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Aerogel-based composites hold promising application prospects as potential electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption materials, yet the construction of such materials with ingenious microstructures, appropriate magnetic/dielectric multi-components, and integrated multifunctionality remains considerably challenging. Herein, a multicomponent Co/MnO/Ti3C2Tx MXene/rGO (CMMG) hybrid aerogel featured with three-dimensional (3D) vertical directional channel architecture is reported. Benefiting from the synergistic effect arising from the 3D conductive networking structure, diverse heterogeneous interfaces, magnetic/dielectric multicomponent, and multiple loss pathways, the optimized CMMG-2 aerogel delivers fascinating EMW absorption capabilities, characterized by a minimal reflection loss (RLmin) of −77.41 dB and an effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) of 6.56 GHz. Additionally, the remarkable hydrophobicity, exceptional thermal insulation capabilities, and outstanding photothermal properties of CMMG-2 aerogel make it highly promising for multiple application in diverse and demanding environments. Interestingly, the distinctive pore structure of hybrid aerogel also allows it for sensitive and reliable detection of electrical signals caused by pressure changes and human motion. Thus, this research provides a viable design strategy for the development of lightweight, efficient, and multifunctional aerogel-based EMW absorption materials for various application scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: An ingenious design achieved magnetic-dielectric-carbon coupling. Nickel and manganese oxide particles were in situ reduced and grew on the carbon aerogels. The aerogels demonstrated radar stealth, infrared stealth and thermal management capability. Carbon-based aerogels derived from biomass chitosan are encountering a flourishing moment in electromagnetic protection on account of lightweight, controllable fabrication and versatility. Nevertheless, developing a facile construction method of component design with carbon-based aerogels for high-efficiency electromagnetic wave absorption (EWA) materials with a broad effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) and strong absorption yet hits some snags. Herein, the nitrogen-doped magnetic-dielectric-carbon aerogel was obtained via ice template method followed by carbonization treatment, homogeneous and abundant nickel (Ni) and manganese oxide (MnO) particles in situ grew on the carbon aerogels. Thanks to the optimization of impedance matching of dielectric/magnetic components to carbon aerogels, the nitrogen-doped magnetic-dielectric-carbon aerogel (Ni/MnO-CA) suggests a praiseworthy EWA performance, with an ultra-wide EAB of 7.36 GHz and a minimum reflection loss (RLmin) of − 64.09 dB, while achieving a specific reflection loss of − 253.32 dB mm−1. Furthermore, the aerogel reveals excellent radar stealth, infrared stealth, and thermal management capabilities. Hence, the high-performance, easy fabricated and multifunctional nickel/manganese oxide/carbon aerogels have broad application aspects for electromagnetic protection, electronic devices and aerospace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: Fabrication, characterizations and photothermal properties of MXenes are systematically described. Photothermal-derived antibacterial performances and mechanisms of MXenes-based materials are summarized and reviewed. Recent advances in the derivative applications relying on antibacterial properties of MXenes-based materials, including in vitro and in vivo sterilization, solar water evaporation and purification, and flexible antibacterial fabrics, are investigated. The pernicious bacterial proliferation and emergence of super-resistant bacteria have already posed a great threat to public health, which drives researchers to develop antibiotic-free strategies to eradicate these fierce microbes. Although enormous achievements have already been achieved, it remains an arduous challenge to realize efficient sterilization to cut off the drug resistance generation. Recently, photothermal therapy (PTT) has emerged as a promising solution to efficiently damage the integrity of pathogenic bacteria based on hyperthermia beyond their tolerance. Until now, numerous photothermal agents have been studied for antimicrobial PTT. Among them, MXenes (a type of two-dimensional transition metal carbides or nitrides) are extensively investigated as one of the most promising candidates due to their high aspect ratio, atomic-thin thickness, excellent photothermal performance, low cytotoxicity, and ultrahigh dispersibility in aqueous systems. Besides, the enormous application scenarios using their antibacterial properties can be tailored via elaborated designs of MXenes-based materials. In this review, the synthetic approaches and textural properties of MXenes have been systematically presented first, and then the photothermal properties and sterilization mechanisms using MXenes-based materials are documented. Subsequently, recent progress in diverse fields making use of the photothermal and antibacterial performances of MXenes-based materials are well summarized to reveal the potential applications of these materials for various purposes, including in vitro and in vivo sterilization, solar water evaporation and purification, and flexible antibacterial fabrics. Last but not least, the current challenges and future perspectives are discussed to provide theoretical guidance for the fabrication of efficient antimicrobial systems using MXenes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: In terms of components and structures, this review summarizes progresses and highlights strategies of MOF derivatives for efficient electromagnetic wave absorption. We also systematically delineate relevant theories and points out the prospects and current challenges. To tackle the aggravating electromagnetic wave (EMW) pollution issues, high-efficiency EMW absorption materials are urgently explored. Metal–organic framework (MOF) derivatives have been intensively investigated for EMW absorption due to the distinctive components and structures, which is expected to satisfy diverse application requirements. The extensive developments on MOF derivatives demonstrate its significantly important role in this research area. Particularly, MOF derivatives deliver huge performance superiorities in light weight, broad bandwidth, and robust loss capacity, which are attributed to the outstanding impedance matching, multiple attenuation mechanisms, and destructive interference effect. Herein, we summarized the relevant theories and evaluation methods, and categorized the state-of-the-art research progresses on MOF derivatives in EMW absorption field. In spite of lots of challenges to face, MOF derivatives have illuminated infinite potentials for further development as EMW absorption materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, millions of people die of microbial infection-related diseases every year. The more terrible situation is that due to the overuse of antibiotics, especially in developing countries, people are struggling to fight with the bacteria variation. The emergence of super-bacteria will be an intractable environmental and health hazard in the future unless novel bactericidal weapons are mounted. Consequently, it is critical to develop viable antibacterial approaches to sustain the prosperous development of human society. Recent researches indicate that transition metal sulfides (TMSs) represent prominent bactericidal application potential owing to the meritorious antibacterial performance, acceptable biocompatibility, high solar energy utilization efficiency, and excellent photo-to-thermal conversion characteristics, and thus, a comprehensive review on the recent advances in this area would be beneficial for the future development. In this review article, we start with the antibacterial mechanisms of TMSs to provide a preliminary understanding. Thereafter, the state-of-the-art research progresses on the strategies for TMSs materials engineering so as to promote their antibacterial properties are systematically surveyed and summarized, followed by a summary of the practical application scenarios of TMSs-based antibacterial platforms. Finally, based on the thorough survey and analysis, we emphasize the challenges and future development trends in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: Non-magnetic bimetallic MOF-derived porous carbon-wrapped TiO2/ZrTiO4 composites are firstly used for efficient electromagnetic wave absorption. The electromagnetic wave absorption mechanisms including enhanced interfacial polarization and essential conductivity are intensively discussed. Modern communication technologies put forward higher requirements for electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption materials. Metal–organic framework (MOF) derivatives have been widely concerned with its diverse advantages. To break the mindset of magnetic-derivative design, and make up the shortage of monometallic non-magnetic derivatives, we first try non-magnetic bimetallic MOFs derivatives to achieve efficient EMW absorption. The porous carbon-wrapped TiO2/ZrTiO4 composites derived from PCN-415 (TiZr-MOFs) are qualified with a minimum reflection loss of − 67.8 dB (2.16 mm, 13.0 GHz), and a maximum effective absorption bandwidth of 5.9 GHz (2.70 mm). Through in-depth discussions, the synergy of enhanced interfacial polarization and other attenuation mechanisms in the composites is revealed. Therefore, this work confirms the huge potentials of non-magnetic bimetallic MOFs derivatives in EMW absorption applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The long-term application of substantial amounts of fungicides and antibiotic-polluted organic manure (OM) in greenhouse has caused the co-existence of fungicides and antibiotics in soils. However, little is known about the effects of antibiotics on the persistence of fungicides in soils or their combined effects on soil enzyme activity. In this study, fungicide chlorothalonil (CTL) alone and in combination with antibiotic chlortetracycline (CTC) or ciprofloxacin (CIP) were repeatedly added to OM-amended soil to investigate the changes in the residual characteristics of CTL and in soil dehydrogenase and urease activity. The results showed that CTL rapidly dissipated in soils with the corresponding half-lives of 0.9–3.2, which initially increased, then decreased and finally stabilized with an increased treatment frequency. The dissipation of CTL was inhibited by CTC and CIP during the first several treatments. The soil dehydrogenase and urease activity in CTL-treated soils was inhibited during the first six treatments and then recovered afterwards. Compared with the OM-amended soil+CTL treatment, the OM-amended soil+CTL+CTC and OM-amended soil+CTL+CIP treatments had stronger inhibitory effects on soil enzyme activity during the first six repeated treatments but exhibited slight stimulating effects afterwards. Therefore, the results obtained in this study suggested that the long-term co-existence of CTL, CTC, and CIP altered the dissipation characteristics of CTL in soil and affected the soil enzyme activity levels. The prudent application of large and frequent of fungicides and OM-containing antibiotic residues in greenhouses should therefore be carefully considered in order to reduce the long-term combined pollution in soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The unfolded protein response (UPR), a highly conserved cellular defense pathway, is activated by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. In Arabidopsis, the transcription factor AtbZIP28 mediates ER stress responses induced by tunicamycin . Here, we identified NbbZIP28 in Nicotiana benthamiana. Sequence analyses showed that the NbbZIP28 encodes a protein of 812 amino acids with a putative transmembrane domain (TMD) near its C terminus next to a basic leucine zipper domain. In localization analyses, NbbZIP28 was located in the ER, and NbbZIP28, a truncated form of NbbZIP28 that lacked the region from the TMD to the carboxy terminus, localized in the nucleus. The transcript levels of NbbZIP28 were significantly up-regulated at 48 h post inoculation with Cucumber mosaic virus and Tobacco mosaic virus. NbbZIP28-silenced N. benthamiana plants showed no significant phenotypic change, but viruses were able to accumulate to higher levels in the silenced plants than in control plants. The NbbZIP28-silenced plants showed lower transcript levels of UPR genes including BiP and NF-YC2 at the early stage of virus infection, although the transcript levels recovered or even increased at a later stage, indicating that NbbZIP28 may be a key regulator, among others, of UPR,. In summary, the ER-localized transcription factor NbbZIP28 may play a role in the defense response against viruses by promoting the UPR pathway activation in N. benthamiana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the effect of riboflavin on the biocontrol activity of Bacillus subtilis Tpb55 against Phytophthora nicotianae ( Pn), which causes tobacco black shank. Riboflavin (0.2 mg ml) significantly improved the biocontrol activity of Tpb55 (2.0 × 10 cfu ml). Riboflavin (0.02-0.5 mg ml) alone could not significantly inhibit Pn growth. However, it enhanced the B. subtilis population, both in vitro and in tobacco roots and significantly increased the activity of defense enzymes, peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and β-1,3-glucanase, in the roots of B. subtilis-treated tobacco seedlings. Our results indicate that riboflavin can stimulate the growth of B. subtilis Tpb55 and induce resistance to Pn in tobacco plants. These findings should boost the prospects for practical application of B. subtilis Tpb55 as a biocontrol agent against black shank of tobacco. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we demonstrated an apparent electric field control of magnetization reorientation at room temperature, through a strain-mediated magnetoelectric coupling in ferromagnetic/ferroelectric (FM/FE) multiferroic heterostructure. As the applied electric field increased, the magnetization tended to deviate from the original direction, which was induced by nonlinear strain vs electric-field behavior from the ferroelectric substrates. Ferromagnetic resonance showed that the in-plane magnetic easy axis of the Co film was shifted sharply with electric field E = 10 kV/cm, which indicates that the in-plane uniaxial magnetic anisotropy of the Co film can be inverted via the application of an electric field. These results demonstrated that converse magnetoelectric effect in the FM/FE heterostructure was indeed a feasible method to control magnetization orientation in technologically relevant ferromagnetic thin films at room temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve the high-frequency properties of Fe-based thin films, doped and pure Fe thin films were obliquely deposited on Si (100) substrate by RF-magnetron sputtering. Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) measurements show obvious in-plane uniaxial magnetic anisotropy in both doped and pure Fe thin films, and enhancement effects of doping on Soft magnetic properties were also observed. Microwave permeability measurements indicate that the resonance frequency and permeability of pure Fe films are much larger than those of doped Fe thin films. Damping factors of Fe thin films deposited at different oblique angles were further investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a major aspect of the 'China Model', urbanization in China is being heatedly discussed in the Anglophone literature in the last two decades. By considering China's urbanization as a 'testing ground' of 'western' theories, these studies are important for the understanding of China's ongoing urban restructuring and exchanging knowledge with 'western' insights. Based on a survey of existing studies, this paper identifies various endogenous and exogenous concepts and explanations of China's urbanization. It is suggested that China's urbanization is mainly driven by a combination of political decentralization and neoliberalization with various forms of social stratification and mobility. However, it is argued that the distinctness of the 'China Model', which is usually used to support the legitimacy of studies of China's urbanization, has led to many controversial arguments and diminished the due contributions of Chinese scholars in the knowledge production of China's urbanization. To consolidate the legitimacy of studies on China's urbanization and enhance the roles of Chinese scholars, we suggest future studies to pay more attentions to the fundamental theories with looser constraints and 'true questions' on Chi [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field experiments were conducted in two different locations to determine the residue levels and dissipation rates of iprodione in tobacco leaves and soil. Iprodione 50 % wettable powder formulation was sprayed once at 12.50 g/ha to study the dissipation behavior and three to four times at 8.33 g/ha (recommended dose) and 12.50 g/ha (1.5 times the recommended field dose) to determine the residue levels of iprodione in tobacco leaves and soil after repeated applications. Iprodione residues in both green tobacco leaves and soil dissipated to about 50 % of the initial deposits after 7 days and then further dissipated to more than 90 % after 35 days.The dissipation of iprodione followed first order kinetics and the calculated half-life values ( T) were 5.64-8.80 days in green tobacco leaves and 7.50-9.93 days in soil, respectively. Iprodione residue levels in flue-cured tobacco leaves 21 days after the third and fourth applications ranged from 7.61 to 40.98 mg/kg. Meanwhile, the residues detected in soil decreased to 0.010-0.117 mg/kg 21 days after the last treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field experiments were conducted in two different locations to determine the dissipation pattern and residue levels of myclobutanil in tobacco leaves and soil. Myclobutanil 12.5 % microemulsion (ME) formulation was sprayed once at 3.0 mL/ha, and the residues in green tobacco leaves dissipated to more than 50 % of the initial deposits 5 days after application and up to above 90 % after 21 days. The dissipation rate of myclobutanil in soil was lower than that in green tobacco leaves. The residues dissipated above 50 % of the initial deposits 7 days after treatment and dissipated about 90 % after 42 days. The calculated half-life values ( T) were found to be 4.89-6.77 days in green tobacco leaves and 12.88-19.20 days in soil, respectively. The ultimate residues of myclobutanil in flue-cured tobacco leaves and soil were determined after the third and fourth applications at levels of 2.0 and 3.0 mL/ha. Myclobutanil residues in cured tobacco leaves 21 days after the last treatment ranged from 0.85 to 3.27 mg/kg. Meanwhile, the residues detected in soil reached below 0.045 mg/kg 21 days after the last treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rivers with fluvial equilibrium are characterized by bed deformation adjustment. The erosion-deposition area in cross-section reflects this characteristic, which is a base of researching the river scour and deposition evolution by time series analysis. With an erosion-deposition area indicator method proposed in this paper, the time series of erosion-deposition area quantity at Bygl and Shhk stations were obtained with the series duration of 31 years from 1976 to 2006. After analysis of its trend and mutation, three different tendencies about the evolution were observed in general from the quasi-equilibrium phase through a rapid shrinkage to the final new quasi-equilibrium. It is also found that the trend of erosion-deposition area series will change once a big flood occurred in some of the tributaries, and its ever greater influence is due to the decrease of deluge with the completion of upstream reservoirs. Almost all the turning points were coincident with the time when hyper-concentrated sediment flood occurred in some tributaries. With the time series of clear mutations since the late 1990s, the Inner Mongolian Reach has been in a new equilibrium phase. This can be concluded in two aspects. 1. The absence of big floods and sediment transportation from tributaries result in the river shrinkage, and to regain the channel flow-carrying capacity in Inner Mongolian Reach a large flood is needed both of high peak discharge and of lengthy interval to destroy the new equilibrium. 2. The proposed method of erosion-deposition area indicator is of great help to channel scour-deposition evolution analysis because it can demonstrate real time deformation of cross section in quantity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large-scale octahedral FeO nanocrystallines with crystalline size of 100−500 nm were synthesized by a facile solvent-thermal method for electromagnetic wave application. The FeO nanocrystallines showed a higher saturation magnetization ( M) value of 86.8 emu/g and larger coercivity ( H) value of 255 Oe than that of magnetite polycrystallines because of their good crystallization and dispersion. The epoxy resin composites with 40 vol% FeO powders provided good electromagnetic wave absorption performance (RL < −20 dB) in the range of 2.0-4.3 GHz over the absorber thicknesses of 3.5-6.8 mm. A minimum RL value of −47 dB was observed at 3.1 GHz with a thickness of 4.8 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

lentiviral vaccine, live attenuated equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) vaccine, was developed in the 1970s, and this has made tremendous contributions to the control of equine infectious anemia (EIA) in China. Four key virus strains were generated during the attenuation of the EIAV vaccine: the original Liao-Ning strain (EIAV), a donkey-adapted virulent strain (EIAV), a donkey-leukocyte-attenuated vaccine strain (EIAV), and a fetal donkey dermal cell (FDD)-adapted vaccine strain (EIAV). In this study, we analyzed the proviral genomes of these four EIAV strains and found a series of consensus substitutions among these strains. These mutations provide useful information for understanding the genetic basis of EIAV attenuation. Our results suggest that multiple mutations in a variety of genes in our attenuated EIAV vaccines not only provide a basis for virulence attenuation and induction of protective immunity but also greatly reduce the risk of reversion to virulence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PCR assay was carried out with primer pair CP-F:5'-GTAGACATCTGTGACGCGA-3' and CP-R:5'-GCGCGAAACAAGCTTCTTATC-3' (de Blas et al. [1]). Therefore, another PCR assay was carried out using CMVF: 5'-AGGTYCTWACAGCAATHA-3' and CMVR: 5'-ACAATGGTGTTACCGAAG-3' (designed herein) to test for CMV in 45 more symptomatic samples, which all tested positive for CMV. Furthermore, I Aphis craccivora i and I Myzus persicae, i successfully transmitted the virus, as confirmed by RT-PCR 30 days post-inoculation I . i According to our knowledge, this is the first report of CMV infecting I P. heterophylla i and may pose a serious threat to its cultivation in China. [Extracted from the article]

We reported the non-volatile electric field-mediated magnetic properties in the half-metallic Heusler alloy Co2FeAl/Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-PbTiO3 heterostructure at room temperature. The remanent magnetization with different applied electric field along [100] and [01-1] directions was achieved, which showed the non-volatile remanent magnetization driven by an electric field. The two giant reversible and stable remanent magnetization states were obtained by applying pulsed electric field. This can be attributed to the piezostrain effect originating from the piezoelectric substrate, which can be used for magnetoelectric-based memory devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Steering magnetism by electric fields upon interfacing ferromagnetic (FM) and ferroelectric (FE) materials to achieve an emergent multiferroic response bears a great potential for nano-scale devices with novel functionalities. FM/FE heterostructures allow, for instance, the electrical manipulation of magnetic anisotropy via interfacial magnetoelectric (ME) couplings. A charge-mediated ME effect is believed to be generally weak and active in only a few angstroms. Here we present an experimental evidence uncovering a new magnon-driven, strong ME effect acting on the nanometer range. For Co92Zr8 (20 nm) film deposited on ferroelectric PMN-PT we show via ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) that this type of linear ME allows for electrical control of simultaneously the magnetization precession and its damping, both of which are key elements for magnetic switching and spintronics. The experiments unravel further an electric-field-induced negative magnetic permeability effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]