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Ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers possess excellent mechanical properties, yet their applications are severely limited by surface inertness and low melting points. To enhance surface activity and temperature resistance, soluble polyimide (PI) is applied to the surface of UHMWPE fibers. A mussel‐inspired biomimetic polycatechol/polyamine (PA) coating is initially constructed on the UHMWPE fiber surface by oxidative self‐polymerization, serving as a secondary reaction platform. Subsequently, multifunctional UHMWPE‐PA‐PI fibers are prepared by depositing soluble PI on the fiber surface via impregnation. The PA and PI layers are firmly bonded by hydrogen bonding interactions and physical adhesion. The results show that the PI‐coated UHMWPE fiber surface exhibits enhanced chemical activity, hydrophilicity, and thermal stability, with an increased thermal decomposition temperature of approximately 30 °C. Compared to pristine UHMWPE, the breaking force of UHMWPE‐PA‐PI fibers increases by 14.9%, and the interfacial adhesion strength between the fiber and rubber improves by 65.5%. The PI coatings also provide thermal insulation, acid resistance, and erasability functionalities. This modification strategy is highly efficient, simple, and less damaging, offering a novel solution to address UHMWPE fibers' surface inertness and temperature intolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rational heterointerface engineering is crucial for superior and robust hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Herein, a delicate organic‐inorganic hybrid heterojunction based on the assembly of oxalate with polyaniline (PANI) for HER at high‐current‐densities is envisioned. Strong π–d electron coupling is achieved between the delocalized π electrons of PANI and the localized d electrons of oxalate metal sites. The CoC2O4 nanosheets are grown on nickel foam (NF) with Ni2+ ions substitution by the precursor etching. By virtue of the synergy of hetero ions and π–d electron coupling, metal sites obtain sufficient exposure and electronic structure optimization. Surprisingly, the phase transition of oxalate during HER in the alkaline environment does not weaken the π–d electronic coupling of the organic‐inorganic hybrid interfaces. Inheritable interfacial electron interaction provides a reliable guarantee for robust stability at high‐current‐densities while endowing the hybrid materials with extremely low overpotentials. As expected, post‐phase reconstructed Co0.59Ni0.41(OH)2@PANI/NF displays impressive HER activity, with a low overpotential of 43 mV@−10 mA cm−2 and robust stability at −1000 mA cm−2 for 30 h in the alkaline environment. This study sheds light on the rational heterostructure interface design and promotes the architecture of an impressive electrocatalysts system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interfacial interactions between ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber and polymer determine the overall performance and service life of the fiber reinforced composite materials. In this article, polyaniline (PANI) layer is uniformly deposited on the surface of the UHMWPE fiber after plasma treatment to enhance the interfacial adhesion between UHMWPE fiber and rubber. At the same time, the PANI layer can also form a conductive path at the interface to monitor the damage of the composites in real time. Compared with the untreated UHMWPE fiber, the H pull‐out force of the PANI‐deposited UHMWPE fiber with rubber is increased by 67.9%, which is due to good mechanical interlocking and chemical bond between the fiber and the matrix. Moreover, the electrical resistance change during the fiber pull‐out process has a good correlation with the pull‐out force curve, which provides a new idea for in‐situ monitoring of the damage of composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infanticide was first observed in langurs nearly 50 years ago, and this rare phenomenon has been inferred to have either an evolutionarily adaptive function or to be a pathological and non-functional behavior. In this study, we report 5 male takeover events in one-male groups of white-headed langurs in the Nongguan Karst Hills, Guangxi, China from 1998 to 2006. We recorded 13 attacks on 9 infants by extra-group males or new resident males. During the male takeovers, all of the infants younger than 6 months (with an average age of 3.6 months [ N = 11]) in the groups disappeared. The infant death rate during the 4.2 months after takeover by a new male was significantly higher than the infant death rate calculated for most of the year. Older infants that were still nursing (with an average age of 14.1 months [ N = 7]) were often attacked and seriously wounded by the extra-group males or new resident males, but all of them survived. The interbirth intervals of females whose infants were assumed to be killed by males were significantly reduced relative to those of females in groups with stable male tenure (mean = 10 months vs 25 months). Our data suggest that males kill unrelated and unweaned infants during the takeover period to decrease the time until the infants' mothers resume fertility. Thus, infanticide would support sexual selection theory in white-headed langurs. The data also show that infanticidal behavior was directed toward the infants, especially those who were still nursing. Female dispersal may function as a counter-strategy to avoid infanticide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many tissue-specific antigens are expressed in specialized cells called peripheral antigen-expressing cells (PAE) in the thymus and can induce central tolerance. While thymic medullary epithelial cells are the prototypic PAE that express peripheral antigens via an aire-dependent mechanism, some studies also describe bone marrow (BM)-derived dendritic cells (DC) and macrophages as PAE in both the thymus and secondary lymphoid organs. However, the role of these cells in development of tolerance to tissue-specific antigens has not been elucidated. Here we use BM radiation chimeric mice to study the existence of hematopoietic PAE and their contribution to tolerance to tissue-specific antigens. Our results reveal that BM-derived PAE exist in both central and secondary lymphoid organs and that the expression of peripheral antigens in the BM-derived cells does not correlate with aire expression. Using double-transgenic mice expressing TCR specific for a model antigen expressed under the control of a prostate-specific promoter, we show that expression of self antigen in PAE of non-hematopoietic origin is both necessary and sufficient to induce clonal deletion. Surprisingly, while BM-derived PAE fail to induce clonal deletion, they do cause the activation-induced cell death of autoreactive cells in the secondary lymphoid organs. Thus, BM-derived PAE have a distinct function in the maintenance of tolerance to tissue-specific antigens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To resist the plastic deformation of polymer particles during hot press molding, high molecular weights, and moduli are required for composites with segregated structures, thus the prepared composites exhibit poor flexibility. Also, larger particle sizes can bring lower percolation thresholds while the ensuing greater deformation destroys the conductive network. Moreover, segregated composites still face preparation complexities. Herein, a facile method for developing flexible composites with large‐size segregated structures is proposed. First, silver‐coated polydopamine‐modified reduced graphene oxide (Ag@PrGO), as conductive fillers, is prepared by electroless plating. Next, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)‐coated polyolefin elastomer (POE) beads are put into a bag containing the fillers. After a simple shaking, the fillers are adhered to the POE surface as the cohesive property of cured PDMS. Finally, flexible composites with large‐size segregated structures are obtained via hot pressing. Benefiting from the 2D structure of the Ag@PrGO and the ability to slip, the conductive networks possess adaptable deformability. The prepared composites exhibit excellent electrical conductivity (203.55 S cm−1) at filler volume fractions of 3.4 vol%. The EMI shielding effectiveness can reach 70 dB in the X‐band at a thickness of 1.9 mm and remains stable after bending and rubbing damage. This work paves the way for constructing large‐size segregated structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]