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High‐entropy materials, an exciting new class of structural materials involving five or more elements, are emerging as unexplored ground for superconductors. Here, the effects of nitrogen stoichiometry are investigated on local chemical structure of TiZrNbTa‐based thin films by various X‐ray‐based techniques. Lattice distortion and short‐range order of a set of TiZrNbTaNx samples, including bond lengths of different atomic pairs and coordination numbers of substituting atoms are quantitatively studied. The maximum superconducting transition temperature Tc is found at 10 K for a near‐stoichiometric (TiZrNbTa)N1.08 film, which is >8 K measured for a metallic TiZrNbTa film. The underlying electronic structure and chemical bonding in these high entropy nitrides thus influence the superconducting macroscopic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies the issue of learning radial basis function neural network (RBFNN)-based robust reconfigurable fault-tolerant configuration control for spacecraft formation flying (SFF) systems subject to thruster faults and space perturbations. To robustly reconstruct thruster faults, a novel learning RBFNN estimator is innovatively explored, in which the P-type iterative learning algorithm is utilized to online update the weight matrix of the RBFNN model and the H∞ control technique is adopted to attenuate the effect of space perturbations. Further, a learning RBFNN output-feedback fault-tolerant control (FTC) method is developed for spacecraft formation configuration maintenance with high accuracy, and the learning RBFNN algorithm is used to update and compensate the synthesized perturbation. Finally, a numerical example is simulated to verify the presented learning RBFNN-based spacecraft formation FTC approach is feasible and superior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this Letter, we investigate the mechanical stability of HEA-based multilayers after Xe-ion irradiation. CrFeCoNi/TiNbZrTa metallic and nitride thin films with a bilayer thickness of 30 nm were grown by reactive dc-magnetron sputtering on Al2O3(0001) substrates for irradiation studies and on Si(100) substrates for other characterizations. The films were subjected to 3-MeV Xe-ion irradiation at room temperature (RT) and at 500 °C. The crystal structure and mechanical properties of the films before and after irradiation were studied by x-ray diffraction and nanoindentation. Before irradiation, both the metallic and nitride multilayers displayed a lower hardness (7 and 20 GPa, respectively). Annealing at 500 °C for 150 min increased the hardness of the multilayer samples, but it also induced intermixing of elements between the sublayers of the metallic multilayer. Irradiation hardening was observed only in the metallic multilayer at room temperature. When comparing the effects of irradiation damage vs the effects of annealing on the mechanical properties, it was observed that annealing the multilayers had a more pronounced effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accretion of matter onto black holes (BHs) is a prevalent phenomenon in the cosmos, resulting in consequential changes to both the mass and irreducible mass of the BH. These alterations significantly impact the rotational energy reservoir harbored within. This study investigates the relationship between the increase in a BH's irreducible mass and the augmentation of its total mass due to the infall of matter (test particles) from the innermost stable circular orbit (ISCO) of a Kerr BH. Interestingly, the ratio of total mass growth to irreducible mass growth proves to be a non-monotonic function concerning the dimensionless spin parameter. It initially rises with spin, culminating near an extreme BH (), before declining. At the extreme BH position, the ratio is , indicating that accretion along the ISCO leads to the ultimate stabilization of the BH as an extreme one. Conversely, massless particles falling along unstable circular orbits exhibit a continuous increasing ratio of total mass growth to irreducible mass growth with respect to the dimensionless spin parameter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the inner region of the disc of an active galactic nucleus (AGN), the collision of two white dwarfs (WDs) through Jacobi capture might be inevitable, leading to a Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) explosion. This transient event, influenced by the disc gas and the gravity of the supermassive black hole (SMBH), exhibits distinct characteristics compared with normal SNe Ia. The energy of the explosion is mainly stored in the ejecta in the form of kinetic energy. Typically, the ejecta is not decelerated effectively by the AGN disc and rushes rapidly out of the AGN disc. However, under the influence of the SMBH, most of the ejecta falls back toward the AGN disc. As the fallback ejecta becomes more dispersed, it interacts with the disc gas, converting its kinetic energy into thermal energy. This results in a high-energy transient characterized by a rapid initial rise followed by a decay with L ∝ t −2.8. The time-scale of the transient ranges from hours to weeks, depending on the mass of the SMBH. This process generates high-energy radiation spanning from hard X-rays to the soft γ range. Additionally, the subsequent damage to the disc may result in changing-look AGNs. Moreover, the falling back of SNe Ia ejecta on to the AGN disc significantly increases the metallicity of the AGN and can even generate heavy elements within AGN discs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hyperglycemic microenvironment in diabetes mellitus inevitably stalls the normal orchestrated course of bone regeneration and encourages pathogenic multiplication. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) and chemo‐dynamic therapy (CDT) are extensively harnessed to combat pathogens, yet deep‐seated diabetic bone defect has difficulty in supplying sufficient oxygen (O2) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) stocks, resulting in inferior therapeutic efficiency. To address the tough plaguing, the self‐tandem bio‐heterojunctions (bio‐HJs) consisting of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), graphene oxide (GO), and glucose oxidase (GOx) are constructed on orthopedic polyetheretherketone (PEEK) implants (SP‐Mo/G@GOx) for amplified chemo‐photodynamic anti‐pathogenic therapy and boosted osseointegration in the deep‐seated diabetic micromilieu. In this system, GOx exhausts glucose to generate H2O2, which provides an abundant stock for CDT. Besides, the bio‐HJs produce hyperthermia upon near‐infrared light (NIR) to accelerate the dynamic process, which amplifies the antibacterial potency of PDT by promoting the vast yield of singlet oxygen (1O2) in a self‐tandem manner. More importantly, in vivo and in vitro assays demonstrate that the engineered implants exert a captivated bactericidal ability and significantly boost osseointegration in an infectious diabetic bone defect model. As envisaged, this study furnishes a novel tactic to arm orthopedic implants with self‐tandem capability for the remedy of infectious diabetic bone defects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the remarkable progress in ultrastrong mechanical laminate materials, the simultaneous achievement of toughness, stretchability and self‐healing properties in biomimetic layered nanocomposites remains a great challenge due to the intrinsic limitations of their hard essences and lack of effective stress transfer at the organic‐inorganic fragile boundary. Here, an ultratough nanocomposite laminate is prepared by constructing chain‐sliding cross‐linking at the interface between sulfonated graphene nanosheets and polyurethane layers based on the ring molecules sliding on the linear polymer chains to release stresses. Unlike traditional supramolecular bonding toughening with limited sliding spacing, our strategy enables interfacial molecular chains reversible slippage when the inorganic nanosheets bear stretching force, providing sufficient interlayer spatial distance for relative sliding to dissipate more energy. The resulting laminates exhibit strong strength (22.33 MPa), supertoughness (219.08 MJ m−3), ultrahigh stretchability (>1900 %) and self‐healing ability (99.7 %), which far surpass most of reported synthetic and natural laminate materials. Moreover, the fabricated proof‐of‐concept electronic skin shows excellent flexibility, sensitivity and healability for human physiological signals monitoring. This strategy breaks through the challenge that traditional layered nanocomposites are intrinsically stiff and opens up the functional application of layered nanocomposites in flexible devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the remarkable progress in ultrastrong mechanical laminate materials, the simultaneous achievement of toughness, stretchability and self‐healing properties in biomimetic layered nanocomposites remains a great challenge due to the intrinsic limitations of their hard essences and lack of effective stress transfer at the organic‐inorganic fragile boundary. Here, an ultratough nanocomposite laminate is prepared by constructing chain‐sliding cross‐linking at the interface between sulfonated graphene nanosheets and polyurethane layers based on the ring molecules sliding on the linear polymer chains to release stresses. Unlike traditional supramolecular bonding toughening with limited sliding spacing, our strategy enables interfacial molecular chains reversible slippage when the inorganic nanosheets bear stretching force, providing sufficient interlayer spatial distance for relative sliding to dissipate more energy. The resulting laminates exhibit strong strength (22.33 MPa), supertoughness (219.08 MJ m−3), ultrahigh stretchability (>1900 %) and self‐healing ability (99.7 %), which far surpass most of reported synthetic and natural laminate materials. Moreover, the fabricated proof‐of‐concept electronic skin shows excellent flexibility, sensitivity and healability for human physiological signals monitoring. This strategy breaks through the challenge that traditional layered nanocomposites are intrinsically stiff and opens up the functional application of layered nanocomposites in flexible devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electron-rich five-membered aromatic aza-heterocyclic imidazole, which contains two nitrogen atoms, is an important functional fragment widely present in a large number of biomolecules and medicinal drugs; its unique structure is beneficial to easily bind with various inorganic or organic ions and molecules through noncovalent interactions to form a variety of supramolecular complexes with broad medicinal potential, which is being paid an increasing amount of attention regarding more and more contributions to imidazole-based supramolecular complexes for possible medicinal application. This work gives systematical and comprehensive insights into medicinal research on imidazole-based supramolecular complexes, including anticancer, antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, and anti-inflammatory aspects as well as ion receptors, imaging agents, and pathologic probes. The new trend of the foreseeable research in the near future toward imidazole-based supramolecular medicinal chemistry is also prospected. It is hoped that this work provides beneficial help for the rational design of imidazole-based drug molecules and supramolecular medicinal agents and more effective diagnostic agents and pathological probes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) is a vital coenzyme for several enzymes involved in diverse enzymatic reactions in animals. BH4 deficiency can lead to metabolic and neurological disorders due to dysfunction in its metabolism. Sepiapterin reductase (SPR) and dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) are crucial enzymes in the BH4 de novo synthesis pathway and salvage pathway, respectively. Dihydrobiopterin (BH2) is an oxidized product of BH4 metabolism. The ratio of BH4/BH2 is a key indicator of the stability of BH4 levels. The de novo pathway of BH4 synthesis is well-defined; however, little is known about the mechanisms of the salvage pathway in insects. Herein, we used the natural BmSPR mutant silkworm (lem) as a resource material. Our results reveal that the BmDHFR expression and the BH4/BH2 ratio were remarkably higher in lem as compared to the wild-type silkworm. In BmN cells, knockdown of BmSpr showed increased BmDHFR expression, while the BH4/BH2 ratio decreased after BmDhfr knockdown by RNAi. Furthermore, simultaneous RNAi of BmSpr and BmDhfr showed a further decrease in the BH4/BH2 ratio. These manifest that the expression of BmDHFR is up-regulated to trigger an increase in the BH4/BH2 ratio when the de novo synthesis of BH4 is blocked in silkworm. Additionally, the knockdown of BmSpr in wild-type silkworms also showed an increased BmDHFR level and BH4/BH2 ratio. Taken together, when the silkworm BH4 de novo synthesis pathway is blocked, the salvage pathway is activated, and BmDHFR plays an important role in maintaining the metabolic balance of silkworm BH4. This study enriches our understanding of the molecular mechanism of the BH4 salvage pathway and lays a good foundation for further studies on BH4 using the silkworm as a model insect. [Display omitted] • The down-regulation of BmSpr leads to the up-regulation of BmDHFR in Bombyx mori. • BmDHFR plays a significant role in maintaining BH4 level in lem mutants. • Elevated SP content causes a yellow body color of the silkworm. • The increase of BmDHFR expression causes the up-regulation of BH4/BH2 ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Superconducting high entropy alloys (HEAs) may combine extraordinary mechanical properties with robust superconductivity. They are suitable model systems for the investigation of the interplay of disorder and superconductivity. Here, we report on the superconductivity in (TaNb)1-x(ZrHfTi)x thin films. Beyond the near-equimolar region, the films comprise hundreds-of-nanometer-sized crystalline grains and show robust bulk superconductivity. However, the superconducting transitions in these nanocomposites are dramatically suppressed in the near-equimolar configurations, i.e., 0.45 < x < 0.64, where elemental distributions are equivalently homogeneous. Crystal/glass high entropy alloy nanocomposite phase separation was observed for the films in the near-equimolar region, which yields a broadened two-step normal to superconducting transition. Furthermore, the diamagnetic shielding in these films is only observed far below the onset temperature of superconductivity. As these unusual superconducting transitions are observed only in the samples with the high mixing entropy, this compositional range influences the collective electronic properties in these materials. High entropy alloys are multielement materials exhibiting enhanced properties compared to their binary or ternary equivalents. Here, the authors investigate the influence of microstructure and elemental distribution on the transport and superconducting properties of (TaNb)1-x(ZrHfTi)x thin films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) is a vital coenzyme for several enzymes involved in diverse enzymatic reactions in animals, and BH4 deficiency can lead to metabolic and neurological disorders due to dysfunction in its metabolism. In the silkworm natural homozygous mutant leml, the key enzyme sepiapterin reductase (BmSPR) in the de novo synthesis pathway of BH4 is inactivated, resulting in severe deficiency of BH4 synthesis. However, it is not known why the leml larvae can survive to the second-instar stage and which pathways lead to their death when BH4 is deficient. Here, we quantified BH4 and found that the fertilized eggs contained large amounts of BH4 transferred from the mother to the offspring, maintaining its normal development in the embryo and the first instar. Subsequently, we investigated the multiple pathways in which BH4 is involved as a cofactor. The results showed that BH4 deficiency in silkworms blocked the melanin synthesis pathway, caused an insufficient degree of epidermal sclerosis, disordered tyrosine metabolism, and damaged mitochondria. On the other hand, BH4 deficiency led to the uncoupling of nitric oxide synthase (BmNOS), a reduced NO production, and a significantly reduced fat in fat body catalyzation by phospholipase A2, resulting in an impaired immune system. Meanwhile, the uncoupling of BmNOS increased the O2− content, damaged the DNA, and caused the apoptosis of the body cells. Taken together, BH4 is critical for the life and death of leml mutants. This study lays a foundation for the further exploration of lepidopteran insects and provides an important basis for the treatment of human BH4 deficiency-related diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solid‐state precipitation can be used to tailor material properties, ranging from ferromagnets and catalysts to mechanical strengthening and energy storage. Thermoelectric properties can be modified by precipitation to enhance phonon scattering while retaining charge‐carrier transmission. Here, unconventional Janus‐type nanoprecipitates are uncovered in Mg3Sb1.5Bi0.5 formed by side‐by‐side Bi‐ and Ge‐rich appendages, in contrast to separate nanoprecipitate formation. These Janus nanoprecipitates result from local comelting of Bi and Ge during sintering, enabling an amorphous‐like lattice thermal conductivity. A precipitate size effect on phonon scattering is observed due to the balance between alloy‐disorder and nanoprecipitate scattering. The thermoelectric figure‐of‐merit ZT reaches 0.6 near room temperature and 1.6 at 773 K. The Janus nanoprecipitation can be introduced into other materials and may act as a general property‐tailoring mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the globalization of food supplies and worldwide concerns about foodborne illness, the food industry is confronting unprecedented safety challenges. Dyestuff chemistry, nanotechnology, and immunochromatography assay (ICA) have all been hot topics in recent decades, particularly in the respective professions. Regardless, the respective superiorities and weaknesses are difficult to integrate and overcome, hindering the widespread deployment in the food safety sector. In this review, the historical development and current mechanism design for various analysis patterns of dyestuff chemistry-encode signal tracers-based ICAs (dyestuff-based ICAs) for food safety monitoring are classified. And we highlight the construction strategy of dyestuff-encode signal tracers to obtain simpler steps, enhanced utilization efficiency, and brand-new function. Furthermore, the unique superiority and recent applications of dyestuff-based ICAs for food safety monitoring, as well as future-oriented innovation are reviewed. Finally, the challenges in this field were also spotlighted along with the outlook of profound developments for dyestuff-based ICAs in point-of-care (POC) settings. Dyestuff-based ICAs that combine multiple technologies emerge as POC tools for performing global food safety control owing to the rapidness, user-friendliness, and attraction on future-oriented innovation. Particularly with the maturation of traditional dyeing methods and the commercialization of related dyestuffs, dyestuff-based ICAs possess several merits, including cost-effectiveness, ease-of-labeling, and high performance while significantly shortening the distance from raw materials to ICA-based products. Following the advances in interdisciplinary innovations, dyestuff-based ICAs will undoubtedly reduce (or even eliminate) the inefficient back-and-forth between laboratories and tables, and spark a revolution in this field. Dyestuff chemistry-encoded signal tracers based immunochromatographic assays facilitates the POC deployment for food safety monitoring. [Display omitted] • Novel analytic techniques shortening the distance from raw materials to products. • Dyestuff-based ICAs offers excellent platform for food safety detection. • Simplified steps, enhanced efficiency, and brand-new sandwich pattern are created. • The mechanisms design of dyestuff-based ICAs for food detection are classified. • Strengths, barriers, recent food applications and future trends are summarized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The superfamily of short‐chain dehydrogenases/reductases (SDRs) is crucial in biosynthetic and signalling pathways, in which the carbonyl reductases (CBRs) subfamily is important in the biosynthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4). BH4 is an essential coenzyme for animals, and its deficiency can lead to neurological diseases. There are few reports on CBRs involved in BH4 synthesis of silkworms, Bombyx mori. Here, we identified 67 SDR genes in B. mori (BmSDR) through whole genome survey for the first time. Based on bioinformatics analyses and KEGG verification, four BmCBRs that may be related to BH4 synthesis were further characterized and functionally analysed. The results showed these four genes were high expressed in the head and gonads of ah09 (a lem mutant with defective BH4 synthesis). Enzyme activity, BH4 content and the related gene expression levels after intracellular interference with BmCBR and the main catalytic enzymes sepiapterin reductase of B. mori (BmSpr) in the de novo pathway of BH4 showed BmCBR2 plays a role in the salvage pathway. BmCBR3 and BmCBR4 regulate BH4 synthesis through the alternative pathway. Among the four pathways of silkworm BH4 synthesis, the de novo pathway occupies the dominant position, followed by the alternative pathway and salvage pathway. According to the overexpression of BmCBR3 after interference with BmSpr, the BH4 content did not change significantly. It is speculated that BmCBR3 is located upstream of BmSpr. These results provide a theoretical basis for in‐depth exploration of the role of BmSDR in B. mori and also provide clues for the research of other animal‐related diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, by integrating the advantages of multi-granulation fuzzy rough set (MGFRS) and variable precision fuzzy rough set (VPFRS), we introduce a new model of multi-granulation granular variable precision fuzzy rough set (MGVPFRS) and study its basic properties. The new model includes three basic models: optimistic, pessimistic, and compromise variable precision model, so it has better tolerance and diversity. Later, by combining MGVPFRS with traditional TOPSIS method, we propose a novel multi-criteria decision-making method (MCDM). In which, MGVPFRS is applicable to acquire criterion weights. This acquisition method is more convincing, because the criteria weights are computed, not given by experts. Finally, we apply our novel method to the challenging bone graft selection problem. Through a series of experiments and comparative analysis, the validity and reliability of our model are tested. In particular, the three strategies of optimism, pessimism, and compromise enable doctors and patients to make decisions according to their personal preferences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiplexed immunodetection, which achieves qualitative and quantitative outcomes for multiple targets in a single-run process, provides more sufficient results to guarantee food safety. Especially, lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA), with the ability to offer multiple test lines for analytes and one control line for verification, is a forceful candidate in multiplexed immunodetection. Nevertheless, given that single-signal mode is incredibly vulnerable to interference, further efforts should be engrossed on the combination of multiplexed immunodetection and multiple signals. Photothermal signal has sparked significant excitement in designing immunosensors. In this work, by optimizing and comparing the amount of gold, CuS@Au heterojunctions (CuS@Au HJ) were synthesized. The dual-plasmonic metal-semiconductor hybrid heterojunction exhibits a synergistic photothermal performance by increasing light absorption and encouraging interfacial electron transfer. Meanwhile, the colorimetric property is synergistic enhanced, which is conducive to reduce the consumption of antibodies and then improve assay sensitivity. Therefore, CuS@Au HJ are suitable to be constructed in a dual signal and multiplexed LFIA (DSM-LFIA). T-2 toxin and deoxynivalenol (DON) were used as model targets for the simulated multiplex immunoassay. In contrast to colloidal gold-based immunoassay, the built-in sensor has increased sensitivity by ≈ 4.42 times (colorimetric mode) and ≈17.79 times (photothermal mode) for DON detection and by ≈ 1.75 times (colorimetric mode) and ≈13.09 times (photothermal mode) for T-2 detection. As a proof-of-concept application, this work provides a reference to the design of DSM-LFIA for food safety detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, char-supported metal composites (0.2Ni-RHC, 0.2Fe-RHC and 0.2Co-RHC) were prepared via impregnation and subsequent microwave heating method, which were used as both microwave absorbers and catalysts for in-situ microwave-induced pyrolysis of pine sawdust, aiming to obtain high-quality fuel gas based on the interaction of microwave radiation and metal active sites in catalysts. The results showed that well-dispersed nanoparticles were generated in the three catalysts, which were firmly anchored on the matrix of the char support by several layers of graphitic carbon. The catalysts exhibited excellent microwave absorbing properties, a rapid heating rate was achieved which realized the temperature rise from room temperature to 800 °C within 110 s 0.2Fe-RHC exhibited the best catalytic performance among these three catalysts, with a high gas yield of 73.4% and low solid and bio-oil yield of only 4.1% and 13.6%, respectively. The yield of H 2 and CO increased from 137.7 to 190.6 mL/g and from 241.2 mL/g to 393.9 mL/g compared with that of pure RHC. The microwave heating behavior and the catalytic activity of char-supported Fe catalyst were also influenced by the loading amount of Fe. [Display omitted] • Biochar-supported metal composites were prepared as catalysts and microwave absorbers. • Porous biochar support with well dispersed metal nanoparticles were obtained. • The catalysts can be heated to 800 °C within 1.5 s by microwave heating. • The gas yield reached 73.4% with H 2 and CO yield of 190.6 and 393.9 mL/g for 0.2Fe-RHC. • Excessive Fe loading reduced the catalytic activity of biochar-supported Fe catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current research work focuses on the tribological and thermal properties of epoxy resin matrix composites, which were modified by polyaryletherketone (PAEK-C). The results of the infrared spectra and morphologies of fracture surfaces experiments corroborate the successful synthesis of the materials. From the tribological experiments, it can be known that when the mass fraction of PAEK-C was 10 phr., the corresponding composite exhibited the outstanding wear performances, which could be ascribed to the higher H/E ratio. Based on the results of tribological experiments, it could be obtained that the main wear mechanism is governed by combination of the plastic deformation, creation of vertical cracks in the sliding track, separation of debris, and material waves due to adhesions. In addition, the glass transition temperatures (T g) and heat-resistance index (T HRI) of the PAEK-C/epoxy resin higher than those of pure epoxy resin matrix, respectively. Furthermore, when the mass fraction of PAEK-C increased, the heat resistance index (T HRI) of the corresponding composite is 196.3°C, which is higher than that of neat epoxy resin (180.9°C). Also, according to the results of thermogravimetric analysis experiments, it could conclude that the activation energy of the curing process is situated in the range of 150–160 kJ mol−1 depending on the mass fraction of epoxy resins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A variety of bulk high-entropy alloy superconductors have been recently discovered; however, for thin films, only the TaNbHfZrTi high-entropy alloy system has been investigated for its superconducting properties. Here, (TiZrNbTa)1−xWx and (TiZrNbTa)1−xVx superconducting films have been produced by DC magnetron sputtering at different growth temperatures. The phase formation and superconducting behavior of these films depend on the content of alloying x and deposition temperature. A single body-centered cubic (bcc) phase can be formed in the low x range with enough driving energy for crystallinity, but phase transition between amorphous or two bcc structures is observed when increasing x. The highest superconducting transition temperature Tc reaches 8.0 K for the TiZrNbTa film. The superconducting transition temperature Tc of these films deposited at the same temperature decreases monotonically as a function of x. Increasing deposition temperature to 400 °C can enhance Tc for these films while retaining nearly equivalent compositions. Our experimental observations suggest that Tc of superconducting high entropy alloys relate to the atomic radii difference and electronegativity difference of involved elements beyond the valence electron number. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Anti-inflammasome bio-heterojunction (AI-bioHJ) promote diabetic wound healing. • AI-bioHJ release on-demand H 2 S to inhibit NLRP3 inflammasomes. • AI-bioHJ recycle H 2 S and transform from type I bioHJ into the Z-scheme bioHJ. Persistent activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes in infectious diabetic wounds lead to uncontrolled inflammation. Hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) gas therapy shows promise in inhibiting inflammasomes. However, on-demand delivery of H 2 S is challenging, as its biological characteristics are Janus-faced. Herein, we present the anti-inflammasome bio-heterojunction (AI-bioHJ), comprising FeS, Cu 2 O, and glucose oxidase (GOx), capable of H 2 S gas evolution and in situ self-transformation to accelerate diabetic wound healing. In this system, AI-bioHJ release H 2 S to inhibit NLRP3 inflammasomes and recycle excess H 2 S through a reaction between Cu 2 O and H 2 S, maintaining a low H 2 S concentration while upgrading type I FeS/Cu 2 O to Z-scheme FeS/CuS bioHJ, and markedly enhancing phototherapy. Additionally, GOx depletes local glucose to generate H 2 O 2 , promoting Fenton-like reactions and rapid pathogenic elimination. In vivo and in vitro assessments confirm AI-bioHJ effectively eliminate pathogen, inhibit inflammasomes and facilitate diabetic wound healing. Transcriptome analysis indicates that the FoxO–autophagy axis may mediate the anti-inflammasome effects. Altogether, our work provides enlightenments into programmed H 2 S-releasing bioHJ for remedying diabetic wounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • nZVI@N-rGO was successfully synthesized and applied to efficient PDS activation. • Loading nZVI nanoparticles on 3D N-rGO prevented nZVI aggregation. • nZVI@N-rGO exhibited the best catalytic ability in water and aged soil. • SO 4 − and ·OH were mainly produced in the rGOA-nZVI/PS system. • N-doping enhanced mass transfer of reactants and PDS activation. Developing an efficient heteroatom-doped Fe-carbon catalyst is of great significance for the remediation of contaminated water and soil. In this study, a three-dimensional petaloid N-doped reduced graphene oxide (N-rGO)-supported nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) composite (nZVI@N-rGO) was successfully prepared and applied to activate peroxydisulfate (PDS) to remove typical organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) from contaminated water and soil. The results indicated that N doping not only restructured the surface morphology of rGO and generated a petaloid nanosheet structure but also introduced additional defect sites for the loading of nZVI. nZVI@N-rGO effectively activated PDS to degrade β-hexachlorocyclohexane (β-HCH) in aqueous solution and contaminated soil. Characterization of the reaction process revealed that SO 4 ∙ - , •OH, 1O 2 and O 2 ∙ - were the reactive species involved in β-HCH degradation and that the abundant N-doped sites and high conductivity of nZVI@N-rGO promoted the generation of reactive species and mediated direct electron transfer. Furthermore, the petaloid structure of N-rGO allowed for greater contact of PDS and β-HCH with nZVI, which improved the mass transfer of reactants. nZVI@N-rGO has good adaptability to different anions, humic acid concentrations and pH conditions in water. This work provides the necessary inspiration and guidance for the practical application of Fe-Carbon catalysts in the remediation of water and soil contaminated by OCPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Engineered collaborative biochemical techniques and regulated nanomaterials (NMs) offer extraordinary opportunities for improving the analysis performance of lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA). Herein, inspired by the ability of macromolecules (e.g., proteins) to assemble into new functional units and the remarkable optical performance of engineered regulated NMs, goat anti-mouse immunoglobulin (GAMI) serves as the "crosslinker" integrate with gold‑manganese oxide (Au-MnO x) to assemble the "signal tracers (STs)-crosslinker-antibody (mAb)" for elevating the mAb utilization efficiency. Notably, the "STs-crosslinker-mAb" assembly shows ~13.33-folds mAb utilization efficiency enhance, which perfectly response the challenge between limited sensitivity and sufficient signal intensity in competitive-type LFIA. The black color and rough structure of Au-MnO x offer higher colorimetric brightness (~2-folds than AuNPs) and enhanced mAb coupling efficiency (up to 92.47%), which further improves sensitivity under the premise of functional assembly to intensify the competitive immunoreaction. Additionally, the convenient synthesis conditions (~13 min at room temperature) even comparable to direct purchase commercial products indicate that using Au-MnO x undoubtedly increases the cost-effectiveness. Encouragingly, the Au-MnO x -GAMI-mAb based LFIA exhibited high sensitivity (LOD: 0.063 ng mL−1 for clenbuterol (CLE) monitoring) by elevating mAb utilization efficiency with the attendant enhancing immune competition response in a cost-effective manner, which provides an invigorating reference pathway in point-of-care immunoassay. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • An innovative NLISA is developed for mycotoxin detection with high sensitivity. • AuNP's electrostatic adsorption enhances the bond of nanozyme and antibody. • Fluorescence quenching has replaced acid treatment aiming to provide second signal. • CeO 2 @Au-FTNLISA model shows superior stability, high efficiency, and versatility. • The FTNLISA has increased the sensitivity by 42 times owing to the CeO 2 @Au label. Developing immunosensors with nanozymes as signal labels has made a great deal of progress and is no longer a novel concept. But even then, several research obstacles, e.g., suboptimal activity, uncertain antibody coupling, and redundant processes, still remain and must be tackled in this frontier. In this study, we constructed a colorimetric and fluorescent double-response enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using CeO 2 @Au heterojunctions as signal labels (CeO 2 @Au-TFNLISA) for sensitive detection of T-2 toxin. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) acting as a bridge for CeO 2 can connect and realize the bidirectional improvement of CeO 2 @Au heterojunctions: (1) enhancing the nanozyme activity significantly by multiple effects (charge transfer, AuNPs assistance, substrate affinity, and oxygen vacancy, etc.); (2) improving the affinity between antibodies and labels through electrostatic incorporation. Meanwhile, in this system, nanozyme catalysis generates the first signal, and fluorescence quenching forms the second signal via the inner-filter effect (IFE) to avoid the inaccuracy result brought on by the off-laboratory environment. The CeO 2 @Au-TFNLISA has increased the sensitivity by 42 and 18 times in colorimetric (TNLISA) and fluorescent modes (FNLISA) compared with traditional ELISA (0.00852 ng/mL for TNLISA, 0.02011 ng/mL for FNLISA, 0.36492 ng/mL for traditional ELISA), respectively, and saved half of the detection time (from 135 min to 50 min) due to the weakened non-specific adsorption. As a result, the CeO 2 @Au-TFNLISA method is expected to gain strong momentum to advance the rapid and precise detection of T-2 in food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of sintering additives (Boron and SiC) and solid solution (TiB 2) on the densification of HfB 2 -based ceramics, processed by pressureless sintering, were investigated for potential applications as advanced control rod materials. The addition of B was found to improve the densification properties of HfB 2 through removal of the oxygen contamination yet incurred unfavourable grain growth. SiC was able to further enhance the densification through a grain pinning effort, improving the microstructure. In combination with oxygen impurity removal by the addition of B, the solid solution of Ti into HfB 2 contributed to further improving the densification by reducing the particle size of HfB 2 powder, further promoting diffusion during sintering. The grain size of SiC phase was also reduced through the refinement of HfB 2 powder via solid solution. The deployment of B and SiC sintering additives, alongside TiB 2 solid solution, during pressureless sintering was found to be beneficial in the preparation of high density HfB 2 -based ceramics, increasing microstructure density and enhancing mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, (NH4)2V7O16 hierarchical structures formed by the self-assembly of nanoflakes were successfully synthesized by a one-step rotating hydrothermal method. When utilized as anodic materials for aqueous Li-ion batteries, the obtained (NH4)2V7O16 exhibited good rate capability and excellent cyclic stability. Moreover, the structural evolution of the ammonium vanadium bronze during cycling was also investigated by ex situ XRD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an ideal reinforcing phase, nano-carbon has been widely used to improve the properties of composites. In this paper, Mo–Cu–Zr ternary composites were reinforced with various types and contents of nano-carbon to find the optimal composition and the microstructure and mechanical properties of the composites were systematically characterized and analyzed. The composites were fabricated via a powder metallurgy method to achieve high compactness and structural uniformity. The analysis results show that the increase of nano-carbon may cause a serious agglomeration and subsequent decrease of the composite compactness, while the synergetic effect of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) can improve their dispersion. The 0.8C + 0.2G-MCZ3 composite showed the best comprehensive properties, which achieved a relative density, hardness and compressive strength of 99.7%, 343.6 HV and 953.5 MPa, respectively. Moreover, the component Zr mainly formed solid solution and compound particles with Cu or C through in-situ chemical reactions. It played an important role in solid solution strengthening and dispersion strengthening, and the in-situ synthesized ZrC nanoparticles on nano-carbon surfaces can pin interfaces and improve the effect of load transfer. The synergetic effects and multiple strengthening mechanisms result in the improvement of the microstructure and properties of the composites. [Display omitted] • Interfaces between nano-carbons and matrix are improved by the in-situ synthesized phase. • The synergy of CNTs and GNPs shows a better reinforcing effect. • The increase of Zr content is beneficial to the improvement of the properties of composites. • Multiple strengthening mechanisms synergistically act on the improvement of composite properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The health and safety of the honeybees are seriously threatened due to the abuse of chemical pesticides in modern agriculture and apiculture. In this study, the RNA Seq approach was used to assess the effects of the honeybees treated with benomyl. The results showed that there were a total of 11,902 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Among them, 5,759 DEGs were up-regulated and involved in the functions of immunity, detoxification, biological metabolism, and regulation. The DEGs were clustered in the GO terms of epidermal structure and response to external stimuli, and most of the DEGs were enriched in 15 pathways, such as light conduction, MAPK, calcium ion pathway, and so on. Moreover, the pathway of the toll signal transduction was activated. The data investigated that the expression of functional genes involved in the growth, development, foraging, and immunity of honeybees were significantly affected by benomyl stress, which would seriously threaten the health of the honeybees. This study provided a theoretical basis for revealing the response mechanism of honeybees to pesticides stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contemporary literature has taken a 'market‐driven' approach to explaining the influence of interaction orientation on organizational performance, but has ignored the internal changes within organizations that are shaped by their customer‐oriented practices. Drawing on the market orientation‐responsiveness‐performance framework (Hult, Ketchen and Slater 2005; Ketchen, Hult and Slater 2007), we provide an alternative explanation for the influence of interaction orientation by articulating the role of a firm's HR flexibility. Using a sample of 156 business‐to‐customer firms located in China, we find that interaction orientation is positively related to organizational performance through its impact on a firm's HR flexibility. Moreover, the association between interaction orientation and HR flexibility is stronger when the organizational culture encourages collective actions (i.e. organizational collectivism). We also discuss the theoretical implications of this research. Key points: Interaction orientation is positively related to organizational performance through its impact on a firm's HR flexibility.The association between interaction orientation and HR flexibility is stronger when the organizational culture encourages collective actions (i.e. organizational collectivism). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we focus on the half-spin relativistic particle in the presence of a uniform magnetic field in a Gödel-type space–time with potential. Based on the functional analysis method, the allowed energies and wave equation of the system are derived. Moreover, in order to illustrate the influence of vorticity parameter on the considered system, we plot some figures for the clarity of our results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new type of benzopyrone-mediated quinolones (BMQs) was rationally designed and efficiently synthesized as novel potential antibacterial molecules to overcome the global increasingly serious drug resistance. Some synthesized BMQs effectively suppressed the growth of the tested strains, outperforming clinical drugs. Notably, ethylidene-derived BMQ 17a exhibited superior antibacterial potential with low MICs of 0.5–2 μg/mL to clinical drugs norfloxacin, it not only displayed rapid bactericidal performance and inhibited bacterial biofilm formation, but also showed low toxicity toward human red blood cells and normal MDA-kb2 cells. Mechanistic investigation demonstrated that BMQ 17a could effectually induce bacterial metabolic disorders and promote the enhancement of reactive oxygen species to disrupt the bacterial antioxidant defense system. It was found that the active molecule BMQ 17a could not only form supramolecular complex with lactate dehydrogenase, which disturbed the biological functions, but also effectively embed into calf thymus DNA, thus affecting the normal function of DNA and achieving cell death. This work would provide an insight into developing new molecules to reduce drug resistance and expand antibacterial spectrum. [Display omitted] • New benzopyrone-mediated quinolones with broad antimicrobial spectrum were developed. • Compound 17a exerted more potent inhibition efficacy with low MICs of 0.5–2 μg/mL than the reference drug norfloxacin. • Compound 17a showed low toxicity and no obvious resistance. • Compound 17a could effectively decrease the glutathione activities and promote the production of ROS. • Compound 17a could form 17a –DNA complex by intercalation, thus leading to bacterial death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trombe wall is an effective method for passively absorbing solar energy and providing heat to buildings. This paper conducts a comparative experiment between Trombe wall buildings and glass curtain wall buildings during the winter season in Songpan County, western Sichuan. The climate characteristics of the western Sichuan plateau are analyzed, and the potential applications of these two building types in the region are investigated. To further understand the heat transfer mechanism of Trombe wall buildings, numerical simulations are carried out to analyze the indoor thermal environment of buildings with varying air channel thicknesses. The results show that Trombe wall buildings are more effective at delaying heat loss compared to glass curtain wall buildings, due to the thermal storage of the Trombe wall providing heat at night. This makes Trombe wall buildings well-suited for regions with strong solar radiation and large temperature differences between day and night, such as the alpine region. However, excessively small air channel thickness can lead to excessive air flow speed during the day, causing more heat loss and weaker insulation at night. Conversely, excessively large air channel thickness reduces air flow temperature difference and diminishes the heat brought into the room. Among different air channels, a thickness of 100 mm performs best with a temperature difference between the inlet and outlet of about 45 °C. At 13:00 o 'clock, the maximum airflow rate of approximately 5.8 L/s is achieved for a thickness of 100 mm, whereas for thicknesses of 150 mm and 50 mm, the corresponding values are 4.9 L/s and 4.1 L/s, respectively. It is important to note that blindly increasing air channel thickness to raise indoor temperature is not a practical or reasonable engineering solution. The measured and numerical results can provide valuable reference value for the improvement and development of Trombe wall buildings in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The photocatalyst is a crucial factor in determining solar-to-H 2 efficiency for solar-driven water splitting. Here, the FeP/CdS well-defined heterostructure was elaborately designed and successfully constructed in-situ to achieve efficient water splitting by using a simple and green solvothermal approach. In the synthetic process, the ethylenediamine plays an important role in the construction of intimate contact interface between FeP and CdS. This good quality FeP/CdS heterostructure can efficiently promote charge separation and transportation, and therefore the charge recombination of CdS was significantly suppressed. As a result, the as-synthesized FeP/CdS heterostructure showed excellent photocatalytic performance under visible-light irradiation with an optimal hydrogen evolution rate of 37.92 mmol g−1 h−1 and an apparent quantum yield of 31.50% at 420 nm far exceeding that of pristine CdS by more than 122 folds. This rate, to the best of our knowledge, outperforms other similar catalytic systems. Image 1 • Well-defined FeP/CdS heterostructure was fabricated with the assistance of amine. • Construction and catalytic mechanism of FeP/CdS was detailedly studied. • Intimate contact interface contributes to its good performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Horizontal drains can effectively accelerate the consolidation of soils. In this study, an analytical model for the consolidation of a multilayered soil system with horizontal drainage pipes is developed first. A virtual semipermeable layer containing the drainage pipes is introduced to simplify the analysis. A semipermeability coefficient (R) is then adopted to describe the drainage capacity of the virtual semipermeable layer. The analytical solution is derived following separation of variables method and Duhamel's principle, which is verified by two existing analytical solutions in literature from different aspects. By comparing the results calculated by the analytical solution and numerical model, an efficient method is proposed to relate the arrangement of drainage pipes and R. The method is effective if the layer thickness is large enough compared with the pipe diameter and the pipe spacing is not too small. Based on the equivalent method, a preliminary design method of the horizontal drainage pipes is also proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The kink effect is a phenomenon that typically occurs in InP-based InAlAs/InGaAs high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) at cryogenic temperatures. It results in higher output conductance (gDS) and non-monotonic behavior. This Letter discusses the origin and suppression of the kink effect in InP HEMTs at cryogenic temperatures, which is linked to the structure of gate recess passivation. At room temperature, two devices with different gate recess passivation structures show similar characteristics. However, a temperature-sensitive kink is observed in the non-passivated gate recess structure, leading to the discontinuous transconductance (gm) and the non-monotonic threshold voltage (Vth) shifts. Based on pulsed and static (non-pulsed) measurement data, surface traps and impact ionization in the high-field region are identified as the origin of the kink effect. Specifically, a positive Vth shift of +160 mV is caused by surface traps when the temperature drops to 150 K. A negative Vth shift of –60 mV is due to the enhanced impact ionization below 150 K. Conversely, the device with a passivated gate recess has a negligible kink effect and effectively improves discontinuous gm and the non-monotonic Vth shifts (+25 mV) when the temperature drops. Therefore, the device with a passivated gate recess is significant for suppressing the kink effect and maintaining the stability of the device in variable temperature environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to achieve pressureless joining of SiC materials at low temperature, an innovative method involving brazing-bonding and in situ oxidation was developed in this work. In contrast to traditional Al brazing bonding or Al 2 O 3 liquid-phase joining, aluminum-air (Al-air) joining served the dual purpose of joining with metallic Al and subsequently converting to Al 2 O 3 at a low processing temperature of 1000 °C. Complete conversion of Al to Al 2 O 3 was evidenced after heat-treating at 1000 °C for 10 h, with a relatively high shear strength of 128.3 MPa. The work here demonstrated the process of Al-air joining was facile and potential for the low-temperature joining of SiC materials, negating the need for external pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new strategy of redox mediator immobilization was developed by coating polydopamine (PDA) on individual live cells to enhance extracellular electron transfer. As a result of the synergistic effect of the redox properties of PDA and the ability to adsorb self-secreted flavin molecules, a double-mediator electron transport channel was achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Al-Si alloy nanocomposites reinforced with nano-carbon (carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs)) and in-situ Al 2 O 3 were fabricated via the process of surface modification, ball milling and hot isostatic pressing (HIP). The microstructure and mechanical properties of the nanocomposites were tested and analyzed. The interface between nano-carbon and Al matrix bonded tightly for reacting at the interface to form Al 4 C 3 , and the in-situ synthesis Al 2 O 3 particles were dispersively distributed and had high bond strength with Al matrix. The nanocomposites show high compactness (≥98.5%) and excellent mechanical properties, the hardness, tensile, compressive and shear strength of the nanocomposite with 1.0 wt% CNTs are 96.4 HV, 237.7 MPa, 389.5 MPa and 130.3 MPa, respectively. The interface bonding mechanisms and strengthening mechanisms were studied in detail. The results show that the reinforcement phases mainly reinforce the nanocomposites by grain refinement strengthening, dislocations strengthening, particles strengthening and load transfer. • The Al-Si nanocomposites with isotropic microstructure and excellent mechanical properties were prepared via HIP. • The synergetic effect of nano-carbon and in-situ Al 2 O 3 in the nanocomposites were investigated. • The structure and interface of the nanocomposites were analyzed and discussed in detail. • Strengthening and fracture mechanisms of the nanocomposites were analyzed systematically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tungsten fiber reinforced tungsten (W f /W) composite is one of the candidates to improve the toughness of tungsten materials. Powder metallurgy is a potential method to produce W f /W composites, but it may cause the recrystallization and grain growth of the reinforcing fibers during the high temperature sintering process. In the present work, a layer of Y 2 O 3 is coated on the fiber surface by magnetron sputtering to protect the fibers and prevent recrystallization and abnormal growth of grains. W f /W composites with and without Y 2 O 3 coating were fabricated by a field assisted sintering technology (FAST) process. Microstructure and mechanical properties were characterized. The influence of the Y 2 O 3 coating on the properties of the fiber was discussed in detail. The Y 2 O 3 coating can effectively prevent recrystallization and abnormal grain growth of fibers during the sintering process. The W f /W composites with Y 2 O 3 coating shows higher strength and pseudo-ductile behavior. • Continuous fiber reinforced W f /W composites are fabricated via PM. • Y 2 O 3 coating can prevent recrystallization and abnormal grain growth of fibers during the sintering process. • The improvement of the toughness is mainly contributed by the high strength of the fiber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multicomponent or high-entropy oxide films are of interest due to their remarkable structure and properties. Here, energetic ion irradiation is utilized for controlling the phase formation and structure of AlCrNbTi oxide at growth temperature of 500°C. The ion acceleration is achieved by using a high-power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) discharge, accompanied by a 10 μs-long synchronized substrate bias (U sync), to minimize the surface charging effect and accelerate early-arriving ions, mainly Al+, O+, Ar2+, and Al2+. By increasing the magnitude of U sync from −100 V to −500 V, the film structure changes from amorphous to single-phase corundum, followed by the formation of high-number-density stacking faults (or nanotwins) at U sync = −500 V. This approach paves the way to tailor the high-temperature-phase and defect formation of oxide films at low growth temperature, with prospects for use in protective-coating and dielectric applications. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The multiphase co-reinforcing composite combines the advantages of different reinforcing phases to give composite superior properties. In this study, nano-carbon and hexagonal boron nitride (HBN) reinforced Cu-Ti 3 SiC 2 -C composites are fabricated by surface modification, ball milling, vacuum hot pressing (VHP) and hot isostatic pressing (HIP). The content of nano-carbon is 0.5 wt%, and the ratio of multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) to graphene was 4:1, 1:1 and 1:4, respectively. Microstructure and mechanical properties of the prepared composites are systematically tested and analyzed. Results show that the interface bonding mode between the reinforcements and matrix is mainly mechanical locking. The composite with the ratio of MWCNTs to graphene is 4:1 shows the best properties in which the hardness, tensile, compressive and shear strength are 121.91 HV, 163.87 MPa, 431.86 MPa and 122.56 MPa, respectively. The reinforcements improve the properties of composites by the mechanisms of load transfer, fine grain strengthening, particle strengthening and anti-friction lubrication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and graphene synergetically reinforced Cu–graphite matrix composites with alloying elements and the rare earth element lanthanum were fabricated by powder metallurgy, and their mechanical properties were evaluated. An innovative solution for dispersing the solution into the MWCNTs and graphene was adopted by surface modification with gallic acid solution or rutin solution, instead of strong acid and base solutions, respectively. The interfacial bonding between MWCNTs or graphene and the copper matrix, and the particle distribution uniformity, were enhanced by mechanical alloying and freeze-drying. Nearly complete densification of the MWCNTs and graphene synergetically reinforced Cu–graphite matrix composites was achieved by hot-pressing and hot isostatic pressing sintering. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the composites indicated that the interfaces between the reinforcing phases and matrix were tightly bonded, confirming that the interface bonding between the MWCNTs, graphene, and copper matrix was mainly established as mechanical locks. The dominant strengthening mechanisms in the composites were the fine grain strengthening, load transferring, and solution strengthening, followed by dislocation strengthening. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • The Cu–graphite matrix composites with isotropic microstructure and properties were prepared via HIP. • The synergetic effect of MWCNTs and graphene in the composites were investigated. • The alloying elements and Lanthanum rare earth were used to improve the matrix structure and interface. • Strengthening and fracture mechanisms of the composites were analysed systematically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Front-face fluorescence of ground black and white pepper is observed. • Their emissions are distinct from those of several possible adulterants. • Piperine in pepper and tryptophan in adulterants yield the distinction. • Simultaneous detection of multiple adulterants in ground pepper is feasible. • Rapid and non-destructive analysis of piperine is achieved as well. Based on the distinct fluorescence of piperine and tryptophan, and their different profiles in pepper and several possible adulterants, front-face synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy (FFSFS) was applied for the fast and non-invasive authentication of ground black pepper adulterated with papaya seed powder and buckwheat flour, and ground white pepper adulterated with whole wheat and maize flours. For either single adulterant or dual adulterants in the range of 10–40% w/w, prediction models were constructed based on the combination of unfolded total synchronous fluorescence spectra and partial least square (PLS) regression, and were validated by both five-fold cross-validation and external validation. The built PLS2 models produced suitable results, with most of the determination coefficients of prediction (R p 2) greater than 0.8, the root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) < 5% and residual predictive deviation (RPD) greater than 2. The limits of detection (LODs) were 11.1, 5.5, 10.6 and 12.0% for papaya seed powder, buckwheat, whole wheat and maize flours, respectively. Most relative prediction errors for simulated blind samples were within ± 30%. Besides, piperine in ground black and white pepper was also determined with acceptable PLS results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the spectral element method (SEM) is improved to solve the moving load problem. In this method, a structure with uniform geometry and material properties is considered as a spectral element, which means that the element number and the degree of freedom can be reduced significantly. Based on the variational method and the Laplace transform theory, the spectral stiffness matrix and the equivalent nodal force of the beam-column element are established. The static Green function is employed to deduce the improved function. The proposed method is applied to two typical engineering practices—the one-span bridge and the horizontal jib of the tower crane. The results have revealed the following. First, the new method can yield extremely high-precision results of the dynamic deflection, the bending moment and the shear force in the moving load problem. In most cases, the relative errors are smaller than 1%. Second, by comparing with the finite element method, one can obtain the highly accurate results using the improved SEM with smaller element numbers. Moreover, the method can be widely used for statically determinate as well as statically indeterminate structures. Third, the dynamic deflection of the twin-lift jib decreases with the increase in the moving load speed, whereas the curvature of the deflection increases. Finally, the dynamic deflection, the bending moment and the shear force of the jib will all increase as the magnitude of the moving load increases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

β-Cyclodextrin (β-CD) modified magnetic graphene oxide material (Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 /GO/β-CD), a novel magnetic sorbent for enrichment and purification of plant growth regulators (PGRs) in vegetables prior to gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (GC–MS) detection, was successfully fabricated. The novel magnetic sorbent geometrically fitted to selectively recognize and enrich PGR analytes especially containing aromatic structure. The selectivity experiment demonstrated the higher selectivity of Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 /GO/β-CD toward 5 PGR compounds than that of Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 /GO. Several parameters affecting extraction efficiency including the volume of extraction solvent, amount of adsorbent, extraction time, type and the volume of desorption solvent were optimized. Under the optimized condition, good linear relationships were obtained in the range of 1–100 μg/kg with determination coefficients (R 2 ) from 0.9983 to 0.9996. The limits of detection (LODs) of 5 PGRs were from 0.04 to 0.28 μg/kg. The proposed method had good potential for the analysis of trace level of 5 PGRs in real vegetable samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Planetary boundary layer height (PBLH) is an important input parameter for any boundary layer study or model, either climate or atmospheric. The variation of the PBLH is also of great significance to the physical processes of numerical prediction, diagnosis of weather forecasting and monitoring urban pollutants. However, effective ways to monitor the PBLH continuously are lack. Wind profilers are commonly used in monitoring PBLH continuously because of its high temporal and spatial resolution, coupled with capability of continuous detection. In this paper, the covariance wavelet transform (CWT) is used to analyze the range-corrected signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the wind profiler to determine the PBLH, which is then compared with the results measured by the gradient method and the radiosonde. The conclusions are as follows: (1) The scaling parameter a and translation parameter b of the wavelet are critical in determination of the PBLH by applying the CWT as different values may get completely different results, which requires to select appropriate values in the calculation carefully. (2) Quality control is crucial in determining the PBLH because good quality control can help remove mutation points, which makes the determined PBLH more consistent with the actual situation. (3) In clear-air, the gradient method is not applicable if the boundary layer turbulence is inhomogeneous and the impact of noise is large for that it is easy to be impacted by the mutation of SNR caused by the atmosphere turbulence instability and other factors, which will cause large errors, while the CWT method as an improvement of the gradient method can determine the PBLH quite well. (4) Through quality control, the PBLHs determined by the CWT are consistent with those of radiosonde, and the correlation coefficient between them is 0.87. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The (2+1)-dimensional Klein-Gordon oscillator under a magnetic field in the presence of a minimal length in the noncommutative (NC) space is analyzed via the momentum space representation. Energy eigenvalue of the system is obtained by employing the Jacobi polynomials. In further steps, the special cases are discussed and the corresponding numerical results are depicted, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growth temperature (T s) and ion irradiation energy (E i) are important factors that influence film growth as well as their properties. In this study, we investigate the evolution of crystal structure and residual stress of TiNbCrAlHfN films under various T s and E i conditions, where the latter is mainly controlled by tuning the flux of sputtered Hf ions using bipolar high-power impulse magnetron (BP-HiPIMS). The results show that TiNbCrAlHfN films exhibit the typical FCC NaCl-type structure. By increasing T s from room temperature to 600 °C, the film texture changes from high-surface-energy (111) to low-surface-energy (100) accompanied by a higher crystallinity in the out-of-plane direction and a more disordered growth tilt angle to the surface plane. In addition, compressive stress decreases with increasing T s , which is ascribed to changes in the film growth both in the early and post-coalescence stages and more tensile thermal stress at elevated T s. In contrast, a clear texture transition window is seen under various E i of Hf+ ions, i.e. , high-surface-energy planes change to low-surface-energy planes as E i exceeds ∼110 eV, while low-surface-energy planes gradually transform back to high-surface-energy planes when E i increases from 210 to 260 eV, indicating renucleation events for E i > 210 eV. Compressive stress increases with increasing E i but is still lower than that of a reference series with DC substrate bias U DC = −100 V. The study shows that it is possible to tailor properties of FCC-structured high-entropy nitrides by varying T s and E i in a similar fashion to conventional transition metal nitrides using the approach of unipolar and bipolar HiPIMS co-sputtering. [Display omitted] • TiNbCrAlHfN films grown using unipolar and bipolar HiPIMS co-sputtering • Increasing growth temperature induces a growth transformation from high-surface-energy planes to low-surface-energy planes. • Low-surface-energy planes transform back to high-surface-energy planes as Hf + ions are accelerated above 210 eV. • Lower compressive stress is achieved for ion acceleration using bipolar HiPIMS as compared to DC substrate bias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Refractory high-entropy protective coatings are of interest for nuclear fuel cladding applications due to their corrosion resistant properties and irradiation resistance at elevated temperature. Here, TiZrNbTaV metallic and (TiZrNbTaV)N films were deposited by magnetron co-sputtering. The metal elemental contents of both films were nearly equiatomic. These films were irradiated by Xe ions at room temperature and 500 °C, and examined by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The as-deposited (TiZrNbTaV)N film showed a single NaCl-type fcc phase and a pronounced columnar growth structure, which could remain intact after irradiation treatments. In contrast, the as-deposited TiZrNbTaV film exhibited an amorphous structure and formed a bcc phase structure after irradiation at 500 °C. The TiZrNbTaV film after irradiation at 500 °C composed of depth-dependent size of grains. This distribution of grain size is consistent with simulated displacement damage. The stable structure of (TiZrNbTaV)N film under high temperature irradiation indicates that these materials have potential for use as protective coatings for nuclear fuel claddings. • TiZrNbTaV metallic and nitride films were studied for nuclear fuel cladding. • The (TiZrNbTaV)N film showed high structural stability under irradiation at both RT and 500 °C. • The TiZrNbTaV film exhibited an amorphous structure and became a bcc phase structure after irradiation at 500 °C. • Thermal and irradiation-induced grain growth resulted in depth-dependence grain feature in the TiZrNbTaV film. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

White dwarfs (WDs) in active galactic nucleus (AGN) discs might migrate to the inner radii of the discs and form restricted three-body systems with two WDs moving around the central supermassive black hole (SMBH) in close orbits. These systems could be dynamically unstable, which can lead to very close encounters or direct collisions. In this work, we use N -body simulations to study the evolution of such systems with different initial orbital separation p , relative orbital inclination Δ i , and SMBH mass M. It is found that close encounters of WDs occur mainly at |$1.1R_{\rm H} \lesssim p \lesssim 2\sqrt{3}R_{\rm H}$|⁠ , where R H is the mutual Hill radius. For p < 1.1 R H, the majority of WDs move in horseshoe or tadpole orbits, and only few of them with small initial orbital phase difference undergo close encounters. For p = 3.0 R H, WD–WD collisions occur in most of the samples within a time 105 P 1, and considerable collisions occur within a time t < 62 P 1 for small orbital radii, where P 1 is the orbital period. The peak of the closest separation distribution increases and the WD–WD collision fraction decreases with an increase in relative inclination. The closest separation distribution is similar in cases with different SMBH mass, but the WD–WD collision fraction decreases as the mass of SMBHs increases. According to our estimation, the event rate of cosmic WD–WD collisions in AGN discs is about 300 Gpc−3 yr−1, roughly 1 per cent of that of observed Type Ia supernovae. The corresponding electromagnetic emission signals can be observed through large surveys of AGNs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]