Natural and artificial light-harvesting systems utilizing the functions of carotenoids

Carotenoids are essential pigments in natural photosynthesis. They absorb in the blue–green region of the solar spectrum and transfer the absorbed energy to (bacterio-)chlorophylls, and so expand the wavelength range of light that is able to drive photosynthesis. This process is an example of singlet–singlet energy transfer and so carotenoids serve to enhance the overall efficiency of photosynthetic light reactions. Carotenoids also act to protect photosynthetic organisms from the harmful effects of excess exposure to light. In this case, triplet–triplet energy transfer from (bacterio-)chlorophyll to carotenoid plays a key role in this photoprotective reaction. In the light-harvesting pigment–protein complexes from purple photosynthetic bacteria and chlorophytes, carotenoids have an additional role, namely the structural stabilization of those complexes. In this article we review what is currently known about how carotenoids discharge these functions. The molecular architecture of photosynthetic systems will be outlined to provide a basis from which to describe the photochemistry of carotenoids, which underlies most of their important functions in photosynthesis. Then, the possibility to utilize the functions of carotenoids in artificial photosynthetic light-harvesting systems will be discussed. Some examples of the model systems are introduced.     

Recycling Application of Li–MnO2 Batteries as Rechargeable Lithium–Air Batteries

The ever‐increasing consumption of a huge quantity of lithium batteries, for example, Li–MnO₂ cells, raises critical concern about their recycling. We demonstrate herein that decayed Li–MnO₂ cells can be further utilized as rechargeable lithium–air cells with admitted oxygen. We further investigated the effects of lithiated manganese dioxide on the electrocatalytic properties of oxygen‐reduction and oxygen‐evolution reactions (ORR/OER). The catalytic activity was found to be correlated with the composition of Li_xMnO₂ electrodes (0<x<1) generated in situ in aprotic Li–MnO₂ cells owing to tuning of the Mn valence and electronic structure. In particular, modestly lithiated Li_0.50MnO₂ exhibited superior performance with enhanced round‐trip efficiency (ca. 76 %), high cycling ability (190 cycles), and high discharge capacity (10 823 mA h g_carbon^?1). The results indicate that the use of depleted Li–MnO₂ batteries can be prolonged by their application as rechargeable lithium–air batteries.     

运用系统动力学模型预测稀土战略储备规模

基于全球稀土资源的供需形势和中国稀土资源减少的趋势,运用系统动力学的模型来预测未来17年我国稀土资源储备量。选取了2000~2013的生产和消费数据,通过定量模拟计算中国稀土供需差波动系数,设计了稀土资源供需差波动范围分别为0%,20%的两个方案,模拟计算了两个方案的年储备量、累计储备量和储备量绝对值。方案一范围是(-0%,+0%),仿真预测出稀土未来17年累积储备量为720551 t,即战略储备规模达到720551 t,该方案下不论供需差发生如何波动,国家都会进行储备或释放调节;方案二范围是(-20%,+20%),预测出未来17年战略储备规模为461331 t,国家只需在这个范围外进行收储释放调节,从而调节市场供求,降低价格波动幅度。本文从不同供需差的波动系数来模拟计算储备量,目的是为国家相关部门在进行稀土储备决策时提供参考,可以根据我国经济景气状况和供需形势,以及稀土产业发展状况,进行不同规模的稀土储备。     

Tutorial review on validation of liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry methods: Part I

This is the part I of a tutorial review intending to give an overview of the state of the art of method validation in liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC–MS) and discuss specific issues that arise with MS (and MS/MS) detection in LC (as opposed to the “conventional” detectors). The Part I briefly introduces the principles of operation of LC–MS (emphasizing the aspects important from the validation point of view, in particular the ionization process and ionization suppression/enhancement); reviews the main validation guideline documents and discusses in detail the following performance parameters: selectivity/specificity/identity, ruggedness/robustness, limit of detection, limit of quantification, decision limit and detection capability. With every method performance characteristic its essence and terminology are addressed, the current status of treating it is reviewed and recommendations are given, how to determine it, specifically in the case of LC–MS methods.     

Electro‐oxidation and reduction of H2 on platinum studied by scanning electrochemical microscopy for the purpose of local detection of H2 evolution

Electrochemical detection of H₂ using scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) has shown to hold great promise as a sensitive characterization method with high spatial resolution for active surfaces generating H₂. Herein, the factors contributing to the current that is measured by SECM in generation/collection mode for H₂ detection are studied. In particular, the concentration gradient of H₂ at the substrate, the H₂/H⁺ recycling between the SECM tip and substrate and hemispherical profile of H₂ diffusion has been discussed. It was postulated that H₂/H⁺ recycling plays a dominant role in the oxidative current measured in generation/collection mode of SECM when the microelectrode is positioned in close vicinity of substrate. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

基于深度学习的“实验方案设计”主题式复习教学——以“阿司匹林的制备和提纯”为例

针对实验方案设计题的得分率分析和教学现状,基于课程标准、教材、真题和文献研究,构建“阿司匹林的制备和提纯”深度学习主题模型。通过设计制备和提纯阿司匹林的实验方案,构建实验方案设计的思维模型,并以制备七水合硫酸锌为例内化思维模型,在解决真实、复杂的问题过程中实现核心知识结构化,生成指向深度学习的主题式复习教学流程。     

基于社会性科学议题的化学微项目学习*——以“物质的性质与转化”单元复习为例

在化学课堂中开展社会性科学议题的教学能够发展学生的社会参与意识,结合微项目学习模式,从课堂教学角度出发,构建选定项目、启动项目、实施项目、交流成果等4个教学流程,确立实施教学的核心问题,设计了鲁科版高一化学“物质的性质与转化单元复习课”,进行了基于社会性科学议题的化学微项目学习的实践教学,结合实践的基本情况提出4点反思。     

Branched plasticizers derived from eugenol via green polymerization for low/non-migration and externally/internally plasticized polyvinyl chloride materials

The synthesis of nontoxic plasticizers derived from the waste residues of the rosin-processing industry can reduce pollution and promote the high-value utilization of the waste residues of rosin. In this study, four kinds of sustainable branched plasticizers derived from a biomass resource, eugenol (derived from the waste residues of the rosin processing industry), were synthesized via one-pot solvent free polymerization and used to plasticize polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Internally plasticized PVC was fabricated using thiolated DPE (branched plasticizers based on eugenol). The thermal stability, tensile properties, microstructure, volatility behavior, and solvent extraction resistance of plasticized PVC were investigated. Compared with the behavior of the commercial plasticizer dioctyl phthalate, the thermal stability, plasticizing efficiency, and migration resistance of the branched plasticizers are superior. The acute oral toxicity dose of each branched plasticizer was extremely high at 5000 mg/kg of body weight, with no deaths among test animals. Compared with externally plasticized PVC, the internally plasticized PVC showed zero weight loss in volatility and leaching tests despite its less effective plasticization. All the branched plasticizers have potential application in plastic products.     

物理化学在线课程教学设计与实践——以热力学第二定律与卡诺热机为例*

提出在线课程应立足于对线下课堂教学内容的疏导、梳理、凝练和升华,并以“热力学第二定律与卡诺热机”在线课程为例进行介绍。采用问题链形式引导学生从卡诺热机推导热力学第二定律数学表达式,阐明了卡诺热机在热力学第二定律形成过程中的重要作用和地位,强调了卡诺对于热力学的重要贡献,培养了学生探究精神和学科素养。为在线课程提供了教学案例和设计思路。     

基于酶辅助靶标循环的适体传感器灵敏检测中药中黄曲霉毒素B1

该文基于酶辅助靶标循环信号放大策略构建了用于黄曲霉毒素B1(AFB1)高灵敏检测的化学发光适体传感器。以G-四链体/氯化血红素DNA酶为信号分子设计了免标记的适体探针H1-S1和发夹探针H2。适体探针结合目标AFB1,在核酸外切酶I辅助下,触发靶标循环反应产生发夹H1。发夹H1与H2杂交,释放出完整的G-四链体序列,并进一步与氯化血红素结合形成G-四链体/氯化血红素DNA酶。DNA酶通过催化氧化鲁米诺-H2O2化学发光体系产生化学发光信号,实现AFB1的放大检测。在最优实验条件下,化学发光强度与AFB1质量浓度的对数在0.001~100 ng/mL范围内呈良好的线性关系,相关系数(r2)为0.9955,检出限为0.93 pg/mL,回收率为93.7%~107%。该适体传感器操作简单、灵敏度高、特异性好,在黄曲霉毒素污染检测方面具有良好的应用前景。