Xin Zhao

This manuscript presents a pioneering three-dimensional lattice structure that can simultaneously exhibit negative Poisson's ratio (NPR), negative compressibility (NC), and negative thermal expansion (NTE). The coexistence of the three negative indexes, whether in natural materials or in artificial structures, is extremely rare. The lattice unit cell integrates an auxetic egg-rack structure with a non-auxetic cage-like structure. Analytical expressions for the elastic constants of the unit cell are derived by using Euler-Bernoulli beam theory and subsequently validated through finite element simulations. The analytical results show that the lattice exhibits not only NPR, but also NC in a direction or specific areas as well as NTE in a direction, certain areas, or even throughout the entire volume when appropriately tailored geometries and constituent materials are employed. Furthermore, parametric analysis revealed that these properties can be adjusted within a broader range, encompassing negative and positive values, enabling diverse combinations. Metamaterials that possess multiple and adjustable negative properties enable the development of multifunctional devices capable of adapting to mechanical loads, hydrostatic pressures, and temperature fluctuations.

Teaching, particularly in a second/foreign language (L2) context, is an emotionally demanding profession, often leading to negative outcomes for educators. Teaching, particularly in a second/foreign language (L2) context, is an emotionally demanding profession, often leading to negative outcomes for educators. To fill the gap, this phenomenological study examined the causes, consequences, and regulation strategies of Chinese EFL teachers' emotional exhaustion. A semi-structured interview was held with 58 teachers. The results of thematic analysis revealed that this emotional state had different causes and consequences. The most frequent causes were 'occupational pressures', 'identity conflicts and mismatches', 'stressful classroom climate', 'high expectations', and 'students' poor performance and cooperation'. Additionally, it was found that teachers' emotional exhaustion can mostly lead to 'poor teaching quality', 'job burnout', 'low work engagement', 'low teaching enthusiasm', and 'various other negative emotions and outcomes'. To regulate such an aversive feeling, the participants used a range of preventive and responsive strategies before and after its occurrence. The study discusses the findings and presents some conclusions and implications for Chinese L2 teachers, teacher trainers, and policy-makers to raise their understanding of the nature and mechanism of emotional exhaustion in teaching English and its regulation.

The Thermomyces lanuginosus lipase (TLLs) was successfully immobilized within a novel hydrogel matrix through a two-step crosslinking method. TLLs were initially crosslinked through the Schiff base reaction by oxidized carboxymethyl cellulose (OCMC). The water-soluble OCMC@TLLs complex was subsequently crosslinked by carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCSH) in a microfluidic apparatus to form the CMCHS/OCMC@TLLs microspheres. The CD (Circular Dichroism, CD) and FT-IR (Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy, FT-IR) spectra demonstrated that the crosslinking of TLLs with OCMC resulted in a less significant impact on their structure compared to that with glutaraldehyde. CMCHS/OCMC@TLLs showed decreased catalytic performance due to the mass transfer resistance, while its thermal stability was greatly improved. The CMCHS/OCMC@TLLs were used to catalyze the lauroylation of arbutin in tetrahydrofuran. After 12 h of reaction under optimal conditions, the yield of 6'-O-lauryl arbutin reached an impressive 92.12%. The prepared 6'-O-lauryl arbutin has high lipophilicity and exhibits similar tyrosinase inhibitory activity and higher antioxidant activity compared to its parent compound.