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Microwave absorption materials can protect humanity from harmful electromagnetic radiation, but it is still a challenge to absorb electromagnetic radiation with different bands simultaneously. Herein, an effective strategy for obtaining WSe2@CNTs nanohybrids is reported. The conductive network and polarization of WSe2@CNTs nanohybrids can be tailored by confinedly implanting WSe2 nanosheets on multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The electromagnetic properties and microwave absorption performance of the nanohybrids are effectively adjusted via changing the hybrid ratio of WSe2 and CNTs. Multi-band microwave absorption is achieved with up to three bands. The reflection loss (RL) of the sample can reach -60.1 dB, and the bandwidth can reach 4.24 GHz (RL≤-10 dB). The excellent microwave absorption performance is attributed to the conductance and multiple relaxations, as well as the synergistic effect of the two. This result confirms that WSe2@CNTs nanohybrids are potential candidates for high-efficiency microwave absorbers and provide a valuable pathway for designing high-performance microwave absorption materials in the future.

Spiropyran-modified honeycomb porous film with photo-, thermo- and acido-chromic properties.

In this work, we successfully synthesized metal-free 2D COF electrocatalysts with high hydrogen evolution performance in alkaline solution. The overpotential is 290 mV at 10 mA cm−2 with small Tafel slopes.

Simultaneous improvement in dielectric, water resistance and mechanical properties of polyimide (PI) films is critical for their practical use, but difficult to achieve. Herein, a sandwich-type porous GO/PI film with excellent comprehensive properties was obtained through integrating a GO-containing complex, fluorine-containing porous structure and sandwich-type distribution of porous structure by a simple, low-cost and green breath figure method. With the addition of only a small amount of GO-containing complex, a low dielectric constant of 2.21, water absorption of 0.51%, increment in dielectric constant after moisture treatment of 1.60% and high tensile strength of 113.1 MPa, tensile modulus of 1.70 GPa, with 35.39%, 79.42%, 81.81% of reduction and 17.22%, 21.43% of increase compared to PI film were shown, respectively. Moreover, these properties could be adjusted through regulating the component and porous structure by changing the parameters of breath figure method. These outstanding properties make the film a promising candidate for high-performance low-dielectric materials.

The ability to control multiphase flows is essential for applications such as microvalves, chemical analyses, microreactors, and multiphase separators. Furthermore, more specific controls, including the positional navigation control of fluids under steady-state pressures, will improve the development of these applications. Here, we present a fundamentally new photothermally induced liquid gating system that allows light-controlled contactless fluid transport and gas/liquid separations at designated locations, with seconds response times, under constant pressures. Experiments and theoretical calculations demonstrate the stability of our system and its novel regulation mechanism, which is based on a photothermally induced liquid-reconfigurable gate with a change in the surface/interfacial tension and Marangoni flow redistribution of the gating liquid at the illuminated location. This regulation mechanism with positional navigation properties requires neither mechanical parts nor complex accessories and can further enable the miniaturization and integration of various engineering processes. Our application demonstrations confirm the potential of this system in fields of smart valves, multiphase separations, multiphase microreactors, and beyond.

The traditional optimal allocation of water resources cannot reflect the specific water distribution of a water consumption unit. To resolve the issue, an improved model for the optimal allocation of water resources was developed in combination with the existing gridding concept and remote sensing technologies to minimize water scarcity and maximize economic benefit. This model incorporates the water supply scopes and water users of the water sources in a region in the form of cells, using multiple water resources, objectives, and users in the region as the base points. Further, the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm was employed to solve this model. The results reveal as follows: First, the northeast, west, and southeast areas of Guantao County have the lowest water demands, while the east lower-middle half has the greatest. Second, it is estimated that in the years of the plan (P = 50%), the county’s total water demand will be 118,871,900 m , which can be met by the total available water supply (125,281,800 m ); the economic benefit will reach 4,086,500 Yuan in the target year of the plan. Third, the region refined water resources optimizing the allocation is favorable to lowering groundwater exploitation, coping with the water resources deficit, and promoting the rational allocation and management of water resources.

BackgroundImmunotherapy represented by the programmed death-1 (PD-1)/ligand 1 (PD-L1) monoclonal antibodies has led tumor treatment into a new era. However, the low overall response rate and high incidence of drug resistance largely damage the clinical benefits of existing immune checkpoint therapies. Recent studies correlate the response to PD-1/PD-L1 blockade with PD-L1 expression levels in tumor cells. Hence, identifying molecular targets and pathways controlling PD-L1 protein expression and stability in tumor cells is a major priority.MethodsIn this study, we first performed a Stress and Proteostasis CRISPR interference library-based screening to identify PD-L1 positive modulators. We then used in vitro and in vivo assays to investigate the biological function and mechanism of TRAF6 and its downstream YAP1/TFCP2 signaling in malignant melanoma.ResultsHere, we identified TRAF6 as a critical regulator of PD-L1 in melanoma cells. Suppression of TRAF6 expression down-regulates PD-L1 expression on the membrane surface of melanoma cells. We also found that PD-L1 protein abundance is regulated by YAP1/TFCP2 transcriptional complex. TRAF6 stabilizes YAP1 by K63 poly-ubiquitination modification, subsequently promoting the formation of YAP1/TFCP2 and PD-L1 transcription. Furthermore, inhibition of TRAF6 by Bortezomib enhanced cytolytic activity of CD8+ T cells by reduction of endogenous PD-L1. Notably, Bortezomib enhances anti-tumor immunity to an extent that is comparable to anti-PD-1 mAb therapies with no obvious toxicity.ConclusionsThese findings uncover a novel molecular mechanism for regulating PD-L1 protein abundance by a E3 ligase in cancer cells and reveal the potential of using TRAF6 inhibitors to stimulate internal anti-tumor immunological effect for TRAF6-PD-L1 overexpressing cancers.

ConspectusPorous membranes are playing paramount roles in the areas of wastewater treatment, chemical analysis, energy storage and conversion, flexible devices, and biomedical engineering. Despite ...

The myriapod fauna of China is still poorly known and very little attention has been paid to the study of Lithobiomorpha, with only more 100 species/subspecies hitherto known from the country, amongst which are only three species of Validifemur. Here we are describing a new species from northwest China. A new lithobiid species, Validifemur radispinipes sp. n., is described and illustrated from Wolong Mountain Park, Jingyuan County, Guyuan City, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, northwest China. The new species is compared with V. pedodontus Ma, Song & Zhu, 2007 from Shaanxi Province, China. Type specimens are deposited in the Institute of Myriapodology, School of Life Sciences, Hengshui University, Hengshui, China.

The outbreak of major public health emergencies such as the coronavirus epidemic has put forward new requirements for urban emergency management procedures. Accuracy and effective distribution model of emergency support materials, as an effective tool to inhibit the deterioration of the public health sector, have gradually become a research hotspot. The distribution of urban emergency support devices, under the secondary supply chain structure of “material transfer center-demand point,” which may involve confusing demands, is studied to determine the actual situation of fuzzy requests under the impact of an epidemic outbreak. An optimization model of urban emergency support material distribution, based on Credibility theory, is first constructed. Then an improved sparrow search algorithm, ISSA, was designed by introducing Sobol sequence, Cauchy variation and bird swarm algorithm into the structure of the classical SSA. In addition, numerical validation and standard test set validation were carried out and the experimental results showed that the introduced improved strategy effectively improved the global search capability of the algorithm. Furthermore, simulation experiments are conducted, based on Shanghai, and the comparison with existing cutting-edge algorithms shows that the designed algorithm has stronger superiority and robustness. And the simulation results show that the designed algorithm can reduce vehicle cost by 4.83%, time cost by 13.80%, etc. compared to other algorithms. Finally, the impact of preference value on the distribution of emergency support materials is analyzed to help decision-makers to develop reasonable and effective distribution strategies according to the impact of major public health emergencies. The results of the study provide a practical reference for the solution of urban emergency support materials distribution problems.

The myriapod fauna of China is still poorly known and very little attention has been paid to the study of Lithobiomorpha, with only more 100 species/subspecies hitherto known from the country, amongst which are only three species ofA new lithobiid species

This paper describes a rotary piezoelectric wind energy harvester with bilateral excitation (B-RPWEH) that improves power generation performance. The power generating unit in the current piezoelectric cantilever wind energy harvester was primarily subjected to a periodic force in a single direction. The B-RPWEH adopted a reasonable bilateral magnet arrangement, thus avoiding the drawbacks of limited piezoelectric cantilever beam deformation and unstable power generation due to unidirectional excitation force. The factors affecting the power generation were theoretically analyzed, and the natural frequency and excitation force of the piezoelectric cantilever have been simulated and analyzed. A comprehensive experimental research method was used to investigate the output performance. The B-RPWEH reaches a maximum output voltage of 20.48 Vpp when the piezoelectric sheet is fixed at an angle of 30°, the Savonius turbine number is 3, and the magnet diameter is 8 mm. By adjusting the fixed angle of the piezoelectric sheet, the number of Savonius wind turbine blades, and the magnet diameter, the maximum voltage is increased by 52.38%, 4.49%, and 245.95%, respectively. The output power is 24.5 mW with an external resistor of 8 kΩ, and the normalized power density is 153.14 × 10−3 mW/mm3, capable of powering light-emitting diodes (LEDs). This structure can drive wireless networks or low-power electronics.

Anti-counterfeiting technologies of banknotes are essential to avoid financial fraud and maintain the stability of the socio-economic system. In recent years, the technologies used by counterfeiters have become more and more advanced, bringing great challenges to traditional methods of authenticity check. Therefore, the identification technologies of banknotes urgently need to be improved. Terahertz spectroscopy is widely used for analysis and material identification due to its properties (such as biomolecular fingerprinting spectrum, ultra-weak photon emission, non-destructive and time-resolution detection). In this paper, we apply the transmission terahertz imaging to the identification of anti-counterfeit labels of RMB. We designed and built a THz-TDS confocal imaging system, which has higher image resolution than traditional THz-TDS imaging systems. We used this system to perform terahertz imaging on anti-counterfeit labels of banknotes. The results show that our designed and built THz-TDS confocal imaging system not only provides higher image quality, but also can identify more details of the anti-counterfeit labels of banknotes.

In this paper, we reported the design, fabricate, and characterize of an electronically controlled terahertz (THz) amplitude modulator composed of a four-open ring metamaterial structure and a high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) structure, HEMT area is located at the openings of the four-opening ring metamaterial structure. The concentration of 2D electron gas of the HEMT is adjusted by applying an external electrical field and results in the resonance shifts. Both static and dynamic characterizations of the modulator were carried out by using an optical fiber-coupled terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) system in the transmission type. Experimental results show that the amplitude modulator can modulate the incident THz waves with two orthogonal polarization directions. The modulation depths are 56% at 0.32 THz for vertical polarized beam and 40% at 0.34 for horizontal polarized beam respectively. The modulator has potential application in wireless communication and real-time imaging.

Developing superabsorbents for efficiently separating immiscible oil-water mixtures and oil-water emulsions are highly desirable for addressing oily wastewater pollution problems, but it remains a challenge. Ultralight nanofibrous aerogels (NFAs) with unique wetting properties show great potential in oily wastewater treatment. In this study, a facile and efficient method for producing hierarchical porous structured NFAs with hydrophobicity for high efficiency oil-water separation was developed. The synthesis included three steps: wet electrospinning, freeze drying, and in situ polymerization. The obtained NFA demonstrated outstanding oil absorption capacity toward numerous oils and organic solvents, as well as efficient surfactant-stabilized water-in-oil emulsion separation with high separation flux and excellent separation efficiency. Furthermore, these NFAs displayed excellent corrosion resistance and outstanding recoverability. We assume that the resultant NFAs fabricated by this facile strategy are highly promising as ideal oil absorbents for practical oily wastewater treatment under harsh conditions.

Excessive secretion of cytokines (such as APRIL and BAFF) in the bone marrow microenvironment (BMM) plays an essential role in the formation of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (MM). Blocking the binding of excessive cytokines to their receptors is becoming a promising approach for MM therapy. Here, we proposed a strategy of engineering cell membrane-based nanovesicles (NVs) to reconstruct B cell maturation antigen (BCMA), a receptor of APRIL and BAFF, to capture excess APRIL/BAFF in BMM as a bait protein. Our results showed that reconstructed BCMA expressed on the membrane of NVs (Re-BCMA-NVs) retained the ability of binding to soluble and surface-bound APRIL/BAFF in BMM. Consequently, Re-BCMA-NVs blocked the activation of the NF-κB pathway, downregulating the expression of anti-apoptosis genes and cell cycle-related genes, and hence inhibiting MM cell survival. Importantly, Re-BCMA-NVs showed a synergistic anti-MM effect when administrated together with bortezomib (BTZ) in vitro and in vivo. Our NVs targeting multiple cytokines in cancer microenvironment provides a solution to enhance sensitivity of MM cells to BTZ-based therapy. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Excessive APRIL and BAFF is reported to promote the survival of MM cell and facilitate the formation of resistance to bortezomib therapy. In this study, we bioengineered cell membrane derived reconstructed BCMA nanovesicles (Re-BCMA-NVs) to capture both soluble and cell-surface APRIL and BAFF. These NVs inhibited the activation of NF-κB pathway and thus inhibit the survival of MM cells in 2D, 3D and subcutaneous mouse tumor models. Importantly, Re-BCMA-NVs showed a synergistic anti-MM effect when administrated together with bortezomib in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, our NVs targeting multiple cytokines in cancer microenvironment provides a solution to enhance sensitivity of MM cells to bortezomib-based therapy.

This study aimed at investigating the molecular level organization and photoluminescence in the interlayer space of magadiite (mag) synthesized by the process of solid-state intercalation. Host-guest composites were prepared by an easy grinding process without other operation. Detailed structural investigations were performed by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermo-gravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis (TGA/DTA), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), photoluminescence (PL) and inverted fluorescence microscope. Results confirmed that 8-hydroxyquinoline (8Hq) was intercalated in the interlayer space of mag in the presence of various metal ions (Ca2+, Zn2+ and Mn2+) inside. Basal spacings between silicate layers were controlled by exchanged metal ions and decorated 8Hq. Solid-state intercalation resulted in the lower proportion of intercalated 8Hq, but good luminescence was observed by PL. The complexes in the interlayer space showed special fluorescence properties. A speculative mechanism was proposed for reaction by solid-solid intercalation. This study provided a message for understanding the functional properties of composites 8Hq/Ca, Zn, Mn-mags, such as loading capacity and photoluminescence properties.

Harvesting wind energy using piezoelectric materials is expected to be an alternative solution for powering wireless sensing networks. This paper proposed a nonlinear isometric L-shaped cantilever beam type piezoelectric wind energy harvester based on magnetic coupling (L-PWEH). The transducer consists of an array of equidistant L-shaped piezoelectric vibrators that are sealed inside the shell. It greatly improves the equivalent piezoelectric coefficient, robustness, and wind speed range for reliable operation. Theoretical and simulation analyses of the structural parameters related to the widening of the L-PWEH were performed. The prototype was built and the experimental system was constructed to verify the feasibility of the L-PWEH and the results of the analyses. Experiments have shown that increasing the magnetic force, additional springs, and the appropriate quantity of excitation magnets can effectively increase the output voltage and widen the wind speed range at high voltage output. When the wind speed is 16.35 m/s and the load resistance is 2 MΩ, the best output power of the piezoelectric vibrator is 142.3 µW. At this time, the height of the middle excitation magnet of the prototype is 12 mm, the number is 5, and the wire diameter of the additional spring is 1 mm. The prototype can successfully make the electronics work properly.

Microwave absorption materials can protect humanity from harmful electromagnetic radiation, but it is still a challenge to absorb electromagnetic radiation with different bands simultaneously. Herein, an effective strategy for obtaining WSe

The main purpose of this paper is to study a piezoelectric energy harvester in the form of vortex oscillation for fixed disturbance fluid type. The harvester consists of a fixed cylinder, an oscillating cylinder, flexible beams, and polyvinylidene fluorides (PVDFs). The flexible beam connects the fixed cylinder to the oscillating cylinder, and the PVDF is fixed to the flexible beam by means of adhesive, thus completing the assembly of the entire energy harvester. In this paper, the diameters of the fixed cylinder and oscillating cylinder and the length of the flexible beam are studied. In different parameter states, the harvester has different output performance; so the purpose of this study is to find a set of optimum parameters that will lead to the best harvester output. When the diameters of the fixed cylinder and oscillating cylinder are 50 and 20 mm, respectively, and the length of the flexible beam is 60 mm, the whole prototype has the best electrical output performance with 5.98 µW power at 18 m/s. The whole prototype is sensitive to excitation at any wind speed and is able to convert and collect even weak streaming excitation energy from the environment. This structure offers greater reliability and durability than the disturbed fluid oscillation type piezoelectric harvester.

The adverse impact of particulate air pollution on human health

Amorphous manganese silicate/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (AMSi/MWCNTs) composites were successfully synthesized using MWCNTs, manganese dichloride and sodium silicate as the starting materials by a facile precipitation method. The composition and morphology were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer, elemental mapping, Raman, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Electrochemical properties of AMSi/MWCNTs as supercapacitor electrode were studied. It was found that the electrochemical performance of AMSi could be adjusted by the amount of MWCNTs. Specific capacitance of AMSi/MWCNTs reached the highest value (236 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1) in the presence of 40 wt.% of MWCNTs. Asymmetric supercapacitor device assembled from AMSi/MWCNTs and activated carbon (AMSi/MWCNTs//AC) showed its specific capacitances reached 146, 139, 119, 108 and 99 F g−1 at current densities of 0.5, 1, 2, 5 and 10 A g−1, respectively. A capacitance retention of 81% for AMSi/MWCNTs//AC device after 1000 cycles indicated that AMSi/MWCNTs had good cycling performance applied to SC device. Present findings demonstrated that MWCNTs could improve the electrochemical properties of AMSi and suggested that AMSi/MWCNTs composites could be considered as potential materials for high-performance energy storage device.