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The boron nitrides as excellent sensors are adopted to detect some harmful gases. The adsorption sites and lengths of the boron nitrides are very important to improve the adsorption capacity. The structures, stabilities and electronic properties of the COBmNm and CO@BmNm (m = 4 8 , 96 and 144) nanotubes with different lengths have been investigated by using density functional theory. The longer BmNm, COBmNm and CO@BmNm clusters are more stable. The adsorption of the CO molecules at the ends of BmNm nanotubes competes with the insertion of the CO molecules in the BmNm nanotubes. The COBmNm clusters exhibit higher chemical reactivity than the CO@BmNm clusters. The lengths of the BmNm nanotubes have little effect on the chemical reactivity of the nanotubes. The charge transfer amounts of the O atoms increase while those of the C atoms of the COBmNm and CO@BmNm clusters are almost the same with the increase of cluster lengths. The CO molecules lose fewer electrons (0. 1 7 4 | e | , 0. 1 6 4 | e | , 0. 1 5 8 | e |) to the BmNm nanotubes of the COBmNm clusters while the CO molecules obtain fewer electrons (− 0. 0 2 8 | e | , − 0. 0 4 5 | e | , − 0. 0 4 5 | e |) from the BmNm nanotubes of the CO@BmNm clusters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Materials and structures with tunable mechanical properties are essential for numerous applications. However, constructing such structures poses a great challenge since it is normally very complicated to change the properties of a material after its fabrication, particularly in pure force fields. Herein, we propose a multistep and elastically stable 3D mechanical metamaterial having simultaneously tunable effective Young's modulus and auxeticity controlled by the applied compressive strain. Metamaterial samples are fabricated by 3D printing at the centimetric scale, with selective laser sintering, and at the micrometric scale, with two-photon lithography. Experimental results indicate an elementary auxeticity for small compressive strains but superior auxeticity for large strains. Significantly, the effective Young's modulus follows a parallel trend, becoming larger with increasing compressive strain. A theoretical model explains the variations of the elastic constants of the proposed metamaterials as a function of geometry parameters and provides a basic explanation for the appearance of the multistep behavior. Furthermore, simulation results demonstrate that the proposed metamaterial has the potential for designing metamaterials exhibiting tunable phononic band gaps. The design of reusable elastically stable multistep metamaterials, with tunable mechanical performances supporting large compression, is made possible thanks to their delocalized deformation mode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the urgent need for transformative change toward provisioning systems that align with staying as close as possible to the Paris Agreement's 1.5 °C limit for climate change. Despite historical awareness of the need for change, current unsustainable patterns of production and consumption persist, prompting an examination of the role of societal structures in hindering transformative change. Using the framework of provisioning systems, this study analyses expert and stakeholder views on structural barriers and steps to overcome them. Based on 36 expert interviews and Stakeholder Thinking Labs with 113 participants in five European Union case countries, the study identifies and discusses seven key structural barriers that affect the sustainability of provisioning systems for food, mobility, housing, and leisure. These barriers include the economic growth paradigm, policy incoherence, vested interests, the externalization of environmental costs, dominant narratives of the good life, inequality, and an insufficient integration of environmental concerns in educational systems. When considering the actualization of these structures in concrete provisioning systems, stakeholders emphasize the need for welfare provision with improved resource efficiency; argue for radical measures such as bans, limits, and taxes to address these challenges; and highlight governance challenges related to participation and power. The analysis underlines the complexity of promoting transformative structural change and the interplay of structures in different provisioning systems, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to achieve sustainable provisioning systems and 1.5° lifestyles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to develop a type of glued laminated timber (Glulam) element from solid eucalyptus wood residues. The hybrid wood Eucalyptus urophylla × Eucalyptus grandis was used and characterized regarding its physical and mechanical properties to determine density, moisture content and dimensional stability. Glulam elements were manufactured from whole blades and residues, glued with resorcinol-formaldehyde adhesive and polyurethane. Non-destructive tests of free transverse vibration, longitudinal vibration and stress wave were conducted in Glulam elements, plus tests of compressive strength, parallel compressive strength, and shear strength in wood and glue joints under two moisture conditions (dry and saturated). Wood residues of the E. urophylla × E. grandis hybrid have good physical and mechanical properties that allow its use for the manufacture of Glulam elements. Adhesives showed high resistance when tested in dry condition but performed differently in saturated condition. The type of adhesive used did not differ in the resistance of Glulam. Glulam elements with residues showed satisfying results when compared to elements with whole blades, demonstrating that small pieces are useful for manufacture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the development and characterization of a novel composite material for structural applications, aiming to address the growing demand for lightweight, durable and versatile materials. The composite integrates aramid fibre reinforced with sawdust particulates within an epoxy matrix. Methodologically, the composite was fabricated using a hand layup process, ensuring even distribution and strong adhesion between components. Mechanical testing revealed significant enhancements in tensile strength (up to 135.29 MPa) and flexural strength (up to 136.92 MPa) with the inclusion of sawdust particulates, optimizing stress distribution and impact resistance. Hardness was also improved, peaking at a Rockwell hardness number of 94. Thermal analysis demonstrated moderate thermal conductivity (1.92 W mK−1) and a high heat deflection temperature (109 °C), indicating excellent thermal stability. SEM provided insights into the composite's microstructure, confirming uniform sawdust distribution and robust fibre–matrix adhesion. These findings underscore the potential of this composite for lightweight, durable and thermally stable structural applications. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractAuxetic materials and structures have been largely regarded because of their superior mechanical properties compared to other structures. These materials and structures contract (expand) laterally under uniaxial compression (tension). In this study, we have investigated different types of auxetic cells such as reentrant, chiral and non-chiral, rotating polygonal, and etc. Also, we have described their mechanical properties in a separate section. The applications of these cells were also investigated in various fields of automotive, medical and etc. In this study, in addition to previous works, recent works have also been introduced. Being a comprehensive reference for different types of auxetic cells, this study helps researchers design various auxetic structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, LiGaCr4−xFexO8 (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6) ceramics are synthesized using the solid‐phase reaction method. The effects of Fe doping on the lattice structure and dielectric properties are systematically examined using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, and dielectric measurements. It is found from XRD analysis that the evolution of lattice constant decreases from 8.2552 Å at x = 0 to 8.2449 Å at x = 0.6, demonstrating a lattice contraction with doping. SEM shows a grain size reduction and irregular structures with higher Fe doping levels developed. The grain size decreases from 1.716 μm at x = 0 to 1.155 μm at x = 0.6. Due to Fe doping, the Raman spectroscopy obviously changes in high‐frequency phonon modes. The F2g1 and A1g modes shift to higher frequencies due to the reduction in lattice constant, while the F2g2, F2g3, and Eg modes shift to lower frequencies due to the increased ionic mass caused by the heavier Fe ions. Notably, Fe doping increases the dielectric constant and reduces the dielectric loss, especially at higher doping level. In these results, it is suggested that moderate Fe doping improves dielectric properties, offering potential applications in microwave and high‐frequency devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During continuous casting process of high‐Mn high‐Al steel, soluble Al in the steel typically reacts with SiO2 in the mold flux, resulting in a decrease in SiO2 content and an increase in Al2O3 contents in the flux. The structure of slags with varying CaO/SiO2 and Al2O3/SiO2 mass ratio is investigated using Raman spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. In the deconvolution results of Raman and NMR spectra, it is shown that the relative fractions of QSi0$Q_{\text{Si}}^{0}$ and QSi1$Q_{\text{Si}}^{1}$ significantly increase, while QSi2$Q_{\text{Si}}^{2}$ and QSi3$Q_{\text{Si}}^{3}$ gradually decrease with an increase in the CaO/SiO2 mass ratio from 0.52 to 1.02, resulting in depolymerization of the bridge oxygen structure. The silicon–oxygen tetrahedron transforms into aluminum–oxygen tetrahedron when the Al2O3/SiO2 mass ratio increased from 0.05 to 1.01. The viscosity of the slags with varying composition from 1573 to 1373 K is investigated. In the results, it is shown that with an increase in the CaO/SiO2 mass ratio, the viscosity decreases, and the complex SiO network structure is depolymerized. The viscosity decreases first as the Al2O3/SiO2 mass ratio increases from 0.05 to 0.24 and then increases as the mass ratio from 0.24 to 1.01, with the network formers transfer from SiO to SiAlO structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to understand the effect of different tube structures on the heat transfer characteristics of supercritical CO2 in heating serpentine micro‐tubes, five structures are investigated. At the same inlet Reynolds number, because the periodic disturbance frequency of boundary layer and centrifugal force decrease with the increase of curvature radius and the boundary layer thickens with the increase of tube diameter, the comprehensive heat transfer performance of serpentine micro‐tubes decreases with the increase of curvature radius and tube diameter. Gravitational buoyancy is independent of curvature radius but increases with the increase of tube diameter. Centrifugal force and centrifugal buoyancy decrease with the increase of curvature radius and tube diameter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pea (Pisum sativum) protein, as a pulse protein second only to soy protein, has shown increasing popularity in the plant-based food market. Numerous studies have shown the desirable techno-functionalities of pea protein for emulsifying, gelling, and foaming. Nevertheless, poor digestibility and unpleasant beany flavors of pea protein lower consumer acceptance. The current state of understanding on digestibility and beany attributes of pea proteins could help pave the way for pea protein-based food formulation with improved quality. This paper covers recently reported studies to modulate the digestibility and beany notes of pea protein by many processing techniques, and highlights the influence of non-protein components and food matrix structures while formulating pea protein-based food systems. Several modification techniques could alter the digestibility and improve the flavor of pea proteins by reorienting the protein structures or forming protein-based complexes. Precise tailoring the digestibility/flavor of pea proteins is promising based on current research, though further investigation is still required to reduce adverse effects or side products. In addition, more studies on simulated pea protein-based food systems are required to mimic the actual food comprising multi-components and specific structures to narrow the gap between lab-scale research and food industry applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Utilizing the flexible carboxylic acid ligand, tri (4‐carboxybenzyl) amine (H3L), three new metal organic frameworks Na[Cd(L)]n ⋅ 3nH2O (1), [Cd(HL)(4,4'‐bipy)0.5(H2O)]n (2) (4,4'‐bipy=4,4'‐bipyridine) and [Cd(HL)(2,2'‐bipy)]n (3) (2,2'‐bipy=2,2'‐bipyridine) have been successfully synthesized. Compounds 1 and 2 are 2D structures with (3,6) 2‐nodal as kgd topology, while compound 3 is a 1D chain structure. The powder X‐ray diffraction and thermal stability of 1–3 were studied. In addition, the solid‐state luminescence properties of compounds 1–3 at room temperature were also tested, indicating their application prospects in fluorescent materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 28 cooling towers of the French Nuclear Power Plants (NPP) fleet have been studied using a digital twin automated approach that allows a better understanding of their behaviour and includes on-site measurements such as settlement displacements and predicted corrosion as inputs in a linear Finite Element Model (FEM). Advanced simulations are then built upon this digital twin, providing a more precise simulation of the ultimate mechanical behaviour of the tower, with a non-linear FEM allowing steel and concrete damage. Finally, increasing wind load is applied until the structure reaches a near-collapse state, allowing us to conclude on the mechanical margin and the need for reinforcement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the size reduction of structures into micro/nanoscale, the size-dependent effect arises in mechanical properties. For micro/nanostructures working in transient thermal environment, the thermal relaxation needs to be considered in heat conduction. Functionally graded carbon nanotubes/graphene platelets reinforced composite (FG-CNTRC/GPLRC) materials as new generation of advanced materials have attracted much attention due to their excellent mechanical or thermoelastic performance. Though the mechanical or non-coupled thermoelastic behaviors of beam, plate and shell made of FG-CNTRC/GPLRC materials have been extensively studied, there lacks of investigations on the coupled thermoelastic behaviors of micro/nanostructures of FG-CNTRC/GPLRC in the context of generalized thermoelasticity where both the elastic nonlocality and thermal relaxation need to be considered. To fill this gap, in this work, the Lord–Shulman (L-S) type generalized thermoelasticity incorporating the fractional-order nonlocal theory is applied to investigating the thermoelastic bending wave propagation characteristics of a nanocomposite microbeam reinforced by GPLs and CNTs simultaneously for the first time. The Halpin–Tsai micromechanical model is used to assess the effective elastic modulus and the other properties are evaluated by the rule of mixture. Then, the governing equations are formulated based on the Euler–Bernoulli beam model. By assuming the wave-type solutions, the governing equations are solved and the dispersion relation between frequency and wave number and the relation between phase velocity and wave number are determined, respectively. In calculation, the effects of the thermal relaxation time, the elastic nonlocal parameter, the fractional order parameter and the mass fractions of GPLs and CNTs on the dimensionless frequency and phase velocity are analyzed and discussed in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Global reliance on fossil fuel combustion for energy production has contributed to the rising concentration of atmospheric CO2, creating significant global climate challenges. In this regard, direct air capture (DAC) of CO2 from the atmosphere has emerged as one of the most promising strategies to counteract the harmful effects on the environment, and the further development and commercialization of this technology will play a pivotal role in achieving the goal of net‐zero emissions by 2050. Among various DAC adsorbents, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) show great potential due to their high porosity and ability to reversibly adsorb CO2 at low concentrations. However, the adsorption efficiency and cost‐effectiveness of these materials must be improved to be widely deployed as DAC sorbents. To that end, this perspective provides a critical discussion on several types of benchmark MOFs that have demonstrated high CO2 capture capacities, including an assessment of their stability, CO2 capture mechanism, capture‐release cycling behavior, and scale‐up synthesis. It then concludes by highlighting limitations that must be addressed for these MOFs to go from the research laboratory to implementation in DAC devices on a global scale so they can effectively mitigate climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the structure and electronic properties of the A‐center in Si1−xGex alloys (x = 0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1), using the Heyd–Scuseria–Ernzerhof hybrid functional. It is found that the most stable structures form SiOSi bonds, with the other two atoms surrounding the A‐center being Ge atoms, which form a long bond between them. The behavior of the O atoms is significantly influenced by the Ge content. As it increases, the position of the O atom shifts relative to the surrounding atoms, thereby affecting the bond lengths and angles. The formation energy of the A‐center first decreases with increasing Ge content up to 0.75, which enhances the defect production; however, then it decreases from 0.75 to 1, thus suppressing defect production. The calculations are consistent with the experimental data, showing that the distance of the defect level from the conduction band minimum increases with Ge content, supporting the observed enthalpy changes in electron ionization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reaction of lanthanoid tris(3,5‐dimethylpyrazolate) compounds, [Ln(Me2pz)3(thf)]2 (Ln=La 1 a, Ce, Pr, Dy 1 b, Yb, Lu) with potassium or lithium bistrimethylsilylamide and with or without added 3,5‐dimethylpyrazole, or of lanthanoid tris(bistrimethylsilyl)amide complexes with potassium bistrimethylsilylamide and 3,5‐dimethylpyrazole have yielded a variety of oxide centred Ln3 or Ln4/(K or Li)1–3 multinuclear cages, namely, [La4O(Me2pz)11 K(thf)2] (2 a), [La4O(Me2pz)11Li(Me2pzH)]⋅0.5Hexane (2 b), [La4O(Me2pz)10(Me2pzH)] (2 c) (from heating 1 a in toluene), [Ce3O(Me2pz)9K2(dme)2] (3 a), [Ce3O(Me2pz)9Li2(thf)2]⋅0.5Hexane (3 b) and [Ce(Me2pz)5Li2(thf)3] (3 c), which crystallized together, [Ce3O(Me2pz)10K3(thf)3] (3 d), [Pr3O(Me2pz)10K3(thf)3] (4), [Dy3O(Me2pz)9K2(thf)2]⋅THF (5), [Yb3O(Me2pz)9K2(thf)2]⋅THF (6), and [Lu3O(Me2pz)9K2(thf)2]⋅THF (7). Crystals of {[K8(Me2pz)8(thf)2]⋅THF}∞ (8) were also obtained from the preparation of 7. From reaction of [Ce(Me2pz)3(thf)]2 with potassium tert‐butoxide in toluene, the cerium(IV) heterobimetallic polymer [Ce2(Me2pz)6(OtBu)4K2]∞ (9) was isolated.In the Ln3O and the Ln4O cages, the Ln atoms have triangular and distorted tetrahedral arrangements about the central oxygen, respectively. The relationship of the alkali metals to the central oxygen varies considerably. Thus in 2 a, 2 b, there is no bonding, in 3 a, both K atoms interact weakly, in 3 b one of the two Li atom is bound, in 3 d, 4, one of three K atoms in bound, whilst in 5–7, both K atoms are bound. All metals are bound to the cages by a variety of pyrazolate binding modes, with up to five different exhibited in some structures, and a new coordination mode, μ4‐1κ(N):2κ(N′):η5:η5, was observed in two complexes. In the structure of 2 c, the coordinated Me2pzH ligand binds to two metals through a single nitrogen, the first time this has been observed for a pyrazole donor. The complex 9 is polymeric with all metals bridged by butoxide donors as well as by Me2pz groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water constitutes a huge circulation network in solid, liquid and gaseous forms that contains inestimable recyclable energy. Obtaining energy from gaseous moisture is challenging but of great significance to promote the energy upgrading. The emergence of moisture‐driven actuator (MDA) provides an effective way in converting moisture energy to mechanical energy. The MDA can combine with water molecules through hygroscopicity and swell to produce macroscopic deformation. Due to the wide distribution of humidity and the wireless driving mode, MDA shows great application potential in the fields of environmental monitoring, remote control and energy harvesting. This paper comprehensively reviews the research progress of MDA from aspects of hydrophilic materials, structures, preparing methods, multi‐response integration and applications, aiming at providing guidance for the design, preparation and application of MDA. Besides, the challenges faced by MDA are analyzed and corresponding solutions are proposed, which points out the next stage developing direction of MDA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Interaction of iron chalcogenides (μ‐Ex)[CpFe(CO)2]2 (E = S; x = 2–4, E = Se, x = 1) with propargyl chloroformate (ClCO2CH2C≡CH) in diethyl ether yielded iron(II) chalcogenopropargylcarbonato complexes CpFe(CO)2ECO2CH2C≡CH (E = S (1), Se (2)). These complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, UV–Vis, IR, and 1H‐ and 13C{1H}‐NMR spectroscopy and single‐crystal x‐ray diffraction techniques. Further, the suitability of complexes 1 and 2 as CO‐releasing molecules (CORMs) for the administration of carbon monoxide has been studied. CO gas is released upon irradiation of THF solution of these complexes in the presence of hemoglobin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compression of compressible, linearly elastic, annular disks by flat rigid platens is analyzed. Coulomb (Amonton) friction is assumed to act at the interfaces between the disk and the platens. Slip may occur in an outer annular region while the inner annular (bonded, stick) region of the disk does not slip. The critical radius (slip boundary) is of major interest. The governing equilibrium equations in terms of the deflections are satisfied exactly. Approximations are made in some of the boundary conditions and the transition (matching) conditions at the critical radius. Numerical results are presented for nearly incompressible disks. The effects of the radius ratio, aspect ratio, and Poisson's ratio of the disk, and of the coefficient of friction at the platens, on the critical radius, effective compression modulus, stresses, and radial deflection are investigated. Applications include structural (especially bridge) bearings, seismic-isolation devices, mounting blocks and bushings, gaskets, and sealing components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hard-magnetic soft materials, which exhibit finite deformation under magnetic loading, have emerged as a promising class of soft active materials for the development of phononic structures with tunable elastic wave band gap characteristics. In this paper, we present a gradient-based topology optimization framework for designing the hard-magnetic soft materials-based two-phase phononic structures with wide and magnetically tunable anti-plane shear wave band gaps. The incompressible Gent hyperelastic material model, along with the ideal hard-magnetic soft material model, is used to characterize the constitutive behavior of the hard-magnetic soft phononic structure phases. To extract the dispersion curves, an in-house finite element model in conjunction with Bloch's theorem is employed. The method of moving asymptotes is used to iteratively update the design variables and obtain the optimal distribution of the hard-magnetic soft phases within the phononic structure unit cell. Analytical sensitivity analysis is performed to evaluate the gradient of the band gap maximization function with respect to each one of the design variables. Numerical results show that the optimized phononic structures exhibit a wide band gap width in comparison to a standard hard-magnetic soft phononic structure with a central circular inclusion, demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed numerical framework. The numerical framework presented in this study, along with the derived conclusions, can serve as a valuable guide for the design and development of futuristic tunable wave manipulators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the integration of a numerical structural model based on the redundancy matrix and experimental results of multi-layered randomized architected materials (MLRAM). It presents a combination of the relatively new field of architected materials with a load-independent performance indicator from theoretical structural mechanics. The redundancy matrix by itself provides a measure for structural assessment that is independent of a specific load case. Various layouts of the MLRAM samples and recorded testing allow the analysis of the redundancy distribution within the structure as it undergoes failure. An in-depth analysis of the tested MLRAM samples is provided, as they show a high degree of static indeterminacy and thus, multiple different load paths. A special focus lies on the change of the redundancy distribution as global progressive failure happens. Another focus is set on the investigation of the failure initiation, meaning that the redundancy distribution can help to identify critical elements. A simple introductory example shows the interdependence between the variation of the geometric location of nodes and the redundancy distribution. The study shows, that the distribution of static indeterminacy can be used as a measure to quantify vulnerability to failure and rank the individual element's importance. Furthermore, progressive collapse is identified as a series of local effects in the highly statically indeterminate MLRAM samples, underlining the fact that the spatial distribution of static indeterminacy is of central importance for the assessment of structural safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Driven by the versatility and adaptability of next-generation soft robotic devices, investigating the vibrational behavior under fluid-electromechanical coupling represented by a soft dielectric elastomer actuator (DEA) tube filled with fluid evokes much attention. Here, we investigate the axisymmetric vibration of an inviscid compressible fluid-filled thin DEA tube by using the Gent model to define the behavior of the tube under multi-fields. We consider the effect of the fluid by exploiting the relation of the radial fluid pressure at the fluid-solid interface. Following the general incremental theory of nonlinear electro-elasticity, we formulate the incremental governing and constitutive equations needed for vibration analysis and solve them numerically using the state-space method (SSM). The results demonstrate the influence of the applied voltage, overcritical circumferential stretch, higher frequency modes, and phase velocity modes on the early development of axisymmetric instability and dielectric breakdown. The existence of the fluid contributes to more reduction in the frequency and phase velocity compared to the fluid-free case due to the added mass effect. Moreover, the results show the role of fluid in the partial self-healing of the soft DEA. A parametric study on specific variables deduces that increasing the thickness of the soft DEA tube reduces the frequency effectively, whereas applying higher voltages causes a thinning in the thickness, leading to the need for thicker tubes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scalar fields, such as stress or temperature fields, are often calculated in shape optimization and design problems in engineering. For complex problems where shapes have varying topology and cannot be parametrized, data-driven scalar field prediction can be faster than traditional finite element methods. However, current data-driven techniques to predict scalar fields are limited to a fixed grid domain, instead of arbitrary mesh structures. In this work, we propose a method to predict scalar fields on arbitrary meshes. It uses a convolutional neural network whose feature maps at multiple resolutions are interpolated to node positions before being fed into a multilayer perceptron to predict solutions to partial differential equations at mesh nodes. The model is trained on finite element von Mises stress fields, and once trained, it can estimate stress values at each node on any input mesh. Two shape datasets are investigated, and the model has strong performance on both, with a median R2 value of 0.91. We also demonstrate the model on a temperature field in a heat conduction problem, where its predictions have a median R2 value of 0.99. Our method provides a potential flexible alternative to finite element analysis in engineering design contexts. Code and datasets are available online. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers geological, mineralogical, and geochemical features of the epithermal Au‒Ag mineralization at the Televeem volcanic dome uplift (VDU) which complicates the Verkhne-Pykarvaam volcano-tectonic depression (VTD) in the Central Chukchi sector of the Okhotsk–Chukchi volcanogenic belt (OCVB). The structure of this ore occurrence is due to its localization within the eponymous VDU. The main vein zone (MVZ) of the Televeem ore occurrence, as wide as 500 m, extends for 2.5 km in the north–south direction. Along the MVZ direction, en-echelon proximal quartz–adularia veins are successively replaced with zones of thin streaks and brecciation in secondary quartzites and argillisites. The gold concentrations in these rocks vary between 1.4 and 17.3 g/t, that of gold is between 7.6 and 144.6 g/t. The ores contain abundant brecciated, framboidal lamellar, geode, and fine streaky structures. The more frequent ore minerals are pyrite, arsenopyrite, acanthite, grey ores of the freibergite–tetrahedrite series, stephanite, polybasite, low-fineness native gold (fineness varies in the range 249–532‰), and titanite. The amount of ore minerals in veins does not commonly exceed 0.5%, reaching 3% in some rare cases. Based on mineralogical evidence, this ore occurrence can be classified as belonging to low- or medium-eroded ones. The low erosion suggests a high probability of detecting buried ore bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low‐dimensional nanometals have significant applications in sensors, catalysis, data storage and batteries, attributed to their unique mechanical, optical, magnetic, and electrical properties. Exploring and tailoring the properties of low‐dimensional nanometals have become a research field in nanoscience and technology. In addition to changing the characteristics of low‐dimensional nanometallics, such as size, shape and composition, designing and refining their structures to explore and optimize the properties of low‐dimensional nanometallics are also a top scientific priority. This review examines advancements in the unique structure, behavior, and properties of low‐dimensional nanometallics fabricated via electron beam etching. Innovative structures such as hexa‐coordinate monolayer Au membranes and simple hexagonal gold have been fabricated in low‐dimensional nanogold. These structures demonstrate phase transitions to heptagonal clusters, nano‐spiral tubes and other unique behaviors. Further, they exhibit distinctive physical properties, including magnetic and conductivity. Also, changes in nanometals' interfacial structural features induce size effects and unique mechanical and catalytic properties. Such design and fabrication of low‐dimensional nanometallics with novel structures and properties show great promise for their application to electronic devices, chips, and batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The viscosity of CaO–SiO2–FeOt–Al2O3–BaO steel slag with the BaO substitution for CaO is measured. Calculation of the corrected optical basicity and the apparent activation energy of the steel slag are executed. The effect of substituting CaO with BaO on structure evolution is studied. The measured results show that the viscosity of molten slag increases with the BaO substitution. The values of corrected optical basicity decrease from 0.63441 to 0.62329 with the BaO substitution. The apparent activation energy shows an upward trend from 152.78 to 160.62 kJ mol−1 with the BaO substitution. The Fourier transform infrared reflection analysis indicates that the structure complexity of the [SiO4] and [AlO4] tetrahedrons is increased with the BaO substitution. The Raman analysis indicates that the translation of Q0 and Q1 to Q2 and Q3 is advanced with the substitution of BaO for CaO in molten slag. The conversion of O2− to O0 is promoted with the substitution of BaO for CaO using X‐Ray photoelectron spectrometer analysis. The complexity of the molten slag network structure and the degree of polymerization are all increased by the substitution of BaO for CaO, which sits comfortably with measured viscosity results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of the energy transition and global environmental problems, improving the energy efficiency of buildings has become an imperative aspect for the architecture, engineering and construction industries. Furthermore, the energy performance of a building depends directly on the quality of its thermal envelope and the insulation material applied. Therefore, the main aim of this study is to assess by means of simulations the impact of ecological insulation materials on thermal comfort and energy efficiency in the case of a residential building in a Mediterranean climate. The results of the simulation show that optimising envelope design parameters can reduce annual energy loads for heating and for cooling. The most efficient strategies for achieving this reduction involve the use of ecological thermal insulation of external walls, optimising glazing settings and use of efficient shading devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the effectiveness of using comic strips as a psycholinguistic approach to enhance Arabic speaking proficiency (maharat al-kalam) among students. Traditional methods of teaching Arabic often emphasize grammar memorization, which can disengage students and hinder their ability to apply the language in spoken contexts. In contrast, comic strips provide a visual and narrative framework that makes learning more engaging, promoting better vocabulary retention and comprehension of sentence structures. Quantitative data was gathered through pre-tests, post-tests, and speaking tasks, while qualitative data was obtained from questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The results showed significant improvement in the experimental group in terms of vocabulary retention, sentence structure comprehension, and speaking confidence. The visual and contextual elements of comic strips helped students internalize the language more effectively. Additionally. However, some challenges were noted in understanding cultural contexts within the comic strips. Notably, while comics are typically used to motivate and enhance maharat al-qiro'ah (reading skills), this study found that they can also be effectively applied to improve maharat al-kalam (speaking skills) through the incorporation of Arabic vocabulary and a psycholinguistic approach. This study concludes that comic strips offer a valuable and innovative tool for enhancing Arabic speaking proficiency, providing both cognitive and motivational benefits.

Tao Yu,1,* Wenzhi Pei,1 Xulai Zhang,1 Chenchen Deng2,* 1Anhui Mental Health Center; Affiliated Psychological Hospital of Anhui Medical University; Hefei Fourth People’s Hospital, Hefei, Anhui, 230022, People’s Republic of China; 2Anhui Province Maternity & Child Health Hospital, Hefei, Anhui, 230022, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Xulai Zhang, Email 479800330@qq.comBackground: Thyroid dysfunction and frontal lobe gray matter volume (GMV) alterations are associated with violence in schizophrenia (SCZ); however, little is known about the relationship between thyroid dysfunction and frontal lobe GMV. This study aimed to evaluate whether thyroid hormone levels were associated with frontal lobe GMV in male patients with schizophrenia and violence.Methods: Fifty-five male patients with SCZ underwent triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (fT3), and free thyroxine (fT4) tests and structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) scans. The sMRI data were processed using the FreeSurfer version 5.0. Multiple linear stepwise regression analysis was used to investigate the relationship between frontal lobe GMV and thyroid hormone levels in all patients.Results: Patients with SCZ and violence exhibited lower GMV of the left frontal pole and higher TSH levels than those without violence. After controlling for potential covariates, the frontal pole GMV was negatively associated with TSH levels in all participants.Conclusion: These findings expand our understanding of the influence of TSH on frontal pole GMV in patients with schizophrenia and violence.Keywords: thyroid, schizophrenia, violence, gray matter volume, MRI, structures

Introduction. Domestic and foreign experience of full-scale tests is analyzed. The retrospective of development of standards for conducting full-scale tests in Russia and the USSR is presented. The review of the world regulatory documents regarding the requirements for conducting full-scale tests of structures is carried out, which showed insufficient research of this question both in our country and abroad. The obtained review can be the basis for the development of the national standard of the Russian Federation for conducting full-scale tests.Materials and methods. Analytical review.Results. The state of the issue and the application of stress tests (full-scale tests) in our country, as well as in Germany, the USA, Italy, Canada, Australia, Switzerland and other countries are shown. The minimum requirements for the target test load during testing, the loading mode and acceptance criteria for the experimental assessment of the load-bearing capacity of existing load-bearing structures specified in various standards are given. Specialized criteria for the acceptance of load-bearing structures, such as the permanency ratio and deviation from linearity index, mentioned in individual standards, are analyzed.Conclusions. The similarity of common approaches and the lack of unified requirements for conducting this type of research and evaluating their results are noted. The necessity to develop a national standard of the Russian Federation for full-scale tests of erected reinforced concrete structures is considered.

Abstract Lately, Saudi Arabia has been developing its mineral exploration. However, comprehensive studies of the collected data are not accessible. Thus, the purpose of this research is to identify and map the hydrothermal alteration zones and structural lineaments that regulate the mineral occurrences in the Nuqrah region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia using remote sensing and aeromagnetic data. To achieve the desired goal of the study, ASTER remote sensing data were employed, and they were processed in several ways, including principal component analysis, band ratio, and false color composites to reveal the zones of alteration and structure lineaments. In addition, aeromagnetic data was employed to map the lineaments controlling the mineralization. These datasets were integrated using GIS tools to generate a new mineralization potential map of the Nuqrah area, which was classified into three classes: low, moderate, and high probability mineralization. The results showed thirteen intriguing anomalies (high potential mineralization) dispersed over the research area to be prospected. Additionally, techniques such as residual, regional, first vertical derivative, and tilt derivative were utilized to detect the potential mineral-related geologic structures. The results were validated by plotting known mineralization sites on our maps. Six significant faulting trends have been found, according to the lineament map and rose diagrams from remote sensing: NE–SW, WNW–ESE, N–S, ENE–WSW, NNE–SSW, NW–SE, and E–W. The research region is most affected by the NW–SE, ENE–WSW, E–W, and N–S trends, which are organized in decreasing order of magnitude, according to the rose diagram of the aeromagnetic maps. The applied approach can be employed to map potential mineral deposits in Saudi Arabia and similar zones around the globe.

The family is the fundamental pillar of the society and is subject to psychological rules and legal regulations, and with the good implementation of these rules and regulations, it can achieve the excellence of the family members and the consolidation and improvement of its structure. In the event of couple's divorce and the occurrence of the conflict between the duty of mother's custody and the limits of the patriarch's guardianship, by strengthening the extended family structure and paying attention to the participation of different classes of the family, it is possible to benefit from the conditions that have arisen for the benefit of the relationship between generations, and to establish the legal criteria for legislation. Coercive rule was achieved. The current research aims to investigate the psychological impact of the type of family structure and the different states of participation of the members in each of the structures to overcome the legal conflicts that have arisen between the performance of the custodian and the coercive guardian. The results of the investigations show that in the conditions of generation gap and the existence of a significant distance between the family of the first degree and the family of the second and third degrees, the fields of mutual understanding and effective participation have been lost and not only the interaction of the guardian and the forced guardian get into trouble after divorce, but perhaps this emptiness would be one of the causes of divorce. As a result, it is necessary to provide the conditions for the participation of different family classes in different intellectual, cultural, and economic contexts, even when there is no context for changing the family structure, and the threat of alienation of relatives becomes an opportunity for their cooperation and assistance.

For any positive integer $ \mathrm{n} $, let $ \mathrm{M_{p}} $ contain the prime numbers less than $ \mathrm{n} $. Assuming $ \mathrm{M_{p}} $ as the set of moduli, we draw a graph with the vertex set $ \{1, 2, 3, \cdots, \mathrm{n}\} $, and an edge will be built between the vertices $ \mathrm{p} $ and $ \mathrm{q} $ if and only if $ \mathrm{p}\equiv (\mathrm{q}\; mod\; \mathrm{m}) $ for some $ \mathrm{m}\in $ $ \mathrm{M_{p}}. $ We call this graph a prime congruence simple graph and label this graph as $ \mathrm{G}(\mathrm{n}, \mathrm{M}_{p}) $. The objective of this work is to characterize prime congruence simple graphs, and afterwards, by utilizing these graphs, solutions to the system of linear congruences are suggested and demonstrated by applying modular arithmetic. It is shown that this graph is always a connected graph. The generalized formulae for vertex degrees, size, chromatic number, domination number, clique number, and eccentricity of the prime congruence simple graphs are proposed and proved. Also, independence numbers as well as a covering number for the proposed graph through vertices and edges are evaluated. Lastly, as an application of prime congruence simple graphs, the solution of a system of linear congruences is discussed in terms of the degrees of the vertices.

Silicon (Si), stands out for its abundant resources, eco‐friendliness, affordability, high capacity, and low operating potential, making it a prime candidate for high‐energy‐density lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). Notably, the breakthrough use of nanostructured Si (nSi) has paved the way for the commercialization of Si anodes. Despite this, challenges like high processing costs, severe side reactions, and low volumetric energy density have impeded widespread industrial adoption. Micron‐scale Si (µSi) has always faced setbacks compared to nSi due to its greater volume expansion. However, recent years have witnessed a resurgence of interest in µSi‐based anodes. Capitalizing on its inherent advantages, including low cost and high tap density, µSi has once again captured the attention of both academic and industrial communities. This review begins by contrasting the strengths and weaknesses of µSi and nSi, then outline potential solutions to enhance µSi performance, covering aspects like structural regulation, composite anodes, binder design, and electrolyte exploration. Additionally, this work explores the application of machine learning‐assisted high‐throughput screening. Concluding the review, this work provides insights into the future prospects of µSi in LIBs, outlining challenges and proposing integrated coping strategies. This review anticipates that it will provide valuable perspectives for the commercial application of high‐energy‐density Si‐based anodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mononuclear and multinuclear O^N^O‐donor Zn(II) complexes are herein reported as catalysts in the ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of rac‐lactide (rac‐LA) and depolymerization of poly(lactide) (PLA). Reactions of imino‐phenol proligand 2[((2‐hydroxyethyl)imino)methyl]phenol (L1H2) with ZnCl2 and ZnEt2 afforded the dinuclear and tetranuclear complexes [Zn2(L1H)2Cl2] (Zn1) and [Zn4(L1)4] (Zn2), respectively. Separately, treatments of proligands 2‐[1‐((2‐hydroxyethyl)imino)ethyl]phenol (L2H2) and [((2‐methoxyethyl)imino)methyl]phenol (L3H) with ZnCl2 gave the respective mononuclear complexes [Zn(L2H2)2Cl2] (Zn3) and [Zn(L3H)2Cl2] (Zn4), while the reactions of L3H with ZnEt2 afforded the bis(chelated) mononuclear complex [Zn(L3)2] (Zn5). The complexes were characterized using NMR and IR spectroscopy, elemental analyses and single crystal X‐ray crystallography. All the Zn(II) complexes showed high catalytic activities in the ROP of rac‐LA (kapp of up to 4.18 × 10−4 s−1) to give moderate molecular weight PLA (39,960 g mol−1) with relatively narrow dispersities (Đ = 1.4–2.1). The complexes produced mainly atactic PLAs with Pr values of 0.51–0.58. More significantly, complexes Zn1, Zn2, and Zn5 were also active in the depolymerization of commercial PLA in methanol (kapp of up to 2.67 × 10−4 s−1) to produce alkyl lactates. The ROP and depolymerization behavior were largely controlled by the structure and nuclearity of the complexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Underwater acoustic non-reciprocal transmission via dynamic-modulation structures with time-varying mass and stiffness is studied. The model system consists of spatiotemporally modulated discrete lattices immersed in the water background. Based on the transfer matrix method, an analytic model for the coupled continuum-discrete system is developed to calculate acoustic scattering responses in the frequency domain. Finite-difference time-domain computation is conducted for the coupled system to verify the theoretical model. Results show that acoustic non-reciprocal transmission in opposite directions appears at frequencies where there are asymmetric bandgaps in dispersion diagrams. Asymmetric transmission can be enhanced in magnitude by engineering the modulating amplitudes of time-varying parameters or increasing the number of lattice elements, while the frequency bandwidth can be broadened by cascading structural elements with different modulating frequencies due to the gap-combining effect. The model may find potential applications in underwater acoustic isolation and sonar communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Auxetic architected materials present a novel class of damage-tolerant materials with tunable mechanical characteristics and high energy absorption due to their unique ability to laterally contract and densify when subjected to axial compressive loading. The current state of research on negative Poisson's ratio materials mainly focuses on 2D geometries and a few families of 3D geometries with limited experimental comparisons between different architectures and various geometrical features. Furthermore, when manufactured via laser powder bed fusion, the influence of as-built deviations of geometrical and material properties inherently present due to the melt pool solidification process for thin features is relatively unexplored in the case of metal-architected materials. The authors aim to study the elastic properties, peak characteristics, and failure modes of steel auxetic truss lattices subjected to axial compression while also addressing the uncertainties inherent to the metal laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing of architected materials. This work presents an experimental and computational exploration and comparison of two promising three-dimensional auxetic truss lattice families of low relative densities. A comprehensive investigation of metal negative Poisson's ratio mechanical metamaterials is presented, including the selection of the architectures, modeling, laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing, as-built part characterization, material testing, and mechanical testing under axial compression. The study of such architectures can unlock their potential in making them readily adaptable to a wide variety of engineering applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerical approaches are elaborated to calculate the rheological response of laminated glass beams, whose viscoelastic interlayer is modeled via fractional calculus. This mathematical description is very effective when the relaxation function of the polymer can be expressed by continuously connected branches of power laws, as is the case for most materials used to laminate glass. The classical approach uses the Grünwald-Letnikov approximation of fractional derivatives, but it requires constant time-steps, which would become very large to reasonably cover the entire observation time, thus losing accuracy. The use of the L1 algorithm with increasing time-steps is proposed, which is well suited to the power law character of the relaxation function. This allows to follow the long-term creep response, providing a better approximation when needed. The method is implemented for beams laminated with viscoelastic interlayers whose relaxation is described by four branches of power laws, to cover most practical cases. Numerical experiments show their advantages over the Grünwald-Letnikov approach for characterizing the long-term structural response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides the necessary and sufficient conditions for a multi-degrees-of-freedom linear potential system with an arbitrary damping matrix to be uncoupled into independent subsystems of at most two degrees-of-freedom using a real orthogonal transformation. The incorporation of additional information about the matrices, which many structural and mechanical systems commonly possess, shows a reduction in the number of these conditions to three. Several new results are obtained and are illustrated through examples. A useful general form for the damping matrix is developed that guarantees the uncoupling of such systems when they satisfy just two conditions. The results provided herein lead to new physical insights into the dynamical behavior of potential systems with general damping matrices and robust computational procedures. It is shown that the dynamics of a damped potential system in which the damping matrix may be arbitrary is identical to that of a damped gyroscopic potential system with a symmetric damping matrix. This brings, for the first time, these two systems, which are seen today as belonging to different categories of dynamical systems, under a unified framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laser surface alloying is a method used to modify a metal surface to produce a thin surface layer with improved mechanical properties. The results of tests on surface carburizing and boriding of steel 20 using a laser beam are presented. Before laser irradiation, the surface of the material was coated. Two types of coating were used: suspensions of graphite powder and boron carbide. Steel 20 was carburized and borided by melting the coating and the substrate. This processing produced various microstructures in the surface layer, depending on the type of coating used and the processing parameters. The microhardness of the alloyed layers was measured along the depth axis. The surface layer consists of an alloying zone and a heat-affected zone. Some specimens carburized by surface alloying displayed cracking and porosity due to carbon enrichment and high solidification rates. The laser-borated surface has a remelting zone consisting of an eutectic mixture of iron borides FeB, Fe2B, and Fe3B. The dense boride zone located near the surface, while the content of the eutectic mixture of borides and martensite increased toward the base metal. The microhardness of the borated layer was 1200 HV. The alloy layers were tested for abrasive wear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction sector is presently among the most resource-intensive industries, driving a substantial body of research dedicated to the development of more sustainable materials to address these demands. A particularly promising approach within the framework of the circular economy is the repurposing of waste as a principal raw material for the creation of new construction products. Within this context, the primary aim of this study is to engineer ceramic materials for brick production using 100% waste-derived inputs, specifically aggregate washing sludge and manganese mining by-products. To evaluate the potential of these sustainable ceramic materials, an extensive investigation was conducted, encompassing both physical and mechanical testing, as well as a thorough characterisation of the waste inputs. For this purpose, a series of ceramic specimens were fabricated with varying proportions of mining residues and aggregate washing sludge, adhering to the conventional protocols employed in the manufacture of ceramic bricks. The results demonstrate that these sustainable ceramics exhibit a linear shrinkage reduction of up to 5% compared to traditional clay-based ceramics. Furthermore, they show water absorption levels—whether via capillarity, cold water, or hot water absorption—that are up to twice those observed in conventional clay ceramics, while maintaining comparable density values. This increased absorption, however, correlates with a reduction in mechanical strength at higher concentrations of manganese waste, yet the material continues to meet the minimum strength requirements as specified by industry standards for such products. In conclusion, this research introduces a novel, sustainable ceramic material that not only reduces economic and environmental costs but also adheres to the required performance criteria for construction applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have been FDA-approved for mRNA delivery, there is still much to learn about these fascinating multi-component delivery systems. Here, I discuss the presence of "bleb" structures on LNPs and the co-existence of mRNA-empty LNPs in LNP-mRNA-based formulations. Specifically, I discuss key articles on these structural and compositional heterogeneities, whether these features present negative or positive LNP attributes, and how to deal with them in research and quality control settings. Additionally, I present current approaches and propose novel strategies on how to study and quantify bleb and empty LNP structures. With the conflicting views on these features in the literature and limited systematic studies on their impact on safety and efficacy, I hope this Perspective will support current and bring forward new thinking about these matters. I anticipate that novel studies and insights could emerge from these lines of thinking, which could potentially enhance the development of safe and efficient LNP-based drug products that will either embrace, leverage, or mitigate the presence of blebs and empty LNPs. [Display omitted] • Presents and discusses key articles related to bleb and empty LNP structures. • Examines methods for studying and quantifying these features, including proposing new approaches. • Discusses how to deal with these features differently in research and quality control settings. • Emphasizes the significance of developing standard LNP materials to evaluate LNP analysis tools. • Presents different perspectives on whether bleb and empty LNP structures are positive or negative LNP attributes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The catalytic relevance of Fe(IV) species in non‐heme iron catalysis has motivated synthetic advances in well‐defined five‐ and six‐coordinate Fe(IV) complexes for a better understanding of their fundamental electronic structures and reactivities. Herein, we report the syntheses of FeDipp2 and FeMes2, a pair of unusual four‐coordinate non‐heme formally Fe(IV) complexes with S=1 ground states supported by strongly donating bisamide ligands. By combining spectroscopic characterization and computational modeling, we found that small variations in ligand aryl substituents resulted in substantial changes in both structures and bonding. This work highlights the strong donor capabilities and modularity of the bisamide ligand set. More broadly, it is a critical contribution to the utilization of ligand design to modulate molecular geometries and electronic structures of low‐coordinate, high‐valent iron complexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The institutions-cum-forest use dynamics literature is growing, albeit marred by scanty evidence on actor roles in shaping the process in sub-Saharan Africa. Cameroon represents a useful "laboratory" to explore such actor-driven change processes. Recent studies have reported the change process linked to a colonial hangover in parts of Cameroon that came under French influence, suggesting the need for fresh evidence to uncover such change processes in parts of the country which came under British influence. Using the Bakossi Landscape as a case, this article (i) traces the pathways of forest-linked institutional change, (ii) estimates the role of actor groups in shaping forest-linked institutional change, and (iii) explores the determinants of forest-linked institutional change in the Bakossi Landscape. A representative sample of 116 households in 3 selected communities was performed. This was complemented by focus group discussions (n = 6) and key informant interviews (n = 10). Descriptive statistics were used to establish forest-linked institutional change, while the ordinary least square was employed to estimate the effect of actor groups and other determinants on forest-linked institutional change. The results lead us to the following conclusions: First, both forest-linked institutional structures and processes witnessed changes over the years. Second, raising the intensity of actor group processes (in-migrants, local elites, traditional leadership, timber dealership and NTFP traders) significantly decreases changes in forest-linked traditional rules, while migration, state officials and the church significantly increase changes in forest-linked institutional structure. Finally, an increase in the composite index of process-mix traditional leadership and NTFP traders decreases changes in forest-linked institutional structures. Future studies should uncover gender dimensions of changes in forest-based institutions, as well as the role of conflict actors in engendering institutional change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ganoderma lucidum (GL) is a kind of edible fungus with various functions and a precious medicinal material with a long history. Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide (GLP) is one of the main bioactive substances in GL, with anti-tumor, anti-oxidation, anti-cancer, and other biological activities. GLP is closely related to human health, and the research on GLP is getting deeper. This paper reviewed the extraction and purification methods of GLP, the relationship between structure and activity, and the qualitative and quantitative methods. This review provides solutions for the analysis and application of GLP. At the same time, some new methods for extraction, purification and analysis of GLP, the relationship between advanced structures and activity, and future applications of and research into GLP were emphasized. As a kind of bioactive macromolecule, GLP has unique functional properties. Through the comprehensive summary of the extraction, purification, and analysis of GLP and its future prospects, we hope that this review can provide valuable reference for the further study of GLP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potential zones of gold mineralization in Mwanza, Malawi, were mapped by employing an integrated analysis of satellite imagery and aeromagnetic data. PRISMA hyperspectral imagery satellite was used to map hydrothermal alteration minerals by employing linear spectral unmixing (LSU), spectral angle mapper (SAM), and spectral information divergence (SID) mapping techniques. Aeromagnetic data was used to map the structures using the Centre for Exploration Target (CET grid and porphyry analysis) and depth estimation using spectral analysis. The evaluation of LSU, SID, and SAM effectiveness showed an overall accuracy (OA) of 86.288% and a Kappa coefficient (ҡ) of 0.825, an OA of 82.042% and ҡ of 0.770, and an OA of 80.675% and ҡ of 0.753, respectively. The mineral maps revealed that the alteration zones mainly consist of kaolinite, indicating the potassic and argillic alteration types. About six zones that showed potential for mineralization were identified from the integrated analysis. The structures in the area were found to trend NE-SW dominantly, and the depth range to basement complex rocks, which host potential mineralization veins, was found to be 90.33–1416.40 m. Limited chemical data of quartz veins shows an average of 0.2 ppm gold anomalies from the identified zones. The suspected gold-bearing quartz veins have been observed to be in association with the gneisses and migmatites that make up the basement complex rocks in the area. A comprehensive study encompassing geological and geochemical surveys and analyses is required to ascertain its complete gold potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To construct resilient structures, systems and sustainable buildings, capable of enduring fatigue, inclement weather, and seismic activity, researchers are actively seeking effective solutions to minimize vibrations and cyclic loading. Although these factors may not have immediate effects, they contribute to residual deformation in structures that gradually grows over time. For this reason, shape memory alloy (SMA) can be used as a perfect damper to dissipate the mechanical load in structures construction and buildings. The SMA actuators characterized by several thermo-mechanical functions, they are generally used in different applications as Mechatronics, Biomedical, Mechanical engineering and building systems. This study aims to adapt SMA actuator with structures for construction and buildings, in order to ensure a high displacement and vigilance taking into account fatigue phenomena to repulse mechanical fatigue and fretting. Accordingly, a thermomechanical analysis has been developed using finite element techniques to describe shape memory alloys' behavior and can integrate these material as a thermomechanical actuator dampers in building engineering systems. Furthermore, the suggested model elucidates the actuator's thermomechanical response, showcasing its adaptable behavior to both superelasticity and the shape memory effect within the desired structure in the building. Thus, the numerical findings affirm the efficacy of the proposed design that based on shape memory materials in addressing thermomechanical fatigue within buildings, concurrently enhancing structural resilience against mechanical fatigue. The primary outcome of this study is the successful preservation of the Ni-Ti superelastic response within the proposed system. This preservation is validated through cycling variations of up to 7.6% strain, significantly surpassing the requirements typically mandated for applications in earthquake engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]