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Cosmic microwave background (CMB) experiments have deployed focal planes with O(104) transition edge sensor (TES) bolometers cooled to sub-Kelvin temperatures by multiplexing the readout of many TES channels onto a single pair of wires. Digital Frequency-domain Multiplexing (DfMux) is a multiplexing technique used in many CMB polarization experiments, such as the Simons Array, SPT-3 G, and EBEX. The DfMux system studied here uses LC filters with resonant frequencies ranging from 1.5 to 4.5 MHz connected to an array of TESs. Each detector has an amplitude-modulated carrier tone at the resonant frequency of its accompanying LC resonator. The signal is recovered via quadrature demodulation where the in-phase (I) component of the demodulated current is in phase with the complex admittance of the circuit and the quadrature (Q) component is orthogonal to I. Observed excess current noise in the Q component is consistent with fluctuations in the resonant frequency. This noise has been shown to be non-orthogonal to the phase of the detector's responsivity. We present a detailed analysis of the phase of responsivity of the TES and noise sources in our DfMux readout system. Further, we investigate how modifications to the TES operating resistance and bias frequency can affect the phase of noise relative to the phase of the detector responsivity, using data from Simons Array to evaluate our predictions. We find that both the phase of responsivity and phase of noise are functions of the two tuning parameters, which can be purposefully selected to maximize signal-to-noise (SNR) ratio.

This study reports the characteristics of a piezoelectric nanogenerator (PENG) consisting of a mixture of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and zinc tin oxide (ZTO) particles (ZTO@PDMS) with different shapes and phases. The output performance of PENGs with crystalline Zinc hydroxystannate(ZHS), amorphous ZTO, and crystalline ZTO of different phases was investigated based on annealing temperature. The fabricated PENGs with amorphous ZTO (a-ZTO) cubes showed a maximum output voltage of ∼4.3V and a current of ∼470 nA with a power of 3.14 μW, which is 249 % higher than that of the crystalline ZTO (c-ZTO) cube-based one. The amorphous ZTO (a-ZTO) nanosphere showed the highest output performance. The surface area of the piezoelectric material affected the residual polarization, which led to different piezoelectric properties. Therefore, we investigated the output performance of PENGs with various shapes while maintaining the same volumes of ZTO cubes and spheres. The molar ratio of the materials was varied during synthesis, revealing that the ZTO cubes have a higher output performance. The polarization-electric loops (P-E loops) showed a high remnant polarization (Pr∼25.89μC/cm2) in ZTO@PDMS films with larger 1103 nm cubes. These values were 170.5 %, 143.7 %, and 113.2 % larger than those observed in ZTO@PDMS films with cubes of size 826 nm, 978 nm, and 1047 nm, respectively. The ZTO nanocubes have a significant advantage in the fabrication of high output performance based on PENGs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We divorce Negative Concord (NC) among two or more n-items, which is invariably present in Romance languages, from the mutual exclusion or cooccurrence between clausal negation markers (CNMs) and other n-items. The standard minimalist treatment in terms of Agree with respect to a formal feature [n] (for [negation]) is maintained here. However, an EPP-like principle, conceived as a (parametrized) condition regulating the representation of [n] at phase edges is introduced to deal with CNMs. By divorcing the n-EPP condition from n-Agree, we eliminate Zeijlstra’s Upward Agree in favor of Multiple Downward Agree between a phase head probe endowed with Formal Feature FF and one or more elements endowed with the same interpretable feature FF in the WorkSpace. We argue that these theoretical moves are beneficial from an empirical point of view. Focusing on varieties spoken in Northern Italy, we argue that an exhaustive typology of Romance negative systems can be derived by the parametrized [n]-EPP. We claim that the present approach allows this variation to be accounted for within the syntax – specifically, no recourse is made to semantic variation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article introduces a novel method that leads to the reduction of noise effects and improvement in the quality of phase image acquisition in noisy environments using quantitative phase microscopy. In this method, a motorized system was present at the sample location, which allowed the lateral movement of the sample in different directions. By capturing many phase images in different positions and averaging them, two final images corresponding to each wavelength were obtained. Finally, by averaging between the obtained thicknesses of the sample in two wavelengths, the final image with the less noise effect was obtained. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method, multiple images of an optical fiber recaptured in noisy condition using a motorized dual-wavelength quantitative phase microscope. The results indicate that the final image is closer to the ideal image with a noticeable reduction in noise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Expressions for the thermodynamic potentials (TPs) of small systems are traditionally used in thermodynamics by analogy with TPs of ordinary macro-phases. This form of introducing TPs for small systems eliminates their specificity consisting in the presence of dimensional dependences for TP values and all other thermodynamic functions. To take into account the sizes of small systems in the traditional method of introducing TPs, it is necessary to explicitly reflect the presence of an interface and the associated heterogeneity of the internal local properties of a small system. The general case is discussed when dimensional dependences of TPs of small systems in limited volumes are introduced, with macroscopic concepts of the phase and the interface non-autonomy being preserved. Options are considered to introduce size dependences into TPs of small droplets and separated fluid phases inside pores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Classical curl forces are position-dependent Newtonian forces (accelerations) that are not the gradient of a scalar potential, and in general cannot be described by Hamiltonians. However, a special class of curl forces can be described by Hamiltonians, with the unusual feature that the kinetic energy is anisotropic in the momentum components. Therefore they can be quantised conventionally. We quantise the simplest such case: motion in the plane, with a curl force azimuthally directed and linear. As expected, the quantum propagator, and the way this drives Gaussian wavepackets, directly reflects the spiralling classical curl force dynamics. Two classes of stationary states—eigenfunctions of a continuous spectrum for the unbounded Hamiltonian—are described. They possess unusual singularities and an unfamiliar quantisation condition; their explanation requires asymptotics and unfamiliar singularities in the underlying families of classical trajectories. The analysis is supported and illustrated numerically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mineralogical properties and distribution of information established in saprolite from Indonesia were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), scanning electron microscopy energy dispersion spectroscopy (SEM--EDS) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) measurements. The findings suggest that laterite ore has a complex inner core. The percentages of nickel, iron, magnesium, aluminium and silicon in saprolite are 1.82 wt%, 30.47 wt%, 10--20 wt%, 4.86 wt% and 8.1 wt%. Saprolite has 53.1 wt% iron oxide/oxyhydroxide, 38.3 wt% lizardite and 8.7 wt% silicate. According to DTA, saprolite undergoes a phase shift from goethite to haematite at low temperatures (200--300°C). This is a suitable phase to optimise nickel diffusion in iron. Furthermore, the thermal upgrading approach was utilised for this saprolite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Test & Measurement Technology is the property of Publishing Center of North University of China and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In the past decade, molybdenum ditelluride (MoTe2) has received significant attention from the scientific community due to its structural features and unique properties originate from them. In the current review, the properties, various preparation approaches, and versatile applications of MoTe2 are presented. The review provides a brief update on the state of our fundamental understanding of MoTe2 material and also discusses the issues that need to be resolved. To introduce MoTe2, we briefly summarize its structural, optoelectronic, magnetic, and mechanical properties in the beginning. Then, different preparation methods of MoTe2, such as exfoliation, laser treatment, deposition, hydrothermal, microwave, and molecular beam epitaxy, are included. The excellent electrical conductivity, strong optical activity, tunable bandgap, high sensitivity, and impressive stability make it an ideal contender for different applications, including energy storage, catalysis, sensors, solar cells, photodetectors, and transistors. The performance of MoTe2 in these applications is systematically introduced along with mechanistic insights. At the end of the article, the challenges and possible future directions are highlighted to further modify MoTe2 material for the numerous functionalities. Therefore, the availability of different phases and layer structures implies a potential for MoTe2 to lead an era of two‐dimensional materials that began from the exfoliation of graphene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article a technique is described and the optical microstructure of the multiphase alloy BrAZh-9-4 is analyzed based on structurally ground copper. Features of the microstructure of this alloy are studied by assessing the spatial homogeneity of materials based on the geometric characteristics of phases and the structural components. To analyze the structural characteristics of the material, the following quantitative image characteristics were used: statistical separation of phases using clustering, phase identification based on the level of coloration of gray image pixels, determination of histograms of grain size distributions, and the total areas (lengths) of grain boundaries and phases. Based on the results of this study, a conclusion was made about the degree of refinement of the α and β phases, the enlargement of the γ phase due to the decomposition of the α and β phases during cooling of the alloy after ECAP treatment, the increase in the length of the grain boundaries of the material, and the uniformity of the distribution of phase grains over the microsection area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Iron Steel Vanadium Titanium is the property of Iron Steel Vanadium Titanium Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The mineralogical properties of saprolite and limonite from Indonesia were investigated by X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, atomic absorption spectro-photometer, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, and differential thermal analysis. The percentages of Ni, Fe, Mg, Al, and Si in saprolite are given in 1.82, 30.47, 10–20, 4.86, and 8.1 wt%, and in limonite are 1.4, 50.5, 1.81, 4.86, and 16.5 wt%. Saprolite has 53.1% goethite, 38.3 % lizardite, 8.7 % silicate, and limonite has 94.4 % goethite and 5.6 % silicate. According to DTA, saprolite and limonite have the same phase transition from goethite to hematite at low temperatures (250 °C); at 900 °C the magnesioferrite crystallization for limonite and the crystallization of forsterite for saprolite, and the growth of ferronickel in 1150 °C; however, transformation of lizardite at 600–700 °C for saprolite is observed. It is a suitable phase to optimize nickel diffusion in iron. Furthermore, the thermal upgrading approach was utilized for limonite and saprolite at low temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An analysis of the literature shows that all surface characteristics of dispersed systems (surface tensions, contact angles, disjoining pressure, and the properties of small systems) have ambiguous thermodynamic definitions. The second law of Clausius thermodynamics, which requires additional experimental data on the periods of relaxation of momentum, energy, and mass transfer processes, is used to eliminate this ambiguity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Diffusion encoding gradient waveforms can impart intra‐voxel and inter‐voxel dephasing owing to bulk motion, limiting achievable signal‐to‐noise and complicating multishot acquisitions. In this study, we characterize improvements in phase consistency via gradient moment nulling of diffusion encoding waveforms. Methods: Healthy volunteers received neuro (N=10$$ N=10 $$) and cardiac (N=10$$ N=10 $$) MRI. Three gradient moment nulling levels were evaluated: compensation for position (M0$$ {M}_0 $$), position + velocity (M1$$ {M}_1 $$), and position + velocity + acceleration (M1+M2$$ {M}_1+{M}_2 $$). Three experiments were completed: (Exp‐1) Fixed Trigger Delay Neuro DWI; (Exp‐2) Mixed Trigger Delay Neuro DWI; and (Exp‐3) Fixed Trigger Delay Cardiac DWI. Significant differences (p<0.05$$ p<0.05 $$) of the temporal phase SD between repeated acquisitions and the spatial phase gradient across a given image were assessed. Results: M0$$ {M}_0 $$ moment nulling was a reference for all measures. In Exp‐1, temporal phase SD for Gz$$ {G}_z $$ diffusion encoding was significantly reduced with M1$$ {M}_1 $$ (35% of t‐tests) and M1+M2$$ {M}_1+{M}_2 $$ (68% of t‐tests). The spatial phase gradient was reduced in 23% of t‐tests for M1$$ {M}_1 $$ and 2% of cases for M1+M2$$ {M}_1+{M}_2 $$. In Exp‐2, temporal phase SD significantly decreased with M1+M2$$ {M}_1+{M}_2 $$ gradient moment nulling only for Gz$$ {G}_z $$ (83% of t‐tests), but spatial phase gradient significantly decreased with only M1$$ {M}_1 $$ (50% of t‐tests). In Exp‐3, M1+M2$$ {M}_1+{M}_2 $$ gradient moment nulling significantly reduced temporal phase SD and spatial phase gradients (100% of t‐tests), resulting in less signal attenuation and more accurate ADCs. Conclusion: We characterized gradient moment nulling phase consistency for DWI. Using M1 for neuroimaging and M1 + M2 for cardiac imaging minimized temporal phase SDs and spatial phase gradients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Computational approaches for movement onset detection can standardize and automate analyses to improve repeatability, accessibility, and time efficiency. With the increasing interest in assessing time-varying biomechanical signals such as force–time recordings, there remains a need to investigate the recently adopted 5 times the standard deviation (5 × SD) threshold method. In addition, other employed methods and their variations such as the reverse scanning and first derivative methods have been scarcely evaluated. The aim of this study was to compare the 5 × SD threshold method, 3 variations of the reverse scanning method, and 5 variations of the first derivative method against manually selected onsets, in the countermovement jump and squat. Limits of agreement with respect to onsets, manually selected from unfiltered data, were best for the first derivative method using a 10-Hz low-pass filter (limits of agreement: −0.02 to 0.05 s and −0.07 to 0.11 s for the countermovement jump and squat, respectively). Thus, even when the onset of unfiltered data is of primary interest, filtering before calculating the first derivative is necessary as it reduces the amplification of high frequencies. The first derivative approach is also less susceptible to inherent variation during the quiet phase prior to the onset compared to the other approaches investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nickel-based superalloy Inconel 718 was prepared by selective laser melting and carbon element invasion was unexpectedly generated. In this work, the microstructural evolution, phase transformation and mechanical properties variations in the As-built state and after four conventional heat treatments (SHT + Age, SHT, Age, SR), as well as the effect of carbon intrusion, were studied. The results showed that the brittle phase Laves increased due to poor printing, and all the Laves phases were reduced and eliminated after heat treatment. The Laves phases generated the δ phase in the near areas and the γ ′ / γ ″ phase in the relatively distant areas due to diffusion effect. However, the NbC phase could not be eliminated after heat treatment and remains at the grain boundaries. Age heat treatment produces a special Laves phases, ductile network Laves phase. The intrusion of carbon element was observed by XRD and EDS. The diffused C element captures the Nb element, robbing the element of the main strengthening phase γ ″ and causing the reduction of ultimate tensile strength, yield strength and microhardness of SHT (538 Mpa, 307 Mpa, 286 HV), SR (739 Mpa, 454 Mpa, 241 HV) and SHT + Age (1051 Mpa, 903 Mpa, 485 HV) under high-temperature treatment than As-built (786 Mpa, 510 Mpa, 322 HV). Under lower temperatures on Age (1097 Mpa, 863 Mpa, 479 HV), the effect of carbon intrusion is not obvious. However, the solid solution strengthening and interstitial strengthening of carbon element greatly increase the ductility of SHT (8.54%) and SR (12.12%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, silumins, which are aluminum alloys, are most widely used in mechanical engineering, construction, and other industries. The use of silumins is often limited due to the presence of large-crystalline structures, such as α-Al dendrites, needle-shaped crystals of eutectic Si, and intermetallic phases. The effect of various additives on and their relationship with the microstructure and mechanical properties of Fe-containing intermetallic phases (Al–Si–Fe and Al–Si–Fe–Mn) has been studied extensively. However, studies of the effect of various additives on the morphology of Fe-containing phases in industrial Al–Si alloys remain relevant. The effect of small amounts of dysprosium titanate additives (0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5 wt.%) on the morphology and localization of Fe-containing intermetallic phases is studied. Introducing 0.01 wt.% dysprosium titanate causes the transformation of the needle-shaped β-phase to the α-phase in the form of more compact blocks and polyhedral crystals, the size of the α-phase reducing by more than half. The introduction of 0.05, 0.1, and 0.5 wt.% dysprosium titanate does not change the modification of the α- and β-phases and reduces the size of the phases by a factor of 1.5 on average. After the introduction of dysprosium titanate, θ‑Al2Cu particles are dissolved and Cu is concentrated/localized in the Fe-containing intermetallic phases in all the modified alloys. After the introduction of 0.05–0.5 wt.% dysprosium titanate, the tensile strength of AK12 alloys increases due to a decrease in the size of the α- and β-phases. The modification of the Fe-containing intermetallic phases from the β-phase to the α-phase after the introduction of 0.1 wt.% dysprosium titanate decreases the tensile strength and elongation. The optimum is the addition of tungsten in the amount of 0.1 wt.%, as it leads to the optimal ratio between the structure and the mechanical properties. The tensile strength and elongation increase by 23% on average. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structure of a high-entropy submicrocrystalline AlNiCoFeCr alloy of equiatomic composition obtained by arc melting is studied by electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The alloy consists of a substitutional solid solution with the packing of components corresponding to the B2 structure based on a distorted BCC lattice. The average grain size of the B2 phase is 120 nm. The stability of the alloy with increasing temperature is studied. When the alloy is heated to 1650°C and subsequently solidified an increase in the grain size of the B2 phase and the separation of several phases with different morphologies along the grain boundaries are observed in the structure. The effect of high pressure on the alloy structure after quenching from the liquid phase is explored. The structure of the sample obtained upon solidification at a temperature of 1650°C under a pressure of 5 GPa is different from the structure of the alloy obtained at a temperature of 1650°C by arc melting. Under thermobaric conditions, a structure of mixed A1 (body-centered cubic) and A2 (face-centered cubic) phases is formed in the alloy. The alloy has high hardness, the value of which, depending on the selected production conditions, varies from 4.8 to 5.5 GPa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a new complex background segmentation method based on the modified fully convolutional network semantic segmentation for noncontact cable vibration frequency estimation. The estimation of frequency from video data is challenged by the presence of background object motion, which directly impacts the accuracy of the video-based method. To address this issue, image tests were carried out among the existing model (U2-Net) to explore the effect of the efficient channel attention (ECA) and convolutional block attention module (CBAM) on cable segmentation performance. As a result, a relative optimal model was identified. This modified model was then used to remove the complex background, while retaining the vibration signals specific to the cable. Subsequently, phase matrices encoding cable vibration were calculated using a phase-based motion estimation algorithm at various cable locations. The modal response of the cable vibration was estimated using the complexity pursuit (CP) algorithm from the segmented video. Finally, the vibration frequency of the cable was estimated. The proposed method was validated on a small-scale cable model. The results are in good agreement with the values sampled by the accelerometer, with an average relative error of 4.50%. This estimation shows the significant potential of the proposed method in structural health monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurately representing the precipitation diurnal cycle has long been a challenge for global climate models (GCMs). Here we evaluate the precipitation diurnal cycle in the DYAMOND global convection‐permitting models (CPMs) and CMIP6 HighResMIP models. Comparison of the high‐ (25–50 km) and low‐resolution (100–250 km) models with parameterized convection in HighResMIP shows that simply increasing model resolution does not noticeably improve the precipitation diurnal cycle. In contrast, CPMs can better capture the observed amplitude and timing of precipitation diurnal cycle. However, the simulated spatial variation of timing in CPMs is smaller than observed, leading to an exaggeration of the spatially averaged diurnal amplitude. The better‐simulated precipitation diurnal cycle in the CPMs is tied to mesoscale convective systems (MCSs), which contribute about half of the total precipitation. The observed life cycle of MCSs, including initiation and mature stages, is well captured in the CPMs, leading to a more realistic precipitation diurnal cycle. Plain Language Summary: As a basic mode of climate variability, the diurnal cycle is a key metric that has been used to benchmark climate models. The current state‐of‐the‐art GCMs struggle to accurately represent the precipitation diurnal cycle, frequently peaking too early compared to the observations. Due to the coarse resolution and the use of convection parameterization, GCMs are also unable to simulate organized convective storms, which often exhibit a distinct diurnal cycle. With the emergence of global storm‐resolving models at kilometer‐scale resolution, this study evaluates the diurnal cycle of precipitation simulated by global storm‐resolving models and high‐resolution GCMs. We find that at resolutions between ∼25 and 250 km, increasing resolution has limited effects on the precipitation diurnal cycle but global CPMs can reproduce the observed precipitation diurnal cycle much better as they can better represent organized convective storms. Key Points: Precipitation diurnal cycle is systematically evaluated in DYAMOND simulations from global convection‐permitting models (CPMs) and CMIP6 modelsBoth the amplitude and phase of the precipitation diurnal cycle are better simulated by CPMs than CMIP6 high‐resolution modelsThe global CPMs excel in reproducing the precipitation diurnal cycle owing to better simulated mesoscale convective systems [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Location-based services (LBS) are gradually shifting from "outdoor-oriented" to "indoor-outdoor coexistence" in recent years, with the development of positioning technology. Radiofrequency identification (RFID) has brought tremendous progress to the Industrial Internet of Things (IoT). Radio frequency signals can be used to locate indoor objects or people, considering the intelligent identification of target objects. The key technology has also been widely used in inventory management, intelligent positioning, and warehousing, due to the miniaturization and low power consumption. However, the existing absolute/relative RFID positioning has been easily affected by the warehousing environment, packaging materials, and shelf materials, leading to low positioning accuracy. In this study, a passive RFID positioning was proposed to fusion the received signal strength indicator and phase measurement (RP-RaP). Firstly, MATLAB software was used to simulate the actual situation of the warehouse. A wireless channel model was established to simulate the phase integer ambiguity. RSSI analysis was investigated to explore the impact of path loss factor n on positioning accuracy. The values were taken from 2 to 4, in order to obtain the root mean square error parameter of positioning. The RFIF tags were deployed to simulate the given statistical distribution of the measured phase, according to the "ring" and "corridor" types. The maximum likelihood estimation was used for the horizontal positioning of the labels. The RSSI difference was measured by the tilted reader dual antenna for the vertical positioning of the labels. The horizontal and vertical positioning simulation was achieved in the passive ultra-high frequency RFID tags. Secondly, taking the packaging scenario of agricultural products as an example, a radio frequency positioning testing system was set up in the warehouse. The warehouses were mostly shelved to consider the space utilization in reality. The corridor-type label distribution was selected for experimental testing. An RF reader and antenna were installed on the slide rail. The horizontal and vertical positioning analysis was performed on the attached labels on the shelf items. The experimental results showed that the RP-RaP significantly improved the positioning accuracy, with an average horizontal and vertical positioning accuracy of 94.6% and 94.3%, respectively, compared with the traditional indoor positioning (LANDMARC). The positioning with the received signal strength indicator and measurement phase fusion effectively improved the label positioning accuracy in agricultural product packaging scenarios. Several influencing factors on positioning accuracy were discussed, including different materials attached to the label, rotation of the relative angle between the label and the antenna, the shape of the label, and the spacing between the labels. Experimental verification was conducted on the phase and RSSI data under the above conditions. The results indicated that the attachment of metal and liquid packaging to the tag was significant fluctuations for the backscattered phase and RSSI signal, in cases of severe deformation of the tag. This finding can provide a strong basis to further improve the accuracy of RFID indoor positioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lead based bulk piezoelectric materials, e.g., PbZrxTi1‐xO3 (PZT), are widely used in electromechanical applications, sensors, and transducers, for which optimally performing thin films are needed. The results of a multi‐domain Landau–Ginzberg‐Devonshire model applicable to clamped ferroelectric thin films are used to predict the lattice symmetry and properties of clamped PZT thin films on different substrates. Guided by the thermal strain phase diagrams that are produced by this model, experimentally structural transitions are observed. These can be related to changes of the piezoelectric properties in PZT(x = 0.6) thin films that are grown on CaF2, SrTiO3 (STO) and 70% PbMg1/3Nb2/3O3‐30% PbTiO3 (PMN‐PT) substrates by pulsed laser deposition. Through temperature en field dependent in situ X‐ray reciprocal space mapping (RSMs) and piezoelectric force microscopy (PFM), the low symmetry monoclinic phase and polarization rotation are observed in the film on STO and can be linked to the measured enhanced properties. The study identifies a monoclinic ‐rhombohedral MC‐MA‐R crystal symmetry path as the polarization rotation mechanism. The films on CaF2 and PMN‐PT remain in the same symmetry phase up to the ferroelectric‐paraelectric phase transition, as predicted. These results support the validity of the multi‐domain model which provides the possibility to predict the behavior of clamped, piezoelectric PZT thin films, and design films with enhanced properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine the imbalance thermodynamics of uncontaminated decoherence in graphene. In a uncontaminated decoherence process, no exchange of energy takes place directly between graphene and the surroundings. It is seen that due to decoherence heat dissolution takes place due to which energy of the environment cannot remain conserved. In this paper, we find out the energy eigenvalues and wave function in the graphene from the perturbed Hamiltonian to find out the density matrix and entropy of the system and their unique relation between the density matrix, momentum of the graphene and entropy where the graphene is taken as an open system. In graphene, the behavior of electrons is controlled by the massless Hamiltonian and (2+1) Dirac equation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The study of the synthesis and kinetics of phase formation during sintering of calcium monoaluminate is relevant. Purpose. Study of the effect of metal salts and hydroxides on the synthesis and kinetics of phase formation of calcium monoaluminate. Methodology. Modern physicochemical analyzes and research methods of ceramic and sol-gel technology are used. Originality. The effects of water-soluble components of calcium and aluminum for the synthesis of calcium monoaluminate were studied, the maximum formation of crystalline phases during firing at a temperature of 1000°C at different holding times was determined. Findings. The effect of water-soluble components of calcium and aluminum on the temperature and processes of structure formation in sol-gel synthesis was studied. At a temperature of 1000°C and holding for 120 min, the formation of the calcium monoaluminate structure is completed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the temporal and spatial complexities of the mean diurnal cycle (DC) of precipitation over the Maritime Continent during the wet season using the Integrated Multi‐satellite Retrievals for GPM (IMERG) data product and highlights systematic inaccuracies of amplitude and phase representation using the first diurnal harmonic (FDH). The first‐order nature of the DC of precipitation is already well documented, typically featuring heavy precipitation over near‐coastal land areas in the late afternoon and evening followed by maximum precipitation overnight over the surrounding seas, with offshore propagation evident in places. The DC is often described concisely in terms of an amplitude and phase based on the FDH parameters, however the omission of higher‐order components of variability results in the FDH parameters being poor indicators of the magnitude and peak time of diurnal variability in many locations. This study improves the accuracy of the amplitude and phase parameters by characterising the DC using two novel waveforms—a skew‐permitting waveform and a spike‐permitting waveform—which are constructed to characterise single‐peak cycles with rapid transitions more accurately. Key characterisation improvements include correction of a phase lag (averaging approximately 1 h) over near‐coastal land areas and capture of the short‐lasting but extreme peak in precipitation rate over Java which increases the amplitude by the order of 20%. The new skew parameter shows that locations close to coastlines experience rapid intensification and gradual weakening of diurnal precipitation, while there is a tendency toward gradual intensification and rapid weakening far inland and offshore. The new spike parameter shows that near‐coastal land experiences a brief and precisely timed peak in precipitation, whereas diurnal activity over inland locations is longer‐lasting and less precisely timed, and waters surrounding Java experience a precisely timed suppression of precipitation. Other potential applications of the novel waveforms used in this study are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Bearing is the property of Bearing Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

To determine the kinetics of phase transformations, a calculated CCT-diagram for a titanium alloy of the Ti-Al-Zr-Si-Mo-Nb-Sn alloying system is obtained. The study of the structure and mechanical properties of the heat- resistant alloy of the Ti-Al-Zr-Si-Mo-Nb-Sn alloying system, which are obtained at different temperatures after ther modeformation treatment, is carried out. As established, the deformation treatment carried out in the upper part of the area of the existence of (α+β)-phases made it possible to increase the strength of the material at the room and operating temperatures and, that is especially important, to increase significantly the plasticity of the material, allowing only a slight decrease on average in its yield strength during short-term tests. As also found, a greater degree of deformation destroys hard silicide layers, distributes silicides more uniformly, increases both the strength and plasticity of the alloy, and slightly reduces the heat-resistant properties at 600°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land monsoon rainfall has a distinct annual cycle. Under global warming, whether the phase and amplitude of this annual cycle would be changed is still unclear. Here, a global investigation is conducted using 34 CMIP6 and 34 CMIP5 models under a high emission scenario. Seasonal delays would occur in the Southern Hemisphere (SH) American (3.43 days), Northern Hemisphere (NH) African (5.98 days) and SH African (3.76 days) monsoon regions, while no robust signal is found in other monsoon regions. Except NH American monsoon, amplitude is enhanced in all the monsoon regions. Compared to amplitude, the phase changes dominate the future changes of precipitation in the SH American, NH African and SH African monsoon regions. In these phase‐dominated regions, atmospheric energetic framework is proved to be reliable at regional scale and the enhanced effective atmospheric heat capacity is found to be the dominant factor. Plain Language Summary: Monsoon rainfall sustains nearly two‐thirds of the world's population. The arrival timing and the difference between maximum and minimum of monsoon are the main features of concern. We revealed that rainfall would be delayed over the Amazon, Sahel and South Africa and enhanced in most monsoons except North American monsoon under global warming. In the Amazon, Sahel and South Africa, future changes of the arrival timing can be more remarkable compared to the changes of range. These regional changes can be resulted from physical constraints related to atmospheric energy under global warming, which was previously proposed at larger scale and has been proved to be reliable here at regional monsoons. Key Points: Precipitation would be robustly seasonally delayed over the South American, North African and South African monsoons under global warmingThe phase delays would dominate precipitation annual cycle changes in the above three regions, while amplitude changes dominate the othersThe enhanced effective atmospheric heat capacity under warming is key to the seasonal delay of precipitation at the phase‐dominated regions [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neural oscillations reflect fluctuations in excitability, which biases the percept of ambiguous sensory input. Why this bias occurs is still not fully understood. We hypothesized that neural populations representing likely events are more sensitive, and thereby become active on earlier oscillatory phases, when the ensemble itself is less excitable. Perception of ambiguous input presented during less-excitable phases should therefore be biased toward frequent or predictable stimuli that have lower activation thresholds. Here, we show such a frequency bias in spoken word recognition using psychophysics, magnetoencephalography (MEG), and computational modelling. With MEG, we found a double dissociation, where the phase of oscillations in the superior temporal gyrus and medial temporal gyrus biased word-identification behavior based on phoneme and lexical frequencies, respectively. This finding was reproduced in a computational model. These results demonstrate that oscillations provide a temporal ordering of neural activity based on the sensitivity of separable neural populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of experiments were carried out to investigate the performance of a WEC rotor with platform motion. To achieve platform motion, a forced motion device with a rotor was installed in the Ocean Engineering Basin. In this study, the rotor's performance was examined at various phase stages between incoming waves at three wave heights, and compared to a rotor without a PTO system. The phase stage where the rotor exhibited the largest pitch motion was identified, and the efficiencies of the rotor with the PTO system were analyzed during this stage. Without the PTO system, the rotor experienced its largest pitch motion when the rotating center was positioned at the zero-up crossing point of the incoming waves at three different wave heights. Furthermore, it was observed that in the optimal phase, the rotor's efficiency increased with relatively large platform motion. These findings provide fundamental data for rotor design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many different types of phases can form within alloys, from highly-ordered intermetallic compounds, to structurally-ordered but chemically-disordered solid solutions, and structurally-disordered (i.e. amorphous) metallic glasses. The different types of phases display very different properties, so predicting phase formation is important for understanding how materials will behave. Here, we review how first-principles data from the AFLOW repository and the aflow++ software can be used to predict phase formation in alloys, and describe some general trends that can be deduced from the data, particularly with respect to the importance of disorder and entropy in multicomponent systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an increasing demand for materials capable of withstanding ever-higher temperatures. However, because the difficulties associated with carrying out experimental investigations at very high temperatures are significant, the published information relating to the phase stability of potential refractory materials is, in many instances, still lacking. The work described in this paper attempts to rectify this deficit through the on-going development of a thermodynamic database for high-temperature materials based on carbides, nitrides, borides, and silicides. Because of technological requirements of high-temperature stability and strength, combined with lightness, these are the materials that come into question most frequently for high-temperature applications. In developing the present database, and to ensure reliability of its use, emphasis has been placed on the need to maintain the compatibility of data and modeling when assessing experimental data and estimating missing values. The methods used to achieve compatibility of published information are described and calculations of phase equilibria relevant to the industrial application of various refractory materials are presented. The similarity to, and the importance of the scientific background and published work of Ted Massalski for the work of the present author is stressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Voltage unbalance and voltage variations are common issues in low voltage distribution networks caused by unbalanced connection of single-phase loads and electric vehicles (EVs) among phases. Part of the real low voltage grid in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the vicinity of the town of Tešanj, was analysed. The impact on single-phase consumer and single-phase EVs penetration was analysed. The grid was modelled using DIgSILENT PowerFactory software. Three cases of the distribution of consumers by phases were analysed. Each of the three cases is expanded with four scenarios depending on the penetration of EV into the grid. Results showed that none of the twelve scenarios remained within the permissible limits of −10% voltage variation limit of EN 50160 for phase A. Seven of the twelve scenarios exceeded voltage unbalance limits +2% according to EN 50160. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The auditory steady state response (ASSR) is generated in bilateral auditory cortex and is the most used electroencephalographic (EEG) or magnetoencephalographic measure of gamma band abnormalities in schizophrenia. While the finding of reduced 40-Hz ASSR power and phase consistency in schizophrenia have been replicated many times, the 40-Hz ASSR phase locking angle (PLA), which assesses oscillation latency or phase delay, has rarely been examined. Furthermore, whether 40-Hz ASSR phase delay in schizophrenia is lateralized or common to left and right auditory cortical generators is unknown. Methods. Previously analyzed EEG data recorded from 24 schizophrenia patients and 24 healthy controls presented with 20-, 30-, and 40-Hz click trains to elicit ASSRs were re-analyzed to assess PLA in source space. Dipole moments in the right and left hemisphere were used to assess both frequency and hemisphere specificity of ASSR phase delay in schizophrenia. Results. Schizophrenia patients exhibited significantly reduced (ie, phase delayed) 40-Hz PLA in the left, but not the right, hemisphere, but their 20- and 30-Hz PLA values were normal. This left-lateralized 40-Hz phase delay was unrelated to symptoms or to previously reported left-lateralized PLF reductions in the schizophrenia patients. Conclusions. Consistent with sensor-based studies, the 40-Hz ASSR source-localized to left, but not right, auditory cortex was phase delayed in schizophrenia. Consistent with prior studies showing left temporal lobe volume deficits in schizophrenia, our findings suggest sluggish entrainment to 40-Hz auditory stimulation specific to left auditory cortex that are distinct from well-established deficits in gamma ASSR power and phase synchrony.

We define forward entrainment as that part of behavioral or neural entrainment that outlasts the entraining stimulus. In this review, we examine conditions under which one may optimally observe forward entrainment. In Part 1, we review and evaluate studies that have observed forward entrainment using a variety of psychophysical methods (detection, discrimination, and reaction times), different target stimuli (tones, noise, and gaps), different entraining sequences (sinusoidal, rectangular, or sawtooth waveforms), a variety of physiological measures (MEG, EEG, ECoG, CSD), in different modalities (auditory and visual), across modalities (audiovisual and auditory-motor), and in different species. In Part 2, we describe those experimental conditions that place constraints on the magnitude of forward entrainment, including an evaluation of the effects of signal uncertainty and attention, temporal envelope complexity, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), rhythmic rate, prior experience, and intersubject variability. In Part 3 we theorize on potential mechanisms and propose that forward entrainment may instantiate a dynamic auditory afterimage that lasts a fraction of a second to minimize prediction error in signal processing.

Titanium alloy is a common material of golf clubs. Ti-3Al-1-5Fe-1Cr titanium alloy is a relatively successful golf club material because it enhances the anti-elasticity of golf clubs. The Ti-3Al-1,5Fe-1Cr dual phase titanium alloy was studied. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the alloy after annealing treatment were studied. The effects of annealing treatment on the microstructure, hardness, strength, plasticity and toughness of the alloy were clarified. After annealing treatment, the microstructure of the alloy is composed of cluster-like staggered lamellar α phase and β phase. When the annealing temperature is 850 °C, the hardness of the alloy is the highest 447 HV, the tensile strength is the highest 958 MPa, and the elongation after fracture is 16 %.

Abstract In the past decade, molybdenum ditelluride (MoTe2) has received significant attention from the scientific community due to its structural features and unique properties originate from them. In the current review, the properties, various preparation approaches, and versatile applications of MoTe2 are presented. The review provides a brief update on the state of our fundamental understanding of MoTe2 material and also discusses the issues that need to be resolved. To introduce MoTe2, we briefly summarize its structural, optoelectronic, magnetic, and mechanical properties in the beginning. Then, different preparation methods of MoTe2, such as exfoliation, laser treatment, deposition, hydrothermal, microwave, and molecular beam epitaxy, are included. The excellent electrical conductivity, strong optical activity, tunable bandgap, high sensitivity, and impressive stability make it an ideal contender for different applications, including energy storage, catalysis, sensors, solar cells, photodetectors, and transistors. The performance of MoTe2 in these applications is systematically introduced along with mechanistic insights. At the end of the article, the challenges and possible future directions are highlighted to further modify MoTe2 material for the numerous functionalities. Therefore, the availability of different phases and layer structures implies a potential for MoTe2 to lead an era of two‐dimensional materials that began from the exfoliation of graphene.

Additive manufacturing for new constructions or repairing purposes may deal with the use of dissimilar materials. Hence, the influence of interface between the substrate layer and printed one is crucial. This study delves into the impact of printed layers on the microstructure and hardness of an upcycled AISI 303 alloy produced by Direct Energy Deposition. Chemical composition distribution, phase and grain size evolutions were studied, accompanied with microhardness measurements.Microscopic analysis through chemical composition mapping and using electron backscatter diffraction technique for crystallography analysis revealed that the interface structure is strongly affected by the distribution of chemical composition and the heat received from subsequent printing. That means, a dominant transformation of austenite to martensite/ferrite occurs at the first layer printed on the top of the substrate. This is confirmed by hardness measurements (442 ± 15 HV0.1). This dominance (global martensite/ferrite distribution of 42%) is attributed to the reduction of Cr, Ni and Mn contents in the first layer, caused by Marangoni convection currents. This study confirms that subsequent printing favors the evolution of martensite/ferrite to austenite (global distribution of 75%) and grain growth, leading to hardness decrease to around 295 ± 34 HV0.1, leaving small difference with the printed AISI 303 alloy with a hardness of 235 ± 18 HV0.1.

Objectives: Global navigation satellite system (GNSS) interferometric reflectometry (GNSS-IR) is a new passive remote sensing technique for determining surface environment parameters, which places an important part in the inversion of earth's surface properties, such as soil moisture monitoring, snow parameter retrieval, and vegetation remote sensing, etc. GNSS-IR offers several benefits over the traditional soil moisture inversion approach, including all-weather capability, high temporal precision, and cheap cost. Methods: Considering the fact that the existing soil moisture inversion algorithms only utilize one single feature of GNSS reflected signal and from the perspective of increasing data availability, this paper proposes a GNSS-IR soil moisture inversion approach that integrates multi-type feature data by utilizing phase, amplitude, and frequency extracted GNSS signals reflected by soil. The main work is to effectively filter all available features extracted from the original GNSS signal-to-noise ratio observations. The feasibility and effect of the suggested method are compared and evaluated using three machine learning models, including least squares support vector machine (LSSVM), random forest (RF), and back propagation neural network (BPNN). Results: Comparing the inversion effects of above three models, BPNN model has the best inversion effect, followed by RF model, and LSSVM model is the worst. The results show that the correlation coefficients between the reference value and soil moisture inversed by the multi-feature fusion method LSSVM, RF, and BPNN models are 0.830, 0.953, and 0.980, respectively, and the corresponding root mean square errors are 0.045, 0.035 and 0.032 cm³ /cm³ Conclusions: Compared with the single feature inversion method, both the accuracy and correlation coefficient of soil moisture inversion increase significantly. The results demonstrated that the proposed method has higher inversion accuracy and reliability than the single feature inversion method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Titanium zirconium vanadium (TiZrV) is a widely used non-evaporable getter (NEG) material with the characteristics of a low activation temperature and a large gas absorption capacity. At present, the research on TiZrV getters mainly focuses on the thin-film state, with little research on the bulk state. In this paper, a TiZrV getter was optimized by adding Al, and the phase structure, activation properties, and gettering performance were studied. With the addition of Al, the α-Zr phase and Ti2Zr phase changed into the Ti-Zr phase and Al-Zr, Al-Ti phase. The newly generated phase promoted the diffusion of hydrogen and oxygen atoms. The activation temperature decreased significantly, as shown in the in situ XPS results. The H2 and CO gettering performance of TiZrVAl samples was promoted to 2073 cm3·s−1 and 1912.8 cm3·s−1, increased by 40.7% and 40.3%. This paper provides valuable ideas for optimizing the properties of bulk TiZrV getters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ongoing brain activity preceding visual stimulation has been suggested to shape conscious perception. According to the pulsed inhibition framework, bouts of functional inhibition arise in each alpha cycle (every ~100 ms), allowing information to be processed in a pulsatile manner. Consequently, it has been hypothesized that perceptual outcome can be influenced by the specific phase of alpha oscillations prior to the stimulus onset, although empirical findings are controversial. In this study, we aimed to shed light on the role of prestimulus alpha oscillations in visual perception. To this end, we recorded electroencephalographic activity, while participants performed three near‐threshold visual detection tasks with different attentional involvement: a no‐cue task, a noninformative cue task (50% validity), and an informative cue task (100% validity). Cluster‐based permutation statistics were complemented with Bayesian analyses to test the effect of prestimulus oscillatory amplitude and phase on visual awareness. We additionally examined whether these effects differed in trials with low and high oscillatory amplitude, as expected from the pulsed inhibition theory. Our results show a clear effect of prestimulus alpha amplitude on conscious perception, but only when alpha fluctuated spontaneously. In contrast, we did not find any evidence that prestimulus alpha phase influenced perceptual outcome, not even when differentiating between low‐ and high‐amplitude trials. Furthermore, Bayesian analysis provided moderate evidence in favor of the absence of phase effects. Taken together, our results challenge the central theoretical predictions of the pulsed inhibition framework, at least for the particular experimental conditions used here. According to the pulsed‐inhibition theory, perception waxes and wanes every alpha cycle (~100 ms). Thus, a near‐threshold stimulus may only be detected if it arrives at the optimal alpha phase. However, in line with a growing number of studies, we found evidence that pre‐stimulus alpha phase has no effect on subsequent perception. In contrast, our results show that the spontaneous decrease of pre‐stimulus alpha amplitude does improve perceptual outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]