Inhibition of hepatitis B virus via selective apoptosis modulation by Chinese patent medicine Liuweiwuling Tablet

BACKGROUND Liuweiwuling Tablet(LWWL)is a Chinese patent medicine approved for the treatment of chronic inflammation caused by hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection.Previous studies have indicated an anti-HBV effect of LWWL,specifically in terms of antigen inhibition,but the underlying mechanism remains unclear.AIM To investigate the potential mechanism of action of LWWL against HBV.METHODS In vitro experiments utilized three HBV-replicating and three non-HBV-replicating cell lines.The in vivo experiment involved a hydrodynamic injectionmediated mouse model with HBV replication.Transcriptomics and metabolomics were used to investigate the underlying mechanisms of action of LWWL.RESULTS In HepG2.1403F cells,LWWL(0.8 mg/mL)exhibited inhibitory effects on HBV DNA,hepatitis B surface antigen and pregenomic RNA(pgRNA)at rates of 51.36%,24.74%and 50.74%,respectively.The inhibition rates of LWWL(0.8mg/mL)on pgRNA/covalently closed circular DNA in HepG2.1403F,HepG2.2.15 and HepG2.A64 cells were 47.78%,39.51%and 46.74%,respectively.Integration of transcriptomics and metabolomics showed that the anti-HBV effect of LWWL was primarily linked to pathways related to apoptosis(PI3K-AKT,CASP8-CASP3 and P53 pathways).Apoptosis flow analysis revealed that the apoptosis rate in the LWWL-treated group was significantly higher than in the control group(CG)among HBV-replicating cell lines,including HepG2.2.15(2.92%±1.01%vs 6.68%±2.04%,P<0.05),HepG2.A64(4.89%±1.28%vs 8.52%±0.50%,P<0.05)and HepG2.1403F(3.76%±1.40%vs 7.57%±1.35%,P<0.05)(CG vs LWWL-treated group).However,there were no significant differences in apoptosis rates between the non-HBV-replicating HepG2 cells(5.04%±0.74%vs 5.51%±1.57%,P>0.05),L02 cells(5.49%±0.80%vs 5.48%±1.01%,P>0.05)and LX2 cells(6.29%±1.54%vs 6.29%±0.88%,P>0.05).TUNEL staining revealed a significantly higher apoptosis rate in the LWWL-treated group than in the CG in the HBVreplicating mouse model,while no noticeable difference in apoptosis rates between the two groups was observed in the non-HBV-replicating mouse model.CONCLUSION Preliminary results suggest that LWWL exerts a potent inhibitory effect on wild-type and drug-resistant HBV,potentially involving selective regulation of apoptosis.These findings offer novel insights into the anti-HBV activities of LWWL and present a novel mechanism for the development of anti-HBV medications.

Perfect 1-k Matchings of Bipartite Graphs

Let k be a positive integer and G a bipartite graph with bipartition (X,Y). A perfect 1-k matching is an edge subset M of G such that each vertex in Y is incident with exactly one edge in M and each vertex in X is incident with exactly k edges in M. A perfect 1-k matching is an optimal semi-matching related to the load-balancing problem, where a semi-matching is an edge subset M such that each vertex in Y is incident with exactly one edge in M, and a vertex in X can be incident with an arbitrary number of edges in M. In this paper, we give three sufficient and necessary conditions for the existence of perfect 1-k matchings and for the existence of 1-k matchings covering | X |−dvertices in X, respectively, and characterize k-elementary bipartite graph which is a graph such that the subgraph induced by all k-allowed edges is connected, where an edge is k-allowed if it is contained in a perfect 1-k matching.

结构化学混合式教学与小班课教学介绍——晶体结构部分

简要介绍了北京大学结构化学的混合式教学以及“晶体的点阵结构和晶体的性质”这部分内容的小班讨论课情况。

数智驱动的智慧作业设计和反馈干预——“智慧作业”工作坊会议综述

教育数字化转型是实现技术与教育融合的必由之路,也是发展高质量教育的关键动力。随着数字技术的广泛应用,人才培养目标逐渐扩大,知识呈现形态也日趋多样化,推动教育向数字教育、智慧教育转型。然而教育数字化转型目前处于探索阶段,仍然面临诸多挑战。“智慧作业”工作坊旨在探讨“双减”政策推动下,教育数字化转型的新经验和典型实践案例。在主题报告环节,多位专家学者就如何运用人工智能技术改革和提升作业质量、作业管理提出多维度的见解。在案例分享环节,来自不同学科、学段的教师针对智慧作业的设计策略展开分享,共享借助人工智能平台优化作业设计与课堂教学的有效经验。最后,工作坊为未来将提质增效落到实处提供策略建议:一是推动教师教学能力建设,建立协同“教学—教研—科研”共同体;二是突破线上线下教学的界线,应用教学场景助力作业减负增效;三是区域顶层设计引领,构建教育治理体系。

以新质生产力推进新型工业化深化发展:实现路径与效应分析

新型工业化是中国式现代化的重要内容。基于生产力与生产关系辩证统一的视角,可以明确在新时代推进新型工业化进一步发展的要点在于把握数字技术革命带来的生产力发展新契机,并且注重发挥生产关系变革的能动性。下一阶段的新型工业化发展应以新质生产力为新驱动力,以实体经济发展为核心,通过新技术赋能工业企业转型升级、新兴产业助力现代化工业体系建设、智能制造新模式推进传统制造产业转型发展、把握新业态带来制造业发展的新机遇等路径,做优做强实体经济,激发新型工业化发展的新动能。文章通过新质生产力推进新型工业化发展的效应分析,明确新基建、新平台的基础性作用。

Preoperative prediction of perineural invasion of rectal cancer based on a magnetic resonance imaging radiomics model:A dual-center study

BACKGROUND Perineural invasion(PNI)has been used as an important pathological indicator and independent prognostic factor for patients with rectal cancer(RC).Preoperative prediction of PNI status is helpful for individualized treatment of RC.Recently,several radiomics studies have been used to predict the PNI status in RC,demonstrating a good predictive effect,but the results lacked generalizability.The preoperative prediction of PNI status is still challenging and needs further study.AIM To establish and validate an optimal radiomics model for predicting PNI status preoperatively in RC patients.METHODS This retrospective study enrolled 244 postoperative patients with pathologically confirmed RC from two independent centers.The patients underwent preoperative high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)between May 2019 and August 2022.Quantitative radiomics features were extracted and selected from oblique axial T2-weighted imaging(T2WI)and contrast-enhanced T1WI(T1CE)sequences.The radiomics signatures were constructed using logistic regression analysis and the predictive potential of various sequences was compared(T2WI,T1CE and T2WI+T1CE fusion sequences).A clinical-radiomics(CR)model was established by combining the radiomics features and clinical risk factors.The internal and external validation groups were used to validate the proposed models.The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC),DeLong test,net reclassification improvement(NRI),integrated discrimination improvement(IDI),calibration curve,and decision curve analysis(DCA)were used to evaluate the model performance.RESULTS Among the radiomics models,the T2WI+T1CE fusion sequences model showed the best predictive performance,in the training and internal validation groups,the AUCs of the fusion sequence model were 0.839[95%confidence interval(CI):0.757-0.921]and 0.787(95%CI:0.650-0.923),which were higher than those of the T2WI and T1CE sequence models.The CR model constructed by combining clinical risk factors had the best predictive performance.In the training and internal and external validation groups,the AUCs of the CR model were 0.889(95%CI:0.824-0.954),0.889(95%CI:0.803-0.976)and 0.894(95%CI:0.814-0.974).Delong test,NRI,and IDI showed that the CR model had significant differences from other models(P<0.05).Calibration curves demonstrated good agreement,and DCA revealed significant benefits of the CR model.CONCLUSION The CR model based on preoperative MRI radiomics features and clinical risk factors can preoperatively predict the PNI status of RC noninvasively,which facilitates individualized treatment of RC patients.

Biomaterials-based anti-inflammatory treatment strategies for Alzheimer's disease

The current therapeutic drugs for Alzheimer's disease only improve symptoms,they do not delay disease progression.Therefo re,there is an urgent need for new effective drugs.The underlying pathogenic factors of Alzheimer's disease are not clear,but neuroinflammation can link various hypotheses of Alzheimer's disease;hence,targeting neuroinflammation may be a new hope for Alzheimer's disease treatment.Inhibiting inflammation can restore neuronal function,promote neuro regeneration,reduce the pathological burden of Alzheimer's disease,and improve or even reverse symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.This review focuses on the relationship between inflammation and various pathological hypotheses of Alzheimer's disease;reports the mechanisms and characteristics of small-molecule drugs(e.g.,nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,neurosteroids,and plant extracts);macromolecule drugs(e.g.,peptides,proteins,and gene therapeutics);and nanocarriers(e.g.,lipid-based nanoparticles,polymeric nanoparticles,nanoemulsions,and inorganic nanoparticles)in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.The review also makes recommendations for the prospective development of anti-inflammatory strategies based on nanocarriers for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

ROS Balance Autoregulating Core-Shell CeO_(2)@ZIF-8/Au Nanoplatform for Wound Repair

Reactive oxygen species(ROS)plays important roles in living organisms.While ROS is a double-edged sword,which can eliminate drug-resistant bacteria,but excessive levels can cause oxidative damage to cells.A core–shell nanozyme,Ce O_(2)@ZIF-8/Au,has been crafted,spontaneously activating both ROS generating and scavenging functions,achieving the multifaceted functions of eliminating bacteria,reducing inflammation,and promoting wound healing.The Au Nanoparticles(NPs)on the shell exhibit high-efficiency peroxidase-like activity,producing ROS to kill bacteria.Meanwhile,the encapsulation of Ce O_(2) core within ZIF-8 provides a seal for temporarily limiting the superoxide dismutase and catalase-like activities of Ce O_(2) nanoparticles.Subsequently,as the ZIF-8 structure decomposes in the acidic microenvironment,the Ce O_(2) core is gradually released,exerting its ROS scavenging activity to eliminate excess ROS produced by the Au NPs.These two functions automatically and continuously regulate the balance of ROS levels,ultimately achieving the function of killing bacteria,reducing inflammation,and promoting wound healing.Such innovative ROS spontaneous regulators hold immense potential for revolutionizing the field of antibacterial agents and therapies.

Optimizing support performances of bolt reaming and anchoring in a coal drift

In current practice of bolt reaming and anchoring of roadways in soft coal and rock mass,resin cartridges bend easily under the strong pushing and stirring of bolts,and the resin accumulates in the bolt-reamed area and does not participate in the stirring.As a result,bolts encounter high drilling resistance and cannot reach the bottom of drillholes.The effective anchorage length is far less than the actual anchorage length.Bolts are not centered,and the shear is misaligned at the joint surface in the reaming area,which leads to cracking of the whole anchoring solid and large shear deformation of bolts.This study systematically analyzes the characteristics of roadway bolt reaming and anchoring.The influences of resin stirring force,bolt pull-out force,and reamingeanchoring solid strength on reamingeanchoring performance were analyzed theoretically.The main purpose is to develop a device that enhances reaming and anchoring.The mechanism through which the device strengthens the reamingeanchoring solid was analyzed theoretically.Numerical simulation and experiments were carried out to verify the improved performance of the small-pore reaming and anchoring using the proposed technology.The results showed that the stirring migration rate of the resin cartridge is greatly improved by adding the device to bolts.The reaction rate of the anchoring mixture,stirring pressure,pull-out force of the reaming and anchoring system,bolt concentricity,and shear and compressive strengths of the anchoring solid are also enhanced in the reaming area.This ensures that the resin cartridge in the reaming area is completely stirred,which greatly improves the shear resistance of the reamingeanchoring solid.Meanwhile,the drilling performance,torsional force,and stirring efficiency of bolts are maximized and prevail over those of conventional bolts.

Evaluation of retinal and choroidal thickness changes in overweight and obese adults without ocular symptoms by swept-source optical coherence tomography

AIM:To evaluate the relationship of overweight and obesity with retinal and choroidal thickness in adults without ocular symptoms by swept-source optical coherence tomography(SS-OCT).METHODS:According to the body mass index(BMI)results,the adults enrolled in the cross-sectional study were divided into the normal group(18.50≤BMI<25.00 kg/m^(2)),the overweight group(25.00≤BMI<30.00 kg/m^(2)),and the obesity group(BMI≥30.00 kg/m^(2)).The one-way ANOVA and the Chi-square test were used for comparisons.Pearson’s correlation analysis was used to evaluate the relationships between the measured variables.RESULTS:This research covered the left eyes of 3 groups of 434 age-and sex-matched subjects each:normal,overweight,and obesity.The mean BMI was 22.20±1.67,26.82±1.38,and 32.21±2.35 kg/m^(2) in normal,overweight and obesity groups,respectively.The choroid was significantly thinner in both the overweight and obesity groups compared to the normal group(P<0.05 for all),while the retinal thickness of the three groups did not differ significantly.Pearson’s correlation analysis showed that BMI was significantly negatively correlated with choroidal thickness,but no significant correlation was observed between BMI and retinal thickness.CONCLUSION:Choroidal thickness is decreased in people with overweight or obesity.Research on changes in choroidal thickness contributes to the understanding of the mechanisms of certain ocular disorders in overweight and obese adults.

High-speed penetration of ogive-nose projectiles into thick concrete targets:Tests and a projectile nose evolution model

The majority of the projectiles used in the hypersonic penetration study are solid flat-nosed cylindrical projectiles with a diameter of less than 20 mm.This study aims to fill the gap in the experimental and analytical study of the evolution of the nose shape of larger hollow projectiles under hypersonic penetration.In the hypersonic penetration test,eight ogive-nose AerMet100 steel projectiles with a diameter of 40 mm were launched to hit concrete targets with impact velocities that ranged from 1351 to 1877 m/s.Severe erosion of the projectiles was observed during high-speed penetration of heterogeneous targets,and apparent localized mushrooming occurred in the front nose of recovered projectiles.By examining the damage to projectiles,a linear relationship was found between the relative length reduction rate and the initial kinetic energy of projectiles in different penetration tests.Furthermore,microscopic analysis revealed the forming mechanism of the localized mushrooming phenomenon for eroding penetration,i.e.,material spall erosion abrasion mechanism,material flow and redistribution abrasion mechanism and localized radial upsetting deformation mechanism.Finally,a model of highspeed penetration that included erosion was established on the basis of a model of the evolution of the projectile nose that considers radial upsetting;the model was validated by test data from the literature and the present study.Depending upon the impact velocity,v0,the projectile nose may behave as undistorted,radially distorted or hemispherical.Due to the effects of abrasion of the projectile and enhancement of radial upsetting on the duration and amplitude of the secondary rising segment in the pulse shape of projectile deceleration,the predicted DOP had an upper limit.

Expert consensus on pediatric orthodontic therapies of malocclusions in children

Malocclusion,identified by the World Health Organization(WHO)as one of three major oral diseases,profoundly impacts the dental-maxillofacial functions,facial esthetics,and long-term development of~260 million children in China.Beyond its physical manifestations,malocclusion also significantly influences the psycho-social well-being of these children.Timely intervention in malocclusion can foster an environment conducive to dental-maxillofacial development and substantially decrease the incidence of malocclusion or reduce the severity and complexity of malocclusion in the permanent dentition,by mitigating the negative impact of abnormal environmental influences on the growth.Early orthodontic treatment encompasses accurate identification and treatment of dental and maxillofacial morphological and functional abnormalities during various stages of dental-maxillofacial development,ranging from fetal stages to the early permanent dentition phase.From an economic and societal standpoint,the urgency for effective early orthodontic treatments for malocclusions in childhood cannot be overstated,underlining its profound practical and social importance.This consensus paper discusses the characteristics and the detrimental effects of malocclusion in children,emphasizing critical need for early treatment.It elaborates on corresponding core principles and fundamental approaches in early orthodontics,proposing comprehensive guidance for preventive and interceptive orthodontic treatment,serving as a reference for clinicians engaged in early orthodontic treatment.

富血小板血浆联合植骨内固定治疗骨不连疗效的Meta分析

目的采用Meta分析的方法评价富血小板血浆(platelet rich plasma,PRP)联合植骨内固定治疗骨不连的临床疗效。方法系统检索PubMed、Ovid Embase、The Cochrane Library、中国知网、万方、维普、中国生物医学文献数据库中PRP联合植骨内固定与植骨内固定比较治疗骨不连的随机对照试验(randomized controlled trial,RCT),检索时限为建库至2023年10月9日。对纳入研究提取资料并进行质量评价,采用RevMan 5.3软件和R 4.3.1软件进行统计分析。结果共纳入10个RCT,包括骨不连患者522例,其中PRP联合治疗组260例、植骨内固定组262例,总体为中等质量。Meta分析结果显示,与植骨内固定组比较,PRP联合治疗组可增加骨不连愈合率[OR=3.73,95%CI(2.04,6.85),P<0.001],缩短骨不连临床愈合时间[SMD=-2.38,95%CI(-2.79,-1.98),P<0.001]和骨性愈合时间[SMD=-1.76,95%CI(-2.35,-1.16),P<0.001)],提高骨痂X线评分[MD=0.86,95%CI(0.47,1.25),P<0.001],降低治疗过程中并发症发生率[OR=0.32,95%CI(0.18,0.55),P<0.001]。两组在住院时间[MD=-3.08,95%CI(-6.99,0.83),P=0.12]和肢体功能优良率[OR=1.91,95%CI(0.90,4.05),P=0.09]方面的差异无统计学意义。结论PRP联合植骨内固定治疗骨不连是一种安全有效的方法,可增加骨不连愈合率,缩短愈合时间,降低并发症发生率。受样本量的影响,上述结论尚待更多高质量临床RCT加以证实。

Insights into spinal muscular atrophy from molecular biomarkers

Spinal muscular atrophy is a devastating motor neuron disease characterized by severe cases of fatal muscle weakness.It is one of the most common genetic causes of mortality among infants aged less than 2 years.Biomarker research is currently receiving more attention,and new candidate biomarkers are constantly being discovered.This review initially discusses the evaluation methods commonly used in clinical practice while briefly outlining their respective pros and cons.We also describe recent advancements in research and the clinical significance of molecular biomarkers for spinal muscular atrophy,which are classified as either specific or non-specific biomarkers.This review provides new insights into the pathogenesis of spinal muscular atrophy,the mechanism of biomarkers in response to drug-modified therapies,the selection of biomarker candidates,and would promote the development of future research.Furthermore,the successful utilization of biomarkers may facilitate the implementation of gene-targeting treatments for patients with spinal muscular atrophy.

Nanomaterials-mediated lysosomal regulation:a robust protein-clearance approach for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a debilitating,progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive accumulation of abnormal proteins,including amyloid plaques and intracellular tau tangles,primarily within the brain.Lysosomes,crucial intracellular organelles responsible for protein degradation,play a key role in maintaining cellular homeostasis.Some studies have suggested a link between the dysregulation of the lysosomal system and pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases,including Alzheimer’s disease.Restoring the normal physiological function of lysosomes hold the potential to reduce the pathological burden and improve the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.Currently,the efficacy of drugs in treating Alzheimer’s disease is limited,with major challenges in drug delivery efficiency and targeting.Recently,nanomaterials have gained widespread use in Alzheimer’s disease drug research owing to their favorable physical and chemical properties.This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of recent advances in using nanomaterials(polymeric nanomaterials,nanoemulsions,and carbon-based nanomaterials)to enhance lysosomal function in treating Alzheimer’s disease.This review also explores new concepts and potential therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer’s disease through the integration of nanomaterials and modulation of lysosomal function.In conclusion,this review emphasizes the potential of nanomaterials in modulating lysosomal function to improve the pathological features of Alzheimer’s disease.The application of nanotechnology to the development of Alzheimer’s disease drugs brings new ideas and approaches for future treatment of this disease.

Effects of excessive body fat on colostrum lipid patterns: overweight/obese vs. normal weight mothers

Prenatal overweight/obesity(OW/OB)can alter colostrum lipid patterns,thereby affecting the lipid metabolism and even the cognitive and healthy development of infants.However,studies on changes in colostrum lipids in the context of OW/OB are limited,particularly for glycerides and polar lipids.Therefore,this study investigated the infl uence of maternal prenatal weight on colostrum in lipid subclasses and molecular species.The concentration of triacylglycerols(TAGs)in the colostrum of the OW/OB group(35894.43 mg/L)was higher than that of the normal weight(NW)group(26639.20 mg/L),suggesting that colostrum from OW/OB mothers could provide more energy to their infants.Further analysis of the fatty acid composition of TAGs revealed that elevated maternal body weight enhanced the concentration of TAGs containing saturated or n-6 fatty acids and shortened the carbon number of TAGs.Docosahexaenoic acid(DHA)/arachidonic acid(AA)/choline-containing lipids,such as DHA-containing TAGs,AA/DHA-containing phosphatidylethanolamine,and choline-containing phospholipids,were present in higher levels in the colostrum of OW/OB mothers than NW mothers.However,the concentrations of palmitic acid-containing TAGs,linoleic acid-containing TAGs,dihomo-γ-linolenic acid-containing TAGs,and polar lipids and the ratio of TAGs containing n-6 fatty acid/n-3 fatty acid were signifi cantly higher in the colostrum of OW/OB mothers than in that of NW mothers.The fatty acid composition and sphingoid bases of sphingolipids were also altered due to elevated body weight.In conclusion,OW/OB affects colostrum lipids with respect to composition,concentration,and percentage.Although the colostrum of healthy OW/OB mothers can provide suffi cient DHA/AA/choline-containing lipids to their infants,normalization of body weight and fat reserves should be considered as a strategy for highquality human milk lipids.

A new diatom genus Spargeria gen.nov.(Bacillariophyceae)from Xizang,China,and the description of two new species

During our investigation of diatom biodiversity in Xizang,two species exhibited unique morphological features discriminative from all previously known genera.Herein we describe these two species and describe as new the genus,Spargeria gen.nov.The new genus features narrow to wide rectangular valves,narrow valve mantles,filiform raphe branches that occur on the valve face only,terminal raphe fissures straight or slightly deflected to same side,bow-tie shaped central areas,chambered striae present on the valve face only,being absent from the mantle,wider striae near the axial area and very narrow near the margin,multiseriate striae with small and round areolae that are occluded externally.Comparatively,Spargeria zhuii sp.nov.has larger and robust valves,radiate striae,with one divergent stria near the apices,while Spargeria chenia sp.nov.is smaller,with narrow valves,striae slightly radiate in the middle,becoming convergent or parallel near apices.This new genus belongs to the family Pinnulariaceae,and it was compared and contrasted with other genera of this family.Our work suggests the need for continued studies to document the biodiversity of diatoms in Xizang.

Hard-carbon hybrid Li-ion/metal anode enabled by preferred mesoporous uniform lithium growth mechanism

To achieve high energy density in lithium batteries,the construction of lithium-ion/metal hybrid anodes is a promising strategy.In particular,because of the anisotropy of graphite,hybrid anode formed by graphite/Li metal has low transport kinetics and is easy to causes the growth of lithium dendrites and accumulation of dead Li,which seriously affects the cycle life of batteries and even causes safety problems.Here,by comparing graphite with two types of hard carbon,it was found that hybrid anode formed by hard carbon and lithium metal,possessing more disordered mesoporous structure and lithophilic groups,presents better performance.Results indicate that the mesoporous structure provides abundant active site and storage space for dead lithium.With the synergistic effect of this structure and lithophilic functional groups(–COOH),the reversibility of hard carbon/lithium metal hybrid anode is maintained,promoting uniform deposition of lithium metal and alleviating formation of lithium dendrites.The hybrid anode maintains a 99.5%Coulombic efficiency(CE)after 260 cycles at a specific capacity of 500 m Ah/g.This work provides new insights into the hybrid anodes formed by carbon-based materials and lithium metal with high specific energy and fast charging ability.

Adhesion property of AlCrNbSiTi high-entropy alloy coating on zirconium:experimental and theoretical studies

Experimental scratch tests and first-principles calculations were used to investigate the adhesion property of AlCrNbSiTi high-entropy alloy(HEA)coatings on zirconium substrates.AlCrNbSiTi HEA and Cr coatings were deposited on Zr alloy substrates using multi-arc ion plating technology,and scratch tests were subsequently conducted to estimate the adhesion property of the coatings.The results indicated that Cr coatings had better adhesion strength than HEA coatings,and the HEA coatings showed brittleness.The special quasi-random structure approach was used to build HEA models,and Cr/Zr and HEA/Zr interface models were employed to investigate the cohesion between the coatings and Zr substrate using first-principles calculations.The calculated interface energies showed that the cohesion between the Cr coating and the Zr substrate was stronger than that of the HEA coating with Zr.In contrary to Al or Si in the HEA coating,Cr,Nb,and Ti atoms binded strongly with Zr substrate.Based on the calculated elastic constants,it was found that low Cr and high Al content decreased the mechanical performances of HEA coatings.Finally,this study demonstrated the utilization of a combined approach involving first-principles calculations and experimental studies for future HEA coating development.

Experimental and numerical analyses of the effect of fibre content on the close-in blast performance of a UHPFRC beam

Limited research has been conducted on the influences of fiber content on close-in blasting characteristics for ultrahigh-performance fiber-reinforced concrete(UHPFRC)beams.This paper aims to address this knowledge gap through experimental and mesoscale numerical methods.Experiments were conducted on ten UHPFRC beams built with varying steel fiber volumetric fractions subjected to close-in explosive conditions.Additionally,this study considered other parameters,such as the longitudinal reinforcement type and ratio.In the case of UHPFRC beams featuring normal-strength longitudinal reinforcement of diametersΦ12,Φ16,andΦ20,a reduction in maximum displacement by magnitudes of19.6%,19.5%,and 17.4%was observed,respectively,as the volumetric fractions of fiber increased from1.0%to 2.5%.In addition,increasing the longitudinal reinforcement ratio and using high-strength steel longitudinal reinforcement both significantly reduced the deformation characteristics and increase the blasting resistances of UHPFRC beams.However,the effects on the local crushing and spalling damage were not significant.A mesoscale finite element model,which considers the impacts of fiber parameters on UHPFRC beam behaviors,was also established and well correlated with the test findings.Nevertheless,parametric analyses were further conducted to examine the impacts of the steel fiber content and length and the hybrid effects of various types of microfibers and steel fibers on the blasting performance of UHPFRC beams.