Chemical Approach to Biological Safety: Molecular‐Level Control of an Integrated Zinc Finger Nuclease

Application of artificial nucleases (ANs) in genome editing is still hindered by their cytotoxicity related to off‐target cleavages. This problem can be targeted by regulation of the nuclease domain. Here, we provide an experimental survey of computationally designed integrated zinc finger nucleases, constructed by linking the inactivated catalytic centre and the allosteric activator sequence of the colicin E7 nuclease domain to the two opposite termini of a zinc finger array. DNA specificity and metal binding were confirmed by electrophoretic mobility shift assays, synchrotron radiation circular dichroism spectroscopy, and nano‐electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry. In situ intramolecular activation of the nuclease domain was observed, resulting in specific cleavage of DNA with moderate activity. This study represents a new approach to AN design through integrated nucleases consisting of three (regulator, DNA‐binding, and nuclease) units, rather than simple chimera. The optimisation of such ANs could lead to safe gene editing enzymes.     

金刚石/铝复合材料表面镀覆工艺研究

为了改善金刚石/铝复合材料表面的焊接性能,通过SEM-EDS、数字显微镜、粗糙度检测仪、接触角测量仪和热振、高温烘烤等检测方法,研究了活化、两次化学镀镍工艺对金刚石/铝复合材料表面形貌、成分、粗糙度、润湿性和焊接性能等的影响。结果表明,采用浸锌活化后进行一次镀镍、钯离子活化后进行二次镀镍、最后电镀金的方式可以实现金刚石/铝复合材料表面沉积连续完整的镀金层,镀层粗糙度可控制在0.4 ~ 0.7 m,结合力可耐400 ℃高温,满足金锡共晶焊接使用要求。     

以低温固相碱熔活化高岭土为原料合成ZSM-5分子筛

以天然矿物高岭土为主要硅铝原料,经低温固相碱熔活化后,在常规水热条件下合成ZSM-5分子筛,考察m(高岭土)∶m(氢氧化钠)、碱熔温度及碱熔时间等因素对高岭土活化效果的影响。采用XRF、XRD、FT-IR和N2-吸脱附等对不同样品进行表征。结果表明,在m(高岭土)∶m(氢氧化钠)=1∶1.5、碱熔温度250℃和碱熔时间30 min条件下,可以实现高岭土完全活化。该活化方式不仅降低了活化温度,且能在极短时间内提高高岭土活性。以最适宜低温固相碱熔活化条件下所得活性硅铝物质为主要原料,硅溶胶为外加硅源,采用水热法合成高相对结晶度的纯相ZSM-5分子筛。与工业ZSM-5分子筛相比,合成ZSM-5分子筛具有更大的比表面积和孔容。     

以稻壳为原料合成等级孔Y型分子筛

以稻壳为原料,通过高温碱活化提取稻壳中的硅作为分子筛合成的硅源,利用碳化稻壳中的碳作为介孔模板合成具有等级孔结构的Y型分子筛。采用XRD、N_2吸附-脱附等表征合成的Y型分子筛。考察碱度、晶化时间、晶化温度等合成条件对Y型分子筛结构特性的影响。结果表明,随着碱度的增加,分子筛结晶度先增加后降低。碱度为6.66时,合成的Y型分子筛结晶度最高。当晶化温度为90℃、时间为16 h时,合成的分子筛中含有较少的杂晶。     

激发条件对脱硫石膏-矿渣体系水硬强度的影响

利用正交实验研究了硅酸盐水泥和其他两种矿物组分复合激发对脱硫石膏-矿渣体系强度的影响,用SEM、XRD分析了水化样品的微观结构.研究结果表明:硅酸盐水泥等多组分复合激发下,脱硫石膏-矿渣体系在水中标准条件养护,3 d抗压强度达17 MPa以上,28 d抗压强度达58 MPa以上.复合激发剂3种组分的优化组合为6:6:5,复合激发剂的用量为脱硫石膏-矿渣体系质量的17%左右.脱硫石膏-矿渣体系在复合激发条件下的水化产物主要是钙矾石和C-S-H.大量钙矾石、石膏晶体相互交叉连生,未水化石膏、矿渣颗粒所填充其间,在C-S-H凝胶的胶结下,形成了较为致密的晶胶搭配构成的微观结构.     

氧化钙添加剂对碳酸钠活化粉煤灰的影响及机理

碳酸钠焙烧粉煤灰是一种反应温度低、氧化铝溶出率高,且可同步实现铝、硅高效分离的活化方式,然而该活化过程中所需助剂耗量较大,成为其大规模产业化应用的瓶颈.借鉴高温(1200~1300 ℃)碱石灰烧结活化粉煤灰工艺,在中温(600~1000 ℃)条件下,采用正交实验和单因素实验方法,分别研究了氧化钙添加对碳酸钠焙烧活化粉煤灰后氧化铝溶出率的影响.结果表明,在中温条件下可通过添加一定比例的氧化钙来部分替代碳酸钠,当m(CFA:Na2CO3:CaO)=1:0.6:0.2时,即可使粉煤灰中的氧化铝溶出率达90%以上.通过傅里叶变换红外光谱(FT-IR)、X射线衍射分析(XRD)进一步研究发现,氧化钙之所以可以部分替代碳酸钠,主要是由于低聚合度的硅酸钙形成所导致的.     

Cucurbituril As A Versatile Tool to Tune the Functions of Proteins

Tuning the functions of proteins is a key issue in chemistry and biochemistry. The modification of proteins by chemical or biological methods is proven to be a classical method that allows proteins to achieve multiple functions. Compared with traditional methods, cucurbiturils as a new series of macrocyclic supramolecular hosts have been explored to modify and control protein functions because they could recognize and bind to short aromatic peptide sequences specifically. After guest molecules are incorporated into proteins by chemical and biological methods, CB[n]-induced supramolecular protein assemblies show distinct functions in catalysis, biosensor and drug delivery. Herein we review the recent progress in the field of functional regulation of proteins with cucurbiturils.     

Nickel@Nickel Oxide Core–Shell Electrode with Significantly Boosted Reactivity for Ultrahigh‐Energy and Stable Aqueous Ni–Zn Battery

The main bottlenecks of aqueous rechargeable Ni–Zn batteries are their relatively low energy density and poor cycling stability, mainly arising from the low capacity and inferior reversibility of the current Ni‐based cathodes. Additionally, the complicated and difficult‐to‐scale preparation procedures of these cathodes are not promising for large‐scale energy storage. Here, a facile and cost‐effective ultrasonic‐assisted strategy is developed to efficiently activate commercial Ni foam as a robust cathode for a high‐energy and stable aqueous rechargeable Ni–Zn battery. 3D Ni@NiO core–shell electrode with remarkably boosted reactivity and an area of 300 cm² is readily obtained by this ultrasonic‐assisted activation method (denoted as SANF). Benefiting from the in situ formation of electrochemically active NiO and porous 3D structure with a large surface area, the as‐fabricated SANF//Zn battery presents ultrahigh capacity (0.422 mA h cm^?2) and excellent cycling durability (92.5% after 1800 cycles). Moreover, this aqueous rechargeable SANF//Zn battery achieves an impressive energy density of 15.1 mW h cm^?3 (0.754 mW h cm^?2) and a peak power density of 1392 mW cm^?3, outperforming most reported aqueous rechargeable energy‐storage devices. These findings may provide valuable insights into designing large‐scale and high‐performance 3D electrodes for aqueous rechargeable batteries.     

Influence of preheating of fly ash precursors to produce geopolymers

This study has been focused on the effect of pretreatment of FA and POFA after geopolymerization on the mechanical properties. The aim of this work was to simplify the pretreatment that it can easily industrial be applied, using existing technology. Previous work has shown that a reduction in particle size increases the mechanical properties. However, this method involves a milling process which is not applicable for a wide industrial application. Hence, FA and POFA particles have been heated to 300°C, 500°C, and 800°C but applying different pretreatments: (i) predried at 110°C (reference sample); (ii) as received; (iii) prewetted; (iv) prewetted and later quenched in cold water. It was found that during the treatment the particle size increased due to thermal stress cracking. During fast heating, trapped pore water cannot be removed as fast as it evaporates and hence the particles crack. This increase in particle size caused an increase in compressive strength. In addition, heating to 300°C and 500°C caused a dehydroxylation of FA and POFA. This dehydroxylation resulted in a higher initial reactivity, reducing the setting time and improved mechanical strength.     

C3S and C2S hydration in the presence of Na2CO3 and Na2SO4

This study analyses the behavior of calcium silicates C₃S and C₂S hydrated in two alkaline media, Na₂CO₃ and Na₂SO₄. The silicates were synthesized with laboratory reagents and hydrated in water, to which solid‐state alkaline activators with 4 wt% Na₂CO₃ or 4 wt% Na₂SO₄ were added. Two‐ and 28‐day mechanical strength values were determined and the reaction products were characterized with XRD, SEM/EDX, and ²⁹Si and ²³Na MAS NMR. The findings showed that the presence of Na₂CO₃ hastened hydration kinetics and stimulated early‐age mechanical strength development in both silicates. The most significant effect of sodium sulfate, however, was observed in the 28‐day material in both silicates, in which it raised strength by stimulating the precipitation of C–S–H gels with a high percentage of Q² units.