One-Step Hydrothermal Synthesis of TiO₂@MoO₃ Core–Shell Nanomaterial: Microstructure, Growth Mechanism, and Improved Photochromic Property

Photochromic TiO₂@MoO₃ core–shell (TM) nanopowder was synthesized by a one-step hydrothermal method and characterized with XRD, TEM, Raman, and a spectrophotometer. The nanopowder has a very small particle size of 5–10 nm in diameter, and a well-defined core–shell structure with the tight interface; that is, an anatase TiO₂ core is tightly surrounded with amorphous MoO₃, to form an ideal heterojunction structure. The growth mechanism was proposed with a surface-induced nucleation of amorphous MoO₃ from a well-mixed precursor, where the mutual inhibition between core and shell led to the confined core size. The photochromic performance of TiO₂@MoO₃ was evaluated in solution as well as casted thin film on glass using a spectrophotometer, with a comparison to that of single MoO₃. A significant enhancement in the photochromic properties was demonstrated for TM; that is, the change of the absorbance in water at 600 nm is about 30 times larger than that of α-MoO₃, and a 20% transmittance regulation at 500–800 nm was obtained for the TM-based thin film. Meanwhile, the samples in ethanol showed much stronger photochromic coloration efficiency than that in water by 66.6% enhancement in the absorption at 600 nm. Such a significant photochromic enhancement is considered to the formation of a relatively ideal heterojunction at the interface, leading to an efficient electron–hole separation. The size effect of TM provides a high specific surface area for cation insertion/extraction and diffusion and decreases the distance of electron transfer. Furthermore, a shift of excitation wavelengths from UV to visible was also observed due to the appearance of extra defect bands by Mo doping into TiO₂ in their interface, which was supported by XRD and Raman measurements. The enhanced photochromic performance of TiO₂@MoO₃ is expected to be used for color displays and smart windows

Image_1_Fatty acid metabolism is related to the immune microenvironment changes of gastric cancer and RGS2 is a new tumor biomarker.tif

BackgroundAlterations in lipid metabolism promote tumor progression. However, the role of lipid metabolism in the occurrence and development of gastric cancer have not been fully clarifiedMethodHere, genes that are related to fatty acid metabolism and differentially-expressed between normal and gastric cancer tissues were identified in the TCGA-STAD cohort. The intersection of identified differentially-expressed genes with Geneset was determined to obtain 78 fatty acid metabolism-related genes. The ConsensusClusterPlus R package was used to perform differentially-expressed genes, which yielded divided two gastric cancer subtypes termed cluster 1 and cluster 2.ResultsPatients in cluster 2 was found to display poorer prognosis than patients in cluster 1. Using machine learning method to select 8 differentially expressed genes among subtypes to construct fatty acid prognostic risk score model (FARS), which was found to display good prognostic efficacy. We also identified that certain anticancer drugs, such as bortezomib, elesclomol, GW843682X, and nilotinib, showed significant sensitivity in the high FARS score group. RGS2 was selected as the core gene upon an analysis of the gastric cancer single-cell, and Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining results revealed high level of expression of this gene in gastric cancer cells. The results of immunohistochemical staining showed that a large amount of RGS2 was deposited in the stroma in gastric cancer. A pan-cancer analysis also revealed a significant association of RGS2 with TMB, TIDE, and CD8+ T-cell infiltration in other cancer types as well. RGS2 may thus be studied further as a new target for immunotherapy in future studies on gastric cancer.ConclusionIn summary, the FARS model developed here enhances our understanding of lipid metabolism in the TME in gastric cancer, and provides a theoretical basis for predicting tumor prognosis and clinical treatment.</p

DataSheet1_The role of tetradecane in the identification of host plants by the mirid bugs Apolygus lucorum and Adelphocoris suturalis and potential application in pest management.xlsx

The mirid bugs Apolygus lucorum and Adelphocoris suturalis are considered serious pests of many crops in China, the host plant recognition of these pests remains unclear. The current study investigated the vital odor cues of two mirid bugs and evaluated the role of olfactory recognition in host recognition. The GC-EAD response of mirid bugs to volatiles of their host plant Phaseolus vulgaris was tested. Tetradecane, 2-propyl-1-pentanol, and dodecanal elicited strong EAG responses by mirid bugs and were tested with field experiments. The results indicated tetradecane was significantly more attractive than other attractants, yielding 30.33 ± 2.19 mirid bugs trapped during 7 days. The selected response rates to tetradecane were above 60%, which was most attractive to female A. lucorum at 1.5 mg/ml. Among seven tetradecane derivatives, tetradecane and tetradecanoic acid were the most potent attractants to A. lucorum and A. suturalis. Tetradecane was present in the volatiles of 10 common hosts, and their difference in relative content was significant. The presence of tetradecane seemed relevant to the olfactory response intensity of two mirid bugs towards the different host plants. The artificial supplement of tetradecane increased the attractive effect of host plants. These results suggested that tetradecane plays a vital role in the olfactory selection by two mirid bugs, and it can be made into field baits as a novel ecological strategy to manage these pests with widely reported pesticide resistance. However, results suggested host recognition is not entirely dependent on odor cues. We demonstrated that A. suturalis and A. lucorum adults have similar olfactory recognition mechanisms to their hosts in long-distance host selection. While, the differences in host plant selection between the two pests should occur in close range due to differences in gustatory or tactile sensory organs of A. lucorum and A. suturalis.</p

Novel Process to Prepare a Vanadium Electrolyte from a Calcification Roasting–Acid Leaching Solution of Vanadium Slag

The vanadium battery has received great attention in recent years as one of the most viable energy-storage technologies for large-scale applications. As an important part of the vanadium battery, the vanadium electrolyte occupies most of the cost of the vanadium battery. How to prepare a vanadium electrolyte at a low cost has become a hot topic for researchers all over the world. Herein, an efficient method for the preparation of a vanadium electrolyte from a calcification roasting–acid leaching solution of vanadium slag (CRAL) is proposed based on TMAC extraction to the treatment of CRAL and recycling of Mn and Mg resources. The influence of various factors on vanadium extraction efficiency has been investigated, including the extractant concentration, phase ratio A/O, contact time, and temperature. Furthermore, the principle of extraction and stripping has been illustrated, and the recyclability of the organic phase has been evaluated. Under optimum conditions, 99.91% of vanadium is recovered from CRAL to prepare the vanadium battery, confirming the efficient separation of vanadium. This study highlights a new approach for separating vanadium from other impurities to prepare a vanadium electrolyte and provides a new outlook for other leaching solutions and new perspectives on the resource-comprehensive utilization of liquor

Spontaneous and Directional Bubble Transport on Porous Copper Wires with Complex Shapes in Aqueous Media

Manipulation of gas bubble behaviors is crucial for gas bubble-related applications. Generally, the manipulation of gas bubble behaviors generally takes advantage of their buoyancy force. It is very difficult to control the transportation of gas bubbles in a specific direction. Several approaches have been developed to collect and transport bubbles in aqueous media; however, most reliable and effective manipulation of gas bubbles in aqueous media occurs on the interfaces with simple shapes (i.e., cylinder and cone shapes). Reliable strategies for spontaneous and directional transport of gas bubbles on interfaces with complex shapes remain enormously challenging. Herein, a type of 3D gradient porous network was constructed on copper wire interfaces, with rectangle, wave, and helix shapes. The superhydrophobic copper wires were immersed in water, and continuous and stable gas films then formed on the interfaces. With the assistance of the Laplace pressure gradient between two bubbles, gas bubbles (including microscopic gas bubbles) in the aqueous media were subsequently transported, continuously and directionally, on the copper wires with complex shapes. The small gas bubbles always moved to the larger ones

Supplementary document for Bifunctional interfacial engineering enabled efficient and stable carbon-based CsPbIBr2 perovskite solar cells - 6908061.pdf

Supplementa

Supporting Information.docx

Supplemental documen

Image_2_Fatty acid metabolism is related to the immune microenvironment changes of gastric cancer and RGS2 is a new tumor biomarker.tif

BackgroundAlterations in lipid metabolism promote tumor progression. However, the role of lipid metabolism in the occurrence and development of gastric cancer have not been fully clarifiedMethodHere, genes that are related to fatty acid metabolism and differentially-expressed between normal and gastric cancer tissues were identified in the TCGA-STAD cohort. The intersection of identified differentially-expressed genes with Geneset was determined to obtain 78 fatty acid metabolism-related genes. The ConsensusClusterPlus R package was used to perform differentially-expressed genes, which yielded divided two gastric cancer subtypes termed cluster 1 and cluster 2.ResultsPatients in cluster 2 was found to display poorer prognosis than patients in cluster 1. Using machine learning method to select 8 differentially expressed genes among subtypes to construct fatty acid prognostic risk score model (FARS), which was found to display good prognostic efficacy. We also identified that certain anticancer drugs, such as bortezomib, elesclomol, GW843682X, and nilotinib, showed significant sensitivity in the high FARS score group. RGS2 was selected as the core gene upon an analysis of the gastric cancer single-cell, and Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining results revealed high level of expression of this gene in gastric cancer cells. The results of immunohistochemical staining showed that a large amount of RGS2 was deposited in the stroma in gastric cancer. A pan-cancer analysis also revealed a significant association of RGS2 with TMB, TIDE, and CD8+ T-cell infiltration in other cancer types as well. RGS2 may thus be studied further as a new target for immunotherapy in future studies on gastric cancer.ConclusionIn summary, the FARS model developed here enhances our understanding of lipid metabolism in the TME in gastric cancer, and provides a theoretical basis for predicting tumor prognosis and clinical treatment.</p

Table_1_Fatty acid metabolism is related to the immune microenvironment changes of gastric cancer and RGS2 is a new tumor biomarker.xlsx

BackgroundAlterations in lipid metabolism promote tumor progression. However, the role of lipid metabolism in the occurrence and development of gastric cancer have not been fully clarifiedMethodHere, genes that are related to fatty acid metabolism and differentially-expressed between normal and gastric cancer tissues were identified in the TCGA-STAD cohort. The intersection of identified differentially-expressed genes with Geneset was determined to obtain 78 fatty acid metabolism-related genes. The ConsensusClusterPlus R package was used to perform differentially-expressed genes, which yielded divided two gastric cancer subtypes termed cluster 1 and cluster 2.ResultsPatients in cluster 2 was found to display poorer prognosis than patients in cluster 1. Using machine learning method to select 8 differentially expressed genes among subtypes to construct fatty acid prognostic risk score model (FARS), which was found to display good prognostic efficacy. We also identified that certain anticancer drugs, such as bortezomib, elesclomol, GW843682X, and nilotinib, showed significant sensitivity in the high FARS score group. RGS2 was selected as the core gene upon an analysis of the gastric cancer single-cell, and Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining results revealed high level of expression of this gene in gastric cancer cells. The results of immunohistochemical staining showed that a large amount of RGS2 was deposited in the stroma in gastric cancer. A pan-cancer analysis also revealed a significant association of RGS2 with TMB, TIDE, and CD8+ T-cell infiltration in other cancer types as well. RGS2 may thus be studied further as a new target for immunotherapy in future studies on gastric cancer.ConclusionIn summary, the FARS model developed here enhances our understanding of lipid metabolism in the TME in gastric cancer, and provides a theoretical basis for predicting tumor prognosis and clinical treatment.</p

Locations of twelve monitoring stations in Beijing.

<p>Locations of twelve monitoring stations in Beijing.</p