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Hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is an important process in electrochemical energy technology, and efficient electrocatalysts are of great significance for renewable and sustainable energy conversion. Here, we report a facile hydrothermal and heat treatment process to synthesize a series of Pt-based nanocapsules (NCs) as an effective hydrogen evolution catalyst. The Pt/TeO x NCs exhibit excellent HER activity in an alkaline medium. The Pt/TeO x NCs only need the overpotential of 33 mV to achieve the current density of 10 mA cm−2, and the Tafel slope was as low as 29 mV dec−1, which was even better than that of commercial Pt/C. Detailed experimental characterizations demonstrate that the interface between the crystalline Pt/amorphous TeO x and the strong electron transfer contribute to alkaline HER activity. This work opens up a new direction for the preparation of efficient catalysts for electrocatalytic reactions or other conversion filed. The Pt/TeO x NCs with Pt clusters anchored on TeO x amorphous substrate were successfully prepared. The overpotential was only 33 mV at the current density of 10 mA cm−2 and the Tafel slope was as low as 29 mV dec−1, which was significantly better than that of commercial Pt/C. The excellent HER performance may originate from the strong electronic interaction and optimized binding energy for intermediate. [Display omitted] • The Pt/TeO x NCs with Pt clusters anchored on TeO x amorphous substrate is reported. • The Pt/TeO x NCs exhibit excellent HER activity with low overpotential in 0.1 M KOH. • The presence of Pt-TeO x interface is conducive to improving alkaline HER activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bacterial leaf blight (BLB) is a highly destructive disease, causing significant yield losses in rice (Oryza sativa). Genetic variation is contemplated as the most effective measure for inducing resistance in plants. The mutant line T1247 derived from R3550 (BLB susceptible) was highly resistant to BLB. Therefore, by utilizing this valuable source, we employed bulk segregant analysis (BSA) and transcriptome profiling to identify the genetic basis of BLB resistance in T1247. Results: The differential subtraction method in BSA identified a quantitative trait locus (QTL) on chromosome 11 spanning a 27-27.45 Mb region with 33 genes and 4 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Four DEGs (P < 0.01) with three putative candidate genes, OsR498G1120557200, OsR498G1120555700, and OsR498G1120563600,0.01 in the QTL region were identified with specific regulation as a response to BLB inoculation. Moreover, transcriptome profiling identified 37 resistance analogs genes displaying differential regulation. Conclusions: Our study provides a substantial addition to the available information regarding QTLs associated with BLB, and further functional verification of identified candidate genes can broaden the scope of understanding the BLB resistance mechanism in rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: qGSN5, a novel quantitative trait locus coordinating grain size and grain number in rice, was fine-mapped to an 85.60-kb region. GS3 may be a suppressor of qGSN5. Grain size and grain number are two factors that directly determine rice grain yield; however, the underlying genetic mechanisms are complicated and remain largely unclear. In this study, a chromosome segment substitution line (CSSL), CSSL28, which showed increased grain size and decreased grain number per panicle, was identified in a set of CSSLs derived from a cross between 93-11 (recipient) and Nipponbare (donor). Four substitution segments were identified in CSSL28, and the substitution segment located on chromosome 5 was responsible for the phenotypes of CSSL28. Thus, we defined this quantitative trait locus (QTL) as grain size and grain number 5 (qGSN5). Cytological and quantitative PCR analysis showed that qGSN5 regulates the development of the spikelet hull by affecting cell proliferation. Genetic analysis showed that qGSN5 is a semi-dominant locus regulating grain size and grain number. Through map-based cloning and overlapping substitution segment analysis, qGSN5 was finally delimited to an 85.60-kb region. Based on sequence and quantitative PCR analysis, Os05g47510, which encodes a P-type pentatricopeptide repeat protein, is the most likely candidate gene for qGSN5. Pyramiding analysis showed that the effect of qGSN5 was significantly lower in the presence of a functional GS3 gene, indicating that GS3 may be a suppressor of qGSN5. In addition, we found that qGSN5 could improve the grain shape of hybrid rice. Together, our results lay the foundation for cloning a novel QTL coordinating grain size and grain number in rice and provide a good genetic material for long-grain hybrid rice breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Tablet flow dynamics in a pan coater is thoroughly explored and classified. • DEM coupled with ray-tracing algorithm is used to model the tablet flow dynamics and coating spray. • Correlation between the tablet flow dynamics and the coating uniformity is defined and identified. • Internal baffles is utilized as a case to modulate the tablet flow dynamics and the coating uniformity. Coating uniformity is crucial for pharmaceutical solid dosages to ensure sufficient stability and to program drug release behavior. The present study aims to thoroughly investigate the correlation between the coating uniformity and the tablet flow dynamics with a novel computational model. The model was developed on discrete element method (DEM) coupled with the ray-tracing algorithm and was validated with experiments. Firstly, tablet flow dynamics and patterns were fully recorded and clearly categorized. By increasing the peripheral speed of the coating pan, the tablet flow pattern distinctly transited from slumping, rolling, cascading to cataracting, and the coefficient of variation to inter-tablet coating weight (CVI) was significantly reduced from 1.9 to 1.0, indicating the coating uniformity dramatically increased. But further increasing the peripheral speed, the tablet pattern approached the centrifuging status and the CVI value was reversely increased to 2.0, suggesting a reduction in uniformity. Interestingly, huge speed variations of the individual tablet (0–100 cm/s) occurred even in the same tablet pattern, this allowed an active tablet region for guiding the location of the coating nozzles. These results were consistent within the scale-up pan coaters with different transition values. Additionally, the case study showed that properly adjusting the shape and location of baffles could effectively accomplish the coating pattern (rolling and cascading) at a slower peripheral speed. These findings suggest that tablet flow dynamics has a strong impact on the coating uniformity and needs to be carefully manipulated with useful strategies such as tuning the operating parameters or applying internal baffles. The mathematic model developed by the current study has paved a new way to comprehensively understand the tablet coating mechanics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]