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Polymer dielectrics are preferred materials for high-energy-density capacitive energy storage. In particular, high-temperature dielectrics that can withstand harsh conditions, e.g., ≥150 °C, is of crucial importance for advanced electronics and electrical power systems. Herein, high-temperature dielectric polymer composites composed of polyetherimide (PEI) matrix and hafnium oxide (HfO2) nanoparticles are presented. It is found that the incorporation of HfO2 with a moderate dielectric constant and a wide bandgap improves the dielectric constant and simultaneously reduces the high-field leakage current density of the PEI nanocomposites. As a result, the PEI/HfO2 composites exhibit superior energy storage performance to the current high-temperature engineering polymers at elevated temperatures. Specifically, the nanocomposite with 3 vol% HfO2 displays a discharged energy density of 2.82 J/cm3 at 150 °C, which is 77% higher than neat PEI. This work demonstrates the effectiveness of incorporation of the nanofiller with a medium dielectric constant into the polymer on the improvement of high-temperature capacitive properties of the polymer composites.

Polymer-based composites with excellent dielectric properties are essential for advanced energy storage applications. In this work, the [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) as a filler was incorporated into the poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (P(VDF-HFP)) composite to improve its dielectric performance. P(VDF-HFP) composite films with varying PCBM concentrations were prepared via solution casting and their dielectric, energy storage, and charge–discharge properties were characterized. It was found that the doped PCBM could introduce new charge traps with an energy level of 1.25 eV that modulate charge transport and energy storage characteristics of the polymer matrix. The dielectric constant of the composites was enhanced to the maximum of 10.87 as 0.2 vol% PCBM was added, while the breakdown strength reached 455 MV/m, achieving an energy density of 7.38 J/cm3, which is 33% higher than the pristine P(VDF-HFP) film. Furthermore, the charge–discharge efficiency of the composites was enhanced 66% under the electric field of 300 MV/m. These results demonstrate that PCBM significantly improves the dielectric and energy storage properties of P(VDF-HFP) composites, providing a promising approach for the development of high-performance dielectric materials in flexible energy storage devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Free throws serve as a crucial scoring mechanism in basketball games. As the level of basketball and the intensity of competition continue to improve, the frequency of free throw attempts gradually rises. However, with heightened game intensity, maintaining a consistent free throw success rate becomes increasingly challenging. The aim of this study was to investigate the eye movement characteristics exhibited by basketball players during free throws of varying intensities, as well as explore the relationship between these eye movement characteristics and free throw percentage. Methods: Twenty elite female basketball players were recruited to perform free throws at varying exercise intensities (low, moderate, and high) while wearing an eye tracker device. Eye tracking data was collected using the Tobii Glasses 3 eye tracker. Additionally, the Polar team pro, a heart rate monitoring system manufactured in Finland, was utilized to monitor participants' heart rates during different exercise intensities. Results: The average number of fixations on the hoop and net during free throws of varying intensities exhibited statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). The fixation durations of the hoop, backboard, and net exhibited statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). Notably, the hoop accounted for the highest proportion of the overall average fixation duration. high-intensity free throws necessitate lengthier processing durations compared to low-intensity and medium-intensity free throws. Furthermore, for free throws of moderate intensity, there was a significant negative correlation between the number of fixations on the hoop and free throw percentage (P < 0.05). Conversely, for high intensity free throws, there was a significant positive correlation between the fixation duration on the hoop and free throw percentage (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Under the three kinds of sports intensity, the players mainly focus on the hoop position, the moderate intensity free throw has the best stability, and the information search strategy and information processing efficiency are the highest. In high intensity free throws, the longer the fixation duration at the hoop, the higher the free throw percentage; The higher the number of fixations at the hoop, the lower the percentage of free throws. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Qingfei Paidu decoction (QFPDD) is a widely acclaimed therapeutic formula employed nationwide for the clinical management of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). QFPDD exerts a synergistic therapeutic effect, characterized by its multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway action. However, the intricate interactions among the ingredients and targets within QFPDD and their systematic effects in multiple tissues remain undetermined. To address this, we qualitatively characterized the chemical components of QFPDD. We integrated multi-tissue transcriptomic analysis with GraphDTA, a deep learning model, to screen for potential compound–target interactions of QFPDD in multiple tissues. We predicted 13 key active compounds, 127 potential targets and 27 pathways associated with QFPDD across six different tissues. Notably, oleanolic acid-AXL exhibited leading affinity in the heart, blood, and liver. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation confirmed their strong binding affinity. The robust interaction between oleanolic acid and the AXL receptor suggests that AXL is a promising target for developing clinical intervention strategies. Through the construction of a multi-tissue compound–target interaction network, our study further elucidated the mechanisms through which QFPDD effectively combats COVID-19 in multiple tissues. Our work also establishes a framework for future investigations into the systemic effects of other Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formulas in disease treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comprehensive Summary: Protein‐protein interactions (PPIs) play a crucial role in drug discovery and disease treatment. However, the development of effective drugs targeting PPIs remains challenging due to limited methodologies for probing their spatiotemporal anisotropy. Here, we propose a single‐molecule approach using a unique force circuit to investigate PPI dynamics and anisotropy under mechanical forces. Unlike conventional techniques, this approach enables the manipulation and real‐time monitoring of individual proteins at specific amino acids with defined geometry, offering insights into molecular mechanisms at the single‐molecule level. The DNA force circuit was constructed using click chemistry conjugation methods and genetic code expansion techniques, facilitating orthogonal conjugation between proteins and nucleic acids. The SET domain of the MLL1 protein and the tail of histone H3 were used as a model system to demonstrate the application of the DNA force circuit. With the use of atomic force microscopy and magnetic tweezers, optimized assembly procedures were developed. The DNA force circuit provides an exceptional platform for studying the anisotropy of PPIs and holds promise for advancing drug discovery research targeted at PPIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ceramizable silicone rubber (CSR) composed of silicone rubber matrix and inorganic fillers can be transformed into a dense flame-retardant ceramic upon encountering high temperatures or flames. Conventionally, CSR can be sintered into a dense ceramic at temperatures above 1000 °C, which is higher than the melting point of a copper conductor used in a power cable. In this study, the vulcanization process and mass ratio of inorganic fillers of CSR were studied to lower its ceramization temperature to 950 °C. The electrical and mechanical properties of CSRs and their ceramic bulks were studied with various ratios of wollastonite and muscovite. It was found that the CSR samples could be successfully fabricated using a two-step vulcanization technique (at 120 °C and 150 °C, respectively). As a high ratio of muscovite filler was introduced into the CSR, the sample presented a high dc electrical resistivity of 6.713 × 1014 Ω·cm, and a low dielectric constant of 4.3 and dielectric loss of 0.025 at 50 Hz. After the thermal sintering (at 950 °C for 1 h) of the CSR sample with a high ratio of muscovite, the ceramic sample exhibits a dense microstructure without any pores. The ceramic also demonstrates excellent insulating properties, with a volume resistivity of 8.69 × 1011 Ω·cm, and a low dielectric loss of 0.01 at 50 Hz. Meanwhile, the three-point bending strength of the ceramic sample reaches a value of 110.03 MPa. This study provides a potential route to fabricate CSR used for fire-resistant cables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The 3-point shot plays a significant and pivotal role in the historical context of basketball competitions. Visual attention exerts a crucial influence on the shooting performance of basketball players. This study aims to investigate the eye movement characteristics exhibited by high-level basketball players while executing 3-point shot at varying exercise intensities, as well as explore the correlation between these eye movement characteristics and 3-point field goal percentage. Methods: A total of twenty highly skilled female basketball players were recruited as participants for this study. During the experiment, the participants wore an eye tracker to record their eye movement data while executing 3-point shot at varying exercise intensities (low, moderate, and high). The collected eye movement data was analyzed using Tobii Pro Lab software. Additionally, the participants' exercise intensity was monitored by wearing Polar Team Pro sensors. Results: The average number of fixations during the execution of a 3-point shot at three exercise intensities exhibited statistically significant differences in the front, bottom, top left, and bottom right. Moreover, notable disparities were observed in the average fixation duration for the front, bottom, and bottom right. The average total number of fixations and fixation duration in the moderate intensity shot were comparatively lower than those observed in the low and high intensity shots, while the average number of fixations and percentage of fixation duration on the front were relatively higher compared to those in the low and high intensity shots. Under varying intensities, there were no significant differences observed in the average number of fixations and the 3-point field goal percentage each AOI; however, a significantly positive correlation was found between the front average fixation duration and the 3-point field goal percentage. Conclusion: During the execution of a moderate intensity 3-point shot, the player's fixation is focused and stable, their information search strategy is efficient, and their information processing is precise. Variations in exercise intensity result in changes to both the information search strategy and degree of processing. Fixating on the front has a positive impact on 3-point field goal percentage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]