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The tribological behavior of TiC/Ni composites is optimized by adding Ta, due to the improved oxidation resistance and hardness. The (Ti,Ta)C particles with core-rim structure are formed, and particle size decreases from 1.03 µm to 0.75 µm by adding 8 wt% Ta, and the hardness increases from 630.43 HV to 669.13 HV. At 20 N load, the primary wear mechanism is oxidation wear and the tribological property is influenced by oxidation resistance. At 50 N load, the main wear mechanism includes abrasive, adhesive, delamination and oxidation wear, and the tribological behavior is mainly influenced by the hardness and oxidation resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Mixed ownership reform increases innovation scale of SOEs. • Mixed ownership reform reduces collaborative innovation depth of SOEs. • Internal pay gap and policy burden are the transmission mechanism. • Both innovation scale and collaborative innovation depth have significant influence on the intrinsic value of SOEs. We focus on China's extensive mixed ownership reform (MOR) and find that MOR significantly improves the innovation scale but reduces the collaborative innovation depth of SOEs. Additional research finds that this effect is primarily related to the widening of the internal salary gap and the reduction in the policy burden. An increase in the scale of innovation can enhance a company's intrinsic value; however, a decline in the depth of collaborative innovation has a negative impact on the intrinsic value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Chinese herbal medicine Fuzheng Kang-Ai (FZKA) decoction obtained from Guangdong Kangmei Pharmaceutical Company, which contains 12 components with different types of constituents, has been used as part of the adjuvant treatment of lung cancer for decades. We previously showed that FZKA decoction enhances the growth inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI)-resistant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells by suppressing glycoprotein mucin 1 (MUC1) expression. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the therapeutic potential, particularly in sensitizing or/and enhancing the anti-lung cancer effect of EGFR-TKIs, remains unclear. Cell viability was measured using 3-(4, 5-diMEThylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and 5-ethynyl -2′-deoxyuridine (EdU) assays. Western blot analysis was performed to examine the protein expressions of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), specificity protein 1 (SP1), and MET, an oncogene encoding for a trans-membrane tyrosine kinase receptor activated by the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). The expression of MET mRNA was measured by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Exogenous expression of DNMT1 and SP1, and MET were carried out by transient transfection assays. The promoter activity of MET was tested using Dual-luciferase reporter assays. A nude mouse xenografted tumor model further evaluated the effect of the combination of FZKA decoction and erlotinib in vivo. The combination of FZKA and erlotinib produced an even greater inhibition of NSCLC cell growth. FZKA decreased the expressions of DNMT1, SP1, and MET (c-MET) proteins, and the combination of FZKA and erlotinib demonstrated enhanced responses. Interestingly, there was a mutual regulation of DNMT1 and SP1. In addition, exogenously expressed DNMT1 and SP1 blocked the FZKA-inhibited c-MET expression. Moreover, excessive expressed MET neutralized FZKA-inhibited growth of NSCLC cells. FZKA decreased the mRNA and promoter activity of c-MET, which was not observed in cells with ectopic expressed DNMT1 gene. Similar findings were observed in vivo. FZKA decreases MET gene expression through the repression and mutual regulation of DNMT1 and SP1 in vitro and in vivo. This leads to inhibit the growth of human lung cancer cells. The combination of FZKA and EGFR-TKI erlotinib exhibits synergy in this process. The regulatory loops among the DNMT1, SP1 and MET converge in the overall effects of FZKA and EGFR-TKI erlotinib. This in vitro and in vivo study clarifies an additional novel molecular mechanism underlying the anti-lung cancer effects in response to the combination of FZKA and erlotinib in gefitinib-resistant NSCLC cells. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) has attracted widespread attention in reinforced materials. However, the application of CNC in electrospinning has been limited due to its self-polymerization. Herein, a cobweb-like nanofibrous membrane was fabricated by electrospinning the polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and sulfydryl-functionalized CNC (SC). The SC content could reach to 48 wt% after the thiolation modification. The membrane with ultrafine fibers and interlaced nets possessed outstanding porosity (91.7%) and underwater superoleophobicity. An ultrahigh permeation flux of 1244 L·m−2·h−1 with a separation efficiency of >99.9% was achieved driven by gravity. The mechanical properties also enhanced significantly with the increase of SC. When the addition amount of SC was 48 wt%, the maximum tensile stress was 2.9 MPa, which was 3.4 times than that of the PAN membrane. The antifouling performance and chemical stability endowed the SC(48)/PAN membrane with intriguing reusability, thus making it exhibit enormous potential in oil/water separation. [Display omitted] • An underwater superoleophobic SC/PAN membrane with high porosity can be effectively reused. • The SC content of the membrane reach to 48 wt% after the thiolation modification. • SC is the key factor to form the cobweb-like structure and enhance the mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]