Constructing An Oxyhalide Interface for 4.8†V-Tolerant High-Nickel Cathodes in All-Solid-State Lithium-Ion Batteries.

All-solid-state lithium batteries (ASSBs) have received increasing attentions as one promising candidate for the next-generation energy storage devices. Among various solid electrolytes, sulfide-based ASSBs combined with layered oxide cathodes have emerged due to the high energy density and safety performance, even at high-voltage conditions. However, the interface compatibility issues remain to be solved at the interface between the oxide cathode and sulfide electrolyte. To circumvent this issue, we propose a simple but effective approach to magic the adverse surface alkali into a uniform oxyhalide coating on LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 (NCM811) via a controllable gas-solid reaction. Due to the enhancement of the close contact at interface, the ASSBs exhibit improved kinetic performance across a broad temperature range, especially at the freezing point. Besides, owing to the high-voltage tolerance of the protective layer, ASSBs demonstrate excellent cyclic stability under high cutoff voltages (500 cycles~94.0 % at 4.5 V, 200 cycles~80.4 % at 4.8 V). This work provides insights into using a high voltage stable oxyhalide coating strategy to enhance the development of high energy density ASSBs.

How lignocellulose degradation can promote the quality and function of dietary fiber from bamboo shoot residue by Inonotus obliquus fermentation.

Lignocellulose constitutes the primary component of dietary fiber. We assessed how fermenting bamboo shoot residue with the medicinal white-rot fungus Inonotus obliquus affected the yield, composition, and functional attributes of dietary fiber by altering bamboo shoot residue lignocellulose's spatial structure and composition. I. obliquus secretes lignocellulolytic enzymes, which effectively enhance the degradation of holocellulose and lignin by 87.8% and 25.5%, respectively. Fermentation led to a more porous structure and reduced crystallinity. The yield of soluble dietary fiber increased from 5.1 g/100 g raw BSR to 7.1 g/100 g 9-day-fermented bamboo shoot residue. The total soluble sugar content of dietary fiber significantly increased from 9.2% to 13.8%, which improved the hydration, oil holding capacity, in vitro cholesterol, sodium cholate, and nitrite adsorption properties of dietary fiber from bamboo shoot residue. These findings confirm that I. obliquus biotransformation is promising for enhancing dietary fiber yield and quality.

The Molecular Theory of Sweet Taste: Revisit, Update, and Beyond.

The molecular origin of the sweet taste is still elusive. Herein, the canonical AH-B-X theory of sweet taste is extended by resurveying various sweeteners, which provides deeper insights into an analogous intramolecular connectivity pattern of both glucophores in sweeteners and their interaction counterparts in sweet taste receptor TAS1R2/TAS1R3: electrostatic complementarity and topochemical compatibility. Furthermore, their complementary interaction is elaborately illustrated, accounting for the common molecular feature of eliciting sweetness. Moreover, it highlights that multiple glucophores in a topological system synergistically mediate the elicitation and performance of sweetness. This perspective presents a meaningful framework for the structure-activity relationship-based molecular design and modification of sweeteners and sheds light on the mechanism of molecular evolution of TAS1R2s/TAS1R3s. The link between palatability of sweeteners and harmony relationships between their structural components via stereochemistry and network has significant implications to illuminate the underlying mechanisms by which nature designs chemical reactions to elicit the most important taste.

Deep insight on mechanism and contribution of arsenic removal and heavy metals remediation by mechanical activation phosphogypsum.

Arsenic-containing wastewater and arsenic-contaminated soil can cause serious environmental pollution. In this study, phosphogypsum with partial mechanical activation of calcium oxide was used to prepare a new phosphogypsum-based passivate (Ca-mPG), and its remediation performance on arsenic-contaminated soil was evaluated in terms of both effectiveness and microbial response. The results showed that the optimum conditions for the preparation of the passivate were optimized in terms of single factor and response surface with a ball milling speed of 200 r/min, a material ratio of 6:4 and a ball milling time of 4 h. Under these conditions, the adsorption capacity was 37.75 mg/g. The leaching concentration of arsenic (As) in the contaminated soil after Ca-mPG modification decreased from 25.75 µg/L to 5.88 µg/L, which was lower than the Chinese national standard (GB/T 5085.3-2007); Ca-mPG also showed excellent passivation effect on other heavy Metals (copper, nickel, cadmium, zinc). In addition, As-resistant bacteria and passivators work together to promote the stabilization effect of contaminants during the remediation of As-contaminated soil. The mechanisms of Cu, As(III)/As(V), Zn, Cd, and Ni removal were related to ion exchange, electrostatic adsorption of substances on heavy metals, calcium binding to other substances to produce precipitation; and microbially induced stabilization of HMs, oxidized. Overall, this study demonstrates an eco-friendly "waste-soil remediation" strategy to solve problems associated with solid waste reuse and remediation of HM-contaminated soils.

Simultaneous immobilization of multiple heavy metals in polluted soils amended with mechanical activation waste slag.

Heavy metal soil contamination has become an increasingly serious problem in industrial development. However, industrial byproducts used for remediation are one aspect of green remediation that can contribute to sustainable practices in waste recycling. In this study, electrolytic manganese slags (EMS) were mechanically activated and modified into a passivator (M-EMS), and the heavy metal adsorption performance of M-EMS, heavy metal passivation ability in soil, dissolved organic matter (DOM) change and its effect on the microbial community structure of soil were investigated. The findings revealed that the maximum adsorption capacities of As(V), Cd2+, Cu2+ and Pb2+ were 76.32 mg/g, 301.41 mg/g, 306.83 mg/g and 826.81 mg/g, respectively, indicating that M-EMS demonstrated remarkable removal performance for different heavy metals. The Langmuir model fits Cd2+, Cu2+ and Pb2+ better than the Freundlich model, and monolayer adsorption is the main process. Surface complexation played a major role in the As(V) adsorption's on the surface of metal oxides in M-EMS. The passivation effect was ranked as Pb > Cr > As>Ni > Cd > Cu, with the highest passivation rate of 97.59 % for Pb, followed by Cr (94.76 %), then As (71.99 %), Ni (65.17 %), Cd (61.44 %), and the worst one was Cu (25.17 %). In conclusion, the passivator has the effect of passivation for each heavy metal. The addition of passivating agent can enhance the diversity of microorganisms. Then it can change the dominant flora and induce the passivation of heavy metals through microorganisms. XRD, FTIR, XPS and the microbial community structure of soil indicated that M-EMS can stabilize heavy metals in contaminated soils through four main mechanisms: ion exchange, electrostatic adsorption, complex precipitation and the microbially induced stabilization. The results of this study may provide new insights into the ecological remediation of multiple heavy-metal-contaminated soils and water bodies and research on the strategy of waste reduction and harmlessness by using EMS-based composites in combination with heavy metals in soil.

Preparation of phosphogypsum-copper smelting slag-based consolidating body with high compressive strength.

Phosphogypsum (PG) is an industrial waste residue produced during the production of phosphoric acid through the wet process. With strong acidity and a large amount of toxic impurities, PG is difficult to reuse. In this study, the solidified body (PG-S) was made by mechanical compression of the mixture of PG, copper smelting slag (CSS), CaO, NaOH, and water. Results indicate that the composition of the material phases in the PG-S samples changed with hydrated calcium silicate and amorphous silicate derivatives were formed during the reaction; Fe and Ca in the material were transformed; and the prepared geopolymer material had a dense internal structure with the materials being cemented to each other. The highest compressive strength of PG-S cured for 28 days could reach 21.3 MPa with a fixation efficiency of PO43-and F-reaching 99.81 and 94.10%, respectively. The leaching concentration of heavy metals of the PG-S cured for 28 days met the requirements of the Comprehensive Wastewater Discharge Standard (GB 8978-1996). The simulation results of the geochemical model verified the feasibility of the whole immobilization process from the thermodynamic point of view. This work directly uses copper smelting slag and phosphogypsum for coupled immobilization/stabilization treatment not only to achieve the immobilization of pollutants in both solid wastes but also to obtain colloidal masses with certain compressive strength, which also provides a new option for resource utilization of phosphogypsum and copper smelting slag. This work also shows great potential in turning the actual mine backfill into cementitious material.

A new Li-rich layered cathode with low lattice strain for lithium-ion batteries.

A new layered C2/m oxide, Li2Ni0.2Mn0.4Ru0.4O3 (LNMR), is introduced as a cathode for lithium-ion batteries, which undergoes a low volume variation of 1.5% in the voltage window of 2.0-4.6 V studied via in situ X-ray diffraction. Compared with the contrast sample Li2MnO3, LNMR displays superior capacity, a more stable capacity retention rate, and higher energy density and average discharge voltage.

Improving crude protein and methionine production, selective lignin degradation and digestibility of wheat straw by Inonotus obliquus using response surface methodology.

BACKGROUND: To date, fungus-assisted pretreatment of agricultural residue has not become the preferred method to produce protein-enriched and ruminally digestible animal feed because of low time efficiency of fungal delignification and protein production, i.e. the long solid-state fermentation period, and because of laccase as a potential inhibitor of cellulose activity. In this study, response surface methodology was employed to optimize the parameters in the process of producing nutritious animal feed from wheat straw with Inonotus obliquus pretreatment. RESULTS: The mineral salt solution containing (w/v) (NH4 )2 SO4 1%, MgSO4 ·7H2 O 0.03%, KH2 PO4 0.011%, Tween-80 0.4%, and corn starch 10% with pH of 7.4 was optimized. Inonotus obliquus rapidly and completely colonized on wheat straw with an ergosterol content of 280 µg g-1 dry matter, consuming 45% of lignin after 15 days of fermentation, producing maximums of lignin peroxidase (1729 IU g-1 ), manganese peroxidase (610 IU g-1 ) and laccase (98 IU g-1 ) on days 5, 15, and 25, respectively. The crude protein (102.4 g kg-1 ) of 15-day fermented wheat straw increased by ~132%. After hydrolysis, the essential protein-bound amino acids (15.3 g kg-1 ) increased by ~47%, within which Met and Lys measured ~1070% and ~60% higher. The treatment with I. obliquus also improved the in vitro gas production after 72 h (IVGP72 ) of wheat straw to 178.8 mL g-1 organic matter (~43% increase). CONCLUSION: For the first time, we found that I. obliquus is an effective white rot fungus turning wheat straw into ruminally digestible animal feed without laccase inhibitor.

Photosensitizer-free synthesis of ß-keto sulfones via visible-light-induced oxysulfonylation of alkenes with sulfonic acids.

A practical and environment-friendly methodology for the construction of ß-keto sulfones through visible-light induced direct oxysulfonylation of alkenes with sulfonic acids at ambient temperature under open-air conditions was developed. Most importantly, the reaction proceeded smoothly without the addition of any photocatalyst or strong oxidant, ultimately minimizing the production of chemical waste.

Lipoxin A4 promotes autophagy and inhibits overactivation of macrophage inflammasome activity induced by Pg LPS.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of lipoxin A4 (LXA4) on inflammasome and inflammatory activity in macrophages activated by Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (PgLPS) one of the major causative agents of chronic periodontitis. METHODS: The mouse macrophage cell line RAW264.7 was used to produce an activated inflammation model. Markers of inflammasome and inflammatory activity and autophagy were assessed by ELISA, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and Western blot assay. RESULTS: Markers of inflammasome activity, inflammation and autophagy increased with Pg LPS concentration. They also increased with increasing exposure to Pg LPS up to 12h but decreased at 24h. However, markers of autophagy increased. Phosphorylated NF-κBp65 decreased with LXA4, which was similar to results obtained with the autophagy inducer, rapamycin. CONCLUSIONS: LXA4 promoted autophagy and inhibited activation of inflammasomes and inflammation markers in macrophage inflammation induced by PgLPS and this action was linked to the phosphorylation of NF-κB.

Production of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity via bioconversion of wheat straw by Inonotus obliquus under submerged fermentation with the aid of a surfactant.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the effect of surfactants on wheat straw biodegradation and the growth-associated generation of exo- and endo-phenolic compounds (EPC and IPC) and antioxidant activity expression by liquid-cultured Inonotus obliquus, an edible and medicinal mushroom, also known as a white rot fungus. Changes in the chemical composition and multiscale structure of wheat straw, in the production and activity of EPC and IPC and in individual flavonoids were analyzed. RESULTS: Fungal pretreatment decreased significantly the contents of all lignocellulose components, increased and enlarged substrate porosity and caused changes in the structure of wheat straw with the aid of Triton X-100. A gradual increase in EPC and IPC production was observed up to 6.4- and 1.5-fold for 9 days. The EPC obtained on day 9 showed the highest antioxidant activity (IC50 of 30.96 mg L-1 ) against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals. High-performance liquid chromatographic results indicated the presence of high amounts of epicatechin-3-gallate (ECG; (374.9 mg g-1 ) and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG; 447.2 mg g-1 ) in the EPC; other polyphenols were also enhanced but to a lesser extent. Surfactant supplementation was effective in enhancing flavonoid production and in increasing antioxidant activity in EPC. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated enhanced accumulation of phenolic compounds, particularly ECG and EGCG in Inonotus obliquus via biodegradation and bioconversion of lignocellulose residues. They also indicated enhancement in the production of several flavonoids and also an increase in antioxidant activity in the product by a surfactant-treated process, which may be a useful way of exploiting underused lignocellulosic residues to various high-added-value functional ingredients. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Deformation and Fracture Failure of a High-Speed Long Rod Intercepted by Linear Explosively Formed Penetrators Sequence.

The fracture failure of a high-speed long rod has historically been a challenge. Since the flying plate and flying rod have a relatively low velocity, it is challenging to achieve a multi-stage fracture of the high-speed long rod within the range of existing technology. In this paper, the linear explosively formed penetrators (LEFPs) sequence with a stable flight velocity of 850 m/s were used to cut a high-speed long rod. We investigated the deformation and fracture of Φ10 mm tungsten alloy long rods having different length-diameter ratios (20, 26, 35) and different speeds (1200, 1400, 1600 m/s) by employing the LEFPs sequence with different spacings (0-40 mm) and different interception angles (30°, 60°). In the meantime, the fractured rods movement pattern was recorded with a high-speed camera to elucidate the change law of the length, speed, linear momentum, and angular momentum of fractured rods. It was found that the length loss rate of the fractured rods is as high as 27%. The fractured rods rotated around the center of mass, and the vertical speed change could reach up to 18% of the muzzle velocity of the long rod, and the greatest reduction of horizontal speed and momentum could reach 37%. The longer the interaction time between LEFPs sequence and the long rod, the more beneficial the failure of the long rod. The application of LEFPs sequence solved the difficult problem of disabling the high-speed long rod, and the quantitative analysis of the fracture failure of the long rod had an important sense for studying the terminal penetration effect of the fractured rods.

Correlation between level of autophagy and frequency of CD8+ T cells in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

OBJECTIVE: The pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains elusive. Here, we assessed the correlation between CD8+ T cell frequencies and autophagy in COPD patients. METHODS: Subjects were divided into three groups (n = 30 patients/group): (1) COPD patients in the stable phase; (2) smokers with normal lung function; and (3) non-smokers with normal lung function. Flow cytometry was used to enumerate CD8+ T cell subsets (CD8+, CD8+ effector, and CD8+ memory T cells) and quantitate T-cell apoptosis. RT-PCR and western blotting were used to measure levels of LC3 and p62. RESULTS: Frequencies of CD8+ T cell subsets and expression of p62 and LC3 II/I were significantly higher in COPD patients compared with the other two groups, while the rate of apoptosis was lower. In COPD patients, LC3 II/I and p62 expression were positively correlated with CD8+ T cell subset frequencies. Moreover, a significant correlation was observed between LC3 II/I and p62 expression and T cell subset frequencies. CONCLUSION: Autophagy level is positively correlated with the frequencies of CD8+ T cells, suggesting that autophagy might be involved in COPD pathogenesis.

White rot fungus Inonotus obliquus pretreatment to improve tran-1,4-polyisoprene extraction and enzymatic saccharification of Eucommia ulmoides leaves.

This study proposes an innovative strategy of lignocellulose biodegradation by Inonotus obliquus under solid-state fermentation in extracting Eucommia ulmoides trans-1,4-polyisoprene (EUG) and producing reducing sugars efficiently. EUG and sugars were obtained through the white rot fungal pretreatment of E. ulmoides leaves, ultrasound-assisted solvent extraction, and enzymatic saccharification. After mere 2-day fermentation, the loss of lignin, cellulose, and hemicelluloses of the leaves achieved 7.11%, 3.47%, and 6.44%, respectively due to the high activity levels of manganese peroxidase (MnP, 973 IU g-1) and lignin peroxidase (LiP, 1341 IU g-1) produced by the fungus. The breakdown of fibrous networks brought higher yields of EUG and reducing sugars. The highest extraction yield of EUG was 4.86% from the 2-day fermented leaves, 31.4% greater than that from the control (3.69%). Meanwhile, the leaf residues after EUG extraction released 97.8 mg g-1 reducing sugars with enzymatic saccharification, 77.5% greater than that from the control (55.1 mg g-1). The results demonstrated that I. obliquus could use E. ulmoides leaves as substrate to produce high-activity-level ligninolytic enzymes in a very short time and the lignocellulose selective degradation of E. ulmoides leaves enhanced the yields of EUG and reducing sugars.

Viscosity monitoring during hemodiluted blood coagulation using optical coherence elastography.

Rapid and accurate clot diagnostic systems are needed for the assessment of hemodiluted blood coagulation. We develop a real-time optical coherence elastography (OCE) system, which measures the attenuation coefficient of a compressional wave induced by a piezoelectric transducer (PZT) in a drop of blood using optical coherence tomography (OCT), for the determination of viscous properties during the dynamic whole blood coagulation process. Changes in the viscous properties increase the attenuation coefficient of the sample. Consequently, dynamic blood coagulation status can be monitored by relating changes of the attenuation coefficient to clinically relevant coagulation metrics, including the initial coagulation time and the clot formation rate. This system was used to characterize the influence of activator kaolin and the influence of hemodilution with either NaCl 0.9% or hydroxyethyl starch (HES) 6% on blood coagulation. The results show that PZT-OCE is sensitive to coagulation abnormalities and is able to characterize blood coagulation status based on viscosity-related attenuation coefficient measurements. PZT-OCE can be used for point-of-care testing for diagnosis of coagulation disorders and monitoring of therapies.

Synergistic effects of surfactant-assisted biodegradation of wheat straw and production of polysaccharides by Inonotus obliquus under submerged fermentation.

Current work proposes an innovative wheat straw biomass utilization strategy that connects efficient lignocellulose biodegradation with exo-polysaccharide (EPS) production in I. obliquus under submerged fermentation. The addition of Tween 80 increased the activities of ligninolytic enzymes MnP, LiP and Lac by 1200%, 125% and 39.9%, respectively. When wheat straw lignin recalcitrance was substantially reduced with the aid of Tween 80, I. obliquus was capable of utilizing the substrates and in turn accumulated EPS. The degradation of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin reached 46.1%, 46.4% and 44.1% on Day 9 of growth, respectively. Meanwhile, the maximum mycelial biomass and EPS production increased by 23.3% and 142.9%, respectively. The EPS had higher contents of sugar, protein, uronic acid, and mannose ratio, and higher antioxidant activity against 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS•+) and hydroxyl radicals.

Structure basis of the improved sweetness and thermostability of a unique double-sites single-chain sweet-tasting protein monellin (MNEI) mutant.

The sweet protein monellin has an intensely sweet potency but limited stability. We have identified a double-sites mutant (E2N/E23A) of the single-chain monellin (MNEI) with both improved sweetness (about 3-fold) and thermostability (10 °C). However, the structural basis of its superior properties remains elusive until now. Herein we report its crystal structure at a resolution 1.90 Å. Similar to the wild-type, E2N/E23A adopts a wedge-shaped structure consisting of a five-strand ß-sheet partially "wrapped" around an α-helix. However, distinguishing parts were present in the loops region, including a remarkable conformation shift from ß-strand to loop around residue R39. Molecular docking revealed the persistence of conserved protein-receptor interface and formation of new intermolecular ionic bonds in the E2N/E23A-receptor complex involving the taste-active residue R39 of the sweet protein, which could account for its significant improvement of sweetness. On the other hand, a rearrangement of intramolecular interaction network including the C-H … π bond between A23 and F89 that led to enhanced hydrophobicity in the protein core, could be correlated with its improved thermostability. Furthermore, two new sweeter mutants of MNEI were created. These findings highlight the critical roles of key sweetness determinant residue R39 and hydrophobicity at the protein core for the sweetness and thermostability of the protein, respectively, which thus provide a deeper insight for understanding the structure-function relationship of the sweet protein as well as guidance for rational design of this unique biomacromolecule.

The Heptahelical Domain of the Sweet Taste Receptor T1R2 Is a New Allosteric Binding Site for the Sweet Taste Modulator Amiloride That Modulates Sweet Taste in a Species-Dependent Manner.

The activity of sweet taste receptor (heterodimeric T1R2 and T1R3) can be modulated by sweet regulators. The compound amiloride can inhibit the sweet sensitivity of the human sweet taste receptor. This study describes the species-dependent regulation of the response of sweet taste receptors by this sweet inhibitor. Amiloride inhibited the sweet taste response of humans and mice but not that of squirrel monkeys. Using human/squirrel monkey/mouse chimeric T1R2 and T1R3 receptors as well as the agonist perillartine (which can activate the single heptahelical domain of T1R2), we found that the heptahelical domain of T1R2 is the molecular determinant that mediates the species-dependent sensitivity to this sweet regulator. Compared to the sweet inhibitor lactisole (which acts on T1R3), amiloride has a different allosteric binding site on the sweet receptor, which is important new information for the design of novel sweet taste modulators that act on T1R2.

Cloning, expression and characterization of the maltooligosyl trehalose synthase from the archaeon Sulfolobus tokodaii.

The maltooligosyl trehalose synthase gene from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Sulfolobus tokodaii strain 7 was cloned and the recombinant peotein was expressed in E. coli. The protein was purified to homogeneity by nickel column chromatography. The archaeal enzyme could catalyze an intramolecular transglycosylation reaction and convert the glycosidic bond at the reducing end of dextrins from α-1, 4 (reducing end) into α-1, 1 (non-reducing end). The most suitable temperature was 75°C and the optimal pH was 5. Substrate specificity investigation revealed that maltodextrin and maltooligosaccharide were used as substrates by the enzyme but maltose, chitooligosaccharide, sucrose and ß-cyclodextrin weren't used.

Solid state bioconversion of lignocellulosic residues by Inonotus obliquus for production of cellulolytic enzymes and saccharification.

White rot fungi have been usually considered for lignin degradation and ligninolytic enzyme production. To understand whether the white rot fungus Inonotus obliquus was able to produce highly efficient cellulase system, the production of cellulolytic enzyme cocktails was optimized under solid state fermentation. The activities of CMCase, FPase, and ß-glucosidase reached their maximum of 27.15IU/g, 3.16IU/g and 2.53IU/g using wheat bran at 40% (v/w) inoculum level, initial pH of 6.0 and substrate-moisture ratio of 1:2.5, respectively. The enzyme cocktail exhibited promising properties in terms of high catalytic activity at 40-60°C and at pH 3.0-4.5, indicating that the cellulolytic enzymes represent thermophilic and acidophilic characteristics. Saccharification of raw wheat straw and rice straw by the cellulolytic enzyme cocktail sampled on Day 12 resulted in the release of reducing sugar of 130.24mg/g and 125.36mg/g of substrate after 48h of hydrolysis, respectively.