Coupling Molecularly Ultrathin Sheets of NiFe-Layered Double Hydroxide on NiCo₂O₄ Nanowire Arrays for Highly Efficient Overall Water-Splitting Activity

Developing efficient but nonprecious bifunctional electrocatalysts for overall water splitting in basic media has been the subject of intensive research focus with the increasing demand for clean and regenerated energy. Herein, we report on the synthesis of a novel hierarchical hybrid electrode, NiFe-layered double hydroxide molecularly ultrathin sheets grown on NiCo₂O₄ nanowire arrays assembled from thin platelets with nickel foam as the scaffold support, in which the catalytic metal sites are more accessible and active and most importantly strong chemical coupling exists at the interface, enabling superior catalytic power toward both oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and additionally hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in the same alkaline KOH electrolyte. The behavior ranks top-class compared with documented non-noble HER and OER electrocatalysts and even comparable to state-of-the-art noble-metal electrocatalysts, Pt and RuO₂. When fabricated as an integrated alkaline water electrolyzer, the designed electrode can deliver a current density of 10 mA cm^–2 at a fairly low cell voltage of 1.60 V, promising the material as efficient bifunctional catalysts toward whole cell water splitting

DataSheet1_Improving yields by switching central metal ions in porphyrazine-catalyzed oxidation of glucose into value-added organic acids with SnO2 in aqueous solution.DOCX

Photocatalysis has exhibited huge potential in selective conversion of glucose into value-added chemicals. Therefore, modulation of photocatalytic material for selective upgrading of glucose is significant. Here, we have investigated the insertion of different central metal ions, Fe, Co, Mn, and Zn, into porphyrazine loading with SnO2 for access to more efficient transformation of glucose into value-added organic acids in aqueous solution at mild reaction conditions. The best selectivity for organic acids containing glucaric acid, gluconic acid, and formic acid of 85.9% at 41.2% glucose conversion was attained by using the SnO2/CoPz composite after reacting for 3 h. The effects of central metal ions on surficial potential and related possible factors have been studied. Experimental results showed that the introduction of metalloporphyrazine with different central metal ions on the surface of SnO2 has a significant effect on the separation of photogenerated charges, changing the adsorption and desorption of glucose and products on the catalyst surface. The central metal ions of cobalt and iron contributed more to the positive effects toward enhancing conversion of glucose and yields of products, and manganese and zinc contributed more to the negative effects, resulting in the poor yield of products. The differences from the central metals may attribute to the surficial potential change of the composite and the coordination effects between the metal and oxygen atom. An appropriate surficial potential environment of the photocatalyst may achieve a better interactive relationship between the catalyst and reactant, while appropriate ability of producing active species matched with adsorption and desorption abilities would gain a better yield of products. These results have provided valued ideas for designing more efficient photocatalysts in selective oxidation of glucose utilizing clean solar energy in the future.</p

Genome-wide association analysis reveals genetic loci and candidate genes for feeding behavior and eating efficiency in Duroc boars

<div><p>Efficient use of feed resources is a challenge in the pork industry because the largest variability in expenditure is attributed to the cost of fodder. Efficiency of feeding is directly related to feeding behavior. In order to identify genomic regions controlling feeding behavior and eating efficiency traits, 338 Duroc boars were used in this study. The Illumina Porcine SNP60K BeadChip was used for genotyping. Data pertaining to individual daily feed intake (DFI), total daily time spent in feeder (TPD), number of daily visits to feeder (NVD), average duration of each visit (TPV), mean feed intake per visit (FPV), mean feed intake rate (FR), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were collected for these pigs. Despite the limited sample size, the genome-wide association study was acceptable to detect candidate regions association with feeding behavior and eating efficiency traits in pigs. We detected three genome-wide (<i>P</i> < 1.40E-06) and 11 suggestive (<i>P</i> < 2.79E-05) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-trait associations. Six SNPs were located in genomic regions where quantitative trait loci (QTLs) have previously been reported for feeding behavior and eating efficiency traits in pigs. Five candidate genes (<i>SERPINA3</i>, <i>MYC</i>, <i>LEF1</i>, <i>PITX2</i>, and <i>MAP3K14</i>) with biochemical and physiological roles that were relevant to feeding behavior and eating efficiency were discovered proximal to significant or suggestive markers. Gene ontology analysis indicated that most of the candidate genes were involved in the development of the hypothalamus (GO:0021854, <i>P</i> < 0.0398). Our results provide new insights into the genetic basis of feeding behavior and eating efficiency in pigs. Furthermore, some significant SNPs identified in this study could be incorporated into artificial selection programs for Duroc-related pigs to select for increased feeding efficiency.</p></div

Tag SNPs and closest genes for feeding behavior and eating efficiency traits.

<p>Tag SNPs and closest genes for feeding behavior and eating efficiency traits.</p

Manhattan plots of genome-wide association studies for eating efficiency and feeding behavior in male Duroc pigs.

<p>The inserted quantile–quantile (Q–Q) plots in the right show the observed versus expected log p-values. In the Manhattan plots, negative log10 <i>P</i> values of the quantified SNPs were plotted against their genomic positions. Different colors indicate various chromosomes. The solid and dashed lines indicate the 5% genome-wide and chromosome-wide Bonferroni-corrected thresholds, respectively. On the vertical axis, Manhattan plot and Q-Q plot for the number of visits to the feeder per day (NVD), FPV, and feed conversion ratio (FCR), respectively.</p

Image_1_Genetic Architecture of Feeding Behavior and Feed Efficiency in a Duroc Pig Population.JPEG

<p>Increasing feed efficiency is a major goal of breeders as it can reduce production cost and energy consumption. However, the genetic architecture of feeding behavior and feed efficiency traits remains elusive. To investigate the genetic architecture of feed efficiency in pigs, three feeding behavior traits (daily feed intake, number of daily visits to feeder, and duration of each visit) and two feed efficiency traits (feed conversion ratio and residual feed intake) were considered. We performed genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of the five traits using a population of 1,008 Duroc pigs genotyped with an Illumina Porcine SNP50K BeadChip. A total of 9 genome-wide (P < 1.54E-06) and 35 suggestive (P < 3.08E-05) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected. Two pleiotropic quantitative trait loci (QTLs) on SSC 1 and SSC 7 were found to affect more than one trait. Markers WU_10.2_7_18377044 and DRGA0001676 are two key SNPs for these two pleiotropic QTLs. Marker WU_10.2_7_18377044 on SSC 7 contributed 2.16 and 2.37% of the observed phenotypic variance for DFI and RFI, respectively. The other SNP DRGA0001676 on SSC 1 explained 3.22 and 5.46% of the observed phenotypic variance for FCR and RFI, respectively. Finally, functions of candidate genes and gene set enrichment analysis indicate that most of the significant pathways are associated with hormonal and digestive gland secretion during feeding. This study advances our understanding of the genetic mechanisms of feeding behavior and feed efficiency traits and provide an opportunity for increasing feeding efficiency using marker-assisted selection or genomic selection in pigs.</p

Table_1_Genetic Architecture of Feeding Behavior and Feed Efficiency in a Duroc Pig Population.DOCX

<p>Increasing feed efficiency is a major goal of breeders as it can reduce production cost and energy consumption. However, the genetic architecture of feeding behavior and feed efficiency traits remains elusive. To investigate the genetic architecture of feed efficiency in pigs, three feeding behavior traits (daily feed intake, number of daily visits to feeder, and duration of each visit) and two feed efficiency traits (feed conversion ratio and residual feed intake) were considered. We performed genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of the five traits using a population of 1,008 Duroc pigs genotyped with an Illumina Porcine SNP50K BeadChip. A total of 9 genome-wide (P < 1.54E-06) and 35 suggestive (P < 3.08E-05) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected. Two pleiotropic quantitative trait loci (QTLs) on SSC 1 and SSC 7 were found to affect more than one trait. Markers WU_10.2_7_18377044 and DRGA0001676 are two key SNPs for these two pleiotropic QTLs. Marker WU_10.2_7_18377044 on SSC 7 contributed 2.16 and 2.37% of the observed phenotypic variance for DFI and RFI, respectively. The other SNP DRGA0001676 on SSC 1 explained 3.22 and 5.46% of the observed phenotypic variance for FCR and RFI, respectively. Finally, functions of candidate genes and gene set enrichment analysis indicate that most of the significant pathways are associated with hormonal and digestive gland secretion during feeding. This study advances our understanding of the genetic mechanisms of feeding behavior and feed efficiency traits and provide an opportunity for increasing feeding efficiency using marker-assisted selection or genomic selection in pigs.</p

Descriptive statistical analysis of feeding behavior and eating efficiency in a male Duroc population.

<p>Descriptive statistical analysis of feeding behavior and eating efficiency in a male Duroc population.</p

Comparative mapping of tag SNPs with previous QTLs reported in the pig QTL database (as of April 3, 2016) and previous GWAS results.

<p>Comparative mapping of tag SNPs with previous QTLs reported in the pig QTL database (as of April 3, 2016) and previous GWAS results.</p