Degree Of Elasticity Research Articles

Study on Ajuga reptans extracts as potential cosmetic raw materials

Abstract In the study, the possibility of an application of Ajuga reptans leaf and root extracts in antipollution cosmetics was investigated. The influence of Ajuga extracts on the skin condition was also evaluated. Both leaf and root Ajuga ethanolic extracts were obtained and added to the developed cosmetic formulations. Two types of emulsion W/O and O/W, washing gels and eye serum, containing as an active substance Ajuga extracts were prepared. For the stable formulations physicochemical and user properties were studied. The obtained results show that cosmetic products, containing the Ajuga reptans extracts, positively affect the skin condition: causing an improvement in the degree of skin hydration and elasticity, reducing the skin pores size and skin hyperpigmentation, and reducing the wrinkles depth.

Evolution of mechanical parameters of Shuangjiangkou granite under different loading cycles and stress paths

Surrounding rocks at different locations are generally subjected to different stress paths during the process of deep hard rock excavation. In this study, to reveal the mechanical parameters of deep surrounding rock under different stress paths, a new cyclic loading and unloading test method for controlled true triaxial loading and unloading and principal stress direction interchange was proposed, and the evolution of mechanical parameters of Shuangjiangkou granite under different stress paths was studied, including the deformation modulus, elastic deformation increment ratios, fracture degree, cohesion and internal friction angle. Additionally, stress path coefficient was defined to characterize different stress paths, and the functional relationships among the stress path coefficient, rock fracture degree difference coefficient, cohesion and internal friction angle were obtained. The results show that during the true triaxial cyclic loading and unloading process, the deformation modulus and cohesion gradually decrease, while the internal friction angle gradually increases with increasing equivalent crack strain. The stress path coefficient is exponentially related to the rock fracture degree difference coefficient. As the stress path coefficient increases, the degrees of cohesion weakening and internal friction angle strengthening decrease linearly. During cyclic loading and unloading under true triaxial principal stress direction interchange, the direction of crack development changes, and the deformation modulus increases, while the cohesion and internal friction angle decrease slightly, indicating that the principal stress direction interchange has a strengthening effect on the surrounding rocks. Finally, the influences of the principal stress interchange direction on the stabilities of deep engineering excavation projects are discussed.

Influence of dual-credit policy on the energy conservation and emission reduction technology R&D of Chinese auto industry

The dual-credit policy, as an important industrial policy in the automotive industry to replace fiscal subsidies, aims to achieve the dual objectives of energy conservation and emission reduction (ECER) and promote the development of new energy vehicles by establishing a dual credit system based on the average fuel consumption of conventional vehicles and credits for new energy vehicles. This paper employs a game model to investigate the differential impact of the dual-credit policy on ECER among automobile manufacturers with different industry structures. The study finds that the existing policy primarily favors manufacturers adopting the integration mode, followed by the multilateral mode and supply-monopoly mode respectively. Furthermore, R&D cost coefficient, unit price of credits, degree of competition and elasticity of cross-demand for fuel-saving functions are the four main factors that influence the profit model of the automobile industry. The findings of this study suggest that targeted policies need to be formulated for different industry structures during the adjustment of the policy in order to fully stimulate their enthusiasm for ECER. Additionally, the flexible combination of the four factors should be considered when formulating a specific dual-credit policy so as to achieve more energy saving and emission reduction effect in the automobile industry.

The Impact of Agricultural Credit on the Growth of the Agricultural Sector in Angola

The ultimate goal of this paper was to examine the degree of elasticity between two variables, namely, agricultural credit and agricultural growth, in Angola in the period 2003–2022. Time series data were fitted into the ARDL test using various econometric techniques such as the ADF stationarity test, the Granger causality test, and the ordinary least squares method as well as a vector error correction model (VECM) to analyze the relationship between agricultural credit and agricultural economic growth, showing a causal relationship. Both the impacts through elasticities and the optimal point existing in this relationship were estimated. It was concluded that the impact of agricultural credit on agricultural GDP was 14.41%. The Granger causality test showed signs of a positive linkage between agricultural credit and agricultural GDP. However, there is a causal relationship between agricultural credit and agricultural GDP, in a unidirectional aspect. This result is consistent with most of the earlier studies reviewed in the literature, confirming that credit-oriented monetary policies can boost economic growth and, consequently, development in Angola. It is important for agricultural credit systems to be designed in a way that ensures equitable access, fair interest rates, and appropriate risk management mechanisms. Additionally, monitoring and evaluation mechanisms should be in place to assess the environmental and social impacts of credit programs on agricultural sustainability. It is worth noting that this is a first-of-its-kind study on the matter of the Angolan credit experience, specifically for the agricultural sector. Angola is still searching for a sustainable credit model that could be used as a catalyzer to boost growth and contribute to economic development.

Deciphering viscoelastic cell manipulation in rectangular microchannels.

Viscoelastic focusing has emerged as a promising method for label-free and passive manipulation of micro and nanoscale bioparticles. However, the design of microfluidic devices for viscoelastic particle focusing requires a thorough comprehensive understanding of the flow condition and operational parameters that lead to the desired behavior of microparticles. While recent advancements have been made, viscoelastic focusing is not fully understood, particularly in straight microchannels with rectangular cross sections. In this work, we delve into inertial, elastic, and viscoelastic focusing of biological cells in rectangular cross-section microchannels. By systematically varying degrees of fluid elasticity and inertia, we investigate the underlying mechanisms behind cell focusing. Our approach involves injecting cells into devices with a fixed, non-unity aspect ratio and capturing their images from two orientations, enabling the extrapolation of cross-sectional equilibrium positions from two dimensional (2D) projections. We characterized the changes in hydrodynamic focusing behaviors of cells based on factors, such as cell size, flow rate, and fluid characteristics. These findings provide insights into the flow characteristics driving changes in equilibrium positions. Furthermore, they indicate that viscoelastic focusing can enhance the detection accuracy in flow cytometry and the sorting resolution for size-based particle sorting applications. By contributing to the advancement of understanding viscoelastic focusing in rectangular microchannels, this work provides valuable insight and design guidelines for the development of devices that harness viscoelastic focusing. The knowledge gained from this study can aid in the advancement of viscoelastic particle manipulation technique and their application in various fields.

Assessing vaginal wall indexes in premenopausal versus postmenopausal women by transrectal linear array high-frequency probe

ObjectiveThis study aimed to verify the feasibility of 2D measurement of full-layer thickness of vaginal wall and evaluation of its elasticity by shear wave elastic imaging using transrectal linear array high-frequency ultrasound and to investigate the differences of vaginal wall indexes in premenopausal versus postmenopausal women.MethodFrom September to November 2022, a total of 87 women in the Department of Gynecology, Nanjing First Hospital were examined by a sonographer using transrectal linear array high-frequency ultrasound, including 34 women of reproductive age and 53 postmenopausal women. The vagina was divided into upper, middle, and lower segments, and the full-layer thickness of each part was measured. Then shear wave elastography (SWE) was used, and the average value of Young's modulus was used to evaluate the degree of vaginal elasticity.ResultsTransrectal linear array high-frequency ultrasound can clearly display structures of vaginal wall; measurement of the full thickness of the vaginal wall and evaluation of the degree of vaginal elasticity were feasible. There was a statistically significant difference in the thickness of each part of the vaginal wall between pre- and postmenopausal women (P < 0.001); there was no significant difference in the vaginal Young's modulus of pre- and postmenopausal women (P = 0.073). ConclusionTransrectal linear array high-frequency ultrasonography is a non-invasive and feasible method to measure vaginal wall thickness (VWT) and elasticity. There are significant differences in VWT between pre- and postmenopausal women.

Generalized Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya Interaction and Chirality-Induced Phenomena in Chiral Crystals

This paper is a review of recent advances in studies of the magnetic, electronic, spintronic, and phononic properties of chiral crystals, with a focus on the connection between the Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction (DMI) and chirality in materials. Importantly, a microscopic DMI is elevated to a macroscopic Lifshitz invariant (LI) in chiral crystals, where mirror reflection and inversion symmetry are globally broken. As a consequence, chiral crystals exhibit nontrivial physical responses over a macroscopic scale. Indeed, in chiral magnetism, a chiral spin soliton lattice (CSL) appears in monoaxial chiral magnetic crystals and exhibits various nontrivial physical properties characterized by the coherent and topological nature of the CSL. This CSL isone of the prominent outcomes arising from the DMI and LI, as envisioned by Dzyaloshinskii in the 1960s. Furthermore, a giant spin polarization emerges over a macroscopic scale in a wide range of chiral materials from organic molecules to inorganic crystals. The first-order spatial dispersion, such as the LI, also appears in elastic or phonon degrees of freedom in chiral crystals. These examples show how a time-even pseudoscalar term, which corresponds to a generalized concept of the DMI and LI, is realized in chiral media.

Age-related histopathological findings in temporal arteries.

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a systemic vasculitis affecting medium and large arteries in patients aged over 50 years. Involvement of temporal arteries (TA) can lead to complications such as blindness and stroke. While the diagnostic gold standard is temporal artery biopsy (TAB), comorbidities and age-related changes can make interpretation of such specimens difficult. This study aims to establish a baseline of TA changes in subjects without GCA to facilitate the interpretation of TAB. Bilateral TA specimens were collected from 100 consecutive eligible postmortem examinations. Subjects were divided into four age groups and specimens semiquantitatively evaluated for eccentric intimal fibroplasia, disruption and calcification of the internal elastic lamina (IEL), medial attenuation and degree of lymphocytic inflammation of the peri-adventitia, adventitia, media and intima. The individual scores of intimal fibroplasia, IEL disruption and medial attenuation were added to yield a 'combined score (CS)'. Seventy-eight 78 decedents were included in the final analysis following exclusion of 22 individuals for either lack of clinical information or inability to collect TA tissue. A total of 128 temporal artery specimens (50 bilateral from individual decedents, 28unilateral) were available for examination. Intimalproliferation, IEL loss, IEL calcification and CS increased with age in a statistically significant fashion. Comparison of the oldest age group with the others showed statistically significant differences, although this was not uniformly preserved in comparison between the three youngest groups. Senescent arterial changes and healed GCA exhibit histological similarity and such changes increase proportionally with age. The CS demonstrates significant association with age overall and represents a potential avenue for development to 'normalise' TA biopsies from older individuals.

Starch/Silicone Elastomers and Foams

While the beneficial physical properties of silicone polymers are exploited in many sustainable applications, the high energy requirement for their synthesis compromises to a degree their sustainability. We report a strategy to mitigate this issue by filling the silicone with inexpensive and renewable starch. Elastomeric materials with covalently grafted starch, utilizing anhydride-modified silicones, permits loading of up to about 75% starch while maintaining many of the properties of the silicone. Alternatively, 50 wt.% starch-filled silicone foams can be prepared simply by mixing powdered starch with a mixture of HSi-functional silicone fluids in the presence of B(C6F5)3. The physical properties of the resulting foams are determined by the quantity of SiH, which controls the final density of the foams (ranging from 0.258–0.875 g mL−1), their Young’s modulus, and their degree of elasticity; both rigid and flexible foams were prepared. Materials with a high natural and renewable material content better adhere to green chemistry principle 7, should enhance the ease of degradation at end of life, and augment the sustainability of these silicone composites.

Elasto-plastic analysis of foundations during emergency shutdown due to blast loading

Behaviour of machine foundations is investigated in this study under harmonic loading with varying frequency and pulse loading. Owing to excessive vibrations from the pulse, the machine encounters an emergency shutdown where the machine’s exciting frequency reduces to zero exponentially. The analysis is performed considering an elastic plastic single degree of freedom system with hardening and softening behaviour. Two cases are analysed depending on the time of application of pulse loading to the foundation system. For both the cases, the governing equations of motion are acquired and solved numerically using the fourth order Runge-Kutta method. Using these solutions, displacement-time graphs are obtained for a variety of parameters such as time constant, hardening/softening index, mass of machine and the foundation block, stiffness, pulse load magnitude, damping ratio and decay coefficient to study their influence on the behaviour of the machine-foundation system. The study helps in predicting the dynamic response of foundations under the emergency shutdown conditions due to pulse loading. Further, these also help in taking the decision if there exists a need for vibration barriers to have the displacements well within the permissible limits.

Systematic studies on behaviors of ultra-high performance concrete subject to freezing and thawing cycles combining DIC technology

Freezing and thawing alternation is one harsh weather condition for the concrete structures serving in seasonal frozen areas. As an emerging construction material, the frost-resistance of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) is highly necessary to be understood for propelling its practical application. In this study, the frost-resistance of UHPC was systematically evaluated based on the mechanical properties and the cracking behaviors. The fast freezing and thawing (FT) cycles were chosen as the experiment condition, along with the water-immersion condition for comparison. A combination of destructive mechanical and non-destructive resonance frequency test was used to characterize the behaviors. The results showed that, after undergoing 300 FT cycles, the tensile initial cracking strength, the tensile strength, the flexural strength, and the compressive strength exhibited a certain of degradations. The corresponding effects of the water-immersion action were more positive. The tensile strain capacity under the FT condition almost kept constant, whereas that under the water-immersion condition decreased. The two indices (including strain and strength) could reasonably reflect the magnitude of tensile strain. The digital image correlation (DIC) analysis unveiled that there may exist an additional plastic deformation in the tensile full-field deformation, apart from the elastic deformation and crack opening. Compared with the water-immersion action, the FT action resulted in a less zigzag cracking path, shorter cracking time, and larger crack opening under flexural loading. In addition, the variations of dynamic modulus of elasticity and re-hydration reaction degree under the FT condition were not coincident with those of mechanical properties. The findings could provide some valuable references for estimating the bearing capacity of the UHPC structures served in practical engineering.

Preparation and Evaluation of an Elastic Cushion with Waste Bamboo Fiber Based on Sitting Pressure Distribution of the Human Body

Waste bamboo fibers are mostly in a spiral coil state and exhibit a certain degree of elasticity, which has the potential to be used as elastic cushion filler. However, there are few studies on its application to elastic cushions. In order to efficiently use waste bamboo fibers, a bamboo-based elastic cushion (BEC) was prepared and evaluated. The BEC units were prepared by mixing bamboo waste fibers with ES fibers and dividing them into five grades according to elastic modulus. The BECs were arranged with BEC units based on the sitting pressure distribution of the human body and evaluated using objective and subjective methods. The appropriate process of BEC units was a heating temperature of 150 °C, heating time of 50 min, and bamboo proportion of 50~75%.The elastic modulus of units had a clear influence on the sitting pressure distribution of the BEC. With the increasing elastic modulus of BEC units, the maximum pressure and average pressure of the BEC first decreased and then increased, while the contact area showed an opposite trend. Additionally, the comfort rating of the BEC with higher elastic modulus units was higher, and the appropriate elastic modulus range was 0.25~0.40 MPa. The BECs made with units with different elastic moduli increased the comfort rating by 12.8% compared with that with the same units, and the sciatic node was the most sensitive part for humans when sitting on the BEC. The results could provide data support for the application of waste bamboo fibers in elastic cushions.

내생적 성장모형을 이용한 탄소세와 에너지세의 파급효과 분석

This paper analyzes the macroeconomic effects of carbon and energy taxes using an R&D-based endogenous growth model that includes carbon reduction technology. We compare a scenario in which a government develops carbon reduction technology with one in which a private firm is in charge. We find that an energy tax is more effective when a government develops carbon reduction technology, while a carbon tax is better when a private firm develops reduction technology. In addition, degree of carbon emission elasticity causes the difference between the scenarios. Even in an economy with only a carbon tax, the degree of carbon emission elasticity greatly influences the economic growth rate and social welfare. This finding implies that policy design should consider carbon emission elasticity if carbon and energy taxes are introduced simultaneously.

Development of an anatomical breast phantom from polyvinyl chloride plastisol with lesions of various shape, elasticity and echogenicity for teaching ultrasound examination.

The WHO reported an increasing trend in the number of new cases of breast cancer, making it the most prevalent cancer in the world. This fact necessitates the availability of highly qualified ultrasonographers, which can be achieved by the widespread implementation of training phantoms. The goal of the present work is to develop and test an inexpensive, accessible, and reproducible technology for creating an anatomical breast phantom for practicing ultrasound diagnostic skills in grayscale and elastography imaging, as well as ultrasound-guided biopsy sampling. We used FDM 3D printer and PLA plastic for printing an anatomical breast mold. We made a phantom using a mixture of polyvinyl chloride plastisol, graphite powder, and metallic glitter to simulate soft tissues and lesions. Various degrees of elasticity were imparted using plastisols of stiffness ranging from 3 to 17 on the Shore scale. The lesions were shaped by hand. The materials and methods used are easily accessible and reproducible. Using the proposed technology, we have developed and tested a basic, differential, and elastographic versions of the breast phantom. The three versions of the phantom are anatomical and intended for use in medical education: the basic version is for practicing primary hand-eye coordination skills; the differential one is for practicing the differential diagnosis skills; the elastographic version helps developing the skills needed for assessing the stiffness of tissues. The proposed technology allows the creation of breast phantoms for practicing hand-eye coordination and develop the critical skills for navigation and assessment of the shape, margins, and size of the lesion, as well as performing an ultrasound-guided biopsy. It is cost-effective, reproducible, and easily implementable, and could be instrumental in generating ultrasonographers with crucial skills for accurate diagnosis of breast cancer, especially in low-resource settings.

Development of a red persistent luminescent composite: Electrospun nanofiber polymer coating prevents emission quenching by water

Sulfide persistent luminescent materials are known for their efficient luminescence, although a limitation in application of these materials is their susceptibility to hydrolysis. In this work, the electrospinning technique was used to encapsulate polycrystalline SrS:Eu2+,Sm3+ within PVDF-co-HFP nanofibers, after which thermostimulated luminescence could be observed with the naked eye following treatment with boiling water, confirming that the storage capacity of the powder was maintained after encapsulation. The composite material presented high levels of flexibility, hydrophobicity, and thermal and chemical stability. The structural characteristics of the synthesized SrS:Eu2+,Sm3+ were elucidated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The morphologies of the SrS:Eu2+,Sm3+ grains and the electrospun nanofibers were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) mapping, and scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM). Mechanical properties including elastic modulus and deformation degree were evaluated by PeakForce quantitative nanomechanical mapping (PF-QNM). The luminescent properties were investigated using photoluminescence spectroscopy (PLS), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), and X-ray excited optical luminescence (XEOL), which showed that the photonic functionality of the material in the nanofibers was preserved, even after severe treatment with boiling water.

The Effect of the Kaolinitic Clay and Asphaltenes on the Rheological Properties of Trinidad Lake Asphalt and Trinidad Petroleum Bitumen-Clay Composites

Trinidad Lake Asphalt (TLA) is a source of superior quality asphalt and is often specified as a mandatory ingredient for paving in high-demand applications. The TLA resource is limited and expensive and the ability to synthetically convert refinery petroleum bitumen such as Trinidad Petroleum Bitumen (TPB) into a TLA-like material would be a very profitable and more sustainable approach. The objective of this paper is to determine whether kaolinitic clay and asphaltenes when blended with TPB can improve its rheological properties and produce a TLA-like material. Studies were conducted using dynamic (oscillatory) shear rheology (DSR) to measure changes on the rheological properties of complex modulus, degree of stiffness, G*, and phase angle, degree of elasticity, δ, of blends. Although the addition of kaolinite to TPB resulted in changes to the rheological properties (G* and δ) of the blends to values closer in magnitude to TLA, the properties of TLA were not achieved. Removal of the inorganic kaolinitic component from TLA resulted in a significant decrease in the complex modulus and an increase in the phase angle to values close to TPB (δ equal to 89.6 for TLA and δ equal to 89.1), demonstrating the key role played by the kaolinitic clay in the rheological properties of TLA. The addition of Valencia clay and asphaltenes to TPB clearly showed that in tandem, they play a significant rheological role in the TPB blends as it was possible to produce blends with similar or even better rheological properties compared to pure TLA. The TPB blend containing 30% Valencia clay and 30% asphaltenes exhibited a G* higher than that of TLA and a δ that was marginally less than that of TLA. This study also demonstrated the ability to create customized TPB blends to suit special applications by manipulating the kaolinitic clay and asphaltenes content.

Constitutive modeling of human cornea through fractional calculus approach

In this work, the fractional calculus approach is considered for modeling the viscoelastic behavior of human cornea. It is observed that the degree of both elasticity and viscosity is easy to describe in terms of the fractional order parameters in such an approach. Modeling of the human cornea when subjected to simple stress up to the level of 250 MPa by fractional order Maxwell model along with the Fractional Kelvin Voigt Viscoelastic Model is reported. For the Maxwell governing fractional equation, two fractional parameters α and β have been considered to model the stress–strain relationship of the human cornea. The analytical solution of the fractional equation has been obtained for different values of α and β using Laplace transform methods. The effect of the fractional parameter values on the stress-deformation nature has been studied. A comparison between experimental values and calculated values for different fractional order of the Maxwell model equation defines the parameters which depict the real-time stress–strain relationship of the human cornea. It has been observed that the fractional model converges to the classical Maxwell model as a special case for α = β = 1.

Impacts of Drained Conditions and Degree of Reconsolidation on Postcyclic Mechanical Behaviors of Laterite Clay

The mechanical behaviors of subgrade soils will change after cyclic loading, resulting in a modification of foundation bearing capacity and the development of additional settlement. Recognizing this, cyclic triaxial tests were conducted to remolded laterite clay, and reconsolidation was allowed. During the process, the cyclic loading was applied under undrained and partially drained conditions, respectively. Results show that the variations of both postcyclic undrained strength and elastic modulus versus degree of reconsolidation are different: the postcyclic elastic modulus increases with an increase of the degree of reconsolidation, while the undrained strength decreases a little under the condition of the large degree of reconsolidation. Furthermore, there are specific degrees of reconsolidation, making the postcyclic undrained strength and elastic modulus equal to the corresponding test results of the specimen without reconsolidation. Moreover, the greater the number of cycles, the larger the elastic modulus of the specimens with full reconsolidation, and the lower the elastic modulus of the specimens without reconsolidation. The undrained strengths of the specimens with full reconsolidation are all higher than those of the specimens without cyclic loading, whereas those of the specimens without reconsolidation are all lower. In addition, both postcyclic undrained strength and elastic modulus between cyclic loading under undrained and partially drained conditions are compared: the elastic moduli of the specimens under partially drained conditions are greater than those obtained under undrained conditions, while the undrained strengths obtained under partially drained conditions are equal to that under undrained conditions at a certain number of cycles.

Features of ultrasound diagnostic syndesmotic ankle injuries in middle and older children: prospective comparative study

BACKGROUND: Diagnostics and treatment of syndesmotic ankle injuries in children is one of the important problems in pediatrics. The generally accepted examination algorithms and standards developed for adult patients do not apply to children. The ligamentous apparatus in children is much more elastic, and the tibiofibular space is smaller, which significantly complicates the diagnostic search.&#x0D; OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to create a diagnostic algorithm for examining middle and older children with ankle joint injuries.&#x0D; MATERIALS AND METHODS: To create a diagnostic algorithm, whether the ultrasonographic stress test of external foot rotation in adult practice is relevant for patients with closed growth zones was investigated. Two open cohorts of middle and older children were formed. The first cohort included children aged 1114 years with a closed growth zone of the distal tibia, and the second cohort included children aged 1517 years with a closed growth zone. The inclusion criteria were the absence of injuries of the studied ankle joint and the correspondence of the body mass index to the age norm.&#x0D; RESULTS: The variability of the tibiofibular space during the stress test of external foot rotation in children with a closing growth zone averages 3.035 mm and in children with a closed growth zone was 2.319 mm. Data indicate a high degree of elasticity of the anterior tibialperoneal ligament in children in contrast to adults in whom this structure is more rigid. In children experiencing pain, active muscle resistance makes the test of internal rotation ineffective, and excessive elasticity of the structure in the area of a healthy joint does not give a correct comparative result for the operator.&#x0D; CONCLUSION: The use of a test with internal rotation for diagnosing damage to the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis in children with closing and closed growth zones is limited, and the operator must rely on other ultrasound signs of damage to this structure.

Elastic-stripe formation at electronic transitions

We investigate the possibility of a striped inhomoegenous phase occurring as an electronic system with an order parameter linearly coupled to the elastic degrees of freedom is tuned through the electronic phase transition. We find that in finite systems where boundary conditions create an eleastic incompatibility, a stripe pattern may emerge in the vicinity of the electronic transition. Stripes are stabilized when the gained elastic energy overcomes the typical electronic and domain wall energy costs. In thin film geometries, the stripes are found to extend across the entire depth of the system. We also study the behavior of the phase fraction across the spinodal region of a first order phase transition. The orientation of stripes and the possibility of more complicated patterns is also discussed.