Tailoring Li–CO₂ Electrochemistry Based on 4,4′-Bipyridine Redox Cycle

The aprotic Li–CO2 battery provides a tantalizing solution for simultaneous CO2 capture and electrical energy storage. Nevertheless, current Li–CO2 batteries based on ordinary reaction pathways, e.g., reducing CO2 to CO, oxalate, carbon, etc., often suffer from poor energy efficiency and severe parasitic reactions. Thus, exploring new Li–CO2 electrochemistry is of fundamental interest and practical importance. Herein, we report a new concept of a Li–CO2 battery that can realize both reversible capture/release of CO2 and highly efficient energy storage based on the redox cycle of 4,4′-bipyridine (BPD). Direct spectroscopic evidence coupled with theoretical calculations reveals that BPD first coordinates with CO2 to form a [BPD···2CO2] complex that can further be reduced via a two-electron pathway into Li2[BPD-2CO2] upon discharge; upon recharge the reaction is reversed, regenerating BPD and CO2. The BPD-assisted Li–CO2 battery minimizes the overpotential required to drive the discharge/charge reaction, eliminates the undesired parasitic reactions associated with pristine Li–CO2 batteries, and delivers a high discharge capacity (>1000 mAh/gc). This work represents a significant step forward toward truly reversible Li–CO2 batteries by the rational design of redox molecules that can participate in and regulate the conventional Li–CO2 electrochemistry

Cedrin identified from <i>Cedrus deodara</i> (Roxb.) G. Don protects PC12 cells against neurotoxicity induced by Aβ_1–42

<p>Alzheimer’s disease is a severe neurodegenerative disease affecting elder worldwide and closely related to the neurotoxicity induced by amyloid β. To find efficient therapeutics, we have investigated the protective effects of cedrin from <i>Cedrus deodara</i> (Roxb.) G. Don on PC12 cells against the neurotoxicity induced by amyloid β_1–42. The results have shown the viability of PC12 cells injured by amyloid β_1–42 can be improved by cedrin. Cedrin can reduce reacrive oxygen species overproduction, increase the activity of superoxide dismutase and decrease malondialdehyde content. Meanwhile, the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening in PC12 cells, and elevated Caspase-3 activity, downregulated Bcl-2 and upregulated Bax are meliorated. These results demonstrate the protective effect of cedrin is related to the inhibition of oxidative stress, improvement of mitochondrial dysfunction and suppression of apoptosis. This investigation gives evidences for the application of cedrin in practice and further investigation <i>in vivo</i>.</p

Urban agglomerations along the Yellow River’s vulnerability trends, 2001–2020.

Urban agglomerations along the Yellow River’s vulnerability trends, 2001–2020.</p

Vulnerability evaluation indicator system for urban agglomerations along the Yellow River.

Vulnerability evaluation indicator system for urban agglomerations along the Yellow River.</p

Specific overview of the urban agglomerations along the Yellow River.

Specific overview of the urban agglomerations along the Yellow River.</p

Classification of vulnerability.

Urban agglomerations are sophisticated territorial systems at the mature stage of city development that are concentrated areas of production and economic activity. Therefore, the study of vulnerability from the perspective of production-living-ecological space is crucial for the sustainable development of the Yellow River Basin and global urban agglomerations. The relationship between productivity, living conditions, and ecological spatial quality is fully considered in this research. By constructing a vulnerability evaluation index system based on the perspectives of production, ecology, and living space, and adopting the entropy value method, comprehensive vulnerability index model, and obstacle factor diagnostic model, the study comprehensively assesses the vulnerability of the urban agglomerations along the Yellow River from 2001 to 2020. The results reveal that the spatial differentiation characteristics of urban agglomeration vulnerability are significant. A clear three-level gradient distribution of high, medium, and low degrees is seen in the overall vulnerability; these correspond to the lower, middle, and upper reaches of the Yellow River Basin, respectively. The percentage of cities with higher and moderate levels of vulnerability did not vary from 2001 to 2020, while the percentage of cities with high levels of vulnerability did. The four dimensions of economic development, leisure and tourism, resource availability, and ecological pressure are the primary determinants of the urban agglomeration’s vulnerability along the Yellow River. And the vulnerability factors of various urban agglomerations showed a significant evolutionary trend; the obstacle degree values have declined, and the importance of tourism and leisure functions has gradually increased. Based on the above conclusions, we propose several suggestions to enhance the quality of urban development along the Yellow River urban agglomeration. Including formulating a three-level development strategy, paying attention to ecological and environmental protection, developing domestic and foreign trade, and properly planning and managing the tourism industry.</div

Table2_Genome-wide identification and characterization profile of phosphatidy ethanolamine-binding protein family genes in carrot.XLSX

Members of the family of Phosphatidy Ethanolamine-Binding Protein (PEBP) have been shown to be key regulators of the transition of plants from vegetative to reproductive phases. Here, a total of 12 PEBP proteins were identified in the carrot (Daucus carota L.) genome and classified into FT-like (4), TFL1-like (6), and MFT-like 2) subfamilies, that had different lengths (110–267 aa) and were distributed unevenly across seven chromosomes. Moreover, 13 and 31 PEBP proteins were identified in other two Apiaceae species, celery (Apium graveolens L.) and coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.). The phylogenetic and evolutionary results of these PEBP family proteins were obtained based on the protein sequences. In the three Apiaceae species, purifying selection was the main evolutionary force, and WGD, segmental duplication, and dispersed duplication have played key roles in the PEBP family expansion. The expression analysis showed that carrot PEBP genes exhibited relatively broad expression patterns across various tissues. In the period of bolting to flowering, the carrot FT-like subfamily genes were upregulated as positive regulators, and TFL1-like subfamily genes remained at lower expression levels as inhibitors. More interestingly, the members of carrot FT-like genes had different temporal-spatial expression characteristics, suggesting that they have different regulatory functions in the carrot reproductive phase. In summary, this study contributes to our understanding of the PEBP family proteins and provides a foundation for exploring the mechanism of carrot bolting and flowering for the breeding of cultivars with bolting resistance.</p

Analysis of spatial variability within the urban agglomerations along the Yellow River, 2001–2005, 2006–2010, 2011–2015 and 2016–2020.

Analysis of spatial variability within the urban agglomerations along the Yellow River, 2001–2005, 2006–2010, 2011–2015 and 2016–2020.</p

Table4_Genome-wide identification and characterization profile of phosphatidy ethanolamine-binding protein family genes in carrot.XLSX

Members of the family of Phosphatidy Ethanolamine-Binding Protein (PEBP) have been shown to be key regulators of the transition of plants from vegetative to reproductive phases. Here, a total of 12 PEBP proteins were identified in the carrot (Daucus carota L.) genome and classified into FT-like (4), TFL1-like (6), and MFT-like 2) subfamilies, that had different lengths (110–267 aa) and were distributed unevenly across seven chromosomes. Moreover, 13 and 31 PEBP proteins were identified in other two Apiaceae species, celery (Apium graveolens L.) and coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.). The phylogenetic and evolutionary results of these PEBP family proteins were obtained based on the protein sequences. In the three Apiaceae species, purifying selection was the main evolutionary force, and WGD, segmental duplication, and dispersed duplication have played key roles in the PEBP family expansion. The expression analysis showed that carrot PEBP genes exhibited relatively broad expression patterns across various tissues. In the period of bolting to flowering, the carrot FT-like subfamily genes were upregulated as positive regulators, and TFL1-like subfamily genes remained at lower expression levels as inhibitors. More interestingly, the members of carrot FT-like genes had different temporal-spatial expression characteristics, suggesting that they have different regulatory functions in the carrot reproductive phase. In summary, this study contributes to our understanding of the PEBP family proteins and provides a foundation for exploring the mechanism of carrot bolting and flowering for the breeding of cultivars with bolting resistance.</p

Obstacle factors and obstacle degree in 2001 and 2020 for the urban ag-glomerations along the Yellow River.

Obstacle factors and obstacle degree in 2001 and 2020 for the urban ag-glomerations along the Yellow River.</p