Aerodynamic Derivative Identification Method of Parallel Twin-girder Bridges by Mixed Forced vibration Wind Tunnel Test

This paper was reviewed and accepted by the APCWE-IX Programme Committee for Presentation at the 9th Asia-Pacific Conference on Wind Engineering, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand, held from 3-7 December 2017

Improved iron acquisition of <i>Astragalus sinicus</i> under low iron-availability conditions by soil-borne bacteria <i>Burkholderia cepacia</i>

<p>Soil bacteria can assist plant growth and increase uptake of nutrient elements, the question arises as to whether beneficial soil microbes confer augmented iron (Fe) content of host plants under Fe limited conditions. Herein, a novel strain of <i>Burkholderia cepacia</i> (strain JFW16) was isolated from rhziospheric soils of <i>Astragalus sinicus</i> grown under alkaline conditions. Inoculation of plants with <i>B. cepacia</i> JFW16 displayed increased endogenous Fe content compared with non-inoculated plants. Growth promotion and enhanced photosynthetic capacity were also observed for the inoculated plants. The inoculation with JFW16 significantly increased the rhizospheric acidification, and up-regulated the transcription of some Fe acquisition-associated genes in <i>Astragalus sinicus</i>. Moreover, the metabolic pathways of flavins were remarkably enhanced in the inoculated plants, showing the increased biosynthesis and release of flavins in roots. Collectively, these findings demonstrated the potential of <i>B. cepacia</i> JFW16 to improve Fe assimilation in agricultural crops.</p

Construction of High-Capacitance 3D CoO@Polypyrrole Nanowire Array Electrode for Aqueous Asymmetric Supercapacitor

We have developed a supercapacitor electrode composed of well-aligned CoO nanowire array grown on 3D nickel foam with polypyrrole (PPy) uniformly immobilized onto or firmly anchored to each nanowire surface to boost the pseudocapacitive performance. The electrode architecture takes advantage of the high electrochemical activity from both the CoO and PPy, the high electronic conductivity of PPy, and the short ion diffusion pathway in ordered mesoporous nanowires. These merits together with the elegant synergy between CoO and PPy lead to a high specific capacitance of 2223 F g^–1 approaching the theoretical value, good rate capability, and cycling stability (99.8% capacitance retention after 2000 cycles). An aqueous asymmetric supercapacitor device with a maximum voltage of 1.8 V fabricated by using our hybrid array as the positive electrode and activated carbon film as the negative electrode has demonstrated high energy density (∼43.5 Wh kg^–1), high power density (∼5500 W kg^–1 at 11.8 Wh kg^–1) and outstanding cycleability (∼20 000 times). After charging for only ∼10 s, two such 4 cm² asymmetric supercapacitors connected in series can efficiently power 5 mm diameter red, yellow, and green round LED indicators (lasting for 1 h for red LED) and drive a mini 130 rotation-motor robustly

Construction of High-Capacitance 3D CoO@Polypyrrole Nanowire Array Electrode for Aqueous Asymmetric Supercapacitor

We have developed a supercapacitor electrode composed of well-aligned CoO nanowire array grown on 3D nickel foam with polypyrrole (PPy) uniformly immobilized onto or firmly anchored to each nanowire surface to boost the pseudocapacitive performance. The electrode architecture takes advantage of the high electrochemical activity from both the CoO and PPy, the high electronic conductivity of PPy, and the short ion diffusion pathway in ordered mesoporous nanowires. These merits together with the elegant synergy between CoO and PPy lead to a high specific capacitance of 2223 F g^–1 approaching the theoretical value, good rate capability, and cycling stability (99.8% capacitance retention after 2000 cycles). An aqueous asymmetric supercapacitor device with a maximum voltage of 1.8 V fabricated by using our hybrid array as the positive electrode and activated carbon film as the negative electrode has demonstrated high energy density (∼43.5 Wh kg^–1), high power density (∼5500 W kg^–1 at 11.8 Wh kg^–1) and outstanding cycleability (∼20 000 times). After charging for only ∼10 s, two such 4 cm² asymmetric supercapacitors connected in series can efficiently power 5 mm diameter red, yellow, and green round LED indicators (lasting for 1 h for red LED) and drive a mini 130 rotation-motor robustly

Structural Insight into and Mutational Analysis of Family 11 Xylanases: Implications for Mechanisms of Higher pH Catalytic Adaptation

<div><p>To understand the molecular basis of higher pH catalytic adaptation of family 11 xylanases, we compared the structures of alkaline, neutral, and acidic active xylanases and analyzed mutants of xylanase Xyn11A-LC from alkalophilic <i>Bacillus</i> sp. SN5. It was revealed that alkaline active xylanases have increased charged residue content, an increased ratio of negatively to positively charged residues, and decreased Ser, Thr, and Tyr residue content relative to non-alkaline active counterparts. Between strands β6 and β7, alkaline xylanases substitute an α-helix for a coil or turn found in their non-alkaline counterparts. Compared with non-alkaline xylanases, alkaline active enzymes have an inserted stretch of seven amino acids rich in charged residues, which may be beneficial for xylanase function in alkaline conditions. Positively charged residues on the molecular surface and ionic bonds may play important roles in higher pH catalytic adaptation of family 11 xylanases. By structure comparison, sequence alignment and mutational analysis, six amino acids (Glu16, Trp18, Asn44, Leu46, Arg48, and Ser187, numbering based on Xyn11A-LC) adjacent to the acid/base catalyst were found to be responsible for xylanase function in higher pH conditions. Our results will contribute to understanding the molecular mechanisms of higher pH catalytic adaptation in family 11 xylanases and engineering xylanases to suit industrial applications.</p></div

Structural models of six-point mutation sites around the catalytic center in Xyn11A-LC (PDB: 4IXL).

<p>(A) E16Q. (B) L46V/A/G. (C) R48G. (D) S187G. E16, L46, R48 and S187 are shown in green. The corresponding mutation sites are shown in cyan. V46, A46, and G46 are shown in cyan, magenta, and yellow, respectively. Hydrogen bonds and salt bridges are represented in yellow by dashed lines.</p

Solvent-exposed residues, hydrogen bonds content and the number of ionic bonds of structure-determined family 11 mesophilic xylanases.

<p>Solvent-exposed residues, hydrogen bonds content and the number of ionic bonds of structure-determined family 11 mesophilic xylanases.</p

Structure-based sequence alignment of family 11 mesophilic xylanases with known structure and pH-dependent activity.

<p>Coils, arrows, and the symbol T represent helices, strands, and turns, respectively.</p

Effect of pH on the activity of wild-type Xyn11A-LC and mutants.

<p>(A) pH-dependent relative activities of the wild type and mutants E16Q, W18Y, N44D, R48G, and S187G. (B) pH-dependent specific activities of the wild type and mutants E16Q, W18Y, N44D, R48G, and S187G. (C) pH-dependent relative activities of the wild type and mutants L46V/A/G. (D) pH-dependent specific activities of the wild type and mutants L46V/A/G.</p

The type of secondary structure and the number of hydrogen bonds between β6 and β7 of family 11 mesophilic xylanases with known structure and pH-dependent activity.

<p>t = 4.667,P = 0.001.</p><p>The type of secondary structure and the number of hydrogen bonds between β6 and β7 of family 11 mesophilic xylanases with known structure and pH-dependent activity.</p