Topology optimization of flexure hinges with a prescribed compliance matrix based on the adaptive spring model and stress constraint

This paper focuses on the configuration design of flexure hinges with a prescribed compliance matrix and preset rotational center position. A new method for the topology optimization of flexure hinges is proposed based on the adaptive spring model and stress constraint. The hinge optimization model is formulated by maximizing the bending displacement with a spring while optimizing the compliance matrix to a prescribed value. To avoid numerical instability, an artificial spring is used as an auxiliary calculation, and a new strategy is developed for adaptively adjusting the spring stiffness according to the prescribed compliance matrix. The maximum stress of flexure hinge is limited by using a normalized P-norm of the effective von Mises stress, and a position constraint of rotational center is proposed to predetermine the position of the rotational center. In addition, to reduce the error of the stress measurement, a simple but effective filtering method is presented to obtain a complete black-and-white design. Numerical examples are used to verify the proposed method. Topology results show that the obtained flexure hinges have the prescribed compliance matrix and preset rotational center position while also meeting the stress requirements.     

Blends of Bio-Based Poly(Limonene Carbonate) with Commodity Polymers

In this study, blends of the bio-based poly(limonene carbonate) (PLimC) with different commodity polymers are investigated in order to explore the potential of PLimC toward generating more sustainable polymer materials by reducing the amount of petro- or food-based polymers. PLimC is employed as minority component in the blends. Next to the morphology and thermal properties of the blends the impact of PLimC on the mechanical properties of the matrix polymers is studied. The interplay of incompatibility and zero-shear melt viscosity contrast determines the blend morphology, leading for all blends to a dispersed droplet morphology for PLimC. Blends with polymers of similar structure to PLimC (i.e., aliphatic/aromatic polyester) show the best performance with respect to mechanical properties, whereas blends with polystyrene or poly(methyl methacrylate) are too brittle and polyamide 12 blends show very low elongations at break. In blends with Ecoflex (poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)) and Arnitel EM400 (copoly(ether ester)) with poly(butylene terephthalate) hard and polytetrahydrofuran soft segments) a threefold increase in E-modulus can be achieved, while keeping the elongation at break at reasonable high values of ≈200%, making these blends highly interesting for applications.     

药物相互作用研究在新药研发和审评决策中的应用

药物相互作用改变了剂量效应关系，可能会降低疗效或增加毒性，是临床应用中合并用药治疗时重要的考虑因素。预测具有临床意义的药物相互作用是药物研发过程中获益风险评估的重要环节。本文概述了药物研发过程中药物相互作用研究的目的和意义，体内和体外研究的主要内容；梳理分析了2020年国家药品监督管理局（National Medical Products Administration, NMPA）和美国食品药品监督管理局（Food and Drug Administration, FDA）批准上市的新药药物相互作用研究情况，旨在为我国药物研发过程中药物相互作用研究及其监管审评提供参考。     

Public perceptions on artificial intelligence driven disaster management: Evidence from Sydney,Melbourne and Brisbane

In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) is being increasingly utilised in disaster management activities. The public is engaged with AI in various ways in these activities. For instance, crowdsourcing applications developed for disaster management to handle the tasks of collecting data through social media platforms, and increasing disaster awareness through serious gaming applications. Nonetheless, there are limited empirical investigations and understanding on public perceptions concerning AI for disaster management. Bridging this knowledge gap is the justification for this paper. The methodological approach adopted involved: Initially, collecting data through an online survey from residents (n = 605) of three major Australian cities; Then, analysis of the data using statistical modelling. The analysis results revealed that: (a) Younger generations have a greater appreciation of opportunities created by AI-driven applications for disaster management; (b) People with tertiary education have a greater understanding of the benefits of AI in managing the pre- and post-disaster phases, and; (c) Public sector administrative and safety workers, who play a vital role in managing disasters, place a greater value on the contributions by AI in disaster management. The study advocates relevant authorities to consider public perceptions in their efforts in integrating AI in disaster management.     

车门铰链系统与车门下沉刚度的相关性

针对某型车门下沉问题,通过台架试验获得车门、铰链和车身等各单因素下沉量和车门绞链系统整体下沉量,对单因素下沉量与系统整体下沉刚度进行线性拟合分析,得到车门铰链系统各单因素与系统下沉刚度的相关度排序.对前、后车门分别选取相关度较高的单因素进行优化,最终改进方案的仿真和试验结果证明该方案可有效地提升车门下沉刚度.采用定量分析法可快速找出影响下沉刚度的敏感因素,并能够快速生成优化方案,为新车型设计提供参考.     

Optimization of room-temperature TCR of polycrystalline La0.9-xSrxK0.1MnO3 ceramics by Sr adjustment

High-density La_0.9-xSr_xK_0.1MnO₃ ceramics (LSKMO, A-site = La, Sr and K, 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.25) are successfully fabricated by using facile sol-gel method. Electrical properties are performed by using combination of phenomenological percolation (PP) model, double exchange (DE) mechanism, and Jahn-Teller (JT) effect. Moreover, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy are employed to analyze the structure and morphology of LSKMO ceramics. Valence states and ionic stoichiometry are assessed by using X-ray photoemission spectrometry. Results reveal that Sr²⁺ ions, substituting La³⁺ ions, significantly influenced DE mechanism and JT effect. In addition, Sr-doping plays essential role in improving electrical properties of LSKMO ceramics. At optimal doping content of x = 0.09, peak temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) of the resistivity is found to be 11.56% K^?1 at 297.15 K, which is optimal TCR for A-site K-occupied perovskite manganese oxides. These results confirm that polycrystalline LSKMO ceramics render high room-temperature TCR values due to Sr-doping.     

Revealing the high sensitivity in the metal toinsulator transition properties of the pulsed laser deposited VO2 thin films

Vanadium dioxide (VO₂) is known as a typical 3d-orbital transition metal oxide exhibiting the metal-to-insulator-transition (MIT) property near room temperature. However, their electronic applications have been challenged by the quality and uniformity of VO₂ thin films. In this work, we demonstrate the high sensitivity in the valence charge of vanadium and the MIT properties of the VO₂ thin films to the deposition temperature. This observation indicates the necessity to eliminate the inhomogeneity in the temperature distribution of substrate during the vacuum-deposition process of VO₂. In addition, a high thermoelectric power factor (PF, e.g., exceeding 1 μWcm⁻¹K⁻²) was achieved in the metallic phase of the VO₂ thin films and this value is comparable to typical organic or oxide thermoelectric materials. We believe this high PF enriches the potential functionality in thermoelectric energy conversions beyond the existing electronic applications of the current vacuum-grown VO₂ thin films.     

Novel energy-saving window coating based on F doped TiO2 nanocrystals with enhanced NIR shielding performance

To reduce the energy consumption of cooling in the hot summer days, searching for novel NIR shielding materials for buildings is of great value. In this report, monodispersed F doped TiO₂ nanocrystals with an average size of 8.6 nm were synthesized as novel solar shielding materials for energy-saving windows. All the products adopted an anatase TiO₂ structure. After doping of F ions, the morphology of TiO₂ was transformed from an irregular shape to a pseudospherical shape. The Raman shift and XPS depth analysis confirmed the successful doping of F⁻ ions into the lattice oxygen sites in the TiO₂ structure. The introduction of F⁻ ions generated free electrons and bulk Ti³⁺ in TiO₂ crystals, which activated a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) absorption in the NIR region. Correspondingly, the NIR shielding performance of the TiO₂ films improved with increasing F doping amounts. The NIR shielding value of the films increased from 1.3% to 43.2% when the molar ratio of F to Ti increased from 0 to 0.3. The reason can be attributed to the enhanced NIR absorption induced by the increased electron concentration after doping of fluorine ions. The F–TiO₂ films showed superior visible transmittance (90.1–96.7%). Moreover, the F–TiO₂ films lowered the indoor temperature of the heat box by 5.3 °C in the thermal tests. Overall, the prepared F–TiO₂ nanocrystals show a great potential to be used for energy-saving windows.     

Structural and Functional Characterization of the ABCC6 Transporter in Hepatic Cells: Role on PXE,Cancer Therapy and Drug Resistance

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is a complex autosomal recessive disease caused by mutations of ABCC6 transporter and characterized by ectopic mineralization of soft connective tissues. Compared to the other ABC transporters, very few studies are available to explain the structural components and working of a full ABCC6 transporter, which may provide some idea about its physiological role in humans. Some studies suggest that mutations of ABCC6 in the liver lead to a decrease in some circulating factor and indicate that PXE is a metabolic disease. It has been reported that ABCC6 mediates the efflux of ATP, which is hydrolyzed in PPi and AMP; in the extracellular milieu, PPi gives potent anti-mineralization effect, whereas AMP is hydrolyzed to Pi and adenosine which affects some cellular properties by modulating the purinergic pathway. Structural and functional studies have demonstrated that silencing or inhibition of ABCC6 with probenecid changed the expression of several genes and proteins such as NT5E and TNAP, as well as Lamin, and CDK1, which are involved in cell motility and cell cycle. Furthermore, a change in cytoskeleton rearrangement and decreased motility of HepG2 cells makes ABCC6 a potential target for anti-cancer therapy. Collectively, these findings suggested that ABCC6 transporter performs functions that modify both the external and internal compartments of the cells.     

一种植物油中苯并（a）芘含量测定的固相萃取前处理方法

为了建立一种准确性高、成本低的植物油中苯并(a)芘测定的样品前处理方法，基于GB 5009.7—2016以自制氧化铝柱为固相萃取柱，采用单因素试验对称样量、洗脱剂量、洗脱流速、吸附剂存放时间、吸附剂量这5个影响植物油中苯并（a）芘洗脱的因素进行研究，优化前处理条件，并对测定方法进行考察。结果表明：优化的前处理条件为称样量0.100 0 g、洗脱剂量120 mL、吸附剂（氧化铝）量22 g、洗脱流速1滴/2 s、吸附剂存放时间少于12周；方法检出限为0.2 μg/L，样品加标回收率为94.23%～100.00%，RSD为1.20%～7.36%；同一样品测定结果与SGS测定值接近，相对平均偏差为2.36%～3.50%。说明本试验方法测定结果准确，可应用于油脂企业植物油中痕量苯并（a）芘的测定。