Essential (Mg,Fe, Zn and Cu) and Non-Essential (Cd and Pb) Elements in Predatory Insects (Vespa crabro and Vespa velutina): A Molecular Perspective

The recent introduction of the Asian yellow-legged hornet, Vespa velutina, into Europe has raised concern regarding the threat to honeybees and the competition with the European hornet, Vespa crabro. The aim of this study was to investigated essential (Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu) and non-essential (Cd and Pb) elements in these two species. Element concentrations were determined in the whole body and separately in the head, thorax and abdomen using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The changes in essential element concentration and speciation during metamorphosis were also studied using size exclusion chromatography followed by AAS and proteomic analysis. In both species, the essential elements were more concentrated in the abdomen due to the presence of fat bodies. Magnesium, Fe and Zn concentrations were significantly higher in V. crabro than in V. velutina and could have been related to the higher aerobic energy demand of the former species required to sustain foraging flight. Low concentrations of Cd and Pb were indicative of low environmental exposure. The concentration and speciation of essential elements, particularly Fe, varied among the developmental stages, indicating a modification of ligand preferences during metamorphosis. Overall, the results in the present study provide a better understanding of the hornet metal metabolism and a foundation for additional studies.     

Effect of partial replacement of geopolymer binder materials on the fresh and mechanical properties: A review

The growth of demand for concrete raises concerns about the consumption of natural resources and ordinary Portland cement. Geopolymer composites show promise as a sustainable alternative for conventional cement concrete. Considering the wide range of potential geopolymer composites applications (including suitability for transportation infrastructure, underwater applications, repair and rehabilitation of structures as well as recent developments in 3D printing), the desired fresh and mechanical properties of the geopolymer composite may vary between applications: for example, rapid setting can be a merit for certain applications and a demerit for others. Therefore, the desired fresh and mechanical properties (e.g., workability, setting time, compressive strength, etc.) can be controlled for a given geopolymer source material through its partial substitution by natural or by-product materials. Recognizing the critical role of various replacement materials in enhancing the potential applications of geopolymer composites, the present review was undertaken to quantify and understand the effect of partial replacement by fly ash, metakaolin, kaolin, red mud, slag, ordinary Portland cement, and silica fume on the setting time, workability, compressive strength and flexural strength of various source materials addressed in the literature. The review also provides insights into research gaps in the field to promote future research.     

Performance characteristics of concrete based on a ternary calcium sulfoaluminate–anhydrite–fly ash cement

This paper reports an assessment of the performance of concrete based on a calcium sulfoaluminate–anhydrite–fly ash cement combination. Concretes were prepared at three different w/c ratios and the properties were compared to those of Portland cement and blast-furnace cement concretes. The assessment involved determination of mechanical and durability properties. The results suggest that an advantageous synergistic effect between and ettringite and fly ash (Ioannou et al., 2014) was reflected in the concrete’s low water absorption rates, high sulfate resistance, and low chloride diffusion coefficients. However, carbonation depths, considering the dense ettringite-rich microstructure developed, were higher than those observed in Portland cement concretes at a given w/c ratio. It was concluded that the amount of alkali hydroxides present in the pore solution is as important factor as the w/c ratio when performance of this type of concrete is addressed.     

Temperature adaptability of the soluble lead flow battery using different solutions of fluoborate,perchlorate, methanesulfonate and trifluoromethanesulfonate

The evaluation of cell's weatherability is of practical interest. To further improve the soluble lead flow battery's weatherability, physiochemical properties of electrolytes containing fluoborate, perchlorate, methanesulfonate and trifluoromethanesulfonate are investigated from ?60 to 50 °C. Activities of CF₃SO₃H and HClO₄ are poor in trifluoromethanesulfonate and perchlorate solutions due to common anion effect. The solubility of lead salt can be improved by increasing temperature, but worsened by increasing acid's content. With the temperature increasing, the conductivity is enhanced, and the viscosity is lowered for four solutions. The same results have been found by increasing acid's content except for CF₃SO₃H. The high energy efficiency can be achieved for cells over ?40–0 °C using fluoborate and perchlorate solutions, 73.2% at ?40 °C and 78.1% at ?30 °C respectively. Over the temperature range of 20–50 °C, the cells with methanesulfonate and trifluoromethanesulfonate solutions have good performance, 77.4% and 73.7% at 50 °C respectively.     

Preparation and characterization of mullite whisker reinforced ceramics made from coal fly ash

Ceramics with mullite whiskers were prepared from coal fly ash and Al₂O₃ raw materials, with AlF₃ used as an additive. The phase structures and microstructures of the ceramics were identified via X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The results show that pickling of coal fly ash is an effective method for enhancing the flexural strength of ceramics. Sintering temperature and AlF₃ addition were also key factors influencing the creation of ideal ceramics. The ceramic made from pickled coal fly ash, 6?wt% AlF₃, and sintered at 1200?°C, exhibited the highest flexural strength of 59.1?MPa, and had a bulk density of 1.32?g/cm³ and porosity of 26.8%. The results show that ceramic materials made under these conditions are ideal candidates for manufacturing ceramic proppants for the exploitation of unconventional oil and gas resources.     

Activity-Directed Synthesis: A Flexible Approach for Lead Generation

Activity-directed synthesis (ADS) is a structure-blind, functional-driven molecular discovery approach. In this Concept, four case studies highlight the general applicability of ADS and showcase its flexibility to support different medicinal chemistry strategies. ADS deliberately harnesses reactions with multiple possible outcomes, and allows many chemotypes to be evaluated in parallel. Resources are focused on bioactive molecules, which emerge in tandem with associated synthetic routes. Some of the future challenges for ADS are highlighted, including the realisation of an autonomous molecular discovery platform. The prospects for ADS to become a mainstream lead generation approach are discussed.     

氢化物原子荧光光谱法测定酱油中微量铅的方法研究

建立了一种快速、高效的QuEChERS-高效液相色谱-质谱联用法（QuEChERS-HPLC-MS/MS）测定谷类杂粮制品中脱氧雪腐镰刀菌烯醇（DON）、3-乙酰脱氧雪腐镰刀菌烯醇（3-ADON）、15-乙酰脱氧雪腐镰刀菌烯醇（15-ADON）和玉米赤霉烯酮（ZON）共4种真菌毒素。样品前处理采用乙腈-水溶剂提取，经Florisil+C18+无水硫酸镁净化后检测。以0.10%甲酸-乙腈作为流动相，在质谱检测器的多反应监测模式下进行分析。结果表明，4种真菌毒素在各自的线性范围内线性关系良好，相关系数R2均大于0.999，回收率在85.1%～102.0%，相对标准偏差（RSD）为2.11%～6.22%。该方法具有前处理简单、净化效果好、灵敏度高和检测速度快的优点，适用于谷类杂粮制品中DON、3-ADON、15-ADON 和ZON的分析和定量检测。     

粉煤灰超细玻珠复配轻集料在固井低密度水泥浆中的作用

阐述了粉煤灰超细玻珠复配轻集料在固井低密度水泥浆中对其流变性能、强度、质量均匀性以及密度的影响和作用机理。表明该复配轻集料可以明显改善水泥浆的流动性、保水性以及水泥与高效外加剂的相容性,水泥石抗压和抗折强度有显著改善,水泥浆具有良好的质量均匀性,用该集料配制的超低密度水泥浆能满足固井要求,并由此提高固井的经济性。     

Ca掺杂钨镁酸铅陶瓷材料的制备及其介电性能

研究了Ca掺杂钨镁酸铅(PMW)陶瓷材料的合成、结构、烧结以及介电性能。结果发现：在Ca^2 摩尔分数小于15％时，能形成单相的PCMW钙铁矿相，结构由原来的斜方相向立方相转变。用二步合成法制备的样品容易致密烧结，气孔率比一步法制备的样品小。Ca的加入降低了材料的介电损耗，在频率为1MHz时，介质损耗达到了10^-4。当Ca^2 摩尔分数大于10％时，材料的Curie峰宽化显著，介电常数温度系数降低。     

碱式苦味酸铅针刺药的应用研究

提出了以碱式苦味酸铅为主体的针刺药在组合点火管中的应用，并对其针刺药的点火性能及能量传递进行了讨论，阐明了此类针刺药良好性能和应用价值。