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Background: Radiotherapy inadvertently affects gastrointestinal (GI) epithelial cells, causing intestinal barrier disruption and increased permeability.Objective: We examined the effect of amino acid-based oral rehydration solution (AA-ORS) on radiation-induced changes of intestinal barrier function and epithelial tight junctions (TJs) in a randomized experimental study using a total-body irradiation (TBI) mouse model.Methods: Eight-week-old male Swiss mice received a single-dose TBI (0, 1, 3, or 5 Gy), and subsequent gastric gavage with AA-ORS (threonine, valine, serine, tyrosine, and aspartic acid) or saline for 2 or 6 d. Intestinal barrier function of mouse ileum was characterized by electrophysiological analysis of conductance, anion selectivity, and paracellular permeability [fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran]. Ultrastructural changes of TJs were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy. Membrane protein and mRNA expression of claudin-1, -2, -3, -5, and -7, occludin, and E-cadherin were analyzed with western blot, qPCR, and immunohistochemistry. Nonparametric tests were used to compare treatment-dose differences for each time point.Results: Saline-treated mice had a higher conductance at doses as low as 3 Gy, and as early as 2 d post-TBI compared with 0 Gy (P < 0.001). Paracellular permeability and dilution potential were increased 6 d after 5 Gy TBI (P < 0.001). Conductance decreased with AA-ORS after 2 d in 3-Gy and 5-Gy mice (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001), and on day 6 after 5 Gy TBI (P < 0.001). Anion selectivity and FITC permeability decreased from 0.73 ± 0.02 to 0.61 ± 0.03 pCl/pNa (P < 0.01) and from 2.7 ± 0.1 × 105 to 2.1 ± 0.1 × 105 RFU (P < 0.001) in 5-Gy mice treated with AA-ORS for 6 d compared with saline. Irradiation-induced ultrastructural changes of TJs characterized by decreased electron density and gap formation improved with AA-ORS. Reduced claudin-1, -3, and -7 membrane expression after TBI recovered with AA-ORS within 6 d, whereas claudin-2 decreased indicating restitution of TJ proteins.Conclusions: Radiation-induced functional and structural disruption of the intestinal barrier in mice is reversed by AA-ORS rendering AA-ORS a potential treatment option in prospective clinical trials in patients with gastrointestinal barrier dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Dihydro-β-ionone was first identified in Volvariella volvacea. • Odor activity values of main constituents of Volvariella volvacea were determined. • SAFE was enriched in aroma-active components for Volvariella volvacea aroma analysis. The volatile compounds of Volvariella volvacea mushroom were investigated by solvent assisted flavor evaporation (SAFE)/gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS), gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O), odor activity value (OAV), combined with aroma reconstitution and omission. The results showed that a total of 63 compounds were detected after SAFE extraction. A total of 26 compounds were determined after GC-O and 17 compounds whose OAV greater than 1 were subjected to reconstitution and omission experiments. The results showed that dihydro-β-ionone, 1-octen-3-one, 1-octen-3-ol, γ-undecalactone, 3-octanol, 2-octanone, hexanal, 2-methylbutanal, camphene, carvone, 2-nonanone, and phenylacetaldehyde have been successfully identified as the key aroma compounds. More significantly, dihydro-β-ionone as a key aroma compound was first found in Volvariella volvacea mushroom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disposable aluminum cans and plastic bottles are common wastes found in modern societies. This article shows that they can be upcycled into functional materials, such as metal-organic frameworks and hierarchical porous carbon nanomaterials for high-value applications. Through a solvothermal method, used poly(ethylene terephthalate) bottles and aluminum cans are converted into MIL-53(Al). Subsequently, the as-prepared MIL-53(Al) can be further carbonized into a nitrogen-doped (4.52 at%) hierarchical porous carbon framework. With an optical amount of urea present during the carbonization process, the carbon nanomaterial of a high specific surface area of 1324 m2 g−1 with well-defined porosity can be achieved. These features allow the nitrogen-doped hierarchical porous carbon to perform impressively as the working electrode of supercapacitors, delivering a high specific capacitance of 355 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 in a three-electrode cell and exhibiting a high energy density of 20.1 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 225 W kg−1, while simultaneously maintaining 88.2% capacitance retention over 10,000 cycles in two-electrode system. This work demonstrates the possibility of upcycling wastes to obtain carbon-based high-performance supercapacitors. [Display omitted] • Upcycle used PET bottles and aluminum cans into the nitrogen-doped hierarchical porous carbons. • Prepared carbon as supercapacitor electrode delivers a high energy density of 20.1 Wh/kg. • Well-defined porous carbon framework is vital to the excellent supercapacitive performance. • This work paves an effective environmental-friendly way to prepare carbon-based supercapacitor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents a theoretical investigation on the electronic properties of double atomic carbon chains bridging graphene electrodes with density functional theory in combination with non-equilibrium Green's function. The influence of strain on the conductance of atomic carbon chains is significant. However, the coupling effect between adjacent chains dominates the intrinsic transport of double atomic carbon chains. For the coupled double atomic chains, the electron conductance of even-numbered atomic chains is significantly enhanced, while the electron conductance of odd-numbered atomic chains decreases to a certain degree, and the dependence of the conductance of double atomic chains on electrode configuration is stronger than the corresponding single atomic chain. More intriguingly, the coupled double atomic chains exhibit excellent spin-filtering properties with antiparallel spins on two electrodes. The current spin polarization stems from the coupling-induced changes of electron density and band offset reaches 100%. The coupled double atomic carbon chains have great potential application in spintronic devices and carbon-based field-effect transistors. • Coupling of carbon atomic chains increase the average conductance of atomic chains. • Coupling of carbon atomic chains induces very strong spin filter effect, even reaches 100%. • MR ratios of double carbon atomic chains increase by up to 5 orders of magnitude of the single carbon atomic chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A series of separation techniques guided by sensory evaluation were used. • Two peptides with umami taste were identified in Volvariella volvacea. • Taste characteristics and dose-response relationships of peptides were studied. Mushroom peptides produced by high-pressure cooking from Volvariella volvacea were found to retain and enhance the umami taste. Three tasty peptides were identified as Ala-Ser-Asn-Met-Ser-Asp-Leu (ASNMSDL), Tyr-Tyr-Gly-Ser-Asn-Ser-Ala (YYGSNSA) and Leu-Gln-Pro-Leu-Asn-Ala-His (LQPLNAH) by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS, after a series of separation methods of ultrafiltration, gel filtration chromatography and reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Each fractionation step is based on the results of sensory evaluation. ASNMSDL and LQPLNAH have umami taste with threshold values of 10.19 and 12.63 mmol/L, respectively. In addition, these two peptides also showed umami-enhancing properties with a threshold estimated at 13.58 and 18.95 mmol/L, respectively. Furthermore, the peptides showed better sensory taste than mixtures of their constituent amino acids. After separation and purification, the content of taste peptides in Volvariella volvacea is about 1.4%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The thickness dependency of trans-laminar fracture toughness was studied in centre-notched quasi-isotropic IM7/8552 carbon/epoxy laminates with central double 0° plies with thicknesses between 1 and 8 mm. A reduction in trans-laminar fracture toughness with thickness was measured experimentally in the specimens with a 25.4 mm notch. For specimens with a shorter 12.7 mm notch, no significant dependency on specimen thickness was found. The thickness dependency was captured in detailed Finite Element (FE) models with cohesive interface elements for sub-critical damage and a Weibull criterion for fibre breakage. The reason for the thickness dependency is explained through the damage states of the individual plies which determine whether or not premature fracture occurs before the damage process zone is fully developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In large spaces, co-operative HVAC terminals are usually installed to provide services for different virtual thermal zones. The lack of high-resolution occupancy distribution in large spaces is often perceived as one of the main causes of underperformed HAVC systems. Current studies usually considered occupancy information of the whole space or room, such as occupancy count level, other than the zone-level occupancy distribution. Although the count of total occupants in space might stay constant, the actual occupancy distribution might be different, which will bring with different operations for each HVAC terminal. Therefore, to find out one high-resolution occupancy level, this research proposed the idea of integrating k-Means clustering and k Nearest Neighbors (kNN) classification algorithm to detect the occupancy distribution via the dual Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and Wi-Fi signal technology networks. One experiment place was conducted in one indoor area of the typical office room at the City University of Hong Kong for measuring the signal distribution of BLE and Wi-Fi. In this study, the occupancy preference cluster could be mapped into the indoor thermal zones and three case studies are chosen for validation of occupant number confirmation in each thermal zone. Finally, zone occupancy based energy performance analysis was presented with the assistance of wireless sensors nodes to compare energy saving potential under actual occupancy distribution and detected occupancy distribution and the importance of zone occupancy information for the demand-driven control mechanism is stressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Lattices of odd-layered two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) such as WSe 2 are non-centrosymmetric, and thus could possess linear piezoelectricity that is attractive for applications such as nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) and nanogenerators. Measuring the electromechanical coupling of 2D TMDs, however, is rather challenging, since its D 3h point group symmetry makes conventional piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) inapplicable. Here we develop a lateral excitation scanning probe microscopy (SPM) technique that enables mapping of the piezoelectric response of atomically thin WSe 2 directly on a substrate with high spatial resolution. Planar electrodes are used to excite piezoelectric vibrations while imposing anisotropic in-plane mechanical constraint to the WSe 2 , resulting in an out-of-plane deformation due to Poisson's effect that can be measured by an SPM probe. Using this technique, we show that WSe 2 monolayer and trilayers exhibit strong electromechanical response linear to the applied excitation biases that is distinct from the substrate, while WSe 2 bilayers show negligible electromechanical response as expected. The effective piezoelectric coefficient is estimated to be 5.2 pm/V from the measurement, consistent with theoretical predictions. This method can be conveniently applied to a wide range of 2D materials with similar symmetry. Graphical abstract fx1 Highlights • A SPM-based method to quantitatively map the piezoresponse of 2D materials. • High sensitivity & spatial resolution mapping of 2D systems directly on a substrate. • Strong piezoresponse in WSe2 odd-layers and negligible response in even-layers. • Effective piezoelectric coefficient of WSe2 odd-layers is quantitively measured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mode II fracture energy, G IIC , is a critical parameter for determining the propagation of delamination in composite laminates. Its value can be affected by Through-Thickness Compression (TTC) stress acting on the crack tip and here this effect has been studied using IM7/8552 carbon/epoxy laminates with cut central plies. External TTC loads were applied through bi-axial testing. Unidirectional (UD) cut-ply specimens were used to determine the TTC enhancement factor, η G , for G IIC . A similar enhancement effect was also found in Quasi-isotropic (QI) specimens with 2 extra cut central 0° plies inserted into the layup. The TTC enhancement factor was implemented in a Finite Element Analysis (FEA) framework using cohesive interface elements, showing that the determined η G can be successfully used to model the effect of TTC on delamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thrombus formation and oxidation of blood components caused by blood-contacting biomaterials were main reasons for poor hemocompatibility of biomaterials. To construct the anti-thrombotic and anti-oxidative surface, we electrospun styrene-b-(ethylene-co-butylene)-b-styrene elastomer (SEBS)/acylated Pluronic F127 (A-F127)/L-ascorbic acid (AA) microfibers based on the SEBS substrate in one step. Our strategy was based on that the phase-separation between SEBS and A-F127 during electrospinning resulted in hydrophilic surface of microfibers, the crosslinking of electrospun meshes rendered the surface stable, and the AA release from the microfibers interacted with blood cells actively to prevent blood cells from oxidative damage. We demonstrated that the self-assembly of SEBS/A-F127 blends resulted in the similar structure as core-shell microfibers with the A-F127 richness in the sheath; the presence of A-F127 on the out layer made the microfibers hydrophilic and rendered the microfibers anti-thrombotic; the release of AA from the microfibers in the PBS solution was temperature-dependent; AA acted as the antioxidant to decrease the oxidative damage of blood cells after long-term contact between biomaterials and blood. Our work paves a new way to develop long-term hemocompatible biomaterials, which may be helpful to prevent blood cells from oxidative damage to maintain the normal function of blood cells in vivo . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban form significantly influences building energy consumption. However, most research has primarily focused on quantifying the relationship between the two factors, with limited exploration of optimizing urban form to enhance building energy performance. Moreover, studies often fail to consider multiple performance objectives simultaneously. This study proposes a multi-objective optimization framework for early urban design stage to improve energy and environmental performance in residential block layouts. The performance objectives include energy consumption, photovoltaic energy potential, and sunlight hours. The framework is implemented using the parametric platform Rhino & Grasshopper, where a parametric model controls the layout of blocks. Ladybug Tools plugin is employed for performance simulation, and Wallacei is used for optimization. An ideal residential block in Jianhu City, China, is taken as a case study. The study generates a total of 1896 valid solutions, including 58 Pareto solutions. The performance of the Pareto solutions demonstrates considerable improvements, indicating the effectiveness of optimizing urban form for enhancing energy and environmental performance. Compared to the initial solution, a typical Pareto solution showcases a 1.5% reduction in energy consumption, a 52.7% increase in photovoltaic energy potential, and a 50% increase in sunlight hours. These findings underscore the pivotal role of urban block morphology in influencing energy consumption, photovoltaic potential, and daylighting. The proposed multi-objective framework in this study enhances and facilitates sustainable block form design, which is expected to provide technical support for energy-efficient or low-carbon urban design. • A multi-objective optimization framework for designing urban block forms is proposed. • Constructing parametric urban block models based on typical local building types. • Daylighting, energy consumption, and PV energy potential are selected as objectives. • The performance of the Pareto solutions is improved compared to the initial solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Uncertainties are the key consideration in the urban building energy model. • This study proposed to energy retrofitting of historical urban block considering uncertainties. • For building energy retrofitting packages with passive and active measures were proposed. • Real energy data was applied to calibrate the energy model with an accuracy of larger than 80%. • This study can be a significant reference for energy retrofitting of historical urban block. Urban building energy model (UBEM) is a powerful tool to simulate performance and evaluate efficiency of upgrades for a group of buildings under the urban context. However, the larger the scale/number of buildings, more parameters must be collected to create energy models that cover each individual building, causing more uncertainties. To reveal this, this study created a UBEM for the mixed modern and historic buildings at a campus in China. The calibrated set of UBEMs with the modeled results meeting the 20% error range, were then used to evaluate uncertainties of energy-savings of four building energy retrofit (BER) measures. The first measure, BER 1, was to preserve the historic values of buildings; BER 2 to meet green building design standard; BER 3 to achieve 20% more savings than BER 2; and BER 4 to utilize renewable photovoltaic energy. For BER 1, BER 2, and BER 3, the energy savings of buildings of different ages varied within 10%–44%. For BER 4, the energy savings of buildings varied within 49%–505%, respectively, where the reason for higher than 100% is energy production is much higher than energy demand. Similar results can be concluded for building functions, for BER 1, BER 2, and BER 3, the energy-saving potentials varied within 6%– 45%, while 97%–492% to BER 4. This study can provide an important and significant reference to apply UBEM in evaluating energy-efficient retrofits as well as other energy-related studies that consider uncertainties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grievances are vulnerable to state development and harmony; however, some factors provoke the masses and groups to vulnerability and state fragility (SF) by disturbing social cohesion. Under the grievance assumptions on the political process, this study has been designed to gauge the nexus of group grievances (GG), an essential parameter of social cohesion, institutional governance (IG), government legitimacy (GL), economic growth (EcG), and population growth (POPG) from the global perspective from 2008 to 2022 in a global panel of 158 countries considering the critical aspect of SF. The statistics reveal that PS is essential in controlling and managing the GG in the state. PS is the most significant factor in harmonizing the state's ethnic minorities, focus, and religious groups with stable policies and their grievances issues. It also states that apart from PS, another aspect of IG, Control of Corruption (CoC), helps mitigate malpractices and provides a transparent environment supporting grievances. It further demonstrates that EcG provokes grievances instead of lessening them among the key groups in the state, especially in the processing of industrialization. Because of the government's partiality to provide benefits to specific groups or sectors, that partiality and injustice hype the grievances among the public. Moreover, POPG is also a significant factor in increasing GG, along with government illegitimacy and untrust. The study concludes that to make the country agile and prosperous, the government should balance developing industrialization without compromising agricultural and domestic industries. It helps states gain public trust in the IG framework and GL. The government should harmonize its policies by tackling all minorities, ethnic, and religious groups coherently to maintain social cohesion in the country. Finally, One of the significant factors in natural resources and the scarcity of global resources is population. It stated that prudent population control measures better assist in resource scarcity and conflict management, such as in EU countries compared to Asia and Africa. Recent grievance movements in Brazil, China, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, and the US, are the practical application of this study because these countries fall in the list of the top 10 most populous countries. So, population control policies should be effectively implemented to support economic and social parity and mitigate GG. • This study examined Group Grievances, a vital factor of Social Cohesion globally. • Political stability is paramount in maintaining the GG globally. • Economic Growth is proking the GG instead of lessening it. • Population growth also adversely affects social cohesion policies. • Legitimate government institutes help in mitigating the GG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A physical informed neural network is built for aging mechanism identification. • A hybrid prediction method combining the aging mechanism and data-driven method. • Entire charging curve prediction using developed deep hybrid neural network. • Fast capacity prediction only using 50 mV charging voltage window. Accurate and robust capacity prediction is significant for battery management system to identify the state of health and life condition for lithium-ion batteries. This paper proposes a fast capacity prediction method by developing a novel deep aging mechanism-informed bidirectional long-short term memory (AM-Bi-LSTM) neural network. Firstly, a physical informed aging mechanism (AM) layer is established with the random charging curve sequences as input to identify the degradation features. Then the deep learning framework with two bidirectional long-short term memory (Bi-LSTM) layers is built to reflect the entire constant current charging curves and predict the battery capacity. In which, the battery aging mechanism is integrated into the artificial intelligence algorithm of capacity prediction for the first time. Several case studies are implemented to verify the effectiveness of developed method, and the influence of voltage window length on capacity prediction is further discussed. The results demonstrate that the charging curves can be accurately and fast captured with a capacity prediction root mean square error of less than 0.49% for 0.74 Ah batteries with 50 mV voltage window charging points collected in only less than 2.09 minutes mean cost time in the whole life cycle. It shows the proposed aging mechanism-informed data-driven prediction method has stronger robustness, faster prediction speed and higher accuracy compared with other data-driven methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Neuraxial morphine increases spinal caspase-6 cleavage and PKMζ phosphorylation. • Caspase-6 inhibition reduces morphine-induced itch and PKMζ phosphorylation. • PKMζ inhibition attenuates morphine-induced acute itch. • Caspase-6 inhibition reduces chronic itch after contact dermatitis. Patients receiving neuraxial treatment with morphine for pain relief often experience a distressing pruritus. Neuroinflammation-mediated plasticity of sensory synapses in the spinal cord is critical for the development of pain and itch. Caspase-6, as an intracellular cysteine protease, is capable of inducing central nociceptive sensitization through regulating synaptic transmission and plasticity. Given the tight interaction between protein kinase Mζ (PKMζ) and excitatory synaptic plasticity, this pre-clinical study investigates whether caspase-6 contributes to morphine-induced itch and chronic itch via PKMζ. Intrathecal morphine and contact dermatitis were used to cause pruritus in mice. Morphine antinociception, itch-induced scratching behaviors, spinal activity of caspase-6, and phosphorylation of PKMζ and ERK were examined. Caspase-6 inhibitor Z-VEID-FMK, exogenous caspase-6 and PKMζ inhibitor ZIP were utilized to reveal the mechanisms and prevention of itch. Herein, we report that morphine induces significant scratching behaviors, which is accompanied by an increase in spinal caspase-6 cleavage and PKMζ phosphorylation (but not expression). Intrathecal injection of Z-VEID-FMK drastically reduces morphine-induced scratch bouts and spinal phosphorylation of PKMζ, without abolishing morphine analgesia. Moreover, intrathecal strategies of ZIP dose-dependently reduce morphine-induced itch-like behaviors. Spinal phosphorylation of ERK following neuraxial morphine is down-regulated by ZIP therapy. Recombinant caspase-6 directly exhibits scratching behaviors and spinal phosphorylation of ERK, which is compensated by PKMζ inhibition. Also, spinal inhibition of caspase-6 and PKMζ reduces the generation and maintenance of dermatitis-induced chronic itch. Together, these findings demonstrate that spinal caspase-6 modulation of PKMζ phosphorylation is important in the development of morphine-induced itch and dermatitis-induced itch in mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated how pragmatic inference making is modulated by information structure in preceding text. We created three types of two-clause structures in which the interpretation of a critical word in the second clause was dependent on the engagement of pragmatic inference as well as a successful establishment of a referential relation between the target word and an intended antecedent in the preceding text. An enhanced P600 response was elicited by target words when the intended referent was in non-topic position compared to topic position or sub-topic position. Moreover, a reduced N400 was elicited by the target word when the intended referent in the preceding clause was in non-topic position, compared to topic position. These findings suggest that building inferential relations can benefit from information structural prominence of topicality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dy 3+ -doped Y 2 O 3 ceramics were fabricated by Spark Plasma Sintering method. The effect of sintering temperature on the microstructure and the optical transmittance of the ceramics was studied. The maximum in-line transmittance of Dy:Y 2 O 3 ceramics with thickness of 1 mm was 74.5% at 574 nm when sintering temperature was 1550 ℃. The spectroscopic parameters were determined by Judd-Ofelt theory based on the room temperature absorption spectra. The peak emission cross section for the 4 F 9/2  →  6 H 13/2 transition was calculated to be 0.569 × 10 −20  cm 2 . The fluorescence decay curve and quantum efficiency of the 4 F 9/2 multiplet were measured to be 269.2 μs and 37.1%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work addresses an optimal linear quadratic (LQ) boundary output regulator design problem for the plug flow reactor described by hyperbolic partial differential equations (PDEs), with actuation applied only at the inlet of the reactor. By applying the weak variational approach, the necessary optimality conditions are provided and then an optimal state feedback controller is presented. In particular, the time-varying state feedback gain is determined by solving Riccati-type PDEs and this work extends the linear quadratic regulator design to the class of boundary controlled hyperbolic PDE systems. Along the line of the LQ design, an optimal boundary tracking regulator is designed such that the output of the considered reaction process tracks the desired reference signal generated by an exosystem. A simulation example is included to show performance of the proposed approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The initial fracture propagation within a full-scale stiffened quasi-isotropic composite panel and coupons with stringer feet under tensile loads was investigated. The specimens were made from Non-Crimp Fabric through Vacuum assisted Resin Transfer Moulding. The failure loads of all configurations were successfully related using the same value of trans-laminar fracture energy. The method involved independent tests of scaled-down Over-height Compact Tension specimens and the Virtual Crack Closure Technique. It was found to be crucial to include the fully developed damage process zone in the crack length and to interpret the results carefully in order to identify the failure loads consistently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This manuscript addresses the output regulation problem for a class of scalar boundary controlled first-order hyperbolic partial integro-differential equation (PIDE) systems with Fredholm integrals. In particular, with the advantage of the backstepping approach, simple structure systems can be obtained such that regulator equations for the state feedback regulator design are analyzed and solved in backstepping coordinates. Moreover, the finite time output regulation is achieved. In the observer-based output feedback regulator design, it is not necessary that the outputs to be controlled belong to the available output measurements and these outputs can be distributed, point-wise and/or boundary in nature, while the boundary placed measurements are used for regulator design. For the observer gains design, a transformation of the ODE–PDE system into an ODE–PDE cascade is considered. It is also shown that the separation principle holds for the output feedback regulator design and the exponential output regulation is realized for the resulting stable closed-loop system. Finally, the output regulation results are illustrated with two numerical simulations: a Korteweg–de Vries-like equation and a PDE–ODE interconnected system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transparent Sm:Y 2 O 3 ceramics were fabricated by spark plasma sintering (SPS). The effects of LiF additive and sintering temperature on the microstructure and optical transmittance of the Sm:Y 2 O 3 ceramics were investigated. The optimal content of LiF additive and sintering temperature was found to be 0.3 wt% and 1500 ℃. The transmittance of Sm:Y 2 O 3 ceramics with a thickness of 1.7 mm reached 75.3% at 609 nm, which is about 94% of the theoretical value. The average grain size of the sample was about 50 µm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This manuscript addresses the output regulation problem for linear distributed parameter systems (DPSs) with bounded input and unbounded output operators. We introduce novel methods for the design of the output feedback and error feedback regulators. In the output feedback regulator design, the measurements available for the regulator do not belong to the set of controlled outputs. The proposed output feedback regulator with the injection of the measurement y m ( t ) and reference y r ( t ) can realize both the plant and the exosystem states estimation, disturbance rejection and reference signal tracking, simultaneously. Moreover, new design approach provides an alternative choice for seeking the output injection gain in a traditional error feedback regulator design. The regulator parameters are easily configured to solve the output regulation problems, and to ensure the stability of the closed-loop systems. The results are demonstrated via computer simulation in two types of representative systems: the parabolic partial differential equation (PDE) system and the first order hyperbolic PDE system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rock mass behavior is controlled mainly by weak planes in sedimentary rocks. Geomechanical model tests were conducted for simulating tunnel excavations in horizontal, the 45° and vertical inclined rock strata. Infrared thermography was employed for detecting rock responses during the excavations. Infrared temperature (IRT) curve obtained by averaging the matrices of the infrared sequence can be viewed as temporal observation of the overall energy release from the rock under excavation. The IRT curve characterizes the horizontal and vertical strata as linear behavior and the 45° inclined strata as piecewise linear behavior over the full-face excavation and the three strata as plastic-like behavior over the staged excavation, respectively. The constitutive heterogeneity can be represented by the Weibull modus obtained by curve-fitting to the Weibull model using the probability distribution of the IRT temporal observations. The vertical strata has the smallest Weibull modulus values corresponding to the higher heterogeneity compared with the else two strata models. The structural response of the rock under excavation was characterized by the IRT distribution of the infrared image. IRT distribution of the horizontal strata evolved from scattering distribution to localized high-temperature zone around the face. In contrast, IRT distribution for the 45° and vertical strata distributed as belt-like IRT parallel to the weak surface; indicating the frictional sliding damage mechanism. Most intense friction was observed in the excavation in the 45° inclined rock strata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new carbon-based morphology, graphene spirals (GSs), possesses interesting electronic features with inter-layer interaction and intra-layer interaction, ascribed to its unique intra-system electronic coupling states. The spin-polarization and the tunneling patterns of GSs manipulated by the periphery structural modification were investigated in detail with first principle calculations. The spin-polarized edge-states and transport properties can be enhanced and modulated by the constructed trigonal corners efficiently. Governed by the position and the number of the introduced carbon-hexagons, diverse spin-polarized tunneling states and various edge-state couplings between central spiral structure and electrodes can be achieved. More significantly, the contribution of inter-layer tunneling and intra-layer tunneling can be dominated by the topological signatures of GSs. For all spiral conformations, inter-layer tunneling always contributes to the net spin-dependent current. Remarkably, when carbon-hexagons are introduced at some typical positions, the complete spiral current along spiral construction is induced by intra-layer tunneling. Those features provide a good tunability of spin-polarized couplings and tunneling patterns in GSs for spintronic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transparent Y 2 O 3 ceramics were fabricated by the solid-state reaction and vacuum sintering method using La 2 O 3 , ZrO 2 and Al 2 O 3 as sintering aids. The microstructure of the Y 2 O 3 ceramics sintered from 1550 °C to 1800 °C for 8 h were analyzed by SEM. The sintering process of the Y 2 O 3 transparent ceramics was optimized. The results showed that when the samples were sintered at 1800 °C for 8 h under vacuum, the average grain sizes of the ceramics were about 3.5 µm. Furthermore, the transmittance of Y 2 O 3 ceramic sintered at 1800 °C for 8 h was 82.1% at the wavelength around the 1100 nm (1 mm thickness), which was close to its theoretical value. Moreover, the refractive index of the Y 2 O 3 transparent ceramic in the temperature range from 30 °C to 400 °C were measured by the spectroscopic ellipsometry method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• GF-1 and GF-6 remote sensing data have potential for wetland change detection. • Spatial-temporal attention method can identify information changes in cultivated land to wetland areas. • Sanjiang National Nature Reserve has large wetland restoration areas located near water sources. • The results of the study have important implications for the restoration and sustainable development of wetlands. Wetlands are important ecosystems, and detecting changes in wetlands plays a very important role in the management of wetland resources. Therefore, we selected Sanjiang National Nature Reserve as the study area and proposed a method in which bi-temporal GaoFen (GF) remote sensing data was combined with a spatial–temporal attention neural network (STANet) model, coupled with the selection of spectral variables. We used the bi-temporal images from GF-1 and GF-6 and compared three band selection methods, Relief F, principal component analysis, and RGB combination, and two STANet-based change detection methods (BAM: basic spatial–temporal attention module and PAM: pyramid spatial–temporal attention module) to improve the change detection of the wetland restoration. The results show that the accuracy of wetland change detection is related to different combinations of spectral variable selection and STANet models. The combination of Relief F feature selection and the BAM model led to the highest accuracy of the wetland change detection, 71.72 % for F1-Score and 76.92 % for MIou. The vector results of the change detection statistics show that the area of the Sanjiang National Nature Reserve cultivated lands converted to wetlands is 46.05 km2. This study implies that the STANet method has the capacity of detecting complex wetland restoration. Red, Bule, NIR and Red Edge1 bands of GaoFen data can provide effective information in the detection of changes in wetlands. The results of the study can be used as a reference for rational planning of wetland restoration, seeking a balance between cultivated lands and wetlands, which is important for the sustainable development of wetland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a novel X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) image analysis method to characterize the Fracture Process Zone (FPZ) in scaled centre-notched quasi-isotropic carbon/epoxy laminates. A total of 61 CT images of a small specimen were used to fine-tune a pre-trained Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) (i.e., VGG16) to classify fibre orientations. The proposed CNN model achieves a 100% accuracy when tested on the CT images of the same scale as the training set. However, the accuracy drops to a maximum of 84% when tested on unlabelled images of the specimens having larger scales potentially due to their lower resolutions. Another code was developed to automatically measure the size of the FPZ based on the CNN identified 0 °plies in the largest specimen which agrees well with the manual measurement (on average within 3.3%). The whole classification and measurement process can be automated without human intervention. [Display omitted] • A novel method was proposed to characterise Fracture Process Zone (FPZ). • A Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) was developed to identify fibre orientations. • The CNN model showed a test accuracy of 100% for classification. • The CNN was applied to unlabelled CT images achieving an accuracy of up to 84%. • The estimated FPZ size of the largest scale was within 3.3% from actual measurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quality of Healthcare and accessibility is one of the vital Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For achieving this goal, the United Nations focuses on state capacity development and associated determinants in emerging and developing countries. By focusing on this objective, this study evaluates and examines the liaison of state capacity, socio-economic conditions, private health expenditures, and demographic pressure to the quality of health and its accessibility in Pakistan from 1990 to 2019. This study investigates the policy implications and their consequences on Pakistan's health conditions during the last three decades. Moreover, during COVID-19, pandemic health governs policies in the year 2020 have also been considered by using the Health Containment Index and analyzed policy implication on combating COVID-19. By applied Ordinary Least Square and Fixed Effect estimations, results show that Pakistan's health conditions have been showing sluggish improvement in the last three decades. Prudent policy-making and adequate health spending have a strong significant impact on health quality and accessibility, while institutional corruption and demographic pressure have adversely affected Pakistan's health outcomes. This proposed study analyzed that policy enforcement has been fragile in Pakistan from 1990 to 2010. Furthermore, this study concludes that from the year 2010 to date with the 18th constitutional amendment to administration and public policies have fractionally improved Pakistan's health conditions. However, Pakistan still lacks the International standards and minimum criteria of health measures a far behind Sustainable Development. The present study concludes that a sound and effective policy enforcement by enhancing resource capacity, quality of institutional practices, and controlling socio-economic conditions will promote SDG of health quality in Pakistan. • HQAI has been fractionally improved in Pakistan in the last three decades. • Policy decision-making inconsistent with achieving Sustainable Health development. • Socio-economic risk factors have been significantly affected the HQAI. • 2010, 18th Constitutional Amendment has positively impacted the HQAI in Pakistan. • Out-of Pocket expenditure & health budget have a significant impact on HAQI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The state feedback regulator problem for a network of countercurrent heat exchangers is considered in this paper. The system is described by two sets of hyperbolic partial differential equations (PDEs) and the model is nonlinear with respect to the control input. To deal with the nonlinearity, the equilibrium temperature profile is calculated and utilized in the linearization of the original nonlinear system. Then, based on infinite-dimensional representation, the state feedback regulator problem (in particular the tracking problem) is considered, where the target is to design a controller that, while guaranteeing the stability of the closed-loop system, drives the controlled output to track a reference signal generated by an exosystem with its spectrum on the imaginary axis. Given the explicit expression of the transfer function, we provide sufficient conditions such that the resulting linearized system is causal and stable. Given that the controlled system is stable, we propose a simple and novel method to provide the stabilization feedback gain K , such that the controlled system tracks the reference signal. Finally, a numerical simulation illustrating the results is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work addresses optimal constrained state estimation problem for finite and infinite-dimensional chemical process systems. We consider cases when the prior information, in addition to the model parameters and the measurements, is available in the form of an inequality constraint with respect to the system's state. In the latest developments of the optimal state estimation theory, considerations of the state constraints have been often neglected since constraints do not fit easily in the structure of the optimal state estimator. Therefore, the issue of the state constraints being present needs to be addressed adequately, in particular, nonnegativity of concentration. Motivated by this, we developed a sequential, algorithmic optimal constrained state estimator for both finite and infinite-dimensional process systems commonly found in chemical process engineering (CSTR, tubular reactor). In this paper, we also designed an optimal constrained state estimator for a large class of dissipative infinite-dimensional systems which involve boundary actuation and point observation. Finally, illustrative examples of chemical process systems and proposed optimal state constrained estimation are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerical modelling of scaled centre-notched [45/90/−45/0] 4s carbon/epoxy laminates was carried out. The in-plane dimensions of the models were scaled up by a factor of up to 16. A Finite Element (FE) method using the explicit code LS-Dyna was applied to study the progressive damage development at the notch tips. Cohesive interface elements were used to simulate splits within plies and delaminations between plies. A failure criterion based on Weibull statistics was used to account for fibre failure. There is a good correlation between the numerical and experimental results, and the scaling trend can be explained in terms of the growth of the notch tip damage zone. The modelling gives new insights into the damage development in the quasi-isotropic laminates with sharp cracks, specifically, the growth of splits, delaminations and local fibre breakage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we report a simple method to form conductive copper lines by scanning a single-beam femtosecond pulse laser on a plastic substrate covered with copper nitride (Cu 3 N) film. The Cu 3 N films were prepared by DC magnetron sputtering in the presence of an Ar + N 2 atmosphere at 100 °C. The influence of the laser power and scanning speed on the formed copper line width, surface features, and morphology was analyzed by means of optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, non-contact 3D profilometer, and scanning electron microscopy. The experimental results demonstrate that low laser power and low scanning speed favor the formation of uniform and flat Cu lines. After process optimization, copper lines with a width less than 5 μm were obtained, which provides an attractive application prospect in the field of flexible electronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growth, XRD patterns, spectral properties, and fluorescence decays of Yb:Ca 0.28 Ba 0.72 Nb 2 O 6 (Yb:CBN) with doping concentration of 1 at.% and 5 at.% were studied. The peak absorption cross-section and the emission cross-section were calculated. Larger Stark splitting of Yb:CBN offers the prospect of the quasi-four level laser operation. The fluorescence lifetimes are 0.64 and 0.73 ms for 1 at.% and 5 at.%, respectively. The FWHM of absorption and fluorescence spectra of 5 at.% Yb:CBN are 62 and 68 nm, which are broader than other ultrashort laser media. The results prove that Yb:CBN crystal is a good candidate as an ultrashort laser medium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To figure out the effects of PCM location on the thermal performance of building walls, the effects of the state of a kind of salt hydrate phase change material (PCM) on its phase change performance were researched by the differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) tests and the cooling experiments. The three different PCM states are the not-melted state, the partially-melted state, and the fully-melted state, respectively. The experimental results showed that PCM state had great effects on the degree of supercooling and the phase change performance of PCM. When the PCM was in the partially-melted state before cooling, it was able to release the latent heat quickly, while when the PCM was in the fully-melted state before cooling, its degree of supercooling was large. Because the temperature ranges of PCM during the thermal cycles were different when the PCM was placed in different locations in the wall, the PCM location had significant effects on its state, and as a result, on the phase change performance of PCM and the thermal performance improvement of building walls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary High performance lithium batteries are in great demand for consumer electronics, electric vehicles and grid scale stationary energy storage. Transition metal sulfides based on conversion or alloying reactions have drawn much attention because of their significantly higher specific capacity than traditional insertion electrode materials. However, their poor cyclability caused by the large volume change during the lithium (Li) up-taking and extraction has hindered their further developments and applications in Li rechargeable batteries. This review outlines the fundamental mechanisms and obstacles of the transition metal sulfides associated with Li storage through conversion reaction and also discusses how the nanostructure design can successfully address their challenges. Recent progresses in the nanoparticle synthesis, nanostructure design, composite fabrication, and their effects on the electrochemical performances are summarized and discussed. In addition, remaining challenges and possibilities for further improvements are also prospected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study focuses on estimating the fatigue life of circular hollow section (CHS) gap TT-joints reinforced with carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets based on S–N curve method. In the S–N curve, the fatigue life of a tubular joint can be predicted from the hot spot stress (HSS) which can be easily calculated from the stress concentration factor (SCF) of the tubular joint. The SCF and the fatigue life of the CFRP-reinforced and unreinforced TT-joints under axial loads were experimentally measured. The experimental results show that the maximum SCF of CHS TT-joints reinforced with CFRP sheets decreases by 14%, and the fatigue life increases by 47%. Thereafter, finite element (FE) models for both CFRP-reinforced and unreinforced TT-joints were established and verified by the experimental results. A parametric study is also carried out to investigate the effects of the number of CFRP layers and the geometrical parameters on the SCF. Finally, through regression analysis on the numerical SCF results of 704 FE models, parametric equations are proposed to estimate the SCFs at the saddle and at the crown of CFRP reinforced CHS gap TT-joints. • Fatigue test on CFRP-strengthened CHS TT-joint was conducted. • Finite element model of CFRP-strengthened CHS TT-joint was built. • Parametric study of SCF for CFRP-strengthened CHS TT-joint was carried out. • Equations for predicting SCFs at critical positions of CFRP-strengthened CHS TT-joint was presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experimental investigation into size effects in notched [45/90/−45/0]4s carbon/epoxy laminates is carried out. The in-plane dimensions of the quasi-isotropic laminates are scaled up by a factor of up to 8. Larger Scale 16 specimens with only their width and notch length being doubled were also tested as a further comparison. Interrupted tests and X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) scanning are carried out to study the damage at the crack tips. Sharp centre-notched tensile tests are compared to open-hole tests of the same notch length (hole diameter), material and stacking sequence. A similar strength reduction scaling trend is found for both configurations at the small sizes, except with higher tensile strength for the centre-notched specimens than the open-hole specimens. However, there is a cross-over point when the sizes increase, with the sharp notched results approaching an asymptote based on Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM), and the open hole results approaching an asymptote based on Weibull theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Spectroscopic properties and crystal growth of Tm:LYSO single crystal were studied for the first time. [•] The large absorption and emission cross-section and broad FWHM make Tm:LYSO a promising media for tunable and ultrashort pulses. [•] The J–O parameters and gain spectra reveal that the excellent properties for laser applications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Mobile electronics have developed so rapidly that battery technology has hardly been able to keep pace. The increasing desire for lighter and thinner Li-ion batteries with higher capacities is a continuing and constant goal for in research. Achieving higher energy densities, which is mainly dependent on cathode materials, has become a critical issue in the development of new Li-ion batteries. In this review, we will outline the progress on nanostructured 4V cathode materials of Li-ion batteries for mobile electronics, covering LiCoO2, LiNi x Co y Mn1−x−y O2, LiMn2O4, LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 and Li-rich layered oxide materials. We aim to provide some scientific insights into the development of superior cathode materials by discussing the advantages of nanostructure, surface-coating, and other key properties. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] Direct object roles of Chinese chi ‘eat’: Patients and non-Patients. [•] Non-Patients metonymically trigger ‘food’ as conceptual head. [•] Metonymically interpreted non-Patients: stronger N400 effects than Patients. [•] N400 decreases along cline: Instrument>Locative>Source>Means>Patient. [•] Experiment and conceptual analysis support Dowty’s notion of Proto-Patient. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] Stereospecific radical polymerization of optically active (S)-HPEMA was realized. [•] A catalytic amount of the Lewis acid is enough to control the stereoregularity. [•] Solvents strongly influence the effect of Lewis acids on the tacticity of the polymer. [•] The polymerization in n-BuOH in the presence of La(OTf)3 shows the highest isotacticity. [•] The mechanism of stereocontrol was analyzed based on Lewis acid-monomer interaction. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Pr3+, Yb3+ co-doped CaYAlO4 (Pr, Yb: CYA) single crystal was grown using the Czochralski (CZ) method. For near-infrared quantum-cutting system, a quantum efficiency of 145% for Pr3+, Yb3+-codoped CYA crystal has been obtained by ignoring the nonradiative losses. Under excitation at 940nm, high intensities of 502nm, 555nm, 628nm, 661nm and 729nm emissions turn up. Fluorescence decay time of 3P0→3F2 emission of Pr3+ ions and 2F5/2→2F7/2 transition of Yb3+ ions were also studied as evidences for energy transfer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Sm:CaNb2O6 single crystal has been grown by the Czochralski method. Its high-temperature X-ray powder diffraction, optical absorption, emission spectroscopic as well as lifetime have been studied. Thermal expansion coefficients (α), J–O parameters (Ω i ), radiative lifetime (τ rad), branching ratios (β) and stimulated emission cross-sections (σ e) were calculated. The quantum efficiency (η) was calculated to be 97%. The intense peak emission cross section at 610, 658nm were calculated to be 2.40×10−21, 2.42×10−21 cm2. These results indicate that Sm:CaNb2O6 crystal has potential use in visible laser and photonic devices area. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]