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The bonding performance between epoxy resin and cement-based materials affects the load transfer capacity between fiber-reinforced polymers (FRP) and concrete. FRP-reinforced concrete structures are inevitably exposed to aggressive environments during service, triggering interfacial deterioration and premature structural failure. To assess the stress state of FRP-reinforced concrete structures and to predict their long-term durability, a fundamental investigation of the bonding performance of the epoxy/concrete interface in aggressive environments is required. In this study, the bonding performance between epoxy resin and calcium silicate hydrate (CSH) in water and salt environments is investigated using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The adhesion energy of epoxy/CSH interface calculated via combine MD simulation and Bell’s model theory is dramatically reduced in water and salt environments. Analysis of the static structures and dynamic properties reveals that the adhesion between the epoxy resin and CSH matrix is mainly dependent on the O–Ca–O and H-bond connections, while the water and salt environments significantly weaken these connections and disrupt the integrity of the epoxy/CSH interface. This study provides a molecular-level understanding of the bonding degradation at the epoxy/CSH interface in aggressive environments. This study provides a molecular level understanding of the bonding degradation between epoxy and CSH matrix in aggressive environments.

Two‐dimensional (2D) direction‐of‐arrival (DOA) estimation is crucial in array signal processing. Compressed sensing (CS) provides a superior alternative to spatial spectrum estimation algorithms by enabling 2D DOA estimation of correlated sources from single snapshot data. However, the grid mismatch effect inherent in grid‐based CS algorithms impacts estimation accuracy. Despite recent advancements, the state‐of‐the‐art gridless CS algorithm, decoupled atomic norm minimization, is limited to specific 2D array geometries, such as uniform rectangular arrays. This letter presents an efficient gridless 2D DOA estimation algorithm for generalized rectangular arrays, including both uniform and sparse arrays. The proposed algorithm achieves high accuracy through a novel approach called generalized matrix‐form atomic norm minimization and provides a fast solution using the alternating direction method of multipliers. Validation through computer simulations and practical experiments underscores its efficacy. This letter presents an efficient gridless Two‐dimensional direction‐of‐arrival estimation algorithm for generalized rectangular arrays, including both uniform and sparse arrays. By introducing generalized matrix‐form atomic norm minimization, the applicability of atomic norm techniques are extended to a broader range of array geometries. Combining generalized matrix‐form atomic norm minimization with the alternating direction method of multipliers, the approach achieves both high accuracy and computational efficiency.

Although hydrophobic interactions provide the main driving force for initial peptide aggregation, their role in regulating suprastructure handedness of higher-order architectures remains largely unknown. We here interrogate the effects of hydrophobic amino acids on handedness at various assembly stages of peptide amphiphiles. Our studies reveal that relative to aliphatic side chains, aromatic side chains set the twisting directions of single β-strands due to their strong steric repulsion to the backbone, and upon packing into multi-stranded β-sheets, the side-chain aromatic interactions between strands form the aromatic ladders with a directional preference. This ordering not only leads to parallel β-sheet arrangements but also induces the chiral flipping over of single β-strands within a β-sheet. In contrast, the lack of orientational hydrophobic interactions in the assembly of aliphatic peptides implies no chiral inversion upon packing into β-sheets. This study opens an avenue to harness peptide aggregates with targeted handedness via aromatic side-chain interactions. The role of hydrophobic interactions in the regulation of the handedness of peptide superstructures is unknown. Here, the authors show that aromatic side chains set the twisting directions of the single β-strands of peptide amphiphiles.

To identify the species of Collembola that harm Morchella and to screen for pesticides that are effective in controlling these pests with minimal inhibition of mycelial growth, a five-point sampling method was used to investigate the population of Collembola and its damaging effects on Morchella and to analyze its spatial distribution in the soil. The indoor control efficacy of ten insecticides was determined using the mushroom disc immersion method and the pesticide film method. The most effective insecticides were then selected for field testing. The effect of the best-performing field pesticides on the mycelial growth of Morchella was measured using the Petri dish mycelial growth rate method, and pesticide residues were detected using chromatography. The survey revealed that in three Morchella greenhouses, the average Collembola population was 220,333 individuals/m3. The spatial distribution of Collembola was uniform. The collected Collembola specimens were identified as Oligaphorura ursi from the family Onychiuridae. Through the lab and field screening of pesticides, it was found that 40% phoxim EC, 1.8% abamectin EC, 2.5% lambda-cyhalothrin EW, and 4.5% beta-cypermethrin EC had the best efficacy. Meanwhile, residues of these four pesticides were not detected. Mycelial growth inhibition experiments showed that 2.5% lambda-cyhalothrin EW, 1.8% abamectin EC, and 4.5% beta-cypermethrin EC exhibit low inhibition of mycelial growth and can be used as control pesticides for Collembola on Morchella, providing a technical reference for the green pesticide control of Collembola on Morchella in the study region.

This study analyzes JD Logistics’ acquisition of Deppon Express using SWOT analysis and an event study to assess its financial performance. The findings show that JD Logistics expanded its market share and strengthened its presence in heavy freight and lower-tier cities. However, challenges such as cultural differences, high integration costs, and short-term profitability pressures emerged, while weaknesses in air transportation limited international expansion. Financial analysis indicates that market reactions varied. The cumulative abnormal return (CAR) changes before and after the acquisition reflect market recognition. A t-test shows JD Logistics experienced a significant change in abnormal return (P=0.014), indicating a strong market response, while Deppon Express showed no significant change (P=0.37), suggesting uncertainty about its long-term impact. Overall, the acquisition enhanced both companies’ competitiveness and provides insights into M&A strategies in the logistics sector. The study emphasizes the need for optimized management and technological innovation to maximize merger benefits.

Background/Objectives: In chronic hepatitis B infection (CHB), the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) continuously exhausts the hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb), which leads to the formation of immune tolerance. Accordingly, the hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection can be blocked by inhibiting the binding of the hepatitis B surface pre-S1/pre-S2 antigen to the hepatocyte receptor NTCP, but the clinical cure rate of pre-S-based vaccines for CHB is limited. Methods: In this study, we designed and prepared multivalent hepatitis B therapeutic mRNA vaccines encoding three hepatitis B surface antigen proteins (L, M, and S) at the cell membrane, verified via in vitro transfection and expression experiments. An in vivo immunization experiment in HBV transgenic (Tg) mice was first completed. Subsequently, an adeno-associated virus plasmid vector carrying the HBV1.2-fold genome (pAAV HBV1.2) model and the adeno-associated virus vector carrying HBV1.3-fold genome (rAAV HBV1.3) model were constructed and immunized with mRNA vaccines. The HBV antigen, antibodies, and HBV DNA in serum were detected. Indirect (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) ELISA were made to analyze the activated antigen-specific IgG in HBV Tg mice. Antigen-dependent T-cell activation experiments were carried out, as well as the acute toxicity tests in mice. Results: The L protein/pre-S antigens could be stably presented at the cell membrane with the support of the S protein (and M protein). After vaccinations, the vaccines effectively reactivated the production of high levels of HBsAb, disrupted immune tolerance, and activated the production of high-affinity antibodies against structural pre-S antigen in HBV Tg mice. The HBsAg seroconversion and serum HBV DNA clearance were achieved in two HBV mice models. Furthermore, pre-S antigen-dependent T-cell response against HBV infection was confirmed. The therapeutic vaccine also showed safety in mice. Conclusions: A novel therapeutic mRNA vaccine was developed to break through HBsAg-mediated immune tolerance and treat CHB by stably presenting the pre-S antigen at the membrane, and the vaccine has great potential for the functional cure of CHB.

Carbonation is a critical factor contributing to the degradation of reinforced concrete systems. Understanding the micro-mechanism of concrete carbonation is essential for mitigating corrosion losses. This study investigates the transport and reaction processes of water and CO2 in CSH pores with varying calcium–silica ratios using reactive force field molecular dynamics. Simulation results reveal that CO2 and its hydration products occupy adsorption sites on the CSH, hindering solution transport within the pores. As the Ca/Si ratio increases, the adsorption of Ca ions on the CSH matrix weakens, facilitating Ca’s reaction with CO2 and its displacement from the CSH surface. Consequently, a wider distribution of Ca on the surface occurs, and CO2 directly adsorbs onto the CSH matrix, widening the transport space and accelerating transport speed. Furthermore, the impact of bridging silica–oxygen on the CSH surface is analyzed, indicating that the absence of bridging silica–oxygen enhances adsorption sites for Ca ions, thus intensifying their adsorption on CSH.

Despite the multiple roles of flexible and achiral Gly in regulating protein architectures and functions, its high flexibility is seldom exploited as a structural modulator in the design of self‐assembling peptides. By using minimalistic peptide sequences, the effects of Gly insertions are investigated on the molecular conformation and the supramolecular morphology, focusing on Gly‐induced bent structures and their impact on self‐assembled nanostructures and handedness. Different backbone bending degrees are generated by varying Gly position, which in turn resulted in distinct hydrogen bonding modes and residue shifting upon dimerization, eventually leading to β‐sheets and nanofibrils with opposite handedness. The bent structures are revealed to be primarily caused by van der Waals interactions between either the side chains themselves or the side chain and the local backbone around the inserted Gly, in sharp contrast to canonical β‐turns stabilized by intrastrand hydrogen bonding. Hence, changing the side chain orientations of adjacent residues by chiral substitution can destabilize the bent structures, leading to wide ribbons with suprastructural chiral racemization. This study not only helps understand the versatile roles of Gly in protein architectures but also serves as a paradigm for tuning peptide supramolecular nanostructures and handedness via Gly insertion. How does flexible and achiral glycine affect suprastructural handedness in peptide self‐assembly? A series of short peptides containing glycine is designed, and different molecular conformations caused by varying the position of glycine can lead to different hydrogen bonding patterns upon forming β‐sheets, eventually resulting in variations in their supramolecular morphology and chirality.

BackgroundThe suppression of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells by the tumor microenvironment (TME) is a crucial obstacle in the T-cell-based treatment of solid tumors. Extra domain B (EDB)-fibronectin is an oncofetal antigen expressed on the endothelium layer of the neovasculature and cancer cells. Though recognized as a T cell therapy target, engineered CAR T cells thus far have failed to demonstrate satisfactory in vivo efficacy. In this study, we report that targeting EDB-fibronectin by redirected TCR-CAR T cells (rTCR-CAR) bypasses the suppressive TME for solid tumor treatment and sufficiently suppressed tumor growth.We generated EDB-targeting CAR by fusing single-chain variable fragment to CD3ε, resulting in rTCR-CAR. Human primary T cells and Jurkat cells were used to study the EDB-targeting T cells. Differences to the traditional second-generation CAR T cell in signaling, immune synapse formation, and T cell exhaustion were characterized. Cytotoxicity of the rTCR-CAR T cells was tested in vitro, and therapeutic efficacies were demonstrated using xenograft models.MethodsResultsIn the xenograft models, the rTCR-CAR T cells demonstrated in vivo efficacies superior to that based on traditional CAR design. A significant reduction in tumor vessel density was observed alongside tumor growth inhibition, extending even to tumor models established with EDB-negative cancer cells. The rTCR-CAR bound to immobilized EDB, and the binding led to immune synapse structures superior to that formed by second-generation CARs. By a mechanism similar to that for the conventional TCR complex, EDB-fibronectin activated the rTCR-CAR, resulting in rTCR-CAR T cells with low basal activation levels and increased in vivo expansion.ConclusionOur study has demonstrated the potential of rTCR-CAR T cells targeting the EDB-fibronectin as an anticancer therapeutic. Engineered to possess antiangiogenic and cytotoxic activities, the rTCR-CAR T cells showed therapeutic efficacies not impacted by the suppressive TMEs. These combined characteristics of a single therapeutic agent point to its potential to achieve sustained control of solid tumors.

Carbonation is a critical factor contributing to the degradation of reinforced concrete systems. Understanding the micro-mechanism of concrete carbonation is essential for mitigating corrosion losses. This study investigates the transport and reaction processes of water and CO[sub.2] in CSH pores with varying calcium–silica ratios using reactive force field molecular dynamics. Simulation results reveal that CO[sub.2] and its hydration products occupy adsorption sites on the CSH, hindering solution transport within the pores. As the Ca/Si ratio increases, the adsorption of Ca ions on the CSH matrix weakens, facilitating Ca’s reaction with CO[sub.2] and its displacement from the CSH surface. Consequently, a wider distribution of Ca on the surface occurs, and CO[sub.2] directly adsorbs onto the CSH matrix, widening the transport space and accelerating transport speed. Furthermore, the impact of bridging silica–oxygen on the CSH surface is analyzed, indicating that the absence of bridging silica–oxygen enhances adsorption sites for Ca ions, thus intensifying their adsorption on CSH.