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Enantiomer-specific oriented attachment (abbreviation ESOA), a non-classical crystallization phenomenon, has been used for chiral crystal separation since Viedma for symmetry breaking of chiral substances. The so-called enantiomer-specific oriented attachment is mainly manifested by spontaneous chiral recognition of neighboring crystals during self-assembly through specific crystal faces, which leads to chiral amplification, and thus the possible formation of purely chiral crystal aggregates. However, as of now, this method enables chiral separation of achiral molecules, while it is rarely applied in the chiral separation of conglomerates. In view of this, we verified the stability and practicality of the ESOA method in chiral crystal separation by N-benzoylglycine and N-succinopyridine from the perspective of achiral molecules and conglomerates, respectively. Besides, we tried to explore whether ESOA can be used for the resolution of racemic compounds. To this aim, we boiled ethanol aqueous (VEtOH : VWater = 3 : 2) saturated solutions of DL -isoleucine, DL -leucine or DL -valine, but did not succeed in obtaining a single chiral crystal agglomerate. This is not the result we expected, but it reinforces the fact that most of the conditions for the success of the ESOA method are that the chiral substrate is a conglomerate. And it appears that we have discovered a way to prepare a conglomerate of DL -isoleucine, DL -leucine, and DL -valine on a large scale by this method, with a view to playing a role in other special complex chiral drugs in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As vision-oriented graphic technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) advance, many brands have started using virtual influencers (VIs), which are computer-generated figures with humanlike features, in their marketing efforts. Although VIs are nonhumans, consumers still interact with them socially and emotionally. However, understanding is limited regarding the advertising effects of VIs and their humanlike cues. Therefore, the present research investigated how more versus less humanlike VIs influenced consumers' advertising attitudes and purchase intentions. Also, two mediating variables underlying this relationship were investigated: authenticity and identification (i.e., perceived similarity and wishful identification). Two studies (N = 178, N = 162) using one-factor, two-condition (more versus less humanlike VIs) between-subject experiments were conducted. The results suggested that participants perceived more humanlike VIs as more authentic, leading to more favorable advertising attitudes and higher purchase intentions across the two studies. Only one study using the hedonic product showed that perceived similarity and wishful identification mediated the advertising effects. Implications for theory and practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work used both experiments and modeling methods to understand some critical issues of ultra-high-purity (UHP) Mg discharge behavior for Mg–air primary batteries. The charge transfer resistance is the main internal anodic resistance instead of the resistance due to discharge products. The anodic hydrogen reaction was the only reason for the anodic efficiency drop for the UHP Mg anode. A uni-positive Mg+ mechanism explained the anodic hydrogen reaction and two morphologies of discharge products. The UHP Mg had a strong preferred dissolution orientation during discharge at a low applied current density, which tended to disappear with increasing current density. The strongly oriented dissolution of Mg increased the apparent charge transfer resistance of the Mg anode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work reported the effect of extrusion speeds on the microstructures and mechanical properties of Mg-Ca binary alloy. The results showed that yield strength of the as-extruded Mg-1.2 wt.% Ca alloys decrease from ∼ 360 MPa to ∼ 258 MPa as the ram speed increases from 0.4 mm/s to 2.4 mm/s, and the elongation increases from ∼ 3.9% to ∼ 12.2%. The microstructure changes from bimodal grain feature to the complete dynamical recrystallization (DRX) with increase of the extrusion speed. The ultrafine DRXed grains in size of ∼0.85 µm, the numerous nano-Mg 2 Ca particles dispersing along the grain boundaries and interiors, as well as the high density of residual dislocations, should account for the high strength. It is believed that the high degree of dynamic recrystallization and the resulting texture randomization play the critical roles in the ductility enhancement of the high-speed extruded Mg alloys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To explore the molecular mechanisms in which vitamin D (VD) regulates T cells, especially Th17 cells in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). Methods: DBA1/J mice induced for CIA were intraperitoneally treated with VD. CIA clinical symptoms and inflammatory responses including Th1/Th17/Tregs percentages were determined and compared. Mouse naïve CD4+ T cells transduced with miR-124 inhibitor or not were polarized to Th17 cells with or without VD. Subsequently, cellular differentiation and IL-6 signaling moleculars were analyzed. Results: VD treatment significantly delayed CIA onset, decreased incidence and clinical scores of arthritis, downregulated serum IgG levels and ameliorated bone erosion. VD downregulated IL-17A production in CD4+ T cells while increased CD4+Foxp3+Nrp-1+ cells both in draining lymph nodes and synovial fluid in arthritic mice. VD inhibited Th17 cells differentiation in vivo and in vitro and potentially functioning directly on T cells to restrain Th17 cells through limiting IL-6R expression and its downstream signaling including STAT3 phosphorylation, while these effects were blocked when naïve CD4+ T cells were transduced with miR-124 inhibitor. Conclusions: VD treatment ameliorates CIA via suppression of Th17 cells and enhancement of Tregs. miR-124-mediated inhibition of IL-6 signaling, provides a novel explanation for VD's role on T cells in CIA mice or RA patients and suggests that VD may have treatment implications in rheumatoid arthritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effect of different rolling reductions on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-6Al-3Zn-0.1Mn wt.% alloys were investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results show that after rolling the as-extruded Mg-Al-Zn-Mn alloy, more second phases are dynamically precipitated. The grains are also gradually refined with increasing the total reduction due to the dynamic recrystallization, and the average grain sizes are estimated to be ∼7.2 μm, ∼3.7 μm, ∼1.2 μm for the as-extruded Mg alloy, ∼34% and ∼60% rolled samples, respectively. On the other hand, the high-density contraction twins have been activated in as-rolled Mg samples, which can effectively separate the Mg matrix and a similar grain refinement effect can be afforded. Moreover, the dislocations are significantly multiplied during the rolling process. Consequently, the tensile strength of the Mg alloy is gradually increased, and the ∼60% rolled Mg alloy exhibits the optimal mechanical properties, with the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of ∼363 MPa and the elongation of ∼7.2%. • Ultra-fined grain size of ∼1.2 μm was produced in AZM630 alloy by combining extrusion and rolling. • The tensile yield strength of as-rolled Mg alloy is up to 327 MPa with high elongation of 7.2%. • Dislocation tangles and contraction twin boundaries effectively improved both the strength and ductility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The WE43 sheets rolled at 370 and 450 °C exhibit non-recrystallized structures. • {10 1 ¯ 1} twins and {10 1 ¯ 1}-{10 1 ¯ 2} twins are formed when rolled at 370 °C. • {10 1 ¯ 2} twins are formed when rolled at 450 °C. • The sheet rolled at 370 °C failures at a considerably low stain. • The low plasticity is caused by the activity of compression and double twins. The WE43 sheets are prepared by single-passed rolling at 370 °C and 450 °C with total reduction of 40% and 50%, and the microstructure and mechanical properties of the sheets are contrastively investigated. The R370-40% and R450-50% alloys both exhibit non-recrystallized structures with high-density dislocations and strong basal texture. Many {10 1 ¯ 1} compression twins and {10 1 ¯ 1}-{10 1 ¯ 2} double twins are formed when rolled at 370 °C, while {10 1 ¯ 2} tensile twins are formed when rolled at 450 °C. The R370-40% alloy failures at a considerably low stain, while the ductility of R450-50% alloy is much higher than that of R370-40%. The orientation of compression twins and double twins is more favorable for the basal < a > slip, then a large deformation occurs inside twins and deformation incompatibility appears at the twin-matrix boundary in the subsequent plastic deformation, leading to the final failure. The low plasticity of R370-40% alloy is mainly caused by the activity of compression twins and double twins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the neutron poison element of boron (B) has been successfully added into the AlNbTiZr based multiprincipal element alloy (MPEA) via the arc melting method, and a new class of nuclear fuel materials based on the MPEAs with both high strength, and neutron poison property has been developed. The mechanical results show that both the AlNbTiZr and AlNbTiZrB samples exhibit the high yield strength of 790 ~ 800 MPa under compressive condition, and 720 ~ 750 MPa under tension. With a minor addition of B element, the ductility of AlNbTiZrB sample is largely deteriorated, exhibiting the compressive ductility of ~ 35 % and tensile ductility of only ~ 1 %. The X-ray diffraction (XRD), Calculation of Phase Diagram (CALPHAD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) characterizations demonstrate the formation of numerous feather-like TiB precipitates in AlNbTiZrB sample, which lead to the largely deteriorated tensile ductility in B-containing sample. Despite of that, the compressive ductility can yet reach as high as ~ 35 %, and excellent yield strength can be also obtained. Consequently, the present B-containing MPEA can act as a new promising candidate for future nuclear-fuel materials. • A new boron-containing AlNbTiZrB multiprincipal element alloy (MPEA) has been successfully developed. • AlNbTiZrB samples exhibit the high yield strength of ~ 800 MPa under compression, and also ~ 720 MPa under tension. • The poor tensile ductility in AlNbTiZrB can be ascribed to the existence of numerous feather-like TiB precipitates. • The present B-containing MPEA can act as a new promising candidate for future nuclear-fuel materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]