Explore the vast range of titles available.

Metal–organic frameworks have drawn attention as potential catalysts owing to their unique tunable surface chemistry and accessibility. However, their application in thermal catalysis has been limited because of their instability under harsh temperatures and pressures, such as the hydrogenation of CO 2 to methanol. Herein, we use a controlled two-step method to synthesize finely dispersed Cu on a zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8). This catalyst suffers a series of transformations during the CO 2 hydrogenation to methanol, leading to ~14 nm Cu nanoparticles encapsulated on the Zn-based MOF that are highly active (2-fold higher methanol productivity than the commercial Cu–Zn–Al catalyst), very selective (>90%), and remarkably stable for over 150 h. In situ spectroscopy, density functional theory calculations, and kinetic results reveal the preferential adsorption sites, the preferential reaction pathways, and the reverse water gas shift reaction suppression over this catalyst. The developed material is robust, easy to synthesize, and active for CO 2 utilization. Here, authors report an inter-site structural heterogeneity induced effect of hierarchical single atom Fe catalysts for robust oxygen reduction. Dynamic evolutions and insights into structure-activity relationship are presented.

Single‐atom nanozymes (SANs) combine the natural enzymatic properties of nanomaterials with the atomic distribution of metallic sites over a suitable support. Unfortunately, their synthesis is complicated by some key factors, like poor metallic loading, aggregation, time consumption, and low yield. Herein, copper SANs, with a surface metal loading (1.47% ± 0.16%) are synthesized, through a green, facile, minimal solution processing, single‐step procedure, using a CO2 laser to promote the anchoring of the metallic precursor while simultaneously generating the laser‐scribed graphene (LSG) support out of a polyimide sheet. The presence of the atomic Cu on the LSG surface is verified using high‐angle‐annular dark‐field–scanning transmission electron microscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. To explore the advantages incurred by the incorporation of Cu SANs on LSG, the material is used as a working electrode on an electrochemical sensor for the amperometric detection of H2O2, achieving a detection limit of 2.40 μM. The findings suggest that CuSANs can confer enhanced sensitivity to H2O2, which is essential for oxidative stress assessment, reaching values up to 130.0 μA mM−1 cm−2. A single‐step procedure, using a CO2 laser, is developed to synthesize copper single‐atom nanozymes with a high surface metal loading, while simultaneously generating laser‐scribed graphene support out of a polyimide sheet.

Metal-organic frameworks have drawn attention as potential catalysts owing to their unique tunable surface chemistry and accessibility. However, their application in thermal catalysis has been limited because of their instability under harsh temperatures and pressures, such as the hydrogenation of CO to methanol. Herein, we use a controlled two-step method to synthesize finely dispersed Cu on a zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8). This catalyst suffers a series of transformations during the CO hydrogenation to methanol, leading to ~14 nm Cu nanoparticles encapsulated on the Zn-based MOF that are highly active (2-fold higher methanol productivity than the commercial Cu-Zn-Al catalyst), very selective (>90%), and remarkably stable for over 150 h. In situ spectroscopy, density functional theory calculations, and kinetic results reveal the preferential adsorption sites, the preferential reaction pathways, and the reverse water gas shift reaction suppression over this catalyst. The developed material is robust, easy to synthesize, and active for CO utilization.

Previous research indicates that some important cocoa cultivated areas in West Africa will become unsuitable for growing cocoa in the next decades. However, it is not clear if this change will be mirrored by the shade tree species that could be used in cocoa-based agroforestry systems (C-AFS). We characterized current and future patterns of habitat suitability for 38 tree species (including cocoa), using a consensus method for species distribution modelling considering for the first time climatic and soil variables. The models projected an increase of up to 6% of the potential suitable area for cocoa by 2060 compared to its current suitable area in West Africa. Furthermore, the suitable area was highly reduced (14.5%) once considering only available land-use not contributing to deforestation. Regarding shade trees, 50% of the 37 shade tree species modelled will experience a decrease in geographic rate extent by 2040 in West Africa, and 60% by 2060. Hotspots of shade tree species richness overlap the current core cocoa production areas in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, suggesting a potential mismatch for the outer areas in West Africa. Our results highlight the importance of transforming cocoa-based agroforestry systems by changing shade tree species composition to adapt this production systems for future climate conditions.

(1) Background: Carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua L.) pulp is of great interest nowadays due to its nutritional benefits and diverse utilization in the food process. The nutritional and antioxidant properties of carob pulp in the Mediterranean have been assessed in several studies. Still, few studies have combined, within the same work, a comprehensive analysis of the chemical composition of carob pulp from fruits of natural populations across different countries of the Mediterranean basin, while also incorporating new research areas. (2) Methods: In the present work, we evaluated the nutritional value, total phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity of carob pulp derived from wild populations of carob trees from three Mediterranean countries: Lebanon, Spain, and Morocco; (3) Results: All assessed bromatological characteristics, with the exception of ash and fiber content, revealed significant differences in the carob pulp from the three countries under study. High variability was observed for the total polyphenols ranging between 5.05 mg/g and 12.70 mg/g. Sucrose was the predominant sugar quantified ranging between 13.70 g/100 g and 28.10 g/100 g. The lipid content was low (0.26–0.36%). The moisture content of carob pulp ranges between 4.36% and 6.40%. Carob pulp presented a rich composition in fiber, with an average of 35.87%. The ash content was between 2.52% and 3.28%. The percentage of the protein content of the carob pulp ranged between 4.40 and 5.52, with an average carbohydrate value of 74.71%; (4) Conclusions: Spanish wild carob pulp samples offered higher carbohydrates contents and values for sucrose, fructose, and glucose, polyphenol content, and antioxidant activity, whereas Moroccan samples had higher values of carbohydrates and in concrete, the monosaccharides fructose and glucose showed higher contents in proteins and lipids. In contrast, Lebanese samples exhibit a high content of the disaccharide sucrose. These findings could be exploited in breeding programs to improve varieties that balance both the agronomical quality and nutritional values of carob pulp.

The sustainability of “dehesas” is threatened by the Holm oak decline. It is thought that the effects of root rot on plant physiology vary depending on external stress factors. Plant growth and biomass allocation are useful tools to characterize differences in the response to drought and infection. The study of physiological responses together with growth patterns will clarify how and to what extent root rot is able to damage the plant. A fully factorial experiment, including drought and Phytophtora cinnamomi Rands infection as factors, was carried out with Quercus ilex L. seedlings. Photosynthesis, biomass allocation and root traits were assessed. Photosynthetic variables responded differently to drought and infection over time. The root mass fraction showed a significant reduction due to infection. P. cinnamomi root rot altered the growth patterns. Plants could not recover from the physiological effects of infection only when the root rot coincided with water stress. Without additional stressors, the strategy of our seedlings in the face of root rot was to reduce the biomass increment and reallocate resources. Underlying mechanisms involved in plant-pathogen interactions should be considered in the study of holm oak decline, beyond the consideration of water stress as the primary cause of tree mortality.

Lead–tin (Pb/Sn) mixed perovskites are considered as promising photovoltaic materials owing to their adjustable bandgap and excellent optoelectronic properties. The low‐bandgap perovskite solar cells (PSCs) based on lead–tin mixed perovskites play a critical role in the overall performance of perovskite‐based tandem devices. Nevertheless, the current record efficiencies for Pb/Sn PSCs are mostly reported in devices with p–i–n configuration rather than n–i–p, which restricts the further development of conventional perovskite‐based tandem solar cells. Herein, this work systematically investigates the influence of the interlayers on the performance of low‐bandgap PSCs by analyzing the energy losses in both n–i–p and p–i–n devices. Quasi‐Fermi level splitting (QFLS) analysis of pristine films and films covering charge extraction layers reveals that the electron transport layer/perovskite interface is dominating the VOC losses. A joint experimental–simulative approach quantitatively determines the interface defect density to be more than one order in magnitude larger for the n–i–p architecture. Among the polymeric hole transport layers investigated for n–i–p devices, poly(3‐hexylthiophen‐2,5‐diyl) (P3HT) exhibits the most favorable energy‐level alignment to Pb/Sn perovskites. These results clarify the nature of VOC losses in Pb/Sn perovskites and highlight the necessity to develop electron extraction layers with a significantly reduced interface defect density. Energy losses in Pb/Sn‐based narrow‐bandgap perovskite solar cells are comprehensively analyzed by quasi‐Fermi level splitting of perovskite/interlayer junctions and drift‐diffusion simulation of J–V curves of n–i–p and p–i–n devices. Compared with the bulk, perovskite/interlayer interface dominates nonradiative recombination loss and VOC is mainly limited at the interface of perovskite/electron transport layer.

MXenes, a novel class of two-dimensional (2D) transition metal carbides and nitrides, have garnered significant attention due to their exceptional thermal conductivity, electrical properties, and mechanical strength. This review offers a comprehensive overview of MXenes, focusing on their synthesis methods, material properties, tribological performance, and potential challenges and opportunities. Typically synthesized through the selective etching of layered precursors, MXenes offer highly tunable structures, allowing for precise tailoring for specific functionalities. Their outstanding properties, such as high electrical conductivity, chemical versatility, mechanical durability, and intrinsic lubricity, make them promising candidates for various applications, including energy storage, electromagnetic shielding, water purification, biosensing, biomedicine, and advanced tribological systems. While many of these applications are briefly acknowledged, this review primarily emphasizes MXenes’ potential in tribological applications, where recent studies have highlighted their promise as solid lubricants and tribological additives due to their low shear strength, layered structure, and ability to form protective tribofilms under sliding contact. However, challenges such as oxidation resistance, long-term stability, and performance under extreme environments continue to impede their full potential. With less than a decade of focused research, the field is still evolving, but MXenes hold tremendous promise for revolutionizing modern material science, especially in next-generation lubrication and wear-resistant systems. This review explores both the opportunities and challenges associated with MXenes, emphasizing their emerging role in tribology alongside their broader engineering applications.

Immune-based combination therapies have become the standard first-line treatment for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) and have positively impacted survival outcomes in phase III clinical trials. However, these trials are conducted in highly selected populations and controlled settings, which may limit the generalizability of toxicity profiles to routine clinical practice. Real-world data are therefore essential to better characterize the incidence and determinants of severe adverse events (AEs) associated with immune-based combinations. We conducted a multinational, retrospective analysis of the ARON-1 registry, of patients with mRCC who received first-line immune-based combination therapy across 17 countries. The primary endpoint was to evaluate the real-world incidence of grade 3-4 (G3-G4) AEs. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify clinical factors associated with toxicity. Overall survival (OS) was assessed using Kaplan-Meier methods, with landmark analyses to explore the association between G3-G4 AEs and survival outcomes. Among 2, 401 patients receiving immune-based combinations, 1, 921 (80%) had complete data on grade 3-4 AEs and were included in the analysis. G3-G4 AEs occurred in 34% (n=653). Pembrolizumab plus lenvatinib was associated with the highest incidence of high-grade AEs, whereas nivolumab plus ipilimumab showed the lowest. Older age and female sex were independently associated with an increased risk of G3-G4 toxicity. Although the occurrence of severe AEs was associated with improved OS in unadjusted analyses, this association was non-significant in the 6-month landmark analyses. In this large, multinational real-world cohort, the incidence of G3-G4 adverse events in patients with mRCC treated with immune-based combinations was lower than that reported in pivotal clinical trials, underscoring meaningful differences between trial and routine practice settings. Patient- and regimen-specific factors significantly influenced toxicity risk. These findings highlight the complementary role of real-world evidence in informing toxicity management and support individualized treatment strategies to optimize outcomes in everyday clinical practice.

Phytophthora root rot is considered one of the main factors associated with holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) mortality. The effectiveness and accuracy of soilborne pathogen and management could be influenced by soil spatial heterogeneity. This factor is of special relevance in many afforestation of southwestern Spain, which were carried out without phytosanitary control of the nursery seedlings. We selected a study area located in a 15 year-old afforestation of Q. ilex, known to be infested by Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands. Soil samples (ntotal = 132) were taken systematically from a grid under 4 trees, and analysed to quantify 12 variables, the colony forming units (cfu) of P. cinnamomi plus 11 physical and chemical soil properties. The combined analysis of all variables was performed with linear mixed models (GLMM), and the spatial patterns of cfu were characterised using an aggregation index (Ia) and a clustering index (ν) by SADIE. Cfu values ranged from 0 to 211 cfu g−1, and the GLMM built with the variables silt, P, K and soil moisture explained the cfu distribution to the greatest extent. The spatial analysis showed that 9 of the 12 variables presented spatial aggregation (Ia > 1), and the clustering of local patches (νi ≥ 1.5) for organic matter, silt, and Ca. The spatial patterns of the P. cinnamomi cfu under planted holm oak trees are related to edaphic variables and canopy cover. Small-scale spatial analysis of microsite variability can predict which areas surrounding trees can influence lower oomycetes cfu availability.