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Formic acid (HCOOH, FA), a common liquid hydrogen storage material, has attracted tremendous research interest. However, the development of efficient, low-cost and high-stable heterogeneous catalyst for selective dehydrogenation of FA remains a major challenge. In this paper, a simple co-reduction method is proposed to synthesize nitrogen-phosphorus co-functionalized rGO (NPG) supported ultrafine NiCoPd-CeO x nanoparticles (NPs) with a mean size of 1.2 nm. Remarkably, the as-prepared Ni 0.2 Co 0.2 Pd 0.6 -CeO x /NPG shows outstanding catalytic activity for FA dehydrogenation, affording a high TOF value of 6506.8 mol H 2 mol Pd−1 h−1 at 303 K and a low activation energy of 17.7 kJ mol−1, which is better than most of the reported heterogeneous catalysts, and can be ascribed to the combined effect of well-dispersed ultrafine NiCoPd-CeO x NPs, modified Pd electronic structure, and abundant active sites. The reaction mechanism of dehydrogenation of FA is also discussed. Furthermore, the optimized Ni 0.2 Co 0.2 Pd 0.6 -CeO x /NPG shows excellent stability over 10th run with 100% conversion and 100% H 2 selectivity, which may provide more possibilities for practical application of FA system on fuel cells. [Display omitted] • N–P co-functionalized rGO supported ultrafine NiCoPd-CeO x NPs are successfully synthesized via a simple co-reduction method. • NPG has a positive effect on improving the distribution and controlling particle size. • The Ni 0.2 Co 0.2 Pd 0.6 -CeO x /NPG exhibits high activity towards FA dehydrogenation, giving a TOF of 6506.8 h−1 at 303 K. • The Ni 0.2 Co 0.2 Pd 0.6 -CeO x /NPG shows excellent stability and activity even after 10th run. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous studies have documented the negative effects of ozone (O 3 ) on tree species in growing season, however, little is done in non-growing season. Three evergreen tree species, Phoebe bournei (Hemsl.) Yang ( P. bournei ), Machilus pauhoi Kanehira ( M. pauhoi ) and Taxus chinensis (Pilger) Rehd ( T. chinensis ), were exposed to non-filtered air, 100 nmol mol −1 O 3 air (E1) and 150 nmol mol −1 O 3 air (E2) in open-top chambers in subtropical China. In the entire period of experiment, O 3 fumigation decreased net photosynthesis rate (Pn) through stomatal limitation during the transition period from growing to non-growing season (TGN), and through non-stomatal limitation during the period of non-growing season (NGS) in all species tested. Meanwhile, O 3 fumigation reduced and delayed the resilience of Pn in all species tested during the transition period from non-growing to growing season (TNG). O 3 fumigation significantly decreased chlorophyll contents during NGS, whereas no obvious injury symptoms were observed till the end of experiment. O 3 fumigation induced increases in levels of malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, total phenolics and reduced ascorbic acid, and changes in four plant endogenous hormones as well in all species tested during NGS. During NGS, E1 and E2 reduced Pn by an average of 80.11% in P. bournei , 94.56% in M. pauhoi and 12.57% in T. chinensis , indicating that the O 3 sensitivity was in an order of M. pauhoi > P. bournei > T. chinensis . Overall, O 3 fumigation inhibited carbon fixation in all species tested during NGS. Furthermore, O 3 -induced physiological activities also consumed the dry matter. All these suggested that elevated O 3 , which is likely to come true during NGS in the future, will adversely affect the accumulation of dry matter and the resilience of Pn during TNG in evergreen tree species, and further inhibit their growth and development in the upcoming growing season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recovery of heavy metals from electroplating sludge not only reduces environmental damage, but also avoids the wastage of resources. However, acid leaching of electroplating sludge requires lengthy procedures for purification and separation of metals, which leads to high material consumption. In this study, alkali-leaching dealumination and a two-stage roasting water leaching process were combined to selectively recover Ni, Cu, Zn, and Cr from electroplating sludge. Thermodynamic calculations were used for analyzing the theoretical feasibility of roasting electroplating sludge and determining the factors affecting the recovery of Ni, Cu, Zn, and Cr in the roasting process. First, approximately 100 % Al was recovered as AlO 2 - after 6 mol/L of NaOH solution was treated at 90 ℃ for 1 h. Second, dealumination residue was mixed with NaOH and roasted at 800 ℃ for 1 h after water leaching, and nearly 99 % Cr was extracted as CrO 4 2-. Third, more than 99 % Ni, Cu, and Zn were extracted as chlorine salts by blending NH 4 Cl into the dechroming residue and conducting roasting at 400 ℃ for 1 h after water leaching. Overall, this study provides a novel, simple, and efficient approach for the selective recovery of Ni, Cu, Zn, and Cr from electroplating sludge. [Display omitted] • A novel process was proposed to realize the metal stepwise recovery from electroplating sludge. • The Cr were converted into chromate entirely during alkali roasting. • The Ni, Cu, and Zn were converted into metal chloride entirely during chloride roasting. • Selectivity extraction of soluble metals was achieved by water leaching. • Detoxification of electroplating sludge was realized through roasting + water leaching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Anhedonia is associated with reward-processing deficits of the dopamine system, which may increase the risk of depression. Nevertheless, few previous studies have examined the influence of hedonic tone on event-related potential (ERP) measures of reward processing in major depressive disorder. A simple gambling task was used to elicit feedback negativity (FN), an ERP component elicited by feedback indicating gain versus loss, in 27 patients with major depression and 27 healthy participants. We found that participants with depression were characterized by reduced FN responses, especially towards monetary gains, but not losses, compared with healthy individuals. In addition, the amplitude of FN to gain feedback in participants with depression was related to anhedonia severity and depressive symptoms. These findings indicate an association between low hedonic capacity and reduction in FN. As a neural measure of reward sensitivity, FN may be generated in part by reward-related activity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Hydrogen (H 2) generation from formic acid (FA) decomposition is a promising route in practical application of hydrogen energy. As a promising H 2 supplier, besides the advantage of high H 2 content and excellent stability, FA can also be used as a mild reducing agent. Herein, an in-situ prepared NiAuPd nanoparticles (NPs) supported on amine-functionalized carbon nanotubes (NiAuPd/NH 2 -CNTs) with FA as the reducing agent is successfully developed at room temperature. The as-prepared NiAuPd/NH 2 -CNTs are directly used for the catalytic decomposition of FA, exhibiting excellent activity and 100% H 2 selectivity with the initial turnover frequency (TOF initial) value of 699.1 and 3006.1 mol H 2 mol Pd-1 h-1 at 303 and 333 K, respectively. Moreover, the additive sodium formate (SF) can further facilitate the reduction process and enhance the catalytic performance, with the TOF initial value of 4391.1 mol H 2 mol Pd-1 h-1 at 333 K, which are comparable to most of the reported heterogeneous catalysts with the complicated post-treatment. The excellent catalytic performance of NiAuPd/NH 2 -CNTs is mainly attributed to the high dispersion of NPs and the boost effect of -NH 2 group on O–H cleavage. This work provides a feasible strategy to design in-situ prepared catalysts for the efficient high-quality H 2 generation from FA for fuel cells application. [Display omitted] • NiAuPd/NH 2 -CNTs is successfully synthesized via a simple in-situ reduction method. • NiAuPd/NH 2 -CNTs shows excellent catalytic performance for FA dehydrogenation. • CA and –NH 2 group play key roles in modifying the formation and growth of metal NPs. • Synergistic effect between Ni, Au and Pd can improve the catalytic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although many studies have reported the negative effects of elevated O 3 on plant physiological characteristics, the influence of elevated O 3 on below-ground processes and soil microbial functioning is less studied. In this study, we examined the effects of elevated O 3 on soil properties, soil microbial biomass, as well as microbial community composition using high-throughput sequencing. Throughout one growing season, one-year old seedlings of two important endemic trees in subtropical China: Taxus chinensis (Pilger) Rehd. var. chinensis , and Machilus ichangensis Rehd. Et Wils, were exposed to charcoal-filtered air (CF as control), 100 nl l−1 (E100) or 150 nl l−1 (E150) O 3 -enriched air, in open top chambers (OTCs). We found that only higher O 3 exposure (E150) significantly decreased soil microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen in M. ichangensis , and the contents of organic matter were significantly decreased by E150 in both tree species. Although both levels of O 3 exposure decreased NO 3 -N in T. chinensis , only E150 increased NO 3 -N in M. ichangensis , and there were no effects of O 3 on NH 4 -N. Moreover, elevated O 3 elicited changes in soil microbial community structure and decreased fungal diversity in both M. ichangensis and T. chinensis. However, even though O 3 exposure reduced bacterial diversity in M. ichangensis , no effect of O 3 exposure on bacterial diversity was detected in soil grown with T. chinensis. Our results showed that elevated O 3 altered the abundance of bacteria and fungi in general, and in particular reduced nitrifiers and increased the relative abundance of some fungal taxa capable of denitrification, which may stimulate N 2 O emissions. Overall, our findings indicate that elevated O 3 not only impacts the soil microbial community structure, but may also exert an influence on the functioning of microbial communities. Unlabelled Image • Elevated O 3 changed the structure and decreased diversity of the soil microbial community. • Elevated O 3 reduced nitrifiers and hindered nitrification. • Relative abundance of N 2 O producer increased under elevated O 3 treatments • Ozone level and soil pH drove bacterial and fungal community structure. • Soil microbial genera affiliated with M. ichangensis exhibited higher O 3 sensitivity than those associated with T. chinensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Simulation-based optimization method is applied to investigate the characteristics of transition from forced circulation to natural circulation. • The Parameter analysis that affecting the system's transition characteristics is also completed. • Shutting down the main pump one by one has a double-edged effect on system stability. • The optimal operating strategy for safe and rapid transition is obtained. For nuclear power plants, the operating characteristics of the forced circulation to natural circulation are particularly critical. In this paper, a simulation-based optimization method integrating the RELAP5 code and a multi-population genetic algorithm, is applied to investigate the characteristics of transition from forced circulation to natural circulation of the integrated pressurized water reactor. The optimal values of the decision variables: the primary coolant average temperature, the initial power, and main pump shutdown strategy are studied and evaluated by using single objective optimization in MATLAB software. The parameter analysis reveals that the initial plays significance on the transition performance. And shutting down the main pump one by one has a double-edged effect on system stability. Additionally, the optimal operating strategy that enables the integrated pressurized water reactor to transition safely and quickly is also obtained, which could provide an enlightening guidance for the operation of the reactor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After viral infections, especially with CVB3, not only direct viral cytopathy but also activated host immune responses aggravate the deterioration of viral myocarditis during the acute phase. Through ubiquitin-proteasome system-meditated AMPK activation, MG-132, the proteasome inhibitor, inhibits viral replication, regulates mitochondrial-mediated intrinsic myocardial apoptosis, downregulates NF-κB-mediated inflammation and limits structural damage. • Direct viral cytopathy accompanied by excessively activated host immune responses aggravates the deterioration of viral myocarditis. • The ubiquitin-proteasome system associates with viral replication and myocardial damage in Coxsackievirus B3-induced myocarditis. • The ubiquitin-proteasome system-meditated AMPK activation inhibits viral replication and limits the virus-induced damage. • Anti-inflammation and anti-apoptosis play a key role in ubiquitin-proteasome system-related cardiac protection. Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) is the primary cause of infectious myocarditis. Aggressive immunological activation and apoptosis of myocytes contributes to progressive dysfunction of cardiac contraction and poor prognosis. MG-132, a proteasome inhibitor, regulates mitochondrial-mediated intrinsic myocardial apoptosis and downregulates NF-κB-mediated inflammation. Here, we determined whether AMPK pathway participates in MG-132-mediated myocardial protection in viral-induced myocarditis. Acute viral myocarditis models were established by intraperitoneal inoculation of CVB3 in male BALB/c mice. Myocarditis and age-matched control mice were administered MG-132 and/or BML-275 dihydrochloride (BML) (AMPK antagonist) intraperitoneally daily from the day following CVB3 inoculation. MG-132 improved hemodynamics and inhibited the structural remodeling of the ventricle in mice with myocarditis, while BML largely blunted these effects. TUNEL staining and immunochemistry suggested that MG-132 exerts anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects against CVB3-induced myocardial injuries. BML attenuated the effects of MG-132 on anti-apoptosis and anti-inflammation. MG-132 modulated apoptosis and inflammation, improved hemodynamics, and inhibited the structural remodeling of ventricles in a myocarditis mouse model via regulation of the AMPK signal pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]