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Cleanup of oil spills has become one of the most challenging tasks in recent years, as marine oil spills have had a great negative impact on human health and the ecological environment. This also urgently requires the development of new materials and methods with superhydrophobic properties for oil-water separation. As new porous materials, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted much attention due to their unique structures and fascinating properties. However, powdered MOF materials are difficult to recycle, and therefore, suitable substrates need to be selected to construct superhydrophobic composites. The surface hydroxyl groups of cellulose fibers offer great possibilities for their superhydrophobic preparation. In this paper, HDTMS-UiO-66@CFs composites with superhydrophobicity were strategically synthesized by in-situ growth of Zr(IV)-based MOFs linked to hexadecyltrimethoxysilane (HDTMS) on cellulosic fibers (cotton fabric) by using a hydrothermal synthesis method. The HDTMS-UiO-66@CFs composites have a water contact angle of 172[degrees] and the absorption capacity of light oil and heavy oil is more than 1100%, and the oilwater separation efficiency is as high as 96%. Due to the in-situ growth of the HDTMS-UiO-66 material on cotton fibers, which makes the material more resistant and stable, the material can still maintain its superhydrophobic properties in various harsh environments and after repeated use. Therefore, the newly developed HDTMS-UiO-66@CFs composites have a high potential as novel adsorbent materials for cleaning up offshore oil spills and other applications. Highlights * In-situ growth of superhydrophobic metal-organic frameworks (MOF) particles on cellulose fibers. * The porous structure of hexadecyltrimethoxysilane (HDTMS)-Ui066 plays a key role in hydrophobicity. * HDTMS-Ui066@CFs are chemically stable and have long-term durability. KEYWORDS cotton fabrics, hydrophobicity, oil-water separation, zirconium-based metal-organic framework, 1 | INTRODUCTION Marine oil pollution is immensely harmful. Its damage to biodiversity, aquatic ecosystems, coastal and marine ecosystems is serious and ongoing. (1) At the same time, oil pollution [...]

Superhydrophobic materials have found extensive applications in everyday life and various industries due to their outstanding attributes such as waterproofing, exceptional anti-corrosion and self-cleaning capabilities. Nonetheless, their limited mechanical stability hinders their widespread use on ceramic surfaces. This study aims to address these limitations by employing industrial waste porcelain powder as a raw material and co-firing technology to create a micro-rough structure on ceramic surfaces. Furthermore, the impact of this rough structure on the wear resistance and hydrophobicity of the hydrophobic coating is investigated using the finite element method. The results indicate that the mechanical stability of the hydrophobic coating experiences a more pronounced enhancement with increasing distribution density of the micron rough structure of waste porcelain powder (WPPMRS). A dense rough structure does not only reduce its concentrated stress and improve its anti-wear ability, but also reduce the concentrated stress of hydrophobic coating to improve the protection of the coating. As a result, it substantially enhances the mechanical properties and stability of the hydrophobic coating. This work will provide valuable insights into the utilization of waste porcelain powder in sustainable superhydrophobic ceramics.

Long chain branched polypropylene/clay-supported calcium pimelate (LCBPP/ CaHA-OMMT) composites and their foams were prepared using self-made CaHA-OMMTs. The CaHA-OMMT showed high [beta]-nucleation efficiency, especially that with larger initial interlayer distance could induce 89% of [beta] crystal in LCBPP with a dosage of 0.5%. Clay layers were mostly exfoliated in the composites with low CaHA-OMMT content, while intercalated structure was dominant and agglomeration occurred when the content of CaHA-OMMT was higher than 2%. The composite foams were prepared with improved compression molding. The cell structure of the composite foams is improved, that is, the density, cell size, and cell size distribution decreased, and the cell density increased compared with that of LCBPP foam. The minimum average cell size of LCBPP/CaHA-OMMT foams was 77 [micro]m and the maximum cell density was 2.8 * [10.sup.6]] cells/[cm.sup.3] with the CaHA-OMMT content of 2%. It is concluded that there are two requirements for high nucleation efficiency: the CaHA was supported on OMMT layers, and the OMMT platelets were dispersed well and exfoliated. The compression properties of the composite foams, including compression modulus, energy absorption density and failure strength increased first and then decreased with the increase of CaHA-OMMT content. KEYWORDS composites, crystallization, foams, poly(propylene), 1 | INTRODUCTION Polypropylene (PP) foams have got more and more attention due to its better heat resistance, environmental friendly and recyclability. However, the foaming of PP has encountered challenges: [...]

ABSTRACT Objective Overview Conclusions Clinical Significance Digital technology in dentistry has advanced rapidly in recent years, and as a result, the identification of static virtual articulation as a crucial stage in the digital process has attracted increasing attention. The use of intraoral scanners (IOSs) has made the acquisition of occlusal records more efficient. The purpose of this article is to review information on evaluation methods and influencing factors on the accuracy of static virtual articulation obtained by intraoral scanners.An electronic search of the published literature was performed up to November 2023 using five databases: PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus. The inclusion criteria were defined as relevant clinical or in vitro English studies on the accuracy of the occlusal relationship obtained using intraoral scanners. Therefore, a total of 30 articles were selected, reviewed, and discussed. Based on the results of the literature review, three methods have been used to evaluate the accuracy of virtual interocclusal records, including distance measurement (10 studies), occlusal contact analysis (13 studies), and deviation analysis after superimposing casts (8 studies). However, direct comparisons between these studies are challenging due to the different methods employed. Factors that were found to potentially impact accuracies, such as the range of vestibular scans, the number and position of virtual interocclusal records (VIRs), the location and extension of edentulous areas, alignment methods, and evaluation software programs have been extensively studied, but the extent to which these factors affect accuracy remains uncertain and varies depending on the specific circumstances.A combination of multiple evaluation methods for a more rigid assessment of virtual interocclusal records may be a better approach. Attention should be given to the factors that may influence the accuracy of virtual interocclusal records. Future research should focus on optimizing these factors to improve the clinical applicability of virtual interocclusal records.In restorative dentistry, virtual interocclusal records obtained with intraoral scanners have been successfully used with acceptable accuracy, although they present some issues. Understanding the evaluation methods for virtual interocclusal records and the factors that may affect the accuracy of VIRs may lead to better use in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A thermal conductive structural adhesive (TCSA) plays a crucial role in battery performance and safety. TCSA made of polyurethane (PU) has not only a good thermal conductivity but also good mechanical strength and substrate bonding strength. However, it has to be cost‐effective and easy to be prepared. This work aims to synthesize a series of castor oil‐based PU TCSAs with different amounts of thermal conductive powder using commercially available castor oil polyols, isocyanates, Al2O3, and additives. The shear strength of the TCSA containing 88% thermally conductivity powder reached 5.6 MPa, which was similar to that without the thermal conductivity fillers, but its toughness significantly decreased. Its thermal conductivity was as high as 1.8 W/mK, and it was thermally stable below 270°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low-temperature sensitivity at the germination stage is a challenge for direct seeding of rice in Asian countries. How Ca2+ and auxin (IAA) signaling regulate primary root growth under chilling remains unexplored. Here, we showed that OsCML16 interacted specifically with OsPILS7a to improve primary root elongation of early rice seedlings under chilling. OsCML16, a subgroup 6c member of the OsCML family, interacted with multiple cytosolic loop regions of OsPILS7a in a Ca2+-dependent manner. OsPILS7a localized to the endoplasmic reticulum membranes and functioned as an auxin efflux carrier in a yeast growth assay. Transgenics showed that presence of OsCML16 enhanced primary root elongation under chilling, whereas the ospils7a knockout mutant lines showed the opposite phenotype. Moreover, under chilling conditions, OsCML16 and OsPILS7a-mediated Ca2+ and IAA signaling and regulated the transcription of IAA signaling-associated genes (OsIAA11, OsIAA23, and OsARF16) and cell division marker genes (OsRAN1, OsRAN2, and OsLTG1) in primary roots. These results show that OsCML16 and OsPILS7a cooperatively regulate primary root elongation of early rice seedlings under chilling. These findings enhance our understanding of the crosstalk between Ca2+ and IAA signaling and reveal insights into the mechanisms underlying cold-stress response during rice germination. A calcium binding protein and its PIN-LIKE interactor work together to regulate primary root elongation during germination under cold stress in rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid progress in miniaturization and integration of semiconductor power devices has made heat dissipation a critical concern in the development of high‐performance semiconductor devices, thereby increasing the demands for the heat transfer efficiency of polymer composites. To address this issue, an efficient three‐dimensional (3D) heat conduction network structure is constructed in the polymer matrix by leveraging the mutual reaction of amino and epoxy groups on the surface of the filler treated by coupling during the melt mixing process, this approach leads to an enhancement in the thermal conductivity of the composites. First, the inert surfaces of graphene nanosheets (EX‐G) and carbon fibers (CF) are coated with polydopamine (PDA) to form active sites. Subsequently, the graphene (EX‐G), alumina (Al2O3), and carbon fiber (CF) are treated with an amine coupling agent (KH550) and epoxy coupling agent (KH560), respectively. Notably, at a filler content of 25 wt%, the thermal conductivity (TC) of the composites increases by approximately 282% compared to pure nylon 6. This research contributes novel insights into the field of thermally conductive polymer composites. Highlights: The surface of the EX‐G and CF covered by PDA generates active sites.Fillers reduce the interface thermal resistance through chemical bonds.Fillers surface reaction builds a 3D thermal conductive network.3D network structure can significantly improve the TC of composites.Only 25 wt% of hybrid fillers in a 282% increased TC of composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH), a principal pathophysiological aspect of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), is associated with cognitive deficits. Clinical evidence suggests that a combination of Shengmaisan and Liuwei Dihuang Decoctions (SMS-LD) can enhance cognitive function by nourishing yin and strengthening the kidneys. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and underlying mechanisms of SMS-LD in addressing cognitive impairments induced by CIH. We exposed C57BL/6N mice to CIH for five weeks (20%−5% O 2 , 5 min/cycle, 8 h/day) and administered SMS-LD intragastrically (15.0 or 30 g·kg−1·day) 30 min before each CIH session. Additionally, AG490, a JJanus kinase 2 (JAK2) inhibitor, was administered via intracerebroventricular injection. Cognitive function was evaluated using the Morris water maze, while synaptic and mitochondrial structures were examined by transmission electron microscopy. Oxidative stress levels were determined using DHE staining, and the activation of the erythropoietin (ER)/ER receptor (EPOR)/JAK2 signaling pathway was analyzed through immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. To further investigate molecular mechanisms, HT22 cells were treated in vitro with either SMS-LD medicated serum alone or in combination with AG490 and then exposed to CIH for 48 h. Our results indicate that SMS-LD significantly mitigated CIH-induced cognitive impairments in mice. Specifically, SMS-LD treatment enhanced dendritic spine density, ameliorated mitochondrial dysfunction, reduced oxidative stress, and activated the EPO/EPOR/JAK2 signaling pathway. Conversely, AG490 negated SMS-LD's neuroprotective and cognitive improvement effects under CIH conditions. These findings suggest that SMS-LD's beneficial impact on cognitive impairment and synaptic and mitochondrial integrity under CIH conditions may predominantly be attributed to the activation of the EPO/EPOR/JAK2 signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atherosclerosis is the main pathological basis of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Fufang Danshen Tablet (FDT) is a traditional Chinese medicine that has been clinically used to treat CVDs for more than 40 years. Nevertheless, owing to the complexity of the ingredients, the pharmacological mechanism of FDT in the treatment of CVDs has not been fully elucidated. In this study, an integrated strategy of UFLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS, network pharmacology, molecular biology, and transcriptomics was used to elucidate the mechanisms of action of FDT in the treatment of atherosclerosis. In total, 22 absorbed constituents were identified in rat serum after oral administration of FDT. In silico, network pharmacology studies have shown that FDT regulates four key biological functional modules for the treatment of atherosclerosis: oxidative stress, cell apoptosis, energy metabolism, and immune/inflammation. In animal experiments, FDT exerted protective effects against atherosclerosis by reducing the plaque area and lipid levels in ApoE−/− mice. Furthermore, we found that FDT inhibited inflammatory macrophage accumulation by regulating the expression of Selp and Ccl2, which are both involved in monocyte adhesion and migration. The inhibition of monocyte recruitment by FDT is a new perspective to elucidate the anti-atherosclerotic mechanism of FDT, which has not been adopted in previous studies on FDT. Our results may help to elucidate the therapeutic mechanism of FDT against CVDs and provide potential therapeutic targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BiVO4 is one of the most promising photoanode materials for photoelectrochemical (PEC) solar energy conversion, but it still suffers from poor photocurrent density due to insufficient light‐harvesting efficiency (LHE), weak photogenerated charge separation efficiency (ΦSep), and low water oxidation efficiency (ΦOX). Herein, we tackle these challenges of the BiVO4 photoanodes using systematic engineering, including catalysis engineering, bandgap engineering, and morphology engineering. In particular, we deposit a NiCoOx layer onto the BiVO4 photoanode as the oxygen evolution catalyst to enhance the ΦOX of Fe‐g‐C3N4/BiVO4 for PEC water oxidation, and incorporate Fe‐doped graphite‐phase C3N4 (Fe‐g‐C3N4) into the BiVO4 photoanode to optimize the bandgap and surface areas to subsequently expand the light absorption range of the photoanode from 530 to 690 nm, increase the LHE and ΦSep, and further improve the oxygen evolution reaction activity of the NiCoOx catalytic layer. Consequently, the maximum photocurrent density of the as‐prepared NiCoOx/Fe‐g‐C3N4/BiVO4 is remarkably boosted from 4.6 to 7.4 mA cm−2. This work suggests that the proposed systematic engineering strategy is exceptionally promising for improving LHE, ΦSep, and ΦOX of BiVO4‐based photoanodes, which will substantially benefit the design, preparation, and large‐scale application of next‐generation high‐performance photoanodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary generation is an important research direction in natural language processing. Aimed at the problems of redundant information processing difficulties and an inability to generate high-quality summaries from long text in existing summary generation models, BART is the backbone model, an N + 1 coarse–fine-grained multistage summary generation framework is constructed, and a multistage mixed-attention unsupervised keyword extraction summary generation model is proposed (multistage mixed-attention unsupervised keyword extraction for summary generation, MSMAUKE-SummN). In the N-coarse-grained summary generation stages, a sentence filtering layer (PureText) is constructed to remove redundant information in long text. A mixed-attention unsupervised approach is used to iteratively extract keywords, assisting summary inference and enriching the global semantic information of coarse-grained summaries. In the 1-fine-grained summary generation stage, a self-attentive keyword selection module (KeywordSelect) is designed to obtain keywords with higher weights and enhance the local semantic representation of fine-grained summaries. Tandem N-coarse-grained and 1-fine-grained summary generation stages are used to obtain long text summaries through a multistage generation approach. The experimental results show that the model improves the ROUGE-1, ROUGE-2, and ROUGE-L metrics by a minimum of 0.75%, 1.48%, and 1.25% over the HMNET, TextRank, HAT-BART, DDAMS, and SummN models on summarized datasets such as AMI, ICSI, and QMSum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The notorious lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) shuttle effect, which results in low capacity, subpar rate performance, and quick capacity deterioration, has severely restricted the practical applications of lithium sulfur (Li‐S) batteries. Therefore, it is very important for modified materials to promote thermodynamics and redox kinetics in the entrapping‐conversion process of polysulfides. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations show that ferric group (Fe, Co, Ni) transition metals not only provide moderate binding contacts with LiPSs but also act as an active catalyst in the spontaneous and sequential lithiation of S8 to Li2S by d‐band energy level splitting, and quick migration of Li ions can be operated on their surface, enhancing the utilization of LiPSs. Experimentally, felicitously‐fabricated ferric group (Fe, Co, Ni) transition metals encapsulated in nitrogen‐doped carbon nanotubes (M@NCNT) electrocatalysts were introduced into Li‐S batteries via separator functionalization. Actually, the experiments demonstrated that the excellent shuttle effect hindering was enabled. Consistent with theoretical predictions, Li‐S batteries with Ni@NCNT modified separators had significantly improved rate capacity and cycling stability. The cells with Ni@NCNT were able to achieve a high initial discharge capacity of 1035 mAh g−1 and a capacity retention rate of 70% at 500 discharges at 1.0 C with a 0.060% capacity decay each cycle, performing considerable cycle‐life with state‐of‐the‐art separators. Our work demonstrated a realistic separator‐modified strategy of d‐band energy level splitting from ferric group metals for high‐performance and long‐life Li‐S batteries, further propelling Li‐S battery commercialization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]