzing ATP. We show that CFTR open probability (P(o)) also depends on the electrolyte concentration of the cytosol. Inside-out patches from Calu-3 cells were transiently exposed to solutions of 160 mm salt or solutions in which up to 90% of the salt was replaced by nonionic osmolytes such as sucrose. In lowered salt solutions, CFTR P(o) declined within 1 s to a stable lower value that depended on the electrolyte concentration, (K(1/2) approximately 80 mm NaCl). P(o) was rapidly restored in normal salt concentrations without regard to the electrolyte species. Reducing external electrolytes did not affect CFTR P(o). The same results were obtained when CFTR was stably phosphorylated with adenosine 5'-O-(thiotriphosphate). The decrease in P(o) resulted entirely from an increase in mean closed time. Increasing ATP levels up to 20-fold did not counteract the effect of low electrolytes. The same effect was observed for CFTR expressed in C127 cells but not for a different species of anion channel. Cytosolic electrolytes are an unsuspected, essential cofactor for CFTR gating.

The effect of hypertonic salt on interferon and interferon mRNA synthesis in human MG63 cells.

After infection with Sendai virus or Newcastle disease virus (NDV) strain F, human osteosarcoma MG63 cells produced large amounts of interferon-beta. Both interferon production and overall protein synthesis were strongly inhibited by hypertonic salt. Interferon mRNA synthesis, however, was little affected by hypertonic salt up to twice normal salt concentrations, although cellular RNA synthesis was inhibited under these conditions. The results are compared to those obtained with polyriboinosinic acid: polyribocytidylic acid copolymer [poly(rI) . poly(rC)] inductions of MG63 cells.

The contribution of the cryoprotectant to total injury in rabbit hearts frozen with ethylene glycol

Following the failure of hearts to recover function after freezing at −20 ° in the presence of 3 m ethylene glycol, a variety of experimental treatments was devised to determine the relative harmfulness of ice, high concentrations of electrolytes and high ethylene glycol concentration. Neither cooling to −20 °C without freezing in a Ca 2+-free solution containing twice the normal salt concentration and 6 m ethylene glycol (freezing 3 m ethylene glycol at −20 °C doubles the solute concentration in the liquid phase), nor perfusion at −1 °C with this solution were conducive to the recovery of hearts. However, perfusion with Ca 2+-free 3 m ethylene glycol solution with twice the normal concentration of salts did allow full recovery of function, whereas perfusion with Ca 2+-free 6 m ethylene glycol solution with normal salt concentrations did not. Therefore, the high ethylene glycol concentration encountered during freezing was the main cause of damage.