Co–B Nanoflakes as Multifunctional Bridges in ZnCo2O4 Micro‐/Nanospheres for Superior Lithium Storage with Boosted Kinetics and Stability

Transition metal oxides hold great promise as high‐energy anodes in next‐generation lithium‐ion batteries. However, owing to the inherent limitations of low electronic/ionic conductivities and dramatic volume change during charge/discharge, it is still challenging to fabricate practically viable compacted and thick TMO anodes with satisfactory electrochemical performance. Herein, with mesoporous cobalt–boride nanoflakes serving as multifunctional bridges in ZnCo₂O₄ micro‐/nanospheres, a compacted ZnCo₂O₄/Co–B hybrid structure is constructed. Co–B nanoflakes not only bridge ZnCo₂O₄ nanoparticles and function as anchors for ZnCo₂O₄ micro‐/nanospheres to suppress the severe volume fluctuation, they also work as effective electron conduction bridges to promote fast electron transportation. More importantly, they serve as Li⁺ transfer bridges to provide significantly boosted Li⁺ diffusivity, evidenced from both experimental kinetics analysis and density functional theory calculations. The mesopores within Co–B nanoflakes help overcome the large Li⁺ diffusion barriers across 2D interfaces. As a result, the ZnCo₂O₄/Co–B electrode delivers high gravimetric/volumetric/areal capacities of 995 mAh g^?1/1450 mAh cm^?3/5.10 mAh cm^?2, respectively, with robust rate capability and long‐term cyclability. The distinct interfacial design strategy provides a new direction for designing compacted conversion‐type anodes with superior lithium storage kinetics and stability for practical applications.     

Selective inactivation of LGI1 in neuronal precursor cells leads to cortical dysplasia in mice

Constitutional mutations in Leucine‐rich glioma inactivated 1 (LGI1) predispose to an autosomal dominant epilepsy syndrome in humans and germline inactivation of LGI1 in mice leads to early onset seizures. LGI1 is highly expressed in the regions involved in neuronal stem cell generation and migration and detailed analysis of the brains in these mice reveals a subtle cortical dysplasia characterized by hypercellularity in the outer cortical layers. To investigate the cellular origin for this cortical dysplasia, we created mice that allow cell‐specific, conditional inactivation of LGI1. Exons 3–4, which contain critical motifs for LGI1 function, were targeted for deletion and, using a CMV‐cre mouse strain, global inactivation of LGI1 led to early onset seizures and the same cortical dysplasia seen in the constitutionally null mice. Similarly, inactivation of LGI1 in cells expressing Nestin, expressed primarily in neuronal precursor cells, led to early onset seizures and cortical dysplasia. In contrast, targeting inactivation of LGI1 in cells expressing Gfap, Camk2a, and parvalbumin, did not lead to cortical dysplasia. This strain of mouse, therefore, allows for a more refined investigation of the cell types involved in the cortical dysplasia seen following inactivation of LGI1 and potentially a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind LGI1‐induced epilepsy.     

Large-Area,Low-Cost Infrared Metamaterial Fabrication Via Pulsed Laser Deposition with Metallic Mesh as a Shadow Mask

Metamaterials are artificial periodic structures with negative permittivity and permeability. Several interesting properties can be obtained in metamaterials, such as negative index behavior, which can be used for building perfect lenses, cloaking, antennas, etc. As the metamaterial’s properties are determined by its structure, the key challenge is to reduce the fabrication cost of the periodic structure on the micrometer or nanometer scale for realistic applications. In this paper, we experimentally demonstrate a new one-step method for the fabrication of a large-area infrared metamaterial at extremely low cost. A metallic mesh is used as a shadow mask during the pulsed laser deposition (PLD) process to fabricate a FeNi/SiC/FeNi multilayer sandwich structure on Si substrate (cm² level). The sample shows a strong absorption peak in the infrared frequency range, and the absorption intensity changes with the sample’s geometry.     

鸡脚参中一个新木脂素

从鸡脚参[Orthosiphon wulfenioides (Diels)Hand.-Marzz.]根中提取分离了一个新的木脂素,命名为鸡脚参木脂素。其结构由NMR、MS等波谱分析确定。初步活性实验显示该化合物不具备抗真菌和抗肿瘤活性。     

激素对樱桃番茄两种外植体诱导再生植株的影响

以 MS为基本培养基 ,附加不同浓度的 6-BA、IAA和 NAA培养樱桃番茄两种外植体以诱导再生植株。结果表明 :含 NAA的 MS+6-BA2 mg/L(单位下同 ) +NAA0 .2培养基诱导的叶片愈伤组织 ,经继续培养无芽的分化 ,含 IAA的 MS+6-BA2 +IAA0 .2培养基诱导的愈伤组织 ,经继续培养诱导芽的分化 ;含 NAA或IAA的 MS+6-BA2 +NAA0 .2和 MS+6-BA2 +IAA0 .2培养基利于下胚轴愈伤组织的诱导 ,而不含生长素的 MS+6-BA1 .0培养基可直接诱导芽的分化。     

The C-terminus of Gi family G-proteins as a determinant of 5-HT(1A) receptor coupling

Using a universal signaling assay employing G-protein chimeras comprising the C-terminal five amino acids of Gi1/2, Gi3, Go, and Gz fused to Gq, the calcium mobilizing G-protein, we explored the role of the C-terminus of Gi family G-proteins as a determinant for 5-HT(1A) receptor functional coupling. Co-expression of the 5-HT(1A) receptor with each of the Gq/Gi family chimeras resulted in a concentration-dependent increase in calcium upon addition of 5-HT, although the coupling efficiency differed dramatically. Gq/Gi3 resulted in the most efficient coupling based on both potency and relative maximum response to 5-HT. Gq/Go also produced efficient coupling in terms of relative 5-HT efficacy (76% of the Gq/Gi3 maximum response), although 5-HT exhibited 4-fold lower agonist potency, and Gq/Gz and Gq/Gi1/2 conferred poor functional coupling. Agonist potencies and relative efficacies determined for a number of 5-HT(1A) receptor agonists using Gq/Gi3 coupling were significantly weaker than those described previously for coupling through the native G-protein. These results indicate the C-terminus of Gi3 as an important determinant for coupling to the 5-HT(1A) receptor, while the reduced functional agonist activities suggest additional motifs participate in receptor/G-protein coupling.     

Jagged-1 mediated activation of notch signaling induces complete maturation of human keratinocytes through NF-kappaB and PPARgamma

Establishing an effective epidermal barrier requires a series of coordinated molecular events involving keratinocytes (KCs) within a stratified epithelium. Epidermal maturation depends on convergence of pathways involving components of NF-kappaB and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) signaling systems that promote terminal differentiation and production of a stratum corneum. The Notch-1 receptor and its ligand Delta-1 have been proposed by others to participate in early events in KC differentiation. Here, we establish differential expression patterns for several Notch receptors and ligands in normal human skin. These immunolocalization findings, together with functional studies demonstrating increased levels of Notch ligand/receptors occurring during the onset of differentiation, prompted use of a soluble Notch ligand, a peptide derived from the most conspicuously expressed ligand in skin, Jagged-1. Exposing submerged KC monolayers to this peptide (JAG-1) in co-presence of elevated calcium ion concentration, produced stratification with loricrin expression. Using a living human epidermal equivalent (EE) model system, when submerged cultures were raised to an air/liquid interface to generate a fully mature epidermis, activation of Notch signaling was detected. Addition of JAG-1 peptide to submerged EEs was sufficient to induce epidermal maturation. Moreover, a soluble decoy Notch inhibitor prevented such differentiation and corneogenesis in human EEs exposed to either an air/liquid interface or to the JAG-1 peptide. In KC monolayers, addition of JAG-1 peptide induced IKKalpha mediated NF-kappaB activation, as well as increased PPARgamma expression. Immunoprecipitation/Western blot analysis revealed a physical association between the p65 subunit of NF-kappaB and PPARgamma. These results indicate that activation of Notch signaling is necessary for maturation of human epidermis, and activation by a soluble Notch ligand is sufficient to trigger complete KC differentiation including cornification.     

不同大豆连作年限对黑土细菌群落结构的影响

大豆连作导致作物产量下降、病原微生物富集和土壤退化等问题日趋严重。然而,目前关于大豆连作对土壤细菌群落结构组成及多样性分布的影响及发生机制尚不清楚。采用高通量测序技术,对大豆连作(不同年限)和大豆-玉米轮作下的黑土细菌16S rRNA基因进行测序分析。结果表明:轮作5年(CR5)和13年长期连作(CC13)处理显著增加了土壤pH、全氮(TN)、全磷(TP)和速效养分(AN、AP和AK)含量。与短期连作相比,CR5和CC13处理均提高了细菌群落的OTUs数量、PD值、Chao1指数和Shannon指数。聚类分析图谱结果显示细菌群落结构组成受到轮作和连作年限的双重影响,而土壤pH、TN、TP、AN、AP和AK是细菌群落结构发生变化的主要驱动因子(P0.05)。此外,VPA分析发现上述土壤因子中,土壤pH对细菌群落结构变化的贡献度最大。本研究证明大豆长期连作提高了土壤养分含量和细菌群落的丰富度和多样性指数,从分子生物学的角度证实大豆长期连作在一定程度上改善了土壤环境,为大豆连作障碍的研究提供了理论依据。