Chlorophyll was determined in the N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and the mixture solution (V_alcohol/V_acetone=1:1) respectively, and the extracted effects were compared. The results showed that the extracted effects of chlorophyll content in the mixture solution method is better than that of DMF method when the chlorophyll content was low, while DMF method is better when the chlorophyll content was high. DMF extraction method with long extraction time was better to the coniferous forest vegetation and Ginkgo biloba Linn., because the plant’s well-developed cuticle on the blade surface could hinder the dissolution of chlorophyll in the extract in a short time. The SPAD values were measured when leaves were determined by above two methods meanwhile, and were linearly fitted with the actual chlorophyll content values to obtain the linear correction equation. It found that SPAD values had a good linear relationship with chlorophyll content (with mg/dm² fresh weight, R² > 0.96). Linearity range of SPAD value is 25∼60 in DMF method, and 26∼50 in the mixture solution method.

Novel Bi₂W₂O₉ and Bi₂Mo₂O₉ with irregular polyhedron structure were successfully synthesized by a hydrothermal method. Compared to ordinary Bi₂WO₆ and Bi₂MoO₆, the modified structure of Bi₂W₂O₉ and Bi₂Mo₂O₉ were observed, which led to an enhancement of photocatalytic performance. To investigate the possible mechanism of enhancing photocatalytic efficiency, the crystal structure, morphology, elemental composition, and optical properties of Bi₂WO₆, Bi₂MO₆, Bi₂W₂O₉, and Bi₂Mo₂O₉ were examined. UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy revealed the visible-light absorption ability of Bi₂WO₆, Bi₂MO₆, Bi₂W₂O₉, and Bi₂Mo₂O₉. Photoluminescence (PL) and photocurrent indicated that Bi₂W₂O₉ and Bi₂Mo₂O₉ pose an enhanced ability of photogenerated electron–hole pairs separation. Radical trapping experiments revealed that photogenerated holes and superoxide radicals were the main active species. It can be conjectured that the promoted photocatalytic performance related to the modified structure, and a possible mechanism was discussed in detail.

Stomatal behavior under global climate change is a central topic of plant ecophysiological research. Vapor pressure deficit (VPD) and phytohormones can affect stomata of leaves which can affect gas exchange characteristics of plant. The role of VPD in regulating leaf gas exchange of three tree species was investigated in Jinan, China. Experiments were performed in June, August, and October. Levels of three phytohormones (GA₃, IAA, ABA) in the leaves of the three trees were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography in three seasons. The responses of stomatal conductance (g_s) to an increasing VPD in the leaves of the three trees had peak curves under different seasons, which differed from the prevailing response pattern of g_s to VPD in most literature. The peak curve could be fitted with a Log-Normal Model (R² = 0.838–0.995). The VPD/RH values of the corresponding maximum of g_s (g_s-max-VPD/RH) could be calculated by fitted models. The g_s-max-RH could be affected by environmental conditions, because of positive correlation between g_s-max-RH and the mean monthly temperature in 2010 (R² > 0.81). Two typical stomatal models (the Leuning model and the optimal stomatal behavior model) were used to estimate g_s values, but they poorly predicted g_s in the three trees. The concentration of ABA was positively correlated to sensitivity in response of stomatal conductance to VPD in the leaves of the tree species during the different seasons.

As the most studied bioluminescent system, firefly luciferase is widely applied in many aspects, such as developing small molecule probes, bioluminescent imaging, high-throughput screening, dual luciferase reporters, etc. Considering that a false positive phenomenon often emerges while researchers conduct high-throughput screening based on firefly luciferase, and that the triazole core is a “privileged” scaffold in drug design and development, we herein report a series of triazoles with potent inhibitory activity in vitro and in vivo, comparable to that of the well-known inhibitor resveratrol. More interesting, a kinetics study disclosed that these triazoles exhibited a brand new inhibition mode, mixed noncompetitive for the substrate aminoluciferin and noncompetitive for ATP. Henceforth, these compounds can notify researchers for possible “false positives”. Moreover, they will shed light on luciferase structure–function mechanistic exploration and help expand its application in various areas.

The construction of semiconductor heterojunction photocatalysts that improve the separation and transfer of photoinduced charge carriers is an effective and widely employed strategy to boost photocatalytic performance. Herein, we have successfully constructed a CdS/Ag/Bi₂WO₆ Z-scheme heterojunction with an Ag-bridge as an effective charge transfer channel by a facile process. The heterostructure consists of both CdS and Ag nanoparticles anchored on the surface of Bi₂WO₆ nanosheets. The photocatalytic efficiency of the CdS/Ag/Bi₂WO₆ system was studied by the decontamination of tetracycline (TC) and Rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation (λ ≥ 420). The results exhibited that CdS/Ag/Bi₂WO₆ shows markedly higher photocatalytic performance than that of CdS, Bi₂WO₆, Ag/Bi₂WO₆, and CdS/Bi₂WO₆. The trapping experiment results verified that the ^•O₂⁻ and h⁺ radicals are the key active species. The results of photoluminescence spectral analysis and photocurrent responses indicated that the CdS/Ag/Bi₂WO₆ heterojunctions exhibit exceptional efficiency in separating and transferring photoinduced electron−hole pairs. Based on a series of characterization results, the boosted photocatalytic activity of the CdS/Ag/Bi₂WO₆ system is mostly due to the successful formation of the Ag-bridged Z-scheme heterojunction; these can not only inhibit the recombination rate of photoinduced charge carriers but also possess a splendid redox capacity. The work provides a way for designing a Z-scheme photocatalytic system based on Ag-bridged for boosting photocatalytic performance.

Soil salinization is one of the current global environmental problems. Current research on crops in saline-alkali land focuses on salt tolerance, but less on its ecological benefits. However, plants and the environment can interact and influence each other, which is the theory used to carry out Nature-based Solutions (NbS). Therefore, the research on crop plants with both ecological and economic benefits is novel and valuable work. Then three widely planted cash crops (Solanum melongena, Momordica charantia, Capsicum annuum) were selected for salt stress treatment (NaCl, 150mmol/L), some physiological indicators (chlorophyll, soluble protein, Proline (Pro), malondialdehyde (MDA)) of plant and the soil properties (electrical conductivity, pH, the soil salt content) were measured. The results showed that the salinity content of the three plant cultivation soils was significantly different (P<0.05) after the salt stress; all three crops had some desalination capacity, but Capsicum annuum had the strongest salt resistance and desalination capacity.