Negative Poisson's ratio of sulfides dominated by strong intralayer electron repulsion.

Geometrical variations in a particular structure or other mechanical factors are often cited as the cause of a negative Poisson's ratio (NPR). These factors are independent of the electronic properties of the materials. This work investigates a class of two-dimensional (2D) sulfides with the chemical formula MX2 (M = Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, X = S) using first-principles calculations. Among them, monolayered TiS2, CrS2, and MnS2 were found to exhibit a structure-independent NPR. The strong strain response of intra-layer interactions is responsible for this unique phenomenon. This can be traced to the lone pair of electrons of the S atoms and the weak electronegativity of the central atoms in multi-orbital hybridization. Our study provides valuable insights and useful guidelines for designing innovative NPR materials.

Adsorption-desorption and leaching behavior of benzovindiflupyr in different soil types.

Benzovindiflupyr is a succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor fungicide that targets mitochondrial function for disease control. In this study, we investigated the adsorption-desorption and leaching behavior of benzovindiflupyr in eight soil types using the batch equilibrium method and the soil column leaching method. A Freundlich model (r2 > 0.9959) was used to better characterize the adsorption-desorption process in eight soil types, with adsorption coefficients (KF-ads) ranging from 2.303 to 17.886. KF-ads was significantly and positively correlated (p < 0.05) with the organic carbon content. High temperatures and increased initial pH of aqueous solutions led to a decrease in benzovindiflupyr adsorption in the soil. The adsorption was also influenced by factors such as ionic strength, humic acid, surfactant type, microplastic type, and particle size and concentration. Moreover, benzovindiflupyr exhibited low leachability in all four soils selected, but different leaching solutions affected the risk of benzovindiflupyr migration to groundwater. Overall, this study provides insights into the adsorption characteristics of benzovindiflupyr in different soils and provides key information for environmental risk assessment.

Adsorption-desorption behavior of florpyrauxifen-benzyl on three microplastics in aqueous environment as well as its mechanism and various influencing factors.

Microplastics (MPs) and pesticides are two categories contaminants with proposed negative impacts to aqueous ecosystems, and adsorption of pesticides on MPs may result in their long-range transport and compound combination effects. Florpyrauxifen-benzyl, a novel pyridine-2-carboxylate auxin herbicide has been widely used to control weeds in paddy field, but the insights of which are extremely limited. Therefore, adsorption and desorption behaviors of florpyrauxifen-benzyl on polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE) and disposable face masks (DFMs) in five water environment were investigated. The impacts of various environmental factors on adsorption capacity were evaluated, as well as adsorption mechanisms. The results revealed significant variations in adsorption capacity of florpyrauxifen-benzyl on three MPs, with approximately order of DFMs > PE > PVC. The discrepancy can be attributed to differences in structural and physicochemical properties, as evidenced by various characterization analysis. The kinetics and isotherm of florpyrauxifen-benzyl on three MPs were suitable for different models, wherein physical force predominantly governed adsorption process. Thermodynamic analysis revealed that both high and low temperatures weakened PE and DFMs adsorption, whereas temperature exhibited negligible impact on PVC adsorption. The adsorption capacity was significantly influenced by most environmental factors, particularly pH, cations and coexisting herbicide. This study provides valuable insights into the fate of florpyrauxifen-benzyl in presence of MPs, suggesting that PVC, PE and DFMs can serve as carriers of florpyrauxifen-benzyl in aquatic environment.

Hydrolysis of propyrisulfuron in water: Kinetics, influence of 34 environmental factors, transformation products identification, mechanisms and toxicities.

Propyrisulfuron is a novel sulfonylurea herbicide used for controlling annual grass and broad-leaved weeds in fields, but its fates and behaviors in environment are still unknown, which are of utmost importance for environmental protection. To reduce its potential environmental risks in agricultural production, the hydrolysis kinetics, influence of 34 environmental factors including 12 microplastics (MPs), disposable face masks (DFMs) and its different parts, 6 fertilizers, 5 ions, 3 surfactants, a co-existed herbicide of florpyrauxifen-benzy, humic acid and biochar, and the effect of MPs and DFMs on its hydrolysis mechanisms were systematically investigated. The main hydrolysis products (HPs), possible mechanisms, toxicities and potential risks to aquatic organisms were studied. Propyrisulfuron hydrolysis was an acid catalytic pyrolysis, endothermic and spontaneous process driven by the reduction of activation enthalpy, and followed the first-order kinetics. All environmental factors can accelerate propyrisulfuron hydrolysis to varying degrees except humic acid, and different hydrolysis mechanisms occurred in the presence of MPs and DFMs. In addition, 10 possible HPs and 7 possible mechanisms were identified and proposed. ECOSAR prediction and ecotoxicity testing showed that acute toxicity of propyrisulfuron and its HPs for aquatic organisms were low, but may have high chronic toxicity and pose a potential threat to aquatic ecosystems. The investigations are significantly important for elucidating the environmental fates and behaviors of propyrisulfuron, assessing the risks in environmental protection, and further providing guidance for scientific application in agro-ecosystem.

Degradation of a New Herbicide Florpyrauxifen-Benzyl in Water: Kinetics, Various Influencing Factors and Its Reaction Mechanisms.

Florpyrauxifen-benzyl is a novel herbicide used to control weeds in paddy fields. To clarify and evaluate its hydrolytic behavior and safety in water environments, its hydrolytic characteristics were investigated under varying temperatures, pH values, initial mass concentrations and water types, as well as the effects of 40 environmental factors such as microplastics (MPs) and disposable face masks (DFMs). Meanwhile, hydrolytic products were identified by UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS, and its hydrolytic pathways were proposed. The effects of MPs and DFMs on hydrolytic products and pathways were also investigated. The results showed that hydrolysis of florpyrauxifen-benzyl was a spontaneous process driven by endothermic, base catalysis and activation entropy increase and conformed to the first-order kinetics. The temperature had an obvious effect on hydrolysis rate under alkaline condition, the hydrolysis reaction conformed to Arrhenius formula, and activation enthalpy, activation entropy, and Gibbs free energy were negatively correlated with temperature. Most of environmental factors promoted hydrolysis of florpyrauxifen-benzyl, especially the cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB). The hydrolysis mechanism was ester hydrolysis reaction with a main product of florpyrauxifen. The MPs and DFMs did not affect the hydrolytic mechanisms but the hydrolysis rate. The results are crucial for illustrating and assessing the environmental fate and risks of florpyrauxifen-benzyl.

Efficient degradation of imidacloprid in soil by thermally activated persulfate process: Performance, kinetics, and mechanisms.

Imidacloprid (IMI) as a first-generation commercial neonicotinoid has been frequently detected in the environment in recent years. In this study, the efficient degradation of IMI in soil by a thermally activated persulfate (PS) process was investigated. The degradation efficiencies of IMI were in the range of 82-97% with the PS dosage of 10 mM, when the initial concentrations of IMI were 5-50 mg/kg in the soil. Degradation of the IMI was fitted with a pseudo-first-order kinetic model under different reaction temperatures. Inhibition effects of the common inorganic anions on the IMI degradation in the system followed the order Cl- > HCO3- > H2PO4- > NO3-. Soil pH and soil organic matter were also main factors affecting the degradation of IMI. The degradation efficiencies (64-97%) of three other typical neonicotinoids (acetamiprid, clothianidin, and dinotefuran) indicated that the thermally activated persulfate process could be used for remediation of neonicotinoid-contaminated soil. Quenching experiments indicated that the major reactive species in IMI degradation were SO4•-, O2•-, and •OH. Six degradation intermediates of IMI were inferred in the soil, and degradation pathways of IMI included hydroxylation, denitrification, C-N bond break and further oxidation.

Adsorption-desorption and transport behavior of pydiflumetofen in eight different types of soil.

Pydiflumetofen, a fungicide of the class of succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors, can disrupt energy metabolism by inhibiting the synthesis of succinate dehydrogenase, thus effectively inhibiting pathogenic fungal growth and related yield losses.We studied the adsorption and desorption behaviors and interaction mechanisms of pydiflumetofen in eight different arable soils by the infrared spectroscopy and batch equilibrium method. Pydiflumetofen adsorption and desorption property of soils conformed with the Freundlich isotherm model and the values for the adsorption capacity KF-ads were in the range of 14.592-102.610. The adsorption constants (KF-ads) exhibited a significantly positive and linear correlation (p < 0.1) with soil organic matter and organic carbon content. Both high and low temperatures weakened the pydiflumetofen sorption capacity of the soil. In addition, the initial pH of the solution, its ionic strength, and the addition of exogenous biochar, humic acid, and different types of surfactants at different concentrations also affected the sorption property of the soil. Pydiflumetofen is weakly mobile and leachable in most soils, and, poses some threat to surface soil and water organisms, but does not contaminate groundwater.

Risk Factors for Aortic Regurgitation Progression After Repair of Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm.

BACKGROUND: The main treatment for a ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SVA) is surgical repair. Postoperative progression of aortic regurgitation (AR) following SVA repair increases the risk of reoperation, which decreases the long-term survival. Thus, identifying the risk factors for postoperative AR progression is of great significance. METHODS: Adult patients who were diagnosed with ruptured SVA and underwent surgical repair at the current centre were reviewed. Necessary data in the institutional database were extracted. The perioperative and follow-up assessments of the aortic valve by transthoracic echocardiography were also obtained. The aortic regurgitation progression was grouped into three categories: newly developing, recurrence, and worsening. Sixteen (16) variables were screened to identify potential risk factors by univariate logistic regression analysis or Chi-squared test. Variables with p-values <0.1 were further analysed by multivariate logistic regression models to find independent risk factors. RESULTS: A total of 198 consecutive patients from June 2006 to January 2018 were included. The overall incidence of postoperative AR progression was 19.2% (38 of 198). After the univariate analysis, SVA originating from the right coronary sinus, coexisting with ventricular septal defect, larger diameter of aortic annulus, and larger cardiothoracic ratio were screened as potential risk factors. Multivariate analysis indicated that coexisting with a ventricular septal defect (VSD) (OR, 2.82; 95% CI, 1.217-6.532; p=0.016) and larger cardiothoracic ratio (OR, 1.061; 95% CI, 1.001-1.124; p=0.047) were independent risk factors for postoperative AR progression. CONCLUSIONS: To prevent postoperative AR progression after surgical repair, more careful inspection and appropriate surgical techniques are necessary for patients coexisting with VSD or with a larger cardiothoracic ratio.

Degradation and Pathways of Carvone in Soil and Water.

Carvone is a monoterpene compound that has been widely used as a pesticide for more than 10 years. However, little is known regarding the fate of carvone, or its degradation products, in the environment. We used GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) to study the fate of carvone and its degradation and photolysis products under different soil and light conditions. We identified and quantified three degradation products of carvone in soil and water samples: dihydrocarvone, dihydrocarveol, and carvone camphor. In soil, dihydrocarveol was produced at very low levels (≤0.067 mg/kg), while dihydrocarvone was produced at much higher levels (≤2.07 mg/kg). In water exposed to differing light conditions, carvone was degraded to carvone camphor. The photolysis rate of carvone camphor under a mercury lamp was faster, but its persistence was lower than under a xenon lamp. The results of this study provide fundamental data to better understand the fate and degradation of carvone and its metabolites in the environment.

Adsorption-Desorption and Migration Behaviors of Oxaziclomefone in Different Agricultural Soils in China.

Oxaziclomefone is an organic heterocyclic herbicide which has been widely used in rice fields. The aim of this paper is to investigate the adsorption-desorption and migration of oxaziclomefone in four Chinese agricultural soils. All the four soils show high adsorption capacity for oxaziclomefone, with similar adsorption rates at 84.48%-96.70%. Four adsorption kinetic models were used to fit the adsorption kinetic characteristics and the elovich model was the best, indicating that chemical processes were involved in adsorption. For the isothermal adsorption behavior of oxaziclomefone, the Freundlich model shows the best, indicating that the adsorption sites for oxaziclomefone in soil were heterogeneous. The retention factor in the soil thin-layer plates ranges from 0.083 to 0.250 and the retention factor 0-10 cm layer of the soil column was > 50, indicating that the herbicide was not easily migration from all four soils. Because oxaziclomefone has low mobility in different soils and is not easily leached, it poses a low potential threat of contaminating surface water and groundwater.

Dissipation of tiafenacil in five types of citrus orchard soils using the HPLC-MS coupled with the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe method.

Tiafenacil is a new contact herbicide and its environmental behavior after field application remains poorly understood. In order to understand the dissipation of tiafenacil in the soil, the tiafenacil dissipation experiment was conducted at citrus orchard sites in five provinces of China (Gansu, Shandong, Sichuan, Jiangxi, and Hainan) in 2019 and 2020 (July-August) and the relevant determination methods were optimized. The results showed that the established method showed good linearity in the concentration range of 0.01-0.5 mg/kg. The average recoveries of tiafenacil from the five soils were 86.31-101.66%, with coefficients of variation of 0.28-10.79%. The dissipation of tiafenacil at the five experimental sites conformed to the first-order kinetic equation, Ct  = C0 exp- kt (R2  = 0.8130 - 0.9967). The half-life of tiafenacil ranged from 0.26 to 4.19 days. The dissipation rate of tiafenacil was positively correlated with soil organic matter content and negatively correlated with soil pH, while monthly average temperature and total rainfall were less influential than soil properties. Therefore, the established method was simple and effective for tiafenacil residue analysis in citrus orchard soils. Tiafenacil could readily dissipate in soil and might be a safe alternative to glyphosate for weed control in citrus orchards.

Determination of Pydiflumetofen Residues in Rice and its Environment by an Optimized QuEChERS Method Coupled with HPLC-MS.

Pydiflumetofen is a new succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor fungicide, and the method for determination of its residues in rice and associated environmental samples has not yet been reported. Here, we optimized, Quick Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, Safe (QuEChERS) method for sample preparation, and used high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) to detect the residual amounts of pydiflumetofen in rice and its environment. The results showed that there was a good linearity over the pydiflumetofen concentration range of 0.01-0.1 mg/L in all matrices (R2 > 0.99). At the spiked levels of 0.01, 0.05, and 0.1 mg/kg, the recovery rates of pydiflumetofen from various matrices were between 84.23 and 105.10 %, with the relative standard deviation of 1.07-9.99 %. The limit of detection (signal-to-noise ratio = 3) of the proposed method for pydiflumetofen was in the range of 1.9-3.5 µg/kg, and the limit of quantification (signal-to-noise ratio = 10) was in the range of 6.3-11.7 µg/kg.

Adsorption-desorption behavior of benzobicyclon hydrolysate in different agricultural soils in China.

Benzobicyclon is a systemic herbicide that was officially registered in China in 2018. The environmental behaviors of benzobicyclon hydrolysate (BH), the main metabolite and active product of benzobicyclon, remain poorly understood in paddy fields. Here, agricultural soil samples were collected from paddy fields in Jiangxi (Ferralsols), Shandong (Alisols), Hebei (Luvisols), Heilongjiang (Phaeozems), Zhejiang (Anthrosols), Sichuan (Gleysols), Hainan (Plinthosols), and Hubei (Lixisols) across China. The equilibrium oscillation method was used to study the adsorption-desorption behaviors of BH in the eight soils. The relationships between BH adsorption and soil physicochemical properties, environmental factors (temperature and initial solution pH), and other external conditions (addition of humic acid, biochar, and metal ions) were quantified. The adsorption-desorption parameters of BH in all soils were well fitted by the Freundlich model. The adsorption constant of BH varied between 0.066 and 4.728. The BH adsorption capacity decreased in the following order: Phaeozems > Alisols > Ferralsols > Lixisols > Plinthosols > Anthrosols > Luvisols > Gleysols. The Freundlich adsorption and desorption constants of BH were linearly positively correlated with soil clay content (R2 = 0.711 and 0.709; P = 0.009 and 0.009, respectively), organic carbon content (R2 = 0.684 and 0.672; P = 0.011 and 0.013, respectively), and organic matter content (R2 = 0.698 and 0.683; P = 0.010 and 0.011, respectively); however, their linear relationships with soil cation exchange capacity were not significant (R2 = 0.192 and 0.192; P = 0.278 and 0.278, respectively). The adsorption and desorption constants of BH had negative, albeit not significant, correlations with soil pH (R2 = 0.104 and 0.100; P = 0.437 and 0.445, respectively). The adsorption of BH by soil occurred spontaneously and was mainly based on physical adsorption. Either low or high temperature reduced the ability of the soil to adsorb BH. The addition of humic acid to the soil increased BH adsorption, while the addition of biochar increased the solution pH, resulting in decreased BH adsorption. Cation type and ionic strength also had strong effects on BH adsorption. With the exception of Phaeozems, BH exhibited intermediate or high mobility in the agricultural soils and thus poses risks to surface water and groundwater.

Surgical results and pathological analysis of cardiac fibroma in the adolescent and the adult.

BACKGROUNDS: Disparities may exist between the adolescent and the adult patients with cardiac fibromas in the symptoms, surgical outcomes, and pathological characteristics. The aim of this study was to compare short and midterm surgical outcomes of cardiac fibromas and to compare the biomarker expressions of tumor tissue samples between the adult and the adolescent. METHODS: Consecutive patients with the diagnosis of cardiac fibroma were admitted and received surgeries. Primary outcomes included in-hospital mortality, low cardiac output, and readmission due to heart failure. The expression of PCNA and Ki67, two widely adopted indicators of cell proliferation, were evaluated in tissue samples. RESULTS: A total of five adolescent patients and five adult patients diagnosed as cardiac fibroma were admitted and given surgeries. When compare with the adults, the adolescent patients were more likely to present symptoms on admission (P = .048). Postoperative low cardiac output syndrome was significantly higher in the adolescents than in the adults (80.0% vs 0.0, P = .048). The tumor volume relative to ventricular end diastolic diameter had good discriminative ability for low cardiac output (c statistics: 0.96). Pathologically, the percentage of PCNA-positive cell nuclei was significantly higher in the adolescents than in the adults (36.04% ± 10.54% vs 4.15% ± 3.93%, P = .001). However, there were no Ki67-positive nuclei in the 10 cases. CONCLUSIONS: In the current study, we found that postoperative low cardiac output was more likely to occur in the adolescent patients than in the adult patients. When compared with the adult patients, significantly more PCNA-positive nuclei were observed in the adolescents.

Adsorption isotherms, degradation kinetics, and leaching behaviors of cyanogen and hydrogen cyanide in eight texturally different agricultural soils from China.

Cyanogen (C2N2) is a new and effective alternative soil fumigant to methyl bromide. The effects of soil properties on the fate of C2N2 and its degradation products, including hydrogen cyanide (HCN), are not fully understood. The objectives of this study were to determine the adsorption kinetics, adsorption isotherms, and degradation kinetics of C2N2 and HCN in texturally different soils and evaluate their leaching potentials using soil columns. Eight agricultural soils were collected throughout China: Luvisols (Hebei Province), Phaeozems (Heilongjiang Province), Gleysols (Sichuan Province), Anthrosols (Zhejiang Province), Ferralsols (Jiangxi Province), Lixisols (Hubei Province), Alisols (Shandong Province), and Plinthosols (Hainan Province). The adsorptions of C2N2 and HCN in C2N2-fumigated soils were positively correlated with organic matter and clay contents. For a C2N2 dose of 100 mg kg-1, the adsorptions of C2N2 and HCN were highest in Phaeozems and lowest in Gleysols according to their adsorption coefficients (15.744 and 3.119, respectively). No significant difference in the half-life of C2N2 and HCN was observed between sterilized and unsterilized soils, indicating that abiotic degradation was predominant in the degradation of C2N2 and HCN. After leaching, the residual C2N2, HCN, NH4+-N, and NO3--N concentrations in C2N2-fumigated Phaeozems were highest within 15 cm of the soil surface (30, 20, 19.68, and 10.41 mg kg-1 soil, respectively). The results indicate that C2N2 and HCN have short lifetimes and low leaching potentials in agricultural soils, even under heavy rainfall conditions. The findings demonstrate that C2N2 and HCN resulting from fumigation will not accumulate in the soil and are not likely to contaminate groundwater.

Phytochemical Study of Stem and Leaf of Clausena lansium.

Clausena lansium Lour. Skeels (Rutaceae) is widely distributed in South China and has historically been used as a traditional medicine in local healthcare systems. Although the characteristic components (carbazole alkaloids and coumarins) of C. lansium have been found to possess a wide variety of biological activities, little attention has been paid toward the other components of this plant. In the current study, phytochemical analysis of isolates from a water-soluble stem and leaf extract of C. lansium led to the identification of 12 compounds, including five aromatic glycosides, four sesquiterpene glycosides, two dihydrofuranocoumarin glycosides, and one adenosine. All compounds were isolated for the first time from the genus Clausena, including a new aromatic glycoside (1), a new dihydrofuranocoumarin glycoside (6), and two new sesquiterpene glycosides (8 and 9). The phytochemical structures of the isolates were elucidated using spectroscopic analyses including NMR and MS. The existence of these compounds demonstrates the taxonomic significance of C. lansium in the genus Clausena and suggests that some glycosides from this plant probably play a role in the anticancer activity of C. lansium to some extent.

Adsorption-Desorption and Leaching Behaviors of Tetraniliprole in Three Typical Soils of China.

Tetraniliprole (TTP) is a new bisimide-based insecticide. Three typical surface soil samples were collected in farmland across China, including Jiangxi red soil (RS), Shandong yellow brown soil (YBS), and Heilongjiang black soil (BS). Adsorption, desorption and leaching experiments were conducted by using equilibrium oscillation and soil column leaching methods at 25°C ± 1°C. The isothermal adsorption and desorption curves of TTP in the above three soils were in accordance with the Freundlich model. The adsorption/desorption constants (Kads-f/Kdes-f) were 41.96-64.48 and 3.62-43.65, respectively. There is a certain hysteresis in the desorption curve, and the hysteresis coefficient (H) was between 0.14 and 0.89. Besides, the leaching properties of TTP in three soils were different. The leaching of TTP in RS and YBS was easy, while difficult for BS. It is concluded that the different adsorption-desorption ability and leaching ability of TTP in the above three soils was attributed to the distinct contents of organic matter (OM) and cation exchange capacity (CEC) in soil.

Determination and dissipation of afidopyropen and its metabolite in wheat and soil using QuEChERS-UHPLC-MS/MS.

The dissipations of afidopyropen and its metabolite in wheat plant and soil were determined using a quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe method with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry under a field ecosystem. The limits of quantification were estimated for both target compounds as 0.001 mg/kg. The recoveries of afidopyropen and its metabolite ranged from 94 to 114% (soil), 90 to 109% (wheat seed) and 81 to 91% (wheat straw) at levels of 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, and 2.0 mg/kg with relative standard deviations ≤7%. The results of the residual dynamics experiments showed that afidopyropen dissipated rapidly in wheat plant and soil. Its metabolite initially showed a tendency of rapid increase followed by a decrease in wheat plant but could not be detected in soil. The data showed that the first + first-order model was more suitable for describing the decline of afidopyropen in wheat and soil. The half-lives of afidopyropen in wheat plant and soil were 1.65 and 1.21 days, respectively.

Evaluation of Iron Chlorin e6 disappearance and hydrolysis in soil and garlic using salting-out assisted liquid-liquid extraction coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography and ultraviolet-visible detection.

Iron Chlorin e6 (ICE6), a star plant growth regulator (PGR) with independent intellectual property rights in China, has demonstrated its efficacy through numerous field experiments. We innovatively employed salting-out assisted liquid-liquid extraction (SALLE) with HPLC-UV/Vis to detect ICE6 residues in water, soil, garlic seeds, and sprouts. Using methanol and a C18 column with acetonitrile: 0.1% phosphoric acid mobile phase (55:45, v:v), we achieved a low LOQ of 0.43 to 0.77 µg kg-1. Calibration curves showed strong linearity (R2 > 0.992) within 0.01 to 5.00 mg kg-1. Inter-day and intra-day recoveries (0.05 to 0.50 mg kg-1) demonstrated high sensitivity and accuracy (recoveries: 75.36% to 107.86%; RSD: 1.03% to 8.78%). Additionally, density functional theory (DFT) analysis aligned UV/Vis spectra and indicated ICE6's first-order degradation (2.03 to 4.94 days) under various environmental conditions, mainly driven by abiotic degradation. This study enhances understanding of ICE6's environmental behavior, aids in risk assessment, and guides responsible use in agroecosystems.

Stretch-Controlled Branch Shape Microstructures for Switchable Unidirectional Self-Driven Spreading of Oil Droplets.

Unidirectional transport of liquids has attracted the attention of researchers in recent years for its wide application foreground. However, it is still a challenge to control the spreading of liquid, especially for oils with relatively high viscosity. In this paper, a flexible surface textured with branch-shaped microstructures is proposed. These asymmetric microstructures exhibit excellent unidirectional spreading behaviors for various oils. By suitably stretching the flexible surface to different stretch ratios, the spreading length of the oil droplets can be controlled. Moreover, the ongoing forward spreading of oil droplets can be suspended dynamically when the surface is stretched to 40%. Corresponding mechanism analysis demonstrates that surface stretching can narrow and close the microvalves between adjacent branches, which restrain the flow of the precursor film and the primary droplet. The switchable unidirectional spreading behavior enables the surface with such microstructures to be used for oil transportation, oil-water separation, and controllable lubrication.