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In the presence of a catalytic amount of cesium hydroxide under a nitrogen atmosphere, terminal alkynes reacted with diaryl disulfides at room temperature in dimethylformamide to give almost exclusively (Z)-1,2-diarylthio-1-alkene in good yields, but under an air atmosphere, the reaction gave a mixture of alkynyl sulfide and (Z)-1,2-diarylthio-1-alkene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manufacturing a multilayer evaporator with a delicate structure and removing salt accumulation during prolonged operation are challenges in seawater desalination. A flexible single‐layer salt‐rejecting monolithic porous evaporator (SRMPE) is presented that floats on the near surface of seawater without any support structure. The hydrophilic component of this network polymer modulates the water association state in SRMPE, achieving a high evaporation rate of 3.47 kg m−2 h−1 and an efficiency of 94.3%. With a large capillary water flux (14.4 L m−2 h−1), the SRMPE exhibits superior and rapid self‐cleaning by removing sodium chloride (NaCl) powder (33% by weight) within 1.25 h in simulated seawater (salinity, 3.5%) under 1 sun radiation. Furthermore, even after continuous irradiation for 12 h in highly concentrated brine (25% salinity), no salt crystallizes on the evaporator surface. It may stimulate creative work by scientists and engineers in the design of simple, highly efficient salt‐rejecting, self‐cleaning interfacial solar evaporators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Exploring synergies between plants, microbes and soil invertebrates. • Evaluating the operational efficiency of bioretention at different time scales. • The addition of earthworms promotes nitrogen and phosphorus metabolism. • Precipitation, temperature, and air humidity enhanced the pollutants removal. In this study, three distinct bioretention setups incorporating fillers, plants, and earthworms were established to evaluate the operational efficiency under an ecosystem concept across varying time scales. The results revealed that under short-term operating conditions, extending the drying period led to a notable increase in the removal of NO 3 –-N, total phosphorus (TP), and chemical oxygen demand (COD) by 5 %–7%, 4 %–12 %, and 5 %–10 %, respectively. Conversely, under long-time operating conditions, the introduction of plants resulted in a significant boost in COD removal by 10 %–20 %, while the inclusion of earthworms improved NH 4 +-N and NO 3 –-N removal, especially TP removal by 9 %–16 %. Microbial community analysis further indicated the favorable impact of the bioretention system on biological nitrogen and phosphorus metabolism, particularly with the incorporation of plants and earthworms. This study provides a reference for the operational performance of bioretention systems on different time scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mn4+-doped fluoride red phosphors are an outstanding choice for warm white light LEDs (WLEDs) and wide color gamut liquid crystal displays due to their broad absorption spectrum in the blue region, narrow emission spectrum in the red region, and high fluorescence quantum efficiency at room temperature. However, these phosphors face limited heat and water resistance challenges, which may impede the practical application of WLEDs. To overcome these issues, we synthesized K 2 SiF 6 :Mn4+ red phosphors with enhanced luminous efficiency and heat resistance using a hydrothermal method at H 2 O 2 -free condition. Furthermore, we employed citric acid (CA) to create a surface shell layer on the phosphor through room temperature surface passivation, significantly enhancing the phosphor's water resistance without compromising its luminescent properties. After immersing the two phosphors in deionized water for 360 min, the fluorescence emission intensity of KSFM (K 2 SiF 6 :0.06Mn4+) and P-KSFM (CA (0.66 wt) -K 2 SiF 6 :0.06Mn4+) decreased from 100% to 44.98% and 95.21%, respectively. Warm WLEDs encapsulated with the P-KSFM red phosphor exhibited a low correlated color temperature (CCT) of 3992 K, a high color rendering index of 87.3, and a luminous efficacy of 103.5 lm/W. These results demonstrate the significant potential of P-KSFM as a highly efficient red phosphor with excellent water resistance. • P-KSFM (CA (0.66 wt) -K 2 SiF 6 :0.06Mn4+) has been synthesized. • Sample exhibits a good water resistance induced by surface passivation. • Emission intensities are improved by surface passivation. • Negative thermal quenching effect are enhanced by surface passivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel high-temperature disperse dye-based ink, designed for direct digital printing on fabrics, has been developed to eliminate the need for chemical pre-treatment. This innovative ink utilizes a temperature viscosity response mechanism and incorporates a new thermosensitive dye, enabling direct printing on polyester fabrics without pre-chemical treatment. The key to its temperature viscosity response properties is the addition of the nonionic surfactant L64 (poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide) PEO-PPO-PEO). Extensive evaluations of its physicochemical properties, including viscosity, conductivity, pH, surface tension, particle size, and inkjet droplet formation, have confirmed the ink's superior sprayability and overall quality. Notably, when applied to polyester fabric, this ink enhances print clarity and pattern quality while ensuring robust color fastness to rubbing and washing, all without requiring fabric pre-treatment. Furthermore, a comparative analysis of the hand feel between fabrics printed with this ink and unprinted fabrics underscores the minimal impact of the printing process on the fabric's texture. This new type of thermosensitive ink application can effectively reduce the dependence of textile printing fabrics on chemical pretreatment, and effectively reduce the use of water resources in the printing process. • Triblock copolymer (PEO-PPO-PEO) is added to high temperature disperse dye ink. • This new type of thermosensitive ink is applied to polyester fabrics without the need for chemical pretreatment steps. • Thermal ink has good spraying performance. • The fabric printed with thermosensitive ink exhibits excellent printing accuracy and color fastness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An innovative thermal-sensitive ink has been developed and thoroughly tested on polyester fabric. Unlike conventional methods, this new ink eliminates the need for chemical pretreatment and post-printing washing of the fabric before or after printing. It utilizes high-temperature disperse dyes and a biodegradable carrier molecule called a triblock copolymer, specifically Poly(ε-caprolactone-lactic acid)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(ε-caprolactone-lactic acid) (PCLA-PEG-PCLA). This remarkable copolymer comprises dihydroxy polyethylene glycol (PEG), ε-caprolactone (CL), and L‐lactide (LA). Upon contact with a heated surface, such as a fiber or textile, the ink droplets swiftly transition rapidly, transforming into a gel-like state. This transition enhances the ink's viscosity, effectively preventing undesired spreading and resulting in precise edge definition on the fabric. To comprehensively evaluate the performance of polyester fabric printed with this innovative ink, a series of meticulous evaluations have been conducted. These evaluations encompass pH levels, particle size, surface tension, viscosity, ink droplet formation, as well as real-time photo-rheological and LF‐NMR analyses conducted on the surface of the polyester fabric. The newly developed inks demonstrate exceptional effectiveness and are highly suitable for digital printing applications across various materials. Furthermore, the implementation of this new ink can significantly reduce the reliance on chemicals and minimize wastewater production during the manufacturing process. [Display omitted] • A novel thermosensitive ink has been prepared by combining a triblock compolymers (PCLA- PEG- PCLA) with high-temperature disperse dyes. • This new printing technology significantly reduces the use of chemicals by eliminating the need for pretreatment. • Fabrics printed with thermosensitive ink demonstrate excellent printing accuracy and color fastness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Peanut (Arachis hypogaea), a vital oil and food crop globally, is susceptible to web blotch which is a significant foliar disease caused by Phoma arachidicola Marasas Pauer&Boerema leading to substantial yield losses in peanut production. Calcium treatment has been found to enhance plant resistance against pathogens., Results: This study investigates the impact of exogenous calcium on peanut resistance to web blotch and explores its mechanisms. Greenhouse experiments revealed that exogenous calcium treatment effectively enhanced resistance to peanut web blotch. Specifically, amino acid calcium and sugar alcohol calcium solutions demonstrated the best induced resistance effects, achieving reduction rates of 61.54% and 60% in Baisha1016, and 53.94% and 50% in Luhua11, respectively. All exogenous calcium treatments reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) and relative electrical conductivity (REC) levels in peanut leaves, mitigating pathogen-induced cell membrane damage. Exogenous calcium supplementation led to elevated hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) content and superoxide anion (O 2 ∙- ) production in peanut leaves, facilitating the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) crucial for plant defense responses. Amino acid calcium and sugar alcohol calcium treatments significantly boosted activities of peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) in peanut leaves. Activation of these antioxidant enzymes effectively scavenged excess ROS, maintaining ROS balance and mitigating cellular damage., Conclusions: In summary, exogenous calcium treatment triggered ROS production, which was subsequently eliminated by the activation of antioxidant enzymes, thereby reducing cell membrane damage and inducing defense responses against peanut web blotch., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Energy performance contracting (EPC) as a market instrument has been effective in promoting energy efficiency worldwide, but it has encountered many insurmountable obstacles in rural energy management. In this study, based on the characteristics of energy management in rural areas, three EPC modes are designed and tested in 24,000 rural households. The test results show that two adapted EPC modes of local government involvement and energy payment directly from the national grid can effectively overcome the barriers encountered in the traditional EPC modes and work well under the economic and social environmental conditions in rural areas. The key to the adaptation of the traditional EPC modes is the introduction of the local government as the third party. Participation of the third party can effectively reduce and remove the barriers and risks and increase the mutual trust between the clients (households) and the energy service companies (ESCOs). Based on the testing results, this study suggests that governmental departments should formulate relevant EPC policies and technical guidelines within the rural context. This research recommends that farmers should not manage their energy services by themselves and it is suggested to out-contracting ESCOs by applying the modes developed and tested by this paper., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors.)

Solar-driven desalination systems have been recognized as an effective technology to address the water crisis. Recently, evaporators prepared based on advanced manufacturing technologies have emerged as a promising tool in enhancing ocean energy utilization. In this review, we discussed the thermal conversion, energy flow, salt deposition mechanisms, and design strategies for solar-driven desalination systems, and explored how to improve the desalination performance and energy use efficiency of the systems through advanced manufacturing technologies. In future perspectives, we determined the feasibility of coupling solar-driven solar desalination systems with multi-stage energy utilization systems and emerging artificial intelligence technologies, for which conclusions are given and new directions for future desalination system development are envisioned. Finally, exciting opportunities and challenges in the face of basic research and practical implementation are discussed, providing promising solutions and blueprints for green and novel desalination technologies while achieving sustainable development., Competing Interests: Competing interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (Copyright © 2023 Meng Wang et al.)

A catalytic asymmetric nucleophilic reverse prenylation of indol-2-ones in situ generated from 3-bromooxindoles with prenyltributylstannane promoted by Ni(II)/chiral N,N' -dioxide was developed. This reaction provides facile access to C3 reverse-prenylated oxindoles in good to excellent enantioselectivities, which enabled the asymmetric synthesis of debromoflustramine A in five steps.

Thermally expandable microspheres (TEMs) are hollow polymeric particles in which a blowing gas has been encapsulated. This property makes them excellent for thermal insulation applications, such as lightweight fillers. This study has developed a viable technology for further improving thermal insulation properties in the field that needs excellent thermal insulation of textile fabrics. The ATO/TEMs composites were designed and prepared to reduce sunlight radiation by the charge gravity method. The test results showed that the ATO-coated TEMs effectively block thermal radiation from sunlight. The temperature difference between ATO/TEMs treated cotton and the uncoated cotton fabric was 9 °C, and the thermal conductivity coatings were 0.0432 W/m⋅K. The UPF value of ATO/TEMs (ILs) coated cotton fabric is 440, significantly higher than pure cotton. This approach can provide insight into the design of high-performance solar insulation composite structures., (© 2023 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Neural networks such as variational autoencoders (VAE) perform dimensionality reduction for the visualization and analysis of genomic data, but are limited in their interpretability: it is unknown which data features are represented by each embedding dimension. We present siVAE, a VAE that is interpretable by design, thereby enhancing downstream analysis tasks. Through interpretation, siVAE also identifies gene modules and hubs without explicit gene network inference. We use siVAE to identify gene modules whose connectivity is associated with diverse phenotypes such as iPSC neuronal differentiation efficiency and dementia, showcasing the wide applicability of interpretable generative models for genomic data analysis., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Tumor-associated adipocytes (TAAs) recruit monocytes and promote their differentiation into tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) that support tumor development. Here, TAAs are engineered to promote the polarization of TAMs to the tumor suppressive M1 phenotype. Telratolimod, a toll-like receptor 7/8 agonist, is loaded into the lipid droplets of adipocytes to be released at the tumor site upon tumor cell-triggered lipolysis. Locally administered drug-loaded adipocytes increased tumor suppressive M1 macrophages in both primary and distant tumors and suppressed tumor growth in a melanoma model. Furthermore, drug-loaded adipocytes improved CD8 + T cell-mediated immune responses within the tumor microenvironment and favored dendritic cell maturation in the tumor draining lymph nodes., (© 2022 The Authors. Advanced Science published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

The wearable respiratory inductive plethysmograph(RIP) system is a non-intrusive respiratory monitoring system. Sleep monitoring was performed on 9 human subjects suspected of having sleep apnea hypersomnolence syndrome (SAHS) and 7 healthy volunteers using both the wearable RIP system and the conventional polysomnography(PSG), and the sensitivity and specificity of the wearable RIP system were analyzed by comparison with the PSG results. According to the characteristic of the wearable RIP system in detecting sleep apnea/hypopnea event, the diagnostic criteria of sleep apnea/hypopnea event were put forward. All subjects with SAHS diagnosed by the wearable RIP were confirmed by PSG,the sensitivity and specificity of the wearable RIP system for detecting sleep apnea/hypopnea events were 99.0% and 94.6% respectively. The wearable RIP system can be used reliably in detecting sleep apnea/hypopnea events. This system can be used at home for detecting the sleep apnea/hypopnea events non-intrusively.