Search

Public spaces are social places that enhance social life and foster social interactions. However, there is a lack of analysis of the patterns of use by people in various types of social relationships. Observational data on four public spaces in Suzhou, China, and Sheffield, UK, assessed users' personal characteristics, activities and spatial occupancies in public spaces. Site factors were not related to personal characteristics, but age and group size were culturally different. Activities and spatial occupancies differed between unaccompanied and accompanied users. Compared to single users, users in groups tended to participate in multiple activities at once, and their activities included more interactions. Single users' spatial distributions conformed to the edge effect, but users in groups were evenly distributed in the spaces. Three types of social relationships were defined: Intimate Pair, Intimate Group and Social Group. Intimate Pairs were most likely to use mobile phones and use private spaces, Intimate Groups were most likely to be talking and sitting and to use park amenities, and Social Groups were most likely to be playing games and relaxing in spacious open areas. Regarding spatial occupancy, Intimate Pairs and Social Groups were most likely to use the middle and peripheral regions, and the Intimate Groups tended to be evenly distributed in the spaces. The results of this study stress the importance of designing public spaces for the types of users expected to use the spaces and to consider various types of social relationship groups. • Single and accompanied users' types of activities and spatial occupancies differed. • Personal characteristics were not statistically different across the four public spaces. • Activities varied by accompanied users' relationship type • Spatial occupancy varied by accompanied users' relationship type [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Superstructured α-Fe 2 O 3 nanorods grown on the CNTF as binder-free negative electrode. • Array of 3D nanoplates architectures formed the superstructured α-Fe 2 O 3 nanorods. • Superstructures with empty place and channels reduced ion transport distance. • The FESD exhibits outstanding electrochemical performance and excellent weavability. Fiber-shaped energy storage devices are indispensable parts of wearable and portable electronics. Aqueous rechargeable Ni/Fe battery is a very appropriate energy storage device due to their good safety without organic electrolytes, high ionic conductivity, and low cost. Unfortunately, the low energy density, poor power density and cycling performance hinder its further practical applications. In this study, in order to obtain high performance negative iron-based material, we first synthesized α-iron oxide (α-Fe 2 O 3) nanorods (NRs) with superstructures on the surface of highly conductive carbon nanotube fibers (CNTFs), then electrically conductive polypyrrole (PPy) was coated to enhance the electron, ion diffusion and cycle stability. The as-prepared α-Fe 2 O 3 @PPy NRs/CNTF electrode shows a high specific capacity of 0.62 Ah cm−3 at the current density of 1 A cm−3. Furthermore, the Ni/Fe battery that was assembled by the above negative electrode shows a maximum volumetric energy density of 15.47 mWh cm−3 with 228.2 mW cm−3 at a current density of 1 A cm−3. The cycling durability and mechanical flexibility of the Ni/Fe battery were tested, which show good prospect for practical application. In summary, these merits make it possible for our Ni/Fe battery to have practical applications in next generation flexible energy storage devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Microplastics activate the NF-κB signaling pathway in the intestinal tissue of carp. • This study identifies, for the first time, microplastics induce ferroptosis in carp. • Intestinal inflammatory injury induced by microplastics in carp. Microplastics (MPs), a new class of pollutant that threatens aquatic biodiversity, are becoming increasingly prevalent around the world. Fish growth may be severely inhibited by microplastics, resulting in severe mortality. Exposure to microplastics increases the likelihood of intestinal injuries, but the underlying mechanisms remain equivocal. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential toxic mechanisms underlying microplastic-induced intestinal injury in fish and to assist researchers in identifying novel therapeutic targets. In this study, a model of carp exposed to microplastics was established successfully. Histological observation showed that exposure to polyethylene microplastics caused damage to the intestinal mucosal surface and a significant increase in goblet cells, which aggregated on the surface of the mucosa. The mucosal layer was observed to fall off. Lymphocytes in the intestinal wall proliferated and aggregated. TUNEL staining showed that apoptosis occurred in the group exposed to microplastics. The qPCR results showed that the expression of Ferroptosis apoptotic factors COX-2 and ACSL4 was upregulated, while the expression of TFRC, FIH1, SLC7A11, and GPX4 was downregulated. The NF-κB pathway (p-p65, IκBα), inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-8, IL-6) and apoptosis genes (Bax, Caspase3) were upregulated. Semi-quantitative detection of related proteins by Western blotting was consistent with the gene expression results. In addition, the ELISA assay showed that lipid peroxidation and inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) were increased in the microplastic exposed group. To conclude, lipid peroxidation induced by microplastics activates the NF-κB pathway and causes ferroptosis, ultimately resulting in intestinal damage and cellular apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]