Optimization of annealing cycle parameters of dual phase and interstitial free steels by multiobjective genetic algorithms

Data-driven models have been constructed for Dual Phase (DP) and Interstitials Free (IF) steels using an evolutionary approach. DP steel data are utilized from an existing database, while for the IF steels, data generated at an integrated steel plant have been used. The objective function for Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS) and % elongation, created as data-driven models, is simultaneously optimized for an optimum strength-ductility balance and the results indicate the possibilities of developing steels with better mechanical properties than what are known to have been existing so far.     

Efficient and 1,8-diiodooctane-free ternary organic solar cells fabricated via nanoscale morphology tuning using small-molecule dye additive

The ternary strategy for incorporating multiple photon-sensitive components into a single junction has emerged as an effective method for optimizing the nanoscale morphology and improving the device performance of organic solar cells (OSCs).In this study,efficient and stable ternary OSCs were achieved by introducing the small-molecule dye (5E,5'E)-5,5'-(4',4″-(1,2-diphenylethene-1,2-diyl)bis(biphenyl-4',4-diyl))bis(methan-1-yl-1-ylidene)bis(3-ethyl-2-thioxothia zolidin-4-one) (BTPERn) into poly[4,8-bis(5-(2-ethylhexyl)thiophen-2-yl)benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']dithiopheneco-3-fluorothieno[3,4-b]thiophene-2-carboxylate] (PTB7-Th):[6,6]-phenyl C71 butyric acid methyl ester (PC71BM) blend films processed using a 1,8-diiodooctane (DIO)-free solvent.The incorporation of BTPE-Rn enhanced the short-circuit current density and fill factor of the ternary OSCs compared with those of binary OSCs.An investigation of the optical,electronic,and morphological properties of the ternary blends indicated that the third component of BTPE-Rn not only promoted the photon utilization of blends through the energy-transfer process but also improved the electron mobility of the blends owing to the fullerene-rich nanophase optimization.More importantly,this ternary strategy of utilizing a small-molecule dye to replace the photounstable DIO additive enhanced the operational stability of the OSCs.     

Nanowire encapsulation with polymer for electrical isolation and enhanced optical properties

Light management and electrical isolation are essential for the majority of optoelectronic nanowire (NW) devices.Here,we present a cost-effective technique,based on vapor-phase deposition of parylene-C and subsequent annealing,that provides conformal encapsulation,anti-reflective coating,improved optical properties,and electrical insulation for GaAs nanowires.The process presented allows facile encapsulation and insulation that is suitable for any nanowire structure.In particular,the parylene-C encapsulation functions as an efficient antireflection coating for the nanowires,with reflectivity down to ＜1％ in the visible spectrum.Furthermore,the parylene-C coating increases photoluminescence intensity,suggesting improved light guiding to the NWs.Finally,based on this process,a NW LED was fabricated,which showed good diode performance and a clear electroluminescence signal.We believe the process can expand the fabrication possibilities and improve the performance of optoelectronic nanowire devices.     

Challenges in Liquid‐Phase Exfoliation,Processing, and Assembly of Pristine Graphene

Recent developments in the exfoliation, dispersion, and processing of pristine graphene (i.e., non‐oxidized graphene) are described. General metrics are outlined that can be used to assess the quality and processability of various “graphene” products, as well as metrics that determine the potential for industrial scale‐up. The pristine graphene production process is categorized from a chemical engineering point of view with three key steps: i) pretreatment, ii) exfoliation, and iii) separation. How pristine graphene colloidal stability is distinct from the exfoliation step and is dependent upon graphene interactions with solvents and dispersants are extensively reviewed. Finally, the challenges and opportunities of using pristine graphene as nanofillers in polymer composites, as well as as building blocks for macrostructure assemblies are summarized in the context of large‐scale production.     

Microstructure and Processing of 3D Printed Tungsten Microlattices and Infiltrated W–Cu Composites

Tungsten is of industrial relevance due its outstanding intrinsic properties (e.g., highest melting‐point of all elements) and therefore difficult to 3D‐print by conventional methods. Here, tungsten micro‐lattices are produced by room‐temperature extrusion‐based 3D‐printing of an ink comprising WO₃–0.5%NiO submicron powders, followed by H₂‐reduction and Ni‐activated sintering. The green bodies underwent isotropic linear shrinkage of ≈50% during the thermal treatment resulting in micro‐lattices, with overall 35–60% open‐porosity, consisting of 95–100% dense W–0.5%Ni struts having ≈80–300 μm diameter. Ball‐milling the powders and inks reduced the sintering temperature needed to achieve full densification from 1400 to 1200 °C and enabled the ink to be extruded through finer nozzles (200 μm). Partial sintering of the struts is achieved when NiO is omitted from the ink, with submicron interconnected‐porosity of ≈34%. Several tungsten micro‐lattices are infiltrated with molten copper at 1300 °C under vacuum, resulting in dense, anisotropic W–Cu composites with 40–65% tungsten volume fraction. Partially sintered struts (containing nickel) with submicron open porosity are also infiltrated with Cu, resulting in co‐continuous W–Cu composites with wide W struts/Cu channels at the lattice scale (hundreds of micrometers), and fine W–Cu interpenetrating network at the strut scale (hundreds of nanometers) allowing for the design of anisotropic mechanical and electrical properties.

     

Matching preparatory intervention to coping style: The effects on children's distress in the dental setting

OBJECTIVE: Investigate the effects of matching preparatory interventions to patient's coping styles. METHODS: Participants were 61 children, with a restricted age range of 6 through 9 years old (mean age was 7.9 years), who underwent dental restoration. Participants were randomly assigned to an information intervention, a relaxation intervention, or a control condition. Play and parent-report of sensitization/repression were indices of coping style. The first hypothesis, that play would relate to sensitization/repression, was tested using Pearson correlations. The second hypothesis, that interventions that were congruent with patients' coping styles would be more effective than incongruent interventions, was tested using MANCOVAs. RESULTS: No relation was found between play and coping style. The "congruency hypothesis" was supported for self-reported distress immediately following the intervention. On behavioral distress variables, the interaction between sensitization/repression and condition was contrary to the congruency hypothesis. CONCLUSIONS: Implications for future research and clinical intervention with pediatric populations were discussed.     

CD57+/CD28- T cells in untreated hemato-oncological patients are expanded and display a Th1-type cytokine secretion profile, ex vivo cytolytic activity and enhanced tendency to apoptosis

Protopolystoma (Monogenea, Polystomatidae) is strictly specific to the anuran amphibian genus Xenopus. The host group is characterised by a polyploid series in which chromosome numbers reflect diploid, tetraploid, octoploid and dodecaploid constitutions; the series is considered to have evolved through interspecies hybridisation and genome duplication. This study correlates information on host evolutionary relationships with patterns of parasite speciation and host specificity. Protopolystoma is restricted to one subgenus (Xenopus) with multiples of 36 chromosomes, and is absent from the subgenus Silurana (with multiples of 20 chromosomes). Molecular, biochemical and karyotype evidence distinguishes three subgroups within Xenopus. Representative species from each subgroup, Xenopus muelleri, Xenopus fraseri and Xenopus laevis, have been examined for polystomatid infection. Two species of Protopolystoma occur in each of these host species. In X. muelleri, the two Protopolystoma species reflect parasite co-speciation corresponding with the divergence of two sibling host species. Xenopus fraseri and X. laevis (both with 2n = 36 chromosomes) are implicated in the hybrid origin of two octoploid species, Xenopus wittei and Xenopus vestitus (both 2n = 72). The relationships of the Protopolystoma species in these Xenopus taxa reflect this presumed ancestry. Xenopus wittei carries two species of Protopolystoma, one shared with X. fraseri and the other shared with X. laevis. Xenopus vestitus carries a single species of Protopolystoma which is shared with X. laevis but there is no "heirloom" which reflects its hybrid origin involving X. fraseri. In addition to these shared parasite species which may reflect shared host genes, X. fraseri and X. laevis each carry separate species-specific Protopolystoma which do not occur in other Xenopus species even where there is evidence of common genetic information (as in the allopolyploid wittei and vestitus). This case study may be interpreted as indicating a powerful influence of host genetic factors on susceptibility to infection, host-specificity, and parasite speciation.     

Surgical anatomy for endoscopic subfascial division of perforating veins

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to define the surgical anatomy of the medial perforating veins (PVs) of the leg and to provide information on how to gain access to all medial PVs from the superficial posterior compartment during a subfascial endoscopic procedure. METHODS: The venous anatomy of 40 limbs (from 23 cadavers) were studied. Medial PVs located between the ankle and the tibial tuberosity were dissected. None of the subjects had pathologic evidence of venous disease. Each PV's type (direct or indirect), size (< 1 mm, 1 to 2 mm, > 2 mm), location (distances from ankle [D1], and tibia [D2]), and accessibility from the superficial posterior compartment were recorded. RESULTS: Five hundred fifty-two PVs were identified (mean, 13.8; range, 7 to 22). Two hundred eighty-seven PVs (52%) directly connected the superficial with the deep systems, 228 (41%) were indirect muscle perforators, and 37 PVs (7%) were undetermined. One hundred thirty-seven PVs (25%) were > 2 mm. Sixty-three percent of PVs were accessible from the superficial posterior compartment. In the distal half of the leg, two groups of direct PVs could be identified (Cockett II: D1, 7 to 9 cm; Cockett III: D1, 10 to 12 cm). In the proximal half of the leg, paratibial direct PVs (D2 < or = 1 cm) were found clustered in three groups (D1, 18 to 22 cm; D1, 23 to 27 cm; D1, 28 to 32 cm). CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirmed the presence of the Cockett II and III PVs and three groups of proximal paratibial PVs, including the "24-cm" perforators. Two thirds of the medial direct PVs are accessible for endoscopic division from the superficial posterior compartment. To divide paratibial PVs, however, incision of the paratibial deep fascia is frequently required.     

Relationship between fracture parameters from two parameter fracture model and from size effect model

This paper studies the relationship between the two parameter fracture model and the size effect model. An equivalency between two models is first established based on infinitely large size specimens. Based on this equivalency, relationships between material fracture parameters (K _Ic ^s , CTOD_c) and (G _f, c_f) are derived. Using these relationships, values of (K _Ic ^s , CTOD_c) and (G _f, c_f) can be predicted from each other. It is found that the relationship betweenCTOD _c andc _f theoretically depends on both specimen geometry and initial crack length. However this dependency is numerically insignificant, except for tensile plate with a short center notch. The obtained results may explain why both the two parameter fracture model and the size effect model can reasonably predict fracture behavior of quasi-brittle materials.