This paper reports distinct spatio-spectral properties of Zen-meditation EEG (electroencephalograph), compared with resting EEG, by implementing unsupervised machine learning scheme in clustering the brain mappings of...This paper reports distinct spatio-spectral properties of Zen-meditation EEG (electroencephalograph), compared with resting EEG, by implementing unsupervised machine learning scheme in clustering the brain mappings of centroid frequency (BMFc). Zen practitioners simultaneously concentrate on the third ventricle, hypothalamus and corpora quadrigemina touniversalize all brain neurons to construct a <i>detached</i> brain and gradually change the normal brain traits, leading to the process of brain-neuroplasticity. During such tri-aperture concentration, EEG exhibits prominent diffuse high-frequency oscillations. Unsupervised self-organizing map (SOM), clusters the dataset of quantitative EEG by matching the input feature vector Fc and the output cluster center through the SOM network weights. Input dataset contains brain mappings of 30 centroid frequencies extracted from CWT (continuous wavelet transform) coefficients. According to SOM clustering results, resting EEG is dominated by global low-frequency (<14 Hz) activities, except channels T7, F7 and TP7 (>14.4 Hz);whereas Zen-meditation EEG exhibits globally high-frequency (>16 Hz) activities throughout the entire record. Beta waves with a wide range of frequencies are often associated with active concentration. Nonetheless, clinic report discloses that benzodiazepines, medication treatment for anxiety, insomnia and panic attacks to relieve mind/body stress, often induce <i>beta buzz</i>. We may hypothesize that Zen-meditation practitioners attain the unique state of mindfulness concentration under optimal body-mind relaxation.展开更多
A combination of hard(SiCP)and soft(fly ash)particulate reinforcements could be a strategy to enhance combination of multiple properties of Magnesium and its alloys which otherwise suffer from low stiffness,low wear r...A combination of hard(SiCP)and soft(fly ash)particulate reinforcements could be a strategy to enhance combination of multiple properties of Magnesium and its alloys which otherwise suffer from low stiffness,low wear resistance,and many other critical properties.However,at present a comprehensive and robust map correlating different properties in particle-reinforced composites is much lacking.In this work,an industrial grade AZ91 magnesium alloy reinforced with hard SiC and soft fly ash particles(with 3 vol.%each),has been prepared using stir casting followed by hot extrusion at 325℃with a ratio of 21.5.Microstructure of the hybrid composite was characterized using optical and scanning electron microscopes.The composite exhibited a reduction in average grain size from 13.6 to 7.1μm,concomitantly an increase in Vickers hardness from 73 to 111 HV.The tension-compression yield asymmetry ratios of the unreinforced alloy and hybrid composite were 1.165 and 0.976,respectively indicating higher yield strength for the composite under compressive load.The composite exhibited 76%improvement in damping capacity under time sweep mode,and 28%improvement at 423 K under temperature sweep mode.The tribological characteristics of the composite under dry sliding conditions at sliding speeds and loads in the range of 0.5 to 1.5 m s^(-1)and 10 to 30 N,respectively showed higher wear resistance than the unreinforced alloy.The composite showed 23%improvement in sliding wear resistance at a load of 20 N and a speed of 1 m s^(-1).Finally,efforts have been made to understand the influence of one property on the other by developing statistical property correlation maps from the properties obtained in this study and from the literature.These maps are expected to help in the design of hybrid Metal Matrix Composites for a variety of targeted applications in different sectors.展开更多
The advancement of flexible memristors has significantly promoted the development of wearable electronic for emerging neuromorphic computing applications.Inspired by in-memory computing architecture of human brain,fle...The advancement of flexible memristors has significantly promoted the development of wearable electronic for emerging neuromorphic computing applications.Inspired by in-memory computing architecture of human brain,flexible memristors exhibit great application potential in emulating artificial synapses for highefficiency and low power consumption neuromorphic computing.This paper provides comprehensive overview of flexible memristors from perspectives of development history,material system,device structure,mechanical deformation method,device performance analysis,stress simulation during deformation,and neuromorphic computing applications.The recent advances in flexible electronics are summarized,including single device,device array and integration.The challenges and future perspectives of flexible memristor for neuromorphic computing are discussed deeply,paving the way for constructing wearable smart electronics and applications in large-scale neuromorphic computing and high-order intelligent robotics.展开更多
Crushing waste coral concrete into recycled aggregates to create recycled coral aggregate concrete(RCAC)contributes to sustainable construction development on offshore islands and reefs.To investigate the impact of re...Crushing waste coral concrete into recycled aggregates to create recycled coral aggregate concrete(RCAC)contributes to sustainable construction development on offshore islands and reefs.To investigate the impact of recycled coral aggregate on concrete properties,this study performed a comprehensive analysis of the physical properties of recycled coral aggregate and the basic mechanical properties and microstructure of RCAC.The test results indicate that,compared to coral debris,the crushing index of recycled coral aggregate was reduced by 9.4%,while porosity decreased by 33.5%.Furthermore,RCAC retained the early strength characteristics of coral concrete,with compressive strength and flexural strength exhibiting a notable increase as the water-cement ratio decreased.Under identical conditions,the compressive strength and flexural strength of RCAC were 12.7% and 2.5% higher than coral concrete's,respectively,with porosity correspondingly reduced from 3.13% to 5.11%.This enhancement could be attributed to the new mortar filling the recycled coral aggregate.Scanning electron microscopy(SEM)analysis revealed three distinct interface transition zones within RCAC,with the‘new mortar-old mortar’interface identified as the weakest.The above findings provided a reference for the sustainable use of coral concrete in constructing offshore islands.展开更多
Microglia,the resident immune cells of the central nervous system,exhibit a wide array of functional states,even in their so-called“homeostatic”condition,when they are not actively responding to overt pathological s...Microglia,the resident immune cells of the central nervous system,exhibit a wide array of functional states,even in their so-called“homeostatic”condition,when they are not actively responding to overt pathological stimuli.These functional states can be visualized using a combination of multi-omics techniques(e.g.,gene and protein expression,posttranslational modifications,mRNA profiling,and metabolomics),and,in the case of homeostatic microglia,are largely defined by the global(e.g.,genetic variations,organism’s age,sex,circadian rhythms,and gut microbiota)as well as local(specific area of the brain,immediate microglial surrounding,neuron-glia interactions and synaptic density/activity)signals(Paolicelli et al.,2022).While phenomics(i.e.,ultrastructural microglial morphology and motility)is also one of the key microglial state-defining parameters,it is known that cells with similar morphology can belong to different functional states.展开更多
The substitution of TiO_(2)for SiO_(2)in Y_(2)O_(3)-Li_(2)O-Al_(2)O_(3)-SiO_(2)(YLAS)glass-ceramics significantly altered their crystallization behavior and properties.Introducing TiO_(2)reduced the glass transition t...The substitution of TiO_(2)for SiO_(2)in Y_(2)O_(3)-Li_(2)O-Al_(2)O_(3)-SiO_(2)(YLAS)glass-ceramics significantly altered their crystallization behavior and properties.Introducing TiO_(2)reduced the glass transition temperature while increasing the crystallization peak temperature and lowering activation energy,which facilitated crystallization.The crystal growth shifted from three-dimensional to two-dimensional,and the primary phases transitioned from Al_(9.83)Zr_(0.17)and Y_(2)Si_(2)O_(7)to Y_(4.67)(SiO_(4))_(3)O,though crystal morphology remained unchanged.Grain size increased with higher crystallization temperatures.Mechanically,Vickers hardness slightly decreased(from 796 to 784 Hv),while bending strength improved(from 141 to 146 MPa),suggesting that TiO_(2)enhanced toughness without compromising structural integrity.The strength of the glass can be further improved through two-step ion exchange,but excessive crystallization can lead to cracks on the glass surface due to excessive surface compressive stress,resulting in a decrease in bending strength.These findings provide critical insights for optimizing YLAS glass-ceramics for advanced applications.展开更多
Knowledge of spatio-spectral heterogeneity within multisensor remote sensing images across visible,near-infrared and short wave infrared spectra is important.Till now,little comparative research on spatio-spectral het...Knowledge of spatio-spectral heterogeneity within multisensor remote sensing images across visible,near-infrared and short wave infrared spectra is important.Till now,little comparative research on spatio-spectral heterogeneity has been conducted on real multisensor images,especially on both multispectral and hyperspectral airborne images.In this study,four airborne images,Airborne Thematic Mapper,Compact Airborne Spectrographic Imager,Specim AISA Eagle and AISI Hawk hyperspectral airborne images of woodland and heath landscapes at Harwood,UK,were applied to quantify and evaluate the differences in spatial heterogeneity through semivariogram modelling.Results revealed that spatial heterogeneity of multisensor airborne images has a close relationship with spatial and spectral resolution and wavelength.Within the visible,near-infrared spectra and short wave infrared spectra,greater spatial heterogeneity is generally observed from the relatively longer wavelength in short wave infrared spectra.There are dramatic changes across the red and red edge spectra,and the peak value is generally examined in the red middle or red edge wavelength across the visible and near-infrared spectra for vegetation or non-vegetation landscape respectively.In all,for real multisensor airborne images,the change in spatial heterogeneity with spatial resolution will accord with the change of support theory depending on whether dramatic change exists across the corresponding wavelength.Besides,if with close spatial resolution,the spatial heterogeneity of multispectral images might be far from the overall integration of these bands from the hyperspectral images involved.A comparative assessment of spatio-spectral heterogeneity using real hyperspectral and multispectral airborne images provides practical guidance for designing the placement and width of a spectral band for different applications and also makes a contribution to the understanding of how to reconcile spatial patterns generated by multisensors.展开更多
The microstructures and mechanical properties of Al-8.3Zn-3.3Cu-2.2Mg alloys prepared via hot extrusion and liquid forging methods were investigated.Results show that based on DEFORM simulation analysis,the optimal ho...The microstructures and mechanical properties of Al-8.3Zn-3.3Cu-2.2Mg alloys prepared via hot extrusion and liquid forging methods were investigated.Results show that based on DEFORM simulation analysis,the optimal hot extrusion parameters are determined as ingot initial temperature of 380°C and extrusion speed of 3 mm/s.The hot-extruded aluminum alloy after T6 heat treatment presents superior mechanical properties with yield strength of 519.6 MPa,ultimate tensile strength of 582.1 MPa,and elongation of 11.0%.Compared with the properties of gravity-cast and liquid-forged alloys,the yield strength of hot-extruded alloy increases by 30.8%and 4.9%,and the ultimate tensile strength improves by 43.5%and 10.2%,respectively.The significant improvement in tensile strength of the hot-extruded alloys is attributed to the elimination of casting defects and the refinement of matrix grain and eutectic phases.In addition,the hot-extruded alloy demonstrates superior plasticity compared with the liquid-forged alloy.This is because severe plastic deformation occurs during hot extrusion,which effectively breaks and disperses the eutectic phases,facilitating the dissolution and precipitation of the second phases and inhibiting the microcrack initiation.展开更多
Ag-Cu-In-Ti low-temperature filler was used to braze the diamond and copper,and the effects of brazing temperature and soaking time on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the joints were investigated.In ad...Ag-Cu-In-Ti low-temperature filler was used to braze the diamond and copper,and the effects of brazing temperature and soaking time on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the joints were investigated.In addition,the joint formation mechanism was discussed,and the correlation between joint microstructure and mechanical performance was established.Results show that adding appropriate amount of In into the filler can significantly reduce the filler melting point and enhance the wettability of filler on diamond.When the brazing temperature is 750°C and the soaking time is 10 min,a uniformly dense braze seam with excellent metallurgical bonding can be obtained,and its average joint shear strength reaches 322 MPa.The lower brazing temperature can mitigate the risk of diamond graphitization and also reduce the residual stresses during joining.展开更多
Novel branched silicone methacrylate was developed.The mechanical and biological properties of the resin system were investigated to select the formula proportion with the best overall performance.The novel silicone-c...Novel branched silicone methacrylate was developed.The mechanical and biological properties of the resin system were investigated to select the formula proportion with the best overall performance.The novel silicone-containing monomers were combined with an incremental sequence of glass filler concentrations in commonly used Bis-GMA/TEGDMA(50/50,wt./wt.)dental resin systems.Physicochemical properties,surface properties,antibacterial adhesion effect,anti-biofilm effect,protein adsorption,and cytotoxicity were evaluated.The results showed that BSMs did not affect the double bond conversion of dental resin,but could reduce volumetric shrinkage(p<0.05).The BSM containing resins can resist protein and bacteria adhesion(S.mutans)because it has increased hydrophobicity and a lower free energy surface(p<0.05).However,there were no statistically significant differences in cytotoxicity,surface roughness,and double bond conversion rate.Overall,the results indicate that changes in a material’s properties are not strictly proportional to its composition.Synthetic silicone resin methacrylate can reduce the polymerization shrinkage,have low surface energy and anti-adhesion properties.Silicone composite resin containing 70%matrix has the best comprehensive properties.The silicone methacrylate composite represents an innovative method to improve the properties and reducing secondary caries.展开更多
No property may be taken for public use without just compensation.The issue is what is“just compensation”and how it is determined in a particular circumstance.Regardless of the type of valuation,the Greek Constituti...No property may be taken for public use without just compensation.The issue is what is“just compensation”and how it is determined in a particular circumstance.Regardless of the type of valuation,the Greek Constitution(Article 17,paragraphs 2-5)clearly forbids estimation based on possible future projections.In this way,future externalities,positive or negative,deriving from the change of use are not incorporated.This contravenes the Pareto optimal resource distribution and even challenges the Caldor-Hicks compensation criterion,especially in cases of partial takings.We suggest valuation to include a best-case and a worst-case scenario for possible future values.A combination of them,e.g.,the average,will be used to determine benefits and costs and the final level of compensation.The most important externality under consideration,especially in cases of land properties condemned for public large-scale constructions,such as environmental public utilities,should be the environmental effect.The internalisation of possible negative externalities should be internalised by the construction benefactor.展开更多
Modification of 6061 aluminum alloy was conducted through composite addition of cerium-rich rare earths and Al-Ti-B.Results show that the composite addition of Al-Ti-B and Ce/La element at a specific ratio notably pro...Modification of 6061 aluminum alloy was conducted through composite addition of cerium-rich rare earths and Al-Ti-B.Results show that the composite addition of Al-Ti-B and Ce/La element at a specific ratio notably promotes the refinement of the alloy's grains.Ce and La elements are combined with Si and other elements to form rare earth phases,improving the morphology and distribution of precipitates and mitigating the adverse effects ofβ-Fe phases on the microstructure and mechanical properties of alloy.However,excessive rare earth content poses challenges;it not only leads to a decrease in Mg-Si strengthening phase by binding with Si but also promotes the formation of larger or numerous rare earth phases that may act as initiation points for cracks,thereby impeding the improvement of the structure and performance of alloy.The composite addition of cerium-rich rare earths and Al-Ti-B not only preserves the strength of the alloy but also significantly enhances the plasticity of the 6061 as-cast alloy.At a composite addition ratio of Al-Ti-B:RE=2:1,the newly developed 6061-RE aluminum alloy exhibits increased average elongation by 50%and 45%in its as-cast and homogenized states,respectively,compared to the baseline 6061 alloy,facilitating subsequent deformation processing.After solution treatment at 540℃for 1 h and aging at 180℃for 5 h,the average ultimate tensile strength and yield strength of 6061-RE alloys reach 313.2 and 283.1 MPa,increased by 12.3%and 14.5%compared with those of the original alloy,respectively,and the average elongation is improved by 41%.展开更多
Peanut varieties are diverse globally,with their characters and nutrition determining the product quality.However,the comparative analysis and statistical analysis of key quality indicators for peanut kernels across t...Peanut varieties are diverse globally,with their characters and nutrition determining the product quality.However,the comparative analysis and statistical analysis of key quality indicators for peanut kernels across the world remains relatively limited,impeding the comprehensive evaluation of peanut quality and hindering the industry development on a global scale.This study aimed to compare and analyze the apparent morphology,microstructure,single-cell structure,engineering and mechanical properties,as well as major nutrient contents of peanut kernels from 10 different cultivars representing major peanut-producing countries.The surface and cross-section microstructure of the peanut kernels exhibited a dense“blocky”appearance with a distinct cellular structure.The lipid droplets were predominantly spherical with a regular distribution within the cells.The single-cell structure of the kernels from these 10 peanut cultivars demonstrated varying morphologies and dimensions,which exhibited correlations with their mechanical and engineering properties.Furthermore,the mass loss versus temperature profiles of the peanut kernels revealed five distinct stages,corresponding to moisture loss,volatile loss,protein denaturation,and the degradation of various biomacromolecules.Variations were also observed in the lipid,protein,and sucrose contents,texture,bulk density,true density,porosity,geometric mean diameter,and sphericity among the diferent peanut varieties.This study establishes relationships and correlations among microstructure,engineering properties,and nutritional composition of commonly grown peanut varieties in major peanut-processing countries.The findings provide valuable insights into peanut quality evaluation,empowering the peanut industry to enhance their processing and product development efforts.展开更多
The mechanical and thermodynamic properties of W-Ti alloys(including W_(15)Ti_(1),W_(14)Ti_(2),W_(12)Ti_(4) and W_(8)Ti_(8) alloys)were investigated by the first-principles approach based on density functional theory....The mechanical and thermodynamic properties of W-Ti alloys(including W_(15)Ti_(1),W_(14)Ti_(2),W_(12)Ti_(4) and W_(8)Ti_(8) alloys)were investigated by the first-principles approach based on density functional theory.The results indicate that W-Ti alloys except W_(8)Ti_(8) are thermodynamically stable.The modulus and hardness of W-Ti alloys are smaller than those of pure tungsten and gradually decrease with increasing Ti concentration.However,their B/G ratios and Poisson's ratios exceed those of pure tungsten,suggesting that the introduction of Ti decreases the mechanical strength while enhancing the ductility of W-Ti alloys.The thermal expansion coefficients for W-Ti alloys all surpass those of pure tungsten,indicating that the introduction of titanium exacerbates the thermal expansion behavior of W-Ti alloys.Nevertheless,elevated pressure has the capacity to suppress the thermal expansion tendencies in titanium-doped tungsten alloys.This study offers theoretical insights for the design of nuclear materials by exploring the mechanical and thermodynamic properties of W-Ti alloys.展开更多
Irregular bone scaffolds fabricated using the Voronoi tessellation method resemble the morphology and properties of human cancellous bones.This has become a prominent topic in bone tissue engineering research in recen...Irregular bone scaffolds fabricated using the Voronoi tessellation method resemble the morphology and properties of human cancellous bones.This has become a prominent topic in bone tissue engineering research in recent years.However,studies on the radial-gradient design of irregular bionic scaffolds are limited.Therefore,this study aims to develop a radial-gradient structure similar to that of natural long bones,enhancing the development of bionic bone scaffolds.A novel gradient method was adopted to maintain constant porosity,control the seed site-specific distribution within the irregular porous structure,and vary the strut diameter to generate radial gradients.The irregular scaffolds were compared with four conventional scaffolds(cube,pillar BCC,vintiles,and diamond)in terms of permeability,stress concentration characteristics,and mechanical properties.The results indicate that the radial-gradient irregular porous structure boasts the widest permeability range and superior stress distribution compared to conventional scaffolds.With an elastic modulus ranging from 4.20 GPa to 22.96 GPa and a yield strength between 68.37 MPa and 149.40 MPa,it meets bone implant performance requirements and demonstrates significant application potential.展开更多
Three types of Al/Al−27%Si laminated composites,each containing 22%Si,were fabricated via hot pressing and hot rolling.The microstructures,mechanical properties and thermo-physical properties of these composites were ...Three types of Al/Al−27%Si laminated composites,each containing 22%Si,were fabricated via hot pressing and hot rolling.The microstructures,mechanical properties and thermo-physical properties of these composites were investigated.The results demonstrated that the three laminated composites exhibited similar microstructural features,characterized by well-bonded interfaces between the Al layer and the Al−27%Si alloy layer.The tensile and flexural strengths of the composites were significantly higher than those of both Al−22%Si and Al−27%Si alloys.These strengths increased gradually with decreasing the layer thickness,reaching peak values of 222.5 and 407.4 MPa,respectively.Crack deflection was observed in the cross-sections of the bending fracture surfaces,which contributed to the enhanced strength and toughness.In terms of thermo-physical properties,the thermal conductivity of the composites was lower than that of Al−22%Si and Al−27%Si alloys.The minimum reductions in thermal conductivity were 6.8%and 0.9%for the T3 laminated composite,respectively.Additionally,the coefficient of thermal expansion of the composites was improved,exhibiting varying temperature-dependent behaviors.展开更多
In cold regions,slope rocks are inevitably impacted by freeze-thaw,dry-wet cycles and their alternating actions,leading to strength weakening and pore degradation.In this study,the mechanical and microstructural prope...In cold regions,slope rocks are inevitably impacted by freeze-thaw,dry-wet cycles and their alternating actions,leading to strength weakening and pore degradation.In this study,the mechanical and microstructural properties of schist subjected to four conditions were investigated:freeze-thaw cycles in air(FTA),freeze-thaw cycles in water(FTW),dry-wet cycles(DW),and dry-wet-freeze-thaw cycles(DWFT).Uniaxial compressive strength(UCS),water absorption,ultrasonication,low-field nuclear magnetic resonance,and scanning electron microscopy analyses were conducted.The integrity attenuation characteristics of the longitudinal wave velocity,UCS,and elastic modulus were analyzed.The results showed that liquid water emerged as a critical factor in reducing the brittleness of schist.The attenuation function model accurately described the peak stress and static elastic modulus of schist in various media(R2>0.97).Different media affected the schist deterioration and half-life,with the FTW-immersed samples having a half-life of 28 cycles.Furthermore,the longitudinal wave velocity decreased as the number of cycles increased,with the FTW showing the most significant reduction and having the shortest half-life of 208 cycles.Moreover,the damage variables of compressive strength and elastic modulus increased with the number of cycles.After 40 cycles,the schist exposed to FTW exhibited the highest damage variables and saturated water content.展开更多
The performances of magnesium alloys remain insufficient to further enhance the application potential of ultralight magnesium alloys.In this work,a Mg-8Li-3Y-2Zn alloy was prepared through vacuum melting and subsequent...The performances of magnesium alloys remain insufficient to further enhance the application potential of ultralight magnesium alloys.In this work,a Mg-8Li-3Y-2Zn alloy was prepared through vacuum melting and subsequent heat treatment at 300,450,and 500°C.The material properties of the resulting samples were assessed through microstructural observation,tensile testing,electrical conductivity measurements,and electromagnetic shielding effectiveness(EMI-SE)testing.The influence of the Mg-8Li-3Y-2Zn alloy microstructure on its mechanical and electromagnetic shielding properties in different states was investigated.It was found that the as-cast alloy containsα-Mg,β-Li,Mg_(3)Zn_(3)Y_(2),and Mg_(12)ZnY phases.Following heat treatment at 500℃(HT500),the blockα-Mg phase transformedfine needle-shapes,its tensile strength increased to 263.7 MPa,and its elongation reached 45.3%.The mechanical properties of the alloy were significantly improved by the synergistic effects imparted by the needle-shapedα-Mg phase,solid solution strengthening,and precipitation strengthening.The addition of Y and Zn improved the EMI-SE of Mg-8Li-1Zn alloy,wherein the HT500 sample exhibits the highest SE,maintaining a value of 106.7–76.9 dB in the frequency range of 30–4500 MHz;this performance has rarely been reported for electromagnetically shielded alloys.This effect was mainly attributed to the multiple reflections of electromagnetic waves caused by the severe impedance mismatch of the abundant phase boundaries,which were in turn provided by the dual-phase(α/β)and secondary phases.Furthermore,the presence of nano-precipitation was also believed to enhance the absorption of electromagnetic waves.展开更多
文摘This paper reports distinct spatio-spectral properties of Zen-meditation EEG (electroencephalograph), compared with resting EEG, by implementing unsupervised machine learning scheme in clustering the brain mappings of centroid frequency (BMFc). Zen practitioners simultaneously concentrate on the third ventricle, hypothalamus and corpora quadrigemina touniversalize all brain neurons to construct a <i>detached</i> brain and gradually change the normal brain traits, leading to the process of brain-neuroplasticity. During such tri-aperture concentration, EEG exhibits prominent diffuse high-frequency oscillations. Unsupervised self-organizing map (SOM), clusters the dataset of quantitative EEG by matching the input feature vector Fc and the output cluster center through the SOM network weights. Input dataset contains brain mappings of 30 centroid frequencies extracted from CWT (continuous wavelet transform) coefficients. According to SOM clustering results, resting EEG is dominated by global low-frequency (<14 Hz) activities, except channels T7, F7 and TP7 (>14.4 Hz);whereas Zen-meditation EEG exhibits globally high-frequency (>16 Hz) activities throughout the entire record. Beta waves with a wide range of frequencies are often associated with active concentration. Nonetheless, clinic report discloses that benzodiazepines, medication treatment for anxiety, insomnia and panic attacks to relieve mind/body stress, often induce <i>beta buzz</i>. We may hypothesize that Zen-meditation practitioners attain the unique state of mindfulness concentration under optimal body-mind relaxation.
文摘A combination of hard(SiCP)and soft(fly ash)particulate reinforcements could be a strategy to enhance combination of multiple properties of Magnesium and its alloys which otherwise suffer from low stiffness,low wear resistance,and many other critical properties.However,at present a comprehensive and robust map correlating different properties in particle-reinforced composites is much lacking.In this work,an industrial grade AZ91 magnesium alloy reinforced with hard SiC and soft fly ash particles(with 3 vol.%each),has been prepared using stir casting followed by hot extrusion at 325℃with a ratio of 21.5.Microstructure of the hybrid composite was characterized using optical and scanning electron microscopes.The composite exhibited a reduction in average grain size from 13.6 to 7.1μm,concomitantly an increase in Vickers hardness from 73 to 111 HV.The tension-compression yield asymmetry ratios of the unreinforced alloy and hybrid composite were 1.165 and 0.976,respectively indicating higher yield strength for the composite under compressive load.The composite exhibited 76%improvement in damping capacity under time sweep mode,and 28%improvement at 423 K under temperature sweep mode.The tribological characteristics of the composite under dry sliding conditions at sliding speeds and loads in the range of 0.5 to 1.5 m s^(-1)and 10 to 30 N,respectively showed higher wear resistance than the unreinforced alloy.The composite showed 23%improvement in sliding wear resistance at a load of 20 N and a speed of 1 m s^(-1).Finally,efforts have been made to understand the influence of one property on the other by developing statistical property correlation maps from the properties obtained in this study and from the literature.These maps are expected to help in the design of hybrid Metal Matrix Composites for a variety of targeted applications in different sectors.
基金supported by the NSFC(12474071)Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province(ZR2024YQ051)+5 种基金Open Research Fund of State Key Laboratory of Materials for Integrated Circuits(SKLJC-K2024-12)the Shanghai Sailing Program(23YF1402200,23YF1402400)Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province(BK20240424)Taishan Scholar Foundation of Shandong Province(tsqn202408006)Young Talent of Lifting engineering for Science and Technology in Shandong,China(SDAST2024QTB002)the Qilu Young Scholar Program of Shandong University.
文摘The advancement of flexible memristors has significantly promoted the development of wearable electronic for emerging neuromorphic computing applications.Inspired by in-memory computing architecture of human brain,flexible memristors exhibit great application potential in emulating artificial synapses for highefficiency and low power consumption neuromorphic computing.This paper provides comprehensive overview of flexible memristors from perspectives of development history,material system,device structure,mechanical deformation method,device performance analysis,stress simulation during deformation,and neuromorphic computing applications.The recent advances in flexible electronics are summarized,including single device,device array and integration.The challenges and future perspectives of flexible memristor for neuromorphic computing are discussed deeply,paving the way for constructing wearable smart electronics and applications in large-scale neuromorphic computing and high-order intelligent robotics.
基金Funded by Natural Science Foundation of Guangxi(No.2025GXNSFBA069565)Guangxi Science and Technology Program(No.AD25069101)Guangxi Bagui Scholars Fund。
文摘Crushing waste coral concrete into recycled aggregates to create recycled coral aggregate concrete(RCAC)contributes to sustainable construction development on offshore islands and reefs.To investigate the impact of recycled coral aggregate on concrete properties,this study performed a comprehensive analysis of the physical properties of recycled coral aggregate and the basic mechanical properties and microstructure of RCAC.The test results indicate that,compared to coral debris,the crushing index of recycled coral aggregate was reduced by 9.4%,while porosity decreased by 33.5%.Furthermore,RCAC retained the early strength characteristics of coral concrete,with compressive strength and flexural strength exhibiting a notable increase as the water-cement ratio decreased.Under identical conditions,the compressive strength and flexural strength of RCAC were 12.7% and 2.5% higher than coral concrete's,respectively,with porosity correspondingly reduced from 3.13% to 5.11%.This enhancement could be attributed to the new mortar filling the recycled coral aggregate.Scanning electron microscopy(SEM)analysis revealed three distinct interface transition zones within RCAC,with the‘new mortar-old mortar’interface identified as the weakest.The above findings provided a reference for the sustainable use of coral concrete in constructing offshore islands.
基金supported by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft,German Research Foundation grant GA 654/13-2 to OG.
文摘Microglia,the resident immune cells of the central nervous system,exhibit a wide array of functional states,even in their so-called“homeostatic”condition,when they are not actively responding to overt pathological stimuli.These functional states can be visualized using a combination of multi-omics techniques(e.g.,gene and protein expression,posttranslational modifications,mRNA profiling,and metabolomics),and,in the case of homeostatic microglia,are largely defined by the global(e.g.,genetic variations,organism’s age,sex,circadian rhythms,and gut microbiota)as well as local(specific area of the brain,immediate microglial surrounding,neuron-glia interactions and synaptic density/activity)signals(Paolicelli et al.,2022).While phenomics(i.e.,ultrastructural microglial morphology and motility)is also one of the key microglial state-defining parameters,it is known that cells with similar morphology can belong to different functional states.
基金Funded by the China Building Material Federation Projects(Nos.20221JBGS06-19 and 2023JBGS02-01)。
文摘The substitution of TiO_(2)for SiO_(2)in Y_(2)O_(3)-Li_(2)O-Al_(2)O_(3)-SiO_(2)(YLAS)glass-ceramics significantly altered their crystallization behavior and properties.Introducing TiO_(2)reduced the glass transition temperature while increasing the crystallization peak temperature and lowering activation energy,which facilitated crystallization.The crystal growth shifted from three-dimensional to two-dimensional,and the primary phases transitioned from Al_(9.83)Zr_(0.17)and Y_(2)Si_(2)O_(7)to Y_(4.67)(SiO_(4))_(3)O,though crystal morphology remained unchanged.Grain size increased with higher crystallization temperatures.Mechanically,Vickers hardness slightly decreased(from 796 to 784 Hv),while bending strength improved(from 141 to 146 MPa),suggesting that TiO_(2)enhanced toughness without compromising structural integrity.The strength of the glass can be further improved through two-step ion exchange,but excessive crystallization can lead to cracks on the glass surface due to excessive surface compressive stress,resulting in a decrease in bending strength.These findings provide critical insights for optimizing YLAS glass-ceramics for advanced applications.
基金This research is funded by Chinese National Natural Science Foundation(Grant No.41071267)Scientific Research Foundation for Returned Scholars,Ministry of Education of China([2012]940)+1 种基金the Science&technology department of Fujian province of China(Grant Nos.2012I0005,2012J01167)The authors would like to thank the Natural Environment Research Council of UK for the provision of the airborne remote sensing data.Part of the work for this study was carried out while Qiu Bingwen was a Visiting Scholar at the Department of Geography,University of Cambridge,England.The authors would like to acknowledge the advice of Robert Haining during her visit and to thank Ben Taylor and Gabriel Amable who kindly offered help in processing these datasets.
文摘Knowledge of spatio-spectral heterogeneity within multisensor remote sensing images across visible,near-infrared and short wave infrared spectra is important.Till now,little comparative research on spatio-spectral heterogeneity has been conducted on real multisensor images,especially on both multispectral and hyperspectral airborne images.In this study,four airborne images,Airborne Thematic Mapper,Compact Airborne Spectrographic Imager,Specim AISA Eagle and AISI Hawk hyperspectral airborne images of woodland and heath landscapes at Harwood,UK,were applied to quantify and evaluate the differences in spatial heterogeneity through semivariogram modelling.Results revealed that spatial heterogeneity of multisensor airborne images has a close relationship with spatial and spectral resolution and wavelength.Within the visible,near-infrared spectra and short wave infrared spectra,greater spatial heterogeneity is generally observed from the relatively longer wavelength in short wave infrared spectra.There are dramatic changes across the red and red edge spectra,and the peak value is generally examined in the red middle or red edge wavelength across the visible and near-infrared spectra for vegetation or non-vegetation landscape respectively.In all,for real multisensor airborne images,the change in spatial heterogeneity with spatial resolution will accord with the change of support theory depending on whether dramatic change exists across the corresponding wavelength.Besides,if with close spatial resolution,the spatial heterogeneity of multispectral images might be far from the overall integration of these bands from the hyperspectral images involved.A comparative assessment of spatio-spectral heterogeneity using real hyperspectral and multispectral airborne images provides practical guidance for designing the placement and width of a spectral band for different applications and also makes a contribution to the understanding of how to reconcile spatial patterns generated by multisensors.
基金Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province of China(ZR2023QE193)。
文摘The microstructures and mechanical properties of Al-8.3Zn-3.3Cu-2.2Mg alloys prepared via hot extrusion and liquid forging methods were investigated.Results show that based on DEFORM simulation analysis,the optimal hot extrusion parameters are determined as ingot initial temperature of 380°C and extrusion speed of 3 mm/s.The hot-extruded aluminum alloy after T6 heat treatment presents superior mechanical properties with yield strength of 519.6 MPa,ultimate tensile strength of 582.1 MPa,and elongation of 11.0%.Compared with the properties of gravity-cast and liquid-forged alloys,the yield strength of hot-extruded alloy increases by 30.8%and 4.9%,and the ultimate tensile strength improves by 43.5%and 10.2%,respectively.The significant improvement in tensile strength of the hot-extruded alloys is attributed to the elimination of casting defects and the refinement of matrix grain and eutectic phases.In addition,the hot-extruded alloy demonstrates superior plasticity compared with the liquid-forged alloy.This is because severe plastic deformation occurs during hot extrusion,which effectively breaks and disperses the eutectic phases,facilitating the dissolution and precipitation of the second phases and inhibiting the microcrack initiation.
基金National MCF Energy R&D Program(2019YFE03100400)。
文摘Ag-Cu-In-Ti low-temperature filler was used to braze the diamond and copper,and the effects of brazing temperature and soaking time on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the joints were investigated.In addition,the joint formation mechanism was discussed,and the correlation between joint microstructure and mechanical performance was established.Results show that adding appropriate amount of In into the filler can significantly reduce the filler melting point and enhance the wettability of filler on diamond.When the brazing temperature is 750°C and the soaking time is 10 min,a uniformly dense braze seam with excellent metallurgical bonding can be obtained,and its average joint shear strength reaches 322 MPa.The lower brazing temperature can mitigate the risk of diamond graphitization and also reduce the residual stresses during joining.
基金This work was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.81970974,82071162)Guangdong Financial Fund for High-Caliber Hospital Construction(174-2018-XMZC-0001-03-0125/D-15).
文摘Novel branched silicone methacrylate was developed.The mechanical and biological properties of the resin system were investigated to select the formula proportion with the best overall performance.The novel silicone-containing monomers were combined with an incremental sequence of glass filler concentrations in commonly used Bis-GMA/TEGDMA(50/50,wt./wt.)dental resin systems.Physicochemical properties,surface properties,antibacterial adhesion effect,anti-biofilm effect,protein adsorption,and cytotoxicity were evaluated.The results showed that BSMs did not affect the double bond conversion of dental resin,but could reduce volumetric shrinkage(p<0.05).The BSM containing resins can resist protein and bacteria adhesion(S.mutans)because it has increased hydrophobicity and a lower free energy surface(p<0.05).However,there were no statistically significant differences in cytotoxicity,surface roughness,and double bond conversion rate.Overall,the results indicate that changes in a material’s properties are not strictly proportional to its composition.Synthetic silicone resin methacrylate can reduce the polymerization shrinkage,have low surface energy and anti-adhesion properties.Silicone composite resin containing 70%matrix has the best comprehensive properties.The silicone methacrylate composite represents an innovative method to improve the properties and reducing secondary caries.
文摘No property may be taken for public use without just compensation.The issue is what is“just compensation”and how it is determined in a particular circumstance.Regardless of the type of valuation,the Greek Constitution(Article 17,paragraphs 2-5)clearly forbids estimation based on possible future projections.In this way,future externalities,positive or negative,deriving from the change of use are not incorporated.This contravenes the Pareto optimal resource distribution and even challenges the Caldor-Hicks compensation criterion,especially in cases of partial takings.We suggest valuation to include a best-case and a worst-case scenario for possible future values.A combination of them,e.g.,the average,will be used to determine benefits and costs and the final level of compensation.The most important externality under consideration,especially in cases of land properties condemned for public large-scale constructions,such as environmental public utilities,should be the environmental effect.The internalisation of possible negative externalities should be internalised by the construction benefactor.
基金Subproject of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Key Research and Development and Achievement Transformation Plan Project(2023YFDZ0064,2023KJHZ0020,2022YFDZ0097)Natural Science Foundation of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China(2022QN05040)+1 种基金Basic Research Funds for Directly Affiliated Universities in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region(JY20220093)Program for Young Talents of Science and Technology in Universities of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region(NJYT24008)。
文摘Modification of 6061 aluminum alloy was conducted through composite addition of cerium-rich rare earths and Al-Ti-B.Results show that the composite addition of Al-Ti-B and Ce/La element at a specific ratio notably promotes the refinement of the alloy's grains.Ce and La elements are combined with Si and other elements to form rare earth phases,improving the morphology and distribution of precipitates and mitigating the adverse effects ofβ-Fe phases on the microstructure and mechanical properties of alloy.However,excessive rare earth content poses challenges;it not only leads to a decrease in Mg-Si strengthening phase by binding with Si but also promotes the formation of larger or numerous rare earth phases that may act as initiation points for cracks,thereby impeding the improvement of the structure and performance of alloy.The composite addition of cerium-rich rare earths and Al-Ti-B not only preserves the strength of the alloy but also significantly enhances the plasticity of the 6061 as-cast alloy.At a composite addition ratio of Al-Ti-B:RE=2:1,the newly developed 6061-RE aluminum alloy exhibits increased average elongation by 50%and 45%in its as-cast and homogenized states,respectively,compared to the baseline 6061 alloy,facilitating subsequent deformation processing.After solution treatment at 540℃for 1 h and aging at 180℃for 5 h,the average ultimate tensile strength and yield strength of 6061-RE alloys reach 313.2 and 283.1 MPa,increased by 12.3%and 14.5%compared with those of the original alloy,respectively,and the average elongation is improved by 41%.
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(2021YFD2100400,2023YFE0104900)Xinjiang Agriculture Research System-Oil Crop Research System,China(XJARS-05)+3 种基金Taishan Industrial Experts Programme,China(tscx202306075)the Scientific and Technological Assistance Projects to Developing Countries,China(KY202201003)the Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Program,Institute of Food Science and Technology,Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences(CAAS-ASTIP-2024-IFST)The authors are grateful for the financial support from the Arawana Charity Foundation,China.
文摘Peanut varieties are diverse globally,with their characters and nutrition determining the product quality.However,the comparative analysis and statistical analysis of key quality indicators for peanut kernels across the world remains relatively limited,impeding the comprehensive evaluation of peanut quality and hindering the industry development on a global scale.This study aimed to compare and analyze the apparent morphology,microstructure,single-cell structure,engineering and mechanical properties,as well as major nutrient contents of peanut kernels from 10 different cultivars representing major peanut-producing countries.The surface and cross-section microstructure of the peanut kernels exhibited a dense“blocky”appearance with a distinct cellular structure.The lipid droplets were predominantly spherical with a regular distribution within the cells.The single-cell structure of the kernels from these 10 peanut cultivars demonstrated varying morphologies and dimensions,which exhibited correlations with their mechanical and engineering properties.Furthermore,the mass loss versus temperature profiles of the peanut kernels revealed five distinct stages,corresponding to moisture loss,volatile loss,protein denaturation,and the degradation of various biomacromolecules.Variations were also observed in the lipid,protein,and sucrose contents,texture,bulk density,true density,porosity,geometric mean diameter,and sphericity among the diferent peanut varieties.This study establishes relationships and correlations among microstructure,engineering properties,and nutritional composition of commonly grown peanut varieties in major peanut-processing countries.The findings provide valuable insights into peanut quality evaluation,empowering the peanut industry to enhance their processing and product development efforts.
基金Funded by National Key R&D Program of China(No.2021YFB3802300)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52171045)the Joint Fund(No.8091B022108)。
文摘The mechanical and thermodynamic properties of W-Ti alloys(including W_(15)Ti_(1),W_(14)Ti_(2),W_(12)Ti_(4) and W_(8)Ti_(8) alloys)were investigated by the first-principles approach based on density functional theory.The results indicate that W-Ti alloys except W_(8)Ti_(8) are thermodynamically stable.The modulus and hardness of W-Ti alloys are smaller than those of pure tungsten and gradually decrease with increasing Ti concentration.However,their B/G ratios and Poisson's ratios exceed those of pure tungsten,suggesting that the introduction of Ti decreases the mechanical strength while enhancing the ductility of W-Ti alloys.The thermal expansion coefficients for W-Ti alloys all surpass those of pure tungsten,indicating that the introduction of titanium exacerbates the thermal expansion behavior of W-Ti alloys.Nevertheless,elevated pressure has the capacity to suppress the thermal expansion tendencies in titanium-doped tungsten alloys.This study offers theoretical insights for the design of nuclear materials by exploring the mechanical and thermodynamic properties of W-Ti alloys.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52165026)。
文摘Irregular bone scaffolds fabricated using the Voronoi tessellation method resemble the morphology and properties of human cancellous bones.This has become a prominent topic in bone tissue engineering research in recent years.However,studies on the radial-gradient design of irregular bionic scaffolds are limited.Therefore,this study aims to develop a radial-gradient structure similar to that of natural long bones,enhancing the development of bionic bone scaffolds.A novel gradient method was adopted to maintain constant porosity,control the seed site-specific distribution within the irregular porous structure,and vary the strut diameter to generate radial gradients.The irregular scaffolds were compared with four conventional scaffolds(cube,pillar BCC,vintiles,and diamond)in terms of permeability,stress concentration characteristics,and mechanical properties.The results indicate that the radial-gradient irregular porous structure boasts the widest permeability range and superior stress distribution compared to conventional scaffolds.With an elastic modulus ranging from 4.20 GPa to 22.96 GPa and a yield strength between 68.37 MPa and 149.40 MPa,it meets bone implant performance requirements and demonstrates significant application potential.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52274369)the National Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on High-strength Structural Materials,China(No.623020034).
文摘Three types of Al/Al−27%Si laminated composites,each containing 22%Si,were fabricated via hot pressing and hot rolling.The microstructures,mechanical properties and thermo-physical properties of these composites were investigated.The results demonstrated that the three laminated composites exhibited similar microstructural features,characterized by well-bonded interfaces between the Al layer and the Al−27%Si alloy layer.The tensile and flexural strengths of the composites were significantly higher than those of both Al−22%Si and Al−27%Si alloys.These strengths increased gradually with decreasing the layer thickness,reaching peak values of 222.5 and 407.4 MPa,respectively.Crack deflection was observed in the cross-sections of the bending fracture surfaces,which contributed to the enhanced strength and toughness.In terms of thermo-physical properties,the thermal conductivity of the composites was lower than that of Al−22%Si and Al−27%Si alloys.The minimum reductions in thermal conductivity were 6.8%and 0.9%for the T3 laminated composite,respectively.Additionally,the coefficient of thermal expansion of the composites was improved,exhibiting varying temperature-dependent behaviors.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.42171108 and 42101136)Sichuan Science and Technology Program(Nos.2024NSFSC2007 and2025YFHZ0273)Natural Science Starting Project of SWPU(No.2024QHZ029)。
文摘In cold regions,slope rocks are inevitably impacted by freeze-thaw,dry-wet cycles and their alternating actions,leading to strength weakening and pore degradation.In this study,the mechanical and microstructural properties of schist subjected to four conditions were investigated:freeze-thaw cycles in air(FTA),freeze-thaw cycles in water(FTW),dry-wet cycles(DW),and dry-wet-freeze-thaw cycles(DWFT).Uniaxial compressive strength(UCS),water absorption,ultrasonication,low-field nuclear magnetic resonance,and scanning electron microscopy analyses were conducted.The integrity attenuation characteristics of the longitudinal wave velocity,UCS,and elastic modulus were analyzed.The results showed that liquid water emerged as a critical factor in reducing the brittleness of schist.The attenuation function model accurately described the peak stress and static elastic modulus of schist in various media(R2>0.97).Different media affected the schist deterioration and half-life,with the FTW-immersed samples having a half-life of 28 cycles.Furthermore,the longitudinal wave velocity decreased as the number of cycles increased,with the FTW showing the most significant reduction and having the shortest half-life of 208 cycles.Moreover,the damage variables of compressive strength and elastic modulus increased with the number of cycles.After 40 cycles,the schist exposed to FTW exhibited the highest damage variables and saturated water content.
基金supported by the National Natural Sci-ence Foundation of China[No.51564032]Yunnan Provin-cial Department of Education Science Research Fund Project[KKPH202132005]the Analysis and Testing Founda-tion of Kunming University of Science and Technology[2022M20212130086].
文摘The performances of magnesium alloys remain insufficient to further enhance the application potential of ultralight magnesium alloys.In this work,a Mg-8Li-3Y-2Zn alloy was prepared through vacuum melting and subsequent heat treatment at 300,450,and 500°C.The material properties of the resulting samples were assessed through microstructural observation,tensile testing,electrical conductivity measurements,and electromagnetic shielding effectiveness(EMI-SE)testing.The influence of the Mg-8Li-3Y-2Zn alloy microstructure on its mechanical and electromagnetic shielding properties in different states was investigated.It was found that the as-cast alloy containsα-Mg,β-Li,Mg_(3)Zn_(3)Y_(2),and Mg_(12)ZnY phases.Following heat treatment at 500℃(HT500),the blockα-Mg phase transformedfine needle-shapes,its tensile strength increased to 263.7 MPa,and its elongation reached 45.3%.The mechanical properties of the alloy were significantly improved by the synergistic effects imparted by the needle-shapedα-Mg phase,solid solution strengthening,and precipitation strengthening.The addition of Y and Zn improved the EMI-SE of Mg-8Li-1Zn alloy,wherein the HT500 sample exhibits the highest SE,maintaining a value of 106.7–76.9 dB in the frequency range of 30–4500 MHz;this performance has rarely been reported for electromagnetically shielded alloys.This effect was mainly attributed to the multiple reflections of electromagnetic waves caused by the severe impedance mismatch of the abundant phase boundaries,which were in turn provided by the dual-phase(α/β)and secondary phases.Furthermore,the presence of nano-precipitation was also believed to enhance the absorption of electromagnetic waves.