Search

Clarifying the spatial-temporal differentiation of urban eco-efficiency and its driving factors is the primary task of achieving green and sustainable development in the Yangtze River Economic Belt. Based on the urban panel data from 2003 to 2018, this paper used the MinDS model to measure the eco-efficiency of cities in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, revealed the specific sources of urban ecological inefficiency from the perspective of input-output, and further used the Theil Index and geographic detectors to empirically investigate the spatial-temporal differentiation characteristics and driving factors of its urban eco-efficiency. The study found that: (1) During the sample period, the overall eco-efficiency of the Yangtze River Economic Belt and the cities in the upper, middle and lower reaches showed a rising trend of fluctuation, and the downstream area was always higher than the middle and upstream areas. Insufficient expected output and undesired output redundancy were the root causes of urban ecological inefficiency. (2) Intra-regional differences were the main source of spatial differences in urban eco-efficiency in the Yangtze River Economic Belt. Before 2011, the differences in internal eco-efficiency in the downstream regions had the greatest impact on the overall differences; after 2011, the differences in the downstream and upstream regions alternately ranked first and second in the contribution list. (3) The absolute difference in urban eco-efficiency in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River had decreased significantly, but the upstream area expanded slightly. Except for the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, urban eco-efficiency in the Yangtze River Economic Belt demonstrated a certain gradient effect, and polarization in the downstream area was the most obvious. (4) The spatial differentiation of urban eco-efficiency in the Yangtze River Economic Belt was affected by a variety of factors. From the perspective of structural factors, the difference in economic development had always been the most decisive factor for the spatial differences in the urban eco - efficiency of the Yangtze River Economic Belt. The difference in energy input and pollution emissions had a relatively small effect; from the perspective of socioeconomic factors, the difference between population density and the spatial differentiation of urban eco-efficiency was significantly stronger than other factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs) have attracted global interests owing to their advantages of large scale, high safety and long-term cyclability. Nevertheless, the unsatisfactory kinetics of carbon-based anodes limits the commercial application of VRFBs. Especially, graphite felt (GF) as a representative anode material, has critical disadvantage of poor electrolyte wettability due to its hydrophobic surface. This limitation of interfacial properties between the electrode and electrolyte causes inefficient charge transportation, which leads to low electrochemical performance with poor cycle stability. To improve the surface properties of GF anodes for VRFB, we introduce a lamination layer of Nb-doped TiO 2 (NTO) to a heat-treated graphite felt (HGF) via ultrasonic spray pyrolysis deposition. The NTO laminated HGF offers hydrophilic surface with several advantages of high catalytic activity, high electrical conductivity, and high specific surface area. As an anode material, the hybrid structure of the NTO lamination layer on the HGF demonstrates synergistic effects, thus enabling superior energy storage performance compared with other electrodes. Especially, the NTO-HGF anode shows an energy efficiency of 82.03%, which is 6.2% higher than that of pristine GF. We demonstrate that the introduction of an NTO lamination layer can be a prospective candidate for improving the VRFB anodes performance. • Highly conductive Nb-doped TiO 2 (NTO) laminating layer on graphite felt for VRFBs. • Uniform lamination process using horizontal ultrasonic spray pyrolysis deposition process • Enhanced catalytic active sites and oxygen-related functional groups from NTO layer. • NTO-HGF as promising candidates of high-efficiency anode for VRFBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ginseng, from the roots of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer, is a widely used herbal medicine in Asian countries, known for its excellent therapeutic properties. The growth of P. ginseng is depend on specific and strict environments, with a preference for wetness but intolerance for flooding. Under excessive soil moisture, some irregular rust-like substances are deposited on the root epidermis, causing ginseng rusty symptoms (GRS). This condition leads to a significant reduce in yield and quality, resulting in substantial economic loses. However, there is less knowledge on the cause of GRS and there are no effective treatments available for its treatment once it occurs. Unsuitable environments lead to the generation of large amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS). We investigated the key indicators associated with the stress response during different physiological stages of GRS development. We observed a significant change in ROS level, MDA contents, antioxidant enzymes activities, and non-enzymatic antioxidants contents prior to the GRS. Through the analysis of soil features with an abundance of moisture, we further determined the source of ROS. The levels of nitrate reductase (NR) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activities in the inter-root soil of ginseng with GRS were significantly elevated compared to those of healthy ginseng. These enzymes boost nitric oxide (NO) levels, which in turn showed a favorable correlation with the GRS. The activities of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase first rose and then decreased as GRS developed. Excess soil moisture causes a decrease in oxygen levels. This activated NR and NOS in the soil, resulting in a production of excess NO. The NO then diffused into the ginseng root and triggered a burst of ROS through NADPH located on the cell membrane. Additionally, Fe2+ in soil was oxidized to red Fe3+, and finally led to GRS. This conclusion was also verified by the Sodium Nitroprusside (SNP), a precursor compound producing NO. The presence of NO from NR and NOS in water-saturated soil is responsible for the generation of ROS. Among these, NO is the main component that contribute to the occurrence of GRS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ecological significance of secondary metabolites is to improve the adaptive ability of plants. Secondary metabolites, usually medicinal ingredients, are triggered by unsuitable environment, thus the quality of medicinal materials under adversity being better. The quality of the cultivated was heavily declined due to its good conditions. Radix Saposhnikoviae, the dried root of Saposhnikovia divaricata (Turcz.) Schischk., is one of the most common botanicals in Asian countries, now basically comes from cultivation, resulting in the market price being only 1/10 to 1/3 of its wild counterpart, so improving the quality of cultivated Radix Saposhnikoviae is of urgency. Nitric oxide (NO) plays a crucial role in generating reactive oxygen species and modifying the secondary metabolism of plants. This study aims to enhance the quality of cultivated Radix Saposhnikoviae by supplementing exogenous NO. To achieve this, sodium nitroprusside (SNP) was utilized as an NO provider and applied to fresh roots of S. divaricata at concentrations of 0.03, 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 mmol/L. This study measured parameters including the activities of antioxidant enzymes, secondary metabolite synthesis enzymes such as phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC), and chalcone synthase (CHS), as well as the contents of NO, superoxide radicals (O2·−), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA), and four secondary metabolites. The quality of Radix Saposhnikoviae was evaluated with antipyretic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory effects, and inflammatory factors. As a result, the NO contents in the fresh roots were significantly increased under SNP, which led to a significant increase of O2·−, H2O2, and MDA. The activities of important antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD), were found to increase as well, with their peak levels observed on the 2nd and 3rd days. PAL, ACC, and CHS activities were also significantly enhanced, resulting in the increased secondary metabolite contents of Radix saposhnikoviae in all groups, especially the 0.5 mmol/L SNP. The four active ingredients, prim-O-glucosylcimifugin, cimifugin, 4′-O-β-d-glucosyl-5-O-methylvisamminol, and sec-O-glucosylhamaudol, increased by 88.3%,325.0%, 55.4%, and 283.8%, respectively, on the 3rd day. The pharmaceutical effects of Radix Saposhnikoviae under 0.5 mmol/L SNP were significantly enhanced. Exogenous SNP can induce the physiological response of S. divaricata under adverse conditions and significantly improve the quality of Radix Saposhnikoviae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ecological significance of secondary metabolites is to improve the adaptive ability of plants. Secondary metabolites, usually medicinal ingredients, are triggered by unsuitable environment, thus the quality of medicinal materials under adversity being better. The quality of the cultivated was heavily declined due to its good conditions. Radix Saposhnikoviae, the dried root of Saposhnikovia divaricata (Turcz.) Schischk., is one of the most common botanicals in Asian countries, now basically comes from cultivation, resulting in the market price being only 1/10 to 1/3 of its wild counterpart, so improving the quality of cultivated Radix Saposhnikoviae is of urgency. Nitric oxide (NO) plays a crucial role in generating reactive oxygen species and modifying the secondary metabolism of plants. This study aims to enhance the quality of cultivated Radix Saposhnikoviae by supplementing exogenous NO. To achieve this, sodium nitroprusside (SNP) was utilized as an NO provider and applied to fresh roots of S. divaricata at concentrations of 0.03, 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 mmol/L. This study measured parameters including the activities of antioxidant enzymes, secondary metabolite synthesis enzymes such as phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC), and chalcone synthase (CHS), as well as the contents of NO, superoxide radicals (O2·−), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA), and four secondary metabolites. The quality of Radix Saposhnikoviae was evaluated with antipyretic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory effects, and inflammatory factors. As a result, the NO contents in the fresh roots were significantly increased under SNP, which led to a significant increase of O2·−, H2O2, and MDA. The activities of important antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD), were found to increase as well, with their peak levels observed on the 2nd and 3rd days. PAL, ACC, and CHS activities were also significantly enhanced, resulting in the increased secondary metabolite contents of Radix saposhnikoviae in all groups, especially the 0.5 mmol/L SNP. The four active ingredients, prim-O-glucosylcimifugin, cimifugin, 4′-O-β-d-glucosyl-5-O-methylvisamminol, and sec-O-glucosylhamaudol, increased by 88.3%,325.0%, 55.4%, and 283.8%, respectively, on the 3rd day. The pharmaceutical effects of Radix Saposhnikoviae under 0.5 mmol/L SNP were significantly enhanced. Exogenous SNP can induce the physiological response of S. divaricata under adverse conditions and significantly improve the quality of Radix Saposhnikoviae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] In recent years, branched or star-shaped Au nanostructures composed of core and protruding arms have attracted much attention due to their unique optical properties and morphology. As the clinically adapted nanoagent, prussian blue (PB) has recently gained widespread attention in cancer theranostics with potential applications in magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. In this article, we propose a hybrid star gold nanostructure（Au-star@PB）as a novel theranostic agent for T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)/ photoacoustic imaging（PAI） and photothermal therapy (PTT) of tumors. Importantly, the Au-star@PB nanoparticles function as effective MRI/PA contrast agents in vivo by increasing T1-weighted MR/PAI signal intensity and as effective PTT agents in vivo by decreasing the tumor volume in MCF-7 tumor bearing BALB / c mouse model as well as in vitro by lessening tumor cells growth rate. Interestingly, we found the main photothermal effect of Au-star@PB is derived from Au-star, but not PB. In summary, the hybrid structure of Au-star@PB NPs with good biological safety, significant photostability, dual imaging capability, and high therapeutic efficiency, might offer a novel avenue for the future diagnosis and treatment of cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method for Ni-catalyzed controlled decarbonylation of α-ketothioesters is described. Mono- and double-decarbonylations, which gave thioesters and thioethers, respectively, were selectively achieved by changing the ligand. A fundamental study of Ni-catalyzed decarbonylation of α-ketothioesters is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we demonstrate a coating-etching strategy to directly synthesize hollow Prussian blue (PB) nanocubes with well-dispersed Ag nanoparticles (denoted as Ag-HPB). The method is accomplished by introduction of PB precursors, K 3 Fe(CN) 6 and Fe 3+ into a reaction system containing AgNO 3 and ascorbic acid, in which a series reactions contain formation of Ag nanoparticles, coating of PB on the nanoparticles, and diffusion of Ag into the PB frameworks occur. The strategy for preparation of the hollow structured Ag-HPB is intrinsically simple and does not require pre-preparation of any sacrificial templates or toxic etching agents. The obtained Ag-HPB nanocubes possess uniform size (69 nm), well-defined hollow structure, strong near-infrared photothermal conversion capacity, and excellent photoacoustic and magnetic resonance imaging abilities. Furthermore, an injectable photothermal implants are prepared for the first time by mixing the Ag-HPB nanocubes with clinically used biological glue, which significantly enhance photothermal anti-tumor efficacy, showing great potential for clinical tumor treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]