Laccase from Aspergillus niger: A novel tool to graft multifunctional materials of interests and their characterization

In the present study, we propose a green route to prepare poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) [(P(3HB)] grafted ethyl cellulose (EC) based green composites with novel characteristics through laccase-assisted grafting. P(3HB) was used as a side chain whereas, EC as a backbone material under ambient processing conditions. A novel laccase obtained from Aspergillus niger through its heterologous expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae was used as a green catalyst for grafting purposes without the use of additional initiator and/or cross-linking agents. Subsequently, the resulting P(3HB)-g-EC composites were characterized using a range of analytical and imagining techniques. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) spectra showed an increase in the hydrogen-bonding type interactions between the side chains of P(3HB) and backbone material of EC. Evidently, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed a decrease in the crystallinity of the P(3HB)-g-EC composites as compared to the pristine individual polymers. A homogeneous P(3HB) distribution was also achieved in case of the graft composite prepared in the presence of 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) as a mediator along with laccase as compared to the composite prepared using pure laccase alone. A substantial improvement in the thermal and mechanical characteristics was observed for grafted composites up to the different extent as compared to the pristine counterparts. The hydrophobic/hydrophilic properties of the grafted composites were better than those of the pristine counterparts.     

The First Report on Excellent Cycling Stability and Superior Rate Capability of Na3V2(PO4)3 for Sodium Ion Batteries

Sodium ion batteries are attractive for the rapidly emerging large‐scale energy storage market for intermittent renewable resources. Currently a viable cathode material does not exist for practical non‐aqueous sodium ion battery applications. Here we disclose a high performance, durable electrode material based on the 3D NASICON framework. Porous Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C was synthesized using a novel solution‐based approach. This material, as a cathode, is capable of delivering an energy storage capacity of ～400 mWh/g vs. sodium metal. Furthermore, at high current rates (10, 20 and 40 C), it displayed remarkable capacity retention. Equally impressive is the long term cycle life. Nearly 50% of the initial capacity was retained after 30,000 charge/discharge cycles at 40 C (4.7 A/g). Notably, coulombic efficiency was 99.68% (average) over the course of cycling. To the best of our knowledge, the combination of high energy density, high power density and ultra long cycle life demonstrated here has never been reported before for sodium ion batteries. We believe our findings will have profound implications for developing large‐scale energy storage systems for renewable energy sources.     

Sandwich‐Type Microporous Carbon Nanosheets for Enhanced Supercapacitor Performance

Sandwich‐type microporous hybrid carbon nanosheets (MHCN) consisting of graphene and microporous carbon layers are fabricated using graphene oxides as shape‐directing agent and the in‐situ formed poly(benzoxazine‐co‐resol) as carbon precursor. The reaction and condensation can be readily completed within 45 min. The obtained MHCN has a high density of accessible micropores that reside in the porous carbon with controlled thickness (e.g., 17 nm), a high surface area of 1293 m² g^?1 and a narrow pore size distribution of ca. 0.8 nm. These features allow an easy access, a rapid diffusion and a high loading of charged ions, which outperform the diffusion rate in bulk carbon and are highly efficient for an increased double‐layer capacitance. Meanwhile, the uniform graphene percolating in the interconnected MHCN forms the bulk conductive networks and their electrical conductivity can be up to 120 S m^?1 at the graphene percolation threshold of 2.0 wt.%. The best‐practice two‐electrode test demonstrates that the MHCN show a gravimetric capacitance of high up to 103 F g^?1 and a good energy density of ca. 22.4 Wh kg^?1 at a high current density of 5 A g^?1. These advanced properties ensure the MHCN a great promise as an electrode material for supercapacitors.     

构树: 一种新型木本模式植物

构树(Broussonetia papyrifera)属于桑科(Moraceae)构属(Broussonetia)多年生乔木, 是一种具有重要价值的多功能树种。构树叶可做蛋白饲料, 树皮是造纸的优质原料, 根、茎、叶、果实及种子均可入药。构树具有分布广和适应性强的特性, 其有性繁殖和无性繁殖迅速, 雌雄异株, 严格异交, 世代周期短, 后代种子数量大, 株型多样, 基因组紧凑, 易转化, 表型性状和遗传多样性丰富, 可以作为研究木质素和纤维素合成、黄酮类和氮代谢、异形叶形成、植物性别分化机制以及植物抗性和环境适应性进化等植物学领域重大关键问题的模式材料。该文重点阐述构树作为模式植物的主要依据, 简要介绍构树的研究进展, 并对今后构树的研究框架进行初步设计。     

Reunderstanding Cairo through urban metabolism: Formal versus informal districts resource flow performance in fast urbanizing cities

Urban expansion can be seen as the most pervasive human impact on the environment where its high resource use contributes negatively to climate change and resource scarcity crises. Many experts call for decoupling resource use, economic development, and related urban development especially within cities of the Global South. This paper focuses on investigating resource efficiency through the lens of urban metabolism. It investigates current resource flows, through material flow analysis, from source to sink, in two diverse districts in Cairo: a formal district and an informal one, regarding materials (waste) and mobility. Consequently, the paper discusses locally responsive interventions that address local priorities as opposing to citywide one‐size fits all solution. The paper relies on parcel audits, which are embedded in an Urban Metabolism Information System developed by the Ecocity Builders and their partners, through a joint project with Cairo University. The methodology couples crowd‐sourced data, parcel audits, and experts’ knowledge to better understand resource flows based on a bottom‐up approach, given the unavailability of governmental data on the local level. The paper further correlates the perceived quality of life with the actual resource flows. It utilizes fieldwork investigations to argue against the local misconceptions regarding the inefficiency of informal areas/systems versus the higher efficiency of planned areas/systems. The paper concludes by proposing integrated solutions that respond to local needs and resources. It highlights the challenges and lessons of this tailored bottom‐up approach and its applicability in other cities worldwide.     

基于最大熵模型(MaxEnt)预测暗紫贝母的潜在分布

暗紫贝母(Fritillaria unibracteata)干燥的鳞茎是市场名贵药材"川贝"的主要来源,目前由于人们的过度挖采及环境的恶化,使得其野生资源已近枯竭,被列为国家三级濒危保护药材物种。该研究通过收集暗紫贝母的地理分布点经纬度,结合26项生态因子,运用最大熵模型(MaxEnt)并结合地理信息系统(ArcGIS),对其在中国的潜在分布区域进行了预测。结果表明:暗紫贝母的潜在适生区主要分布在四川西部和北部、青海南部、甘肃南部,其中四川阿坝藏族羌族自治州的理县、茂县、松潘县、红原县、黑水县等地区,青海省果洛藏族自治州的久治县、玛沁县、同德县、兴海县、河南县地区以及甘肃省甘南藏族自治州地区是暗紫贝母最佳适生区。此外,在西藏和云南也有零星的分布。对暗紫贝母的分布贡献率较大的主要生态因子有5个,分别是海拔(40.8%),年均降水量(28%),1月最高温度(7.1%),最干季平均温度(6.6%)和昼夜温差日均值(6.6%)。其中,海拔为2700~4 500m、年均降水量为400~1 400mm,是暗紫贝母最适宜生长的生态位参数。该研究结果为暗紫贝母的野生抚育和人工栽培提供了重要的科学依据。     

储藏中药材孳生粉螨的调查

采用清水漂浮法和塔氏电热集螨器分离法,共分离中药材样品129种,1290份,从中分离出粉螨44种,隶属7科25属。得出结论:中药材粉螨的污染严重,应加强对中药材螨类的防治,以保护中药材及预防人体螨病。     

Doped Copper Phthalocyanine via an Aqueous Solution Process for Normal and Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells

Great efforts toward developing novel and efficient hole‐transporting materials are needed to further improve the device efficiency and enhance the cell stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The poor film conductivity and the low carrier mobility of organic small‐molecule‐based hole‐transporting materials restrict their application in PSCs. This study develops an efficient and stable hole‐transporting material, tetrafluorotetracyanoquinodimethane (F₄‐TCNQ)‐doped copper phthalocyanine‐3,4′,4′′,4′′′‐tetra‐sulfonated acid tetra sodium salt (TS‐CuPc) via a solution process, in planar structure PSCs. The p‐type‐doped TS‐CuPc film demonstrates improved film conductivity and hole mobility owing to the strong electron affinity of F₄‐TCNQ. By the F₄‐TCNQ tailoring, the composite film gives the highest occupied molecular orbital level as high as 5.3 eV, which is beneficial for hole extraction. In addition, the aqueous solution processed TS‐CuPc:F₄‐TCNQ precursor is almost neutral with good stability for avoiding the electrode erosion. As a result, the fabricated PSCs employing TS‐CuPc:F₄‐TCNQ as the hole‐transporting material exhibit a power conversion efficiency of 16.14% in a p–i–n structure and 20.16% in an n–i–p structure, respectively. The developed organic small molecule of TS‐CuPc provides the diversification of hole‐transporting materials in planar PSCs.