Microwave-assisted exploration of the electron configuration-dependent electrocatalytic urea oxidation activity of 2D porous NiCo_(2)O_(4) spinel

Urea holds promise as an alternative water-oxidation substrate in electrolytic cells.High-valence nickelbased spinel,especially after heteroatom doping,excels in urea oxidation reactions(UOR).However,traditional spinel synthesis methods with prolonged high-temperature reactions lack kinetic precision,hindering the balance between controlled doping and highly active two-dimensional(2D)porous structures design.This significantly impedes the identification of electron configuration-dependent active sites in doped 2D nickel-based spinels.Herein,we present a microwave shock method for the preparation of 2D porous NiCo_(2)O_(4)spinel.Utilizing the transient on-off property of microwave pulses for precise heteroatom doping and 2D porous structural design,non-metal doping(boron,phosphorus,and sulfur)with distinct extranuclear electron disparities serves as straightforward examples for investigation.Precise tuning of lattice parameter reveals the impact of covalent bond strength on NiCo_(2)O_(4)structural stability.The introduced defect levels induce unpaired d-electrons in transition metals,enhancing the adsorption of electron-donating amino groups in urea molecules.Simultaneously,Bode plots confirm the impact mechanism of rapid electron migration caused by reduced band gaps on UOR activity.The prepared phosphorus-doped 2D porous NiCo_(2)O_(4),with optimal electron configuration control,outperforms most reported spinels.This controlled modification strategy advances understanding theoretical structure-activity mechanisms of high-performance 2D spinels in UOR.

Microwave shock motivating the Sr substitution of 2D porous GdFeO_(3) perovskite for highly active oxygen evolution

The incorporation of partial A-site substitution in perovskite oxides represents a promising strategy for precisely controlling the electronic configuration and enhancing its intrinsic catalytic activity.Conventional methods for A-site substitution typically involve prolonged high-temperature processes.While these processes promote the development of unique nanostructures with highly exposed active sites,they often result in the uncontrolled configuration of introduced elements.Herein,we present a novel approach for synthesizing two-dimensional(2D)porous GdFeO_(3) perovskite with A-site strontium(Sr)substitution utilizing microwave shock method.This technique enables precise control of the Sr content and simultaneous construction of 2D porous structures in one step,capitalizing on the advantages of rapid heating and cooling(temperature~1100 K,rate~70 K s^(-1)).The active sites of this oxygen-rich defect structure can be clearly revealed through the simulation of the electronic configuration and the comprehensive analysis of the crystal structure.For electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction application,the synthesized 2D porous Gd_(0.8)Sr_(0.2)FeO_(3) electrocatalyst exhibits an exceptional overpotential of 294 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm^(-2)and a small Tafel slope of 55.85 mV dec^(-1)in alkaline electrolytes.This study offers a fresh perspective on designing crystal configurations and the construction of nanostructures in perovskite.

Blowup of Solutions to the Non-Isentropic Compressible Euler Equations with Time-Dependent Damping and Vacuum

This paper mainly studies the blowup phenomenon of solutions to the compressible Euler equations with general time-dependent damping for non-isentropic fluids in two and three space dimensions. When the initial data is assumed to be radially symmetric and the initial density contains vacuum, we obtain that classical solution, especially the density, will blow up on finite time. The results also reveal that damping can really delay the singularity formation.

洋中脊玄武岩的Ba同位素组成及其应用

Ba同位素是一种新兴的示踪地壳物质俯冲再循环的工具。确定地幔的Ba同位素组成是Ba同位素地质应用的前提。然而,目前幔源岩浆岩Ba同位素的数据仍然很少。本文报道了30个海洋玄武岩的高精度的Ba同位素数据,包括25个大洋中脊玄武岩(MORB)和5个弧后盆地玄武岩(BABB)。这些玄武岩的δ^(138/134)Ba变化范围为−0.06‰~+0.11‰,没有跨区域性的系统差异。结合已发表的数据,全球MORB的平均δ^(138/134)Ba为+0.05‰±0.09‰(2SD,n=51)。基于具有(La/Sm)_(N)<0.8,低^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr(<0.70263)和Ba/Th(<71.3)的D-MORB样品,我们估算出亏损MORB地幔(DMM)的平均δ^(138/134)Ba为+0.05‰±0.05‰(2SD,n=16),显著低于先前报道的DMM组成(≈0.14‰)。如果应用新估计的DMM平均δ^(138/134)Ba,E-MORB的Ba同位素特征来源于上地幔广泛存在再循环的沉积物这一推论是不合理的。EMORB的Ba同位素组成可能反映了地幔中俯冲的蚀变洋壳和/或沉积物的贡献,需要根据地幔Ba同位素组成和其他地球化学信息进行进一步的制约。

Insights into constructing a stable and efficient microbial consortium

Microbial consortia are ubiquitous in nature,in which multiple microbial species cooperate to complete some important tasks such as lignocellulose degradation.Because of the advantages such as reduced metabolic burden and robustness to environment disturbances,developing a microbial consortium is a promising approach for valuable product synthesis,lignocellulose utilization,human health care,bioremediation and sustainable energy,etc.Despite the benefits,however,most artificial microbial consortia confront the problems of instability and low efficiency due to growth competition and metabolite incompatibility.To overcome these challenges,multiple strategies to design efficient synthetic microbial consortia have been reported.In this review,the interactions that determine the stability and performance of microbial consortia were described.Progress of artificial microbial consortia research was summarized,and the key strategies i.e.,spatial or temporal segregation,separated utilization of nutrients,nutrient cross-feeding and division of labor,that will be of great importance for achieving a stable and efficient microbial consortium were highlighted.Two novel advanced tools,signaling molecule systems and computational models,were also introduced and discussed.We believed that combining the universal cell–cell signaling molecule systems with computational models will be promising for synthetic microbial consortia construction in the future.

Average iron isotopic compositions of the upper continental crust：constrained by loess from the Chinese Loess Plateau

Iron isotopic composition of the upper continental crust(UCC) is critical for understanding Fe mobilization and migration through the Earth. Because rocks exposed at Earth's surface have heterogeneous δ^(56)Fe, finegrained clastic sediments can be used to estimate the average composition of UCC. In this study, we report δ^(56)Fe of loess-paleosol sequences from Yimaguan, Chinese Loess Plateau(CLP), to constrain the average Fe isotopic composition of UCC. The loess-paleosol sequences in this area formed in glacial-interglacial cycles and are characterized by varying degrees of weathering. Our data show that the loess-paleosol layers have extremely homogeneous Fe isotopic compositions with δ^(56)Fe ranging from 0.06‰ to 0.12‰, regardless of variations in the major element composition and weathering intensity. Our study indicates that since Fe isotopes are not significantly fractionated during loess deposition, the loess can be regarded as representative of UCC. It follows that the average δ^(56)Fe of UCC is 0.09‰± 0.03‰(2SD), consistent with previous estimates based on igneous rock data.

High frequency wheat regeneration from leaf tissue explants of regenerated plantlets

The specificities of tissue culture of wheat greatly limit the use of chloroplast transformation technologies in this crop. One limitation in wheat tissue culture is that it is difficult to regenerate plantlets from leaf tissue explants of regenerated plantlets, resulting in difficulty in obtaining homoplastic plants via multiple rounds of antibiotic selection of chloroplast transformants. Thus, a repeated in vitro regeneration system from leaf tissues was studied in this research. Our results showed that 2 mm leaf basal segments of the 4 cm high leaves from regenerated plantlets can give the best callus induction at present study. The best callus induction medium was Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium supplemented with 2 mg/L 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 1 mg/L naphthalenacetic acid, which gave a callus induction rate of up to 87.2%. The optimal differentiation medium was MS basal medium supplemented with 10 mg/L silver nitrate and 1 mg/L 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid, which gave a regeneration rate up to 33.7% for the wheat lines tested. This is the first report showing that leaf basal segments of in vitro regenerated plantlets can be used for regeneration of wheat. The establishment of a repetitive regeneration system should pave the way for the development of chloroplast transformation and the plant regeneration systems starting from leaf material of in vitro regenerated wheat and other cereal crops.

Recent innovations in 3D solar evaporators and their functionalities

Interfacial solar evaporation(ISE)has emerged as a promising technology to alleviate global water scarcity via energy-efficient purification of both wastewater and seawater.While ISE was originally identified and developed during studies of simple double-layered two-dimensional(2D)evaporators,observed limitations in evaporation rate and functionality soon led to the development of three-dimensional(3D)evaporators,which is now recognized as one of the most pivotal milestones in the research field.3D evaporators significantly enhance the evaporation rates beyond the theoretical limits of 2D evaporators.Furthermore,3D evaporators could have multifaceted functionalities originating from various functional evaporation surfaces and 3D structures.This review summarizes recent advances in 3D evaporators,focusing on rational design,fabrication and energy nexus of 3D evaporators,and the derivative functions for improving solar evaporation performance and exploring novel applications.Future research prospects are also proposed based on the in-depth understanding of the fundamental aspects of 3D evaporators and the requirements for practical applications.

高产表面活性素的重组枯草芽孢杆菌构建及培养优化

表面活性素是一种新型生物表面活性剂,因其具有良好的表面活性、可生物降解及抗菌活性,在石油开采、医药、农业和食品化妆品等领域具有广阔的应用前景。高产表面活性素菌株的获得和发酵过程优化是其商业化生产的关键。文中考察了脂肪酸合成途径对表面活性素合成的影响,强化脂肪酸生物合成关键基因以及该途径全部基因分别构建了高产表面活性素枯草芽孢杆菌Bacillus subtilis THBS-2和THBS-8,并对发酵过程中氨基酸种类及添加量、诱导剂异丙基-β-D-硫代半乳糖苷(IPTG)添加时间和添加量等条件对产物合成的影响进行考察,获得优化的两阶段前体添加方案:发酵3 h,加入IPTG和L-亮氨酸,使其终浓度分别为1.25 mmol/L、5 g/L;发酵24 h,添加L-亮氨酸(终浓度5 g/L)和浓缩培养基5 mL。优化条件下,枯草芽孢杆菌THBS-2摇瓶发酵48 h,表面活性素产量高达24 g/L;30 L发酵罐中发酵68 h,产物产量最高达到34 g/L。研究结果为表面活性素的工业化生产及应用奠定基础。

Insights into the origin of purely sediment-derived Himalayan leucogranites:Si-O isotopic constraints

Granite is the dominant rock type in Earth’s continental crust.The origin of granite can be directly or indirectly related to the fractional crystallization of mantle-derived basaltic melt or the reworking of pre-existing continental or oceanic crust, which contribute to the growth of continental crust. Among the various types of granites, the peraluminous leucogranites in the Himalayan orogen, which are high in SiO_2(>73%) and low in mafic minerals (<5%),

Topic evolution based on the probabilistic topic model： a review

Accurately representing the quantity and characteristics of users＇ interest in certain topics is an important problem facing topic evolution researchers, particularly as it applies to modem online environments. Search engines can provide information retrieval for a specified topic from archived data, but fail to reflect changes in interest toward the topic over time in a structured way. This paper reviews notable research on topic evolution based on the probabilistic topic model from multiple aspects over the past decade. First, we introduce notations, terminology, and the basic topic model explored in the survey, then we summarize three categories of topic evolution based on the probabilistic topic model： the discrete time topic evolution model, the continuous time topic evolution model, and the online topic evolution model. Next, we describe applications of the topic evolution model and attempt to summarize model generalization performance evaluation and topic evolution evaluation methods, as well as providing comparative experimental results for different models. To conclude the review, we pose some open questions and discuss possible future research directions.

Enhancing single-cell hyaluronic acid biosynthesis by microbial morphology engineering

Microbial morphology engineering is a novel approach for cell factory to improve the titer of target product in bio-manufacture.Hyaluronic acid(HA),a valuable glycosaminoglycan polymerized by HA synthase(HAS),a membrane protein,is particularly selected as the model product to improve its single-cell HA-producing capacity via morphology engineering.DivIVA and FtsZ,the cell-elongation and cell division related protein,respectively,were both down/up dual regulated in C.glutamicum via weak promoter substitution or plasmid overexpression.Different from the natural short-rod shape,varied morphologies of engineered cells,i.e.small-ellipsoid-like(DivIVA-reduced),bulb-like(DivIVA-enhanced),long-rod(FtsZ-reduced)and dumbbell-like(FtsZ-enhanced),were observed.Applying these morphology-changed cells as hosts for HA production,the reduced expression of both DivIVA and FtsZ seriously inhibited normal cell growth;meanwhile,overexpression of DivIVA didn't show morphology changes,but overexpression of FtsZ surprisingly change the cell-shape into long and thick rod with remarkably enlarged single-cell surface area(more than 5.2-fold-increase).And finally,the single-cell HA-producing capacity of the FtsZ-overexpressed C.glutamicum was immensely improved by 13.5-folds.Flow cytometry analyses verified that the single-cell HAS amount on membrane was enhanced by 2.1 folds.This work is pretty valuable for high titer synthesis of diverse metabolic products with microbial cell factory.

A CRISPR/Cas9-based single-stranded DNA recombineering system for genome editing of Rhodococcus opacus PD630

Genome engineering of Rhodococcus opacus PD630,an important microorganism used for the bioconversion of lignin,is currently dependent on inefficient homologous recombination.Although a CRISPR interference procedure for gene repression has previously been developed for R.opacus PD630,a CRISPR/Cas9 system for gene knockout has yet to be reported for the strain.In this study,we found that the cytotoxicity of Cas9 and the deficiency in pathways for repairing DNA double-strand breaks(DSBs)were the major causes of the failure of conventional CRISPR/Cas9 technologies in R.opacus,even when augmented with the recombinases Che9c60 and Che9c61.We successfully developed an efficient single-stranded DNA(ssDNA)recombineering system coupled with CRISPR/Cas9 counter-selection,which facilitated rapid and scarless editing of the R.opacus genome.A two-plasmid system,comprising Cas9 driven by a weak Rhodococcus promoter Pniami,designed to prevent cytotoxicity,and a single-guide RNA(sgRNA)under the control of a strong constitutive promoter,was proven to be appropriate with respect to cleavage function.A novel recombinase,RrRecT derived from a Rhodococcus ruber prophage,was identified for the first time,which facilitated recombination of short ssDNA donors(40-80 nt)targeted to the lagging strand and enabled us to obtain a recombination efficiency up to 103-fold higher than that of endogenous pathways.Finally,by incorporating RrRecT and Cas9 into a single plasmid and then co-transforming cells with sgRNA plasmids and short ssDNA donors,we efficiently achieved gene disruption and base mutation in R.opacus,with editing efficiencies ranging from 22%to 100%.Simultaneous disruption of double genes was also confirmed,although at a lower efficiency.This effective genome editing tool will accelerate the engineering of R.opacus metabolism.

Plasma-induced chemical etching generating Ni_(3)S_(2) for formaldehyde detection

In this paper,Ni_(3)S_(2)nanosheet(NS)was generated by chemical etching with sodium sulfide directly on the nickel foam(NF),which was induced by dielectric barrier discharge plasma in liquid.Compared with other chemical etching methods of nickel-based nanomaterials,this method was not only rapid(40 min)and mild(at room temperature and atmospheric pressure),but also showed consistent stability and good reproducibility.The Ni_(3)S_(2)NS/NF electrode showed excellent performance in the electrochemical detection of formaldehyde under alkaline conditions.It had a good linear relationship with the concentration of formaldehyde in the range of 0.002-5.45 mmol/L(R^(2)=0.9957)and the limit of detection(LOD)was 1.23μmol/L(S/N=3).The sensitivity was 1286.9μA L mmol^(–1)cm^(–2),and the response time was about 5 s.The plasma-induced chemical etching strategy provides a simple and stable electrode preparation method,which has great application prospects in nonenzymatic electrochemical sensors.

GAAF:Searching Activation Functions for Binary Neural Networks Through Genetic Algorithm

Binary neural networks(BNNs)show promising utilization in cost and power-restricted domains such as edge devices and mobile systems.This is due to its significantly less computation and storage demand,but at the cost of degraded performance.To close the accuracy gap,in this paper we propose to add a complementary activation function(AF)ahead of the sign based binarization,and rely on the genetic algorithm(GA)to automatically search for the ideal AFs.These AFs can help extract extra information from the input data in the forward pass,while allowing improved gradient approximation in the backward pass.Fifteen novel AFs are identified through our GA-based search,while most of them show improved performance(up to 2.54%on ImageNet)when testing on different datasets and network models.Interestingly,periodic functions are identified as a key component for most of the discovered AFs,which rarely exist in human designed AFs.Our method offers a novel approach for designing general and application-specific BNN architecture.GAAF will be released on GitHub.

Perspective:Societally connected multimedia across cultures

The advance of the Internet in the past decade has radically changed the way people communicate and col- laborate with each other. Physical distance is no more a barrier in online social networks, but cultural differences （at the individual, community, as well as societal levels） still govern human-human interactions and must be con- sidered and leveraged in the online world. The rapid deployment of high-speed lnternet allows humans to interact using a rich set of multimedia data such as texts, pictures, and videos. This position paper proposes to define a new research area called ＇connected multimedia＇, which is the study of a collection of research issues of the super-area social media that receive little attention in the literature. By connected multimedia, we mean the study of the social and technical interactions among users, multimedia data, and devices across cultures and explicitly exploiting the cultural differences. We justify why it is necessary to bring attention to this new research area and what benefits of this new research area may bring to the broader scientific research community and the humanity.

Contribution of alternative splicing to breast cancer metastasis

Alternative splicing is a major contributor to transcriptome and proteome diversity in eukaryotes. Comparing to normal samples, about 30% more alternative splicing events were recently identified in 32 cancer types included in The Cancer Genome Atlas database. Some alternative splicing isoforms and their encoded proteins contribute to specific cancer hallmarks. In this review, we will discuss recent progress regarding the contributions of alternative splicing to breast cancer metastasis. We plan to dissect the role of MTDH, CD44 and their interaction with other mRNA splicing factors. We believe an in-depth understanding of the mechanism underlying the contribution of splicing to breast cancer metastasis will provide novel strategies to the management of breast cancer.