Strain Concentration Effect in Cu–Al–Ni Single Crystals under a Longitudinal Bending Force

The behavior of a superelastic Cu?14.2% Al?4%Ni single crystal in the case of high reversible strains under a longitudinal bending force was investigated. The effect of strain confinement along the crystal length was revealed and studied. The highest reversible strains (up to 10%) were shown to be confined within the central part of the bent crystal.     

Simulation of characteristics of double-junction solar cells based on ZnSiP2 heterostructures on silicon substrate

Design and operation modes of double-junction monolithic lattice-matched solar cells based on the ZnSiP₂/Si system of materials have been calculated. The effect of the photoactive region thickness and minority carrier lifetime in ZnSiP₂ layers on the efficiency of conversion of the incident solar light energy into electrical power was determined. It is shown that solar cells based on ZnSiP₂/Si heterostructures can provide efficiencies of 28.8% at AM1.5D, 100 mW/cm², and 33.3% at AM1.5D, 200 W/cm².     

Visceral Obesity and Its Shared Role in Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease: A Scoping Review of the Pathophysiology and Pharmacological Treatments

The association between obesity, cancer and cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been demonstrated in animal and epidemiological studies. However, the specific role of visceral obesity on cancer and CVD remains unclear. Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is a complex and metabolically active tissue, that can produce different adipokines and hormones, responsible for endocrine-metabolic comorbidities. This review explores the potential mechanisms related to VAT that may also be involved in cancer and CVD. In addition, we discuss the shared pharmacological treatments which may reduce the risk of both diseases. This review highlights that chronic inflammation, molecular aspects, metabolic syndrome, secretion of hormones and adiponectin associated to VAT may have synergistic effects and should be further studied in relation to cancer and CVD. Reductions in abdominal and visceral adiposity improve insulin sensitivity, lipid profile and cytokines, which consequently reduce the risk of CVD and some cancers. Several medications have shown to reduce visceral and/or subcutaneous fat. Further research is needed to investigate the pathophysiological mechanisms by which visceral obesity may cause both cancer and CVD. The role of visceral fat in cancer and CVD is an important area to advance. Public health policies to increase public awareness about VAT’s role and ways to manage or prevent it are needed.     

Conveyer-belt accidents in mining and metallurgy

The dynamic interaction between the mechanical and electrical drive parameters when damage suddenly appears in the mechanical part of a conveyer belt is investigated. The possibility of using the change in the motor’s electrical parameters as a diagnostic signal is assessed. A model for investigating the dynamic processes in the system consisting of the grid, the induction motor, and the conveyer belt is proposed. The grid and induction motor are described by a model of fourth-order state space, whose output is the torque at the motor shaft. The moments of inertia and pliability of the links between the elements in the mechanical part of the conveyer belt are determined. By gradually identifying the elements with the minimum moment of inertia and distributing their moments of inertia and pliabilities among the adjacent elements, we obtain a three-mass system simulating the mechanical part of the conveyer belt. This dynamic model is solved by means of Matlab Simulink software. The energy characteristics of the drive are determined in dynamic processes following a mechanical accident.