Electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) provides a promising approach for sustainable chemical fuel production of carbon neutrality. Neutral and alkaline electrolytes are predominantly ...employed in the current electrolysis system, but with striking drawbacks of (bi)carbonate (CO32−/HCO3−) formation and crossover due to the rapid and thermodynamically favourable reaction between hydroxide (OH−) with CO2, resulting in low carbon utilization efficiency and short‐lived catalysis. Very recently, CO2RR in acidic media can effectively address the (bi)carbonate issue; however, the competing hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is more kinetically favourable in acidic electrolytes, which dramatically reduces CO2 conversion efficiency. Thus, it is a big challenge to effectively suppress HER and accelerate acidic CO2RR. In this review, we begin by summarizing the recent progress of acidic CO2 electrolysis, discussing the key factors limiting the application of acidic electrolytes. We then systematically discuss addressing strategies for acidic CO2 electrolysis, including electrolyte microenvironment modulation, alkali cations adjusting, surface/interface functionalization, nanoconfinement structural design, and novel electrolyzer exploitation. Finally, the new challenges and perspectives of acidic CO2 electrolysis are suggested. We believe this timely review can arouse researchers′ attention to CO2 crossover, inspire new insights to solve the “alkalinity problem” and enable CO2RR as a more sustainable technology.
Currently, CO2 electroreduction (CO2RR) mainly adopt alkaline or neutral electrolytes to suppress the hydrogen evolution (HER), but with significant drawback of (bi)carbonate crossover, leading to low carbon utilization efficiency. CO2RR in acidic electrolytes can alleviate the “alkalinity problem”, but the competing HER is more kinetically favourable. Thus, it is a priority to effectively suppress HER and accelerate acidic CO2 electrolysis.
Metal halide perovskites, primarily used as optoelectronic devices, have not been applied for electrochemical conversion due to their insufficient stability in moisture. Herein, two bismuth‐based ...perovskites are introduced as novel electrocatalysts to convert CO2 into HCOOH in aqueous acidic media (pH 2.5), exhibiting a high Faradaic efficiency for HCOOH of >80 % in a wide potential range from −0.75 to −1.25 V. Their structural evolution against water was dynamically monitored by in situ spectra. Theoretical calculations further reveal that the formation of intermediate OCHO* on bismuth sites of Cs3Bi2Br9(111) play a pivotal role toward HCOOH production, which has a lower energy barrier than that on Cs2AgBiBr6(001) surfaces. Significantly, CO2 reacts with protons instead of water which can enhance CO2 reduction rate and suppress hydrogen evolution by avoiding carbonate formation in acidic electrolytes. This work paves the way for the extensive investigation of halide perovskites in aqueous systems.
CO2 reduction: Bismuth‐based perovskites are utilized for CO2RR into formic acid in strong acid for the first time. The ingenious use of acidic electrolyte not only helps to stabilize the perovskite phase, but also enhances CO2 reduction rate, maintains a high OCHO* intermediate coverage and suppresses HER by avoiding the OH− and carbonate formation, addressing the “alkalinity problem” in CO2RR.
The development of morphine tolerance is a clinical challenge for managing severe pain. Studies have shown that neuroinflammation is a critical aspect for the development of analgesic tolerance. We ...found that AMPK-autophagy activation could suppress neuroinflammation and improve morphine tolerance via the upregulation of suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) by inhibiting the processing and maturation of microRNA-30a-5p.
CD-1 mice were utilized for the tail-flick test to evaluate morphine tolerance. The microglial cell line BV-2 was utilized to investigate the mechanism of AMPK-autophagy-mediated posttranscriptional regulation of SOCS3. Proinflammatory cytokines were measured by western blotting and real-time PCR. The levels of SOCS3 and miRNA-processing enzymes were evaluated by western blotting, real-time PCR and immunofluorescence staining.
Based on experimental verification, miRNA-30a-5p could negatively regulate SOCS3. The AMPK activators AICAR, resveratrol and metformin downregulated miRNA-30a-5p. We found that AMPK activators specifically inhibited the processing and maturation of miRNA-30a-5p in microglia by degrading DICER and AGO2 via autophagy. Furthermore, a miRNA-30a-5p inhibitor significantly improved morphine tolerance via upregulation of SCOS3 in mice. It markedly increased the level of SOCS3 in the spinal cord of mice and subsequently inhibited morphine-induced phosphorylation of NF-κB p65. In addition, a miRNA-30a-5p inhibitor decreased the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α caused by morphine in microglia.
AMPK-autophagy activation suppresses neuroinflammation and improves morphine tolerance via the upregulation of SOCS3 by inhibiting miRNA-30a-5p.
The spread of antibiotic resistance has become a major concern for public health. As emerging contaminants, various metallic nanoparticles (NPs) and ionic heavy metals have been ubiquitously detected ...in various environments. Although previous studies have indicated NPs and ionic heavy metals could exhibit co-selection effects for antibiotic resistance, little is known about whether and how they could promote antibiotic resistance spread via horizontal gene transfer across bacterial genera. This study, we report both CuO NPs and copper ions (Cu2+) could stimulate the conjugative transfer of multiple-drug resistance genes. When exposing bacteria to CuO NPs or Cu2+ at environmental-relevant and sub-inhibitory concentrations (e.g., 1–100 μmol/L), conjugation frequencies of plasmid-encoded antibiotic resistance genes across genera (i.e., from Escherichia coli to Pseudomonas putida) were significantly enhanced (p < 0.05). The over-production of reactive oxygen species played a crucial role in promoting conjugative transfer. Genome-wide RNA and protein sequencing suggested expressional levels of genes and proteins related to oxidative stress, cell membrane permeability, and pilus generation were significantly up-regulated under CuO NPs and Cu2+ exposure (p < 0.05). This study provides insights in the contributions of NPs and heavy metals on the spread of antibiotic resistance.
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•Both CuO NPs and Cu2+ facilitated conjugative transfer of antibiotic resistance.•Exposure of CuO NPs or Cu2+ increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production.•The over-production of ROS played a crucial role in promoting conjugative transfer.•Genes and proteins of oxidative stress were up-regulated under exposure of CuO NPs or Cu2+.
Rice husk was fast pyrolysed at temperatures between 420
°C and 540
°C in a fluidized bed, and the main product of bio-oil is obtained. The experimental result shows that the highest bio-oil yield of ...56
wt% was obtained at 465
°C for rice husk. Chemical composition of bio-oil acquired was analyzed by GC–MS and its heat value, stability, miscibility and corrosion characteristics were determined. These results showed that bio-oil obtained can be directly used as a fuel oil for combustion in a boiler or a furnace without any upgrading. Alternatively, the fuel can be refined to be used by vehicles. Furthermore, the energy performance of the pyrolysis process was analyzed.
Cervix, breast and oral cancers account for about one-third of all cancers in India which as a group is a major contributor to all non-communicable disease-related morbidity and mortality among ...women. Existing evidence suggests that early diagnosis plays a pivotal role in the prevention and intervention of these cancers, and many community-based early screening and awareness programs have been in place in developed countries. Currently, there is not enough research evidence regarding the sociodemographic correlates of cervix, breast and oral cancer screening among Indian women. In the present study, we aimed to assess the self-reported percentage and sociodemographic factors associated with the use of these three types of cancer screening services among Indian women aged 15-49 years.
Data were collected from National Family Health Survey conducted during 2015-16. Sample population was 699,686 women aged 15-49 years. Associations between self-reported cervical, breast and oral cancer screening status and the associated sociodemographic factors were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression methods.
The percentage of screening for cervical (21%), breast (8.95%), and oral cancers (13.45%) varied significantly across the population sub-groups. Higher age, urban residence, higher education, having employment, health insurance, use of electronic media, higher household wealth quintile, having healthcare autonomy, showed a positive effect on taking screening services. Further analyses revealed that the strength of the associations varied considerably between urban and rural residents, denoting the need for region-specific intervention strategies. Sex of household head, age, watching TV, using radio, and having health insurance were the most significant contributors to the outcome effects.
The present study provides important insights regarding the current scenario of seeking cancer screening services among women in India. These findings could inform policy analysis and make an avenue for further in-depth analysis for future studies. Our findings conclude that cancer prevention policies should focus on leveraging the positive effects of better socioeconomic status, employment, health insurance ownership, exposure to electronic media, and better healthcare autonomy to improve the cancer screening service uptake among Indian women.
Antibiotic resistance has been recognized as a major threat to public health worldwide. Inactivation of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and degradation of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are ...critical to prevent the spread of antibiotic resistance in the environment. Conventional disinfection processes are effective to inactivate water-borne pathogens, yet they are unable to completely eliminate the antibiotic resistance risk. This study explored the potential of the photo-Fenton process to inactivate ARB, and to degrade both extracellular and intracellular ARGs (e-ARGs and i-ARGs, respectively). Using Escherichia coli DH5α with two plasmid-encoded ARGs (tetA and blaTEM-1) as a model ARB, a 6.17 log ARB removal was achieved within 30 min of applying photo-Fenton under visible LED and neutral pH conditions. In addition, no ARB regrowth occurred after 48-h, demonstrating that this process is very effective to induce permanent disinfection on ARB. The photo-Fenton process was validated under various water matrices, including ultrapure water (UPW), simulated wastewater (SWW) and phosphate buffer (PBS). The higher inactivation efficiency was observed in SWW as compared to other matrices. The photo-Fenton process also caused a 6.75 to 8.56-log reduction in eARGs based on quantitative real-time PCR of both short- and long amplicons. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) further confirmed that the extracellular DNA was sheared into short DNA fragments, thus eliminating the risk of the transmission of antibiotic resistance. As compared with e-ARGs, a higher dosage of Fenton reagent was required to damage i-ARGs. In addition, the tetA gene was more easily degraded than the blaTEM-1 gene. Collectively, our results demonstrate the photo-Fenton process is a promising technology for disinfecting water to prevent the spread of antibiotic resistance.
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•Inactivation of ARB, e-ARGs and i-ARGs by photo-Fenton were determined.•6-log of ARB and 6.7 to 8.6-log of eARGs removal were achieved within 30 min.•Iron complexing agents reduce the consumption of H2O2 in photo-Fenton process.•Degradation of ARGs occurred much more slowly than ARB inactivation.•Higher dosage of Fenton reagents were required to damage iARGs compared to eARGs.
The design of a novel partially reflective surface (PRS) antenna with the capability of beam steering is presented in this paper. The beam steering is realized by employing a reconfigurable PRS ...structure to achieve a changeable reflection phase as well as using a phased array as the source to excite the PRS antenna. A prototype antenna including the biasing network is fabricated and measured. It achieves a consistent beam steering from - 15° to 15° with respect to the broadside direction across an overlapped frequency range from 5.5 to 5.7 GHz with measured realized gains over 12 dBi. Good agreement between the simulated and measured results for the input reflection coefficients and radiation patterns is achieved, which validates the feasibility of the design principle. Compared with other beam steering PRS antennas, the proposed one enables a larger beam steering angle with comparable gains, requires a simpler biasing network, and is more compact.
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•The CO oxidation catalyzed by various CuO-CeO2 interfacial sites involves a typical Mars-van Krevelen mechanism.•The CuO-CeO2 interfaces in the CeO2-CuO/c-Cu2O (cubes) nanocomposites ...are more intrinsically active at CeO2 loadings no less than 0.75 wt%.•The higher activity is relevant to lower coordinated oxygen ions and thus better CO reactivity for the CeO2-CuO/c-Cu2O nanocomposites.•The active oxygen species on CuO-CeO2 interface in catalyzing CO oxidation should come from CuO rather than CeO2.•A highly active 13.2 %CeO2-CuO/c-Cu2O(s) (small) catalyst with high density of active sites for CO oxidation is realized on fine Cu2O cubes.
Several CeO2-CuO/Cu2O nanocomposites with different CuO structures were used to identify the structure sensitivity of CuO in the CeO2-CuO/Cu2O catalyzed CO oxidation. The CO oxidation catalyzed by various CuO-CeO2 interfacial sites involves a typical Mars-van Krevelen mechanism, in which the CuO-CeO2 interfaces in the CeO2-CuO/c-Cu2O (cubes) nanocomposites are more intrinsically active, exhibiting ca. 15 kJ mol−1 lower activation energy than those in the CeO2-CuO/o-Cu2O (octahedra) and CeO2-CuO/d-Cu2O (rhombic dodecahedra) nanocomposites at CeO2 loadings no less than 0.75 wt%. The higher activity is relevant to lower coordinated oxygen ions on CuO/c-Cu2O surface and thus better CO reactivity for the CeO2-CuO/c-Cu2O nanocomposites, which therefore indicates that the active oxygen species on CuO-CeO2 interface should come from CuO rather than CeO2. Moreover, a highly active 13.2 %CeO2-CuO/c-Cu2O(s) catalyst for CO oxidation is realized on fine Cu2O cubes, which thus has high density of active sites.
Antibiotic resistance is a severe global threat for public health, causing around 700,000 deaths per year. Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is one of the most significant pathways to disseminate ...antibiotic resistance. It is commonly acknowledged that sub-minimum inhibition concentrations of antibiotics are major contributors in promoting antibiotic resistance through HGT. Pharmaceuticals are occurring in our environments at increased levels, yet little is known whether non-antibiotic pharmaceuticals cause or accelerate the dissemination of antibiotic resistance. Here, we report for the first time that the antiepileptic drug, carbamazepine, promotes conjugative transfer of antibiotic resistance genes. It was seen that environmentally relevant concentrations of carbamazepine (e.g., 0.05 mg/L) significantly enhanced the conjugative transfer of multiresistance genes carried by plasmid within and across bacterial genera. The underlying mechanisms of the enhanced HGT were revealed by detecting oxidative stress and cell membrane permeability, in combination with MinION DNA sequencing, genome-wide RNA sequencing, and proteomic analysis. Carbamazepine induced a series of acute responses, including increased levels of reactive oxygen species, the SOS response; increased cell membrane permeability, and pilus generation. Expressional levels of genes related to these processes were significantly upregulated during carbamazepine exposure. Given that HGT occurs widely among different species in various environments, these findings are an early warning for a wide assessment of the roles of non-antibiotic pharmaceuticals in the spread of antibiotic resistance.
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