Extensive Plastic Research Articles

Mechanical properties of rotary friction and gas tungsten arc welded aa6061 weldments subjected to equal channel angular pressing

AbstractMetal joining can perhaps be said as one of the most indispensable manufacturing processes, with applications across a variety of engineering streams ranging from automobile to day‐to‐day construction activities. The conventional techniques primarily rely on melting the two joining surfaces and solidifying them to create a fresh cast joint. Though the plates being welded are wrought the joints inevitably are cast and hence result in heterogenous mechanical properties between the base metal. In alloy systems with eutectic phase, the high heat input involved in melting the joining surfaces often degrades the strength of the material in the vicinity of the weldment resulting in the formation of a heat‐affected zone. In the welding of heat‐treatable aluminium alloys, heat‐affected zone degradation is often the weakest point of the welded sample The mechanical properties of a weldment can be improved by extensive plastic deformation. Studies show that such strengthening of AA6061 alloys is a combined influence of the grain refinement of the primary matrix as well as the redistribution of the secondary eutectic phase. Weldments fabricated by gas tungsten arc welding and rotary friction welding were subjected to severe plastic deformation, and the effects were studied. Improved mechanical properties thereby providing an alternative solution to post‐weld heat treatment were observed.

Legionella pneumophila, a Rosetta stone to understanding bacterial pathogenesis.

Legionella pneumophila is an environmentally acquired pathogen that causes respiratory disease in humans. While the discovery of L. pneumophila is relatively recent compared to other bacterial pathogens, over the past 50 years, L. pneumophila has emerged as a powerhouse for studying host-pathogen interactions. In its natural habitat of fresh water, L. pneumophila interacts with a diverse array of protozoan hosts and readily evolve to expand their host range. This has led to the accumulation of the most extensive arsenal of secreted virulence factors described for a bacterial pathogen and their ability to infect humans. Within amoebae and human alveolar macrophages, the bacteria replicate within specialized membrane-bound compartments, establishing L. pneumophila as a model for studying intracellular vacuolar pathogens. In contrast, the virulence factors required for intracellular replication are specifically tailored to individual host cells types, allowing the pathogen to adapt to variation between disparate niches. The broad host range of this pathogen, combined with the extensive diversity and genome plasticity across the Legionella genus, has thus established this bacterium as an archetype to interrogate pathogen evolution, functional genomics, and ecology. In this review, we highlight the features of Legionella that establish them as a versatile model organism, new paradigms in bacteriology and bacterial pathogenesis resulting from the study of Legionella, as well as current and future questions that will undoubtedly expand our understanding of the complex and intricate biology of the microbial world.

Neurobiological Correlates of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis: Remodelling and Plasticity of Nociceptive and Autonomic Innervations in Synovial Joints.

Swelling, stiffness, and pain in synovial joints are primary hallmarks of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Hyperactivity of nociceptors and excessive release of inflammatory factors and pain mediators play a crucial role, with emerging data suggesting extensive remodelling and plasticity of joint innervations. Herein, we review structural, functional, and molecular alterations in sensory and autonomic axons wiring arthritic joints and revisit mechanisms implicated in the sensitization of nociceptors, leading to chronic pain. Sprouting and reorganization of sensory and autonomic fibers with the invasion of ectopic branches into surrounding inflamed tissues are associated with the upregulation of pain markers. These changes are frequently complemented by a phenotypic switch of sensory and autonomic profiles and activation of silent axons, inferring homeostatic adjustments and reprogramming of innervations. Identifying critical molecular players and neurobiological mechanisms underpinning the rewiring and sensitization of joints is likely to elucidate causatives of neuroinflammation and chronic pain, assisting in finding new therapeutic targets and opportunities for interventions.

Rebuilding the autoimmune-damaged corneal stroma through topical lubrication.

Corneal lubrication is the most common treatment for relieving the signs and symptoms of dry eye and is considered to be largely palliative with no regenerative functions. Here we challenge this notion by demonstrating that wetting the desiccated cornea of an aqueous-deficient mouse model with the simplest form of lubrication, a saline-based solution, is sufficient to rescue the severely disrupted collagen-rich architecture of the stroma, the largest corneal compartment that is essential to transparency and vision. At the single cell level we show that stromal keratocytes responsible for maintaining stromal integrity are converted from an inflammatory state into unique reparative cell states by lubrication alone, thus revealing the extensive plasticity of these cells and the regenerative function of lubricating the surface. We further show that the generation of a reparative phenotype is due, in part, to disruption of an IL1β autocrine amplification loop promoting chronic inflammation. Thus, our study uncovers the regenerative potential of topical lubrication in dry eye and represents a paradigm shift in our understanding of its therapeutic impact.

An ILK/STAT3 pathway controls glioblastoma stem cell plasticity.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is driven by malignant neural stem-like cells that display extensive heterogeneity and phenotypic plasticity, which drive tumor progression and therapeutic resistance. Here, we show that the extracellular matrix-cell adhesion protein integrin-linked kinase (ILK) stimulates phenotypic plasticity and mesenchymal-like, invasive behavior in a murine GBM stem cell model. ILK is required for the interconversion of GBM stem cells between malignancy-associated glial-like states, and its loss produces cells that are unresponsive to multiple cell state transition cues. We further show that an ILK/STAT3 signaling pathway controls the plasticity that enables transition of GBM stem cells to an astrocyte-like state invitro and invivo. Finally, we find that ILK expression correlates with expression of STAT3-regulated proteins and protein signatures describing astrocyte-like and mesenchymal states in patient tumors. This work identifies ILK as a pivotal regulator of multiple malignancy-associated GBM phenotypes, including phenotypic plasticity and mesenchymal state.

Effect of Replacing Natural Aggregate with Plastic Aggregate on the Mechanical Properties of Concrete-Review

Humans are consuming vast quantities of plastic across various types, leading to significant challenges in decomposition and the subsequent generation of extensive plastic waste, posing a significant threat to the environment. To address this issue, researchers are actively exploring methods to minimize plastic waste and mitigate its widespread impact by incorporating it into concrete. This not only enhances concrete's durability but also reduces costs. This paper provides an overview of published research on the utilization of waste plastic in concrete. It reviews the efforts of numerous researchers in valorizing plastic waste in concrete, exploring different forms such as partial replacement of fine and coarse aggregate, as well as fibers, and examines their effects on the fresh, mechanical, and durability properties of concrete. The research findings indicate promising possibilities for recycling plastic waste in concrete. However, there is scope to investigate the combined utilization of plastic as both aggregate and fiber in concrete, potentially enabling the recovery of additional quantities of plastic waste. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the importance of employing scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to analyze changes occurring within the concrete.

Ultra-low cycle fatigue of ship hull structure – an alternately-cyclically loaded four-point bending test of a large box girder

Ultra-low cycle fatigue (ULCF) refers to material failure at small number of loading cycles. For large complex structures like ships, the damage from ULCF can bring hazardous consequences. In this study, an alternately-cyclically loaded four-point bending test of a large box girder is introduced as the specimen to represent the ULCF of ship hull structure. In every load during the test, large deformation is applied to the specimen even after reaching its ultimate hull girder strength (UHGS), thus extensive plastic deformation and obvious fracture can occur in the specimen. The severely damaged specimen is further tested until 1.5 cycles of bending are finished, thus the test of post-damage box girder is realized. Moreover, the box girder is divided into 3 sub-sections, which show different but still interacting structural behavior. The result of the test shows the structural behavior of a large complex structure suffering severe damage during alternate hogging and sagging after reaching its UHGS, which corresponds to the consequence of ULCF. The presented ULCF test also provides experiences for investigations of large complex structures with existing damages or after accidental loads. Considering the number of cycles in the test, this study can bridge the gap between monotonic overload and ultra-low cycle fatigue.

Electrode-Level Modeling of Silicon Anodes for Improved Design

Silicon is an ideal active material for lithium-ion battery anodes, due to its low potential and high theoretical capacity. However, extreme volume changes during lithiation and delithiation make reversibility and long cycle life difficult challenges. To properly understand these volume changes, a detailed electrochemical model is needed. Much previous modeling work has focused on particle-level effects such as intra-particle diffusion and cracking. Beyond this, some efforts have successfully utilized pseudo-2-dimensional (P2D) models to evaluate electrode-level phenomena — such as stress distribution and changes in electrode thickness and electrochemical potential. Nevertheless, some essential physics is still missing.Here, we present a new P2D model with improvements that provide a deeper level of understanding of porous silicon anode property changes during lithiation, to enable improved electrode design. Important among these improvements are the use of local state of lithiation as opposed to electrode average state of lithiation to better capture porosity and ionic conductivity changes; an effective electrolyte reservoir that properly addresses electrolyte volume-change requirements; advection of electrolyte and solid-state Li; and an extensive electrode-level plastic deformation model that has a dramatic effect on the model’s predictions.We use this model to test the efficacy of various electrode and cell design decisions. The model can make recommendations on casing design such as rigidity and thickness and the effect of other cell sandwich components e.g. different layers thickness on the electrochemical performance of the cell. Furthermore, using the revised swelling behavior predictions given by the mechanical model, we can provide recommendations for initial electrode porosity and binder volume fraction. Finally, the model as a whole allows us to provide recommendations that will accommodate particle expansion with the least detriment to ionic conductivity at various C-rates. Figure 1

Adult Neurogenesis Reconciles Flexibility and Stability of Olfactory Perceptual Memory.

In brain regions featuring ongoing plasticity, the task of quickly encoding new information without overwriting old memories presents a significant challenge. In the rodent olfactory bulb, which is renowned for substantial structural plasticity driven by adult neurogenesis and persistent turnover of dendritic spines, we show that by synergistically combining both types of plasticity this flexibility-stability dilemma can be overcome. To do so, we develop a computational model for structural plasticity in the olfactory bulb and show that it is the maturation process of adult-born neurons that enables the bulb to learn quickly and forget slowly. Particularly important are the transient enhancement of the plasticity, excitability, and susceptibility to apoptosis that characterizes young neurons. The model captures many experimental observations and makes a number of testable predictions. Overall, it identifies memory consolidation as an important role of adult neurogenesis in olfaction and exemplifies how the brain can maintain stable memories despite ongoing extensive neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity.

Exploiting acquired vulnerability to develop novel treatments for cholangiocarcinoma.

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) presents a formidable therapeutic challenge due to its extensive heterogeneity and plasticity, which inevitably lead to acquired resistance to current treatments. However, recent evidence suggests that acquired drug resistance is associated with a fitness cost resulting from the myriad of acquired alterations under the selective pressure of the primary treatment. Consequently, CCA patients with acquired resistance are more susceptible to alternative therapies that are ineffective as monotherapies. This phenomenon, termed "acquired vulnerability," has garnered significant interest in drug development, as the acquired alterations could potentially be exploited therapeutically. This review elucidates the modes of acquired vulnerability, methods for identifying and exploiting acquired vulnerabilities in cancer (particularly in CCA), and strategies to enhance the clinical efficacy of drug combinations by leveraging the principle of acquired vulnerability. Identifying acquired vulnerabilities may pave the way for novel drug combinations to effectively treat highly heterogeneous and adaptable malignancies such as CCA.

A novel mechanism to accelerate stress relaxation of toughened blends: Stress-induced core-shell morphological reconstruction and its application in thermoforming and dimensional stabilization

Improving thermoforming efficiency and dimensional stability in thermoplastic products is a common challenge. This study investigates toughened polyamide 612 (PA612) blends made by adding maleic anhydride-functionalized SEBS (mSEBS) elastomers, along with high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyphenylene Oxide (PPO), and polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS). Analyses showed that mSEBS forms a core-shell structure with HDPE or PPO and a sea-island structure with PPS in the PA612 matrix. The study uniquely examines how these structures affect stress relaxation. The results, modeled by a steady-state creep model, revealed that the core-shell structures reduced the characteristic relaxation time (λ) by over three orders of magnitude compared to PA612/mSEBS blends. Additionally, PA612/mSEBS/HDPE blends were more temperature-sensitive, reducing λ by six orders of magnitude compared to PA612/mSEBS/PPO blends. Further analysis showed that stress-induced core-shell morphological reconstruction (SCMR) significantly improved stress relaxation by promoting extensive plastic deformation and energy dissipation. These toughened PA612 blends exhibited excellent thermoforming efficiency and dimensional stability. A 3D finite element model confirmed SCMR as an effective strategy for stress relaxation, providing valuable insights for designing toughened blends with superior processing efficiency and stability.

Three-Dimensional Site Response Analysis of Clay Soil Considering the Effects of Soil Behavior and Type

To understand changes in bedrock motion at the ground surface, frequency effects, and spatial distribution within the soil, it is important to look at how a site responds to earthquakes. This is important for soil–structure interaction in structural and geotechnical earthquake engineering. This study deals with the effect of classifying clays according to shear wave velocity (stiff/medium/soft) and nonlinearity in behavior (linear/nonlinear) on the analysis of the site response. A 3D soil model with a combination of free fields and quiet boundaries and advanced constitutive models for soil to obtain accurate results was used to conduct this study. A strong TABAS earthquake was used to excite the compliant base of the model after converting the velocity record of TABAS to an equivalent surface traction force using a horizontal force–time history proportional to the velocity–time history. This study reveals that the site response analysis is affected by the type of clay soil and the soil material behavior, with soft clay soil causing higher PGV and PGV values in the linear case and lower values in the nonlinear case due to soil yielding, which causes soil response attenuation. This results in extremely conservative and expensive building designs when linear soil behavior is adopted. On the other hand, the applied earthquake exhibits greater attenuation at longer frequencies and greater amplification at mid and short frequencies. However, at frequencies near the applied earthquake frequency, neither attenuation nor amplification occurs. Furthermore, nonlinear soil behavior is crucial for soil evaluation and foundation design due to higher octahedral shear strain and settlement values, especially in softer soils, resulting from extensive plastic deformation.

Genomic variation of European beech reveals signals of local adaptation despite high levels of phenotypic plasticity

Local adaptation is key for ecotypic differentiation and species evolution. Understanding underlying genomic patterns can allow the prediction of future maladaptation and ecosystem stability. Here, we report the whole-genome resequencing of 874 individuals from 100 range-wide populations of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), an important forest tree species in Europe. We show that genetic variation closely mirrors geography with a clear pattern of isolation-by-distance. Genome-wide analyses for genotype-environment associations (GEAs) identify relatively few potentially adaptive variants after correcting for an overwhelming signal of statistically significant but non-causal GEAs. We characterize the single high confidence genomic region and pinpoint a candidate gene possibly involved in winter temperature adaptation via modulation of spring phenology. Surprisingly, allelic variation at this locus does not result in any apparent fitness differences in a common garden. More generally, reciprocal transplant experiments across large climate distances suggest extensive phenotypic plasticity. Nevertheless, we find indications of polygenic adaptation which may be essential in natural ecosystems. This polygenic signal exhibits broad- and fine-scale variation across the landscape, highlighting the relevance of spatial resolution. In summary, our results emphasize the importance, but also exemplify the complexity, of employing natural genetic variation for forest conservation under climate change.

Agricultural plastic pollution reduces soil function even under best management practices.

Soil plastic contamination is considered a threat to environmental health and food security. Plastic films-which are widely used as soil mulches-are the largest single source of agricultural plastic pollution. Growing evidence indicates that high concentrations of plastic negatively affect critical soil functions. However, the relationships between agricultural plastic accumulation and its biogeochemical consequences in regions with relatively low levels of soil plastic pollution remain poorly characterized. We sampled farms across the California Central Coast (a region of global agricultural importance with extensive plastic mulch-based production) to assess the degree and biogeochemical consequences of plastic pollution in fields subject to "best practice" plastic mulching application and removal practices over multiple years. All farms exhibited surface soil plastic contamination, macroplastic positively correlated with microplastic contamination levels, and macroplastic accumulation was negatively correlated with soil moisture, microbial activity, available phosphate, and soil carbon pool size. These effects occurred at less than 10% of the contamination levels reported to degrade field soils, but were relatively subtle, with no detectable relationship to microplastic concentration. Identifying declines in soil quality with low levels of macroplastic fragment accumulation suggests that we must improve best management plasticulture practices to limit the threat to soil health and agricultural productivity of unabated plastic accumulation.

Biologging reveals rapid movements of harbour seals between freshwater and marine habitats in the subarctic

Biologging tools can provide invaluable information on the movement and behaviour of animals, facilitating the elucidation of ecological dynamics, especially for wide-ranging species, and supporting conservation and management efforts. Harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) exhibit extensive habitat plasticity in their vast range across the northern hemisphere, with likely recent increases in abundance at northern latitudes, yet details of their movement behaviour in subarctic areas remain largely unknown. We used satellite-telemetry data, including nearly 5,000 locations and over 12,000 dives, obtained from six harbour seals tagged in western Hudson Bay from 2021 to 2023, to address the knowledge gap on their movement behaviour between marine and freshwater habitats in subarctic regions. We document the behavioural patterns, transit speeds, and diverse aquatic system usage, including detailed records of a harbour seal track traversing over 170 km upriver on three separate trips along the Seal River, Canada. Notably, we observed a rapid downstream transit from the Seal River to Hudson Bay, covering 214 km within a single day. Additionally, we highlight the prevalence of short dive durations in the Seal and Churchill Rivers, in contrast to longer dive durations in Hudson Bay. These insights complement existing evidence of harbour seal occurrences and river use at northern latitudes, as well as enhance our understanding of harbour seal movement ecology within Hudson Bay which can be used to better inform conservation and management strategies between connected freshwater and marine environments in the Arctic.

Technological and Mechanical Studies on Additively Manufactured Cellular Structures Made of the Ultrafuse 316L Composite Filament

Regular cellular materials produced using additive manufacturing (AM) techniques represent a significant development trend in modern engineering materials. Depending on the applied elementary unit cell of topology, it is possible to define the course of the structure deformation process in order to obtain the highest possible energy absorption effectiveness. This feature makes regular cellular structural materials particularly attractive for a number of industrial branches. This paper presents the results of technological trials and the results of experimental studies on the mechanical properties of regular cellular structures made using 3D printing technology under compression test loading conditions. The material used for their production was the Ultrafuse 316L filament and the fused filament fabrication (FFF) technique. The proposed material is a polymer-metal composite with a manufacturing process similar to metal injection moulding (MIM). The adopted research methodology included a feasibility study aimed at achieving material homogeneity and compression tests of the developed and manufactured regular cellular structures under quasi-static loading conditions. Several structural topologies were analysed. Experimental results indicated that regular cellular structures made from 316L steel exhibit high mechanical strength and extensive plastic deformation capabilities. The utilized in this work manufacturing technology used combines the advantages of 3D printing process with the potential of powder metallurgy. The proposed technique of structure manufacturing process is much cheaper than other based on melting metallic powders.

PDIA3 defines a novel subset of adipose macrophages to exacerbate the development of obesity and metabolic disorders

Adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) play important roles in maintaining adipose tissue homeostasis and orchestrating metabolic inflammation. Given the extensive functional heterogeneity and phenotypic plasticity of ATMs, identification of the authentically pathogenic ATM subpopulation under obese setting is thus necessitated. Herein, we performed single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) and unraveled a unique maladaptive ATM subpopulation defined as ATF4hiPDIA3hiACSL4hiCCL2hi inflammatory and metabolically activated macrophages (iMAMs), in which PDIA3 is required for the maintenance of their migratory and pro-inflammatory properties. Mechanistically, ATF4 serves as a metabolic stress sensor to transcribe PDIA3, which then imposes a redox control on RhoA activity and strengthens the pro-inflammatory and migratory properties of iMAMs through RhoA-YAP signaling. Administration of Pdia3 small interfering RNA (siRNA)-loaded liposomes effectively repressed adipose inflammation and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity. Together, our data support that strategies aimed at targeting iMAMs by suppressing PDIA3 expression or activity could be a viable approach against obesity and metabolic disorders in clinical settings.

Multicomponent alloys designed to sinter

Powder sintering is a low-energy, net-shape processing route for many new products in the additive manufacturing space. We advance the viewpoint that for future manufacturing, alloys should be designed from materials science principles to sinter quickly at lower temperatures and with controlled final microstructures. Specifically, we illustrate the computational design of multinary Ni-base alloys, whose chemistries permit a low-temperature solid-state sintering scheme without any pressure- or field-assistance, as well as heat-treatability after sintering. The strategy is based on sequential phase evolutions designed to occur during sintering. The reactions involve rapid reorganization of matter to full density in cycles up to just 1200 °C, while conventional Ni alloys sintered in the solid-state require about ten times longer, or more than 250 °C degrees higher temperature. Our approach yields an alloy that benefits from precipitation hardening, has an increased strength ~\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\sim$$\\end{document}50% higher than solid-state processed commercial Ni alloys, and yet exhibits extensive plasticity beyond 35% uniaxial strain. The results point to a generalizable design scheme for many other alloys designed for solid-state powder processing that can enable greater value from additive manufacturing.

Experimental investigation of Lord Kelvin’s isentropic thermoelastic cooling and heating expression for tensile bars in two engineering alloys

ABSTRACT Solids change temperature when rapidly and elastically stressed. The effect proposed by W. Thomson, who was ennobled as Lord Kelvin, is adiabatic thermoelastic cooling or heating depending on the sign of the stress. A highly sensitive radiometrically calibrated, cooled infrared camera was employed to measure temperatures both decreasing and increasing. Temperature measurements made from the reversible, elastic part of the stress–strain curve during rapid uniaxial tensile loading and unloading were investigated. The quasi-isentropic cooling temperature from the stress loading curve is recovered by heating after the specimen fractures when the load is released. These measurements establish for the first-time isentropic temperature recovery. The materials tested are an AISI 4340 steel and an aluminium 2024 alloy. Measurements of the stress cooling are − 0.65 ± 0.05 K/GPa for steel and − 1.8 ± 0.3 K/GPa for aluminium alloy. The thermoelastic heating is − 1.2 ± 0.3 K/GPa for steel and − 1.8 ± 0.2 K/GPa for aluminium. These values are compared to Thomson’s theoretical thermoelastic prediction; comparisons are also made to equations of state tables. The experimental values are below theoretical predictions. The quasi-isentropic, elastic part of the temperature change is fully recovered after extensive plastic deformation by the fracture stress release wave.

Lattice distortion enabling enhanced strength and plasticity in high entropy intermetallic alloy

Intermetallic alloys have traditionally been characterized by their inherent brittleness due to their lack of sufficient slip systems and absence of strain hardening. However, here we developed a single-phase B2 high-entropy intermetallic alloy that is both strong and plastic. Unlike conventional intermetallics, this high-entropy alloy features a highly distorted crystalline lattice with complex chemical order, leading to multiple slip systems and high flow stress. In addition, the alloy exhibits a dynamic hardening mechanism triggered by dislocation gliding that preserves its strength across a wide range of temperatures. As a result, this high-entropy intermetallic circumvents precipitous thermal softening, with extensive plastic flows even at high homologous temperatures, outperforming a variety of both body-centered cubic and B2 alloys. These findings reveal a promising direction for the development of intermetallic alloys with broad engineering applications.