| 1. |
- Chen, Zeyuan, et al.
(author)
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Survival in the Tropics despite isolation, inbreeding and asexual reproduction : insights from the genome of the world's southernmost poplar (Populus ilicifolia)
- 2020
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In: The Plant Journal. - : Wiley. - 0960-7412 .- 1365-313X. ; 103:1, s. 430-442
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Species are becoming extinct at unprecedented rates as a consequence of human activity. Hence it is important to understand the evolutionary dynamics of species with already small population sizes. Populus ilicifolia is a vulnerable poplar species that is isolated from other poplar species and is uniquely adapted to the Tropics. It has a very limited size, reproduces partly clonally and is therefore an excellent case study for conservation genomics. We present here the first annotated draft genome of P. ilicifolia, characterize genome-wide patterns of polymorphisms and compare those to other poplar species with larger natural ranges. P. ilicifolia experienced a more prolonged and severe decline of effective population size (Ne) and signs of genetic erosion than any other poplar species with which it was compared. At present, the species has the lowest genome-wide genetic diversity, the highest abundance of long runs of homozygosity, high inbreeding levels as well as a high overall accumulation of deleterious variants. However, more effective purging of severely deleterious variants and adaptation to the Tropics may have contributed to its survival. Hence, in spite of its limited genetic variation, it is certainly worth pursuing the conservation efforts of this unique species.
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| 2. |
- Zhang, Xiaolin, et al.
(author)
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Non-conjugated natural alginate as electron-transport layer for high performance polymer solar cells after modification
- 2021
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In: Journal of Power Sources. - : ELSEVIER. - 0378-7753 .- 1873-2755. ; 510
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The search for the alternatives to expensive synthesized conjugated polymers as interfaces in polymer solar cells (PSCs), which could largely decrease the cost and promote the commercialization process of PSCs, is now highly relevant. To introduce natural polymer as the interface layer for the high-efficiency PSCs would be a potential choice. In this study, a purely natural polysaccharide from ocean without any conjugated structure, sodium alginate (SA), is utilized as efficient electron transport layer (ETL) to replace the conjugated star molecule, poly [(9,9-bis(3-(N,NdiMethyl)-NethylaMMoiniuM-propyl)-2,7-fluorene)-alt-2,7-(9,9-dioctylfluorene)]dibroMide (PFN-Br), and modify the aluminum (Al) electrode in conventional PSCs. The reduction of the work function of Al is successfully achieved by SA forming a dipole and keeping the ohmic contact at the interface. Meantime, the ideal charge transfer and exciton dissociation are realized, along with decreasing charge recombination, resulting in a comparable power conversion efficiency (PCE) with devices of PFN-Br as ETL. For poly([2,6-4,8-di(5-ethylhexylthienyebenzo[1,2-b; 3,3-b]dithiophene]3-fluoro-2[(2-ethylhexyl)carbonyl]thieno[3,4-b]thiophenediyl):[6,6]-phenyl-C-71-butyric acid methyl ester (PTB7-Th:PC71BM) system, PCE is increased to 9.5% and for Poly [(2,6-(4,8-bis(5-(2-ethylhexyl-3-fluoro)thiophen-2-yl)-benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b]dithio-phene))-alt-(5,5-(1,3-di-2-thienyl-5,7-bis(2-ethylhexyl)benzo[1,2-c:4,5-c]dithio-phene-4,8-dione)]:3,9-bis(2methylene-((3-(1,1-dicyanomethylene)-6,7-difluoro)-indanone))-5,5,11,11-tetrakis(4-hexylphenyl)-dithieno[2,3-d:2,3-d]-s-inda-ceno[1,2-b:5,6-b] dithiophene (PM6:IT-4F) system, PCE 13.4%, respectively, which illustrates a promising future for photovoltaic research of natural alginate non-conjugated polyelectrolyte in conventional PSCs.
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| 3. |
- Li, Lili, et al.
(author)
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UV-protection and fluorescence properties of the exoskeleton obtained from a living diatom modified by an Eu3+-complex
- 2021
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In: Journal of Materials Chemistry C. - : ROYAL SOC CHEMISTRY. - 2050-7526 .- 2050-7534. ; 9:31, s. 10005-10012
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In this article, a natural biological porous material, from living diatoms, is used to prepare new UV-protection hybrid materials with an Eu3+-complex. By removing the organic protoplasm of living diatoms, the exoskeleton with a regular pore structure arrangement was obtained. The Eu3+-complex was chemically bonded to the exoskeleton modified by the silane coupling agent (3-aminopropyl)trimethoxy silane (APTMS). Compared with pure Eu3+-complexes, the fluorescence intensity of this hybrid material was increased by approximately 10 times. For illustrating its applications in the field of UV-protection, we mixed the USDU with polyacrylonitrile to produce flexible and transparent polymer films. The hybrid composite film (USDU@PAN) achieved partial absorption of ultraviolet light between 200 and 400 nm. At the same time, it also emits visible fluorescence and the intensity of the fluorescence is greatly increased. Therefore, the USDU@PAN film has wide application prospects in areas such as photoelectric sensors and UV-protection devices. More importantly, we transform natural organisms into materials with excellent optical properties. Therefore, it can be used in the field of UV-protection.
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| 4. |
- Yu, Xiaoshuang, et al.
(author)
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Organic Eu3+-complex-anchored porous diatomite channels enable UV protection and down conversion in hybrid material
- 2020
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In: Science and Technology of Advanced Materials. - : TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD. - 1468-6996 .- 1878-5514. ; 21:1, s. 726-736
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The organic Eu3+-complex [Eu(TTA)(3)Phen] has been incorporated into the channels of surface-modified frustules from diatoms as a key material to absorb and convert UV-photons to visible luminescence. Systematic investigation results indicate that the organic Eu3+-complex encapsulated in the functionalized diatomite channels exhibits enhanced luminescence and longer lifetime, owning to the Eu(TTA)(3)Phen complex interacting with its surrounding silylating agents. The organic Eu3+-complex-anchored porous diatomite hybrid luminescent material was compounded with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) by using a mini-twin screw extruder to prepare a self-supporting film of the hybrid material. Besides, the UV absorption properties of the composite films were investigated. These films will potentially be related to the UV protection of photovoltaic devices.
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| 5. |
- Cui, Xinyue, et al.
(author)
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Esthetic appearances of anatomic contour zirconia crowns made by additive wet deposition and subtractive dry milling : A self-controlled clinical trial
- 2020
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In: The Journal of prosthetic dentistry (Print). - : Elsevier BV. - 0022-3913 .- 1097-6841. ; 123:3, s. 442-448
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Statement of problem. Anatomic contour zirconia crowns are widely used in clinical dental practice because of their mechanical reliability and improved appearance. However, few studies have performed clinical evaluations of the esthetics of these crowns in terms of color and translucency gradient.Purpose. The purpose of this clinical trial was to compare the esthetic effect and color-matching behaviors of anatomic contour zirconia crowns manufactured with 3-dimensional (3D) gel deposition and dry milling methods.Material and methods. Twenty-seven premolar teeth of 27 participants received 2 identical anatomic contour zirconia crowns fabricated by additive 3D gel deposition or dry milling. Color differences (Delta E) between the crown and natural control teeth were measured by a dental shadematching device. Subjective color matching was rated by professionals using an extended visual rating scale for appearance match (EVRSAM) and by participants using a visual analog scale (VAS). Data were analyzed by using repeated measures ANOVA, the Bonferroni test, paired Student t test, Pearson chi-square test, and Wilcoxon test (alpha=.05).Results. Significant differences were found in SE between zirconia crown and core types (P<.05); however, there was no significant interaction between these factors (P>.05). The average SE of crowns made by wet deposition and dry milling were 2.45 +/- 1.60 and 4.55 +/- 1.54 (P<.05). The mean crown Delta E was significantly higher if a gold cast post-and-core was placed rather than a prefabricated fiber post and composite core (P<.05). Consistent with these findings, subjective color matching was significantly higher in the wet deposition group than in the dry milling group as rated by EVRSAM and VAS (P<.05).Conclusion. Anatomic contour zirconia crowns fabricated by additive wet deposition were better matched to adjacent teeth and had excellent esthetics in terms of color and translucency gradient.
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| 6. |
- Tao, Yongqing, et al.
(author)
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The application potential of self-glazed zirconia crowns confirmed by easy grinding and polishing of the enamel-like surface
- 2020
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In: Advances in Applied Ceramics. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1743-6753 .- 1743-6761. ; 119:5-6, s. 297-304
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The surface profile roughness (Ra), surface area roughness (Sa), and surface topography of newly developed as-prepared, ground, and polished self-glazed zirconia (SGZ) were evaluated using a profilometer, 3D optical surface profiler, and SEM, with conventional dry-milled zirconia (CZ) as a reference. A statistical analysis was conducted using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Bonferroni test (alpha = .05). Results revealed that the material (p = .005), clinical adjustment procedure (p < .001), and interaction between factors (p < .001) had statistically significant effects on the Ra values. SGZ showed lower Sa values than CZ during the same period. Ten patient cases involving the restoration of the monolithic anatomic contour SGZ crowns were investigated. All crowns remained functional until the latest clinical follow-up and no further antagonist wear was observed. Thus, SGZ had relatively lower surface roughness, which was also more easily altered than that of CZ.
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