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The novel two-dimensional MXene material Ti3C2Tx boasts advantages such as large specific surface area, good electrical conductivity, and high stability, making it suitable for the field of electrocatalysis. However, Ti3C2Tx exhibits unacceptably slow kinetics during the electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Electron–metal–support interaction is an effective method for regulating the electronic state of active sites and enhancing HER performance. Therefore, in this study, Fe, Co, and Ni were respectively loaded onto Ti3C2Txvia electron beam deposition to form electron microscopy-supported interface (EMSI) effects, thereby improving the HER activity of Ti3C2Tx. The tests conclude that loading different transition metals (Fe, Co, Ni) onto Ti3C2Tx effectively enhances its HER performance. Experimental and theoretical studies further indicate that the electrocatalytic performance of Ni-loaded Ti3C2Tx is superior to that of Co-loaded and Fe-loaded Ti3C2Tx. This work presents a promising strategy for synthesizing metal-loaded MXene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As one of the most important staple crops in the world, rice plays a pivotal role in world food security. The creation of doubled haploids based on anther culture is an important technology for rice breeding. However, at present, rice anther culture technology still faces many problems, such as genotype dependency, especially genotypes of indica rice. In this study, fifteen rice genotypes, including twelve japonica rice genotypes and three indica rice genotypes, were randomly selected and used to study anther culture by using a modified M8 medium. The results showed that the total callus induction rates of these different rice genotypes ranged from 0.81 to 13.95%, with an average of 6.64%, while the callus induction rates calculated for the top ten highest callus inductions for each rice genotype ranged from 2.75 to 17.00%, with an average of 10.56%. There were varying gaps between the total callus induction rates and the callus induction rates in these different rice genotypes. The fact that the gaps for some rice genotypes were relatively large indicated that standard tiller or anther collection was not applicable to all rice genotypes and that there was still a lot of room for improvement in the callus induction rate of some rice genotypes through optimization of the sampling method. The plantlet regeneration rates ranged from 12.55 to 456.54%, with an average of 200.10%. Although there were many albinos from anther culture for some rice genotypes, these would still meet the requirement if the rice genotypes had higher callus induction rates or regeneration rates. The percentages of seed setting of regenerated green seedlings ranged from 14% to 84%, with an average of 48.73%. Genetic diversity analysis showed that the genetic background of these different rice genotypes was representative, and the phylogenetic tree and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) divided them into indica and japonica types. Therefore, in this study, an anther culture method suitable for both indica and japonica rice genotypes was established, which could improve doubled haploid breeding in rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) have the highest atom economy, precisely located active sites, unique metal coordination environments. These merits of SACs greatly increase the specific activity of metal atom, thus providing great potential for achieving better catalytic activity and selectivity. The metal catalytic active sites of SACs and natural enzymes are similar in structure, physical and chemical properties, and have better catalytic activity and selectivity. Theoretically, SACs can replace natural enzymes in the field of biomedicine. Based on the latest research work, the preparation technology of SACs and its application in the biomedical field are reviewed in this paper, and the challenges and future development direction of SACS in the biomedical field were briefly prospected.

Accurate and punctual precipitation data are fundamental to understanding regional hydrology and are a critical reference point for regional flood control. The aims of this study are to evaluate the performance of three widely used precipitation datasets—CRU TS, ERA5, and NCEP—as potential alternatives for hydrological applications in the Bahr el Ghazal River Basin in South Sudan, Africa. This includes examining the spatial and temporal evolution of regional precipitation using relatively accurate precipitation datasets. The findings indicate that CRU TS is the best precipitation dataset in the Bahr el Ghazal Basin. The spatial and temporal distributions of precipitation from CRU TS reveal that precipitation in the Bahr el Ghazal Basin has a clear wet season, with June–August accounting for half of the annual precipitation and peaking in July and August. The long-term annual total precipitation exhibits a gradual increasing trend from the north to the south, with the southwestern part of the Basin having the largest percentage of wet season precipitation. Notably, the Bahr el Ghazal Basin witnessed a significant precipitation shift in 1967, followed by an increasing trend. Moreover, the spatial and temporal precipitation evolutions reveal an ongoing risk of flooding in the lower part of the Basin; therefore, increased engineering counter-measures might be needed for effective flood prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient photocatalytic performance plays a pivotal role in tackling our present energy challenges. A well-designed arrangement of nanoscale semiconductors and metallic components within multi-heterojunction photocatalysts can establish rapid transport pathways, enhancing the separation and migration of charge carriers. This approach offers a viable strategy towards achieving optimal photocatalytic efficiency. Herein, the glancing angle deposition technique (GLAD) technology of electron beam evaporation and spin-coating method were used to construct Fe2O3/TiO2/WO3/Ti3C2Tx quaternary composite materials with serial heterojunctions. Photocatalytic activity was assessed through photoelectrochemical tests, revealing that the Fe2O3/TiO2/WO3/Ti3C2Tx composite material outperformed its counterparts under visible-light irradiation. Notably, it achieved the highest photocurrent response, with a maximum photocurrent density of 1.09 mA/cm2. This represented a substantial improvement, surpassing Fe2O3, Fe2O3/TiO2, and Fe2O3/TiO2/WO3 photocatalysts by factors of 36, 2.8 and 1.25, respectively. This remarkable enhancement can be attributed to the formation of three heterojunctions in series, creating multiple pathways for efficient charge transfer and separation during the photocatalytic process. Furthermore, we proposed a photocatalytic mechanism for quaternary heterojunctions based on band structure analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]