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Corin is a protease that activates atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), a hormone in cardiovascular homeostasis. Structurally, ANP is similar to C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) crucial in bone development. Here, we examine the role of corin and ANP in chondrocyte differentiation and bone formation. We show that in Corin and Nppa (encoding ANP) knockout (KO) mice, chondrocyte differentiation is impaired, resulting in shortened limb long bones. In adult mice, Corin and Nppa deficiency impairs bone density and microarchitecture. Molecular studies in cartilages from newborn Corin and Nppa KO mice and in cultured chondrocytes indicate that corin and ANP act in chondrocytes via cGMP-dependent protein kinase G signaling to inhibit mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation and stimulate glycogen synthase kinase-3β phosphorylation and β-catenin upregulation. These results indicate that corin and ANP signaling regulates chondrocyte differentiation in bone development and homeostasis, suggesting that enhancing ANP signaling may improve bone quality in patients with osteoporosis. Studies in knockout mice and cultured chondrocytes indicate an important role of corin and atrial natriuretic peptide-mediated signaling in endochondral ossification and bone development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-dose perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) impairs oocyte maturation and offspring quality. However, the physiological concentrations of PFOA in follicular fluids of patients with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) were detected at lower levels, thus the relationship between physiological PFOA and reproductive disorders remains elusive. Here, we investigated whether physiological PFOA exposure affects gonad function in adult zebrafish. Physiological PFOA exposure resulted in POI-like phenotypes in adult females, which exhibited decreased spawning frequency, reduced number of ovulated eggs, abnormal gonadal index, and aberrant embryonic mortality. Meanwhile, oocytes from PFOA-exposed zebrafish showed mitochondrial disintegration and diminished mitochondrial membrane potential. Unlike the high-dose treated oocytes exhibiting high reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and excessive apoptosis, physiological PFOA reduced the ROS levels and did not trigger apoptosis. Interestingly, physiological PFOA exposure would not affect testis function, indicating specific toxicity in females. Mechanistically, PFOA suppressed the NAD+ biosynthesis and impaired mitochondrial function in oocytes, thus disrupting oocyte maturation and ovarian fertility. Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), a precursor for NAD+ biosynthesis, alleviated the PFOA-induced toxic effects in oocytes and improved the oocyte maturation and fertility upon PFOA exposure. Our findings discover new insights into PFOA-induced reproductive toxicity and provide NMN as a potential drug for POI therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • UIO-66-NH 2 /Ti 3 C 2 Tx was synthesized in one step, and UIO-66-NH 2 was used as a tannic acid inhibitor in nanocontainer. • TU-T material has high dispersion in epoxy resin, while giving epoxy coating long-term corrosion resistance and self-healing function. • The TU-T has an intelligent pH response to give the coating a slow release function. In this study, we developed a composite material comprising UIO-66-NH 2 encapsulated tannic acid (TA) loaded on Ti 3 C 2 Tx to improve the corrosion resistance of water borne epoxy (WEP) coatings. The successful synthesis of the material was determined by FT-IR, XRD, XPS, EDS, TGA, SEM and TEM characterization. Furthermore, ultraviolet (UV)tests were conducted to evaluate the release rate of TA at varying pH levels, revealing a release rate of approximately 95 % at pH 2. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) results over 60 d indicated that the R c value of TU-T/WEP remained unchanged at 3.934 × 108, demonstrating a two-order magnitude increase compared to those of pure epoxy coatings, attributed to the synergistic active and passive protection of TU-T materials. The self-healing ability of the TU-T/WEP coating was validated through manual scratch experiments. Additionally, the EIS test showed that the R c value of TU-T/WEP coating increased to 3.5 × 105 after 72 h, representing a two-order magnitude increase over that of the WEP coating alone. This study introduces a novel approach using green tannic acid as a corrosion inhibitor and amino-functionalized Ti 3 C 2 Tx with UIO-66-NH 2 to enhance corrosion resistance and self-healing aproperties of coatings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we successfully realized the hydrolytic ring-opening co-polymerization of ε-caprolactam (CPL) and lysine derivative. A novel antibacterial modified polyamide 6 with a branched structure was obtained after the quaternization of the co-polymers. The co-polymers exhibited a significant increase in zero shear viscosity, melt index and storage modulus at the low frequency region. The quaternized co-polymers displayed thermal properties different from pure PA6 and good mechanical (tensile) properties. The antibacterial activity of the quaternized co-polymers depends on the quaternary ammonium groups' incorporated content. At 6.2 mol% incorporation of quaternary ammonium groups, the strong antibacterial activity has been introduced to the co-polymers. As the quaternary ammonium groups approached 10.1 mol%, the antibacterial polymers demonstrated nearly complete killing of Staphylococcus aureus (Gram positive) and Escherichia coli (Gram negative). The above research results provided a new approach for the study of high-performance nylon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a novel branched polyamide 6 has been synthesized via the hydrolytic ring-opening co-polymerization of ε-caprolactam (CPL) and α-Amino-ε-caprolactam (ACL). The NMR characterization proves the existence of a branched chain structure. The rheological test determines that there is a remarkable increase in the melt index (MFR), zero shear rate viscosity, and storage modulus in the low-frequency region. The shear-thinning phenomenon becomes more obvious. The thermal properties tested by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) show that the melting point and crystallinity of co-polymers decrease with the incorporation of ACL. However, the crystal structure of the samples only exhibits a slight change. When the ACL content in the feed is 1 wt%, the tensile strength and fracture elongation rate of the co-polymers show a significant enhancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premature ovarian failure (POF) is characterized as the ovarian dysfunction and defective oocyte development. In POF patients, ROS level is reported to be significantly higher than normal individuals. However, the involvement of oxidative stress in POF and the regulatory mechanisms underlying the antioxidative process in oocyte development remain largely unknown. Here, we discover that oxidation resistance 1a (Oxr1a), the ortholog of mammalian Oxr1, protects the oocytes of female zebrafish against oxidative stress and thus represses the POF phenotype. Oxr1a was widely expressed in oocytes at different developmental stages, of which the mRNA expression levels were significantly upregulated upon follicle activation and oocyte maturation. Oxr1a knockout exacerbated the POF phenotype, as evidenced by the decreased number and quality of oocytes. Moreover, the oocytes of oxr1a knockout zebrafish exhibited excessive ROS, increased mitochondrial DNA damage, reduced mitochondria, and abnormal morphology. Mechanistically, instead of decomposing ROS directly, Oxr1a participated in the process of oxidative stress through regulating the mRNA expression levels of the key antioxidant enzymes Cat and Sod1. Moreover, treatment with antioxidant N-Acetyl- l -cysteine attenuated the mitochondrial oxidative damage and improved the fertility of mutant females, indicating that Oxr1a may mediates the Sod1/Cat pathway to metabolize the intracellular ROS and avoid the mitochondrial oxidative damage, thus ensuring the normal development and maturation of oocytes. Taken together, these findings are useful for the elucidation of molecular mechanisms underlying the oxidative damage in oocytes and beneficial to the clinical therapeutics of POF. [Display omitted] • The oxr1a mutant presents a premature ovarian failure-like phenotype. • Zebrafish Oxr1a possesses no peroxidase activity. • Oxr1a regulates the antioxidative response through Cat and Sod1 during oocyte development. • AntiOxidants alleviate the phenotype of premature ovarian failure in the oxr1a mutant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteoarthritis (OA) is believed to be linked with cartilage degeneration, subchondral bone sclerosis, and synovial inflammation that lead to joint failure, and yet treatment that can effectively reverse the pathological process of the disease still not exists. Recent evidence suggests excessive mechanical stress (eMS) as an essential role in the pathogenesis of OA. Increased levels of integrin αVβ3 have been detected in osteoarthritic cartilage and were previously implicated in OA pathogenesis. However, the role of integrin αVβ3 in the process of eMS-induced OA remains unclear. Here, histologic and proteomic analyses of osteoarthritic cartilage in a rat destabilization of the medial meniscus model demonstrated elevated expression of integrin αVβ3 as well as more serious cartilage degeneration in the medial weight-bearing area. Furthermore, results of in vitro study demonstrated that eMS led to a significant increase of integrin αVβ3 expression and phosphorylation of downstream signaling molecules such as FAK and ERK, as well as upregulated expressions of inflammatory and degradative mediators. In addition, we found that inhibition of integrin αVβ3 could alleviate chondrocyte inflammation triggered by eMS both in vivo and in vitro. Our findings suggest a central role for upregulation of integrin αVβ3 signaling in OA pathogenesis and demonstrate that activation of integrin αVβ3 signaling in cartilage contributes to inflammation and joint destruction in eMS-induced OA. Taken together, our data presented here provide a possibility for targeting integrin αVβ3 signaling pathway as a disease-modifying therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bipolar plate is the critical component that directly impacts the output performance and lifespan of the fuel cell. Composite graphite-based bipolar plates, which can be tailored to exhibit desired properties, are promising candidates for high-performance fuel cells. However, the simultaneous optimization of their electrical and mechanical properties has been a major challenge in the field. This study introduces a foam skeleton made of carbonized melamine foam (CMF) into the graphite bipolar plate to create ample space for subsequent resin impregnation. Carbon black (CB) is added as a filler to form complete conductive paths, which is modified using low-temperature plasma to allow it to be more uniformly adsorbed in the skeleton. The microstructure design of the composite bipolar plate ensures excellent mechanical properties and significantly enhances its electrical conductivity. Moreover, it effectively eliminates the impact of carbon black on the surface roughness of the composite plate. This design also provides superior water management and reduces gas permeability. Practical application tests demonstrate that the developed composite plate exhibits better corrosion resistance and electrochemical stability than metal bipolar plates. Compared to carbonized bipolar plates, it displays better impact resistance and stability. [Display omitted] • CMF/CB@EG-EP composite bipolar plates are prepared by a one-stamping process followed by the impregnation method. • The microstructure design of CMF skeleton adsorbed CB simultaneously improves the mechanical and electrical properties. • The composite bipolar plate exhibits low surface roughness, favorable water management ability, and lower gas permeability. • The practical application test proves that the developed plate has excellent corrosion resistance and impact resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a fixed Eulerian mesh, interface-capturing approaches such as volume-of-fluid, level-set and phase-field methods have been successfully utilized for a broad range of moving boundary problems involving multiphase fluids and single-phase fluid–structure interaction. Nevertheless, multiphase fluids interacting with multiple solids are rarely explored, especially for large-scale finite element simulations with contact dynamics. In this work, we introduce a novel parallelized three-dimensional fully Eulerian variational framework for simulating multiphase fluids interacting with multiple deformable solids subjected to solid-to-solid contact. In the framework, each solid or fluid phase is identified by a standalone phase indicator. Moreover the phase indicators are initialized by the grid cell method, which restricts the calculation to several grid cells instead of the entire domain and provides efficiency for modeling evolving interfaces on a fixed mesh. A diffuse interface description is employed for a smooth interpolation of physical properties across the phases, yielding unified mass and momentum conservation equations for the coupled dynamical interactions. For each solid object, temporal integration is carried out to track the strain evolution in an Eulerian frame of reference. The coupled differential equations are solved in a partitioned manner and integrated via nonlinear iterations. We first verify the framework against reference numerical data in a two-dimensional case of a rotational disk in a lid-driven cavity flow. The case is generalized to a rotational sphere in a lid-driven cavity flow to showcase large deformation and rotational motion of solids and examine the convergence in three dimensions. We then simulate the falling of an immersed solid sphere on an elastic block under gravitational force to demonstrate the translational motion and the solid-to-solid contact in a fluid environment. Finally, we demonstrate the capability of our proposed framework for a ship–ice interaction problem involving multiphase fluids with an air–water interface and contact between a floating ship and ice floes. • Unified continuum description of fluid–solid interaction via phase-field theory. • Multiphase fluid flow with multiple solids subjected to solid–solid contact. • 3D parallelized implementation for phase-field finite element simulation. • Novel diffuse interface initialization of interface with complex geometry. • Demonstration for ship–ice interaction with free-surface and contact dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elastic contact in hydrodynamic environments is a complex multiphysics phenomenon and can be found in applications ranging from engineering to biological systems. Understanding the intricacies of this coupled problem requires the development of a generalized framework capable of handling topological changes and transitioning implicitly from fluid–structure interaction (FSI) conditions to solid–solid contact conditions. We propose a mono-field interface advancing method for handling multibody contact simulations in submerged environments. Given the physical demands of the problem, we adopt a phase-field based fully Eulerian approach to resolve the multiphase and multibody interactions in the system. We employ a stabilized finite element formulation and a partitioned iterative procedure to solve the unified momentum equation comprising solid and fluid dynamics coupled with the Allen-Cahn phase-field equation. The evolution of solid strain in the Eulerian reference frame is governed by the transport of the left Cauchy–Green deformation tensor. We introduce a contact force approach to handle smooth elastic-elastic and elastic-rigid contact based on the overlap of the diffused interfaces of two colliding bodies. We propose a novel approach to extend the model for multibody contact simulations while using a single phase-field function for all the solids. The method is based on updating the solid boundaries at every time step and checking for collisions among them. The developed approach eliminates the need to solve multiple phase field equations and multiple strain equations at every time step. This reduces the overall computational time by nearly 16% compared to a multi phase-field approach. The implemented model is verified for smooth dry contact and FSI contact scenarios. Using the proposed framework, we demonstrate the collision dynamics between multiple bodies submerged in an open liquid tank. • A unified and versatile phase-field Eulerian framework for FSI contact dynamics. • Efficient collision detection and constraint handling for solid–solid contact. • Novel mono-field interface advancing method for multibody contact modeling. • Systematic verification for smooth dry contact and hydrodynamic contact. • Demonstration of robustness for soft solid actuation and multiple bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of quinoxaline-based compounds 1–4 have been synthesized by a palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction and their photophysical properties have been extensively studied. Compounds 1–4 show deep blue light emission both in solution (λem ≤ 425 nm, Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage y (CIEy) ≤ 0.03) and in the solid state. Moreover, compounds 1–3 show a non-typical aggregation-induced enhanced emission (AIEE), which would be effective deep blue light-emitting materials. The DFT calculation indicated that the HOMO energy levels of compounds 1–3 are distributed throughout the molecule, and the LUMO energy levels are mainly concentrated on the quinoxaline group. However, the HOMO of compound 4 is mainly on the benzene ring at 2,3 position, and the LUMO is distributed both of the quinoxaline and the benzaldehyde group at the 6,7 position. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Main observation and conclusion: Three new deep blue light emitters, bearing quinoxaline with different substituents (biphenyl/pyrene) at the 1‐ or 2‐position, were synthesized by a Pd‐catalysed coupling reaction in high yields, and were fully characterized by 1H/13C NMR spectroscopy, single crystal X‐ray diffraction, and high‐resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). The designed molecules exhibit good thermal stability (Tg > 452 oC). Single crystal X‐ray diffraction indicated the compounds containing pyrene units exhibiting π‐π stacking, and thus this family of compounds exhibited intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) and non‐typical and aggregation‐induced enhanced emission (AIEE) characteristics, possessing blue emission both in solution and in the aggregation (solid) state. Furthermore, a selected deep blue emitter was utilized as the emitting layer for the fabrication of doped organic light‐emitting diode (OLED) devices, which afforded a deep blue electroluminescence (EL) peak at 428 nm with a narrow full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 57 nm, and the Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage (CIE) chromaticity coordinates of (0.15, 0.06). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The human body is susceptible to the adverse effects of exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and high-energy shortwave blue light, which can increase the risk of skin cancer and eye damage. Consequently, light barrier materials have been developed to reduce the radiation hazards of UV and high-energy shortwave blue light. In this study, a novel photobarrier hydrogel was successfully prepared by free radical polymerization using hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), N-vinylpyrrolidone (NVP) and para-aminoazobenzene (PAAB) as comonomers in aqueous medium. The prepared hydrogels have a surface porous structure and remarkable thermal stability, with decomposition occurring at temperatures above 200 °C. The results of the ultraviolet visible transmission spectrum and light barrier effect experiments show the excellent light barrier rate of the material, with the hydrogel HNP-3 exhibiting a light barrier rate of over 71%. Cytotoxicity assay is performed to identify the favorable biocompatibility of the hydrogel, which can be attributed to the polymerization of PAAB onto polymeric chains. This process effectively inhibits the diffusion of PAAB into cells, thereby preventing adverse effects on cellular function. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that the hydrogel film materials in this study hold great potential for application in a range of applications that require protection of biological tissues such as the eyes and skin from UV or blue light. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present a novel interface preserving and residual-based adaptivity procedure for the phase-field modeling of a fully Eulerian fluid-structure interaction. The proposed adaptive fully Eulerian procedure involves a fixed background unstructured finite element mesh on which the fluid-structure boundary is treated implicitly via a diffused interface description. We employ the stabilized finite element formulation and a partitioned iterative procedure to solve the coupled system of the Allen-Cahn phase-field equation with the unified momentum equation comprising solid and fluid dynamics. To evaluate the solid stresses, the left Cauchy-Green deformation tensor is convected at each time step to trace the evolution of the solid strain in the Eulerian reference frame. We utilize a residual based error indicator and the newest vertex bisection algorithm for the adaptive refinement/coarsening of the unstructured mesh. Through the adaptive finite element method, we aim to preserve the profile of the diffused interface in the presence of convective distortion. We propose an early stopping criterion for the adaptivity of the interface dynamics by combining the effects of the phase-field interface thickness parameter and the mesh resolution. In addition, we control the size of the refined/coarsened elements by introducing a characteristic length scale governed by a weighted harmonic mean of the desired bulk and the interface mesh resolutions. The proposed stopping criterion and the characteristic length scale provide significant reductions in the computational cost while simultaneously ensuring convergence properties of the coupled fluid-structure system. We perform a detailed convergence and accuracy analysis via two benchmark problems namely, the pure solid system and a coupled fluid-solid system with an interface in a rectangular domain. We further provide a comparative study between feature- and residual based adaptive strategies. We systematically assess the performance of the adaptive procedure in terms of conservation properties and computational efficiency. Finally, we demonstrate our fully Eulerian adaptive solver to simulate the contact and bouncing phenomenon between an elastic solid and a rigid wall. • Novel interface preserving adaptivity on unstructured grid for fully Eulerian FSI. • Early stopping criterion based on interface thickness and mesh resolution. • New characteristic length scale by weighted harmonic mean of bulk and interface resolutions. • Significant improvements in conservation properties with proposed adaptivity. • Demonstration of FSI contact dynamics via bouncing elastic ball problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ribosome biogenesis is a significant process in cells. Dysfunction in this process will result in the defects of protein synthesis and consequently cause the development of specific diseases called ribosomopathies. Mutations in ribosome biogenesis protein Rps19, Rpl5, or Rpl11 can lead to hematopoietic defects in human, thus triggering the disease Diamond Blackfan anemia. However, the regulatory mechanisms of ribosome biogenesis in hematopoiesis remain incompletely understood. In this study, we describe a zebrafish mutant cq42 , which carries a nonsense mutation in the gene that encodes ribosome biogenesis 2 homolog (Urb2). Urb2 is strongly expressed in the caudal hematopoietic tissue (CHT) during hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) expanding. Molecular characterization of urb2 cq42 larvae suggest that urb2 deficiency notably decrease the population of HSCs in CHT and early T cells in thymus. Further analysis shows that compromised cell proliferation and superfluous apoptosis are observed in the CHT of urb2 cq42 mutant. P53 pathway is upregulated in the urb2 cq42 larvae and loss-of-function of P53 can fully rescue the hematopoietic defects in urb2 cq42 mutant. These data demonstrate that urb2 is essential for HSCs development through the regulation of P53 pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Great effort has been made recently to investigate the phase transitions in two-dimensional (2D) magnets while leaving subtle quantification unsolved. Here, we demonstrate the thermal-activated escape in 2D Fe3GeTe2 ferromagnets near the critical point with a quantum magnetometry based on nitrogen-vacancy centers. We observe random switching between the two spin states with auto-correlation time described by the Arrhenius law, where a change of temperature by 0.8 K induces a change of lifetime by three orders of magnitude. Moreover, a large energy difference between the two spin states about 51.3 meV is achieved by a weak out-of-plane magnetic field of 1 G, yielding occupation probability described by Boltzmann's law. Using these data, we identify all the parameters in the Ginzburg-Landau model. This work provides quantitative description of the phase transition in 2D magnets, which paves the way for investigating the critical fluctuation and even non-equilibrium phase transitions in these 2D materials. Thermal fluctuations play a fundamental role in determining the exotic phases in low-dimensional quantum materials. Here, utilizing the quantum magnetometry based on nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond, the thermally-activated escape of bistable magnetic states in a finite 2D ferromagnet is observed with giant tunability by temperature and magnetic field near the critical point. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Composite EG/Ni@MF/EG-EP bipolar plate with sandwiched structure is designed. • The prepared bipolar plate shows improved mechanical and electrical properties. • The prepared bipolar plate shows favorable gas permeability and wettability. • The demo fuel cell system incorporated with the designed plate shows better practical performance. The bipolar plate is an important component of the fuel cell. Composite graphite-based bipolar plates with adjustable properties are potential candidates to realize the high performance of the cell. However, simultaneously improving the electrical and mechanical properties of the plate is always the focus and difficulty of the research since they tend to behave with mutual inhibition. Here in this work, we report a laminating strategy to prepare composite bipolar plates with the (EG)/Ni@Melamine foam (MF)/EG sandwiched structure. The highly porous MF sponge provides enough space for epoxy immersion and the Nickel plating improves the electrical conductivity. Both the electrical conductivity (320 S/cm) and the flexural strength (56 MPa) are improved compared to the original EG plate. The enriched resin amount in the intermedium layer also ensures lower gas permeability (2.16 × 10−9 cm3cm−2s−1). In addition, owing to the residual resin on the surface of the developed plate, there is a smaller, indicating better wettability. Further practical performance tests proved that the developed plate has favorable performance under actual working conditions compared to commercialized carbon graphite plate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present an interface and geometry preserving (IGP) method for modeling fully Eulerian fluid-structure interaction via phase-field formulation. While the time-dependent mobility model preserves the hyperbolic tangent interface profile, the proposed method maintains the geometry of the solid-fluid interface by minimizing the volume-conserved mean curvature flow. To reduce the curvature flow, we construct a gradient-minimizing velocity field (GMV) for the convection of the order parameter. The constructed velocity field retains the solid velocity in the solid domain while extending the velocity in the normal direction throughout the diffuse interface region. With this treatment, the GMV reduces the normal velocity difference of the isosurfaces of the order parameter, alleviating the undesired thickening or thinning of the diffuse interface region due to the convection. As a result, the time-dependent mobility coefficient is substantially reduced and there is a lesser volume-conserved mean curvature flow. Furthermore, the GMV ensures that the diffuse interface region moves with the solid bulk despite the fluid flow, such that the fluid-solid interface conforms to the geometry of the solid. Using the unified momentum and mass conservation equations via the phase-dependent interpolation, we integrate the IGP method into a fully Eulerian fluid-structure interaction solver based on the incompressible viscous fluid and the neo-Hookean solid models. The kinematics of the solid in an Eulerian frame of reference is resolved by evolving the left Cauchy-Green tensor. We first demonstrate the ability of the phase-field-based IGP method for the convection of circular and square interfaces in a prescribed velocity field. The variational fluid-structure interaction framework with the IGP method is then examined on the deformation of a solid block under cavity flow. We next explore the geometry-preserving effect of the proposed framework when the fluid flow passes over a fixed deformable block in a channel. Finally, the vibration of a flexible plate attached behind a stationary cylinder is considered to demonstrate the ability of the framework in solving unsteady fluid-structure interaction problems. • Novel interface and geometry preserving phase-field method for fully Eulerian FSI. • Gradient minimizing velocity field for accurate evolution of diffuse interface. • Reduced mobility coefficient from suppressed convective distortion and curvature flow. • Robust and accurate integration of the IGP method with fully Eulerian FSI solver. • Systematic spatial and temporal convergence studies for various test cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hexaarylbenzenes (HAB) and their derivatives have attracted considerable attention due to their fantastic molecular geometry and various applications in materials science. Herein, a set of novel, pyrene-based, asymmetric hexaarylbenzene molecules 3a – c and 10 were synthesized and fully characterized by using 1H/13C NMR, single crystal X-ray diffraction, high-resolution mass spectra (HRMS), UV–Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy, as well as density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The compounds show tunable-emission color from violet (366 nm) to deep blue emission (407 nm) following the order of 10 < 3a < 3b < 3c in solution, and the pyrene-based asymmetric hexaarylbenzenes show a red-shift to the (deep) blue region (in the range from 406 to 466 nm) with a narrow full width at half-maximum (FWHM) emission spectrum in films. On the other hand, as the expanding π-conjugated molecular frameworks decreased in the order of 3c > 3b > 3a > 10 > hexaphenylbenzene (HPB), the asymmetric hexaarylbenzenes exhibited clearer aggregation-induced emission characterestics. In addition, DFT calculations indicated that there is strong electronic communication between the pyrene unit and the neighboring phenyl rings by a through-space charge-transfer process, which would play a curial role in lowering the quantum yield in the molecular aggregation state. Thus, this article provides an efficient synthetic strategy on how to design and synthesise high-performance pyrene-based hexaarylbenzene derivatives with narrow FWHM bands for potential applications in organic electronics. This article presents a set of novel pyrene-based asymmetric hexaarylbenzene molecules, as the expanding π-conjugated molecular frameworks decreased in the order of 3c > 3b > 3a > 10 > hexaphenylbenzene (HPB), the asymmetric hexaarylbenzenes exhibited clearer aggregation-induced emission characteristics. [Display omitted] • A set of novel, pyrene-based, asymmetric hexaarylbenzene molecules 3a – c and 10 were synthesized and fully characterized. • The pyrene-based compounds show blue emission (<466 nm) with a narrow full width at half-maximum (FWHM) emission. • Molecular aggregation effect overwhelms AIE characterestics, and dominates the emission behaviour as the π-conjugation expands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the localization properties of generalized two- and three-dimensional Lieb lattices, L 2 (n) and L 3 (n) , n = 1 , 2 , 3 and 4, at energies corresponding to flat and dispersive bands using the transfer matrix method (TMM) and finite size scaling (FSS). We find that the scaling properties of the flat bands are different from scaling in dispersive bands for all L d (n). For the d = 3 dimensional case, states are extended for disorders W down to W = 0. 01 t at the flat bands, indicating that the disorder can lift the degeneracy of the flat bands quickly. The phase diagram with periodic boundary condition for L 3 (1) looks similar to the one for hard boundaries (Liu et al., 2020). We present the critical disorder W c at energy E = 0 and find a decreasing W c for increasing n for L 3 (n) , up to n = 3. Last, we show a table of FSS parameters including so-called irrelevant variables; but the results indicate that the accuracy is too low to determine these reliably. • Compactly localized states at flat band energies effect localization at small disorders • Disorder dependence of localization at flat band energies is similar to the 1D case • Phase diagrams for periodic boundary condition are similar to hard wall boundaries [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pullulan is a linear homopolysaccharide of glucose and produced by certain strains of the polymorphic fungus Aureobasidium pullulans. It has long been widely used in various fields from food additives to environmental remediation agents. In this study, a new composite films material pullulan/tributyl citrate (TBC)/copper-containing metal–organic frameworks (Cu-MOFs) were prepared. Through Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), the existence of different components in the composite film was verified. Further studies confirmed that the content of the hydrophobic plasticizer TBC component improves the ultraviolet (UV) absorption efficiency of the composite material, but has little effect on the visible light region. At the same time, with the increase of TBC content, the water resistance of the composite material has been significantly promoted from seconds to minutes without being damaged. The antibacterial activity and biocompatibility of the composite material were also evaluated. The results showed that the presence of Cu-MOFs enables composite material to possess good antibacterial properties and the antibacterial rates against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) were high to 99.9%. Besides, the composite material maintained the excellent biocompatibility of pullulan polymer and the cell survival rates of the samples were more than 100%, indicating that the pullulan/TBC/Cu-MOFs composite film can enhance cell proliferation. Therefore, the composite materials can effectively overcome the shortcomings of pure pullulan polymer films, such as poor water resistance and lack of antibacterial properties, and expand the application prospects of pullulan polymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Novel interface-preserving and conservative phase-field for surface tension effects. • Adaptive adjustment of mobility coefficient for the interface profile preservation. • Quantification of errors in interface thickness and surface tension force calculation. • Robust and accurate integration of the novel scheme with Naiver-Stokes equations. • Demonstration to complex multiphase flows over 3D unstructured meshes. We present a finite element based variational interface-preserving and conservative phase-field formulation for the modeling of incompressible two-phase flows with surface tension dynamics. The preservation of the hyperbolic tangent interface profile of the convective Allen-Cahn phase-field formulation relies on a novel time-dependent mobility model. The mobility coefficient is adjusted adaptively as a function of gradients of the velocity and the order parameter in the diffuse interface region in such a way that the free energy minimization properly opposes the convective distortion. The ratio of the convective distortion to the free energy minimization is termed as the convective distortion parameter, which characterizes the deviation of the diffuse interface profile from the hyperbolic tangent shape due to the convection effect. In the phase-field formulation, the mass conservation is achieved by enforcing a Lagrange multiplier with both temporal and spatial dependence on the phase-field function. We integrate the interface-preserving and conservative phase-field formulation with the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations and the continuum surface tension force model for the simulation of incompressible two-phase flows. A positivity preserving scheme designed for the boundedness and stability of the solution is employed for the variational discretization using unstructured finite elements. We examine the convergence and accuracy of the Allen-Cahn phase-field solver through a generic one-dimensional bistable convection-diffusion-reaction system in a stretching flow. We quantify and systematically assess the relative interface thickness error and the relative surface tension force error with respect to the convective distortion parameter. Two- and three-dimensional rising bubble cases are further simulated to examine the effectiveness of the proposed model on the volume-preserving mean curvature flow and the interface-preserving capability. Finally, we demonstrate the applicability of the proposed model for a case of two bubbles rising and merging with a free surface in an unstructured finite element mesh, which includes complex topological changes and surface tension dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The photonic crystal (PC) is an important structure for realizing optical integrative circuits. Nowadays, most PC based passive devices operate by utilizing the coupling either between several PC waveguides or between PC waveguides and resonance cavities. In this letter, we present a coupling mechanism between even- and oddlike modes in a single asymmetric PC waveguide. Switches based on this coupling phenomenon were validated experimentally. By adjusting the temperature controlled by the thermal resistor, an extinction ratio of 9.1 dB was realized. Our researches provide a potential way of not only guiding but also controlling light in a simple single PC waveguide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the localization properties of the two-dimensional Lieb lattice and its extensions in the presence of disorder using the transfer matrix method and finite-size scaling. We find that all states in the Lieb lattice and its extensions are localized for W ≥ 1. Clear differences in the localization properties between disordered flat bands and disordered dispersive bands are identified. Our results complement previous experimental studies of clean photonic Lieb lattices and provide information about their stability with respect to disorder. • Localization properties of 2D Lieb lattice and its extensions under disorder. • All states are localized for W ≥ 1 in the 2D Lieb lattice and its extensions. • Localization properties between flat and dispersive bands under disorder shown. • Show stability of Lieb lattice and its extensions due disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graph convolutional networks (GCNs) are powerful tools for analyzing structured data with entities based on messages passing between a node and its surrounding nodes; these networks exhibit exceptional capabilities in diverse complex graph learning tasks. However, despite GCNs being capable of incorporating information from entities, they often neglect the structural connections between the entities generated by latent factors. In this study, we propose a global disentangled graph convolutional neural network based on a graph topological metric to identify these latent factors and perform graph-level disentanglement learning. In the proposed framework, a simple graph is accepted as the input and disentangled into several factorized graphs. Each factorized graph represents a latent factor and the disentangled relationship among the nodes. Specifically, our approach decouples the message passing process in GCNs into two distinct flows, feature and structural information flow. Importantly, a topological metric, named mean average distance, is introduced to promote the disentanglement among the factor graphs. Furthermore, we utilize the Jensen–Shannon MI estimator to promote disentanglement through feature information flow. Experiments on synthetic and real-world datasets demonstrated the superiority of our framework over state-of-the-art GNN networks. This work introduces a novel approach, preserving independence among latent factors while ensuring each factor maintains a consistent and interpretable meaning. We anticipate that this research can provide theoretical and technical analysis to further advance the understanding of graph disentanglement learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With complex coupling of multiple degrees of freedom, transition metal oxides (TMOs) provide a promising platform to tune the magnetic property in heterostructures via the magnetic proximity effect. Recent realization of freestanding TMO thin films allows further extension of this technique to novel two-dimensional heterostructures by mechanically stacking with van der Waals materials. Here, we demonstrate the presence of significant magnetic exchange interactions in a heterostructure of 8 nm freestanding LaMnO3 and monolayer WS2. The high magnetization in freestanding LaMnO3 leads to valley degeneracy breaking in WS2, resulting in unbalanced valley polarization in the photoluminescence (PL). Further temperature-dependent PL measurements reveal the same transition behavior as the magnetization in the freestanding LaMnO3 film. Our results unlock new approaches for tuning the magnetism and the valley degree of freedom in ultrathin two-dimensional heterostructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The canonical functions of Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (AARSs) are indispensable for protein synthesis. However, recent evidence indicates that some AARSs possess additional biological functions (noncanonical functions) related to immune responses and vascular development. Here, we identified a zebrafish cq16 mutant presenting the disorganized vessels with abnormal branching of the established intersegmental vessels (ISVs) as well as aberrant patterning of the brain vascular network after 50 h post fertilization. The cq16 mutant gene is responsible for encoding threonyl-tRNA synthetase ( tars ) with a missense mutation. The abnormal branching of ISVs was caused by the increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A ( vegfa ) in tars cq16 mutant. Inhibition of Vegf signaling suppresses the abnormal vascular branching observed in tars cq16 mutant. Furthermore, injection of human TARS mRNA potently reduced the vascular aberrant branching in tars cq16 mutant, indicating a conserved function of tars in regulating angiogenesis between zebrafish and human. Therefore, we conclude that noncanonical function of tars regulates vascular development presumably by modulating the expression of vegfa . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Pt/m-Al 2 O 3 catalysts were prepared by vacuum impregnation method, which showed good activity and cycling stability. • By using benzaldehyde functionalization and bio-based α-amino-ε-caprolactam, benzyl-protected cyclic lysine was created, converting inexpensive renewable resources into high-value products. • Benzyl-protected cyclic lysine, which is then integrated into nylon-6 polymers, has the potential for antibacterial, flame retardant, and unique thermal properties. Functional nylon-6 polymers, particularly those with special properties such as antibacterial, flame retardant, and specialized thermal properties, have a wide range of applications. However, the efficient synthesis of these polymer monomers has long remained a challenge. Benzyl-protected cyclic lysine (BCL) is a potentially functional monomer, and this article proposes an efficient method for the synthesis of benzyl-protected cyclic lysine on a supported platinum catalyst. Compared to existing techniques, this approach offers higher synthesis efficiency and sustainability. Pt/ m -Al 2 O 3 (microspherical Al 2 O 3) catalysts were prepared using a vacuum impregnation method and showed good activity and selectivity in the production of benzyl-protected cyclic lysine. The conversion rate of α -amino- ε -caprolactam (α -ACL) was 100%, and the selectivity of BCL was 96.0%. The Pt/ m -Al 2 O 3 catalyst maintained good stability over multiple reaction cycles. The reaction mechanism and thermodynamics of functionalized α -ACL were also investigated. The copolymer synthesized with the prepared BCL showed similar structure and thermal stability to pure nylon-6, indicating possible unique functional properties. This study provides a route for the synthesis of cyclic lysine protected with various groups and its potential applications in the field of polymer chemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractFat deposition affects beef quantity and quality via preadipocyte proliferation. Beta-sitosterol, a natural small molecular compound, has various functions, such as anti-inflammation, antibacterial, and anticancer properties. The mechanism of action of Beta-sitosterol on bovine preadipocytes remains unclear. This study, based on RNA-seq, reveals the impact of Beta -sitosterol on the proliferation of bovine preadipocytes. Compared to the control group, Beta-sitosterol demonstrated a more pronounced inhibitory effect on cell proliferation after 48 hours of treatment than after 24 hours, as evidenced by the results of EdU staining and flow cytometry. RNA-seq and Western Blot analyses further substantiated these findings. Our results suggest that the impact of Beta-sitosterol on the proliferation of bovine preadipocytes is not significant after a 24-hour treatment. It is only after extending the treatment time to 48 hours that Beta-sitosterol may induce cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase by suppressing the expression of CCNB1, thereby inhibiting the proliferation of bovine preadipocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Fe-B catalyst was fabricated for electro-assisted heterogeneous activation of PMS. • Electric field could accelerate the Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox cycle. • The direct anodic oxidation and surface-bound radicals were responsible for AO7 decay. • Effects of important operational conditions on the AO7 abatement were explored. Heterogeneous catalytic oxidation based on iron species for peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation is considered as one of the most attractive strategies for wastewater treatment. However, the rate-limiting regeneration of Fe(II) from Fe(III) heavily hampers the efficient activation of PMS. In this study, the introduction of electric field to the Fe-supported bentonite (Fe-B) activated PMS process was proposed to enhance the Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox cycle. The Fe-B catalyst performed well in the removal of Acid Orange 7 (AO7) through the synergistic effect of electrolysis and the continuous redox cycle of Fe(III)/Fe(II) for PMS activation. The use of 0.5 g L−1 Fe-B catalyst and 10 mM PMS yielded nearly complete removal of the AO7 (50 mg L−1) in 60 min at 2 mA cm−2 of current density. Based on the results of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, chemical quenching tests, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis, and electrochemical measurements, the decolorization of AO7 was dominantly attributed to surface-bound radicals (SO 4 •− ads and •OH ads) and also the direct electron transfer at DSA anode. Moreover, the electro/Fe-B/PMS system showed an effective pH range from 2.6 to 9.0 and the abatement of AO7 was slightly affected in the presence of natural background anions. This work provides a feasible strategy of PMS activation by cost-effective Fe-B catalyst coupling with electric field and gives an insight into the accelerated oxidation of recalcitrant pollutants. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High‐density memory is integral in solid‐state electronics. 2D ferroelectrics offer a new platform for developing ultrathin electronic devices with nonvolatile functionality. Recent experiments on layered α‐In2Se3 confirm its room‐temperature out‐of‐plane ferroelectricity under ambient conditions. Here, a nonvolatile memory effect in a hybrid 2D ferroelectric field‐effect transistor (FeFET) made of ultrathin α‐In2Se3 and graphene is demonstrated. The resistance of the graphene channel in the FeFET is effectively controllable and retentive due to the electrostatic doping, which stems from the electric polarization of the ferroelectric α‐In2Se3. The electronic logic bit can be represented and stored with different orientations of electric dipoles in the top‐gate ferroelectric. The 2D FeFET can be randomly rewritten over more than 105 cycles without losing the nonvolatility. The approach demonstrates a prototype of rewritable nonvolatile memory with ferroelectricity in van der Waals 2D materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]