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• A mathematical analogy established between steady-state heat conduction and thermal inclusion in plane elasticity. • A complete set of Eshelby tensors for thermal and elastic fields expressed in explicit analytical form. • All the closed-form solutions elegantly unified in an algebraic expression for both interior and exterior fields. • Present model is flexible, effective and versatile for arbitrarily shaped inclusions with any eigen-temperature gradients. • The heat and stress concentrations investigated around the inclusion boundary. The existence of inclusions or inhomogeneities may disrupt heat flow, resulting in increased stresses and temperature fluctuations at the material interface. Analyzing the thermo-elastic fields surrounding such microstructures is crucial for unveiling the intricate failure mechanisms within materials. Based on the method of Green's function and contour integral, this work presents a complete set of explicit analytical solutions for thermal and elastic fields of an arbitrary polygonal inclusion subjected to linearly varying eigen-temperature gradients or thermal eigenstrains. In contrast to the previous studies on potentials showing analogy with anti-plane elasticity, a mathematical analogy of Green's functions between steady-state heat conduction and thermal inclusion for plane elasticity is accordingly established. By employing the linear interpolation of the nodal eigen-temperature gradients or eigenstrains, the work further extends the traditional isoparametric element idea to the thermos-elastic inclusions, and proposes a novel isoparametric inclusion model to solve arbitrarily shaped inclusions with any distributed eigen-temperature gradients. Unlike the finite element method, which requires meshing for both the matrix and inclusion, the present model exhibits efficiency, flexibility, and versatility with the mesh discretization only conducted inside the inclusion domain. The inclusion based isoparametric method may have potential applications in mechanical engineering and material science for analyzing the thermo-structural behavior of various microstructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To address the issue of inadequate interfacial adhesion in carbon fiber/poly ether ether ketone (CF/PEEK) composites, an innovative approach that combines carbene chemistry and sizing treatment was meticulously designed to achieve remarkable synergistic enhancement. Specifically, cyano groups were chemical‐grafted on CF surface via carbene reaction. Meanwhile, a water‐based self‐catalyzed cross‐linkable PENK‐NH2 sizing agent with good storage stability was prepared. Noteworthy, the presence of amino groups as blocking agents of sizing agent significantly accelerated the rate of cyano‐crosslinking, thus effectively avoiding the adverse effects of excessively prolonged cross‐linking period during composites preparation. As a result, robust interaction between cyano‐modified CF and PEEK was established by cross‐linking reaction, along with chemical bonds generated between amino groups of sizing agent and ketone groups in PEEK. The maximum interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of CF‐CN‐1.5/PEEK composites was 22.0% and 57.0% higher than CF‐1.5/PEEK and CF/PEEK composites. Furthermore, the presence of cyano‐cross‐linked structure endowed interphase with outstanding solvent‐resistance, the mechanical properties of CF composites after solvent treatment were well‐preserved. The strong synergistic interfacial interactions facilitated by chemical bonds in different components provide an effective and fascinating methodology for producing high‐performance CF/composites. Highlights: Water‐based self‐catalyzed cross‐linkable PENK‐NH2 sizing agents for CF/PEEK were prepared.NH2 was introduced to avoid the adverse effects of prolonged cyano‐crosslinking.Designed carbenoid motif with cyano group was grafted on CF via carbene chemistry.The interaction between sizing agent and CF was boosted by the cyano‐crosslinking.Mechanical properties of sized composites corroded by solvent were well‐preserved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis and characterisation of tetrasubstituted tetrathiafulvalenes (TTFs) 1a–1c, which bear photoresponsive 4ʹ-cyanoazobenzenyl units, are described. These units were linked to the TTF core through spacers of different lengths. All synthesised compounds displayed mesogenic phases over a wide temperature range and no crystallisation, but vitrified to form glassy mesogens during cooling from the isotropic melt. Compound 1a with a short spacer (n = 6) exhibited enantiotropic nematic and smectic A mesophases. In contrast, compound 1b showed monotropic smectic A and oblique columnar phases. However, compound 1c with the longest spacer (n = 10) only possessed an oblique columnar phase. The results for this compound series showed that the molecular packing pattern depended on the spacer length and that cool-crystallisation was observed upon further heating. Furthermore, cyclic voltammetry and impedance tests confirmed that compound 1a has potential applications in organic semiconductor materials. A new series of compounds derived from heterocycle TTF was successfully designed and synthesised using simple synthetic methods. All compounds formed glassy mesogens with an above-ambient glass transition temperature during cooling from the isotropic melt. With increasing spacer length, the self-assembled structures changed from Lam to Colo. These TTF‐based LCs, in combination with good electron-donating properties and the inherent optoelectronic properties of azobenzene, might be attractive new candidates for organic optoelectronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractSmall angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) is a widely used physical technique to characterize nanoscale materials. The absolute scattering intensity provides quantitative data to characterize the mass and density of the analyzed materials. However, the derivation of absolute scattering intensity usually requires the calibration of experimentally measured relative scattering intensity. The most common approach calibration employs standards with known differential cross sections. It is necessary to analyze the standard and samples under identical conditions, including the same distance from sample to detector. This study eliminates this limitation, i.e., the calibration may be achieved by measuring the standards and samples at different distances to the detector using variable sample locations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sleep problem among undergraduate students has become one of the most pressing public health problems. This study aimed to explore the latent class of sleep patterns and the factors affecting sleep in Chinese students of medical university. 3423 students participated in the cross-sectional study. The survey consisted of the reduced Morningness-Evening Questionnaire, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile-II. Latent profile analysis and multinominal logistic regression analysis were performed. Three potential sleep categories were identified: "sleep disorder group" (1.87 %), "daytime dysfunction group" (24.42 %), and "good sleep group" (73.71 %). Compared with the "good sleep group," the "sleep disorder group" showed monthly living expenses (RMB) ≥ 3000 yuan (OR) = 13.04), interpersonal relationships as poor (OR = 3.71), health status as poor (OR = 45.09), circadian rhythm as eveningness (OR = 6.17), and poor health-promoting lifestyles (OR = 2.090) as its risk factors (all p < 0.05). Meanwhile, sophomore (OR = 1.75), junior (OR = 1.52), interpersonal relationships as poor (OR = 1.88), health status as poor (OR = 4.62), intermediate-chronotype (OR = 2.19), eveningness chronotype (OR = 5.66), and health-promoting lifestyles as poor (OR = 1.55) were identified as risk factors for the "daytime dysfunction group" (all p < 0.05). C ausal conclusions can not be drawn and recall bias in data collection. Significant population heterogeneity was found in the sleep quality. Implementing targeted interventions focusing on circadian rhythm and lifestyle is crucial to improve the sleep quality of students with different conditions. • Research on sleep quality in Chinese undergraduate of medical university was limited. • Our study was the first to explore their sleep quality patterns and influence factors. • Three categories (sleep disorder; daytime dysfunction; good sleep) were identified. • Sleep disorders and daytime dysfunction were each related with five different factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research on electron transfer coupled spin transition regulating the valence state and spin state transition of metal ions is promising and challenging. Herein, we report a cyano-bridged {Fe III2 Fe II2 } molecular square complex, {[Fe(Tp)(CN)3]2 [Fe(bnbpen)]2}(ClO4)2·8CH3OH (1·8CH3OH, bnbpen = N,N′-bis-(2-naphthylmethyl)-N,N′-bis(2-picolayl)-ethylenediamine), and its free of solvents form (1). Combined single-crystal X-ray diffraction, temperature-dependent infrared (IR) spectra, magnetic measurements, and Mössbauer spectra reveal that 1·8CH3OH and 1 exhibit reversible one-step and two-step electron transfer coupled spin transition (ETCST) with temperature change, between the low-temperature state {FeII,LS(μ-CN)FeIII,LS}2 (LS = low spin, HS = high spin) and the high-temperature state {FeIII,LS(μ-CN)FeII,HS}2, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A S135 drill pipe experienced severe corrosion failure only after several cycles in a well. In this paper, a series of experiments were conducted to analyze the causes of corrosion failure of drill pipe, including nondestructive testing, chemical and physical properties, macroscopic and microscopic analysis, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The results showed that the corrosion failure of the external thread joint and pipe body of the S135 drill pipe belonged to oxygen corrosion, and a large amount of Cl− in the environmental medium accelerates the corrosion. The external threaded joint of the drill pipe was more severely corroded than pipe body due to the following two reasons. Firstly, vortexing flow was easy to form at the drill pipe joints with single shoulder threads. Secondly, the drill pipe external thread joint had 3.0-grade banded structure segregation, forming a local small electrode potential difference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. To investigate the effect of GLP-1/GLP-1R on the polarization of macrophages in the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis. Methods. Totally, 49 patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and 52 cases of health control (HC) were recruited, all subjects accept coronary angiography gold standard inspection. One or more major coronary arteries (LM, LAD, LCx, and RCA) stenosis degree in 50% of patients as CHD group; the rest of the stenosis less than 50% or not seen obvious stenosis are assigned to the HC group. Flow cytometry were used to detect the percentage of (CD14+) M macrophages, (CD14+CD80+) M1 macrophages, (CD14+CD206+) M2 macrophages, and their surface GLP-1R expression differences in the two groups, using BD cytokine kit to detect the levels of IL-8, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, TNF, and IL-12p70. Results. GLP-1R expression on the surface of total macrophages and M2 macrophages was different between the CHD group and the HC group (P < 0.05). There was no difference in the percentage of total, M1 or M2 macrophages (P > 0.05). Concentration of IL-8 in the HC group was higher than that in the CHD group (P < 0.05). There is no significant difference in the cytokine IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, TNF, and IL-12p70 in the two groups (P > 0.05). After controlling for potential confounders including age, gender, smoking status (S.S.), drinking status (D.S.), HR, SBP, DBP, PP, TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, GHbA1c, M, M1, M2, GLP-1R_M, GLP-1R_M1, GLP-1R_M2, IL-8, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, TNF, and IL-12p70 by multiple linear regression, decreasing Gensini Score was significantly associated with increased percentage of M1 macrophage. Conclusion. GLP-1R agonist is independent of the hypoglycemic effect of T2DM and has protective effect on cardiovascular system. GLP-1R may regulate the polarization of macrophages toward M2, thus playing a protective role in the progression of coronary atherosclerosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field observations were carried out in Qingtu Lake observation array on the vertical electric field (Ez), where the average spatial resolution can reach 1 m. Our results show that Ez can be approximately divided into six layers according to the direction of Ez, which may be caused by the stratification of the polarity of the charged dust particles, and this phenomenon is prevalent in development stage, stable stage and decay stage of dust storms. It demonstrates that the spatial distributions of Ez and charge to mass ratio of dust particles in different stages have the similar pattern. Moreover, the intensities of Ez in the development and decay stages are less than that in the stable stage, which may be caused by the difference of dust concentration. Our results show that the ambient temperature will also affect the vertical electric field besides the dust concentration during dust storms, i.e., Ez increases with the ambient temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tubing used in a gas well rarely collapses and fails during applying annulus pressure. In this study, the failure causes of tubing collapse were analyzed by means of data verification, macroscopic observation, magnetic particle inspection, physical and chemical inspection, optical microscopy, and tubing collapse test. Mechanical analysis of the string and full-scale physical simulation test simulating downhole working conditions. Finally, the verification analysis of the collapse test is carried out by the finite element analysis (FEA). The results showed that (1) the physical dimension, physical and chemical properties, and collapse resistance of this batch of tubing met the requirements of the tubing ordering technical standard. (2) Assuming that the well packer slip was unsealed and could slide freely, the mechanical theoretical analysis of collapsed tubing string and collapse test under simulated working condition load was carried out, which reproduced the load when the tubing collapsed. It can be seen from this that the packer did fail. (3) The FEA calculation results showed that when the external pressure was greater than 30.75 MPa, it would inevitably lead to collapse failure in case of packer unsealed. In conclusion, the root cause for the collapse failure of the 105th underground tubing string was that the packer lost its sealing function, resulting in an abnormal axial load. While under the action of external pressure, the tubing was overloaded and collapsed. It is recommended to carry out verification tests on the material performance of packer slip, the dimensional changes of packer tool outer diameter and inner diameter under actual well conditions, the creep behavior of packer seal, and the performance of shear pin under actual working conditions, especially in the well containing H2S, so as to prevent the pressure leakage of gas well annulus caused by packer unsealing and the reoccurrence of such downhole string collapse accidents. The first collapse test under simulated working condition load is conducted in this paper. Analyzing the collapse failure work and putting forward suggestions to effectively prevent similar failures from happening again are of great significance to the oilfield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel low-molecular-weight organogelator (1) based on thiacrown-cyclized tetrathiafulvalene has been synthesized through cross-coupling reaction of crown-fused 1,3-dithiole-2-one 3 and the thione 4 in the presence of triethyl phosphite. The molecular structure of 1 was fully characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and infrared spectroscopy. Gel-forming-ability experiments showed that the gelator could only form an opaque gel in dimethyl sulfoxide by sonication. The xerogel morphology observed by scanning electron microscopy showed an amorphous wrinkled structure. The gel exhibited varied responses to various external stimuli, including temperature, chemical oxidation, anions, and Na+ ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbonisation is one of the important methods to improve the utilisation of coal. The structural composition of coal plays an important role in coal carbonisation. This work used small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) to investigate the pore structure of three kinds of raw coals with different carbon content derived from Xingtai City, Hebei Province, China. The structures of the corresponding cokes obtained through carbonisation at 1200°C were investigated by elemental analysis and SAXS. In addition, the gasification reaction of the three cokes (C1, C2, C3) with CO2 were studied by thermogravimetric analysis. The SAXS results indicate that the surface fractal dimension increases while the pore size decreases, and the pore distribution became wider after carbonisation. In addition, all coals and cokes present a positive deviation from Porod's law, indicating that there is a micro-fluctuation of electron density in the samples. Besides, it exhibites a negative correlation has been found between the degree of deviation from Porod's law and the carbon content. The gasification reactivity of cokes C1 and C3 in CO2 are higher than that of C2, indicating that the pore structures affect the gas reactivity of the three different metamorphic degree cokes in CO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) based upon synchrotron radiation is ideal for the in situ study of crystal structural changes during heating at high temperatures. This contribution describes a small furnace for in situ WAXS. The furnace has a wide coverage of scattered/diffracted angle from 0 to 135°, heats samples from room temperature to 1000 °C at 20 °C/min, and is suitable for in situ WAXS and radial distribution function of materials. Temperature calibration and safety verification are provided. The use of the furnace is demonstrated by in situ WAXS for the carbonization of bituminous coal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high‐mountain system, a storehouse of major waterways that support important ecosystem services to about 1.5 billion people in the Himalaya, is facing unprecedented challenges due to climate change during the 21st century. Intensified floods, accelerating glacial retreat, rapid permafrost degradation, and prolonged droughts are altering the natural hydrological balances and generating unpredictable spatial and temporal distributions of water availability. Anthropogenic activities are adding further pressure onto Himalayan waterways. The fundamental question of waterway management in this region is therefore how this hydro‐meteorological transformation, caused by climate change and anthropogenic perturbations, can be tackled to find avenues for sustainability. This requires a framework that can diagnose threats at a range of spatial and temporal scales and provide recommendations for strong adaptive measures for sustainable future waterways. This focus paper assesses the current literature base to bring together our understanding of how recent climatic changes have threatened waterways in the Asian Himalayas, how society has been responding to rapidly changing waterway conditions, and what adaptive options are available for the region. The study finds that Himalayan waterways are crucial in protecting nature and society. The implementation of integrated waterways management measures, the rapid advancement of waterway infrastructure technologies, and the improved governance of waterways are more critical than ever. This article is categorized under:Engineering Water > Sustainable Engineering of Water [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Cracked mortar specimens subjected to dry-wet cycles in chemical solutions. • The softening trend of the specimens increased after dry-wet cycles. • A certain distinction existed in the damage degree of the specimens. • The crack propagation was perpendicular to the prefabricated crack orientation. The mechanical behaviors and failure characteristics of cracked mortar specimens subjected to dry-wet cycles in different chemical solutions were investigated in this paper. A non-penetrating crack with a certain inclination and length was prefabricated in each specimen by embedding a copper sheet when casting mortar and then removing it when the mortar initially set. Through our experiments, the stress-strain curve, peak strain and strength, crack position and crack orientation, failure characteristics and damage degradation mechanisms of cracked mortar specimens were measured and analyzed. To identify the degree of damage deterioration of the specimens, the damage variable was expressed in terms of changes in elasticity. The tests showed that the peak strength initially decreased and then increased with the continuous increase of the inclination angle. A remarkable weakening trend occurred in the specimens subjected to dry-wet cycles in different chemical solutions. The initial crack location, orientation and failure features of the cracked specimens were not affected by the chemical solutions and dry-wet cycles, but the crack inclination angle had very significant effect. The microcrack initiation of cracked specimens occurred earlier after dry-wet cycles than under natural condition, and the time of the microcrack extension after dry-wet cycles was longer than it was under the natural state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract To study the stress relaxation and creep behavior of a nickel-iron base superalloy during the ageing process, solution annealed microstructures were subjected to loading experiments at various temperatures. Neutron diffraction (ND) measurements were carried out during the loading process to record the elastic lattice strain response of the γ, γ″ and γ′ phases. The results show that over time, increased length contraction occurred at all three temperatures and the sample tested at 720 °C experienced the most significant shrinkage. During the precipitation of the γ″ phase, the chemical composition of the γ matrix will change as the niobium atoms migrate to the form γ″ precipitates, which directly contributes to a change in the lattice parameter of the matrix and governs the samples' volume shrinkage. The creep strain at 720 °C was positive, while negative creep could be seen at 500 °C and 620 °C. The observed negative creep at 500 °C and 620 °C was caused by the samples' shrinkage, and the creep strain at 720 °C was positive because creep plastic strain is relatively large and thus dominates the measured creep deformation. The stress relaxation results exhibited a significant increase with the increase in test duration at 500 °C, 620 °C and experienced a normal decrease at 720 °C. Stress increase during the relaxation tests is a manifestation of the phenomenon of "negative creep". The precipitation induced volume shrinkage was found to be the key reason for the observed negative creep and abnormal stress relaxation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding how applied voltage drives the electrocatalytic reaction at the nanoscale is a fundamental scientific problem, particularly in non-metallic electrocatalysts, due to their low intrinsic carrier concentration. Herein, using monolayer molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) as a model system of non-metallic catalyst, the potential drops across the basal plane of MoS2 (ΔVsem) and the electric double layer (ΔVedl) are decoupled quantitatively as a function of applied voltage through in-situ surface potential microscopy. We visualize the evolution of the band structure under liquid conditions and clarify the process of EF keeping moving deep into Ec, revealing the formation process of the electrolyte gating effect. Additionally, electron transfer (ET) imaging reveals that the basal plane exhibits high ET activity, consistent with the results of surface potential measurements. The potential-dependent behavior of kf and ns in the ET reaction are further decoupled based on the measurements of ΔVsem and ΔVedl. Comparing the ET and hydrogen evolution reaction imaging results suggests that the low electrocatalytic activity of the basal plane is mainly due to the absence of active sites, rather than its electron transfer ability. This study fills an experimental gap in exploring driving forces for electrocatalysis at the nanoscale and addresses the long-standing issue of the inability to decouple charge transfer from catalytic processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dynamic compressive response of a dendrite-reinforced Ti-based bulk metallic glass composite is investigated. Strain rate dependencies of the max strength and strain energy density are illustrated. The inherent mechanisms are revealed by studying the dynamic deformation behaviors at lower and higher strain rates. Under high-rate loading, the deformation and fracture of the soft crystalline dendrites and the hard amorphous matrix are characterized, respectively. Then, their contributions to the failure of the composite material are discussed. Finally, the dynamic damage efficiency of the composite material is addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction of an engineered cover layer over landfills is a common method applied to reduce the emission of hazardous gases into the atmosphere. Landfill gas pressures can reach 50 kPa or even higher in some cases, thus posing a serious threat to nearby properties and human safety. As such, the evaluation of gas breakthrough pressure and gas permeability in a landfill cover layer is of great necessity. In this study, the loess soil that is often applied as a cover layer in landfills in northwestern China was used to conduct gas breakthrough, gas permeability, and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) tests. Resultantly, the smaller the capillary tube diameter, the higher the capillary force, and the more significant the capillary effect. Gas breakthrough could be attained with no difficulty, provided that the capillary effect was minimal or approached zero. A good fit between the experimental gas breakthrough pressure–intrinsic permeability relationship and a logarithmic equation was found. The mechanical effect blew up the gas flow channel. In the worst-case scenario, the mechanical effect could lead to the overall failure of a loess cover layer in a landfill. A new gas flow channel was formed between the rubber membrane and the loess specimen as a result of the interfacial effect. Although both the mechanical and interfacial effects can elevate the gas emission rate, the latter did not play a role in the improvement of the gas permeability; therefore, misleading interference took place in the evaluation of the gas permeability, and an overall failure of the loess cover layer. To tackle this problem, the point at which the large- and small-effective stress asymptotes cross on the volumetric deformation– P eff diagram may be applied to give early warning signals of the potential overall failure of the loess cover layer in landfills in northwestern China. • The capillary effect is a crucial factor affecting the gas breakthrough pressure. • Both the mechanical and interfacial effects gear up the gas emission rate. • The interfacial effect can mislead the assessment of the failure of a cover layer. • The volumetric deformation goes up with decrease in P eff in an exponential manner. • Such exponential relationship gives early warning of the failure of a cover layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding how applied voltage drives the electrocatalytic reaction at the nanoscale is a fundamental scientific problem, particularly in non-metallic electrocatalysts, due to their low intrinsic carrier concentration. Herein, using monolayer molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) as a model system of non-metallic catalyst, the potential drops across the basal plane of MoS2 (ΔVsem) and the electric double layer (ΔVedl) are decoupled quantitatively as a function of applied voltage through in-situ surface potential microscopy. We visualize the evolution of the band structure under liquid conditions and clarify the process of EF keeping moving deep into Ec, revealing the formation process of the electrolyte gating effect. Additionally, electron transfer (ET) imaging reveals that the basal plane exhibits high ET activity, consistent with the results of surface potential measurements. The potential-dependent behavior of kf and ns in the ET reaction are further decoupled based on the measurements of ΔVsem and ΔVedl. Comparing the ET and hydrogen evolution reaction imaging results suggests that the low electrocatalytic activity of the basal plane is mainly due to the absence of active sites, rather than its electron transfer ability. This study fills an experimental gap in exploring driving forces for electrocatalysis at the nanoscale and addresses the long-standing issue of the inability to decouple charge transfer from catalytic processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigating river bars and their vegetation dynamics in response to upstream damming is important for riverine flood management and ecological assessment. However, our mechanical understanding of the damming-induced changes in river bar and vegetation, such as bar area, morphology, and leaf area index (LAI), remains limited for large river systems. Leveraging satellite images and in situ observed hydrogeomorphic data from, we improve a machine learning-based LAI inversion model to quantify variations in river bar morphology, vegetation distribution, and LAI in the Middle Yangtze River (MYR) following the operation of the Three Gorges Dam (TGD). Then we analyze the mechanisms controlling the bar and vegetation dynamics based on high-resolution river cross-sectional profiles as well as daily discharge, water levels, and sediment in both the pre- and post-TGD periods. Our results indicate that the river bar area decreased by approximately 10% from 2003 to 2020, while the vegetation area and average LAI of these bars increased by >50% and >20%, respectively. Moreover, the plant community on most river bars tended to expand from the bar tail to the bar head and from the edge to the center. The main factor driving vegetation expansion in the MYR after the TGD's operation was the reduction in bar submergence frequency (by 55%), along with a slight bar erosion. Further analysis revealed that the standard deviation of annual discharge decreased by approximately 37%, and the frequency of vegetation-erosive flow decreased by approximately 74%. Our data highlight the potential impact of large dams downstream flow regimes and vegetation encroachement. Such findings further the understanding of the biogeomorphological impacts of large dams on the river bar vegetation and have important implications for riverine plant flux estimatin, flood management and ecological restoration in dammed river systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new series of tetrathiafulvalene-based organogelators endowed with four hydrophobic chains incorporating amide groups was synthesised and characterised. The resulting transparent organogels were obtained with organic solvents such as cyclohexane, carbon tetrachloride and chlorobenzene. Additionally, the length of the alkyl chain influenced the gelation ability of organogels. Considering the results, we concluded that compounds were ‘super gelators’. Interestingly, the gelators reacted with 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane to form charge-transfer (CT) complexes and binary organogels.1HNMR and FT-IR revealed that cooperation of hydrogen bonding, π–π and CT interactions was the main driving force for formation of the native and CT gels. The scanning electron microscopy images of native xerogels revealed characteristic gelation morphologies of three-dimensional cross-linking networks, whereas the morphologies of CT complex xerogels showed amorphous rod-like aggregates. X-ray powder diffraction studies suggested that both gelator and CT complex maintained lamellar molecular packing mode in organogel phase. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

• Compositional undulation promotes strength-plasticity synergy and strain hardening. • Enhanced dislocation multiplication induced by compositional undulation. • Compositional undulation induced hcp microbands facilitates strain delocalization. • Alternation of hard and soft regions promotes strain hardening and delocalization. Multi-principal element alloys (MPEAs) exhibit outstanding mechanical properties due to their unconventional compositions and chemical structures. Rational design of element distribution in such alloys promises for achieving an unprecedented combination of superior properties. Here, using hybrid molecular dynamics and Monte-Carlo simulation method, atomistic models with compositional periodicity and chemical short-range order (SRO) are designed to investigate the effect of compositional undulation on the tensile behavior of CoCrNi medium-entropy alloy (MEA). Specifically, the differences between MEAs with and without compositional undulation in the evolution of defects, local stress-strain state, dislocation nucleation, slip, and its interaction with planar defects are explored. The results reveal that compositional undulation in MEAs can improve the elastic limit and achieve a strong lattice distortion effect which can enhance the dislocation glide resistance. In addition, obvious strain hardening and stress/strain delocalization are observed in the MEA with compositional periodicity, which promotes strength-plasticity synergy. More interestingly, there are formation of many hcp microbands consists of stacking faults, hcp-like structures and nanotwins owing to the compositional undulation. Such structures induced delocalized activation of slip systems which improves the strength/plasticity and strain hardening ability. The proposed compositional design can further optimize the comprehensive mechanical properties in addition to SRO, which provides a feasible approach to design novel MPEAs with exceptional performance. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-efficiency photocatalysis requires wide photoresponse range and effective separation of photogenerated charges to fully utilize solar energy. Exploring the simple and cheap methods to synthesize efficient photocatalysts is still a challenging issue. Herein, we report a facile and simple room-temperature hydrolysis method using glucose as carbon source to prepare visible light-active C-doped TiO photocatalyst. This approach features low-cost, reliable, and easily upscalable. It is found that C atoms have been incorporated into the interstitial position of anatase TiO lattice and distributed homogeneously throughout the surface of TiO nanoparticles. The appropriate C doping can greatly improve the separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs in C-doped TiO. The C-doped TiO samples exhibit enhanced photocatalytic activity with the degradation efficiency under UV and visible light irradiation, which is much faster than that of pure TiO. The mechanism of the enhanced photocatalytic activity is discussed in detail, which is confirmed by using different scavengers. The work provides a simple and useful way to prepare C-doped wide-gap semiconductors with enhanced photocatalytic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To construct novel ion receptors and D-A self-assembly systems for materials with better functions, the annulation of a tetrathiafulvalene donor with a magnesium norphthalocyanine core via a flexible tetrathiacrown ether bridge afforded a new triad 1. The structure of this product was characterized by 1H NMR and infrared spectroscopy, time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. The optical and electrochemical properties were investigated using UV–vis spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The complex of triad 1 and 2,3,5,6- tetrafluoro-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane produced electron transfer with a radical cationic character, as confirmed by UV–Vis and electron paramagnetic resonance analysis. Furthermore, the target compound presented evident intramolecular charge-transfer interactions in ground states, which were explained using density functional theory. Furthermore, norphthalocyanine 1 was able to coordinate Ag+ through the peripheral ligating oxathiaether crown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supramolecular gels and liquid crystals are two important organic soft materials in self-assembly systems. A series of new low-molecular-weight organic gels was synthesized by connecting two cholesterol molecules and two hydrophobic chains incorporating amide groups to a central tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) moiety (1a–l). Compounds 1a–l and their corresponding charge transfer complexes easily formed a stable supramolecular gel in various organic solvents and their self-assembly morphologies and structures were investigated. It was revealed that hydrogen bonding and van der Waals interaction played important roles in the gelation process. More importantly, nearly half of the gelators exhibited liquid crystalline phases of type smectic A in a particular temperature region; there was no crystallization but there was vitrifying to form glassy mesogens during cooling from the isotropic melt. The effects of the linker chain length and terminal alkoxy chain on liquid crystals were studied. The liquid crystalline organogelator with TTF unit was first designed and synthesized. It was demonstrated that the gelators obtained from cyclohexane had a strong ability to adsorb the toxic dye Rhodamine B from water. This property of this series of compounds is considered to have potential utilization for the removal of toxic dye molecules from wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel magnesium-base and metal-free norphthalocyanine ( 6 and 7 ) containing peripheral thiacrown ether-linked tetrathiafulvalene moieties have been synthesized and fully characterized. Electrochemical investigations showed two quasi-reversible one-electron oxidation waves, one irreversible one-electron oxidation wave and two irreversible one-electron reduction waves, indicating that these triads are good π-electron donors. Triad 6 reacted with 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-7,7,8,8-tetra-cyanoquinodimethane (F 4 TCNQ) to form a charge transfer complex that exhibited absorption bands in the vicinity of 750 and 960 nm. Compound 6 showed evident intramolecular charge transfer interactions in ground states and these may be explained on the basis of the density functional theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Dry riverbeds make the CO 2 emissions from intermittent rivers in arid areas equally important as from perennial rivers. • Combination of hydrological modeling, remote sensing and in-situ measurements improve the river CO 2 emission estimation. • Flow duration and dry riverbed area should be considered in estimating CO 2 emissions from intermittent river systems. Intermittent rivers in semiarid and arid regions, constituting over half of the world's rivers, alternate the carbon cycle interactions among the biosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. Inadequate quantification of flow duration and river water surface area, along with overlooked CO 2 emissions from dry riverbeds, result in notable inaccuracies in global carbon cycle assessments. High-resolution remote sensing images combined with intensive field measurements and hydrological modelling were used to estimate and extract the flow duration, river water surface area and dry riverbed area of Huangfuchuan, an intermittent river watershed that acts as a major tributary of the Yellow River in semiarid Northwest China. CO 2 emission rates and partial pressures in water and air across the watershed were in-situ measured. In 2018, the flow duration of Huangfuchuan increased from less than 5 days in the first-order tributary to 150 days in the sixth-order mainstream. River water surface area estimated by remote sensing extraction plus the hydrodynamic model simulation varied from 3.9 to 88.6 km2 under 5 %–95 % discharge frequencies. CO 2 emissions from the water-air interface and dry riverbed in 2018 were estimated at 582.3 × 103 and 355.2 × 103 ton, respectively. The estimated total annual emission (937.5 × 103 ton) aligns closely with the range of emissions (67.3 × 103–1377.2 × 103 ton) calculated for the water-air interface alone, derived using DEM river length and hydraulic geometry method. This similarity can be attributed to the overestimation of flow duration and flow velocity, as well as the over- or under-estimation of river water surface area and slope. The new method proposed in this study has large potential to be applied in estimating CO 2 emissions from data-scarce intermittent rivers located in mountainous regions and provides a standardized solution in the estimation of CO 2 emission. Results of this research reveal the spatiotemporal distribution of CO 2 emissions along an intermittent river system and highlight the substantial role of dry riverbed in carbon cycle. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • We synthesized novel liquid crystal gelators with cholesterol and thiacrown-annelated tetrathiafulvalenes moieties. • Compounds 1b and 1d formed stable gels and exhibited nematic liquid crystalline phases with different nanostructures. • The gels 1d obtained from n-hexane readily adsorbed the toxic dye rhodamine B from water. We synthesized a series of novel liquid crystal (LC) gelators by attaching two cholesterol groups through two ω-thioalkanoyloxy spacers of varying length to thia-crown-annulated tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) moieties (1a – e). Among these compounds, 1b and 1d underwent gelation to form stable supramolecular gels in various organic solvents, and their self-assembled morphology and structure indicated that Van der Waals interactions were the driving force of gel formation. In addition, more than half of the gels (1a – d) transformed into nematic LCs in a certain temperature range, while gelators that did not crystallize during cooling from the isotropic melt formed glassy mesogens. Notably, gelators obtained from n -hexane readily adsorbed rhodamine B in solution, which was considered useful for removing toxic dye molecules in wastewater. LC molecules described herein were capable of gelation and have useful oxidation and stimulus-responsive properties. They may therefore be useful for developing sensors and optoelectronic materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyano-bridged mixed-valence {Fe6} hexanuclear complexes {[Tp4-MeFeII(CN)3]2[FeIII(Tpa)]2[FeIII(OR)(Tpa)]2}·6ClO4·S (Tp4-Me = tri(4-methyl-pyrazol-1-yl)borate, Tpa = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine; R = –CH3, S = 8MeOH 1, R = –C2H5, S = 6EtOH 2) have been obtained by building the units of [Tp4-MeFe(CN)3]− and [Fe(Tpa)]2+ in methanol and ethanol, respectively. Complex 1 exhibited single-crystal-to-single-crystal (SCSC) transformation to give {[Tp4-MeFeII(CN)3]2[FeIII(Tpa)]2[FeIII(OH)(Tpa)]2}·6ClO4·8H2O (3) in water. Detailed analysis of the coordination environment of the FeIII centers on the square lattice and magnetic susceptibility measurements of all the complexes confirmed their Fe3+ spin-crossover (SCO) properties (T1/2 = 178 K, 1; 185 K, 2; 208 K, 3). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A numerical method of dynamic instability analysis of spillway radial gates is presented. • Characteristics of mode-coupling parametric vibrations are studied. • Instability regions evolution of spillway radial gate is presented during the gate lifting. • Underlying instability mechanisms of spillway radial gate are revealed. • Effects of factors on instability mitigation of the gate are investigated. Flow-induced parametric oscillation of the spillway radial gates occurs under hydrodynamic excitation due to flow fluctuation, threatening the hydropower systems' safety. However, the underlying instability mechanisms of the spillway radial gates are still not clear. In this work, we explore the dynamic instability of spillway radial gates with multiple modes considered during the gate-lifting dynamic process. A numerical method for transferring dynamic instability problem of the gate to the generalized eigenvalue problem is developed by using Galerkin method, Floquet theorem and harmonic balance methods. The results reveal that, the critical gate opening exists during the gate lifting process, and the number and distribution of critical gate openings in dynamic instability regions are the key factors inducing the gate's instability. The presented instability intensity can be used to diagnose the vibration state of the gate. The mode-coupling effect renders the radial gate more dynamically instability, increasing the damping ratio is an effective measure on dynamic instability mitigation. The proposed insights in this work can provide guidelines for evaluating the gate's safety and bring rational decision-making in design and operation stages. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the metabolic profile and biomarkers of schizophrenia with auditory hallucinations (AHs).Methods: A total of 18 schizophrenic patients with the symptom of pure AHs (pAHs), 28 without AH (nAHs) and 43 age-matched healthy persons (Con) were enrolled in this study. Participants in pAHs and nAHs groups had relapsed into exacerbations of psychosis after self-discontinuing antipsychotics for at least one month; blood samples were drawn prior to restarting anti-psychotic treatment. Participants with history of recreational substance use were excluded. Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Auditory Hallucinations Rating Scale (AHRS) were used to assess the clinical mental state of all samples. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to estimate the level of cytokines, and metabolomics analysis to identify potential biomarkers and pathways in the three groups. Graphpad 8.0 software was used to calculate the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The relationship between metabolites and cytokines were determined using correlation analysis.Results: Questionnaire scores showed significant differences in the positive symptom scale and PANSS total between nAHs and pAHs groups. Four cytokines (BDNF, IL-2, NGF-β and TNF-α) differed significantly among the three groups. Six molecules in the nAHs group (phenylalanine, hippurate, serine, glutamate, valine and cystine) and four in the pAHs group (phenylalanine, serine, glutamate and cystine) were identified as potential biomarkers. In addition, phenylalanine was shown as a potential independent diagnostic biomarker for pAHs. Correlation analysis revealed that cystine and serine were significantly negatively correlated with IL-2 in the pAHs group.Conclusions: This study revealed the metabolic profile of patients with schizophrenia with AHs and provided new information to support the diagnosis. The identification of unique biomarkers would contribute to objective and reliable diagnoses of patients with schizophrenia with AH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) based carbon fibers possess high performance and wide applications. Preoxidation, as one of the crucial steps in the preparation of carbon fibers, refers to the process in which the polyacrylonitrile fibers are oxidized to form the embryo of carbon lamellar structure below 300 °C in air. Synchrotron radiation wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) is an ideal method for the in-situ study of the preoxidation of fibers. However, an appropriate heating furnace is required to obtain anisotropic two-dimensional scattering/diffraction images. This paper reports the development of a small, simple furnace (300 °C) with flared mouth/outlet (90°) and a fiber sample bracket. The preoxidation of polyacrylonitrile fibers in the furnace was monitored in situ by synchrotron radiation wide angle X-ray scattering and the serviceability of the furnace was verified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Guangxi Partridge chicken is a well-known chicken breed in southern China with good meat quality, which has been bred as a meat breed to satisfy the increased demand of consumers. Compared with line D whose body weight is maintained at the average of the unselected group, the growth rate and weight of the selected chicken group (line S) increased significantly after breeding for four generations. Herein, transcriptome analysis was performed to identify pivotal genes and signal pathways of selective breeding that contributed to potential mechanisms of growth and development under artificial selection pressure. The average body weight of line S chickens was 1.724 kg at 90 d of age, which showed a significant increase at 90 d of age than line D chickens (1.509 kg), although only the internal organ ratios of lung and kidney changed after standardizing by body weight. The myofiber area and myofiber density of thigh muscles were affected by selection to a greater extent than that of breast muscle. We identified 51, 210, 31, 388, and 100 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the hypothalamus, pituitary, breast muscle, thigh muscle, and liver between the two lines, respectively. Several key genes were identified in the hypothalamus-pituitary-muscle axis, such as FST, THSB, PTPRJ, CD36, PITX1, PITX2, AMPD1, PRKAB1, PRKAB2, and related genes for muscle development, which were attached to the cytokine–cytokine receptor interaction signaling pathway, the PPAR signaling pathway, and lipid metabolism. However, signaling molecular pathways and the cell community showed that elevated activity in the liver of line S fowl was mainly involved in focal adhesion, ECM-receptor interaction, cell adhesion molecules, and signal transduction. Collectively, muscle development, lipid metabolism, and several signaling pathways played crucial roles in the improving growth performance of Guangxi Partridge chickens under artificial selection for growth rate. These results support further study of the adaptation of birds under selective pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The risk of cardiovascular diseases is closely related to diabetes. Macrovascular disease is the main cause of death and disability in patients with type 2 diabetes. In recent years, the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA), a new type of hypoglycemic drug, has been shown to regulate blood sugar levels, improve myocardial ischemia, regulate lipid metabolism, improve endothelial function, and exert a protective role in the cardiovascular system. This study reviewed the protective effects of GLP-1RA on the cardiovascular system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbonization is an effective way to achieve the comprehensive utilization of coal. However, the in situ variation of graphite‐like microcrystals, the basic structure of coal macromolecules, with heating and cooling during carbonization has not been fully characterized so far. Anthracite is a type of humic coal with the highest degree of coalification, and its structure change can be monitored well by X‐ray scattering or diffraction techniques. In this contribution, an in situ synchrotron radiation wide‐angle X‐ray scattering (WAXS) study on high‐temperature (1200°C) carbonization of a high‐quality anthracite mined in Jincheng, China, is presented. The results show that, during the continuous process of heating and cooling, the size and height of the aromatic lamellae first decrease and then increase with minima at 900 and 1000°C, respectively, while the interlayer spacing first increases and then decreases with a maximum at 1000°C. The roadmap of graphite‐like microcrystalline structure change during the whole continuous process of heating and cooling is revealed and described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] KTp4-Me could inhibit the growth of human HCC cells in vitro. [•] KTp4-Me could arrest HCC cell lines in S phase and induce cell apoptosis. [•] The iron uptake and signaling pathways could be affected by KTp4-Me. [•] KTp4-Me provides a promising starting point for the treatment of human HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We have reported a theoretical analysis of a series of heteroleptic iridium(III) complexes (mpmi)2Ir(pybi) [mpmi=1-(4-tolyl)-3-methyl-imidazole, pybi=2-(pyridin-2-yl)-benzo[d]imidazole] (1a), (fpmi)2Ir(pybi) [fpmi=1-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-3-methyl-imidazole] (1b), (tfpmi)2Ir(pybi) [tfpmi=1-methyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazole] (1c), (pypmi)2Ir(pybi) [pypmi=3-(3-methyl-imidazol)-pyrazole] (2a), (phpymi)2Ir(pybi) [phpymi=3-(3-methyl-imidazol)-5-phenyl-pyrazole] (2b), and (inpymi)2Ir(pybi) [inpymi=3-(3-methyl-imidazol)-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazole] (2c) by using the density functional theory (DFT) method to investigate their electronic structures and photophysical properties and obtain further insights into the phosphorescent efficiency mechanism. By changing cyclometalated ligands, the conjugation length, and substituents of the cyclometalated ligands, one can tune the emission color from green (λ em=520nm) to orange (λ em=592nm). Complexes 1a, 1b, 2a, and 2b have the almost identical emission wavelength about 550nm, while 592nm for 1c and 520nm for 2c are red shifted and blue shifted, respectively, relative to 1a. The calculated results indicate that, for 1b and 1c, the substituents of −F and −CF3 at the phenyl moiety cause a poor hole-injection ability compared with that of 1a. For all these complexes studied, the hole-transporting performances are better than the electron-transporting ones. The difference between reorganization energies for hole transport (λ ih) and reorganization energies for electron transport (λ ie) for complex 1c are relatively smaller, indicating that the hole and electron transfer balance could be achieved more easily in the emitting layer. The alteration of cyclometalated ligands with different conjugation lengths and substituents has an impact on the optoelectronic properties of these complexes. It is believed that the larger metal to ligand charge transfer (MLCT) character, the highest and values, and the smallest value could result in the larger phosphorescent quantum efficiency for 2c than other complexes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] AEG-1 expression in CRC cell lines and down-regulation or upregulation of AEG-1 in vitro. [•] Knockdown of AEG-1 inhibits cell proliferation, colony formation and invasion. [•] Upregulation of AEG-1 enhances proliferation, invasion and colony formation. [•] Knockdown of AEG-1 accumulates G0/G1-phase cells and promotes apoptosis in CRC cells. [•] AEG-1 knockdown increases 5-FU cytotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Phosphorescence properties of a series of heteroleptic iridium(III) complexes have been theoretically investigated. [•] The –CF3 substitution at different positions at ancillary ligands may be an efficient approach of tuning emitting color. [•] The assumed complex 6 is considered to be potential candidate of blue-emitting material with high quantum yield. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The availability of high-quality three-dimensional (3D) microstructures is an essential prerequisite to understanding the macroscopic behaviours of heterogeneous media. Considering the high cost of 3D microscopy imaging, it is an economical way to derive large numbers of virtual 3D microstructures from limited morphological information of 2D cross-sectional images. This paper presents an efficient method that incorporates machine learning-based characterization of 2D images to statistically reconstruct 3D microstructures. The latent stochasticity of 2D images is mastered by fitting supervised machine learning models, which essentially characterize the local morphological statistics. A morphology integration scheme is developed to project the 2D morphological statistics into the 3D space, and new equivalent 3D microstructures can then be synthesized by sequentially generating voxel values from probability sampling. The new method is tested on a series of heterogeneous media with distinct morphologies, and it is also compared with two classical methods (i.e. stochastic optimization-based reconstruction and Gaussian random field transformation) in terms of reconstruction accuracy and efficiency. Besides, various microstructural descriptors are used to quantify the discrepancies between the reconstructed and target microstructures. The results confirm that the proposed method provides a highly cost-effective and widely applicable way to reproduce 3D realizations that precisely preserve the statistical characteristics, geometrical irregularities, long-distance connectivity and anisotropy that exist in 2D cross-sectional images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work describes a novel finite strain hypo-elastic formulation for amorphous thermoset polymers working in the glassy regime. The constitutive formulation is able to describe time and pressure-dependent behaviour under loading rates ranging from quasi-static to impact-type loading conditions and to account for thermo-mechanical coupling effects. A non-linear pressure dependent potential function is introduced to capture the non-associative visco-plastic potential flow for volumetric plastic strain control. The formulation also incorporates an internal state or deformation resistance variable to enable the description of the polymer hardening — softening behaviour, as well as a novel relation for the dissipative fraction of the plastic work in terms of the equivalent accumulated plastic strain. The constitutive model is formulated within a finite strain kinematics framework, and full details of its numerical implementation into the finite element method using a fully implicit Euler Backward algorithm are given. Model calibration is carried out for three different thermosetting resins (PR520 and RTM6 Epoxies, and MMA adhesives). To illustrate the model capabilities, two case studies are investigated: (i) the de-formation behaviour of epoxy under moderate and impact-type loading conditions under isothermal and fully adiabatic conditions, and (ii) the fracture behaviour of adhesive layers used to bond stiff metallic substrates. Results on RTM6 epoxy show that at, e.g., 60% true strain, 48.5% of the rate of plastic work is dissipative, and that the corresponding predicted increase in temperature due to the locally dissipated heat is consistent with published calorimetry data on a similar thermoset polymer. It was also found that, by coupling the proposed constitutive model with a cohesive zone model, it was possible to predict accurately the effect of an MMA adhesive layer thickness and pressure-dependency on the growth of an interfacial crack between the MMA adhesive and the metallic substrates. The proposed model should constitute a generic phenomenological formulation for the mechanical behaviour prediction of a wide range of thermoset polymers under confined and quasi-adiabatic conditions such as in composites and adhesive joints. • A novel finite strain hypo-elastic formulation for thermo-setting polymers is proposed. • Full details of its numerical implementation into the finite element method are given. • The predicted dissipated heat is consistent with published calorimetry data. • The theory incorporates differences in non-associated behaviour in tension and compression. • The formulation is applied to the study of the Mode II fracture behaviour of MMA polymer adhesive layers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Human interventions affect the dynamics of meandering channels. • Unusual inner bank erosion and outer bank deposition occurred due to upstream damming. • Altered flow-sediment regimes and channel boundary drive the unusual meander dynamics. Human activities, such as reservoir construction and bank revetment, significantly alter downstream flow and sediment regimes and river channel changes, impacting river ecosystem services. However, our understanding of how intense human activities affect morphodynamics of meandering channels in big river systems remains incomplete due to the lack of high-resolution in-situ data. Here, we use comprehensive data encompassing hydrology and sediment, historical channel maps, and high-resolution river bathymetry to investigate the evolution of meandering bends in the Middle Yangtze River (MYR) across three distinct phases: the natural period (1490–1975), the bank revetment period (1975–2002), and the post-dam period (2003–2018). The study revealed that, in the absence of human intervention, the meandering channels of the MYR naturally experienced inner bank deposition and outer bank erosion, largely governed by curvature-induced secondary flow patterns in flow and sediment transport mode. In 1975–2002, outer-bank revetments reduced erodibility, stabilizing outer banks, while inner banks continued to experience lateral and vertical deposition, causing a narrower and deeper channel hydraulic geometry. Conversely, meandering bends had exhibited an unusual pattern of 'outer bank deposition and inner bank erosion' in 2003–2018. Channel morphological changes characterized by channel incision and widening were driven by changes from erodible bank boundaries to solidified bank boundaries, substantial reduction in suspended sediment concentration, and an altered and extended effective flow range (10,000–25,000 m3/s). Our findings highlight that human interventions such as damming and bank revetments can alter the conventional erosion–deposition morphodynamics of meandering bends in large river systems, carrying vital implications for sustainable river management in the Anthropocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two compounds containing carbazole and sulfone groups with different alkyl chain lengths have been designed and synthesized. The sulfone group has strong absorption characteristics and the alkoxy chain and carbazole group are electron-rich, forming D-δ-A-type symmetrical molecules. The molecules have the characteristics of charge transfer and high thermal stability, and the molecules stack to form a layered staggered stack, reducing the intermolecular π–π interactions. The target compounds also exhibit strong ultraviolet-fluorescent emission in the solid state at room temperature, and they are expected to be good luminescent materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We report a quantum-chemistry analysis of four heteroleptic iridium(III) complexes (tfmppy)2Ir(tpip) [tfmppy=4-trifluoromethylphenylpyridine, tpip=tetraphenylimido-diphosphinate] (1), (tfmpyN3)2Ir(tpip) [tfmpyN3 =4-trifluoromethylphenyl-[1,2,3]-triazole] (2), (CN-pyN3)2Ir(tpip) [CN-pyN3 =4-cyanophenyl-[1,2,3]-triazole] (3) (ph-pta)2Ir(tpip) [ph-pta=2-(5-phenyl-[1,2,4]-triazol-3-yl)-pyridine] (4), which have been studied by using density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TDDFT) methods, to investigate their electronic structures, injection and transport properties, absorption and phosphorescence mechanism. The results reveal the different cyclometalated ligands have a large impact on the charge transfer performances of the studied complexes. The complex 4 possess better charge transfer abilities and balanced charge transfer rates, which is a potential candidate as blue-emitting material. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The brittleness of microcapsule shell greatly restricts its self-healing performance since it is easily ruptured during the mixing process. Based on the heat releasing nature during cement hydration, a novel concept of temperature-adaptive microcapsule (TAM) was proposed, which can exhibit a switchable mechanical property with temperature. In this paper, a series of TAM with polymethylmethacrylate-methacrylate shell and magnesium oxide core was prepared with four designed transition temperature, and were characterised by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nano-indentation tests, scanning electron microscopy, thermalgravity analysis and particle size analysis, which confirmed the success in preparing the TAM. Moreover, the performance of proposed microcapsules in cement was investigated by determining the breakage rate of microcapsule and recovery rate of cement paste under different mixing temperature. The results illustrated that compared to lower mixing temperature, a 75% reduction in breakage rate and a 5% increment in recovery rate was observed in TAM embedded cementitious paste at an elevated mixing temperature. This work should provide a promising approach to improve the performance of microcapsules for self-healing cementitious materials. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six Dy(III) single-ion magnets (SIMs) [Dy(n-OMe-bbpen)X] were synthesized by a solvothermal reaction with three positional isomers (ortho, meta, and para) of ligands n-OMe-H2bbpen and dysprosium halides DyX3, (n-OMe-H2bbpen = N,N′-bis(2-hydroxy-n-methoxybenzyl)-N,N′-bis(2-methylpyridyl)ethylenediamine; n = 3, X = Cl, 1; n = 3, X = Br, 2; n = 4, X = Cl, 3; n = 4, X = Br, 4; n = 5, X = Cl, 5; n = 5, X = Br, 6). Dynamic magnetic measurements revealed that the six complexes possess notably different effective barriers of magnetic reversal: 872.0 K (1), 1210.1 K (2), 137.9 K (3), 602.6 K (4), 907.0 K (5) and 1216.7 K (6). 6 showed the best performance as SIMs among the six Dy(III) complexes. Moreover, the magnetic hysteresis loops of 6 remained open at 21 K. The crystal structures indicate the switching of local symmetry around Dy(III) ion, aroused by the variation in intermolecular interactions and steric effects. This switch is primarily correlated with the distinction of magnetic properties. In addition, ab initio calculations confirmed that the different electrostatic potential around Dy(III) ion stemming from the electronic effect of the OMe-substituted group is another factor leading to the distinction in magnetic properties. This work warns us that when designing ligands for Dy-SIMs, the effect of positional isomerism on magnetic performance must be considered, which is one of the factors that can easily be overlooked. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herbivore‐induced plant volatiles prime neighbouring plants to respond more strongly to subsequent attacks. However, the key volatiles that trigger this state and their priming mechanisms remain largely unknown. The tea geometrid Ectropis obliqua is one of the most devastating leaf‐feeding pests of tea plants. Here, plant–plant communication experiments demonstrated that volatiles emitted from tea plants infested by E. obliqua larvae triggered neighbouring plants to release volatiles that repel E. obliqua adult, especially mated females. Volatile analyses revealed that the quantity of eight volatiles increased dramatically when plants were exposed to volatiles emitted by infested tea plants, including (Z)‐3‐hexenol, linalool, α‐farnesene, β‐Ocimene and (E)‐4,8‐dimethyl‐1,3,7‐nonatriene (DMNT). The results of behavioural bioassays demonstrated that β‐Ocimene strongly repelled mated E. obliqua females. Individual volatile compound exposure experiments revealed that (Z)‐3‐hexenol, linalool, α‐farnesene and DMNT triggered the emission of β‐Ocimene from tea plants. Chemical inhibition experiments demonstrated that the emission of β‐Ocimene induced by (Z)‐3‐hexenol, linalool, α‐farnesene and DMNT were dependent on Ca2+ and JA signalling. These findings help us to understand how E. obliqua moths respond to volatiles emitted from tea plants and provide new insight into volatile‐mediated plant–plant interactions. They have potential significance for the development of novel insect and pest control strategies in crops. Herbivore‐induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) play important ecological roles in defense against stresses and prime neighboring intact plants to respond more strongly to subsequent attacks. However, the key volatiles that trigger this primed state and their priming mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here, plant–plant communication experiments demonstrated that volatiles emitted from tea plants infested by Ectropis obliqua larvae triggered neighboring intact plants to release volatiles that repel E. obliqua mated females. The results of behavioral bioassays demonstrated that β‐Ocimene strongly repelled mated E. obliqua females. Here, we provide the first evidence for the HIPVs triggered the emission of β‐Ocimene from the primed plants. Chemical inhibition experiments demonstrated that the emission of β‐Ocimene induced by these volatiles was dependent on Ca2+ and JA signaling in primed plants. The knowledge will help us to understand how E. obliqua female moths respond to volatile cues emitted from tea plants and provide new insight into volatile‐mediated plant–plant interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]