Promoting Nitrite-to-Ammonia Electroreduction over Amorphous CoS₂ Nanorods

Electrocatalytic nitrite reduction to ammonia (NO2RR) emerges as a promising route to simultaneously attain harmful NO2– removal and green NH3 synthesis. In this study, amorphous CoS2 nanorods (a-CoS2) are first demonstrated as an effective NO2RR catalyst, which exhibits the maximum FENH3 of 88.7% and NH3 yield rate of 438.1 μmol h–1 cm–2 at −0.6 V vs RHE. Detailed experimental and computational investigations reveal that the high NO2RR performance of a-CoS2 originates from the amorphization-induced S vacancies to facilitate NO2– activation and hydrogenation, boost the electron transport kinetics, and inhibit the competitive hydrogen evolution

Iron Diboride (FeB₂) for the Electroreduction of NO to NH₃

We report iron diboride (FeB2) as a high-performance metal diboride catalyst for electrochemical NO-to-NH3 reduction (NORR), which shows a maximum NH3 yield rate of 289.3 μmol h–1 cm–2 and a NH3-Faradaic efficiency of 93.8% at −0.4 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode. Theoretical computations reveal that Fe and B sites synergetically activate the NO molecule, while the protonation of NO is energetically more favorable on B sites. Meanwhile, both Fe and B sites preferentially absorb NO over H atoms to suppress the competing hydrogen evolution

PdP₂ Nanoparticles on Reduced Graphene Oxide: A Catalyst for the Electrocatalytic Reduction of Nitrate to Ammonia

Palladium phosphides are explored as efficient catalysts for the electrocatalytic reduction of nitrate to ammonia (NRA). The explored PdP2 nanoparticles on reduced graphene oxide exhibit the maximum NH3 Faradaic efficiency of 98.2% with a corresponding NH3 yield rate of 7.6 mg h–1 cm–2 at −0.6 V (RHE). Theoretical calculations reveal that a PdP2 (011) surface can not only effectively activate and hydrogenate NO3– via a NOH pathway but also retard H adsorption to inhibit the competitive hydrogen evolution reaction

DataSheet1_Scenario of carbon dioxide (CO2) emission peaking and reduction path implication in five northwestern provinces of China by the low emissions analysis platform (LEAP) model.docx

Achieving global peaking of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions as early as possible is a common goal for all countries. However, CO2 emissions in the northwest China still show a rapid growth trend. Thus, we used the Low Emissions Analysis Platform (LEAP) model to build three scenarios to investigate the peak of CO2 emissions and reduction pathways in five northwestern provinces of China. The results show that: 1) the CO2 emissions of five northwestern provinces under the baseline, the policy, and the green scenarios will peak in 2035 (1663.46 × 106 tonnes), 2031 (1405.00 × 106 tonnes), and 2027 (1273.96 × 106 tonnes), respectively. 2) The CO2 emissions of all provinces, except Qinghai, will not peak before 2030 in the baseline scenario. Under the policy and green scenarios, each province will achieve the peak of CO2 emissions by 2030. 3) The CO2 emissions from agriculture, transportation, and other sectors will peak before 2030 under the baseline scenario. The CO2 emissions from construction will peak before 2030 in policy scenario. The industry and commerce will peak before 2030 in green scenario. 4) The emission reduction effect indicates that CO2 emissions from 2020 to 2040 will be reduced by 4137.70 × 106 tonnes in the policy scenario and 7201.46 × 106 tonnes in the green scenario. The industrial coal and thermal power are the sectors with the greatest potential to reduce CO2 emissions. Accelerating the restructuring of industries and energy structures and improving technologies to reduce energy intensity can promote the achievement of the peak in CO2 emissions by 2030.</p

Pd₁Cu Single-Atom Alloys for High-Current-Density and Durable NO-to-NH₃ Electroreduction

Electrochemical reduction of NO to NH3 (NORR) offers a prospective method for efficient NH3 electrosynthesis. Herein, we first design single-atom Pd-alloyed Cu (Pd1Cu) as an efficient and robust NORR catalyst at industrial-level current densities (>0.2 A cm–2). Operando spectroscopic characterizations and theoretical computations unveil that Pd1 strongly electronically couples its adjacent two Cu atoms (Pd1Cu2) to enhance the NO activation while promoting the NO-to-NH3 protonation energetics and suppressing the competitive hydrogen evolution. Consequently, the flow cell assembled with Pd1Cu exhibits an unprecedented NH3 yield rate of 1341.3 μmol h–1 cm–2 and NH3–Faradaic efficiency of 85.5% at an industrial-level current density of 210.3 mA cm–2, together with an excellent long-term durability for 200 h of electrolysis, representing one of the highest NORR performances on record

High-Efficiency N₂ Electroreduction Enabled by Se-Vacancy-Rich WSe_2–<i>x</i> in Water-in-Salt Electrolytes

Electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) is a promising approach for renewable NH3 production, while developing the NRR electrocatalysis systems with both high activity and selectivity remains a significant challenge. Herein, we combine catalyst and electrolyte engineering to achieve a high-efficiency NRR enabled by a Se-vacancy-rich WSe2–x catalyst in water-in-salt electrolyte (WISE). Extensive characterizations, theoretical calculations, and in situ X-ray photoelectron/Raman spectroscopy reveal that WISE ensures suppressed H2 evolution, improved N2 affinity on the catalyst surface, as well as an enhanced π-back-donation ability of active sites, thereby promoting both activity and selectivity for the NRR. As a result, an excellent faradaic efficiency of 62.5% and NH3 yield of 181.3 μg h–1 mg–1 is achieved with WSe2–x in 12 m LiClO4, which is among the highest NRR performances reported to date

Data_Sheet_1_Hypothyroidism and Adverse Endpoints in Diabetic Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.docx

Background: This study investigated the relationship strength between hypothyroidism and cardiovascular and renal outcomes in diabetic patients.Methods: The electronic databases PubMed, EmBase, and Cochrane library were screened for relevant studies published before November 2018. The outcomes included major cardiovascular events (MACEs), all-cause mortality, cardiac death, stroke, diabetic nephropathy (DN), diabetic retinopathy (DR), and chronic kidney disease (CKD). The pooled results for all outcomes were calculated using random-effects models.Results: A total of eight studies met the inclusion criteria. The summary results indicated that hypothyroidism was not associated with the risk of MACEs (OR:1.21; 95%CI:0.68–2.16; P = 0.514), all-cause mortality (OR:1.27; 95%CI:0.93–1.74; P = 0.136), cardiac death (OR:1.16; 95%CI:0.89–1.52; P = 0.271), stroke (OR:0.96; 95%CI: 0.49–1.88; P = 0.915), and DN (OR:1.71; 95%CI:0.37–7.90; P = 0.490). There was a significant association between hypothyroidism and the risk of DR (OR:1.73; 95%CI:1.08–2.77; P = 0.023) and CKD (OR:1.22; 95%CI:1.10–1.36; P Conclusions: These findings indicate that diabetic patients with hypothyroidism have an increased risk of DR and CKD. Additional large-scale prospective studies should be carried out to verify the prognosis of patients with diabetes and hypothyroidism.</p

Exciton Energy Transfer-Based Quantum Dot Fluorescence Sensing Array: “Chemical Noses” for Discrimination of Different Nucleobases

A novel exciton energy transfer-based fluorescence sensing array for the discrimination of different nucleobases was developed through target nucleobase-triggered self-assembly of quantum dots (QDs). Four QD nanoprobes with different ligand receptors, including mercaptoethylamine, N-acetyl-l-cysteine, 2-dimethyl-aminethanethiol, and thioglycolic acid, were created to detect and identify nucleobase targets. These QDs served as both selective recognition scaffolds and signal transduction elements for a biomolecule target. The extent of particle assembly, induced by the analyte-triggered self-assembly of QDs, led to an exciton energy transfer effect between interparticles that gave a readily detectable fluorescence quenching and distinct fluorescence response patterns. These patterns are characteristic for each nucleobase and can be quantitatively differentiated by linear discriminate analysis. Furthermore, a fingerprint-based barcode was established to conveniently discriminate the nucleobases. This pattern sensing was successfully used to identify nucleobase samples at unknown concentrations and five rare bases. In this “chemical noses” strategy, the robust characteristics of QD nanoprobes, coupled with the diversity of surface functionality that can be readily obtained using nanoparticles, provides a simple and label-free biosensing approach that shows great promise for biomedical applications

Relative levels of expression of <i>JcAP2/ERF</i> genes, divided into different subgroups.

<p>Relative expression level of each <i>JcAP2/ERF</i> gene in roots (R) and stem cortex (St) and leaves (L) (sampled from six- to ten- leaf physic nut plants) is the average value from 6 biological repeats of digital expression profile tag analysis [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0150879#pone.0150879.ref044" target="_blank">44</a>]. Relative expression level of each <i>JcAP2/ERF</i> gene in seeds is the average value of 3 points of early development stage (S1) and 4 points of filling and maturation stage (S2) [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0150879#pone.0150879.ref055" target="_blank">55</a>]. SG, subgroup; NA, not available.</p

Salt stress tolerance tests on <i>JcERF011</i> overexpressing rice lines.

(A), Two-week-old transgenic rice seedlings. (B), Relative levels of JcERF011 transcript in different transgenic rice lines (Oe1, Oe2 and Oe3) determined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. (C), Salt stress tolerance tests on JcERF011 overexpressing rice lines. Two days after germination, the germinated seeds (shoots were about 5 mm in length) were transferred to absorbent cotton infiltrated with Yoshida’s culture solution containing 0 mM (CK), 150 mM, or 200 mM NaCl in glass bottles. Seedlings were sampled after 5 days of growth. (D), Relative electrolyte leakage from leaves. The experiment included 3 biological replicates. Values represent means of n = 15 ± SD (Duncan test: **, P < 0.01). (E), Relative expression levels of salt stress-responsive genes. The black column and grey column represent normal (Yoshida’s culture solution) and salinity stress (containing 150 mM NaCl) conditions, respectively. The experiment included 3 biological replicates, each with two technical replicates. Values represent means of n = 6 ± SD (Duncan test: *, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01).</p