Tuning the CO and CO Electroreduction by Rate-Determining and Selectivity-Determining Steps.

The renewable electricity-driven CO and CO reduction represents a promising approach for reducing the CO footprint toward carbon neutrality. Substantial research developments have been achieved in designing catalysts and reaction interfaces for enhanced electrocatalytic activity and selectivity, and the investigation and understanding of the complex reaction mechanisms have also been extensively investigated by both characterizations and theoretical investigations. Although quasi-equilibrium and rate-determining step assumptions are widely used in electrochemical kinetics, the overall reaction rate is generally determined by a series of elementary steps, and the influence of a certain elementary step for the overall reaction rate can be quantified based on the degree of rate control theory.

Carbon Dioxide Upgrading to Biodegradable Plastics through Photo/Electro-Synthetic Biohybrid Systems.

The escalating emissions of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO) and the pervasive issue of nondegradable plastic pollution underscore dual urgent challenges in pursuit of a sustainable society. Achieving such sustainability in the plastic industry, while effectively addressing these environmental concerns, necessitates the development and implementation of innovative strategies for the synthesis of biodegradable polymers utilizing CO as feedstocks. The technologies not only facilitate the mitigation of elevated atmospheric CO concentrations but also introduce a renewable carbon resource for polymer manufacturing.

Pyroptosis-related crosstalk in osteoarthritis: Macrophages, fibroblast-like synoviocytes and chondrocytes.

The pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA) involves a multifaceted interplay of inflammatory processes. The initiation of pyroptosis involves the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and has been identified as a critical factor in regulating the development of OA. Upon initiation of pyroptosis, a multitude of inflammatory mediators are released and can be disseminated throughout the synovial fluid within the joint cavity, thereby facilitating intercellular communication across the entire joint.

Unconventional Electrocatalytic CO Conversion to C Products on Single-Atomic Pd-Ag Sites.

The electrochemical reduction of CO or CO into C products has mostly been focused on Cu-based catalysts. Although Ag has also been predicted as a possible catalyst for the CO-to-C conversion from the thermodynamic point of view, however, due to its weak CO binding strength, CO rapidly desorbs from the Ag surface rather than participates in deep reduction. In this work, we demonstrate that single-atomic Pd sites doped in Ag lattice can tune the CO adsorption behavior and promote the deep reduction of CO toward C products.

Electrocatalytic Glycerol Upgrading into Glyceric Acid on NiSn Intermetallic Compound.

Electrochemical glycerol oxidation features an attractive approach of converting bulk chemicals into high-value products such as glyceric acid. Nonetheless, to date, the major product selectivity has mostly been limited as low-value C products such as formate, CO, and CO, due to the fast cleavage of carbon-carbon (C-C) bonds during electro-oxidation. Herein, the study develops an atomically ordered NiSn intermetallic compound catalyst, in which Sn atoms with low carbon-binding and high oxygen-binding capability allow to tune the adsorption of glycerol oxidation intermediates from multi-valent carbon binding to mono-valent carbon binding, as well as enhance OH binding and subsequent nucleophilic attack.

Unveiling synergy of strain and ligand effects in metallic aerogel for electrocatalytic polyethylene terephthalate upcycling.

Recently, there has been a notable surge in interest regarding reclaiming valuable chemicals from waste plastics. However, the energy-intensive conventional thermal catalysis does not align with the concept of sustainable development. Herein, we report a sustainable electrocatalytic approach allowing the selective synthesis of glycolic acid (GA) from waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) over a PdAg alloy catalyst under ambient conditions.

Ammonia marine engine design for enhanced efficiency and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

Pilot-diesel-ignition ammonia combustion engines have attracted widespread attentions from the maritime sector, but there are still bottleneck problems such as high unburned NH and NO emissions as well as low thermal efficiency that need to be solved before further applications. In this study, a concept termed as in-cylinder reforming gas recirculation is initiated to simultaneously improve the thermal efficiency and reduce the unburned NH, NO, NO and greenhouse gas emissions of pilot-diesel-ignition ammonia combustion engine. For this concept, one cylinder of the multi-cylinder engine operates rich of stoichiometric and the excess ammonia in the cylinder is partially decomposed into hydrogen, then the exhaust of this dedicated reforming cylinder is recirculated into the other cylinders and therefore the advantages of hydrogen-enriched combustion and exhaust gas recirculation can be combined.

(111) Facet-oriented CuMg Intermetallic Compound with Cu-Mg Sites for CO Electroreduction to Ethanol with Industrial Current Density.

The efficient ethanol electrosynthesis from CO is challenging with low selectivity at high CO electrolysis rates, due to the competition with H and other reduction products. Copper-based bimetallic electrocatalysts are potential candidates for the CO-to-ethanol conversion, but the secondary metal has mainly been focused on active components (such as Ag, Sn) for CO electroreduction, which also promote selectivity of ethylene or other reduction products rather than ethanol. Limited attention has been given to alkali-earth metals due to their inherently active chemical property.

Examining associations of folic acid supplements administered to mothers during pre-conceptional and prenatal periods with autism spectrum disorders in their offspring: insights from a multi-center study in China.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between maternal folic acid (FA) supplementation during the pre-conceptional and prenatal periods and the subsequent risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in offspring.

Methods: A total of 6,049 toddlers aged 16-30 months were recruited from August 2016 to March 2017 for this cross-sectional study conducted in China. The parents of the enrolled toddlers provided information on maternal supplemental FA, socio-demographic information, and related covariates.

Exploring global research status and trends in anti-obesity effects of traditional Chinese medicine through intestinal microbiota: a bibliometric study.

Background: The intestinal microbiota (IM) has been found to contribute to metabolic disorders that lead to excessive fat accumulation, systemic and chronic low-grade inflammation, and insulin resistance in the host. Current research highlights a pivotal interaction between IM and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in mitigating obesity-related diseases. Undeniably, IM stands as a central focus in TCM research aimed at preventing and treating obesity.

Tailoring the CO and H Coverage for Selective CO Electroreduction to CH or CH.

In the electrochemical CO reduction reaction (CORR), the coverages of CO and H intermediates on a catalyst surface are critical for the selective generation of C or C products. In this work, we have synthesized several CuZnMn ternary alloy electrocatalysts, including CuZnMn, CuZnMn, and CuZnMn, by varying the doping compositions of Zn and Mn, which are efficient in binding CO and H adsorbates in the CO electroreduction process, respectively. The increase of H coverage allows to promotion of the CH and H formation, while the increase of the CO coverage facilitates the production of CH and CO.

High-Power CO-to-C Electroreduction on Ga-Spaced, Square-like Cu Sites.

The electrochemical conversion of CO into multicarbon (C) products on Cu-based catalysts is strongly affected by the surface coverage of adsorbed CO (*CO) intermediates and the subsequent C-C coupling. However, the increased *CO coverage inevitably leads to strong *CO repulsion and a reduced C-C coupling efficiency, thus resulting in suboptimal CO-to-C activity and selectivity, especially at ampere-level electrolysis current densities. Herein, we developed an atomically ordered CuGa intermetallic compound consisting of Cu square-like binding sites interspaced by catalytically inert Ga atoms.

Atomic Cu Sites Engineering Enables Efficient CO Electroreduction to Methane with High CH/CH Ratio.

Electrochemical reduction of CO into high-value hydrocarbons and alcohols by using Cu-based catalysts is a promising and attractive technology for CO capture and utilization, resulting from their high catalytic activity and selectivity. The mobility and accessibility of active sites in Cu-based catalysts significantly hinder the development of efficient Cu-based catalysts for CO electrochemical reduction reaction (CORR). Herein, a facile and effective strategy is developed to engineer accessible and structural stable Cu sites by incorporating single atomic Cu into the nitrogen cavities of the host graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN) as the active sites for CO-to-CH conversion in CORR.

Iron Nanoparticles Protected by Chainmail-structured Graphene for Durable Electrocatalytic Nitrate Reduction to Nitrogen.

The electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction (NO RR) is an appealing technology for regulating the nitrogen cycle. Metallic iron is one of the well-known electrocatalysts for NO RR, but it suffers from poor durability due to leaching and oxidation of iron during the electrocatalytic process. In this work, a graphene-nanochainmail-protected iron nanoparticle (Fe@Gnc) electrocatalyst is reported.

Five new secondary metabolites from an endophytic fungus sp. SZSJ-7B.

Two previously undescribed lactones, phomolides A and B ( and ), and three new sesquiterpenoids, phomenes A-C (-), together with one known compound, colletotricholide A (), were isolated from the endophytic fungus sp. SZSJ-7B. Their chemical structures, including the absolute configurations, were comprehensively established by extensive analyses of NMR, high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, electronic circular dichroism powered by theoretical calculations, and X-ray diffractions.

Two new chromone derivatives from the rhizosphere soil fungus .

Two new chromone derivatives ( and ), and two known compounds ( and ) were isolated from the rhizosphere soil fungus . Their planar structures and absolute configurations were determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. Additionally, all the isolated compounds were evaluated for their antibacterial activity against , , and , but no obvious activity was observed at a concentration of 128 μg/mL.

Pseudocercones A-C, three new polyketide derivatives from the endophytic fungus sp. TSS-1.

Chemical investigation of an EtOAc extract of the endophytic fungus sp. TSS-1 led to the isolation of three new polyketide derivatives, including one benzophenon derivative (), two spirocyclic polyketides ( and ), along with four known compounds (, , and ). Their structures and the absolute configurations were characterized by means of NMR, HRESIMS, C NMR and theoretical electronic circular dichroism calculations.

Mismatched ligand density enables ordered assembly of mixed-dimensional, cross-species materials.

The ordered coassembly of mixed-dimensional species-such as zero-dimensional (0D) nanocrystals and 2D microscale nanosheets-is commonly deemed impracticable, as phase separation almost invariably occurs. Here, by manipulating the ligand grafting density, we achieve ordered coassembly of 0D nanocrystals and 2D nanosheets under standard solvent evaporation conditions, resulting in macroscopic, freestanding hybrid-dimensional superlattices with both out-of-plane and in-plane order. The key to suppressing the notorious phase separation lies in hydrophobizing nanosheets with molecular ligands identical to those of nanocrystals but having substantially lower grafting density.

Diaportones A-C: Three New Metabolites From Endophytic Fungus BZM-15.

Phytochemical investigation of BZM-15 led to one new -butyrolactone derivative, diaportone A (), one cyclopentenone derivative, diaportone B (), and one monoterpene derivative, diaportone C (), along with six known compounds (, , and ). Their structures as well as the absolute configurations were characterized by means of NMR, HRESIMS, and ECD spectroscopy and quantum chemistry calculation, respectively. Furthermore, all compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity and antibacterial activity, and compounds and displayed significant antiproliferative effects on three human cancer cell lines (SF-268, MCF-7, and HepG2) with IC values ranging from 3.

Rhytidhylides A and B, Two New Phthalide Derivatives from the Endophytic Fungus sp. BZM-9.

Two new phthalide derivatives, rhytidhylides A () and B (), together with ten known compounds (-) were isolated from cultures of sp. BZM-9, an endophyte isolated from the leaves of . Their structures were identified by an extensive analysis of NMR, HRESIMS, ECD, and through comparison with data reported in the literature.

Diffusion Tensor Imaging in Rat Models of Preclinical Diabetic Nephropathy: A Preliminary Study.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the value of diffusion tensor imaging to assess renal injury in a rat model of preclinical diabetic nephropathy.

Methods: Twenty-eight male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into two groups: the normal control (NC) group of 10 rats and the diabetic nephropathy (DN) group of 18 rats. Eight weeks after diabetes induction by streptozotocin, 3.

Biflavonoids from as Potential Antitumor Agents for Intervention of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Four new biflavonoids (-) were isolated from together with a known biflavonoid derivative (). Their structures contained a rare linker of individual flavones to each other by direct C-3-O-C-4''' bonds, and were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic data, including HRESIMS, NMR and ECD data. All isolates significantly inhibited the proliferation of NSCLC cells (IC = 2.

ASPEN PLUS desulfurization simulations for the scrubber of a large-scale marine diesel engine: main scrubbing section's desulfurization share optimization and superiority confirmation for the seawater/seawater cascade-scrubbing solution.

Aiming at perfecting the proposed three-stage cascade-scrubbing desulfurization technology, ASPEN PLUS simulations of seawater/seawater cascade-scrubbing desulfurization for an exhaust gas scrubber designed for a 10-MW large-scale marine diesel engine were performed to fix a reasonable desulfurization share for the main scrubbing section. Accordingly, three typical desulfurization share setups of 80%, 85%, and 90% were compared under various operational conditions by varying the fuel-sulfur content, liquid/gas ratio, and seawater alkalinity. In complying with the desulfurization requirements of emission control areas, 85% was obtained as the optimal desulfurization share among the three setups.