Effect of hydrothermal treatment on the rheological properties of xanthan gum.

In this study, the effect of hydrothermal treatment with different temperatures (120-180 °C) on the rheological properties of xanthan gum was evaluated. When the temperature of hydrothermal treatment was relatively low (120 °C), the rheological properties of the hydrothermally treated xanthan gum was similar to the untreated xanthan gum (pseudoplastic and solid-like/gel-like behavior). However, as the temperature of hydrothermal treatment was higher, the rheological properties of the hydrothermally treated xanthan gum changed greatly (e.g., a wider range of Newtonian plateaus in flow curves, existence of a critical frequency between the storage modulus (G') and the loss modulus (G") in the dynamic viscoelasticity measurement, variation of complex viscosity). Although the hydrothermal treatment showed little influence on the functional groups of xanthan gum, it altered the micromorphology of xanthan gum from uneven and rough lump-like to thinner and smoother flake-like. In addition, higher concentration (2 %) of hydrothermally treated xanthan gum made its viscosity close to that of the untreated xanthan gum (1 %). Besides, hydrothermal treatment also affected the effect of temperature and salt (CaCl2) adding on the rheological properties of xanthan gum. Overall, this study can provide some useful information on the rheological properties of xanthan gum after hydrothermal treatment.

Camellia Oleifera shells derived nano cellulose crystals conjugated with gallic acid as a sustainable Pickering emulsion stabilizer.

Lately, emulsions with low-fat and natural stabilizers are predominant. This study extracted the nano cellulose crystals (NCs) from Camellia Oleifera shells, and their gallic acid (GA) conjugates were synthesized by free-radical grafting. Pickering emulsions were prepared using NCs 1 %, 1.5 %, 2.5 %, and gallic acid conjugates NC-GA1, NC-GA2, and NC-GA3 as stabilizers. The obtained nano cellulose crystals exhibited 18-25 nm, -40.01 ±â€¯2.45 size, and zeta potential, respectively. The contact angle of 83.4° was exhibited by NC-GA3 conjugates. The rheological, interfacial, and microstructural properties and stability of the Pickering emulsion were explored. NC-GA3 displayed the highest absorption content of 79.12 %. Interfacial tension was drastically reduced with increasing GA concentration in NC-GA conjugates. Rheological properties suggested that the low-fat NC-GA emulsions showed a viscoelastic behavior, increased viscosity, gel-like structure, and increased antioxidant properties. Moreover, NC-GA3 displayed reduced droplet size and improved emulsion temperature and storage stability (28 days) against phase separation. POV and TBARS values were reduced with the NC-GA3 (P < 0.05). This work confirmed that grafting phenolic compounds on NCs could enhance bioactive properties, which can be used in developing low-fat functional foods. NC-GA conjugates can potentially fulfill the increasing demand for sustainable, healthy, and low-fat foods.

Heavy metals in a typical industrial area-groundwater system of North China: spatial distribution, microbial response and ecological risk.

The environmental burden due to industrial activities has been quite observable in the last few years, with heavy metals (HMs) like lead, cadmium, and arsenic inducing serious perturbations to the microbial ecosystem of groundwater. Studies carried out in North China, a region known for interconnection of industrial and groundwater systems, sought to explore the natural mechanisms of adaptation of microbes to groundwater contamination. The results showed that heavy metals permeate from surface increased the diversity and abundance of microbial communities in groundwater, producing an average decrease of 40.84% and 34.62% in the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria in groundwater, respectively. Meanwhile, the key environmental factors driving the evolution of microbial communities shift from groundwater nutrients to heavy metals, which explained 50.80% of the change in the microbial community composition. Microbial indicators are more sensitive to HMs pollution and could accurately identify industrial area where HMs permeation occurred and other extraneous pollutants. The phylum Bacteroidetes could act as appropriate indicators for the identification. Significant genera that were identified, being Mesorhizobium, Clostridium, Bacillus and Mucilaginibacter, were found to play important roles in the microbial network in terms of the potential to assist in groundwater clean-up. Notably, pollution from heavy metals has diminished the effectiveness and resilience of microbial communities in groundwater, thereby heightening the susceptibility of these normally stable microbial ecosystems. These findings offer new perspectives on how to monitor and detect groundwater pollution, and provide scientific guidance for developing suitable remediation methods for groundwater contaminated with heavy metals. Future research is essential explore the application of metal-tolerant or resistant bacteria in bioremediation strategies to rehabilitate groundwater systems contaminated by HMs.

Panax quinquefolius saponins and panax notoginseng saponins attenuate myocardial hypoxia-reoxygenation injury by reducing excessive mitophagy.

OBJECTIVE: Panax quinquefolius saponins (PQS) and Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) are key bioactive compounds in Panax quinquefolius L. and Panax notoginseng, commonly used in the treatment of clinical ischemic heart disease. However, their potential in mitigating myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury remains uncertain. This study aims to evaluate the protective effects of combined PQS and PNS administration in myocardial hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury and explore the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: To investigate the involvement of HIF-1α/BNIP3 mitophagy pathway in the myocardial protection conferred by PNS and PQS, we employed small interfering BNIP3 (siBNIP3) to silence key proteins of the pathway. H9C2 cells were categorized into four groups: control, H/R, H/R + PQS + PNS, and H/R + PQS + PNS+siBNIP3. Cell viability was assessed by Cell Counting Kit-8, apoptosis rates determined via flow cytometry, mitochondrial membrane potential assessed with the JC-1 fluorescent probes, intracellular reactive oxygen species detected with 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate, mitochondrial superoxide production quantified with MitoSOX Red, and autophagic flux monitored with mRFP-GFP-LC3 adenoviral vectors. Autophagosomes and their ultrastructure were visualized through transmission electron microscopy. Moreover, mRNA and protein levels were analyzed via real-time PCR and Western blotting. RESULTS: PQS + PNS administration significantly increased cell viability, reduced apoptosis, lowered reactive oxygen species levels and mitochondrial superoxide production, mitigated mitochondrial dysfunction, and induced autophagic flux. Notably, siBNIP3 intervention did not counteract the cardioprotective effect of PQS + PNS. The PQS + PNS group showed downregulated mRNA expression of HIF-1α and BNIP3, along with reduced HIF-1α protein expression compared to the H/R group. CONCLUSIONS: PQS + PNS protects against myocardial H/R injury, potentially by downregulating mitophagy through the HIF-1α/BNIP3 pathway.

Realizing thermoelectric cooling and power generation in N-type PbS0.6Se0.4 via lattice plainification and interstitial doping.

Thermoelectrics have great potential for use in waste heat recovery to improve energy utilization. Moreover, serving as a solid-state heat pump, they have found practical application in cooling electronic products. Nevertheless, the scarcity of commercial Bi2Te3 raw materials has impeded the sustainable and widespread application of thermoelectric technology. In this study, we developed a low-cost and earth-abundant PbS compound with impressive thermoelectric performance. The optimized n-type PbS material achieved a record-high room temperature ZT of 0.64 in this system. Additionally, the first thermoelectric cooling device based on n-type PbS was fabricated, which exhibits a remarkable cooling temperature difference of ~36.9 K at room temperature. Meanwhile, the power generation efficiency of a single-leg device employing our n-type PbS material reaches ~8%, showing significant potential in harvesting waste heat into valuable electrical power. This study demonstrates the feasibility of sustainable n-type PbS as a viable alternative to commercial Bi2Te3, thereby extending the application of thermoelectrics.

Effects of train speed and passenger capacity on ground vibration of underground suburban railways.

This study aims to explore the optimal driving speed for ground vibration in suburban railway underground sections. We focused on the ground surface of suburban railway underground sections and developed a 3D finite element dynamic coupling model for the tunnel-soil system. Subsequently, considering factors such as train speed and passenger load, we analyzed the propagation characteristics of ground vibration responses in urban railway underground sections. The research results indicate a significant amplification phenomenon in the peak power spectrum of measurement points near the tunnels in underground sections. The high-frequency components of the power spectrum between measurement points are noticeably higher between the two tunnels. Furthermore, as the train speed increases, this amplification phenomenon becomes more pronounced, and the power spectrum of each measurement point mainly concentrates on several frequency bands, with the amplitude of the power spectrum near the prominent frequencies also increasing. However, when the train speed is between 100 and 120 km/h, the impact on the amplitude of the power spectrum at measurement points above the running tunnel is minimal. Additionally, the amplitude of the middle-to-high frequency components in the power spectrum increases with the increase in passenger numbers. The impact on the peak acceleration amplitude at each measurement point is minimal when the train speed is 80 km/h or below. However, once the train speed exceeds 80 km/h, the peak acceleration amplitude above the running tunnel rapidly increases, reaching its maximum value at 113 km/h, and then gradually decreasing.

Nanoarchitectonic Engineering of Thermal-Responsive Magnetic Nanorobot Collectives for Intracranial Aneurysm Therapy.

Stent-assisted coiling is a main treatment modality for intracranial aneurysms (IAs) in clinics, but critical challenges remain to be overcome, such as exogenous implant-induced stenosis and reliance on antiplatelet agents. Herein, an endovascular approach is reported for IA therapy without stent grafting or microcatheter shaping, enabled by active delivery of thrombin (Th) to target aneurysms using innovative phase-change material (PCM)-coated magnetite-thrombin (Fe3O4-Th@PCM) FTP nanorobots. The nanorobots are controlled by an integrated actuation system of dynamic torque-force hybrid magnetic fields. With robust intravascular navigation guided by real-time ultrasound imaging, nanorobotic collectives can effectively accumulate and retain in model aneurysms constructed in vivo, followed by controlled release of the encapsulated Th for rapid occlusion of the aneurysm upon melting the protective PCM (thermally responsive in a tunable manner) through focused magnetic hyperthermia. Complete and stable aneurysm embolization is confirmed by postoperative examination and 2-week postembolization follow-up using digital subtraction angiography (DSA), contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), and histological analysis. The safety of the embolization therapy is assessed through biocompatibility evaluation and histopathology assays. This strategy, seamlessly integrating secure drug packaging, agile magnetic actuation, and clinical interventional imaging, avoids possible exogenous implant rejection, circumvents cumbersome microcatheter shaping, and offers a promising option for IA therapy.

Computer-Aided Semi-Rational Design to Enhance the Activity of l-Sorbosone Dehydrogenase from Gluconobacter oxidans WSH-004.

The titer of the microbial fermentation products can be increased by enzyme engineering. l-Sorbosone dehydrogenase (SNDH) is a key enzyme in the production of 2-keto-l-gulonic acid (2-KLG), which is the precursor of vitamin C. Enhancing the activity of SNDH may have a positive impact on 2-KLG production. In this study, a computer-aided semirational design of SNDH was conducted. Based on the analysis of SNDH's substrate pocket and multiple sequence alignment, three modification strategies were established: (1) expanding the entrance of SNDH's substrate pocket, (2) engineering the residues within the substrate pocket, and (3) enhancing the electron transfer of SNDH. Finally, mutants S453A, L460V, and E471D were obtained, whose specific activity was increased by 20, 100, and 10%, respectively. In addition, the ability of Gluconobacter oxidans WSH-004 to synthesize 2-KLG was improved by eliminating H2O2. This study provides mutant enzymes and metabolic engineering strategies for the microbial-fermentation-based production of 2-KLG.

Discovery of acetophenone/piperazin-2-one hybrids as selective anti-TNBC cancer agents by causing DNA damage.

Twenty-five acetophenone/piperazin-2-one (APPA) hybrids were designed and synthesized based on key pharmacophores found in anti-breast cancer drugs Neratinib, Palbociclib, and Olaparib. Compound 1j exhibited good in vitro antiproliferative activity (IC50 = 6.50 µM) and high selectivity (SI = 9.2 vs HER2-positive breast cancer cells SKBr3; SI = 7.3 vs normal breast cells MCF-10A) against triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells MDA-MB-468. In addition, 1j could selectively cause DNA damage, inducing the accumulation of γH2AX and P53 in MDA-MB-468 cells. It also reduced the phosphorylation level of P38 and the expression of HSP70, which further prevented the repair of DNA damage and caused cells S/G2-arrest leading to MDA-MB-468 cells death.

Functional vertical connectivity of microbial communities in the ocean.

Sinking particles are a critical conduit for the transport of surface microbes to the ocean's interior. Vertical connectivity of phylogenetic composition has been shown; however, the functional vertical connectivity of microbial communities has not yet been explored in detail. We investigated protein and taxa profiles of both free-living and particle-attached microbial communities from the surface to 3000 m depth using a combined metaproteomic and 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing approach. A clear compositional and functional vertical connectivity of microbial communities was observed throughout the water column with Oceanospirillales, Alteromonadales, and Rhodobacterales as key taxa. The surface-derived particle-associated microbes increased the expression of proteins involved in basic metabolism, organic matter processing, and environmental stress response in deep waters. This study highlights the functional vertical connectivity between surface and deep-sea microbial communities via sinking particles and reveals that a considerable proportion of the deep-sea microbes might originate from surface waters and have a major impact on the biogeochemical cycles in the deep sea.

Novel Genetic Variants Distinguishing Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein-IgG-Positive From Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein-IgG-Negative Pediatric Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis in Northern China.

BACKGROUND: Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is a common phenotype in children with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein IgG (MOG-IgG)-associated disease. We aimed to identify novel genetic variants that distinguish children with MOG-IgG-positive ADEM (MOG-IgG+ ADEM) from children with MOG-IgG-negative ADEM (MOG-IgG- ADEM) using whole exome sequencing (WES) analysis. METHODS: We conducted a two-stage study design. First, we performed WES on five patients with MOG-IgG+ ADEM and five patients with MOG-IgG- ADEM. Following bioinformatics analysis, the candidate variant list was constructed. Second, 29 children with MOG-IgG+ ADEM and 27 children with MOG-IgG- ADEM, together with discovery cohort, were genotyped to identify the novel variants. RESULTS: WES resulted in 33,999 variants, and 5388 nonsynonymous variants were selected for downstream analysis. In total, 118 protein-affecting variants that were significantly different between the two groups were identified. Together with the five variants extracted from the literature, 49 variants were selected as the candidate variant list for genotyping in the replication cohort. Finally, we identified three variants: rs11171951 in NACα, rs231775 in CTLA4, and rs11171951 in GOLGA5, which were significantly different between MOG-IgG+ ADEM and MOG-IgG- ADEM. Only rs12440118 in NACα remained significant after Bonferroni correction for multiple testing (Padj < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We identified strong associations between NACα, CTLA4, and GOLGA5 variants and MOG-IgG+ ADEM in a Han Chinese population of Northern China, which may present novel genetic risk factor distinguishing patients with MOG-IgG+ ADEM from those with MOG-IgG- ADEM.

Karst carbon sink mechanism and its contribution to carbon neutralization under land- use management.

The chemical weathering process of carbonate rocks consumes a large quantity of CO2. This has great potential as a carbon sink, and it is one of a significant pathway for achieving carbon neutrality. However, the control mechanisms of karst carbon sink fluxes are unclear, and there is a lack of effective and accurate accounting. We took the Puding Shawan karst water­carbon cycle test site in China, which has identical initial conditions but different land use types, as the research subject. We used controlled experiments over six years to evaluate the mechanisms for the differences in hydrology, water chemistry, concentrations and fluxes of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC). We found that the transition from rock to bare soil to grassland led to increases in the DIC concentration by 0.08-0.62 mmol⋅L-1. The inorganic carbon sink flux (CSF) increased by 3.01-5.26 t⋅C⋅km-2⋅a-1, an increase amplitude of 30-70 %. The flux of dissolved organic carbon (FDOC) increase by 0.28 to 0.52 t⋅C⋅km-2⋅a-1, an increase amplitude of 34-90 %. We also assessed the contribution of land use modifications to regional carbon neutrality, it indicate that positive land use modification can significantly regulate the karst carbon sink, with grassland having the greatest carbon sequestration ability. Moreover, in addition to DOC from soil organic matter degradation, DOC production by chemoautotrophic microorganisms utilizing DIC in groundwater may also be a potential source. Thus, coupled studies of the conversion of DIC to DOC processes in groundwater are an important step in assessing karst carbon sink fluxes.

Real-world greenhouse gas emission characteristics from in-use light-duty diesel trucks in China.

The transportation sector is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in China. However, real-world GHG emissions from in-use light-duty diesel trucks (LDDTs) are largely uncertain due to data paucity. In this study, we have conducted real driving emission (RDE) tests of real-world CO2, N2O, and CH4 emissions from 12 in-use LDDTs in China. Results reveal that China's CH4 emission rates from LDDTs are overestimated by 57.71 ±â€¯39.15 % if using the previous ratio method of CO2:CH4. Notably, under real-world driving conditions, such as speeds exceeding 60 km/h, maximum exhaust gas temperatures are reached, potentially impacting urea decomposition catalyst temperatures and subsequently influencing N2O production, which is highly sensitive to system temperature. Moreover, uphill roads can increase CO2 emissions by 51.93 % compared to downhill roads. Despite the tightening of vehicle emission standards, CO2 and N2O emissions from the LDDTs have not decreased linearly. However, LDDTs meeting the China VI standard exhibit the lowest average CO2, N2O and CH4 emission factors (EFs) of 335.26 ±â€¯21.72 g/km, 2.7 ±â€¯0.69 mg/km and 3.50 ±â€¯0.70 mg/km, respectively. At last, the uncertainties in the GHG EFs for the tested LDDTs through RDE tests were (-39 %, 82 %) in our study, while a significantly higher uncertainty (-85 %, 182 %) for GHG EFs of LDDTs were found in our study and other reported literature in China, largely due to the application of different non-native vehicle emission factor models and testing methods, as well as different vehicles of control emission standards. Our study highlights more urgent needs for direct RDE tests and the importance of considering real driving conditions, such as road grades, in special geographical regions when undertaking carbon accounting work in the transportation sector.

SDH, a novel diarylheptane compound, alleviates dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis by reducing Th1/Th2/Th17 induction and regulating the gut microbiota in mice.

Ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the rectum and colon to varying degrees, is linked to a dysregulated immune response and the microbiota. Sodium (aS,9R)-3-hydroxy-16,17-dimethoxy-15-oxidotricyclo[12.3.1.12,6]nonadeca-1(18),2,4,6(19),14,16-hexene-9-yl sulfate hydrate (SDH) emerges as a novel diarylheptane compound aimed at treating inflammatory bowel diseases. However, the mechanisms by which SDH modulates these conditions remain largely unknown. In this study, we assessed SDH's impact on the clinical progression of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis. Our results demonstrated that SDH significantly mitigated the symptoms of DSS-induced colitis, reflected in reduced disease activity index scores, alleviation of weight loss, shortening of the colorectum, and reduction in spleen swelling. Notably, SDH decreased the proportion of Th1/Th2/Th17 cells and normalized inflammatory cytokine levels in the colon. Furthermore, SDH treatment modified the gut microbial composition in mice with colitis, notably decreasing Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria populations while substantially increasing Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Patescibacteria. In conclusion, our findings suggest that SDH may protect the colon from DSS-induced colitis through the regulation of Th1/Th2/Th17 cells and gut microbiota, offering novel insights into SDH's therapeutic potential.

Integrative omics analyses of tea (Camellia sinensis) under glufosinate stress reveal defense mechanisms: A trade-off with flavor loss.

Extensively applied glufosinate (GLU) will trigger molecular alterations in nontarget tea plants (Camellia sinensis), which inadvertently disturbs metabolites and finally affects tea quality. The mechanistic response of tea plants to GLU remains unexplored. This study investigated GLU residue behavior, the impact on photosynthetic capacity, specialized metabolites, secondary pathways, and transcript levels in tea seedlings. Here, GLU mainly metabolized to MPP and accumulated more in mature leaves than in tender ones. GLU catastrophically affected photosynthesis, leading to leaf chlorosis, and decreased Fv/Fm and chlorophyll content. Physiological and biochemical, metabolomics, and transcriptomics analyses were integrated. Showing that GLU disrupted the photosynthetic electron transport chain, triggered ROS and antioxidant system, and inhibited photosynthetic carbon fixation. GLU targeted glutamine synthetase (GS) leading to the accumulation of ammonium and the inhibition of key umami L-theanine, causing a disorder in nitrogen metabolism, especially for amino acids synthesis. Interestingly, biosynthesis of primary flavonoids was sacrificed for defensive phenolic acids and lignin formulation, leading to possible losses in nutrition and tenderness in leaves. This study revealed the defense intricacies and potential quality deterioration of tea plants responding to GLU stress. Valuable insights into detoxification mechanisms for non-target crops post-GLU exposure were offered.

Utilization strategy for algal bloom waste through co-digestion with kitchen waste: comprehensive kinetic and metagenomic analysis.

Anaerobic co-digestion (AcoD) with kitchen waste (KW) is an alternative utilization strategy for algal bloom waste (AW). However, the kinetic characteristic and metabolic pathway during this process need to be explored further. This study conducted a comprehensive kinetic and metagenomic analysis for AcoD of AW and KW. A maximum co-digestion performance index (CPI) of 1.13 was achieved under the 12% AW addition. Co-digestion improved the total volatile fatty acids generation and the organic matter transformation efficiency. Kinetic analysis showed that the Superimposed model fit optimally (R2Adj = 0.9988-0.9995). The improvement of the kinetic process by co-digestion was mainly reflected in the increase of the methane production from slowly biodegradable components. Co-digestion enriched the cellulolytic bacterium Clostridium and the hydrogenotrophic methanogenic archaea Methanobacterium. Furthermore, for metagenome analysis, the abundance of key genes concerned in cellulose and lipid hydrolysis, pyruvate and methane metabolism were both increased in co-digestion process. This study provided a feasible process for the utilization of AW produced seasonally and a deeper understanding of the AcoD synergistic mechanism from kinetic and metagenomic perspectives.

A novel MED12 pathogenic variant in a female fetus with facial cleft and cardiac defects identified in the first trimester.

Trio exome sequencing was performed on a female fetus with an increased nuchal translucency, along with nasal bone hypoplasia, suspected cleft palate and abnormal outflow tract of the heart. A de novo heterozygous variant c.5500_5507del, p.(Tyr1834Argfs × 58) in the MED12 gene was detected. Loss-of-function variants in MED12 in females are associated with Hardikar syndrome (HS). A follow-up ultrasound at 15+5 weeks of gestation identified multiple fetal anomalies including bilateral cleft lip and palate, diaphragmatic hernia, atrioventricular septal defect, persistent truncus arteriosus, and bilateral renal pelvis dilation. Fetal autopsy confirmed the prenatal sonographic findings, and the MED12 variant was discussed by our multidisciplinary team to be the cause of fetal anomalies. Our case is the first prenatal one in which HS was diagnosed due to first trimester structural malformations. This case report presents another example of early identification of a major anomaly which allows earlier genetic diagnosis and more time for clinical management.

Triply Interlocked [2]catenanes: Rational Synthesis, Reversible Conversion Studies and Unprecedented Application in Photothermal Responsive Elastomer.

Triply interlocked [2]catenane complexes featuring two identical, mechanically interlocked units are extraordinarily rare chemical compounds, whose properties and applications remain open to detailed studies. Herein, we introduce the rational design of a new ligand precursor, L1, suitable for the synthesis of six triply interlocked [2]catenanes by coordination-driven self-assembly. The interlocked compounds can be reversibly converted into the corresponding simple triangular prism metallacage by addition of H2O or DMF solvents to their CH3OH solutions, thereby demonstrating the importance of π···π stacking and hydrogen bonding interactions in the formation of triply interlocked [2]catenanes. Moreover, extensive studies have been conducted to assess the remarkable photothermal conversion performance. Complex 6a, exhibiting outstanding photothermal conversion performance (conversion efficiency in solution : 31.82%), is used to prepare novel photoresponsive elastomer in combination with thermally activated liquid crystal elastomer. The resultant material displays robust response to near-infrared (NIR) laser and the capability of completely reforming the shape and reversible actuation, paving the way for the application of half-sandwich organometallic units in photo-responsive smart materials.

Cylindrical Vector Beam Holography without Preservation of OAM Modes.

Orbital angular momentum (OAM) multiplexed holograms have attracted a great deal of attention recently due to their physically unbounded set of orthogonal helical modes. However, preserving the OAM property in each pixel hinders fine sampling of the target image in principle and requires a fundamental filtering aperture array in the detector plane. Here, we demonstrate the concept of metasurface-based vectorial holography with cylindrical vector beams (CVBs), whose unlimited polarization orders and unique polarization distributions can be used to boost information storage capacity. Although CVBs are composed of OAM modes, the holographic images do not preserve the OAM modes in our design, enabling fine sampling of the target image in a quasi-continuous way like traditional computer-generated holograms. Moreover, the images can be directly observed by passing them through a polarizer without the need for a fundamental mode filter array. We anticipate that our method may pave the way for high-capacity holographic devices.

Superhydrophobic/ superoleophilic polystyrene-based porous material with superelasticity for highly efficient and continuous oil/water separation in harsh environments.

Three-dimensional separation materials with robust physical/chemical stability have great demand for effective and continuous separation of immiscible oil/water mixtures and water-in-oil emulsions, resulting from chemical leakages and discharge of industrial oily wastewaters. Herein, a superelastic polystyrene-based porous material with superhydrophobicity/superoleophilicity was designed and prepared by high internal phase emulsion polymerization to meet the aforementioned requirements. A flexible and hydrophobic aminopropyl terminated polydimethylsiloxane (NH2-PDMS-NH2) segment was introduced into the rigid styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer through 1, 4-conjugate addition reaction with trimethylolpropane triacrylate. The addition of NH2-PDMS-NH2 simultaneously improved the mechanical and hydrophobic properties of the porous material (the water contact angle from 141.2° to 152.2°). The material exhibited outstanding reversible compressibility (80% strain, even in liquid N2 environments) and superhydrophobic stability, even after being repeatedly compressed 100 times, water contact angle still remained above 150°. Meanwhile, the as-prepared material had outstanding hydrophobic stability in corrosive solutions (strong acidic, alkaline, high-salty, and even strong polar solvent), presence of mechanical interference, strong UV radiations, and high/low temperature environments. More importantly, the material could continuously and efficiently separate immiscible oil/water mixture and water-in-oil emulsions under the above conditions, showing huge potential for the large-scale remediation of complex oily wastewaters.