Electric Field Generated at the Millisecond Pulse-Polarized Interface Facilitates the Electrolytic Conversion of SO2 into H2S.

Interfacial electric field holds significant importance in determining both the polar molecular configuration and surface coverage during electrocatalysis. This study introduces a methodology leveraging the varying electric dipole moment of SO2 under distinct interfacial electric field strengths to enhance the selectivity of the SO2 electroreduction process. This approach presented the first attempt to utilize pulsed voltage application to the Au/PTFE membrane electrode for the control of the molecular configuration and coverage of SO2 on the electrode surface. Remarkably, the modulation of pulse duration resulted in a substantial inhibition of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) (FEH2 < 3%) under millisecond pulse conditions (ta = 10 ms, tc = 300 ms, Ea = -0.8 V (vs Hg/Hg2SO4), Ec = -1.8 V (vs Hg/Hg2SO4)), concomitant with a noteworthy enhancement in H2S selectivity (FEH2S > 97%). A comprehensive analysis, incorporating in situ Raman spectroscopy, electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance, COMSOL simulations, and DFT calculations, corroborated the increased selectivity of H2S products was primarily associated with the inherently large dipole moment of the SO2 molecule. The enhancement of the interfacial electric field induced by millisecond pulses was instrumental in amplifying SO2 coverage, activating SO2, facilitating the formation of the pivotal intermediate product *SOH, and effectively reducing the reaction energy barrier in the SO2 reduction process. These findings provide novel insights into the influences of ion and molecular transport dynamics, as well as the temporal intricacies of competitive pathways during the SO2 electroreduction process. Moreover, it underscores the intrinsic correlation between the electric dipole moment and surface-molecule interaction of the catalyst.

Complete chloroplast genome and comparison of herbicides toxicity on Aeschynomene indica (Leguminosae) in upland direct-seeding paddy field.

BACKGROUND: Indian jointvetch (Aeschynomene indica) is a common and pernicious weed found in the upland direct-seeding rice fields in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River in China. However, there are few reports on the degree of harm, genetic characteristics, and management methods of this weed. The purpose of this study is to clarify the harm of Indian jointvetch to upland direct-seeding rice, analyze the genetic characteristics of this weed based on chloroplast genomics and identify its related species, and screen herbicides that are effective in managing this weed in upland direct-seeding rice fields. RESULTS: In a field investigation in upland direct-seeding rice paddies in Shanghai and Jiangsu, we determined that the plant height and maximum lateral distance of Indian jointvetch reached approximately 134.2 cm and 57.9 cm, respectively. With Indian jointvetch present at a density of 4/m2 and 8/m2, the yield of rice decreased by approximately 50% and 70%, respectively. We further obtained the first assembly of the complete chloroplast (cp.) genome sequence of Indian jointvetch (163,613 bp). There were 161 simple sequence repeats, 166 long repeats, and 83 protein-encoding genes. The phylogenetic tree and inverted repeat region expansion and contraction analysis based on cp. genomes demonstrated that species with closer affinity to A. indica included Glycine soja, Glycine max, and Sesbania cannabina. Moreover, a total of 3281, 3840, and 3838 single nucleotide polymorphisms were detected in the coding sequence regions of the cp. genomes of S. cannabina voucher IBSC, G. soja, and G. max compared with the A. indica sequence, respectively. A greenhouse pot experiment indicated that two pre-emergence herbicides, saflufenacil and oxyfluorfen, and two post-emergence herbicides, florpyrauxifen-benzyl and penoxsulam, can more effectively manage Indian jointvetch than other common herbicides in paddy fields. The combination of these two types of herbicides is recommended for managing Indian jointvetch throughout the entire growth period of upland direct-seeding rice. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides molecular resources for future research focusing on the identification of the infrageneric taxa, phylogenetic resolution, and biodiversity of Leguminosae plants, along with recommendations for reliable management methods to control Indian jointvetch.

Nafion-Mediated Proton Transfer Facilitates the Electroreduction of SO2 to H2S.

The electrocatalytic reduction of SO2 to produce H2S is a critical approach for achieving the efficient utilization of sulfur resources. At the core of this approach for commercial applications lies the imperative need to elevate current density. However, the challenges posed by high current density manifest in the rapid depletion of protons, leading to a decrease in SO2 partial pressure, consequently hampering the generation and separation of H2S. Here, we demonstrate an effective solution to alleviate the problem of insufficient supply of protons by employing Nafion polymer as the proton conductor to modified Cu catalysts surface, creating a proton-enriched layer to boost H2S generation. It was observed that Nafion shortens the hydrogen bonds with water molecules in the electrolyte via its sulfonic acid groups, benefiting the proton transfer and consequently increasing the proton density on the electrode surface by 5-fold. With the Nafion-modified catalyst, the H2S partial current density and separation efficiency reached 205.9 mA·cm-2 (1.01 mmol·cm-2·h-1) and 87.8%, which were 1.34 and 1.22 times that on unmodified Cu, respectively. This work highlights the practicality of fabricating a proton conductor via ionic polymer for the control over product selectivity in pH-sensitive reactions under high current density.

Study on nondrug intervention of 7 days of balneotherapy combined with various sleep-promoting measures on people with sleep disorders: preliminary and pilot study.

To preliminarily explore a nondrug intervention method and evaluate its effects (sleep quality, physical examination indicators, and general physical symptoms) on people with sleep disorders. The intervention was based on regular balneotherapy, coupled with targeted health education, appropriate exercise, diet management, and other sleep-promoting measures. It was the combined effects that we evaluated. We recruited 31 volunteers with sleep disorders to receive a 7-day sleep-promoting experience in Tianxing International Hot Spring City, Nanchuan District, Chongqing. The intervention adopted a plan that combined balneotherapy with various sleep-promoting measures. Persisting baths in hot springs 1-2 times per day targeted health lectures about 1 h every morning, appropriate exercise every day (sleep-aid yoga, forest hiking, morning exercises, etc.), and diet management (the principle is to control oil, salt, and sugar, diversify food, keep meat and vegetable balanced, and control total calories. The dinner is light and easy to digest). During the intervention period, all participants followed the above intervention plan, and they lived in the spa resort to accept unified arrangement. This study adopted a self-contrast method by comparing the changes in sleep quality, physical examination indicators, and general physical symptoms before and after the intervention through physical examinations and questionnaire surveys. After the intervention, the subjects' total score of Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) decreased significantly (P = 0.006), and all seven dimensions showed a decrease, four of which included early morning awakening, sleep dissatisfaction, noticeability of sleep problems by others, and distress caused by sleep problems decreased significantly (all P < 0.05). The subjects' body mass index, waist circumference, fasting blood glucose, and triglycerides decreased significantly (all P < 0.05), and systolic blood pressure increased significantly (P = 0.006). Total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, and diastolic blood pressure did not change significantly (all P > 0.05). To some extent, all general health problems were improved than before the intervention (the improvement rate was up to 70% or more). The non-pharmacological intervention of balneotherapy combined with various sleep-promoting measures showed positive effects on sleep quality, general physical symptoms, and some physical examination indicators of sleep disorders. This comprehensive intervention may be an effective way to improve people's health with sleep disorders.

Strongly enhanced luminescence of Sr4Al14O25:Mn4+ phosphor by co-doping B3+ and Na+ ions with red emission for plant growth LEDs.

Development of a more cost-effective radiation source for use in plant-growing facilities would be of significant benefit for commercial crop production applications. A series of co-doped B3+ and Na+ ions Sr4Al14O25:Mn4+ inorganic luminescence materials which can be used for plant growth were successfully synthesized through a conventional high-temperature solid-state reaction. Powder X-ray diffraction was used to confirm the crystal structure and phase purity of the obtained samples. Then scanning electron microscopy elemental mapping was undertaken to characterize the distribution of the doped ions. Detail investigations on the photoluminescence emission and excitation spectra revealed that emission intensity of tetravalent manganese ions can be well enhanced by monovalent sodium ions and trivalent boron ions under near-ultraviolet and blue excitation. Additionally, crystal field parameters and energies of states are calculated and discussed in detail. Particularly we achieve a photoluminescence internal quantum yield as high as 60.8% under 450 nm blue light excitation for Sr4Al14O25:Mn4+, Na+, B3+. Therefore, satisfactory luminescence properties make these phosphors available to LEDs for plant growth.

M8MgSc(PO4)7:xDy3+ (M = Ca/Sr) Single-Phase Full-Color Phosphor with High Thermal Emission Stability.

Two series of phosphors of Ca8MgSc(PO4)7:Dy3+ and Sr8MgSc(PO4)7:Dy3+ single-phase white-emitting phosphors with high thermal emission stability are synthesized by the high-temperature solid-state reaction. The crystal structure, photoluminescence (PL), PL excitation (PLE), and thermal PL quenching spectra of Ca8MgSc(PO4)7:xDy3+ and Sr8MgSc(PO4)7:xDy3+ were investigated and compared in detail. Upon excitation at 387 nm, M8MgSc(PO4)7:xDy3+ (M = Ca/Sr) showed white emission centered at 480, 571, 660, and 754 nm. The white-emitting Dy-phosphor Ca8MgSc(PO4)7:Dy3+ (CMSP:Dy) had good terminal stability. The emission intensity of Ca8MgSc(PO4)7:Dy3+ still remained 95.2% of that at room temperature at 160 °C, and remained 77.3% at 300 °C under 387 nm excitation.

Enhanced Luminescence Performances of Tunable Lu3-xYxAl5O12:Mn4+ Red Phosphor by Ions of Rn+ (Li+, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Sr2+, Sc3+).

A novel red-emitting Lu3Al5O12:Mn4+ (LuAG:Mn4+) phosphor was synthesized by a solid-state reaction. The emission-band position is shifted to red region by gradually increasing the amount of substitution of Lu3+ for Y3+, eventually yielding fully Y3Al5O12:Mn4+ (YAG:Mn4+). The compared structural and optical properties of the phosphors were investigated. From the experimentally measured spectroscopic data, crystal field parameter Dq and Racah parameters B and C are calculated to be 2127, 1464, and 3620 cm-1 in LuAG:Mn4+, respectively. In YAG:Mn4+, Dq, B, and C are calculated to be 2082, 1524, and 3740 cm-1, respectively. Impressively, Ca2+/Li+/Mg2+/Sr2+/Sc3+/Na+ dopants were found to be beneficial for enhancing Mn4+ luminescence, and the related mechanisms were systematically discussed.

Longitudinally diode-pumped planar waveguide YAG/Yb:LuAG/YAG ceramic laser at 1030.7 nm.

Composite YAG/15 at. % Yb:LuAG/YAG transparent ceramic planar waveguide was fabricated by a tape casting method and vacuum sintering technology. Under a 970 nm diode laser pumping, the absorbed efficiency of 85.4% was achieved, and efficient CW laser operation at 1030.7 nm was accomplished with a good beam quality with Gaussian spatial profile. A maximum output power of 288 mW was obtained under a pump power of 4.69 W, corresponding to a slope efficiency of 9% and an O-O conversion efficiency of 5%.