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Surface functionalization has been considered as an effective strategy to manipulate charge separation of carbon nitride and therefore to largely improve the photocatalytic H 2 evolution efficiency. Poly heptazine imide (PHI) is a new class of crystalline carbon nitride frameworks that exhibits remarkable photocatalytic performance for hydrogen evolution. To further improve the H 2 evolution performance of PHI and explore the reaction mechanism, ammonium thiocyanate was used as a precursor for the synthesis of poly heptazine imide at elevated temperatures under molten salt conditions. The optimized PHI with an abundance of surface cyano groups shows a significantly enhanced photocatalytic performance for H 2 evolution, which is 4.3 times that on pristine PCN. Most importantly, the surface cyano group adjusts the electron intensity of the polymeric framework, enhances the light absorbance, reduces the bandgap, and improves the charge separation efficiency. The synthetic technique also could be applied to other sulfur-containing precursors for the synthesis of PHI frameworks with excellent hydrogen evolution production performance. • Polymerization of sulfur-containing based precursors in the presence of NaCl/KCl generates poly heptazine imide. • The newly generated PHI(AT) bears an abundance of terminal cyano groups. • The terminal cyano groups promote the charge separation efficiency and enhance photocatalytic activities. • PHI(AT) showed 4.3 times higher HER than pristine PCN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Carbon fiber tensile strength was enhanced using silane coupling agent. • Non-destructive binding of fibers to sulfonated graphene was achieved by electrostatic self-assembly. • Sulfonated graphene improves fiber dispersion in composites. • Cross-linking of sulfonic acid groups with CTP inhibited crack formation. • Incorporation of assemblies improved mechanical properties and oxidation resistance of carbon/carbon composites. The application prospects of carbon/carbon composites are greatly limited by interfacial cracks and pores caused by binder pitch displacement and cracking during high-temperature carbonization. In this study, silane coupling agent was coated on the surface of oxygen plasma-treated carbon fibers (CFs) and subsequently electrostatically self-assembled with sulfonated graphene (SG) to improve the interfacial bonding between filler and CTP. The results indicate that the tensile strength of carbon fiber treated with silane coupling agent increased by 19 % compared to untreated CF. This increase in strength may be related to the layer of silane coupling agent that repaired the grooves and imperfections on the CF surface. The addition of SG not only improves the distribution characteristics of the fibers, allowing the silane-treated CF to play a greater role in the matrix, but also creates a three-dimensional hydrogen-bonded cross-linking between the SG and the coal tar pitch (CTP) on the surface of the fibers. This inhibits CTP displacement and pyrolysis, achieving a tight bonding of the fiber to the matrix. The composites' structural integrity and mechanical properties were significantly improved due to the synergistic effect of silane-treated CF and SG. The compressive strength was 216.98 MPa, with a flexural strength of 54.78 MPa, 250 % higher than the untreated carbon fiber-reinforced composites. Additionally, the porosity decreased by 31.5 %, and the antioxidant properties increased. The study presents a potential solution to improve the performance of carbon/carbon composites by using the silane-treated CF-SG multiscale reinforced phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Straw addition markedly affects the soil aggregates and microbial community structure. However, its influence on the profile of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), which are likely associated with changes in bacterial life strategies, remains unclear. To clarify this issue, a soil microcosm experiment was incubated under aerobic (WS) or anaerobic (AnWS) conditions after straw addition, and metagenomic sequencing was used to characterise ARGs and bacterial communities in soil aggregates. The results showed that straw addition shifted the bacterial life strategies from K- to r-strategists in all aggregates, and the aerobic and anaerobic conditions stimulated the growth of aerobic and anaerobic r-strategist bacteria, respectively. The WS decreased the relative abundances of dominant ARGs such as QnrS5 , whereas the AnWS increased their abundance. After straw addition, the macroaggregates consistently exhibited a higher number of significantly altered bacteria and ARGs than the silt+clay fractions. Network analysis revealed that the WS increased the number of aerobic r-strategist bacterial nodes and fostered more interactions between r-and K-strategist bacteria, thus promoting ARGs prevalence, whereas AnWS exhibited an opposite trend. These findings provide a new perspective for understanding the fate of ARGs and their controlling factors in soil ecosystems after straw addition. Straw soil amendment has been recommended to mitigate soil fertility degradation, improve soil structure, and ultimately increase crop yields. However, our findings highlight the importance of the elevated prevalence of ARGs associated with r-strategist bacteria in macroaggregates following the addition of organic matter, particularly fresh substrates. In addition, when assessing the environmental risk posed by ARGs in soil that receives crop straw, it is essential to account for the soil moisture content. This is because the species of r-strategist bacteria that thrive under aerobic and anaerobic conditions play a dominant role in the dissemination and accumulation of ARG. [Display omitted] • The bacterial life strategies and ARGs in aggregates were investigated after straw addition. • r- more than K-strategist bacteria community were closely related to ARGs profiles. • The aerobic/anaerobic r-strategist bacteria were dominant factors controlling the fate of ARGs. • Macroaggregates were hotspots for connections between ARGs and bacteria after straw addition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four new monomeric sorbicillinoids, trichillinoids A − D (1 – 4), along with two known dimeric sorbicillinoids (5 and 6), and five known monomeric sorbicillinoids (7 – 11), were obtained from the marine-fish-derived fungus Trichoderma sp. G13. They were structurally characterized on the basis of comprehensive spectroscopic investigations (NMR, HRESIMS, and ECD). Compounds 1 – 4 displayed moderate anti-inflammatory activities, according to inhibiting the production of NO in RAW264.7 cells activated with IC 50 values ranging from 14 to 20 μM. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While childhood maltreatment is understood to be a significant risk factor for adolescent internalizing problems (depression and anxiety), underlying mechanisms linking each type of maltreatment to internalizing problems in adolescents remain unclear. Moreover, the current state of knowledge regarding the associations between maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies and each type of maltreatment, as well as their impact on adolescent internalizing problems, is limited. Additionally, it remains unclear whether these maladaptive strategies mediate this relationship. This study sought to investigate the effects of childhood maltreatment types on adolescent internalizing problems and to explore whether the overall and specific types of maladaptive strategies mediate these associations. Using a cross-sectional design, adolescents (N = 7071, M age = 14.05 years, SD age = 1.54) completed online questionnaires assessing childhood maltreatment, maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies (including rumination, catastrophizing, self-blame, and other-blame), anxiety, and depression. The hypothesized mediating effects were tested using the Lavaan package in R software (4.1.2). Different maltreatment types had varying effects on adolescent internalizing problems. Emotional neglect, emotional abuse, and sexual abuse significantly affected anxiety and depression, whereas physical neglect and physical abuse did not. Other than physical neglect and physical abuse, overall maladaptive strategies mediated the relationship between the other three types of maltreatment (emotional abuse, emotional neglect, and sexual abuse) and internalizing problems (anxiety and depression). For specific maladaptive strategies, rumination mediated the effects of physical abuse, emotional abuse, emotional neglect, and sexual abuse on internalizing problems (anxiety and depression). In contrast, catastrophizing mediated the relationship between physical neglect, emotional abuse, emotional neglect, sexual abuse and internalizing problems (anxiety and depression). These results suggest that the effects of maltreatment types on internalizing problems are different and that maladaptive strategies, particularly rumination and catastrophizing, are important mechanisms through which childhood maltreatment affects internalizing problems. This is a reminder that mental health workers need to consider the different effects of maltreatment types when intervening and recognize the importance of prioritizing interventions for rumination and catastrophizing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Preparation of novel photocured polyurethane materials based on thiourethane bonds. • More than 90% self-healing efficiency can be achieved under near infrared light. • The material can be applied to the field of flexible electronic substrates. In this work, a photopolymerizable polyurethane oligomer (PETU) with thiourethane bonds was designed and synthesized. Afterwards, the near-infrared responsive self-healing polyurethane films (PETU-HI-X) were fabricated by photopolymerization using homemade PETU, polydopamine (PDA), and commercially available isobornyl acrylate (IBOA) and 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA). PETU-HI-X have good photopolymerization and photothermal conversion performance. The as-prepared near-infrared responsive self-healing polyurethane polymer PETU-HI-1.0 exhibited a tensile stress of 1.06 MPa, strain of 1021 %, initial decomposition temperature of 290 °C. In addition, the temperature of the material can rise to more than 100 °C after irradiation with near-infrared light for 3 min, showing excellent photothermal conversion performance, based on which the material shows more than 90 % self-healing efficiency after irradiation with near-infrared light for 30 min. More importantly, the near-infrared responsive self-healing polyurethane polymer PETU-HI-1.0 also has an excellent degradation property. The self-healing polyurethane films have also been used to prepare the flexible electronic device that can be healed and fully restored their conductivity after getting damaged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the widespread use of anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD) to improve soil health, its impact on soil antibiotics, human pathogenic bacteria (HPB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) remains unclear. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted an incubation study in manure-amended soil with three treatments: no treatment (CK), crop straw only (CS), and CS combined with water flooding and plastic covering (ASD). The results showed that ASD increased the concentrations of tetracycline by 27 % and β-lactam by 22 %, while depleting macrolide by 51 %. Furthermore, ASD increased the numbers of potential HPB species and genes by 4.1 % and 23 %, respectively. Co-occurrence network analysis demonstrated intensified cooperation and competition among HPB and HNPB (human non-pathogenic bacteria) species under ASD, favoring the prevalence of HPB species such as Escherichia coli , Streptococcus equi , Clostridium tetani , and Bacillus anthracis. Potential HPB species in Proteobacteria exhibited negative correlations with macrolide and β-lactam antibiotics, whereas those in Firmicutes showed positive correlations with tetracycline antibiotics, suggesting that specific bacterial taxa contributed to the production and degradation of antibiotics in response to ASD. Interestingly, CS mitigated the presence of ARGs in soil, while ASD further amplified this reduction, almost eliminating nalC , acrB , OXA-60 , VIM-7 , tetL , and tetQ. The variation in ARG profiles (91.7 %) could be explained by antibiotics, HPB, and HNPB species, indicating their collective contribution to reducing soil ARGs under ASD. Moreover, host prediction and network analysis revealed that, compared with CK, where potential HPB species were the main carriers of ARGs, soil ARGs were less frequently carried by potential HPB species after ASD, indicating a reduction in the collaborative dissemination of HPB and ARGs in manured soil. In conclusion, ASD provides a promising strategy for mitigation of soil biologic contamination, which can have profound significance for environmental safety and agricultural sustainability. • ASD altered soil distribution of tetracycline, β-lactam and macrolide antibiotics. • ASD enriched soil potential HPB species by enhancing connections between HPB and HNPB species. • ASD removed most of the common ARGs, which was weakly correlated with soil antibiotics. • Most potential HPB species boosted by ASD were not the hosts of ARGs in soil. • ASD decreased the risks of synchronous dissemination of HPB and ARGs in soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

School incivility is defined as low-intensity deviant behaviors with ambiguous intent that violate the norms of mutual respect at school. We explored the impact of it and propose possible measures to mitigate its negative effects on students. Drawing upon the frustration-aggression theory, we developed a moderated mediation model to examine the influence of school incivility on student state self-esteem and cyberbullying. We tested this model using a sample of 3978 students (Mean age = 17.77 years old) in China. Regression analysis results revealed that state self-esteem mediated the relationship between school incivility and cyberbullying. Additionally, the Big Five personality traits of openness, extraversion, and agreeableness moderated the indirect effect of school incivility on cyberbullying through state self-esteem. Our study contributes to theoretical and practical understanding of school incivility by enriching related research, empirically verifying the frustration-aggression theory, and identifying a potential predictor of cyberbullying. We urge increased attention to school incivility and recommend practical interventions to prevent it in the school environment. These include implementing courses and campaigns related to school incivility, fostering a supportive school climate and enhancing monitoring and reporting mechanisms for school incivility. • School incivility was positively associated with cyberbullying. • State self-esteem was negatively related to cyberbullying. • State self-esteem mediated the relationship between school incivility and cyberbullying. • Openness, extraversion, and agreeableness moderated the indirect effect through state self-esteem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • DON-induced gut toxicity is partly mediated by gut microbiota. • L. murinus is a potential probiotic against DON. • L. murinus and its EVs effectively alleviated DON-induced intestinal barrier disorder. • LmEVs upregulate TLR2 to promote M2 macrophage polarization to protect the gut barrier. Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a common environmental pollutant that poses a serious health risk to humans worldwide. This study was aim to explore whether gut microbiota is involved in DON-induced intestinal toxicity as well as to reveal effect of probiotics derived from gut microbiota in protecting intestinal barrier and to elucidate mechanism. We found that DON caused disturbed gut microbiota, particularly Lactobacillus murinus (L. murinus) deficiency. DON enhanced M1 macrophage polarization and decreased tight junction protein expression. Microbiota transplantation experiments showed that transfer of DON-disrupted microbiota to healthy mice resulted in delivery of DON-induced intestinal toxicity. Besides, DON lost its damaging effect on macrophage and intestinal barrier in antibiotic-treated mice. Further intervention experiments revealed that L. murinus induce macrophage conversion from M1 to M2 phenotype through secreted extracellular vesicles (EVs) to alleviate DON-induced intestinal barrier disruption. Mechanistically, EVs activate TLR2 to promote M2 macrophage polarization and release IL-10, which in turn enhances intestinal barrier function. Upon successful translation of its efficacy into clinical practice, EVs created from L. murinus could be a novel possible treatment strategy for DON-induced gut disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combination of biomass and liquid metal (LM) makes the preparation process "greener" and application of LM composite materials more sustainable. Here we reported the solvent free preparation of lignosulfonate (LS) stabilized eutectic gallium/indium (EGaIn) LM nanodroplets through ball milling (BM), which was recognized to be efficient and environmentally-friendly alternatives to solution-based methods. By regulating the BM frequency and milling time, uniform LM nanodroplets with a size <200 nm can be achieved. Moreover, the surface of the EGaIn nanodroplets was covered by LS molecules, owing to the hydrogen bond formed between Ga 2 O 3 and LS. Hydrophilic LS shell endowed the LS@EGaIn nanodroplets excellent colloidal stability in the aqueous media. The elongation at break and fracture strength of hydrogel with the addition of LS@EGaIn significantly improved with the addition of LS@EGaIn. Besides, the conductivity and excellent stress responsibility of the LS@EGaIn composite hydrogel illustrated its potential application as s a stress sensor, flexible wearable devices and other related applications. Moreover, it was predicted that LS can be replaced by other synthesized or biological macromolecules, and induced the formation of types of LM based composite materials through such a simple method. Preparation of lignosulfonate (LS) stabilized eutectic gallium/indium (EGaIn) liquid metal nanodroplets through ball milling (BM). [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pregnant women with vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) may experience adverse pregnancy outcomes such as premature delivery, intrauterine infection, abortion, and neonatal infection. Therefore, finding new treatments for VVC in pregnancy is a public health priority. We aimed to study the adverse consequences of Candida albicans (C. albicans) vaginal infection in pregnant mice and explore the mechanisms by which C. albicans affects macrophages. Our findings contribute to the development of new approaches to treat VVC during pregnancy. We established an animal model of vaginal infection by C. albicans in pregnant mice and observed adverse pregnancy outcomes such as decreased body weight, reduced implantation number, and increased abortion rates. Additionally, we infected mouse macrophage line RAW264.7 cells with C. albicans and established a cell model. We employed RT-qPCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence staining to verify the changes in the IL-15/STAT5 signaling pathway and the role it played on the M1 polarization of C. albicans -infected macrophages at both the gene and protein levels. Our results indicate that the adverse pregnancy outcomes in VVC may be linked to changes in the IL-15/STAT5 pathway induced by C. albicans , which could impact macrophage M1 polarization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have emerged as highly competitive catalysts. However, the precise regulation of intrinsic structural parameters that account for the activity of AuNPs remains a challenge in designing high-performance electrocatalysts. Herein, the layered yttrium hydroxide (LYH) nanosheets supported AuNPs are prepared via a facile electrochemical deposition method. The tunability of morphology in LYH support and their utilization in controlling the growth of small AuNPs with uniform dispersion are emphasized. Finally, a novel sensor is constructed using flower-like AuNPs/LYH modified electrodes, which allows for simultaneous determination of the dihydroxybenzene isomers hydroquinone and catechol with good sensitivity, reproducibility and stability. The excellent performance can be attributed to the synergistic effects between AuNPs and LYHs. The strategy of depositing gold onto LYH nanosheets and the resulting high performance provide new approaches for further developing highly efficient composite electrodes across a wide range of applications. [Display omitted] • The AuNPs/LYH composites are fabricated by a facile electrochemical method. • The morphology of LYH substrate can effectively modulate both the size and distribution of AuNPs growth. • The electrode modified with flower-like AuNPs/LYH composite exhibits excellent electrochemical performance. • The novel sensor is successfully used in water samples for simultaneous determination of hydroquinone and catechol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Addressing the global challenge of traffic crashes necessitates transcending traditional statistical models, which often fail to fully capture the interactions between factors causing crashes. This oversight restricts the predictive accuracy and adaptability of current methodologies. Additionally, there is a notable gap in research that examines the links between behavior-cause relationships and crash injury severity. Our study deploys Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Frequent Pattern (FP) growth algorithm to mine crash narratives for behavior-cause connections, combines with the predictive strength of eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) and the interpretative clarity offered by SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP), our approach not only predicts crash injury severity with satisfactory precision but also explains the influence of specific behavior-cause and environment conditions on crash outcomes. The integration of NLP and XGBoost, complemented by SHAP insights, has shown promising results with an accuracy of 0.79, outperforming traditional discrete choice models and competes closely with other machine learning approaches, including Support Vector Machines, Random Forest, Categorical Boosting (CatBoost), and Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LightGBM). Through detailed textual analysis and the establishment of a behavior-cause matrix, identifying five broad crash causes linked to 141 specific crash cause with behaviors, we uncover critical patterns such as the prominence of distracted driving in severe crashes. This comprehensive approach not only fills a critical research gap by linking behavior-cause relationships with injury severity but also sets the stage for developing targeted interventions to enhance road safety. • Merges NLP and XGBoost model for crash injury severity prediction. • Identifies crash causes and related driver behaviors using NLP and FP-growth. • Aids in developing traffic safety interventions based on SHAP interpretability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Impact of fractal dimension on aggregate scattering cross-section predicted by EMA was assessed. • Condition when EMA is more accurate than RDG-FA was proposed with reference to MSTM. • A critical aggregate size parameter value for which EMA is applicable was suggested. Particles within aggregates are commonly in a status of dependent scattering due to the near-field multiple scattering and far-field interferences from neighboring particles. The integral radiative characteristics of fractal aggregates are consequently not only influenced by the monomer size parameter x s , the refractive index n m , and the monomer number N s , but also tied to the fractal dimension D f. The effective-medium approximation (EMA) simplifies the calculation of aggregate radiative characteristics by treating an aggregate and its surrounding medium as a homogeneous sphere with an effective refractive index, and by applying the Lorenz-Mie theory to this equivalent sphere. The study aims to assess the applicability of EMA to predict the scattering cross-section of fractal aggregates consisting of non-absorbing monomers with x s , varying from 0.001 to 1.25, N s ranging from 10 to 500, under different fractal dimensions D f. The accurate results obtained using the multiple spheres T-matrix were used as a reference. In addition, the RDG-FA (Rayleigh-Deybe-Gans Fractal Aggregates) theory, which is widely used for aggregates with monomer size x s ≪ 1, was also evaluated for comparison. The finding reveals that both EMA and RDG-FA provide accurate predictions for aggregates satisfying the equivalent aggregate size parameter χ m less than D f , where the dependent scattering is limited. As the dependent scattering effect increases, the fractal dimension D f emerges as a critical factor influencing EMA's accuracy, with EMA excelling for aggregates with larger fractal dimensions close to 3. Furthermore, 2.1 is a critical value of D f above which EMA outperforms RDG-FA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A novel aminated ZIF-8 composite cellulose aerogel was prepared. • The unique structure of aerogel enhances the adsorption capacity. • The adsorption capacity of the composite aerogel for Mo(VI) was 872.39 mg/g. • Adsorbent exhibits a removal rate of over 80% in simulated wastewater adsorption. Biomass adsorbents possess significant potential for both metal recovery from industrial leaching solutions and wastewater treatment. However, standalone biomass materials suffer from the drawback of low adsorption capacity. In this study, by the combination of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with organic biomaterials, a novel aerogel of aminated ZIF-8 composite cellulose (CPEZN) was developed for molybdenum ions adsorption, and the incorporation of aminated ZIF-8 improved the availability of reactive groups. The unique aerogel structure effectively prevented the accumulation of MOFs, thereby increasing the specific surface area and improving the exposure of active site. In addition, the positively charged surface of CPEZN effectively adsorbed molybdenum ions. Experimental results showed that the introduction of ZIF-8-NH 2 improved the adsorption performance of the composites. The adsorption of Mo(VI) followed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model, and its adsorption rate followed the pseudo-second-order model. The adsorbent exhibited a maximum Mo(VI) adsorption capacity of 872.39 mg/g at pH = 3, and a removal rate of more than 80 % in mixed coexisting ion solutions. Moreover, the adsorbent demonstrated good stability, with a removal rate of above 80 % after 5 cycles of adsorption. Comprehensive characterizations revealed that the adsorption mechanism of Mo(VI) on CPEZN was a synergistic effect of chemisorption, electrostatic interaction, redox, and complex ligand processes. The simulated industrial wastewater adsorption experiment showed that the prepared adsorbent had good removal ability for molybdenum ions. This study not only provides a reference for the design and preparation of MOF and biomass-based composite adsorbent materials, particularly in terms of understanding the adsorption mechanism and designing high-capacity functional groups, but also provides a theoretical basis for its practical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Various AOPs in improving SCFAs production from WAS were reviewed and compared. • CaO 2 and K 2 FeO 4 have received increasing attention on SCFAs production. • The positive effects of emerging contaminants on SCFAs production were evaluated. • Knowledge gaps and prospects of AOPs techniques in SCFAs production were discussed. • An integrated solution in SCFAs production from WAS in WWTPs was constructed. Applying advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) in waste activated sludge (WAS) to enhance short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) from anaerobic fermentation has attracted much interest. The current review critically evaluated the efficiency of AOPs in improving the SCFAs production from WAS. Various oxidants (including CaO 2 , peracetic acid, sodium percarbonate, O 3 , persulfate, sulfite, K 2 FeO 4 , KMnO 4 and periodate) can generate different types of highly reactive species to promote the release of biodegradable substrates, and SCFAs yield. Moreover, the positive effects of emerging contaminants (ECs) on SCFAs production were fully investigated, and the efficiencies of AOPs for ECs removal from WAS were analyzed. Finally, intrinsic limitations and opportunities of AOPs-based conditioning techniques in SCFAs production from WAS were proposed. Based on these developments and challenges, an integrated solution in SCFAs production from WAS in wastewater treatment plants was constructed to realize the transition from "linear economy" to "circular economy". This review provides theoretical support for the development of practical engineering with more economical, environmentally friendly and high efficiency regarding the application of AOPs in SCFAs production from WAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Polyanion-π interaction endow the hydrogels with salt-tolerant property. • Gradient hydrogels deserve ionic diode effect and low ionic resistance. • The hydrogel demonstrate anti-swelling and cation selectivity properties. • The gradient polyelectrolyte hydrogel demonstrates a power density of 16.4 W/m2. Harvesting ocean salinity energy has attracted large attentions based on different kinds of asymmetric ionic membranes. Gradient polyelectrolyte hydrogels demonstrated superior power generation capacity due to their abundant charged groups and rectification behaviors. However, they generally suffer from the electrostatic screening and dramatic swelling, leading to unsatisfactory energy conversion performance. Here, an anti-swelling, salt-tolerant gradient polyanion hydrogel is reported for high-efficiency osmotic energy conversion. The gradient polyanion hydrogel is prepared by ultraviolet (UV) induced copolymerization of anionic monomer and aromatic monomer. Benefiting from the mutual electrostatic interaction and π-π conjugation interaction, the gradient polyanion hydrogel presents the outstanding anti-electrostatic screening and anti-swelling performance. As a result, they can maintain excellent cation selectivity and ionic diode effect for providing an ultrahigh power density of 16.4 W/m2 when mixing artificial seawater and river water. This new salt-tolerant gradient polyelectrolyte hydrogel provides a promising way to recover energy from seawater and wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Collagen, the most abundant and widely distributed functional protein in mammals, typically assembles into collagen fibrils through side-by-side packing. The purpose of this study was to comparatively investigate the fate of sea cucumber collagen fibrils in the gastrointestinal tract when interacting with different anionic polysaccharides (fucoidan (FUC), Kappa-carrageenan (K-car), sodium alginate (SA)). Results revealed that the gel properties and viscosity values of collagen fibrils were notably enhanced, and the rate of structural alteration in collagen fibrils was reduced when K-car and SA were introduced. Conversely, in the presence of FUC, collagen fibril viscosity decreased, and the secondary structure of collagen fibrils underwent changes. FUC was found to diminish the structural stability of collagen fibrils and accelerate the gastric digestion rate, which was further exacerbated by thermal treatment. All these anionic polysaccharides were observed to facilitate the formation of collagen peptide aggregates by binding to polysaccharides during intestinal digestion. This study bridged the knowledge gap regarding the impact of anionic polysaccharides on the gastrointestinal digestion of collagen fibrils, potentially paving the way for broader applications of collagen in the food industry. • The structure and digestion fate of sea cucumber collagens was investigated. • The presence of anionic polysaccharides inconsistently regulated collagen fibrils. • The presence of fucoidan (FUC) improved gastrointestinal digestion rate of fibrils. • Heat treatment increased the effect of FUC on digestion rate of collagen fibrils. • The presence of Kappa-carrageenan and sodium alginate reduced the digestion rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Collagen, the most abundant and widely distributed functional protein in mammals, typically assembles into collagen fibrils through side-by-side packing. The purpose of this study was to comparatively investigate the fate of sea cucumber collagen fibrils in the gastrointestinal tract when interacting with different anionic polysaccharides (fucoidan (FUC), Kappa-carrageenan (K-car), sodium alginate (SA)). Results revealed that the gel properties and viscosity values of collagen fibrils were notably enhanced, and the rate of structural alteration in collagen fibrils was reduced when K-car and SA were introduced. Conversely, in the presence of FUC, collagen fibril viscosity decreased, and the secondary structure of collagen fibrils underwent changes. FUC was found to diminish the structural stability of collagen fibrils and accelerate the gastric digestion rate, which was further exacerbated by thermal treatment. All these anionic polysaccharides were observed to facilitate the formation of collagen peptide aggregates by binding to polysaccharides during intestinal digestion. This study bridged the knowledge gap regarding the impact of anionic polysaccharides on the gastrointestinal digestion of collagen fibrils, potentially paving the way for broader applications of collagen in the food industry. • The structure and digestion fate of sea cucumber collagens was investigated. • The presence of anionic polysaccharides inconsistently regulated collagen fibrils. • The presence of fucoidan (FUC) improved gastrointestinal digestion rate of fibrils. • Heat treatment increased the effect of FUC on digestion rate of collagen fibrils. • The presence of Kappa-carrageenan and sodium alginate reduced the digestion rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A smart cathode coating layer is designed to enhance the high-temperature safety of all-solid-state lithium batteries. Based on the spontaneous polarization-induced built-in electric field, ferroelectric coatings could enhance lithium ion transport at the cathode/electrolyte interface. At hazardous (high) temperatures, ferroelectric coatings transform into paraelectric phases, hindering the transport of lithium ions and slowing down the heat release caused by electrochemical reactions. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The "whitewater zone" represents a critical maritime feature intimately tied to ship identification and stealth capabilities. In this study, the large eddy simulation method is employed to analyze wake fields under varying operational conditions, and the influence of propeller turbulence and bubble wakes on the "whitewater zone" is investigated in conjunction with a self-built optical testing platform. The results indicate that an increase in propeller speed serves to stabilize the vortex structure but also results in a unimodal signal waveform. Moreover, the behavior of bubbles exerts a significant impact on the flow field structure. The coalescence and division of large bubbles play a primary role in altering the flow field structure of the "whitewater zone," consequently accelerating the mixing and diffusion of the "whitewater." The smaller bubbles exhibit prolonged retention times and a broader disturbance area within the surrounding flow field. The research conclusion has certain reference significance for the future development of ocean exploration technology. • An optical test platform for identifying the "whitewater area" is constructed. • Details on the "whitewater area" flow field characteristics is elucidated. • The effect of the "whitewater area" on the laser transmission signal is examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is a novel imaging modality that has been widely utilized in ophthalmology and neuroscience studies to observe retinal vessels and microvascular systems. However, publicly available OCTA datasets remain scarce. In this paper, we introduce the largest and most comprehensive OCTA dataset dubbed OCTA-500, which contains OCTA imaging under two fields of view (FOVs) from 500 subjects. The dataset provides rich images and annotations including two modalities (OCT/OCTA volumes), six types of projections, four types of text labels (age/gender/eye/disease) and seven types of segmentation labels (large vessel/capillary/artery/vein/2D FAZ/3D FAZ/retinal layers). Then, we propose a multi-object segmentation task called CAVF, which integrates capillary segmentation, artery segmentation, vein segmentation, and FAZ segmentation under a unified framework. In addition, we optimize the 3D-to-2D image projection network (IPN) to IPN-V2 to serve as one of the segmentation baselines. Experimental results demonstrate that IPN-V2 achieves an about 10% mIoU improvement over IPN on CAVF task. Finally, we further study the impact of several dataset characteristics: the training set size, the model input (OCT/OCTA, 3D volume/2D projection), the baseline networks, and the diseases. The dataset and code are publicly available at: https://ieee-dataport.org/open-access/octa-500. • Proposed OCTA-500, which is the largest and comprehensive OCTA dataset. • The OCTA-500 includes OCTA imaging from 500 subjects and rich annotation information. • Proposed a CAVF task, which integrates multiple key segmentation tasks. • Optimized the IPN to IPN-V2 to serve as one of the competitive baselines. • The OCTA-500 dataset has great potential to promote other researches in OCTA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reservoir serves as a water source, a flood control structure, a navigational aid, and also impacts the downstream ecosystem as well as the reservoir zone. However, debate exists about effectiveness of cascade reservoirs in controlling the transportation of nutrients, particularly in the Yangtze River basin, which has been significantly affected by reservoir development. This research develops a new model X-NPSEM (X with Nitrogen and Phosphorus Steady-state Reservoir Model) based on biogeochemical processes of nitrogen and phosphorus reaction for investigating the dynamic storage capacity of cascade reservoirs at both reservoir- and watershed scales. Then the cumulative effects of cascade reservoirs and the related mechanism were investigated in Fujiang watershed, China. Based on the results, cascade reservoirs retained 16.3 % of nitrogen fluxes and 37.6 % of phosphorus fluxes annually. Downstream reservoirs have higher retention rates of phosphorus (0.48/d) compared to upstream reservoirs (0.10/d), mainly due to inflow sediment. Nitrogen retention rates show seasonal variations: wet season (0.21/d) and dry season (0.17/d). These fluctuations in nitrogen retention are primarily influenced by changes in temperature rather than other factors such as operation period, nitrogen and phosphorus concentration, or the nitrogen/phosphorus ratio. In upstream, the concentration of sediment entering the reservoir plays a decisive role in the transformation of P retention from sink to source. The X-NPSRM coupler model could be used for global reservoir operation and watershed management. • New model was developed and could be with other models for simulating reservoir processes. • Cumulative effects of cascade reservoirs were quantified with higher downstream retention rates. • It was found that nitrogen retention rate in reservoir is higher in wet season than dry season. • A transition of phosphorus from being a sink to becoming a source exists in reservoir region. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Burst release of antibacterial agents generated by the surface antibacterial modification of Ti implants frequently results in a reduction in their biocompatibility and substantial toxic side effects. In this study, core-shelled nanoparticles namely AgNR@MSN, were synthesized successfully by mesoporous silica shell in-situ encapsulated Ag nanorods, and then co-deposited with chitosan to form a AgNR@MSN-chitosan composite coating on Ti substrate by electrophoretic deposition. The developed composite coating, due to the presence of AgNR, presented excellent photothermal effect under the irradiation of an 808 nm near-infrared laser, leading to both rapid increase of local temperature and triggered release of Ag ions for bacterial-killing effect against both E. coli and S. aureus. The addition of AgNR@MSN also improved the wettability of the coating and the MSN shell with mesoporous tunnels could barrier the contact and release rate of Ag to improve the biocompatibility. The developed photothermal responsive coating could be considered as a promising platform for achieving controlled release of Ag ions with outstanding antibacterial and biocompatible properties. AgNR was synthesized firstly by coating Ag on the surface of Au bipyramids. And the core-shell structured AgNR@MSN was synthesized then by sol-gel coating of shell MSN on the surface of AgNR. After that, the production of a composite coating on Ti substrates was then carried out via EPD as using the blend of AgNR@MSN and chitosan. The AgNR@MSN-chitosan composite coatings exhibited immediate silver release and local photothermal effect under NIR irradiation, which contributed to excellent antibacterial property, and simultaneously balanced biocompatibility. [Display omitted] • Core-shell structured AgNR@MSN was synthesized by a two-step process. • AgNR@MSN-chitosan composite coatings were co-deposited on titanium by electrophoretic deposition. • The composite coating exhibited NIR-triggered silver ion release and local temperature increase. • Balanced antibacterial and biocompatible properties of the composite coating were achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The advent of autonomous vehicles (AVs) has complicated traffic flow and raised safety concerns, there is a pressing need to enhance traffic efficiency alongside ensuring robust safety. This paper proposes a dynamic longitudinal control strategy for AVs, based on real-time accident risk assessments. Data from traffic flow, road characteristics, and weather conditions are analyzed using a random forest algorithm, producing a real-time accident risk identification model through a support vector machine. In addition, the Perceived Risk Field Model (PRFM), a car-following model calibrated using the NGSIM dataset, considers vehicle distance, velocity, relative velocity, and acceleration. These models underpin our proposed longitudinal control strategies, tailored to variable accident risk levels. Under the normal risk control strategy, the PRFM outperforms the Intelligent Driver Model (IDM) and the Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control Model (CACC) in stability and driving comfort. For high accident risk scenarios, our approach shows improved collision avoidance and traffic oscillation mitigation. Simulations indicate that the high accident risk control strategy offers better safety and stability than the normal risk strategy. Furthermore, traffic flow diagrams suggest an increase in road capacity as AV penetration rates rise, pointing to the promising efficiency of our proposed solution. This research provides a robust framework for AV operation, ensuring optimal traffic safety and efficiency. • A real-time accident risk identification model tailored for AVs using machine learning with high predictive accuracy. • Development of a car-following model based on safety potential field and validation using real-world datasets. • Adaptive longitudinal control strategies for AVs, capable of adjusting car-following spacing based on real-time risk. • Framework with risk identification, behavior modeling, and control strategy, providing an integrated approach to AV safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The influence of doping of trace Sm element on ferrite magnetism was studied. • Ferrite was prepared by solid phase sintering combined with high energy ball milling. • The atomic occupancy of Sm element was obtained by XRD refinement. The primary objective of this study is to enhance the overall magnetic properties of pure barium ferrite through the addition of trace amounts of the light rare earth element Sm. This approach is more cost-effective compared to using heavy rare earth elements. The M-shaped barium ferrite, denoted as Ba 1− x Sm x Fe 12 O 19 , was synthesized using a combination of solid-phase sintering method and high-energy ball milling. The high purity of samples was confirmed by determining their crystal structure using XRD. The internal structure of samples was examined using FTIR, and it was observed that the samples contained tetrahedral and octahedral clusters with corresponding bands at 599 cm−1 and 445 cm−1, respectively. The appearance of samples was examined using FESEM, and it was found that grains had hexagonal structures. EDS was used to characterize the elemental content of samples, and it was found that the content of Ba decreased with an increase in the content of Sm. The magnetic properties of samples were examined using VSM, and the coercivity reached a maximum value of 3096.22 Oe at a dopant fraction of 0.06, and the saturation magnetization reached a maximum value of 73.115 emu/g. The synthesized material has the potential for utilization in magnetic recording applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]