Additional file 1: Figure S1. of Raspberry-like PS/CdTe/Silica Microspheres for Fluorescent Superhydrophobic Materials

TEM images of PS/CdTe/silica microspheres with PS cores (651 nm)

Willow Catkins-Derived Porous Carbon Membrane with Hydrophilic Property for Efficient Solar Steam Generation

Biomass wastes are abundant and common in our daily life, and they are cost-effective, promising, and renewable. Herein, collected willow catkins were used to prepare a hydrophilic biochar composite membrane, which was placed in a tree-like evaporation configuration to simulate a natural transpiration process. The strong light absorption (∼96%) of the biochar layer could harvest light and convert it into thermal energy, which then is used to heat the surrounding water pumped by a porous water channel via capillary action. A hydrophilic light-absorber layer remarkably increased the attachment sites of water molecules, thereby maximizing the use of thermal energy. At the same time, hierarchically porous structure and large specific surface area (∼1380 m2 g–1) supplied more available channels for rapid water vapor diffusion. The as-prepared composite membrane with a low-cost advantage realized a high evaporation rate (1.65 kg m–2 h–1) only under 1 sun illumination (1 kW m–2), which was improved by roughly 27% in comparison with the unmodified hydrophobic composite membrane. The tree-like evaporation configuration with excellent heat localization resulted in the evaporator achieving a high solar-to-vapor conversion efficiency of ∼90.5%. Besides, the composite membrane could remove 99.9% sodium ions from actual seawater and 99.5% heavy metal ions from simulated wastewater, and the long-term stable evaporation performance proved its potential in actual solar desalination. This work not only fabricated an efficient evaporator but also provided a strategy for reusing various natural wastes for water purification

Willow Catkins-Derived Porous Carbon Membrane with Hydrophilic Property for Efficient Solar Steam Generation

Biomass wastes are abundant and common in our daily life, and they are cost-effective, promising, and renewable. Herein, collected willow catkins were used to prepare a hydrophilic biochar composite membrane, which was placed in a tree-like evaporation configuration to simulate a natural transpiration process. The strong light absorption (∼96%) of the biochar layer could harvest light and convert it into thermal energy, which then is used to heat the surrounding water pumped by a porous water channel via capillary action. A hydrophilic light-absorber layer remarkably increased the attachment sites of water molecules, thereby maximizing the use of thermal energy. At the same time, hierarchically porous structure and large specific surface area (∼1380 m2 g–1) supplied more available channels for rapid water vapor diffusion. The as-prepared composite membrane with a low-cost advantage realized a high evaporation rate (1.65 kg m–2 h–1) only under 1 sun illumination (1 kW m–2), which was improved by roughly 27% in comparison with the unmodified hydrophobic composite membrane. The tree-like evaporation configuration with excellent heat localization resulted in the evaporator achieving a high solar-to-vapor conversion efficiency of ∼90.5%. Besides, the composite membrane could remove 99.9% sodium ions from actual seawater and 99.5% heavy metal ions from simulated wastewater, and the long-term stable evaporation performance proved its potential in actual solar desalination. This work not only fabricated an efficient evaporator but also provided a strategy for reusing various natural wastes for water purification

Solvothermal Synthesis of Uniform Covalent Organic Framework Microspheres Enabling High-Loading Palladium for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Although the solvothermal synthesis has become a prevailing strategy for the preparation of diverse spherical covalent organic frameworks (COFs), synthesis of uniform COF microspheres has still been a grand challenge due to the uncontrollable kinetics. Herein, we introduced 2,4,6-trimethylbenzaldehyde (TBA) as a molecular regulator in the reaction system, where the size and uniformity of spherical COFs were controlled by dynamic reversibility of imine exchange between TBA and building units and depended on the addition amount, molecular structure, and synthesis temperature. The applicability of the synthetic strategy was demonstrated by varying different structural units. Moreover, imine linkages of COF microspheres function as active sites suitable for coordinating with Pd single atoms and atomic clusters to promote electron transfer and synergistically enhance electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction. This work addressed the problems of poor uniformity and untunable size of COF spheres previously faced by the solvothermal method, thereby providing guidance for the construction of spherical COF-based catalyst supports

Bioactive 3D Electrohydrodynamic Printed Lattice Architectures Augment Tenogenesis of Tendon Stem/Progenitor Cells

Tendon defect repair remains a tough clinical procedure that hinders functional motion in patients. Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) three-dimensional (3D) printing, as a novel strategy, can controllably fabricate biomimetic micro/nanoscale architecture, but the hydrophobic and bioinert nature of polymers might be adverse to cell–material interplay. In this work, 3D EHD printed polycaprolactone (PCL) was immobilized on basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) using polydopamine (PDA), and the proliferation and tenogenic differentiation of tendon stem/progenitor cells (TSPCs) in vitro was researched. A subcutaneous model was established to evaluate the effects of tenogenesis and immunomodulation. We then investigated the in situ implantation and immunomodulation effects in an Achilles tendon defect model. After immobilization of bFGF, the scaffolds profoundly facilitated proliferation and tenogenic differentiation; however, PDA had only a proliferative effect. Intriguingly, the bFGF immobilized on EHD printed PCL indicated a synergistic effect on the highest expression of tenogenic gene and protein markers at 14 days, and the tenogenesis may be induced by activating the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signal pathway in vitro. The subcutaneous engraftment study confirmed a tendon-like structure, similar to that of the native tendon, as well as an M2 macrophage polarization effect. Additionally, the bioactive scaffold exhibited superior efficacy in new collagen formation and repair of Achilles tendon defects. Our study revealed that the topographic cues alone were insufficient to trigger tenogenic differentiation, requiring appropriate chemical signals, and that appropriate immunomodulation was conducive to tenogenesis. The tenogenesis of TSPCs on the bioactive scaffold may be correlated with the TGF-β signal pathway and M2 macrophage polarization

Additional file 1 of Prediction model of gleason score upgrading after radical prostatectomy based on a bayesian network

Supplementary Material

Actuation performances of catkin fibers reinforced thiol-acrylate main-chain liquid crystalline elastomer

Liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) have been utilized as an important class of smart actuator materials. However, the modest actuation mechanical and robustness performances remain a challenge. Inspired by the specific structures, well mechanical properties and physico-chemical characteristics of some natural plant fibers, a composite of thiol-acrylate main-chain LCE matrix incorporated with catkin fibers is designed and developed. The catkin fibers build a network as reinforcement phase, and demonstrate effective compatibility and integration property with the matrix, their high flexibility can be adapted to the large deformational performance of LCE matrix. The prepared LCE composite demonstrates strong mechanical actuation properties. The modulus and driving force triggered by the stimuli are obviously increased. The tensile strength and fatigue failure resistant property under high loadings and repeated cycles of thermal actuation or photothermal actuation are greatly enhanced. While the stimulus response deformation rate, phase transition temperature and liquid crystal phase structure of the LCE matrix, and so on, do not weaken or change. This work promotes the LCE materials’application potential and broadens the application value of natural plant fibers.</p