Graphitic carbon nitride doped copper–manganese alloy as high–performance electrode material in supercapacitor for energy storage

Here, we report the synthesis of copper–manganese alloy (CuMnO2) using graphitic carbon nitride (gCN) as a novel support material. The successful formation of CuMnO2-gCN was confirmed through spectroscopic, optical, and other characterization techniques. We have applied this catalyst as the energy storage material in the alkaline media and it has shown good catalytic behavior in supercapacitor applications. The CuMnO2-gCN demonstrates outstanding electrocapacitive performance, having high capacitance (817.85 A·g−1) and well-cycling stability (1000 cycles) when used as a working electrode material for supercapacitor applications. For comparison, we have also used the gCN and Cu2O-gCN for supercapacitor applications. This study proposes a simple path for the extensive construction of self-attaining double metal alloy with control size and uniformity in high-performance energy-storing material

Driving mechanism for farmers' participation in improving farmland ecosystem: Evidence from China

peer reviewe

Cryo-EM structures of lipopolysaccharide transporter LptB2FGC in lipopolysaccharide or AMP-PNP-bound states reveal its transport mechanism

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) of Gram-negative bacteria are critical for the defence against cytotoxic substances and must be transported from the inner membrane (IM) to the outer membrane (OM) through a bridge formed by seven membrane proteins (LptBFGCADE). The IM component LptB2FG powers the process through a yet unclarified mechanism. Here we report three high-resolution cryo-EM structures of LptB2FG alone and complexed with LptC (LptB2FGC), trapped in either the LPS- or AMP-PNP-bound state. The structures reveal conformational changes between these states and substrate binding with or without LptC. We identify two functional transmembrane arginine-containing loops interacting with the bound AMP-PNP and elucidate allosteric communications between the domains. AMP-PNP binding induces an inward rotation and shift of the transmembrane helices of LptFG and LptC to tighten the cavity, with the closure of two lateral gates, to eventually expel LPS into the bridge. Functional assays reveal the functionality of the LptF and LptG periplasmic domains. Our findings shed light on the LPS transport mechanism

Are Farmers Willing to Pay for Centralized Mode Provision of Rural Domestic Sewage Treatment? A Large-Scale Assessment in North China

peer reviewedEvaluation of farmers’ willingness to participate (WTPP) and willingness to pay (WTP) for the centralized mode provision (CMP) of rural domestic sewage treatment (RDST) is imperative to improve the rural environment as well as to alleviate government financial pressures. This study adopted the contingent valuation method as well as face-to-face interview questionnaires to assess rural residents’ provision mode preferences, WTPP, and WTP for the CMP of RDST in China. Based on 761 samples collected from Shandong, Jilin, and Gansu provinces of China, we applied econometric models to estimate farmers’ WTPP and WTP for the CMP of RDST and explore the potential influencing factors, respectively. Results show that 1) 81.87% of the farmers would be willing to contribute to CMP of RDST; 2) farmers’ perceptions of the necessity of RDST, pollution of rural domestic sewage, and government propaganda significantly and positively affect their WTP; and 3) the expected WTP for CMP of RDST with the total respondents and the respondents with positive WTPP were estimated to be 7.59 USD/year and 10.10 USD/year (for a total of 20 years), accounting for 16.28 and 21.65% of construction costs, respectively. Based on these outcomes, it could be further estimated that the aggregate value was between 179.05 million USD/year and 238.26 million USD/year which implied that the farmers’ WTP may be a potentially non-negligible funding source for the CMP of RDST. The enhancement of environmental awareness of farmers and strengthening of propaganda should be the next priority of the Chinese government. Priority should also be assigned to villages closer to towns when the government formulates relevant strategies and policies. The results of this study provide references for policy formulation related to broadening the funding sources in RDST and exploring farmer payment mechanisms and implications for other developing countries

Exceptional aggressiveness of cerebral cavernous malformation disease associated with PDCD10 mutations.

PurposeThe phenotypic manifestations of cerebral cavernous malformation disease caused by rare PDCD10 mutations have not been systematically examined, and a mechanistic link to Rho kinase-mediated hyperpermeability, a potential therapeutic target, has not been established.MethodsWe analyzed PDCD10 small interfering RNA-treated endothelial cells for stress fibers, Rho kinase activity, and permeability. Rho kinase activity was assessed in cerebral cavernous malformation lesions. Brain permeability and cerebral cavernous malformation lesion burden were quantified, and clinical manifestations were assessed in prospectively enrolled subjects with PDCD10 mutations.ResultsWe determined that PDCD10 protein suppresses endothelial stress fibers, Rho kinase activity, and permeability in vitro. Pdcd10 heterozygous mice have greater lesion burden than other Ccm genotypes. We demonstrated robust Rho kinase activity in murine and human cerebral cavernous malformation vasculature and increased brain vascular permeability in humans with PDCD10 mutation. Clinical phenotype is exceptionally aggressive compared with the more common KRIT1 and CCM2 familial and sporadic cerebral cavernous malformation, with greater lesion burden and more frequent hemorrhages earlier in life. We first report other phenotypic features, including scoliosis, cognitive disability, and skin lesions, unrelated to lesion burden or bleeding.ConclusionThese findings define a unique cerebral cavernous malformation disease with exceptional aggressiveness, and they inform preclinical therapeutic testing, clinical counseling, and the design of trials.Genet Med 17 3, 188-196

Experimental Study on Damage Characteristics of Coal Samples under True Triaxial Loading and Dynamic Unloading

AbstractCoal bursts are one of the formidable hazards in underground coal mines, yet it is still not fully explored due to the complex stress environment that exists during mining. To better understand the bursting mechanism of coal under real-time mining conditions, it is necessary to develop an experimental method capable of reproducing in situ stress and loading-unloading paths of coal in in situ conditions. In this study, a self-developed true triaxial testing system was used to investigate the damage and failure characteristics of coal samples under true triaxial loading and dynamic unloading conditions. Acoustic Emission (AE) monitoring was used to capture the fracturing of the loaded coal. Passive Velocity Tomography (PVT) and Cumulative AE Energy Density (CAEED) were used to analyse damage evolution characteristics of the coal samples under true triaxial loading conditions. A high-speed camera was used to record the failure of the coal samples when the minimum principal stress σ3 was suddenly unloaded. It was found that continuous coal damage occurred primarily during the true triaxial loading period. The peak number of AE events in the coal samples increased and then dropped as σ1 levels increased. High and low wave velocity zones in the coal samples represent regenerations of the high-density zone and fracture emergence, respectively. Significant energy release zones transferred and expanded as the triaxial loading level increased. Under significant triaxial loads, the coal samples failed and were severely damaged, and the dynamic unloading of σ3 caused ejections of coal fragments at low velocities. The outcome of this study provides in-depth understanding of the failure mechanism of coal under in situ conditions

Energy production from steam gasification processes and parameters that contemplate in biomass gasifier - a review

The transformation of biomass using steam gasification is a chemical route to facilitate changes in organic or residue supported carbonaceous substances addicted to carbon mono-oxide, hydrogen including carbon-di-oxide, etc. However, to commercialize the method of steam gasification, the hurdles persist during the gasification as well as downstream processing. This article delivers a summary of the different approaches that are described in the previous studies to achieve H2 refinement and adaptation within the gasifier system. These include advanced aspects in the research and development of biomass gasification (alike advancements under the gasification operation). The upshot of diverse operating conditions like steam flow rate, operating temperature, moisture content, gasifier agents, residence time, biomass to air, steam to biomass, equivalence ratio, etc. towards the execution of biomass gasifier. This review accomplishes that the interdependence of several issues must be considered in point to optimise the producer gas

Characterization of Sucrose transporter alleles and their association with seed yield-related traits in Brassica napus L

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Sucrose is the primary photosynthesis product and the principal translocating form within higher plants. <it>Sucrose transporters </it>(<it>SUC/SUT</it>) play a critical role in phloem loading and unloading. Photoassimilate transport is a major limiting factor for seed yield. Our previous research demonstrated that <it>SUT </it>co-localizes with yield-related quantitative trait loci. This paper reports the isolation of <it>BnA7.SUT1 </it>alleles and their promoters and their association with yield-related traits.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Two novel <it>BnA7.SUT1 </it>genes were isolated from <it>B. napus </it>lines 'Eagle' and 'S-1300' and designated as <it>BnA7.SUT1.a </it>and <it>BnA7.SUT1.b</it>, respectively. The BnA7.SUT1 protein exhibited typical SUT features and showed high amino acid homology with related species. Promoters of <it>BnA7.SUT1.a </it>and <it>BnA7.SUT1.b </it>were also isolated and classified as <it>pBnA7.SUT1.a </it>and <it>pBnA7.SUT1.b</it>, respectively. Four dominant sequence-characterized amplified region markers were developed to distinguish <it>BnA7.SUT1.a </it>and <it>BnA7.SUT1.b</it>. The two genes were estimated as alleles with two segregating populations (F₂and BC₁) obtained by crossing '3715'×'3769'. <it>BnA7.SUT1 </it>was mapped to the A7 linkage group of the TN doubled haploid population. <it>In silico </it>analysis of 55 segmental <it>BnA7.SUT1 </it>alleles resulted three <it>BnA7.SUT1 </it>clusters: <it>pBnA7.SUT1.a- BnA7.SUT1.a </it>(type I), <it>pBnA7.SUT1.b- BnA7.SUT1.a </it>(type II), and <it>pBnA7.SUT1.b- BnA7.SUT1.b </it>(type III). Association analysis with a diverse panel of 55 rapeseed lines identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in promoter and coding domain sequences of <it>BnA7.SUT1 </it>that were significantly associated with one of three yield-related traits: number of effective first branches (EFB), siliques per plant (SP), and seed weight (n = 1000) (TSW) across all four environments examined. SNPs at other <it>BnA7.SUT1 </it>sites were also significantly associated with at least one of six yield-related traits: EFB, SP, number of seeds per silique, seed yield per plant, block yield, and TSW. Expression levels varied over various tissue/organs at the seed-filling stage, and <it>BnA7.SUT1 </it>expression positively correlated with EFB and TSW.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Sequence, mapping, association, and expression analyses collectively showed significant diversity between the two <it>BnA7.SUT1 </it>alleles, which control some of the phenotypic variation for branch number and seed weight in <it>B. napus </it>consistent with expression levels. The associations between allelic variation and yield-related traits may facilitate selection of better genotypes in breeding.</p

A new critical exposition of the controversy between H.L.A. Hart and R.M. Dworkin

textabstractObjective: To adapt the Appropriateness Evaluation Protocol (AEP) to the specific settings of health care in China and to validate the Chinese version AEP (C-AEP). Methods: Forward and backward translations were carried out to the original criteria. Twenty experts participated in the consultancy to form a preliminary version of the C-AEP. To ensure applicability, tests of reliability and validity were performed on 350 admissions and 3,226 hospital days of acute myocardial infraction patients and total hip replacement patients in two tertiary hospitals by two C-AEP reviewers and two physician reviewers. Overall agreement, specific agreement, and Cohen's Kappa were calculated to compare the concordance of decisions between pairs of reviewers to test inter-rater reliability and convergent validity. The use of "overrides" and opinions of experts were recorded as measurements of content validity. Face validity was tested through collecting perspectives of nonprofessionals. Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values were also reported. Results: There are 14 admission and 24 days of care criteria in the initial version of C-AEP. Kappa coefficients indicate substantial agreement between reviewers: with regard to inter-rater reliability, Kappa (κ) coefficients are 0.746 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.644-0.834) and 0.743 (95% CI 0.698-0.767) of admission and hospital days, respectively; for convergent validity, the κ statistics are 0.678 (95% CI 0.567-0.778) and 0.691 (95% CI 0.644-0.717), respectively. Overrides account for less than 2% of all judgments. Content validity and face validity were confirmed by experts and nonprofessionals, respectively. According to the C-AEP reviewers, 18.3% of admissions and 28.5%of inpatient days were deemed inappropriate. Conclusions: The C-AEP is a reliable and valid screening tool in China's tertiary hospitals. The prevalence of inappropriateness is substantial in our research. To reduce inappropriate utilization, further investigation is needed to elucidate the reasons and risk factors for this inappropriateness. Copyright