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In this work, we prepared a novel material of cobalt nanorods@ cobalt-platinum nanoparticles using a facile, green method. We used a hydrothermal method to first synthesize a cobalt nanorod, which was used as a substrate material on which a ZIF-67 MOF structure was controllably loaded, and then, platinum was loaded into the MOF using a redox substitution reaction, resulting in the formation of a new type of nanocomposites, cobalt nanorods@ cobalt-platinum nanoparticles. The composites were successfully doped with a small amount of precious metal platinum into cobalt nanorods @ cobalt MOF by replacement method, which combines the unique structure of cobalt nanorods, cobalt MOF and high electrocatalytic performance of platinum, realizes the organic combination of precious metal-transition metal and effectively improves the electrocatalytic performance of the composites. The novel composites Co NRs@Co 10 –Pt 1 NPs exhibit high catalytic activity and stability for the hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions, Tafel slopes is 25 mV dec−1 in HER and 56 mV dec−1 in OER. This work provides a new idea for the preparation step of novel transition metal-precious metal composites and contributes to the effective improvement of the material's performance in electrocatalytic water decomposition reaction. • Cobalt-platinum nanoparticles coated on cobalt nanorods. • Trace noble metal doping greatly improves electrocatalytic performance. • Nanorod structures and small-sized nanoparticles provide more active sites. • High electrocatalytic performance for oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dental anxiety is a widespread complication occurring in pediatric patients during dental visits and may lead to undesirable complications. Esketamine may be effective in anxiety. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of premedication with a dexmedetomidine-esketamine combination compared with dexmedetomidine alone on dental anxiety in preschool children undergoing dental treatment under general anesthesia. This is a prospective, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial. A total of 84 patients were scheduled for elective outpatient dental caries treatment under general anesthesia. Patients were randomly premedicated with intranasal dexmedetomidine (group D) or intranasal dexmedetomidine-esketamine (group DS). The primary outcome was the level of dental anxiety assessed by the Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale (MCDAS) at 2 h after surgery. Secondary outcomes included level of dental anxiety at 1 day and 7 days after surgery, the incidence of dental anxiety at 2 h, 1 day, and 7 days after surgery, sedation onset time, overall success of sedation, acceptance of mask induction, postoperative pain intensity, incidence of emergence agitation in PACU, adverse reactions, HR, and SpO2 before premedication (baseline) and at 10, 20, and 30 min after the end of study drug delivery. The dental anxiety in group DS was lower than that in group D at 2 h, 1 day, and 7 days postoperatively (P = 0.04, 0.004, and 0.006, respectively). The incidences of dental anxiety in group DS were lower than those in group D at 2 h (53 % vs 76 %, P = 0.03), 1 day (47 % vs 71 %, P = 0.04), and 7 days (44 % vs 71 %, P = 0.02) after surgery. Group DS had a higher success rate of sedation (P = 0.03) but showed a lower MAS score (P = 0.005) and smoother hemodynamics (P < 0.01) after drug administration than group D. Group DS showed a significantly lower incidence rate of emergence agitation (P = 0.03) and postoperative pain intensity (P = 0.006) than that in group D during the anesthesia recovery time. The occurrence of adverse reactions was similar in both groups (P > 0.05). We did not analyze and correct for the learning effect caused by repeated applications of the MCDAS and MCDAS scores on the 1 day after surgery were obtained by telephone follow-up. Compared to premedication with dexmedetomidine alone, premedication with intranasal dexmedetomidine combined with esketamine could significantly improve dental anxiety in preschool children undergoing dental treatment under general anesthesia. • Evidence regarding effects of esketamine on dental anxiety has been limited. • Intranasal dexmedetomidine combined with esketamine improves dental anxiety in children undergoing dental surgery. • Premedication with dexmedetomidine and esketamine reduces emergence agitation and postoperative pain in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we study the adequacy test of the partial functional linear model when the scalar predictors are measured with additive errors. Based on a corrected profile least-squares estimation of the null model, estimated residuals are first constructed, and a U-statistic-based test is proposed. The asymptotic properties of the test are investigated under the null and the alternative hypotheses. It is shown that the proposed test can control the type I error well, and its power performance is satisfactory. The finite sample performance of the proposed test is demonstrated through simulation studies and a real data analysis. • We study the adequacy test of partial functional linear models with additive errors. • A U-statistic-based test is proposed, and its asymptotic properties are proved. • The proposed test can control the type I error well, along with satisfactory power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we consider and analyze the stability of three implicit/explicit (IMEX) schemes for the time-dependent natural convection problem, these considered numerical schemes contain the first order backward Euler scheme, second order Crank-Nicolson IMEX scheme and BDF2-AB2 combination. All numerical schemes deal with the linear terms implicitly and the nonlinear terms explicitly. Then the original nonlinear problem is split into two linearized subproblems with constant coefficient matrixes, which reduces the computational complexity and saves a lot of storage. The biggest feature of this paper is to establish the unconditional stability of three IMEX schemes for incompressible flows, which improves and supplements the published theoretical findings. Finally, some numerical examples are provided to show the performances of the considered numerical schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a reflux solar methanol steam reforming reactor (SMSRR) system is proposed for efficient solar thermal hydrogen produced. A two-dimensional (2D) axisymmetric model is used to compare the comprehensive performance of three different SMSRRs: no reflux tube (SMSRR0), flow from the inside of the reflux tube to the outside (SMSRR1) and flow from the outside of the reflux tube to the inside (SMSRR2). The results showed that the reflux SMSRR uses the heat of the fluid at the outlet to further provide the reaction heat, which greatly reduces the outlet temperature, thereby improving the overall performance of the SMORE. By optimizing the diameter of the reflux tube and the operating conditions, the energy conversion rate can be increased by 19.5%, and the temperature distribution coefficients can be increased by 1.89% while the methanol conversion is increased by 6.43%, and the hydrogen yield is increased by 5.96%. • A new solar receiver-reactor of reflux structure is proposed. • A three-dimensional comprehensive model was established for solar receiver-reactors with secondary reflection.. • The optimized reflux reactor greatly reduces ΔT io , thereby improving the energy conversion efficiency. • The reflux structure in the optimized systems enables the reactor to obtain better uniformity of the temperature field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perturbation to the redox state accompanies many diseases and its effects are viewed through oxidation of biomolecules, including proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. The thiol groups of protein cysteine residues undergo an array of redox post-translational modifications (PTMs) that are important for regulation of protein and pathway function. To better understand what proteins are redox regulated following a perturbation, it is important to be able to comprehensively profile protein thiol oxidation at the proteome level. Herein, we report a deep redox proteome profiling workflow and demonstrate its application in measuring the changes in thiol oxidation along with global protein expression in skeletal muscle from mdx mice, a model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). In-depth coverage of the thiol proteome was achieved with >18,000 Cys sites from 5,608 proteins in muscle being quantified. Compared to the control group, mdx mice exhibit markedly increased thiol oxidation, where a ∼2% shift in the median oxidation occupancy was observed. Pathway analysis for the redox data revealed that coagulation system and immune-related pathways were among the most susceptible to increased thiol oxidation in mdx mice, whereas protein abundance changes were more enriched in pathways associated with bioenergetics. This study illustrates the importance of deep redox profiling in gaining greater insight into oxidative stress regulation and pathways/processes that are perturbed in an oxidizing environment. [Display omitted] • Deep redox profiling results in stoichiometric quantification of thiol oxidation for >18,000 Cys sites in muscle. • Thiol redox changes were much more pronounced than protein abundance changes for the overlapping set of proteins. • Redox changes are most significant in coagulation and immune response pathways. • Protein abundance changes are pronounced in bioenergetic pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Highlighting important role of N-myristoyltransferases in non-small cell lung carcinogenesis. • Showed that NMT1 and NMT2 act as tumor-suppressors in NSCLC. • Discovered that NMT1 is able to interact with NMT2 through their initial 10aa, and promotes NMT2 expression by enhancing its stability. • Unravel a novel mechanism that oncogenic miR-182 regulates both NMT1 and NMT2, and controls N-myristoylation level in NSCLC. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for about 80% of lung cancer diagnoses across the world. Despite recent appreciable improvements in treatment plans for patients with NSCLC, the prognosis for those with the cancer still remains poor. Recently, a growing number of studies have shown that N-myristoyltransferases (NMTs) may be critical in carcinogenesis, however, the functional and clinical significance of this pathway in NSCLC remains unclear and requires further research. Initially, we evaluated the expression levels of NMT1 or NMT2 in a clinical cohort comprising of 303 paired primary NSCLC tissues and matched normal mucosae by using ELISA. We subsequently performed a tissue microarray analysis (TMA) to confirm its expression pattern in an independent validation cohort (n = 78). Then, we used a publicly available KM plotter database (n = 1921) to evaluate the prognostic impact of NMT1 and NMT2 in NSCLC. Lastly, a series of in-vitro molecular/cellular and animal experiments were performed for mechanistic understanding of the role of N-myristoyltransferases in NSCLC. Our ELISA data revealed that the expression level of NMT1 and NMT2 was down-regulated in tumor tissues (n = 303, P < 0.0001), which was confirmed in an independent validation cohort by TMA (n = 78, P = 0.014 for NMT1 and P < 0.0001 for NMT2). On the other hand, patients with low expression of NMT1 or NMT2 had shorter overall survival (P = 0.013, HR = 0.85 for NMT1; P = 0.00059, HR = 0.8, for NMT2). Mechanistically, we revealed that the interaction and co-localization of NMT1 and NMT2 in NSCLC, and N-terminus of NMT1 and NMT2 was observed to be crucial for their interaction as well as for their catalytic activity. Moreover, we found that NMT1 can significantly promote the expression of NMT2 by enhancing its stability. We corroborated these findings by performing functional assays in which the knockout of NMT1 and NMT2 resulted in enhanced cell proliferation, migration and invasion as well as increased tumor xenograft growth. In addition, we identified miR-182 as a novel regulator of both NMT1 and NMT2. More specifically, the overexpression or inhibition of miR-182 modulated globe N-myristoylation level, contributed to phenotypic alterations in NSCLS cells. NMT1 and NMT2 can act as potential tumor suppressors in NSCLC, and the inhibition of miR-182 expression or therapeutic NMTs replenishment may be a promising treatment option for patients with NSCLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Serum uric acid (SUA) is a major cause of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Whether and to what extent the excess risk of enlarged perivascular spaces (EPVS) conferred by SUA is unknown. The study was conducted to investigate the association between SUA and EPVS in different brain regions. Data are from Multi-modality medical imaging study based on Kailuan study (META-KLS) in this cross-sectional study. Participants were divided into five groups based on SUA levels, and EPVS in basal ganglia (BG), centrum semiovale (CSO) and midbrain (MB) was systematically assessed and divided into Low and High group. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for high EPVS outcomes were estimated using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) was used to further investigate dose-response relationship. A total of 1014 participants aged 25–83 years from 11 centers were enrolled in the study. In the multivariable-adjusted model, SUA, as an independent risk factor, correlated positively with high degree of MB-EPVS (OR, 1.002; 95% CI, 1.000 to 1.004; p = 0.023) in general population. In addition, RCS further demonstrated the linear association between SUA and MB-EPVS (p = 0.072). No association was found between SUA and BG-EPVS or CSO-EPVS. SUA was an independent risk factor of MB-EPVS. High SUA levels were more predictive of increased risk occurrence of high degree of MB-EPVS, supporting a linear association between SUA and MB-EPVS and further indicating that SUA may play an important role in cerebral small vessel disease. The KaiLuan Study and META-KLS were registered online (ChiCTR2000029767 on chictr.org.cn and NCT05453877 on Clinicaltrials.gov , respectively). • The first clinical research on the relationship between SUA and EPVS in different brain regions in general population. • Elevated SUA levels were positively correlated with the risk occurrence of high degree of MB-EPVS in general population. • This prompts that SUA plays an important role in CSVD, and it is necessary to further study its underlying pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Multiscale calculations are performed to investigate electrified electrode–electrolyte interfaces for each of the 22 electrodes. • Three distinct types of charge state variations for metal ions dissolution are identified. • The non-integer equilibrium charge state of Copper (Cu) in an electrolyte is discovered. • A novel criterion for predicting the equilibrium charge states of ions in an electrolyte is proposed. The well-established phenomenon of solute atom dissolution from metal surfaces and their conversion into ions, with integer charges, as electrode potential increases has long been recognized. However, a critical question arises regarding the capability of Density Functional Theory (DFT) computations in predicting ions with integer charge states, given their reliance on probabilistic electron representations. This study introduces a more sophisticated perspective through comprehensive first-principles/continuum calculations, exploring the dissolution and deposition processes of 22 distinct metal elements across a broad range of applied electrode potentials. The outcomes illuminate three distinct dissolution models for various metals, thus offering fresh insights into this intricate phenomenon. Firstly, solute atoms exhibit an integer charge state following an integer-valence jump, aligning with classical understandings. Secondly, solute atoms attain an eventual integer valence, yet their charge state increases in a non-integer manner during dissolution. Lastly, we observe solute atoms exhibiting a non-integer charge state, challenging classical understandings. Furthermore, we propose a theoretical criterion for determining the selection of ion valence during electrode dissolution under applied potential. This discovery provides a novel perspective on our understanding of ion charge states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The hydrogel achieved sustained release of two types of nanoparticles (NPs). • The 4T1 tumor cell-targeted NPs executed an enhanced photodynamic therapy. • The tumor-associated macrophage-targeted NPs activated the STING pathway. • Hydrogel system achieved potent treatment of "cold" triple-negative breast cancer. The immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) in "cold" triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) leads to resistance to current immunotherapies. Here, we designed an in-situ hydrogel reservoir to deliver two types of nanoparticles (NPs) targeting 4T1 tumor cells and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) for cancer cell elimination and reversal of the immunosuppressive TME. The 4T1 tumor cell-targeted NPs could specifically deliver the mitochondria-targeted photosensitizer and catalase into 4T1 tumor cells to execute an enhanced photodynamic therapy and induce immunogenic cell death. The TAMs-targeted NPs delivered the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) agonist into macrophages to activate the STING pathway, triggering a type I interferon-driven innate immune response that induces a shift to a "hot" T cell-inflamed TME. This local synergistic therapy could effectively stimulate dendritic cell activation and the continuous T-cell infiltration, thereby reprograming the immunosuppressive TME, reinvigorating a powerful anti-tumor immune response and inhibiting tumor growth and metastasis in TNBC tumor model. In addition, this study combined with immune checkpoint blockade further achieves reinforced therapeutic outcome against "cold" tumor, providing a promising hydrogel-mediated platform for treatment of TNBC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Inspired by spider silk, adipic dihydrazide bearing two hydrazide groups was introduced to provide multiple hydrogen bonding sites between polymer chains. • Self-healing polydimethylsiloxane built via the synergistic effect of multiple hydrogen bonds and dynamic disulfide bonds presented outstanding tensile stress and ultrahigh mechanical toughness. • The prepared polydimethylsiloxane exhibit tunable properties by adjusting the AD ratio. • This supramolecular polydimethylsiloxane were beneficial to prepare flexible bifunctional sensor with excellent sensing properties. Self-healing and recyclable polymer elastomers are being developed to provide new prospects in building sustainable societies. Nevertheless, the synthesis of such materials still poses a significant difficulty because of the conflicting requirements between the self-healing ability and mechanical robustness for the dynamicity of crosslinks. Herein, a self-healing and recyclable supramolecular polydimethylsiloxane with outstanding tensile stress and ultrahigh mechanical toughness is constructed by synergistically incorporating dynamic disulfide bonds and multiple hydrogen bonds into a siloxane chain. The adipic dihydrazide (AD) bearing two hydrazide groups is appropriate introduced to provide multiple hydrogen bonding sites between polymer chains and improve the mechanical robustness of the crosslinked structure. The aromatic disulfide bonds contribute to shorter healing time due to the elevated dynamicity of the crosslinked network. The resulting elastomers exhibit high tensile strength (6.44 ± 0.24 MPa), distinguished toughness (37.00 ± 0.85 MJ m−3), superior elastic restorability, outstanding self-healing capability (∼86 %) and multiple recyclability. Furthermore, a bifunctional sensor based on this elastomer is constructed to monitor human motions and pressure changes, demonstrating the potential application in flexible stretchable electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve the water retention capacity and texture stability of tofu induced by glucose-δ-lactone (GDL) during frozen storage, the effect of adding polysaccharide was evaluated in this study. The results showed that when 3% curdlan was added, the water retention of tofu frozen at −18 °C for 4 weeks (64.42%) closely resembled that of unfrozen tofu (66.16%). Simultaneously, the texture of the tofu was notably conserved in comparison to the fresh tofu, and the gel network exhibited a persistent density and uniformity. There is a discernible difference between the freezing and thawing onset points of tofu with the incorporation of curdlan gum, and curdlan combines with water to fill in the interstitial spaces and pores of the protein network, which effectively hinders the migration and flow of water. Further infrared studies demonstrated that the hydrogen bonds in the network were strengthened, which contributed to the stability of the tofu structure integrity. Meanwhile, the further cross-linking of protein molecules in the gel network and the formation of rough networks during the freezing process were prevented. This study reveals that curdlan forms a robust, tightly bound association with water, generating an intricate and interwoven network alongside soymilk protein aggregates, empowering the frozen tofu to effectively retain its quality and texture, closely resembling that of the fresh tofu. [Display omitted] • The incorporation of curdlan enhanced the antifreeze ability of tofu. • The beneficial impact is substantial when the curdlan content approaches 2%. • The incorporation of curdlan inhibited water mobility and migration. • Hydrogen bonding promoted the formation of dual-network hydrogels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to the intricate nature of the ecological environment and spatial complexity, effectively mitigating over-exploitation and ecological harm poses a challenge during the development and construction of mountain scenic areas. Ttraditional ecological sensitivity assessment employed in mountain scenic areas mainly focuses on ecological protection, neglecting the dynamic interplay between ecology and the evolution of construction land.Taking Xiandu mountain scenic area, a representative mountainous development zone in Jinyun County, Lishui City, Zhejiang Province, China, as a study area, this study employs the minimum cumulative resistance model (MCR) to simulate the resistance encountered by ecological sources and construction activities during the expansion process. The study establishes an evaluation framework for development in mountain scenic areas, considering ecological processes both vertically and horizontally. Quantitative analyses are performed through ArcGIS and the analytic network process (ANP) to delineate development adaptability zones in the mountain scenic area. The study utilizes grid mutation points to determine the zoning threshold for development suitability in mountain scenic areas, resulting in the categorization of these areas into four distinct types of development zones: most appropriate for construction, suitable for construction, not suitable for construction, and least suitable for construction.The partition result shows that the most appropriate construction area constitutes 6.68% of the primary scenic area, while the suitable construction zone occupies 40.64% of the main scenic expanse.The study can expand the application area of the MCR model, and the evaluation framework can augment the accuracy and breadth for future mountain scenic area development researches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) composites have been studied using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to highlight the prospects for their applications. The terahertz dielectric properties and conductivity of PVC composites in the frequency window of 0.2–1.6 THz have been investigated. The universal dielectric response model has been applied to fit the real part of THz conductivity. It shows that a super-linear behavior is presented in the conductivity, and the conductivity can be tuned by varying the content of PVC and the type of composite. In addition, relationships are established among the types and concentrations as well as the dielectric properties and conductivity. These results are expected to be applied to the preparation of terahertz devices and to the monitoring of materials in industrial production. [Display omitted] • The dielectric properties and conductivity of PVC in THz regime have been tuned by blending plastics and fillers. • These properties of PVC/plastic composites vary with the concentration and type of plastic. • The dielectric loss and real conductivity of PVC/filler composites increase with increasing filler content. • THz-conductivity has been applied to fit the UDR model to investigate the conductivity mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micro Fuel cells or microfluidic fuel cells (μMFCs) are one of the most promising power supplies for portable electronics. However, the necessary electrode spacing is required to prevent fuel-crossover and maintain the stable operation, introducing the unavoidable ohmic resistance and retarding the miniaturization. Herein, we propose a novel μMFC device combining the cellulose paper as separator, with selective catalysts at the cathode side to eliminate the unwanted side reactions and increase the system compactness. One single reactant solution containing fuel and electrolyte is applied to keep the device stable operation. The power-generation properties are evaluated in typical alkaline conditions. A great construction simplification makes the device a substantial high-power density of 2.14 W cm−3 and maximum current density of 15.82 A cm−3. The μMFC stacks are arranged in series and parallel manners, which delivers a maximum power output of 23.6 mW and current of 194.6 mA. It is expected that innovative and customizable performance from commercial paper and low-cost carbonaceous catalysts can provide a forum for future advancement in chip-based electrochemical energy generation and storage devices. • Filter paper served as a membrane for μMFC is proposed. • The electrode-pair distance is greatly minimized (∼140 μm). • The optimized μMFC delivers an ultrahigh power density of 2.14 W cm−3. • The μMFC stacks power output of 23.6 mW and current output of 194.6 mA are achievable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Droplet entrainment offers paraffin fuels a regression rate of 3–4 times higher than classical polymer fuels, which is favorable for the hybrid rocket motor, however, the heterogeneous combustion reactions between droplets and oxidizer lead to a more complicated combustion mechanism. Combustion diagnosis was carried out for paraffin fuels combusted in a windowed 2D slab burner, and the boundary layer combustion was investigated by using high speed camera and schlieren in this study. The results showed that the presence of remarkable periodic flame and chamber pressure oscillation was due to the periodic accumulation and breakdown of liquid film layer; Kelvin−Helmholtz instability was a necessary but not the sufficient condition for droplet entrainment, and the critical oxidizer mass flux of Kelvin−Helmholtz instability and droplet entrainment was about 12.31 kg m−2 s−1 and 30.15 kg m−2 s−1; the thickness of turbulent boundary layer and the height of combustion flame were inversely correlated with the oxidizer mass flux, indicating the more efficient combustion under higher oxidizer mass flux; the entrainment droplets disappeared at elevated chamber pressures due to the inhibition of Kelvin−Helmholtz instability, meanwhile, the thickness of turbulent boundary layer was found to increase; entrainment droplets increased and the height of combustion flame decreased due to the acceleration of combustion reactions when the copper chromite was used as the combustion catalyst, which favored the enhancement of the regression rate of fuels and the combustion efficiency of hybrid rocket motors. • Remarkable periodic flame and chamber pressure oscillation during the combustion of paraffin fuels were found and analyzed. • Combustion flame and boundary Layer Characteristics for the stable combustion of paraffin fuels were studied. • Effect of oxygen mass flux, chamber pressure and catalysts on the combustion of paraffin fuels was investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spark plasma sintering (SPS) technique was found to effectively improve the mechanical properties of TiB 2 –SiC ceramic by forming a unique interlocking structure. This study investigated the phase transition process of the hexagonal micro-platelets TiB 2 powders with self-assembled structure during the molten-salt-mediated carbothermal reduction and its effect on promoting the mechanical properties of TiB 2 -based ceramics. It was found that the SPS approach ensured a highly densified TiB 2 –SiC ceramics with enhanced Vickers hardness of 21.0 ± 1.3 GPa and fracture resistance of 7.8 ± 0.3 MPa m1/2. The performance enhancement of the resultant TiB 2 –SiC composite was attributed to the interlocking structure from the original anisotropic TiB 2 powders, which could effectively absorb the energy and facilitate the crack deflection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Programming the shape of soft smart materials is a challenging task due to the enormous design space involved. In this study, we propose a novel approach to determine applied stimuli that enable the desired actuated shapes of soft smart materials. Our approach combines finite element methods (FEM), deep neural networks (DNN), and particle swarm optimization (PSO). By employing beams made of dielectric elastomer (DE) as models, we partition a DE beam into multiple actuating units, allowing independent actuation through the application of paired electrical stimuli. FEM is subsequently employed to compute the actuated shapes in response to various applied stimuli. The selection of these stimuli is accomplished through the utilization of Latin hypercube sampling. By utilizing the FEM-derived data, we have developed a machine learning (ML) surrogate model that integrates a long short-term memory (LSTM) network with a fully connected neural network (FCNN). Finally, PSO is employed to determine the optimal applied stimulus that yields the desired actuated shape. The LSTM-FCNN surrogate model is utilized to evaluate the fitness of PSO. The ML-PSO framework exhibits remarkable performance and efficiency in the context of the inverse design of soft smart beams. [Display omitted] • Nonlinear FEM is employed to accurately capture the relationship between the actuated shape and external stimuli of dielectric elastomers. • Machine learning surrogate models enable fast and highly accurate prediction of shape morphing. • The combination of particle swarm optimization and machine learning proves to be efficient in designing the shape of soft smart beams. • This approach can be applied to control soft beam robots under various types of stimuli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Mathematical modelling of oscillatory centrifugal acceleration was developed. • The centrifugal acceleration was tested on the basis of high-speed cameras. • The liquid in the macro-channel reaches 579.3 m/s2 centrifugal acceleration. • The centrifugal acceleration oscillates with a period of 8.2 ms. • Cyclone separation rate is 19,377 times faster than evaporation separation rate. Non-thermal cyclonic separation, driven by particle self-rotation and revolution, revolutionizes energy efficiency and pollution reduction. However, understanding fluid oscillation separation remains incomplete in terms of the mechanism. In this study, the liquid oscillation separation characteristics from particle macropores by cyclones were analysed by mathematical models and high-speed cameras. The coupled centrifugal acceleration of the liquid from the particle macropores can reach 579.3 m/s2 and oscillate with a period as short as 8.2 ms. At 25 ℃, the non-thermal separation efficiency of liquid from the particle macropores reached 92 % in just a few seconds by a cyclone. The rate at which the liquid in the particle macropores was separated by the cyclone can be up to 19,377 times the rate at which it was separated by evaporation. The feasibility of non-thermal oscillatory separation by cyclones is confirmed, offering a theoretical foundation for the separation of liquid in porous particles, such as sludge, biomass, and lignite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uranium leaching was influenced by multiphase flow and geological structure during in-situ recovery of uranium (ISRU). In this study, the characteristics of multiphase flow and pore structure responding to the alkaline ISRU was investigated, using a real-time triaxial coupling nuclear magnetic resonance experiment system. The component of leaching solute, flow regime and pore structure evolution was monitored online through the T 2 spectrum and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and corresponding coupling correlation of uranium recovery and pore conductivity was analyzed. The result demonstrates that the uranium sandstone was composed of micropore (1–10 ms), mesopore (10–100 ms), and macropore (>100 ms) corresponding to different relaxation times (ms). The uranium migration was mainly dominated by mesopore, and mineral dissolution and precipitation were influenced by micropore and macropore. Uranium recovery based on colloidal tetravalent and hexavalent uranium particles was exponentially correlated with the volume of leaching solution passed through the solute (solid phase/pores) and slightly contributed by the seal pore and matrix-bearing uranium. The physical migration, mineral dissolution, carbonate precipitation, and alternation by reactive transport occurred and was influenced by the hydrodynamic pressure. The dissolution of U, Ca, and Si experienced a dynamic period (0–5 PV), buffer period (5–37 PV), transition period (37–200 PV), and stable period (200–319 PV); peak concentration of U occurred at 5 PV, and 73.4% of uranium was recovered in the scope of 0–37 PV. Here, 1 PV represents the sample pore volume of 3.95 cm3. The porosity and permeability were enlarged under the influence of the chemical dissolution and physical migration, but decreased with the precipitation of CaCO 3 and SiO 2 colloids. Permeability and porosity exhibited a positive correlation with the volume of solution passed through in the range of 0–100 PV, but a negative correlation was observed in the range of 100–319 PV. The findings provide significant insight into ISRU engineering practice. • Dynamic multiphase flow and geological structure of uranium sandstone can be well described using online NMR system. • The ISRU sequentially dominated by physical displacement, mineral dissolution, carbonate precipitation and reactive transport process. • Maximum and minimum uranium recovery occurred at physical displacement and reactive transport processes, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A Prior-guided Gated Convolutional Network for rainstorm forecasting. • Modeling substantial derivatives of atmospheric dynamics as physical priors. • A novel gated convolutional encoder-decoder network to represent rainstorms. • Priors help make physically consistent & spatially-temporally coherent forecasts. Accurate rainstorm forecasting is crucial for the sustainable development of human society. Recently, machine learning-based rainstorm prediction methods have shown promising results. However, these methods often fail to adequately consider the prior knowledge of rainstorms and do not explicitly account for the dynamic spatio-temporal patterns of rainstorm events. This study introduces a novel end-to-end prior-informed rainstorm forecasting model that incorporates both fundamental physical priors and the spatio-temporal development patterns of rainstorms. The model utilizes a gated convolutional encoder-decoder network to effectively represent the spatio-temporal patterns of rainstorm events. A key component of the representation network is the Substantial Derivative-GuIded gated convolutional Unit (SDGiU), which updates latent states under the constraints of physical priors. Additionally, an integrated loss function is designed to minimize reconstruction errors on multiple scales and facilitate the generation of forecasts that reproduce the actual spatio-temporal patterns of rainstorm formation, development and dissipation. Experimental results on two reanalysis datasets show that the proposed forecasting model outperforms competing state-of-the-art baselines by at least 19.7% (15.0%) in overall Critical Success Index (Heidke Skill Score). Qualitative analysis indicates that the proposed model can generate predictions that are both physically consistent and spatially-temporally coherent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate meteorological simulations are important in response to the rapid climate change and insufficient meteorological observations in the Arctic. In this study, we assessed the performance of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model in simulating meteorological parameters at two Arctic stations (Barrow and Summit) in April 2019, by using measurements and statistical parameters. Sensitivity tests for different planetary boundary layer (PBL) schemes, four-dimensional data assimilation (FDDA) and sea surface temperature (SST) were also performed to reveal their impacts on the accuracy of model simulations. The results demonstrated that the WRF model performs the best in predicting the surface pressure but the worst in predicting the winds at these two stations. The sensitivity tests showed that among the four tested PBL schemes (ACM2, MYJ, BL and YSU), the model equipping with the MYJ scheme behaves the best in predicting the meteorological parameters especially the winds at these two Arctic stations. Applying FDDA nudging methods can also significantly increase the accuracy of simulations. In addition, we found that updating a time-varying SST in the model may bring a two-sided influence on meteorological simulations in the Arctic, especially at coastal stations. • MYJ scheme was found to perform the best in predicting the winds at the two Arctic stations. • Applying FDDA nudging methods decrease the deviations in simulations of meteorological parameters, especially the winds. • Updating the SST exerts a stronger impact on simulations at the coastal station than at the inland station. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oil fouling is the crucial issue for the separation of oil-in-water emulsion by membrane technology. The latest research found that the membrane fouling rate was opposite to the widely used theoretical prediction by Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) or extended DLVO (XDLVO) theory. To interpret the contradiction, the molecular dynamics was adopted to explore the molecular behavior of oil and emulsifier (Tween 80) at membrane interface with the assistance of DLVO/XDLVO theory and membrane fouling models. The decreased flux attenuation and fitting of fouling models proved that the existence of Tween 80 effectively alleviated membrane fouling. Conversely, DLVO/XDLVO theory predicted that the membrane fouling should be exacerbated with the increase of Tween 80 concentration in O/W emulsion. This contradiction originated from the different interaction energy between oil/Tween 80 molecules and polyether sulfone (PES) membrane. The favorable free energy of Tween 80 was resulted from the sulfuryl groups in PES and hydrogen bonds (O-H...O) formation further strengthened the interaction. Therefore, Tween 80 could preferentially adsorb on membrane surface and form an isolation layer by demulsification and steric hindrance and resist the aggregation of oil, which effectively alleviated membrane fouling. This study provided a new insight in the interpretation of interaction in O/W emulsion. [Display omitted] • Tween 80 enhanced the stability, homogeneity, stable flux of O/W emulsions. • Interaction energy of Tween-PES was at least 2 times higher than that of oil-PES. • Tween 80 shows favorable free energy and forms O-H...O bonds with sulfuryl groups. • MD interprets the contradiction between DLVO/XDLVO theory and fouling propensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It was well known that SPOP is highly mutated in various cancers especially the prostate cancer and SPOP mutation dramatically impaired its tumor suppressive function. However, the detailed role and underlying mechanisms of SPOP in regulating the growth of gastric cancer is not fully studied. Here, we found that Cullin3SPOP promoted the ubiquitination and degradation of TIAM1 protein in gastric cancer setting. Gastric cancer and prostate cancer derived SPOP mutation failed to suppress the proliferation, migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells partially due to the elevated level of TIAM1 protein. Notably, SPOP protein were negatively associated with TIAM1 protein in human gastric cancer tissue specimens. In conclusion, our results elucidate a molecular mechanism by which SPOP regulates the stability of TIAM1, and further demonstrate that SPOP inhibits the progression of gastric cancer by promoting the ubiquitination and degradation of TIAM1 protein. • High expression of TIAM1 promotes the biological behavior of gastric cancer. • Cullin3SPOP promoted the ubiquitination and degradation of TIAM1 protein in gastric cancer. • Gastric cancer and prostate cancer derived SPOP mutations cannot suppress tumorigenesis of gastric cancer. • SPOP inhibits tumorigenesis of gastric cancer partially through TIAM1 protein. • SPOP protein were negatively correlated with TIAM1 protein in human gastric cancer tissue [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • BiFeO 3 nanostructure can be modulated by substrate terrace morphology. • Wide and straight terrace favor the step-flow growth mode and nano-stripe structure formation. • Nano-maze structure and nanoisland structure perfer to grow on bunched terrace and narrow/rough terrace, respectively. • Tail-to-tail domain wall with enhanced conduction formed on nano-stripe structure. Topological domain structures, such as vortex and center domain have been found in BiFeO 3 nanoislands fabricated by self-assemble approaches, which exhibit great application potential in nonvolatile storage. However, how to control the self-assembled nanostructure during preparation process is still an open question. Here, we successfully grew BiFeO 3 films with nano-stripe, nano-maze and dense nanoisland structures on LaAlO 3 (0 0 1) substrate by pulsed laser deposition. We found the formation of different nanostructures is related to the terrace morphology of the substrate. Nano-stripe structure with strip domain and high conduction tail-to-tail domain wall preferred to form on wide terrace, nano-maze structure with three-fold or four-fold center-type domain usually form on bunched terrace, while dense nanoisland structure with two/three-fold domain preferred to from on the narrow or rough terrace LaAlO 3 substrate. These findings provide guidance for manipulating the ferroelectric topological domain structure during film preparation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-temperature particulate matter (PM), commonly produced by daily power generation, industrial smokestacks, and vehicle exhaust emissions, causes a significant risk to public health and environmental sustainability. The current strategy for solving these problems is to utilize adsorption filtration technology. In this work, we successfully constructed a bioinspired honeycomb structured aerogel with nano/micron fiber-reinforced polyimide gradient by using two strategies of fiber-reinforced filler and stepwise directional freezing technique. It overcomes the high shrinkage of polyimide aerogel and exhibits super elastic recovery performance without damage after 100 compression cycles at 50% strain, as well as high flame-retardancy and low thermal conductivity (32.14 mW m−1 K−1). Meanwhile, it shows excellent air filtration efficiency of about 97% and pressure drop of about 90 Pa after 50 cycles, as well as an excellent oil/organic solvent absorption performance and recoverability. In principle, the gradient structure with gradual change shows the "medium pore-small pore" cascade interception effect in the direction of airflow velocity propagation, which successfully achieves the selective and precise interception of polydisperse particles and the stratified accumulation of particles. It further significantly extends the filter service life and provides new insights into the upgrade of new high-temperature filters with significant research implications. [Display omitted] • A gradient polyimide aerogel is constructed by using fiber-reinforced filler and stepwise directional freezing technique. • The fiber-reinforced aerogel shows high mechanical stability and super elastic recovery performance. • It exhibits high flame retardancy and low thermal conductivity (32.14 mW (m K)−1). • The gradient aerogel shows an excellent air filtration efficiency of 97% and pressure drop of about 90 Pa after 50 cycles. • The large-scale preparation of aerogel is feasible due to simple methods and low-cost materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming to utilize coal gangue sand in structural concrete, this paper investigated the mechanical and environmental properties of the coal gangue sand concrete-filled steel tube (GSCFST) and reinforced gangue sand concrete (RGSC) stub columns. Axial compressive tests were conducted to study the effect of gangue sand replacement rate (r GS) on the mechanical performance and environmental impact of the stub columns. The results show that the failure patterns of GSCFST and RGSC are similar regardless of r GS. The reduction in the rigidity and ultimate bearing capacity of GSCFST is less than that of RGSC. When the replacement rate is 100%, the rigidity and ultimate bearing capacity of RGSC are reduced by 29.2% and 11.4% respectively, whilst those of GSCFST are 8.2% and 5.1% respectively. The ductility coefficient of RGSC shows no significant change under different gangue sand replacement rate. In contrast, the ductility of GSCFST is in an increasing trend with the increase of r GS , resulting from the stronger restraining effect of the steel tube on the core concrete of which compressive strength decreases with the increase in the replacement rate. Based on the tested results, a constitutive relationship of gangue sand concrete is used for numerical modelling. A design method of the ultimate bearing capacity for RGSC and GSCFSF is proposed by considering r GS. The predicted values differ from the tested and simulated values in the range of ± 10% and ± 6% for RGSC and GSCFST, respectively. The whole life cycle assessment (LCA) showed that r GS is positively correlated with willingness-to-pay (WTP) and negatively correlated with the axial strength of the two types of stub columns. The material strength and section diameter show the most positive effects on the mechanical-environmental (M-E) performance efficiency factor (k M-E). The k M-E of GSCFST is greater than that of RGSC under the same r GS. [Display omitted] • Gangue fine aggregate concrete is used in concrete-filled steel tube and reinforced concrete stubs. • The increase in r G S increases the ductility of the coal GSCFST. • Constitutive model of the gangue sand concrete is proposed. • Environmental impact of the GSCFST is less than that of the RGSC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• MnGe 4 single crystal was successfully synthesized by HPHT techniques. • The crystal structure of MnGe 4 was refined using single crystal X-ray diffraction. • MnGe 4 showed small magnetic moment of 1.5 μ B /Mn. • MnGe 4 is a magnetic material with small coercive field. In this study, the MnGe 4 single crystal sample has been synthesized by high-pressure and high-temperature (HPHT) techniques for the first time. And then its structure and magnetism were studied in detail. MnGe 4 was determined to crystallize into an orthorhombic structure (space group: Cmmm) by using the single crystal X-ray diffraction characterization. The dependence of magnetization on magnetic field and temperature show that MnGe 4 single crystal is ferromagnetic with a Curie temperature (T C) of 330 K and the effective magnetization moment of 1.58 μ B at T = 2 K and H = 4 T. The coercive force at 300 K is 19 Oe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The in-situ pore-fracture development is crucial for the methane drainage during underground mining. In this study, the dynamic characteristic and evolution mechanism of the internal pore-fracture structure located at the mining face were investigated by a self-developed true triaxial coupling nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiment system, considering the mining-induced in-situ stress. The mechanical response characteristics, pore-fracture distribution, morphology and connectivity of coal were analyzed through the T 2 spectrum and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The result shows that the pore-fracture of the coal is composed of adsorption pore (58%–67 %, AP＜1.5 ms), seepage pore (28%–43 %, 1.5 ms＜SP＜98 ms) and migration pore (2.3%–7.5 %, 98 ms＜MP). The compression, pore-dilation, and crack and fracture creation are successively occurred responding to the stress loading. The dynamic drop, slight increase and stabilization were sequentially presented in pore volume, while pore distribution gradually approached the homogeneity, which was mainly contributed by the evolution of SP and MP. The development-, transformation- and mixture-type pore-fracture, occurred at lower in-situ stress (LISS), middle in-situ stress (MISS), and high in-situ stress (HISS), was dominated by the SP-MP, AP-SP-MP, and SP-MP respectively. The fractal dimension experienced the sharp drop, dynamic increase and dramatic decrease with the dynamic- and slight-variation amplitude were observed at LISS, HISS and MISS, respectively. A slight increase of the number in connected channels was formed by the transformation-dependent AP and mixture-dependent AP and MP for LISS and HISS, while the dynamic increase of connective channel was created by the developed crack and fracture. The optimal methane channels were presented the elastic-plastic period with mature SP-MP pore-fracture in HISS, AP in MISS, and SP-MP in LISS. The finding provides insight into the co-mining of coal and methane. • The Self-developed true triaxial coupling nuclear magnetic resonancesystem can well describe the pore-fracture evolution. • The development-, transformation- and mixture- type pore-fracture were successively presented during the loading process. • The optimal methane channel was occurred at elastic-plastic period with well developed pore. • The migration-, diffusion- and seepage- type methane drainage were occurred at lower-, middle-, and high- in-situ stress respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The migration and distribution of oil in oil-bearing coal significantly influence the gas drainage and gas-outburst control during mining activity. To quantitative describe the oil/gas migration and morphology in mining-induced fractured, the triaxial seepage experiment was conducted considering the mining-induced redistributed stress, and the self-developed online low field nuclear magnetic resonance triaxial seepage system (LF-NMR) was employed. The stress-fracture-seepage field evolution was monitored and corresponding coupling mechanism was analyzed based on the T 2 spectrum, MRI and stress-strain response. The pore-fracture was composed of macropore (>10 m s), mesopore (1–10 m s) and micropore (0.01–1 m s), and experienced rapid compaction, stable reduction and rebound stage, which was mainly contributed by the macropore. The coal experienced compression, elastic, elastic-plastic, plastic-failure state with the increase of vertical stress, and continuously created tensile stress-dependent, tensile stress and shear stress-dependent, and shear stress-dependent pore-fracture structure under the confined pressure of 18 MPa, 10/14 MPa, and 2/6 MPa. The vertical stress triggered the pore-fracture development, and confined pressure controlled the pore-fracture distribution and morphology. As the unloading of confined pressure, the horizontal deflection of fracture angle was increased, fracture size was decreased, and the conductivity channel for oil/gas migration experienced "compacting channeling " (10–18 MPa), "optimal channeling" (10 MPa) and "gas channeling " (2–10 MPa) with corresponding oil recovery of 35 %, 40 % and 20 %. The gas drainage experienced lower stable state, dynamic peak state, and re-lower state, and the maximum methane concentration of 70 % and discharge of 0.9 m3/min presented ahead of the mining face around 20 m in engineering practice. The findings provide insight into the co-mining of coal, gas and oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Boronized Ti6Al4V/FHA composites were prepared by microwave sintering of mixed powders of Ti6Al4V, TiB 2 , and synthesized fluorine-substituted hydroxyapatite (FHA) with variable compositions at 1050 °C for 30 min. The unique "lens effect" of microwave facilitated the in-situ transformation of nanoscale TiB 2 into TiB, serving as the reinforcing phase within the composites. Increasing the theoretical fluorine substitution percentage of FHA from 0% to 50% caused less thermal decomposition of hydroxyapatite during sintering, promoting densification and thereby mechanical properties of the composites. However, elevating the substitution percentage to 100% led to excessive grain growth and FHA agglomeration, deteriorating the composite mechanical performance. The boronized Ti6Al4V/FHA composite produced using FHA with the theoretical fluorine substitution of 50% exhibited the highest compressive strength (397.7 MPa), proper compressive modulus (10.65 GPa) and maximum microhardness (385.3 HV). Furthermore, it showed excellent hydrophilicity and good cell adhesion, confirming its superior bioactivity for dental applications. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two-step carbonization method was reported to synthesize Co–N doped coal tar pitch (CTP) carbon-based electrocatalysts with hierarchical pore structure, high local order degree and efficient Co-N x active structure simultaneously. The synergistic effect of the carbon substrate with highly ordered structure and the Co-N x active sites realized the "Point discharge effect". The π-π interactions from the CTP aromatic ring sheets and Co-N x promoted the adsorption and dissociation of oxygen molecules, respectively. The increased diffusion coefficient (D 0) indicated the mass transfer of oxygen molecules in the boundary layer was enhanced during the ORR process. Thanks to excellent structural characteristics, ACTP 5 @Co,N-800 exhibited better ORR performance than commercial Pt/C catalyst under alkaline conditions, and the OER activity was improved simultaneously. This work demonstrated a simple and practical strategy for the development of advanced carbon-based electrocatalysts, and also provided novel insights from kinetics perspectives for improving electrocatalytic efficiency. Image 1 • Two-step carbonization solves the contradiction between doping and ordering. • Ordered carbon and the Co-Nx site synergistic realize the "point discharge effect". • Multiscale structures enhance boundary layer mass transfer and electron gain and loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complicated seismic response of earth slopes and the transition mechanism from progressive to catastrophic motion of landslides have long been recognized as one of the most challenging research topics in geotechnical earthquake engineering. In this paper, this fundamental conundrum will be tentatively unveiled from a new perspective combining the seismic slope displacement analysis with (mechanical) dynamic porewater pressure feedback of the shear band soils against the earthquake excitation. We present both the conceptual scheme and the calculation framework to numerically study the dynamic changes of porewater pressure, shear strength parameters, and hydraulic properties of the shear band soils. Their significant influences to the change of earthquake-induced landslide movement modes are systematically investigated. Different dilation angles are chosen to characterize the shear dilation and shear contraction processes in the shear band soil, while the dynamic porewater pressure feedback in the shear band soil during the continuous seismic displacement is investigated. The results show that the seismic slope displacement and failure strongly depend on the mechanical feedback of the shear band soil. When the dilation angle is positive, the porewater pressure feedback in the shear band during the slope movement is negative, and the effective resistance stress increases, which is not susceptible to catastrophic motion. On the other hand, when the dilation angle is negative, the positive porewater pressure feedback may lead to catastrophic failure. At last, the effects of shear softening/hardening combined with dilation angle evolution on the ultimate slope movement mode are also put forward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Early asymptomatic cork spot disorder of "Akizuki" Pear was diagnosed by NIR model. • A transfer method named Trans_NIR with introducing NAS was proposed for NIR. • Trans_NIR with SG and VN pretreatment performed the best for predicting asymptomatic. "Akizuki" pear cork spot disorder is a physiological disease, the ability to effectively diagnose the diseased fruit can directly affect the fruit quality. To improve the diagnostic performance of asymptomatic samples, this paper proposes a novel spectral transfer modelling method based on neural network architecture searching, named TranNAS_NIR. The experiments show that the model by the proposed TranNAS_NIR method is more effective. The accuracy of the target domain test set reaches 82.61%, which is 5.3% better than the model with transfer component analysis (TCA) and 10.5% better than the model constructed only relying on the target domain data and without the transfer learning method. The novel transfer method with neural network architecture search proposed in this paper for the asymptomatic prediction model of "Akizuki" pear cork spot disorder also further provides a theoretical basis for the NIR model improvement of other asymptomatic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The creation of specific recognition-based nanofunctionalized cell is proposed. • Cell surface proteins, oligosaccharides and artificial specific sites are summarized. • The design of the next-generation of precise nanofunctionalized cells is inspired. Specific recognition sites exist in cells to bring about encapsulation and consequent enhancements in stability and selectivity. Methods to create nanofunctionalized cells have been developed to heighten the stability of biological cells or endow them with functionality required for special applications. A variety of specific recognition-based strategies have been developed for precisely designing nanofunctionalized cells. In this review, recent studies leading to the development of approaches to fabricate nanofunctionalized cells are presented. The new approaches take advantages of various sites which are either native to cells or can be installed by using various techniques. Included in the group of sites that have been advantageously utilized for creating nanofunctionalized cells are cell surface proteins, oligosaccharides and artificial sites introduced around cells. Relationships between applications and the design of materials for functionalizing cells are also discussed. The investigation demonstrates that nanofunctionalized cells designments based on specific recognition is a promising strategy that will be employed in future complex applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synaptojanin proteins are evolutionarily conserved regulators of vesicle transport and membrane homeostasis. Disruption of synaptojanin function has been implicated in a wide range of neurological disorders. Synaptojanins act as dual-functional lipid phosphatases capable of hydrolyzing a variety of phosphoinositides (PIPs) through autonomous SAC1 -like PIP 4-phosphatase and PIP 2 5-phosphatase domains. The rarity of an evolutionary configuration of tethering two distinct enzyme activities in a single protein prompted us to investigate their individual and combined roles in budding yeast. Both PIP and PIP 2 phosphatase activities are encoded by multiple gene products and are independently essential for cell viability. In contrast, we observed that the synaptojanin proteins utilized both lipid-phosphatase activities to properly coordinate polarized distribution of actin during the cell cycle. Expression of each activity untethered (in trans) failed to properly reconstitute the basal actin regulatory activity; whereas tethering (in cis), even through synthetic linkers, was sufficient to complement these defects. Studies of chimeric proteins harboring PIP and PIP 2 phosphatase domains from a variety of gene products indicate synaptojanin proteins have highly specialized activities and that the length of the linker between the lipid-phosphatase domains is critical for actin regulatory activity. Our data are consistent with synaptojanin possessing a strict requirement for both two-domain configuration for some but not all functions and provide mechanistic insights into a coordinated role of tethering distinct lipid-phosphatase activities. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Doping heteroatoms increased the heterogeneity of surface charge distribution in biochar. • The heteroatom-doped biochar demonstrated improved atrazine adsorption ability. • The electron transfer mechanism of the heteroatom-doped biochar/PDS system was elucidated. • The heteroatom-doped biochar/PDS system reduced the phytotoxicity of atrazine. Biochar activated with peroxydisulfate (PDS) has been widely applied in the removal of recalcitrant organic pollutants in the environment, but its wide application is limited by expensive and complex preparation process. In this study, a nitrogen and boron-doped silicon-rich biochar (NBC) was prepared by one-pot synthesis using fungus chaff of Auricularia auricula , diatomite, urea and boric acid as raw materials. The results showed that the specific surface area of NBC was 9 times that of the original, the adsorption capacity of ATZ was increased by 8 times, PDS could be effectively activated, and the removal efficiency of ATZ was as high as 98%. Density functional theory analysis proved that NBC had a lower energy barrier and a higher probability of activating PDS, thereby degrading ATZ through a non-radical pathway dominated by electron transfer. Hydroponic and pot experiments showed that NBC/PDS system effectively restored the growth status, leaf and root morphology, and chlorophyll content of plants, demonstrating the ability to efficiently remediate the toxicity of ATZ on soybean seedlings. This study not only proposed a novel biochar material as an efficient PDS activator but also provided new insights into the practical application of heteroatom-doped carbon catalysts for activating advanced oxidation processes in pollutant degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Probiotics can enhance the health of the host by maintaining the balance of intestinal flora, but probiotic foods like yogurt have insufficient viable counts to reach prebiotic effects. To take advantage of probiotics, probiotics are fitted into sealed microcapsules in the size range of a few microns. Designing cytoprotective nanocoatings for probiotics is a promising strategy, as it addresses the limitations of microencapsulation including lack of particle size control, easy leak, and low in vivo efficiency. Probiotics by nanoencapsulation are based on the formation of nanocoating around individual probiotic cells, which can design specific nanocoating to protect probiotics and directly develop their advantages on the intestinal tract. Initially, this review delves into the issues for the application of probiotics and highlights the necessity of selecting cytoprotective nanocoating for probiotics. Furthermore, the method of major encapsulated probiotics utilizing nanocoating was introduced. Lastly, the challenges of nanocoating for probiotics are discussed. Nanoencapsulation is a technique used to coat probiotics with nanomaterials, which enhances the bioavailability of drugs and expands their potential applications. The two main methods of encapsulating probiotics into nanocoating are biological and non-biological membranes. Despite some challenges in the production process (such as the security and complexity of the production process in further practical application), nano-coated probiotics are a promising approach for developing next-generation therapeutics that can be used for synergistic treatment and prevention. [Display omitted] • This review summarized the necessity of selecting nano-armor for probiotics. • The strategies of nano-armor for probiotics mainly contain biological and non-biological membranes. • Design nano-armor for probiotics is a promising method to increase the possibility of the delivery system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the feasibility of developing sustainable engineered cementitious composite (ECC) with polyvinyl alcohol fibre (PVAF) and recycled tyre steel fibre (RTSF) to reduce the total cost of construction materials and ease the environmental pressure for disposing of waste tyres, putting an emphasis on the engineering properties, impact resistance and environmental assessment. Experimental results reveal that partially replacing PVAF with RTSF can reduce the loss in fluidity and promote flexural performance, while the fibre bridging stress of ECC can reach up to 4.41 MPa because of the enhanced fibre bridging effect. The dynamic compressive properties of ECC present a typical strain rate effect regardless of the fibre content, and the replacement of 0.25 vol% RTSF would cause a further 5.03%–25.55% increase in total dissipation energy within the strain rates of 58.2–124.5 s−1, relative to ECC reinforced by 2.0 vol% PVAF. The synergetic effects of hybrid fibres on dynamic compressive properties of ECC can be explained by the bridging and pull-out effects of PVAF at lower strain rates, as well as the enhanced fibre-to-matrix bonding of hydrophilic RTSF at relatively higher strain rates. Upcycling of waste steel fibres in ECC holds promise as a cost-effective and eco-friendly solution for defence engineering constructions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The newly synthesized benzoxazole liquid crystals that display a wide nematic mesophase. • Target compounds show large birefringences (Δn) large negative Δ ε , which is an uncommon property for heterocyclic liquid crystals. • Target compounds can endow the commercial negative LC mixtures with large Δ n and FoM values. We synthesized heterocyclic liquid crystals with large birefringence and negative dielectric anisotropy, namely, 5–4-(2-(4-(alkoxy)phenyl)-2,3-difluorophenyl)benzo(d)oxazole derivatives (nPFO). These compounds display enantiotropic nematic mesophases with wide mesophase range of 45.9–84.0 °C (heating process) and 61.3–119.6 °C (cooling process). Compared with reference analogues of traditional benzoxazole compound 6PFB with different orientation of benzoxazole-terminated structure, the compounds nPFO roughly give lower melting points and clearing points because of their increased dihedral angle. Meanwhile, compounds nPFO show obviously large birefringence (Δn, 0.28–0.39 and 0.39–0.48 for experimental measurement and DFT theoretical calculation, respectively) due to the enhanced π-conjugation caused by the ethynyl bridge group in molecules. Benefitting from the larger perpendicular dipole moments and orientation angles, nPFO displays negative dielectric anisotropy (Δɛ) ranging from −3.60 to −4.10. These compounds can endow a commercial negative LC mixture the larger Δ n and higher values of figure of merit, suggesting they are suitable dopant to further improve the performance of some commercial LC mixtures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synthetic sphene powder (SSP) was prepared using TiO 2 , CaCO 3 and SiO 2 via a solid-phase method, and used as an opacifier for sanitary ceramics. The raw materials were calcined at 1200 °C for 2 h, yielding SSP with a main component of sphene and a trace of cristobalite, but no free TiO 2. In the optimal conditions of 12% added SSP, calcination temperature of 1100 °C, and holding time of 4 h, the ceramic glaze exhibited high whiteness. The SSP opacifier effectively inhibited the glaze yellowing that occurs when directly adding TiO 2 as an opacifier as there was no free TiO 2 transformed to rutile at high-temperature calcination. This study provides a feasible solution for the problem of glaze yellowing in substitution of TiO 2 for ZrSiO 4 opacifiers in sanitary ceramics, improving the quality of ceramic glazes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A comprehensive thermal hydraulic model of the solar field has been established. • An improved operation strategy of the plant has been developed. • The mechanism of optimization has been detailed explained. • The best operation strategy with nonuniform and degraded collectors has been chosen. In a commercial parabolic trough solar power plant (PTSPP), the solar field (SF) is large-scaled and consists of hundreds of parabolic trough collector (PTC) loops. The PTSPP performance is determined by an appropriate operation strategy of the SF, which is implemented by adjusting the outlet temperature, the flowrate, and the flow distribution through the valves and pump to make the PTSPP output cost-effective. Majority of the published literature study the behavior of the SF with an assumption that all the PTC loops have uniform perfect performance. Due to the lack of appropriate model and algorithm, although operating with nonuniform and degraded PTCs is inevitable for a realistic SF, there is scarcely any literature studies how to develop an optimal operation strategy under this situation. The present paper aims at solving this problem by establishing a PTSPP model and developing an improved operation strategy (IOS). The PTSPP model consists of an improved thermal hydraulic model of the SF and a simplified but effective model of the power block, and the IOS combines the features of both global and distributed operation strategy. Based on the model and the IOS, the mechanism of optimization is illustrated in a uniform case, and then according to the comparison and analysis, the most appropriate strategy for the nonuniform case is determined among three representative strategies. Compared with the traditional operation strategy, the chosen strategy can improve the net electric generation by 3.4% with the low computational cost and good engineering feasibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sleep disorders may exacerbate many physical and mental health conditions, causing difficulty function in a healthcare setting. Workers screening for the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection have a high risk of not only occupational exposure to the virus but also sleep disorders. However, the job-related factors associated with reduced sleep quality remain unclear.Methods: All healthcare workers temporarily scheduled to screen the 2019-nCoV patients were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire that included questions on demographics, job-related factors, and sleep quality as assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Sleep quality was assessed over a one-month follow-up period.Results: A total of 116 doctors and 99 nurses were recruited for this study. The total scheduled work time was 14.78 ± 6.69 days during follow-up. Some job-related factors, such as number of work days, years of work experience, and subjective psychological stress, were associated with changes in the PSQI score. During the study, some workers tried out cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for sleep disorders using methods that were available online and easily accessible. Adopting online CBT was shown to be associated with scores of components of sleep quality, sleep latency, and sleep disturbance (β = -0.152, P = 0.01; β = -0.175, P = 0.008; and β = -0.158, P = 0.011, respectively).Conclusions: Healthcare workers involved in screening for 2019-nCoV experienced reduced sleep quality, and a reasonable work schedule may help with maintaining sleep quality. In addition, interventions for healthcare workers should target self-help sleep assistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The effect of fuel prices on traffic flows in New South Wales is studied. • The dataset consists of 11.9 million observations. • The average gasoline price elasticity of hourly traffic flows is −0.04. • The gasoline price elasticity of weekday peak-period traffic flows is positive. • Higher fuel prices lead to faster travel speeds in peak afternoon periods. Understanding how traffic flows respond to fuel price changes is useful for traffic management. This study uses a dataset of 11.9 million hourly observations from 118 traffic count stations over 2010–2017 to investigate the relationship between gasoline prices and traffic flows in the state of New South Wales, Australia. The findings suggest that higher gasoline prices reduce traffic flows, with an average effect size of −0.04 in the hourly estimates. The elasticity is particularly pronounced during off-peak periods, both on weekdays (−0.10) and weekends (−0.07). In contrast, a positive effect of gasoline prices on traffic flows is observed for peak periods on weekdays (0.06). Evidence is also obtained that afternoon peak-hour speeds are faster when gasoline prices are higher, consistent with a lowering of traffic density. The research also finds a negative price elasticity of gasoline demand and that people are more likely to use public transport when gasoline prices are higher. The findings suggest that fuel excise plays a role in both reducing overall road dependence and alleviating the severity of some peak-hour traffic jams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

WCoB based cermet is a potential hard alloy to replace WC-Co cermets with high hardness and corrosion resistance. WCoB based cermets with different Cr doping contents were fabricated by spark plasma sintering in liquid phase sintering stage. The densification behavior, phase composition, microstructure and mechanical properties of Cr doped WCoB cermets were investigated by XRD, EDS and SEM. Due to the lower density of Cr, the density of WCoB cermets decreased with the increasing of Cr doping content. The phase composition consisted of Cr doped WCoB, unreacted W, Co–Cr binary binder phase. When the doping content exceeded 11.736 wt%, the Cr enrichment zones appeared, which was harmful to the TRS. The increasing of Cr doping content contributed to the increase of unreacted W phases content and the formation of pores. The maximum value of Vickers hardness was 1751 Hv0.5 at 9.356 wt% Cr doping content. The variation trend was explained by first principle calculation, which is consistent with Hv-Zhou hardness model. • The Cr doped WCoB cermets were studied by SPS in liquid sintering stages. High Cr doping content leaded to the increment of hardness and the formation of Cr enrichment zones. • The first-principle calculation was performed to study the hardness of Cr doped WCoB structures by four hardness models. • EDS analysis indicated similar variation trend of theoretical hardness and experimental hardness, which proved the correctness of first principle calculation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A novel bio-inspired cement-based composite system is proposed. • The self-retardant mechanism of APP-PER-EN composite is introduced in detail. • The thermal behavior of APP-PER-EN composite is characterized. • One-side heating tests are conducted to reveal the interaction of novel system. The mechanical properties of concrete can degrade significantly under high temperature, posing a threat to the safety of structures. In this work, a novel bio-inspired cement-based composite material that can improve the fire resistance of engineering structures is put forward. This bio-inspired cementitious system, which functions in a manner similar to that of sweat glands and skin in the human body, consists of APP-PER-EN composite, synthetic reinforcing fibers, and concrete binder. The APP-PER-EN composite is mainly composed of ammonium polyphosphate, pentaerythritol, and melamine, with low-density polyethylene as the base material, which is prepared by melt compounding in a twin-screw extruder followed by grain cutting molding technique. At the micro level, multiple analysis methods are used, including X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared ray, thermo-gravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimeter, and scanning electron microscopy, to characterize the thermal and flame retardant behavior of this novel composite. At the macro level, the one-side heating tests indicate that the thermally triggered fire-resistant system can exhibit significant thermal insulation effect through melting, connecting, foaming, and overflowing. Therefore, the novel composite system is expected to exhibit a promising prospect in the fire resistance of engineering structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

WCoB based cermets were prepared by spark plasma sintering at sintering temperature among 600°C-1200 °C. The phase evolution was investigated by detecting density behavior, phase composition, microstructure and mechanical properties during sintering process. The sintering process can be divided into three stages: powder densification, solid phase reaction and liquid phase sintering. WCoB hard phase forms at 1000 °C during solid phase sintering, showing better mechanical properties than Co 2 B, especially on Vicker's hardness. WCoB hard phase forms on the basis of Co 2 B binary boride and its content increases in liquid phase sintering stage with high density. The Vicker's hardness and transverse rupture strength (TRS) reach the maximum value of 1262 Hv and 1212 MPa at 1200 °C and 1170 °C, respectively. The fracture toughness reaches the maximum value of 21.8 MPa m1/2 at 1050 °C, and the inter-granular fracture is the main fracture mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To strengthen the formation of Hydroxyl radical (HO) on anode, pressurized water electrolysis under constant temperature were carried out in this work. The HO formation was verified by electrochemistry-electron spin resonance (ESR) and bauxite desulfurization in the same pressurized reactor with different cell designs. With increasing pressure, the current density was increased. However, the equilibrium potential of anode and the initial potential of oxygen evolution reaction (OER) were negative shifted with increasing pressure. Results revealed that pressure promoted the early steps of OER but inhibited subsequent transformation. The apparent transfer coefficient of the anode (b a and b c) further proved that the pressure play a positive role on the OER reserve reaction and promoted the formation of HO. R ct and R s were all decreased with increasing pressure, demonstrating that pressure improved the mass transfer and reaction of the OER. The electrolysis desulfurization and ESR experiments have clearly supported the positive role of pressure on strengthening the HO formation. From electrolysis with 0.1 MPa, HO signal was detected by ESR when constant potential was 0.8 V on anode, while the signal arose at 0.7 V under 1.0 MPa, indicating that HO was formed in advance under pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]