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The movement towards electrification is entailing deep changes in power systems. On the demand side, the adoption of electric heating (EH) has grown rapidly in recent years. To eliminate the voltage fluctuations caused by the random switching‐on/‐off behaviors of EHs in some application scenes with special‐power‐line in low voltage distribution networks (LVDNs), a swarm‐intelligence‐based coordinated control approach of EHs for voltage stabilization with zero communication burden while guaranteeing the users' thermal comforts is researched. A novel bird‐perch‐on‐branch (BPB) ‐based swarm intelligence theory is proposed, which reveals the mapping relation between local observations and global states. On this theoretical basis, a multi‐agent reinforcement learning (MARL) framework is developed for the coordinated dispatch of EHs, where the deep‐Q‐network (DQN) algorithm is adopted to learn and generate the optimal control policy for each EH. The implementation of the proposed MADQN‐BPB approach is described based on the principle of centralized‐training and decentralized‐execution. Comparative control performances of MADQN‐BPB with a commercially available approach, and the global optimal solution are evaluated. Simulation results verify the capability of MADQN‐BPB in voltage stabilization with zero communication burden. Its control performance is close to that of the global optimal solution, and is scalable to the variations of environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid development of large-scale livestock husbandry has caused serious air pollution problems (e.g., The Tuzuoqi demonstration farm belonging to the Yili Group. The farm is located in the suburb of Hohhot City in northern China). In this study, the gases in typical areas of a large-scale dairy farm were sampled and measured for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), hydrogen sulfide, and ammonia concentrations. Fifty-two species of VOCs were identified. The VOCs emitted from the cowshed mainly consisted of halogenated hydrocarbons (16,960 µg/m3), ketones (15,700 µg/m3), esters (9889 µg/m3), and sulfur compounds (3677 µg/m3). The VOCs from the oxidation pond were mainly composed of halogenated hydrocarbons (21,940 µg/m3) and ketones (3589 µg/m3). The VOCs from the solid–liquid separation tank comprised halogenated hydrocarbons (32,010 µg/m3), ketones (7169 µg/m3), and sulfur compounds (1003 µg/m3). The highest concentrations of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide were obtained from the milking parlor and solid–liquid separation tank, respectively. The ammonia concentration declined gradually due to the superposition of ammonia emitted from the cowshed and milking parlor. Analysis results of the influences of distance and meteorological factors on the dispersion of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide suggested that the dilution factors decreased with increasing distance from the emission source. Within distance ranges of 0–10 and 10–25 m, the concentration dilution factors were positively correlated with wind speed and temperature but negatively correlated with humidity and atmospheric pressure. The results of our work can provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and control of odorous gases in large-scale livestock farms. Implications: Gases in typical areas of a large-scale dairy farm were sampled, and a total of 52 species of VOCs were identified. The highest concentrations of ketones, sulfur compounds, and esters were obtained at the cowshed (15,700, 3677, and 9889 µg/m3, respectively). Within the distance ranges of 0–10 and 10–25 m, the concentration dilution factors were positively correlated with wind speed and temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, pristine biochar (BC), ball milling biochar (MBC), Fe 3 O 4 modified BC (Fe 3 O 4 @BC), and Fe 3 O 4 modified MBC (Fe 3 O 4 @MBC) were prepared to compare the Bisphenol A (BPA) removal efficiency by activating persulfate (PDS). All catalysts exhibited excellent degradation rather than adsorption in the PDS system, and Fe 3 O 4 @MBC800 had the best BPA removal efficiency, with 96.73% degradation and negligible 1.43% adsorption due to the synergistic effect between MBC800 and Fe 3 O 4 particles. Radical quenching experiments and electron paramagnetic resonance analysis indicated radical pathways, namely, SO 4 ∙- and ∙OH, O 2 ∙-, and non-radical pathway (1O 2) involving BPA degradation. The abundant oxygen-containing groups, increased graphitization and mesopores of MBC800, and Fe3+/Fe2+ conversion of Fe 3 O 4 particles facilitated PDS activation to produce reactive oxygen species. In addition, the superior electrochemical performance accelerated the electron transfer between the catalyst and PDS, promoting BPA degradation in the Fe 3 O 4 @MBC800/PDS system. More importantly, Fe 3 O 4 @MBC800 is resistant to environmental interference, including pH, anions, cations, and humic acid, and has good catalytic reusability and stability, which fulfills the requirements of engineering applications. Therefore, Fe 3 O 4 loaded on ball-milled biochar provides a convenient strategy for preparing environmentally friendly, economical, and efficient carbon-based catalysts to remove organic contaminants. [Display omitted] • Fe 3 O 4 modified ball-milled biochar (MBC) had the best surface properties. • Fe 3 O 4 modified 800 °C-MBC (Fe 3 O 4 @MBC800) showed the highest BPA removal efficiency. • SO 4 ∙-, ∙OH and O 2 ∙-, and non-radical pathway (1O 2) are involved in BPA degradation. • Synergistic effect between MBC800 and Fe 3 O 4 facilitate persulfate activation. • Fe 3 O 4 @MBC800 is reusable, stable and resistant to environmental interference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cytidine deaminase (CDA) is a zinc metalloenzyme that catalyzes the hydrolytic deamination of cytidine to uridine. Zebularine (ZEB) binds to CDA, and the binding process leads to a near-perfect transition-state analogue (TSA) inhibitor at the active site with an estimated K1value of 1.2 x 10-12 M. The interaction of CDA with the TSA inhibitor has become a paradigm for studying the tight TSA binding by enzymes. The formation of the TSA is catalyzed by CDA by a mechanism that is similar to the formation of the tetrahedral intermediate during the CDA-catalyzed reaction (i.e., through the nucleophilic attack of a Zn-hydroxide group on C4. It is believed that the TSA formed at the active site is zebularine 3,4-hydrate. In this paper, it is shown from QM/MM molecular dynamics and free energy simulations that zebularine 3,4-hydrate may in fact be unstable in the enzyme and that a proton transfer from the Zn-hydroxide group to Glu-104 during the nucleophilic attack could be responsible for the very high affinity. The nucleophilic attack by the Zn-hydroxide on C4 is found to be concerted with two proton transfers. Such concerted process allows the TSA, an alkoxide-like inhibitor, to be stabilized through a mechanism that is similar to the transition-state stabilization in the general acid-base catalysis. It is suggested that the proton transfer from the Zn-hydroxide to Glu-104, which is required to generate the general acid for protonating the leaving ammonia, may play an important role in lowering the activation barrier during the catalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current commercial optical storage technologies are all based on the heat effect of the recording laser, i.e., heat-mode optical storage. In the present work, photon-mode optical storage using photochromic diarylethene materials was investigated. Two diarylethene derivatives were dispersed into PMMA solution, and spin-coated on a glass substrate with Al reflective layer as the recording layer. Two laser beams of 532 and 650 nm were used in recording and readout simultaneously, and signals with high S/N ratio were detected. Multi-wavelength optical storage was realized with the diarylethene PMMA film. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Human activities, such as mining and manufacturing, expose society and the natural environment to harmful levels of metal ions. Recently, optical sensor arrays for metal ion detection have become popular owing to their favourable features, such as facile sample preparation and the requirement of less expensive instrumentation compared to traditional, spectrometry‐based analysis techniques. Sensor arrays usually consist of numerous optical probes that are used in combination to generate unique analyte responses. In contrast, here we present an array that comprises a single fluorescent sensor, Coum4‐DPA, that produces unique responses to metal ions in different pH environments. With this simple sensing platform, we were able to classify 10 metal ions in different water sources and quantify Pb2+ in tap water using just one fluorescent sensor, a few pH buffers and two sets of spectral data. This novel approach significantly decreases time and costs associated with probe synthesis and data collection, making it highly transferrable to real‐world metal sensing applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The preparation of ultra–small silver nanoparticles (average diameter ≤10 nm) is a technical problem because of their aggregation tendency. Therefore, the preparation conditions are usually harsh and complex. It is widely recognized that covalent organic frameworks (COFs) represent a novel class of porous crystalline compounds with broad applications in various fields. In this work, an environmentally and economically friendly new method has been developed for synthesizing ultra–small silver nanoparticles by reducing silver ions in ethanol solution with a covalent organic framework (TPB–DMTP–COF) as a template and reductant at room temperature. Interestingly, the TPB–DMTP–COF not only serves as a template and reductant but also functions as a stabilizer. Moreover, the TPB–DMTP–COF can be utilized repeatedly as a reductant. The morphology and structure of the silver nanoparticles were examined using transmission electron microscopy and showed that they were spherical with an average particle size of approximately 7.5 nm. Compared with the previously reported silver nanoparticles, the silver nanoparticles synthesized by this new method are not coated with Surfactant, such as Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). As a result, they possess a larger exposed surface area, exhibit increased activity, and demonstrate excellent antimicrobial properties against both Gram–negative Escherichia coli and Gram–positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aerobic composting of dairy manure for reuse as cow mattress is an efficient and environmentally friendly technology. Herein, composting including the mesophilic and thermophilic stage without cooling and maturation was studied in different seasons using dairy manure as a substrate considering the characteristics of areas with large temperature differences. Composting was completed during spring and summer under natural conditions, but not during autumn and winter. At sub-low temperature (i.e. −10–15 °C), adjusting the turning frequency, straw, and microbial inoculum addition was performed to optimize the composting. A dairy manure/straw ratio of 2:1 (v:v), 4 days of turns, and addition of 1.3 L/t microbial inoculum were optimal for rapid warming and long thermophilic stage duration. After composting, the water content was approximately 50% and polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) analysis showed that the microbial community structure of the composted samples differed greatly between seasons. The dominant bacteria belonged to the genera Clostridium and Flavobacterium. Quantitative PCR showed that four common pathogenic bacteria, Salmonella , Shigella , Staphylococcus aureus , and Escherichia coli, were not present after composting, indicating that pathogenic bacteria could be inactivated by dairy manure composting. The composted products satisfied harmlessness and hygienic standards for reuse as a dairy mattress. Image 1 • It is clean and safety to reuse dairy manure composting products as mattress. • Aerobic composting can be completed by adjusting process parameters. • The dominant bacteria during composting were Clostridium and Flavobacterium. • The pathogens were inactivated by composting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a general acid-base mechanism for the stabilization of a tetrahedral adduct in a serine-carboxyl peptidase. Sedolisins (serine-carboxyl peptidases) belong to a recently characterized family of proteolytic enzymes that have a fold resembling that of subtilisin and a maximal activity at low pH. This family includes the peptidase CLN2, a human enzyme for which mutations in the encoding CLN2 gene lead to a fatal neuro-degenerative disease, that is, classical late-infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis.

Yellow-flowering species are unique in the genus Camellia not only for their bright yellow pigments but also the health-improving substances in petals. However, little is known regarding the biosynthesis pathways of pigments and secondary metabolites. Here, we performed comparative genomics studies in two yellow-flowered species of the genus Camellia with distinctive flowering periods. We obtained 112,190 and 89,609 unigenes from Camellia nitidissima and Camellia chuongtsoensis, respectively, and identified 9547 gene family clusters shared with various plant species and 3414 single-copy gene families. Global gene expression analysis revealed six comparisons of differentially expressed gene sets in different developmental stages of floral bud. Through the identification of orthologous pairs, conserved and specific differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between species were compared. Functional enrichment analysis suggested that the gibberellin (GA) biosynthesis pathway might be related to the alteration of flowering responses. Furthermore, the expression patterns of secondary metabolism pathway genes were analyzed between yellow- and red-flowered Camellias. We showed that the key enzymes involved in glycosylation of flavonoids displayed differential expression patterns, indicating that the direct glycosylation of flavonols rather than anthocyanins was pivotal to coloration and health-improving metabolites in the yellow Camellia petals. Finally, the gene family analysis of UDP-glycosyltransferases revealed an expansion of group C members in C. nitidissima. Through comparative genomics analysis, we demonstrate that changes of gene expression and gene family members are critical to the variation of natural traits. This work provides valuable insights into the molecular regulation of trait adaptations of floral pigmentation and flowering timing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • We synthesized Au@PtNiAu concave octahedral core-shell nanocatalysts (Au@PtNiAu-COCS). • The mass activity of this catalyst is 11.22 times in ORR and 4.56 times in MOR than commercial Pt/C. • It exhibits a superior power density under fuel cell operation and better performance. • Its half-wave potential displacement after 30 k cycles is only 12 mV. • It retained the 78.8% of MA after 30 k cycles in ORR and lower CO oxidation overpotential in MOR. Despite the remarkable research efforts, the lack of ideal activity and state-of-the-art electrocatalysts remains a substantial challenge for the global application of fuel cell technology. Herein, is reported the synthesis of Au@PtNiAu concave octahedral core-shell nanocatalysts (Au@PtNiAu-COCS) via solvothermal synthesis modification and optimization approach. The special structure generating a large number of step atoms, enhancing the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) activity and stability. The superior ORR mass activity of the Au@PtNiAu-COCS is 11.22 times than the exhibited of Pt/C initially by Pt loading, and 5.11 times by Pt + Au loading. After 30 k cycles the mass activity remains 78.8% (8.83 times the initial Pt/C activity) and the half-wave potential only shifts 12 mV. Au@PtNiAu-COCS has superior half-cell activity and gives ideal membrane electrode assemblies. Furthermore, for MOR the Au@PtNiAu-COCS show enhanced anti-toxic (tolerant) ability in CO. This work provides a new strategy to develop core-shell structure nanomaterials for electrocatalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An efficient synthetic method was proposed to synthesize some 2,3-position hybrid diarylethene derivatives. In these compounds, one of thiophene rings was attached to the ethylene moiety at 2-position, the other at 3-position. These asymmetric diarylethenes are sensitive at wavelengths in the region of 400 and 500 nm. They can undergo thermally irreversible and fatigue-resistant photochromic reactions in solution, some of them even in the solid state. Substituent effects on their photochromism were examined. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Microbial terpene synthase-like ( MTPSL ) genes are a type of terpene synthase genes only recently identified in plants. In contrast to typical plant terpene synthase genes, which are ubiquitous in land plants, MTPSL genes appear to occur only in nonseed plants. Our knowledge of catalytic functions of MTPSLs is very limited. Here we report biochemical characterization of the enzymes encoded by MTPSL genes from two closely related species of hornworts, Anthoceros punctatus and Anthoceros agrestis . Seven full-length MTPSL genes were identified in A. punctatus ( ApMTPSL1 - 7 ) based on the analysis of its genome sequence. Using homology-based cloning, the apparent orthologs for six of the ApMTPSL genes, except ApMTPSL2 , were cloned from A. agrestis . They were designated AaMTPSL1, 3–7 . The coding sequences for each of the 13 Anthoceros MTPSL genes were cloned into a protein expression vector. Escherichia coli -expressed recombinant MTPSLs from hornworts were assayed for terpene synthase activities. Six ApMTPSLs and five AaMTPSLs, except for ApMTPSL5 and AaMTPSL5, showed catalytic activities with one or more isoprenyl diphosphate substrates. All functional MTPSLs exhibited sesquiterpene synthase activities. In contrast, only ApMTPSL7 and AaMTPSL7 showed monoterpene synthase activity and only ApMTPSL2, ApMTPSL6 and AaMTPSL6 showed diterpene synthase activity. Most MTPSLs from Anthoceros contain uncanonical aspartate-rich motif in the form of either ‘DDxxxD’ or ‘DDxxx’. Homology-based structural modeling analysis of ApMTPSL1 and ApMTPSL7, which contain ‘DDxxxD’ and ‘DDxxx’ motif, respectively, showed that ‘DDxxxD’ and ‘DDxxx’ motifs are localized in the similar positions as the canonical ‘DDxxD’ motif in known terpene synthases. To further understand the role of individual aspartate residues in the motifs, ApMTPSL1 and ApMTPSL7 were selected as two representatives for site-directed mutagenesis studies. No activities were detected when any of the conserved aspartic acid was mutated into alanine. This study provides new information about the catalytic functions of MTPSLs and the functionality of their uncanonical aspartate-rich motifs, and builds a knowledge base for studying the biological importance of MTPSL genes and their terpene products in nonseed plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the characteristics of the reverse osmosis concentrate (ROC) generated from iron and steel company, we used three sets of parallel horizontal subsurface flow (HSF) constructed wetlands (CWs) with different plants and substrate layouts to treat the high-salinity wastewater. The plant growth and removal efficiencies under saline condition were evaluated. The evaluation was based entirely on routinely collected water quality data and the physical and chemical characteristics of the plants (Phragmites australis, Typha latifolia, Iris wilsonii, andScirpus planiculmis). The principal parameters of concern in the effluent were chemical oxygen demand (COD), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP). The results showed that the CWs were able to remove COD, TN, and TP from ROC.S. planiculmiswas not suitable for the treatment of high-saline wastewater. The sequence of metals accumulated in CW plants was K>Ca>Na>Mg>Zn>Cu. More than 70% of metals were accumulated in the aboveground ofP. australis. The CW filled with gravel and manganese ore and planted withP. australisandT. latifoliahad the best performance of pollutant removal, with average removal of 49.96%, 39.45%, and 72.01% for COD, TN, and TP, respectively. The effluent water quality met the regulation in China. These results suggested that HSF CW planted withP. australisandT. latifoliacan be applied for ROC pollutants removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The NF-YB transcription factor gene family encodes a subunit of the CCAAT box-binding factor (CBF), a highly conserved trimeric activator that strongly binds to the CCAAT box promoter element. Studies on model plants have shown that NF-YB proteins participate in important developmental and physiological processes, but little is known about NF-YB proteins in trees. Here, we identified seven NF-YB transcription factor-encoding genes in Vernicia fordii, an important oilseed tree in China. A phylogenetic analysis separated the genes into two groups; non-LEC1 type ( VfNF-YB1, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13) and LEC1-type ( VfNF-YB 14). A gene structure analysis showed that VfNF-YB 5 has three introns and the other genes have no introns. The seven VfNF-YB sequences contain highly conserved domains, a disordered region at the N terminus, and two long helix structures at the C terminus. Phylogenetic analyses showed that VfNF-YB family genes are highly homologous to GmNF-YB genes, and many of them are closely related to functionally characterized NF-YBs. In expression analyses of various tissues (root, stem, leaf, and kernel) and the root during pathogen infection, VfNF-YB1, 5, and 11 were dominantly expressed in kernels, and VfNF- YB7 and 9 were expressed only in the root. Different VfNF-YB family genes showed different responses to pathogen infection, suggesting that they play different roles in the pathogen response. Together, these findings represent the first extensive evaluation of the NF-YB family in tung tree and provide a foundation for dissecting the functions of VfNF-YB genes in seed development, stress adaption, fatty acid synthesis, and pathogen response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immobilisation of aptameric ligands on solid stationary supports for effective binding of target molecules requires understanding of the relationship between aptamer-polymer interactions and the conditions governing the mass transfer of the binding process. Herein, key process parameters affecting the molecular anchoring of a thrombin-binding aptamer (TBA) onto polymethacrylate monolith pore surface, and the binding characteristics of the resulting macroporous aptasensor were investigated. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the TBA-thrombin binding indicated enhanced Guanine 4 (G4) structural stability of TBA upon interaction with thrombin in an ionic environment. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analyses were used to characterise the available functional groups and thermo-molecular stability of the immobilised polymer generated with Schiff-base activation and immobilisation scheme. The initial degradation temperature of the polymethacrylate stationary support increased with each step of the Schiff-base process: poly(Ethylene glycol Dimethacrylate-co-Glycidyl methacrylate) or poly(EDMA-co-GMA) [196.0 °C (±1.8)]; poly(EDMA-co-GMA)-Ethylenediamine [235.9 °C (±6.1)]; poly(EDMA-co-GMA)-Ethylenediamine-Glutaraldehyde [255.4 °C (±2.7)]; and aptamer-modified monolith [273.7 °C (±2.5)]. These initial temperature increments reflected in the associated endothermic energies were determined with differential scanning calorimetry. The aptameric ligand density obtained after immobilisation was 480 pmol/μL. Increase in pH and ionic concentration affected the surface charge distribution and the binding characteristics of the aptamer-modified disk-monoliths, resulting in the optimum binding pH and ionic concentration of 8.0 and 5 mM Mg2+, respectively. These results are critical in understanding and setting parametric constraints indispensable to develop and enhance the performance of aptasensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]