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The manual generation of instructions for assembly processes requires time and effort. This is especially true for assembly processes that are characterized by a high variance of products at low quantities, as they are typically found in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Consequently, in SMEs, expert knowledge about the correct assembly of products is often only implicitly available among few experienced workers. Due to demographic changes, capturing this implicit knowledge becomes increasingly relevant to prevent expertise loss. A promising approach to reduce the generation effort is the automatic generation of assembly instructions based on process recordings. In prior work, the authors presented a concept of a system for automated instruction generation. The system processes video recordings of assembly processes with several independent modules for object, hand, and activity recognition and converts the results into assembly instructions. Among the individual processing modules, the hand activity recognition plays a special role, since the recognized activities form an important basis for the final assembly instruction. In this work, the utilization of Graph Convolutional Networks (GCNs) for the recognition of basic hand activities, such as rotating, is presented. Since the system for generating assembly instructions is intended to operate on arbitrary manual assembly use cases, the authors investigate the transferability of the proposed approach by training GCN models on the publicly available Assembly101 dataset and own recordings. The trained models are evaluated on respective test sets, mutually, and on a real-life example to assess the applicability of the proposed approach in practice. The identified challenges for reliable activity detection are discussed and offer important insights for future work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The strategy of in vivo self‐assembly has been developed for improved enrichment and long‐term retention of anticancer drug in tumor tissues. However, most self‐assemblies with non‐covalent bonding interactions are susceptible to complex physiological environments, leading to weak stability and loss of biological function. Here, we develop a coupling‐induced assembly (CIA) strategy to generate covalently crosslinked nanofibers, which is applied for in situ constructing artificial shell on mitochondria. The oxidation‐responsive peptide‐porphyrin conjugate P1 is synthesized, which self‐assemble into nanoparticles. Under the oxidative microenvironment of mitochondria, the coupling of thiols in P1 causes the formation of dimers, which is further ordered and stacked into crosslinked nanofibers. As a result, the artificial shell is constructed on the mitochondria efficiently through multivalent cooperative interactions due to the increased binding sites. Under ultrasound (US) irradiation, the porphyrin molecules in the shell produce a large amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that act on the adjacent mitochondrial membrane, exhibiting ~2‐fold higher antitumor activity than nanoparticles in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, the mitochondria‐targeted CIA strategy provides a novel perspective on improved sonodynamic therapy (SDT) and shows potential applications in antitumor therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concrete bridge towers are widely used in long-span bridges. Aiming at the reinforcement process which requires the largest labor force and has the highest safety risk during the construction of the super high concrete bridge tower. The key technology of assembling design and construction of super high concrete bridge tower reinforcement characterized by "industrialized production of mesh, rapid section forming and on-site assembling installation" is creatively proposed. In terms of design, the three-dimensional bridge tower reinforcement is discretized into planar or 3D mesh. In order to facilitate the reinforcement segment, a new flush lapping is used for the circumferential connection of stirrup, and the tapered sleeve splicing is used for the connection of the reinforcement parts between the segments, and the reliability of the connection is verified by experiments. In terms of construction, industrial assembly lines are used for the production of steel mesh and overall bending forming. The bridge tower reinforcement segments are assembled on the special jig, and finally installed on the tower by the tower crane. At present, this technology has been successfully applied to projects such as Lingdingyang Bridge, reducing labor intensity, improving construction efficiency by 30%, and ensuring project quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article proposes the use of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD &T) information from STEP AP242 for robotic manufacturing applications. This information can be directly added to the relevant features of the 3D model as per Model Based Definition methodology during the design phase of the product life cycle. STEP AP242 neutral exchange files enable the availability of product definition at the downstream operations, thus completing the Digital Thread as part of Industry 4.0 practices. This article discusses two methods; using custom Unicode strings and the standard entities; for including GD &T using the STEP AP242 Edition 2 neutral file exchange format. A method to form a single Unicode string to add all the GD &T information to the STEP files is described in this paper. The GD &T information in the Unicode string is fully semantic and can easily be parsed to extract the relevant PMI for tolerance analysis. A novel process of extracting and interpreting the relevant PMI for robotic manufacturing applications is described in detail. This article discusses various applications of this information for robotic manufacturing through two use-cases using the second edition of the STEP AP242 standard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Low coverage ‘genome‐skims’ are often used to assemble organelle genomes and ribosomal gene sequences for cost‐effective phylogenetic and barcoding studies. Natural history collections hold invaluable biological information, yet poor preservation resulting in degraded DNA often hinders polymerase chain reaction‐based analyses. However, it is possible to generate libraries and sequence the short fragments typical of degraded DNA to generate genome‐skims from museum collections. Here we introduce a snakemake toolkit comprised of three pipelines skim2mito, skim2rrna and gene2phylo, designed to unlock the genomic potential of historical museum specimens using genome skimming. Specifically, skim2mito and skim2rrna perform the batch assembly, annotation and phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial genomes and nuclear ribosomal genes, respectively, from low‐coverage genome skims. The third pipeline gene2phylo takes a set of gene alignments and performs phylogenetic analysis of individual genes, partitioned analysis of concatenated alignments and a phylogenetic analysis based on gene trees. We benchmark our pipelines with simulated data, followed by testing with a novel genome skimming dataset from both recent and historical solariellid gastropod samples. We show that the toolkit can recover mitochondrial and ribosomal genes from poorly preserved museum specimens of the gastropod family Solariellidae, and the phylogenetic analysis is consistent with our current understanding of taxonomic relationships. The generation of bioinformatic pipelines that facilitate processing large quantities of sequence data from the vast repository of specimens held in natural history museum collections will greatly aid species discovery and exploration of biodiversity over time, ultimately aiding conservation efforts in the face of a changing planet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Spiders are a hyperdiverse taxon and among the most abundant predators in nearly all terrestrial habitats. Their success is often attributed to key developments in their evolution such as silk and venom production and major apomorphies such as a whole‐genome duplication. Resolving deep relationships within the spider tree of life has been historically challenging, making it difficult to measure the relative importance of these novelties for spider evolution. Whole‐genome data offer an essential resource in these efforts, but also for functional genomic studies. Here, we present de novo assemblies for three spider species: Ryuthela nishihirai (Liphistiidae), a representative of the ancient Mesothelae, the suborder that is sister to all other extant spiders; Uloborus plumipes (Uloboridae), a cribellate orbweaver whose phylogenetic placement is especially challenging; and Cheiracanthium punctorium (Cheiracanthiidae), which represents only the second family to be sequenced in the hyperdiverse Dionycha clade. These genomes fill critical gaps in the spider tree of life. Using these novel genomes along with 25 previously published ones, we examine the evolutionary history of spidroin gene and structural hox cluster diversity. Our assemblies provide critical genomic resources to facilitate deeper investigations into spider evolution. The near chromosome‐level genome of the ‘living fossil’ R. nishihirai represents an especially important step forward, offering new insights into the origins of spider traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A long-standing question in biology is whether there are common principles that characterize the development of ecological systems (the appearance of a group of taxa), regardless of organismal diversity and environmental context. 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11 Classic ecological theory holds that these systems develop following a sequenced, orderly process that generally proceeds from fast-growing to slow-growing taxa and depends on life-history trade-offs. 2,12,13 However, it is also possible that this developmental order is simply the path with the least environmental resistance for survival of the component species and hence favored by probability alone. Here, we use theory and data to show that the order from fast- to slow-growing taxa is the most likely developmental path for diverse systems when local taxon interactions self-organize in light of environmental resistance. First, we demonstrate theoretically that a sequenced development is more likely than a simultaneous one, at least until the number of iterations becomes so large as to be ecologically implausible. We then show that greater diversity of taxa and life histories improves the likelihood of a sequenced order from fast- to slow-growing taxa. Using data from bacterial and metazoan systems, 14,15,16,17,18,19 we present empirical evidence that the developmental order of ecological systems moves along the paths of least environmental resistance. The capacity of simple principles to explain the trend in the developmental order of diverse ecological systems paves the way to an enhanced understanding of collective features of life. • We define development as the appearance of taxa, as seen in ecological succession • Development is more likely under a sequenced process than simultaneously • Development is more likely under an ordered process than disorderly • Biodiversity enhances the likelihood of fast-growing taxa appearing earlier Why do ecological systems develop following a path from fast- to slow-growing species? Deng et al. theoretically show that this path is the most likely to emerge when species minimize environmental resistance for their survival. This work corroborates these findings using empirical data across a wide diversity of organisms and taxonomic levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, free‐standing composites consisting of 90 wt% nanoenergetic mesoparticles are fabricated and their combustion characteristics are investigated. The findings reveal that the integrity of the mesoparticles remains intact during the printing process and a reduction in sintering is observed for the composite of mesoparticles compared to the physical mixture. However, the composite of mesoparticles exhibits noncontinuous and oscillating propagation behavior at a steady frequency of ≈5 Hz. This is attributed to insufficient heat feedback from the flame to the unburnt material. To address this issue, carbon fiber (C.F.) is introduced into the composite to enhance heat feedback to the reaction front by intercepting hot agglomerates near the burning surface. Incorporating C.F. leads to steady propagation of the composite. Agglomerate residence time and characteristic heat transfer time analysis near the burning surface indicate that while the composite without C.F. has agglomerate residence time on the same order of magnitude as the characteristic heat transfer time, the composite with C.F. has significantly increased overall agglomerate residence time compared to the characteristic heat transfer time. This confirms the enhanced heat feedback through C.F. inclusion. This study demonstrates the crucial role of heat feedback in the combustion behavior of energetic composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Producing food for animals and providing meat and eggs to humans can be done economically through chicken. The creation of novel SSR markers for chicken will be an invaluable tool for evaluating genetic diversity, mapping quantitative trait loci (QTLs), and understanding population structure, and marker-assisted animal breeding applications. On the other hand, the identification of microsatellites is expensive and labor-intensive. The GMATA software was used in the current in silico approach to generate microsatellites with chromosome-anchored SSR markers from the chicken genome assembly. The genome assembly of chicken resulted in the development of 146 054 SSR markers, and marker loci that corresponded to protein coding sequences were determined. Dinucleotide motifs were prevailing (57.92%) in Ross genome. Functional analysis was used to infer the existence of SSR repeats in biologically important classes of proteins, such as kinases, transcription factors, and G protein receptors. These outcome indicated that variability of SSR repeat copies can endow the cell and whole genome and can be realized in KEGG pathways namely involvement of neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, MAPK signaling pathway, melanogenesis, WNT signaling pathway, and adherens junction. For the first time, the present study developed a whole-genome SSR panel for chicken as part of its research. The considerable quantity of new SSR markers presented in this study serves as a significant asset for molecular genetic studies involving QTL mapping, evaluation of genetic variation, and the use of markers in animal breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tropomyosins (Tpms) are rod-shaped proteins that interact head-to-tail to form a continuous polymer along both sides of most cellular actin filaments. Head-to-tail interaction between adjacent Tpm molecules and the formation of an overlap complex between them leads to the assembly of actin filaments with one type of Tpm isoform in time and space. Variations in the affinity of tropomyosin isoforms for different actin structures are proposed as a potential sorting mechanism. However, the detailed mechanisms of the spatio-temporal sorting of Tpms remain elusive. In this study, we investigated the early intermediates during actin–tropomyosin filament assembly, using a skeletal/cardiac Tpm isoform (Tpm1.1) and a cytoskeletal isoform (Tpm1.6) that differ only in the last 27 amino acids. We investigated how the muscle isoform Tpm1.1 and the cytoskeletal isoform Tpm1.6 nucleate domains on the actin filament, and tested whether (1) recruitment is affected by the actin isoform (muscle vs. cytoskeletal) and (2) whether there is specificity in recruiting the same isoform to a domain at these early stages. To address these questions, actin filaments were exposed to low concentrations of fluorescent tropomyosins in solution. The filaments were immobilized onto glass coverslips and the pattern of decoration was visualized by TIRF microscopy. We show that at the early assembly stage, tropomyosins formed multiple distinct fluorescent domains (here termed "cluster") on the actin filaments. An automated image analysis algorithm was developed and validated to identify clusters and estimate the number of tropomyosins in each cluster. The analysis showed that tropomyosin isoform sorting onto an actin filament is unlikely to be driven by a preference for nucleating on the corresponding muscle or cytoskeletal actin isoforms, but rather is facilitated by a higher probability of incorporating the same tropomyosin isoforms into an early assembly intermediate. We showed that the 27 amino acids at the end of each tropomyosin seem to provide enough molecular information for the attachment of the same tropomyosin isoforms adjacent to each other on an actin filament. This results in the formation of homogeneous clusters composed of the same isoform rather than clusters with mixed isoforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article attempts to wrest away the notion of popular political resistance and performativity from the realm of visibility in the 'public' sphere/space and place them within the unperformed acts that remain optically invisible. Taking the example of India-controlled Kashmir, where public spaces remain militarized and performative assemblies criminalized, the article focuses on how popular resistance to Indian rule is regularly embodied within what we call subaltern performativity. Furthermore, the gendered nature of this subaltern performativity is also underlined through ethnographic fieldwork. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Understanding the molecular basis of sport mutations in fruit trees has the potential to accelerate generation of improved cultivars. Results: For this, we analyzed the genome of the apple tree that developed the RubyMac phenotype through a sport mutation that led to the characteristic fruit coloring of this variety. Overall, we found 46 somatic mutations that distinguished the mutant and wild-type branches of the tree. In addition, we found 54 somatic gene conversions (i.e., loss-of-heterozygosity mutations) that also distinguished the two parts of the tree. Approximately 20% of the mutations were specific to individual cell lineages, suggesting that they originated from the corresponding meristematic layers. Interestingly, the de novo mutations were enriched for GC = > AT transitions while the gene conversions showed the opposite bias for AT = > GC transitions, suggesting that GC-biased gene conversions have the potential to counteract the AT-bias of de novo mutations. By comparing the gene expression patterns in fruit skins from mutant and wild-type branches, we found 56 differentially expressed genes including 18 involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis. While none of the differently expressed genes harbored a somatic mutation, we found that some of them in regions of the genome that were recently associated with natural variation in fruit coloration. Conclusion: Our analysis revealed insights in the characteristics of somatic change, which not only included de novo mutations but also gene conversions. Some of these somatic changes displayed strong candidate mutations for the change in fruit coloration in RubyMac. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heating magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) with AC (Alternating Current) magnetic fields has received significant attention in recent years, particularly for biomedical uses. However, most studies focus on characterizing the heat release, overlooking the fact that the MNPs in the viscous cell environment constitute a dynamic magnetic colloid whose configuration may evolve over time, particularly if a driving force as the AC field is applied. Aiming to shed light on this matter, in this workthe dynamics of the colloid structure during hyperthermia experiments are studied. By combining various experimental and theoretical tools, it is concluded that the AC field may drive the formation of aligned structures, and the impact that such structures may have on the associated heating is assessed. Remarkably, the results show that those field‐driven structures are highly unstable for small particle sizes, rapidly disassembling upon field removal. Moreover, an analogous behavior in vitro is found, with the AC magnetic field also promoting a reversible alignment of vesicles containing the MNPs within the cells. The results suggest that the observed alignment, both of MNPs and intracellular vesicles, may be a common phenomenon in usual hyperthermia experiments, but unnoticed because of the intrinsic unstable nature of the aligned structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an integrated steel plant, the pulverized coal injection (PCI) mill plays an important role in providing pulverized coal to the blast furnace. The main purpose of using PCI coal is to reduce the hot metal production cost through the utilization of non-coking coal and to extend the available coke oven life. Any unplanned outage of the PCI mill leads to increase in production cost. The three stationary grinding rollers are arranged equidistantly on the grinding plate. Each grinding roller is fixed to the pressure frame by means of a pressure yoke. Each grinding roller is borne by two roller bearings on the axle of the pressure yoke. The bearings are oil lubricated, and oil level cannot be checked in running condition due to design constraints. The bearing of new grinding roller assembly damaged within 1 service month. Bearing mode of failure was seizure, and it happened due to lack of oil. Therefore, root cause failure analysis has been carried out, and incorrect assembly was the responsible of this failure. Detailed investigation report is covered in this paper. The same type of failure can be avoided by implementing the recommendations which has been addressed in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ovalbumin (OVA), the most abundant protein in egg whites, has been widely used in various industries. Currently, the structure of OVA has been clearly established, and the extraction of high-purified OVA has become feasible. However, the allergenicity of OVA is still a serious problem because it can cause severe allergic reactions and may even be life-threatening. The structure and allergenicity of the OVA can be altered by many processing methods. In this article, a detailed description on the structure and a comprehensive overview on the extraction protocols and the allergenicity of OVA was documented. Additionally, the information on assembly and potential applications of OVA was summarized and discussed in detail. Physical treatment, chemical modification, and microbial processing can be applied to alter the IgE-binding capacity of OVA by changing its structure and linear/sequential epitopes. Furthermore, research indicated that OVA could assemble with itself or other biomolecules into various forms (particles, fibers, gels, and nanosheets), which expanded its application in the food field. OVA also shows excellent application prospects, including food preservation, functional food ingredients and nutrient delivery. Therefore, OVA demonstrates significant investigation value as a food grade ingredient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Railway Construction Technology is the property of Railway Construction Technology Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of the Society of Plant Engineers Japan is the property of Society of Plant Engineers Japan and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

We offer here a particularly simple and direct construction of the congruence frame of a given frame, aka its assembly, from the bounded meet semilattice of differences of frame elements. The construction enables economical proofs of two of the assembly's known attributes, namely ultranormality and ultraparacompactness, as well as a proof that the assembly is an essential extension of the frame with the same essential closure as the frame. The major new result is that the assembly is free over its meet semilattice of differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sliver nanowires (Ag NWs) are promising building blocks for electronic nanodevices, and therefore, their precise movement and assembly are urgently needed. Here, molecular dynamics simulations are conducted to model the manipulation of Ag NWs on a silicon substrate using a tungsten (W) probe. The focus is on understanding the deformation and motion mechanisms of the Ag NWs induced by the moving probe. Throughout the manipulation process, Ag NWs undergo four distinct stages: plastic deformation, deformation extension, a hybrid stage, and either movement or fracture. At the contact area between the probe and the Ag NWs, as well as in regions of stress concentration, Ag atoms are observed to transition from FCC to HCP, BCC, and even amorphous states. Notably, the BCC phase serves as an intermediate transition state during this lattice transformation. The manipulation parameters, particularly the velocity and displacement of the probe, significantly influence the outcome of the Ag NWs. High-speed manipulation with small displacements tends to result in Ag NW fracture, whereas low-speed manipulation with larger displacements facilitates the bending or movement of the Ag NWs. Drawing from the observed deformation behaviors, a nanomanipulation platform integrated within a scanning electron microscope (SEM) was developed. This platform enables the in situ pushing, cutting, bending, and rotating of Ag NWs using a W probe, employing various probe feeding strategies. By combination of two or more of these manipulation operations, complex close-loop structures, such as triangles and hexagons, were successfully assembled via Ag NWs. This research offers valuable insights into the precise and controlled manipulation of Ag NWs, paving the way for the fabrication of sophisticated, high-performance nanodevices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crown ether‐assisted supramolecular assembly is a robust strategy for manipulating low‐dimensional metal halides. In this study, the supramolecular assembly of 0D‐Cs3Cu2I5 is presented. Upon the addition of 15‐crown‐5 (15C5) to Cs3Cu2I5, 15C5 immediately coordinates with Cs+ to form the cone‐shaped [(15C5)Cs]+. Simultaneously, one of the iodine atoms is removed from the [Cu2I5]3‐ cluster, resulting in the formation of a sub‐planar rhombic [Cu2I4]2− unit. This process leads to white emission, specifically [(15C5)Cs]2[Cu2I4], which exhibits a photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) close to unity. The [(15C5)Cs]+ further reacts with 15C5 to form the sandwich‐type cationic structure [(15C5)2Cs]+, accompanied by the generation of red emission [(15C5)2Cs]2[Cu2I4]. By carefully controlling the amount of 15C5, various emission composites can be achieved, particularly tunable white emission. The assembly process is reversible. The pristine Cs3Cu2I5 can be recovered after thermal curing because of the volatility of crown ether and the weak Cs‐crown ether bond. Theoretical calculations have demonstrated that the coordination of the crown ether primarily affects the energy level, leading to changes in the excited state and photophysical properties. The applications in anticounterfeiting and LED phosphors have been demonstrated. This work provides a new approach for the development of low‐dimensional copper halides with promising applications in optoelectronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The autochthonous grape varieties of the Don Valley, situated in southern Russia, constitute a distinctive element of regional cultural heritage. These varieties have been adapted over centuries to the region's specific local climatic and soil conditions. For the most part, these varieties are not imported from other countries. They are closely related to varieties found in Crimea and the North Caucasus. In this study, we obtained the first complete, unfragmented sequences of the chloroplast genomes of eight autochthonous varieties from the Don Valley and one from Crimea. We also performed a comparative analysis of their genomic features. The size of Vitis vinifera chloroplast genome sequences varied from 160,925 to 160,991 bp, depending on the cultivar, with a uniform GC ratio of 37.38%. Each genome consists of four subregions: a single copy region (LSC) ranging from 89,158 to 89,336 bp, a small single copy region (SSC) ranging from 19,070 to 19,073 bp, and a pair of inverted repeat regions (IRa and IRb) in the range of 26,292 to 26,353 bp. The chloroplast genomes of the studied V. vinifera varieties contained 130 genes, including 85 protein-coding genes, 8 rRNA genes, and 37 tRNA genes. The sequence divergence analysis has enabled the identification of four highly variable regions, which may be utilized as potential markers for phylogenetic analysis. The analysis revealed the presence of 58 to 61 SSRs and multiple long repeated sequences in the chloroplast genomes of these varieties. The phylogenetic analyses of the sequences obtained and complete chloroplast genomes available from public databases indicated that the majority of autochthonous V. vinifera varieties do not have a direct origin from any European variety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetic wound healing presents a persistent clinical challenge, often characterized by prolonged healing times, and can be particularly difficult to achieve in a hyperglycemic environment. In this study, a multi‐functional silver‐enzyme nanogels assembly (Ag‐nGHC) is designed by focusing on the complex diabetic wound environment. Glucose oxidase (GOX), horseradish peroxidase (HRP), and catalase (CAT) are modified within polymeric nanogel layers and assembled into a large enzyme cluster with silver ions. The close attachment of three enzymes ensures fast and continuous consumption of a high level of glucose, generation of oxygen, and hydroxyl radicals (•OH) around the wound site. Meanwhile, the silver ions within the Ag‐nGHC assembly act as an effective agent to kill bacteria. This cascade enzyme system significantly improves the microenvironment of the wound site by reducing bacterium infection and alleviating hypoxia as well as hyperglycemia. Sequentially, the improved environment facilitates the later processes including anti‐inflammatory, re‐epithelialization, and angiogenesis, evidenced by enhancing polarization toward M2 macrophages and increasing CD31 signals in this study. Overall, the Ag‐nGHC materials are proven to achieve multifunctional properties toward complicated diabetic wound healing processes (attributes such as adaptability, hypoxia‐alleviated, anti‐hyperglycemic, antimicrobial, anti‐inflammatory, and angiogenic) and showed great potential for the treatment of chronic diabetic wound. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Camellia contains three types of domesticates that meet various needs of ancient humans: the ornamental C. japonica, the edible oil-producing C. oleifera, and the beverage-purposed tea plant C. sinensis. The genomic drivers of the functional diversification of Camellia domesticates remain unknown. Here, we present the genomic variations of 625 Camellia accessions based on a new genome assembly of C. sinensis var. assamica ('YK10'), which consists of 15 pseudo-chromosomes with a total length of 3.35 Gb and a contig N50 of 816,948 bp. These accessions were mainly distributed in East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Africa. We profiled the population and subpopulation structure in tea tree Camellia to find new evidence for the parallel domestication of C. sinensis var. assamica (CSA) and C. sinensis var. sinensis (CSS). We also identified candidate genes associated with traits differentiating CSA, CSS, oilseed Camellia, and ornamental Camellia cultivars. Our results provide a unique global view of the genetic diversification of Camellia domesticates and provide valuable resources for ongoing functional and molecular breeding research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We here report the multicolor electrochemiluminescence (ECL) of binary microcrystals prepared from a blue‐emissive iridium complex 1 and an orange‐emissive ruthenium complex 2. These materials display a plate‐like morphology with high crystallinity, as demonstrated by microscopic and powder X‐ray diffraction analyses. Under light excitation, these microcrystals exhibit gradient emission color changes as a result of the efficient energy transfer between two complexes. When modified on glass carbon electrodes, these microcrystals exhibit tunable ECLs with varied emission colors including sky‐blue, white, orange, and red, depending on the doping ratio of complex 2 and the applied potential. Furthermore, organic amines with different molecular sizes are used as the co‐reactant to examine their influences on the ECL efficiency of the porous microcrystals of 1. The analysis on the luminance and RGB values of ECL suggests the existence of energy transfer in the generation of multicolor ECLs in these binary crystals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fourth industrial revolution and the rise of collaborative robots (cobots) in industrial assembly lines are changing the traditional role of human operators in assembly tasks from following a sequence of operations to working together with a cobot and being able to intervene at different stages of the assembly process. Hence, it is important to focus on cognitive flexibility training, instead of on procedural skill training. The current research examined the effect of performing several task segments simultaneously on cognitive flexibility training in an assembly task. We used a novel 3D simulation system to train participants in three between-participants groups. The three groups together – One Segment, Two Segments, and Nine Segments – comprised 29 participants. Following training, participants were required to assemble the model including having to switch between different sequences. The results demonstrate that the Nine Segments group required significantly longer training time compared to the One Segment group. For the Two Segments group, the switching time was shorter and the mean number of errors after switching was higher compared to the other groups. To conclude, only performing the task in two segments simultaneously improved both the cognitive flexibility and the subjective feeling of competence regarding participants' cognitive flexibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 assembly is initiated by Gag binding to the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane (PM). Gag targeting is mediated by its N-terminally myristoylated matrix (MA) domain and PM phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2]. Upon Gag assembly, envelope (Env) glycoproteins are recruited to assembly sites; this process depends on the MA domain of Gag and the Env cytoplasmic tail. To investigate the dynamics of Env recruitment, we applied a chemical dimerizer system to manipulate HIV-1 assembly by reversible PI(4,5)P2 depletion in combination with super resolution and live-cell microscopy. This approach enabled us to control and synchronize HIV-1 assembly and track Env recruitment to individual nascent assembly sites in real time. Single virion tracking revealed that Gag and Env are accumulating at HIV-1 assembly sites with similar kinetics. PI(4,5)P2 depletion prevented Gag PM targeting and Env cluster formation, confirming Gag dependence of Env recruitment. In cells displaying pre-assembled Gag lattices, PI(4,5)P2 depletion resulted in the disintegration of the complete assembly domain, as not only Gag but also Env clusters were rapidly lost from the PM. These results argue for the existence of a Gag-induced and -maintained membrane micro-environment, which attracts Env. Gag cluster dissociation by PI(4,5)P2 depletion apparently disrupts this micro-environment, resulting in the loss of Env from the former assembly domain. IMPORTANCE Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 assembles at the plasma membrane of infected cells, resulting in the budding of membrane-enveloped virions. HIV-1 assembly is a complex process initiated by the main structural protein of HIV-1, Gag. Interestingly, HIV-1 incorporates only a few envelope (Env) glycoproteins into budding virions, although large Env accumulations surrounding nascent Gag assemblies are detected at the plasma membrane of HIV-expressing cells. The matrix domain of Gag and the Env cytoplasmatic tail play a role in Env recruitment to HIV-1 assembly sites and its incorporation into nascent virions. However, the regulation of these processes is incompletely understood. By combining a chemical dimerizer system to manipulate HIV-1 assembly with super resolution and live-cell microscopy, our study provides new insights into the interplay between Gag, Env, and host cell membranes during viral assembly and into Env incorporation into HIV-1 virions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the range of applications of robots expanded, they began to be used for complex assemblies such as screw fastening and pin assembly. Most specialized screw fastening tools are sensitive to external influences and require additional instruments to prevent screw dislodgement when working in unstructured environments. To address this challenge, we propose a screw fastening gripper (SFG) capable of screw fastening and small pin gripping with a single power source. The proposed SFG is divided into a fastening part for screw fastening and a gripper for grasping, with power distributed via a magnetic gear. It is designed to temporarily separate the gripper and fastener using the magnetic gear's features, so it can be used to fasten screws of various lengths if necessary. Through gripping force measurements and screw fastening experiments, the proposed SFG showed sufficient performance in grasping and screw fastening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From the recent awareness of the booming number of space debris and their derived worldwide re-entry event threat originating from the use of high survivability components, complementary mitigation measures must be taken for future orbital elements. In this direction, the implementation of a design for demise at an early stage of spacecraft conception allows a progressive and effective solution. As part of a collaborative effort launched by École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne and the European Space Agency, we focus on the evaluation of polymer composite bolts as the main structural satellite panel fastening systems to improve the overall spacecraft demisability during its destructive re-entry into the atmosphere as compared to baseline critical systems, while maintaining equivalent mission-relevant properties. Two carbon fiber-reinforced polyetheretherketone (PEEK) designs were compared to a stainless steel baseline in terms of static properties at room temperature, dynamic properties over a temperature range, as well as demise capability by static re-entry simulation testing. The results led us to identify a promising short CF/PEEK composite bolt design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Augmented reality (AR) technology is revolutionizing traditional assembly processes, offering intuitive and interactive guidance that significantly enhances operational efficiency and accuracy. This study investigates the impact of AR on the assembly of Turtlebots, a complex task representative of industrial applications. Through a comparative analysis involving traditional paper manuals, modified paper manuals, and AR-based manuals, the benefits of AR integration are quantitatively assessed. Participants utilizing AR-based manuals completed the Turtlebot assembly 21.72% faster than those using traditional paper manuals, with a notable reduction in assembly time from an average of 03:00:40 to 02:21:26. Furthermore, the incidence of assembly errors significantly decreased, with AR manual users making an average of 2.25 errors compared to 5 by paper manual users. These findings underscore the potential of AR to expedite complex assembly tasks and enhance the accuracy of these processes. The study highlights the novel application of AR in improving both the speed and quality of assembly in an industrial context, demonstrating AR’s role as a pivotal technology for the future of manufacturing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although several strain sensors based on carbon nanotubes have been reported, it is still a great challenge to fabricate strain sensors possessed with large workable strain range, high sensitivity and stability. Herein, we developed a highly elastic strain and high sensitivity sensor based on stretchable spandex yarns manufactured by an easy layer-by-layer assembly method. Effects of multi-walled carboxylic carbon nanotubes and chitosan on sensor's properties were investigated. The prepared sensor exhibited fascinating comprehensive sensing performance, including large workable strain range (∼115%), superior sensitivity (gauge factor up to 159 at 0–40% strain and 8175 over 100% strain), In addition, it still exhibited good work stably after 3500 cycles at strain of 50%. The sensor can detect both large and small scale human motions, including joint movement, phonation, swallowing, and drinking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, a lot of data is generated in production and also in the domain of assembly, from which different patterns can be extracted using machine learning methods with the support of data mining. With the support of various modern technical and Information Technology (IT) tools, the recording, storage and processing of large amounts of data is now a routine activity. Based on machine learning, efficiency metrics including Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), can be partially predicted, but industrial companies need more accurate and reliable methods. The analyzed algorithms can be used in general for all production units or machines where production data is recorded by Manufacturing Execution System (MES) or other Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems are available. This paper presents and determinates which most used machine learning methods should be combined with each other in order to achieve a better prediction result.

Abstract Background Understanding the molecular basis of sport mutations in fruit trees has the potential to accelerate generation of improved cultivars. Results For this, we analyzed the genome of the apple tree that developed the RubyMac phenotype through a sport mutation that led to the characteristic fruit coloring of this variety. Overall, we found 46 somatic mutations that distinguished the mutant and wild-type branches of the tree. In addition, we found 54 somatic gene conversions (i.e., loss-of-heterozygosity mutations) that also distinguished the two parts of the tree. Approximately 20% of the mutations were specific to individual cell lineages, suggesting that they originated from the corresponding meristematic layers. Interestingly, the de novo mutations were enriched for GC = > AT transitions while the gene conversions showed the opposite bias for AT = > GC transitions, suggesting that GC-biased gene conversions have the potential to counteract the AT-bias of de novo mutations. By comparing the gene expression patterns in fruit skins from mutant and wild-type branches, we found 56 differentially expressed genes including 18 involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis. While none of the differently expressed genes harbored a somatic mutation, we found that some of them in regions of the genome that were recently associated with natural variation in fruit coloration. Conclusion Our analysis revealed insights in the characteristics of somatic change, which not only included de novo mutations but also gene conversions. Some of these somatic changes displayed strong candidate mutations for the change in fruit coloration in RubyMac.

The functional versatility of the Fe protein, the reductase component of nitrogenase, makes it an appealing target for heterologous expression, which could facilitate future biotechnological adaptations of nitrogenase-based production of valuable chemical commodities. Yet, the heterologous synthesis of a fully active Fe protein of Azotobacter vinelandii (AvNifH) in Escherichia coli has proven to be a challenging task. Here, we report the successful synthesis of a fully active AvNifH protein upon co-expression of this protein with AvIscS/U and AvNifM in E. coli. Our metal, activity, electron paramagnetic resonance, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy/extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) data demonstrate that the heterologously expressed AvNifH protein has a high [Fe4S4] cluster content and is fully functional in nitrogenase catalysis and assembly. Moreover, our phylogenetic analyses and structural predictions suggest that AvNifM could serve as a chaperone and assist the maturation of a cluster-replete AvNifH protein. Given the crucial importance of the Fe protein for the functionality of nitrogenase, this work establishes an effective framework for developing a heterologous expression system of the complete, two-component nitrogenase system; additionally, it provides a useful tool for further exploring the intricate biosynthetic mechanism of this structurally unique and functionally important metalloenzyme. IMPORTANCE The heterologous expression of a fully active Azotobacter vinelandii Fe protein (AvNifH) has never been accomplished. Given the functional importance of this protein in nitrogenase catalysis and assembly, the successful expression of AvNifH in Escherichia coli as reported herein supplies a key element for the further development of heterologous expression systems that explore the catalytic versatility of the Fe protein, either on its own or as a key component of nitrogenase, for nitrogenase-based biotechnological applications in the future. Moreover, the clean genetic background of the heterologous expression host allows for an unambiguous assessment of the effect of certain nif-encoded protein factors, such as AvNifM described in this work, in the maturation of AvNifH, highlighting the utility of this heterologous expression system in further advancing our understanding of the complex biosynthetic mechanism of nitrogenase.

We used Hi-C proximity ligation with shotgun sequencing to retrieve metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) from the fecal microbiomes of two domestic cats (Felis catus). The genomes were assessed for completeness and contamination, classified taxonomically, and annotated for putative antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes.

Nanoparticles (NPs) transfer is usually induced by adding ligands to modify NP surfaces, but aggregation of NPs oftentimes hampers the transfer. Here, we show that aggregation during NP phase transfer does not necessarily result in transfer failure. Using a model system comprising gold NPs and amphiphilic polymers, we demonstrate an unusual mechanism by which NPs can undergo phase transfer from the aqueous phase to the organic phase via a single-aggregation-single pathway. Our discovery challenges the conventional idea that aggregation inhibits NP transfer and provides an unexpected pathway for transferring larger-sized NPs (>20 nm). The charged amphiphilic polymers effectively act as chaperons for the NP transfer and offer a unique way to manipulate the dispersion and distribution of NPs in two immiscible liquids. Moreover, by intentionally jamming the NP-polymer assembly at the liquid/liquid interface, the transfer process can be inhibited.

ABSTRACTDesmosomes are intercellular junctions that regulate mechanical integrity in epithelia and cardiac muscle. Dynamic desmosome remodeling is essential for wound healing and development, yet the mechanisms governing junction assembly remain elusive. While we and others have shown that cadherin ectodomains are highly organized, how this ordered architecture emerges during assembly is unknown. Using fluorescence polarization microscopy, we show that desmoglein 2 (Dsg2) ectodomain order gradually increases during 8 h of assembly, coinciding with increasing adhesive strength. In a scratch wound assay, we observed a similar increase in order in desmosomes assembling at the leading edge of migratory cells. Together, our findings indicate that cadherin organization is a hallmark of desmosome maturity and may play a role in conferring adhesive strength.

In recent years, 1D nanostructure‐based devices have achieved widespread usage in various fields, such as sensors, energy harvesters, transistors, and electrodes owing to their exceptional and distinct properties. The pioneering work of Dr. R. S. Wagner at Bell Laboratories in 1964 introduced the vapor–liquid–solid (VLS) process, a powerful synthesis method. Since then, numerous synthesis techniques, including sol–gel, hydrothermal, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), physical vapor deposition (PVD), and more, have been developed. These methods have enabled researchers to effectively control the shape (length and diameter) and material properties of nanowires. However, it was only about two decades ago that nanowires started to be widely utilized as key components in functional devices, primarily due to the lack of proper integration methods. Although dozens of integration techniques have been developed, none have emerged as a predominant choice, with each method presenting its own set of advantages and limitations. Therefore, this work aims to categorize these methods based on their working principles and provide a comprehensive summary of their pros and cons. Additionally, state‐of‐the‐art devices that capitalize on the integration of 1D nanomaterials are introduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to promote the industrialization development of reinforcement in pier towers, three kinds of structural optimization design of reinforcement parts were proposed. Taking the connection mode of main reinforcement and stirrup, stirrup structure and stiffness skeleton as parameters, the four-point bending test of two reinforced concrete beams was carried out (the new reinforced concrete beam was referred to as the new beam, and the traditional tied reinforced concrete beam was referred to as the traditional beam), and the bending mechanical properties of the optimized design structure of the new pier tower reinforcement parts were studied. The test results show that the crack distribution of the traditional beam is denser than that of the new beam, the peak load of the traditional beam is about 5% higher than that of the new beam, and the ductility of the traditional beam is slightly higher than that of the new beam. The reinforcement strain of the two specimens is basically consistent with the variation load. Under the same load, the stirrup strain of the new beam is about 50% (500 με) larger than that of the traditional beam, and the stirrup restraint capacity and load sharing ratio of the new beam are higher. In general, the bending resistance mechanical properties of the new beam are basically the same as those of the traditional beam. The welded connection of the main stirrups of the pier tower and the new stirrup structure can be used in practical engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-opts many cellular factors—including proteins and microRNAs—to complete its life cycle. A cellular RNA-binding protein, poly(rC)-binding protein 2 (PCBP2), was previously shown to bind to the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome; however, its precise role in the viral life cycle remained unclear. Herein, using the HCV cell culture (HCVcc) system and assays that isolate each step of the viral life cycle, we found that PCBP2 does not have a direct role in viral entry, translation, genome stability, or HCV RNA replication. Rather, our data suggest that PCBP2 depletion only impacts viral RNAs that can undergo genome packaging. Taken together, our data suggest that endogenous PCBP2 modulates the early steps of genome packaging, and therefore only has an indirect effect on viral translation and RNA replication, likely by increasing the translating/replicating pool of viral RNAs to the detriment of virion assembly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent advances in human genetics, together with a substantial body of epidemiological, preclinical and clinical trial evidence, strongly support a causal relationship between triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRLs) and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Consequently, the secretion and metabolism of TRLs have a significant impact on cardiovascular health. This knowledge underscores the importance of understanding the molecular mechanisms and regulation of very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and chylomicron biogenesis. Fortunately, there has been a resurgence of interest in the intracellular assembly, trafficking, degradation, and secretion of VLDL, leading to many ground-breaking molecular insights. Furthermore, the identification of molecular control mechanisms related to triglyceride metabolism has greatly advanced our understanding of the complex metabolism of TRLs. In this review, we explore recent advances in the assembly, secretion, and metabolism of TRLs. We also discuss available treatment strategies for hypertriglyceridemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) is one focus of industry and practical engineering, because 4-NP is one of the most important sources of pollution of the ecological environment and human health. Here, coassembled hybrid composites of pillar[5]arene (P5A) and gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) were successfully developed by a one-step synthetic method as a type of water-insoluble catalyst for the reduction of 4-NP. The geometric and topological structures, as well as physiochemical properties of Au NPs/P5A composite catalyst, were fully characterized and analyzed through various tests such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), indicating that Au NPs were well dispersed on the surface of the two-dimensional film of assembled P5A. The influence factors of the catalytic reduction of 4-NP were further investigated and discussed, confirming that the content of Au NPs and the concentration of 4-NP were very significant during the catalysis. The catalytic reaction was carried out at the catalyst concentration of 100 mg·L−1 and an initial 4-NP concentration of 90 mg·L−1 under 30 °C. The calculated reaction rate constant was 0.3959 min−1 and the reduction rate of 4-NP was more than 95% in 20 min. In addition, the as-prepared catalyst can maintain a high catalytic efficiency after five cycles. Thus, the easily recyclable composite catalyst with poor aqueous solution can exhibit prospective application to the treatment of 4-NP in water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are a staggering number of publicly available bacterial genome sequences (at writing, 2.0 million assemblies in NCBI's GenBank alone), and the deposition rate continues to increase. This wealth of data begs for phylogenetic analyses to place these sequences within an evolutionary context. A phylogenetic placement not only aids in taxonomic classification but informs the evolution of novel phenotypes, targets of selection, and horizontal gene transfer. Building trees from multi-gene codon alignments is a laborious task that requires bioinformatic expertise, rigorous curation of orthologs, and heavy computation. Compounding the problem is the lack of tools that can streamline these processes for building trees from large-scale genomic data. Here we present OrthoPhyl, which takes bacterial genome assemblies and reconstructs trees from whole genome codon alignments. The analysis pipeline can analyze an arbitrarily large number of input genomes (>1200 tested here) by identifying a diversity-spanning subset of assemblies and using these genomes to build gene models to infer orthologs in the full dataset. To illustrate the versatility of OrthoPhyl, we show three use cases: E. coli/Shigella, Brucella/Ochrobactrum and the order Rickettsiales. We compare trees generated with OrthoPhyl to trees generated with kSNP3 and GToTree along with published trees using alternative methods. We show that OrthoPhyl trees are consistent with other methods while incorporating more data, allowing for greater numbers of input genomes, and more flexibility of analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on supergenes, non‐recombining genomic regions housing tightly linked genes that control complex phenotypes, has recently gained prominence in genomics. Heterostyly, a floral heteromorphism promoting outcrossing in several angiosperm families, is controlled by the S‐locus supergene. The S‐locus has been studied primarily in closely related Primula species and, more recently, in other groups that independently evolved heterostyly. However, it remains unknown whether genetic architecture and composition of the S‐locus are maintained among species that share a common origin of heterostyly and subsequently diverged across larger time scales. To address this research gap, we present a chromosome‐scale genome assembly of Primula edelbergii, a species that shares the same origin of heterostyly with Primula veris (whose S‐locus has been characterized) but diverged from it 18 million years ago. Comparative genomic analyses between these two species allowed us to show, for the first time, that the S‐locus can 'jump' (i.e. translocate) between chromosomes maintaining its function in controlling heterostyly. Additionally, we found that four S‐locus genes were conserved but reshuffled within the supergene, seemingly without affecting their expression, thus we could not detect changes explaining the lack of self‐incompatibility in P. edelbergii. Furthermore, we confirmed that the S‐locus is not undergoing genetic degeneration. Finally, we investigated P. edelbergii evolutionary history within Ericales in terms of whole genome duplications and transposable element accumulation. In summary, our work provides a valuable resource for comparative analyses aimed at investigating the genetics of heterostyly and the pivotal role of supergenes in shaping the evolution of complex phenotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assembly influences on the long‐term load‐bearing capacity of glass/PTFE fabrics Membrane structures are designed for a service life of between 20 and 25 years. In Germany, a combined ZiE/vBG is required for every membrane structure – whether small or large – which is based on strength and stiffness parameters that are determined on the new material depending on each individual batch. Hereby, strength‐reducing influences are certainly taken into account via reduction factors, but effects from assembly are not sufficiently covered. Glass/PTFE fabrics in particular are sensitive to installation influences such as handling during transport, handling and temperature during the laying of the fabric and weathering, so that long‐term damages in form of cracks in glass/PTFE membrane structures might occur, which (can) result in premature replacement of the entire covering. Investigations into the influence of weathering in combination with handling/installation‐related creases in glass/PTFE fabrics have shown that certain types of creases in glass/PTFE fabrics must be avoided, while others do not (necessarily) have a detrimental effect on the long‐term load‐bearing capacity of the fabric itself. This contribution provides an overview of the current state of knowledge on the influence of weathering and creases on the long‐term load‐bearing capacity of glass/PTFE fabrics as well as recommendations for the correct installation of such membrane structures in order to avoid long‐term damages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]