Open-cage metallo-azafullerenes as efficient single-atom catalysts toward oxygen reduction reaction.

Very recently, open-cage metallo-azafullerenes PbC100N4H4 and Pb2C100N4H4 containing one Pb-N4-C moiety have been synthesized via the electron beam. Herein, we utilized density functional theory calculations in combination with ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations to study the geometric and electronic structures, bonding properties, thermodynamic stability, and catalytic performance of MC100N4H4 and M2C100N4H4 (M = Ge, Sn, Pb). Metal-nitrogen distances and metal-metal distances increase along with the metal radius while the metal atom is positively charged.

[Pricking-cupping combined with auricular thumbtack needle for postherpetic neuralgia of stagnation and blood stasis on chest and waist: a randomized controlled trial].

Objective: To observe the clinical effect of pricking-cupping combined with auricular thumbtack needle for postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) of stagnation and blood stasis on chest and waist.

Methods: A total of 98 patients with PHN of stagnation and blood stasis on chest and waist were randomized into an observation group (49 cases, 1 case was eliminated, 1 case dropped out) and a control group (49 cases, 1 case dropped out). In the observation group, treatment of pricking-cupping combined with auricular thumbtack needle was delivered, pricking and cupping were applied at Jiaji points (EX-B 2) at the related spinal segments corresponding to the pain sites and regional points, once every other day, auricular thumbtack needle was applied at Xin (CO), Shenmen (TF), Neifenmi (CO), Pizhixia (AT), etc.

Lycorine inhibits Ang II-induced heart remodeling and inflammation by suppressing the PI3K-AKT/NF-κB pathway.

Background: Ang II induces hypertensive heart failure (HF) via hemodynamic and non-hemodynamic actions. Lycorine (LYC) is an alkaloid derived from Lycoris bulbs, and it possesses anti-cardiovascular disease-related activities. Herein, we explored the potential LYC-mediated regulation of Ang II-induced HF.

Targeted isolation, identification, and antioxidant evaluation of aromatic polyketides from a plant-derived fungus Ophiobolus cirsii LZU-1509.

There are >350 species of the Ophiobolus genus, which is not yet very well-known and lacks research reports on secondary metabolites. Three new 3,4-benzofuran polyketides 1-3, a new 3,4-benzofuran polyketide racemate 4, two new pairs of polyketide enantiomers (±)-5 and (±)-7, two new acetophenone derivatives 6 and 8, and three novel 1,4-dioxane aromatic polyketides 9-11, were isolated from a fungus Ophiobolus cirsii LZU-1509 derived from an important medicinal and economic crop Anaphalis lactea. The isolation was guided by LC-MS/MS-based GNPS molecular networking analysis.

Elimination of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and resistance genes by earthworms during vermifiltration treatment of excess sludge.

Vermifiltration (VF) and a conventional biofilter (BF, no earthworm) were investigated by metagenomics to evaluate the removal rates of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB), antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and class 1 integron-integrase (intI1), as well as the impact mechanism in combination with the microbial community. According to the findings of qPCR and metagenomics, the VF facilitated greater removal rates of ARGs (78.83% ± 17.

Strain Effects on Flexible Perovskite Solar Cells.

Flexible perovskite solar cells (f-PSCs) as a promising power source have grabbed surging attention from academia and industry specialists by integrating with different wearable and portable electronics. With the development of low-temperature solution preparation technology and the application of different engineering strategies, the power conversion efficiency of f-PSCs has approached 24%. Due to the inherent properties and application scenarios of f-PSCs, the study of strain in these devices is recognized as one of the key factors in obtaining ideal devices and promoting commercialization.

Superlithiation Performance of Pyridinium Polymerized Ionic Liquids with Fast Li Diffusion Kinetics as Anode Materials for Lithium-Ion Battery.

Polymerized ionic liquids (PILs) with super ion diffusion kinetics have aroused considerable attention in rechargeable batteries, which are very promising to solve the problem of the slow ion diffusion kinetics in organic electrode materials. Theoretically, PILs incorporated redox groups are very suitable as anode materials to realize "superlithiation" performance, achieving high lithium storage capacity. In this study, redox pyridinium-based PILs (PILs-Py-400) have been synthesized through trimerization reactions by pyridinium ionic liquids with cyano groups under an appropriate temperature (400 °C).

Platinum Nanoparticles Loaded Graphitic Carbon Nitride Nanosheets with Enhanced Peroxidase-like Activity for HO and Oxidase-Based Sensing.

Platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) are classical peroxidase-like nanozyme; self-agglomeration of nanoparticles leads to the undesirable reduction in stability and catalytic activity. Herein, a hybrid peroxidase-like nanocatalyst consisting of PtNPs in situ growing on g-CN nanosheets with enhanced peroxidase-mimic catalytic activity (PtNP@g-CN nanosheets) was prepared for HO and oxidase-based colorimetric assay. g-CN nanosheets can be used as carriers to solve the problem of poor stability of PtNPs.

β-Cyclodextrin Polymer-Based Fluorescence Enhancement Strategy via Host-Guest Interaction for Sensitive Assay of SARS-CoV-2.

Nucleocapsid protein (N protein) is an appropriate target for early determination of viral antigen-based severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We have found that β-cyclodextrin polymer (β-CDP) has shown a significant fluorescence enhancement effect for fluorophore pyrene via host-guest interaction. Herein, we developed a sensitive and selective N protein-sensing method that combined the host-guest interaction fluorescence enhancement strategy with high recognition of aptamer.

Perovskite-Solar-Cell-Powered Integrated Fuel Conversion and Energy-Storage Devices.

Metal halide hybrid perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have received considerable attention over the past decade owing to their potential for low-cost, solution-processable, earth-abundant, and high-performance superiority, increasing power conversion efficiencies of up to 25.7%. Solar energy conversion into electricity is highly efficient and sustainable, but direct utilization, storage, and poor energy diversity are difficult to achieve, resulting in a potential waste of resources.

Aptamer-Gated Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for N Protein Triggered Release of Remdesivir and Treatment of Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

Since the 2019-nCoV outbreak was first reported, hundreds of millions of people all over the world have been infected. There is no doubt that improving the cure rate of 2019-nCoV is one of the most effective means to deal with the current serious epidemic. At present, Remdesivir (RDV) has been clinically proven to be effective in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2.

β-Cyclodextrin Polymer-Based Host-Guest Interaction and Fluorescence Enhancement of Pyrene for Sensitive Isocarbophos Detection.

The extensive use of organophosphorus pesticides in agriculture poses a high risk to human health and has boosted the demands for developing sensitive monitoring methods. Herein, we developed a facile and sensitive method for isocarbophos detection based on the remarkable fluorescence enhancement of pyrene during host-guest interaction of β-cyclodextrin polymer (β-CDP) and pyrene. The 3'-pyrene-labeled isocarbophos aptamer could be cleaved by exonuclease I to obtain free pyrene that was tagged on mononucleotides, which could enter the hydrophobic cavity of β-CDP, resulting in a prominent fluorescence enhancement.

Concave Pt-Zn Nanocubes with High-Index Faceted Pt Skin as Highly Efficient Oxygen Reduction Catalyst.

High dosage of expensive Pt to catalyze the sluggish oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) on the cathode severely impedes the commercialization of proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Therefore, it is urgent to cut down the Pt catalyst by efficiently improving the ORR activity while maintaining high durability. Herein, magic concave Pt-Zn nanocubes with high-index faceted Pt skin (Pt Zn ) are proposed for high-efficiency catalysis toward proton exchange membrane fuel cells.

Remodeling-defective GPI-anchored proteins on the plasma membrane activate the spindle assembly checkpoint.

Newly synthesized glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins (GPI-APs) undergo extensive remodeling prior to transport to the plasma membrane. GPI-AP remodeling events serve as quality assurance signatures, and complete remodeling of the anchor functions as a transport warrant. Using a genetic approach in yeast cells, we establish that one remodeling event, the removal of ethanolamine-phosphate from mannose 2 via Ted1p (yPGAP5), is essential for cell viability in the absence of the Golgi-localized putative phosphodiesterase Dcr2p.

Boosting Nitrogen Reduction to Ammonia on FeN Sites by Atomic Spin Regulation.

Understanding the relationship between the electronic state of active sites and N reduction reaction (NRR) performance is essential to explore efficient electrocatalysts. Herein, atomically dispersed Fe and Mo sites are designed and achieved in the form of well-defined FeN and MoN coordination in polyphthalocyanine (PPc) organic framework to investigate the influence of the spin state of FeN on NRR behavior. The neighboring MoN can regulate the spin state of Fe center in FeN from high-spin (d d d ) to medium-spin (d d d ), where the empty d orbitals and separate d electron favor the overlap of Fe 3d with the N 2p orbitals, more effectively activating N≡N triple bond.

Imbalance and breakout in the post-epidemic era: Research into the spatial patterns of freight demand network in six provinces of central China.

This study aims to explore the freight demand network spatial patterns in six provinces of central China from the perspective of the spread of the epidemic and the freight imbalance and breakout. To achieve this purpose, the big data of "cart search" demand information provided by small and medium freight enterprises on the freight information platform are analyzed. 343,690 pieces of freight demand big data on the freight information platform and Python, ArcGIS, UCINET, and Gephi software are used.

Regulating Fe-spin state by atomically dispersed Mn-N in Fe-N-C catalysts with high oxygen reduction activity.

As low-cost electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction applied to fuel cells and metal-air batteries, atomic-dispersed transition metal-nitrogen-carbon materials are emerging, but the genuine mechanism thereof is still arguable. Herein, by rational design and synthesis of dual-metal atomically dispersed Fe,Mn/N-C catalyst as model object, we unravel that the O reduction preferentially takes place on Fe in the FeN /C system with intermediate spin state which possesses one e electron (t4e1) readily penetrating the antibonding π-orbital of oxygen. Both magnetic measurements and theoretical calculation reveal that the adjacent atomically dispersed Mn-N moieties can effectively activate the Fe sites by both spin-state transition and electronic modulation, rendering the excellent ORR performances of Fe,Mn/N-C in both alkaline and acidic media (halfwave positionals are 0.

Highly rapid and non-enzymatic detection of cholesterol based on carbon nitride quantum dots as fluorescent nanoprobes.

In this work, we reported a highly rapid and non-enzymatic method for cholesterol measuring based on carbon nitride quantum dots (CNQDs) as fluorescent nanoprobes, which were synthesized through chemical oxidation. The obtained CNQDs displayed high quantum yield up to 35% as well as excellent photostability, water solubility and low toxicity. We found that the fluorescence of CNQDs could be quenched more than 90% within 30 seconds by cholesterol through the formation of hydrogen bonds between -NH, -NH on the surface of CNQDs and cholesterol containing -OH.

Cdc1p is a Golgi-localized glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein remodelase.

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins (GPI-APs) undergo extensive posttranslational modifications and remodeling, including the addition and subsequent removal of phosphoethanolamine (EtNP) from mannose 1 (Man1) and mannose 2 (Man2) of the glycan moiety. Removal of EtNP from Man1 is catalyzed by Cdc1p, an event that has previously been considered to occur in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). We establish that Cdc1p is in fact a /medial Golgi membrane protein that relies on the COPI coatomer for its retention in this organelle.

Optimization of Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction Using Response Surface Methodology for Simultaneous Quantitation of Six Flavonoids in Flos Sophorae Immaturus and Antioxidant Activity.

Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) was applied to extract rutin (RU), nicotiflorin (NI), narcissoside (NA), kaempferol (KA), isorhamnetin (IS), quercetin (QU), and total flavonoids of Flos Sophorae Immaturus (TFFSI) from Flos Sophorae Immaturus (FSI). Through single factor test and response surface methodology (RSM), the optimal extraction conditions were concluded as follows: ethanol concentration 70%, time 30 min, temperature 61 °C, and liquid/solid ratio 15.30 mL/g, respectively.

Optimizing vermifilter depth by process performance collaborated with the evolutions of microbial characteristics during sewage sludge treatment.

The present study focuses on optimizing filter depth on sludge reduction in a four-stage vermifiltration during the course of treating excess sludge continuously. The results indicated that when the filter depth exceeded 75 cm, though the fourth stage can further advance the sludge reduction, its contribution for the total sludge reduction was lower than 10%, while the aerobic bacteria, especially the dominant bacteria (Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes), kept a high similarity as the filter depth varied. Furthermore, earthworm activities attributed to aerobic bacteria being preferentially selected in the system, positively supporting the organic decomposition.

Bis[2-(2-pyridylmethyl-eneamino)benzene-sulfonato-κN,N',O]cobalt(II) dihydrate.

The title complex, [Co(C(12)H(9)N(2)O(3)S)(2)]·2H(2)O, has site symmetry 2 with the Co(II) cation located on a twofold rotation axis. Two tridentate 2-(2-pyridylmethyl-eneamino)benzene-sulfonate (paba) ligands chelate to the Co(II) cation in a distorted octa-hedral geometry. The pyridine and benzene rings in the paba ligand are oriented at a dihedral angle of 42.

Chloridotetra-kis(pyridine-4-carb-alde-hyde-κN)copper(II) chloride.

In the mol-ecular structure of the title compound, [CuCl(C(6)H(5)NO)(4)]Cl, the Cu(II) atom is coordinated by four N atoms of four pyridine-4-carboxaldehyde ligands and one chloride anion in a slightly distorted square-pyramidal coordination geometry. There is also a non-coordinating Cl(-) anion in the crystal structure. The Cu(II) atom and both Cl atoms are situated on fourfold rotation axes.

Bis[2-(2-pyridylmethyl-eneamino)benzene-sulfonato]-κN,N',O;κN,N'-copper(II).

In the mononuclear title compound, [Cu(C(12)H(9)N(2)O(3)S)(2)], the copper(II) salt of 2-(2-pyridylmethyl-eneamino)benzene-sulfonic acid, the Cu(II) atom is coordinated by one O and two N atoms from a monoanion as well as by two N atoms from another monoanion in a distorted trigonal-bipyramidal environment.