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The Vilsmeier-Haack reaction is a powerful tool to introduce formyl groups into electron-rich arenes, but its wide application is significantly restricted by stoichiometric employment of caustic POCl

MXenes are the typical ions insertion-type two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials, have attracted extensive attention in the Li

Huan Xue,1,* Hao-Jie Xing,1,* Bin Wang,1 Chao Fu,1 Yu-Shan Zhang,1 Xi Qiao,1 Chao Guo,1 Xiao-Li Zhang,1 Bin Hu,1 Xin Zhao,1 Li-Jiao Deng,1 Xiao-Chan Zhu,1 Yi Zhang,1 Yun-Feng Liu2 1Department of Pharmacology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Endocrinology, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Yi Zhang; Yun-Feng Liu, Tel +86-18835102847 ; +86-18703416169, Email yizhang313@163.com; nectarliu@163.comPurpose: The glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) is an effective therapeutic target for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Research has focused on small-molecule GLP-1R agonists because of their ease of use in oral formulations and improved patient compliance. However, no small-molecule GLP-1R agonists are currently available in the market. We aimed to screen for a potential oral small-molecule GLP-1R agonist and evaluated its effect on blood glucose and NASH.Methods: The Connectivity map database was used to screen for candidate small-molecule compounds. Molecular docking was performed using SYBYL software. Rat pancreatic islets were incubated in different concentrations glucose solutions, with cinchonine or Exendin (9– 39) added to determine insulin secretion levels. C57BL/6 mice, GLP-1R−/− mice and hGLP-1R mice were used to conduct oral glucose tolerance test. In addition, we fed ob/ob mice with the GAN diet to induce the NASH model. Cinchonine (50 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg) was administered orally twice daily to the mice. Serum liver enzymes were measured using biochemical analysis. Liver tissues were examined using Hematoxylin-eosin staining, Oil Red O staining and Sirius Red staining.Results: Based on the small intestinal transcriptome of geniposide, a recognized small-molecule GLP-1R agonist, we identified that cinchonine exerted GLP-1R agonist-like effects. Cinchonine had a good binding affinity for GLP-1R. Cinchonine promoted glucose-dependent insulin secretion, which could be attenuated significantly by Exendin (9– 39), a specific GLP-1R antagonist. Moreover, cinchonine could reduce blood glucose in C57BL/6 and hGLP-1R mice, an effect that could be inhibited with GLP-1R knockout. In addition, cinchonine reduced body weight gain and food intake in ob/ob-GAN NASH mice dose-dependently. 100 mg/kg cinchonine significantly improved liver function by reducing the ALT, ALP and LDH levels. Importantly, 100 mg/kg cinchonine ameliorated hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in NASH mice.Conclusion: Cinchonine, a potential oral small-molecule GLP-1R agonist, could reduce blood glucose and ameliorate NASH, providing a strategy for developing small-molecule GLP-1R agonists.Graphical Abstract: Keywords: glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor, cinchonine, drug repurposing, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, type 2 diabetes mellitus

With little knowledge on the joint effects of metal exposure on dyslipidemia, we aimed to investigate the relationship between exposure to metal and dyslipidemia among U.S adults based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey(NHANES). Based on the five NHANES waves(2011-2020), we selected five metals in blood as exposure, namely, Cadmium(Cd), Lead(Pb), Total Mercury(Hg), Manganese(Mn) and Selenium(Se), which were detected by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Survey-multivariable logistic regression, Generalized Weighted Quantile Sum(WQS) and Bayesian kernel machine regression(BKMR) were performed to determine whether dyslipidemia was associated with single metals or mixed metals. Our study included 12,526 participants aged from 20 to 80, representing 577.1 million non-institutionalized U.S. adults. We found a positive association between several metals including Pb [Adjusted odds ratio(AOR)=1.332, 95%CI:1.165, 1.522], Total Hg(AOR=1.264, 95%CI:1.120, 1.427), Mn(AOR=1.181, 95%CI:1.046, 1.334) and Se(AOR=1.771, 95%CI:1.576, 1.992) and dyslipidemia. According to the WQS approach, metal mixtures were positively associated with dyslipidemia(AOR:1.310, 95%CI: 1.216, 1.411) after a full-model adjustment. As is shown in the BKMR model, mixed metals tended to be positively associated with dyslipidemia ratios in a significant manner. Females, non-Hispanic white populations, people aged over 60 and those who did a little physical activity had a greater risk for dyslipidemia. Our findings suggest metals including Cd, Pb, Hg, Mn and Se and their combinations may adversely affect dyslipidemia among U.S adults. Due to the cross-sectional nature of the study, it is possible that reverse causation may exist.

Aqueous zinc ion batteries (ZIBs) are widely researched due to the low-cost and intrinsic safety. However, the rate capability and specific capacity of ZIBs is limited due to the dissolution and structural collapse of cathode materials. It is crucial to construct stable cathode materials to promote rate capability and cycle stability of ZIBs. In this paper, The V3O7 was tightly attached to the surface of graphene oxide (GO) by a hydrothermal reaction and a V3O7/GO heterostructure was successfully achieved. The GO could increase structural stability, enhance electrical conductivity, and expand specific surface area of V3O7. Therefore, the V3O7/GO with a heterostructure exhibits an improved cycle stability and rate capability compared with V3O7. It displayed a specific capacity of 275.6 mA h g−1 at a current density of 1.0 A g−1. The study paves the way for promoting the Zn2+ storage performance of vanadium oxide and developing stable cathode materials of ZIBs.

The unique heterocyclic skeletons of N-heterocyclic phosphines (NHPs) endow them with excellent hydridic reactivity, which has enabled NHPs to be applied in a great array of catalytic hydrogenations of unsaturated substrates in the past few decades. Recently, applications of NHPs in radical reductions, especially in a catalytic fashion, have emerged as a promising forefront area. This new reaction pattern, distinctive from but complementary to the well-established hydride pathway, can greatly expand the reaction scope to σ-bond scission. Herein, we briefly summarized some representative examples of synthetic applications of NHPs in both hydridic and radical reductions with an emphasis on their radical reactivity, including the structural and property studies of NHP radicals and their precursors as well as their applications in radical processes.

2D materials is a promising Na+ insertion-type material due to its unique layered structure, however, the long diffusion channels yielded by stacking limited the Na+ storage rate capability. Herein, a 3D MoS2–Ta4C3 heterostructure (M-Ta4C3) composite is designed by supported 2D MoS2 nanosheets on/in the surface/interlayers of 2D Ta4C3 matrix for achieving high rate Na+ storage. The 2D MoS2 nanosheets is confined in the interlayers of Ta4C3 matrix that can avoid the stacking and expand the interlayer spacing of Ta4C3 matrix, which enlarges the contact surface area between electrode and electrolyte, and exposes more electrochemical active sites for Na+ storage. The Ta4C3 matrix improves the conductivity, prevents the aggregation and confines the volume expansion of MoS2 nanosheets which optimizes the structure stability and provides short Na+ diffusion channels. The M-Ta4C3 exhibits a larger interlayer spacing of 1.69 nm, extraordinary electrochemical performance and outstanding rate capability which benefitted from the 3D heterostructure. The M-Ta4C3//AC SIC owns super energy and power densities of 87.6 Wh kg−1 and 3937.3 W kg−1. This work employs Ta4C3 MXene as a Na+ storage material for the first time, and it provides an idea to improve the Na+ storage performance of 2D materials by constructing a 3D heterostructure.

Molybdenum carbide (Mo2C) is an attractive candidate as the electrode active material of supercapacitors (SCs) due to its low cost, outstanding electrical conductivity and superior chemical stability; however, the aggregation of Mo2C nanoparticles impedes its applications. Herein, zero-dimensional (0D) Mo2C nanoparticles are anchored on three-dimensional (3D) octahedral amorphous carbon (3DPO-Mo2C/C) by a mild and effective method with carbonizing and etching the Cu/Mo-based metal–organic framework. The 3DPO-Mo2C/C displays a large specific surface area, abundant mesopores and stable 3D structure, which not only expose more active reaction sites and shorten diffusion paths for electrolyte ions, but also prevent the aggregation and improve the structure stability of Mo2C nanoparticles. It exhibits an outstanding specific capacitances of 110 and 105 F g−1 in the electrolytes of 6 M KOH and 2 M EMIMA/AN. Employing the active carbon (AC) as counter electrode to assemble a SC with 3DPO-Mo2C/C as work electrode, which delivers higher energy and power densities of 12 Wh kg−1 and 1620 W kg−1, and the specific capacitance remains 91.3% after 6000 cycles. This approach not only prevents the aggregation of Mo2C nanoparticles successfully but also provides a possibility for Mo2C to be used in SCs.

A three-dimensional interconnected reticular porous carbon (3D-RPC) with a large surface area of 1535 m2 g–1 by a sol–gel method followed by carbonation as well as a chemical activation process usi...

Lithium-ion capacitors (LICs) can combine the high energy density of battery-type electrode and high power density of capacitor-type electrode, which is considered as one of the most promising electrochemical storage devices. The challenge of developing superior performance LICs is designing suitable electrode materials to overcome the kinetic imbalance between the battery-type anode and the capacitor-type cathode. Herein, defect-rich carbon encapsulated Fe3C nanoparticle (Fe3C@DRC) was obtained via a modified sol-gel method with a calcination process. The defect-rich and microporous structure effectively boosts kinetics and provides additional reaction sites for lithium-ion intercalation/deintercalation process, which leads to an excellent capacity (215 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1 after 800 cycles) and rate capability (128.8 mAh g−1 even at 10 A g−1). Then a novel Fe3C@DRC//AC LIC was consisted using Fe3C@DRC as anode and activated carbon as cathode. The Fe3C@DRC//AC LIC demonstrates a wide potential window (0–4 V), delivers a high energy density of 187.8 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 200 W kg−1, reached a high power density of 4000 W kg−1 at an energy density of 80 Wh kg−1, and coupled with a reasonable life span (84.8% after 6000 cycles at a current density of 1 A g−1). The study indicates that the introduction of defect-rich strategy may push the practical application of high-rate and high-energy LIC anode materials in energy fields.

The rat everted intestinal sac model was adopted to investigate the absorption of total flavonoids from Coreopsis tinctoria in different intestinal segments. Cyaniding-3-O-β-D-glucoside, chlorogenic acid, flavanomarein, quercetagetin-7-O-β-D-glucoside, iso-okanin, marein and 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid which as the major chemical components of total flavonoids from C. tinctoria were selec-ted as the study objects to evaluate the absorption characteristics of each component in different intestinal segments. The results showed that the absorption of seven components of total flavonoids at different intestinal segments was in consistent with zero order absorption rate. The K_a of chlorogenic acid, flavanomarein, quercetagetin-7-O-β-D-glucoside, isookanin and 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid increased with increasing of concentration of total flavonoids(Plt;0.05), indicating that the intestinal absorption of these five components was passive transport. The K_a of cyaniding-3-O-β-D-glucoside and marein showed a weak concentration dependence, suggesting that the absorption of them may be an positive and passive co-existing mode. The result of absorption in different intestinal segments showed that cyaniding-3-O-β-D-glucoside, chlorogenic acid, flavanomarein, quercetagetin-7-O-β-D-glucoside, marein and 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid were mainly absorbed in ileum, while isookanin was mainly absorbed in jejunum. The total flavonoids of C. tinctoria are selectively absorbed in intestinal tract, the rat everted intestinal sac model can be used to evaluate the multi-component intestinal absorption characteristics of total flavonoids from C. tinctoria.

An ion insertion type in two-dimensional (2D) materials has attracted extensive attention making 2D materials as promising energy storage materials . However, the interlayer spacing plays a key role in the design of 2D materials with fast ions de-intercalation dynamics and high-rate capability. Here, an unprecedented and convenient organic molecular welding approach was proposed to controllably tune different interlayer spacings in Ti 3C2 MXene layers, resulting in pillar and strain- xDA-Ti3C2 structures by a dehydration condensation reaction between diacid molecules (HOOC(CH2)nCOOH) and -NH2 functionalized Ti3C2 layers. The xDA molecules can not only tighten the adjacent layers acting as ropes during the ion insertion process but also pillar the adjacent layers when ion extraction process was used to stabilize the Ti3C2 structure by suppressing the volume change. Furthermore, the interlayer spacing of xDA-Ti3C2 can be controllably tuned from 1.03 to 1.45 nm by choosing xDA with different lengths and controlled interlayer spacings of 1.35 and 1.38 nm can be achieved for the best rate capability of insertion/extraction processes with the superior diffusion coefficient of 4.6 × 10−7/2.8 × 10−8 cm2/s in Li+/Na+ batteries, respectively.

Coreopsis tinctoria capitula (CTC) of the Compositae family has been used traditionally to treat various diseases in China, particularly type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study evaluated the anti-lipid peroxidation, α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory effects of CTC extracts, and analyzed its chemical composition by HPLC. Moreover, the antioxidant activity and protection effects of CTC extracts were investigated on high-fat/high-sugar and streptozotocin-induced T2DM mice. In vitro study, the ethyl acetate extract (EAE) and butanol extract (BE) of CTC exhibited anti-lipid peroxidation (IC50 : BHA>BE or EAE>ascorbic acid, p EAE, p

A facile method of chemical welding was proposed to construct the diamine molecules (xDM, x = 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8) pillared- and strained-graphene oxides (GO) with controllable interlayer spacing via the dehydration condensation reaction between GO and xDM. The interlayer spacing of xDM pillared- and strained-GO (GO-xDM) is controllably enlarged by choosing the length of xDM, which determines the pillaring effects. The GO-xDM exhibits a low diffusion barrier and ultrafast Li+ diffusion dynamics due to its enlarged interlayer spacing, which leads the excellent Li+ storage rate capability. The effects of interlayer spacing on Li+ diffusion dynamics are clarified that GO-2DM with the interlayer spacing of 0.911 nm displays the excellent Li+ storage performance and fast Li+ diffusion dynamics (DLi+=2.4 × 10−7 cm2 s−1). The GO-2DM presents a high capacity of 291.8 mAh g−1 at a current density of 0.1 A g−1 and a high-rate capability of 120.8 mAh g−1 at a current density of 5.0 A g−1. The GO-2DM//AC lithium-ion hybrid capacitor delivers a high energy density of 103.6 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 55.8 W kg−1, even reaches 2777.8 W kg−1 at a power density of 61.1 Wh kg−1. The approach of chemical welding provides a novel perspective for controllably enlarging interlayer spacing and designing two-dimensional (2D) energy storage materials with high-rate capability.

Sodium ion capacitors (SICs) have attracted considerable attentions since it is integrating the complementary features of both high energy and power densities. One of the most crucial tasks for develop highly efficient SICs is to increase the faradaic Na+ redox kinetics from the battery-type anode to match the electrical double-layer capacitance-type cathode. In this work, Mo2C nanoparticles uniformly anchored into cross-linked hierarchical porous carbon (HPC-Mo2C) have been produced by a water-soluble NaCl template strategy. The as-obtained HPC-Mo2C composite shows a large specific surface area of 385.6 m2 g−1 with well distributed micro–meso–macropores structure, delivering a superior rate capability (108.2 mAh g−1 at 5 A g−1) and robust long-term cycling of 190.6 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1 after 2500 cycles. Electrochemical measurements illustrate that the Mo2C nanoparticles uniformly anchored into cross-linked hierarchical porous structure can accelerate fast Na+ diffusion kinetics toward excellent rate capacity and increase the pseudocapacitive behavior for the redox reaction. The SIC composed of HPC-Mo2C as anode and activated carbon (AC) as cathode delivers an impressive energy density of 130.2 Wh kg−1 and ultra-high power density of 30,000.0 W kg−1, as well as an unprecedented cycling stability of 88.9% retention after 10,000 cycles with a potential range of 0–4.0 V. This work may cater to the requirements for rationale kinetic matching electrode for the advanced SICs.

To evaluate the time- and dose-dependent toxicity of clofarabine in mice and to further define the chronotherapy strategy of it in leukemia, we compared the mortality rates, LD50s, biochemical parameters, histological changes and organ indexes of mice treated with clofarabine at various doses and time points. Plasma clofarabine levels and pharmacokinetic parameters were monitored continuously for up to 8 hours after the single intravenous administration of 20 mg/kg at 12:00 noon and 12:00 midnight by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-UV method. Clofarabine toxicity in all groups fluctuated in accordance with circadian rhythms in vivo. The toxicity of clofarabine in mice in the rest phase was more severe than the active one, indicated by more severe liver damage, immunodepression, higher mortality rate, and lower LD50. No significant pharmacokinetic parameter changes were observed between the night and daytime treatment groups. These findings suggest the dosing-time dependent toxicity of clofarabine synchronizes with the circadian rhythm of mice, which might provide new therapeutic strategies in further clinical application.

A three-dimensional hierarchical porous carbon loaded ultrafine Mo2C (3DHPC-Mo2C) nanomaterial was synthesized by an effective approach that combines NaCl template and K2CO3 in-situ activation together. The 3D hierarchical porous carbon with macro-meso-micropores interlacing structure acts as a skeleton provides a large surface area (409 m2 g−1) and effectively prevents the agglomeration of Mo2C during the carbonization process, which not only conducive to expose more active sites and shorten the transmission path of electrolyte ions but also helps to give full play to the features of Mo2C, such as high conductivity. Because of the outstanding microstructure, the 3DHPC-Mo2C shows a superior electrochemical performance that delivers a high specific capacitance of 206 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 and superior cycling stability of 96.6% through 7000 cycles. Meanwhile, an asymmetric supercapacitor (3DHPC-Mo2C//AC) was assembled in ionic liquid electrolyte (EMIMAC/AN) and achieves a high specific energy of 20 Wh Kg−1 at the specific power of 224 W Kg−1, which is higher than most reported carbide-based asymmetric supercapacitors and provide a promising strategy for the preparation of Mo2C and its application in energy storage.

The development of low-cost, high-purity and high-performance porous carbon is of great significance for promoting the commercial application of supercapacitors. In this paper, porous carbon spheres (PCSs) with excellent electrochemical performance were obtained by carbonization and activation of starch gel spheres as precursor which is prepared by microemulsion process. The obtained PCSs exhibit both microporous and mesoporous structure, showing a large specific surface area of 1117.0 m2 g[Formula: see text] and exhibiting a high specific capacitance of 221.3 F g[Formula: see text]at a current density of 0.5 A g[Formula: see text] in aqueous electrolyte (and still displays capacity of 146.0 F g[Formula: see text] in ion liquid electrolyte). The PCSs//PCSs symmetric supercapacitor (SSC) based on aqueous electrolyte exhibits an energy density of 10.9 Wh kg[Formula: see text] at a power density of 300.0 W kg[Formula: see text], whereas that based on ion liquid electrolyte achieves a high energy density of 29.0 Wh kg[Formula: see text] at 650.0 W kg[Formula: see text]. The study provides a new idea to develop low-cost, high-purity and high-performance porous carbon materials for supercapacitors.

MXenes are a new class of two-dimensional (2D) materials and have been considered as promising energy storage materials due to their high conductivity and unique layered structure. To improve the charge storage performance of these materials, it is crucial to prevent self-stacking and expand the interlayer spacing of MXenes since this will increase the transfer channels and accessible active sites for electrolyte ions and improve the dynamics of charge storage. This paper presents an effective approach to preventing self-stacking and expanding the interlayer spacing of Ti3C2 using electrostatic reassembly between lanthanum ions and exfoliated Ti3C2 sheets to obtain a secondary-formed multilayer-structured Ti3C2 (La/e-Ti3C2). An increased interlayer spacing and greater specific surface area were achieved and capacitive performance was improved compared with that of pure multilayer Ti3C2. The specific capacitance of La/e-Ti3C2 was found to be 233.3 F g−1 at a current density of 0.5 A g−1 and the capacitance retention under 2 A g−1 was as high as 94.3% after 10,000 cycles. An interesting result is presented, namely that a large interlayer spacing is beneficial for improving the rate capability of Ti3C2 at different current densities. The study paves the way for controllable tuning of the interlayer spacing, specific surface area, and pseudocapacitive performance of two-dimensional materials.

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) caused widespread concern because of their possess graphite-like two-dimensional structure, which allows Na+ reversible de-intercalation between the interlayers and contributes high theoretical capacity. However, the poor conductivity and structural instability greatly limited their application to sodium ion batteries (SIBs). Herein, three-dimensional (3D) honeycomb MoSe2/rGO nanocomposites with outstanding sodium ion storage performance were prepared. The MoSe2/rGO combined the advantages of MoSe2 and rGO. The typical layered structure of MoSe2 provide Na+ diffusion pathways and sufficient active sites, while the rGO increase conductivity and alleviate structural change during Na+ insertion/extraction process. The stable discharge capacity of MoSe2/rGO reaches 300 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 and retains 247 mAh g−1 after 100 times. It retains a high capacity of 214.7 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1 and shows outstanding rate capability. The MoSe2/rGO//AC hybrid sodium-ion capacitors (HSIC) achieves a high capacitance of 56.7 F g−1 at 0.1 A g−1, it exhibits an energy density of 87.7 W kg−1 at a power density of 208.8 W h kg−1 and retains 50.5 W h kg−1 when it increases to 1051.4 W kg−1. The article brings up a novel opinion for designing porous TMDs based composites as ideal energy storage materials.

The brine discharge from the seawater desalination plant will affect the receiving water to some extent in physics, chemistry, biology, and so on, especially harmful to the benthos and marine lives in the adjacent water area. In this paper, the experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of different salinities on the growth, survival rates in clam from low-salinity under controllable conditions in laboratory. The results show that individuals grew best at salinity 30 to 35. When the salinity exceeded 40, the survival rate and ILS50 of the individuals decreased significantly. Therefore, it is necessary to develop effective means of reducing the negative influence of brine discharged on the marine environment.

The principle of domestic seawater technology is to replace fresh water by seawater. This paper introduces the features and demonstration scale of domestic seawater technology. Considering the successful seawater toilet-flushing in Hong Kong, comparison and economic analysis on the cases of seawater, recycled water and tap water are done. The result shows domestic seawater technology is an economical and efficient water saving technology.

Desalination of seawater accounts for a worldwide water production. Despite the many benefits the technology has to offer, concerns rise over potential negative impacts on the environment. We studied the effect of brine on scapharca subcrenata exposed to brine discharge from desalination plant. The results show that individuals grew best at temperature from 18°C to 20°C. When the temperature exceeded 20°C, the survival rate of the individuals decreased significantly. Therefore, it is necessary to develop effective means of reducing the negative influence of brine discharged on the marine environment. The knowledge of scapharca subcrenata limits can help not only to locate desalination plants but to design disposal devices.

There are many various patterns for electricity market. Different countries adopt different patterns according to their own characteristics. However, no matter what pattern they adopt, there must be a certain structure similar to long-term market and real-time market where power sellers usually make electricity transaction. From the view of electricity power sellers, it is the key for hydropower enterprise (Power seller) to find an optimal sale strategy which can maximize the amount of electricity sale while minimizing the probability of risk. In this paper, on the base of analysis on the deterministic gross generation, a mathematic model is established to gain the maximal income of electricity sale in the case of considering risk factors, and to investigate the relationship between risk factors and electricity sale distribution in the two markets, long-term market and real-time market. Then, subsequently, the optimal strategy of electricity sale distribution of gross generation will be obtained in every market in order to maximize the total expected benefit. The feasibility and validness of the Model are verified by its application to a case as well.

This study investigates how voice assistants' responses influence customer engagement with voice assistant providers. Voice assistants have been developed by different cultures and countries and include different cultural characteristics. Most voice assistant providers focus on language localisation, but this is not enough. In fact, customer engagement with a voice assistant provider will be significantly affected by different consumer purposes. Users expect voice assistants to provide different levels of media richness for different purposes. An experiment (327 participants from Taiwan and the UK) reveals that British people prefer low media richness when their intentions are transactional and high media richness when their intentions are non-transactional. On the other hand, Taiwanese people prefer high media richness when their intentions are transactional and low media richness when their intentions are non-transactional. Overall, the findings give media richness theory a new interpretation that is applied to voice assistants, and also gives voice assistant providers a cross-cultural insight.

Iodine-catalyzed three component reaction of quinazoline-2,5-diones, aldehydes, and styrenes provides allylamine derivatives was described. Both paraformaldehyde and ethyl glyoxalate can be applied in this reaction with simple styrenes with high regioselectivity.

This paper introduces new seawater flocculants. Ferric sulfate solution and polysilicic acid were mixed. After standing and curing, polymeric ferric silicate sulfate was obtained. The optimum preparation process was explored. When Fe/Si=10:20, curing pH in the range of 1.0 to 3.0, flocculants had best flocculating activity. The polymeric ferric silicate sulfate solution and 200 μg/L chitosan solution were mixed to make composite flocculants. Flocculating activity assessments were studied. When pH in the range of 6.0 to 10.0, temperature in the range of 10 °Cto 40 °C, flocculating activity could be stable. Total phosphorus (TP) and total organic carbon (TOC) removal rates of new flocculants were higher than 80% while algae and bacteria removal rates of new flocculants were all higher than 90%. These flocculants were multi-effect seawater flocculants.

The modified diatomite was prepared by calcination and alkali washing, and the feasibility of using modified diatomite for enhanced coagulation treatment of slightly polluted seawater was investigated in this study. SEM and BET analysis showed that the raw diatomite contained impurities, which were removed after refined and purified treatment. The use of diatomite as a coagulant aid improved interparticle bridging thus incorporating the cells into flocs more efficiently, producing settleable flocs of greater density, size and strength. The enhanced coagulation with ferric sulfate and modified diatomite improved the removal efficiency of turbidity, ammonia nitrogen, total phosphorus and CODMn in seawater samples. At the optimal diatomite dosage of 60 mg/L and ferric sulfate dosage of 6 mg/L, the removal efficiency of turbidity, NH3-N, TP and CODMn reached 93.8%, 26.3%, 94.8% and 44.4% respectively. It has been proved that the enhanced coagulation through the ferric sulfate and modified diatomite, as coagulant aid and adsorbent, is more efficient and environmentally than using traditional metal coagulant only for treatment of slightly polluted seawater.

Muds and water samples collected from the Bohai Sea were selected to build seawater anaerobic ammonia oxidation reactor. The reaction volume was 18 L. The startup of reactor was divided into two stages. The first stage lasted five months and hydraulic retention time was 18L/7 d. The second stage lasted a month and hydraulic retention time was 18L/14 d. Ammonia and nitrite of influent and effluent were monitored. During the first stage, the removal rate of ammonia nitrogen was around 50% and the nitrite nitrogen increased by 50%. During the second stage, the removal rate of ammonia nitrogen reached more than 75% and the removal rate of nitrite nitrogen reached more than 90%. The removal ratio of ammonia nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen was about 1:1.17. These results suggested reactor start-up successful. Microbial community in reactor was monitored by polymerase chain reaction. Once the reactor started, specific bands of anaerobic ammonia oxidation microorganisms were found.

In order to realize the integration of electronic circuits and avoid the electromagnetic interference between mutual inductance components and periphery circuit, the paper put forward a new kind of coupling element-mutual capacitance components, which were dual with mutual inductance components, according to the duality principle and the gyrator application theory. First of all, the paper used the basic electrical components-operational amplifier, resistance and capacitor to set up the circuit implementation model of mutual capacitance component, and then selected device parameters to execute theory calculation. On the basis of the previous step, a simulation software-PSpice, was used to simulate the model. Finally, comparison of two different groups of simulation data showed the correctness of the circuit model and the feasibility of the mutual capacitance component.

the layout and the characteristics of the cascade reservoirs and hydropower stations in the upper reaches of the Yellow River, determine that cascade hydropower stations scheduling must be operated based on the joint operation between Longyangxia and Liujiaxia cascade hydropower stations, especially on flood control operation. This paper deeply analyzes design flood storage area of the Liujiaxia composition and Longyangxia-Liujiaxia joint flood regulating principle on the basis of analyzing and calculating each ten-day design flood of the Tangnaihai above main stream and the intervals. Therefore, the reasonable combination of interval flood and the process of Longyangxia reservoir flood discharge is confirmed, and thereby, studying Liujiaxia reservoir inflowing design flood under a controlling operation of flood limited water level for a period of ten-day to ensure the safety of Liujiaxia reservoir flood control.

Magnesium borate (Mg2B2O5) whisker was successfully synthesized by high temperature flux method using Magnesium chloride, boric acid, sodium hydroxide and sodium chloride as raw materials.The as-prepared product was characterized by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy(SEM), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) and X-Ray Photoelectron Spectrometry (XPS). The results showed that the as-prepared sample had triclinic structure and consisted of whisker-like particles with an average diameter about 1.25 μm and length up to 40μm. XPS results confirmed that the molar ratio of each atom agreed with the stoichiometric composition of Mg2B2O5. The growth mechanism was briefly discussed.

Lithium extraction from seawater and brine is an important approach to solving the short supply of lithium resource. Development of ion-sieve adsorption materials is the key of realizing industrial application of lithium extraction from seawater and brine with high ratio of magnesium to lithium. Although the synthetic process is complicated, with plenty of influencing factors, levels, and large amounts of data, this research successfully optimized the synthesis conditions by orthogonal experiment and statistical analysis. The achievements will lay solid foundation for the development of lithium adsorption materials.