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[Aim] To determine how pupal weight and feeding densities affect the reproduction of the black soldier fly, Hermetis illucens. [Methods] H. illucens pupae of various weights were reared in a laboratory and classified according to weight (c. 130 mg = lighter pupal weight, c. 180 mg = heavier pupal weight ) and rearing density (3, 6 and 9 larvae kg/cage). [Results] There was no significant different in the eclosion rate, eclosion period and sex ratio of lighter and heavier pupae (P > 0.05). However, females that emerged from heavier pupae had significantly higher average egg production and laid a greater average number of eggs laid per female than those that emerged from lighter pupae (P < 0.001). Although there was a significant increase in egg production with increased rearing density (P < 0.001), the average number of eggs laid per female also significantly declined (P < 0.001). Pupal weight and larval feeding densities did not significantly affect egg hatchability (P > 0.05). Females that emerged from heavier pupae had significantly higher egg production, egg mass and pupal quantity, compared to those that emerged from lighter pupae (P < 0.05). Although there was a significant increase in egg production with increased rearing density (P < 0.05), egg mass and pupal quantity significantly declined (P < 0.05). [Conclusion] Females that emerged from heavier pupae were significantly more fecund than those that emerged from lighter pupae. Egg production can be increased by producing heavier pupae. Larval feeding density can be adjusted in real time according to the market price of pupae and eggs to achieve maximum profit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND The pore characteristics of shale are one of the key parameters for evaluation of the shale reservoir capacity. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) has been widely used to describe the pore characteristics of shale. However, the classification of micro-pore types in mud shale reservoirs in the literature was relatively diverse, and the quantitative characterization of pore based on SEM was relatively lacking. OBJECTIVES To classify the pore types and quantitatively characterize these pores in shale. METHODS 18 shale samples were selected as the research object in this study. Based on the form, position and origin of pores observed by argon ion polishing and Scanning Electron Microscopy, the types of different pores in the sample were classified. By using JMicroVision image analysis software, the pore characteristics including the number of pore types, pore size, face rate, shape coefficient, probability entropy and other parameters were quantitatively described. RESULTS The inter-crystal (particle) pores and organic pores were the most developed, followed by intra-crystal (particle) pores and crystal gap inter-crystal (particle) pores. The sizes of pore were mainly nanometer. The probabilistic entropy of intra-crystal (particle) pores and organic pores were mainly distributed between 0.5 and 0.7, with a different shape coefficient distribution. The shape coefficients of organic pores were mainly distributed between 0.6 and 0.7, and their shape were mainly oval or nearly circular. The shape coefficient of intra-crystal (particle) pores and inter-crystal (particle) pores were mainly between 0.3 and 0.7, which were mainly affected by the original pore morphology, compaction and dissolution. CONCLUSIONS The combination of SEM and JMicroVision is an effective means to quantitatively study the development characteristics of different types of micropores. This work has laid a foundation for the study of the genesis and evolution of micropores.

The research of microplastics should start with quantitative analysis methods. At present, the commonly used dyeing methods for microplastics have the disadvantages of low fluorescence intensity and uneven dyeing distribution. Polystyrene microplastics (PS) were dyed by rotary evaporation and Nile Red (NR) dyes in this paper. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to compare the changes of the microstructure and surface groups of PS before and after staining. The quantity of fluorescent PS (FPS) was counted by flow cytometry and compared with the results measured by fluorescence method. The results show that the dyeing eccifency of rotary evaporation on PS is in line with expectations, the relative standard deviation of quantitative analysis of small size FPS is less than 10%, and the fluorescence signal of FPS is strong and easy to detect. In the stability test of FPS, it is found that the dyeing effect of this method is stable, and it is suitable for dyeing PS of different sizes and samples in simulated environment.the dyeing efficiency is stable, and this method is suitable for dyeing PS of different sized and samples in simulated environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) as types of proton conductive materials have attracted much attention. Here, an acylamide-functionalized 3D MOF, [Ni3(TPBTC)2(stp)2(H2O)4]·2DMA·32H2O, has been successfully constructed via combining Ni(NO3)2, TPBTC (TPBTC = benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid tris-pyridin-4-ylamide) and 2-H2stp (2-H2stp = 2-sulfoterephthalic acid monosodium salt) under solvothermal conditions. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction revealed that there are uncoordinated guest DMA molecules in the pores of the compound. On removal of guest DMA molecules, the proton conductivity of the compound increased to 2.25 × 10−3 S cm−1 at 80 °C and 98% RH which is about 110 times that of the original material. It is hoped that this work can provide essential insight for designing and obtaining improved crystalline-state proton conducting materials by considering the influences of guest molecules on proton conduction properties of porous materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new transition metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) formulated as [Zn3(Bip)3(H2sip)2(H2O)4]·5H2O (CUST-751) and [Cd3(Bip)2(H2sip)2(H2O)4]·2H2O (CUST-752) [CUST = Changchun University of Science and Technology, Bip = 3,5-bis(imidazole-1-yl)pyridine and H2sip = 5-sulfoisophthalic acid monosodium salt] have been constructed via a solvothermal reaction. Their crystal structures have been characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. CUST-751 exhibits a two-dimensional (2D) layered structure, while CUST-752 possesses a three-dimensional (3D) framework. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) after treatment at different temperatures and different relative humidities (RHs) verified that they both have good thermal stabilities and water stabilities. Besides, their utility as fluorescence sensors has also been investigated. The results indicated that both CUST-751 and CUST-752 can be used as multiresponsive fluorescence sensors to detect Fe3+ and Cr2O72− with good sensitivity, high selectivity and recoverability, even in the presence of other interfering ions. More interestingly, CUST-751 is capable of selectively detecting 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (TNP). This work provides insights into the design and synthesis of transition metal based MOFs and explores their potential applications in the fluorescence sensing field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) is an attractive pathway to convert CO2 into value‐added chemicals and fuels. Copper (Cu) is the most effective monometallic catalyst for converting CO2 into multi‐carbon products, but suffers from high overpotentials and poor selectivity. Therefore, it is essential to design efficient Cu‐based catalyst to improve the selectivity of specific products. Due to the combination of advantages of organic and inorganic composite materials, organic‐inorganic composites exhibit high catalytic performance towards CO2RR, and have been extensively studied. In this review, the research advances of various Cu‐based organic‐inorganic composite materials in CO2RR, i. e., organic molecular modified‐metal Cu composites, Cu‐based molecular catalyst/carbon carrier composites, Cu‐based metal organic framework (MOF) composites, and Cu‐based covalent organic framework (COF) composites are systematically summarized. Particularly, the synthesis strategies of Cu‐based composites, structure‐performance relationship, and catalytic mechanisms are discussed. Finally, the opportunities and challenges of Cu‐based organic‐inorganic composite materials in CO2RR are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]