In situ sintered silver decorated 3D structure of cellulose scaffold for highly thermoconductive electromagnetic interference shielding epoxy nanocomposites

This study presents a 3-dimensional (3D) network structure of cellulose scaffold (CS), which was in situ decorated with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The scaffold was then infiltrated with epoxy matrix and cured at elevated temperature to sinter the AgNPs; finally, highly thermoconductive epoxy composites (Ag@CS/epoxy) was obtained. The resultant Ag@CS20/epoxy composite reached a thermal conductivity of 2.52 W·m−1·K−1 at 2.2 vol% of filler loading, which shows an enhancement of over 11-folds in the thermal conductivity compared to the neat epoxy. The superb electrical conductivity value of over 53,691 S·m−1 of the Ag@CS20/epoxy was achieved, which led to exceptional EMI SE values of 69.1 dB. Furthermore, surface temperatures during heating and cooling were also investigated to demonstrate the superior heat dissipating capacity of the Ag@CS/epoxy composite, which can be potentially put an application as thermal dissipating material in the next generation of electronics

Adaptation to sea level rise: A multidisciplinary analysis for Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

One of the most critical impacts of sea level rise is that flooding suffered by ever larger settlements in tropical deltas will increase. Here we look at Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and quantify the threats that coastal floods pose to safety and to the economy. For this, we produce flood maps through hydrodynamic modeling and, by combining these with data sets of exposure and vulnerability, we estimate two indicators of risk: the damage to assets and the number of potential casualties. We simulate current and future (2050 and 2100) flood risk using IPCC scenarios of sea level rise and socioeconomic change. We find that annual damage may grow by more than 1 order of magnitude, and potential casualties may grow 5–20-fold until the end of the century, in the absence of adaptation. Impacts depend strongly on the climate and socioeconomic scenarios considered. Next, we simulate the implementation of adaptation measures and calculate their effectiveness in reducing impacts. We find that a ring dike would protect the inner city but increase risk in more rural districts, whereas elevating areas at risk and dryproofing buildings will reduce impacts to the city as a whole. Most measures perform well from an economic standpoint. Combinations of measures seem to be the optimal solution and may address potential equity conflicts. Based on our results, we design possible adaptation pathways for Ho Chi Minh City for the coming decades; these can inform policy-making and strategic thinking

Blockade of dengue virus transmission from viremic blood to Aedes aegypti mosquitoes using human monoclonal antibodies

Background Dengue is the most prevalent arboviral disease of humans. Virus neutralizing antibodies are likely to be critical for clinical immunity after vaccination or natural infection. A number of human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have previously been characterized as able to neutralize the infectivity of dengue virus (DENV) for mammalian cells in cell-culture systems. Methodology/Principle findings We tested the capacity of 12 human mAbs, each of which had previously been shown to neutralize DENV in cell-culture systems, to abrogate the infectiousness of dengue patient viremic blood for mosquitoes. Seven of the twelve mAbs (1F4, 14c10, 2D22, 1L12, 5J7, 747(4)B7, 753(3)C10), almost all of which target quaternary epitopes, inhibited DENV infection of Ae. aegypti. The mAbs 14c10, 747(4)B7 and 753(3)C10 could all inhibit transmission of DENV in low microgram per mL concentrations. An Fc-disabled variant of 14c10 was as potent as its parent mAb. Conclusions/Significance The results demonstrate that mAbs can neutralize infectious DENV derived from infected human cells, in the matrix of human blood. Coupled with previous evidence of their ability to prevent DENV infection of mammalian cells, such mAbs could be considered attractive antibody classes to elicit with dengue vaccines, or alternatively, for consideration as therapeutic candidates.</p

Sustainable supply chains: strategies, issues, and models

Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM),which involves incorporating ecological considerations into supply chain management, has gained prominence in recent times