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Research data infrastructures form the cornerstone in both cyber and physical spaces, driving the progression of the data-intensive scientific research paradigm. This opinion paper presents an overview of global research data infrastructure, drawing insights from national roadmaps and strategic documents related to research data infrastructure. It emphasizes the pivotal role of research data infrastructures by delineating four new missions aimed at positioning them at the core of the current scientific research and communication ecosystem. The four new missions of research data infrastructures are: (1) as a pioneer, to transcend the disciplinary border and address complex, cutting-edge scientific and social challenges with problem- and data-oriented insights; (2) as an architect, to establish a digital, intelligent, flexible research and knowledge services environment; (3) as a platform, to foster the high-end academic communication; (4) as a coordinator, to balance scientific openness with ethics needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The N pr -CNs is synthesized by pre-pelletizing and subsequent pyrolysis process. • The N pr -CNs have dominate pyrrolic N-doping, unique structure and electronic state. • It can inhibit the shuttle effect and improve redox kinetics by synergistic effect. • The Li-S cell with N pr -CNs/PP deliver high discharge capacity of 932 mAh g−1 at 1C. The practical applications of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries are rather limited by the shuttle effect of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) and sluggish redox reaction kinetics. Here, a kind of pyrrolic-N-rich carbon nanosheets (N pr -CNs) are prepared by introducing melamine cyanurate (MCA) into the carbonization process of polyacrylonitrile (PAN). As a mediator in Li-S batteries, hierarchical pores, dominant pyrrolic-N-doping, disorder/defective structures and unique electronic states endow N pr -CNs with synergistic adsorption-catalysis function for S species. Specifically, they can effectively inhibit LiPSs shuttle, catalyze the conversion of both liquid-phase LiPSs and solid-phase Li 2 S, reduce the charge transfer resistance and enhance Li-ions migration rate. Hence, it can make the Li-S batteries deliver excellent rate performance and cycling stability. The battery can reach ultrahigh discharge capacity of 932.0 mAh g−1 at the beginning under current density of 1C and even liberate a capacity as high as 1109.4 mAh g−1 at 0.2C with high sulfur loading of 3.8 mg cm−2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synchrotron radiation light source has brought about new discoveries in a wide range from basic scientific research, technical innovation to industry fields, which is offering extreme experimental means and conditions as a kind of typically large scientific user facility, like a giant microscope. Meanwhile, several major challenges, such as high technical complexity, long construction period and cost risk, request more caution of management practices. Monitoring and evaluating the scientific and technological performance are effective solutions to optimize the operation and use of synchrotron radiation light source. This paper assessed the scientific and technological performance and impact of Advanced Photon Source (APS) in USA as an example, especially from the perspective of 68 simultaneously beamlines/endstations, which are the key components of research infrastructure and the frontier of scientific service. The main dataset was constructed based on the academic paper records allocated from the official website, including the output using APS and by the staffs of APS focusing on the establishment, development and upgrade of APS during 1985 to 2019. Each beamline was analyzed under the framework of "facilitymetrics", and the quantitative performance measures included overall trend and activity level, discipline distribution, requirements in various countries, academic impact, hot themes and main experimental approaches. Furthermore, several issues about the sustainability of large facility were discussed briefly: (1) the necessary of upgrade; (2) the challenge and alternativity from new disruptive experimental instruments and technology; (3) supporting trans-disciplines scientific research effectively; (4) international cooperation and different access demands in various countries user. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because they have a high application potential in the thermal management of insulation environments, high-quality hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN)-based multiphase ceramics have been highly desired. However, so far, their synthesis is still full of challenges. Here, a kind of boron nitride nanosheets (BNNSs)/glass (GS) composite ceramics was prepared by a pressureless sintering method at a lower temperature of 900 °C. Due to a tightly bonded interaction between BNNSs and GS, the formed BNNSs/GS ceramics exhibit excellent multifunction performance. They have an outstanding compressive strength in the range of 19 ∼ 64 MPa and Vickers hardness ranging from 50 to 179 HV. For the BNNSs/GS ceramics with BNNS's filling fraction of 90 wt%, their maximum side-surface TC values are 12.01 ± 0.18 W m−1 K−1 at 25 °C and 13.64 ± 0.37 W m−1 K−1 at 300 °C, respectively. In the ultra-high frequency range of 26.5 ∼ 40 GHz, the dielectric constant values of the BNNSs/GS ceramics are primarily between 2 and 3, and the corresponding loss tangent values are < 0.3. In addition, based on the remarkable integrity of their structure, these BNNSs/GS ceramics exhibit outstanding thermal-shock stability and prominent thermal management capacity during lots of heating/cooling-testing cycles. Therefore, we believe this kind of BNNSs/GS ceramic system will have great application potential in the new-generation thermal management and/or insulation packaging fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wicking geotextile has been increasingly utilized in field projects to mitigate water-related roadway problems. The previous studies showed that the wicking geotextile could provide mechanical stabilization, serve as capillary barrier, and enhance lateral drainage. The wicking geotextile differentiates itself from non-wicking geotextiles by providing capillary or wicking drainage in unsaturated conditions, whereas non-wicking geotextiles only provide gravitational drainage under saturated or near-saturated conditions. Although the previous studies have demonstrated the benefits of soil water content reduction by the wicking drainage, it is not well understood how the wicking geotextile stabilization improves overall performance of aggregate bases over subgrade under traffic or cyclic loading. This paper presents an experimental study where large-scale cyclic plate loading tests were conducted under different conditions: (1) non-stabilized base, (2) non-wicking geotextile-stabilized base, and (3) wicking geotextile-stabilized base, over soft and moderate subgrades. Rainfall simulation was carried out for each test section. After each rainfall simulation, a drainage period was designed to allow water to drain from the section. The amounts of water applied and exiting from the test section were recorded and are compared. Cyclic loading was applied after each drainage period. The test results show that the combined hydraulic and mechanical stabilization effect by the wicking geotextile reduced the permanent deformation of the aggregate base over the subgrade as compared with the non-stabilized and non-wicking geotextile-stabilized sections. ⁃ This paper presents an experimental study on the improved performance of wicking geotextile-stabilized bases over different subgrades over non-wicking geotextile-stabilized bases and control bases after simulated rainfalls. ⁃ Large box tests clearly demonstrate the benefits of the wicking geotextile to remove more water from the base courses by capillary drainage as compared with other test sections. ⁃ Large box tests also show that the wicking geotextile significantly reduced permanent deformations of the base courses under cyclic loading as compared with other test sections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This study investigated the distance effect on water reduction by the wicking geotextile in a base course experimentally using three sets of soil column tests. In each set of tests, two soil columns were constructed by compacting well-graded aggregate over a non-wicking woven geotextile and a wicking geotextile. A portion of the geotextile specimen was extended outside of the soil column for evaporation. The changes of the water contents in the soil column were monitored by volumetric water content sensors installed at various depths. The experimental results indicate the capillary drainage by the wicking geotextile effectively reduced water content within the soil column up to a distance from the wicking geotextile (i.e., approximately 200 mm for this specific aggregate with 10% fines). The test results also show that the wicking geotextile could reduce more water content of the aggregate below its optimum water content at a faster rate than the non-wicking geotextile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic acids are important components in alcoholic beverages, and have vital flavor contributions and physiological significance to the liquor body. Currently researchers focus on the identification, metabolism and physiological significance of organic acids in alcoholic beverage. However, the regulation of organic acids in complex microbial communities remains unclear during the fermentation of alcoholic beverages. Metabolic characteristics of acid-producing bacteria and how to artificially mediate metabolic factors affecting organic acids need to be solved urgently. We reviewed the distributions of organic acids in spread of alcoholic beverages, and discussed the metabolism of organic acids and their driving forces. Furthermore, we provided a potential approach to regulate the formation of organic acids in the complex microbial communities, for improving the flavor and physiological significance of alcoholic beverages. Functional microorganisms (like Lactobacillus , Bacillus , Weissella , Saccharomyces and Saccharomycopsis etc.) are responsible for the metabolism of organic acids in the production of alcoholic beverages. Moreover, we highlight that lactic acid and acetic acid are the universal acids in Baijiu , Huangjiu and rice wine, and they are produced through the pathway of homofermentation and heterofermentation by lactic acid bacteria (LAB). In addition, the diversities of acids are dynamic among different alcoholic beverages, as the synergistic effects of abiotic and biotic factors (microbes, temperature, humidity, etc.). Herein, as the accumulation of knowledge on the metabolism of organic acids and their responsible microbes, we carefully discussed the potential approach to adjust the formation of organic acid in the fermentation of alcoholic fermentations. • Distribution of organic acids in alcoholic beverages was reviewed. • Explore the metabolic mechanism of organic acids. • It provides schemes to regulate the metabolism of organic acids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial strains resistant to various antibiotic drugs are frequently encountered in clinical infections, and the rapid identification of drug-resistant strains is highly essential for clinical treatment. We developed a locked nucleic acid (LNA)-based quantitative real-time PCR (LNA-qPCR) method for the rapid detection of 13 antibiotic resistance genes and successfully used it to distinguish drug-resistant bacterial strains from positive blood culture samples. A sequence-specific primer-probe set was designed, and the specificity of the assays was assessed using 27 ATCC bacterial strains and 77 negative blood culture samples. No cross-reaction was identified among bacterial strains and in negative samples, indicating 100% specificity. The sensitivity of the assays was determined by spiking each bacterial strain into negative blood samples, and the detection limit was 1–10 colony forming units (CFU) per reaction. The LNA-qPCR assays were first applied to 72 clinical bacterial isolates for the identification of known drug resistance genes, and the results were verified by the direct sequencing of PCR products. Finally, the LNA-qPCR assays were used for the detection in 47 positive blood culture samples, 19 of which (40.4%) were positive for antibiotic resistance genes, showing 91.5% consistency with phenotypic susceptibility results. In conclusion, LNA-qPCR is a reliable method for the rapid detection of bacterial antibiotic resistance genes and can be used as a supplement to phenotypic susceptibility testing for the early detection of antimicrobial resistance to allow the selection of appropriate antimicrobial treatment and to prevent the spread of resistant isolates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A set of real-time PCR based assays using the locked nucleic acid probes from Roche Universal ProbeLibrary were developed for rapid detection of eight bacterial species from positive blood culture bottles. Four duplex real-time PCR reactions targeting to one Gram-positive bacterium and one Gram-negative bacterium were optimized for species identification according to Gram stain results. We also included mecA-specific primers and probes in the assays to indicate the presence of methicillin resistance in the bacterial species. The analytical sensitivity was in the range of 1-10 CFU per PCR reaction mixture. The specificity and cross reactivity of the assay was validated by 28 ATCC reference strains and 77 negative blood culture specimens. No cross-reactivity was observed in these samples thus demonstrating 100 % specificity. 72 previously characterized clinical isolates were tested by the real-time PCR assay and validated the accuracy and feasibility of the real-time PCR assay. Furthermore, 55 positive blood culture samples were tested using real-time PCR and 50 (90.9 %) of them were identified as the same species as judged by biochemical analysis. In total, real-time PCR showed 98.2 % consistent to that of traditional methods. Real-time PCR can be used as a supplement for early detection of the frequently-occurred pathogens from the positive blood cultures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]