Electrochemical Impedimetric Platform Based on Con A@MIL-101 for Glycoprotein Detection

An electrochemical impedimetric biosensing platform with lectin as a molecular recognition element has been established for the sensitive detection of glycoproteins, a class of important biomarkers in clinical diagnosis. One of the representative metal–organic framework materials, MIL-101(Cr)-NH2, was utilized as the supporting matrix, and its amino groups served as the anchors to immobilize the lectins of concanavalin A (Con A), constituting Con A@MIL-101(Cr)-NH2 for the determination of invertase (INV) as a model glycoprotein. The Con A concentration, immobilization time, and incubation time with INV were optimized. Under the optimal conditions, the degree of impedance increase was linearly proportional to the logarithm of INV concentration between 1.0 × 10–16 and 1.0 × 10–11 M, affording a limit of detection as low as 3.98 × 10–18 M. Good specificity, stability, reproducibility, and repeatability were demonstrated for the fabricated biosensing platform. Moreover, real mouse serum samples were spiked with different concentrations of INV. Excellent recoveries were obtained, which demonstrated the biosensing platform’s capability of analyzing glycoproteins within a complex matrix

Ruthenium(0)-Catalyzed C–C Coupling of Alkynes and 3‑Hydroxy-2-oxindoles: Direct C–H Vinylation of Alcohols

Upon exposure to a ruthenium(0) catalyst, <i>N</i>-benzyl-3-hydroxy-2-oxindoles react with diverse alkynes to form products of C–H vinylation with complete control of regioselectivity and olefin geometry. This method contributes to a growing body of catalytic processes that enable direct conversion of lower alcohols to higher alcohols in the absence of stoichiometric organometallic reagents

Comprehensive energy, economic and thermal comfort assessments for the passive energy retrofit of historical buildings - A case study of a late nineteenth-century Victorian house renovation in the UK

This paper aims to evaluate the energy-saving potential, affordability and thermal comfort performance of various passive building retrofit measures for a historical building (late nineteenthcentury Victorian house) renovation. Three types of interior passive retrofit measures (i.e. internal wall insulation, glazing upgrade and airtightness improvement), classified as traditional and advanced measures, are further grouped into 63 retrofit combinations. In order to evaluate the performance of these defined retrofit combinations, five assessment indicators are proposed, including energy reduction rate, specific initial cost, discounted payback period, space volume reduction rate, and indoor thermal comfort. Under three internal space reduction scenarios with a space reduction rate of 5.2%, 2.6% and 1.3%, these combinations are evaluated and compared, and the most favourable combinations are determined to achieve multiple objectives (maximum energy saving, most cost-effective and most energy-efficient). The influence of the most favourable retrofit combinations on the internal thermal comfort level improvement is also dynamically evaluated using the EnergyPlus simulation tool. The final recommended passive retrofit combination consists of vacuum insulation windows, gypsum air infiltration reduction, and 2cm thickness of Polyisocyanurate (PIR) panels, with 51.8% of primary energy reduction, a specific initial investment of £144.71/m2 and a discounted payback period of 18 years

A novel holistic EPC related retrofit approach for residential apartment building renovation in Norway

This paper presents a novel Energy Performance Certification (EPC) related holistic building retrofit approach for a Norwegian apartment block built in 1980s. Based on the pre combination principles of “Fabric priority”, “Renewable in supplement”, “Avoid complicated installation”, 11 energy retrofit measures (ERMs) were defined and combined into 18 typical retrofit combination packages (COMBs). Targeted simulations with the aim to explore the interconnected and coupled impacts of selected ERMs are performed in a dynamic simulation tool IES Virtual Environment (VE). A novel Energy Limiting Difference (ELD) assessment factor has been defined, which only considers the difference between primary and renewable energy consumption in the extreme cold winter and hot summer months. The post retrofit EPC standard for each COMBs are then linked with these ELD assessment factors respectively. The relationship between ELD assessment factors and the relevant EPC grades for the 18 COMBs is plotted and verified against the obtained EPC results. Without performing the simulation for each month in conventional retrofit approaches, this approach leads to at least 78% reduced simulation efforts. This ELD-EPC related approach could therefore be used as useful guidelines for similar apartment building retrofits incorporating renewable energy measures in high density areas in the cold climate regio

Independent Photochemical Generation and Reactivity of Nitrogen-Centered Purine Nucleoside Radicals from Hydrazines

Photochemical precursors that produce dA^• and dG­(N₂–H)^• are needed to investigate their reactivity. The synthesis of two 1,1-diphenylhydrazines (<b>1</b>, <b>2</b>) and their use as photochemical sources of dA^• and dG­(N₂–H)^• is presented. Trapping studies indicate production of these radicals with good fidelity, and <b>1</b> was incorporated into an oligonucleotide via solid-phase synthesis. Cyclic voltammetric studies show that reduction potentials of <b>1</b> and <b>2</b> are lower than those of widely used “hole sinks”, e.g., 8-oxodGuo and 7-deazadGuo, to investigate DNA–hole transfer processes. These molecules could be useful (a) as sources of dA^• and dG­(N₂–H)^• at specific sites in oligonucleotides and (b) as “hole sinks” for the study of DNA–hole transfer processes

Multi-criteria assessment approach for a residential building retrofit in Norway

This paper presents a multi-criteria assessment approach for a wide range of energy efficient measures and their combinations applied for a residential building retrofit in Norway. A number of passive, active and renewable energy efficient measures (EEMs) have been selected and defined. Based on the level of energy saving potentials, these EEMs have been combined into 18 retrofit combination packages (COMBs) and grouped into various retrofit levels (Moderate Retrofit-I, II, III and Extensive Retrofit). The annual primary energy consumptions (heating, hot water and electricity) for the proposed combination packages were simulated in IESVE building energy simulation software. This is then followed by two levels of assessments: i) the comprehensive assessments of the key retrofit priorities including primary energy reduction, global costs, payback period and the carbon emission reduction and ii) social assessment with the aim to represent various stakeholders’ views on the selected COMBs using a metric of weighting factors. Based on this, a multi-criteria assessment approach featuring a novel ranking factor (EEES) taking into account of energy, economic, environmental and social aspects during retrofit process was adopted. This approach quantifies different stakeholders’ perspectives on the proposed COMBs, which could enable various stakeholders’ involvement in the retrofit decision making process. It was concluded that COMB 05 and 06, which include only 2–3 passive and active EEMs have been ranked and chosen as the most favourable retrofit solutions, with EEES value equalled to 25.6 from various stakeholders’ perspectives. The impacts of changing renewable energy prices and PV generated feed-in tariff rates on the global costs, carbon reductions and primary energy consumptions of the proposed COMBs, which have rarely been analysed in literature, are numerically investigated in this research. Such renewable EEMs which are greatly recommended by the European Commission, are expected to gain further support from national level government renewable incentives. Therefore, it is envisaged that in the long term, Extensive Retrofits incorporating mostly renewable EEMs could become more affordable and cost effective.</div