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Yaozhou Kiln is a famous ancient center for celadon production in China, located in present-day Shaanxi Province. While analyzing its olive-green celadon produced during the Song Dynasty, a common occurrence of brownish base (foot and bottom) was observed. This phenomenon can also be found in porcelain produced at other kilns in China and Vietnam. However, previous research has not systematically explored the coloration mechanism behind it. Through different analytical methods, coupled with reproduction firing experiments, this paper concludes that the brownish base is attributed to the diffusion of iron from the body and sand cushion into the thinly applied glaze on the base, as well as the crystallization formed by the combination of the sand cushion and the surface glaze. Factors influencing the depth of the brownish color include: (1) the iron content of the body; (2) the thickness of the base glaze; and (3) the sand cushion material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elevating the cut-off voltage is an effective route to increase the energy density of LiCoO 2 (LCO). However, the highly delithiated LCO faces the issues of poor structural reversibility, O loss, and Co dissolution, etc., especially in the surface region. Herein, the step-like surface degradation (SSD) of pristine LCO (P-LCO) is firstly revealed to be responsible for the rapid capacity decay. To reduce the adverse impact of SSD, a solid electrolyte is coated and annealed to achieve the optimized surface structure chemistry of LCO (SE-LCO), featuring the outermost surface Li 3 PO 4 , surface rock-salt layer, and subsurface spinel-like layer. Benefiting from this surface optimization, the SE-LCO not only shows an enhanced but more reversible phase transition to enhance the structure stability, but also promotes the formation of tough cathode electrolyte interface (CEI) to reduce the O loss and Co dissolution issues. As a result, SE-LCO/graphite cell achieves excellent cycle stability with a remarkable capacity retention of 81.2% after 800 cycles in a potential range of 3–4.55 V, which is among the best reported cell performances. This work broadens the cognition for developing more advanced LCO cathodes. [Display omitted] • The step-like surface degradation (SSD) of P-LCO at 4.6 V is firstly revealed. • The enhanced but more reversible O3/H1–3 phase transition is achieved via tuning surface chemistry. • A tough CEI layer is formed to reduce the O loss and Co dissolution issues upon cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jingdezhen is famous for its bluish white (Qingbai) porcelains of the Song Dynasty, and those decorated with iron spots are distinctive among them. Herein, iron spots on a bluish white porcelain were investigated using a series of microscopic and spectroscopic characterizations. We found the decreasing iron content from more than 8 wt% to about 2 wt% during the glaze color transition from rusty to brown and finally into green, which built a connection on the coloring mechanism of iron-rich crystallized glaze and celadon glaze. We identified the rare ε-Fe 2 O 3 , a promising magnetic material, in both the dark brown crystals and the triangular crystals in the rusty area, which is its first discovery among bluish white porcelains. Based on these findings, we discussed the coloring mechanism of iron-spot decoration along with the physical form of the iron oxide crystals, indicating the partially reducing atmosphere during firing process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • GNP-modified cement mortars were fabricated. • Dispersant stabilizes GNP-solution suspensions. • Interactions between GNPs and cement grains optimize GNP content. • Electric conductivity of GNP-modified cement mortars obeys a percolation model. • Geometric, filling and interfacial effects dominate piezoresistive sensitivity. Abstract Piezoresistive cement-based composites, as a type of self-sensing materials, are urgently needed for developing smart buildings. Herein the effect of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) on the pore structure, microstructure, mechanical and piezoresistive properties of cement mortar was investigated. A four-probe method was used to quantitatively assess the piezoresistive properties of the GNP-modified cement mortars under cyclic compressions. Results show that appropriate incorporations of GNPs in cement mortars can densify the microstructure and enhance the mechanical properties. The changes in electric conductivity against GNP content follow a percolation regime. The extents and rates of piezoresistive reactions have no simple correlations with GNP contents and loading levels. The mechanisms of piezoresistive reaction are associated with the elastic deformation and interfacial conductance between GNPs and material matrix. However, the interfacial conductance only works in moderate GNP contents. The results and findings of this study may pave a wide path for the uses of cement-based piezoresistive composites in developing self-health monitoring buildings and infrastructures in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mercury entrapment in a porous material after mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) test is widely reported, yet the characterization of the entrapped mercury remains unclear. This study reported an experimental investigation on the entrapped mercury in a porous cement paste with/without surface-conformance control determined by X-ray computed tomography (X-CT). MIP tests were performed under three different maximum intrusion pressures. Results show that the surface-conformance control can substantially depress the first rise of throat size distributions and lower the threshold throat sizes. The entrapped mercury drops can be easily traced by X-CT due to the high mass attenuation coefficient of mercury. Both the entrapped and released mercury drops only occupy the limited volume fraction of the intruded pores. The surface conformance can decrease the mercury volume released from the pores. The findings of this study provide insights in better pore structure characterization of porous cement-based materials. • A post-MIP X-CT testing scheme was developed; • Maximum intrusion pressure and surface conformance were considered in the MIP tests; • Surface conformance can depress the first rise of MIP and narrow the threshold pore size; • X-CT can trace the entrapped and released mercury drops; • The findings of this study provide insights in pore structure characterization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Predation of livestock by wildlife and the retribution responses it elicits can have strong negative impacts on both people and carnivores. A questionnaire survey designed to investigate human-carnivore conflicts was completed by 66 herders from local communities within Taxkorgan Nature Reserve, located in the Pamir and Karkorum mountains of Northwestern China. A total of 127 livestock predation events with associated predator identification were reported and 583 livestock were killed. Wolves (315 livestock) and dholes (129 livestock) were responsible for the largest number of livestock losses. Livestock depredation significantly differed between guarded and unguarded management strategies. Positive relationships between loss and the total amount of the major livestock species, as well as the total loss and total amount of livestock, were detected. Use of guard dogs did not affect the likelihood of carnivore attacks, whereas keeping livestock in pens at night or all day did reduce the number of depredation events. Depredation showed significant seasonal variation (month of occurrence) for large carnivores. Numbers of goat, sheep, and cattle predated also varied by month, but did not for yak because of different husbandry practices. No compensation policy has yet been established in this area, but if it were to be developed in the future, 83% of interviewed herders would require compensation in cash, whereas 14% of herders would prefer replacement livestock. Our study offers suggestions to mitigate livestock depredation in this region of China. To prevent livestock depredations, local herders should mainly prevent wolves and dholes because they cause most livestock killings, and employ guarded grazing practice. Managers could make herders keep a reasonable number of livestock to raise grazing efficiency, introduce suitable sheepdog breeds, and provide essential dog training as useful aids to herders to increase livestock-guarding effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • High frequency oscillation of intravesical pressure is related to the external urethral sphincter burst activity. • The distribution of 5-HT2A receptors was significant denser than that of 5-HT2C receptors in lumbosacral cord motoneurons. • ketanserin has effect on micturition via the 5-HT2A receptors in lumbosacral cord motoneurons. Abstract Objectives This study aimed to investigate the effects of ketanserin on micturition mediated via the 5-HT 2A receptor in the motoneuron nucleus of the Lumbosacral cord, as reflected in high frequency oscillations (HFOs) of intravesical pressure and the external urethral sphincter electromyogram (EUS-EMG) in anesthetized male rats. Methods： Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used. Cystometry and EUS-EMG were performed in all rats under urethane anesthesia to examine the variations after successive intrathecal (i.t.) administration of various doses of ketanserin into the lumbosacral cord. Immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting were made to observe the distribution of 5-HT2 A and −2C receptors in the lumbosacral cord motor neurons. Results Compared to the controls, ketanserin-treated rats showed a declined trend of dose-dependent manner in the HFOs, in accordance with the variation of EUS-EMG, while decreased micturition volume, voiding efficiency, and increased post-void residual volume was only observed at the dose of 0.1 mg/kg. The effects of ketanserin on the HFO and EUS-EMG activity were partially or completely reversed by the 5-HT 2A/2C receptor agonist, DOI. Meanwhile, immunofluorescence staining and Western blot analysis showed that immunoreactivity of 5-HT 2A receptor was higher than that of 5-HT 2C, labeling in the lumbosacral cord motoneurons. Conclusions The intrathecally administrated 5-HT 2A receptor antagonist ketanserin can weaken the EUS bursting activity, decrease HFOs, and reduce voiding efficiency as dose dependently. The effects of ketanserin on micturition may be mainly mediated via the 5-HT 2A receptors in the motoneuron nucleus of the lumbosacral cord. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All–solid–state lithium batteries (ASSLBs) using sulfide solid electrolytes (SSEs) have triggered extensive attentions in both academia and industry due to the feasibility of effectuating high safety and high energy density, compared with liquid–type batteries. Cathode materials with high voltage and prominent specific capacity are urgently needed for realizing lithium batteries with high energy density. Among multitudinous cathode materials studied by researchers, Ni–rich layered oxide cathode materials are considered to be one of the most promising applications in ASSLBs due to high operating voltage, superior reversible capacity and low production cost. However, their physical, chemical, and electrochemical performances in ASSLBs, especially the long–life capacity, are still insufficient to gratify market requirements for electric vehicles, and the targeted review for Ni–rich layered oxide cathodes in ASSLBs is rare. Herein, we comprehensively summarize these issues of the interfacial physical connection, chemical/electrochemical reactions, and space–charge layer (SCL) of Ni–rich layered oxide cathodes in ASSLBs with SSEs. Moreover, the modification strategies of Ni–rich layered oxide cathode materials to address the aforementioned issues are focused on. In the end, the future development direction of ASSLBs using Ni-rich oxide cathodes and SSEs is briefly discussed. [Display omitted] • Interfacial issues of Ni–rich oxide cathodes in ASSLBs with SSEs are summarized. • Modification strategies of Ni–rich oxide materials are focused on. • The future development direction of ASSLBs using Ni-rich cathodes is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methyltransferase Mettl3 is involved in conventional T cell immunity; however, its role in innate immune cells remains largely unknown. Here, we show that Mettl3 intrinsically regulates invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cell development and function in an m6A-dependent manner. Conditional ablation of Mettl3 in CD4+CD8+ double-positive (DP) thymocytes impairs iNKT cell proliferation, differentiation, and cytokine secretion, which synergistically causes defects in B16F10 melanoma resistance. Transcriptomic and epi-transcriptomic analyses reveal that Mettl3 deficiency disturbs the expression of iNKT cell-related genes with altered m6A modification. Strikingly, Mettl3 modulates the stability of the Creb1 transcript, which in turn controls the protein and phosphorylation levels of Creb1. Furthermore, conditional targeting of Creb1 in DP thymocytes results in similar phenotypes of iNKT cells lacking Mettl3. Importantly, ectopic expression of Creb1 largely rectifies such developmental defects in Mettl3-deficient iNKT cells. These findings reveal that the Mettl3-m6A-Creb1 axis plays critical roles in regulating iNKT cells at the post-transcriptional layer. [Display omitted] • Mettl3-dependent m6A methylation plays a key role in iNKT cell development • A comprehensive m6A landscape of low-input iNKT cells is established by m6A-LACE-seq • Mettl3 deficiency disrupts iNKT cell-related gene network in an m6A-dependent manner • The Mettl3-m6A-Creb1 axis is critical for sustaining iNKT cell differentiation and function You et al. demonstrate that Mettl3 is essential for regulating iNKT cell proliferation, differentiation, and melanoma resistance. The study highlights the critical role of Mettl3-dependent m6A modification in controlling iNKT cell-related gene expression, particularly in maintaining the stability of Creb1 and c-Myc transcripts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary T helper 17 (Th17) cell development is programmed by the orphan nuclear receptor RORγt, but the underlying mechanism is not well understood. Nuclear receptor-mediated transcriptional activation depends on coactivators. Here, we show that steroid receptor coactivator-3 (SRC-3) critically regulates Th17 cell differentiation. Reduced incidence of experimental autoimmune encephalitis (EAE) associated with decreased Th17 cell generation in vivo was observed in mice with SRC-3 deletion specifically in T cells. In vitro , SRC-3 deficiency did not affect TGF-β/IL-6-induced Th17 cell generation but severely impaired pathogenic Th17 differentiation induced by IL-1/IL-6/IL-23. Microarray analysis revealed that SRC-3 not only regulates IL-17A but also IL-1R1 expression. SRC-3 bound to Il17a and Il1r1 loci in a RORγt-dependent manner and was required for recruitment of the p300 acetyltransferase. Thus, SRC-3 is critical for RORγt-dependent gene expression in Th17 cell-driven autoimmune diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rotordynamic coefficients of a controllable floating ring bearing (FRB) are measured in the presented study. Controllability of the bearing is achieved by using magnetorheological fluid (MRF) as lubricant along with external magnetic field. Magnetic field induced field-dependent viscosity of the MRF changes dynamic coefficients (stiffness, damping, etc.) of the bearing, and vibration amplitudes of the rotor will be suppressed by enhanced stiffness and/or damping. The rotating floating ring in the FRB separates the MRF into two lubricant films. Since the ring rotates slower than the shaft, shear rate in the outer film is lower compared to the inner film, pertaining controllability by limiting the so-called shear-thinning effect of the MRF. A test rig is built to measure and identify the rotordynamic coefficients of the MRF lubricated FRB. Coefficients of the bearing with various magnetic field strength are compared. Results show enhancements of dynamic properties of the bearing with external magnetic field, demonstrating the viability of this type of smart bearings in rotor control or behavior alteration applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]