High-yield Method Research Articles

A subcritical pretreatment improved by self-produced organic acids to increase xylose yield

Pretreatment is a crucial step to utilize biomass in the cellulosic ethanol industry, high xylose yield and green pretreatment methods are of concern recently. This study used the self-produced organic acids present in the pretreated liquid to enhance the hydrothermal pretreatment of sweet sorghum bagasse. By comparing pretreatments with acetic acid, lactic acid and self-produced organic acids, it was found that the self-produced organic acids could effectively promote the formation of xylose and inhibit its degradation to furfural. The pretreatments with lactic-acetic acid confirmed that the copresence of acetic acid and lactic acid contributed to the promotion of pretreatment during using self-produced organic acids. The suitable ratio of lactic to acetic was 6:4. Through multi-factor optimization experiments, the suitable conditions were determined as 178–182 °C for 40–45 min with 1.00–1.10 wt% self-produced organics, and the xylose yield was 83–85%. The effect of reused times of pretreated liquid was explored. The results showed that the number of reuse process should not exceed two, otherwise the accumulated by-products may affect the subsequent fermentation. The proposed method could reduce the consumption of water and organic acids, indicating its potentiality in cleaner utilization of biomass.

Hierarchical K2Mn4O8 nanoflowers: A novel photothermal conversion material for efficient solar vapor generation

Hierarchical K2Mn4O8 nanoflowers synthesized by a facile, fast, high-yield and low-cost molten salt method (MSM), have been investigated as a photothermal conversion material for solar vapor generation for the first time. Loading K2Mn4O8 into microporous poly(vinylidene fluoride) membrane (PVDFM) forms a K2Mn4O8/PVDFM composite evaporator. This evaporator shows high solar-to-vapor conversion efficiencies of ∼80.8% and ∼91.2% under 1 sun and 4 sun irradiation, respectively, and a stable solar vapor generation performance. Therefore, this evaporator has shown a promising potential for interfacial solar vapor generation.

Simple chemistry drives controlled synthesis of platinum nanocrystal to micron size

In this research a high yield, homogenous and fast bottom-up wet-chemical method has been carried out for the synthesis of platinum nanocrystal (Pt-NC) and up to micron size (Pt-M). After synthesis of the particles, surface plasmon resonance (SPR), ultra violet (UV) spectrum, size, shape, and composition were measured for each set. Platinum nanocrystal attained by preventing particles to grow directly after reduction of Pt+4 to Pt0. Pt-NC constructed by statistic repulsion of ionic surfactant surrounded nanocrystals. The final size of the Pt-NC found to be 3.8 ± 0.72 nm. Before sonication treatment, particle size of 705.2 ± 80.3 nm was achieved. After sonication, particle size increased to 1046.1 ± 199 nm. Particles were formed in a controllable way, homogenous and mono-disperse in size and shape. It is confirmed that sonication except for the sharpness of the spectrum did not alter the peak wavelengths. The suggested synthesis method enabled cost-effective concrete control over size, shape, concentration, and time of the synthesis.Graphic abstract

High-yield fabrication method for high-frequency graphene devices using titanium sacrificial layers

The authors present a fabrication process for the development of high-frequency (>30 GHz) on-wafer graphene devices with the use of titanium sacrificial layers. Graphene patterning requires chemical processes that have deleterious effects on graphene resulting in very low yield. The authors prevent delamination of the delicate graphene from the substrate during the fabrication steps by depositing a blanketing 30 nm titanium layer at the beginning of the process. Additionally, titanium is a low cost, hazardless, and well-established material in the semiconductor industry and, therefore, constitutes an attractive solution for graphene protection. With the proposed blanketing approach, the authors obtain more than 90% device yield, allowing the development of graphene-based reconfigurable, large-area, high-frequency topologies such as antenna arrays. Without the use of this titanium sacrificial layer, they show that the expected yield plummets. In addition, they validate the proposed fabrication procedure through on-wafer measurements in the 220–330 GHz range.

Copper(II) Acetate Mediated Synthesis of 3-Sulfonyl-2-aryl-2H-chromenes

This paper describes a concise, easy-operation, high-yielding method for the synthesis of 3-sulfonyl-2-aryl-2H-chromenes by a one-pot, straightforward two-step synthetic route, which includes (i) Cu(OAc)2/PyBOP-mediated intermolecular [4+2] annulation of substituted salicylic acids with β-sulfonylstyrenes in the presence of DMAP in refluxing DMF, and (ii) sequential O-alkylation of the resulting sulfonylflavanones with n-butyl bromide. A plausible mechanism is proposed and discussed. This protocol provides a highly effective annulation via one carbon–oxygen (C–O) and one carbon–carbon (C–C) bond formations.

Bioengineering of a single long noncoding RNA molecule that carries multiple small RNAs.

Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), including microRNAs (miRNAs), small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), regulate target gene expression and can be used as tools for understanding biological processes and identifying new therapeutic targets. Currently, ncRNA molecules for research and therapeutic use are limited to ncRNA mimics made by chemical synthesis. We have recently established a high-yield and cost-effective method of producing bioengineered or biologic ncRNA agents (BERAs) through bacterial fermentation, which is based on a stable tRNA/pre-miR-34a carrier (~ 180nt) that accommodates target small RNAs. Nevertheless, it remains a challenge to heterogeneously express longer ncRNAs (e.g., > 260nt), and it is unknown if single BERA may carry multiple small RNAs. To address this issue, we hypothesized that an additional human pre-miR-34a could be attached to the tRNA/pre-miR-34a scaffold to offer a new tRNA/pre-miR-34a/pre-miR-34a carrier (~ 296nt) for the accommodation of multiple small RNAs. We thus designed ten different combinatorial BERAs (CO-BERAs) that include different combinations of miRNAs, siRNAs, and antagomirs. Our data showed that all target CO-BERAs were successfully expressed in Escherichia coli at high levels, greater than 40% in total bacterial RNAs. Furthermore, recombinant CO-BERAs were purified to a high degree of homogeneity by fast protein liquid chromatography methods. In addition, CO-BERAs exhibited strong anti-proliferative activities against a variety of human non-small cell lung cancer cell lines. These results support the production of long ncRNA molecules carrying different warhead small RNAs for multi-targeting which may open avenues for developing new biologic RNAs as experimental, diagnostic, and therapeutic tools.

Novel porous ultrathin NiO nanosheets for highly efficient water vapor adsorption-desorption

Exploiting humidity-buffering materials for air humidity control is of vital necessities. Novel porous ultrathin NiO nanosheets as effective humidity-buffering materials were successfully synthesized with a simple, low-cost and high-yield method. It exhibits ultrahigh water vapor adsorption-desorption performance at room temperature, which is superior to both commonly used conventional materials and most reported novel ones. The excellent water vapor adsorption capacity can be attributed to its unique porous ultrathin structures. Numerous mesopores with relatively large diameter and volume can largely decrease water molecules diffusion resistance and increase adsorption space. Moreover, the ultrathin structure can lead to more sufficient contact between water vapor and adsorbents and provide great specific surface area, which can further facilitate water vapor adsorption. The potential of ultrathin nanosheets to be humidity-buffering materials has been explored carefully for the first time and this work also sheds light on the rational design of adsorbents with superior water capacity for efficient humidity control.

A Comparative Study on Removal of Toxic Mercury and Chromium Using Synthesized Inorganic Complex (WOx-EDA) and Compound (AA) Through a Batch Adsorption Process

Toxic metals ions are well known undesirable pollutant in drinking water. Since they are barely biodegradable and can be accumulated in human body through the food chain to induce a severe threat to human health; it is of great importance to develop low cost, safe and highly effective adsorbents for the adsorptive removal of those toxic metals. Synthesis and Characterization of Inorganic–organic hybrid Tungsten oxide-ethylenediamine (WO x –EDA) nanowires have been carried out by a simple, low-cost and high-yield solvo-thermal method. Activated Alumina was also synthesized using direct method. Both Tungsten Oxide ethylenediamine and Activated Alumina (AA) were characterized using, Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The synthesized inorganic adsorbents adsorption capacities for removing mercury and chromium were investigated using batch adsorption process. The equilibrium data were applied to various sorption kinectic models. The adsorbents adsorptive capabilities were compared. The adsorbents displayed exceptional adsorptive properties; however, WOx-EDA proved to be better adsorbent than activated alumina in terms of removal efficiency. This could be linked to hybrid structure integrated in the functionality of ethylenediamine with the stability of the WO x frameworks. The nanowire morphology and abundant functional amino groups possibly endowed the complex with versatile abilities and highly adsorptive properties. Keywords : Adsorption, Toxic, alumina, Tungsten Oxide Ethylenediamine, Kinetic. DOI : 10.7176/CMR/11-5-03 Publication date :May 31 st 2019

Novel disposable cell block processing device and method for high cellular yield.

Cell blocks represent one of several cytology preparations, and play a significant role in providing tissue for ancillary studies, including immunohistochemistry and molecular testing. To the authors' knowledge, there currently is no standardized cell block processing method, and cellular yield often is suboptimal. To overcome the shortcomings of available methods, the authors developed a novel disposable cell block device, XCellent, that uses centrifugation to collect cells into a sample chamber. The sample chamber contains and protects the specimen during tissue processing and also is embedded and sectioned. The primary objectives of the current study were to compare cellular yield, cytomorphological detail, and processing times of HistoGel and XCellent. Split sample testing of primarily fluid specimens was performed. Group 1 comprised large-volume and/or cloudy fluids and group 2 was residual samples in PreservCyt solution. Two cell blocks, 1 HistoGel cell block and 1 XCellent cell block, were processed from each sample. Cellularity was assessed using computerized image analysis and cytomorphology from 1+ to 3+. Processing times for 16 cell blocks also were recorded. A total of 50 cell blocks (25 HistoGel samples and 25 XCellent samples) were prepared. On average, cell blocks prepared using XCellent were 371% more cellular than those prepared with HistoGel and had better cytomorphology. Less preparation time was required for bulk processing of XCellent cell blocks (11minutes) compared with the same quantity of bulk processed using HistoGel (38minutes). XCellent provides an alternative cell block processing technique that offers high cellular yield and cytomorphology. In addition, the method uses the standard centrifugation process, which integrates into the existing cytology laboratory workflow.

Effect of Magnetized Water on Some Growth Characteristics of cowpea (<i>Vigna unguiculata</i> L.)

Two pot experiments were carried out at Faculty of Education, Alzaiem Alazhari University, Khartoum, to study the effect of magnetized water on some growth characteristics of cowpea. The experiments were set as a completely randomized design with three replications and four treatments. The treatments were water passed through magnetic funnel either, once, two, four or six times, compared with control (tap water). The results indicated significant differences in germination, plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, fresh and dry weight of shoot and root. Results also showed significant difference in chlorophyll content (a and b) and phosphorus and potassium content. Results indicated that magnetized water is an effective method for high yield of cowpea.

Enabling cell-type-specific behavioral epigenetics in Drosophila: a modified high-yield INTACT method reveals the impact of social environment on the epigenetic landscape in dopaminergic neurons

BackgroundEpigenetic mechanisms play fundamental roles in brain function and behavior and stressors such as social isolation can alter animal behavior via epigenetic mechanisms. However, due to cellular heterogeneity, identifying cell-type-specific epigenetic changes in the brain is challenging. Here, we report the first use of a modified isolation of nuclei tagged in specific cell type (INTACT) method in behavioral epigenetics of Drosophila melanogaster, a method we call mini-INTACT.ResultsUsing ChIP-seq on mini-INTACT purified dopaminergic nuclei, we identified epigenetic signatures in socially isolated and socially enriched Drosophila males. Social experience altered the epigenetic landscape in clusters of genes involved in transcription and neural function. Some of these alterations could be predicted by expression changes of four transcription factors and the prevalence of their binding sites in several clusters. These transcription factors were previously identified as activity-regulated genes, and their knockdown in dopaminergic neurons reduced the effects of social experience on sleep.ConclusionsOur work enables the use of Drosophila as a model for cell-type-specific behavioral epigenetics and establishes that social environment shifts the epigenetic landscape in dopaminergic neurons. Four activity-related transcription factors are required in dopaminergic neurons for the effects of social environment on sleep.

Graphene nanoflakes with optimized nitrogen doping fabricated by arc discharge as highly efficient absorbers toward microwave absorption

Abundant resources, light weight as well as stable physicochemical properties enable carbon nanomaterials promising candidates toward microwave absorption. However, it is still a great challenge for carbon-based absorbers to achieve broad frequency bandwidth and strong absorption, which fundamentally ascribes to the poor impedance matching resulted by their comparatively high electrical conductivities. Herein, a feasible and high-yield method has been employed to the in-situ synthesis of N-doped graphene nanoflakes which can effectively address interfacial impedance mismatching, and realize the majority of microwaves penetration into the interior of absorber. The incorporation of substitutional N atoms into graphene lattices markedly weaken crystallization degree and introduce masses of defects, directly leading to the decline of electric conductivity, meanwhile benefiting the improvement of static magnetization. Our findings indicate that compared with pure graphene nanoflakes, the counterpart containing 4.6 at.% of nitrogen exhibits an excellent absorption capability, in which more than 99% of microwave energy can be quantitatively attenuated at 5–18 GHz. Experimental results coupled with theory calculations further elucidate that such high performance essentially originates from the proper impedance matching constructed in the N-doped graphene nanoflakes.

Refractive index dependent optical property of carbon dots integrated luminescent solar concentrators

Abstract Colloidal Carbon dots (C-dots) have been used as promising emitters for luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) due to its high quantum yield, low-cost, non-toxic and simple synthetic method. While it is still very challenging to fabricate high-efficiency LSCs based on C-dots because of strong spectral overlap between the absorption and emission. It is still unclear how the refractive index of the C-dots layer affects the optical properties of LSCs. Here we used liquid junction LSCs as an example to investigate the refractive index effect. A large-area (∼100 cm2) LSC was fabricated by injecting C-dots/polyvinylpyrrolidone solution into a glass mold. The refractive index of the polymer solution can be well controlled in the range of 1.33–1.44 by simply enhancing the polymer concentration. The reabsorption energy loss and the optical efficiency of the LSCs are strongly dependent on the refractive index of the polymer solution. The LSC based on C-dots/polymer exhibits refractive index dependent optical efficiency, as high as ∼0.92% under sunlight illumination, which is 27% enhancement in efficiency over the LSC based on C-dots dispersed in methanol.

Bundling HIV and TB Care at a District-Level Center in Sierra Leone: A high-yield method for diagnosing co-infection with TB and antiretroviral treatment failure among people living with HIV

BackgroundProtocols for HIV care are widely accepted by all international organizations and are proven to reduce mortality and complications from living with HIV. Unfortunately, executing best practice recommendations in Sierra Leone is difficult due to shortages in staff, training, and medications. MethodsFrom June 2016 to August 2016, we implemented both an HIV guideline-based clinical evaluation protocol and a patient-centered workflow for TB screening and CD4 testing in the HIV clinic at Koidu Government Hospital (KGH) in rural Sierra Leone. The primary outcome of interest was how often this service center resulted in a clinically significant change in the patients’ HIV regimen. Reasons for changing regimen included diagnosis of co-infection with tuberculosis (TB), diagnosis of clinical or presumed immunologic treatment failure of antiretroviral (ART) medications and, need for adherence to weight-based dosing in pediatric patients. FindingsA total of 188 patients with HIV were seen in the clinic; 49 (26%) of these patients had a clinically significant change in their HIV regimen. The most common reason for regimen change was TB co-infection diagnosis in 38 (20%) patients. The other reasons for HIV regimen changes included: eight children whose ART was adjusted to meet appropriate levels for weight-based guidelines, five patients diagnosed with presumed immunologic treatment failure (some also co-infected with tuberculosis), and two patients with a serious side effect to ART. Interpretation: A comprehensive, patient-centric HIV clinic can result in high rates of case detection for tuberculosis and recognition of immunological ART failure.

Reliability of antioxidant potential and in vivo compatibility with extremophilic actinobacterial-mediated magnesium oxide nanoparticle synthesis

Owing to the hazards of chemical and physical syntheses of magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO NPs), an eco-friendly, high-yield, and promising biological method is highly desirable for biomedical applications. Hence, in this study, an extremophilic actinobacterial population (SA8 and SA10) from Salem magnesite mining soil was used as precursors for MgO NP synthesis. The prepared nanoparticles were subjected to X-ray diffraction study and showed face-centred cubic structure with an average particle size of 18–24 nm. Among all, high yield was obtained in SA10 actinobacteria-mediated synthesis of MgO NPs (480 mg/100 mL). In addition, the prepared MgO NPs (10 mg/well) showed 15–17 mm zone of inhibition against bacterial pathogens, especially bigger zones around SA10. The 64.5% antioxidant activity and nonsignificant toxicity of actinobacteria-synthesized MgO NPs in MG-63 cell lines at 100 µg/mL and nonsignificant in vivo toxicity in zebrafish at 0.1 mg/mL were remarkable. In addition, this is the first study to focus on MgO NP synthesis using extremophilic actinobacteria collected from Salem magnesite mining soil for high yield (115 mg/100 mL), reliable with potential antioxidant, and in vitro and in vivo compatibility. These results provided useful information for advanced research and mass production of NP for biomedical applications.

Autohydrolysis prior to poplar chemi-mechanical pulping: Impact of surface lignin on subsequent alkali impregnation

Chemi-mechanical pulping, a typical high-yield pulping method, combined with autohydrolysis pretreatment prior to pulping is an efficient and value-added utilization method for biomass in pulp and paper industry. This study investigated the surface lignin changes of poplar sapwood chips in autohydrolysis pretreatment and their effect on the subsequent alkali impregnation for chemi-mechanical pulping. The results showed that the surface lignin content went up with the increase of autohydrolysis intensity, and that the existence of the surface lignin had nearly no impact on the subsequent alkali impregnation in making chemi-mechanical pulps (CMPs) compared to the volume porosity, which was validated by using the stepwise regression analysis. It can be further concluded that autohydrolysis can facilitate the subsequent alkali impregnation of the autohydrolyzed sapwood chips in making CMP, which would be of significance for the combination of biomass refinery and pulp and paper industry.

Single-Molecule Sensing Using Nanopores in Two-Dimensional Transition Metal Carbide (MXene) Membranes

Label-free nanopore technology for sequencing biopolymers such as DNA and RNA could potentially replace existing methods if improvements in cost, speed, and accuracy are achieved. Solid-state nanopores have been developed over the past two decades as physically and chemically versatile sensors that mimic biological channels, through which transport and sequencing of biomolecules have already been demonstrated. Of particular interest is the use of two-dimensional (2D) materials as nanopore substrates, since these can in theory provide the highest resolution readout (<1 nm of a biopolymer segment) and opportunities for electronic multiplexed readout through their interesting electronic properties. In this work, we report on nanopores comprising atomically thin flakes of 2D transition metal carbides called MXenes. We demonstrate a high-yield (60%), contamination-free, and alignment-free transfer method that involves their self-assembly at a liquid-liquid interface to large-scale (mm-sized) films composed of sheets, followed by nanopore fabrication using focused electron beams. Our work demonstrates the feasibility of MXenes, a class of hydrophilic 2D materials with over 20 compositions known to date, as nanopore membranes for DNA translocation and single-molecule sensing applications.

Catalytic performance of Ce1-xLnxOy of nanocrystalline Ln (III-IV)-substituted ceria

The activity of several lanthanide promoted Ceria in CO oxidation was studied. Samples were obtained by a high yield and sustainable method by urea thermal decomposition. Precursors basic carbonates, Ce1-xLnx(OH)CO3, being Ln = La (III), Sm(III), Gd(III), Pr(III) were prepared in the range of compositions 0 to 30 at.%. These precursors were annealed to moderate temperature obtain Ln-Ce mixed oxides, at 450ºC. These exhibit large surface areas up to 120 m2/g. Their catalytic performance revealed good activity towards CO oxidation (COOX) for all samples. However, a different behavior may be observed for Ln content higher than 20 at.%. By the reactor operation in differential conditions, the activation energy for COOX were obtained for all samples. The rise of activation energy as a function of Ln(III-IV) content is analyzed in the frame of phase stability and surface segregation.

Ridge-furrow with film mulching practice ameliorates soil microbial metabolic activity and carbon utilization in rhizosphere soil of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)

The farming practices of ridge-furrow with film mulching (RFFM) have been extensively reported as a valuable technique for improving crop productivity and enhancing water-use efficiency. However, research on the high-yield mechanism of RFFM measures under drought stress from the perspective of microbial diversity has been scared. Field experiments were conducted to analyze the effects of conventional flat planting (FP), no film mulching (NR), white polyethylene film mulching (WR), black polyethylene film mulching (BR), and biodegradable film mulching (BDR) with 40 and 80 cm furrow width levels on soil temperature, soil water storage (SWS), microbial carbon utilization, and yield of winter oilseed rape. The RFFM significantly increased the SWS as well as rapeseed yield and yield components. However, these treatments did not cause obvious differences in soil temperature. A relative high value of average color change rate (AWCD) was observed during the incubation time of 24–216 h, and it reached the peak value at 240 h. The AWCD in the furrow with 80 cm width was greater than that of 40 cm. The RFFM also could improve the utilization intensities of soil microorganism on the carbon sources of carbohydrates, amino acids, and miscellaneous in rapeseed rhizosphere. This result was consistent with that of the principal component analysis. The Shannon–Wiener diversity index, Simpson’s diversity index, and Shannon–Wiener evenness in BDR40, BR40, and BR80 were significantly higher than other treatments, respectively. In addition, correlation analysis results suggested that the indicator of affecting the diversity of carbon source was mainly due to the water storage capacity. The methods of film mulching have a remarkable effect on microbial diversity. The yield of BR and BDR were significantly higher than other treatments. Compared with FP, RFFM increased rapeseed yield by 9.61–86.10%. In the year of less rainfall, production has decreased in comparison with the first season, while BDR80 guarantees continuous high yield and substantially promoted carbon utilization and soil microbial diversity. Soil microbial diversity is positively correlated with soil water content, which is beneficial to increase production. Wider furrow (80 cm) is recommended a sustainable high-yield method due to convenient labor in the region in Southwest China.

Facial Synthesis of 1T Phase MoS2 Nanoflowers via Anion Exchange Method for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution

AbstractIn this work, a low cost and high yield method is proposed to synthesize 1T phase MoS2 nanoflowers (NFs) by means of anion exchange using MoO3 nanosheets as the exchange template. The synthesized MoS2 NFs are composed of ultrathin MoS2 nanoflakes with plenty of active edge sites, large specific surface area, and rich defects, as well as reduced intrinsic resistance. Therefore, they show enhanced hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity with an overpotential of 166 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and Tafel slope of 47 mV dec−1, better than those of previously reported MoS2‐based HER catalysts. A systematic study is carried out on the effects of mass loading and reaction temperature on its catalytic performance. It is shown that, with reaction temperature of 200 °C and mass loading of 0.43 mg cm−2, the obtained MoS2 NFs show the optimal HER activity. The present work provides a facile and cost‐effective way to synthesize 1T MoS2 NFs with advanced HER performances, indicating significant potential for larger‐scale production in practical industrial applications.