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To clarify the effects of soil salinity on the insect-resistance of flower buds in transgenic Bt cotton of Xinmian 33B (salt-sensitive) and Zhong 07 (salt-tolerant), five levels (0, 0.15%, 0.30%, 0.45% and 0.60%) of soil salinity were set to investigate the impacts of soil salinity on Bt protein content, relative expression of Bt gene, activities of nitrogen metabolism-related enzymes and substances in flower buds during flowering stage. The results showed that Bt protein contents of flower buds decreased with increasing soil salinity. The Bt protein contents of flower buds decreased significantly when the soil salinity level was above 0.30% in both cotton cutivars. Greater reduction of Bt protein content occurred under severe than moderate soil salinity stress. However, the relative expression of Cry1Ac gene increased in flower buds of both cultivars when the stress level increased. Greater decreases of Bt protein content of flower buds was observed in Xinmian 33B compared to Zhong 07 under the same salinity level. The cultivars with greater reduction in Bt protein contents of flower buds also had greater reduction in the soluble protein content, glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) activities, and greater increments in free amino acid contents, protease activities and peptidase activities. Therefore, the decrease of Bt protein content was caused by decreased synthesis and increased decomposition of protein in flower buds of Bt cotton under soil salinity stress.为探讨土壤盐分对转

// Lishan Wang 1 , Ying-Ying Bai 2 , Yang Yang 1 , Fangfang Hu 1 , Yonghui Wang 1 , Zeqian Yu 1 , Zhangjun Cheng 1 , Jiahua Zhou 1 1 Department of General Surgery, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China 2 Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular and Functional Imaging, Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China Correspondence to: Jiahua Zhou, email: zhoujh@seu.edu.cn Keywords: pancreatic cancer, diabetes mellitus, p38 MAPK, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, inflammation Received: November 10, 2015 Accepted: May 02, 2016 Published: May 21, 2016 ABSTRACT Diabetes mellitus (DM) and its accompanying chronic inflammation promote tumor progression. p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) is an essential kinase for inflammation. The effects of p38 MAPK on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-mediated diabetic pancreatic cancer metastasis remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that p38 MAPK phosphorylation was significantly increased in pancreatic cancer cells treated with high glucose and in pancreatic tumors from diabetic animals. A p38 MAPK inhibitor significantly suppressed the proliferation and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells under high-glucose conditions. Moreover, p38 MAPK inhibition not only significantly decreased both the tumor volume monitored by magnetic resonance imaging and EMT-related metastasis but also increased the survival of diabetic mice bearing pancreatic tumors. Furthermore, the inflammation in diabetic animals bearing pancreatic tumors was also significantly lower after therapy. Collectively, our findings reveal that p38 MAPK inhibitors may provide a novel intervention strategy for diabetic pancreatic cancer treatment.

Colloidal complexation of zein hydrolysate (ZH) with tannic acid (TA) and the possibility of using the ZH-TA complex to construct a nanoemulsion system for alga oil delivery were investigated. Turbidity and fluorescence titration measurements demonstrated the complexation of ZH with TA, which leads to the formation of ZH-TA complex. Isothermal titration calorimetry further confirmed the complexation between ZH and TA was driven by the non-covalent interaction (e.g. hydrophobic interaction and hydrogen bonding). The emulsifying activity of ZH was considerably improved after the complexation with TA, which was responsible for the fabrication of alga oil nanoemulsions (d = 120 nm). The emulsions stabilized by the ZH-TA complex showed a remarkable physical stability and high alga oil encapsulation efficiency. More importantly, the complexation of ZH with TA also endowed ZH-TA complex with high antioxidative properties. The alga oil nanoemulsions stabilized by ZH-TA complex showed an increased oxidative stability with reduced lipid hydroperoxides and volatile hexanal compared with that of stabilized by ZH alone. This study demonstrated that ZH-TA complex could be employed as an emulsifier in constructing a physical stable nanoemulsion delivery system, and opens up the possibility of utilizing peptides–polyphenol complex as efficient emulsifiers to improve the oxidative stability of O/W nanoemulsions.

The reaction of polyoxometalate (NH4)6[Mo7O24], transition-metal ions (Cu2+ or Ag+), and a bridging ligand (bbtx) in the hydrothermal environment led to two hybrid coordination polymers, [Cu(bbtx)3][Mo6O19] (1) and [Ag2(bbtx)2][Mo6O19] (2). Luminescent measurements suggest that 1 mainly exhibits luminescent emission of bbtx, but 2 displays strong emission bands ascribed to the ligand-to-metal charge transfer. Compound 2 also shows reversible thermochromic luminescence from 300 K–77 K–300 K. Introduction of [Mo6O19]2− into the Ag-bbtx network can lead to luminescent quench of 2 under irradiation of 300 W Xe light, due to reduction of Ag(I) into Ag(0) with breaking of Ag–N bonds of 2. The relevant mechanism was investigated by Powder X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectrum , and the irradiated 2 was used as a catalyst for reduction of p-nitrophenol with good catalytic activity.

In our efforts to explore promising substitutes for Pt-based electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), a new type of molybdenum carbide nanoparticle coated with graphene shells with nitrogen dopants (abbr. MoCx@C-1) is prepared from an entangled polyoxometalate-encapsulated coordination polymer (PECP), [Zn(bimbp)2]3[PMo12O40]2·2H2O (PECP-1) (bimbp = 4,4′-bis(imidazolyl)biphenyl) via the annealing and etching processes. The synergistic effects between highly dispersive MoCx particles, graphene coatings and N dopants in MoCx@C-1 lead to remarkable HER performance in acidic media with a very positive onset potential close to that of commercial 20% Pt/C catalysts, a low Tafel slope of 56 mV dec−1, a high exchange current density of 0.27 mA cm−2, and superior long-term cycle stability. In particular, MoCx@C-1 exhibiting an overpotential of 79 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm−2 represents one of the currently best reported MoCx-based HER electrocatalysts in acidic media. Such performance is also better than that of uncoated MoCx-2 nanoparticles prepared by carburizing another PECP [Bu4N][Zn3(bimb)4Cl(MoO4)][PMoVMoVI11O40]·4H2O (PECP-2) (bimb = 1,4-bis(1-imidazolyl)benzene). This work provides a new feasible route to prepare nanostructured hybrids composed of transition metal carbides, graphene and N dopants with higher HER activity and stability.

Exploration of new adsorbents for quick and highly selective adsorption and efficient separation of dyes in waste water is in urgent demand due to environmental problems. Herein, a new lanthanum molybdenum oxide adsorbent, La2Mo2O9, is prepared by the calcination of a new crystalline compound [La(CH3COO)(H2O)]MoO4 (La–Mo). After the precursor (La–Mo) is calcined at 600 °C, the as-prepared La2Mo2O9 (abbr. La–Mo600) exhibits fast and highly selective adsorption for multi-sulfonic dyes. Furthermore, the dyes adsorbed on La–Mo600 can be easily eluted by a dilute alkaline solution. Thus, it can be used as a new type of adsorbent to separate dye mixtures. The La–Mo600 adsorbent possesses excellent stability in the pH range of 1–13 and can be easily re-used seven times with a negligible adsorption decline. This study suggests that the adsorbent, La2Mo2O9, may represent a promising new generation of dye adsorbents that can realize quick adsorption, high selectivity and efficient separation of organic dye mixtures.

Reports of the design and synthesis of adjustable proton-conducting metal–organic coordination hybrids are still rare. Herein, we synthesized and characterized two coordination compounds: Cu(HL)L (1) and H4Mo8O24L4·3H2O (2) (L = 4-(1H-imidazolyl) benzoic acid). In addition, we first report the adjustment of the proton conductivity of metal–organic hybrids via varying the coordination mode of a specific ligand L (L = 4-(1H-imidazolyl) benzoic acid). Compound 1 has a proton conduction of 1.08 × 10−3 S cm−1 at 97% RH at room temperature, whereas under the same conditions, 2 has an obviously lower proton conduction of 1.09 × 10−6 S cm−1. The proton conduction of the two hybrids varied by nearly one thousand fold.

A new composite material of ultrafine Ag/PW11O39-doped AgCl nanoparticles (NPs) encapsulated in a metal–organic framework (NH2-MIL-101(Al)) was prepared by an incipient wetness impregnation method together with photo-reduction under UV irradiation. The as-prepared composite material (abbr. Ag/POM-AgCl@NH2-MIL-101(Al)) was characterized by XRD, EDX, SEM, XPS, FT-IR and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). By virtue of the coordination interaction between the polyoxometalate (POM) unit and Ag+ ion in the K6[α-AgPW11O39] precursor and the confined cavity of NH2-MIL-101(Al), the fast reaction between Ag+ and Cl− ions was depressed and the over agglomeration of crystalline AgCl was limited. When the partial Ag+ ions were reduced into Ag0 metal in the AgCl NPs under UV irradiation, the resultant ultrafine Ag/POM-AgCl nanoparticles (NPs) possess an average particle size of 3.2 nm in diameter, representing one of the currently smallest Ag/AgCl composite NPs. The catalytic activity of this material was evaluated by the catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol and photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation. Compared with its counterparts (Ag/AgCl NPs@NH2-MIL-101(Al)), the introduction of POM units into the Ag/AgCl composite NPs significantly improved the photocatalytic activity for degradation of RhB under visible light irradiation. A relevant photocatalytic mechanism was proposed.

In heterologous expression systems, KCNE2 has been demonstrated to interact with multiple α-subunits of voltage-dependent cation channels and modulate their functions. However, the physiological and pathological roles of KCNE2 in cardiomyocytes are poorly understood. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of bidirectional modulation of KCNE2 expression on action potential (AP) duration (APD) and voltage-dependent K+ channels in cardiomyocytes. Adenoviral gene delivery and RNA interference were used to either increase or decrease KCNE2 expression in cultured neonatal and adult rat or neonatal mouse ventricular myocytes. Knockdown of KCNE2 prolonged APD in both neonatal and adult myocytes, whereas overexpression of KCNE2 shortened APD in neonatal but not adult myocytes. Consistent with the alterations in APD, KCNE2 knockdown decreased transient outward K+ current ( Ito) densities in neonatal and adult myocytes, whereas KCNE2 overexpression increased Ito densities in neonatal but not adult myocytes. Furthermore, KCNE2 knockdown accelerated the rates of Ito activation and inactivation, whereas KCNE2 overexpression slowed Ito gating kinetics in neonatal but not adult myocytes. Delayed rectifier K+ current densities were remarkably affected by manipulation of KCNE2 expression in mouse but not rat cardiomyocytes. Simulation of the AP of a rat ventricular myocyte with a mathematical model showed that alterations in Ito densities and gating properties can result in similar APD alterations in KCNE2 overexpression and knockdown cells. In conclusion, endogenous KCNE2 in cardiomyocytes is important in maintaining cardiac electrical stability mainly by regulating Ito and APD. Perturbation of KCNE2 expression may predispose the heart to ventricular arrhythmia by prolonging APD.

In the work, a new approach to modify the structure of soybean protein isolate (SPI) stabilized oil in water (O/W) emulsions based on peptides induced protein aggregation was reported. The results indicated that corn protein hydrolysate (CPH) considerably changed the physical characteristics of the SPI stabilized emulsions under the heating conditions, and the emulsions changed from flow state to semi-solid one with the increasing of CPH in CPH/SPI mixture. The results from microstructure investigation showed that more SPI molecules were adsorbed at the O/W interface and the interfacial thickness could increase due to the presence of CPH. Moreover, the study on rheological behavior showed that the apparent viscosity, viscoelasticity and thixotropic properties of the emulsions all could be modified by controlling CPH content. The structural changes of SPI-based emulsions may be attributed to the hydrophobic interactions of CPH and SPI under heating treatment, and CPH may have enhanced SPI molecular connection (at the interface or aqueous phase) through the unfolded hydrophobic locus. These findings suggested that protein hydrolysate could be used as a new structural modifier for native protein stabilized emulsions.

In order to clarify the effects of soil salinity on the insect-resistance of boll in transgenic Bt cotton, potted plants of two Bt cotton cultivars Xinmian 33B (salt-sensitive) and Zhong 07 (salt-tolerant) were exposed to five levels of soil salinity (0, 0.15%, 0.30%, 0.45% and 0.60%). The results showed that Bt protein content of boll shell decreased with increasing soil salinity. Compared with the control (0% soil salinity level), the Bt protein content of boll shell decreased significantly when the soil salinity level was above 0.15% for Xinmian 33B and above 0.30% for Zhong 07. The reduction extent of Bt protein content of boll shell at 30 days post anthesis (DPA) was greater than that at 10 DPA under the same soil salinity level. Significant reductions of soluble protein contents, nitrate reductase (NR), and glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) activities were observed when the boll shell Bt protein content was significantly reduced. The content of free amino acid, protease, and peptidase activity of boll shell significantly increased when the soil salinity level was above 0.30%. In conclusion, soil salinity affected boll shell nitrogen metabolism and reduced Bt protein synthesis. Middle and high soil salinity levels could enhance decomposition of Bt protein, which further decreases the expression level of insecticidal protein.为探讨土壤盐分对转

In order to effectively reduce fire hazards while retaining excellent mechanical properties of flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a novel core-shell-structured flame retardant, i.e., activated carbon spheres-supported NiCo2(CO3)1·5(OH)3 hybrid material (ACS@BNCC), was synthesized and dry-modified by 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ionic liquids ([BMIM] PF6) before mixing with PVC. The results of the limiting oxygen index (LOI) and cone calorimeter test (CCT) showed that 2 phr ILs-ACS@BNCC could endow PVC with outstanding fire-resistant and smoke suppression properties. The synergistic effect of ACS@BNCC and [BMIM] PF6 increased the LOI to 29.1%, and reduced the peak heat release rate, peak smoke production rate, and total smoke production of pure PVC by 37.0%, 62.0%, and 45.1%, respectively. The flame retardant mechanism was proposed. The 2 phr ILs-ACS@BNCC mainly had physical barrier, catalytic carbonization, endothermic and dilution effects. In addition, since [BMIM] PF6 enhanced the interface compatibility between PVC and ACS@BNCC, the tensile strength, elongation at break, and impact strength of 2 phr ILs-ACS@BNCC/PVC were significantly improved compared with those of ACS@BNCC/PVC. This kind of PVC composite with outstanding flame retardant, smoke suppression and mechanical properties will substantially expand the application of PVC.

To study the anti-asthmatic effects of butylphthalide in guinea pig.This research included isolated tra-cheal smooth muscle and in vivo animal experiments. Antispasmodic effects of butylphthalide at the concentrations of 1, 10, 100 mg/L were observed through spasmodical tracheal smooth muscle of guinea pig induced by acetylcholine or histamine (Butylphthalide at the concentrations of 1、10、100 mg/L had an-ti-spasmodic effects on spasmodical tracheal smooth muscle of guinea pig (15.08 ±7.68、42.41 ±13.54、77.56 ±24.82 to acetylcholine, 19.40 ±7.60、56.84 ±11.72、76.35 ±19.40 to histamine), which showed a certain dose-effect relationship. Butylphthalide could prolong asth-matic incubation period (53.3 ±13.2、33.1 ±13.0), improve asthmatic behaviors, reduce NO in serum (78.71 ±19.40、84.75 ±20.97) and ET-1 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (24.30 ±5.80、28.50 ±6.31) (Butylphthalide has some effects of anti-asthma and one of the mechanisms is to relieve abnormal increase of NO and ET-1.

Objective: To investigate whether full-movement neuromuscular electrical stimulation, which can generate full range of movement, reduces spasticity and/or improves motor function more effectively than control, sensory threshold—neuromuscular electrical stimulation, and motor threshold—neuromuscular electrical stimulation in sub-acute stroke patients. Design: A randomized, single-blind, controlled study. Setting: Physical therapy room and functional assessment room. Participants: A total of 72 adult patients with sub-acute post-stroke hemiplegia and plantar flexor spasticity. Method: Patients received 30-minute sessions of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on the motor points of the extensor hallucis and digitorum longus twice a day, five days per week for four weeks. Measures: Composite Spasticity Scale, Ankle Active Dorsiflexion Score, and walking time in the Timed Up and Go Test were assessed at pretreatment, posttreatment, and at two-week follow-up. Results: After four weeks of treatment, when comparing interclass pretreatment and posttreatment, only the full-movement neuromuscular electrical stimulation group had a significant reduction in the Composite Spasticity Scale (mean % reduction = 19.91(4.96)%, F = 3.878, p 0.05). Conclusions: Full-movement neuromuscular electrical stimulation with a stimulus intensity capable of generating full movement can significantly reduce plantar flexor spasticity and improve ankle active dorsiflexion, but cannot decrease walking time in the Timed Up and Go Test in sub-acute stroke patients.

Current ULSI circuits have features with dimensions in the nanoscale region. As the critical dimension shrinks, Cu BEOL systems face reliability impacts. Alloying has been proved to be a promising technique to retard grain boundary electro-migration (EM). In this paper, dilute Cu Alloys such as Cu-Al, Cu-Mn for dual-damascene interconnect applications have been investigated. The alloy chosen principle for nanoscale interconnects has been discussed. The ultrahigh purity copper alloy target properties including purity, alloy composition, grain size and sputtering performance were investigated, to lay the foundation for the application of the large-size ultrahigh purity copper alloy target used for 300mm wafer fabrication. The relationships between deposited film behaviors and sputtering target properties in some applications were also discussed. In order to acquire high quality thin film, the properties of sputtering target such as alloy composition homogeneity, grain size and uniformity et al. have to be well controlled by proper fabrication techniques.

A new cationic triazole-based metal-organic framework encapsulating Keggin-type polyoxometalates, with the molecular formula [Co(BBPTZ)3][HPMo12O40]⋅24 H2O [compound 1; BBPTZ = 4,4'-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)biphenyl] is hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, powder X-ray diffraction, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The structure of compound 1 contains a non-interpenetrated 3D CdSO4 (cds)-type framework with two types of channels that are interconnected with each other; straight channels that are occupied by the Keggin-type POM anions, and wavelike channels that contain lattice water molecules. The catalytic activity of compound 1 in the oxidative desulfurization reaction indicates that it is not only an effective and size-selective heterogeneous catalyst, but it also exhibits distinct structural stability in the catalytic reaction system.

Three new polyoxometalate (POM)-based metal–organic coordination networks (MOCNs) with chemical formulae of [Co(BBTZ)1.5(HBBTZ)(H2O)2][PW12O40]·H2O (1), [Co2.5(BBTZ)4(H2O)2] [BW12O40]·4H2O (2) and [Cu(BBTZ)2]5[BW12O40]2·4H2O (3) (BBTZ = 1,4-bis-(1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene) were hydrothermally synthesized in a reaction system containing Keggin-type POMs, transition metal salts (cobalt salts and copper salts) and BBTZ ligands. All compounds were characterized by elemental analyses, IR, powder X-ray diffraction, TG analyses and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Compound 1 exhibits a POM-encapsulated 3-D supramolecular network, while compounds 2 and 3 display POM-supported 3-D coordination networks. Using the oxidative desulfurization of dibenzothiophene (DBT) as the model, the catalytic activities of compounds 1–3 are investigated. All three compounds show efficient catalytic activity for the oxidation of DBT with the order of 2 > 3 > 1. It is found that the POM species of compounds 1–3 play the main role in the catalytic oxidative desulfurization process, while the TM ions, the loading amounts of POMs, and the structural features of these POM-based MOCNs are also necessary factors that affect the catalytic activities. Furthermore, a surfactant-assisted hydrothermal synthesis method has been developed to prepare nanocrystal 2. SEM reveals that the as-synthesized nanocrystalline 2 is about 245 nm in diameter. The catalytic oxidative desulfurization experiments show that nanocrystal 2 possesses much higher catalytic activities than those of the large single-crystal products of 2.

A series of polynuclear metal-oxo clusters have been constructed from the dynamic polyoxometalate (POM) building block {B-α-Sb(III)W9O33} and lanthanide (Ln) linkers via a stepwise synthetic strategy with the molecular formulas of [Ln2(H2O)4{WO2(pic)}2(SbW8O30)2](10-) (Na4Li6[La-1]·28H2O, Na3Li7[Pr-2]·30H2O) and [{Ln(H2O)}{Ln(pic)}(Sb3O4)(SbW8O31)(SbW10O35)]2(24-) (K2Na6Li16[Tb-3]·63H2O, Na9Li15[Dy-4]·61H2O, Na7Li17[Ho-5]·53H2O) (Hpic = picolinic acid). The five compounds have been characterized by FT-IR, elemental analysis, TG, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and single crystal X-ray diffraction. In compounds 1-5, various POM moieties, such as {B-β-SbW8O30}, {B-α-SbW8O31} and {B-α-SbW10O35}, were formed through a series of disassembling and re-assembling processes of the dynamic {B-α-SbW9O33} precursor with specific pH, reaction temperature and time. Furthermore, the use of oxytropic Ln(3+) ions as linkers, together with auxiliary organic pic ligands and/or inorganic Sb(3+) ions, led to diverse connection modes between the POM building blocks and Ln linkers and the assembly of new polynuclear metal-oxo clusters. The polyoxoanions of La-1 and Pr-2 possess the same structural feature, which can be viewed as a sandwich-type cluster composed of two {B-β-SbW8O30} units connected by two {WO2(pic)} fragments and two hydrated Ln ions. These sandwich-type polyoxoanions are further linked by the hydrated Ln ions to form a 1-D helical chain. The polyoxoanions of Tb-3, Dy-4 and Ho-5 display the same structural features, although they contain different counter-cations and lattice water molecules. In the polyoxoanions of 3-5, one {B-α-SbW8O31} POM moiety and one {B-α-SbW10O35} POM unit are connected by one {Sb3O4} fragment and one {Ln(pic)} linker, forming an asymmetric sandwich-type metal-oxo cluster. Two of these sandwich-type clusters are further fused together by extra two hydrated Ln ions, leading to an isolated polynuclear metal-oxo cluster with a size of 16.4 × 28.5 Å. The photoluminescence properties of Tb-3 and Dy-4 were investigated. Both compounds exhibit characteristic Tb(3+) and Dy(3+) luminescence. The relationship between the luminescence properties and the crystal structure of the polyoxoanion was discussed.

Toxic heavy metals, including mercury (Hg) and arsenic (As), accumulate preferentially in kidneys and always cause acute renal failure. The aim of this study was to investigate whether these samples affect organic anion transporters, Oat1 and Oat3,in vivoin mice kidney. Mice (n=10) were orally treated with investigational samples. After last administration, all mice were i.v.p-aminohippuric acid (PAH), and the blood and kidneys samples were collected. The concentrations of PAH were quantified by spectrophotometry. mRNA expressions of Oat1 and Oat3 were assayed by real-time PCR. In comparison with corresponding control, major pharmacokinetic parameters of PAH in sera were significantly changed by investigational samples (p<0.05), PAH accumulations in the kidney tissues were significantly higher (p<0.05), PAH uptake by renal slices was greatly reduced, Oat1 and Oat3 mRNA expression were significantly inhibited in investigational sample groups. Arsenic and mercury containing traditional Chinese medicine (Realgar and Cinnabar) probably induce kidney damage through inhibiting several members of the organic anion transporters (such as OAT1 and OAT3).

Two new organic–inorganic hybrid compounds, [N(CH3)4]6[CuIILo][(Ti2O)(PW11O39)2]·4H2O (1) and [N(CH3)4]2[H2bpp]2[CuIILo][(Ti2O)(PW11O39)2]·1.5H2O (2) (Lo = 1,2-bis(3-(2-pyridyl)pyrazole-1-ylmethyl)benzene, bpp = 1,3-bis(4-piperidyl)propane), based on Ti-substituted polyoxometalates (abbr. Ti-POMs) and the metal–organic linking units constructed by CuII ions and bichelate-bridging ligands (Lo), have been hydrothermally prepared. The two compounds were characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectra, TG analyses, XPS spectra, powder X-ray diffraction and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Both compounds contain a rare corner-sharing double-Keggin type POM architecture in the Ti-POM species. In 1 and 2, the double-Keggin-type polyoxoanions connect with the butterfly-type [CuIILo] units to form a 1-D chain and a square plane, respectively. The photocatalytic properties of compounds 1 and 2 were investigated with the methylene blue (MB) degradation model under UV irradiation, indicating good photocatalytic activity. Furthermore, to compare the photocatalytic properties of the Keggin-type Ti-POMs with those of traditional Keggin-type POMs, another compound [CuILo]4[PW12O40] (3) was synthesized by combining typical Keggin-type polyoxoanions with the metal–organic [CuILo] units. A series of MB degradation experiments suggest that the Ti-POMs exhibit better photocatalytic activity than typical Keggin-type saturated POM species.

Reactions of 3,5-disubstituted-1,2,4-triazoles with CuX2 (X = Cl, Br) under hydrothermal condition yield six copper(I) triazolates: [Cu2(3,5-nBu2tz)Cl]n (1), [Cu2(3,5-iBu2tz)Cl]n (2), {Cu2(3,5-(C6H11)2tz)Cl}n (3), [Cu2(3,5-sBu2tz)Br]n (4), {Cu2(3,5-(C6H11)2tz)Br}n (5), {Cu2[3,5-(p-Tol)2tz]Br}n (6), where 3,5-nBu2tz, 3,5-iBu2tz, 3,5-sBu2tz are 3,5-dibutyl-1,2,4-triazolate, 3,5-dii-butyl-1,2,4-triazolate, 3,5-dis-butyl-1,2,4-triazolate; 3,5-(C6H11)2tz is 3,5-dicyclohexyl-1,2,4-triazolate; 3,5-(p-Tol)2tz is 3,5-di-p-tolyl-1,2,4-triazolate. X-ray analysis demonstrates that all of these complexes are isostructural and exhibit a 3D structure carrying cubic Cu4Cl4 or Cu4Br4 clusters. While 4 and 5 luminesce with maxima at 571 and 619 nm, others are silent under UV irradiation at room temperature.

As a major active component extracted from traditional Chinese herb Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F, triptolide exhibits multiple pharmacological effects. Autophagy is an evolutionary conserved intracellular catabolic process involved in cytoplasmic materials degradation. Autophagic dysfunction contributes to the pathologies of many human diseases, which makes it a promising therapeutic target. Recent studies have shown that triptolide exerts neuroprotection, anti-tumor activities, organ toxicity, and podocyte protection by modulating autophagy. This article highlights the current information on triptolide-modulated autophagy, analyzes the possible pathways involved, and describes the crosstalk between autophagy and apoptosis modulated by triptolide, in hope of providing implications for the roles of autophagy in pharmacological effects of triptolide and expanding its novel usage as an autophagy modulator.

During the exploration of highly efficient noble-metal-free electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), a promising and challenging strategy is to fabricate composite nanocatalysts by finely tuning metal and/or nonmetal element components. Herein, we report a new HER electrocatalyst, which is composed of molybdenum phosphide and molybdenum carbide composite nanoparticles (NPs) coated by few-layer N-doped graphitic carbon shells (denoted as MoP/Mo

Soybean seed storage protein is one of the most important plant vegetable proteins, and β subunit is of great significance to enhance soybean protein quality and processing property. F2 segregated population and residual heterozygous lines (RHL) derived from the cross between Yangyandou (low level of β subunit) and Zhonghuang 13 (normal level of β subunit) were used for mapping of β subunit content. Our results showed that β subunit content was controlled by a single dominant locus, qBSC-1 (β subunit content), which was mapped to a region of 11.9 cM on chromosome 20 in F2 population of 85 individuals. This region was narrowed down to 2.5 cM between BARCSOYSSR_20_0997 and BARCSOYSSR_20_0910 in RHL with a larger population size of 246 individuals. There were 48 predicted genes within qBSC-1 region based on the reference genome (Glyma 1.0, Williams 82), including the two copies of β subunit coding gene CG4. An InDel marker developed from a thymine (TT) insertion in one copy of CG4 promoter region in Yangyandou cosegregrated with BARCSOYSSR_20_0975 within qBSC-1 region, suggesting that this InDel marker maybe useful for marker-assisted selection (MAS).

According to the characteristics of Fast Speed Mirror, the paper discusses that, in a FSM composite axis control system, the mechanism of the servo control, the main system performance, the speed loop of subsystem and effects of automatic zero locking system. Combined with traditional methods, a new structure of axial subsystem is proposed, to improve the rapid high-precision tracking technique. From theory to experimental model, the paper made a detailed analysis.

Three new organic–inorganic hybrid compounds, namely [CuILp]2[W6O19]·H2O (1), [CuILp]3[W6O19]Cl (2) and [CuILp]2[W6O19]·2H2O (3) (Lp=α,α′-bis-[3-(2-pyridyl)pyrazol-1-yl]-1,4-dimethylbenzene) based on copper(I) ion, a neutral N-donor bichelate-bridging ligand (Lp) and a Lindqvist-type polyoxometalate (POM) [W6O19]2−, have been hydrothermally prepared under different synthetic conditions and structurally characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectra, TG analyses, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Compounds 1 and 2 contain two different but topologically similar meso-helical chainlike coordination moieties. Compound 3 contains both left- and right-handed chiral “mobius strip” units. These cationic meso-helical chains and “mobius strip” units in compounds 1–3 are further combined with Lindqvist-type polyoxoanions to form 3-D supramolecular assemblies through extensive electrostatic forces and/or π–π interactions. The photo-luminescent properties of 1–3 have also been investigated, which are mainly attributed to the Lp ligand-centered emission.

We select a large coal waste rock dumps in Guangxi Heshan , study the characteristics of the distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in its surrounding soil and carry on a soil quality evaluation. Soil samples were collected in different distance and different depth from the dumps. After drying and filtrating the samples, we use the gas chromatography - mass spectrometry (GC - MS) technology for quantitative analysis of 16 kinds of priority pollutions of PAHs. The results show that in the plane, from the near to the distant, the content of PAHs in soil is from much to little. In vertical, from shallow to deep, the content of PAHs degressive changes. And the trend of change is from fast to slow in vertical and level. The plane distribution of PAHs in soil is mainly controlled by wind direction and slope, vertical distribution is controlled by its solubility in water and soil properties.Many kinds of PAHs in soils out of limit, which is poor soil.The 6 kinds of heavy ring PAHs which is carcinogenic is distributed in 5~15 cm of the topsoil.

This paper covers the current situation of remote monitoring system, combined with the basic features and running environment of GoAhead web server, Put forward the solution to integrate GoAhead web server, Internet, embedded development platform and Linux operation system, design a remote monitoring system. By which the user can monitor voltage and control the stepper motor’s running in real time. The application results show that GoAhead web server reacts rapidly manipulates data quickly. It’s feasible to put into place and to achieve satisfied effect for the management and control of the embedded product.

The slow diffusion reactions of a double-betaine-containing ligand with YbH[SiMo12O40]·nH2O and Ca2[SiMo12O40]·nH2O led to the isolation of two new organic–inorganic hybrid assemblies, [Yb(O)(HL)2(H2L)0.5(H2O)3][SiMo12O40]·2.5CH3CN·1.5H2O (1) and [Ca(HL)2(L)0.5(H2O)4] [SiMo12O40]·5CH3CN·H2O (2) (L = 1,4-bis(pyridinil-4-carboxylato)-l,4-dimethylbenzene). Compounds 1–2 were characterized by elemental analyses, TG, IR, XPS and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 contains the dinuclear [(YbO)(HL)2(H2O)3]2 coordination moieties and discrete protonated L ligands, which are connected together by H-bonds and π–π interactions to form a 3D supramolecular framework with the Keggin-type [SiMo12O40]4 − polyoxoanions and solvent molecules encapsulated. Compound 2 possesses discrete [Ca(HL)2(L)0.5(H2O)4]2 coordination units that are linked by the extensive intermolecular H-bonds and π–π interactions to form a 3D supramolecular framework with the [SiMo12O40]4 − polyoxoanions and solvent molecules are encapsulated in the interbedded cavities. The structural motifs of the metal–organic coordination units can be obviously modulated by the use of chemically different cationic nodes. The degradation of Rhodamine-B (RhB) under UV irradiation with compounds 1 and 2 as heterogeneous photocatalysts were investigated, both exhibiting good photocatalytic properties. Furthermore, these hybrid compounds display luminescent properties induced by organic ligands.

Investigation into a hydrothermal reaction system with transition-metal (TM) ions, 1,4-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-lmethyl)benzene (BBTZ) and various charge-tunable Keggin-type polyoxometalates (POMs) led to the preparation of four new entangled coordination networks, [Co(II) (HBBTZ)(BBTZ)2.5 ][PMo12 O40 ] (1), [Cu(I) (BBTZ)]5 [BW12 O40 ]⋅H2 O (2), [Cu(II) (BBTZ)]3 [AsW(V) 3 W(VI) 9 O40 ]⋅10 H2 O (3), and [Cu(II) 5 (BBTZ)7 (H2 O)6 ][P2 W22 Cu2 O77 (OH)2 ]⋅6 H2 O (4). All compounds were characterized by using elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, powder X-ray diffraction, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The mixed valence of W centers in compound 3 was further confirmed by using XPS spectroscopy and bond-valence sum calculations. In the structural analysis, the entangled networks of 1-4 demonstrate zipper-closing packing, 3D polythreading, 3D polycatenation, and 3D self-penetration, respectively. Moreover, with the enhancement of POM negative charges and the use of different TM types, the number of nodes in the coordination networks of 1-4 increased and the basic metal-organic building motifs changed from a 1D zipper-type chain (in 1) to a 2D pseudorotaxane layer (in 2) to a 3D diamond-like framework (in 3) and finally to a 3D self-penetrating framework (in 4). The photocatalytic properties of compounds 1-4 for the degradation of methylene blue under UV light were also investigated; all compounds showed good catalytic activity and the photocatalytic activity order of Keggin-type species was initially found to be {XMo12 O40 }{XW12 O40 }{XW12-n TMn O40 }.

The heptamolybdate [NH4]6[Mo7O24], as a common polyoxometalate (POM) precursor with dynamic configuration transformation in aqueous solution by changing the pH, has been introduced into the hydrothermal reaction system containing copper ions and bichelate-bridging ligands, leading to the isolation of seven new organic–inorganic hybrid compounds [CuI2Lo2][Mo6O19] (1), [CuII2Lo2][β-Mo8O26]·2H2O (2), [CuII4Lo2(pypz)4][α-Mo8O26]·3H2O (3), [CuII4Lp4(H2O)4][α-Mo8O26][β-Mo8O26]·4H2O (4), [CuI4Lp3][β-Mo8O26]·H2O (5), [CuI4Lp4][α-Mo8O26] (6), and [CuI2Lp2(Emim)2][β-Mo8O26] (7) (bis(3-(2-pyridyl)pyrazole-1-ylmethyl)benzene = bppmb, Lo = 1,2-bppmb, Lp = 1,4-bppmb, pypz = 3-(2-pyridyl)pyrazole, Emim = 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium). All compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, TG analysis, powder X-ray diffraction and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The structural analyses show that the isopolymolybdate clusters act as a type of “molecular adaptor”, which modulate the coordination mode of metal–organic subunits, leading to a series of new metal–organic secondary building units, such as the “Mobius-Ring”-type binuclear unit, “S”-type binuclear unit, butterfly-type unit, helical chain and mesomeric helical chain. As a result, the POM anions and the metal–organic subunits have suitable matching modes to form new hybrid self-assemblies. The photocatalytic properties of compounds 1–7 for the degradation of Rhodamine-B (RhB) under UV irradiation were investigated. All compounds showed good catalytic activity. Furthermore, the luminescent properties of compounds 1–7 have also been explored, indicating an organic ligand-based emission mode for all compounds.

RAR-related orphan receptor-γt (RORγt) directs differentiation of proinflammatory T helper 17 cells and is a potential therapeutic target for chronic autoimmune and inflammatory diseases including multiple sclerosis. In this study, zebrafish at days post fertilization treated with ethidium bromide (EB) at a concentration of 75 μM for 72 h were determined as the optimum conditions for the demyelination model development. Zebrafish motility was recorded automatically using a video-track motion detector and quantitative myelin assay was measured by FluoroMyelin staining. A well-known remyelination agent thyroxine (T4) was tested to confirm whether EB-induced motility and myelin damage could be rescued. Two RORγt lead inhibitors GSK805 and SR1001 were assessed for their therapeutic effects on remyelination, axon regeneration, motor neuron promotion and anti-inflammation. T4 significantly improved EB-induced motility dysfunction and myelin damage and promoted myelin basic protein (MBP) regeneration in the demyelinated zebrafish. GSK805 and SR1001 enhanced remyelination in a dose-dependent manner and promoted MBP regeneration. Both GSK805 and SR1001 markedly recovered EB-induced axon and motor neuron damage, and exhibited significantly inhibitory effects of neutrophil infiltration and macrophage recruitment. These results indicate that EB treatment can induce zebrafish demyelination; and the zebrafish demyelination model in combination with quantitative motility and myelin assays is a predictive, reproducible and relatively high throughput screening for rapidly in vivo identification of remyelination compounds and RORγt inhibitors.

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of microtubule depolymerization by colchicine on hyperalgesia mediated by transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) in a neuropathic pain model of chronic compression of the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) (hereafter termed CCD) in rat. Intrathecal administration of microtubule-depolymerizing agent, colchicine, attenuated the activated effect of 4alpha-phorbol 12, 13-didecanoate (4alpha-PDD, TRPV4 specific agonist) on mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia in CCD rats. This observation is in agreement with our in vitro experiments with DRG cells that showed a significant attenuation of 4alpha-PDD-activated Ca2+-influx and substance P (SP) release with the colchicine treatment. We conclude that microtubule depolymerization by colchicine can regulate pain sensitivity by depressing the hyperalgesia mediated by TRPV4.

The surface subsidence resulting from coal mining can lead to terrible land damage, thus studying the distribution of surface subsidence under thick alluvium is of crucial significance.Focusing on the example of Henghe coalmine in Jining, Shandong province, this paperestablished the prediction model for main section and arbitrary points in mining areas based on the probability integration method, by which the size of subsidence, tilt, curvature, horizontal movement and deformation were predicted after the exploitation of coalbeds 2# and 3#. And the result, which is basically consistent with the actual situation, shows that subsidence areais 78 hm2 and the settlement reaches 9987mm. The thick alluvium covered the mining area accountsfor the greater surface subsidence coefficient, subsidence value, horizontal movement coefficient,horizontal movement, subsidence area and smaller deviation of inflection point.

A new paratungstate-A-based organic–inorganic hybrid compound with the chemical formula of [Co(en) 3 ] 2 [H 2 W 7 O 24 ]·8H 2 O (en = ethylenediamine) ( 1 ) has been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by the elemental analysis, IR, TG, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P 2 1 / c with a = 17.216(3) A, b = 14.986(3) A, c = 23.088(8) A, β = 128.151(2)°, V = 4684.2 A 3 , Z = 1, R 1 = 0.0484, and wR 2 = 0.1087. The structure of 1 consists of the [H 2 W 7 O 24 ] 4− building blocks and [Co(en) 3 ] 2+ metal-organic cationic moieties, which are packed together via the electrostatic forces and extensive hydrogen-bonding interactions to form a three-dimensional supramolecular framework. Interestingly, compound 1 represents the first structurally-defined hybrid compound based on the metastable paratungstate-A polyoxoanions and metal–organic units. The degradation of Rhodamine-B (RhB) under UV irradiation with 1 as the heterogeneous photocatalyst has been investigated, showing a good photocatalytic property of 1 for RhB degradation.

Small span arch steel structures on spring-settlement support and normal support were designed as research objects. 1kg, 2kg, 3kg and 5kg TNT group charges were detonated respectively on the center surface of backfill above the structure. Numerous data was obtained during these tests. The comparisons of measured parameters were done between the structure with spring-settlement support and normal support. The results indicate that, the structure with spring-settlement support can reduce the magnitude of internal force of the structure, decrease the dynamic effects on the structure significantly, and enhance the bearing capacity.

The introduction of hydrogen peroxide, dl-mandelic acid (H2Mal), and acetate buffer into a reaction system containing zirconium(IV) ions and various trivacant polyoxometalates (POMs) led to the isolation of a series of new tetranuclear zirconium-substituted POMs modified by different O-donor ligands: Na4(NH4)14[Zr4(μ3-O)2(μ-O2)2(OAc)2(P2W16O59)2]·51H2O (1), (NH4)16[Zr4(μ3-O)2(Mal)2(H2O)2(P2W16O59)2]·14H2O (2), and Na7(NH4)5[{Zr4(OH)6(OAc)2}(SiW10O37)2]·20H2O(3) (3). All three compounds were characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectra, thermogravimetric (TG) analysis and single-crystal X-ray diffraction structural analyses. Compounds 1 and 2 possess similar sandwich-type polyoxoanion structures built from a tetranuclear Zr cluster and two [P2W16O59]12– building blocks, but they differ in the modifying ligands on the {Zr4} clusters, which are peroxido and mandelato for 1 and 2, respectively. The polyoxoanion of 3 contains a different tetranuclear Zr cluster, which is further sandwiched by two [α-SiW10O37]10– moieties and decorated by two acetato ligands. The catalytic activities of 1–3 were evaluated on the basis of a catalytic oxidation reaction of the peroxidase substrate 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) by H2O2. Compound 1 exhibits the best catalytic activity, which suggests a new peroxidase-like catalyst for the colorimetric detection of H2O2 with a linear detection range from 100 to 1000 μM (r = 0.997) and a detection limit of 100 μM.

A series of 2D sheet Bi2OxS3-x/Nb6O17 (Bi/Nb) heterostructure photocatalysts were synthesized through a facile hydrothermal vulcanization method between Bi(3+) exchanged K4Nb6O17 and thiourea (NH2CSNH2). XRD results confirm that the heterostructures were composed of Bi2OxS3-x and Nb6O17. HRTEM indicates that Bi2OxS3-x was successfully intercalated into layers of K4Nb6O17. Such large interfacial contacts can be beneficial to the transfer and separation of photogenerated charge carriers. Thus the composites exhibit good photocatalytic performance for the degradation of methyl orange (MO) under visible light irradiation (λ400 nm), which is superior to that of both precursors, pure Bi2S3 and K4Nb6O17. Radical capture tests reveal that photogenerated holes h(+) and ˙O2(-) play important roles in the photodegradation of MO. And based on the UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS) and the band gap of the semiconductors, the mechanism of the enhanced visible light photocatalytic activity of these composites has been proposed.

The aims of this work were to construct corn protein hydrolysate (CPH)-based curcumin nanoparticles (Cur NPs) and to compare the colloidal stability, bioaccessibility and antioxidant activity of the Cur NPs stabilized CPH and sodium caseinate (NaCas) respectively. The results indicated that Cur solubility could be considerably improved after the Cur NPs fabrication. The spectroscopy results demonstrated that the solubilization of Cur should be attributed to its complexation with CPH or NaCas. The Cur NPs exhibited good colloidal stability after 1 week’s storage but showed smaller (40 nm) size in CPH than in NaCas (100 nm). After lyophilization, the Cur NPs powders showed good rehydration properties and chemical stability, and compared with NaCas, the size of Cur NPs stabilized by CPH was still smaller. Additionally, the Cur NPs exhibited higher chemical stability against the temperature compared with free Cur, and the CPH could protect Cur from degradation more efficiently. Comparing with NaCas, the Cur NPs stabilized by CPH exhibited better bioaccessibility and antioxidant activity. This study demonstrated that CPH may be better than NaCas in Cur NPs fabrication and it opens up the possibility of using hydrophobic protein hydrolysate to construct the NPs delivery system.

Background— KCNE2 is a promiscuous auxiliary subunit of voltage-gated cation channels. A recent work demonstrated that KCNE2 regulates L-type Ca 2+ channels. Given the important roles of altered Ca 2+ signaling in structural and functional remodeling in diseased hearts, this study investigated whether KCNE2 participates in the development of pathological hypertrophy. Methods and Results— We found that cardiac KCNE2 expression was significantly decreased in phenylephrine-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes and in transverse aortic constriction–induced cardiac hypertrophy in mice, as well as in dilated cardiomyopathy in human. Knockdown of KCNE2 in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes reproduced hypertrophy by increasing the expression of ANP (atrial natriuretic peptide) and β-MHC (β-myosin heavy chain), and cell surface area, whereas overexpression of KCNE2 attenuated phenylephrine-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Knockdown of KCNE2 increased intracellular Ca 2+ transient, calcineurin activity, and nuclear NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T cells) protein levels, and pretreatment with inhibitor of L-type Ca 2+ channel (nifedipine) or calcineurin (FK506) attenuated the activation of calcineurin–NFAT pathway and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Meanwhile, the phosphorylation levels of p38, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase were increased, and inhibiting the 3 cascades of mitogen-activated protein kinase reduced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy induced by KCNE2 knockdown. Overexpression of KCNE2 in heart by ultrasound-microbubble–mediated gene transfer suppressed the development of hypertrophy and activation of calcineurin–NFAT and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways in transverse aortic constriction mice. Conclusions— This study demonstrates that cardiac KCNE2 expression is decreased and contributes to the development of hypertrophy via activation of calcineurin–NFAT and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways. Targeting KCNE2 is a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of hypertrophy.

China is a country prone to natural disasters, especially the flood disaster. In order to improve the villages and towns flood emergency management, through a series of methods such as information management and simulation, the establishment of emergency decision support using information technology to reduce losses caused by floods, the visualization technology is used in the virtual reconstruction model of floods, intuitive way to simulate the dynamic spread of the process of the flood disaster, in a safe and economical method to obtain the number of indicators of disaster-related decision. It provides a new method and ideas, and then it gives a reliable basis for the flood prevention and emergency management. The visualization analysis and decision is achieved for the villages and towns flood control, and it provides great support for the villages and towns flood mitigation and prevention. The result shows that the system is useful and meaningful in the town flood mitigation.

In order to achieve the national energy saving targets, and track, supervise, manage and assess the energy-using condition of the key energy-using enterprise effectively, according to the user’s demand and the system feature, the Microsoft.Net framework and the MVC mode are chosen, and combined with the Ajax technology, the implemented plan is settled. The .net-based energy-saving information management system is designed and implemented, and it improves the condition of the information reporting and statistical analysis mean for key energy-using enterprise and relevant functional departments. The result shows that the system architecture is reasonable, and it improves the maintainability and extendibility of the system.

A new organic–inorganic hybrid compound (NH4)2[{Mn(salen)(H2O)}6V6O18](NO3)2·30H2O (salen2− = N,N′-(ethylene)bis(salicylideneiminate)) (1) was synthesized by the reaction between NH4VO3 and [Mn(salen)(H2O)2]ClO4 in a methanol–water solution with pH = 5.0 adjusted by nitric acid. Compound 1 was characterized by elemental analyses, TG, IR, UV–vis, XPS and the single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 possesses a discrete cyclic hexanuclear vanadates, which is unprecedentedly grafted by six [Mn(salen)(H2O)2] units. Such a new hybrid compound displays good UV photocatalytic activity for RhB degradation.

Nickel cobaltite, a low cost and an environmentally friendly supercapacitive material, is deposited as a thin nanostructure of 3–5 nm nanocrystals into carbon aerogels, a mesoporous host template of high specific surface areas and high electric conductivities, with a two-step wet chemistry process. This nickel cobaltite/carbon aerogel composite shows ultrahigh specific capacitances of around 1700 F g−1 at a scan rate of 25 mV s−1 within a potential window of −0.05 to 0.5 V in 1 M NaOH solutions. The composite also possesses an excellent high rate capability manifested by maintaining specific capacitances above 800 F g−1 at a high scan rate of 500 mV s−1, and an outstanding cycling stability demonstrated by a negligible 2.4% decay in specific capacitances after 2000 cycles. The success is attributable to the fuller utilization of nickel cobaltite for pseudocapacitance generation, made possible by the composite structure enabling well exposed nickel cobaltite to the electrolyte and easy transport of charge carriers, ions, and electrons, within the composite electrode.

In this study two methods, namely the solution and annealing methods, were used to prepare nitrogen-doped ZnO. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was performed to identify the composition and chemical states of N-doped ZnO. The N doping by the solution method was found to effectively decrease the acceptor effects. Surface photovoltage measurements (SPS) revealed a redshift of the threshold wavelength for the N-doped ZnO. And the recombination of photoinduced electron–hole pairs in this semiconductor material was obviously suppressed. The N-doped ZnO (solution method) exhibits the best performances among all the materials, even superior to N-doped ZnO (annealing method). Its J sc and η values (9.35 mA/cm 2 and 2.64%) have enhanced by several times compared with un-doped ZnO ( J sc , 2.85 mA/cm 2 ; η , 0.67%). The overall conversion efficiency of ZnO-based dye-sensitized solar cells was successfully improved by the N doping.