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Ag-modified MnO 2 loaded on plate-like ZSM-5 (PZ5) with different Ag/Mn ratios were synthesized by an in-situ growth method and used as catalysts for toluene combustion, as a probe molecule of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The results showed that Ag doping greatly enhanced the toluene combustion activity (Mn 50 Ag y /PZ5). Among them, Mn 50 Ag 0.04 /PZ5 showed the highest catalytic activity for toluene combustion with 90 % conversion of toluene at 234 °C (T 90), and the reaction rate calculated per unit mass of Mn was 1.22×10−7 at 220 °C, which was 2.7 times higher than that of MnO 2. In addition, Mn 50 Ag 0.04 /PZ5 exhibited excellent long-term stability and water resistance. Various characterizations indicated that the excellent performance of Mn 50 Ag 0.04 /PZ5 was attributed to its higher Mn2++Mn3+/Mn4+ ratios, higher reducibility, and more active surface adsorbed oxygen species. Finally, in-situ DRIFTS studies confirmed that Ag doping did not alter the catalytic combustion pathway of toluene over the Mn 50 Ag 0.04 /PZ5 catalyst but could accelerate the rate of conversion of toluene to the final products because the transfer of electrons from Ag+ to lattice oxygen persuaded the weaken of the Mn-O bond, and then made it easier for bulk lattice oxygen to migrate towards the Ag-MnO 2 interface or catalysts' surface, thus showing the better catalytic performance for toluene combustion. [Display omitted] • Unique structures of Mn-Ag bimetals supported on plate-like ZSM-5 catalysts were synthesized. • Mn 50 Ag 0.04 /PZ5 demonstrated excellent catalytic activity for toluene combustion. • Mn 50 Ag 0.04 /PZ5 exhibited excellent long-term stability with high water resistance. • The outstanding performance of Mn 50 Ag 0.04 /PZ5 was attributed to higher Mn2++Mn3+/Mn4+& O ads /O latt ratio, and reducibility. • Ag doping did not alter the combustion pathway but could accelerate the rate for toluene conversion to the final products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The large amount of fly ash (FA) produced by coal-fired power plants places tremendous pressure on the environment. Meanwhile, toxic dioxins emitted from municipal solid waste incineration plants are of great concern. To address these challenges, a win-win approach was proposed to re-utilize FA for synthesis of zeolite materials for dioxins adsorption. The results indicate that the Si/Al molar ratio in the liquid-phase precursor significantly influences the distribution of Si-Al 4-membered rings (Si/Al=1) and Si-Al 4-membered rings (Si/Al=3) in the system. These units are key secondary structures of the zeolite skeleton, determining the proportions of A-type and X-type zeolites in the product. With the increasing Si/Al molar ratio of precursor, the specific surface area and Si/Al molar ratio of zeolites derived from fly ash (ZFA) both increased, while they played a positive and negative role in dioxins adsorption, respectively. The adsorption of dioxins by ZFA peaked at a Si/Al molar ratio of precursor of 1.5, reaching 4.13×105 pg I-TEF/g, surpassing activated carbon by 1.46 times. This study not only elucidates the mechanism of Si/Al molar ratio of precursor on crystalline transformation of ZFA, but also confirms the potential of ZFA in dioxins adsorption. • Fly ash is recycled to synthesize zeolites for efficient removal of dioxins. • The crystalline phases of zeolites are determined by Si/Al molar ratio in liquid phase. • The adsorption capacity of fly ash derived zeolites for dibenzofuran is 79.03 mg/g. • Fly ash derived zeolites shows superior dioxin adsorption capacity to activated carbon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, the as-prepared catalyst Cu/AlCeO with 60 wt.% Cu showed high activity and selectivity for the CO2 hydrogenation to methanol. We found the composite of Al2O3 and CeO2 can inhibit the growth of Cu crystallite. And the quantity of Cu+ species and the more Cu(111)-ceria interface were in favor for the CO2 hydrogenation activity to methanol. The surface basicity enhanced the bond strength between Cu and adsorbed CO, and then inhibited the reverse water-gas shift reaction, which can well promote the methanol selectivity. • The composite of Al 2 O 3 and CeO 2 inhibited the growth of Cu particles. • Cu(111)-ceria interface increased the activity of CO 2 hydrogenation to methanol. • CeO 2 enhanced the surface basicity. • Surface basicity promoted the methanol selectivity. • The CeO 2 enhanced the stability of catalyst. The hydrogenation of CO 2 to methanol is one of the most promising ways to reduce the CO 2 emission and mitigate the energy shortage, but it still confronts low CO 2 conversion and methanol selectivity. In this work, the Cu/Al 2 O 3 , Cu/AlCeO and Cu/CeO 2 catalysts with 60 wt.% Cu were prepared by co-precipitation method for the CO 2 hydrogenation to methanol, and the Cu particles were well dispersed on the supports. It was found that the composite of Al 2 O 3 and CeO 2 can inhibit the growth of Cu crystallite, and the Cu/AlCeO had the smaller Cu particles, which was beneficial for catalytic activity improvement. Besides, CeO 2 introduced in the catalysts increased the surface basicity and the atom ratio of Cu+ species, which promoted the methanol selectivity. Kinetic experiments indicated that the Cu/AlCeO catalyst had the lowest apparent activation barriers for CO 2 activation and methanol synthesis. In the process of reaction, CeO 2 in the catalysts can inhibit the agglomerate of Cu, which improved the stability of catalysts. Hence, the Cu/AlCeO catalyst showed the highest space time yield (STY methanol) for CO 2 hydrogenation into methanol. And the STY methanol was 11.9 mmol h−1 g−1 at 533 K, V(H 2)/V(CO 2) = 3/1, gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) = 14,400 mL h−1 g−1 and P = 3 MPa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Two kinds of silane coupling agents (r-aminopropyl triethoxy silane, KH550; and trimethoxy vinyl silane, A171) and dicumyl peroxide were used to bond the wood fiber/high-density polyethylene (WF/HDPE) composite and wood veneer. • Samples treated with A171 had higher bonding strength than those treated with KH550. • The greater the volume of wood fiber in the WF/HDPE, the poorer the bonding strength of the veneer and the lower its water resistance. Because of the smooth, dense, and nonpolar surface of wood-plastic composites (WPCs), it is challenging to form an efficient bonding interface between the WPC and the material of the wood veneer by using traditional adhesives. In this study, two kinds of silane coupling agents (r-aminopropyl triethoxy silane, production number KH550; and trimethoxy vinyl silane, production number A171) and dicumyl peroxide were used to improve the bond between the wood fiber/high-density polyethylene (WF/HDPE) composite and the wood veneer. The attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy curve shows that the two kinds of silane coupling agents were grafted to the surface of the wood veneer, and the contact angle between distilled water and the veneer surface increased from 46° to greater than 120° after treatment. The bonding strength between the treated veneer and the WF/HDPE composite was significantly enhanced, and samples treated with A171 had higher bonding strength than those treated with KH550. The greater the volume of wood fiber in the WF/HDPE, the poorer the bonding strength of the veneer and the lower its water resistance. Images from a scanning electron microscope show that the silane coupling agent A171 can induce a denser interface between the wood veneer and the WF/HDPE composite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plasmonic catalysis of solar water splitting has been extensively exploited these years for the fast-growing energy demands and environmental friendliness. However, most of the plasmonic systems are restricted on the noble metals and semiconductors, which limited the cost efficiency of the photocatalysts and further investigations of metal plasmons coupling with other research filed. Herein, we presented nonprecious Al@BaTiO 3 (Al/BTO) plasmonic heterostructures on Ti foams for a synergistic piezo-photocatalytic water splitting and pollutant degradation. An impressive local surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) and solar energy harvesting ability (in the ultraviolet–visible light region) are achieved on the Al/BTO photoelectrode, which endow the heterostructure with an excellent solar H 2 evolution (327 μmol h−1 cm−2) and 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) degradation rate. Furthermore, the BTO substrates upon magnetic field induced mechanical stimuli provide a strong polarization potential to the plasmonic catalyst by significantly enhancing the photo-generated carrier separation and transfer. The synergistic piezo-photocatalysis exhibited almost 50% increase in the H 2 production (657 μmol h−1 cm−2) and decolourization of 4-NP, which is comparable to a traditional noble metallic plasmonic photoelectrode. The hybrid catalyst delivers a long-term durability in the cycling tests, maintaining ∼90% of the activity after 30 h. This work demonstrates that non-noble metallic plasmons and piezoelectronic effect can serve synchronously as highly active photocatalytic agents, which not only boost the solar energy conversion efficiency but also decrease the material cost. We design BTO nanocavity arrays loaded with periodically distributed Al nanoparticles on flexible Ti foam for plasmonic solar water splitting and photo-degradation of organic pollution. The heterostructured photocatalyst represents greatly improved photocatalysis performance under magnet field induced vibration according to the piezoelectric polarization of the photocatalyst, i.e. piezotronic effect enhanced plasmonic photocatalysis. Image 1 • A novel Al/BTO/Ti heterostructure with periodical morphology was designed using the anodization and PVD process. • The fabricated heterostructures exhibited excellent performance for piezo-photocatalytic solar water splitting and 4-NP degradation. • Piezotronic enhanced photo-generated carrier separation and transfer are critical for the plasmonic activity of Al. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This study aims to examine the effect of leaders' creative work involvement on employees' creative work involvement by specifically focusing on the joint moderating effects of proactive personality (individual differences) and leader creativity expectations (social contexts). The results of a hierarchical regression analysis using a sample of 138 employee-colleague dyads from a company in mainland China showed that as predicted, leaders' creative work involvement was positively related to employees' creative work involvement. Moreover, the findings indicated that high proactive personality coupled with low leader creativity expectations led to the strongest relationship between leaders' creative work involvement and employees' creative work involvement, while low proactive personality combined with low leader creativity expectations resulted in the weakest relationship between leaders' creative work involvement and employees' creative work involvement. Our study contributes to the creative work involvement literature by investigating the important role of leaders' creative work involvement for employees' creative work involvement, and clarifying when and why employees are more fully involved in creative efforts. Highlights • Examines the trickle-down effects of creative work involvement • Proactive personality and leader creativity expectations jointly moderate the link. • Uses the self-determination theory as the theoretical base [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are often asymptomatic. However, large tumors can cause symptoms like abdominal pain and GI bleeding. We experienced a unique case where a giant GIST was incidentally found by CT scanning during emergency treatment for dizziness. A 61-year-old man presented temporary dizziness after exercising three days ago before his admission. Enhanced CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis revealed a large circular mass in the right upper abdominal cavity, with a maximum cross-sectional size of approximately 132 mm × 155 mm. Biopsy and genetic testing confirmed the diagnosis of GIST. The patient underwent successful radical surgery and was discharged at 12th post-operative day without any complications. The patient now is taking imatinib as an adjuvant targeted therapy. Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the digestive tract with diverse clinical presentations according to their sites and sizes. As in this case, the patient's primary complaint was dizziness, which is uncommon for GISTs. Initial workup, including three-dimensional rebuilding of the enhanced CT scanning and biopsy, was given before surgery. Finally, despite the tumor's large size and attachment to adjacent structures, R0 resection was accomplished without intraoperative rupture. This case highlights the importance of healthcare providers vigilant in identifying GISTs with unusual symptoms in emergency situations. A systematic and comprehensive examination can be and should be performed to confirm diagnosis and determine the feasibility of R0 resection. By sharing this unique case, we aim to enhance the understanding of GIST and increase awareness among clinicians about their varied presentations. • The clinical manifestations of large GISTs often present with digestive symptoms. • However, this case presented transient dizziness as primary symptom during emergency treatment. • Healthcare providers should be vigilant in identifying GISTs with unusual symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhizospheric microbes play important roles in plant growth and heavy metals (HMs) transformation, possessing great potential for the successful phytoremediation of environmental pollutants. In the present study, the rhizosphere of Elsholtzia haichowensis Sun was comprehensively studied to uncover the influence of environmental factors (EFs) on the whole microbial communities including bacteria, fungi and archaea, via quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and high-throughput sequencing. By analyzing molecular ecological network and multivariate regression trees (MRT), we evaluated the distinct impacts of 37 EFs on soil microbial community. Of them, soil pH, HMs, soil texture and nitrogen were identified as the most influencing factors, and their roles varied across different domains. Soil pH was the main environmental variable on archaeal and bacterial community but not fungi, explaining 25.7%, 46.5% and 40.7% variation of bacterial taxonomic composition, archaeal taxonomic composition and a -diversity, respectively. HMs showed important roles in driving the whole microbial community and explained the major variation in different domains. Nitrogen (NH 4 -N, NO 3 -N, NO 2 -N and TN) explained 47.3% variation of microbial population composition and 15.9% of archaeal taxonomic composition, demonstrating its influence in structuring the rhizospheric microbiome, particularly archaeal and bacterial community. Soil texture accounted for 10.2% variation of population composition, 28.9% of fungal taxonomic composition, 19.2% of fungal a -diversity and 7.8% of archaeal a -diversity. Rhizosphere only showed strong impacts on fungi and bacteria, accounting for 14.7% and 4.9% variation of fungal taxonomic composition and bacterial a -diversity. Spatial distance had stronger influence on bacteria and archaea than fungi, but not as significant as other EFs. For the first time, our study provides a complete insight into key influential EFs on rhizospheric microbes and how their roles vary across microbial domains, giving a hand for understanding the construction of microbial communities in rhizosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellulose nanofibril (CNF) aerogel is highly flammable and its mechanical strength is very soft, which is unfavourable due to safety concerns and impractical when used as the thermal insulation material. In this work, we used N -methylol dimethylphosphonopropionamide (MDPA) and 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA) as co-additives and then prepared lightweight flame resistant CNF sponge-like aerogels via an eco-friendly freeze-drying and post cross-linking method. The CNF/BTCA/MDPA aerogel exhibited a better flame retardant performance, outstanding self-extinguishing behaviour and significantly increased char residue (by as much as 268%) compared with the neat CNF aerogel. Meanwhile, the resilience of the aerogel samples improved significantly as the flexibility decreased slightly. Furthermore, the aerogel samples still exhibited excellent thermal insulating properties with thermal conductivity as low as 0.03258 W/(m k). The combination of these characteristics makes the CNF-based aerogel a promising insulation candidate for thermal protective equipment (e.g., fire-protection clothing or advanced spacesuit elements) in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]