Enantioselective Synthesis of α-<i>exo</i>-Methylene γ‑Butyrolactones via Chromium Catalysis

Enantioenriched α-<i>exo</i>-methylene γ-butyrolactones have been obtained via a two-step sequence consisting of a highly enantioselective chromium-catalyzed carbonyl 2-(alkoxycarbonyl)­allylation and lactonization. A variety of functional groups are compatible under the mild reaction conditions. The synthetic utility of this methodology was demonstrated by two short derivatization transformations and the enantioselective synthesis of (+)-methylenolactocin

Directed Self-Assembly of Nanoparticles for Nanomotors

We report, for the first time, the design and fabrication of a nanoparticle-based nanomotor system by directly self-assembling nanoparticles onto functional, nanometer-thin lamellae, such as polymer single crystals. Tens of thousands of judiciously selected nanoparticles (gold, iron oxide, and platinum nanoparticles) with sizes ranging from <5 to a few tens of nanometers have been introduced into a single nanomotor <i>via</i> directed self-assembly. The resulting nanomotor realizes functions such as autonomous movement, remote control, and cargo transportation by utilizing the advantages offered by nanoparticles, such as the small size, surface plasmon resonance, catalytic and magnetic properties. Because of the structural and functional versatility of nanoparticles, the facile fabricating procedure, and the potential for mass production, our strategy shows a key step toward the development of next generation multifunctional nanomotors

Directed Self-Assembly of Nanoparticles for Nanomotors

We report, for the first time, the design and fabrication of a nanoparticle-based nanomotor system by directly self-assembling nanoparticles onto functional, nanometer-thin lamellae, such as polymer single crystals. Tens of thousands of judiciously selected nanoparticles (gold, iron oxide, and platinum nanoparticles) with sizes ranging from <5 to a few tens of nanometers have been introduced into a single nanomotor <i>via</i> directed self-assembly. The resulting nanomotor realizes functions such as autonomous movement, remote control, and cargo transportation by utilizing the advantages offered by nanoparticles, such as the small size, surface plasmon resonance, catalytic and magnetic properties. Because of the structural and functional versatility of nanoparticles, the facile fabricating procedure, and the potential for mass production, our strategy shows a key step toward the development of next generation multifunctional nanomotors

Results of unimodal benchmark functions.

Results of unimodal benchmark functions.</p

Experimental results for p22810 with different test pins.

Experimental results for p22810 with different test pins.</p

Sample graphs for convergence process comparison of LFMVO, MVO, PSO, and MFO over function f9.

Sample graphs for convergence process comparison of LFMVO, MVO, PSO, and MFO over function f9.</p

Directed Self-Assembly of Nanoparticles for Nanomotors

We report, for the first time, the design and fabrication of a nanoparticle-based nanomotor system by directly self-assembling nanoparticles onto functional, nanometer-thin lamellae, such as polymer single crystals. Tens of thousands of judiciously selected nanoparticles (gold, iron oxide, and platinum nanoparticles) with sizes ranging from via directed self-assembly. The resulting nanomotor realizes functions such as autonomous movement, remote control, and cargo transportation by utilizing the advantages offered by nanoparticles, such as the small size, surface plasmon resonance, catalytic and magnetic properties. Because of the structural and functional versatility of nanoparticles, the facile fabricating procedure, and the potential for mass production, our strategy shows a key step toward the development of next generation multifunctional nanomotors

Interconnected Hierarchical Porous Carbon from Lignin-Derived Byproducts of Bioethanol Production for Ultra-High Performance Supercapacitors

The advent of bioethanol production has generated abundant lignin-derived byproducts which contain proteins and polysaccharides. These byproducts are inapplicable for direct material applications. In this study, lignin-derived byproducts were used for the first time as carbon precursors to construct an interconnected hierarchical porous nitrogen-doped carbon (HPNC) via hydrothermal treatment and activation. The obtained HPNC exhibited favorable features for supercapacitor applications, such as hierarchical bowl-like pore structures, a large specific surface area of 2218 m² g^–1, a high electronic conductivity of 4.8 S cm^–1, and a nitrogen doping content of 3.4%. HPNC-based supercapacitors in a 6 M KOH aqueous electrolyte exhibited high-rate performance with a high specific capacitance of 312 F g^–1 at 1 A g^–1 and 81% retention at 80 A g^–1 as well as an excellent cyclic life of 98% initial capacitance after 20 000 cycles at 10 A g^–1. Moreover, HPNC-based supercapacitors in the ionic liquid electrolyte of EMI-BF₄ displayed an enhanced energy density of 44.7 Wh kg^–1 (remaining 74% of max value) at an ultrahigh power density of 73.1 kW kg^–1. The proposed strategy may facilitate lignin utilization and lead to a green bioethanol production process

Experimental results for hybrid systems hyd629 with different test pins.

<p>Experimental results for hybrid systems hyd629 with different test pins.</p

Data_Sheet_1_Acinetobacter lactucae Strain QL-1, a Novel Quorum Quenching Candidate Against Bacterial Pathogen Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris.pdf

Quorum sensing (QS) is a cell–cell communication mechanism among bacterial populations that is regulated through gene expression in response to cell density. The pathogenicity of Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc) is modulated by the diffusible signal factor (DSF)-mediated QS system. DSF is widely conserved in a variety of gram-negative bacterial pathogens. In this study, DSF-degrading bacteria and their enzymes were thoroughly explored as a biocontrol agent against Xcc. The results indicated that a novel DSF-degrading bacterium, Acinetobacter lactucae QL-1, effectively attenuated Xcc virulence through quorum quenching. Lab-based experiments indicated that plants inoculated with QL-1 and Xcc had less tissue decay than those inoculated with Xcc alone. Co-inoculation of strains Xcc and QL-1 significantly reduced the incidence and severity of disease in plants. Similarly, the application of crude enzymes of strain QL-1 substantially reduced the disease severity caused by Xcc. The results showed that strain QL-1 and its enzymes possess promising potential, which could be further investigated to better protect plants from DSF-dependent pathogens.</p