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In deep-sea mixed transmission mining systems, the mixed transmission hard pipe plays an important role in mineral transport. To speed up the process of connecting the hard pipe, a quick disassembly and assembly system was designed. By model analysis, the key focus of the rapid disassembly and assembly system was the clamp connector. On the basis of vibration theory and finite-element simulations, the connector underwent static and vibration analysis, and the fatigue life was predicted. Finally, laboratory and sea test tests were conducted on the rapid disassembly and assembly system. The quick disassembly and assembly system can realise quick disassembly and assembly under the target working conditions and maintained smooth operation during two 24-h cycle tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hot deformation of sintered billets by powder metallurgy (PM) is an effective preparation technique for titanium alloys, which is more significant for high-alloying alloys. In this study, Ti–6.5Al–2Zr–Mo–V (TA15) titanium alloy plates were prepared by cold pressing sintering combined with high-temperature hot rolling. The microstructure and mechanical properties under different process parameters were investigated. Optical microscope, electron backscatter diffraction, and others were applied to characterize the microstructure evolution and mechanical properties strengthening mechanism. The results showed that the chemical compositions were uniformly diffused without segregation during sintering, and the closing of the matrix craters was accelerated by increasing the sintering temperature. The block was hot rolled at 1200°C with an 80% reduction under only two passes without annealing. The strength and elongation of the plate at 20–25°C after solution and aging were 1247 MPa and 14.0%, respectively, which were increased by 24.5% and 40.0%, respectively, compared with the as-sintered alloy at 1300°C. The microstructure was significantly refined by continuous dynamic recrystallization, which was completed by the rotation and dislocation absorption of the substructure surrounded by low-angle grain boundaries. After hot rolling combined with heat treatment, the strength and plasticity of PM-TA15 were significantly improved, which resulted from the dense, uniform, and fine recrystallization structure and the synergistic effect of multiple slip systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The urban–rural fringe is at the forefront of the confrontation between the agricultural and industrial civilisations. How to handle the relationship between the two civilisations in this region and ensure its sustainable development is an eternal topic in the science of the human-living environment. Thanks to the special historical background of the Third Line construction, China's industrial heritage connects with the urban–rural fringe that surpasses other countries. For the first time, this study connects China's Third Line construction, industrial heritage, and urban–rural integration within the same context, combining big data bibliometric methods to obtain the development characteristics and context of China's industrial heritage research starting from 2004. It has strong policy characteristics, is influenced by administrative orders, and is aligned with urbanisation efforts. Theoretical exploration is the first step in research, followed by value connotations and cultural qualities. It addresses various topics, including industrial heritage conservation, regeneration approaches, and cultural heritage tourism. The research focuses primarily on the value appraisal of industrial heritage, exploring revitalisation tactics and routes, as well as regional development models in urban–rural periphery areas. This study also examines how scholars generally consider the impact of industrial heritage on the economic, social, and cultural development of urban–rural fringe areas in order to integrate and propose various protection and utilisation strategies, such as industrial heritage preservation, cultural and creative industry development, and tourism resource development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of China's high-density urbanisation process has made people aware of the widespread injustice in urban green space (UGS) as a means to improving residents' well-being. The Chinese National Forest City (NFCC) policy is one of China's construction models that aims to develop urban greening and reduce the inequality of residents' well-being. This study used a combination of qualitative research and index quantification to explore the relationship between the spatial distribution of NFCCs and the factors affecting inequality in green space allocation and their impacts. The results of the study show that changes in indicators in NFCC policy reflect the national government's decision-making orientation towards achieving environmental equity, and that the main factors affecting the unequal spatial distribution of NFCCs are highly correlated with inequality in UGS resources. This study analysed the NFCC policy from a new perspective and provides useful information for the development of national forest policy in order to ensure sufficient green space in China and the elimination of environmental inequity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a cause of staph infection that is difficult to treat because of resistance to some antibiotics. A recent study indicated that diarylurea ZJ-2 is a novel antibacterial agent against multi-drug resistant Enterococcus faecium. In this work, we refined the bactericidal mechanism of ZJ-2 as a peptidoglycan (PG) hydrolase by affecting AtlA-mediated PG homeostasis. Methods: A wild-type strain (WT) and a mutant strain (ΔatlA) were used to investigate the effects of ZJ-2 on the cell wall, PG, and autolysin regulatory system by antimicrobial susceptibility testing, hemolytic toxin assay, microanalysis, autolysis assay, qRT-PCR, ELISA and mouse model of pneumonia. Results: The results revealed that ZJ-2 down-regulated the expression of genes related to peptidoglycan hydrolase (PGH) (sprX, walR, atlA, and lytM), and reduced the levels of PG, muramyl dipeptide (MDP), cytokines, and hemolytic toxin, while ΔatlA interfered with the genes regulation and PG homeostasis. In the mouse MRSA pneumonia model, the same trend was observed in the nucleotide oligomerization domain protein 2 (NOD2) and relative proinflammatory factors. Conclusion: ZJ-2 may act as a novel inhibitor of PG hydrolyse, disrupting autolysin-mediated PG homeostasis, and reducing inflammation by down-regulating the MDP-NOD2 pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The additive manufacturing of continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastics (CFRTPs) paves way for the high‐strength, light‐weight components for variety of load‐bearing applications. In this work, the continuous carbon fiber reinforced PA6 (CCF‐PA6) composites was successfully printed from the prepreg filament. The prepreg filament was prepared in‐house by impregnating the heat‐and‐acid treated 1 K carbon fiber bundle with the molten PA6. The tensile strength of the prepreg filament, which contained with 40 vol% CF, reached 984 MPa. The unidirectional CCF‐PA6 specimens were subsequently 3D‐printed with the prepreg filament, and the mechanical strength of those 3D‐printed specimens were tunable by adjusting a set of printing parameters, such as layer thickness, hatch spacing and printing temperatures. The highest tensile strength of the specimen reached 555 MPa. Those specimens also exhibited outstanding mechanical strength at elevated temperatures, still reaching 184 MPa at 150°C. The mechanical strength of those specimens was dependent on the content of the fiber. This study can hopefully provide new insights for feedstock design and spur novel ideas in tailoring the mechanical properties of the 3D‐printed CFRTPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban space architectural color is the first feature to be perceived in a complex vision beyond shape, texture and material, and plays an important role in the expression of urban territory, humanity and style. However, because of the difficulty of color measurement, the study of architectural color in street space has been difficult to achieve large-scale and fine development. The measurement of architectural color in urban space has received attention from many disciplines. With the development and promotion of information technology, the maturity of street view big data and deep learning technology has provided ideas for the research of street architectural color measurement. Based on this background, this study explores a highly efficient and large-scale method for determining architectural colors in urban space based on deep learning technology and street view big data, with street space architectural colors as the research object. We conducted empirical research in Jiefang North Road, Tianjin. We introduced the SegNet deep learning algorithm to semantically segment the street view images, extract the architectural elements and optimize the edges of the architecture. Based on K-Means clustering model, we identified the colors of the architectural elements in the street view. The accuracy of the building color measurement results was cross-sectionally verified by means of a questionnaire survey. The validation results show that the method is feasible for the study of architectural colors in street space. Finally, the overall coordination, sequence continuity, and primary and secondary hierarchy of architectural colors of Jiefang North Road in Tianjin were analyzed. The results show that the measurement model can realize the intuitive expression of architectural color information, and also can assist designers in the analysis of architectural color in street space with the guidance of color characteristics. The method helps managers, planners and even the general public to summarize the characteristics of color and dig out problems, and is of great significance in the assessment and transformation of the color quality of the street space environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional methods for detecting damage in engineering structures often use offline static damage detection. To enable the real-time and precise identification of dynamic damage while maintaining symmetry in engineering structures, this study primarily concentrates on isotropic plate structures widely employed in engineering. Moreover, fiberglass board composite plates were opted as a specific research object. By utilizing the weak S0 mode signals generated by low-frequency ultrasonic Lamb waves, the non-stationary A0 wave signals in the composite symmetry plate structure are collected using the non-contact SLDV (Scanning Laser Doppler Vibrometer) technique. The frequency characteristic parameters in the vibration signals are obtained through HHT (Hilbert–Huang Transform) analysis, followed by filtering and noise reduction. Finally, the circular trajectory intersection method is employed to accurately locate dynamic damage sources in plate structures with different material properties, thereby validating the positioning effect of contact sensors in detecting impacts caused by random impulses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Architectural heritage refers to buildings, complexes, and sites with historical, cultural, artistic, technological, and geographical values, including ancient buildings, historical buildings, places of interest, dwellings, and industrial sites. China's 20th-Century Architectural Heritage List is a state-level list that includes architecture of historical, cultural, technological, and artistic value in China in the 20th century. It is the carrier of the past century and the monument to witnessing the change in human knowledge, culture, technology, and even art. This list is from China, a country with a vast land area, a densely populated population, and numerous architectural relics. This study used ArcGIS to analyze 597 cases in 6 batches in China's 20th-Century Architectural Heritage List. Its spatial structure was studied by calculating the nearest neighbor index, Gini coefficient, imbalance index, and kernel density. The results showed that the distribution of the Chinese modern architectural heritage resources is cohesive and uneven in China. Next, the geographical detector model was used to analyze its influencing factors from the perspective of 12 factors. This study found that the spatial distribution of this type of resource was condensed. The provincial level showed a distribution pattern of seven centers with one core and multiple scattered points. Its distribution in 34 administrative regions is extremely uneven, with 57.29% being located in North and East China. It also focused on analyzing five influencing factors, namely, topography, regional status, culture and education, social and economic development level, and external contact. Exploring its spatial structure and influencing factors will not only enable a comprehensive understanding of the development context and current situation of 20th-century architectural heritage, but also provide a reference for its protection and sustainable use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrial heritage serves as a poignant testament to the historical narrative of industrial civilization. The European Route of Industrial Heritage (ERIH) is a pan-European network that connects industrial sites and museums to enhance public awareness of the significance of the industrial heritage sector and to promote sustainable development practices in urban areas through collaboration and cooperation between these sites. The ERIH is crucial in promoting economic, cultural, and social values associated with industrial heritage and creating opportunities for tourism and education in Europe. Taking the ERIH as the research object, the nearest-neighbor index, kernel density, geographic detector, and other methods are used in this study to explore the spatial distribution characteristics and influencing factors of European industrial heritage. The results of this study have implications for urban and regional planning endeavors aimed at advancing sustainable urban development. Furthermore, they contribute to cultivating a sense of place and identity by identifying and preserving industrial heritage institutions while fostering social cohesion and community identity practices. The results show that (1) the spatial distribution of European industrial heritage presents a cohesive distribution, and the spatial distribution is uneven; (2) the spatial distribution of European industrial heritage forms "dual cores, dual centers, one belt, three zones and multiple scattered points"—the center of gravity shows a trend of "first north and then east" and the north–south movement is relatively small; and (3) a combination of natural and social factors shape the spatial distribution of industrial heritage. Natural conditions, such as altitude, topography, and hydrological characteristics, influence the distribution patterns of industrial heritage sites. Meanwhile, human factors, including infrastructure level, cultural tourism potential, and social development, play a pivotal role in determining spatial distribution patterns. Among these factors, the socio-economic level exhibits the strongest influence, with an explanatory power of 0.763. The results of this study can contribute to the conservation and tourism practices regarding industrial heritage sites, thus promoting sustainable urban development practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, commercially pure titanium parts (CP‐Ti) are fabricated successfully by laser powder bed fusion using cost‐effective ball milling (BM) near‐spherical powder. The hardness, microstructure, wear, and corrosion performances of BM‐Ti parts are investigated systemically. The microstructure of the fabricated BM‐Ti sample consists of α′ phase. Compared with the sample fabricated using gas‐atomized (GA) spherical powder, the BM‐Ti sample exhibits higher hardness (354 HV vs 240 HV) due to grain refinement. Owing to the formation of a denser oxide film and finger gain, BM‐Ti exhibits a higher corrosion resistance than that of GA‐Ti and forged Ti–6Al–4 V alloy. Under the same load, taking 2 N for example, the BM‐Ti sample exhibits a lower wear rate (1.03 × 10−12 m3 N−1 m−1) than that of the GA‐Ti sample (1.75 × 10−12 m3 N−1 m−1), and comparable to the forged Ti–6Al–4 V alloy (0.84 × 10−12 m3 N−1 m−1). The wear mechanism of the BM‐Ti sample and forged Ti–6Al–4 V alloy is abrasive wear accompanied by adhesion, while the mechanism for the GA‐Ti sample is a combination of delamination and adhesion wear. Together, enhanced wear and corrosion performances of CP‐Ti fabricated using low‐cost BM near‐spherical powder widen its applications in the fields of biomedical further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban decline refers to the sustained deterioration of cities in terms of their economy, population, and social aspects. The outbreak of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in 2019 objectively affected the trajectory of this phenomenon. A comprehensive analysis of scientific research on urban decline and its practical implications was conducted using bibliometric methods, data acquired from 2019 to 2023 and the Web of Science. Since COVID-19, research on urban decline has been predominantly led by traditional developed countries such as the United States and England, with a high degree of regional collaboration. Keyword clusters have focused on urban regeneration, growth, decay, family planning, resource dependency theory, public art, etc. Keyword co-occurrence has focused on shrinking cities, gentrification policy, land use, etc. Based on previous analyses and the contemporary context, the intrinsic logic behind the urban decline in recent years can be summarized as inadequate economic development, lagging infrastructure construction, the siphoning effect of core regional cities, and unique institutional factors leading to specific urban decline patterns. Comprehensive urban recovery plans have been proposed, including reshaping urban spatial layouts and planning and strengthening strategies for social and economic revival, with correspondence-specific samples. Studying the impact of COVID-19 on urban decline from the perspectives of city development and strategies can help us better understand the repercussions of global health crises on cities, providing a more scientific basis for urban planning and management to build resilient, sustainable, and equitable cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atherosclerosis is the narrowing of the arteries due to the formation of fatty plaques, which is the main cause of myocardial infarction and stroke. It is important to develop an in vitro model that can combine multiple-type cell co-culture, vessel wall-like structure, and fluid condition to simulate the processes of atherosclerosis. Herein, we used a simple microfluidic chip made of three polydimethylsiloxane layers to co-culture endothelial and smooth muscle cells in a flat rectangular microchannel. After being connected with a circulating culture medium driven by a peristaltic pump, the flat microchannel was deformed to a tunnel-like macrochannel. The fluid pressure and shear stress applied on the cells in the deformed macrochannel can be varied by adjusting the circulating flow rate and the thickness of the middle layer. Under three levels of the pressure (65, 131, and 196 mm Hg) or shear stress (0.99, 4.78, and 24 dyne/cm2) conditions, a series of atherosclerosis-related events, including endothelial cell junction, pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion, monocyte adhesion, and lipid accumulation, were investigated. The atherosclerosis-related results showed that the medium pressure or shear stress exhibited a relatively weak pro-atherosclerotic effect in a V-shaped trend. To demonstrate the potential in drug screen, the effects of three well-known anti-atherosclerotic drugs (atorvastatin, tetramethylpyrazine, and high-density lipoprotein) on the lipid accumulation and pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion were evaluated under a strong pro-atherosclerotic fluid condition (65 mm Hg, 0.99 dyne/cm2). This in vitro model of atherosclerosis has shown great potential in drug screen application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal injection molding (MIM) is a very effective way to prepare brittle TiAl alloy parts. In this study, the rheological properties of feedstocks, as-sintered microstructure, interstitial impurities, and mechanical properties by using inexpensive non-spherical powders were systematically studied. By optimization of raw materials and strict process control, semi-alloyed Ti-48Al powder was prepared by self-propagation synthesis. The powder is composed of TiAl, Ti3Al, and TiAl3 with an O content of 0.34 wt%. The pseudo-plastic flow behavior and powder loading of feedstock based on different binder systems—polyoxymethylene (POM) and paraffin wax (PW)—were systematically studied. Sintering of non-spherical TiAl powder at 1450 °C yielded samples with a relative density of 96.4%, a tensile strength of 352 MPa, and elongation of 0.32%, reaching the level of as-cast alloys. In addition, microstructures of samples sintered at various sintering temperatures were also studied in detail and compared with the structure of the ingot metallurgy TiAl alloy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liquid crystal (LC) is an intermediate state compound between liquid and crystal, which has the anisotropy of crystal molecules while having the fluidity of liquid. It is a cutting‐edge technology in optoelectronics. LC lens is an electrically controlled focusable gradient refractive index lens. In light field displays, LC lenses with diameters in the millimetre range can cover more areas. Therefore, we propose a large aperture (LA) liquid crystal (LC) lens with an electrically controlled focal length of 4 mm in diameter. LC lenses with large apertures require large voltages and there are certain safety issues and equipment requirements. We have therefore utilised a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) that can harvest energy from the environment and convert it into usable electrical energy. TENG has the advantages of being small and portable and enables the use of renewable energy. In this paper, we propose a new type of feather TENG (F‐TENG) with a positive friction electrode of feathers and a negative electrode of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) mixed with graphene, which enables the use of F‐TENG to power LC lens systems, thus providing a new application idea for the display field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A photodetector based on a hybrid dimensional heterostructure of laterally aligned multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and multilayered MoS2 was prepared using the micro-nano fixed-point transfer technique. Thanks to the high mobility of carbon nanotubes and the efficient interband absorption of MoS2, broadband detection from visible to near-infrared (520–1060 nm) was achieved. The test results demonstrate that the MWCNT-MoS2 heterostructure-based photodetector device exhibits an exceptional responsivity, detectivity, and external quantum efficiency. Specifically, the device demonstrated a responsivity of 3.67 × 103 A/W (λ = 520 nm, Vds = 1 V) and 718 A/W (λ = 1060 nm, Vds = 1 V). Moreover, the detectivity (D*) of the device was found to be 1.2 × 1010 Jones (λ = 520 nm) and 1.5 × 109 Jones (λ = 1060 nm), respectively. The device also demonstrated external quantum efficiency (EQE) values of approximately 8.77 × 105% (λ = 520 nm) and 8.41 × 104% (λ = 1060 nm). This work achieves visible and infrared detection based on mixed-dimensional heterostructures and provides a new option for optoelectronic devices based on low-dimensional materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of geothermal resources in the Dongpu Depression can improve not only the economic benefits of the oilfield but also the ecological environment. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the geothermal resources in the region. Based on the heat flow, geothermal gradient and thermal properties, the temperatures and their distribution in different strata are calculated using geothermal methods, and the geothermal resource types of the Dongpu Depression are identified. The results show that the geothermal resources include low-temperature, medium-temperature and high-temperature geothermal resources in the Dongpu Depression. The Minghuazhen and Guantao Formations mainly include low-temperature and medium-temperature geothermal resources; the Dongying and Shahejie Formations include low-temperature, medium-temperature and high-temperature geothermal resources; the Ordovician rocks mainly include medium-temperature and high-temperature geothermal resources. The Minghuazhen, Guantao and Dongying Formations can form good geothermal reservoirs and are favorable layers for exploring low-temperature and medium-temperature geothermal resources. The geothermal reservoir of the Shahejie Formation is relatively poor, and the thermal reservoirs may be developed in the western slope zone and the central uplift. The Ordovician carbonate strata can provide thermal reservoirs for geothermal resources, and the Cenozoic bottom temperature is more than 150 °C except for most of the western gentle slope zone. In addition, for the same stratum, the geothermal temperatures in the southern Dongpu Depression are higher than those in the northern depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-density cities are growing in number and importance due to globalisation, significantly contributing to local, regional, and worldwide economies. It is progressively becoming clear that the high-density features of cities are associated with the frequency of disasters. As more than half of the world's population currently resides in cities, the study of high-density cities is evolving into an academic topic. In this study, the WoSCC (Web of Science Core Collection) and CiteSpace software were used to visualise and analyse the development history, current status, hotspots, and trends in high-density city research. We analysed a total of 377 valid articles spanning 2001 to 2022. This research aimed to illustrate the trajectory of high-density city development and to summarise the field's research hotspots and development history after entering the 21st century. It is hoped that this study will provide a theoretical reference and development direction for the future development of the field of high-density city research. Our results indicate that more publications have used the relevant keywords over time and that the research has overall trended from general to specific, noticeably changing in response to urban modernisation. Academic study in this area is still in its early stage. Instead of an inherent urge to spontaneously advance due to academic output, the research field has primarily grown in response to urban problems. COVID-19 has also hastened urban infill, further impacting existing high-density communities' urban environments, transportation infrastructure, and economies. The global epidemic has added urgency to research on high-density cities, and new content and directions are being developed. Assessing the hazards of high urban density while maximising its economic role is a significant part of academic research on high-density cities at this stage and will remain so in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heterostructure based on single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and lead sulfide quantum dots (PbS QDs) is promising in high-performance visible-to-infrared detection, attributed to high gain and efficiencies of charge separation and transport. Herein, a hybrid photodetector based on the SWCNT/PbS QDs heterostructure is constructed and demonstrates negative/positive photoresponse depending on the wavelength of incident light. The dependence is mainly attributed to the trapping effects coming from the ligand states and oxygen adsorption. Compared with pristine SWCNTs device, the hybrid device demonstrates greatly enhanced (EQE ~ 503% and D* ~1.0 × 107 Jones) positive response, due to long-wavelength photoexcitation through a direct band-to-band transition, which indicates a prospective application potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 'plainification of materials' has been conceptualized to promote the sustainable development of materials. This perspective, for the first time in the field of biomaterials, proposes and defines 'plain metallic biomaterials (PMBs)' with demonstrated research and application case studies of pure titanium with high strength and toughness, and biodegradable, fine-grained and high-purity magnesium. Then, after discussing the features, benefits and opportunities of PMBs, the challenges are analyzed from both technical and regulatory aspects. Regulatory perspectives on PMB-based medical devices are also provided for the benefit of future research, development and commercialization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, high strength and high wear‐resistant titanium matrix composites (TMCs) reinforced with in situ TiC derived from pyrolysis of polysilazane (PSZ) are fabricated successfully. The processing technology is developed with a novel powder metallurgy method combining solution‐assisted wet mixing and pressureless sintering. The effects of PSZ addition on the microstructure, hardness, mechanical properties, and tribological properties are systematically studied. The TMCs possess better comprehensive properties compared to conventional ex situ methods. The pyrolysis of PSZ leads to the formation of TiC particles and N, Si atoms solid‐solution in the Ti matrix. The microstructure of the composites is homogenous and fine‐grained. The average grain size of α‐Ti decreases significantly from 106.1 µm of pure Ti to 37.2 µm of the 1.5 wt% PSZ/Ti composite. Among these TMCs, the 1.5 wt% PSZ/Ti composite displays comprehensively excellent mechanical properties with the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 711 MPa, yield strength (YS) of 568 MPa, and elongation (EL) of 8.0%. In addition, the composite possesses a high wear resistance with a low specific wear rate of 0.355 × 10−12 m3 N−1 m−1 under constant condition (0.03 m s−1, 2N). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Main conclusion: TaATLa1 was identified to respond to nitrogen deprivation through transcriptome analysis of wheat seedlings. TaATLa1 specifically transports Gln, Glu, and Asp, and affects the biomass of Arabidopsis and wheat. Nitrogen is an essential macronutrient and plays a crucial role in wheat production. Amino acids, the major form of organic nitrogen, are remobilized by amino acid transporters (AATs) in plants. AATs are commonly described as central components of essential developmental processes and yield formation via taking up and transporting amino acids in plants. However, few studies have reported the detailed biochemical properties and biological functions of these AATs in wheat. In this study, key genes encoding AATs were screened from transcriptome analysis of wheat seedlings treated with normal nitrogen (NN) and nitrogen deprivation (ND). Among them, 21 AATs were down-regulated and eight AATs were up-regulated under ND treatment. Among the homoeologs, TaATLa1.1-3A, TaATLa1.1-3B, and TaATLa1.1-3D (TaATLa1.1-3A, -3B, and -3D), belonging to amino acid transporter-like a (ATLa) subfamily, were significantly down-regulated in response to ND in wheat, and accordingly were selected for functional analyses. The results demonstrated that TaATLa1.1-3A, -3B, and -3D effectively transported glutamine (Gln), glutamate (Glu), and aspartate (Asp) in yeast. Overexpression of TaAILa1.1-3A, -3B, and -3D in Arabidopsis thaliana L. significantly increased amino acid content in leaves, storage protein content in seeds and the plant biomass under NN. Knockdown of TaATLa1.1-3A, -3B, and -3D in wheat seedlings resulted in a significant block of amino acid remobilization and growth inhibition. Taken together, TaATLa1.1-3A, -3B, and -3D contribute substantially to Arabidopsis and wheat growth. We propose that TaATLa1.1-3A, -3B, and -3D may participate in the source-sink translocation of amino acid, and they may have profound implications for wheat yield improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rural tourism development has been an essential driving force behind China's promotion of integrated urban–rural development, sustainable rural development and rural revitalization in the new era. This study included 1470 villages on the national list of beautiful leisure villages in China (BLVCs) from 2010 to 2021. We explored the distribution characteristics and influencing factors based on mathematical statistics and spatial analysis in ArcGIS to provide a theoretical reference for promoting the development of leisure village agriculture and rural tourism. The results show that the distribution of BLVC presents a clustered state, showing a distribution pattern of a dual core, seven centers and multiple scattered points. BLVCs are mainly distributed in areas with flat terrain and sufficient water resources, which are conducive to agricultural production and life. Having convenient transportation and rich tourism resources aids the promotion of rural tourism development. The resulting gap in regional development is balanced to some extent by government support. The research results provide a reference value for future rural spatial optimization and sustainable development. This paper summarizes the law of rural development and clarifies the factors influencing the development of rural tourism, and it provides the Chinese experience as a model for a rural renaissance empowered by rural tourism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Street view imagery (SVI) provides efficient access to data that can be used to research spatial quality at the human scale. The previous reviews have mainly focused on specific health findings and neighbourhood environments. There has not been a comprehensive review of this topic. In this paper, we systematically review the literature on the application of SVI in the built environment, following a formal innovation–decision framework. The main findings are as follows: (I) SVI remains an effective tool for automated research assessments. This offers a new research avenue to expand the built environment-measurement methods to include perceptions in addition to physical features. (II) Currently, SVI is functional and valuable for quantifying the built environment, spatial sentiment perception, and spatial semantic speculation. (III) The significant dilemmas concerning the adoption of this technology are related to image acquisition, the image quality, spatial and temporal distribution, and accuracy. (IV) This research provides a rapid assessment and provides researchers with guidance for the adoption and implementation of SVI. Data integration and management, proper image service provider selection, and spatial metrics measurements are the critical success factors. A notable trend is the application of SVI towards a focus on the perceptions of the built environment, which provides a more refined and effective way to depict urban forms in terms of physical and social spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel deep learning (DL)-based attenuation correction (AC) framework was applied to clinical whole-body oncology studies using 18F-FDG, 68 Ga-DOTATATE, and 18F-Fluciclovine. The framework used activity (λ-MLAA) and attenuation (µ-MLAA) maps estimated by the maximum likelihood reconstruction of activity and attenuation (MLAA) algorithm as inputs to a modified U-net neural network with a novel imaging physics-based loss function to learn a CT-derived attenuation map (µ-CT). Methods: Clinical whole-body PET/CT datasets of 18F-FDG (N = 113), 68 Ga-DOTATATE (N = 76), and 18F-Fluciclovine (N = 90) were used to train and test tracer-specific neural networks. For each tracer, forty subjects were used to train the neural network to predict attenuation maps (µ-DL). µ-DL and µ-MLAA were compared to the gold-standard µ-CT. PET images reconstructed using the OSEM algorithm with µ-DL (OSEMDL) and µ-MLAA (OSEMMLAA) were compared to the CT-based reconstruction (OSEMCT). Tumor regions of interest were segmented by two radiologists and tumor SUV and volume measures were reported, as well as evaluation using conventional image analysis metrics. Results: µ-DL yielded high resolution and fine detail recovery of the attenuation map, which was superior in quality as compared to µ-MLAA in all metrics for all tracers. Using OSEMCT as the gold-standard, OSEMDL provided more accurate tumor quantification than OSEMMLAA for all three tracers, e.g., error in SUVmax for OSEMMLAA vs. OSEMDL: − 3.6 ± 4.4% vs. − 1.7 ± 4.5% for 18F-FDG (N = 152), − 4.3 ± 5.1% vs. 0.4 ± 2.8% for 68 Ga-DOTATATE (N = 70), and − 7.3 ± 2.9% vs. − 2.8 ± 2.3% for 18F-Fluciclovine (N = 44). OSEMDL also yielded more accurate tumor volume measures than OSEMMLAA, i.e., − 8.4 ± 14.5% (OSEMMLAA) vs. − 3.0 ± 15.0% for 18F-FDG, − 14.1 ± 19.7% vs. 1.8 ± 11.6% for 68 Ga-DOTATATE, and − 15.9 ± 9.1% vs. − 6.4 ± 6.4% for 18F-Fluciclovine. Conclusions: The proposed framework provides accurate and robust attenuation correction for whole-body 18F-FDG, 68 Ga-DOTATATE and 18F-Fluciclovine in tumor SUV measures as well as tumor volume estimation. The proposed method provides clinically equivalent quality as compared to CT in attenuation correction for the three tracers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the national economic situation improves, concerns about rural issues in China, a large agricultural country, are gradually increasing. Hence, rural tourism has been thrust into the limelight. This research is based on the National Rural Tourist Towns of China (NRTTC). It aims to analyze the spatial structure, influencing factors and their relevance to rural tourism development. Initially, this research examines the spatial distribution pattern in terms of kernel density. Subsequently, the imbalance index and Lorenz curve are used to distinguish the differences in spatial distribution. The Gini coefficient is used to explore the clustered regional distribution. The results indicate the following: (1) the number of NRTTC in each province is relatively even; and (2) the spatial distribution is highly uneven. The degree of aggregation is bounded by the Hu Huanyong boundary, with more in the southeast and less in the northwest. The capital circle is the core density area. Additionally, those NRTTC in the eastern and southeastern regions have a large distribution density and a more comprehensive radiation range. This study additionally analyzed the factors influencing the spatial distribution characteristics of NRTTC, and found four crucial aspects, namely, the national development strategy, the social environment, the geographical environment, and historical development. This research can provide a reference for the construction of rural tourist towns in different countries and regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Along with the increase in modern industry, original facilities and cultures have disappeared progressively, leading to the disappearance of traditional values. However, from the perspective of the stewardship of industrial heritage, preservation is vital for Western Europe, where the Industrial Revolution emerged firstly, and it has leading technology in terms of the advanced stewardship of industrial heritage protection. Meanwhile, there is a large market for industrial heritage growth in China, but its stewardship began later. Horizontal and vertical research into the stewardship of the industrial heritage of these two regions offers a review of the developed industrial regions and experiences for developing industrial regions in their future expansion. By analysing the values and dilemmas and the features of the legal, administrative, and fund guarantee systems, this paper summarizes the advanced expertise of the stewardship of industrial heritage in Western Europe and China and proposes strategies based on them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global warming is a worldwide concern, with buildings generating more than 40% of the annual global CO2 emissions. A commonly accepted system of global standards for zero-carbon buildings and communities has not yet been established. In this research, the development history, hotspots, and trends at the urban scale with theoretical and data support are summarized based on the Web of Science (WoS) Core Collection. The review contains works from 1997 to 2022. A total of 19,014 papers were collected, with an overall increasing trend in the number of articles with specific keywords. The scope of the research is broad, covering the environment, sciences, ecology, chemistry, material science, physics, meteorology, atmospheric sciences, and so on. The hotspots in the low-carbon community (LCC) and zero-carbon community (ZCC) involve a wide range of disciplines, and collaborative research between related disciplines should be strengthened to propose practical solutions for the development of zero-carbon cities. The establishment of the ZCC mainly focuses on a zero-carbon-emission construction and zero-carbon operations. This research found approaches such as the choices of building construction and material, a waste recycling system, a regenerating energy system, transportation, and an examination of the community composition to realize the ZCC. In the literature it is presented that the difficulties in the construction of the ZCC are due to the lack of research in practice, operation, and subsequent maintenance. Moreover, other scholars can deepen the research on the hotspots of ZCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasingly severe environmental pollution and the Earth's ecological crisis make the concept of resilient cities (RCs) a hot topic in urban research. We ran a bibliometric analysis to analyze the research progress, areas, hotspots, and strategies pertaining to RCs. The core collection came from the Web of Science (WoS) database as the data source to explore 4462 literature works on RCs. The results revealed that development time series analysis is divided into three stages. Changes in the number of publications are linked to natural disasters, the ecological environment, and science policy. The top five issuing journals accounted for 24.15% of the total sample. Country cooperation mainly is concentrated in countries with good economic development trends, such as the United States, China, and the United Kingdom. There were 63 core authors. The most published research institution was the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The RC research hotspots included the definition of resilience and evolution, the study of resilience as an analytical framework for urban issues, and resilience assessment indicators. This paper shows that RCs should strengthen multi-country cooperation and interdisciplinary integration and should focus on comprehensive research on basic theories, evaluation systems, and action mechanisms to reference future research on RCs further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An in-depth analysis of the spatial distribution characteristics and overall pattern of industrial heritage sites in China provides not only a comprehensive understanding of the current status of industrial heritage but also a reference for its protection and ongoing utilization. A total of 170 industrial heritage sites that were included in the List of National Industrial Heritage of China were selected as the research objects. Their spatial structure characteristics were quantitatively analyzed based on a kernel density analysis of ArcGIS and imbalance and Gini coefficient index of function calculations. The results show that the distribution of industrial heritage sites in China presents a strong aggregation trend and a distribution pattern of four cores, six centers, and multiple scattered points. The distribution of industrial heritage sites in 34 administrative regions is extremely imbalanced. A total of 170 industrial heritage sites are distributed across 27 administrative regions; 52.35% are concentrated in the East and Southwest divisions. According to the index definitions, this research analyzed their influencing factors from perspectives of the natural and social environments. The results show that the industrial heritage sites in China are mainly distributed in traditional agricultural and commercial areas with rich natural or water transport resources. The current study of major historical events in modern China and the growth curve of industrial heritage concludes that China's industry has experienced five stages of development: Ancient, Beginning, Accelerated Development, Climax, and Slowdown. The geographical divisions and distribution of categories show colonial and socialist characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In vivo testing is crucial for the evaluation of orthopedic implant efficacy and safety. However, the translation and reproducibility of preclinical animal experiments are not always satisfactory, and reporting quality is among the essential factors that ensure appropriate delivery of information. In this study, we assessed the reporting quality of in vivo investigations that examined the use of degradable metal materials in fracture or bone defect repair. We employed scientific databases, such as PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, CNKI, WanFang, VIP and Sinomed to screen for in vivo investigations on fracture or bone defect repair using degradable metal materials, and extracted both epidemiological and main characteristics of eligible studies, and assessed their reporting quality using the ARRIVE guidelines 2.0. Overall, 263 publications were selected, including 275 animal experiments. The overall coincidence rate of Essential 10 (22 sub-items) and Recommended Set (16 sub-items) were 42.0% and 41.5%, respectively. Based on our analysis, the reporting quality of the published in vivo investigations examining fracture/bone defect repair with degradable metal materials was low, and there was a lack of transparent, accurate and comprehensive reporting on key elements of the experimental design and other elements that are meant to avoid bias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environment-friendly sound measures with high algal growth inhibition efficiency are required to control and eliminate CyanoHABs. This study examined the effects of protopine on growth, gene expression, and antioxidant system of the M. aeruginosa TY001 and explored possible damage mechanism. The results revealed that higher concentrations of protopine seriously inhibited the growth of M. aeruginosa. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed downregulated expression of stress response genes (prx and fabZ), and DNA repair gene (recA) on days 3 and 5. The activities of antioxidant enzymes were also decreased markedly, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD). Additionally, protopine stress can significantly increase the malondialdehyde (MDA) level in cells. In conclusion, oxidative damage and DNA damage are the main mechanisms of protopine inhibition on M. aeruginosa TY001. Our studies provide evidence that alkaloid compounds such as protopine may have a potential use value as components of aquatic management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Near-net shape forming of the hollow sphere joints (60 mm in diameter) used in large space truss structure of spacecraft was realised by powder injection molding and diffusion bonding. For metal injection molding (MIM) process, two binder systems based on polyoxymethylene (POM) and paraffin wax (PW) are comparatively studied. The powder loading, power law index, viscous flow activation energy and integrated rheological factors of feedstock were systematically studied. Except powder loading, The feedstock based on POM system has a smaller strain and temperature sensitivity (n = 0.368, E = 17.95 kJ mol−1) and better rheological properties (α = 6.3). The lowest interstitials contents of as-sintered samples are 0.05 wt-% for C, 0.28 wt-% for O and 0.046 wt-% for N, which meet the Grade 5 PM (Ti–6Al–4V) specifications according to ASTM B988-13. The tensile strength and ductility reach 978 MPa and 6.3%, respectively, after 1300 °C sintering and capsule-free hot isostatic pressing (HIP). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research focusing on the world architectural heritage sites registered in the World Heritage List established by UNESCO aimed to analyze its spatial distribution characteristics and influencing factors at the world and regional level to provide a scientific basis for further architectural heritage conservation. Firstly, this study explored the spatial distribution characteristics of the world architectural heritage sites using the ArcGIS spatial analysis method. Then, we used the space–time statistical method to analyze their spatial and temporal distribution characteristics. The main findings are as follows: (1) world architectural heritage sites are distributed in clusters with imbalanced patterns and a strong degree of concentration: in Western Europe, Eastern Asia, and Northwestern Latin America, with clear country distribution, especially in Italy, China, and Mexico; (2) the time of construction can be divided into four stages: the ancient historic sites stage, the uniform and stable stage, the stage of growth in Asia and Europe, and the stage of growth in Europe, America, and Africa; (3) different types of heritage sites are unevenly distributed, and the type distribution differs significantly between regions, with regional uniqueness. The authors also analyzed the influencing factors of the spatial distribution characteristics and highlighted the important influence of the geographical environment, historical evolution, economic strength and discourse power, international heritage protection situation, and registration policy. This study may provide basis for specific guidance and directions for heritage protection for various countries and regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The atypical E3 ligase HOIL‐1 forms ester bonds between ubiquitin and serine/threonine residues in proteins, but the physiological roles of this unusual modification are unknown. We now report that IL‐18 signalling leading to the production of interferon γ (IFNγ) and granulocyte–macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) is enhanced in cytotoxic T cells from knock‐in mice expressing the E3 ligase‐inactive HOIL‐1[C458S] mutant, demonstrating that the formation of HOIL‐1‐catalysed ester‐linked ubiquitin bonds restricts the activation of this pathway. We show that the interaction of IRAK2 with TRAF6 is required for IL‐18‐stimulated IFN‐γ and GM‐CSF production, and that the increased production of these cytokines in cytotoxic T cells from HOIL‐1[C458S] mice correlates with an increase in both the number and size of the Lys63/Met1‐linked hybrid ubiquitin chains attached to IRAK2 in these cells. In contrast, the secretion of IL‐12 and IL‐6 and the formation of il‐12 and il‐6 mRNA induced in bone marrow‐derived macrophages (BMDMs) by prolonged stimulation with TLR‐activating ligands that signal via myddosomes, which also requires the interaction of IRAK2 with TRAF6, were not increased but modestly reduced in HOIL‐1[C458S] BMDM. The decreased production of these cytokines correlated with reduced ubiquitylation of IRAK2. Our results establish that changes in HOIL‐1‐catalysed ester‐linked ubiquitylation can promote or reduce cytokine production depending on the ligand, receptor and immune cell and may be explained by differences in the ubiquitylation of IRAK2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodegradable metals hold promises for bone fracture repair. Their clinical translation requires pre-clinical evaluations including animal studies, which demonstrate the safety and performance of such materials prior to clinical trials. This evidence-based study investigates and analyzes the performance of bone fractures repair as well as degradation properties of biodegradable metals in animal models. Data were carefully collected after identification of population, interventions, comparisons, outcomes and study design, as well as inclusion criteria combining biodegradable metals and animal study. Twelve publications on pure Mg, Mg alloys and Zn alloys were finally included and reviewed after extraction from a collected database of 2122 publications. Compared to controls of traditional non-degradable metals or resorbable polymers, biodegradable metals showed mixed or contradictory outcomes of fracture repair and degradation in animal models. Although quantitative meta-analysis cannot be conducted because of the data heterogeneity, this systematic review revealed that the quality of evidence for biodegradable metals to repair bone fractures in animal models is 'very low'. Recommendations to standardize the animal studies of biodegradable metals were proposed. Evidence-based biomaterials research could help to both identify reliable scientific evidence and ensure future clinical translation of biodegradable metals for bone fracture repair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The challenge of enhancing the high-temperature oxidation resistance of TiAl alloys is hereby addressed by Co addition. Isothermal oxidation tests were conducted on the newly designed TiAl-Co alloys in laboratory air at 900 °C up to 100 h. Sintered microstructure, oxidation kinetics, scale structure, spallation resistance and oxidation mechanisms were systematically investigated. Results show that the original sintered microstructure of TiAl alloys mainly consists of matrix phases α2-Ti3Al/γ-TiAl lamellae, while the Co addition leads to the formation of the two additional Co-rich phases of CoAl2Ti and Ti (Al, Co, Cr and Nb) at grain boundaries. The Co-doped TiAl alloys exhibit an improved high-temperature oxidation resistance compared with the Co-free alloy. The presence of the Co-rich phases network along the grain boundaries and Co-rich layer at the scale/substrate interface can hinder the inward diffusion of oxygen and the outward diffusion of Ti and Al, thereby suppressing the growth of oxide scale and improving the spallation resistance of TiAl alloys. As a result, the TiAl-3Co alloy possesses excellent oxidation resistance, with the minimum mass gain of 4.08 mg/cm2, thinnest scale thickness of 17.8 μm and without surface spallation or crack formation after isothermal oxidation for 100 h. This result would pave the way for designing high-temperature oxidation-resistant TiAl-based alloys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. Carbon-based nanomaterials have gained attention in the field of biomedicine in recent years, especially for the treatment of complicated diseases such as cancer. Here, we report a novel carbon-based nanomaterial, named carbon quantum dots (CQDs), which has potential for cancer therapy. We performed a systematic study on the effects of CQDs on the osteosarcoma 143B cell line in vitro and in vivo. Methods. Cell counting assay, the neutral red assay, lactic dehydrogenase assay, and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) Annexin V/Propidium iodide (PI) were used to detect the cytotoxicity and apoptosis of CQDs on the 143B cell line. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected by the oxidation-sensitive fluorescent probe 2 ′ ,7 ′ -dichlorofluorescein diacetate. The JC-10 assay was used to detect the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) of 143B cells incubated with CQDs. The effects of CQDs on the 143B cell line were evaluated by Western blot and immunofluorescence analysis of apoptosis-related proteins Bax, Bcl-2, cytochrome-C, caspase-3, cleaved-caspase-3, PARP1, and cleaved-PARP1. Male tumor-bearing BALB/c nude mice were used to investigate the antitumor effects of CQDs, and the biosafety of CQDs in vivo was tested in male BALB/c mice by measuring weight changes, hematology tests, and histological analyses of major organs. Results. CQDs exhibited a high cytotoxicity and induced apoptosis toward the 143B cell line. CQDs can also significantly increase the intracellular level of ROS and lower the mitochondrial membrane potential levels of 143B cells. CQDs increase apoptotic protein expression to induce apoptosis of 143B cells by triggering the mitochondrial apoptotic signaling pathway. The tumor volume in the CQD-treated mice was smaller than that in the control group, the tumor volume inhibition rate was 38.9%, and the inhibitory rate by tumor weight was 30.1%. All biosafety test indexes were within reference ranges, and neither necrosis nor inflammation was observed in major organs. Conclusions. CQDs induced cytotoxicity in the 143B cell line through the mitochondrial apoptotic signaling pathway. CQDs not only showed an antitumor effect but also high biocompatibility in vivo. As a new carbon-based nanomaterial, CQDs usage is a promising method for novel cancer treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Facing the ever-increasing demand for high quality video streaming and the dramatic variations of wireless network environment, adaptive bitrate video streaming (ABS) emerges as a prominent video quality adaptation technique in improving users’ quality of experience (QoE). Reinforcement learning (RL)-based ABS and network-assisted ABS can improve users’ QoE through resource utilization efficiency enhancement. However, limited network capacity is still the bottleneck of QoE improvement. Considering the potential capacity gain of non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA), we study network-assisted ABS in NOMA networks. Based on a synchronous video streaming model and the knowledge of channel state information for next segment, a joint optimization problem of resource allocation and bitrate adaptation is formulated to maximize users’ QoE and minimize energy consumption. The original problem is NP-hard and intractable due to the interference coordination problem introduced by NOMA and the multi-slot sum rate constraint. We decompose the original problem into the subproblem of joint subchannel assignment and power allocation (JSAPA), and the subproblem of bitrate adaptation (BA) with Lagrange relaxation method. A joint resource allocation and bitrate adaptation (JRABA) algorithm is further proposed to solve the JSAPA and BA subproblems iteratively. Specifically, the JSAPA subproblem is solved by an extended Gale-Shapley matching algorithm and differ of convex (DC) programming method iteratively. For the BA subproblem, appropriate video bitrate is explored with subgradient method. Numerical results validate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm and reveal that network-assisted ABS in NOMA networks benefits users in achieving higher QoE with less energy consumption, especially when radio resources are insufficient or with large segment size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)-enabled communication platform is recognized as a promising way for secure transmission in the air-to-air and air-to-ground (A2G) networks. However, the jitter feature of UAV platform due to the absence of fixed infrastructure, the inherent randomness of airflow, and the body vibration introduces non-negligible impact on establishing robust and energy-efficient secure communication links. In this paper, we investigate energy-saving and secure transmission in a downlink A2G wiretap system considering the impact of UAV jitter. Particularly, in order to minimize the total transmission power of UAV-mounted base station, a joint beamforming optimization of confidential signal and artificial noise signal is formulated with the constraints for secrecy performance of the worst scenario. Specifically, considering the impact of UAV jittering on the antenna array response, the worst scenario indicates the A2G wiretap system with the minimum legitimate data rate and the maximum eavesdropping data rate. The non-convex problem is then reformulated with linear approximation for the channel variations and linear matrix inequality alternation for the constraints. Then, semidefinite programming relaxation is adopted to obtain the optimal solutions for the reformulated problem. Furthermore, the problem and solution are extended to the multiuser downlink wiretap system. Finally, numerical results are provided to demonstrate the impact of key system parameters on power saving under the secure transmission constraints and the UAV jitter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of temperature on the mechanical behavior of carbon fiber reinforced polyphenylenesulfide (PPS) composites was investigated by compressive and flexural tests from ambient temperature up to 150°C. The failure morphologies of the C/PPS composites were analyzed to identify the variation of failure modes. Related results showed that the mechanical behavior of C/PPS composites decreased severely with the increase of temperature due to the softening of matrix. The PPS resin film tensile test was carried out and the PPS matrix behavior was recognized as the main factor to dominate the mechanical behavior of composites under compressive/flexural loading at elevated temperatures. It can be found that there was an approximate linear relationship between the compression properties of C/PPS composites and the PPS matrix. The dependence of failure modes of composites on temperatures was closely related to the mechanical behavior of PPS matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The linear ubiquitin assembly complex (LUBAC) comprises 3 components: HOIP, HOIL-1, and Sharpin, of which HOIP and HOIL-1 are both members of the RBR subfamily of E3 ubiquitin ligases. HOIP catalyses the formation of Met1-linked ubiquitin oligomers (also called linear ubiquitin), but the function of the E3 ligase activity of HOIL-1 is unknown. Here, we report that HOIL-1 is an atypical E3 ligase that forms oxyester bonds between the C terminus of ubiquitin and serine and threonine residues in its substrates. Exploiting the sensitivity of HOIL-1-generated oxyester bonds to cleavage by hydroxylamine, and macrophages from knock-in mice expressing the E3 ligase-inactive HOIL-1[C458S] mutant, we identify IRAK1, IRAK2, and MyD88 as physiological substrates of the HOIL-1 E3 ligase during Toll-like receptor signaling. HOIL-1 is a monoubiquitylating E3 ubiquitin ligase that initiates the de novo synthesis of polyubiquitin chains that are attached to these proteins in macrophages. HOIL-1 also catalyses its own monoubiquitylation in cells and most probably the monoubiquitylation of Sharpin, in which ubiquitin is also attached by an oxyester bond. Our study establishes that oxyester-linked ubiquitylation is used as an intracellular signaling mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon fiber fabric reinforced PPS (C/PPS) composites exhibit significant nonlinearity before failure, particularly with respect to shear deformations. Loading‐unloading Iosipescu shear tests for the composites at different high temperatures are conducted. It is found that there exist significant plasticity deformations and stiffness degradation. A one‐parameter damage‐plasticity model is proposed to describe mathematically the nonlinear mechanical behavior of the C/PPS composites at high temperatures. The relationship between effective stress and effective plastic strain in a power form, the evolution of damage in an exponential form and the shear modulus are all associated with temperature. It is verified that the proposed model can well characterize the shear and off‐axis compressive nonlinear behavior of the composites at different temperatures. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:1097–1103, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]