Article
Microbiology
Tufail Bashir, Rowan D. Brackston, Christopher Waite, Ioly Kotta-Loizou, Matthew R. Carey, Christoph Engl, Martin Buck, Jorg Schumacher
Summary: This study investigates the molecular origins of phenotypic heterogeneity in clonal bacterial batch cultures under extreme low-nitrogen stress. The researchers found high heterogeneity of nifHDK gene expression, which codes for the structural genes of nitrogenase, in the model diazotroph Klebsiella oxytoca. Through analysis and experiments, they identified the likely molecular origins of this heterogeneity and discovered the significant effect of the regulatory gene ginK on nifHDK variance. This understanding can inform biotechnology strategies and potentially have implications for nitrogen fixation in natural soil environments.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Guojun Dong, Xiaojuan Huang, Yingpu Bi
Summary: In this study, surface anchoring of black phosphorus quantum dots (BPQDs) and bulk iron-doping in W18O49 nanowires were shown to significantly enhance the photocatalytic activity for N2 fixation into NH3. The reducing ability of photo-generated electrons was enhanced by Fe-doping, while the N2 adsorption/activation was facilitated by surface BPQD anchoring. The synergistic effect of these two approaches remarkably improved the photocatalytic activity of W18O49 nanowires for NH3 production.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Raul Huertas, Ivone Torres-Jerez, Shaun J. Curtin, Wolf Scheible, Michael Udvardi
Summary: Three PHO2-like genes in Medicago truncatula were characterized for their potential roles in phosphorus and nitrogen metabolism balance and symbiotic nitrogen fixation. Among them, MtPHO2B may play a key role in the balance of phosphorus and nitrogen, while MtPHO2C has limited regulatory effects on phosphorus metabolism. Genetic analysis also revealed a connection between phosphorus allocation, plant growth, and symbiotic nitrogen fixation performance. In conclusion, MtPHO2 genes play important roles in both systemic and localized (nodules) phosphorus metabolism.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Prisca Divra Johan, Osumanu Haruna Ahmed, Latifah Omar, Nur Aainaa Hasbullah
Summary: The study investigated the effects of adding charcoal and sago bark ash on soil pH buffering capacity and P leaching. It found that these additives can enhance soil pH buffering capacity, reduce P leaching, mitigate soil acidity and aluminum toxicity. Further research is recommended to validate these findings in a field trial.
Article
Plant Sciences
Yubo Yao, Hongmei Yuan, Guangwen Wu, Chunmei Ma, Zhenping Gong
Summary: This study investigated the effect of phosphorus on soybean nodule nitrogen fixation. It was found that phosphorus stress induced structural changes in ribosomal proteins, altered protein synthesis profiles, and up-regulated expression of peroxidase. Phosphorus transporter and purple acid phosphatase were also up-regulated to maintain phosphorus balance and nitrogen fixation function in phosphorus-stressed root nodules.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Hongyu Li, Lihong Wang, Zuowei Zhang, Aizheng Yang, Deping Liu
Summary: This study investigated the effects of phosphorus on nodule nitrogen fixation and nitrogen accumulation in soybeans under sand culture conditions. The results showed that different growth stages of soybean nodules have different requirements for phosphorus supply levels, and the nitrogen supply in different parts of soybean also varies with different growth periods and phosphorus supply concentrations.
Article
Cell Biology
Akash Tariq, Jordi Sardans, Josep Penuelas, Zhihao Zhang, Corina Graciano, Fanjiang Zeng, Olusanya Abiodun Olatunji, Abd Ullah, Kaiwen Pan
Summary: Efficient use of soil resources, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, can enhance plant resistance and resilience against drought in arid and semi-arid lands. Intercropping legume and non-legumes can improve phosphorus mineralization uptake and plant nutrient status. However, it is still unclear how intercropping systems using desert plant species impact soil-plant phosphorus fractions and their effects on nitrogen and water uptake capacity. This study investigated the impact of intercropping Alhagi sparsifolia and Karelinia caspia on soil-plant phosphorus fractions and soil-plant nutrients. The results suggested that intercropping improved microbe nitrogen-use efficiency, but had limited effects on phosphorus-use efficiency.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wenwen Kong, Jia Kong, Jiao Ma, Honghong Lyu, Shuo Feng, Zhuozhi Wang, Peng Yuan, Boxiong Shen
Summary: Chlorella vulgaris shows promising potential in achieving biomass production, CO2 fixation, nutrients removal, and protein production under different CO2 gas and wastewater conditions. Results indicate that the addition of CO2 and ammonium can stimulate growth and enhance nutrient utilization efficiency in C. vulgaris.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Soil Science
Yuxiao Zhang, Qing Xu, Gejiao Wang, Kaixiang Shi
Summary: This study found that non-nodulating microbes positively affected rhizobium nodulation in soybeans. By increasing the levels of flavonoids, indoleacetic acid (IAA), salicylic acid (SA), and taurine in the rhizosphere soil, the non-nodulating microbes enhanced nitrogenase activity, nodule production, and chlorophyll content in soybeans, thus promoting nitrogen fixation.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Peter M. Vitousek, Jesse Bloom Bateman, Oliver A. Chadwick
Summary: The study used a simple toy model to evaluate the controls of biogeochemical patterns along a climate gradient, showing that water is the most important factor shaping these patterns, with nitrogen and phosphorus also playing important roles. The model simulated peaks in delta N-15 and total P in surface soil at intermediate levels of precipitation and water balance on the gradient.
Review
Plant Sciences
Yanlin Ma, Rujin Chen
Summary: Nitrogen and phosphorus are essential mineral elements for plant growth and development, particularly in the symbiotic N fixation of legumes. Plants have evolved complex signaling networks to respond to phosphates and nitrates, optimizing symbiotic N fixation. Research in model organisms has provided insight into the signaling and transport processes of N and P during symbiosis.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Faqih Shuhaili, Mariona Segura-Noguera, Sivasudha Mathumathy, Rashmi Vijayaraghavan, Sivasudha Thilagar, Uma Lakshmanan, Dharmar Prabaharan, Seetharaman Vaidyanathan
Summary: This study systematically examined the nitrate and phosphate uptake response of two halotolerant strains of Chlorella vulgaris under different carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus supply regimes. It was found that changes in carbon supply significantly influenced the uptake of nitrogen and phosphorus by the two strains. This investigation provides clear evidence for the role of supply regimes in nutrient uptake management in microalgae, as well as the significance of carbon supply in nitrogen and phosphorus uptake.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shailesh Nair, Zenghu Zhang, Hongmei Li, Hanshuang Zhao, Hui Shen, Shuh-Ji Kao, Nianzhi Jiao, Yongyu Zhang
Summary: Mutualism between Synechococcus and heterotrophic bacteria can support their survival in nutrient-depleted conditions. However, exogenous nutrients can disrupt their established mutualism. Once the exogenous nutrients are exhausted, the mutualism and the health of Synechococcus can gradually be reestablished, with nitrogen fixation by associated bacteria playing a crucial role in this process.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Karolina Stojowska-Swedrzynska, Adrianna Lupkowska, Dorota Kuczynska-Wisnik, Ewa Laskowska
Summary: Klebsiella pneumoniae is a common pathogen responsible for various infections, and its multidrug resistance has been recognized as a significant public health threat. Heteroresistance, a frequent phenotype in pathogens, may be associated with an increased risk of recurrent infections and treatment failure in K. pneumoniae.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Hongyu Li, Xiangxiang Wang, Quanxi Liang, Xiaochen Lyu, Sha Li, Zhenping Gong, Shoukun Dong, Chao Yan, Chunmei Ma
Summary: This study demonstrated that increasing phosphorus supply significantly enhanced nodulation, nitrogenase activity, ureide content, number of bacteroids, number of infected cells, and relative expression of key nitrogen fixation genes in soybean root nodules. The results indicate that phosphorus supply systematically regulates nodulation and nitrogen fixation in soybeans.
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Xiaobo Ma, Shengnan Zhang, Jianqing Feng, Chengshan Li, Botao Shao, Jianfeng Li
Summary: Mono-filament Bi-2223/Ag and Bi-2223/AgAu tapes were fabricated using the power-in tube technique. The formation temperature and content of Bi-2223 phase in the tapes were analyzed. The growth process of Bi-2223 grains during the sintering process was quantitatively studied, and it was found that the growth rate in the length direction was higher than in the thickness direction. The results provided important insights for understanding the growth of Bi-2223 phase and improving the current-carrying property of the tapes.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE-MATERIALS IN ELECTRONICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Sheng Lin, Jun-Bo Ma, Jiang-Jian Fu, Lan Sun, Hua Zhang, Jun Cheng, Jian-Feng Li
Summary: Photoelectrochemical nitrogen fixation technology offers a mild approach to produce ammonia, but the effectiveness is limited by the strength of N2 bond and its ionic potential. In this study, a Vo-TiO2/Ag/TiO2 photoelectrode was designed and demonstrated to enhance the PEC reduction of N2 into ammonia. The combination of TiO2 nanorods, Ag nanoparticles, and Vo-TiO2 nanosheets facilitated the separation of photogenerated carriers and enabled the injection of electrons into the conduction band of Vo-TiO2. The catalyst achieved a high NH3 production rate of 51.2 μg h-1 cm-2 and exhibited excellent stability. The LSPR effect and heterojunction structure contributed to the improved PEC performance of TiO2 nanorod arrays.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Huaizhou Jin, Jing-Yu Wang, Xia-Guang Zhang, Weiyi Lin, Weiwei Cai, Yue-Jiao Zhang, Zhi-Lin Yang, Fan-Li Zhang, Jian-Feng Li
Summary: The manipulation of excitons' transition from emitter to the graphene surface was achieved using plasmonic engineering nanostructures, resulting in large enhancements for photon emission on the graphene surface.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jing Liu, Han-Liang Zhong, Xiangyu Li, Mu-Fei Yue, Wei-Min Yang, Xueqiu You, Jing-Hua Tian, Yao-Hui Wang, Jian-Feng Li
Summary: The composition and evolution of interfacial species play a crucial role in electrocatalytic processes. In situ characterization of the structural evolution and intermediates can provide valuable insights into the electrocatalytic reaction mechanism and facilitate the development of highly efficient catalysts. However, directly probing the interfacial species is challenging due to the complexity of the interfacial environment and low surface concentration. In this study, electrochemical core-shell nanoparticle enhanced Raman spectroscopy is used to investigate the composition and evolution processes of interfacial species on Au@Pt, Au@Co, and Au@PtCo core-shell nanoparticle surfaces. In situ Raman spectroscopy directly captures spectral evidence of interfacial intermediates, such as hydroxide radicals (OH*), superoxide ions (O-2(-)), and metal oxide species, which are further confirmed through isotopic experiments and density functional theory calculations. These findings provide a mechanistic guideline for the rational design of highly efficient electrocatalysts.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xin-Tao Yang, Ting-Yi Huang, Yao-Hui Wang, Jin-Chao Dong, Qiu-Long Wei, Hua Zhang, Xiu-Mei Lin, Jian-Feng Li
Summary: By manipulating the particle sizes of the inner TMO core and the features of outer carbon coating, the Na+ storage performance of TMOs can be significantly improved.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xia-Guang Zhang, Yu Zhao, Si Chen, Shu-Ming Xing, Jin-Chao Dong, Jian-Feng Li
Summary: In this study, theoretical calculations were used to investigate the reaction mechanism of CO2 reduction to CO with different electrolytes on the Cu(111) surface. It was found that the charge transfer is from the metal electrode to CO2, and the hydrogen bond interaction between the electrolytes and CO2 plays a crucial role in stabilizing the CO2 structure and reducing the formation energy of *COOH. Additionally, the characteristic vibration frequency of intermediates in different electrolyte solutions indicates that H2O is a component of HCO3-, promoting CO2 adsorption and reduction. These results provide essential insights into the role of electrolyte solutions in interface electrochemistry reactions and the catalysis process at the molecular level.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Han-Liang Zhong, Huajie Ze, Xia-Guang Zhang, Hua Zhang, Jin-Chao Dong, Tao Shen, Yue-Jiao Zhang, Jian-Jun Sun, Jian-Feng Li
Summary: The surface/interface electronic structure of metal catalysts plays a decisive role in electrocatalytic reactions. In this study, the reaction processes and intermediates of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) on PtCoSn ternary nanoalloys were explored using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The SERS evidence showed that alloying with Co and Sn can tailor the electronic structure of Pt, leading to a weaker energy state of *OOH configuration on the surface.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Di-Ye Wei, a Guan-Nan Xing, a Heng-Quan Chen, Xiao-Qun Xie, Hui-Mei Huang, Jin-Chao Dong, Jing-Hua Tian, Hua Zhang, Jian-Feng Li
Summary: Under alkaline conditions, Au@Pd core-shell nanowires demonstrate outstanding electrocatalytic performance, with significantly higher mass activity and stability compared to commercial Pd/C.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Physical
Anastassia N. Alexandrova, Julie S. Biteen, Sonia Coriani, Franz M. Geiger, Andrew A. Gewirth, Gillian R. Goward, Hua Guo, Libai Huang, Jian-Feng Li, Tim Liedl, Stephan Link, Zhi-Pan Liu, Sudipta Maiti, Andrew J. Orr-Ewing, David L. Osborn, Jim Pfaendtner, Benoit Roux, Friederike Schmid, J. R. Schmidt, William F. Schneider, Lyudmila V. Slipchenko, Gemma C. Solomon, Jeroen A. van Bokhoven, Veronique Van Speybroeck, Shen Ye, T. Daniel Crawford, Martin T. Zanni, Gregory V. Hartland, Joan-Emma Shea
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY A
(2023)
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Physical
Anastassia N. Alexandrova, Julie S. Biteen, Sonia Coriani, Franz M. Geiger, Andrew A. Gewirth, Gillian R. Goward, Hua Guo, Libai Huang, Jian-Feng Li, Tim Liedl, Stephan Link, Zhi-Pan Liu, Sudipta Maiti, Andrew J. Orr-Ewing, David L. Osborn, Jim Pfaendtner, Benoit Roux, Friederike Schmid, J. R. Schmidt, William F. Schneider, Lyudmila V. Slipchenko, Gemma C. Solomon, Jeroen A. van Bokhoven, Veronique Van Speybroeck, Shen Ye, T. Daniel Crawford, Martin T. Zanni, Gregory V. Hartland, Joan-Emma Shea
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY B
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yu Gu, Shuai Tang, Jun Yi, Si-Heng Luo, Chao-Yu Li, Guokun Liu, Jiawei Yan, Jian-Feng Li, Bing-Wei Mao, Zhong-Qun Tian
Summary: The physicochemical properties of the solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) at anodes of lithium-based batteries are crucial. Nanostructure-based plasmon-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (PERS) techniques have offered significant opportunities for nondestructive and real-time studies of SEI. This Perspective highlights the recent progress in PERS and discusses its advantages and limitations for characterizing SEI and related interfacial processes.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ruiyuan Zhang, Jingdan Zhang, Hongjun You, Muhammad Usman Amin, Jian-Feng Li, Jixiang Fang
Summary: Researchers developed a nano-driven and confined catalysis strategy using Au nano-bipyramids as catalysts for plasmon-enhanced catalytic reactions. By utilizing an electric field, reactant molecules were driven into hot spots and confined at catalytic active sites. This strategy resulted in significantly higher rate constants for catalytic reduction reactions compared to references.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ge-Yang Xu, Mu-Fei Yue, Zheng-Xin Qian, Zi-Yu Du, Xiao-Qun Xie, Wei-Ping Chen, Yue-Jiao Zhang, Jian-Feng Li
Summary: Constructing metal-support interaction (MSI) is an effective strategy to enhance the electrocatalytic performance of oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The study utilized in situ surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) to provide evidence of reactive intermediates and information on catalysts' structural evolution, revealing the pre-activation of Ir centers and the facilitated formation of superoxide species. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations further demonstrated that the MnO2 substrate optimizes binding energies of intermediates on IrOx, promoting O-O coupling and improving the OER rate.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yue-Jiao Zhang, Huajie Ze, Ping-Ping Fang, Yi-Fan Huang, Andrzej Kudelski, Julia Fernandez-Vidal, Laurence J. Hardwick, Jacek Lipkowski, Zhong-Qun Tian, Jian-Feng Li
Summary: Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a highly sensitive technique for non-destructive detection at the single-molecule level. Shell-isolated nanoparticle-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SHINERS) overcomes the limitations of traditional SERS substrates and morphology, expanding the applications of SERS. This Primer provides an introduction to the origin and enhancement mechanism of SHINERS, and describes the experimental details, including the types and characterization of shell-isolated nanoparticles, experimental instruments, reproducibility, and data analysis. It also highlights recent advances and discusses the limitations and potential optimizations of SHINERS.
NATURE REVIEWS METHODS PRIMERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hui Yu, Zhilan Yang, Shiying Fu, Yuejiao Zhang, Rajapandiyan Panneerselvamc, Baoqiang Li, Lin Zhang, Zehui Chen, Xin Wang, Jianfeng Li
Summary: Based on label-free SERS technology, the relationship between Raman signals of pathogenic Vibrio microorganisms and purine metabolites was analyzed. A deep learning CNN model was developed, achieving 99.7% accuracy in identifying six typical pathogenic Vibrio species within 15 minutes, providing a novel method for pathogen identification.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
