Composition Fluctuations Research Articles

Benthic foraminifera across the Albian–Cenomanian transition and their paleoceanographic significance during OAE1d in the western Tethys (Umbria–Marche Basin, Italy)

The benthic foraminiferal assemblages from the upper Albian-lower Cenomanian interval of the Scaglia Bianca Formation in the Monte Petrano (MP) and Le Brecce (LB) sections (Umbria–Marche Basin; Italy) provide a detailed record of the faunal changes across the Oceanic Anoxic Event 1d (OAE 1d). Fluctuations in abundance, diversity, and species composition reflect variations in bottom-water oxygenation and organic carbon fluxes. Benthic foraminifera are integrated with planktonic foraminifera, calcareous nannofossils, and geochemical proxies to reconstruct the bottom and surface water conditions across the OAE 1d in the Umbria–Marche Basin.The pre-OAE 1d interval was characterized by benthic foraminifera that thrived under stable mesotrophic condition in bottom waters. In surface waters, planktonic foraminifera indicate dominant mesotrophic conditions in agreement with calcareous nannofossil assemblages suggesting a regime of higher fertility under cooler conditions.During the OAE 1d interval, benthic foraminifera display an increase in the abundance of infaunal taxa, suggesting mesotrophic conditions in bottom waters. Nevertheless, within the Pialli Level, the six laminated black-to-dark grey shale horizons (MP1/LB1 to MP6/LB6), benthic foraminifera are absent or highly impoverished (MP1, MP2, MP4, MP6, LB5, LB6), suggesting hypoxic/anoxic conditions in bottom waters. Planktonic foraminifera in this interval reflect mesotrophic to oligotrophic conditions under the presence of an expanded mixed layer and deeper thermocline in the surface waters. Calcareous nannofossils record warm conditions and lower fertility starting just prior to and across the OAE 1d. However, higher values of fertility are recorded in the black-to-dark grey shales MP3/LB3, MP4/LB4 and MP5/LB5 of the Pialli Level.The post-OAE 1d interval is marked by an increase in the diversity of benthic foraminifera, indicating a restoration of the oxygen conditions in a continuous mesotrophic regime in bottom waters. The surface waters experienced oligotrophic conditions based on the planktonic and calcareous nannofossils.A minor discrepancy between benthic foraminifera and geochemical reconstruction of oxygenation levels of bottom waters was recorded, especially in the Pialli Level. The benthic microfaunas appear to be very sensitive to very short-term oxygen depletion at the seafloor when geochemical proxies suggest temporary suboxia. This might indicate that very rapid redox changes are not resolved by bulk elemental data. Otherwise, benthic foraminifera might be much more responsive to very low concentrations of oxygen in bottom waters and temporarily disappear under strong suboxia before reaching fully anoxic conditions.

Improvement of technology and technique for the production of sinter at the SP EVRAZ KGOK. Report 1. Loading and ignition of the mix.

A brief literature review of theoretical and applied works on charging and ignition of sinter mix has been made. The review considers experimental data on the influence of the distribution of the particle size of the mix and the fuel content over the height and width of the bed, and its bulk density on the consumption of solid fuel, height and gas permeability, on the productivity of sinter machines and sinter strength. The problems of sinter mix ignition, the influ-ence of throttling of the first vacuum chambers of sinter machines on the quality of sinter and gas consumption for ignition are discussed. The results of industrial studies of mix loading and ignition modes on EVRAZ KGOK sinter ma-chines are presented, which provide an increase in the bed height, an increase in the cold strength of the sinter, and a decrease in natural gas consumption for mix ignition. As a result of increasing the rotational speed of the drum feeder, the discrete descent of the mix from the mix flow stabilizer was eliminated. It has been established that due to the ex-pansion of the sinter pallets and the negative slope of their sides, there is no need to form a mix bed profile variable in height and width. The operation of sinter machines with and without separation of the loading chute from the bed has been studied. The presence of critical fluctuations of the grain size composition of the mix and the content of fuel car-bon in it along the width and height of the bed for both options of operation, due to the mode of operation of the shuttle mix distributor and fluctuations the height of the bed in the intermediate hopper, has been established. The important role of the design and mass of the mix smoother has been experimentally confirmed. The design of the throttling device of the vacuum chambers legs with manual change of the free section only as it wears out has been developed and implemented. The rational free section of the legs of the vacuum chambers is determined, which provides a minimum suction (1–2 Pa) in the chamber of the ignition hearth, and equal to 10–12%. As a result of the introduction of new technical solutions, an increase in the cold strength of the sinter by 1.09%, a decrease in natural gas consumption by 29%, and an increase in the height of the sintered charge layer up to 30 mm were achieved without reducing the productivity of sinter machines

Towards high-strength, high-ductility ferritic steels: Pathways to overcome the “475 °C embrittlement” in spinodally decomposed Fe-40Cr alloy

Fe–Cr is a model alloy for ferritic steels used in thermal power generation systems and envisaged as primary structural material for future fusion reactors. However, upon heating and, further, under irradiation, Fe–Cr can suffer from phase decomposition leading to the formation of Fe-rich and Cr-rich regions that induce simultaneous hardening and embrittlement. In this study, we examine the origins of the degradation in mechanical properties by performing room-temperature in situ micropillar compression tests on single-crystalline Fe–40wt.%Cr alloys in solid solution, and in the spinodally decomposed state obtained after annealing at 500 °C for 1008 and 2016 h, respectively. The compressed micropillars are subjected to correlative nanoscale structural characterization using transmission electron backscattered diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Dislocation slip occurs unequivocally on the {110}〈11¯1〉 slip system for all conditions. While the 2016 h annealed state exhibits a more evolved nanoscale phase modulation than the 1008 h annealed condition, both microstructures display approximately double the yield strength of the solid-solution state without any concurrent loss of ductility. Our findings reveal a fundamental change in plasticity mechanism across the three different microstructures. Deformation in the solid-solution state is associated with kink-mediated local plasticity occurring on multiple glide systems, which activate sequentially based upon the largest instantaneous Schmid factor. This gradually transforms into a less localized Lüders-band like plasticity associated with single-slip activation in the 1008 h annealed state, while the deformation in the 2016 h annealed state is marked by uniform strain hardening related to a homogeneous polycrystalline-like dislocation motion occurring simultaneously on multiple slip systems. Correlations between the spatial and compositional fluctuations in Cr and the associated plasticity dynamics are established. It is shown that the spatial fluctuations in Cr strongly influence dislocation strengthening and the relative mobility of the edge and screw components across all microstructural states. It is further concluded that the phase-separation effect, despite promoting strengthening, does not act as the primary cause of embrittlement, but rather plays a contrary role of enhancing ductility.

Visualizing sintering process and electrical properties of SnO2 doped K0.48Na0.52NbO3 piezoelectric ceramics

In this study, the conventional solid-state sintering of lead-free (1−x)K0.48Na0.52NbO3-xSnO2 piezoelectric green bodies was analysed using thermal imaging and longitudinal/transverse shrinking. The phase structure, fracture morphology, densification, permittivity, ferroelectricity, piezoelectricity, and domain-switching activation energy were investigated with increasing SnO2 content (x). Sn4+ first occupied the A site in the ABO3 structure and then substituted the B site with increasing x. This resulted in various contents of defect dipoles and oxygen vacancies, which were mainly responsible for the different ferroelectricity and piezoelectricity values. The permittivity and domain-switching activation energy were significantly affected by the local compositional disorder or fluctuation. Moreover, the influences of phase, densification, fine grain size, and domain wall on the electrical properties are also discussed. The optimum electrical properties, with Pr = 34.7 μC/cm2, d33 = 294 pC/N, and TC = 337 °C were determined for x = 0.30 mol%. This study provides a specific explanation and reference for the various electrical properties of lead-free piezoelectric ceramics.

Diffusionless Isothermal Omega Transformation and Dynamic Atomic Shuffling Dominated by Quenched-in Compositional Fluctuations

Diffusionless Isothermal Omega Transformation and Dynamic Atomic Shuffling Dominated by Quenched-in Compositional Fluctuations

Ordering phenomena in ternary transition‐metal dichalcogenides: Critical role of lattice symmetry and vdW interaction

AbstractConcentrated solid solution materials with huge compositional design space and normally unexpected property attract extensive interests of researchers. In these emerging materials, local composition fluctuation such as short‐range order (SRO), has been observed and found to have nontrivial effects on material properties, and thus can be utilized as an additional degree of freedom for material optimization. To exploit SRO, its interplay with factors beyond element‐level property, including lattice symmetry and bonding environment, should be clarified. In this work by using layered transition‐metal dichalcogenide Mo(X0.5X′0.5)2 (X/X′ = O, S, Se, or Te) with mixed element in the non‐metal sublattice as the platform, the ordering phenomena are systematically studied using multiscale simulations. As expected, electronegativity difference between X and X′ strongly regulates SRO. Additionally, SRO and long‐range order (LRO) are observed in the 2H and T/T′ phase of MoXX′, respectively, indicating a strong influence of lattice symmetry on SRO. More importantly, as vdW interaction is introduced, the SRO structure in 2H‐MoXX′ bilayer can be re‐configured, while the LRO in T/T′‐MoXX′ remains unchanged. Electronic insights for SRO and the resultant property variation are obtained. This work presents a thorough understanding of SRO in bonding complex systems, benefiting the SRO‐guided material designs.

Influence on the sintering process of lime distribution between the blending storage and the mix department of SP-5 PJSC “MMK”

A research methodology is presented to determine the rational distribution of lime for the agglomeration process between the blending storage (fraction 0‒10 mm) and the mix department of the sinter plant (0‒3 mm). Together with the technological staff of the sinter plant four variants of lime distribution were tested and, accordingly, four piles with different lime content fraction 0‒10 mm were formed. The results of determining the granulometric composition and temperature of the mix under the conditions of lime dissociation along the process line for preparing the mix for sintering are presented. It has been established that when lime fraction of 0‒3 mm is supplied to the mix department, which ensures its content in the mix of 3%, it is heated to a temperature of 62 °C, i.e. to the “dew point”, which practi-cally prevents moisture condensation in the bed of the sintered mix. The analysis of the chemical composition of raw iron ore materials, mix and sinter, and its fluctuations has been carried out. It has been established that both for iron ore raw materials and mix, and as a result for sinter, the fluctuations of the chemical composition, estimated from the homogeneity coefficient, does not exceed 10%. The influence of the basicity of the sinter on the sulfur content in it has been established. It was found that when the content of lime fraction 0‒3 mm in the mix reaches 3%, the productivity of the sinter machine increases by at least 5.2% compared with the supply of all lime fraction 0‒10 mm to the blending storage. In this case, there are no problems for the blending storage in the cold season, when the remaining 1.5% of lime fraction 0‒10 mm is introduced into the concentrate consumption. Thus, it is recommended in winter conditions to sup-ply lime fraction of 0‒3 mm to the mix department in an amount that ensures its content in the mix equal to 3%, and the rest of the lime with a fraction of 0‒10 mm is fed to the blending storage.

Effect of Co on spinodal decomposition and magnetic properties in Fe(67−X)Cr31CoXSi2 (X=9, 14, 19, 24) medium entropy alloys

We synthesized four Fe(67−X)Cr31CoXSi2 (X = 9, 14, 19, and 24 at.%) medium-entropy alloys and investigated the effect of Co on the connection between magnetic properties and spinodal structure. When the value of X was increased from 9 to 14 at.%, both the volume fraction of α1 phase and the composition difference between α1 and α2 phases increased, leading to an increase in coercivity. This increase also resulted in an increase in the size of α1 phase, leading to a decrease in remanence. When the value of X was increased beyond 14 at.%, both coercivity and remanence were significantly enhanced, even though the volume fraction of the α1 phase remained unchanged. We attribute this enhancement to (1) intensification of the composition fluctuation in the spinodal structure, (2) increase in lattice misfits, and (3) refinement of the α1 phase. Our results will be valuable in future magnet design.

In-situ observation of ‘chemical’ strengthening induced by compositional fluctuations in Nb-Mo-Ta-W

The mechanical response of refractory high-entropy alloys (RHEA) can be greatly influenced by local chemical fluctuations. Here, we perform in-situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) nanocompression tests at room temperature of body-centered cubic Nb-Mo-Ta-W RHEA single-crystal nanopillars to understand the reasons behind this at atomic scale. We find that (i) chemical composition is not uniform in space, following certain oscillatory patterns and (ii) that specimen near-surface regions with local ‘soft’ spots favor dislocation nucleation over ‘hard’ ones. Under stress these dislocations glide inwardly, inevitably running into hard local regions adding hardening stresses of up to 400 MPa to the nominal yield stress. These hard local regions act as ‘chemical’ obstacles as revealed by the occurrence of double cross-slip and the formation of prismatic loops. Using electron dispersive spectroscopy along with atomic resolution TEM, we demonstrate that the obstacles correspond to atomic environments presumably rich in W surrounded by misfit edge dislocations.

Modeling structure–properties relations in compositionally disordered relaxor dielectrics at the nanoscale

The solid solution Ba1−xSrxTiO3 (BSTO) displays dielectric response that is highly tunable, while also exhibiting low losses in a broad frequency regime, including the microwave band. Therefore, there is a need for a better understanding of the influence of the BSTO microstructure on its relaxor properties and performance in a variety of technological applications. Since the local polarization in BSTO is strongly dependent on composition, so is its response to an applied AC field. In this work, we have adopted a phase field method to study the frequency-dependent dielectric response of this system while accounting for the local fluctuations in the solid-solution composition. By utilizing a thermodynamic potential that includes spatial dependence on the averaged Sr content, we connected relaxor-like features in the dielectric dispersion to local spatial inhomogeneities, such as average size of Sr- or Ba-rich regions, across a wide range of temperatures. These results show that the adopted simple coarse-grained approach to the relaxor problem is sensitive enough to reveal correlations between the frequency and temperature dependence of the dielectric response and modulations in the material morphology and microstructure.

Usage of Rat Fibroblasts to Assess Toxic Properties of Contaminated Water

Introduction: Changes in the composition of surface water caused by hydrological and climatic processes and anthropogenic effluents affect its properties, making it potentially hazardous to human health. Monitoring of water quality and safety does not take into account all potentially dangerous elements and their compounds the man can be exposed to, since the occurrence of new substances and recombination of existing ones is accompanied by a continuous transformation of the physicochemical composition of water, which determines its biological properties. This screening study opens new perspectives for biological testing on cell cultures as an approach to assessing water safety. Objective: To examine the method of bioassay of general indicators of water using rat fibroblasts and a regression model. Materials and methods: We tested physicochemical parameters of water of a surface drinking water source sampled in fall 2020 and winter–summer 2021 and assessed its safety on rat fibroblast cells using the MTT assay. We then built a regression model of the cellular response based on 20 indicators, with the choice of the most significant predictors. Results: We revealed seasonal fluctuations in the physicochemical composition of surface water with no toxicity limits exceeded. The lowest values of dehydrogenase activity of the fibroblast cell culture were revealed following the exposure to water sampled in autumn while that taken in summer had the most favorable effect on cell viability. Conclusions: We revealed changes in physicochemical indicators characterizing quality and safety of source water in different seasons. Testing of the method of water bioassay (MTT assay) on the culture of rat fibroblast cells showed sensitivity in relation to general indicators of water quality. Based on mathematical modeling, we established that dissolved iron, which can serve as an indicator of changes in metabolic processes, is a parameter that reliably characterizes toxic effects on the fibroblast cell culture.

Arrhythmia Classification Based on Adaptive Refined Composite Multiscale Fluctuation Dispersion Entropy

To improve the accuracy of electrocardiography (ECG) signal classification and identify abnormal heart rhythms, an arrhythmia classification algorithm based on adaptive refined composite multiscale fluctuation dispersion entropy (ARCMFDE) is proposed. First, an improved QRS complex detection algorithm named the improved Pan-Tompkins algorithm (IPTA) is used. The QRS wave is detected, and the waveform is further processed; then, the signal is decomposed into multiple modal components using variational mode decomposition with the optimized number of decomposition layers (K). Subsequently, the RCMFDE is extracted from the different modal components as a classification feature. Finally, differential evolution (DE) and grey wolf optimization (GWO) are combined to form the hybrid differential evolution-grey wolf pack optimization (DE-GWO) algorithm to optimize the penalty factor c and the kernel function parameter g of the support vector machine for performing pattern recognition. Experimental results show that compared with other methods such as variational mode decomposition (VMD), fluctuation dispersion entropy (FDE), genetic algorithms (GA), and support vector machine (SVM). The proposed classification model has superior performance, with an average accuracy of 96.1%, a sensitivity of 95.9%, and a specificity of 98.7% for four types of heart rhythm recognition. Thus, accurate classification of ECG signals can be achieved using the proposed ARCMFDE-based DE-GWO method.

Relationship between Dehydrins and Adaptation of Cajander Larch to Yakutia Cryolithozone Conditions

Composition and seasonal fluctuations of stress dehydrin proteins of Cajander larch (Larix cajanderi Mayr) growing under extremely cold climatic conditions in Central Yakutia, which are notable for an extraordinary frost resistance, were investigated. Immunoblotting technique made it possible to detect major dehydrins in a molecular mass range of 17–20, 37–42, and 73 kD in the shoots of L. cajanderi for the first time. A high level of polymorphism of dehydrins within a population of L. cajanderi was detected and differences between the examined specimens of trees were mainly revealed in a molecular mass range of 20–37 kD. Within the circannual cycle of larch, the greatest seasonal fluctuations were observed in low-molecular dehydrins, with their content rising at the end of phenological autumn and reaching a steady level in the period of ultralow winter temperatures. The pattern of seasonal fluctuations and wide variety of dehydrins in larch shoots may point to their possible participation in the formation of a unique frost resistance of L. cajanderi upon adaptation of this conifer species to conditions existing in the cryolithozone.

Optimized energy storage performance in BF-BT-based lead-free ferroelectric ceramics with local compositional fluctuation

Optimized energy storage performance in BF-BT-based lead-free ferroelectric ceramics with local compositional fluctuation

Chemical short-range order in liquid Ni–Cu

Neutron diffraction in combination with isotopic substitution on the zero-scatterer 62Ni43 63Cu57 shows indications for chemical short-range order in the stable liquid as evidenced by oscillations in the concentration–concentration structure factor S CC(q). This points towards a non-ideal solution behavior of Ni–Cu contrary to common believe but in agreement with measurements of free enthalpy of mixing. The temperature dependence of S CC at small momentum transfer provides evidence of critical compositional fluctuations in Ni43Cu57 melts.

Structure and Dynamics of the Electrical Double Layer during the Rapid Alternating Polarity Electro-Synthesis

Conventional electrochemical organic synthesis uses direct current (DC) condition, where the electrode polarity is not changed during the operation. Unlike DC, alternating current (AC) introduces two more tunable parameters into the potential or current profile: frequency and waveform, allowing new possibilities for modulating reaction efficiency and selectivity. Several very recent AC electrosynthesis examples have shown that the AC can lead to enhanced chemoselectivity that cannot be reproduced by their DC counterparts1–3. For instance, Hayashi et al. presented a highly selective and easily scalable Birch-type reduction of heteroarenes by rapid alternating polarity (rAP) waveform3. AC voltage transforms the reaction kinetics presumably by affecting the mass transfer of reactive species both in the bulk solution and the electrical double layers (EDL). However, the mechanistic origin of the unique reactivity in AC electrosynthesis is underexplored. Molecular-level details are still in lack to possibly guide the rational design of AC reaction parameters.In this study, we have chosen the rAP heteroarene reduction as the example system and employed classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to reveal the liquid structure and dynamics in bulk and interfacial electrolyte. To capture the electrode-electrolyte interfaces, a slab-geometry simulation cell was used, where a 10 nm thick liquid electrolyte is sandwiched between two oppositely charged graphene surfaces. The multicomponent electrolyte was composed of ethanol and tetrahydrofuran (THF) as the co-solvent, [(CH3)4N]+[(BF4)]- as the salt, and a heteroarene substrate. Based on the charge distribution function statistics, the EDL layer was about 1 nm thick, so if any of the oxygen atom in the ethanol or THF is within 6 Å to the electrode surface, they are considered to be within the EDL. Under both AC and DC, the ethanol to THF ratio was higher than that in the bulk electrolyte due to stronger ion-ethanol attraction. The EDL structure responded to electric field polarity change at different time scales. First, the molecule orientation would flip also within the picosecond time scale after the polarity switch. By tracking the number of molecules in the EDL, we have found that the compositional fluctuation in the EDL converges in about 40 ps. Although it is the ion migration that gets directly affected by the alternating electric field, diffusion of charge-neutral molecules was also found to be accelerated under AC, according to the higher mean squared displacement calculated from the movement of all molecules of each species in the simulation box. This accelerated diffusion spans a larger length and longer time scales. A multi-scale model is proposed to describe both reaction kinetics and liquid structure dynamics simultaneously.

Intestinal dysbiosis in heart failure - modulation of dysbiosis as a potential therapeutic target

The last decade has provided extensive information on the human gut microbiota. The microorganisms populating the gastrointestinal tract play important roles in maintaining the body's homeostasis. It turns out that the intestinal microbiota can affect many diseases from various branches of medicine. The importance of the function of the microflora can also affect cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including heart failure (HF). The microflora influences among other things, nutrient digestion, vitamin production or the production of bioactive metabolites including trimethylamine/trimethylamine N-oxide, short-chain fatty acids and bile acids. Therefore, changes in the composition of the intestinal microflora, defined as dysbiosis, have become one of the key pathogenic factors in many diseases. There is emerging evidence of a strong correlation between gut microflora and the occurrence of cardiovascular disease. In patients with cardiovascular disease and corresponding risk factors, the composition and proportions of the intestinal microflora differed significantly from healthy subjects. Differences in microbial composition and marked fluctuations in the levels of biomarkers such as TMAO, zonulin, LPS, SCFAs may become helpful in the diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases. For this reason, the intestinal microflora and its metabolic pathways have recently become the subject of numerous studies. A very important issue is the fact that it is possible to regulate the intestinal microflora through diet, the use of prebiotics, probiotics or influence through a much larger intervention - for example, fecal mass transplantation. These possibilities have become new strategies in the treatment of HF. The main purpose of this review is to summarize recent studies that illustrate the complex interactions between the microbiome and the occurrence of HF. Conclusions. The gut microbiota is a complex ecosystem of microorganisms that live in the human gut. The gut microbiota plays an important role in maintaining the body's health, including the cardiovascular system. Dysbiosis, or an imbalance in the gut microbiota, has been linked to the development of heart failure. Gut microbiota metabolites, such as trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and bile acids, can have harmful effects on the heart. Diet, probiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) are all potential interventions for improving gut microbiota and reducing the risk of heart failure. More research is needed to fully understand the role of gut microbiota in heart failure and to develop effective treatment strategies.

Coercivity modulation of FeCoCrMoTi films by artificial magnetic phase defects engineering based on multilayer structure

FeCoCr-based films have been considered as promising candidates for next-generation magnetic code disk materials used in high-accuracy magnetic rotary encoders. However, realizing high coercivity with sufficient remanent magnetization in FeCoCr-based films with in-plane anisotropy to ensure suitable disturbance-rejection performance and detectability of magnetic pole pairs is a critical issue, which hinders their practical applications. In this study, we demonstrated an in-plane anisotropic [Ta(20 nm)/FeCoCrMoTi(100 nm)]2/Ta(10 nm) multilayer film (M20 sample) with a high coercivity of 945 Oe and a sufficient remanent magnetization of 2890 Oe, which is 92.1% and 63.1% higher than FeCoCrMoTi(200 nm)/Ta(10 nm) film (SL sample), respectively. Detailed microstructure characterization using atomic resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) indicates that the high coercivity originates from the domain-wall pinning effect induced by three factors including grain refinement and heterogeneous phases generation and composition fluctuation of modulated phases. X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses reveal that the high remanent magnetization is ascribed to the higher relative content of Fe2Ta phases with strong ferromagnetism than that of Co2Ta phases with weak ferromagnetism.

The Membrane Phase Transition Gives Rise to Responsive Plasma Membrane Structure and Function.

Several groups have recently reported evidence for the emergence of domains in cell plasma membranes when membrane proteins are organized by ligand binding or assembly of membrane proximal scaffolds. These domains recruit and retain components that favor the liquid-ordered phase, adding to a decades-old literature interrogating the contribution of membrane phase separation in plasma membrane organization and function. Here we propose that both past and present observations are consistent with a model in which membranes have a high compositional susceptibility, arising from their thermodynamic state in a single phase that is close to a miscibility phase transition. This rigorous framework naturally allows for both transient structure in the form of composition fluctuations and long-lived structure in the form of induced domains. In this way, the biological tuning of plasma membrane composition enables a responsive compositional landscape that facilitates and augments cellular biochemistry vital to plasma membrane functions.

Co-evolution of the atomic/nano scale structural heterogeneities and magnetic properties of Fe-Si-B-Cu metallic glass during relaxation with composition fluctuations

The metallic glass (MG) exhibits composition fluctuation or chemical heterogeneity during relaxation. However, the influence of this factor on the evolution of the intrinsic structural heterogeneity of MGs remains unclear. In this study, we systematically examined the co-evolution between atomic and nano-scale structural heterogeneities of Fe-Si-B-Cu MGs during relaxation. We discovered that, despite some degree of fluctuation in composition during the relaxation of Fe-Si-B-Cu MGs, it does not prevent the reduction of structural heterogeneities at the atomic/nano scale. The results demonstrate an overall increase in the number density and number of types of densely packed clusters with a high degree of local five-fold symmetry and a decrease in the number density and number of types of loosely packed clusters with a low degree of local five-fold symmetry. Furthermore, a certain degree of compositional fluctuation during relaxation of Fe-Si-B-Cu MGs facilitates the formation of uniformly distributed Fe-rich regions and Cu-rich regions.