Structural Analysis of ^(23)O Through Single-Neutron Stripping Reaction

We have studied the single-neutron stripping reaction induced by ^23O on carbon target at beam energy of 72 MeV//A with a motive to analyze its ground state structure. The partial stripping cross sections as well as longitudinal momentum distribution of ^22O core have been calculated within the framework of the eikonal approximation approach. Several core-neutron spin coupling configurations, corresponding to J^π= 1/2 ＋ as ground state spin parity of ^23O, along with their suitable admixtures have been considered. The major outcome of the present work is that the s and d admixed configuration with a large contribution of s state seems to explain the longitudinal momentum distribution data more satisfactorily.

Sulphur vacancy defects engineered metal sulfides for amended photo(electro)catalytic water splitting: A review

Vacancy engineering in metal sulfides has garnered enormous attention from researchers because of their outstanding ability to modulate the optical and physiochemical properties of photocatalysts.Typically,in the case of sulfides,the catalytic activity is drastically hindered by the quick reassembly of excitons and the photocorrosion effect.Hence designing and generating S-vacancies in metal sulfides has emerged as a potential strategy for attaining adequate water splitting to generate H_(2) and O_(2) because of the simulta-neous improvement in the optoelectronic features.However,developing efficient catalysts that manifest optimal photo(electro)catalytic performance for large-scale applicability remains challenging.Therefore,it is of utmost interest to explore the insightful features of creating S-vacancy and study their impact on catalytic performance.This review article aims to comprehensively highlight the roles of S-vacancy in sulfides for amended overall water-splitting activity.The photocatalytic features of S-vacancies modulated metal sulfides are deliberated,followed by various advanced synthetic and characterization techniques for effectual generation and identification of vacancy defects.The specific aspects of S-vacancies in refin-ing the optical absorption range charge carrier dynamics,and photoinduced surface chemical reactions are critically examined for overall water splitting applications.Finally,the vouchsafing outlooks and op-portunities confronting the defect-engineered(S-vacancy)metal sulfides-based photocatalysts have been summarized.

Tailoring S-scheme-based carbon nanotubes(CNTs)mediated Ag-CuBi_(2)O_(4)/Bi_(2)S_(3)nanomaterials for photocatalytic dyes degradation in the aqueous system

In this study,S-scheme-based hydrothermal synthesis of Ag-CuBi_(2)O_(4)/CNTs/Bi_(2)S_(3)layered composites has been successfully reported.The photo-degradation of toxic dyes,viz.methyl orange(MO),and methylene blue(MB),has been used to examine nanocomposites with varying weight percent of Bi_(2)S_(3)for photocat-alytic activity in the visible range.Among candidates,Ag-CuBi_(2)O_(4)/CNTs/Bi_(2)S_(3)with a 10%loading of Bi_(2)S_(3)outperformed both pure and hybrid composites in photocatalytic activity.For MO degradation,the hybrid composite with 10%Bi_(2)S_(3)loading degrades 7.04 times higher than pristine CuBi_(2)O_(4)and Bi_(2)S_(3)samples,and for MB degradation,it degrades 4.96 times higher than pristine samples.High surface area,less re-combination rate of photogenerated charge carriers,photogenerated carriers faster separation,and high redox ability of Ag-CuBi_(2)O_(4)/CNTs/Bi_(2)S_(3)(10%)are all attributed to the improving photocatalytic perfor-mance.Even after ten cycles,the hybrid composite is chemically stable and reusable.Carbon nanotubes(CNTs)are a transfer bridge in layered structure for electrons because of their coordinated Fermi level between Ag-CuBi_(2)O_(4)and Bi_(2)S_(3).In addition,the scavenger and electron spin resonance(ESR)experiments verified that·O_(2)^(−),·OH,and h+were the important reactive species that successfully facilitated the pho-tocatalytic degradation process to degrade dyes.This study presents a straightforward and economical approach for obtaining a stable semiconductor-based photocatalytic system and a potential technique for future applications.

Soil Carbon Dynamics Under Changing Climate A Research Transition from Absolute to Relative Roles of Inorganic Nitrogen Pools and Associated Microbial Processes:A Review

It is globally accepted that soil carbon （C） dynamics are at the core of interlinked environmental problems, deteriorating soil quality and changing climate. Its management remains a complex enigma for the scientific community due to its intricate relationship with soil nitrogen （N） availability and moisture-temperature interactions. This article reviews the management aspects of soil C dynamics in light of recent advances, particularly in relation to the availability of inorganic N pools and associated microbial processes under changing climate. Globally, drastic alterations in soil C dynamics under changing land use and management practices have been primarily attributed to the variation in soil N availability, resulting in a higher decomposition rate and a considerable decline in soil organic C （SOC） levels due to increased soil CO2 emissions, degraded soil quality, and increased atmospheric CO2 concentrations, leading to climate warming. Predicted climate warming is proposed to enhance SOC decomposition, which may further increase soil N availability, leading to higher soil CO2 effiux. However, a literature survey revealed that soil may also act as a potential C sink, if we could manage soil inorganic N pools and link microbial processes properly. Studies also indicated that the relative, rather than the absolute, availability of inorganic N pools might be of key importance under changing climate, as these N pools are variably affected by moisture-temperature interactions, and they have variable impacts on SOC turnover. Therefore, multi-factorial studies are required to understand how the relative availability of inorganic N pools and associated microbial processes may determine SOC dynamics for improved soil C management.

Surface defect engineering of metal oxides photocatalyst for energy application and water treatment

Despite metal oxides offer excellent characteristics in the field of photocatalysis,they often suffer from charge carrier recombination as well as limited visible response,which indeed reduce the charge kinetics process and ultimately reduce the photocatalytic output.Defect engineering is a sophisticated technique to manufacture defects and alter the geometric structure and chemical environment of the host.The present study provides an all-inclusive outline of recent developments on the classification of metal oxide defects based on the dimensions of a host crystal lattice.Precisely,surface modification of metal oxides through 0D(point),1D(line),2D(planar),and 3D(volume)defects with their subsequent mechanism and impact on photocatalytic performance are presented.By wisely amending the morphology(cores along with the shells)and electronic structure of metal oxide photocatalysts(TiO_(2),ZnO,Bi_(2)O_(3),Fe_(2)O_(4) etc.)through different attuned and veritable approaches,their photocatalytic activity can be substantially improved.Optimal studies on defect engineering not only expose the altered physicochemical features but also modulate the electron-hole pair dynamics,stability,and active radical production for various photoredox reactions.Altered atomic,as well as electronic configuration,facilitated a photocatalyst material to have different optical features,adsorption properties along with improved carrier transfer as well as isolation rate.Thus,the systematic exploration of photocatalytic rudiments of defect rich metal oxide for various applications such as H_(2) evolution,CO_(2) reduction,pollutant degradation,and bacterial disinfection could bring significant research advancement in this field.

Novel Z-Scheme ZnIn_(2)S_(4)-based photocatalysts for solar-driven environmental and energy applications: Progress and perspectives

Benefiting from strong redox ability,improved charge transport,and enhanced charge separation,Zscheme heterostructures of ZnIn_(2)S_(4) based photocatalysts have received considerable interest to tackle energy needs and environmental issues.The present review highlights the properties of ZnIn_(2)S_(4),which make it a promising photocatalyst,and a suitable combination with oxidation photocatalyst to form Zscheme,leading to improve their photocatalytic properties dramatically.As the central part of this review,various types of Z-scheme heterojunction developed recently based on ZnIn_(2)S_(4) and their application in pollutant degradation,water splitting,CO_(2) reduction,and toxic metals remediation.Some analytical techniques to detect or trap the active radical and study the charge separation and lifetime of charge carriers in these Z-schemes are highlighted.This review offers its readers a broad optical window for the structural architecture of ZnIn_(2)S_(4)-based Z-schemes,photocatalytic activity,stability,and their technological applications.Finally,we discuss the challenges and opportunities for further development on Z-Scheme ZnIn_(2)S_(4)-based photocatalysts toward energy and environmental applications based on the recent progress.

Impact of sole and combined application of biochar,organic and chemical fertilizers on wheat crop yield and water productivity in a dry tropical agro-ecosystem

Agriculture under changing climate scenario is facing major challenges of water scarcity and resource imbalances.Crop water productivity(WP)may act as an indicator of crop responses to water limitation.Organic amendments such as biochar and manure application to soil are suggested for improving soil quality and reducing water requirements from agricultural sector.However,studies exploring the impact of biochar as sole or in combination with organic and/or chemical fertilizers on WP in dry tropical agro-ecosystems are limited.In this study,we observed the effect of rice-husk ash(RHA,biochar)along with farm-yard manure(FYM)and chemical fertilizers(CF)under varying water conditions on soil hydro-physical properties,yield and WP of wheat crop.Water-filled pore space(WFPS),grain and straw yield,irrigation and total water productivity varied significantly(at P<0.001)at treatment level.Grain and straw yield were found higher under sole and combined CF applied treatments.Sole and combined RHA and FYM amendment improved water holding capacity(WHC)and WFPS,whereas a decrease in crop yield was observed as compared to the control.Irrigation and total water productivity were found higher under combined RHA+FYM and sole CF treatments with reduced water supply(except sole CF)as compared to control and sole RHA treatments with full water irrigation.Crop water productivity was found positively correlated with grain and straw yields,however,significant correlations were not observed with WHC and WFPS.Results indicate that increasing soil hydro-physical properties in silty-loam soil may hinder crop yield and WP under sole biochar applied soils.Overall,the implications of the study would help in devising agro-management practices based on combined application of RHA and FYM with reduced chemical fertilizer and water inputs to mitigate the impacts of climate change without compromising crop yield in the highly vulnerable dry tropical agro-ecosystem of India.Moreover,long-term studies are needed in these ecosystems to identify the appropriate agricultural package for mitigating the forthcoming water scarcity conditions.

2020 Roadmap on two-dimensional nanomaterials for environmental catalysis

Environmental catalysis has drawn a great deal ofattention due to its clean ways to produce useful chemicals or carry out some chemical processes.Photocatalysis and electrocatalysis play important roles in these fields.They can decompose and remove organic pollutants from the aqueous environment,and prepare some fine chemicals.Moreover,they also can carry out some important reactions,such as 02 reduction reaction(ORR),O2 evolution reaction(OER),H2 evolution reaction(HER),CO2 reduction reaction(C02 RR),and N2 fixation(NRR).For catalytic reactions,it is the key to develop high-performance catalysts to meet the demand fortargeted reactions.In recentyears,two-dimensional(2 D) materials have attracted great interest in environmental catalysis due to their unique layered structures,which offer us to make use of their electronic and structural characteristics.Great progress has been made so far,including graphene,black phosphorus,oxides,layered double hydroxides(LDHs),chalcogenides,bismuth-based layered compounds,MXenes,metal organic frameworks(MOFs),covalent organic frameworks(COFs),and others.This content drives us to invite many famous groups in these fields to write the roadmap on two-dimensional nanomaterials for environmental catalysis.We hope that this roadmap can give the useful guidance to researchers in future researches,and provide the research directions.

Recent progress in emerging BiPO_(4)-based photocatalysts:Synthesis,properties,modification strategies,and photocatalytic applications

In this perspective,we have highlighted the current literature and explained the synthesis,structure,morphology,modification strategies,and photocatalytic applications of emerging BiPO_(4)-based photocatalysts.Since BiPO_(4)is a large bandgap photocatalyst,it uses UV light for the excitation of electrons,and also,the recombination of charge carriers is an issue in BiPO_(4).Various novel modification strategies of BiPO_(4)photocatalysts viz.defect modifications,heterojunction formation,phase-junctions,surface plasmon resonance,Schottky junction have been successfully proposed and highlighted.These modifications enhance the light absorption and inhibit the recombination of charge carriers BiPO_(4)photocatalyst.Finally,future aspects for further research on BiPO_(4)-based photocatalysts are also explored.It expects that BiPO_(4)-based photocatalysts represent a promising strategy for developing practical photocatalysts for energy and environmental remediation applications.

Adjuvant-attenuated symptom severity of influenza infections in vaccinated children

Background:Young children are at high risk for developing complications of influenza,as well as severe clinical presentation of disease.Vaccination provides direct protection and reduces symptom severity in breakthrough in-fections.We assessed whether adjuvanted trivalent seasonal influenza vaccine is associated with symptom severity in children who developed laboratory-confirmed influenza,as compared to children who received quadrivalent inactivated influenza.Methods:A cluster randomized controlled trial of influenza vaccines in Canadian Hutterite colonies was conducted from the 2016-2017 to the 2018-2019 influenza season.Children were vaccinated with either quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccine(QIV),or the MF59 adjuvanted trivalent influenza vaccine(aTIV).We assessed children who developed PCR-confirmed influenza infection for symptom severity outcomes using multivariable generalized negative binomial regression.Results:Among vaccinated children,49 infections were observed across 1779 person-days.Vaccine formulation(aTIV vs QIV)was not significantly associated with composite symptom outcomes,including total number of symptoms or total duration of symptom presentation(p>0.05 for all outcomes).Receipt of aTIV vaccination was significantly associated with attenuation of fever,with an estimated 74%reduction in fever severity.In influenza A type infections,adjuvanted vaccination was significantly associated with reduced systemic symptoms(incidence rate ratios:0.16,95%confidence intervals:0.03,0.64,p=0.01).No associations were observed between vaccine formulation and symptom severity in influenza B infections.Conclusions:In vaccinated children who develop an influenza infection,vaccine formulation was associated with attenuated fever severity,leading to reduced systemic symptoms.In influenza A infections,adjuvanted vaccination was significantly associated with reduced systemic symptoms.