Zhejiang University

About: Zhejiang University is a education organization based out in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Catalysis & Population. The organization has 161257 authors who have published 183264 publications receiving 3417592 citations. The organization is also known as: Chekiang University & Zheda.

Gibberellin acts through jasmonate to control the expression of MYB21, MYB24, and MYB57 to promote stamen filament growth in Arabidopsis.

Abstract: Precise coordination between stamen and pistil development is essential to make a fertile flower. Mutations impairing stamen filament elongation, pollen maturation, or anther dehiscence will cause male sterility. Deficiency in plant hormone gibberellin (GA) causes male sterility due to accumulation of DELLA proteins, and GA triggers DELLA degradation to promote stamen development. Deficiency in plant hormone jasmonate (JA) also causes male sterility. However, little is known about the relationship between GA and JA in controlling stamen development. Here, we show that MYB21, MYB24, and MYB57 are GA-dependent stamen-enriched genes. Loss-of-function of two DELLAs RGA and RGL2 restores the expression of these three MYB genes together with restoration of stamen filament growth in GA-deficient plants. Genetic analysis showed that the myb21-t1 myb24-t1 myb57-t1 triple mutant confers a short stamen phenotype leading to male sterility. Further genetic and molecular studies demonstrate that GA suppresses DELLAs to mobilize the expression of the key JA biosynthesis gene DAD1, and this is consistent with the observation that the JA content in the young flower buds of the GA-deficient quadruple mutant ga1-3 gai-t6 rga-t2 rgl1-1 is much lower than that in the WT. We conclude that GA promotes JA biosynthesis to control the expression of MYB21, MYB24, and MYB57. Therefore, we have established a hierarchical relationship between GA and JA in that modulation of JA pathway by GA is one of the prerequisites for GA to regulate the normal stamen development in Arabidopsis.

Multiple imputation with multivariate imputation by chained equation (MICE) package

Abstract: Multiple imputation (MI) is an advanced technique for handing missing values. It is superior to single imputation in that it takes into account uncertainty in missing value imputation. However, MI is underutilized in medical literature due to lack of familiarity and computational challenges. The article provides a step-by-step approach to perform MI by using R multivariate imputation by chained equation (MICE) package. The procedure firstly imputed m sets of complete dataset by calling mice() function. Then statistical analysis such as univariate analysis and regression model can be performed within each dataset by calling with() function. This function sets the environment for statistical analysis. Lastly, the results obtained from each analysis are combined by using pool() function.

Highly Efficient and Reversible SO2 Capture by Tunable Azole-Based Ionic Liquids through Multiple-Site Chemical Absorption

Abstract: A novel strategy for SO2 capture through multiple-site absorption in the anion of several azole-based ionic liquids is reported. An extremely high capacity of SO2 (>3.5 mol/mol) and excellent reversibility (28 recycles) were achieved by tuning the interaction between the basic anion and acidic SO2. Spectroscopic investigations and quantum-mechanical calculations showed that such high SO2 capacity originates from the multiple sites of interaction between the anion and SO2. These tunable azole-based ionic liquids with multiple sites offer significant improvements over commonly used absorbents, indicating the promise for industrial applications in acid gas separation.

Palladium nanocrystals enclosed by {100} and {111} facets in controlled proportions and their catalytic activities for formic acid oxidation

Abstract: This article reports a seed-mediated approach to polyhedral nanocrystals of Pd with controlled sizes, shapes, and different proportions of {100} to {111} facets on the surface. The success of this synthesis relies on the use of Pd nanocubes with different sizes as the seeds and the use of formaldehyde as a relatively mild reducing agent. By controlling the ratio of Pd precursor to the seed, we obtained uniform polyhedrons such as truncated cubes, cuboctahedrons, truncated octahedrons, and octahedrons in a purity approaching 100%. The sizes of these polyhedrons were determined by the edge length of the cubic seeds. Since these Pd polyhedrons were characterized by different proportions of {111} to {100} facets, they could serve as model catalysts to uncover the correlation between the surface structure and the catalytic performance for formic acid oxidation. Our measurements indicate that Pd nanocubes exhibited the highest maximum current density in the forward anodic scan, but the peak position was also located at a potential higher than those of the other polyhedrons. When both the current density and the operation potential are taken into consideration, Pd nanocubes with slight truncation at the corners become the best choice of catalyst for formic acid oxidation. Our study also revealed that the size of Pd polyhedrons had essentially no effect on the activity for formic acid oxidation.

Lithium-Sulfur Batteries: from Liquid to Solid Cells?

Abstract: Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries supply a theoretical specific energy 5 times higher than that of lithium-ion batteries (2500 vs. ∼500 W h kg−1). However, the insulating properties and polysulfide shuttle effects of the sulfur cathode and safety concerns of the lithium anode in liquid electrolytes are still key limitations to practical use of traditional Li–S batteries. In this review, we start with a brief discussion on fundamentals of Li–S batteries and key challenges associated with conventional liquid cells. We then introduce the most recent progress in liquid systems, including sulfur positive electrodes, lithium negative electrodes, and electrolytes and binders. We discuss the significance of investigating electrode reaction mechanisms in liquid cells using in situ techniques to monitor the compositional and morphological changes. We also discuss the importance of this game-changing shift, moving from traditional liquid cells to recently developed solid cells, with positive advances in both solid electrolytes and electrode materials. Finally, the opportunities and perspectives for future research on Li–S batteries are presented.