All-solid-state lithium batteries (ASSLBs) have advantages of safety and high energy density, and they are expected to become the next generation of energy storage devices. Sulfide-based solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) with high ionic conductivity and low grain boundary resistance exhibit remarkable practical application. However, the space charge layer (SCL) effect and high interfacial resistance caused by a mismatch with the current commercial oxide cathodes restrict the development of sulfide SSEs and ASSLBs. This review summarizes the research progress on the SCL effect of sulfide SSEs and oxide cathodes, including the mechanism and direct evidence from high performance in-situ characterizations, as well as recent progress on the interfacial modification strategies to alleviate the SCL effect. This study provides future direction to stabilize the high performance sulfide-based solid electrolyte/oxide cathode interface for state-of-the-art ASSLBs and future all-SSE storage devices.

Biomass is a green and producible source of energy and chemicals. Hence, developing high-efficiency catalysts for biomass utilization and transformation is urgently demanded. Metal–organic framework (MOF)-based solid acid materials have been considered as promising catalysts in biomass transformation. In this review, we first introduce the genre of Lewis acid and Brønsted acid sites commonly generated in MOFs or MOF-based composites. Then, the methods for the generation and adjustment of corresponding acid sites are overviewed. Next, the catalytic applications of MOF-based solid acid materials in various biomass transformation reactions are summarized and discussed. Furthermore, based on our personal insights, the challenges and outlook on the future development of MOF-based solid acid catalysts are provided. We hope that this review will provide an instructive roadmap for future research on MOFs and MOF-based composites for biomass transformation.

DNA is a biological macromolecule that carries genetic information in organisms. It provides a series of predominant biological advantages, such as sequence programmability, high biocompatibility, and low biotoxicity. As such, it is a unique polymer material that shows great potential for application in biological and medical fields. DNA aptamers are short DNA sequences with a specific ability of molecular recognition. With its discovery, the application prospect of DNA materials has broadened, especially for the separation and analysis of biological particles. In this review, the functions and characteristics of DNA aptamers are introduced, and the applications of DNA materials in cell/exosome separation and cancer detection are summarized. The application prospect and possible challenges of DNA materials are predicted.

In this work, a new crystallization method was used to prepare two polymorphs of sulfamethazine–saccharin (SMT–SAC) cocrystal in bulk. The purity and crystal form of both polymorphs were confirmed by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. Moreover, the solubility of the stable form (form II) was determined by gravimetric analysis in nine pure solvents and one binary (acetonitrile + 2-propanol) solvent at temperatures ranging from 278.15 to 348.15 K at atmospheric pressure. Experimental data were correlated using the modified Apelblat model, the λh equation, the nonrandom two-liquid (NRTL) model, the Jouyban–Acree model, and the CNIBS/Redlich–Kister model. Finally, the apparent thermodynamic properties, such as $\Delta_{\text{dis}} G$, Δ_dis H, and Δ_dis S, were calculated on the basis of the activity coefficient obtained by the NRTL model. All the models correlate well, and all the experimental and calculated results indicate that the dissolution behavior of SMT–SAC cocrystal form II is a spontaneous, endothermic, and entropy-driven process.

The NAC (NAM, ATAF, and CUC) family is considered one of the largest families of plant transcription factor, and its members are involved in fruit ripening. Abscisic acid (ABA) has been demonstrated to modulate the fruit ripening process. By applying the virus-induced gene silencing method and next-generation sequencing technology, we conducted a comparative analysis of the effects of SNAC4 (SlNAC48, accession number: NM 001279348.2) and SNAC9 (SlNAC19, accession number: XM 004236996.2) on tomato fruit ripening. The results of high-throughput sequencing identified 1262 significant (p < 0.05) differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in SNAC4-silenced fruit compared to control fruit, while 655 DEGs were identified in SNAC9-silenced fruit. In addition, we selected 26 and 30 significant DEGs (p < 0.05 and log₂-fold change > 1.0) related to ABA in SNAC4-silenced and SNAC9-silenced tomatoes, respectively, for further analysis. The XET gene and two other genes (E8 and EXP1) were significantly down and upregulated in SNAC4-silenced tomatoes, respectively. However, the PYL9 gene and four other genes (PP2C, CYP707A2, EXPA6, and ACS6) were significantly down and upregulated in SNAC9-silenced tomatoes, respectively. In addition, ten DEGs were selected for use in tests to confirm the accuracy of the transcriptomic results by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Our results highlight the relationship between SNAC4/9 and ABA in the regulation of tomato ripening, which may help provide a theoretical basis for further research on the mechanisms of tomato fruit ripening and senescence.

A vapor–liquid–solid horizontal circulating fluidized bed evaporation setup was constructed to study the thermal-exchange properties and pressure change. The influences of the operating variables, including the amount of added particles, heat flux, and circulating flow velocity, were systematically inspected using resistance temperature detectors and pressure sensors. The results showed that the heat transfer effect was improved with the increase in the amount of added particles, circulating flow velocity, and particle diameter, but decreased with increasing heat flux. The pressure drop fluctuated with the increase in operating parameters, except circulating flow velocity. The enhancing factor reached up to 71.5%. The enhancing factor initially increased and then decreased with the increase in the amount of added particles and circulating flow velocity, fluctuated with increasing particle diameter, and decreased with increasing heat flux. Phase diagrams showing the variation ranges of the operation variables for the enhancing factor were constructed.

A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12209-021-00297-5