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[Display omitted] • The fatigue life of ECC was studied. • The fatigue damage degree of ECC was studied. • The fatigue crack growth rate of ECC was studied. • The fatigue crack propagation mechanism of ECC at sub-high temperature. Three-point bending (TPB) fatigue fracture tests were conducted on Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC) prefabricated notched beam specimens at three target temperatures (T = 20℃, 100℃, 200℃) and three stress levels (S = 0.7,0.8,0.9). The fatigue life, maximum crack opening displacement (CMOD max), and stiffness attenuation were characterized. The evolution of cracks is recorded in real time. The fatigue crack growth curve (a f - N) is obtained by fitting a logistic function, and the crack growth rate is determined based on its first derivative. It is found that compared to 20℃, there is a slight increase in the fatigue life of ECC, and the critical crack growth rate decreases after 100℃. After 200℃, the fatigue life of ECC decreases, the brittleness increases, and the crack growth rate increases. This is mainly related to the degradation of PVA fibers at 200℃, with most fibers being pulled off during fatigue loading, which leads to a decrease in crack propagation resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IsoliQuirtigenin (ILG) has been widely studied in somatic cells and tissues, but less in reproductive development. It is a kind of widely used food additive. In this study, it was found that ILG could significantly increase the levels of ROS,GSH and MMP in mouse oocytes (P < 0.01). In order to explore the cause of this phenomenon, it was found that the abnormal distribution of mitochondria and ATP synthesis levels were significantly increased (P < 0.05). At this time, we made a reasonable hypothesis that ILG affected mitochondrial function. In subsequent studies, it was found that the endogenous ROS accumulation level in mitochondria was significantly increased. After continuous RT-PCR screening, it was found that the expression of Nrf2 was significantly inhibited (P < 0.01). Its upstream and downstream FOXO3 GPX1, CAT, SOD2, SIRT1 gene also appear different degree of significant change (P < 0.05), in which the lower expression of NADP + (P < 0.05) illustrates the mitochondrial ATP synthesis electronic chain were suppressed, it also has the reason, By inhibiting electron chain and ATP synthesis, ILG leads to oocyte apoptosis and initiation of autophagy, reducing oocyte and its subsequent developmental potential. [Display omitted] • Mitochondria are important components of cell development. • Intranuclear transcription factors affect the normal function of mitochondria. • The accumulation of free radicals is the key to intracellular stress. • Mitochondrial abnormalities lead to apoptosis and autophagy. • Mitochondria directly affect cell quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving desired yield stress is crucial for various construction processes, especially in the emerging 3D concrete printing. In this paper, we present the possibility of enhancing yield stress of cement paste through in-situ polymerization and uncover the mechanisms of in-situ polymerized polymers. We investigate the effects of two types of in-situ polymerized polymer, sodium polyacrylate (PAAS) and polyacrylamide (PAM), on the yield stress, interstitial solution viscosity, and flocculated structure, as well as their adsorption behaviors on the surface of cement particles. The results show that the yield stresses of both in-situ polymerization modified cement pastes are raised considerably at high polymer concentration, which can be attributed to the dual roles of generated polymers. On the one hand, the absorbing polymers can bridge cement particles together, resulting in an augmentation in the interparticle forces. On the other hand, the non-adsorbing polymers remaining in the interstitial solution interact with each other and create a robust polymer network that can effectively withstand the external stresses. The former mechanism emerges as the dominant contributor to the enhanced yield stress of cement paste modified with in-situ polymerized PAAS, attributed to the Freundlich multilayer adsorption behavior of PAAS amplifying the bridging effect of polymers. While in-situ polymerized PAM predominantly assume the latter role, largely due to the remarkable length of their chain structure and the abundant residual polymers in the interstitial solution, which greatly intensities the interaction between polymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In situ reduction of AgI to Ag nanoparticles (Ag NPs) supported on C-doped boron nitride (AgI/BN-C) was developed for CO 2 electroreduction to CO with a much enhanced faradaic efficiency (FE) of 99.5 % and a high current density of 56.3 mA cm−2. The enhanced performance is mainly attributed to the controllable construction of Ag0-Ag+ sites, which effectively provides a large number of active sites, enhances the adsorption strength of the intermediate and accelerates the reaction kinetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moisture-induced electric generation has emerged as a promising powering solution for next-generation wearable electronics since moisture is ubiquitous in the atmosphere. However, the practical applications of current film-shaped generators are limited by the challenge of wearable comfort and large-scale integration into wearables. Herein, we reported a strategy to prepare flexible and high-performance core-shell yarn-shaped moisture-induced electric generator (YMEG) via employing metal wire as the core electrode, polymer-salt solution-treated electrospun nanofiber mats as the active layer, and deposited sliver as the shell electrode. Through the moisture induced interaction between active layer and electrode, the obtained best performance of YMEG with length of 2 cm can produce a highly stable voltage of ∼0.8 V and a current density of 14.3 μA/cm2, reaching the state-of-the-art level among the reported one-dimensional fiber/yarn-shaped MEGs. Furthermore, benefiting from the weavability of YMEG, a dislocation ordered stacking strategy is created for effective integration of YMEG units into fabric, and realizing the simultaneous enhancement of output voltage and current. Such integrated fabric device can work normally under deformation and show successful practical use in power electronics and sensing system, demonstrating great potential to serve as an advanced energy accessory for wearable electronics. [Display omitted] • A novel flexible and high-performance core-shell yarn-shaped moisture-induced electric generator (MIEG) is developed via core-spun electrospinning technique followed with dip-drying treatment and sliver deposition. • The conjugated electrospinning technique is applied for yarn-shape MEG. • A dislocation-ordered stacking strategy is created for realizing the simultaneous enhancement of output voltage and current. • The integrated devices can work normally under deformation and shows successful practical use in power electronics and sensing humidity from humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the effects of limonin (Lim) on oxidative stress and early apoptosis in bovine oocytes during in vitro maturation (IVM), different concentrations of Lim (0, 10, 20, 50 μmol/L) were added to bovine IVM medium. Oocyte maturation rates and development 24 h after in vitro fertilization (IVF) were examined to determine the optimal Lim concentration. The optimal Lim concentration was added to the IVM medium, and 0 μmol/L Lim was used as the control. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the abnormal rate of spindle assembly, reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutathione (GSH), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) levels, mitochondrial distribution, and the fluorescence intensity of cathepsin B (CB)-active LC3 protein. RT‒qPCR was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of antioxidant-, apoptosis- and autophagy-related genes in oocytes. The total number of blastocysts and the proportion of apoptotic cells among blastocysts were detected. The results showed that the PBI ejection rate, cleavage rate and blastocyst rate of bovine oocytes in the 20 μmol/L Lim group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Compared with those in the control group, ROS levels, abnormal mitochondrial distribution, the proportion of abnormal spindle assembly, CB activity and LC3 protein fluorescence intensity of oocytes in the 20 μmol/L Lim group were significantly decreased (P < 0.05), and GSH and MMP levels were significantly increased (P < 0.05). The expression of antioxidant genes (Prdx3, Prdx6, Sirt1) and antiapoptotic genes (Bcl-xl, Survivin) were significantly upregulated (P < 0.05), and the expression levels of proapoptotic genes (Caspase-4, BAX) and autophagy-related genes (LC3) were significantly downregulated (P < 0.05). The total number of cells among in vitro fertilized embryos was significantly increased (P < 0.05), and the apoptosis rate of blastocysts was significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Here, we show that Lim exerts positive effects on bovine oocyte IVM by regulating REDOX homeostasis, reducing spindle damage and enhancing mitochondrial function during IVM, thereby inhibiting oocyte apoptosis and autophagy. • Limonin is a natural antioxidant. • Its role in the repair of oxidative damage has attracted more and more attention from researchers, but the specific role of limonin in animal reproduction, especially in female gamete development, is rarely studied. • Lim has a positive effect on the IVM of bovine oocytes by regulating REDOX homeostasis during IVM to reduce spindle damage and enhance mitochondrial function, thereby inhibiting oocyte apoptosis and autophagy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Temporal landmarks can influence consumer preferences for food packages. • Priming a start temporal landmark leads to a greater preference for food packages with simple imagery (i.e., minimalist aesthetics). • Priming an end temporal landmark increases consumers' preferences for food packages with complex imagery (i.e., ornate aesthetics). • The need for arousal will mediate the impact of temporal landmarks on package preference for food products. Food packaging, serving as a means of marketing communication, can be presented in a simple or complex format. This work investigated the effect of start temporal landmarks (i.e., marks denoting the beginning of a period) versus end temporal landmarks (i.e., marks signaling the closure of a period) on consumers' preferences for food packages. Three studies demonstrated that priming a start temporal landmark leads to a greater preference for food packages with simple imagery (i.e., minimalist aesthetics). In contrast, priming an end temporal landmark increases consumers' preferences for food packages with complex imagery (i.e., ornate aesthetics). In addition, we identified an underlying mechanism in which the need for arousal mediates the impact of temporal landmarks on preference for food packages. Beyond a set of managerial implications, our findings also provide novel insights into temporal perceptions, minimalist aesthetics, and product packages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyacrylamide (PAM) is one of the commonly used anti-washout admixtures (AWAs) in cement-based materials. However, PAM chains tend to be contracted under attacks from alkaline and metal ions in cement paste, resulting in low efficiency of washout resistance enhancement. Herein, the gelation of PAM is implemented to surmount this obstacle, in which the influence of gelation on the floc properties is evaluated by the light scattering method and the enhancing mechanism is explored as well. Unlike the contraction of PAM chains in cement paste, the resulting PAM-based hydrogel can unfold a three-dimensional network that enlarges the contact surface with cement particles and promotes the bridging interaction. As a result, the gelation of PAM essentially improves the floc strength and helps maintain its originally compact floc structure with an unchanged fractal dimension of approximately 2.50 under the elevated shear rates. Furthermore, fresh cement paste with the addition of 0.006% PAM-based hydrogel achieves a decrease of 10% in washout mass loss compared to that with the same dosage of PAM. The result of breakage-regrowth experiment shows the PAM-based hydrogel facilities a rapid reaggregation with a recovery factor of 76%, while the flocs in PAM modified cement paste are irreversible after breakage as its recovery factor is only 37%. This understanding is of great importance to chemical admixtures where gelation is a promising way to promote their interaction with cement particles. Moreover, floc properties provide a new perspective on understanding the early-stage behavior of fresh cement paste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autonomous berthing of large underactuated ships is one of challenge tasks in the development of intelligent and autonomous ships, especially under hybrid disturbances of wind and currents, both trajectory prediction and tracking control are difficult issues due to the complexity of the ship motion. In this paper, a low-speed underactuated ship-handling and motion model which fully consider the disturbances of wind and currents is proposed to support the trajectory prediction and tracking control. In addition, a novel trajectory prediction model base on Long Short Time Memory (LSTM) neural network is presented by exploiting the time series features of the berthing trajectories, in which the proposed accurate ship motion model is used to create teaching data that help improve the data consistent and the accuracy of the trajectory prediction. Furthermore, nonlinear Model Predictive Control (MPC) model based on accurate ship motion model is employed to control the trajectory tracking, which efficiently improves the capability of the anti-disturbance. Experiments were designed to validate the reliability and accuracy of the proposed approach under various disturbances of wind and currents. Experimental results have demonstrated that the proposed approach has outstanding performance and effectiveness under the hybrid disturbances of wind and currents. • A low-speed underactuated ship-handling and motion model which fully consider the disturbances of wind and currents is proposed. • A novel trajectory prediction model base on LSTM neural network is presented by exploiting the time series features of the berthing trajectories. • Nonlinear model predictive control (MPC) model based on accurate ship motion model is employed to control the trajectory tracking. • Experiments were designed to validate the reliability and accuracy of the proposed approach under various conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Effects of natural organic matter on cadmium mobility in paddy soil are reviewed. • Adding OM can adjust soil pH and therefore alter Cd adsorption. • Cd mobility in paddy soil is closely linked to iron and sulfur redox reactions. • Natural OM does not often decrease Cd mobility in soil or the Cd content in rice grains. Cadmium (Cd) contamination in paddy soil has caused public concern. The uptake of Cd by rice plants depends on soil Cd mobility, which is in turn substantially influenced by organic matter (OM). In this review, we first summarize the fate of Cd in soil and the role of OM. We then focus on the effects of OM on Cd mobility in paddy soil and the factors influencing the remedial effectiveness of OM amendments. We further discuss the performance of straw incorporation in the remediation of Cd-contaminated paddy soils reported in laboratory and field studies. Considering the huge production of organic materials (such as straw) in agriculture, the use of natural OM for soil remediation has obvious appeal due to the environmental benefits and low cost. Although there have been successful application cases, the properties of OM amendments and soil can significantly affect the remedial performance of the OM amendments. Importantly, straw incorporation alone does not often decrease the mobility of Cd in soil or the Cd content in rice grains. Careful evaluation is required when considering natural OM amendments, and the factors and mechanisms that influence their remedial effectiveness need further investigation in paddy soil with realistic Cd concentrations. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strategies for improving the quality of oocytes have important theoretical and practical significance for increasing the efficiency of livestock breeding. In this respect, the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a major factor affecting the development of oocytes and embryos. This study investigated the effects of Dendrobium nobile extract (DNE) on the in vitro maturation of bovine oocytes and embryonic development after IVF. DNE is an extract from Dendrobium rhizomes that contains alkaloids with anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and anti-ageing functions. Various concentrations of DNE (0, 5, 10, 20 and 50 μmol/L) were added during oocyte maturation in vitro, and we found that 10 μmol/L of DNE remarkably increased the oocyte maturation rate, the subsequent blastocyst formation rate and embryo quality. Further, we found that DNE treatment decreased the frequency of spindle/chromosome defects and ROS and increased the oocyte glutathione and mitochondrial membrane potential in oocytes. Moreover, DNE upregulated the expression of oxidative stress-related genes (Sirt1, Sirt2, Sirt3 and Sod1) in oocytes and apoptosis-related genes (Caspase-3, Caspase-4, Bax, Bcl-xl and Survivin) in blastocysts. These results suggest that DNE supplementation can promote oocyte maturation and subsequent embryonic development by regulating redox reactions and inhibiting embryonic apoptosis. • DNE promotes oocyte maturation and embryo development. • DNE decreases ROS and increases MMP. • DNE has an inhibitory effect on embryonic apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an emerging bioplastic, poly(glycolic acid) (PGA) possesses excellent bio-compostability, gas barrier properties, mechanical strength and heat resistance. However, the inherent brittleness and inferior melt-strength of PGA severely limits its processability and application possibilities. In the present contribution, a two-step reactive melt blending of PGA and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) with epoxy functionalized copolymer (ethylene-methyl acrylate-glycidyl methacrylate) (EMAG) as compatibilizer was investigated to solve these shortcomings. The EMAG was first blended with PBAT and then with PGA to in-situ form PGA-g-EMAG-g-PBAT copolymers. These copolymers selectively locate at the interface between PGA and PBAT, which effectively improved the interfacial adhesion and the compatibility. Consequently, the PGA/(PBAT/EMAG) blends with 1 wt % EMAG exhibited high elongation at break (45 ± 4%) and a notched impact strength (14.4 ± 1.6 kJ/m2) respectively, which is about 1100% and 410% higher than that of PGA. Meanwhile, the viscosity and storage modulus of the PGA/(PBAT/EMAG) blends at 50.1 Hz were enhanced by 130% and 230% compared with PGA. This work provides a facile route to fabricate PGA-based blends with excellent toughness and melt strength, which could open up new possibilities for the application of PGA materials. [Display omitted] • Bio-compostable poly(glycolic acid)-based blends were prepared by reactive melt blending. • Two-step blending processes was used to control the interfacial localization of in-situ grafted copolymers. • Interface-localized copolymers markedly enhance interfacial adhesion and compatibility between PGA and PBAT. • PGA/(PBAT/EMAG) blends exhibited much superior toughness and melt strength than PGA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polishing is a main process in achieving high-quality surfaces of optical components. However, effective assessing technique for rough stage in the polishing process is sparse so that hinders the study on the mechanism and optimization of polishing. In this study, we propose an inspection method for polishing quality based on quasi Brewster angle technology (qBAT). An equivalent medium layer theory and its model are developed to accurately describe the optical reflection characteristics of a rough surface. Hence both rough- and fine-polishing qualities can be evaluated by the qBAT approach. To demonstrate the newly proposed method, laser crystal, gadolinium gallium garnets, is studied by computational simulation and experiments. A high consistence is achieved between theoretical simulation and experimental results, which proves the robustness of the method to the rough surfaces. To our knowledge, it is the first time that the qBAT is developed to evaluate the polishing quality covering rough- and fine-polishing stages. This capability shows great potential in fundamental research and process optimization of polishing brittle-hard materials. • Surface quality of rough- and fine polished optics estimated by quasi Brewster angle technology. • Optical model of polished surface parameterized by effective medium approximation. • The qBAT method was used firstly to investigate the surface quality of GGG crystals in rough and fine polishing stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Performance of irreversible radiation is limited by the single polarization and large incident angles. Given potential applications of nonreciprocal thermal radiation, the implementation of irreversible radiation for both TE and TM polarizations at small angles is highly demanded. A solution that combines periodic silicon-based nanopore arrays with magneto-optical material (InAs) is proposed in this work. The results show that the absorptivity and emissivity of two polarizations are close to 98% with an incident angle of 1.5° and a high Q factor over 1680. By adjusting the applied magnetic field, the emissivity and transverse magneto-optical Kerr effect can be dynamically tuned. The validity of the calculation results is verified by the rigorous coupled-wave analysis and finite element method. Impedance matching theory and coupled mode theory are adopted to further analyze the physical origin. The proposed scheme and thermal radiator that allow nonreciprocal thermal radiation for both TE and TM polarizations at an extremely small incident angle offer valuable guidance to the development of dual-polarization nonreciprocal radiation devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the impact of intersecting surface shape on the thermal-fluid behaviors in the twisted tube (TT) under the two conditions of equal area and equal perimeter of intersecting surfaces, a 3D simulation method is used to examine the convection heat transfer characteristics of fluids with different viscosities in TTs with typical symmetrical cross sections at low Reynolds number (Re) according to experimental verification. The results manifest that the regularly helical deformation of the TTs induces secondary flows in the perpendicular direction of the main flow, leading to a better convection heat transfer performance. In the Re range of 650– 1550 with water, the twisted triangular tube produced with equal cross-sectional perimeter exhibits the topmost convection heat transfer performance, with a comprehensive performance evaluation factor of heat transfer (PEF) of 1.85– 1.87. As for the equal cross-sectional perimeters with engine oil, the twisted elliptical tube shows the highest PEF of 1.39– 1.40 as the Re is below 1100. When the Re exceeds 1100, the twisted triangular tube displays the supreme PEF of 1.33– 1.37. For the equal cross-sectional areas with water and engine oil, the twisted elliptical tube presents the utmost PEF of 1.32– 1.47. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • MEL and its derivatives were detected in various microenvironments. • Elevated levels of MEL and its derivatives were found in e-waste dismantling area. • MEL dominated in the dust collected from e-waste dismantling area. • CYA dominated in hand wipes and house dust due to the wide use of disinfectants. • Dust ingestion was a major exposure pathway of MELs to e-waste employees. Melamine (MEL) and its derivatives are increasingly applied as nitrogenous flame retardants in consumer products. Nevertheless, limited information is available on their environmental occurrence and subsequent human exposure via multiple exposure pathways. In this study, we analysed MEL and its derivatives in dust (indication of the dust ingestion route) and hand wipe samples (indication of the hand-to-mouth route) collected in various microenvironments. The levels of ∑MELs in both dust (median: 24,100 ng/g) and participant hand samples (803 ng/m2) collected in e-waste dismantling workshops were significantly higher than those in samples collected in homes (15,600 ng/g and 196 ng/m2, respectively), dormitories (13,100 ng/g and 227 ng/m2, respectively) and hotel rooms (11,800 ng/g and 154 ng/m2, respectively). Generally, MEL dominated in dust samples collected in e-waste dismantling workshops, whereas cyanuric acid dominated in hand wipe samples. This may occur partly because the latter is an ingredient in disinfection products, which are more frequently employed in daily lives during the COVID-19 pandemic. Exposure assessment suggests that dust ingestion is an important exposure pathway among dismantling workers and the general population, whereas hand-to-mouth contact could not be overlooked in certain populations, such as children and dismantling workers not wear gloves at work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Notable levels of OPA and NOPE were found in e-waste dismantling workers' hands for the first time. • The levels of NOPE were higher than those of traditional OPE on workers' hands. • The dust levels of TPHP and AO168 = O might be acceptable predictors of hand wipe levels. • Occupational exposure to NOPE via hand-to-mouth contact was more significant than dust ingestion. Electronic waste (e-waste) is a well-known source of plastic additives in the environment. However, the e-waste-related occupational exposure to organophosphite antioxidants (OPAs) and the relevant oxidation products—novel organophosphate esters (NOPEs)—via different pathways is still unknown. In this study, six OPAs and three NOPEs were measured in 116 dust and 43 hand-wipe samples from an e-waste dismantling area in Central China. The median concentrations of ΣOPAs and ΣNOPEs were 188 and 13,900 ng·g−1 in workshop dust and 5,250 ng·m−2 and 53,600 ng·m−2 on workers' hands, respectively. The increasing concentrations of dust in the form of triphenyl phosphate (TPHP) (p < 0.01) and tris(2,4-di- tert -butylphenyl) phosphate (AO168 = O) (p < 0.05) were strongly associated with the corresponding concentration on workers' hands. Furthermore, men had significantly lower levels of NOPEs on their hands than did women (p < 0.01). Moreover, the hand wipe levels of AO168 = O (41,600 ng·m−2) was significantly higher than that of the typical OPE (TPHP, 7370 ng·m−2), and the hand-to-mouth contact (ΣOPAs, 9.48 ng·kg bw-1·day−1; ΣNOPEs, 109 ng·kg bw-1·day−1) was a more significant and integrated pathway than dust ingestion (ΣOPAs, 0.10 ng·kg bw-1·day−1; ΣNOPEs, 5.01 ng·kg bw-1·day−1) of e-waste related occupational exposure to these "new" chemicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ECC characterized by its tensile strain-hardening behavior, high compressive strain and damage tolerance capacity is an ideal material in the plastic hinges of RC bridge columns. The existing studies have investigated the seismic performance of RC bridge columns with total ECC plastic hinges and indicated that was enhanced significantly. However, because the cost of ECC is high and total ECC plastic hinge still needs quite amount, it is difficult to be used in the engineering applications. In this study, the precast PP-ECC jackets were proposed to fabricate the ECC/RC composite section in the region of plastic hinges in RC bridge columns. The design theory of PP-ECC jackets was proposed and a total of four scaled RC bridge columns were designed and fabricated. One specimen was RC column for reference, and another one was a RC column with total ECC plastic hinge. The rest of two columns used precast PP-ECC jackets with two different thicknesses. The unilateral cyclic loading tests were performed. It was found that the RC columns using PP-ECC jackets exhibited superior and comparable structural performance compared to normal RC column and RC column with total ECC plastic hinge, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]