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Highlights: [•] Zn30Cr4.5/γ-Al2O3 showed good performance on the amination of allyl alcohol to propionitrile. [•] The hydrogen derived from dehydrogenation in situ acted as a source for hydrogenation. [•] Chromium could diminish the size of ZnAl2O4 crystallites. [•] The performance of the catalyst can be recovered on line by combustion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Mannosylerythritol lipid-A improved the rheological property and water distribution of frozen dough. • Mannosylerythritol lipid-A strengthened the gluten network of frozen dough. • Mannosylerythritol lipid-A enhanced the textural property of bread. • Mannosylerythritol lipid-A effectively sterilized Bacillus cereus in frozen dough. Biosurfactants have been put into applications in breadmaking industry, while the effects of mannosylerythritol lipid-A (MEL-A) on gluten network of frozen dough, bread quality and microbial spoilage were firstly investigated in this study. Rheology and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis showed that MEL-A significantly improved the rheological properties of frozen dough and reduced the content of frozen water. Further experiments showed that MEL-A promoted the formation of aggregates by interacting with gluten protein, and strengthened the gluten network through molecular weight distribution measurement and microstructure observation, effectively avoiding the destruction of ice crystals. A series of bread assessments illustrated MEL-A improved the loaf volume, gas retention ability and textural property. In addition, MEL-A (1.5%) killed 99.97% of the vegetative cells of Bacillus cereus and 75.54% of the spores, and at the same time had a slight inactivation effect on yeast. These results indicate that MEL-A has broad application prospects in the baking industry and the storage stage of flour products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supercapacitors, are commonly connected to the sediment microbial fuel cell (SMFC) and then serves as the input source for the power management system (PMS). To compare and analyze functions of supercapacitors in SMFC energy harvesting, PMSs (PMS I and PMS II) are powered by SMFC stack or charged supercapacitors as the input source. Tests indicate that the charged supercapacitor results in a higher input power and a larger output power. In addition, the overall efficiency of PMSs is rarely affected by the capacitance, but the initial voltage of the supercapacitor. By charging supercapacitors connected in parallel and then discharging them in series, the overall power efficiency of PMS II is increased from 44.33% to 69.52%. In conclusion, supercapacitors firstly storing SMFC energy is beneficial to provide sufficient energy, resulting in an improved PMS performance. Further, these results can be useful and informative to PMS design for efficiently harvesting and utilize MFC energy. • Two common power management systems (PMSs) are comparative studied. • The MPPT-based PMS extracts higher power from the SMFC stack and supercapacitor. • Charged supercapacitors provide higher input power for the PMSs. • PMS performance is affected by the initial voltage of supercapacitor. • Different arrangements of supercapacitors are studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ten previously undescribed meroterpenoids, cyclohexenoneterpenes A−J (1 − 7 , 18 − 20), together with 10 known analogues (8 − 17) were isolated from the mangrove-associated fungus Penicillium sp. N-5. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic and mass spectrometric data. The absolute configurations of the undescribed compounds were assigned by electronic circular dichroism calculations, the modified Mosher's method, NMR calculations and DP4+ analysis. In the bioassay, compounds 10 , 11 , 15 , and 20 exhibited cytotoxicities against SNB-19, MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-435 and HCT-116 cell lines with IC 50 values ranging from 1.4 to 19.1 μM. [Display omitted] • Ten undescribed meroterpenoids were isolated from the mangrove-associated fungus. • The modified Mosher's method was used to determine the absolute configurations. • Isoprenoid epoxycyclohexenone type of meroterpenoids have cytotoxic activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silicon is one of the most promising candidates for anode materials of lithium-ion batteries, due to its high theoretical capacity and low working voltage, etc. Nonetheless, silicon has huge volume change during the lithiation/delithiation, resulting in poor cycle performance. Herein, novel double-shell-structured Si@Al 2 O 3 @C nanoparticles are prepared to obtain stable electrochemical performance. The improved performance can be attributed to novel double-shell structure, which greatly improves the conductivity of material, stabilizes solid-electrolyte interface (SEI) film, and releases the expansion stress of silicon. Si@Al 2 O 3 @C nanoparticles deliver a specific capacity of 1316.1 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1 after 100 cycles, and the average discharge capacity of Si@Al 2 O 3 @C nanoparticles at 4 A g−1 still remains 781.6 mAh g−1. Additionally, the initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE) of material is as high as 82.9%. This work offers a significant method to further enhance the performance of lithium-ion batteries. [Display omitted] • For lithium-ion batteries, double-shell-structured Si@Al 2 O 3 @C anode is reported for the first time. • The double-shell structure can improve conductivity, stabilize SEI film, and release the expansion pressure of silicon. • Si@Al 2 O 3 @C nanoparticles show a high ICE of 82.9% and a reversible capacity of 1316.1 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1 after 100 cycles. • Simple two-step synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silicon has demonstrated inordinate potential as anode material for next-generation lithium-ion batteries due to its high theoretical specific capacity. Nevertheless, the structural dilapidation during the lithiation/delithiation process has restricted its large-scope application. To conquer these challenges, we design a novel reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-coated Si@SiO x @β-Bi 2 O 3 /Bi composite by a facile one-pot method. The Bi 2 O 3 shell chiefly guarantees the structural integrity of Si-core during cyclings and synergizes with Bi nanodots to expediting Li+/e− transport kinetics. rGO mainly acts as the carrier to attaining the twofold goals of ameliorating the electronic conductivity and cushioning the stress from volume expansion. Therefore, the novel rGO-coated Si@SiO x @β-Bi 2 O 3 /Bi composite exhibits a high specific capacity of 1784 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1 after 200 cycles and a good cycling stability of 1007 mAh g−1 at a high rate of 4 A g−1. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]