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Nuclear physics has been aiming at understanding of the origin, structure, and property of strongly interacting matters, which constitute nearly all visible matter in the universe. Despite tremendous breakthroughs and achievements over the past century, there still exists overarching questions that animate nuclear physics today and incite constructing next-generation heavy-ion accelerator complexes worldwide. In order to promote the national development of heavy-ion science and technology, China government approved the high-intensity heavy-ion accelerator facility (HIAF) in 2015, proposed by the Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. HIAF is composed of a superconducting ion linear accelerator, a high-energy synchrotron booster, a high-energy radioactive isotope beam line, an experimental storage ring, and a few experimental setups. By using HIAF characterized with unprecedented intense ion beams from hydrogen through uranium, we can produce a large variety of exotic nuclear matters not normally found on the Earth, including super-heavy nuclides, short-lived extremely neutron-rich and proton-rich nuclides, finite nuclear matters in the quantum chromodynamics phase diagram, exotic nuclides containing hyperons, meson-nucleus-bound systems, and highly charged ions. Therefore, HIAF will bring researchers to the forefront of promoting the most vigorous and fascinating fields in nuclear physics, such as to explore the limits to the existence of nuclides in terms of proton and neutron numbers, to discover exotic nuclear structure and properties and then to study the physics behind, to understand the origin of heavy elements in the cosmos, to depict the phase diagram of strongly interacting matter, etc. In addition, HIAF will provide an excellent platform to develop heavy-ion applications in life science, space science, and material science. The construction of HIAF started up in December of 2018 and takes 7 years. The civil engineering and infrastructure are being constructed on time schedule and will be completed in July, 2023. R&D on key accelerator techniques are going on successfully, and prototypes of core devices are fabricated in collaboration with home and abroad universities, institutes, and companies. Presently, we come to the stage of invitation for bids and volume production of various apparatuses. We plan to start facility installation in summer of 2023. As a scientific user facility opening to domestic and oversea researchers, HIAF user community plays key roles in defining research programs and raising requirements. We call upon expertise, aspirations, and resources of a host of collaborators. Collaborations, dedicated to specific research subjects, are established and will be established. These collaborations develop new experimental techniques and methods and take responsibility for design and building of measurement systems. We have completed the design of experimental setups. A new gas-filled recoil separator and a novel storage-ring-based isochronous mass spectrometer are already built, and other measurement systems are under construction. The facility commissioning is scheduled at the end in the year of 2025. After into operation of the 2.5 billion Chinese yuan HIAF, this world-class facility will ensure the nation’s continued competitiveness in heavy-ion physics and technology through provision of outstanding discovery potential. Based on HIAF, we aim at establishing a world’s leading laboratory for research and education in nuclear science, accelerator physics and technology, and applications of energetic heavy ions to meet societal needs. In this paper, progress and status of civil engineering and infrastructure construction of HIAF are introduced, R&D on critical accelerator techniques and prototypes of core devices as well as development of new experimental techniques and methods are presented, and design and construction of experimental setups and the associated physics research programs are briefly depicted.

To reveal the relationship between Body Mass Index(BMI), type 2 diabetes, and bone mineral density(BMD) using a mendelian randomization (MR) approach. GWAS data on BMI, type 2 diabetes, and BMD were selected from the IEU GWAS database at the University of Bristol.Univariable, multivariable, and mediated MR analyses were used to explore the relationship between BMI, type 2 diabetes, and BMD. beta([beta]) values were given, and three methods, including inverse variance weighting, MR-Egger regression, and weighted median, were used in this analysis. Univariable mendelian randomization (UVMR) results showed that BMI and type 2 diabetes were positively associated with BMD. However, the association between BMI and BMD was insignificant in the multivariable Mendelian randomization (MVMR) analysis, while that between type 2 diabetes and BMD remained significant. Mediated MR analysis indicated that type 2 diabetes mediated the regulation of BMD by BMI. This study provides evidence supporting a positive causal association between BMI, type 2 diabetes, and BMD. Type 2 diabetes acts as a mediator in the regulation of BMD by BMI, indicating that both BMI and type 2 diabetes exert a protective influence on BMD.

This study investigates the impact of board governance mechanism on investment efficiency (IE) in PSX-listed firms. The study also examines the role of institutional ownership (IO) in board-IE relationships. In addition, we extend our analysis to re-examine this relationship by splitting the sample into two groups, i.e., the introductory phase of corporate governance (CG) i.e., 2004 to 2013, and revised codes of CG (2014 to 2018) to examine the impact of these separately on IE. The sample data comprises 155 non-financial PSX-listed firms from 2004 to 2018. IE is measured using firms’ growth opportunities. The random effect model is used to test the study’s hypotheses. A robustness test is also performed to validate the study’s findings. The paired-sample t-test results show a significant improvement in IE after revising the CG codes in 2012. According to the regression results, board size has a significant direct, whereas board diversity has a significant inverse effect on IE. Regarding moderating effect, IO was found to moderate the relationship between board independence and IE significantly. Furthermore, it was discovered that following the issuance of revised CG codes-2012, the level of board independence and diversity increased in PSX-listed firms; however, only diversity positively impacted IE, and board independence had no impact on IE from 2014 to 2018. Despite the issuance of revised CG codes-2012, the level of CG among PSX-listed firms is low, which is a source of concern for regulators such as the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan.

This paper proposed a substantial gap to a large-scale population density and city size on regional innovation output. To measure the impact of population density and city size on regional innovation output, this study employs the threshold effect model with panel data of 230 prefectures and cities from 2007 to 2016. Based on the econometric analysis, the results exhibit a positive and significant relationship between population density, city size, and innovation output. This correlation suggests that when one factor increases, the other increases in the parallel direction and vice versa. Moreover, when the city size expands the threshold value of 2.934 percent, the innovation promotes and increases the effects of urban-scale expansion. On the other hand, for medium- and low-density cities, the increase of urban population density has a significant and positive impact on urban innovation output. However, for high-density cities, the increase of population density has no significant impact on innovation output.

The apparent increase in hormone-induced cancers and disorders of the reproductive tract has led to a growing demand for new technologies capable of detecting endocrine disruptors. However, a long-lasting challenge unaddressed is how to achieve ultrahigh sensitive, continuous, and in situ measurement with a portable device for in-field and remote environmental monitoring. Here we demonstrate a simple-to-implement plasmonic optical fiber biosensing platform to achieve an improved light–matter interaction and advanced surface chemistry for ultrasensitive detection of endocrine disruptors. Our platform is based on a gold-coated highly tilted fiber Bragg grating that excites high-density narrow cladding mode spectral combs that overlap with the broad absorption of the surface plasmon for high accuracy interrogation, hence enabling the ultrasensitive monitoring of refractive index changes at the fiber surface. Through the use of estrogen receptors as the model, we design an estradiol–streptavidin conjugate with the assistance of molecular dynamics, converting the specific recognition of environmental estrogens (EEs) by estrogen receptor into surface-based affinity bioassay for protein. The ultrasensitive platform with conjugate-induced amplification biosensing approach enables the subsequent detection for EEs down to 1.5 × 10−3 ng ml−1 estradiol equivalent concentration level, which is one order lower than the defined maximal E2 level in drinking water set by the Japanese government. The capability to detect EEs down to nanogram per liter level is the lowest limit of detection for any estrogen receptor-based detection reported thus far. Its compact size, flexible shape, and remote operation capability open the way for detecting other endocrine disruptors with ultrahigh sensitivity and in various hard-to-reach spaces, thereby having the potential to revolutionize environment and health monitoring.An optical fiber biosensor displaying superfine plasmonic spectral combs and enhanced by conjugate-induced amplification enables the detection of environmental estrogens down to pg/mL estradiol equivalent concentration level.

High-throughput virtual screening (HTVS) has emerged as a pivotal strategy for identifying high-affinity peptides targeting functional proteins, which are crucial for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. In the HTVS of peptides, expanding the library capacity to enhance peptide sequence diversity, thereby screening out excellent affinity peptide candidates, remains a significant challenge. This study presents a de novo design strategy that leverages directed mutation driven HTVS to evolve vast virtual libraries and screen peptides with ultrahigh affinities for various target proteins. Utilizing a computer-generated library of 104 random 15-mer peptide scaffolds, we employed a self-developed algorithm for parallelized HTVS with Autodock Vina. The top 1% of designs underwent random mutations at a rate of 20% for six generations, theoretically expanding the library to 1014 members. This approach was applied to various protein targets, including a tumor marker (alpha fetoprotein, AFP) and virus surface proteins (SARS-CoV-2 RBD and norovirus P-domain). Starting from the same 104 random 15-mer peptide library, peptides with high affinities in the nanomolar range for three protein targets were successfully identified. The energy-saving and high-efficient design strategy presents new opportunities for the cost-effective development of more effective high-affinity peptides for various environmental and health applications.

Cu/Al composite plate was manufactured by underwater explosive welding method. The interface characteristics and mechanical properties of Cu/Al composite plate were evaluated and analyzed through phased array ultrasonic inspection, microstructure, uniaxial tensile test, three-point bending test, tensile shearing test and microhardness test. The results showed that the welding of thin Cu and Al plates is achieved by underwater explosive welding, with a Cu plate thickness of only 0.5 mm. A well bonded interface between Cu and Al plate is obtained, at a detonation velocity of 4 000 m/s, when the distance between Cu foil and Al plate is 0.2 mm. There are wavy fusion zones at the bonding interface of Cu/Al composite plate. No delamination or cracks are found at the bonding interface between Cu and Al during tensile and bending tests, and local cracking only occurs at the necking part in the tensile test due to severe deformation. The tensile strength and minimum tensile shearing strength of Cu/Al composite plate reaches 133 and 72.9 MPa, respectively. The hardness values of fusion zone, Cu and Al at the interface reach 385, 135 and 52 HV, respectively. The increase in hardness of Cu and Al near the interface is mainly caused by severed deformation induced by intense shock pressure.

The adhesion of marine organisms to marine facilities negatively impacts human productivity. This phenomenon, known as marine fouling, constitutes a serious issue in the marine equipment industry. It increases resistance for ships and their structures, which, in turn, raises fuel consumption and reduces ship speed. To date, numerous antifouling strategies have been researched to combat marine biofouling. However, a multitude of these resources face long-term usability issues due to various limitations, such as low adhesion quality, elevated costs, and inefficacy. Hydrogels, exhibiting properties akin to the slime layer on the skin of many aquatic creatures, possess a low frictional coefficient and a high rate of water absorbency and are extensively utilized in the marine antifouling field. This review discusses the recent progress regarding the application of hydrogels as an important marine antifouling material in recent years. It introduces the structure, properties, and classification of hydrogels; summarizes the current research status of improved hydrogels in detail; and analyzes the improvement in their antifouling properties and the prospects for their application in marine antifouling.