Current trends in structural development and modification strategies for metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) towards photocatalytic H2 production: A review

Photocatalytic H₂ generation using semiconductor photocatalysts is considered as a cost-effective and eco-friendly technology for solar to energy conversion; however, the present photocatalysts have been recognized to depict low efficiency. Currently, porous coordination polymers known as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) constituting flexible and modifiable porous structure and having excess active sites are considered to be appropriate for photocatalytic H₂ production. This review highlights current progress in structural development of MOF materials along with modification strategies for enhanced photoactivity. Initially, the review discusses the photocatalytic H₂ production mechanism with the concepts of thermodynamics and mass transfer with particular focus on MOFs. Elaboration of the structural categories of MOFs into Type I, Type II, Type III and classification of MOFs for H₂ generation into transition metal based, post-transition metal based, noble-metal based and hetero-metal based has been systematically discussed. The review also critically deliberate various modification approaches of band engineering, improvement of charge separation, efficient irradiation utilization and overall efficiency of MOFs including metal modification, heterojunction formation, Z-scheme formation, by introducing electron mediator, and dye based composites. Also, the MOF synthesized derivatives for photocatalytic H₂ generation are elaborated. Finally, future perspectives of MOFs for H₂ generation and approaches for efficiency improvement have been suggested.     

Challenges in the CO2 emissions of the Turkish power sector: Evidence from a two-level decomposition approach

Decarbonization of the energy system is urgent to avert the disruptions in the climate. Considering its share, the low carbon transition of the power sector is pivotal. Growing electricity demand poses unique challenges for Turkey to enact deep decarbonization. It is vital to uncover the contributing causes of emissions to provide strategic oversight for carbon management activities. This study investigates key drivers of CO₂ emissions from the power sector using the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index decomposition method. While efficiency improvement contributes to sustainable yet minor mitigation, changes in the fossil-fuel share indicate a cycling but significant overall impact.     

Anticancer activity of flavonoids accompanied by redox state modulation and the potential for a chemotherapeutic strategy

Since researchers began studying the mechanism of flavonoids’ anticancer activity, little attention has been focused on the modulation of redox state in cells as a potential chemotherapeutic strategy. However, recent studies have begun identifying that the anticancer effect of flavonoids occurs both in their antioxidative activity which scavenges ROS and their prooxidative activity which generates ROS. Against this backdrop, this study attempts to achieve a comprehensive analysis of the individual and separate study findings regarding flavonoids’ modulation of redox state in cancer cells. It focuses on the mechanism behind the anticancer effect, and mostly on the modulation of redox potential by flavonoids such as quercetin, hesperetin, apigenin, genistein, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), luteolin and kaempferol in both in vitro and animal models. In addition, the clinical applications of and bioavailability of flavonoids were reviewed to help build a treatment strategy based on flavonoids’ prooxidative potential.     

Coagulation process in Manchega sheep milk from Spain: A path analysis approach

Characteristics of sheep milk are of great interest for the dairy industry, as almost the totality of production is intended for cheesemaking. However, the existing relationships between these variables are complex. This study assessed composition, hygienic quality, coagulation properties, and curd yield of 1,200 individual Manchega sheep milk samples. The aim was to compare the effect of composition and hygienic quality on coagulation and curdling, and to evaluate the relationship between curd yields and the coagulation process and the effect of other features by using path analysis methodologies. Outcomes proved path analysis to be a useful and effective tool to assess these relationships through direct and indirect paths within the same model. Results showed that the factors that had a direct influence on milk coagulation were lactose concentration, casein content, and initial pH of milk. Contrastingly, somatic cells did not seem to have any effect (direct or indirect) on the coagulation process. Factors that directly affected curd yield were fat content, lactose concentration, casein content, and curd moisture. However, technological parameters showed little effect over curd yield.     

浓香型白酒窖泥放线菌的原位分离及代谢特性研究

以川南某浓香型白酒生产企业50年窖龄且发酵正常的窖泥为研究对象。通过高通量测序技术分析细菌群落结构以及放线菌群落结构,利用原位分离法从中分离得到2株放线菌,结合形态鉴定、生理生化和16S rRNA基因序列比对分析确定菌种属,并对其进行耐酸、耐乙醇特性研究,基于风味导向思路,分别对2株菌进行液态培养和固态培养,采用顶空固相微萃取法和气相色谱质谱联用对发酵挥发性产物进行分析,为放线菌的相关研究和应用提供理论参考。结果显示,放线菌在该窖泥样品含有较高操作分类单元(operational taxonomic unit,OTU),相对丰度达(10.7±3.4)%,且主要分布于链霉菌亚目(Streptomycineae)和科里氏杆菌亚目(Coriobacterineae)。采用原位分离法分离放线菌,将分离得到的2株菌编号为A1、A2,菌株A1鉴定为桑氏链霉菌(Streptomyces sampsonii),菌株A2鉴定为鲁地链霉菌(Streptomyces rutgersensis)。菌株A1、A2均可在pH>4.3或乙醇体积分数<6%的环境中生长。菌株A1在液态和固态发酵条件下都会产生大量土臭素以及萜烯类物质,菌株A2在液态条件下能产生多种酯类,其中己酸乙酯相对含量(5.384%)较高,而固态条件下能够检测出大量的3-羟基-2丁酮、2,3-丁二醇和吡嗪类物质。     

概念辨析：建筑评论的思辨实践

建筑评论是一项针对具体对象,将目之所及的事物背后不可视的背景、思想、价值判断、驱动力等,转化为可以言说、可以讨论、具有建筑学和文化社会意义的思辨性活动。[1]这项活动的基础工作之一是概念的辨析与运用。因此,在东南大学建筑学院开设的"建筑评论课",通过课程主题的组织,在帮助学生建立多维批评视野的同时,以概念辨析为切入点,通过基于精读、研究的写作训练,实现思辨性思维的培养、学术素养和写作的培训,以及对建筑评论和中国现当代建筑话语的理解。     

Design and construction of lightweight EPS geofoam embedded geomaterial embankment system for control of settlements

This paper presents a research study on a bridge site located along US highway 67 over SH 174 in Cleburne, Texas, where bridge approach slabs have experienced more than 0.4 m (17 in.) of settlement within a span of 16 years after construction. Many treatment methods attempted to mitigate this problem had proven to be ineffective. As part of novel rehabilitation works, the top of existing fill soil on the embankment was replaced with lightweight expanded polystyrene (EPS) geofoam blocks to alleviate the approach slab settlements. This paper describes initial design and construction details of the rehabilitation works performed on the embankment system along with a focus on the early performance details. Field monitoring studies were conducted for almost three years to study the bump/settlements under the EPS geofoam embankment system. Short term measured settlement data was analyzed with hyperbolic model to predict the long term settlements. Numerical finite element studies attempted in this study showed that settlements could be reasonably predicted by modeling these geofoam embankments. Based on the monitoring and modeling studies, the effectiveness of utilizing EPS geofoam as an embankment fill material was addressed to mitigate the differential settlements under a bridge approach slab.     

Energy analysis of the system of two-stage anaerobic processing of liquid organic waste with production of hydrogen- and methane-containing biogases

In recent years, public attention has been increasingly attracted to solving two inextricably linked problems - preventing the depletion of natural resources and protecting the environment from anthropogenic pollution. The annual consumption of livestock waste for biogas production is about 240 thousand m³ per year, which is 0.17% of the total manure produced at Russian agricultural enterprises. At present, the actual use of organic waste potentially suitable for biogas production is 2–3 orders of magnitude lower than the existing potential for organic waste. Currently, hydrogen energy is gaining immense popularity in the world due to the problem of depletion of non-renewable energy sources - hydrocarbons, and environmental pollution caused by their increasing consumption. Of particular interest is the dark process of producing hydrogen-containing biogas in the processing of organic waste under anaerobic conditions, which allows you to take advantage of both energy production and solving the problem of organic waste disposal. An energy analysis of a two-stage anaerobic liquid organic waste processing system with the production of hydrogen- and methane-containing biogases based on experimental data obtained in a laboratory plant with increased volume reactors was performed. The energy efficiency of the system is in the range of 1.91–2.74. Maximum energy efficiency was observed with a hydraulic retention time of 2.5 days in a dark fermentation reactor. The cost of electricity to produce 1 m³ of hydrogen was 1.093 kW·h with a hydraulic retention time of 2.5 days in the dark fermentation reactor. When the hydraulic retention time in the dark fermentation reactor was 1 day, the specific (in ratio to the processing rate of organic waste) energy costs to produce of 1 m³ of hydrogen were minimal in the considered hrt range, and amounted to 26 (W/m³ of hydrogen)/(m³ of waste/day). Thus, the system of two-stage anaerobic processing of liquid organic waste to produce hydrogen and methane-containing biogases is an energy-efficient way to both produce hydrogen and process organic waste.     

基于柠檬酸-铕纳米配位聚合物构建荧光探针快速检测汤煲中5’-肌苷酸含量

基于柠檬酸-铕金属有机纳米配体聚合物（citrate/europium lanthanide coordination polymer nanoparticles，Cit/Eu LCP NPs）构建快速检测肉品汤煲中5’-肌苷酸（inosine-5’-monophosphate，5’-IMP）的荧光探针。研究结果表明，5’-IMP对Cit/Eu?LCP?NPs有良好的荧光猝灭作用。在最佳条件下，该荧光探针在5’-IMP?2.5～200?μg/mL的质量浓度范围内呈现出良好的线性关系，检出限为0.17?μg/mL，且具备良好的抗干扰、稳定性和重复性。为了验证方法可行性，将该方法应用于实际鸡汤样品中的5’-IMP检测，测得加标回收率为97.85%～103.95%，可为快速检测肉品汤煲中5’-IMP提供新的思路和方法。     

Distributed two‐stage state estimation with event‐triggered strategy for multirate sensor networks

This paper investigates the state estimation issue for a class of wireless sensor networks (WSNs) with the consideration of limited energy resources. First, a multirate estimation model is established, and then, a new event‐triggered two‐stage information fusion algorithm is developed based on the optimal fusion criterion weighted by matrices. Compared with the existing methods, the presented fusion algorithm can significantly reduce the communication cost in WSNs and save energy resources of sensors efficiently. Furthermore, by presetting a desired containment probability over the interval [0,1] with the developed event‐triggered mechanism, one can obtain a suitable compromise between the communication cost and the estimation accuracy. Finally, a numerical simulation for the WSN tracking system is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.