| 1. |
- Beal, Jacob, et al.
(author)
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Robust estimation of bacterial cell count from optical density
- 2020
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In: Communications Biology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2399-3642. ; 3:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Optical density (OD) is widely used to estimate the density of cells in liquid culture, but cannot be compared between instruments without a standardized calibration protocol and is challenging to relate to actual cell count. We address this with an interlaboratory study comparing three simple, low-cost, and highly accessible OD calibration protocols across 244 laboratories, applied to eight strains of constitutive GFP-expressing E. coli. Based on our results, we recommend calibrating OD to estimated cell count using serial dilution of silica microspheres, which produces highly precise calibration (95.5% of residuals <1.2-fold), is easily assessed for quality control, also assesses instrument effective linear range, and can be combined with fluorescence calibration to obtain units of Molecules of Equivalent Fluorescein (MEFL) per cell, allowing direct comparison and data fusion with flow cytometry measurements: in our study, fluorescence per cell measurements showed only a 1.07-fold mean difference between plate reader and flow cytometry data.
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| 2. |
- Wang, Ji, et al.
(author)
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Microstructural evolution of epitaxial Ti3AlC2 film on sapphire under ion irradiation and nanoindentation-induced deformation
- 2018
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In: Journal of Nuclear Materials. - : ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV. - 0022-3115 .- 1873-4820. ; 509, s. 181-187
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Feasibility of Ti3AlC2 phase as the protective coatings of accident tolerant fuels (ATFs) was investigated by means of ions irradiation, nanoindentation and transmission electron microscopy. Au ions irradiation was carried out on thin Ti3AlC2 film to simulate the high displacement damage induced by the energetic particles in the nuclear reactors. Nanoindentation on the Ti3AlC2 film was followed subsequently as a source of external stress to simulate the high pressure applied on the cladding in nuclear reactor cores of pressurized water reactors (PWRs). TEM was used to characterize the microstructural evolution of Ti3AlC2 film after irradiation and nanoindentation. TEM analysis shows that Ti3AlC2 film remains pristine layered structure and no amorphization was detected after irradiation to similar to 14 dpa. The combined nanoindentation and TEM show that no rupture and exfoliation of the Au-irradiated Ti3AlC2 film occur even the extern stress and total elongation induced by nanoindentation reach to 16.6 GPa and similar to 5%, respectively. The above results show good irradiation resistance and good ductility as well as excellent adhesion of the Ti3AlC2 coating on the substrate after high dose irradiation and under high external stress. This indicates the good feasibility of Ti3AlC2 thin films as the coatings of ATF claddings. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 3. |
- Li, Youbing, et al.
(author)
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A-site alloying-guided universal design of noble metal-based MAX phases
- 2024
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In: Matter. - : Cell Press. - 2590-2393 .- 2590-2385. ; 7:2, s. 523-538
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Mn+1AXn (MAX) phases have attracted significant attention due to their structural diversity and potential applications. Designing MAX phases with single-atom-thick A layers featuring 4d/5d-orbital electronic elements is interesting work. Here, we present a comprehensive report on noble metal-based M2(A1-xA′x)C (M = V, Ti, Nb; A = Al, Sn, In, Ga, Ge; A′ = Ru, Rh, Pd, Ir, Pt, Au and combinations thereof; 0 < x ≤ 0.4) phases featuring A sublayers of 4d/5d-orbital electronic elements through an A-site alloying strategy. The chemical composition of MAX phases can be adjusted by selecting different M- and A-site elements, with morphology tailored by distinct C sources. Furthermore, the V2(Sn0.8Pt0.2)C (15.7 wt % Pt) catalyst showed better performance for hydrogen evolution reaction compared to the commercial Pt/C (20 wt % Pt) electrode. This study highlights the prospects of A-site alloying for the design of novel MAX phases with unique properties and promising applications in electrocatalysis and beyond.
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| 4. |
- Li, Youbing, et al.
(author)
-
Single-Atom-Thick Active Layers Realized in Nanolaminated Ti-3(AlxCu1-x)C-2 and Its Artificial Enzyme Behavior
- 2019
-
In: ACS Nano. - : AMER CHEMICAL SOC. - 1936-0851 .- 1936-086X. ; 13:8, s. 9198-9205
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A Ti-3(AlxCu1-x)C-2 phase with Cu atoms with a degree of ordering in the A plane is synthesized through the A site replacement reaction in CuCl2 molten salt. The weakly bonded single -atom -thick Cu layers in a Ti-3(AlxCu1-x)C-2 MAX phase provide actives sites for catalysis chemistry. As -synthesized Ti-3(AlxCu1-x)C-2 presents unusual peroxidase-like catalytic activity similar to that of natural enzymes. A fabricated Ti-3(AlxCu1-x)C-2/chitosan/glassy carbon electrode biosensor prototype also exhibits a low detection limit in the electrochemical sensing of H2O2. These results have broad implications for property tailoring in a nanolaminated MAX phase by replacing the A site with late transition elements.
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| 5. |
- Ding, Haoming, et al.
(author)
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Synthesis of MAX phases Nb2CuC and Ti2(Al0.1Cu0.9)N by A-site replacement reaction in molten salts
- 2019
-
In: Materials Research Letters. - : Taylor & Francis. - 2166-3831. ; 7:12, s. 510-516
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- New MAX phases Ti2(AlxCu1−x)N and Nb2CuC were synthesized by A-site replacement by reacting Ti2AlN and Nb2AlC, respectively, with CuCl2 or CuI molten salt. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and atomically resolved scanning transmission electron microscopy showed complete A-site replacement in Nb2AlC, which lead to the formation of Nb2CuC. However, the replacement of Al in Ti2AlN phase was only close to complete at Ti2(Al0.1Cu0.9)N. Density-functional theory calculations corroborated the structural stability of Nb2CuC and Ti2CuN phases. Moreover, the calculated cleavage energy in these Cu-containing MAX phases are weaker than in their Al-containing counterparts.The preparation of MAX phases Nb2CuC and Ti2(Al0.1Cu0.9)N were realized by A-site replacement in Ti2AlN and Nb2AlN, respectively.
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| 6. |
- Döscher, Ralf, et al.
(author)
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The EC-Earth3 Earth system model for the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 6
- 2022
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In: Geoscientific Model Development. - : Copernicus GmbH. - 1991-959X .- 1991-9603. ; 15:7, s. 2973-3020
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The Earth system model EC-Earth3 for contributions to CMIP6 is documented here, with its flexible coupling framework, major model configurations, a methodology for ensuring the simulations are comparable across different high-performance computing (HPC) systems, and with the physical performance of base configurations over the historical period. The variety of possible configurations and sub-models reflects the broad interests in the EC-Earth community. EC-Earth3 key performance metrics demonstrate physical behavior and biases well within the frame known from recent CMIP models. With improved physical and dynamic features, new Earth system model (ESM) components, community tools, and largely improved physical performance compared to the CMIP5 version, EC-Earth3 represents a clear step forward for the only European community ESM. We demonstrate here that EC-Earth3 is suited for a range of tasks in CMIP6 and beyond.
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| 7. |
- Feng, Yanyue, 1993, et al.
(author)
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Applications of anodized TiO2 nanotube arrays on the removal of aqueous contaminants of emerging concern: A review
- 2020
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In: Water Research. - : Elsevier BV. - 0043-1354 .- 1879-2448. ; 186
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The presence of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in various water bodies and the associated threats to eco-system and human society have raised increasing concerns. To fight against such a problem, TiO2 photocatalysis is considered to be a powerful tool. In recent decades, TiO2 nanotube array (TNA) fabricated by electrochemical anodization emerged as a viable immobilized catalyst and its applications on CECs removal have gained a considerable amount of research interest. We herein present a critical review on the development of TNA and its applications on the removal of aqueous CECs. In this work, the CECs removal in different TNA based processes, the CECs removal mechanisms, the role of TNA properties, the role of operational parameters, and the role of water matrices are discussed. Moreover, perspectives on the current research progress are presented and recommendations on future research are elaborated.
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| 8. |
- Gong, Yin, et al.
(author)
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Insights into evolution of a rift basin : Provenance of the middle Eocene-lower Oligocene strata of the Beibuwan Basin, South China Sea from detrital zircon
- 2021
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In: Sedimentary Geology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0037-0738 .- 1879-0968. ; 419
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Investigating rift basins and their provenance is difficult because their tectonic framework is continuously evolving. The Beibuwan Basin in the South China Sea is a typical rift basin that shares many characteristics of major rift basins worldwide. We present new detrital zircon UPb ages from the Beibuwan basin and, by combining with published data from surrounding drainages, are able to define its potential sources and to investigate its provenance evolution from the middle Eocene-lower Oligocene. Detrital zircon age spectra from distinct structural units and formations of the rift basin reveal spatial-temporal differences in provenance. In the middle-upper Eocene, a similar age pattern with major peaks at 263–253 Ma and 450–416 Ma is preserved across the basin and suggests that sediment was uniformly derived from the Yunkai Massif and Hainan Island. In contrast, during the lower Oligocene the basin displays markedly diverse ages with peaks at 250–243, 416, 756, 967–945, 1096–1084 Ma. The increase of Neoproterozoic zircons in the lower Oligocene stratum suggests that a major change in provenance occurred, most likely associated with the reorganization of the paleo-Pearl River along its central reaches due to a topography reversal associated with the uplift of Tibet and the onset of seafloor spreading in the South China Sea. Our spatial analysis of ages indicates that during the lower Oligocene, the detrital input varied across the basin. Rifting processes in the Beibuwan Basin generated multiple isolated depocenters separated by intra-basinal highs. The basin's architecture greatly affected sediment routing, with structural highs serving as barriers to sediment transport. Sediment provenance in the Beibuwan Basin is primarily controlled by drainage evolution and isolated depocenters associated with an evolving topography, processes which are relevant to the evolution of rift basins globally.
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| 9. |
- Liang, Jiamin, et al.
(author)
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Synthesis of Zr2Al3C4 coatings on zirconium-alloy substrates with Al-C/Si interlayers as diffusion barriers
- 2019
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In: Vacuum. - : PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD. - 0042-207X .- 1879-2715. ; 160, s. 128-132
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Zr2Al3C4 coatings are potential candidates to prevent claddings of traditional Zr-based alloys from severe oxidation in water steam at high temperature. However, the diffusion of aluminum between coating and substrates at high temperature results in a coating composition deviating from the compositional domain for formation of the Zr2Al3C4 phase. Thus, synthesis of Zr2Al3C4 coatings on zirconium-alloy substrates is challenging. Here, we report that the Zr2Al3C4 phase can be obtained on zirconium alloy (ZIRLO) substrates where an Al-C/Si interlayer deposited by magnetron sputtering is introduced. The Al-C/Si interlayer prevented elemental diffusion of aluminum between the Zr-Al-C coating and the substrates during a post-annealing process at 800 degrees C for 3 h. The Al/Zr ratio of the Zr-Al-C coating after annealing was 0.96 and 0.59 in the cases of with and without Al-C/Si interlayer, respectively. Hence, the Al-C/Si interlayer acts as diffusion barrier and greatly decreases the deviation from the standard stoichiometric ratio of the Zr2Al3C4 phase, which facilitates the formation of the Zr2Al3C4 phase in the final coating.
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| 10. |
- Thomas, Manu Anna, et al.
(author)
-
Snowfall distribution and its response to the Arctic Oscillation : an evaluation of HighResMIP models in the Arctic using CPR/CloudSat observations
- 2019
-
In: Geoscientific Model Development. - : Copernicus GmbH. - 1991-959X .- 1991-9603. ; 12:8, s. 3759-3772
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A realistic representation of snowfall in general circulation models (GCMs) of global climate is important to accurately simulate snow cover, surface albedo, high-latitude precipitation and thus the surface radiation budget. Hence, in this study, we evaluate snowfall in a range of climate models run at two different resolutions by comparing to the latest estimates of snowfall from the CloudSat Cloud Profiling Radar over the northern latitudes. We also evaluate whether the finer-resolution versions of the GCMs simulate the accumulated snowfall better than their coarse-resolution counterparts. As the Arctic Oscillation (AO) is the prominent mode of natural variability in the polar latitudes, the snowfall variability associated with the different phases of the AO is examined in both models and in our observational reference. We report that the statistical distributions of snowfall differ considerably between the models and CloudSat observations. While CloudSat shows an exponential distribution of snowfall, the models show a Gaussian distribution that is heavily positively skewed. As a result, the 10th and 50th percentiles, representing the light and median snowfall, are overestimated by up to factors of 3 and 1.5, respectively, in the models investigated here. The overestimations are strongest during the winter months compared to autumn and spring. The extreme snowfall represented by the 90th percentiles, on the other hand, is positively skewed, underestimating the snowfall estimates by up to a factor of 2 in the models in winter compared to the CloudSat estimates. Though some regional improvements can be seen with increased spatial resolution within a particular model, it is not easy to identify a specific pattern that holds across all models. The characteristic snow- fall variability associated with the positive phase of AO over Greenland Sea and central Eurasian Arctic is well captured by the models.
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| 11. |
- Wang, Shiyu, et al.
(author)
-
Development and evaluation of a new regional coupled atmosphere-ocean model in the North Sea and Baltic Sea
- 2015
-
In: Tellus. Series A, Dynamic meteorology and oceanography. - : Stockholm University Press. - 0280-6495 .- 1600-0870. ; 67
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A new regional coupled model system for the North Sea and the Baltic Sea is developed, which is composed of the regional setup of ocean model NEMO, the Rossby Centre regional climate model RCA4, the sea ice model LIM3 and the river routing model CaMa-Flood. The performance of this coupled model system is assessed using a simulation forced with ERA-Interim reanalysis data at the lateral boundaries during the period 1979-2010. Compared to observations, this coupled model system can realistically simulate the present climate. Since the active coupling area covers the North Sea and Baltic Sea only, the impact of the ocean on the atmosphere over Europe is small. However, we found some local, statistically significant impacts on surface parameters like 2m air temperature and sea surface temperature (SST). A precipitation-SST correlation analysis indicates that both coupled and uncoupled models can reproduce the air-sea relationship reasonably well. However, the coupled simulation gives slightly better correlations even when all seasons are taken into account. The seasonal correlation analysis shows that the air-sea interaction has a strong seasonal dependence. Strongest discrepancies between the coupled and the uncoupled simulations occur during summer. Due to lack of air-sea interaction, in the Baltic Sea in the uncoupled atmosphere-standalone run the correlation between precipitation and SST is too small compared to observations, whereas the coupled run is more realistic. Further, the correlation analysis between heat flux components and SST tendency suggests that the coupled model has a stronger correlation. Our analyses show that this coupled model system is stable and suitable for different climate change studies.
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| 12. |
- Yang, Zhiqiang, et al.
(author)
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Improving the chloride binding capacity of cement paste by adding nano-Al2O3: The cases of blended cement pastes
- 2020
-
In: Construction and Building Materials. - : Elsevier BV. - 0950-0618. ; 232
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Chloride ingress is one of the main causes for the degradation of reinforced concrete structures. Increasing the chloride binding capacity of concrete is generally thought as a feasible way to restrain the chloride ingress. In our previous study, the γ-phase nano-Al2O3 (NA) was found to be beneficial for improving the chloride binding of plain Portland cement paste as a result of the formation of additional Friedel's salt. Herewith, the cases of blended cement pastes were further investigated, into which supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) were incorporated, including fly ash (FA), blast furnace slag (SL) and silica fume (SF). NA with a dosage of 1% and 2% was introduced to blended cement paste, and the chloride binding capacity of which were determined with the conventional equilibrium method. The results showed that the use of NA was even viable to improve the chloride binding capacity of blended cement pastes. X-ray diffraction (XRD)/Rietveld refinement method and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were performed to unravel the phase assemblages change upon exposure. It was revealed that besides the formation of more Friedel's salt, the addition of NA could allow the enhanced physical binding of chloride as a result of the formation of C-A-S-H, i.e., the substitution of Si by Al in C-S-H gel.
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| 13. |
- Ye, Yin, et al.
(author)
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Efficient and durable uranium extraction from uranium mine tailings seepage water via a photoelectrochemical method
- 2021
-
In: iScience. - : Elsevier BV. - 2589-0042. ; 24:11
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Current photocatalytic uranium (U) extraction methods have intrinsic obstacles, such as the recombination of charge carriers, and the deactivation of catalysts by extracted U. Here we show that, by applying a bias potential on the photocatalyst, the photoelectrochemical (PEC) method can address these limitations. We demonstrate that, owing to efficient spatial charge-carriers separation driven by the applied bias, the PEC method enables efficient and durable U extraction. The effects of multiple operation conditions are investigated. The U extraction proceeds via single-step one-electron reduction, resulting in the formation of pentavalent U, which can facilitate future studies on this often-overlooked U species. In real seepage water the PEC method achieves an extraction capacity of 0.67 gU m(-3).h(-1) without deactivation for 156 h continuous operation, which is 17 times faster than the photocatalytic method. This work provides an alternative tool for U resource recovery and facilitates future studies on U(V) chemistry.
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| 14. |
- Ye, Yin, et al.
(author)
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Electrochemical removal and recovery of uranium: Effects of operation conditions, mechanisms, and implications
- 2022
-
In: Journal of Hazardous Materials. - : Elsevier BV. - 1873-3336 .- 0304-3894. ; 432
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Removing and recovering uranium (U) from U-mining wastewater would be appealing, which simultaneously reduces the adverse environmental impact of U mining activities and mitigates the depletion of conventional U resources. In this study, we demonstrate the application of a constant-voltage electrochemical (CVE) method for the removal and recovery of U from U-mining wastewater, in an ambient atmosphere. The effects of operation conditions were elucidated in synthetic U-bearing water experiments, and the cell voltage and the ionic strength were found to play important roles in both the U extraction kinetics and the operation cost. The mechanistic studies show that, in synthetic U-bearing water, the CVE U extraction proceeds exclusively via a single-step one-electron reduction mechanism, where pentavalent U is the end product. In real U-mining wastewater, the interference of water matrices led to the disproportionation of the pentavalent U, resulting in the formation of tetravalent and hexavalent U in the extraction products. The U extraction efficacy of the CVE method was evaluated in real U-mining wastewater, and results show that the CVE U extraction method can be efficient with operation costs ranging from $0.55/kgU ~ $64.65/kgU, with varying cell voltages from 1.0 V to 4.0 V, implying its feasibility from the economic perspective.
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| 15. |
- Zhang, Yu, et al.
(author)
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Comparative phylogenomics and phylotranscriptomics provide insights into the genetic complexity of nitrogen-fixing root-nodule symbiosis
- 2024
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In: Plant communications. - 2590-3462. ; 5:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Plant root-nodule symbiosis (RNS) with mutualistic nitrogen-fixing bacteria is restricted to a single clade of angiosperms, the Nitrogen-Fixing Nodulation Clade (NFNC), and is best understood in the legume family. Nodulating species share many commonalities, explained either by divergence from a common ancestor over 100 million years ago or by convergence following independent origins over that same time period. Regardless, comparative analyses of diverse nodulation syndromes can provide insights into constraints on nodulation-what must be acquired or cannot be lost for a functional symbiosis-and the latitude for variation in the symbiosis. However, much remains to be learned about nodulation, especially outside of legumes. Here, we employed a large-scale phylogenomic analysis across 88 species, complemented by 151 RNA-seq libraries, to elucidate the evolution of RNS. Our phylogenomic analyses further emphasize the uniqueness of the transcription factor NIN as a master regulator of nodulation and identify key mutations that affect its function across the NFNC. Comparative transcriptomic assessment revealed nodulespecific upregulated genes across diverse nodulating plants, while also identifying nodule-specific and nitrogen-response genes. Approximately 70% of symbiosis-related genes are highly conserved in the four representative species, whereas defense-related and host-range restriction genes tend to be lineage specific. Our study also identified over 900 000 conserved non-coding elements (CNEs), over 300 000 of which are unique to sampled NFNC species. NFNC-specific CNEs are enriched with the active H3K9ac mark and are correlated with accessible chromatin regions, thus representing a pool of candidate regulatory elements for genes involved in RNS. Collectively, our results provide novel insights into the evolution of nodulation and lay a foundation for engineering of RNS traits in agriculturally important crops.
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| 16. |
- Zhou, Jie, et al.
(author)
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Synthesis and Electrochemical Properties of Two-Dimensional Hafnium Carbide
- 2017
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In: ACS Nano. - : AMER CHEMICAL SOC. - 1936-0851 .- 1936-086X. ; 11:4, s. 3841-3850
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We demonstrate fabrication of a two-dimensional Hf-containing MXene, Hf3C2Tz, by selective etching of a layered parent Hf-3[Al(Si)](4)C-6 compound. A substitutional solution of Si on Al sites effectively weakened the interfacial adhesion between Hf-C and Al(Si)-C sublayers within the unit cell of the parent compound, facilitating the subsequent selective etching. The underlying mechanism of the Si-alloying-facilitated etching process is thoroughly studied by first-principles density functional calculations. The result showed that more valence electrons of Si than Al weaken the adhesive energy of the etching interface. The MXenes were determined to be flexible and conductive. Moreover, this 2D Hf-containing MXene material showed reversible volumetric capacities of 1567 and 504 mAh cm(-3) for lithium and sodium ions batteries, respectively, at a current density of 200 mAg(-1) after 200 cycles. Thus, Hf3C2Tz MXenes with a 2D structure are candidate anode materials for metal-ion intercalation, especially for applications where size matters.
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