Liquid Foam Stabilized by a CO2-Responsive Surfactant and Similarly Charged Cellulose Nanofibers for Reversibly Plugging in Porous Media.

CO2 foams are of great importance in oil recovery but challenging in some aspects like long-term stabilization and time-separated conflict. In this work, a stability-enhanced switchable foam was fabricated using bis-(2-hydroxyethoxy) olefine amine (BOA) and trace amounts (0.05 wt %) of cationic-modified cellulose nanofibers (CCNFs). The CCNF was developed using sequentially functionalized CNF with diamine groups, which were essential to promote the aqueous dispersibility and a key for strengthening the stabilization of foam. The combination of similarly charged CCNFs and BOA in the presence of CO2 contributed to both surface activity and viscoelasticity. It was demonstrated that CCNFs were entangled and stacked to form the compact films and possessed the ability to costabilize the lamellae, as observed by microscopic studies. In addition, the intermolecular H-bonds were promoted in the binary system after being protonated by CO2 and thus balancing the electrostatic forces, as explored by spectroscopy characterizations. The soft fibrous structure of the CCNF was also capable of wrapping gas bubbles in the form of a functional membrane with both low gas permeability and high surface potential, which slowed down the coarsening and coalescence. Of particular interest is that the reversible protonation state of CCNF-BOA complexes upon the alternate treatment with CO2/N2 led to reversible fast foaming/defoaming, which would be beneficial to construct the steerable plugging in the sand pack. This work is expected to provide a new direction and application of the CO2 responsive foam stabilized by similarly charged nanocellulose fibers in oilfield development.

The perceived effectiveness and hidden inequity of postpandemic fiscal stimuli.

The world has committed trillions in fiscal expenditures to reboot the economy in the post­COVID-19 era. However, the effectiveness and the equity impacts of current fiscal stimuli are not fully understood. Using an extended adaptive regional input­output model, we assess the short-term impacts (2020 through 2022) of feasible stimuli on the global economy and the labor market. Our findings show that the stimuli pledged by 26 countries, i.e., 2.4 trillion euros in total, are effective in keeping the recession short and shallow by saving 53 million to 57 million jobs (compared to the no-stimulus scenario). However, the stimuli exacerbate income inequity at the global scale if we define "equity" as those who suffer more from the pandemic should receive more assistance. Low-skilled workers in these countries, who suffer more from the pandemic than high-skilled workers, benefit 38 to 41% less from the job-creation effects of the current fiscal stimuli. As an alternative, low-carbon stimuli can achieve a balance between effectiveness and equity at the global level. Low-carbon stimuli save 55 million to 58 million jobs and decrease income inequality by 2 to 3% globally compared to the currently pledged stimuli. Country-level situations are more complicated, as modifying the current stimuli to achieve more "greenness" brings win­win in effectiveness and equity in some countries, while in the others, more greenness and equity are at the expense of less job savings. Our findings underscore the need to consider the overlooked trade-offs between effectiveness, equity, and greenness, both globally and nationally, when designing further postpandemic fiscal stimuli.

Smart ultra-stable foams stabilized using cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) gels via noncovalent bonding.

Smart ultra-stable foams stabilized by cellulose nanocrystal (CNC)-based gels were fabricated. The stabilization is ascribed to the dense films and three-dimensional networks at the interface and in the bulk induced by the charge shielding effect and electrostatic attraction between protonated bis(2-hydroxyethyl)oleylamine (BOA-H+) micelles and negatively charged CNC colloids. The as-prepared foam could maintain its morphology without breaking or drainage for two months, showing high stability. Outstanding CO2/N2 reversibility endows the system with on-demand control of foaming/defoaming, which is necessary in many aspects. The functionalized foam is expected to open up an opportunity for the design of intelligent oilfield chemicals and extinguishant systems.

Prediction of Key Candidate Genes for Platinum Resistance in Ovarian Cancer.

PURPOSE: Ovarian cancer is one of the common malignant tumors of female reproductive organs, which seriously threatens the life and health of women. Resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs for ovarian cancer is the root cause of recurrence in most patients. The purpose of this study is to determine the differentially expressed genes of platinum resistance in ovarian cancer, and to screen out molecular targets and diagnostic markers that could be used to treat ovarian cancer platinum resistance. METHODS: We downloaded 5 gene microarray datasets GSE58470, GSE45553, GSE41499, GSE33482, and GSE15372 from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, all of which are associated with ovarian cancer platinum resistance. Subsequently, the intersection of the statistically significant differentially expressed genes in 5 gene chips was taken, and relevant bioinformatics and clinical parameters were performed on the screened differential genes. qRT-PCR was utilized to examine the mRNA expression levels in ovarian cancer sensitive and cisplatin-resistant cells. RESULTS: Three differential genes, IFI27, JAG1, DNM3, may be closely related to platinum resistance of ovarian cancer, were screened by microarray datasets. According to the combined verification of bioinformatics, clinical case analyses and experiments, it was inferred that the increased expression of DNM3 was beneficial to patients with platinum resistance, but the high expression of IFI27 and JAG1 may lead to the risk of platinum resistance. CONCLUSION: IFI27, JAG1 and DNM3 screened by relevant gene chips may serve as new biomarkers of platinum resistance in ovarian cancer.

Individualism and nationally determined contributions to climate change.

Ratcheting up the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to achieve the Paris Agreement goals requires a better understanding of the enablers and barriers behind NDC formulation. However, existing quantitative analyses on the drivers of NDCs from an anthropological perspective are elusive. This study proposes both a conceptual framework and empirical analysis of how cultural values link with the pledged NDCs. The findings show that individualism (IDV) is a significant and robust predictor for the mitigation levels of NDCs, after controlling for affluence level, renewable energy proportion, democracy and other socioeconomic factors. For every 10-point increase in the IDV score (say from the score of Canada to Australia or from the score of Vietnam to Mexico), the committed per-capita emission in 2030 relative to 1990 levels decrease by 14%-22%. However, such a correlation is absent when assessing the mitigation ambitions using various fair benchmarks. This study underscores the necessity of considering more cultural context and nuances in tackling common climate problems, and advocates for developing tailored climate communication strategies to enhance the NDCs.