Globally,mealtimes provide key insights into cultural and social values and practices.We examine mealtime environments and eating practices in two different African settings using quantitative observational and questi...Globally,mealtimes provide key insights into cultural and social values and practices.We examine mealtime environments and eating practices in two different African settings using quantitative observational and questionnaire data.Participating families(N=80)were recruited from two rural locations in Zambia and Kenya.Results following descriptive analysis showed that meals are typically taken as a family in a sociable context,providing opportunities to nurture children’s positive behaviours.In both communities,mothers(71.25%)were most likely to be present and typically prepared meals and provided the food.We observed a few distractions being used during mealtimes,and children finished their food with little to no conflict.Plate sharing varied across the two sites and was more common in Zambia,where we also observed more traditional practices such as eating with hands(as opposed to cutlery)and sitting on mats on the ground(as opposed to seated on chairs or sofas).Overall,our findings suggest more similarities in the cultural and social values across the two African contexts despite slight differences in mealtime practices.In particular,positive mealtime behaviours(little food refusal,lack of conflict)were common across all contexts,regardless of the extent to which traditional practices(such as plate-sharing and sitting on the floor)were used.Findings align with Family Systems theory,which states that the family is understood best by conceptualizing it as a complex,dynamic,and changing collection of parts,subsystems,and family members.展开更多
To address the critical challenge of risk perception and assessment for autonomous vehicles in dynamic interactive envi-ronments,this study proposes a semi-supervised spatiotemporal interaction risk cognition network ...To address the critical challenge of risk perception and assessment for autonomous vehicles in dynamic interactive envi-ronments,this study proposes a semi-supervised spatiotemporal interaction risk cognition network with attention mecha-nism(SS-SIRCN),inspired by the behavioral adaptation patterns of biological groups under external threats.First,by thoroughly analyzing the dynamic interaction characteristics exhibited by typical biological collectives when exposed to risk,the study reveals the underlying patterns of trajectory changes influenced by external danger.Then,an attention-based spatiotemporal risk cognition network is designed to establish a mapping between driving behavior features and potential driving risks.Finally,a semi-supervised learning framework is employed to enable risk assessment for autono-mous vehicles using only a small amount of labeled data.Experimental results on real-world vehicle trajectory datasets demonstrate that the proposed method achieves a risk prediction accuracy of 90.76%,outperforming other baseline models in performance.展开更多
Shrublands and grasslands,which constitute approximately 70%of Australia’s vegetation,play a critical role in global wildfire-prone regions.To advance the understanding of grass fire spread,a three-dimensional,physic...Shrublands and grasslands,which constitute approximately 70%of Australia’s vegetation,play a critical role in global wildfire-prone regions.To advance the understanding of grass fire spread,a three-dimensional,physicsbased fire model provides valuable insights into fire dynamics.However,such models are computationally intensive and time-consuming.To address these challenges,we constructed an extensive numerical database comprising 64,000 high-fidelity wildfire simulation cases and implemented a Long Short-Term Memory neural network architecture.The model demonstrates strong predictive performance,achieving a coefficient of determination(R2)of 0.96 on training data,indicating excellent agreement with the physics-based simulation outputs.By utilizing coordinates from five reference points to predict fire front movement,this approach offers a novel method for analysing fire dynamics in homogeneous fuel beds with an average deviation of less than 2.5%.Combining the strengths of physics-based modelling and deep learning,our research enhances fire spread prediction accuracy of over 95%while significantly reducing computational demands.Future efforts will focus on refining the model,expanding the dataset,and incorporating additional variables to improve predictive capabilities and operational applicability.展开更多
In 2025,I had the honor of delivering keynote speeches at the conferences of the International Society for Diet and Activity Methods in Toronto,Canada,and the International Society of Behavioural Nutrition and Physica...In 2025,I had the honor of delivering keynote speeches at the conferences of the International Society for Diet and Activity Methods in Toronto,Canada,and the International Society of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity in Auckland,Aotearoa,New Zealand.These opportunities prompted deep reflection on scientific research in general,and on physical activity and health research specifically.展开更多
Mental health is a significant issue worldwide,and the utilization of technology to assist mental health has seen a growing trend.This aims to alleviate the workload on healthcare professionals and aid individuals.Num...Mental health is a significant issue worldwide,and the utilization of technology to assist mental health has seen a growing trend.This aims to alleviate the workload on healthcare professionals and aid individuals.Numerous applications have been developed to support the challenges in intelligent healthcare systems.However,because mental health data is sensitive,privacy concerns have emerged.Federated learning has gotten some attention.This research reviews the studies on federated learning and mental health related to solving the issue of intelligent healthcare systems.It explores various dimensions of federated learning in mental health,such as datasets(their types and sources),applications categorized based on mental health symptoms,federated mental health frameworks,federated machine learning,federated deep learning,and the benefits of federated learning in mental health applications.This research conducts surveys to evaluate the current state of mental health applications,mainly focusing on the role of Federated Learning(FL)and related privacy and data security concerns.The survey provides valuable insights into how these applications are emerging and evolving,specifically emphasizing FL’s impact.展开更多
To enhance the anti-corrosion performance of TC4 alloy across a wide temperature range for modern aircrafts operating in increasingly harsh environments, the (TiB+TiC) hybrid reinforced TC4 composites were prepared by...To enhance the anti-corrosion performance of TC4 alloy across a wide temperature range for modern aircrafts operating in increasingly harsh environments, the (TiB+TiC) hybrid reinforced TC4 composites were prepared by laser melting deposition (LMD) via the in-situ reaction between B_(4)C reinforcement and molten TC4 alloy. The effect of B_(4)C content (0, 0.5, 1.5, wt%) on the microstructure and room/high-temperature corrosion behaviour of the composites was investigated. Microstructural analysis revealed that the microstructure of the composites was significantly influenced by the B_(4)C content. The composite containing 0.5 wt% B_(4)C exhibited an optimal microstructure characterized by refined grains, equiaxed α-Ti transformed from lath-shaped α-Ti, well-distributed (TiB+TiC) phases with a proper amount and reduced pore/dislocation defects. This composite also demonstrated the best corrosion resistance at both room temperature (25 ℃) and high temperature (800 ℃), which was primarily attributed to its comprehensive advantages including a favorable microstructure, a uniform dispersion of thermally stable (TiB+TiC) phases and a stable passivation film.展开更多
The effect of Cr addition on nickel aluminium bronze(NAB)alloy microstructure,mechanical properties,and erosion-corrosion behaviour has been studied.The results show that Cr addition does not change the composition of...The effect of Cr addition on nickel aluminium bronze(NAB)alloy microstructure,mechanical properties,and erosion-corrosion behaviour has been studied.The results show that Cr addition does not change the composition of the precipitated phases,more Cr entered theκphase and a small amount of Cr solubilized in the matrix,which increase the hardness of theκand matrix and decrease the potential difference between theκand matrix.NAB alloy with Cr shows high erosion-corrosion resistance at high flow rate conditions,due to its lower phase potential difference and higher surface hardness.At the flow rate of 3 m·s^(-1),the corrosion rate is 0.076 mm·year^(-1),which is~20%lower than that of the unadded Cr sample.Moreover,the corrosion product film contains Cr_(2)O_(3)and Cr^(3+),which improves the densification of the film and raises alloy’s corrosion resistance with Cr addition.The combination of mechanical and corrosion resistant properties may qualify this alloy as a potential candidate material for sustainable and safe equipment.展开更多
Polyurethane foam,when used as a compressible layer in deep soft rock tunnels,offers a feasible solution to reduce the support pressure on the secondary lining.The foam spraying method using sprayed polyurethane mater...Polyurethane foam,when used as a compressible layer in deep soft rock tunnels,offers a feasible solution to reduce the support pressure on the secondary lining.The foam spraying method using sprayed polyurethane material is convenient for engineering applications;however,the compressive behaviour and feasibility of sprayed polyurethane material as a compressible layer remain unclear.To address this gap,this study conducts uniaxial compression tests and scanning electron microscope(SEM)tests to investigate the compressive behaviour of the rigid foams fabricated from a self-developed polyurethane spray material.A peridynamics model for the composite lining with a polyurethane compressible layer is then established.After validating the proposed method by comparison with two tests,a parametric study is carried out to investigate the damage evolution of the composite lining with a polyurethane compressible layer under various combinations of large deformations and compressible layer parameters.The results indicate that the polyurethane compressible layer effectively reduces the radial deformation and damage index of the secondary lining while increasing the damage susceptibility of the primary lining.The thickness of the polyurethane compressible layer significantly influences the prevention effect of large deformation-induced damage to the secondary lining within the density range of 50e100 kg/m^(3).In accordance with the experimental and simulation results,a simple,yet reasonable and convenient approach for determining the key parameters of the polyurethane compressible layer is proposed,along with a classification scheme for the parameters of the polyurethane compressible layer.展开更多
The functionally graded materials(FGMs)are obtained by various processes.Although a few FGMs are obtained naturally,such as oyster,pearl,and bamboo,additive manufacturing(AM),known as 3D printing,is a net-shaped manuf...The functionally graded materials(FGMs)are obtained by various processes.Although a few FGMs are obtained naturally,such as oyster,pearl,and bamboo,additive manufacturing(AM),known as 3D printing,is a net-shaped manufacturing process employed to manufacture complex 3D objects without tools,molds,assembly,and joining.Currently,commercial AM techniques mostly use homogeneous composition with simplified geometric descriptions,employing a single material across the entire component to achieve functional graded additive manufacturing(FGAM),in contrast to multi-material FGAM with heterogeneous structures.FGMs are widely used in various fields due to their mechanical property advantages.Because FGM plays a significant role in the industrial production,the characteristics and mechanical behaviour of FGMs prepared by AM were reviewed.In this review,the research on FGMs and AM over the past 30 years was reviewed,suggesting that future researchers should focus on the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies in industry to optimize the process parameters of different gradient systems.展开更多
Background Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder(ADHD)is a common neurodevelopmental disorder with behavioural symptoms and grey matter volume(GMV)changes.However,previous studies have not fully elucidated the prog...Background Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder(ADHD)is a common neurodevelopmental disorder with behavioural symptoms and grey matter volume(GMV)changes.However,previous studies have not fully elucidated the progressive and causal GMV changes associated with behavioural symptoms in ADHD.Aims This study aimed to explore the causal relationship between GMV alterations and behavioural symptoms in children and adolescents with ADHD using behaviourcausal structural covariance network(BCaSCN)analysis.Methods Structural magnetic resonance imaging(sMRI)data from 135 children and adolescents with ADHD and182 neurotypical controls(NCs)were analysed.ADHD subtypes were identified based on GMV using a clustering algorithm to address the neuroanatomical heterogeneity.To investigate the causal relationships of GMV changes related to behavioural symptoms,sMRI data were sequentially ordered by ADHD index,inattentive index and hyperactive/impulsive index values to generate pseudotime series data.These data were then analysed using region-of-interest-based BCaSCN analysis to explore potential progressive patterns of GMV change.Results Neuroanatomical subtyping revealed two ADHD subtypes with distinct GMV patterns compared with NCs.BCaSCN analysis showed that ADHD subtype 1 was closely associated with inattentiveness,involving prominent nodes in the frontal regions and cerebellum.In contrast,ADHD subtype 2 was more strongly linked to overall disease severity,with the cerebellum and hippocampus as primary hubs.Conclusions ADHD is associated with heterogeneous changes in GMV corresponding to distinct behavioural domains,highlighting the need for subtype-specific diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.展开更多
This study aimed to explore the application effect of the medical and nursing integration working mode in children with inguinal hernia undergoing laparoscopic surgery and to provide a basis for its clinical promotion...This study aimed to explore the application effect of the medical and nursing integration working mode in children with inguinal hernia undergoing laparoscopic surgery and to provide a basis for its clinical promotion.A total of 70 children with inguinal hernia admitted to our hospital from July 2023 to June 2024 and treated with laparoscopic surgery were selected as study subjects and randomly divided into an observation group and a control group,with 35 cases in each.Both groups received routine nursing care,while the observation group additionally adopted the integrated medical and nursing working mode,including systematic health education,psychological interventions,and postoperative follow-up from admission to discharge.The anxiety and depression scores of the two groups before and after surgery,medical compliance index,and incidence of complications during hospitalization were compared.Results showed that the preoperative anxiety scores of the observation and control groups were(14.01±1.07)and(14.62±2.31),respectively,with no statistically significant difference(P>0.05);however,postoperative anxiety scores were significantly lower in the observation group(4.01±0.77)compared to the control group(6.62±0.31)(P<0.05).Similarly,preoperative depression scores were(15.11±1.22)in the observation group and(15.41±2.01)in the control group(P>0.05),but postoperative depression scores were significantly reduced in the observation group(4.24±0.61)compared to the control group(7.12±0.54)(P<0.05).After intervention,the medical compliance behavior index in the observation group was(83.31±5.92),significantly higher than(75.34±6.73)in the control group(P<0.05).Regarding postoperative complications,only 1 case(2.86%)occurred in the observation group,while 8 cases(22.86%)were reported in the control group,showing a statistically significant difference(P<0.05).In conclusion,the medical and nursing integration working mode effectively improves the perioperative psychological state of children,enhances medical compliance,reduces postoperative complications,and is worthy of widespread clinical application.展开更多
A 1.5-hour recording of six (Gulf of Mexico) captive common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) at Sea Life Park, Hawaii shows that: 1) they have a song of a sequence of tonal (often slurred) notes. The evidence ...A 1.5-hour recording of six (Gulf of Mexico) captive common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) at Sea Life Park, Hawaii shows that: 1) they have a song of a sequence of tonal (often slurred) notes. The evidence for their song comes from: a) their emitting songs that were complex (both tonally and rhythmically), b) their likely improvising (as inferred from their most complex songs not being repeated), c) songs based on a theme (used repeatedly), d) a bout of singing (at times) including social creativity, e) songs with a distinct beginning, middle and end section, and f) one song consisting of in part, a theme, 2) their songs are not sung in key (as determined from analysing the beginning tonal value of a note with spectral-frequency analysis), and 3) are sung in bouts, and 4) mostly with tonal-striated vocalizations (in the literature termed squawks and bray calls). Their apparent creativity (likely improvisations) and social creativity are of importance to how they evolved cognitively, to the study of song culture (between populations and delphinid species), understanding their (intra and inter-species) associations, and kinds of relationships, determining individual personalities, and perhaps will provide supporting evidence for their ability to reason. As inferred, they sing without being intentionally manipulative from: 1) their use of Gquic psychology [1] (as explained in this article), and 2) as inferred from their likely having an ability to reason [1] [2] (as deduced from their behavioural ecology (their unique exceptional evolutionary freedom), including their comparatively peaceful composure between conspecifics, in line with the proof of The Peaceful Composure Theorem), suggesting (per The Peaceful Composure Theorem) they have an egalitarian-like society. Their interspecies (displaced) aggression towards smaller odontocete species is shown to be a function of jealousies that emerge from their stronger social bonds than other species, from their compassionate nature, and females and males not pairing up in long-term associations. Species with greater cultural freedom are shown to have a more complex song providing further evidence for species culture not crucial to survival. The conclusive evidence for specie culture from my recent publications is of relevance to the scientific community’s acceptance of two new theories of evolution, and Gquic psychology. The loud burst-pulse sounds, chasing, charging and raking behaviours described in the literature could be a play behaviour, ought not be labelled as aggressive behaviours, as inferred from dog mock-fight play behaviour. In regard to future comparative behavioural ecology studies, aggressive animal behaviour should only be defined as an act of displacement (that is shown to commonly occur in the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin species (Tursiops aduncus)), or as acts of biting, and hitting.展开更多
In this paper,the fracture behaviors and interface stresses of sintered Nd-Fe-B magnets were investigated.It was revealed that cracks propagated along the interfaces of Nd_(2)Fe_(14)B/Nd_(2)Fe_(14)B,Nd_(2)Fe_(14)B/Nd-...In this paper,the fracture behaviors and interface stresses of sintered Nd-Fe-B magnets were investigated.It was revealed that cracks propagated along the interfaces of Nd_(2)Fe_(14)B/Nd_(2)Fe_(14)B,Nd_(2)Fe_(14)B/Nd-rich phases and within Nd-rich phases.The misfits between 2:14:1 and Nd-rich phases were quantitatively determined,reflecting the concentration of interface stresses in magnet.Grain boundaries of magnet were reconstructed by diffusing Tb-containing and Tb-free sources,respectively.The Tb-rich shells at extensive layers of 2:14:1 grains caused lattice distortion,i.e.,internal stresses,resulting in the crack mode changing from intergranular to transgranular in near surfaces of Tb-containing diffused magnets.Therefore,the bending strengths were deteriorated although the coercivities were apparently enhanced.In the case of Tb-free Pr-Cu diffused magnet,the Pr and Cu elements were enriched at grain boundaries,and the misfits between 2:14:1 and Nd-rich phases were declined,lowering interface stresses and strengthening grain boundaries.The mechanical and magnetic properties of Pr-Cu diffused magnet were simultaneously improved.展开更多
The effectiveness of using vegetation to stabilise shallow soil slopes heavily depends on the survival of vegetation,yet the amplification of extreme events induced by climate change threatens the health of plants cov...The effectiveness of using vegetation to stabilise shallow soil slopes heavily depends on the survival of vegetation,yet the amplification of extreme events induced by climate change threatens the health of plants covering slopes.Hydrochar is an environmentally friendly soil amender that can achieve the potential benefits of promoting plant growth for slope stabilisation and facilitation of waste upcycling.The mechanism underlying the hydrochar effects on the mechanical behaviour of unsaturated soils remains unclear.This study investigated the influence of grass-derived hydrochar on the water retention,compressibility,and shear strength of a compacted siltyeclay sand.Soil microstructural changes due to hydrochar amendment were measured to explain the soilehydrochar hydromechanical interaction.The increase in suction resulted in a less significant increase in yield stress and a negligible reduction in compressibility of the hydrochar-amended soil compared with the unamended case.This phenomenon was observed because hydrochar addition reduced the large pores with diameters greater than the macropore peak of 60 mm due to pore filling by hydrochar particles,resulting in a less substantial volume contraction during drying.Hydrochar introduced more significant effects on the soil’s shear strength in an unsaturated state compared to a saturated case.Despite the similarity of the unsaturated amended soil with the critical-state friction angle to the saturated case,the former exhibited a greater shear strength because the hydrochar addition improved water retention capability.As a result,the degree of saturation and,hence,Bishop’s effective stress were higher than those for the unamended case for a given suction.展开更多
The radula is a crucial adaptation for food-processing in molluscs.A deeper understanding of the interaction between the radula and the preferred food is lacking,complicating the inference of the precise ecological ro...The radula is a crucial adaptation for food-processing in molluscs.A deeper understanding of the interaction between the radula and the preferred food is lacking,complicating the inference of the precise ecological roles of radular structures.This study presents the first experimental set-up that allows to study the influence of the radular morphology,specifically the degree of tooth-tooth interlocking(so-called collective effect),on the feeding efficiency.For this purpose,physical 3D models of the teeth were designed using CAD software and 3D printing technique.The feeding efficiencies with models of different degree of interlocking were determined by tensile tests,pulling the models trough agar gels with different viscosities.The forces generated by the models and the masses of the removed gel fragments were determined.We found,that radular models with a high degree of tooth–tooth interlocking performed best as they were able to remove most agar.We additionally broke the teeth and determined,that the teeth with the highest degree of interlocking could resist to highest force.Overall,the study highlights the complex interplay between radular morphology and its ecological function,suggesting that even minor morphological alterations can significantly impact the efficiency and effectiveness of food gathering.Understanding these interactions cannot only shed light on the ecological adaptations of molluscs,but provide further insights into development of more effective grinding,scraping,and cleaning technical devices.展开更多
Based on statistics from reality TV shows, this paper conducts binary logistic regression analyses on the relationships between social status, social distance, cost-benefit levels, and dissuasion strategies in dissuas...Based on statistics from reality TV shows, this paper conducts binary logistic regression analyses on the relationships between social status, social distance, cost-benefit levels, and dissuasion strategies in dissuasion behavior. It finds that the directness/indirectness of strategies has limited impact on politeness levels in Chinese dissuasive speech acts and is not a key factor influencing politeness. Further analysis of the linguistic forms, behavioral combinations of dissuasion, and their relationships with social status, social distance, and cost-benefit levels reveals a critical gradient distinction among factors affecting the politeness of dissuasion. Specifically, sentence structure choice is a key factor;performative verbs and cognitive stance markers are secondary factors;and direct/indirect language strategies, tag questions, and behavioral combinations are marginal factors.展开更多
Background The decreasing prevalence of physical activity(PA)among urban children in Sub-Saharan Africa is a growing public health concern.More emphasis should focus on examining the influence of parental PA behaviour...Background The decreasing prevalence of physical activity(PA)among urban children in Sub-Saharan Africa is a growing public health concern.More emphasis should focus on examining the influence of parental PA behaviour on the children’s PA patterns.We explored associations of 24hour(h)accelerometer-measured movement behaviours of guardian-child pairs in Nairobi City County,Kenya.Methods This cross-sectional study assessed 80 pairs consisting of children aged 9-14 years and their guardians in one area of low and one area of middle socioeconomic status(SES)(Embakasi Sub-County and Lang’ata Sub-County),in Nairobi City County,Kenya.The study used waist worn Tri-axial Actigraph(GT3X+and ActiSleep+)accelerometers to quantify PA and sedentary time(SED).Association between guardians'and children’s PA was examined using linear regression,adjusting for guardians'educational attainment and household wealth.Results Of the children,42(52.5%)and 76(96.2%)of the guardians were women.Children in low SES areas spent more time(p<0.001)in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity compared to children from middle SES area.The guardians in low SES area were younger and spent more time in light PA(p=0.036)while their counterparts had higher daily SED(p=0.049).Guardian’s SED associated with higher children’s SED(p=0.033)even after adjusting for guardians'educational attainment(p=0.032)and wealth(p=0.05).There was no association between guardians'and children’s MVPA.Conclusion Considered alongside the extant literature,these results suggest that health promotion strategies should aim to reduce parental SED time while also planning to increase children’s PA.展开更多
Glue-laminated timber(GLT)is an engineered wood product widely used in mass timber construction for its strong structural and fire-resistant properties.However,the fire performance of GLT varies significantly due to t...Glue-laminated timber(GLT)is an engineered wood product widely used in mass timber construction for its strong structural and fire-resistant properties.However,the fire performance of GLT varies significantly due to the natural and uncertain phenomena(moisture,exposure time,isotropic,homogenous properties,etc.)of fire and timber.This makes it difficult to predict the fire behaviour of the GLT structural elements.To ensure building safety,it is crucial to assess GLT’s fire behaviour and post-fire structural integrity during the design stages.This study conducted the experimental tests of GLT beams(280 mm×560 mm)without loading(1.4 m)and under a four-point bending load(5.4 m).Tests identified thermal behaviour and charring rates of GLT beam.Then,the residual stiffness of the GLT beam was calculated,and the charring rates of the beams were compared with Australian and European standards.Reliability analysis was conducted for beams for a fire exposure of 120 min,considering the charring rates observed through the analysis and simulating the fire insulations.Results show that the charring rate of GLT made with spruce pine timber varied between 0.43 and 0.81 mm/min,with a mean rate of 0.7 mm/min,aligning with both Australian and European standards.However,considering timber density and moisture content,the charring rates in Australian standards were conservative.The study also found that structural capacity significantly degrades under fire,with a 22%reduction in flexural stiffness after 120 min of exposure.Additionally,GLT beams can safely function for 30 min under 75%of their design moment capacity and for 60 min under 50%capacity.展开更多
Two widespread bird species in Sri Lanka’s dry zone,Pycnonotus cafer(Red-vented Bulbul,RVBB)and Pycnonotus luteolus(White-browed Bulbul,WBBB),were studied to understand their foraging dynamics and ecology.The researc...Two widespread bird species in Sri Lanka’s dry zone,Pycnonotus cafer(Red-vented Bulbul,RVBB)and Pycnonotus luteolus(White-browed Bulbul,WBBB),were studied to understand their foraging dynamics and ecology.The research was conducted from October 2022 to February 2023 in Mihintale Sanctuary(80.30′11.24″E,8.21′04.63″N)and the Faculty of Applied Sciences,Rajarata University of Sri Lanka(80.502206″E,8.353090″N).Data were obtained through focal sampling,opportunistic observations,and mist netting.Both species predominantly foraged on twigs,using gleaning as the dominant food-handling technique.RVBB foraged mostly at the canopy level,while WBBB foraged primarily at the sub-canopy level.Fruits constituted the major food type for both species.RVBB and WBBB utilized 10 and 7 plant species,respectively,with Grewia helicterifolia being the primary foraging plant.Minimal foraging was observed on Croton sp.(RVBB)and Hugonia mistax(WBBB).The correlation between nutritional components and the consumption of both species revealed a preference for foods with lower protein,higher fat,and ash content.There was no linear correlation between gape width and fruit size(r=-0.21,P=0.69)for both species.The standardized dietary niche breadth indicated both species are specialists,with a high pairwise dietary niche overlap(0.9854).These findings highlight the niche-specific foraging adaptations of RVBB and WBBB within Mihintale,emphasizing their distinct strategies in utilizing plant species,fruit sizes,and foraging heights.Understanding such ecological dynamics is essential for habitat conservation efforts and ensuring the availability of key foraging resources for these species in the dry zone.展开更多
AlSi7Mg is an age hardening aluminium alloy that is growing in popularity in additive manufacturing as its good processability makes it well suited to the powder bed fusion process,allowing for its use in the aerospac...AlSi7Mg is an age hardening aluminium alloy that is growing in popularity in additive manufacturing as its good processability makes it well suited to the powder bed fusion process,allowing for its use in the aerospace and automotive industries.The alloy relies on heat treatment to reach its peak strength,with precipitates in the Mg_(2) Si precipitation sequence providing the majority of this strengthening.Powder bed fusion,however,produces components with unique microstructures that differ to those of traditional manufacturing methods such as casting,meaning heat treatments must be carefully tailored for additively manufactured parts.This study therefore investigated the effects of solution treatment temperatures on the final properties and microstructures of T6 treated,additively manufactured AlSi7Mg.Due to the use of a heated build plate,samples aged from the as built and stress relieved conditions exhibited over ageing behaviour,necessitating a solution treatment step to induce useful strength properties.Solution treatments below 500℃were found to provide minimal strengthening upon ageing due to the pres-ence of theπ-Al_(18) Fe_(2)Mg_(7) Si_(10) phase,which reduced the amount of magnesium in solid solution and so reduced the age hardening response of the alloy by restricting the growth of strengthening precipitates.Solution treatments over 500℃,however,demonstrated excellent age hardening due to the replacement of theπ-Al_(18) Fe_(2)Mg_(7) Si_(10) phase with theβ-Al_(9)Fe_(2)Si_(2) phase,increasing the concentration of magnesium in solid solution and therefore improving its age hardening response.A T6 treatment then demonstrated an improvement in yield strength and ductility when compared to the as built state,but a decrease in tensile strength and impact toughness.The variability in the age hardening response of AlSi7Mg suggests that the careful selection of a solution treatment temperature is crucial to property optimisation.展开更多
基金funded by UKRI Global Challenges Research Fund through the Economic and Social Research Council(grant reference:ES/T004959/1)with additional partial support from the National Research Foundation of South Africa(grant CSUR230503101533)。
文摘Globally,mealtimes provide key insights into cultural and social values and practices.We examine mealtime environments and eating practices in two different African settings using quantitative observational and questionnaire data.Participating families(N=80)were recruited from two rural locations in Zambia and Kenya.Results following descriptive analysis showed that meals are typically taken as a family in a sociable context,providing opportunities to nurture children’s positive behaviours.In both communities,mothers(71.25%)were most likely to be present and typically prepared meals and provided the food.We observed a few distractions being used during mealtimes,and children finished their food with little to no conflict.Plate sharing varied across the two sites and was more common in Zambia,where we also observed more traditional practices such as eating with hands(as opposed to cutlery)and sitting on mats on the ground(as opposed to seated on chairs or sofas).Overall,our findings suggest more similarities in the cultural and social values across the two African contexts despite slight differences in mealtime practices.In particular,positive mealtime behaviours(little food refusal,lack of conflict)were common across all contexts,regardless of the extent to which traditional practices(such as plate-sharing and sitting on the floor)were used.Findings align with Family Systems theory,which states that the family is understood best by conceptualizing it as a complex,dynamic,and changing collection of parts,subsystems,and family members.
基金the Jilin Provincial Department of Science and Technology Youth Science and Technology Talent Cultivation Project(20250602051RC)Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(2025-JCXK-19)National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant 52272417.
文摘To address the critical challenge of risk perception and assessment for autonomous vehicles in dynamic interactive envi-ronments,this study proposes a semi-supervised spatiotemporal interaction risk cognition network with attention mecha-nism(SS-SIRCN),inspired by the behavioral adaptation patterns of biological groups under external threats.First,by thoroughly analyzing the dynamic interaction characteristics exhibited by typical biological collectives when exposed to risk,the study reveals the underlying patterns of trajectory changes influenced by external danger.Then,an attention-based spatiotemporal risk cognition network is designed to establish a mapping between driving behavior features and potential driving risks.Finally,a semi-supervised learning framework is employed to enable risk assessment for autono-mous vehicles using only a small amount of labeled data.Experimental results on real-world vehicle trajectory datasets demonstrate that the proposed method achieves a risk prediction accuracy of 90.76%,outperforming other baseline models in performance.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC No.52322610)Hong Kong Research Grants Council Theme-based Research Scheme(T22-505/19-N)Furthermore,this research was undertaken with the assistance of computational resources from the National Computational Infrastructure(NCI Australia),an NCRISenabled capability supported by the Australian Government.
文摘Shrublands and grasslands,which constitute approximately 70%of Australia’s vegetation,play a critical role in global wildfire-prone regions.To advance the understanding of grass fire spread,a three-dimensional,physicsbased fire model provides valuable insights into fire dynamics.However,such models are computationally intensive and time-consuming.To address these challenges,we constructed an extensive numerical database comprising 64,000 high-fidelity wildfire simulation cases and implemented a Long Short-Term Memory neural network architecture.The model demonstrates strong predictive performance,achieving a coefficient of determination(R2)of 0.96 on training data,indicating excellent agreement with the physics-based simulation outputs.By utilizing coordinates from five reference points to predict fire front movement,this approach offers a novel method for analysing fire dynamics in homogeneous fuel beds with an average deviation of less than 2.5%.Combining the strengths of physics-based modelling and deep learning,our research enhances fire spread prediction accuracy of over 95%while significantly reducing computational demands.Future efforts will focus on refining the model,expanding the dataset,and incorporating additional variables to improve predictive capabilities and operational applicability.
文摘In 2025,I had the honor of delivering keynote speeches at the conferences of the International Society for Diet and Activity Methods in Toronto,Canada,and the International Society of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity in Auckland,Aotearoa,New Zealand.These opportunities prompted deep reflection on scientific research in general,and on physical activity and health research specifically.
文摘Mental health is a significant issue worldwide,and the utilization of technology to assist mental health has seen a growing trend.This aims to alleviate the workload on healthcare professionals and aid individuals.Numerous applications have been developed to support the challenges in intelligent healthcare systems.However,because mental health data is sensitive,privacy concerns have emerged.Federated learning has gotten some attention.This research reviews the studies on federated learning and mental health related to solving the issue of intelligent healthcare systems.It explores various dimensions of federated learning in mental health,such as datasets(their types and sources),applications categorized based on mental health symptoms,federated mental health frameworks,federated machine learning,federated deep learning,and the benefits of federated learning in mental health applications.This research conducts surveys to evaluate the current state of mental health applications,mainly focusing on the role of Federated Learning(FL)and related privacy and data security concerns.The survey provides valuable insights into how these applications are emerging and evolving,specifically emphasizing FL’s impact.
基金supported by the Tianjin Municipal Natural Science Foundation(No.23JCYBJC00040)the National Nat-ural Science Foundation of China(No.52175369)the Tian-jin Research Innovation Project for Postgraduate Students(No.2022SKY134).
文摘To enhance the anti-corrosion performance of TC4 alloy across a wide temperature range for modern aircrafts operating in increasingly harsh environments, the (TiB+TiC) hybrid reinforced TC4 composites were prepared by laser melting deposition (LMD) via the in-situ reaction between B_(4)C reinforcement and molten TC4 alloy. The effect of B_(4)C content (0, 0.5, 1.5, wt%) on the microstructure and room/high-temperature corrosion behaviour of the composites was investigated. Microstructural analysis revealed that the microstructure of the composites was significantly influenced by the B_(4)C content. The composite containing 0.5 wt% B_(4)C exhibited an optimal microstructure characterized by refined grains, equiaxed α-Ti transformed from lath-shaped α-Ti, well-distributed (TiB+TiC) phases with a proper amount and reduced pore/dislocation defects. This composite also demonstrated the best corrosion resistance at both room temperature (25 ℃) and high temperature (800 ℃), which was primarily attributed to its comprehensive advantages including a favorable microstructure, a uniform dispersion of thermally stable (TiB+TiC) phases and a stable passivation film.
基金supported by Beijing Nova Program(No.20230484371)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2021YFB3700700).
文摘The effect of Cr addition on nickel aluminium bronze(NAB)alloy microstructure,mechanical properties,and erosion-corrosion behaviour has been studied.The results show that Cr addition does not change the composition of the precipitated phases,more Cr entered theκphase and a small amount of Cr solubilized in the matrix,which increase the hardness of theκand matrix and decrease the potential difference between theκand matrix.NAB alloy with Cr shows high erosion-corrosion resistance at high flow rate conditions,due to its lower phase potential difference and higher surface hardness.At the flow rate of 3 m·s^(-1),the corrosion rate is 0.076 mm·year^(-1),which is~20%lower than that of the unadded Cr sample.Moreover,the corrosion product film contains Cr_(2)O_(3)and Cr^(3+),which improves the densification of the film and raises alloy’s corrosion resistance with Cr addition.The combination of mechanical and corrosion resistant properties may qualify this alloy as a potential candidate material for sustainable and safe equipment.
基金financially supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(Grant Nos.2023YFB2604005)the National Key Research and Development 451 Program of China(Grant No.2021YFC3100803)the Yangtze River Water Science Research Joint Fund Key Project of National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.U2340231).
文摘Polyurethane foam,when used as a compressible layer in deep soft rock tunnels,offers a feasible solution to reduce the support pressure on the secondary lining.The foam spraying method using sprayed polyurethane material is convenient for engineering applications;however,the compressive behaviour and feasibility of sprayed polyurethane material as a compressible layer remain unclear.To address this gap,this study conducts uniaxial compression tests and scanning electron microscope(SEM)tests to investigate the compressive behaviour of the rigid foams fabricated from a self-developed polyurethane spray material.A peridynamics model for the composite lining with a polyurethane compressible layer is then established.After validating the proposed method by comparison with two tests,a parametric study is carried out to investigate the damage evolution of the composite lining with a polyurethane compressible layer under various combinations of large deformations and compressible layer parameters.The results indicate that the polyurethane compressible layer effectively reduces the radial deformation and damage index of the secondary lining while increasing the damage susceptibility of the primary lining.The thickness of the polyurethane compressible layer significantly influences the prevention effect of large deformation-induced damage to the secondary lining within the density range of 50e100 kg/m^(3).In accordance with the experimental and simulation results,a simple,yet reasonable and convenient approach for determining the key parameters of the polyurethane compressible layer is proposed,along with a classification scheme for the parameters of the polyurethane compressible layer.
文摘The functionally graded materials(FGMs)are obtained by various processes.Although a few FGMs are obtained naturally,such as oyster,pearl,and bamboo,additive manufacturing(AM),known as 3D printing,is a net-shaped manufacturing process employed to manufacture complex 3D objects without tools,molds,assembly,and joining.Currently,commercial AM techniques mostly use homogeneous composition with simplified geometric descriptions,employing a single material across the entire component to achieve functional graded additive manufacturing(FGAM),in contrast to multi-material FGAM with heterogeneous structures.FGMs are widely used in various fields due to their mechanical property advantages.Because FGM plays a significant role in the industrial production,the characteristics and mechanical behaviour of FGMs prepared by AM were reviewed.In this review,the research on FGMs and AM over the past 30 years was reviewed,suggesting that future researchers should focus on the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies in industry to optimize the process parameters of different gradient systems.
基金funded by the Department of Science and Technology of Shandong ProvinceNatural Science Foundation of Shandong Province(ZR2023QH109)Taishan Scholars Program of Shandong Province(TS201712065)。
文摘Background Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder(ADHD)is a common neurodevelopmental disorder with behavioural symptoms and grey matter volume(GMV)changes.However,previous studies have not fully elucidated the progressive and causal GMV changes associated with behavioural symptoms in ADHD.Aims This study aimed to explore the causal relationship between GMV alterations and behavioural symptoms in children and adolescents with ADHD using behaviourcausal structural covariance network(BCaSCN)analysis.Methods Structural magnetic resonance imaging(sMRI)data from 135 children and adolescents with ADHD and182 neurotypical controls(NCs)were analysed.ADHD subtypes were identified based on GMV using a clustering algorithm to address the neuroanatomical heterogeneity.To investigate the causal relationships of GMV changes related to behavioural symptoms,sMRI data were sequentially ordered by ADHD index,inattentive index and hyperactive/impulsive index values to generate pseudotime series data.These data were then analysed using region-of-interest-based BCaSCN analysis to explore potential progressive patterns of GMV change.Results Neuroanatomical subtyping revealed two ADHD subtypes with distinct GMV patterns compared with NCs.BCaSCN analysis showed that ADHD subtype 1 was closely associated with inattentiveness,involving prominent nodes in the frontal regions and cerebellum.In contrast,ADHD subtype 2 was more strongly linked to overall disease severity,with the cerebellum and hippocampus as primary hubs.Conclusions ADHD is associated with heterogeneous changes in GMV corresponding to distinct behavioural domains,highlighting the need for subtype-specific diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
文摘This study aimed to explore the application effect of the medical and nursing integration working mode in children with inguinal hernia undergoing laparoscopic surgery and to provide a basis for its clinical promotion.A total of 70 children with inguinal hernia admitted to our hospital from July 2023 to June 2024 and treated with laparoscopic surgery were selected as study subjects and randomly divided into an observation group and a control group,with 35 cases in each.Both groups received routine nursing care,while the observation group additionally adopted the integrated medical and nursing working mode,including systematic health education,psychological interventions,and postoperative follow-up from admission to discharge.The anxiety and depression scores of the two groups before and after surgery,medical compliance index,and incidence of complications during hospitalization were compared.Results showed that the preoperative anxiety scores of the observation and control groups were(14.01±1.07)and(14.62±2.31),respectively,with no statistically significant difference(P>0.05);however,postoperative anxiety scores were significantly lower in the observation group(4.01±0.77)compared to the control group(6.62±0.31)(P<0.05).Similarly,preoperative depression scores were(15.11±1.22)in the observation group and(15.41±2.01)in the control group(P>0.05),but postoperative depression scores were significantly reduced in the observation group(4.24±0.61)compared to the control group(7.12±0.54)(P<0.05).After intervention,the medical compliance behavior index in the observation group was(83.31±5.92),significantly higher than(75.34±6.73)in the control group(P<0.05).Regarding postoperative complications,only 1 case(2.86%)occurred in the observation group,while 8 cases(22.86%)were reported in the control group,showing a statistically significant difference(P<0.05).In conclusion,the medical and nursing integration working mode effectively improves the perioperative psychological state of children,enhances medical compliance,reduces postoperative complications,and is worthy of widespread clinical application.
文摘A 1.5-hour recording of six (Gulf of Mexico) captive common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) at Sea Life Park, Hawaii shows that: 1) they have a song of a sequence of tonal (often slurred) notes. The evidence for their song comes from: a) their emitting songs that were complex (both tonally and rhythmically), b) their likely improvising (as inferred from their most complex songs not being repeated), c) songs based on a theme (used repeatedly), d) a bout of singing (at times) including social creativity, e) songs with a distinct beginning, middle and end section, and f) one song consisting of in part, a theme, 2) their songs are not sung in key (as determined from analysing the beginning tonal value of a note with spectral-frequency analysis), and 3) are sung in bouts, and 4) mostly with tonal-striated vocalizations (in the literature termed squawks and bray calls). Their apparent creativity (likely improvisations) and social creativity are of importance to how they evolved cognitively, to the study of song culture (between populations and delphinid species), understanding their (intra and inter-species) associations, and kinds of relationships, determining individual personalities, and perhaps will provide supporting evidence for their ability to reason. As inferred, they sing without being intentionally manipulative from: 1) their use of Gquic psychology [1] (as explained in this article), and 2) as inferred from their likely having an ability to reason [1] [2] (as deduced from their behavioural ecology (their unique exceptional evolutionary freedom), including their comparatively peaceful composure between conspecifics, in line with the proof of The Peaceful Composure Theorem), suggesting (per The Peaceful Composure Theorem) they have an egalitarian-like society. Their interspecies (displaced) aggression towards smaller odontocete species is shown to be a function of jealousies that emerge from their stronger social bonds than other species, from their compassionate nature, and females and males not pairing up in long-term associations. Species with greater cultural freedom are shown to have a more complex song providing further evidence for species culture not crucial to survival. The conclusive evidence for specie culture from my recent publications is of relevance to the scientific community’s acceptance of two new theories of evolution, and Gquic psychology. The loud burst-pulse sounds, chasing, charging and raking behaviours described in the literature could be a play behaviour, ought not be labelled as aggressive behaviours, as inferred from dog mock-fight play behaviour. In regard to future comparative behavioural ecology studies, aggressive animal behaviour should only be defined as an act of displacement (that is shown to commonly occur in the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin species (Tursiops aduncus)), or as acts of biting, and hitting.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52271165)the National Key R&D Program of China(No.2022YFB3505501).
文摘In this paper,the fracture behaviors and interface stresses of sintered Nd-Fe-B magnets were investigated.It was revealed that cracks propagated along the interfaces of Nd_(2)Fe_(14)B/Nd_(2)Fe_(14)B,Nd_(2)Fe_(14)B/Nd-rich phases and within Nd-rich phases.The misfits between 2:14:1 and Nd-rich phases were quantitatively determined,reflecting the concentration of interface stresses in magnet.Grain boundaries of magnet were reconstructed by diffusing Tb-containing and Tb-free sources,respectively.The Tb-rich shells at extensive layers of 2:14:1 grains caused lattice distortion,i.e.,internal stresses,resulting in the crack mode changing from intergranular to transgranular in near surfaces of Tb-containing diffused magnets.Therefore,the bending strengths were deteriorated although the coercivities were apparently enhanced.In the case of Tb-free Pr-Cu diffused magnet,the Pr and Cu elements were enriched at grain boundaries,and the misfits between 2:14:1 and Nd-rich phases were declined,lowering interface stresses and strengthening grain boundaries.The mechanical and magnetic properties of Pr-Cu diffused magnet were simultaneously improved.
基金supported by grants funded by the Hong Kong Research Grants Council(Grant No.CRF/C6006-20G)a grant provided by the Joint NSFC/RGC Joint Research Scheme(Grant No.N_HKUST603/22)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(Grant No.Z1090125018).
文摘The effectiveness of using vegetation to stabilise shallow soil slopes heavily depends on the survival of vegetation,yet the amplification of extreme events induced by climate change threatens the health of plants covering slopes.Hydrochar is an environmentally friendly soil amender that can achieve the potential benefits of promoting plant growth for slope stabilisation and facilitation of waste upcycling.The mechanism underlying the hydrochar effects on the mechanical behaviour of unsaturated soils remains unclear.This study investigated the influence of grass-derived hydrochar on the water retention,compressibility,and shear strength of a compacted siltyeclay sand.Soil microstructural changes due to hydrochar amendment were measured to explain the soilehydrochar hydromechanical interaction.The increase in suction resulted in a less significant increase in yield stress and a negligible reduction in compressibility of the hydrochar-amended soil compared with the unamended case.This phenomenon was observed because hydrochar addition reduced the large pores with diameters greater than the macropore peak of 60 mm due to pore filling by hydrochar particles,resulting in a less substantial volume contraction during drying.Hydrochar introduced more significant effects on the soil’s shear strength in an unsaturated state compared to a saturated case.Despite the similarity of the unsaturated amended soil with the critical-state friction angle to the saturated case,the former exhibited a greater shear strength because the hydrochar addition improved water retention capability.As a result,the degree of saturation and,hence,Bishop’s effective stress were higher than those for the unamended case for a given suction.
基金Open Access funding enabled and organized by Projekt DEALfinanced by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft(DFG)grant 470833544 to WK.
文摘The radula is a crucial adaptation for food-processing in molluscs.A deeper understanding of the interaction between the radula and the preferred food is lacking,complicating the inference of the precise ecological roles of radular structures.This study presents the first experimental set-up that allows to study the influence of the radular morphology,specifically the degree of tooth-tooth interlocking(so-called collective effect),on the feeding efficiency.For this purpose,physical 3D models of the teeth were designed using CAD software and 3D printing technique.The feeding efficiencies with models of different degree of interlocking were determined by tensile tests,pulling the models trough agar gels with different viscosities.The forces generated by the models and the masses of the removed gel fragments were determined.We found,that radular models with a high degree of tooth–tooth interlocking performed best as they were able to remove most agar.We additionally broke the teeth and determined,that the teeth with the highest degree of interlocking could resist to highest force.Overall,the study highlights the complex interplay between radular morphology and its ecological function,suggesting that even minor morphological alterations can significantly impact the efficiency and effectiveness of food gathering.Understanding these interactions cannot only shed light on the ecological adaptations of molluscs,but provide further insights into development of more effective grinding,scraping,and cleaning technical devices.
文摘Based on statistics from reality TV shows, this paper conducts binary logistic regression analyses on the relationships between social status, social distance, cost-benefit levels, and dissuasion strategies in dissuasion behavior. It finds that the directness/indirectness of strategies has limited impact on politeness levels in Chinese dissuasive speech acts and is not a key factor influencing politeness. Further analysis of the linguistic forms, behavioral combinations of dissuasion, and their relationships with social status, social distance, and cost-benefit levels reveals a critical gradient distinction among factors affecting the politeness of dissuasion. Specifically, sentence structure choice is a key factor;performative verbs and cognitive stance markers are secondary factors;and direct/indirect language strategies, tag questions, and behavioral combinations are marginal factors.
基金funded by the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Higher Education Institutions Institutional Cooperation Instrument,grant no.HEL7M0453-82(https://www.oph.fi/en/programmes/hei-ici-programme).
文摘Background The decreasing prevalence of physical activity(PA)among urban children in Sub-Saharan Africa is a growing public health concern.More emphasis should focus on examining the influence of parental PA behaviour on the children’s PA patterns.We explored associations of 24hour(h)accelerometer-measured movement behaviours of guardian-child pairs in Nairobi City County,Kenya.Methods This cross-sectional study assessed 80 pairs consisting of children aged 9-14 years and their guardians in one area of low and one area of middle socioeconomic status(SES)(Embakasi Sub-County and Lang’ata Sub-County),in Nairobi City County,Kenya.The study used waist worn Tri-axial Actigraph(GT3X+and ActiSleep+)accelerometers to quantify PA and sedentary time(SED).Association between guardians'and children’s PA was examined using linear regression,adjusting for guardians'educational attainment and household wealth.Results Of the children,42(52.5%)and 76(96.2%)of the guardians were women.Children in low SES areas spent more time(p<0.001)in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity compared to children from middle SES area.The guardians in low SES area were younger and spent more time in light PA(p=0.036)while their counterparts had higher daily SED(p=0.049).Guardian’s SED associated with higher children’s SED(p=0.033)even after adjusting for guardians'educational attainment(p=0.032)and wealth(p=0.05).There was no association between guardians'and children’s MVPA.Conclusion Considered alongside the extant literature,these results suggest that health promotion strategies should aim to reduce parental SED time while also planning to increase children’s PA.
文摘Glue-laminated timber(GLT)is an engineered wood product widely used in mass timber construction for its strong structural and fire-resistant properties.However,the fire performance of GLT varies significantly due to the natural and uncertain phenomena(moisture,exposure time,isotropic,homogenous properties,etc.)of fire and timber.This makes it difficult to predict the fire behaviour of the GLT structural elements.To ensure building safety,it is crucial to assess GLT’s fire behaviour and post-fire structural integrity during the design stages.This study conducted the experimental tests of GLT beams(280 mm×560 mm)without loading(1.4 m)and under a four-point bending load(5.4 m).Tests identified thermal behaviour and charring rates of GLT beam.Then,the residual stiffness of the GLT beam was calculated,and the charring rates of the beams were compared with Australian and European standards.Reliability analysis was conducted for beams for a fire exposure of 120 min,considering the charring rates observed through the analysis and simulating the fire insulations.Results show that the charring rate of GLT made with spruce pine timber varied between 0.43 and 0.81 mm/min,with a mean rate of 0.7 mm/min,aligning with both Australian and European standards.However,considering timber density and moisture content,the charring rates in Australian standards were conservative.The study also found that structural capacity significantly degrades under fire,with a 22%reduction in flexural stiffness after 120 min of exposure.Additionally,GLT beams can safely function for 30 min under 75%of their design moment capacity and for 60 min under 50%capacity.
文摘Two widespread bird species in Sri Lanka’s dry zone,Pycnonotus cafer(Red-vented Bulbul,RVBB)and Pycnonotus luteolus(White-browed Bulbul,WBBB),were studied to understand their foraging dynamics and ecology.The research was conducted from October 2022 to February 2023 in Mihintale Sanctuary(80.30′11.24″E,8.21′04.63″N)and the Faculty of Applied Sciences,Rajarata University of Sri Lanka(80.502206″E,8.353090″N).Data were obtained through focal sampling,opportunistic observations,and mist netting.Both species predominantly foraged on twigs,using gleaning as the dominant food-handling technique.RVBB foraged mostly at the canopy level,while WBBB foraged primarily at the sub-canopy level.Fruits constituted the major food type for both species.RVBB and WBBB utilized 10 and 7 plant species,respectively,with Grewia helicterifolia being the primary foraging plant.Minimal foraging was observed on Croton sp.(RVBB)and Hugonia mistax(WBBB).The correlation between nutritional components and the consumption of both species revealed a preference for foods with lower protein,higher fat,and ash content.There was no linear correlation between gape width and fruit size(r=-0.21,P=0.69)for both species.The standardized dietary niche breadth indicated both species are specialists,with a high pairwise dietary niche overlap(0.9854).These findings highlight the niche-specific foraging adaptations of RVBB and WBBB within Mihintale,emphasizing their distinct strategies in utilizing plant species,fruit sizes,and foraging heights.Understanding such ecological dynamics is essential for habitat conservation efforts and ensuring the availability of key foraging resources for these species in the dry zone.
文摘AlSi7Mg is an age hardening aluminium alloy that is growing in popularity in additive manufacturing as its good processability makes it well suited to the powder bed fusion process,allowing for its use in the aerospace and automotive industries.The alloy relies on heat treatment to reach its peak strength,with precipitates in the Mg_(2) Si precipitation sequence providing the majority of this strengthening.Powder bed fusion,however,produces components with unique microstructures that differ to those of traditional manufacturing methods such as casting,meaning heat treatments must be carefully tailored for additively manufactured parts.This study therefore investigated the effects of solution treatment temperatures on the final properties and microstructures of T6 treated,additively manufactured AlSi7Mg.Due to the use of a heated build plate,samples aged from the as built and stress relieved conditions exhibited over ageing behaviour,necessitating a solution treatment step to induce useful strength properties.Solution treatments below 500℃were found to provide minimal strengthening upon ageing due to the pres-ence of theπ-Al_(18) Fe_(2)Mg_(7) Si_(10) phase,which reduced the amount of magnesium in solid solution and so reduced the age hardening response of the alloy by restricting the growth of strengthening precipitates.Solution treatments over 500℃,however,demonstrated excellent age hardening due to the replacement of theπ-Al_(18) Fe_(2)Mg_(7) Si_(10) phase with theβ-Al_(9)Fe_(2)Si_(2) phase,increasing the concentration of magnesium in solid solution and therefore improving its age hardening response.A T6 treatment then demonstrated an improvement in yield strength and ductility when compared to the as built state,but a decrease in tensile strength and impact toughness.The variability in the age hardening response of AlSi7Mg suggests that the careful selection of a solution treatment temperature is crucial to property optimisation.
