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AbstractNutrients imbalance particularly nitrogen (N) and zinc (Zn) is a major constraint for sustainable cotton production. Thus, we hypothesized that the combined application of N and Zn may increase N and Zn availability and enhance cotton productivity due to the synergistic effect between these nutrients. Therefore, the present field study was carried out for two consecutive years to explore the interactive effects of different N rates (N0 = 0, N1 = 120, N2 = 160, and N3 = 200 kg ha−1) and Zn rates (Zn0 = 0, Zn1 = 5 and Zn2 = 10 kg ha−1) on soil available N and Zn, and growth and yield traits of the cotton crop. The results indicated a linear increase in the soil available N and Zn and all the studied traits of the cotton crop with the progressive increase in N and Zn rates until 160 kg ha−1 N and 10 kg ha−1 Zn. The cotton crop showed the maximum seed cotton yield (3337–3368 kg ha−1) and total dry matter (9916–9988 kg ha−1) with the simultaneous application of 160 kg ha−1 N and 10 kg ha−1 Zn, which was attributed to higher growth, morphophysiological and yield traits in this treatment during both years. The findings of the study suggest that the application of 160 kg ha−1 N in combination with 10 kg ha−1 Zn is the best fertilizer management for increasing N and Zn availability and achieving higher seed cotton yield of cotton crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of ammonia (NH3) from nitrogen sources involves competitive adsorption of different intermediates and multiple electron and proton transfers, presenting grand challenges in catalyst design. In nature nitrogenases reduce dinitrogen to NH3 using two component proteins, in which electrons and protons are delivered from Fe protein to the active site in MoFe protein for transfer to the bound N2. We draw inspiration from this structural enzymology, and design a two‐component metal–sulfur–carbon (M−S−C) catalyst composed of sulfur‐doped carbon‐supported ruthenium (Ru) single atoms (SAs) and nanoparticles (NPs) for the electrochemical reduction of nitrate (NO3−) to NH3. The catalyst demonstrates a remarkable NH3 yield rate of ~37 mg L−1 h−1 and a Faradaic efficiency of ~97 % for over 200 hours, outperforming those consisting solely of SAs or NPs, and even surpassing most reported electrocatalysts. Our experimental and theoretical investigations reveal the critical role of Ru SAs with the coordination of S in promoting the formation of the HONO intermediate and the subsequent reduction reaction over the NP‐surface nearby. Such process results in a more energetically accessible pathway for NO3− reduction on Ru NPs co‐existing with SAs. This study proves a better understanding of how M−S−Cs act as a synthetic nitrogenase mimic during ammonia synthesis, and contributes to the future mechanism‐based catalyst design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infectious diseases continue to cause global morbidity and mortality. The rise of drug-resistant pathogens is a major challenge to modern medicine. Plant-based antimicrobials may solve this issue; hence, this review discussed in detail plant-sourced antimicrobial drugs as an alternative toward bacterial, fungal, and viral pathogens. Plant-derived chemicals from various sources such as marine, medicinal, and non-medicinal sources have diverse antimicrobial properties. Complex chemical profiles from these sources allow these molecules to interact with several targets in the microbial pathogens. Due to their multi-component composition, these compounds are more effective and less likely to acquire resistance than single-target antibiotics. Medicinal herbs have long been used for their antimicrobial properties; however, non-medicinal plants have also been identified for their antimicrobial properties. Other interesting new pathways for the identification of antimicrobials include marine plants, which contain a wide variety of metabolites that are both distinct and varied. We have conducted a thorough literature search for the medicinal, non-medicinal, and marine plant-derived molecules with antimicrobial roles from databases which include Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science. The review also discussed the synergistic potential of combining these plant-derived compounds with traditional antimicrobial drugs to attenuate the microbial pathogenesis. Based on the existing research and advancements, the review article emphasizes the importance of continuing research into plant-based antimicrobials from these many sources and integrating them with existing therapies to combat the rising threat of drug-resistant infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sewage sludge odorous gas release is a key barrier to resource utilization, and conditioners can mitigate the release of sulfur-containing gases. The gas release characteristics and sulfur compound distribution in pyrolysis products under both single and composite conditioning strategies of CaO, Fe2O3, and FeCl3 were investigated. This study focused on the inhibition mechanisms of these conditioners on sulfur-containing gas emissions and compared the theoretical and experimental sulfur content in the products to evaluate the potential synergistic effects of the composite conditioners. The findings indicated that at 650 °C, CaO, Fe2O3, and FeCl3 inhibited H2S release by 35.8%, 23.2%, and 9.1%, respectively. Notably, the composite of CaO with FeCl3 at temperatures ranging from 350 to 450 °C and the combination of Fe2O3 with FeCl3 at 650 °C were found to exert synergistic suppression on H2S emissions. The strongly alkaline CaO inhibited the metathesis reaction between HCl, a decomposition product of FeCl3, and the sulfur-containing compounds within the sewage sludge, thereby exerting a synergistic suppression on the emission of H2S. Conversely, at temperatures exceeding 550 °C, the formation of Ca-Fe compounds, such as FeCa2O4, appeared to diminish the sulfur-fixing capacity of the conditioners, resulting in increased H2S emissions. For instance, the combination of CaO and FeCl3 at 450 °C was found to synergistically reduce H2S emissions by 56.3%, while the combination of CaO and Fe2O3 at 650 °C synergistically enhances the release of H2S by 23.6%. The insights gained from this study are instrumental in optimizing the pyrolysis of sewage sludge, aiming to minimize its environmental footprint and enhance the efficiency of resource recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A growing body of literature suggests that developmental exposure to individual or mixtures of environmental chemicals (ECs) is associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, investigating the effect of interactions among these ECs can be challenging. We introduced a combination of the classical exposure-mixture Weighted Quantile Sum (WQS) regression and a machine-learning method termed Signed iterative Random Forest (SiRF) to discover synergistic interactions between ECs that are (1) associated with higher odds of ASD diagnosis, (2) mimic toxicological interactions, and (3) are present only in a subset of the sample whose chemical concentrations are higher than certain thresholds. In a case-control Childhood Autism Risks from Genetics and Environment (CHARGE) study, we evaluated multiordered synergistic interactions among 62 ECs measured in the urine samples of 479 children in association with increased odds for ASD diagnosis (yes vs no). WQS-SiRF identified two synergistic two-ordered interactions between (1) trace-element cadmium (Cd) and the organophosphate pesticide metabolite diethyl-phosphate (DEP); and (2) 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP-246) and DEP. Both interactions were suggestively associated with increased odds of ASD diagnosis in the subset of children with urinary concentrations of Cd, DEP, and TCP-246 above the 75th percentile. This study demonstrates a novel method that combines the inferential power of WQS and the predictive accuracy of machine-learning algorithms to discover potentially biologically relevant chemical-chemical interactions associated with ASD.

Co-combustion of coal and biomass can reduce carbon emissions from fossil fuel use and enable cleaner energy use. The combustion process of bituminous coal (BC) with three typical biomasses: agricultural waste (Wheat Straw, WS), forest waste (Pine, P), and marine biomass waste (Enteromorpha, EN) was investigated using the TGA and the controlled diffusion mechanism model. When the combustion thermodynamic behavior of the blends was analyzed, it was found that when the proportion of biomass blending increases, the ignition point temperature of its blend with coal decreases and improves the combustion performance of the fuel. WS and P promote combustion of BC/WS and BC/P blends, respectively. EN incorporation gives BC/EN blend a slagging tendency and reduces the burnout of the blend. The kinetic parameters of the three fuel blends were calculated using Coats–Redfern method. The kinetic mechanism analysis shows that the combustion mechanisms of the three biomass-coal blends are in accordance with the diffusion mechanism model, and the activation energy of the blends decreases with the increase in the biomass blending ratio after the temperature increases to 350 °C. After adding biomass its co-combustion with coal has obvious synergistic interactions, in which coal and enteromorpha synergistic effect is the best. The change of activation energy of mixed combustion of coal and biomass is affected by the content of volatiles in biomass. Coal-biomass mixtures can improve bituminous coal combustion. Alkali metals in biomass have an inhibitory effect on co-combustion of the coal-biomass mixture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have garnered attention for their differential regulation in cancers like oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC), suggesting their potential as novel anti-cancer agents. These small cationic peptides play crucial roles in innate immunity, particularly in the oral cavity where they are produced by salivary glands and epithelium to combat microbial invasion. AMPs exhibit antimicrobial and anti-cancer activities, disrupting microbial cell membranes and inducing cytotoxicity in cancer cells by binding to exposed phosphatidylserine moieties. Certain AMPs also trigger the release of tumor antigens and damage-associated molecular patterns. With increasing resistance to conventional chemotherapy, AMPs present a promising avenue for the development of effective therapeutic agents in oncology. In addition to their direct cytotoxic effects on cancer cells, AMPs exhibit potential in activating adaptive immunity and functioning as tumor suppressor genes. This review explores the properties, mode of action, and potential interaction of AMPs and specific cancer cells, emphasizing their role in combating oral cancer and the need for further research in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extinction of the woolly rhinoceros (Coelodonta antiquitatis) at the onset of the Holocene remains an enigma, with conflicting evidence regarding its cause and spatiotemporal dynamics. This partly reflects challenges in determining demographic responses of late Quaternary megafauna to climatic and anthropogenic causal drivers with available genetic and paleontological techniques. Here, we show that elucidating mechanisms of ancient extinctions can benefit from a detailed understanding of fine-scale metapopulation dynamics, operating over many millennia. Using an abundant fossil record, ancient DNA, and high-resolution simulation models, we untangle the ecological mechanisms and causal drivers that are likely to have been integral in the decline and later extinction of the woolly rhinoceros. Our 52,000-y reconstruction of distribution-wide metapopulation dynamics supports a pathway to extinction that began long before the Holocene, when the combination of cooling temperatures and low but sustained hunting by humans trapped woolly rhinoceroses in suboptimal habitats along the southern edge of their range. Modeling indicates that this ecological trap intensified after the end of the last ice age, preventing colonization of newly formed suitable habitats, weakening stabilizing metapopulation processes, triggering the extinction of the woolly rhinoceros in the early Holocene. Our findings suggest that fragmentation and resultant metapopulation dynamics should be explicitly considered in explanations of late Quaternary megafauna extinctions, sending a clarion call to the fragility of the remaining large-bodied grazers restricted to disjunct fragments of poor-quality habitat due to anthropogenic environmental change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Hydrocarbon contamination, including contamination with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), is a major concern in Antarctica due to the toxicity, recalcitrance and persistence of these compounds. Under the Antarctic Treaty, nonindigenous species are not permitted for use in bioremediation at polluted sites in the Antarctic region. In this study, three bacterial consortia (C13, C15, and C23) were isolated from Antarctic soils for phenanthrene degradation. All isolated bacterial consortia demonstrated phenanthrene degradation percentages ranging from 45 to 85% for 50 mg/L phenanthrene at 15 ℃ within 5 days. Furthermore, consortium C13 exhibited efficient phenanthrene degradation potential across a wide range of environmental conditions, including different temperature (4–30 ℃) and water availability (without polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 or 30% PEG 6000 (w/v)) conditions. Sequencing analysis of 16S rRNA genes revealed that Pseudomonas and Pseudarthrobacter were the dominant genera in the phenanthrene-degrading consortia. Moreover, six cultivable strains were isolated from these consortia, comprising four strains of Pseudomonas, one strain of Pseudarthrobacter, and one strain of Paeniglutamicibacter. These isolated strains exhibited the ability to degrade 50 mg/L phenanthrene, with degradation percentages ranging from 4 to 22% at 15 ℃ within 15 days. Additionally, the constructed consortia containing Pseudomonas spp. and Pseudarthrobacter sp. exhibited more effective phenanthrene degradation (43–52%) than did the individual strains. These results provide evidence that Pseudomonas and Pseudarthrobacter can be potential candidates for synergistic phenanthrene degradation at low temperatures. Overall, our study offers valuable information for the bioremediation of PAH contamination in Antarctic environments.

Hydrocarbon contamination, including contamination with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), is a major concern in Antarctica due to the toxicity, recalcitrance and persistence of these compounds. Under the Antarctic Treaty, nonindigenous species are not permitted for use in bioremediation at polluted sites in the Antarctic region. In this study, three bacterial consortia (C13, C15, and C23) were isolated from Antarctic soils for phenanthrene degradation. All isolated bacterial consortia demonstrated phenanthrene degradation percentages ranging from 45 to 85% for 50 mg/L phenanthrene at 15 ℃ within 5 days. Furthermore, consortium C13 exhibited efficient phenanthrene degradation potential across a wide range of environmental conditions, including different temperature (4–30 ℃) and water availability (without polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 or 30% PEG 6000 (w/v)) conditions. Sequencing analysis of 16S rRNA genes revealed that Pseudomonas and Pseudarthrobacter were the dominant genera in the phenanthrene-degrading consortia. Moreover, six cultivable strains were isolated from these consortia, comprising four strains of Pseudomonas, one strain of Pseudarthrobacter, and one strain of Paeniglutamicibacter. These isolated strains exhibited the ability to degrade 50 mg/L phenanthrene, with degradation percentages ranging from 4 to 22% at 15 ℃ within 15 days. Additionally, the constructed consortia containing Pseudomonas spp. and Pseudarthrobacter sp. exhibited more effective phenanthrene degradation (43–52%) than did the individual strains. These results provide evidence that Pseudomonas and Pseudarthrobacter can be potential candidates for synergistic phenanthrene degradation at low temperatures. Overall, our study offers valuable information for the bioremediation of PAH contamination in Antarctic environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current work, the synergy between natural compounds and conventional chemotherapeutic drugs is comprehensively reviewed in light of current preclinical research findings. The prognosis for lung cancer patients is poor, with a 5-year survival rate of 18.1%. The use of natural compounds in combination with conventional chemotherapeutic drugs has gained significant attention as a potential novel approach in the treatment of lung cancer. The present work highlights the importance of finding more effective therapies to increase survival rates. Chemotherapy is a primary treatment option for lung cancer but it has limitations such as reduced effectiveness because cancer cells become resistant. Natural compounds isolated from medicinal plants have shown promising anticancer or chemopreventive properties and their synergistic effect has been observed when combined with conventional therapies. The combined use of an anti-cancer drug and a natural compound exhibits synergistic effects, enhancing overall therapeutic actions against cancer cells. In conclusion, this work provides an overview of the latest preclinical research on medicinal plants and plant-derived compounds as alternative or complementary treatment options for lung cancer chemotherapy and discusses the potential of natural compounds in treating lung cancer with minimal side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in tumor progression and survival is often underplayed. Its expression and/or dysregulation is associated with disease advancement and poor patient outcome as well as drug resistance in breast cancer. EGFR is often overexpressed in breast cancer and particularly triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), which currently lacks molecular targets. We examined the synergistic potential of an EGFR inhibitor (EGFRi) in combination with doxorubicin (Dox) in estrogen-positive (ER+) MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 TNBC cell lines. The exposure of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 to EGFRi produced an IC50s of 6.03 µM and 3.96 µM, respectively. Dox induced MDA-MB-231 (IC50 9.67 µM) and MCF-7 (IC50 1.4 µM) cytotoxicity. Combinations of EGFRi-Dox significantly reduced the IC50 in MCF-7 (0.46 µM) and MBA-MB 231 (0.01 µM). Synergistic drug interactions in both cell lines were confirmed using the Bliss independence model. Pro-apoptotic Caspase-3/7 activation occurred in MCF-7 at 0.1–10 µM of EGFRi and Dox single treatments, whilst 1 μM Dox yielded a more potent effect on MDA-MB-231. EGFRi and Dox individually and in combination downregulated the EGFR gene expression in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 (p < 0.001). This study demonstrates EGFRi's potential for eliciting synergistic interactions with Dox, causing enhanced growth inhibition, apoptosis induction, and downregulation of EGFR in both cell lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human studies have shown the anticancer effects of dietary isothiocyanates (ITCs), but there are some inconsistencies, and more evidence supports that such anticancer effect is from higher doses of ITCs. The inconsistencies found in epidemiological studies may be due to many factors, including the biphasic dose–response (so called hormetic effect) of ITCs, which was found to be more profound under hypoxia conditions. In this comprehensive review, we aim to shed light on the intriguing synergistic interactions between dietary ITCs, focusing on sulforaphane (SFN) and various anticancer drugs. Our exploration is motivated by the potential of these combinations to enhance cancer management strategies. While the anticancer properties of ITCs have been recognized, our review delves deeper into understanding the mechanisms and emphasizing the significance of the hormetic effect of ITCs, characterized by lower doses stimulating both normal cells and cancer cells, whereas higher doses are toxic to cancer cells and inhibit their growth. We have examined a spectrum of studies unraveling the multifaceted interaction and combinational effects of ITCs with anticancer agents. Our analysis reveals the potential of these synergies to augment therapeutic efficacy, mitigate chemoresistance, and minimize toxic effects, thereby opening avenues for therapeutic innovation. The review will provide insights into the underlying mechanisms of action, for example, by spotlighting the pivotal role of Nrf2 and antioxidant enzymes in prevention. Finally, we glimpse ongoing research endeavors and contemplate future directions in this dynamic field. We believe that our work contributes valuable perspectives on nutrition and cancer and holds promise for developing novel and optimized therapeutic strategies.

The sluggish kinetics of oxygen evolution reaction (OER) becomes one of the big obstacles for large-scale electrolytic water splitting. It is urgent to develop low-cost and efficient OER catalyst with fast reaction kinetics and low energy barrier. Herein, a novel OER catalyst of carbon nanotubes (CNT) supported cesium-doped NiFe-layered double hydroxide nanosheets (Cs–NiFe-LDH) is synthesized via a facile one-pot solvothermal reaction. The porous Cs–NiFe-LDH@CNT catalyst delivers an ultralow overpotential of 240 mV @10 mA cm−2, a small Tafel slope of 56.22 mV dec−1, and excellent long-term stability. The outstanding catalytic performance is mainly attributed to the synergistic effects of Cs doping and CNT network: the modification of the electronic structure of NiFe-LDH by Cs doping and the conductivity enhancement by CNT network can facilitate the electron transfer and kinetics; the Cs doping and CNT introduction can generate rich active sites; the nanoporous architecture can facilitate the ion diffusion and O 2 bubble release. This work provides a synergistic strategy to design and synthesize transition metal based OER catalysts with low-cost, fast kinetics and good stability for water splitting. • Novel Cs-doped NiFe-LDH nanosheets were interconnected with carbon nanotubes. • Cs–NiFe-LDH/CNT shows outstanding OER performance and superior stability. • Excellent OER activity is due to synergistic effect of Cs doping and CNT skeleton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antioxidant interactions between several natural phenolic and non-phenolic compounds (catechin, quercetin, rutin, resveratrol, gallic acid and ascorbic acid) and organic acids (tartaric, citric and dihydroxyfumaric acids) were studied using the DPPH method. Main additive and antagonistic interactions have been found for the combinations of catechin, quercetin, resveratrol and gallic acid with tartaric and citric acids; such behavoir can be due to the enhanced stability of the phenolic compounds in acidic media. Rutin and ascorbic acid showed good synergistic effects with tartaric and citric organic acids, which could be due to the polymerization processes in the case of rutin and the change in the mechanism of action in the case of ascorbic acid. In combination with dihydroxyfumaric acid, the mixtures showed dose-dependent synergistic, additive, or antagonistic antioxidant interactions. Good synergistic effects were observed for the binary mixtures of dihydroxyfumaric acid with ascorbic acid, catechin, and rutin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The widespread cultivation of genetically engineered crops producing not only toxic proteins from the bacterium Bacillus thringiensis (Bt) but also plant defensive compounds known as allelochemicals, combined with occasional use of insecticides, is the major tactic to manage some economically important pests. Better understanding of the toxicological interactions of the three types of toxins is needed to rationally deploy them to protect crops from pests. The aim of this study is to examine the sequential and simultaneous interactions of the allelochemical flavone, Bt toxin Vip3A, and insecticide emamectin benzoate in the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), a worldwide target pest of Bt crops. Bioassays of S. frugiperda neonates revealed that all interactions of the three toxins, except for 1-day pre-exposure to a sublethal dose (LC5) of flavone followed by 6-day simultaneous exposure to flavone LC5 + emamectin benzoate LC50, are synergistic or additive. The results suggest that the combined use of the three toxins is basically a great strategy to manage S. frugiperda. Target pests of genetically engineered crops producing both defensive allelochemicals and Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins often sequentially or simultaneously uptake allelochemicals, Bt toxins, and/or insecticides. How the three types of toxins interact to kill pests remains underexplored. Here we investigated the interactions of Bt toxin Vip3A, plant allelochemical flavone, and insecticide emamectin benzoate in Spodoptera frugiperda. Simultaneous administration of flavone LC25 + Vip3A LC25, emamectin benzoate LC25 + Vip3A LC25, and flavone LC15 + emamectin benzoate LC15 + Vip3A LC15 but not flavone LC25 + emamectin LC25 yielded a mortality significantly higher than their expected additive mortality (EAM). One-day pre-exposure to one toxin at LC5 followed by six-day exposure to the same toxin at LC5 plus another toxin at LC50 showed that the mortality of flavone LC5 + Vip3A LC50, emamectin benzoate LC5 + Vip3A LC50, and Vip3A LC5 + emamectin benzoate LC50 were significantly higher than their EAM, while that of flavone LC5 + emamectin benzoate LC50 was significantly lower than their EAM. No significant difference existed among the mortalities of Vip3A LC5 + flavone LC50, emamectin benzoate LC5 + flavone LC50, and their EAMs. The results suggest that the interactions of the three toxins are largely synergistic (inductive) or additive, depending on their combinations and doses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrialization and urbanization are important for economic development which makes the human life easy by providing different job opportunities, increasing the production level of cheaper goods and standard of living. Despite its many positive effects, industrialization has had a negative impact on the natural ecosystem through environmental pollution. It is responsible for a greater input of potentially toxic and non-toxic substances into essential environmental components such as air, soil and water. Continuous industrialization has resulted in significant environmental problems due to the release of pollutants and extremely difficult treatment of contaminated areas. This review focuses on the recent literature dealing with the role of Plant Growth Promoting Microbes (PGPMs), i.e. bacteria and Arbuscular mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) in the remediation of polluted sites.

Populations face a suite of anthropogenic stressors acting simultaneously, which can combine additively or interact to have complex effects on population persistence. Yet we still know relatively little about the mechanisms underlying population-level responses to multifactorial combinations of stressors because multiple stressor impacts across organisms' life cycles have not been systematically considered in population models. Specifically, different anthropogenic stressors can have variable effects across an organism's life cycle, resulting in non-intuitive results for long-term population persistence. For example, synergistic or antagonistic interactions might exacerbate or alleviate the effects of stressors on population dynamics, and different life-history stages or vital rates might contribute unequally to long-term population growth rates. Demographic modelling provides a framework to incorporate individual vital rate responses to multiple stressors into estimates of population growth, which will allow us to make more informed predictions about population-level responses to novel combinations of anthropogenic change. Without integrating stressors' interactive effects across the entire life cycle on population persistence, we may over- or underestimate threats to biodiversity and risk missing conservation management actions that could reduce species' vulnerability to stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzed the chemical constituents of the essential oil (EO) of Kaempferia rotunda L. and the bioactivities of the predominant compounds. Results obtained from GC/MS analysis indicated 14 compounds, which accounted for 96.66% of the total extract. Among them, the most abundant compound was benzyl benzoate (81.13%), followed by bornyl acetate (4.51%). EO from the medicinal plant K. rotunda inhibited the potent toxicity of Lasioderma serricorne and Liposcelis bostrychophila (LD50=17.1μg/adult and 18.6 μg/adult). K. rotunda oil also exerted strong repellency against three target insects at high concentrations. Based on the theory of the grey correlation analysis, EO from K. rotunda performed better than benzyl benzoate but worse than bornyl acetate on the repellency against Tribolium castaneum. Benzyl benzoate possessed excellent contact toxicity with three target insects. Meanwhile, the binary mixture of two main compounds (benzyl benzoate and bornyl acetate) was evaluated for contact toxicity with T.castaneum for the first time. The synergistic effect in natural ratios has been observed, suggesting that unique mechanisms of action should be responsible for EO toxicity. Plant-derived insecticides appear suitable for developing control means against stored product insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrialization and urbanization are important for economic development which makes the human life easy by providing different job opportunities, increasing the production level of cheaper goods and standard of living. Despite its many positive effects, industrialization has had a negative impact on the natural ecosystem through environmental pollution. It is responsible for a greater input of potentially toxic and non-toxic substances into essential environmental components such as air, soil and water. Continuous industrialization has resulted in significant environmental problems due to the release of pollutants and extremely difficult treatment of contaminated areas. This review focuses on the recent literature dealing with the role of Plant Growth Promoting Microbes (PGPMs), i.e. bacteria and Arbuscular mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) in the remediation of polluted sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microalgae have received increasing attention as one of the most promising feedstocks in the development of new healthier food products and different strategies have been attempted to improve their growth. However, the high production costs and low productivities, commonly associated with photoautotrophic growths, are still a big challenge. In this study, a two-step optimization strategy was carried out in order to maximize the biomass production of a Chlorella vulgaris strain used at industrial scale under heterotrophic conditions. From a total of 24 independent variables, which were studied simultaneously, 10 have presented a positive effect over Xmax, while the remaining have shown to be negative. The amount of (NH4)2SO4 (6.3 g L-1), MgSO4-7H2O (0.7 g L-1), and C6Hi2O6 (50% w/v) in the culture medium has revealed to be the only factors with a significant impact on biomass concentration, with optimum values of 25.5, 64.6, and 75 ml.L-1, respectively. The optimized medium resulted in an improvement of the Xmax by 99.6% when compared to the growth medium applied at industrial scale, proving the success of this strategy. Additionally, the carbohydrates production was enhanced by 48.0%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar-driven photocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen production is gaining dramatic interests, however, efficiencies are still not satisfied to make it technically applicable in large scale. Herein, we have observed unconventional high-temperature effects on the change of intrinsic photophysical properties of semiconductors, and demonstrated dual synergistic photothermal effects in promoting hydrogen evolution from water reduction and cellulose pyrolysis at high temperature with metal oxides catalysts. Particularly, Zn/ZnO species deposited TiO 2 (Zn-TiO 2) catalyst showcased exceptional thermal-assisted photocatalytic H 2 production from water reduction along with cellulose decomposition at 573 K with quasi apparent quantum efficiency of nearly 100 % under 365±10 nm irradiation and solar to hydrogen (STH) efficiency of 2.72 %. In situ spectroscopic characterizations at 573 K corroborated that the absorption spectrum of Zn-TiO 2 could be extended into the near-infrared region (beyond 1200 nm), and electron-hole pair recombination is curbed and migration of photogenerated charge carriers within the catalyst is remarkably promoted at high temperature. In addition, experimental analysis and molecular dynamics simulations unraveled the synergistic photo-assisted thermal effects for cellulose pyrolysis, and delineated potential pathways for cellulose conversion at high temperature under light irradiation. This work paves the way for efficient utilization of whole solar spectrum for achieving sustainable water splitting and biomass waste utilization. [Display omitted] • Dual synergistic photothermal effects in promoting hydrogen evolution and cellulose pyrolysis were demonstrated. • Zn-TiO 2 showcased thermal-assisted photocatalytic H2 production at 573 K with quantum efficiency of nearly 100 %. • In situ characterizations at 573 K revealed the changes of intrinsic photophysical properties of Zn-TiO 2. • Experimental analysis and molecular dynamics simulations unraveled the synergistic effects for cellulose pyrolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To develop multi-antioxidant systems for the preservation of meat products, mixtures of essential oils or plant extracts were investigated for their antioxidant interactions. The combinatorial study revealed that the chemical diversity of both major and minor components of these ingredients contributed to the antioxidant interactions. A shift from antagonistic or additive interaction to synergistic one was achieved by modulating the ratio of mono-components of multi-antioxidant systems. Mixtures containing oregano/thyme (25/50 of IC50), thyme/clove (25/100) and thyme/cinnamon (50/25) oils as well as cranberry/rosemary (25/25), cranberry/green tea (25/25), cranberry/apple (25/25), rosemary/apple (50/25) and grapeseed/cranberry (50/50) extracts have shown synergistic antioxidant effects. Among the investigated systems, thyme/clove oils and oregano/thyme oils/grape-seed extract systems have extended, in situ, the shelf-life of chicken and ground pork products stored at 4 °C by 2 to 4 folds. The sensory acceptability of treated samples was rated to be moderately better than control. This study lays the ground for the development of efficient natural multi-antioxidant systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-performance polymers based on dynamic chemistry have been widely explored for multi-field advanced applications. However, noncovalent sacrificial bond-mediated energy dissipation mechanism causes a trade-off between mechanical toughness and resilience. Herein, we achieved the synchronous boost of seemingly conflicting material properties including mechanical robustness, toughness and elasticity via the incorporation of mechanical chemistry into traditional semi-crystalline networks. Detailed rheological tests and all-atom molecular dynamics simulation reveal that the excellent mechanical robustness and toughness are attributed to the dissociation of crystalline domains threading through the sieve-shape macrocycles. Reversible nano-crystalline domains and ring-sliding-effect accelerated segment motion efficiently reduce energy dissipation to achieve instantaneous resilience. Moreover, the model polymers demonstrate that the multiple dynamic components endow the resulting polymer with excellent reprocessability under mild conditions. This mechanically interlocked semi-crystalline polymer exhibits potential applications as a thermal/photo actuator. This work reveals the synergic effects of mechanically interlocked sites and tunable crystalline domains, thus providing a reliable guide for the comprehensive improvement of material performance., (© 2024 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

The micellar and surface behaviors of decylammonium chloride (DACl) in presence of L-alanine hydrochloride decylester (L-ADE) and L-alanine hydrochloride dodecylester (L-ADDE) at various mole fractions were investigated by conductivity and surface tension measurements. From the conductivity measurements, the critical micelle concentration (CMC), the degree of counter-ion ionization (α) and standard Gibbs energy of micellization (ΔG°mic) were investigated for both pure and binary mixtures. The molecular interaction parameter (β) and the micellar mole fraction (XmDACl) for mixed micelle formation by DACl/L-ADE (C10-C10) and DACl/L-ADDE (C10-C12) were calculated using the regular solution equation proposed by Rubingh. The ideal values of CMC (CMCideal) and the micellar mole fraction (XmDACl(ideal)) were also obtained for mixed micelle according to the pseudo phase theoretical models. The negative β values showed that there were synergistic interactions for all compositions of DACl/L-ADE and DACl/L-ADDE mixed systems. From the surface tension measurements, adsorption parameters such as the surface excess concentration (Γmax), minimum surface tension at the CMC, efficiency in the surface tension reduction (pC20), standard Gibbs energy of adsorption (ΔG°ads), and minimum area per head group of a molecule (Amin) in pure, mixed and their ideal values were also determined. The results indicated that the synergism and attractive interactions in the studied binary mixtures depend on the chain length of the cationic L-alanine ester and their mole fractions in the mixed system. The solubilization capacity of pure DACl and its mixed system with L-ADE and L-ADDE towards anthracene were determined and discussed in terms of molar solubilization ratio (MSR). Based on the MSR values, the solubility enhancement was found for anthracene in DACl/L-ADE and DACl/L-ADDE mixed systems.

Alginate is one of the natural biopolymers that is widely used for drug formulations, combination of alginate with other polymers, such as gum acacia, pectin, and carrageenan can increase mechanical strength, therefore, can reduce leakage of the encapsulated active pharmaceutical ingredient from the polymer matrix. Interaction of alginate and these polymers can occur via intermolecular hydrogen bonds causing synergism, which is determined from the viscosity of polymer mixture. Alginate was combined with gum acacia/pectin/carrageenan in different blending ratios (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, and 0:100) with and without addition of CaCl2. The synergism effect is obtained from the design of experimental (DoE), and calculation the percentage value of viscosity deviation viscosity synergism index, then the strength of gel was analyzed. The interaction between two polymers was observed using FTIR spectroscopy. In distilled water, the synergistic effect was found in the combination of alginate-carrageenan at ratios 25:75 and 50:50. Otherwise, in CaCl2 solution, synergistic effect appears in alginate-gum acacia (75:25), alginate-pectin (50:50 and 75:25), and alginate-carrageenan (50:50 and 75:25). The synergistic effect and strength of gel polymers increased, with the addition of CaCl2.

Single‐atom catalysts (SACs) are being pursued as economical electrocatalysts. However, their low active‐site loading, poor interactions, and unclear catalytic mechanism call for significant advances. Herein, atomically dispersed Ni/Co dual sites anchored on nitrogen‐doped carbon (a‐NiCo/NC) hollow prisms are rationally designed and synthesized. Benefiting from the atomically dispersed dual‐metal sites and their synergistic interactions, the obtained a‐NiCo/NC sample exhibits superior electrocatalytic activity and kinetics towards the oxygen evolution reaction. Moreover, density functional theory calculations indicate that the strong synergistic interactions from heteronuclear paired Ni/Co dual sites lead to the optimization of the electronic structure and the reduced reaction energy barrier. This work provides a promising strategy for the synthesis of high‐efficiency atomically dispersed dual‐site SACs in the field of electrochemical energy storage and conversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supported atomically dispersed metal catalysts (ADMCs) have received enormous attention due to their high atom utilization efficiency, mass activity and excellent selectivity. Single-atom site catalysts (SACs) with monometal-center as the quintessential ADMCs have been extensively studied in the catalysis-related fields. Beyond SACs, novel atomically dispersed metal catalysts (NADMCs) with flexible active sites featuring two or more catalytically centers including dual-atom and triple-atom catalysts have drawn ever-increasing attention recently. Owing to the presence of multiple neighboring active sites, NADMCs could exhibit much higher activity and selectivity compared with SACs, especially in those complicated reactions with multi-step intermediates. This review comprehensively outlines the recent exciting advances on the NADMCs with emphasis on the deeper understanding of the synergistic interactions among multiple metal atoms and underlying structure–performance relationships. It starts with the systematical introduction of principal synthetic approaches for NADMCs highlighting the key issues of each fabrication method including the atomically precise control in the design of metal nuclearity, and then the state-of-the-art characterizations for identifying and monitoring the atomic structure of NADMCs are explored. Thereafter, the recent development of NADMCs in energy-related applications is systematically discussed. Finally, we provide some new insights into the remaining challenges and opportunities for the development of NADMCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synergistic effects between xanthan gum (XG) and β -cyclodextrin (β -CD) on the properties and stability of vegetable oil-based whipped cream stabilized by kidney bean protein aggregates was investigated. The visual appearance, SEM, TEM, CLSM, FT-IR and LF-NMR results showed that when the ratio of XG to β -CD in the XG- β -CD complex was appropriate, the hydrogen bonding effect between β -CD and XG was significant enhanced, the three-dimensional network structure has the highest density, the emulsion droplets were the smallest and evenly distributed. The unique tapered microstructure of β -CD acted as a bridge between the hydrophilic and hydrophobic components, effectively preventing the aggregation of oil droplets and establishing a flexible support system between oil droplets; while the flexible molecular structure of XG could support Pickering emulsion system. The XG- β -CD complex had a synergistic effect with protein aggregates, making it ideal for use in whipped cream products. This study explored the stability mechanism of β -CD in the Pickering emulsion-based whipped cream system, providing valuable insights into producing whole plant-based whipped cream by texturizing highly unsaturated oils. This effectively solves the problem of inadequate intake of unsaturated oil for individuals who consume excessive amounts of animal-derived fats. [Display omitted] • β -CD structure acted as a bridge between hydrophobic and hydrophilic components in whipped cream. • Appropriate proportion of XG and β -CD combined through hydrogen bonding to form a XG- β -CD complex. • XG- β -CD complex and protein aggregates connected through hydrophobic interactions to increase the stability of whipped cream. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A hybrid cocatalysts system comprising MoP and Pt NC on CN nanosheet were designed. • The Mo-Pt/CN photocatalyst delivers an impressive photocatalytic H 2 evolution activity. • The synergistic effect of dual cocatalysts modulates the d-band centers of Mo-Pt dual sites. • The synergy of dual sites enables the easy cleavage of H-OH bond and the optimal H* adsorption energy simultaneously. Photocatalytic hydrogen production is a promising strategy to solve the energy crisis and environmental issues. Herein, an efficient photocatalyst consisting of the MoP quantum dots and Pt nanoclusters dual cocatalysts anchored on polymeric carbon nitride matrix (denoted as Mo-Pt/CN) is designed for achieving boosted photocatalytic H 2 production. Benefiting from the synergy of dual cocatalysts, Mo-Pt/CN photocatalyst delivers an impressive H 2 evolution rate of 11.26 mmol·g−1·h−1, which is 6.43 and 25.02 times higher than those of the Pt/CN and Mo/CN photocatalyst, respectively. Systematic experiments combining with theoretical calculations reveal that the enhanced photocatalytic activity attributes to the synergy of asymmetrically geometrical deployment between MoP and Pt NCs dual cocatalysts, which induces asymmetric charge distributions and tailors the d-band center to optimize the adsorption behaviors of H 2 O* and H* intermediates on Mo-Pt dual sites, respectively, thus facilitating H 2 O* activation-dissociation and simultaneously achieving thermoneutral H* adsorption free energy (ΔG H*) for speeding up the H 2 evolution kinetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Synergistic interaction between H 2 and CO in FeO isothermal reduction is examined. • The reduction rate in the H 2 -CO mixture gas is quantified via linear programming. • H 2 boosts CO's efficiency by 1.51 times when the H 2 -CO concentration is 30%. • Synergistic mechanisms are explained and analogized to a rabbit pulling a carrot. • A 'waterfall' trend depicts the enhanced rate drop with higher gas concentration. Growing environmental concerns are driving the steel industry to explore cleaner energy options, with hydrogen emerging as a promising alternative to fossil fuels. Our study investigates the interactions between hydrogen and carbon monoxide during the isothermal reduction of wüstite at 800 °C, focusing on the interfacial reaction as the rate-determining step. Using linear programming, we predict the reduction rate in the hydrogen-carbon monoxide mixture gas by quantifying each component's contribution, validated with less than 6 % error. Hydrogen exhibits a reducing power 1.6 times that of carbon monoxide. When the total concentration of hydrogen and carbon monoxide is 30 %, an enhancement in carbon monoxide's oxygen removal capability in 'terrain' regions visited by hydrogen increases the carbon monoxide utilization ratio by 1.51 times, primarily through increasing the average pore diameter to 30.28 nm. Furthermore, our study introduces the 'waterfall' effect, a concept derived from exploring the synergistic mechanisms between hydrogen and carbon monoxide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Hypothesis: The milder interaction with biosystems makes the zwitterionic surfactants an important class of surfactants, and they are widely used in biological applications and in personal care formulations. An important aspect of those applications is their strong synergistic interaction with anionic surfactants. It is anticipated that the strong interaction will significantly affect the adsorption and self-assembly properties. Experiments: Surface tension, ST, neutron reflectivity, NR, and small angle neutron scattering, SANS, have been used here to explore the synergistic mixing in micelles and at the air–water interface for the zwitterionic surfactant, dodecyldimethylammonium propanesulfonate, C 12 SB, and the anionic surfactants, alkyl ester sulfonate, AES, in the absence and presence of electrolyte, 0.1 M NaCl. Findings: At the air–water interface the asymmetry of composition in the strong synergistic interaction and the changes with added electrolyte and anionic surfactant structure reflect the relative contributions of the electrostatic and steric interactions to the excess free energy of mixing. In the mixed micelles the synergy is less pronounced and indicates less severe packing constraints. The micelle structure is predominantly globular to elongated, and shows a pronounced micellar growth with composition which depends strongly upon the nature of the anionic surfactant and the addition of electrolyte. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a series of PdCr bimetallic catalysts with different weight percentage (10, 20, 30 and 40 wt%) of RGO decorated with TiO2 were prepared successfully. It was found that PdCr@RGO(30)-TiO2 nanocatalyst performed exceptionally well for the Suzuki coupling and hydrogenation of nitroarenes and α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds as compared to other synthesized catalysts. Introducing Cr3+ into the catalyst not only decreased the cost but also enhanced the catalytic activity due to the remarkable synergistic effect between Pd and Cr NPs. These significant synergistic interactions between Pd and Cr account for the observed high catalytic efficacy of the nanocatalyst, which afforded excellent yield in short reaction time and also retain catalytic activity for several runs.

The Garden State-LSAMP (GSLSAMP) alliance works collaboratively with the Northern New Jersey-Bridges to the Baccalaureate (NNJB2B) to greatly improve the graduation of community college students from underrepresented minority (URM) groups in STEM and their transfer rate to 4-years STEM programs. This is accomplished through several areas of enrichment. The two alliances sponsor joint activities to encourage a supportive community of 2-years and 4-years students. Community college students conduct research in the labs of mentoring faculty at 4-years programs where they interact with 4-years college students. A cross-campus near-peer mentoring program pairs recently transferred GSLSAMP mentors with mentees from the mentor’s community college of origin that eases and facilitates the graduation and transfer of mentees. In addition, the NNJB2B has adopted five proven high impact practices from GSLSAMP for their students. The results are that the graduation rate of the NNJB2B increased an average of 24.0% annually over the first 5 years of the program and the transfer rate improved 151.0% over the 2012 baseline. Four GSLSAMP 4-years institutions were especially active in the program and experienced an average increase of 62.9% over the 2012 baseline transfers from NNJB2B community colleges.

Flexible, free-standing supercapacitors play a significant role in the development of future wearable energy storage devices. Herein, we successfully fabricated the highly flexible and free-standing graphene/cerium oxide/polypyrrole hybrid films by thermal reduction of graphene oxide (GO) followed by the sol–gel synthesis of CeO 2 and then the addition of PPy. By regulating oxygen functional groups in GO, the electronic conductivity and electroactive sites of the hybrid films are significantly controlled, leading to enhanced energy storage capability. Finally, a symmetric flexible supercapacitor (FSC) device was developed using the prepared films as electrodes. Resulting, the integrated symmetric GO-400/CeO 2 /PPy FSC manifests excellent areal capacitance of 49.0 mF cm−2 at 1 mA cm−2, with a durability of 83.1 % over 10,000 cycles. Specifically, the FSC exhibited capacitance retention of 77.2 % after 10,000 cycles under bending state with exceptional rate ability. Meanwhile, an impressive energy density of 19.69 µW h cm−2 was attained at a power density of 0.85 mW cm−2. Evidently, the synergistic interactions between GO and PPy nanosheets, along with CeO 2 favour the rapid electron movement of electrode material for next-generation wearable, portable electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Fe 3 O 4 /UiO-66/Ag microspheres were designed for efficient 4-NP reduction. • Synergistic interactions among AgNPs, Fe 3 O 4 , and UiO-66 components amplify the catalyst's activity. • The ternary catalyst outperforms Fe 3 O 4 /UiO-66 by 83.5-fold and Fe 3 O 4 by 91.6-fold in catalytic activity. • Fe 3 O 4 /UiO-66/Ag emerges as a highly promising catalyst for effective environmental remediation. This study explores the synthesis and catalytic properties of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) embedded on magnetite-coated UiO-66 microspheres (Fe 3 O 4 /UiO-66(Zr)/Ag) for efficiently converting 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-aminophenol (4-AP). The inclusion of hollow Fe 3 O 4 microspheres in the composite serves a dual purpose: enhancing catalytic activity and facilitating easy magnetic recovery. Concurrently, UiO-66(Zr), with its high surface area, aids in the effective adsorption and loading of AgNPs, which act as the primary catalyst for the conversion of 4-NP to 4-AP. The combination of AgNPs, the Fe 3 O 4 microstructure, and UiO-66 properties aims to enhance catalytic performance. The investigation into the effect of various experimental parameters revealed optimal conditions for maximum catalytic activity at an initial Ag+ concentration of 7.5 mM, a catalyst mass of 3 mg, pH 5, and a reaction temperature of 30 °C. Fe 3 O 4 /UiO-66/Ag exhibited superior performance with a reaction rate constant of 0.284 min−1, surpassing Fe 3 O 4 /Ag, Fe 3 O 4 /UiO-66, and Fe 3 O 4 by 2.3-fold, 83.5-fold, and 91.6-fold, respectively. The reduction mechanism involves sequential steps of adsorption, electron transfer, and synergistic interactions among catalytic components (Fe 3 O 4 , UiO-66, AgNPs). Crucially, AgNPs played a pivotal role in accelerating the electron transfer process, facilitating the reduction of 4-NP to 4-AP. Remarkably, the catalyst demonstrated not only excellent stability but also impressive recyclability, maintaining a conversion rate exceeding 92 % over five consecutive reuses. Metal leaching concentrations remained well within established safety thresholds for drinking water. Overall, Fe 3 O 4 /UiO-66/Ag emerges as a highly efficient and recyclable catalyst with promising applications in environmental remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endocannabinoids (eCBs) and serotonin (5-HT) play a neuromodulatory role in the central nervous system. Both eCBs and 5-HT regulate neuronal excitability and their pharmacological potentiation has been shown to control seizures in pre-clinical and human studies. Compelling evidence indicates that eCB and 5-HT systems interact to modulate several physiological and pathological brain functions, such as food intake, pain, drug addiction, depression, and anxiety. Nevertheless, there is no evidence of an eCB/5-HT interaction in experimental and human epilepsies, including status epilepticus (SE). Here, we performed video-EEG recording in behaving rats treated with the pro-convulsant agent pilocarpine (PILO), in order to study the effect of the activation of CB1/5-HT2 receptors and their interaction on SE. Synthetic cannabinoid agonist WIN55,212–2 (WIN) decreased behavioral seizure severity of PILO-induced SE at 2 mg/kg (but not at 1 and 5 mg/kg, i.p.), while 5-HT2B/2C receptor agonist RO60–0175 (RO; 1, 3, 10 mg/kg, i.p.) was devoid of any effect. RO 3 mg/kg was instead capable of potentiating the effect of WIN 2 mg/kg on the Racine scale score. Surprisingly, neither WIN 2 mg/kg nor RO 3 mg/kg had any effect on the incidence and the intensity of EEG seizures when administered alone. However, WIN+RO co-administration reduced the incidence and the severity of EEG SE and increased the latency to SE onset after PILO injection. WIN+RO effects were blocked by the selective CB1R antagonist AM251 and the 5-HT2BR antagonist RS127445, but not by the 5-HT2CR antagonist SB242084 or the 5-HT2AR antagonist MDL11,939.These data revealed a synergistic interaction between CB1R/5-HT2BR in the expression of PILO-induced SE.

The pinewood nematode (PWN) Bursaphelenchus xylophilus is a major threat to pine forests. Research on sustainable pest management strategies is now a priority. Essential oils (EOs) are biodegradable, complex mixtures of volatiles that can show low toxicity to mammals and powerful nematicidal activities depending on their chemical composition. In the present work, the EOs of four plants were screened against the PWN, solely and in combination to identify possible synergistic interactions. The combination of Cymbopogon citratus and Mentha piperita EOs (1:1) resulted in higher activities than those of each tested solely, suggesting the occurrence of synergistic interactions between the compounds of these EOs. Research on the combination of synergistic EOs may lead to the development of plant based biopesticides with optimized activities against the PWN.

Phosphorus (P) availability is usually low in soils around the globe. Most soils have a deficiency of available P; if they are not fertilized, they will not be able to satisfy the P requirement of plants. P fertilization is generally recommended to manage soil P deficiency; however, the low efficacy of P fertilizers in acidic and in calcareous soils restricts P availability. Moreover, the overuse of P fertilizers is a cause of significant environmental concerns. However, the use of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), phosphate–solubilizing bacteria (PSB), and the addition of silicon (Si) are effective and economical ways to improve the availability and efficacy of P. In this review the contributions of Si, PSB, and AMF in improving the P availability is discussed. Based on what is known about them, the combined strategy of using Si along with AMF and PSB may be highly useful in improving the P availability and as a result, its uptake by plants compared to using either of them alone. A better understanding how the two microorganism groups and Si interact is crucial to preserving soil fertility and improving the economic and environmental sustainability of crop production in P deficient soils. This review summarizes and discusses the current knowledge concerning the interactions among AMF, PSB, and Si in enhancing P availability and its uptake by plants in sustainable agriculture.

Phosphorus (P) availability is usually low in soils around the globe. Most soils have a deficiency of available P; if they are not fertilized, they will not be able to satisfy the P requirement of plants. P fertilization is generally recommended to manage soil P deficiency; however, the low efficacy of P fertilizers in acidic and in calcareous soils restricts P availability. Moreover, the overuse of P fertilizers is a cause of significant environmental concerns. However, the use of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), phosphate–solubilizing bacteria (PSB), and the addition of silicon (Si) are effective and economical ways to improve the availability and efficacy of P. In this review the contributions of Si, PSB, and AMF in improving the P availability is discussed. Based on what is known about them, the combined strategy of using Si along with AMF and PSB may be highly useful in improving the P availability and as a result, its uptake by plants compared to using either of them alone. A better understanding how the two microorganism groups and Si interact is crucial to preserving soil fertility and improving the economic and environmental sustainability of crop production in P deficient soils. This review summarizes and discusses the current knowledge concerning the interactions among AMF, PSB, and Si in enhancing P availability and its uptake by plants in sustainable agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid growth of polylactic acid (PLA) production and the slow hydrolysis rate make PLA a potential environmental pollutant. In order to make better reuse of the waste PLA in energy fields and solve the potential pollutant, PLA/wood flour (WF) compounds in all different proportions were co-pyrolyzed to study the co-pyrolysis behavior in terms of energy and products. The apparent activation energy of the 50%wtWF50%wtPLA compounds during co-pyrolysis decreased by 28% than PLA and 29.4% than WF. In addition, the pyrolysis of PLA provided additional energy for the co-pyrolysis of compounds which reduced the external input energy. The chemical reactions between WF and PLA during co-pyrolysis could be called synergistic interactions which promoted the free radical reaction of PLA and lead to the increase of lactide production. The yield of the harmful acetaldehyde reduced by 85.9% in the co-pyrolysis of 25%wtWF75%wtPLA compounds. In addition, the production of small molecular benzene ring substances was increased. For example, the phenol yield increased by 31.3% in the co-pyrolysis of 25%wtWF75%wtPLA compounds. The carbon number distribution of the main products was mainly concentrated on C5–C7 which was better for the reuse of bio-fuels during co-pyrolysis. [Display omitted] • Co-pyrolysis greatly reduced the production of the harmful gas products. • Pyrolysis of polylactic acid provided additional energy for the pyrolysis of wood flour. • The carbon number distribution of products concentrated on C5–C7. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copper foam (CF)‐supported 3D nanosheets array composed of ternary Ni−Co−Cu chalcogenides are prepared by a simple in situ formation process. Specifically, a highly electroactive Ni−Co binary sulfide in nanosheets is synthesized against the CF backbone, whereas the copper species migrate from the CF to the Ni−Co nanosheets, leading to the in situ formation of the ternary metallic sulfide (Ni−Co−Cu−S, NCCS). Due to the synergistic interaction of Ni, Co, and Cu sulfides confined in nanosheets, this NCCS material demonstrates good mechanical robustness, a large surface area, and enhanced electric conductivity. As a result, the NCCS exhibits a high specific capacitance (750 mF cm−2 at 100 mA cm−2) with good cycling performance (97.14% after 10 000 cycles) when used as supercapacitor electrodes. In addition, the 3D porous hierarchical nanostructure of NCCS provides nanoconfined water molecule channels to achieve high‐yield solar steam generation, delivering an enhanced evaporation rate of 2.48 kg m−2 h−1 under 1 sun irradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]