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Rechargeable aqueous zinc‐ion batteries are considered as promising candidates for safe and green energy storage. Yet, Zn anodes still suffer from serious challenges. Herein, an effective cation‐sieve of polyethersulfone‐modified sulfonated polyether ether ketone is developed as protective coating layer of the Zn anodes. Cation‐only transmission and dense property of the layer can protect the Zn from active water and anions, inhibiting corrosion, hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and passivation. Zincophilic property of the layer can homogenize Zn2+ flow, and promote uniform plating of Zn. Therefore, protected symmetric Zn||Zn cell can maintain as long as 5600 h with a low polarization at 1.0 mA cm−2 and 0.5 mAh cm−2, and still long as 800 h at 5.0 mA cm−2 and 5.0 mAh cm−2. It is found that not only the dendrites but also the popular existed passivation product of Zn4SO4(OH)6·5H2O can be inhibited effectively. In asymmetric Zn||Ti cells, average Coulombic efficiency can reach 98.2%, suggesting corrosion and HER are restrained effectively. Matched with MnO2 cathode, full cells using coated Zn exhibit much better cycling performance than that using bare Zn. Moreover, Zn4O3(SO4)·7H2O (ZSH)‐assisted reversible conversion mechanism between the ZSH and ZnxHyMnO2 is revealed through operando Raman. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rechargeable aqueous zinc‐MnO2 batteries have attracted great attention owing to their advantages on safety, power density, and cost. In strong acidic environment, the capacity of MnO2‐based cathode can reach 616 mAh g−1 through a two‐electrons‐transfer process of Mn2+↔MnO2. However, in acidic environment, Zn corrosion, dendrites, and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) on the anode are rather serious, resulting in low Columbic efficiency (CE) and poor durability. Towards these issues, ZnO with dual‐protection, including C and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) coating (ZnO@C‐PVA), is developed as initial anode material herein. Compared with bare CC, ZnO, and ZnO@C, reversibility of the ZnO@C‐PVA electrode is largely enhanced. CE of an electrolytic full system using ZnO@C‐PVA as anode and bare carbon cloth (CC) as cathode can be as high as 90 % at 5 mA cm−2, and discharge voltage is up to 1.85 V (mid‐value), which can be maintained for 1,600 cycles, indicating rather good stability. It is believed that the existence of initial ZnO can tune the local pH around the anode, resulting in the decrease of HER and the enhancement of Zn plating. Besides, corrosion and Zn dendrites also can be inhibited effectively by the PVA layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic electrochemical transistors showing maximum transconductance (gm) at zero gate bias (VG) is desired but has long been a challenge. To date, few solutions to this issue are available. Light‐matter interplay is shown as rich sources for optogenetics, photodynamic therapy, and advanced electronics, but its potential in gm modulation are largely untapped. Herein, the challenge is addressed by unique light‐matter interplay in the newly emerged technique of organic photoelectrochemical transistor (OPECT), which is exemplified by dual‐ligand photosensitive metal–organic frameworks (DL‐PS‐MOFs)/TiO2 nanorods (NRs) gated poly(ethylene dioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) OPECT under 425 nm light irradiation. Interestingly, the light stimulation on the DL‐PS‐MOFs can de‐dope PEDOT:PSS with altered transistor physics, achieving device showing maximum gm at zero VG and the simultaneous superior output of channel current. In connection to a cascade catalytic hairpin assembly‐rolling circle amplification strategy, such a device is then biologically interfaced with a miRNA‐triggered growth of DNA spheres for the sensitive detection of miRNA‐21 down to 0.12 fm. This work features a proof‐of‐concept study using light‐matter interplay to enable organic transistors showing maximum gm at zero VG and its sensitive biological interfacing application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five triorganotin (IV) complexes, [(Ph3Sn)2L] (1) [(Me3Sn)2L]n (2), [(n‐Bu3Sn)2L]n (3), [(n‐Bu 3Sn)2L(4,4′‐bpy)]n (4), [(n‐Bu3Sn)2L(bpe)]n (5) [H2L = 4,4′‐stilbenedicarboxylic acid, 4,4′‐bpy = 4,4′‐bipyridine, bpe = 4,4′‐vinylenedipyridine], were successfully prepared and structurally characterized by FT‐IR, elemental analysis, NMR spectroscopy, PXRD, and X‐ray crystallography. Complex 1 is a monomer containing two tin atoms, and 1D infinite chains can be formed between the monomers through CH···π interactions. Complexes 2 and 3 represent 2D network structures containing tetranuclear 38‐membered rings. Meanwhile, complexes 4 and 5 are 1D chain‐like structures and form the 2D network and 3D stereo structure via CH···O intermolecular interactions, respectively. The anticancer activities of the complexes were investigated against different cancer cells (A549, HeLa, and HepG‐2). Complexes 1 and 3–5 showed superior anticancer activity. Meanwhile, the anticancer mechanism of complex 1 was studied with the results that complex 1 can promote the production of excessive reactive oxygen species, induce mitochondrial membrane permeability depolarization, and release proapoptotic factors from mitochondria into the cytosol, followed by caspase‐3 activation, nuclei damage, and apoptosis. Excitingly, complex 1 also has good antimetastatic ability toward HepG‐2 cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incorporating biomolecules into metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) as exoskeletons to form biomolecules‐MOFs biohybrids has attracted great attention as an emerging class of advanced materials. Organic devices have been shown as powerful platforms for next‐generation bioelectronics, such as wearable biosensors, tissue engineering constructs, and neural interfaces. Herein, biomolecules‐incorporated MOFs as innovative gating module is realized for the first time, which is exemplified by biocatalytic precipitation (BCP)‐oriented horseradish peroxidase (HRP)‐embedded zeolitic imidazolate framework‐90 (HRP@ZIF‐90)/CdIn2S4 gated organic photoelectrochemical transistor under light illumination. In connection to a sandwich immunocomplexing targeting the model analyte human IgG, the IgG‐dependent generation of H2O2 and the tandem HRP‐triggered BCP reaction can cause the in situ blocking of the pore network of ZIF‐90, leading to variant gating effect with corresponding responses of the device. This representative biodetection achieved good analytical performance with a wide linear range and a low detection limit of 100 fg mL−1. In the view of the plentiful biomolecule‐MOF complexes and their potential interactions with organic systems, this study provides a proof‐of‐concept study for the generic development of biomolecules‐MOFs‐gated electronics and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV), one of the baculoviruses, is a promising biopesticide for pest control. Lepidopteran account for 70% of pests, therefore investigation on highly conserved genes associated with viral infections in the lepidopteran model, the silkworm, will serve as a valuable reference for improving the effectiveness of pest management. BmE74A is a member of the erythroblast transformation‐specific (ETS) family of transcription factors in Bombyx mori, which we previously found to be highly conserved and closely associated with BmNPV. This study aimed to elucidate the role of BmE74A in viral infection. RESULTS: A significantly high expression of BmE74A in eggs indicated its important role in embryonic development, as did relatively high expressions in the hemolymph and midgut. Significant differences in BmE74A expression in different resistant strains after BmNPV infection suggested its involvement as a response to viral infection. Moreover, RNA interference (RNAi) and overexpression experiments confirmed the important role of BmE74A in promoting viral infection. BmNPV infection was significantly suppressed and enhanced by BmE74A knockdown and overexpression, respectively. Besides, BmE74A was found to regulate the expression of BmMdm2 and Bmp53. Furthermore, the binding of ETS, the functional domain of BmE74A, to occlusion‐derived virus proteins was confirmed by far‐western blotting, and four viral proteins that may interact with ETS proteins were identified by mass spectrometry. Similarly, a homolog of BmE74A in Spodoptera litura was also found to be involved in larval susceptibility to BmNPV. CONCLUSION: BmE74A promotes BmNPV proliferation by directly interacting with the virus, which may be related to the suppression of the p53 pathway. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the long coevolution of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and humans, the host has formed a defense system of multiple layers to eradicate the invader, and the virus has developed various strategies to evade host surveillance programs. The intrinsic immunity primarily orchestrated by promyelocytic leukemia (PML) nuclear bodies (PML‐NBs) represents the first line of defense against HCMV infection. Here, we demonstrate that microrchidia family CW‐type zinc finger 3 (MORC3), a PML‐NBs component, is a restriction factor targeting HCMV infection. We show that depletion of MORC3 through knockdown by RNA interference or knockout by CRISPR‐Cas9 augmented immediate‐early protein 1 (IE1) gene expression and subsequent viral replication, and overexpressing MORC3 inhibited HCMV replication by suppressing IE1 gene expression. To relief the restriction, HCMV induces transient reduction of MORC3 protein level via the ubiquitin‐proteasome pathway during the immediate‐early to early stage. However, MORC3 transcription is upregulated, and the protein level recovers in the late stages. Further analyses with temporal‐controlled MORC3 expression and the major immediate‐early promoter (MIEP)‐based reporters show that MORC3 suppresses MIEP activity and consequent IE1 expression with the assistance of PML. Taken together, our data reveal that HCMV enforces temporary loss of MORC3 to evade its repression against the initiation of immediate‐early gene expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field experiments were performed in 2019 and 2020 to explore yield performance and biomass accumulation dynamics for different direct‐seeded rice methods after wheat straw return. The experimental treatments included two direct‐seeded rice methods (dry direct‐seeded rice and wet direct‐seeded rice) and two wheat straw return treatments (with and without wheat straw return). Wheat straw return had a negative impact on the yield and biomass of direct‐seeded rice. Compared with wet direct‐seeded rice, dry direct‐seeded rice was more negatively affected, with yield and biomass reduced by 6.7%–7.6% and 5.4%–6.5%, respectively. The yield loss was mainly associated with insufficient total spikelet numbers caused by reduced panicle numbers. A lower maximum tiller number caused by the restricted seedling tillering capacity was partly responsible for the inadequate panicle numbers in direct‐seeded rice after wheat straw return. Wheat straw return reduced the maximum and average rate of biomass accumulation, shortened the duration of effective biomass accumulation, and delayed the days to achieve the maximum rate of biomass accumulation for direct‐seeded rice. The negative effect of wheat straw return on direct‐seeded rice was concentrated mainly in the early stage; reduction in the average biomass accumulation rate in the early stage accounted for 61.1%–75.3% of the reduction in total average rate. Wet direct‐seeded rice had a higher average rate and amount of biomass accumulation at the early stage, a greater maximum tiller number, as well as a stronger photosynthetic ability and grain filling ability after heading, which contributed to improving panicle number and total spikelet number, ultimately increasing yield and biomass compared with dry direct‐seeded rice. These results demonstrate that wheat straw return reduced yield and biomass, mainly by inhibiting growth in the early stage of direct‐seeded rice. However, the wet direct‐seeding method decreased the losses in yield and biomass after wheat straw return. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a novel real option (RO)‐based network investment assessment method to quantify the flexibility value of battery energy storage systems (BESS) in distribution network planning (DNP). It applied geometric Brownian motion (GBM) to simulate the long‐term load growth uncertainty. Compared with commonly used stochastic models (e.g. normal probability model) that assume a constant variance, it reflects the fact that from the point of prediction, uncertainty would increase as time elapses. Hence, it avoids the bias of traditional net present value (NPV) frameworks towards lumpy investments that cannot provide strategic flexibility relative to more flexible alternatives. It is for the first time to adopt the option pricing method to evaluate the flexibility value of distribution network planning strategies. To optimize the planning scheme, this paper compares the static NPVs and flexibility values of different investment strategies. A 33‐bus system is used to verify the effectiveness of the formulated model. Results indicate that flexibility values of BESS are of utmost importance to DNP under demand growth uncertainties. It provides an analytical tool to quantify the flexibility of planning measures and evaluate the well‐timed investment of BESS, thus supporting network operators to facilitate flexibility services and hedge risks from the negative impact of long‐term uncertainty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs) have attracted widespread attention due to the intrinsic features of Zn‐based anodes, mainly including high capacity, low cost, and low working potential together with high over‐potential for hydrogen evolution reaction. Aqueous ZIBs are considered to be strong competitors and substitutes for lead‐acid, nickel‐metal hydrogen, nickel‐cadmium, and even lithium‐ion batteries. Great efforts have been made in the past few years towards the issues existed in aqueous ZIBs, mainly including alkaline and mild acidic systems. In this perspective, we illustrate the advantages, the main challenges, and the corresponding solution strategies of Zn‐based anodes in various aqueous rechargeable ZIBs with alkaline and mild acidic electrolytes. Furthermore, feasible aqueous ZIBs for practical use are prospected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium metal is considered as the most prospective electrode for next‐generation energy storage systems due to high capacity and the lowest potential. However, uncontrollable spatial growth of lithium dendrites and the crack of solid electrolyte interphase still hinder its application. Herein, Schottky defects are motivated to tune the 4f‐center electronic structures of catalysts to provide active sites to accelerate Li transport kinetics. As experimentally and theoretically confirmed, the electronic density is redistributed and affected by the Schottky defects, offering numerous active catalytic centers with stronger ion diffusion capability to guide the horizontal lithium deposition against dendrite growth. Consequently, the Li electrode with artificial electronic‐modulation layer remarkably decreases the barriers of desolvation, nucleation, and diffusion, extends the dendrite‐free plating lifespan up to 1200 h, and improves reversible Coulombic efficiency. With a simultaneous catalytic effect on the conversions of sulfur species at the cathodic side, the integrated Li–S full battery exhibits superior rate performance of 653 mA h g−1 at 5 C, high long‐life capacity retention of 81.4% at 3 C, and a high energy density of 2264 W h kg−1 based on sulfur in a pouch cell, showing the promising potential toward high‐safety and long‐cycling lithium metal batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spatially random lithium nucleation and sluggish lithium diffusion across the electrode/electrolyte interface lead to uncontrollable lithium deposition and the growth of lithium dendrite on metallic lithium surface, causing severe safety problems. Herein, a functional rapid‐ion‐diffusion alloy layer on the metallic lithium surface (RIDAL‐Li) is designed through a simple chemical reduction reaction. Such a layer efficiently reduces energy barriers for lithium transport and thus significantly homogenizes the lithium atom flux for lateral deposition, which are confirmed by electrochemical tests, theoretical simulations, and spectroscopic analysis. Furthermore, the as‐prepared RIDAL layer also displays a much higher corrosion resistance to moisture and oxygen. As a result, in ether‐based and carbonate‐based electrolytes, the pretreated RIDAL‐Li anode can achieve a long stripping/plating lifespan of 900 h and a high Coulombic efficiency of 99% without dendrite growth. Even after being exposed to the ambient environment with relative humidity of 51% for 60 min, the RIDAL‐Li can survive for stripping/plating 400 h and exhibit a low overpotential of 18 mV, displaying the superiority for ambient atmosphere battery assembly. Matched with LiFePO4 or sulfur cathode, the full cells exhibit remarkably improved stability and capacity retention, showing its suitability for applications in lithium metal batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rare earth ions Er3+, La3+, and Y3+ have been introduced into the lattice of CdS nanobelts (NBs) to modulate its radiative recombination rate (RRR) during photoluminescence (PL) process. It is found that these ions have different quenching effects on the RRRs of direct interband transition and defect related transition. Only the former is greatly reduced through Er3+ doping, however, both of them are suppressed to a certain extent by La3+ and Y3+ doping. It is valuable that specific solid color luminescence can be realized through well‐chosen rare earth ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metallic lithium electrode with high capacity of 3860 mA h g−1 is the most promising candidate for rechargeable batteries. However, some inherent problems such as dendrite growth, uneven solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), and high manufacturing risk restraint its practical application. Herein, distinct from the conventional mosaic structure, a facile fabrication of in situ self‐assembled organic/inorganic hybrid SEI with ordered dual‐layer structure on the lithium surface to suppress dendrite formation is proposed. With the aid of moderate active fluoric‐containing ionic liquid, the as‐formed lithium fluoride and robust ordered organic moieties are in situ self‐assembled on the metallic lithium surface. The evolution process of the dual‐layered structure is revealed by X‐ray spectroscopy, in situ sum frequency generation spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy. The formed "double protection" ordered hybrid interphase layer also exhibits the surprising ability against the corrosion of carbonate electrolyte or dry air. As a consequence, the pretreated metallic lithium electrode represents excellent stripping/plating reversibility of ≈99% and a long lifespan up to 1200 h without formation of dendrite, and remains high performance at a current density of 10 mA cm−2, which is much higher than most reports, showing the facilitating promising to the future utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: In rice, amylose and protein are the main factors that influence eating quality. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of the ranges in amylose and protein variation on rice eating quality and to explore the characteristics of amylose and protein in high eating‐quality rice varieties. A total of 105 japonica rice varieties (lines) from the middle and lower reaches of Yangtze River were studied. Findings: When amylose content (AC) ranged from 7.35% to 19.98% and protein content (PC) ranged from 6.04% to 9.32%, amylose and protein were significantly (p <.01) negatively correlated with rice appearance, adhesiveness, balance degree, and taste value, and significantly (p <.01) positively correlated with hardness. However, when AC varied between 7.35% and 12.50% or between 14.11% and 19.98%, the eating characteristics had no significant correlation with AC; instead, they were significantly correlated with protein content (PC). PC had no significant influence on eating characteristics when it ranged from 7.86% to 9.32%. To improve eating quality (i.e., taste value > 60), PC in varieties with high AC (14.11%–19.98%) should be < 6.98%, and AC in varieties with high PC (7.86%–9.32%) should be < 12.67%. Conclusions: The results showed that the relationships among AC, PC, and eating quality were affected by the ranges of AC and PC variation. Rice varieties of the low amylose and low protein (LALP) combination should be the best choice for the high eating‐quality variety in the middle and lower reaches of Yangtze River. Significance and novelty: Amylose and protein should be considered as the primary and secondary screening indices, respectively, in the selection and breeding of good eating‐quality rice varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The worldwide infection rate of herpesvirus is high, but the detailed prevalence in China, especially the central area, remains unclear. In the present study, the prevalence of herpes simplex virus (HSV), Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV), and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) was investigated in 303 healthy adults in Wuhan, a representative city in Central China. Viral‐specific IgG and IgM titers were examined in the serum by chemiluminescent immunoassay, and the existence of viral genomic DNA in blood cells was determined by nested PCR. The overall IgG seroprevalences were 81.5%, 95.4%, and 93.7% for HSV, EBV, and HCMV, while the corresponding IgM seroprevalences were only 6.3%, 2.3%, and 0. The viral genomic DNA of HSV, EBV, and HCMV was identified in the blood samples of 5.9%, 14.2%, and 22.8% of the tested donors, respectively. Significantly, less HSV IgM‐positive samples were found in the population over 20 years old than below 20 group; female displayed higher chances for HSV IgG and genome positivity; and occupations such as waiters and medical staffs were shown to be with higher risk for HCMV genome positivity. This study provided useful reference data for the HSV, EBV, and HCMV prevalence in central China, and suggested the potential importance of detecting viral genome to complement serum test data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Controllable and repeatable crystal imperfection modulation engineering (CIME) is important for the development of semiconductor science and technology. However, for wide band gap semiconductors (WBGSs), there still lacks universal and reliable CIME. Here, based on the general idea of chemical composition complete expression design, a well‐designed, repeatable, and feasible CIME for ZnO is introduced, making free modulation of carrier in WBGS become possible. Briefly, this extraordinary CIME is dominated by two innovative procedures: an electrochemical doping and a strong oxidizing atmosphere annealing. The proposed CIME is a repeatable and universal carrier modulation project, which holds technological promise for various WBGS‐based semiconductor devices. Benefiting from this CIME, an α particle detector which operating at a high electric field of 107 V cm−1 can be fabricated successfully. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for a new generation of flexible, portable, and high-capacity power sources increases rapidly with the development of advanced wearable electronic devices. Here we report a simple process for large-scale fabrication of self-standing composite film electrodes composed of NiCo2O4@carbon nanotube (CNT) for supercapacitors. Among all composite electrodes prepared, the one fired in air displays the best electrochemical behavior, achieving a specific capacitance of 1,590 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 while maintaining excellent stability. The NiCo2O4@CNT/CNT film electrodes are fabricated via stacking NiCo2O4@CNT and CNT alternately through vacuum filtration. Lightweight, flexible, and self-standing film electrodes (≈24.3 µm thick) exhibit high volumetric capacitance of 873 F cm−3 (with an areal mass of 2.5 mg cm−2 ) at 0.5 A g−1. An all-solid-state asymmetric supercapacitor consists of a composite film electrode and a treated carbon cloth electrode has not only high energy density (≈27.6 Wh kg−1) at 0.55 kW kg−1 (including the weight of the two electrodes) but also excellent cycling stability (retaining ≈95% of the initial capacitance after 5000 cycles), demonstrating the potential for practical application in wearable devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most simple magnesium salts tend to passivate the Mg metal surface too quickly to function as electrolytes for Mg batteries. In the present work, an electroactive salt [Mg(THF)6][AlCl4]2 was synthesized and structurally characterized. The Mg electrolyte based on this simple mononuclear salt showed a high Mg cycling efficiency, good anodic stability (2.5 V vs. Mg), and high ionic conductivity (8.5 mS cm−1). Magnesium/sulfur cells employing the as-prepared electrolyte exhibited good cycling performance over 20 cycles in the range of 0.3-2.6 V, thus indicating an electrochemically reversible conversion of S to MgS without severe passivation of the Mg metal electrode surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is the leading infectious cause of birth defects, and may lead to severe or lethal diseases in immunocompromised individuals. Several HCMV strains have been identified and widely applied in research, but no isolate from China has been characterized. In the present study, we isolated, characterized and sequenced the first Chinese HCMV clinical strain Han, and constructed the novel and functional HCMV infectious clone Han-BAC-2311. HCMV Han was isolated from the urine sample of a Chinese infant with multiple developmental disorders. It expresses HCMV specific proteins and contains a representative HCMV genome with minor differences compared to other strains. By homologous recombination using mini-F derived BAC vector pUS-F6, the infectious clone Han-BAC-2311 was constructed containing representative viral genes across the HCMV genome. The insertion site and orientation of BAC sequence were confirmed by restriction enzyme digestion and Southern blotting. The reconstituted recombinant virus HanBAC-2311 expresses typical viral proteins with the same pattern as that of wild-type Han, and also displayed a similar growth kinetics to wild-type Han. The identification of the first clinical HCMV strain in China and the construction of its infectious clone will greatly facilitate the pathogenesis studies and vaccine development in China. J. Med. Virol. 88:859-870, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a general and effective phosphorization strategy is successfully demonstrated to enhance supercapacitor performance of various transition metals oxide or hydroxide, such as Ni(OH)2, Co(OH)2, MnO2, and Fe2O3. For example, a 3D networked Ni2P nanosheets array via a facile phosphorization reaction of Ni(OH)2 nanosheets is grown on the surface of a Ni foam. The Ni foam-supported Ni2P nanosheet (Ni2P NS/NF) electrode shows a remarkable specific capacitance of 2141 F g−1 at a scan rate of 50 mV s−1 and remains as high as 1109 F g−1 even at the current density of 83.3 A g−1. The specific capacitance is much larger than those of Ni(OH)2 NS/NF (747 F g−1 at 50 mV s−1). Furthermore, the electrode retains a high specific capacitance of 1437 F g−1 even after 5000 cycles at a current density of 10 A g−1, in sharp contrast with only 403 F g−1 of Ni(OH)2 NS/NF at the same current density. The similar enhanced performance is observed for Ni2P powder, which eliminates the influence of nickel foam. The enhanced supercapacitor performances are attributed to the 3D porous nanosheets network, enhanced conductivity, and two active components of Ni2+ and Pδ− with rich valences of Ni2P. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of mono- and di-Schiff bases formed between benzil dihydrazone {BDH; systematic name: (1 Z)-[(2 E)-2-hydrazinylidene-1,2-diphenylethylidene]hydrazine} and three isomeric chlorobenzaldehydes were designed and synthesized to be used as model compounds to help to explain the reaction mechanisms for the formation of Schiff bases. These compounds are 1-(2-chlorobenzylidene)-2-{2-[2-(2-chlorobenzylidene)hydrazin-1-ylidene]-1,2-diphenylethylidene}hydrazine (BDHOCB), and the 3-chloro (BDHMCB) and 4-chloro (BDHPCB) analogues, all having the formula C28H20Cl2N4. Surprisingly, only di-Schiff bases were obtained; our attempts to push the reaction in favour of the mono-Schiff bases all failed. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to explain the trend in the experimental results. In the case of the systems studied, the type of Schiff base produced exhibits a clear dependence on the HOMO-LUMO energy gaps (Δ EHOMO-LUMO), i.e. the product is mainly governed by its stability. The compounds were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffractometry, elemental analysis, melting point, 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The structural features of the three new Schiff bases are similar. For instance, they have the same chemical formula, all the molecules have a symmetrical double helix structure, with each Ph-C=N-N=C-Ph arm exhibiting an anti conformation, and their supramolecular interactions include intermolecular π-π and weak C-H...π stacking interactions. The crystal systems are different, however, viz. triclinic (space group P) for BDHPCB, monoclinic (space group P21/ n) for BDHOCB and orthorhombic (space group Pnna) for BDHMCB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple and sensitive method for determination of free amino acids in milk by microchip electrophoresis (MCE) coupled with laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection was developed. Seven kinds of standard amino acids were derivated with sulfoindocyanine succinimidyl ester (Cy5) and then perfectly measured by MCE-LIF within 150 s. The parameters of MCE separation were carefully investigated to obtain the optimal conditions: 100 mmol·L−1 sodium borate solution (pH 10.0) as running buffer solution, 0.8 kV as injection voltage, 2.2 kV as separation voltage etc. The linear range of the detection of amino acids was from 0.01 µmol·L−1 to 1.0 µmol·L−1 and the detection limit was as low as about 1.0 nmol·L−1. This MCE-LIF method was applied to the measurements of free amino acids in actual milk samples and satisfactory experimental results were achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT A rapid and sensitive time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay (TR-FIA) based on the biotin-streptavidin amplification system was developed for the determination of diethylstilbestrol (DES). Europium-labelled streptavidin derivatives combined with europium and anhydride of diethylene triamine penta-acetic acid were used to label streptavidin; biotin was coupled with goat anti-rabbit IgG to form a biotin-goat anti-rabbit IgG bridge between streptavidin-europium and the anti-DES antibody in the immunoassay. The DES assay was carried out by measuring the fluorescence of Eu3+-SA at 615 nm. The presented method produced a wide linear range, 0.001-1000.0 ng/mL, and a detection limit up to 0.81 pg/mL for DES. The method was applied to determine DES in serum samples, with recoveries of 97.4-107.8% and RSD 1.32-4.04%. The assay results by the present method showed that biotin-streptavidin amplified TR-FIA for DES detection; it may offer high sensitivity and promising alternative special methods in biological samples. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on polyols with a range of hydroxyl (OH) numbers based on soybean oil (SBO) and epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) that were prepared by oxirane ring opening with methanol, glycol, and 1,2-propanediol. The cross-linking density of the polyols had a direct correlation with the polyols' functionality. While tensile strength of the polyurethanes (PUs) escalated with the OH number increasing, the elongation and thermal stability of the PUs dropped with the OH number escalating.

Ab initio molecular orbital and density functional theory (DFT) in conjunction with different basis sets calculations were performed to study the N&bond;H...O and S&bond;H...O blue-shifted H-bonds in the HNO...HFSO2 complex. The geometric structures, vibrational frequencies, and interaction energies were calculated by both standard and CP-corrected methods. Natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis was used to investigate the origin of blue-shifted H-bonds, showing that the decrease in the σ*(N&bond;H) and σ*(S&bond;H) is due to the electron density redistribution effect. The structure reorganization effect on the blue-shifted hydrogen bonds was discussed in detail. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non‐flow aqueous zinc‐bromine batteries (AZBBs) are highly attractive owing to their lightweight construction and largely reduced cost compared with the flow ones. Yet, their development is restricted by the sluggish reaction kinetics of Br2/Br−, the shuttle of soluble polybromide species (Brn−, n is odd), and the poor stability of Zn‐based anode. Herein, an effective alkaline‐neutral electrolyte decoupling system is constructed to mitigate these issues, where nitrogen‐doped carbon felt with high catalytic activity to Br2/Br− reaction is developed for cathode, a cost‐effective cation exchange membrane (CEM) of polyethersulfone/sulfonated polyether ether ketone (PES/SPEEK‐M) that can stop Brn− is used as separator, and glucose that can inhibit dendrites is introduced as anolyte additive. The constructed flowless AZBB mainly consists of two separate redox couples, including Zn/Zn(OH)42− in alkaline anolyte and Br2/Br− in neutral media, where non‐cations (e.g. OH−, Zn(OH)42−, H2O,  and Brn−) can be restricted to their respective chamber by the PES/SPEEK‐M while cations can pass by. In the optimized system, good electrochemical performance is achieved, mainly including a surprising discharge voltage of 2.01 V, a high average Coulombic efficiency of 96.7%, and a good cycling life of ≈1000 cycles without obvious capacity decay at a fixed charge capacity of 2 mAh cm−2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cover page for the February 2018 issue, Vol. 4 and issue No. 2 of the journal "Advanced Electronic Materials" is presented.