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The two-dimensional molybdenum carbide (Mo 2 CT x) has a similar electronic structure to platinum, which has the potential to be one of non-precious metals catalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). However, the preparation of Mo 2 CT x by conventional HF and LiF–HCl etching method inevitably introduces the –F and –Cl terminations on the surface, which adversely affect activity and stability. In this study, the LiCl–KCl–Li 3 N molten salt was used to treat Mo 2 CT x at 600 °C and atmospheric pressure and introduce nitrogen heteroatoms. After treated in LiCl–KCl–Li 3 N molten salt, the HER performance of nitrogen-doped Mo 2 CT x is improved compared with that of un-doped Mo 2 CT x , which should be attributed to the optimization of the electronic structure of N–Mo 2 CT x and lower hydrogen adsorption energy barrier. This simple molten salt method provides a way to modify non-precious metal HER catalyst and introduce nitrogen heteroatoms. The LiCl–KCl–Li 3 N molten salt was used to treat Mo 2 CT x at 600 °C and atmospheric pressure and introduce nitrogen heteroatoms. After treatment in LiCl–KCl–Li 3 N molten salt, the HER performance of nitrogen-doped Mo 2 CT x is improved compared with that of un-doped Mo 2 CT x , which should be attributed to the optimization of the electronic structure of N–Mo 2 CT x and lower hydrogen adsorption energy barrier. [Display omitted] • N-modified Mo 2 CT x MXene was prepared via molten salt modification strategy. • The N doping optimizes the electronic structure of Mo 2 CT x. • The improved catalytic performance and stability for Mo 2 CT x. • The molten salt method is simple, efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly for modification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the extensive use of phthalates (PAEs)-rich polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic products, the recycling of PAEs-rich PVC waste has become a great challenge. Meanwhile, the efficient utilization of low-rank coal is important in China due to the abundant reserves. In this study, a high-efficiency co-liquefaction treatment of PAEs-rich PVC waste and low-rank coal (Inner Mongolia lignite) was developed by using supercritical water (SCW) process based on the interaction between the two kinds of waste. The effects of temperature, time, solid-to-liquid ratio (M Coal+PVC :M H2O), and mass ratio of coal-to-PVC (M Coal :M PVC) on the co-liquefaction conversion, composition of liquefied oil and dechlorination of PVC waste were investigated. The co-liquefaction of low-rank coal and PAEs-rich PVC waste had a significant positive synergistic effect with a maximum synergistic efficiency of 7.53% in the temperature range of 350–450 °C. The conversion ratio of low-rank coal and PAEs-rich PVC waste by SCW co-liquefaction increased from 59.71% to 74.92% with the increase of reaction temperature from 350 to 450 °C. PAEs-rich PVC waste could be almost completely dechlorinated (>98%) by the SCW co-liquefaction process, and more than 90% of the DEHP could be decomposed. The addition of PAEs-rich PVC waste resulted in a significant decrease of the percentage of heteroatom-containing compounds in the oil products by the co-liquefaction. At 450 °C, the co-liquefaction oil contained 69.16% of hydrocarbons and 6.14% of phenolic compounds. Different from supercritical water gasification, the purpose of SCW co-liquefaction in this study is to improve the coal liquefaction conversion ratio and oil quality by introducing the PAEs-rich PVC waste. The synergistic SCW treatment of PAEs-rich PVC waste and low-rank coal has good application prospects in products upgrading of low-rank coal and safe recycling of PAEs-rich PVC waste plastics. [Display omitted] • A co-liquefaction of low-rank coal and PAEs-rich PVC waste by SCW was reported. • Products upgrading and efficient dechlorination were found in the co-liquefaction. • A maximum synergistic efficiency of 7.53% could be obtained for the co-liquefaction. • Conversion efficiency was enhanced and high value-added hydrocarbons were recovered. • The co-liquefaction mechanism was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cytokinin response factors (CRFs) are transcription factors (TFs) that are specific to plants and have diverse functions in plant growth and stress responses. However, the precise roles of CRFs in regulating tomato plant architecture and leaf development have not been comprehensively investigated. Here, we identified a novel CRF, SlCRF6 , which is involved in the regulation of plant growth via the gibberellin (GA) signaling pathway. SlCRF6 -overexpressing (SlCRF6 -OE) plants displayed pleiotropic phenotypic changes, including reduced internode length and leaf size, which caused dwarfism in tomato plants. This dwarfism could be alleviated by application of exogenous GA 3. Remarkably, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT PCR), a dual luciferase reporter assay and a yeast one-hybrid (Y1H) assay revealed that SlCRF6 promoted the expression of SlDELLA (a GA signal transduction inhibitor) in vivo. Furthermore, transgenic plants displayed variegated leaves and diminished chlorophyll content, resulting in decreased photosynthetic efficiency and less starch than in wild-type (WT) plants. The results of transient expression assays and Y1H assays indicated that SlCRF6 suppressed the expression of SlPHAN (leaf morphology-related gene). Collectively, these findings suggest that SlCRF6 plays a crucial role in regulating tomato plant morphology, leaf development, and the accumulation of photosynthetic products. • SlCRF6 overexpression lines exhibit dwarfism with shorter internodes and smaller leaf. • SlCRF6 responds to exogenous GA 3 treatment and affects the endogenous GA 3 content. • Leaf defects in SlCRF6 -OE lines lead to reduced photosynthetic efficiency, ultimately affecting plant growth. • SlCRF6 affects plant growth in tomato by regulating SlDELLA and SlPHAN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The northeastern Tibetan Plateau (NETP) is the most intensely uplifted deformation region in the Tibetan Plateau. The intense gas release caused by uplift has attracted widespread attention. In this study, we measured the soil gas concentrations (Rn and CO 2) and CO 2 fluxes from active faults and analysed the seismic tomography in the arcuate structure zone of the NETP. The results reveal that the concentrations and fluxes of Rn and CO 2 in the south area are higher than those in the north area. Factors such as rock types, meteorological conditions, and seismicity have limited influence on soil gas emissions. Instead, the uplift of the upper crust in the Tibetan Plateau plays a crucial role in determining the distribution of soil gases. Regions with high crack density (ε), saturation rate (ξ) and Poisson's ratio (σ) in the upper crust show stronger release, such as the epicenter of the Haiyuan M S 8.5 earthquake. The convergence zone of the arcuate structure zone with high crust uplift velocity is an intense release area with a rough total CO 2 output of ∼1.10 Mt.·yr−1. This output is twice the annual CO 2 output of the Wenchuan M S 8.0 earthquake rupture and one-fifth of the annual CO 2 output of Amiata volcano, Italy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A water footprint quantification method based on data assimilation was proposed. • Joint assimilation (LAI+SM) was more efficient than the open-loop simulation. • The results can better describe the spatial heterogeneity of wheat water footprint. • This method was suitable for regional water footprint quantification. Water scarcity in agricultural production has emerged as a significant constraint to food security in China. To improve agricultural output and ensure its stability, it is imperative to assess the agricultural water use efficiency. The crop water footprint (WF) is an effective tool to assess the type, amount, and efficiency of agricultural water usage. However, existing quantitative studies on the crop water footprint within regions exhibit limitations in terms of their low spatial resolution and deficient spatial heterogeneity. In this study, the World Food Studies (WOFOST) model was combined with the Ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) assimilation algorithm, with the leaf area index (LAI) and soil moisture (SM) obtained by remote sensing as state variables. An improved method for quantifying the WF of wheat based on crop model-remote sensing information data assimilation was proposed. Regarding the results, the average blue water footprint (WF blue), green water footprint (WF green), and total water footprint (WF) of wheat were 363 m3/t, 551 m3/t, and 914 m3/t, respectively. In the southern of the study area, WF green exhibits higher values, with lower levels in the north. WF blue and WF demonstrated inverse spatial patterns, with higher values observed in the northern areas and lower values in the southern regions. The spatial heterogeneity of WF blue and WF was more significant than that of WF green. The WF of wheat quantified by the data assimilation method had a high spatial resolution, and could be effectively used to explore the spatial heterogeneity of WF. This study can provide a reliable reference for the effective use of water resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Study on the mechanism of aptamer-based fluorescent DNA biosensors. • Antibiotic detection is facilitated by the construction of aptamer-based fluorescent DNA biosensors using both label-free and labeled methods. • Signal amplification are harnessed to pursuit the heightened sensitivity of the antibiotic detection. The inappropriate employment of antibiotics across diverse industries has engendered profound apprehensions concerning their cumulative presence within human bodies and food commodities. Consequently, many nations have instituted stringent measures limiting the admissible quantities of antibiotics in food items. Nonetheless, conventional techniques employed for antibiotic detection prove protracted and laborious, prompting a dire necessity for facile, expeditious, and uncomplicated detection methodologies. In this regard, aptamer-based fluorescent DNA biosensors (AFBs) have emerged as a sanguine panacea to surmount the limitations of traditional detection modalities. These ingenious biosensors harness the binding prowess of aptamers, singular strands of DNA/RNA, to selectively adhere to specific target antibiotics. Notably, the AFBs demonstrate unparalleled selectivity, affinity, and sensitivity in detecting antibiotics. This comprehensive review meticulously expounds upon the strides achieved in AFBs for antibiotic detection, particularly emphasizing the labeling modality and the innovative free-label approach. It also elucidates the design principles behind a diverse array of AFBs. Additionally, a succinct survey of signal amplification strategies deployed within these biosensors is provided. The central objective of this review is to apprise researchers from diverse disciplines of the contemporary trends in AFBs for antibiotic detection. By doing so, it aspires to instigate a concerted endeavor toward the development of heightened sensitivity and pioneering AFBs, thereby contributing to the perpetual advancement of antibiotic detection methodologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]