Innovative preparation of Co@Cu Fe_(2)O_(4) composite via ball-milling assisted chemical precipitation and annealing for glorious electromagnetic wave absorption

To deal with the growing electromagnetic hazards,herein a Co@CuFe_(2)O_(4)absorbing agent with excellent impedance matching at thin thickness was obtained via an innovative route of ball-milling assisted chemical precipitation and annealing.The as-prepared composite possesses excellent interface polarization ability due to sufficient contact between CuFe_(2)O_(4)NPs and flat Co,and this compressed Co lamella can also provide sufficient eddy current loss.Moreover,the dipole polarization,electron hopping/conduction,and structural scattering also contribute to the broadband microwave absorption of the composite.Thus,the minimum microwave reflection loss achieves-35.56 d B at12.93 GHz for 1.8 mm thickness,and the broadest efficient absorption bandwidth can reach 6.74 GHz for a thinner thickness of 1.72 mm.The preparation method reported here can be referenced as a new-type route to manufacture electromagnetic absorbers with outstanding performance.

Density functional theory and kinetic Monte Carlo simulation study the strong metal-support interaction of dry reforming of methane reaction over Ni based catalysts

Oxide supports modify electronic structures of supported metal nanoparticles,and then affect the catalytic activity associated with the so-called strong metal-support interaction(SMSI).We herein report the strong influence of SMSI employing Ni_(4)/α-MoC(111) and defective Ni_(4)/MgO(100) catalysts used for dry reforming of methane(DRM,CO_(2)+CH_4→2 CO+2 H_(2)) by using density functional theory(DFT) and kinetic Monte Carlo simulation(KMC).The results show that α-MoC(111) and MgO(100) surface have converse electron and structural effect for Ni_(4) cluster.The electrons transfer from a-MoC(111) surface to Ni atoms,but electrons transfer from Ni atoms to MgO(100) surface;an extensive tensile strain is greatly released in the Ni lattice by MgO,but the extensive tensile strain is introduced in the Ni lattice by α-MoC.As a result,although both catalysts show good stability,H_(2)/CO ratio on Ni_(4)/α-MoC(111) is obviously larger than that on Ni_(4)/MgO(100).The result shows that Ni/α-MoC is a good catalyst for DRM reaction comparing with Ni/MgO catalyst.

Heat Shock Factor A1s are required for phytochrome-interacting factor 4-mediated thermomorphogenesis in Arabidopsis

Thermomorphogenesis and the heat shock(HS)response are distinct thermal responses in plants that are regulated by PHYTOCHROME-INTERACTING FACTOR 4(PIF4)and HEAT SHOCK FACTOR A1s(HSFA1s),respectively.Little is known about whether these responses are interconnected and whether they are activated by similar mechanisms.An analysis of transcriptome dynamics in response to warm temperature(28℃)treatment revealed that 30 min of exposure activated the expression of a subset of HSFA1 target genes in Arabidopsis thaliana.Meanwhile,a loss-of-function HSFA1 quadruple mutant(hsfa1-cq)was insensitive to warm temperature-induced hypocotyl growth.In hsfa1-cq plants grown at 28℃,the protein and transcript levels of PIF4 were greatly reduced,and the circadian rhythm of many thermomorphogenesis-related genes(including PIF4)was disturbed.Additionally,the nuclear localization of HSFA1s and the binding of HSFA1d to the PIF4 promoter increased following warm temperature exposure,whereas PIF4 overexpression in hsfa1-cq partially rescued the altered warm temperature-induced hypocotyl growth of the mutant.Taken together,these results suggest that HSFA1s are required for PIF4 accumulation at a warm temperature,and they establish a central role for HSFA1s in regulating both thermomorphogenesis and HS responses in Arabidopsis.

Facet-dependent catalytic activity of CeO_(2) toward methanol synthesis from methane

The relationship between CeO_(2) morphology(nano rods,NR;nano cubes,NC;nano octahedra,NO) and methanol synthesis from methane at low reaction temperature was studied by using density functional theory(DFT) and experiments.CeO_(2)(110) displays the lowest energy barriers among CeO_(2)(100),CeO_(2)(111) and CeO_(2)(110) surfaces due to the strongest hybridization between O 2p orbital of OH and Ce4f orbital.As a result,CeO_(2)-NR has the highest methanol yield(1.52 μmol/gcat) compared with CeO_(2)-NC(0.60 μmol/gcat)and CeO_(2)-NO(0.66 μmol/gcat) at 453 K and 101325 Pa.These results show that methanol synthesis from methane at low reaction temperature on CeO_(2)is a morphology sensitive reaction.

Sense to Tune: Engaging Microglia with Dynamic Neuronal Activity

Microglia,the primary resident immune cells in the central nervous system(CNS),continuously survey the microenvironment via their ramified and motile processes to maintain brain homeostasis[1].As immune sentinels,microglia detect exogenous pathogens,elicit inflammation,promote tissue repair,and engage in the onset and progression of brain diseases[1].

Microglia in depression:current perspectives

Major depressive disorder(MDD)is a prevalent psychiatric disease that involves malfunctions of different cell types in the brain.Accumulating studies started to reveal that microglia,the primary resident immune cells,play an important role in the development and progression of depression.Microglia respond to stress-triggered neuroinflammation,and through the release of proinflammatory cytokines and their metabolic products,microglia may modulate the function of neurons and astrocytes to regulate depression.In this review,we focused on the role of microglia in the etiology of depression.We discussed the dynamic states of microglia;the correlative and causal evidence of microglial abnormalities in depression;possible mechanisms of how microglia sense depression-related stress and modulate depression state;and how antidepressive therapies affect microglia.Understanding the role of microglia in depression may shed light on developing new treatment strategies to fight against this devastating mental illness.

BZR1 Family Transcription Factors Function Redundantly and Indispensably in BR Signaling but Exhibit BRI1-Independent Function in Regulating Anther Development in Arabidopsis

BRASSINAZOLE-RESISTANT 1 family proteins(BZRs)are central transcription factors that govern brassinosteroid(BR)-regulated gene expression and plant growth.However,it is unclear whether there exists a BZR-independent pathway that mediates BR signaling.In this study,we found that disruption of all BZRs in Arabidopsis generated a hextuple mutant(bzr-h)displaying vegetative growth phenotypes that were almost identical to those of the null mutant of three BR receptors,bri1brl1brl3(bri-t).By RNA sequencing,we found that global gene expression in bzr-h was unaffected by 2 h of BR treatment.The anthers of bzr-h plants were loculeless,but a similar phenotype was not observed in bri-t,suggesting that BZRs have a BR signaling-independent regulatory role in anther development.By real-time PCR and in situ hybridization,we found that the expression of SPOROCYTELESS(SPL),which encodes a transcription factor essential for anther locule development,was barely detectable in bzr-h,suggesting that BZRs regulate locule development by affecting SPL expression.Our findings reveal that BZRs are indispensable transcription factors required for both BR signaling and anther locule development,providing new insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying the microsporogenesis in Arabidopsis.

Neural circuit control of innate behaviors

All animals possess a plethora of innate behaviors that do not require extensive learning and are fundamental for their survival and propagation.With the advent of newly-developed techniques such as viral tracing and optogenetic and chemogenetic tools,recent studies are gradually unraveling neural circuits underlying different innate behaviors.Here,we summarize current development in our understanding of the neural circuits controlling predation,feeding,male-typical mating,and urination,highlighting the role of genetically defined neurons and their connections in sensory triggering,sensory to motor/motivation transformation,motor/motivation encoding during these different behaviors.Along the way,we discuss possible mechanisms underlying binge-eating disorder and the pro-social effects of the neuropeptide oxytocin,elucidating the clinical relevance of studying neural circuits underlying essential innate functions.Finally,we discuss some exciting brain structures recurrently appearing in the regulation of different behaviors,which suggests both divergence and convergence in the neural encoding of specific innate behaviors.Going forward,we emphasize the importance of multi-angle and cross-species dissections in delineating neural circuits that control innate behaviors.

Norepinephrine from the Locus Coeruleus Regulates Microglia Dynamics During Wakefulness

Microglia,the brain’s"busy bees",continuously survey the microenvironment by extending and retracting their ramified processes to maintain brain homeostasis[1,2].Upon disease or injury,microglia quickly transform their morphology and extend their processes towards the disease/injury sites to clear damage[2].The mechanisms underlying the high motility of microglial processes and the rapid morphological transformation of microglia have been extensively investigated.

Lighting Up Neural Circuits by Viral Tracing

Neurons are highly interwoven to form intricate neural circuits that underlie the diverse functions of the brain.Dissecting the anatomical organization of neural circuits is key to deciphering how the brain processes information,produces thoughts,and instructs behaviors.Over the past decades,recombinant viral vectors have become the most commonly used tracing tools to define circuit architecture.In this review,we introduce the current categories of viral tools and their proper application in circuit tracing.We further discuss some advances in viral tracing strategy and prospective innovations of viral tools for future study.

Brassinosteroids regulate outer ovule integument growth in part via the control of INNER NO OUTER by BRASSINOZOLE‐RESISTANT family transcription factors

Brassinosteroids(BRs)play important roles in regulating plant reproductive processes.BR signaling or BR biosynthesis null mutants do not produce seeds under natural conditions,but the molecular mechanism underlying this infertility is poorly understood.In this study,we report that outer integument growth and embryo sac development were impaired in the ovules of the Arabidopsis thaliana BR receptor null mutant bri1-116.Gene expression and RNA-seq analyses showed that the expression of INNER NO OUTER(INO),an essential regulator of outer integument growth,was significantly reduced in the bri1-116 mutant.Increased INO expression due to overexpression or increased transcriptional activity of BRASSINAZOLE-RESISTANT 1(BZR1)in the mutant alleviated the outer integument growth defect in bri1-116 ovules,suggesting that BRs regulate outer integument growth partially via BZR1-mediated transcriptional regulation of INO.Meanwhile,INO expression in bzr-h,a null mutant for all BZR1 family genes,was barely detectable;and the outer integument of bzr-h ovules had much more severe growth defects than those of the bri1-116 mutant.Together,our findings establish a new role for BRs in regulating ovule development and suggest that BZR1 family transcription factors might regulate outer integument growth through both BRI1-dependent and BRI1-independent pathways.

Emission-tunable Ba_(2)Y_(1-x)Sc_(x)NbO_(6):Bi^(3+)(0≤x≤1.0)phosphors for white LEDs

Here,we report a series of Bi^(3+)-doped Ba_(2)Y_(1-x)Sc_(x)NbO_(6)(0≤x≤1.0 mol)phosphors by using the traditional high temperature solid-state reaction.To achieve the structural and photoluminescent(PL)information,several experimental characterizations and theoretical calculations were carried out,including X-ray diffraction(XRD),Rietveld refinement,UV-visible diffuse reflectance and PL spectra,temperature dependent PL spectra,and density functional theo retical(DFT)calculations.The XRD results show that the Bi^(3+)-doped Ba_(2)Y_(1-x)Sc_(x)NbO_(6)samples belong to the double-perovskite phase with a cubic space group of Fm3 m,and the diffraction positions shift toward high diffraction angle when the larger Y^(3+)ions are gradually replaced by the smaller Sc^(3+)ions.In addition,the refined XRD findings show that the Bi^(3+)ions tend to substitute the Y^(3+)and Sc^(3+)sites in the Bi^(3+)-doped Ba_(2)Y_(1-x)Sc_(x)NbO_(6)0<x<1.0 mol)solid solutions.The PL spectra show that the emission positions of the solid solution samples tune from446 to 497 nm with the increase of Sc^(3+) content,which can be attributed to the modification of crystal field strength around Bi^(3+)ions.Moreover,there is energy transfer from the Ba_(2)YNbO_(6)host to Bi^(3+)ions,which is dominated by a resonant type via a dipole-quadrupole(d-q)interaction.The Ba_(2)Y_(0.6)Sc_(0.4)NbO_(6):0.02 molBi^(3+)shows the strongest PL intensity under 365 nm excitation,with the best quantum efficiency(QE)of 68%,and it keeps 60%of the room temperature emission intensity when the temperature increases to 150℃,meaning that the Ba_(2)Y_(0.6)Sc_(0.4)NbO_(6):Bi^(3+)features excellent thermal quenching of luminescence.By combining this optimal sample with a commercial red-emitting Sr_(2)Si_(5)N_(8):Eu^(2+)phosphor,and a commercial 365 nm UV LED chip,a white LED device,with the color temperature(CT)of 3678 K,color rendering index(CRI)of 67.9,and CIE coordinates at(0.371,0.376),is achieved.

A Brain-Spleen Axis Regulates Humoral Immunity

A happy mood helps to build a flourishing immune system.Interactions between the nervous and immune systems have attracted the interest of researchers for decades.It is well known that external stressors can activate the hypothalamus to regulate immune responses via the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal cortex(HPA)axis[1].As well,inflammatory stimuli can activate a rapid antiinflammatory reflex via the cholinergic vagus nerve pathway.

cFos-ANAB:A cFos-based Web Tool for Exploring Activated Neurons and Associated Behaviors

cFos is one of the most widely-studied genes in the field of neuroscience.Currently,there is no systematic database focusing on cFos in neuroscience.We developed a curated database-cFos-ANAB-a cFos-based web tool for exploring activated neurons and associated behaviors in rats and mice,comprising 398 brain nuclei and sub-nuclei,and five associated behaviors:pain,fear,feeding,aggression,and sexual behavior.Direct relationships among behaviors and nuclei(even cell types)under specific stimulating conditions were constructed based on cFos expression profiles extracted from original publications.Moreover,overlapping nuclei and sub-nuclei with potentially complex functions among different associated behaviors were emphasized,leading to results serving as important clues to the development of valid hypotheses for exploring as yet unknown circuits.Using the analysis function of cFos-ANAB,multi-layered pictures of networks and their relationships can quickly be explored depending on users’purposes.These features provide a useful tool and good reference for early exploration in neuroscience.The cFos-ANAB database is available at www.cfos-db.net.

Brain Macrophages:Close or Distant Relatives?

The concept of a mononuclear phagocyte system in which tissue-resident macrophages arise from the circulating monocytes has been dogma in immunology for more than half a century[1].While monocytes do give rise to macrophages under certain conditions,recent studies clearly dem on strate that monocytes do not primarily contribute to most adult tissue-resident macrophage pools under the steady state[2].Instead,the majority of adult tissue-resident macrophages are derived from erythromyeloid progenitors(EMPs)in the yolk sac that seed tissue before birth[2].