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The necessity of helping older employees achieve career success in the digital workplace has drastically increased. Drawing on self‐affirmation theory, we postulate that using enterprise social media (ESM) to conduct intergenerational knowledge sharing (IGKS) is a generativity and self‐affirmation behaviour in the digital workplace, and investigate how it would help older employees enhance job performance and thus achieve successful ageing at work. Study 1 (a three‐wave time‐lagged survey study with 262 older employees over 40 years old) demonstrates that, older employees' IGKS in ESM positively affects their job performance via personal needs‐job supplies fit. Perceived younger colleagues' knowledge disseminative capacity can weaken, but perceived younger colleagues' knowledge absorptive capacity can strengthen the above indirect effect. We replicated the first study's findings in Study 2 using a two‐wave survey with 161 older employees over 50 years old. Additionally, we found that older employees' IGKS in ESM positively influences their job performance via a serial mediation of organization‐based self‐esteem and needs‐supplies fit. Perceived younger colleagues' knowledge disseminative capacity can weaken, but knowledge absorptive capacity can strengthen the serial mediation relationship. These findings contribute to integrating IGKS and ESM literature to improve the theoretical framework of successful ageing at work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inferior mechanical performance and freeze–thaw (FT) resistance of recycled concrete are mostly due to the significant water absorption and porosity of recycled coarse particles. In this study, different dosages of zeolite powder were used in recycled concrete. A series of macroscopic tests were used to evaluate the workability and FT durability of zeolite powder-modified recycled concrete (ZPRC). X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to reveal the micro-mechanisms of FT resistance in ZPRC. The results show that the increase in zeolite powder content leads to a decrease in the slump and water absorption of ZPRC. Additionally, ZPRC with 10% zeolite powder has superior mechanical characteristics and tolerance to FT conditions. The higher strength and FT resistance of the ZPRC can be attributed to the particle-filling effect, water storage function, and pozzolanic reaction of zeolite powder, which results in a denser microstructure. The particle-filling effect of zeolite powder promotes the reduction of surface pores in recycled coarse aggregates (RCAs). The water storage function of zeolite powder can provide water for the secondary hydration of cement particles while reducing the free water content in ZPRC. The pozzolanic reaction of zeolite powder can also promote the generation of hydrated calcium silicate and anorthite, thereby making the microstructure of ZPRC more compact. These results provide theoretical guidance for the engineering application of recycled concrete in cold regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the 16th leading cause of mortality worldwide. Clinical studies have raised that long-term use of omeprazole (OME) is associated with the morbidity of CKD. OME is commonly used in clinical practice to treat peptic ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux disease. However, the mechanism underlying renal failure following OME treatment remains mostly unknown and the rodent model of OME-induced CKD is yet to be established. We described the process of renal injury after exposure to OME in mice; the early renal injury markers were increased in renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs). And after long-term OME treatment, the OME-induced CKD mice model was established. Herein, aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) translocation appeared after exposure to OME in HK-2 cells. Then for both in vivo and in vitro, we found that Ahr-knockout (KO) and AHR small interfering RNA (siRNA) substantially alleviated the OME-induced renal function impairment and tubular cell damage. Furthermore, our data demonstrate that antagonists of AHR and CYP1A1 could attenuate OME-induced tubular cell impairment in HK-2 cells. Taken together, these data indicate that OME induces CKD through the activation of the AHR-CYP axis in RTECs. Our findings suggest that blocking the AHR-CYP1A1 pathway acts as a potential strategy for the treatment of CKD caused by OME. Key messages: We provide an omeprazole-induced chronic kidney disease (CKD) mice model. AHR activation and translocation process was involved in renal tubular damage and promoted the occurrence of CKD. The process of omeprazole nephrotoxicity can be ameliorated by blockade of the AHR-CYP1A1 axis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Erythroid and myeloid differentiation disorders are commonly occurred in leukemia. Given that the relationship between erythroid and myeloid lineages is still unclear. To find the co-regulators in erythroid and myeloid differentiation might help to find new target for therapy of myeloid leukemia. In hematopoiesis, ALA (alpha lipoic acid) is reported to inhibit neutrophil lineage determination by targeting transcription factor ELK1 in granulocyte-monocyte progenitors via splicing factor SF3B1. However, further exploration is needed to determine whether ELK1 is a common regulatory factor for erythroid and myeloid differentiation. Methods: In vitro culture of isolated CD34+, CMPs (common myeloid progenitors) and CD34+ CD371– HSPCs (hematopoietic stem progenitor cells) were performed to assay the differentiation potential of monocytes, neutrophils, and erythrocytes. Overexpression lentivirus of long isoform (L-ELK1) or the short isoform (S-ELK1) of ELK1 transduced CD34+ HSPCs were transplanted into NSG mice to assay the human lymphocyte and myeloid differentiation differences 3 months after transplantation. Knocking down of SRSF11, which was high expressed in CD371+GMPs (granulocyte-monocyte progenitors), upregulated by ALA and binding to ELK1-RNA splicing site, was performed to analyze the function in erythroid differentiation derived from CD34+ CD123mid CD38+ CD371– HPCs (hematopoietic progenitor cells). RNA sequencing of L-ELK1 and S-ELK1 overexpressed CD34+ CD123mid CD38+ CD371– HPCs were performed to assay the signals changed by ELK1. Results: Here, we presented new evidence that ALA promoted erythroid differentiation by targeting the transcription factor ELK1 in CD34+ CD371– hematopoietic stem progenitor cells (HSPCs). Overexpression of either the long isoform (L-ELK1) or the short isoform (S-ELK1) of ELK1 inhibited erythroid-cell differentiation, but knockdown of ELK1 did not affect erythroid-cell differentiation. RNAseq analysis of CD34+ CD123mid CD38+ CD371– HPCs showed that L-ELK1 upregulated the expression of genes related to neutrophil activity, phosphorylation, and hypoxia signals, while S-ELK1 mainly regulated hypoxia-related signals. However, most of the genes that were upregulated by L-ELK1 were only moderately upregulated by S-ELK1, which might be due to a lack of serum response factor interaction and regulation domains in S-ELK1 compared to L-ELK1. In summary, the differentiation of neutrophils and erythrocytes might need to rely on the dose of L-ELK1 and S-ELK1 to achieve precise regulation via RNA splicing signals at early lineage commitment. Conclusions: ALA and ELK1 are found to regulate both human granulopoiesis and erythropoiesis via RNA spliceosome, and ALA-ELK1 signal might be the target of human leukemia therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this investigation, microbial adhesion expedites formation and alteration of aluminous minerals within aviation fuel tank systems. The corrosion mechanisms of two uncoated aluminium alloys and three types of coating-pretreated aluminium alloys by hydrocarbon-degrading Shewanella algae are examined. NO 3 - reduction of microorganisms induces corrosion acceleration of LY12 aluminium alloy (1.48 g*m−2*h−1) and corrosion inhibition of 7B04 aluminium alloy. CLSM and SEM observation of coating morphology highlight the microbial deterioration behaviors of coatings (pitting, swelling, and peeling). It inspires material selection and surface coating of microbial corrosion protection of aluminium alloy in marine and aerial environments. • First report on hydrocarbon-degrading Shewanella algae corrosion. • Coated materials deterioration characterization through CLSM and EDS. • Microbial corrosion acceleration and inhibition rely on interface properties. • NO 3 - degradation affects interaction between microbial attachment and rust formation. • Universal linked cells on aluminium surface show tolerance of toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• CdTe-MIP/SiO 2 NPs coated chromatoplate was coupled with miniaturized fluorimeter. • The system was used for fluorescence detection of malachite green in fish tissues. • The system possesses excellent linearity range, selectivity, sensitivity, and rapidity. • Both fluorescence method and HPLC are suitable for MG analysis. Malachite green (MG) possesses high toxicity, therefore, the detection of MG in fish tissues is of vital importance. A novel core–shell MIPs doped CdTe quantum dots coated silica nanoparticles (CdTe-MIP/SiO 2 NPs) were synthesized via a simple one-pot strategy. The materials were characterized carefully. The resulting CdTe-MIP/SiO 2 NPs were coated on the thin layer chromatography plate, and coupled with miniaturized fluorimeter for fluorescence detection of MG in fish samples. The resulting CdTe-MIP/SiO 2 NPs based system possessed good linearity (0.01 ∼ 20 μmol/L), high recoveries (98.36 %∼101.45 %) and low detection limit (3.7 nmol/L) for MG. Furthermore, CdTe-MIP/SiO 2 NPs based system were employed to measure fish samples spiked with MG, meanwhile, HPLC was utilized to evaluate the accuracy and reliability. And the paired t -test was conducted to evaluate differences between fluorescence method and HPLC, P > 0.05 means no significant difference was observed, the results demonstrated that both fluorescence method and HPLC are suitable for MG analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global synchromodal transportation is a promising strategy for providing efficient, reliable, flexible, and sustainable container shipping services across continents. It involves integrating multiple modes and routes owned by various operators to create a comprehensive transport plan. However, these operators often have their own local networks and are hesitant to cede control to a centralized platform. Instead, they prefer to share limited information in a coordinated manner to achieve a common goal without sacrificing their own benefits. This paper proposes a coordinated mechanism for global synchromodal transport planning, in which a global operator proposes incentives to local operators to select the most efficient modes and routes for shipping containers from one continent to another. An augmented Lagrangian relaxation approach is developed for the global operator to generate incentives, and a heuristic algorithm is designed to address the computational complexity of the optimization problems faced by local operators. We incorporate the proposed approaches with a rolling horizon framework to handle dynamic shipment requests received from spot markets and with a buffer strategy to address travel time uncertainties. The coordinated mechanism is tested on a real network between Asia and Europe, and results show that it can significantly increase total profits, reduce request rejections, and reduce infeasible transshipments compared to decentralized global transportation plans currently in use, particularly under scenarios with higher degrees of dynamism and uncertainty. • A coordinated approach is proposed for global synchromodal transportation. • Both vertical and horizontal collaboration among multiple operators are considered. • A rolling horizon framework and a buffer strategy are designed. • The centralized, coordinated, and decentralized approaches are compared. • Real networks between Europe and China are used to conduct extensive experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The innovative application of the semi-IPN pressure-sensitive adhesive for transdermal drug delivery system. • Pressure-sensitive adhesive with excellent mechanical properties, effective adhesion to the skin, and high drug release. • A simple but effective method to synthesize the semi-IPN pressure-sensitive adhesive with high cohesion and adhesion. The application of pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) in transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDSs) is limited. Insufficient cohesion in TDDS can lead to cold flow, patch displacement, dose inaccuracies, and the 'dark ring' phenomenon. To address these issues, we developed a semi-interpenetrating network (semi-IPN) PSA using a 2-hydroxyethylacrylate-modified acrylic copolymer as the linear polymer and poly[tri(propylene glycol) diacrylate] as the cross-linked network. Semi-IPN PSAs have better mechanical properties compared to traditional PSAs. The cohesion of the semi-IPN PSA was 31 times and 1.6 times that of commercially available DURO-TAK®87-2287 and DURO-TAK® 87–4098, respectively, and the cold flow of the semi-IPN PSA was significantly reduced. Furthermore, the semi-IPN PSA adhered to the human forearm for longer time and did not exhibit the 'dark ring' phenomenon after removal. When loaded with flurbiprofen, the semi-IPN PSA was found to maintain high levels of drug release and skin permeation amount, and flurbiprofen loading did not affect its superior cohesive performance. In conclusion, the innovative application of the semi-IPN PSA for TDDS showed excellent mechanical properties, effective adhesion to the skin without irritation, and highly effective drug release. These findings indicate that the use of the semi-IPN is both simple and highly effective for TDDS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The C2H2 zinc finger protein family plays important roles in plants. However, precisely how C2H2s function in Opisthopappus (Opisthopappus taihangensis and Opisthopappus longilobus) remains unclear. Results: In this study, a total of 69 OpC2H2 zinc finger protein genes were identified and clustered into five Groups. Seven tandem and ten fragment repeats were found in OpC2H2s, which underwent robust purifying selection. Of the identified motifs, motif 1 was present in all OpC2H2s and conserved at important binding sites. Most OpC2H2s possessed few introns and exons that could rapidly activate and react when faced with stress. The OpC2H2 promoter sequences mainly contained diverse regulatory elements, such as ARE, ABRE, and LTR. Under salt stress, two up-regulated OpC2H2s (OpC2H2-1 and OpC2H2-14) genes and one down-regulated OpC2H2 gene (OpC2H2-7) might serve as key transcription factors through the ABA and JA signaling pathways to regulate the growth and development of Opisthopappus species. Conclusion: The above results not only help to understand the function of C2H2 gene family but also drive progress in genetic improvement for the salt tolerance of Opisthopappus species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have shown an association between increased arterial stiffness and reduced bone mineral density. However, the relationship between arterial stiffness and fragility fracture remains unclear. In this study, we explored the impact of arterial stiffness on the risk of new-onset fragility fracture. The study included 53,107 participants in the Kailuan Study in whom brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) measurements were obtained between 2010 and 2021. All participants were free of fragility fractures at baseline. A Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) and 95 % confidence interval (CI) for incident fragility fracture on the baseline baPWV groups: <1400 cm/s (reference), 1400 ≤ baPWV < 1800 cm/s, and ≥1800 cm/s. In total, 327 incident fragility fractures were recorded during an average follow-up of 4.99 ± 3.02 years. After adjustment for potential confounders, the HR for the risk of new-onset fragility fracture was 1.66 (95 % CI 1.14–2.42) for the arterial stiffness group in comparison with the normal baPWV group. The risk of fragility fracture was higher in men (HR 1.64, 95 % CI 1.05–2.57). There was a linear association between higher baPWV and fragility fracture. Arterial stiffness as measured by baPWV was associated with the risk of fragility fracture. • Arterial stiffness as measured by baPWV was associated with the risk of fragility fracture. • This risk was significantly higher in men and increased with increasing arterial stiffness linearly. • These findings provide a theoretical basis for reducing the risk of fragility fractures associated with arterial stiffness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioleaching of Cu from the copper concentrate of Armanis gold-bearing polymetallic ore (Armenia) was investigated. The main objective was revealing high active bacteria and their association, as well as optimizing the bioleaching process with their application to ensure the most efficient recovery of copper from the tested concentrate. To obtain optimal bacterial associations, bottom-up and top-down approaches were used. Bioleaching of copper concentrate was carried out using pure cultures of iron- and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria and their mixed culture, as well as indigenous bacterial consortium. Comparative studies of copper bioleaching by mixed cultures of Acidithiobacillus caldus, Leptospirillum ferriphilum CC, Sulfobacillus thermosulfidooxidans 6, and indigenous consortium Arm of iron-oxidizing bacteria were performed. At the beginning of bioleaching, the amounts of extracted copper by mixed culture and Arm consortium were equal; afterward, between 20–27 days, the Arm indigenous consortium showed significantly higher activity in terms of copper extraction. In parallel, mineralogical and liberation analyses of feed material and bioleaching residues were performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) are of great therapeutic value due to their role in maintaining the function of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs). MSCs derived from human pluripotent stem cells represent an ideal alternative because of their unlimited supply. However, the role of MSCs with neural crest origin derived from HPSCs on the maintenance of HSPCs has not been reported. Methods: Flow cytometric analysis, RNA sequencing and differentiation ability were applied to detect the characteristics of stromal cells from 3D human brain organoids. Human umbilical cord blood CD34+ (UCB-CD34+) cells were cultured in different coculture conditions composed of stromal cells and umbilical cord MSCs (UC-MSCs) with or without a cytokine cocktail. The hematopoietic stroma capacity of stromal cells was tested in vitro with the LTC-IC assay and in vivo by cotransplantation of cord blood nucleated cells and stroma cells into immunodeficient mice. RNA and proteomic sequencing were used to detect the role of MSCs on HSPCs. Results: The stromal cells, derived from both H1-hESCs and human induced pluripotent stem cells forebrain organoids, were capable of differentiating into the classical mesenchymal-derived cells (osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and adipocytes). These cells expressed MSC markers, thus named pluripotent stem cell-derived MSCs (pMSCs). The pMSCs showed neural crest origin with CD271 expression in the early stage. When human UCB-CD34+ HSPCs were cocultured on UC-MSCs or pMSCs, the latter resulted in robust expansion of UCB-CD34+ HSPCs in long-term culture and efficient maintenance of their transplantability. Comparison by RNA sequencing indicated that coculture of human UCB-CD34+ HSPCs with pMSCs provided an improved microenvironment for HSC maintenance. The pMSCs highly expressed the Wnt signaling inhibitors SFRP1 and SFRP2, indicating that they may help to modulate the cell cycle to promote the maintenance of UCB-CD34+ HSPCs by antagonizing Wnt activation. Conclusions: A novel method for harvesting MSCs with neural crest origin from 3D human brain organoids under serum-free culture conditions was reported. We demonstrate that the pMSCs support human UCB-HSPC expansion in vitro in a long-term culture and the maintenance of their transplantable ability. RNA and proteomic sequencing indicated that pMSCs provided an improved microenvironment for HSC maintenance via mechanisms involving cell–cell contact and secreted factors and suppression of Wnt signaling. This represents a novel method for large-scale production of MSCs of neural crest origin and provides a potential approach for development of human hematopoietic stromal cell therapy for treatment of dyshematopoiesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salt stress profoundly affects plant growth, prompting intricate molecular responses, such as alternative splicing (AS), for environmental adaptation. However, the response of AS events to salt stress in Opisthopappus (Opisthopappus taihangensis and Opisthopappus longilobus) remains unclear, which is a Taihang Mountain cliff-dwelling species. Using RNA-seq data, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified under time and concentration gradients of salt stress. Two types of AS, skipped exon (SE) and mutually exclusive exons (MXE), were found. Differentially alternative splicing (DAS) genes in both species were significantly enriched in "protein phosphorylation", "starch and sucrose metabolism", and "plant hormone signal transduction" pathways. Meanwhile, distinct GO terms and KEGG pathways of DAS occurred between two species. Only a small subset of DAS genes overlapped with DEGs under salt stress. Although both species likely adopted protein phosphorylation to enhance salt stress tolerance, they exhibited distinct responses. The results indicated that the salt stress mechanisms of both Opisthopappus species exhibited similarities and differences in response to salt stress, which suggested that adaptive divergence might have occurred between them. This study initially provides a comprehensive description of salt responsive AS events in Opisthopappus and conveys some insights into the molecular mechanisms behind species tolerance on the Taihang Mountains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A silicone/ZrO 2 sol hybrid coating is prepared by a facile sol–gel procedure. • The covalent bonding of the rigid zirconia structure and the flexible long-chain telomer gives the coating excellent mechanical properties. • The non-leaching antibacterial amphiphilic telomer is self-enriched on the hybrid matrix. • Good self-cleaning, fouling-release, and fouling-resistance performance of coating is achieved. • The coating is highly transparent which can meet the needs of applications in optical instruments, foldable displays, and marine facilities. Achieving a delicate equilibrium between the mechanical and antifouling attributes of silicone-based coatings remains a formidable task. This research unveiled a novel approach to crafting a hybrid antifouling coating through the amalgamation of an amphiphilic telomer, Zirconia (ZrO 2) sol, triethoxyoctylsilane (KH832) and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) using an uncomplicated sol–gel technique. The amphiphilic telomer, derived from a synthesized antibacterial acrylamide-benzothiazole small molecule, hydrophobic silanes/fluorosilanes, and hydrophilic monomers, was intricately tethered with the ZrO 2 sol, synthesized through the hydrolysis of n-propyl zirconate. The resultant coating achieved exceptional transparency (>98 % transmittance), attributed to the covalent linkage between the robust zirconia structure and the pliable, long-chain telomer. This unique bonding imparted the coating with remarkable characteristics, including high hardness (4–6H), flexibility (∼5 mm bending diameter), wear resistance, and strong adhesion (∼2.89 MPa) to the substrate. Furthermore, the self-enrichment property of the non-leaching amphiphilic telomer within the hybrid matrix contributed to the coating's outstanding self-cleaning capabilities, as well as its remarkable ability to resist fouling, including bacterial adhesion, protein attachment, diatom deposition, and biofilm formation. Overall, our research systematically explored the influence of composition and structure on both mechanical properties and antifouling performance. Ultimately, we sought to advance the development of a high-performance organic–inorganic hybrid antifouling coating poised to address the diverse requirements of applications spanning optical instruments, foldable displays, marine facilities, and various other fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) is a complicated process that happens ubiquitously and quietly in many fields. As a useful nutritional ingredient in microbial culture media, yeast extract (YE) is a routinely added in the MIC field. However, how the YE participated in MIC is not fully clarified. In the present work, the effect of YE on the growth of sulfate reducing prokaryotes (SRP) Desulfovibrio bizertensis SY-1 and corrosion behavior of X70 pipeline steel were studied. It was found that the weight loss of steel coupons in sterile media was doubled when YE was removed from culture media. However, in the SRP assays without YE the number of planktonic cells decreased, but the attachment of bacteria on steel surfaces was enhanced significantly. Besides, the corrosion rate of steel in SRP assays increased fourfold after removing YE from culture media. MIC was not determined for assays with planktonic SRP but only for biofilm assays. The results confirm the effect of YE on D. bizertensis SY-1 growth and also the inhibitory role of YE on MIC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Co-hydrothermal carbonization process and pelletizing technology were integrated to produce fuel pellets. • Co-hydrothermal carbonization of pomelo peel and gasifier coke exhibited feedstock complementarity and synergistic effects. • Optimized synergistic effect was observed in 5:5 blending ratio of two feedstocks with an energy yield of 84.16%. • Co-hydrothermal carbonization reduced ash and sulfur content of gasifier coke to 4.99% and 0.35%, respectively. • Co-hydrothermal carbonization enhanced compressive strength and drop resistance of the pellets to 11.89 MPa and 99.8 %. The production of nitrogen fertilizer in China generates a substantial quantity of gasifier coke (GFC) as an industrial by-product, posing challenges for its effective recycling. In this study, a combination of co-hydrothermal carbonization (co-HTC) and pelleting technology was employed to convert pomelo peel (PP) and GFC into fuel pellets. Notably, these two feedstocks, characterized by significantly distinct physicochemical properties, exhibited beneficial complementarity, mitigating the limitations of using a single feedstock for fuel preparation. The severe caking and non-uniformity of PP hydrochar resulted in significant flaws in the pellets prepared through direct blending with GFC. The co-HTC technology significantly alleviated the poor processability of PP hydrochar and the low energy density of PP hydrochar pellet while greatly improving the flammability of GFC and the mechanical strength of GFC pellet. The results demonstrated a significant enhancement in uniformity of hydrochar after co-HTC, leading to a reduction in compression energy consumption to 6.16–7.62 J/g and an increase in pellet energy density to 30.60–35.08 GJ/m3. The ignition temperature and the activation energy of GFC were significantly reduced. The co-HTC technology effectively addressed the challenge of GFC pelletizing by achieving fuel pellets with a compressive strength of 11.89 MPa and a drop resistance of 99.8 %. Interestingly, the co-HTC process showed significant synergistic effects, increasing the energy yield of PP hydrochar to 73.38–92.9 % and effectively reducing the ash and sulfur content in GFC to 4.99–11.92 % and 0.35–0.55 %, respectively. The most pronounced synergistic effects were observed when blending PP and GFC in a 5:5 ratio. The complementarity of feedstocks and the synergistic effects of co-HTC converge to facilitate the conversion of biomass and industrial waste into high-performance fuel pellets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethylene (C 2 H 4) and pathogenic microorganisms are the two major causes of the deterioration of postharvest fruits and vegetables (F&V). Hence, the development of active packaging with C 2 H 4 scavenging and bactericidal activities is urgently desirable. Herein, a novel photocatalytic active film (CS-PC-AC) is developed for banana preservation by incorporating WO 3 /AgBr/Ag photocatalyst (PC) and activated carbon (AC) into chitosan (CS). The fabricated PC is a ternary Z -scheme heterojunction and its high photocatalytic activity is achieved by the bridge of Ag between WO 3 and AgBr through rapid transfer and separation of photogenerated electrons and holes. AC plays an indispensable role in the photocatalytic reaction through molecule adsorption and transport. PC and AC are hydrogen bonded with chitosan and their incorporation has slight effect on film's thermal stability but decreases the film's mechanical and barrier properties to some extent. CS-PC-AC exhibits strong bactericidal activity (killing ~100 % of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus within 3 h) and good C 2 H 4 scavenging activity (C 2 H 4 scavenging rate of 49 ± 2 %) under visible light irradiation, which can extend the banana shelf-life by at least 50 % at 25 °C. These results indicate the good perspective of CS-PC-AC in the delay of the deterioration of postharvest F&V. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endowing fluorescent pH sensors with large Stokes shifts promises to resolve interferential background fluorescence in practice, and yet few such method has been reported, owing to lack of luminescent materials with large Stokes shifts used in fluorescent sensors. Herein, we elaborately designed NaGdF 4 :Ce@NaGdF 4 :Nd@NaYF 4 :Eu core-double shells (CDS) lanthanide-doped fluoride nanoparticles (LFNPs), employing Gd3+-mediated energy migration and interfacial energy transfer to realize intense red and NIR emissions under 254 nm irradiation, and pseudo-Stokes shifts of which reached up to striking 361 nm and 610 nm, respectively. The CDS LFNPs collaborated with absorption-based pH indicator bromocresol green to from a novel fluorescent sensor film, and employing low-cost dual chip RGB-NIR camera to precisely record luminescence signals. On the basis of inner-filter effects, this senor system enabled accurate ratiometric read-out of pH value ranging from 5 to 6 (p K a ± 0.5), according to intensity ratios of pH-sensitive red emissions and referenced NIR emissions, avoiding common errors (e.g., fluctuant light sources). Notably, the large pseudo-Stokes shifts allowed red and NIR emissions far from the interfering background fluorescence possessing relatively small Stokes shifts, ensuring elevated signal-to-noise ratio and accurate pH determination. Therefore, the devised pH sensor system based on the CDS LFNPs exhibited sufficient accuracy in autofluorescent real samples (e.g., algae, serum), revealing a novel way of employing large pseudo-Stokes shifts to realize the background-free pH measurement and 2D imaging. [Display omitted] • Endowing fluorescent sensor with large pseudo-Stokes shifts to resolve background fluorescence was proposed. • The CDS LFNPs exhibit red and NIR emissions with large pseudo-Stokes shifts of 361 and 610 nm. • Fluorescent sensor composed of CDS LFNPs and bromocresol green enables ratiometric read-out of pH from 5 to 6. • Large pseudo-Stokes shifts ensure pH-related red and NIR luminescences far from background fluorescence. • The fluorescent sensor shows sufficient accuracy in pH sensing of autofluorescent real samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]