Predicting the Degradability of Bioceramics through a DFT-based Descriptor

Bioceramics have attracted extensive attention for bone defect repair due to their excellent bioactivity and degradability.However,challenges remain in matching the rate between bioceramic degradation and new bone formation,necessitating a deeper understanding of their degradation properties.In this study,density functional theory(DFT)calculations was employed to explore the structural and electronic characteristics of silicate bioceramics.These findings reveal a linear correlation between the maximum isosurface value of the valence band maximum(VBM_(Fmax))and the degradability of silicate bioceramics.This correlation was subsequently validated through degradation experiments.Furthermore,the investigation on phosphate bioceramics demonstrates the potential of this descriptor in predicting the degradability of a broader range of bioceramics.This discovery offers valuable insights into the degradation mechanism of bioceramics and holds promise for accelerating the design and development of bioceramics with controllable degradation.

Removal of kathon by UV-C activated hydrogen peroxide:Kinetics,mechanisms,and enhanced biodegradability assessment

Kathon(CMI-MI),a mixture of 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one(CMI)and 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one(MI),was extensively used in industry as a nonoxidizing biocide or disinfectant.However,it would show adverse effects on aquatic life when it is discharged into surface water.In this study,the removal performance,parameter influence,degradation products and enhancement of subsequent biodegradation of CMI-MI in UV/H_(2)O_(2)system were systematically investigated.The degradation rate of CMI-MI could reach 90%under UV irradiation for 20 min when the dosage of H_(2)O_(2)was 0.3 mmol·L^(–1).The DOC(dissolved organic carbon)mineralization rate of CMI-MI could reach 35%under certain conditions([H_(2)O_(2)]=0.3 mmol·L^(–1),UV irradiation for 40 min).kobs was inversely proportional to the concentration of CMI-MI and proportional to the concentration of H_(2)O_(2).The degradation rate of CMIMI was almost unchanged in the pH range from 4 to 10.Except the presence of CO_(3)^(2-)inhibited the removal rate of CMI-MI,SO_(4)^(2-),Cl^(-),NO_(3)^(-),and NH_(4)^(+) did not interfere with the degradation of CMI-MI in the system.It was found that UV/H_(2)O_(2)system had lower energy consumption and more economic advantage compared with UV/PS system by comparing the EEO(electric energy per order)values under the same conditions.Two main organic products were identified,namely HCOOH and CH_(3)NH_(2).There’s also the formation of Cl^(-)and SO_(4)^(2-).After UV and UV/H_(2)O_(2)photolysis,the biochemical properties of CMI-MI solution were obviously improved,especially the UV/H_(2)O_(2)treatment effect was better,indicating that UV/H_(2)O_(2)technology is expected to combine with biotechnology to remove CMI-MI effectively and environmentally friendly from wastewater.

Effect of a bacterial inoculum and additive on dry matter in situ degradability of sugarcane silage

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of adding a bacterial inoculum and a handmade additive to sugarcane silage（SCS） on the in situ digestibility of dry matter（DM）. The treatments were： T1） sugarcane silage（SCS） and T2） sugarcane silage with 1% inoculum and 1% additive（SCS＋）. The bacterial inoculum consisted of 10.0% molasses, 1.0% yogurt, 5.0% chicken manure, 0.5% urea, and 83.0% water, and the additive was formulated with 1.0% urea, 0.1% ammonium sulfate, and 0.25% phosphorus. In situ dry matter digestibility（DMD） was determined using the nylon bag technique with four cows equipped with ruminal fistulas. Cows were fed with ensiled sugarcane supplemented with 1 kg of commercial concentrate. 5 g of ground sample for each sugarcane treatment were weighted in nylon bags and incubated for 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h in a completely randomized design with six replicates. The DMD（%） was higher（P〈0.05） for SCS＋ for all incubation times when compared with SCS. There were no differences in ruminal p H between the treatments for all the incubation times. The data suggested that the sugarcane silage with bacterial inoculum and additive could be an alternative for providing forage for ruminants during the season of low growth and quality grass.

Selective ligninolysis of wheat straw and wood chips by the white-rot fungus Lentinula edodes and its influence on in vitro rumen degradability

Background： The present work investigated the influence of lignin content and composition in the fungal treatment of lignocellulosic biomass in order to improve rumen degradability. Wheat straw and wood chips,differing in lignin composition, were treated with Lentinula edodes for 0, 2, 4, 8 and 12 wk and the changes occurring during fungal degradation were analyzed using pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and detergent fiber analysis.Results： L. edodes preferentially degraded lignin, with only limited cellulose degradation, in wheat straw and wood chips, leaving a substrate enriched in cellulose. Syringyl（S）-lignin units were preferentially degraded than guaiacyl（G）-lignin units, resulting in a decreased S/G ratio. A decreasing S/G ratio（wheat straw： r =-0.72, wood chips： r =-0.75） and selective lignin degradation（wheat straw： r =-0.69, wood chips： r =-0.88） were correlated with in vitro gas production（IVGP）, a good indicator for rumen degradability.Conclusions： L. edodes treatment increased the IVGP of wheat straw and wood chips. Effects on IVGP were similar for wheat straw and wood chips indicating that lignin content and 3D-structure of cell walls influence in vitro rumen degradability more than lignin composition.

The Green Composites: Millet Husk Fiber (MHF) Filled Poly Lactic Acid (PLA) and Degradability Effects on Environment

This study provides an overview on green composites degradability. Practically, the main drawbacks of using natural fibers are their poor dimensional stability, degradability and high degree of moisture absorption. While, end use of product from natural fiber filled or reinforced composites has become subject of concern to material engineers and scientist. The major properties of natural fiber reinforced polymer composites are greatly dependent on the hydrophilic tendency and dimensional stability of the fibers used, morphology aspect ratio for long fiber, while voids for powder fibers. The effects of chemical treatments on cellulosic fibers that are used as reinforcements for thermoplastics were studied. The chemical source for the treatments is alkalization. The significance of chemically-treated natural fibers is seen through the improvement of mechanical properties. The untreated fiber composites degrade faster in municipal soil compared to treated fiber composites.

THE DEGRADABILITY OF PARTICULATE ORGANIC MATTER IN THE GIRONDE ESTUARY, FRANCE

The degradability of particulate organic matter(POM)in the Gironde Estuary(France)was measuredusing the incubation technique.The influence of sample treatment and incubation conditions on the re-sults was evaluated.A mathematical model was successfully used to describe the various degradationcurves.Results showed that the upstream POM had very high degradability;the central estuaryPOM had low degradability;and that the mouth POM degradability was between that of central POM(low degradability)and marine POM(high degradability).

Chitosan-g-PAA Hydrogels for Colon-Specific Drug Delivery: Preparation, Swelling Behavior and in vitro Degradability

A series of cross-linked hydrogels for colon-specific drug delivery were synthesized by graft copolymerization of Chitosan and acrylic acid using N, N＇-methylene-bis-（acrylamide） as a cross-linker. Their swelling behavior in different pH buffer solutions and colonic enzymatic degradability were studied. The obtained results show that these hydrogels have good pH sensitivity which can avoid drug release in stomach, and their swelling kinetics in stimulant intestinal environment follow second-order swelling kinetics equation. The factors influencing the swelling kinetics include the degree of cross-linking and the composition, which may control no release or a little amount release of drug inside the hydrogels in the small intestine by tailoring these factors. The gels are degradable by colonic enzymes and there is a correlativity between the degradation of networks and the swelling degree of the gels, which may trigger the release of drug in the colon. The hydrogels show a great potential for their application in oral colon-specific drug delivery system.

The Effect of Urea Treatment on the Chemical Composition and Rumen Degradability of Sorghum Stover

The objectives of the study were to investigate the effects of different levels of urea treatments on chemical composition, nutritional value and rumen degradability of sorghum stover. Two groups of animals were used in this experiment. The first group, which served as control, was offered untreated sorghum stover. The other, the experiment group recived sorghum stover to which was added 2%, or 4% urea. Crude protein （CP） content of the treated sorghum was enhanced （P 〈 0.05） over the untreated one, and ranked as 7.30% and 6.05% CP for 4% and 2% respectively. Nutrient detergent fiber （NDF） content was decreased （P 〈 0.05） from 92.5% （control） to 89.8% and 87.8% for 2% and 4% urea respectively.Ether extract （EE） content was decreased （P 〈 0.05） from 1.77% （control） to 1.63% and 0.82% for 2% and 4% respectively. The rumen degradability was increased （P 〈 0.05） from 59.2% （control） to 64.2%, and 67.2% for 2%, and 4% sorghum and in hours 0, 4, 8, 16, 24, 48, 72 and 96.

Effects of Inclusion of Different Levels of Ethiopian Thyme (Thymus schimperi Ronniger) as Natural Additive on Chemical Composition and In Sacco Dry Matter Degradability of Total Mixed Ration and Feed Ingredients

This study evaluated the effects of the inclusion of Ethiopian thyme (Thymus schimperi Ronninger) to natural pasture hay (NPH), noug seed cake (NSC), wheat bran (WB) and total mixed ration (TMR) on the chemical composition and in Sacco dry matter (DM) degradability of the feeds. The Thyme plant used for the study was collected from Dinsho and Tarmaber districts in the highlands of Ethiopia. Samples of the TMR and NPH, WB and NSC with or without thyme were divided into two parts and ground to pass through 1 mm screen for chemical analysis and 2 mm screen for in sacco DM degradability. The TMR contained 50% NPH, 32.5% WB, 14% NSC, 3% molasses and 0.5% common salt. The feed ingredients (NPH, WB and NSC) and the TMR were incubated without thyme or with thyme substituting the diet at 8%, 16% and 24% levels of treatments. The chemical composition of all the feeds differed significantly (P In sacco rumen dry matter degradability of NPH, WB, NSC and TMR was increased (P in sacco DM degradability of NPH at all incubation hours was higher (P Thymus schimperi plant up to a level of 24% DM in feed can reasonably stimulate the growth and activity of the certain rumen microbes that promoted an improvement in ruminal DM degradability of the diet with the thyme inclusion.

Napier Grass Rumen Degradability in Sacco in Goats (<i>Capra hircus aegagrus</i>) Supplemented with Different Sources and Amount of Dietary Fats

The study aimed to explore the potential of dietary fats supplementation on the overall goat performance. Three (3) mature rumen-cannulated goats weighting 27.33 ± 1.53 kg housed in individual elevated metabolism stalls with customized fecal and urine collection tools with treatments replicated three times over time following the Complete Randomized Design (CRD). Animals were randomly selected on different dietary treatment at different cycle. For each cycle, animals were provided with 30% concentrate on the morning based on feed requirements {3% of their body weight (BW) dry matter (DM) basis} of the animals. Ad libitum feeding of Napier grass will follow thereafter. Clean drinking water were made available all the times in the respective animal watering troughs. The rumen-cannulated goats were supplemented with different levels of two dietary fats (VCO and Lard) with dietary treatment combinations as follows, Control and VCO and Lard at 3% & 5%. Degradability of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) were collected sequentially in every cycle of the study. There were seven (7) days lag period in every cycle for the animals to return to each natural state. On the 8th day of every cycle, animals were given different dietary treatment. Sequential insertion of nylon bag was done on the 15th to 16th day (7 days after treatment). The results showed that degradability of the dry matter (DM) was noticed degraded exponentially on the first twelve hours of incubation and slower down in the next few hours until 48 hours. Crude protein, acid and neutral detergent fiber showed breakdown of components was observed in the first 48 hours of incubation. No significant difference (P > 0.05) among treatment means was observed in all parameters gathered. This implies that mature female goat diet cannot be influenced by dietary fats from two different sources (VCO and Lard) at 3% to 5% supplementation. Based on the study conducted, dietary fats supplementation on goats such as VCO and lard given at the maximum level of 5% level did not influence the nutrient degradability of Napier grass in the rumen until it reaches at 48 hours of incubation. Supplementing ruminant diets with dietary fat in goats could increase the energy density of the animal’s diet without adverse effect on rumen degradability. This simple, easy, and basic technique could also be applied to other animal species in pursuit of finding ways to formulate indigenous feedstuff materials that have potential nutritive values. Given the limitations such as the climatic and environmental constraints, this particular study would somehow serve as benchmark in conducting related researches in optimizing the conditions with respect to animal nutrition and feedstuff utilization. Thus, this study was done to augment productivity and to provide new opportunities for achieving enhanced growth performance in a way that alleviates poverty, improves food security and nutrition and promotes sustainable use of natural resources.

Degradability of absorbable sutures in tendon grafts following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Objective To observe the degradability of absorbable sutures in tendon grafts and the histology of tendon healing in a rabbit model.Methods Semitendinosus tendons were harvested from 15 healthy adult New Zealand rabbits in this study.

Mineral Concentrations and Rumen Degradability of Biodegraded <i>Enterolobium cyclocarpum</i>(Jacq) and <i>Pterocarpus santalinoides</i>(L’Her) with <i>Aspergillus niger</i>

The effects of solid state fermentation on the mineral concentrations and in sacco degradation characteristics of dry matter in two multipurpose tree leaves was investigated. Biodegraded Enterolobium cyclocarpum (EC) and Pterocarpus santalinoides (PS) leaves were previously inoculated with Aspergillus niger and incubated at 30&degC for five incubation periods (0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days). After each incubation period, samples were oven dried at 60&degC, allowed to cool and ground for mineral analysis and in sacco dry matter degradability. Three fistulated West African Dwarf (WAD) rams (Ovis aries) were then used for the dry matter degradability. Five grams of each sample was emptied into nylon bag (Polymon, Switzeland) with pore size of 4 μ and effective size of 5 cm × 18 cm and incubated in the rumen of the fistulated animals for 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h. The results showed that the mineral contents of biodegraded EC samples were affected by incubation period. Mean values of Ca, Cu, K, Na, and Zn were significantly increased (0.05), while mean values of Fe, Mg, and Mn were first reduced before significantly increasing (0.05). However, the composition of P showed significant reduction (0.05) up to day 28 where no change was observed. Mineral concentrations in biodegraded PS were also affected by incubation periods. Values of Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, and Zn were significantly increased (0.05). However values of Cu, and Fe only increased after day 14, while the value of P was reduced significantly over the different incubation periods. Potential degradability (PD) for biodegraded EC was highest at day 0 (50.79%) but not significantly different from potential degradability of longer incubation periods to day 28 (48.68%). PS had higher PD than EC. In spite of high PD values, PS comparatively degraded faster than EC. Effective degradability (ED) for EC was highest for day28 (36.71%) and not significantly different from days 21 (34.83%) and 7 (35.29%) but significantly different from days 0 (31.32%) and 14 (31.75%) respectively. However, the ED for PS was highest for day 0 (31.39) samples and significantly differed from other incubation periods, further increase in period only showed lower but similar ED values for days 7 (27.52%), 14 (26.76%), 21 (27.42%) and 28 (26.86%) respectively. In this study, the continued reduction in P concentrations in both biodegraded EC and PS suggest that Aspergillus niger has preferential demand for P and in sacco degradation showed increase in PD and ED values for fungal biodegraded EC and reduction in PS, suggesting improved quality of EC.

Chemically Modified Lignin:Correlation between Structure and Biodegradability

Lignin is the most abundant heteropolymer based on aromatic subunits in nature.Large quantities of lignin are annually produced from pulping processes and biorefinery industries.Its unclearly defined structure and difficult biodegradation mainly limit its utilization.This work focused on the effect of hydroxylation of lignin on its microbial degradation.Butyloxy carbonyl-modified lignin,and hydroxylated-lignin were synthesized with di-tert-butyl dicarbonate and hydrogen peroxide,respectively,using lignin as raw material.The degradation of the modifiedlignins both by P.chrysosporium and B.subtilis were analyzed using UV-vis spectroscopy.Results revealed that the lignin degradation velocity raises with the increase hydroxylation level of lignin.Moreover,FTIR and 1H NMR analysis of the biodegradation products of lignin further indicated that higher content of hydroxyl groups in lignin facilitated the demethylation combined with the aromatic ring cracking in the presence of fungus and bacteria.

Basic Physical Properties and Degradability of Tungsten Wire Fibers

In order to explore the feasibility of tungsten filament as biomedical metal material,this article conducted a series of performance tests on two different thicknesses of black tungsten filament and two different thicknesses of white tungsten filament.It mainly tested the basic physical properties of the tungsten filament including the longitudinal cross-section of the fiber,the fiber diameter,the mechanical properties of the fiber and the biodegradability,and analyzed the results.The results showed that the breaking force of tungsten filament was about 3000MPa.And whether it was black tungsten filament or white tungsten filament,the larger the diameter,the greater the breaking force,and the breaking strength of the tungsten filament was much larger than the breaking strength of the steel wire.The larger the diameter of the tungsten filament,the slower the degradation rate.During the two months,the mass loss rate of the thick black tungsten filament was 59.40%,thin black tungsten filament was 83.88%,thick white tungsten filament was 47.39%,thin white tungsten filament was 72.29%,the degradation rate of thick tungsten wire was nearly half of the thin,and degradation mainly occured in the first months.

Optimization of the in vitro biodegradability,cytocompatibility,and wear resistance of the AZ31B alloy by micro-arc oxidation coatings doped with zinc phosphate

As implanted bone fixation materials,magnesium(Mg)alloys have significant advantages because the density and elastic modulus are closest to those of the human bone and they can bio-degrade in the physiological environment.However,Mg alloys degrade too rapidly and uncontrollably thus hampering clinical adoption.In this study,a highly corrosion-resistant zinc-phosphate-doped micro-arc oxidation(MAO)coating is prepared on the AZ31B alloy,and the degradation process is assessed in vitro.With increasing zinc phosphate concentrations,both the corrosion potentials and charge transfer resistance of the AZ31B alloy coated with MAO coatings increase gradually,while the corrosion current densities di-minish gradually.Immersion tests in the simulated body fluid(SBF)reveal that the increased zinc phos-phate concentration in MAO coating decreases the degradation rate,consequently reducing the release rates of Mg^(2+)and OH-in the physiological micro-environment,which obtains the lowest weight loss of only 5.22%after immersion for 56 days.Effective regulation of degradation provides a weak alkaline environment that is suitable for long-term cell growth and subsequent promotion of bone proliferation,differentiation,mineralization,and cytocompatibility.In addition,the zinc-phosphate-doped MAO coat-ings show an improved wear resistance as manifested by a wear rate of only 3.81 x 10^(-5) mm^(3) N^(-1) m^(-1).The results reveal a suitable strategy to improve the properties of biodegradable Mg alloys to balance tissue healing with mechanical degradation.

Switchable Polyolefins from Polar Functionalization to Degradability

Polyolefins are synthetic plastics that exist on the largest scale and are ubiquitous in human life.They are also the most frequently discarded plastics.Consequently,the ability to either upgrade polyethylene(PE)plastic for value-added applications or to degrade PE plastic for value-added chemicals and monomers is highly desirable and sought after to mitigate the plastic waste problem.Herein,we report an advanced strategy for tackling the issue of PE plastics,first through a sequential upgrading and then through a degrading pathway.The optimal Diels–Alder-type polar comonomer diester-substituted norbornadiene is copolymerized with ethylene to produce the desired polar-functionalized PEs with both high comonomer incorporations of 42.4 mol%(-COOMe:as high to 59.6 mol%)and high molecular weights of up to 224 kg mol^(−1)in high catalytic activities of>100 kg mol^(−1)h^(−1).By means of a decisive retro-Diels–Alder reaction,this upgraded PE,namely polar-functionalized PE,can completely switch to a clean and soluble vinylene PE with a high content(28.7 mol%)of dispersed internal double bonds,which are degradable.Ethenolysis of the highmolecular–weight(∼30 kg mol^(−1))vinylene PE with ethylene yields industrially relevant telechelic oligomers(∼360 g mol^(−1))of long-chainα,ω-dienes and C9/C9+hydrocarbon products.This chemical upgrading and recycling method makes polyolefin plastic more sustainable.

Evaluation of ruminal methane and ammonia formation and microbiota composition as affected by supplements based on mixtures of tannins and essential oils using Rusitec

Background Dietary supplements based on tannin extracts or essential oil compounds(EOC)have been repeatedly reported as a promising feeding strategy to reduce the environmental impact of ruminant husbandry.A previous batch culture screening of various supplements identified selected mixtures with an enhanced potential to mitigate ruminal methane and ammonia formation.Among these,Q-2(named after quebracho extract and EOC blend 2,composed of carvacrol,thymol,and eugenol)and C-10(chestnut extract and EOC blend 10,consisting of oregano and thyme essential oils and limonene)have been investigated in detail in the present study with the semi-continuous rumen simulation technique(Rusitec)in three independent runs.For this purpose,Q-2 and C-10,dosed according to the previous study,were compared with a non-supplemented diet(negative control,NC)and with one supplemented with the commercial EOC-based Agolin^(R) Ruminant(positive control,PC).Results From d 5 to 10 of fermentation incubation liquid was collected and analysed for pH,ammonia,protozoa count,and gas composition.Feed residues were collected for the determination of ruminal degradability.On d 10,samples of incubation liquid were also characterised for bacterial,archaeal and fungal communities by high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA and 26S ribosomal large subunit gene amplicons.Regardless of the duration of the fermentation period,Q-2 and C-10 were similarly efficient as PC in mitigating either ammonia(-37%by Q-2,-34%by PC)or methane formation(-12%by C-10,-12%by PC).The PC was also responsible for lower feed degradability and bacterial and fungal richness,whereas Q-2 and C-10 effects,particularly on microbiome diversities,were limited compared to NC.Conclusions All additives showed the potential to mitigate methane or ammonia formation,or both,in vitro over a period of 10 d.However,several differences occurred between PC and Q-2/C-10,indicating different mechanisms of action.The pronounced defaunation caused by PC and its suggested consequences apparently determined at least part of the mitigant effects.Although the depressive effect on NDF degradability caused by Q-2 and C-10 might partially explain their mitigation properties,their mechanisms of action remain mostly to be elucidated.

Highly Efficient Aligned Ion‑Conducting Network and Interface Chemistries for Depolarized All‑Solid‑State Lithium Metal Batteries

Improving the long-term cycling stability and energy density of all-solid-state lithium(Li)-metal batteries(ASSLMBs)at room temperature is a severe challenge because of the notorious solid–solid interfacial contact loss and sluggish ion transport.Solid electrolytes are generally studied as two-dimensional(2D)structures with planar interfaces,showing limited interfacial contact and further resulting in unstable Li/electrolyte and cathode/electrolyte interfaces.Herein,three-dimensional(3D)architecturally designed composite solid electrolytes are developed with independently controlled structural factors using 3D printing processing and post-curing treatment.Multiple-type electrolyte films with vertical-aligned micro-pillar(p-3DSE)and spiral(s-3DSE)structures are rationally designed and developed,which can be employed for both Li metal anode and cathode in terms of accelerating the Li+transport within electrodes and reinforcing the interfacial adhesion.The printed p-3DSE delivers robust long-term cycle life of up to 2600 cycles and a high critical current density of 1.92 mA cm^(−2).The optimized electrolyte structure could lead to ASSLMBs with a superior full-cell areal capacity of 2.75 mAh cm^(−2)(LFP)and 3.92 mAh cm^(−2)(NCM811).This unique design provides enhancements for both anode and cathode electrodes,thereby alleviating interfacial degradation induced by dendrite growth and contact loss.The approach in this study opens a new design strategy for advanced composite solid polymer electrolytes in ASSLMBs operating under high rates/capacities and room temperature.

Inhibition of protein degradation increases the Bt protein concentration in Bt cotton

Bacillus thuringiensis(Bt)cotton production is challenged by two main problems,i.e.,the low concentration of Bt protein at the boll setting stage and the lowest insect resistance in bolls among all the cotton plant’s organs.Therefore,increasing the Bt protein concentration at the boll stage,especially in bolls,has become the main goal for increasing insect resistance in cotton.In this study,two protein degradation inhibitors(ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid(EDTA)and leupeptin)were sprayed on the bolls,subtending leaves,and whole cotton plants at the peak flowering stage of two Bt cultivars(medium maturation Sikang 1(SK1))and early maturation Zhongmian 425(ZM425)in 2019 and 2020.The Bt protein content and protein degradation metabolism were assessed.The results showed that the Bt protein concentrations were enhanced by 21.3 to 38.8%and 25.0 to 38.6%in the treated bolls of SK1 and ZM425 respectively,while they were decreased in the subtending leaves of these treated bolls.In the treated leaves,the Bt protein concentrations increased by 7.6 to 23.5%and 11.2 to 14.9%in SK1 and ZM425,respectively.The combined application of EDTA and leupeptin to the whole cotton plant increased the Bt protein concentrations in both bolls and subtending leaves.The Bt protein concentrations in bolls were higher,increasing by 22.5 to 31.0%and 19.6 to 32.5%for SK1 and ZM425,respectively.The organs treated with EDTA or/and leupeptin showed reduced free amino acid contents,protease and peptidase activities and significant enhancements in soluble protein contents.These results indicated that inhibiting protein degradation could improve the protein content,thus increasing the Bt protein concentrations in the bolls or/and leaves of cotton plants.Therefore,the increase in the Bt protein concentration without yield reduction suggested that these two protein degradation inhibitors may be applicable for improving insect resistance in cotton production.

Understanding the oxidation chemistry of Ti_(3)C_(2)T_(x)(MXene)sheets and their catalytic performances

Transition metal carbides and nitrides(MXenes)nanosheets are attractive two-dimensional(2D)materials,but they suffer from oxidation/degradation issues during storage and/or applications due to their sensitivity to water and oxygen.Despite the great research progress,the exact oxidation kinetics of Ti_(3)C_(2)T_(x)(MXene)and their final products after oxidation are not fully understood.Herein,we systematically tracked the oxidation process of few-layer Ti_(3)C_(2)T_(x) nanosheets in an aqueous solution at room temperature over several weeks.We also studied the oxidation effects on the electrocatalytic properties of Ti_(3)C_(2)T_(x) for hydrogen evolution reaction and found that the overpotential to achieve a current density of 10 mA cm^(-2)increases from 0.435 to 0.877 V after three weeks of degradation,followed by improvement to stabilized values of around 0.40 V after eight weeks.These results suggest that severely oxidized MXene could be a promising candidate for designing efficient catalysts.According to our detailed experimental characterization and theoretical calculations,unlike previous studies,black titanium oxide is formed as the final product in addition to white Ti(IV)oxide and disordered carbons after the complete oxidation of Ti_(3)C_(2)T_(x).This work presents significant advancements in better understanding of 2D Ti_(3)C_(2)T_(x)(MXene)oxidation and enhances the prospects of this material for various applications.