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

OBJECTIVE: A metabolism score for visceral fat (METS-VF) is an innovative method to access abdominal fat and visceral fat. So far, the relationship between the METS-VF index and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has remained unclear. We investigated the relationship between the METS-VF index and COPD prevalence utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2018. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A binary logistic regression analysis was performed using NHANES 2007-2018 data to assess the relationship between the METS-VF index and COPD prevalence. The relationship was verified by fitted smooth curves, generalized additive models, threshold effect analyses, subgroup analyses, and sensitivity analyses. RESULTS: In total, 7,680 subjects were recruited for the study, including 772 self-reported having COPD. The METS-VF index was positively related to COPD prevalence when adjusted for all covariates. The METS-VF index was classified by quartiles, and participants who scored highest on METSVF were at a greater risk of COPD than those who scored lowest. According to a threshold effect analysis, the METS-VF index was negatively correlated with COPD prevalence with a METS-VF index <7.00, without statistical significance. Once the METSVF index exceeded 7.00, there was a robust positive correlation between the METS-VF index and COPD prevalence. In the analysis of subgroups, the METS-VF index was positively correlated with COPD prevalence among subjects who were male, aged 40-59, and without asthma or hypertension. The results were robust in sensitivity analyses. METS-VF showed a significantly better diagnostic value for COPD than Body Mass Index (BMI). CONCLUSIONS: The METS-VF index has a non-linear and positive correlation with COPD prevalence in the middle-aged and elderly American population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]