Types Of Structures Research Articles

CyberUnits Bricks: An Implementation Study of a Class Library for Simulating Nonlinear Biological Feedback Loops

Feedback loops and other types of information processing structures play a pivotal role in maintaining the internal milieu of living organisms. Although methods of biomedical cybernetics and systems biology help to translate between the structure and function of processing structures, computer simulations are necessary for studying nonlinear systems and the full range of dynamic responses of feedback control systems. Currently, available approaches for modelling and simulation comprise basically domain-specific environments, toolkits for computer algebra systems and custom software written in universal programming languages for a specific purpose, respectively. All of these approaches are faced with certain weaknesses. We therefore developed a cross-platform class library that provides versatile building bricks for writing computer simulations in a universal programming language (CyberUnits Bricks). It supports the definition of models, the simulative analysis of linear and nonlinear systems in the time and frequency domain and the plotting of block diagrams. We compared several programming languages that are commonly used in biomedical research (S in the R implementation and Python) or that are optimized for speed (Swift, C++ and Object Pascal). In benchmarking experiments with two prototypical feedback loops, we found the implementations in Object Pascal to deliver the fastest results. CyberUnits Bricks is available as open-source software that has been optimised for Embarcadero Delphi and the Lazarus IDE for Free Pascal.

Synthesis of mixed-base active material from drilling fluid solid waste and biomass for oil wastewater adsorption and its mechanism

To address the issues of high energy consumption, high cost and the risk of secondary pollution in drilling fluid solid waste treatment methods, this study prepared a mixed-based active material using drilling fluid solid waste and biomass materials as raw materials. The mixed-based active material is characterized by its abundant pore structure and high pore volume, demonstrating excellent adsorption performance for heavy metal ions and residual oil in industrial wastewater. Thermogravimetric and basic physical property analyses indicated a synergistic effect between drilling fluid solid waste and biomass materials, showing that joint pyrolysis of the two can enhance the yield of active materials. The adsorption performance of mixed-base active materials for heavy metal ions and residual oil were was tested. It was found that the removal rate of four heavy metal ions (Cr6+, Mn2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+) from the solution could reached 57.1 %, 96.3 %, 99.0 % and 94.1 %, respectively, at a concentration of 0.5 g/L of mixed-base active materials. Characterization revealed that the mixed-base activated carbon has a well-developed pore structure and numerous types of functional groups. The isothermal adsorption process of heavy metal ions by the active material is consistent with the Langmuir model and belongs to the monomolecular layer adsorption. The adsorption rate model of residual oil in wastewater by active materials conforms to the pseudo-second-order equation. The adsorption performance of mixed-base active materials primarily stems from physical adsorption enabled by their well-developed internal pore structure, along with chemical adsorption facilitated by oxygen- and nitrogen-containing functional groups on the surface.

Improved pore structure characterization and classification of strong diagenesis sandstones by data-mining analytics in Tazhong area, Tarim Basin.

The Silurian system in Tazhong area is characterized by extensive, low-abundance lithological reservoirs with strong diagenesis, resulting in significant heterogeneity. The complex pore structure in this area significantly impacts fluid control, making accurate characterization and classification of pore structures crucial for understanding reservoir properties and their influence on oil and gas distribution. Based on 314 Mercury Injection Capillary Pressure (MICP) samples in combination with core slices and thin casting slices observation, a pipeline of characterization and classification scheme by data-mining analytics of strong diagenesis sandstone pore structure types in the study zone is established, and the characteristics of different pore structures are clarified. According to the pore structure parameter abstracted by MICP data compression and variable analysis based on hierarchical clustering and principal component analysis (PCA) analysis, the variables are reasonably evaluated and screened, and the screened variables can be divided into three groups: mean pore throat radius-maximum pore throat radius-median pore throat radius-pore throat diameter mean variable group, microscopic mean coefficient variable group, and median pressure displacement pressure-relative sorting coefficient variable group. The combination of classification schemes analysed by decision tree model and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) model was determined. In the two-dimensional projection diagram of LDA model, a relatively obvious distribution of low displacement pressure, middle displacement pressure and high displacement pressure was obtained, and three distribution lines were nearly parallel. Based on the relevant information, 6 combined classification schemes suitable for final pore structure modelling were determined verified by microscopic observation. The correct characterization and classification of pore structure can be applied to the prediction of pore type, which can be used to improve the prediction of oil and gas distribution and oil and gas recovery in the future.

Karlleuite Ca2MnO4 – a first mineral with the Ruddlesden-Popper type structure from Bellerberg volcano, Germany

AbstractKarlleuite, ideally Ca2MnO4, is a newly approved accessory mineral found in the xenolith sample within the basaltic lava from the Caspar quarry, Bellerberg volcano, Eifel, Germany. It usually occurs as thin tabular/plate crystals, which range from 40 to 80 μm in diameter, and is associated with other members of the perovskite supergroup such as srebrodolskite, brownmillerite, sharyginite, perovskite, and lakargiite distributed within rock-forming minerals represented by reinhardbraunsite, fluorellestadite, fluorapatite, larnite, gehlenite, and several hydrated Ca aluminosilicates. Karlleuite crystals are brown with sub-metallic lustre, a light brown streak, and a good cleavage along (001). It is non-fluorescent, brittle and has an uneven fracture, a Mohs hardness of 3.5 and calculated density Dx = 3.79 g/cm3. The empirical formula of the holotype karlleuite calculated based on O = 4 atoms per formula is (Ca1.97Ce3+0.06)2.03(Mn4 + 0.39Ti0.36Fe3+0.19Al0.09)1.03O4, which shows that it is a multicomponent phase characterised by various substituents at the octahedral site. Karlleuite is tetragonal I4/mmm (no. 139), with a = 3.7683(2) Å, c = 11.9893(8) Å, V = 170.254(17) Å3, and Z = 2. The calculated strongest lines in the X-ray powder diffraction pattern are [d in Å (I) hkl]: 5.995 (43), 2.742 (100), 2.665 (91), 2.023 (25), 1.998 (28), 1.884 (61), 1.553 (38), 1.371 (24). The new mineral is the first natural phase which exhibits a first order of Ruddlesden-Popper type structure, which indicates a modular nature and consists of Ca(Mn, Ti, Fe, Al)O3 perovskite layers, packed between CaO rock-salt layers arranged along the c-axis. Raman spectroscopy supports the interpretation of the chemical and structural data. Mineral association, structural data, as well as the study of the synthetic Ca-Mn-O system suggest that karlleuite could form under high-temperature conditions, above 1000˚C.

Review of The Innovative Medication Delivery System: The Cubosome

Cubosomes, also known as bicontinuous cubic phase liquid crystals, are nanoparticles with a specific ratio of amphiphilic lipids as their major constituents. Cubosomes are typically created by hydrating a surfactant or polar lipid that produces a cubic phase and then dispersing it into smaller particles. They operate with solids similar to rheology peculiarities of practical use. They have carvenous (honeycomb) structures that are tightly packed and twisted into three-dimensional bilayers, and they are thermodynamically stable. They can load more drugs because of this type of sophisticated structure. Cubosomes are capable of encapsulating hydrophobic, hydrophilic, and amphiphilic materials. Cubosomes can make drugs that aren't very soluble more soluble. Biocompatible and bioadhesive cubosomes dispersions are available. Due to their characteristics, cubosomes are adaptable systems that can be managed by several ways, including parenterally, percutaneously, and orally. Few researchers have looked into the possibility of cubosomes as delivery methods despite the fact that cubosomes structure has been studied using electron microscopy, light scattering, x-ray, and NMR.

Effect of fiber content on flexural properties of jute fiber reinforced perlite/gypsum composite core-based sandwich structures

In this work, two types of sandwich structures were fabricated to develop sustainable building materials using renewable and waste resources. The chopped jute fiber reinforced perlite-filled gypsum composite was used as the core and the brown paper and the woven jute fiber reinforced epoxy composite (JFRC) were used as skins to manufacture the sandwiches. The effect of jute fiber content (10 g - 20 g) in the core on the flexural properties was studied. The flexural test was conducted to determine the flexural strength, modulus, energy absorption, and the load-bearing capacity of brown paper skin-based sandwiches (BPSS) and JFRC skin-based sandwiches (JFSS). The results of this study show that the flexural properties of both BPSSs and JFSSs are improved significantly with increasing jute fiber content up to 17.5 g indicating the optimum fiber content. The flexural strength and modulus of BPSS at 17.5 g jute fiber content are respectively 8.44 % and 30.16 % greater than those at 10 g jute fiber content. On the other hand, the JFSSs show 30.24 % and 60.36 % increase in flexural strength and modulus respectively at 17.5 g jute fiber content compared to those at 10 g fiber content. The flexural energy absorptions of BPSS and JFSS are also increased by 45.40 % and 22.90 % respectively when jute fiber content in the core is increased from 10 g to 17.5 g. The specific load-bearing capacity of JFSSs is 130.38 % - 216.56 % greater than BPSSs depending on the fiber content in the core.

Experimental and Numerical Analysis of an Innovative Combined String–Cable Bridge

Suspension bridges, such as stress-ribbon, are among the simplest structural bridge systems and have the lowest structural height. The flexibility of these elegant bridges poses great challenges for designers to minimize their deformability under asymmetrical operational loads. Due to the small initial sag, such load-bearing structures also cause significant tensile forces, which requires them to have large cross-sections and massive anchor foundations. This paper analyzes an innovative suspension steel bridge structure combined with a string and a cable. More attention is paid to asymmetric loading as this is more relevant for suspension structures. The new structure is studied numerically and experimentally. It is established that the string stabilizes the displacements of the bridge under asymmetric loading. The stabilization efficiency is proportional to the value of the pre-tension force of the string. The obtained results reveal the behavior of the structure and enable an evaluation of the accuracy of the numerical results, as well as the applied modeling. In addition, the experimentally obtained results allow the evaluation of more aspects of the behavior of the new bridge, which will be useful in further studies of this type of structures.

Introduction of Niobium in the Chemistry of Octahedral Chalcogenide Clusters: Synthesis and Detailed Study of Compounds Based on Condensed and Discrete {Re5NbQ8} (Q = S or Se) Cores.

It is known that niobium practically does not form cluster chalcogenide compounds of the {M6(μ3-Q8)} type, which are widespread in the chemistry of group 6 and 7 metals. This work reports the preparation of a series of polymeric and discrete niobium-containing heterometallic clusters based on the {Re5Nb(μ3-S8)} and {Re5Nb(μ3-Se8)} cores. The compounds were prepared by the high-temperature reaction between rhenium and niobium dichalcogenides in a KCN melt. The 1D polymers K5[Re5NbQ8(CN)5] (Q = S or Se), which were formed as a result of the reaction, crystallize in the structural type of K6[Mo6Se8(CN)5], similar to the previously reported heterometallic clusters K6[Re6-xMoxQ8(CN)5] (x = 2-3). The polymers were solubilized to form discrete anionic clusters [Re5NbQ8(CN)6]4-. The structure and properties of the new clusters were investigated using a combination of X-ray diffraction analysis, UV/vis spectroscopy, high-resolution electrospray mass spectrometry, cyclic voltammetry, and DFT calculations. Among other features, the compounds showed high electrochemical activity, being able to form three redox states in solution with reversible transitions. It was found that redox potentials of the isoelectronic octahedral clusters demonstrate a strong cathodic shift in the sequence [Re5OsSe8(CN)6]3- > [Re6Se8(CN)6]4- > [Re5MoSe8(CN)6]5- > [Re5NbSe8(CN)6]6-, illustrating the effect of systematic changes in the composition of octahedral cluster cores on their properties.

The structural mechanisms of pressure-induced phase transitions in the Carpy-Galy phase layered perovskites

In layered perovskites with the Carpy-Galy structural type, similar structural phase transitions occur under high pressure. These structural changes, which are crucial for the pressure-induced phase transition in layered perovskite, were analyzed based on experimental X-ray diffraction data. The tilting of the Ti-O6 octahedra and the distortion of the arrangement of rare-earth atoms were studied in detail. Changes in these structural features in layered perovskite serve as common indicators of the phase transition to the monoclinic phase that occurs under high pressure application.

Evaluation of the Peritubal Region Between the Osseous Eustachian Tube and the Internal Carotid Artery: Usefulness of Oblique Temporal Computed Tomography with Valsalva Maneuver.

As indications for surgical Eustachian tube (ET) procedures have been expanded, it is essential to understand the anatomy of ET surroundings for safe ET interventions. We evaluated the peritubal region using oblique planes of temporal computed tomography (CT) with the Valsalva maneuver and classified the peritubal region between the osseous ET and the internal carotid artery (ICA) into 5 types: 1. bony prominence; 2. air cell; 3. absence of peritubal structures (3a. thick canal [>0.5 mm], 3b. thin canal [<0.5 mm], 3c. dehiscence). Bony prominence and air cell types were observed in 41.0% (50/122 ears) and 13.1% (16/122 ears), respectively. The ICA was located directly medial to the osseous ET in 39.4% (48/114 ears), of which thick and thin canal types were found in 23.8% and 15.6%, respectively. Internal carotid artery canal wall dehiscence was observed in 8 ears (6.6%). The shortest perpendicular distance between the osseous ET and ICA was 1.6 (range: 0.4-4.9) mm and 2.7 (range: 1.3-5.8) mm in the bony prominence and air cell types, respectively. Osseous ET-ICA distances were 1.2 (range: 0.6-3.6) mm and 0.4 (range: 0.1-0.5) mm in thick and thin canal types, respectively. Distinct peritubal structure types were observed on oblique CT planes with Vasalva maneuver. Bony prominence and air cell types provide a protective layer between the osseous ET and ICA. Imaging information on peritubal structures may help to better understand the anatomy of the ET pathway, leading to safe and accurate surgical approaches to the osseous ET.

Computational Analysis of Boerhavia diffusa Plant Extracts Targeting Alpha actinin4 against Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis

The most common protein lost in urine (proteinuria) is albumin, which is a symptom of the kidney illness focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). It causes damage to podocyte foot processes, resulting in effacement of foot processes, and injury to foot processes leads to the leaking of plasma proteins into the urine, resulting in nephrotic syndrome. Alpha actinin (ACTN4) is extensively produced in glomerular podocytes, has a function in non-muscle cytoskeletal activity, and is enhanced early in the course of nephrotic illness in various types. Mutations in ACTN4 induce autosomal and sporadic steroid-resistance nephritic syndrome, which causes disturbance in podocyte foot process and function. All of the FSGS-causing mutations are situated on actin actin-binding domain of the ACTN4 protein. FSGS is typically treated by decreasing dietary salt and using immune-suppressing medications such as glucocorticoids. There is a risk associated with these drugs for cancer patients. Several studies have found that up to 80% of individuals with primary FSGS are resistant to steroid therapy, even though all other therapeutic options have been exhausted. Patients with steroid-resistant FSGS have a higher incidence of end-stage renal failure. Therefore, several new treatment strategies were put forward to cure the disease form of which use of phytochemicals is one such sustainable modality. In addition to this, our study intended to predict the stability of mutant protein’s structure as compared to wild type structure through molecular dynamic simulation analysis. With this, we extend our study to predict the potency of phytochemicals of Boerhaviadiffusa against FSGS by using molecular docking analysis. From our study, we conclude that the actin-binding domain of ACTN4 protein becomes more unstable or loses its stability after the mutation at position W59R among all the studied mutation positions. The boeravinone F phytochemical of the Boerhaviadiffusa plant shows the best inhibitory effect on the mutant actin-binding domain of ACTN4 protein and it confirms a stable binding confirmation at minimum energy of -7.5 kcal/mol. Hence it may be taken into consideration for future research work.

Study on the fuel/air mixing process in a compact combustor with uneven flame stabilizer wall

Close-coupled injection is an important fuel injection method for future compact design combustors, and improving the mixing of fuel and gas is an important challenge for a wide operating range of the engine. By arranging uneven flame stabilizer walls behind the injection nozzles, the fuel penetration depth and fuel/air mixing of the close-coupled injection can be effectively improved at a low thrust state. In this paper, two kinds of uneven flame stabilizer wall structures were proposed, namely, the forked tail type and the lug-shaped type. The flow characteristics of different uneven flame stabilizer wall structures were investigated by combining numerical simulation and atomization experiments, and the differences in fuel distribution, jet trajectory, and combustion performance between the strut with uneven flame stabilizer wall structures and the U-shaped strut were qualitatively assessed. The results show that both proposed strut structures had a larger low-speed flame stabilization region, a greater jet penetration depth, and better combustion performance than did the common U-shaped strut, but with a greater flow resistance loss. The strut with a forked tail caused the airflow to deflect at the trailing edge of the strut, which in turn deflected the fuel, resulting in a larger recirculation zone and greater jet penetration depth. The lug-shaped strut produced a small recirculation zone behind the lug-shaped structure, and the fuel with a low fuel/air jet momentum flux ratio collided with the lug-shaped structure, thereby increasing the fuel jet penetration depth. The gap lug-shaped structure enhanced fuel diffusion and fuel/air mixing in the radial direction. Numerical studies under real operating conditions showed that the two types of uneven flame stabilizer wall structures were promising for improving the compactness of the combustor. Overall, two types of uneven flame stabilizer wall structures can promote fuel/air mixing during low engine operating states, which is conducive to widening the engine operating range and providing design solutions for the next generation of engine combustor designs with wide operating ranges.

Structural basis of Cas3 activation in type I-C CRISPR-Cas system.

CRISPR-Cas systems function as adaptive immune mechanisms in bacteria and archaea and offer protection against phages and other mobile genetic elements. Among many types of CRISPR-Cas systems, Type I CRISPR-Cas systems are most abundant, with target interference depending on a multi-subunit, RNA-guided complex known as Cascade that recruits a transacting helicase nuclease, Cas3, to degrade the target. While structural studies on several other types of Cas3 have been conducted long ago, it was only recently that the structural study of Type I-C Cas3 in complex with Cascade was revealed, shedding light on how Cas3 achieve its activity in the Cascade complex. In the present study, we elucidated the first structure of standalone Type I-C Cas3 from Neisseria lactamica (NlaCas3). Structural analysis revealed that the histidine-aspartate (HD) nuclease active site of NlaCas3 was bound to two Fe2+ ions that inhibited its activity. Moreover, NlaCas3 could cleave both single-stranded and double-stranded DNA in the presence of Ni2+ or Co2+, showing the highest activity in the presence of both Ni2+ and Mg2+ ions. By comparing the structural studies of various Cas3 proteins, we determined that our NlaCas3 stays in an inactive conformation, allowing us to understand the structural changes associated with its activation and their implication.

Marigold (Tagetes erecta) MADS-Box Genes: A Systematic Analysis and Their Implications for Floral Organ Development

Marigold (Tagetes erecta) has a capitulum with two floret types: sterile ray florets and fertile disc florets. This distinction makes marigold a valuable model for studying floral organ development in Asteraceae, where MADS-box transcription factors play crucial roles. Here, 65 MADS-box genes were identified in the marigold genome, distributed across all 12 chromosomes. These genes were classified into type I (13 genes) and type II (52 genes) according to phylogenetic relationships. The gene structure of type I was simpler than that of type II, with fewer conserved motifs. Type I was further divided into three subclasses, Mα (8 genes), Mβ (2 genes), and Mγ (3 genes), while type II was divided into two groups: MIKCC (50 genes) and MIKC* (2 genes), with MIKCC comprising 13 subfamilies. Many type II MADS-box genes had evolutionarily conserved functions in marigold. Expression analysis of type II genes across different organs revealed organ-specific patterns, identifying 34 genes related to flower organ development. Given the distinct characteristics of the two floret types, four genes were specifically expressed only in the petals of one floret type, while twenty genes were expressed in the stamens of disc florets. These genes might have been related to the formation of different floret types. Our research provided a comprehensive and systematic analysis of the marigold MADS-box genes and laid the foundation for further studies on the roles of MADS-box genes in floral organ development in Asteraceae.

Study on the dynamic fracture mechanical properties of ultra high-performance concrete under the influence of steel fiber content

Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) is characterized by its ultra-high strength and durability, making it suitable for use in large-span bridges, super high-rise buildings, and other special structures. These types of structures often have high requirements for crack control, making the exploration of UHPC's fracture mechanics properties of significant importance. Therefore, this paper sets up four steel fiber contents (0 %, 0.6 %, 1.2 % and 1.8 %) and four strain rates (10−5/s, 10−4/s, 10−3/s and 10−2/s), totaling 16 working conditions. The hydraulic servo system combined with digital image correlation (DIC) technology was used to conduct fracture mechanics tests on UHPC three-point bending beams. The test results show that the unstable fracture load of UHPC increases with the increase of strain rate and steel fiber content, and increasing the steel fiber content can enhance the strain rate effect of UHPC to a certain extent. Additionally, combined with the J-criterion model, this study proposed a dynamic criterion for the unstable fracture load of UHPC considering the influence of steel fiber content. The initial fracture toughness, unstable fracture toughness, and fracture energy of UHPC are significantly more affected by steel fiber content than by strain rate. Through DIC technology, the analysis of UHPC crack propagation shows that UHPC without steel fibers experiences rapid crack expansion in the Pre-90 % to Peak stage, with less influence from the strain rate. However, UHPC with steel fibers exhibits a more uniform crack growth rate, with the crack emergence phase gradually lagging as the strain rate increases. For UHPC without steel fibers, the crack opening displacement (COD) at the unstable fracture load point surges suddenly, while the COD development in UHPC with steel fibers is slower. At lower strain rates, an increase in steel fiber content leads to an earlier sudden increase phase in UHPC's COD; at higher strain rates, the influence of steel fiber content on the sudden increase phase of UHPC's COD is more scattered. The research results of this paper provide a theoretical basis for the calculation and analysis of the dynamic response of UHPC structures under seismic loads.

Liquid Crystalline Hydroxyapatite Nanorods Orchestrate Hierarchical Bone-Like Mineralization.

Bone matrix exhibits exceptional mechanical properties due to its unique nanocomposite structure of type I collagen fibrils and hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanoparticles in hierarchical liquid crystalline (LC) order. However, the regeneration mechanism of this LC structure is elusive. This study investigates the role of the LC structure of HAp nanorods in guiding aligned mineralization and its underlying molecular mechanism. A unidirectionally oriented LC phase of HAp nanorods is developed through engineering-assisted self-assembling. This is used to study the growth direction of long-range aligned extracellular matrix (ECM) and calcium deposit formation during the osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. It is found that 2 key regulatory genes, COL1A1 and COL4A6, lead to the formation of aligned ECM. Activation of the PI3K-Akt pathway enhances osteogenesis and promotes ordered calcium deposits. This study provides evidence for elucidating the mechanism of LC-induced ordered calcium deposition at hierarchical levels spanning from the molecular to macro-scale, as well as the switch from ordered to disordered mineralization. These findings illuminate bone regeneration, contribute to the development of biomimetic artificial bone with long-range ordered structures, and suggest a basis for therapeutic targeting of microstructure-affected bone disorders and the broader field of cell-ECM interactions.

Structural visualization analysis applied to the preservation of architectural heritage: the case of stilted houses in southwest Hubei, China

Wooden buildings represent a unique aspect of China’s architectural heritage. However, over time, these buildings have suffered varying degrees of structural damage, particularly those located in China’s mountainous regions. Frequent natural disasters and inconvenient transportation further exacerbate the vulnerability of these structures. This study focuses on the typical wooden stilt houses found in the Wuling Mountain area of southwest Hubei. The different forms of columns and beams, as well as the overall structural symmetry of the stilt houses, were classified into five common structural types. Precise digital models were established via real photos and collected dimensional data, and these five models were evaluated for static, buckling, utilization, and ultimate limit states. The results indicate that: (1) overall symmetrical structures perform better than asymmetrical ones; (2) structures where all columns are grounded and act as support columns exhibit the best overall mechanical performance; and (3) transverse-tie beams(chuanfang) primarily serve a connecting role rather than a load-bearing role, thus an excess of transverse-tie beams(chuanfang) can reduce the stability of the building structure. Based on the analysis results, targeted protective measures and recommendations were proposed and verified through structural evaluations. These initiatives provide new methods and insights for the protection of architectural heritage.

Multivariate Data Analysis of Maximum Stress Concentration Factors in FRP-Retrofitted Two-Planar KT-Joints under Axial Loads for Offshore Renewables

With growing concerns about the danger of global climate change and worldwide demand for energy, the interest in the investigation and construction of renewable energy technologies has increased. Fixed platforms are a type of support structure for wind turbines composed of different types of tubular joints. These structures are under different kinds of cyclic loadings in ocean environmental conditions, which must be designed and reinforced against fatigue. In the present paper, the relationships between the parameters in DKT-joints reinforced with FRP under axial loads are investigated using several models, under 16 axial loading cases, with different nondimensional parameters and different FRP materials, and orientations were generated in ANSYS (total 5184) and analyzed. The four loading conditions that cause the maximum stress concentration factors were selected. After analyzing the 1296 reinforced models, relevant data were extracted, and possible samples were created. The extracted data were used in a multivariate data analysis of maximum stress concentration factors. The Pearson correlation coefficient is utilized to study the relationship between parameters and subsequently to make predictions. To reduce the number of variables and to group the data points into clusters based on certain similarities, hierarchical and non-hierarchical classifications are used, respectively.

Leveraging Entropy and Crystal Structure Engineering in Prussian Blue Analogue Cathodes for Advancing Sodium-Ion Batteries.

The synergistic engineering of chemical complexity and crystal structures has been applied to Prussian blue analogue (PBA) cathodes in this work. More precisely, the high-entropy concept has been successfully introduced into two structure types of identical composition, namely, cubic and monoclinic. Through the utilization of a variety of complementary characterization techniques, a comprehensive investigation into the electrochemical behavior of the cubic and monoclinic PBAs has been conducted, providing nuanced insights. The implementation of the high-entropy concept exhibits crucial selectivity toward the intrinsic crystal structure. Specifically, while the overall cycling stability of both cathode systems is significantly improved, the synergistic interplay of crystal structure engineering and entropy proves particularly significant. After optimization, the cubic PBA demonstrates structural advantages, showcasing good reversibility, minimal capacity loss, high thermal stability, and unparalleled endurance even under harsh conditions (high specific current and temperature).

Mechanism of eccentricity influence on 3-DOF aerodynamic stability: New insights into instability evolution, energy harvesting, and vibration control

The inconsistency of mass center and elastic center, i.e., eccentricity, widely exists in various engineering structures and components, including iced conductors, wind turbine blades, airfoils, and cable-supported bridges, and can also be extended to the application of energy harvesting and vibration control. Although the eccentricity influence on aerodynamic stability has already been recognized as important, the underlying mechanism remains rather unclear. This study established a comprehensive framework of explicit eigenvalue solutions, offering in-depth insights into the aerodynamic stability mechanism in a vertical-horizontal-torsional 3-degree-of-freedom linear system under all possible frequency scenarios. These solutions elucidated the coupling mechanism of eccentricity, aerodynamic damping, aerodynamic stiffness, and structural frequencies. Remarkably straightforward criteria to predict the promoting/suppressing effect of eccentricity were proposed, consisting of eccentric angle and aerodynamic forces, which not only align with the traditional principles but also offer a broader application range in terms of structure types and wind speeds. Validations of the proposed solutions were performed for all frequency cases via numerical studies. For instability tendency evaluation, numerical studies on a thin plate showed that eccentricity has a significant impact due to the strong aerodynamic effect and large ratio of width/gyration radius, highlighting the importance of considering small eccentricity errors during experiments. Examination for energy harvesting revealed that a small eccentricity can dramatically enhance power generation efficiency, and the explicit solutions successfully explained the rules governing performance changes against frequency ratio, mass center position, rotation center position, etc. The analysis of a bundled conductor showed that the double pendulum can control galloping because it diminishes the eccentricity effect by shifting the eccentric angle. The proposed explicit solution framework provides a systematic view and new insights into the aerodynamic instability mechanism influenced by eccentricity, serving as a reference for the design and studies of various engineering structures, energy harvesting, and vibration control.