Multifunctional Elements Research Articles

Nanomechanical characterization of carbon nanotube-based composite interfaces tailored by electrophoretic deposition

Carbon nanotube (CNT) addition to composite materials can offer both nanoscale reinforcement and a multifunctional element due to their extraordinary mechanical, thermal and electrical properties. Electrophoretic deposition (EPD) offers a scalable processing technique to incorporate CNTs into conventional fiber-reinforced polymer composites (FRPCs), facilitating the production of unique nanoscale structures in the critical interphase region. In this study, CNTs functionalized with polyethyleneimine (CNT-PEI) were deposited onto a planar substrate via EPD followed by the infusion of epoxy matrix in order to replicate the nanocomposite interphase region present in nanomodified FRPCs. The nanocomposite films have thicknesses ranging from several hundred nanometers to a few microns to represent different fiber-matrix interphase regions found in FRPCs. The morphology and mechanical performance of CNT-PEI/epoxy nanocomposites are examined using atomic force microscopy (AFM) in both tapping and nanoindentation modes. The EPD creates a homogeneously distributed porous CNT network bridged by PEI, forming the pathway of epoxy resin infusion through interconnected pores with diameters less than 100 nm. CNT-PEI/epoxy nanocomposites exhibited significant improvements in stiffness, hardness, and creep resistance compared to constituent porous CNT-PEI films and neat epoxy. The improvement was directly related to the ability of the load bearing CNTs chemically bonded with the epoxy matrix through the grafted PEI, providing an efficient load transfer mechanism. The chemical bond between the porous CNT-PEI and epoxy also produced far greater fracture surface in nanoscale scratch tests compared to unmodified epoxy, indicating the CNT-PEI/epoxy nanocomposite is capable of distributing load and absorbing more energy prior to fracture.

Accurate learning of graph representation with the consideration of fuzzy overlapping community

Graph classification task plays a crucial role in many practical applications, for which the model is required to be capable of learning an accurate representation with discriminative characteristics, but existing methods typically fail to exploit the most authentic substructures for better representation. Aiming at this limitation, a fuzzy overlapping community guided subgraph neural network is proposed in this paper to make the best use of graph latent topologies for fine-grained representation learning and discriminative feature extraction, namely FS-GRAL. Taking multi-functional elements and their preferences fully into consideration, FS-GRAL allows the nodes to appear in more than one subgraph with different contributions for message passing, so that the model is powerful enough in capturing those natural aggregations inherent in complex networks to achieve accurate representation learning. Meanwhile, on the basis of learned accurate representations, a two-level pooling strategy dominated by intra-subgraph node discarding is presented for feature extraction, which enables graph latent topology can be integrated into extracted discriminative features, and thus the coarsened graph is more representative for graph classification. Extensive experiments on real-world benchmarks demonstrate that our fuzzy overlapping community guided subgraph neural network is highly competitive in learning the accurate graph representation and its intra-subgraph dominated two-level pooling strategy promotes a more promising classification performance.

Therapeutic Impact of Ginger and Flaxseed in the Realm of Functional Foods

: The efficacy of synthetic drugs in managing disease development and progression has faced challenges amidst shifts in lifestyle and heightened health consciousness. As a result, medicinal plants and seeds, with their constituent compounds, are gaining recognition for their potential in treating various illnesses. Ginger and flaxseed, as long-established herbal remedies, have made notable contributions to culinary and medicinal fields. Their robust flavor and aroma and anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and analgesic properties extend their use beyond culinary spice to medicinal applications. Furthermore, their capacity to preserve food adds to their appeal, making ginger and flaxseed powerful and multi-functional elements in food production and medicinal contexts. This review highlights the therapeutic advantages of ginger and flaxseed in combating different diseases, focusing on their unique characteristics attributable to bioactive components.

Selective Lattice Doping Enables a Low-Cost, High-Capacity and Long-Lasting Potassium Layered Oxide Cathode for Potassium and Sodium Storage.

Layered transition metal oxides are highly promising host materials for K ions, owing to their high theoretical capacities and appropriate operational potentials. To address the intrinsic issues of KxMnO2 cathodes and optimize their electrochemical properties, a novel P3-type oxide doped with carefully chosen cost-effective, electrochemically active and multi-functional elements is proposed, namely K0.57Cu0.1Fe0.1Mn0.8O2. Compared to the pristine K0.56MnO2, its reversible specific is increased from 104 to 135 mAh g-1. In addition, the Cu and Fe co-doping triples the capacity under high current densities, and contributes to long-term stability over 500 cycles with a capacity retention of 68 %. Such endeavor holds the potential to make potassium-ion batteries particularly competitive for application in sustainable, low-cost, and large-scale energy storage devices. In addition, the cathode is also extended for sodium storage. Facilitated by the interlayer K ions that protect the layered structure from collapsing and expand the diffusion pathway for sodium ions, the cathode shows a high reversible capacity of 144 mAh g-1, fast kinetics and a long lifespan over 1000 cycles. The findings offer a novel pathway for the development of high-performance and cost-effective sodium-ion batteries.

Zinc-Enhanced Regulation of the Ginkgo biloba L. Response and Secondary Metabolites

Ginkgo biloba L. leaves are rich in secondary metabolites with important medicinal values; to increase their contents, foliar spraying of micronutrients is a potential strategy. Zinc, a multifunctional element, has a significant impact on the content of secondary metabolites in other plants, but relevant research into ginkgo is still lacking. In our study, different spraying time and concentration strategies were used to investigate the effects of zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) on physiological indicators and secondary metabolites of 2-year-old ginkgo. The results demonstrated that ZnSO4 could increase the contents of hydrogen peroxide, abscisic acid, and free amino acids in ginkgo leaves. It also enhances the antioxidant enzyme activity of ginkgo leaves, decreases the content of plant auxin, and ultimately facilitates the accumulation of ginkgo terpene lactones (TTL). Spraying ZnSO4 in June resulted in a more significant increase in the contents of TTL and flavonoids compared to spraying in August. After spraying 12 mmol/L ZnSO4 in June, the contents of TTL and flavonoids in ginkgo leaves were significantly elevated by 35.95% and 24.30%, respectively, compared to those in the CK (p < 0.05). The contents of ginkgolide A, B, and C were notably increased by 45.93%, 46.56%, and 74.29%, respectively, compared to those in the CK (p < 0.05). Therefore, our study suggests that the optimal timing for spraying ZnSO4 on ginkgo is in June, with a recommended concentration of 12 mmol/L. Our study provides a theoretical basis for the accumulation of secondary metabolites in ginkgo and guides the production of its leaf-utilization plantations.

Synchronous Electrochromism and Electrofluorochromism in a Zirconium Pyrenetetrabenzoate Metal–Organic Framework

AbstractRedox‐active materials that exhibit both electrochromism and electrofluorochromism have great potential as multifunctional elements in optoelectronics. Here, in situ spectroelectrochemistry is presented on NU‐1000, a zirconium pyrenetetrabenzoate metal–organic framework. A thin film of NU‐1000 exhibits reversible color changes between light yellow and dark blue when subjected to an alternating electrochemical potential. In situ fluorescence excitation‐emission spectral mapping elucidates a dominant blue emission of highly fluorescent electrochromic NU‐1000 that is being quenched via an oxidation reaction. Density‐functional theory calculations reveal the forbidden optical transition between the singly occupied molecular orbital (SOMO) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) in the oxidized linker as the cause of the quenching. Double potential step chronoamperometry measures response times as fast as a dozen seconds and excellent switching stability over 500 cycles without noticeable attenuation of the color contrast. These findings provide valuable insight into the electrochromism and electrofluorochromism in metal–organic frameworks, offering exciting opportunities for developing advanced multifunctional porous materials with potential applications in optoelectronics and sensing.

Addressing the Orbital Debris Threat Directionality for Enhanced Protection of Low-Earth-Orbit Robotic Spacecraft

This study conducts a detailed investigation into addressing the directionality of micrometeoroid and orbital debris (MMOD) threats, emphasizing the strategic placement of protective resources on a spacecraft. The research considers the conversion of the structural sandwich panel and the multilayer thermal blanket into multifunctional elements that provide MMOD protection without causing substantial weight gain or affecting operational parameters. The effectiveness of the reconfigured components, such as the foam core sandwich panel and multilayer insulation blanket toughened by Nextel fabrics, is evaluated using developed and validated numerical models and experimental methods. Their performance is demonstrated by meeting the protection needs of the Canadian robotic Radarsat Constellation Mission spacecraft.

Logical-Probabilistic Modeling and Structural Analysis of Reconfigurable Systems Composed of Multifunctional Elements

Logical-Probabilistic Modeling and Structural Analysis of Reconfigurable Systems Composed of Multifunctional Elements

ВЛИЯНИЕ МЕЛАТОНИНА НА УРОВЕНЬ АРТЕРИАЛЬНОГО ДАВЛЕНИЯ У ЛИЦ ПОЖИЛОГО ВОЗРАСТА

The study provides literature data on the impact of melatonin on blood pressure (BP) in elderly individuals with arterial hypertension (AH). AH is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and is a key focus of medical research. Melatonin, which plays a crucial role in the body's regulatory mechanisms, particularly when its production is disrupted, can significantly influence the development of AH. Melatonin is not a specific treatment for a particular disease but a multifunctional element that helps maintain homeostasis. Combining melatonin with antihypertensive therapy in elderly individuals with AH has been found to lead to more effective treatment outcomes. Exploring the effects of melatonin on BP levels in elderly individuals with AH is of great scientific interest, especially in understanding the relationship between individual melatonin secretion characteristics and predisposition to cardiovascular complications. This topic requires further research for a deeper understanding. Over 400 sources were analyzed on various aspects of the impact of melatonin on BP levels using materials from the PubMed and Google Scholar electronic databases. Out of these, 44 sources were selected and included in the study, considering relevant keywords. Keywords: Melatonin, blood pressure, arterial hypertension, cardiovascular disease, old age.

Prototypes of devices for heterogeneous hybrid semiconductor electronics with an embedded biomolecular domain

A macromolecular system embedded in a semiconductor microelectronic device is considered as a biomolecular nano- or micro-sized domain that performs the functions of converting acoustic and electromagnetic signals. The issues of the choice of substances, the dynamic and structural-functional state of the domain, as well as the physical foundations of its interaction with matrix elements are discussed. The process of excitation of forced vibrations in amino acid molecules (for example, glycine, tryptophan, diphenyl-L-alanine) under the influence of short (10–100 ps) packets of electrical signals in the IR range with a frequency in the range of 1–125 THz was studied by the method of supercomputer nonequilibrium modeling of molecular dynamics. The acoustoelectric interpretation of oscillation generation was carried out using a unified equivalent circuit of the peptide group. Examples of developed prototypes of heterogeneous devices are given. It is concluded that embedded biomolecular domains, presented as a multifunctional element base, are promising for signal conversion in hybrid microelectronics.

Small-scale experiments on the operational performance of a lightweight thermally active building system

Thermally active building systems (TABS), which are integrated with the structure of a building, provide a robust approach for utilising renewable energy. However, reinforced concrete, where TABS are typically placed, is responsible for a significant proportion of initial embodied energy and related greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, combining lightweight structural elements and thermal systems reduces initial embodied energy usage while retaining the active material’s thermal storage and heat transport benefits. The present experimental work explores the operational performance of a prototype of a lightweight TABS at ceiling level. A small-scale climate chamber was constructed and equipped to evaluate the prototype in the key operating modes. The study investigated the relationship between the supply temperature of the lightweight TABS and the climate chamber’s internal air temperature for active heating, active cooling and natural ventilation modes. The experiments compared the reaction time in active heating mode for a range of supply temperatures. In addition, we examined the dynamic characteristics of the thermal mass of the lightweight TABS in passive natural ventilation mode and passive cooling mode in the presence of an internal thermal load. The results provide insights into the dynamic performance in operation. In heating mode, we identified the time lag between the radiant surface achieving a steady state and the conditioned air reaching its target temperature. This feature emphasises the significance of refining control strategies when designing comfortable environments with low-temperature heating systems at ceiling level. Further, we highlighted the importance of balancing decisions on minimising embodied energy with the suitability of the selected material to leverage renewable energy sources. The experimental data can be used for validating high-resolution numerical models, which support the development of multifunctional elements with renewable energy sources for building heating and cooling.

Modular Mechatronics Infrastructure for robotic planetary exploration assets in a field operation scenario

In 2021 the Modular Mechatronics Infrastructure (MMI) was introduced as a solution to reduce weight, costs, and development time in robotic planetary missions. With standardized interfaces and multi-functional elements, this modular approach is planned to be used more often in sustainable exploration activities on the Moon and Mars. The German multi-robot research project “Autonomous Robotic Networks to Help Modern Societies (ARCHES)” has explored this concept with the use of various collaborative robotic assets which have their capabilities extended by the MMI. Different scientific payloads, engineering infrastructure modules, and specific purpose tools can be integrated to and manipulated by a robotic arm and a standardized electromechanical docking-interface. Throughout the MMI’s design and implementation phase the performed preliminary tests confirmed that the different systems of the robotic cooperative team such as the Docking Interface System (DIS), the Power Management System (PMS), and the Data Communication System (DCS) functioned successfully. During the summer of 2022 a Demonstration Mission on Mount Etna (Sicily, Italy) was carried out as part of the ARCHES Project. This field scenario allowed the validation of the robotics systems in an analogue harsh environment and the confirmation of enhanced operations with the application of this modular method. Among the numerous activities performed in this volcanic terrain there are the efficient assembling of the Low Frequency Array (LOFAR) network, the energy-saving and reduced complexity of a detached Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) module, and the uninterrupted powered operation between modules when switching between different power sources. The field data collected during this analogue campaign provided important outcomes for the modular robotics application. Modular and autonomous robots certainly benefit from their versatility, re-usability, less complex systems, reduced requirements for space qualification, and lower risks for the mission. These characteristics will ensure that long duration and complex robotic planetary endeavours are not as challenging as they used to be in the past.

Investigating the correlation between Xrn1-resistant RNAs and frameshifter pseudoknots

ABSTRACT Xrn1-resistant RNA structures are multifunctional elements employed by an increasing number of RNA viruses. One of such elements is the coremin motif, discovered in plant virus RNAs, of which the structure has been hypothesized to form a yet unelucidated pseudoknot. Recently, the coremin motif was shown to be capable of stalling not only Xrn1, but scanning ribosomes as well. Following that observation, in this study we demonstrate that the coremin motif can promote −1 ribosomal frameshifting, similar to better-characterized viral frameshifting pseudoknots. Since this function was lost in concert with substitutions that were known to disturb Xrn1-resistance, we developed a frameshifting screen for finding novel Xrn1-resistant RNAs by randomizing parts of the coremin motif. This yielded new insights into the coremin motif structure, as Xrn1-resistant variations were identified that more clearly indicate a pseudoknot interaction. In addition, we show that the Xrn1-resistant RNA of Zika virus promotes frameshifting as well, while known −1 programmed ribosomal frameshifting pseudoknots do not stall Xrn1, suggesting that promoting frameshifting is a universal characteristic of Xrn1-resistant RNAs, but that Xrn1-resistance requires more than just a frameshifting pseudoknot.

Green in grey: ecosystem services and disservices perceptions from small-scale green infrastructure along a rural-urban gradient in Bengaluru, India

ABSTRACT Ecosystem services provided by green infrastructure are often discussed for their potential to address the societal challenges of urbanization. However, green infrastructure, particularly small-scale types (e.g. trees), is vulnerable to loss through urbanization and is often passed over during scientific investigations. Studies on the perceptions of ecosystem services and disservices (hereafter called ecosystem (dis)services) dynamics along the rural-urban gradient are particularly rare in the literature. Therefore, this study assessed the perceived importance of ecosystem (dis)services associated with small-scale green infrastructure along a rural-urban gradient in Bengaluru, India. Based on photos of the five most common types of small-scale green infrastructure and the three most common tree species associated with them, we conducted a photo-elicitation survey of 649 residents from 61 towns in Bengaluru. We found significant differences in the perceptions of all ecosystem (dis)services among the types of green infrastructure. The most appreciated services were air/climate regulation from platform trees and aesthetic values from farm trees. Regulating services were most appreciated in urban areas while provisioning and cultural services were most appreciated in transitional areas, and disservices were most strongly perceived in rural areas. Gender, age, education, caste, and income from agriculture significantly affected the use and valuation of the ecosystem (dis)services within the local communities. Our study reveals the crucial role of small-scale green infrastructure as a multifunctional element, which is highly relevant for the supply of provisioning, regulating, and cultural ecosystem services in Bengaluru.

PRZEGLĄD BIBLIOMETRYCZNY I NAUKOMETRYCZNY: PERSPEKTYWY I ROZWÓJ W ZAKRESIE WYKORZYSTANIA DACHÓW ZIELONYCH

Green roofs are a multifunctional element of the building envelope, which, with appropriate modifications, can offer many benefits not only for its direct users, but also positively affect the environment around it. Global climate change and rapid urbanization have presented us with a number of urban challenges that negatively affect the physical and mental health of city dwellers. The subject of the article is to present the perspectives and main development trends in the use of green roofs in architecture. On the basis of the bibliometrics and scientometric analysis of the selected subject, the main research trends were presented, the countries contributing most to its development were distinguished, and the most influential authors were presented.

Progress in the Synthesis of Germanium Chalcogenides Containing Silver

In recent years, germanium containing sulfur compounds have attracted much attention due to their complex structural properties and potential applications, and have been widely used in nonlinear optics, molecular sieve, ion exchange and so on. Group 11 elements Ag have been proved to be successful multifunctional elements often used for synthesis, because they have rich coordination modes and electrothermal properties. In addition, they also enhance the metalophilic interaction, overcome the repulsive force between cationic metal centers, and more easily enter the skeleton to form new materials with unique topological structures. The potential applications of these materials extend beyond traditional fields. The synthesis and structure of germanium chalcogenides containing transition metal silver are reviewed in this paper. Various coordination modes of structural units in the basic framework of transition metal silver and germanium sulfide compounds, synthesis methods, structural characteristics and applications of different germanium sulfide compounds containing transition metal silver are summarized. And the synthesis of germanium sulfide compounds containing silver when alkali metals, transition metal complexes, organic amines are used as structure guide agent.

Single-Carrier, Single-λ Full-Duplex Analog Radio Feed Over a Single-Port RRH Transceiver

The densification of radio access and the massive deployment of radio heads calls for efficient optical fronthaul technologies. The adoption of analogue radio-over-fiber schemes promises greatly simplified equipment that can be distributed at the antenna sites for the purpose of radio signal conditioning and electro-optic conversion. Towards this direction, we propose and experimentally evaluate a full-duplex interface at the intersection between the optical and the radio frequency layer, aiming at bidirectional radio signal transmission over a single wavelength (1577 nm) and a single carrier frequency (5.375 GHz). Analogue coherent optical reception is performed through an electro-absorption modulated laser, which is employed as multi-functional element that accomplishes wavelength re-use for full-duplex radio-over-fiber transmission. The directional split is shifted to the electrical domain through adoption of a crosstalk-cancelling circulation stage, ensuring compatibility with a high dynamic power range for the simultaneous transmission and reception of up- and downlink radio signals, respectively, without the need for further duplexing methods subject to frequency translation or time slotting. We prove that margins of >2% in terms of error vector magnitude can be accomplished for an unpaired spectral configuration, where down- and uplink radio signals share the same spectrum in the optical and electrical domains.

Features of stylistic functions of Adverbs on -mente in modern Spanish fiction

The subject of the study is the stylistic functions of Spanish adverbs with the suffix -mente in modern Spanish based on the analysis of corpus contexts of works of Spanish prose of the XXI century. The analysis of functional features was based on the theoretical positions of the authors of domestic and foreign grammars of the Spanish language, works on linguistics. Adverbs with the formant - mente are grammatically multifunctional elements that are polysemantic lexical units that have the ability to acquire additional connotations in collocations with other parts of speech. Stylistic possibilities of adverbial units help to solve such author's tasks as assessment, characterization of characters, achievement of expressiveness of the text and imagery of the narrative. The novelty of the study lies in the fact that for the first time examples from the corpus of the Spanish language of the XXI century were analyzed, the names of the authors of which are well known to the Russian-speaking reader (Carlos Ruiz Safon), or practically unknown at all (Anton Castro, Diego Torron). The result of the study was the conclusion that the formant -mente has not lost its productivity at the current stage of language development and is a characteristic feature of the artistic style of the modern Spanish language. The findings have both scientific significance for theoretical research in the field of morphology of the Spanish language, and practical value for translators of Spanish prose.

Self-activating metal-polymer composites for the straightforward selective metallization of 3D printed parts by stereolithography

The integration of multifunctional elements directly embedded in three-dimensional (3D) printed parts is the cutting-edge of additive manufacturing (AM) and it is crucial for enlarging as well as for strengthening AM role in industrial applications. Here, a straightforward and low-cost method that synergically combines stereolithography (SLA) and selective electroless metallization (EM) is presented for the fabrication of 3D parts characterized by complex shapes and end-use multifunctionalities (conductive, magnetic, mechanical properties). To this end, a novel photocurable composite based on acrylate resin loaded with nickel (Ni) particles is developed for high-resolution SLA-printing of features with self-catalytic properties for EM. Ni particles are loaded in the resin to trigger metal deposition avoiding time consuming and expensive laser-based surface activation. The effect of Ni content on SLA behavior as well as on the efficiency of EM process is studied. Metallized SLA cured samples show good electrical and magnetic properties as well as improved robustness with respect to their non-loaded counterparts. Then, selective metallization of 3D printed parts is successfully achieved by implementing a multi-material SLA-printing where loaded and non-loaded resins are properly interchanged with strong adhesion at the interface, thus offering a cost-effective approach for rapid prototyping of functional free-form features on 3D structures.

A new incorporative element to modify plastic concrete mechanical characteristics for cut-off wall construction in very soft soil media: Identification of tensile galvanized open-mesh distributer (TGOD) element

• Tensile galvanized open-mesh distributor (TGOD) element boost deformability. • Incorporation of TGOD element does not result in any strength loss. • TGOD is multi-functional element involved in tensile and frictional mechanisms. Establishing cut-off walls in high deformable foundations or constructing a water-tight diaphragm wall within the clayey-damaged core of earth and rockfill dams requires plastic concrete with a typical higher deformability characteristic to ensure a decent wall’s mechanical performance compatible with the surrounding media. The present study investigates an appropriate method to achieve a proper mix design for the plastic concrete by high deformability and maintaining the required strength. In this regard, different methods in the mix designs were employed to evaluate the plastic concrete cylindrical 100 × 200 mm specimens under unconfined and confined conditions. A series of uniaxial compression tests accompanied by conventional triaxial compression tests were performed. The obtained results led to distinguishing a new multi-functional element named “Tensile Galvanized Open-mesh Distributor (TGOD)” as the most effective element to boost deformability and establish the preferred mix design. The results showed that incorporating the introduced elements fulfilled the needed mechanical specifications for plastic concrete construction within the very soft media and decreased the elastic modulus by more than 50 % compared to the control mix, without any loss in the load-bearing capacity.