We exploit information on the geographic, product and trader characteristics of China's 1997–2009 exports to examine how the evolving city‐industry presence of multinational firms influenced the quality, frequency and survival of new export transactions by private Chinese firms. Our results show that own‐industry multinational firm contact was associated with more frequent, higher‐valued, and longer‐lasting new trade transactions. These effects appear to arise from beneficial multinational spillovers, rather than selection effects due to increased multinational competition, as increases in own‐industry or other multinational presence were also associated with an increase in the number of trade transactions introduced by private Chinese firms.

No abstract

BACKGROUND: Downy mildew, a devastating disease of cucurbitaceous crops caused by Pseudoperonospora cubensis. Although a variety of fungicides are used to control downy mildew, choosing an effective product can be challenging. Environmental stimulus-responsive pesticide delivery systems have great potential to improve the effectiveness of disease and pest control and reduce the impact on environmentally beneficial organisms. RESULTS: In this work, a disulfide bond (SS)-modified and chitosan oligosaccharide (COS)-capped hollow mesoporous silica (HMS) pesticide delivery system was synthesized using a hard template method for the control of downy mildew in cucurbit crops. The synthesized nanoparticles were loaded with dimethomorph (DMM)

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

Background Curcumin can promote wound healing, but its drug delivery medium needs to be improved further. Objectives A curcumin‐loaded thermosensitive hydrogel was prepared, its characterization was evaluated, and its promoting effect on wound healing was observed. Methods Curcumin‐loaded thermosensitive hydrogels were prepared with different percentages of poloxamer 188 and poloxamer 407. A small tube inversion assay was used to observe the sol‐gel transition temperature, and a rotational rheometer was used to detect the sol viscosity, sol‐gel phase transition temperature, and phase transition time. The microstructure of the gel was observed by scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier infrared spectroscopy was used to evaluate whether curcumin was successfully loaded. Finally, its promoting effect on wound healing was observed in vivo and in vitro. Results Poloxamer 407 24% and poloxamer 188 1% were selected to prepare curcumin‐loaded thermosensitive hydrogels. After 60 ± 15 s at 32°C, the sol‐gel transition process was completed, with certain elastic behavior and solid‐like rheological properties. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the pores of the curcumin‐P407/P188 thermosensitive hydrogel were interconnected, with an average pore size ranging from 5 to 10 μm. Hydrogels showed a higher swelling ratio. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that curcumin had been incorporated into the hydrogel. Live/dead cell assays suggested that the hydrogel was not toxic to fibroblasts. Curcumin‐loaded thermosensitive hydrogels can promote an increase in S‐phase fibroblasts and improve wound healing. Conclusions Curcumin‐loaded P407/P188 thermosensitive hydrogel improves wound healing. More in‐depth research is needed in the future.

No abstract