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Magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) based on all-two dimensional (2D) van der Waals heterostructures with sharp and clean interfaces in atomic scale are essential for the application of next-generation spintronics. However, the lack of room-temperature intrinsic ferromagnetic crystals with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy has greatly hindered the development of vertical MTJs. The discovery of room-temperature intrinsic ferromagnetic 2D crystal Fe3GaTe2 has solved the problem and greatly facilitated the realization of practical spintronic devices. Here, we demonstrate a room-temperature MTJ based on Fe3GaTe2/WS2/Fe3GaTe2 heterostructure. The tunnelling magnetoresistance (TMR) ratio is up to 213% with high spin polarization of 72% at 10 K, the highest ever reported in Fe3GaTe2-based MTJs up to now. The tunnelling spin-valve signal robustly exists at room temperature (300 K) with bias current down to 10 nA. Moreover, the spin polarization can be modulated by bias current and the TMR shows a sign reversal at large bias current. Our work sheds light on the potential application for low-energy consumption all-2D vdW spintronics and offers alternative routes for the electronic control of spintronic devices.

Hierarchical Fe-MFI were synthesized by post-treatment with TPAOH and applied as catalysts in liquid phase dehydration of 1-phenylethanol. The catalysts were characterized by XRD, TEM and N2 physisorption et al. After treatment, more ferric ions occupied zeolite framework sites, leading to increase in Bronsted acid sites content. Moreover, secondary pores with pore size range in 8–100 nm were introduced into inside zeolite. The secondary pores improved the accessibility of active centers and diffusion properties of reactants. The conversion of 1-phenylethanol reached 90% with 99% styrene selectivity in 1.5 h at 80 °C, while the reaction time of hierarchical Fe-MFI is only a half of microporous Fe-MFI zeolite. Moreover, the hierarchical Fe-MFI could be reused for at least five times.

Spin-valve effect has been the focus of spintronics over the last decades due to its potential in many spintronic devices. Two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals (vdW) materials are highly expected to build the spin-valve heterojunction. However, the Curie temperatures (TC) of the vdW ferromagnetic 2D crystals are mostly below room temperature (~30-220 K). It is very challenging to develop room temperature, ferromagnetic (FM) 2D crystals based spin-valve devices which are still not available to date. We report the first room temperature, FM 2D crystal based all-2D vdW Fe3GaTe2/MoS2/Fe3GaTe2 spin valve devices. The Magnetoresistance (MR) of the all- devices is up to 15.89% at 2.3 K and 11.97% at 10 K, 4-30 times of MR from the spin valves of Fe$_3$GaTe$_2$/MoS$_2$/Fe$_3$GaTe$_2$ and conventional NiFe/MoS$_2$/NiFe. Typical spin valve effect shows strong dependence on MoS2 spacer thickness in the vdW heterojunction. Importantly, the spin valve effect (0.31%) still robustly exists at 300 K with low working currents down to 10 nA (0.13 A/cm$^2$). The results provide a general vdW platform to room temperature, 2D FM crystals based 2D spin valve devices.

The growth of Li dendrites and the instability of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer during plating/stripping has hindered the practical application of high-energy-density batteries based on a lithium metal anode. Building a stable interfacial layer is effective in preventing lithium corrosion by the electrolyte and controlling the deposition of lithium metal. Here, we present a robust polydopamine-Cu ion (PDA-Cu2+) coating layer formed by the aggregation of nanoparticles and Cu ions, which can be obtained by a subtle immersion strategy. We demonstrate that the PDA-Cu2+ protective layer, with a unique structure comprising nanoparticles, can regulate and guide Li metal deposition, and together with Cu ions, forms a lubricating surface to facilitate uniform Li ion diffusion and induce stable SEI layer formation. Li anodes with this PDA-Cu2+ layer modification ultimately achieve higher Coulombic efficiencies, which are consistently stable for over 650 cycles at 0.5 mA·cm−2 without Li dendrites. The introduced PDA-Cu2+ coating can adhere to any material of any shape; additionally, the operation can be realized on a large scale because of its simplicity. These merits provide a promising approach for developing stable and safe lithium metal batteries.

It is imperative to explore practical methods and materials to drive the development of high energy density lithium metal batteries. The constuciton of nanostructure electrodes and surface engineering on the current collectors are the two most effective strategies to regulate the homogeneous Li plating/stripping to relieve the Li dendrites and infinite volume change problems. Based on the low stacking fault energy of the Cu–Zn alloy, we present a novel chemical energy release induced surface atom diffusion strategy, which is achieved by the negative Gibbs free energy from the surface oxidation reaction and subsequent replacement reaction under thermal treatment in air, to realize a uniform upper ZnO nanoparticles coating. Furthermore, we apply the modified brass mesh as a lithiophilic current collector to decrease the Li deposition nucleation overpotential and effectively restrain the Li dendrite growth. The modified brass current collector achieves a long-term cycling stability of 500 cycles at 2.0 mA cm...

Supplemental material, sj-docx-1-tct-10.1177_15330338211065603 for 3D Visualization of the Dynamic Bidirectional Talk Between ER/PR and Her2 Pathways by Jiahong Lyv, Guohua Yu, Yunyun Zhang, Yan Lyv, Wenfeng Zhang, Jiandi Zhang and Fangrong Tang in Technology in Cancer Research & Treatment

Additional file 2: Appendix Table 2. A table showing the percentage of surgical procedures. Partial nephrectomy: Partial or subtotal nephrectomy (kidney or renal pelvis) or partial ureterectomy; RNU:Complete/total/simple nephrectomy - for kidney parenchyma Nephroureterectomy; Any nephrectomy: Any nephrectomy (simple, subtotal, complete, partial, total, radical) PLUS an en bloc:resection of other organ(s) (colon, bladder); Nephrectomy, NOS:Nephrectomy, NOS;Ureterectomy, NOS.

Supplemental material, sj-docx-1-tct-10.1177_15330338211065603 for 3D Visualization of the Dynamic Bidirectional Talk Between ER/PR and Her2 Pathways by Jiahong Lyv, Guohua Yu, Yunyun Zhang, Yan Lyv, Wenfeng Zhang, Jiandi Zhang and Fangrong Tang in Technology in Cancer Research & Treatment

OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of hypertension on the outcomes of patients with COVID-19. METHODS: This matched cohort study was conducted among a total 442 patients with COVID-19 admitted in Honghu People's Hospital and First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University between January 1 to March 18, 2020, including 61 patients with hypertension and 381 normotensive patients. To minimize the effects of the confounding factors including age, gender and other comorbidities, we excluded patients with comorbidities other than hypertension, and matched the patients with and without hypertension for age and gender at a 1:1 ratio. We analyzed the clinical characteristics, laboratory findings and clinical outcomes of in 32 matched pairs of patients with and without hypertension. RESULTS: Compared with the normotensive patients, COVID-19 patients with hypertension were more likely to develop bacterial infections (P=0.002) and had higher neutrophil counts (P=0.007), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (P=0.045), and lactate dehydrogenase levels (P=0.035). A greater proportion of patients had bilateral patchy opacities on chest CT (P=0.012) in the hypertension group than in the normotensive group. COVID-19 patients with hypertension group were more likely to receive antibiotics (P=0.035) and corticosteroid therapies (P=0.035). CONCLUSION: Hypertension increases the risk of bacterial infection in patients with COVID-19. Hypertensive patients with COVID-19 have higher neutrophil counts and neutrophil/ lymphocyte ratios and are more likely to require treatment with antibiotics. Hypertensive patients with COVID-19 should therefore take cautions to avoid bacterial infections.

Garnet-type Li 5 La 3 Ta 2 O 12 (LLTaO) solid electrolyte is a potential candidate component for future all-solid-state batteries due to its extraordinary stability against the reaction with molten lithium. In contrast with traditional cold isostatic pressing (CIP) method, which generally pursues ultra-high pressure, this paper tries to enhance the density and ionic conductivity of LLTaO by self-consolidation strategy without the assistance of any pressing operations. A LLTaO bulk with a relative density of 95% is obtained. SEM images reveal that the bulk sample is assembled by large dense particles in size of tens of microns indicating that the interstitial space among the particles has been dramatically minimized. Accordingly, the total ionic conductivity and the bulk ionic conductivity at 30 °C are promoted up about one order of magnitude higher to 2.63 × 10 −5 S cm −1 and 1.41 × 10 −4 S cm −1 , respectively. Moreover, the lithium ionic migration network in the crystalline unit cell of LLTaO is first explored from its assembled way. A hexagon-like basic unit with tetrahedral Li1 joint sites and Li1- - Li1 edges is identified. The tetrahedral Li1 sites act as crucial junctions for the transportation of lithium ions. This work would significantly stimulate the development of LLTaO electrolyte membrane technology.

TS-1 was post-modified by ammonium salts or tetrapropylammonium hydroxide (TPAOH). During the ammonium salts modification, the crystals were eroded and extra-framework titanium species were formed. After the combined-modification, hierarchical TS-1 with secondary pore volume in the 0.22–0.28 cm 3 /g range was obtained via the intensified dissolution-recrystallization process, although more extra-framework titanium species were generated as five-/six-coordinated species. In cyclohexene oxidation with tert -butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as the oxidant, the activity of modified TS-1 decreased when anatase was formed only. However, it increased in the presence of five-/six-coordinated titanium. The secondary porosity further improved the catalytic performance and the activity of the combined-modified TS-1 samples increased remarkably by > 100%.

In this work, Mg-based hydrogen storage composites with an initial 100- x : x ( x =25, 32.3, 50, 66.7) of Mg:Ni molar ratio were prepared by HCS+MM and their phase compositions and electrochemical performances were investigated in detail. The results show that the composites with desirable constituents can be achieved by adjusting the molar ratio of the starting materials in the HCS process. Particularly, the HCS product of Mg 67.7 Ni 32.3 consists of the principal phase Mg 2 NiH 4 and minor phase Mg 2 NiH 0.3 . The dominate phase varies from Mg 2 NiH 0.3 and MgH 2 for the Mg enriched sample ( x 2 and Ni for the Ni enriched sample ( x >32.3). The MM modification not only brings about grain refinement of the alloys, but also leads to phase transformation of part Mg 2 NiH 4 to Mg 2 NiH 0.3 in the Mg 67.7 Ni 32.3 sample. Electrochemical tests indicate that each sample can reach its maximum discharge capacity at the first cycle. Mg 67.7 Ni 32.3 displays the highest discharge capacity as well as a superior electrochemical kinetics owing to its excellent H atom diffusion ability and lower charge-transfer resistance. The Mg 67.7 Ni 32.3 provides the most optimized Mg/Ni atomic ratio considering the comprehensive electrochemical properties of all samples.

Overcoming the self-corrosion and surface passivation of aluminum anode, and the slow kinetics of cathodic electrochemical reactions are of great significance for the practical application of aluminum–air battery. In this study, we replaced the traditional aqueous electrolyte with AlCl3-urea ionic liquid electrolyte, and prepared Co–MnO2/C catalysts as cathode catalyst. Structures and electrocatalytic activity of the x % Co–MnO2/C (x is the mole percent of Co to Mn, x = 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50) catalysts have been investigated systematically. After Co ions intercalation, the specific surface area of the catalyst increased and average pore diameter decreased. The unique interaction between Co ions and MnO2 led to an increase in the catalytic activity of the catalyst in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) compared with MnO2/C. In particular, 40% Co–MnO2/C showed the largest specific surface area (154.25 m2 g−1) and the smallest average pore diameter (6.47 nm). It showed the most positive half-wave potential (0.727 V vs. RHE) and the biggest limiting current density (4.744 mA cm−2) in ORR process, and also exhibited the lowest onset potential (1.593 V) and the biggest limit current density (15.177 mA cm−2) in OER process. Furthermore, aluminum–air battery assembled with 40% Co–MnO2/C demonstrated excellent reversible charge and discharge performance, which had an average discharge voltage of 1.5 V and an average charge voltage of 2 V during 30 cycles at a limited battery capacity of 375 mAh g−1. Our results reveal the possibility of designing a rechargeable aluminum-air battery working at ambient conditions based on the Co–MnO2/C air cathode catalyst for the first time. Our work opens up a new way to achieve the rechargeability of aluminum-air batteries, and our highly active electrocatalytic materials can be used in a wider range of electrochemical energy applications.

The Weyl semimetal WTe2 and MoTe2 show great potential in generating large spin currents since they possess topologically-protected spin-polarized states and can carry a very large current density. In addition, the intrinsic noncentrosymmetry of WTe2 and MoTe2 endows with a unique property of crystal symmetry-controlled spin-orbit torques. An important question to be answered for developing spintronic devices is how spins relax in WTe2 and MoTe2. Here, we report a room-temperature spin relaxation time of 1.2 ns (0.4 ns) in WTe2 (MoTe2) thin film using the time-resolved Kerr rotation (TRKR). Based on ab initio calculation, we identify a mechanism of long-lived spin polarization resulting from a large spin splitting around the bottom of the conduction band, low electron-hole recombination rate and suppression of backscattering required by time-reversal and lattice symmetry operation. In addition, we find the spin polarization is firmly pinned along the strong internal out-of-plane magnetic field induced by large spin splitting. Our work provides an insight into the physical origin of long-lived spin polarization in Weyl semimetals which could be useful to manipulate spins for a long time at room temperature.

The solidification of simulated spent radioactive organic solvent, tri-butyl phosphate/kerosene, was investigated by emulsification–solidification method using sulfoaluminate cement (SAC) and Portland cement (PC). Zeolite, calcium hydroxide and MR-1 type emulsifier were mixed into the cement blends for improving the performance of solidified waste forms (SWF). The properties of SWF were evaluated in terms of mechanical strength, leachability and mineral phase analyses. The hydration products of SWF were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The experimental results showed that the 28 d compressive strengths of SAC solidified waste forms (SACF) and PC solidified waste forms (PCF) were 14.23 and 19.07 MPa, respectively. Leaching sequence of three radionuclides in two kinds of SWF is Cs+ > Sr2+ > Co2+. Compared with PCF, SACF had better performance in preventing nuclides Co2+ and Cs+ from leaching to the environment. The XRD patterns suggested that simulated spent radioactive organic solvent and emulsifi...

Zostera marina is the only seagrass species whose seeds have been successfully used in large-scale restoration. Although progress has been made in refining Z. marina restoration protocols, additional information on Z. marina seed physiology is necessary as the science of seagrass restoration evolves. We tested the germination rates of Z. marina seeds under different relative humidities and temperatures for different periods of time. Z. marina seed moisture content (MC) and germination rates were also tested when seeds were exposed to a temperature of 25°C and relative humidity of 50%. Z. marina seeds suffered higher mortality when exposed to lower relative humidity and higher temperature for longer period of exposure time. A significant negative correlation was detected between seed germination rate and MC. Z. marina seeds are sensitive to desiccation exposure and long periods of exposure to air should be prevented to minimize seed mortality when seeds are used in restoration projects.

Mg2Ni-based hydride was prepared by hydriding combustion synthesis (HCS), and subsequently modified with various carbonaceous materials including graphite, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), carbon aerogels (CAs) and carbon nanofibers (CNFs) by mechanical milling (MM) for 5 h. The structural properties of the modified hydrides were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). All of the modified hydrides show amorphous or nanocrystalline-like phases. The hydride modified with graphite exhibits the most homogenous distribution of particles and the smallest particle size. The effects of the modifications on electrochemical properties of the hydride were investigated by galvanostatic charge/discharge, linear polarization, Tafel polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and potentiostatic discharge measurements. The results show that the maximum discharge capacity, the high rate dischargeability (HRD), the exchange current density and the hydrogen diffusion ability of the hydride modified with the carbonaceous materials are all increased. Especially, the hydride modified with graphite possesses the highest discharge capacity of 531 mAh/g and the best electrochemical kinetics property.

Mg2Ni-based hydride was prepared by hydriding combustion synthesis (HCS), and subsequently modified with various metal elements (Ti, Co, Cr and Y) by mechanical milling. The effects of the modifications on electrochemical properties of the hydride were investigated. Both of the maximum discharge capacity and the high rate dischargeability (HRD) are increased by the modification of Co, while the cycling stability is improved for the hydride modified with Ti, Cr and Y. The Tafel polarization shows that the addition of the metals has a positive effect on improving the anti-corrosion ability. The electrochemical kinetics was also characterized by linear polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and potentiostatic discharge. The results show that the hydrogen diffusion coefficient and the electrochemical reaction resistance are increased by the modifications, but the exchange current density decreases.

A total of 11 cross-flow heat exchangers having wavy fin and flat tube were studied experimentally. A series of tests were conducted for air side Reynolds number in the range of 800–6500 with different fin pitches, fin lengths and fin heights, at a constant tube-side water flow rate of 2.5 m3/h. The air side thermal performance data were analyzed using the effectiveness-NTU method. The characteristics of heat transfer and pressure drop for different geometry parameters were reported in terms of Colburn j-factor and Fanning friction factor f, as a function of Re. The effects of fin pitch, fin height and fin length on the performance of heat transfer and pressure drop were examined. The general correlations for j and f factors were derived by multiple linear regression analysis and F test of significance. The correlations for j and f factors can predict 95% of the experimental data within ±10%.

With the objectives to acquire the fundamental data of the territorial resource, understand the impacts of human activities on the land use and cover patterns and evaluate the potential of the future exploitation, an intensive land cover classification with an accuracy of 93% has been completed for North Ningxia by remote sensing technique based on the adoption of a combination method composed of texture training, maximum likelihood classification and post-processing such as re-allocation and aggregation. This classification result was incorporated with the contemporaneous socio-economic and meteorological data for cross-sectional regression modelling to reveal the spatial determinants of the land cover patterns and understand the human-environmental relationships. A tentative evaluation on the potential of soil exploitation in the near future was carried out in combination with our land use and cover change detection results aiming at supplying some useful references for the central and local governments in their sustainable land use planning.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is considered to be a manifestation of liver metabolic damage and is related to insulin resistance and genetic susceptibility. Inflammation mediated by Kupffer cells (KCs) is of critical importance to the development of NAFLD. The primary role of KCs in NAFLD is considered to be the perturbation of the C-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathways as a result of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) recognition by Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Simultaneously, the activation of NF-κB, as mediated by oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and free fatty acid (FFA) or free cholesterol (FC) crystal formation, heavily relies on NF-kB regulatory factors and TLR4. Additionally, the imbalance of certain pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines released by innate immunity is deemed to promote the steatosis of hepatocytes. In conclusion, this review indicates that the inflammatory and oxidative stress of KCs play a significant role in the development of NAFLD.

The quality of Mg alloys with high specific modulus and specific strength is the lightest in the structural materials. Their density is about 2/3 of aluminium alloys and 1/4 of steels. The weight of whole structural materials is decreased drastically owing to some components or parts produced by Mg alloys. Thus, Mg alloys are widely used in aerospace, weapons, automobile and other fields [1-3]. Meanwhile, Mg alloys has many other advantages, such as excellent electromagnetic shielding performance, shock absorption ability, electric and heat conductivity, etc [4-6]. However, the chemical stability of Mg is very low, and its electrode potential is negative (-2.34V). As a result, the corrosion resistance of Mg alloys is poor in acid and neutral mediums. Furthermore, other properties of Mg alloys, wear resistance, hardness and resistance to high temperature, are also poor. Consequently, the superiority of Mg alloys in the application is restricted to some extent. Nowadays, the researches are concentrated on the improvement of hardness, wear and corrosion resistance of Mg alloys. Energy beam surface modification is an important developing direction, such as plasma micro-arc oxidation [7-11], laser surface treatment [12-16], ion beam surface modification [17-19], etc. A.V. Apelfeld et al [10] have studied oxide protective coatings on the surface of Mg alloys obtained by micro-arc oxidation (MAO). A model of micro-arc coating formation is proposed. For Mg alloys, the structure of MAO coating plays an important role in improvement of corrosion resistance. The research team (Y.M. Wang et al [11]) has investigated that dense oxide coatings formed in alkaline silicate electrolyte with and without titania sol addition are fabricated on AZ91D alloy using micro-arc oxidation. It reveals that the coating thickness decreases from 22μm to 18 μm with increasing concentration of titania sol from 0 to 10 vol. %. Electrochemical tests show that the Ecorr of Mg substrate positively shifts about 300-500 mV and Icorr lowers more than 100 times after micro-arc oxidation. The literature [15] (A.K. Mondal et al) has reported that Mg alloy ACM720 is subjected to laser surface treatment using Nd:YAG laser in argon atmosphere. This treatment is beneficial for enhancing the corrosion and wear resistance of the alloy. The improved corrosion resistance is attributed to the absence of second phase Al2Ca at the rain boundaries, microstructural refinement and extended solid solubility, particularly of Al, in (Mg) matrix owing to rapid solidification. The laser treatment also increases surface hardness two times and reduces the wear rate considerably due to grain refinement.

This paper presents a full-digital design of demodulating the forward CDMA channel which are spread according to IS-95. The system timing and combination of multi-PN-codes are considered. The discussion on tailoring the design for digital devices is also given.

For high-resolution radar, a novel idea is to use the polarimetric range profiles understanding technique to improve recognition performance. In this paper, a study is performed based on the fractal characterisation of one-dimensional range profiles of high-resolution polarimetric radar targets at four kinds of polarimetric states (HH, HV, VH, VV), and a new concept of the fractal matrix is proposed.