The method of solving initial structure by Seidel aberration theory for extreme ultraviolet lithography objective

In this paper, a method for solving the initial structure of an off-axis multi-mirror system applied to extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography using a paraxial ray-tracing algorithm based on Seidel aberration theory is proposed. By tracing the characteristic rays in the reflection system, the height and paraxial angle on each surface can be obtained, then through the relationship between the Seidel aberration coefficient and these parameters, the initial structure with good aberration performance can be solved. We can obtain different initial structures by adding different initial condition constraints. In this paper, we have solved two different initial structures by assigning different optical powers as different initial structures, and on this basis, we have optimized two off-axis six-mirror systems with numerical aperture (NA) of 0.25. Their wavefront aberration RMS value is about 0.04 wavelength, and the absolute distortion is less than 1.2nm, with good imaging quality. We believe that this method can greatly improve the design efficiency and optimization effect of complex multi-mirror systems

Phase field modelling of the microstructural fracture and bridging behaviours of composite materials

A new numerical framework to predict the crack growth resistance of composite material is presented. The model integrates a phase field fracture model and a cohesive zone formulation to predict the microscale fracture and bridging behaviour. The integrated framework is firstly validated against experimental results. It is then used to quantify the role of previously unexplored microstructures, including features such as void inclusions, grain-bridging, brick-and-mortar and 3D fibre bridging. This modelling framework provides a virtual platform for designing optimal microstructures of high fracture toughness

Effect of Thermal Hydrolysis on Rheological Behavior of Municipal Sludge

Properly understanding of sludge rheological properties is important for designing of pumping and translating. Effect of thermal hydrolysis on rheological properties of municipal sludge was studied using a rheometer (DHR-2) with concentric cylinder geometry. Test results indicated both raw and thermal treated sludge displayed non-Newtonian rheological behavior with shear thinning, exhibiting thixotropic properties and viscoelasticity. The Herschel–Bulkley model could represent their flow behavior more accurately than other models. However, for the raw sludge, as solid content reached 120 g/L, fluidity disappeared, and all the rheological models could not describe it accurately. After thermal hydrolysis, the consistency index (<i>k</i>) decreased significantly, while the flow index (<i>n</i>) increased, suggesting that thermal treated sludge was much closer to the Newtonian fluid compared to the raw sludge. Both raw and treated sludge exhibited strong dependence on solid content and temperature. Correlations between solid content, temperature, and viscosity were expressed by an exponential equation and an Arrhenius type equation, respectively. Analysis of thixotropic properties illustrated that evolution of viscosity over time could be expressed by a first-order (solid content lower than 100 g/L) and a second-order thixotropic kinetic equation (solid content higher than 100 g/L), respectively, for raw sludge. For treated sludge, it could be simulated by a first-order thixotropic kinetic equation. Furthermore, the dynamic test indicated viscoelasticity of treated sludge decreased remarkably. For treated sludge, as the solid content was larger than 120 g/L, viscoelastic parameters were linearly correlated with logarithm frequency

Surface expression of TNF-α in RAW264.7 cells measured by flow cytometry, and TNF-α ELISA from cell culture supernatants of the same experiments.

<p>Results shown in <b>A</b> and <b>B</b> were from one experiment and results shown in <b>C</b> and <b>D</b> are from an independent experiment. Each group contained 5 samples. Cells were treated with ethanol (either 43.4 mM or 86.8 mM, as indicated in the Figure), 50 µg/ml poly I:C, 20 µg/ml TAPI-0 (with no DMSO), or a combination of these treatments. ELISA was performed from cell culture supernatants of each group. The percentage of gated cells for each group is shown in <b>A</b> and <b>C</b>. <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0029890#s2" target="_blank">Results</a> for TNF-α ELISA from cell culture supernatants of the cells used for flow cytometry are depicted in <b>B</b> and <b>D</b>. Values for bars designated by the same letter are not significantly different (p>0.05); values for bars with no shared letters are significantly different (p<0.05).</p

Additional file 2 of Incidence, dynamics and recurrences of reverse cleavage in aneuploid, mosaic and euploid blastocysts, and its relationship with embryo quality

Additional file 2: Supplement Table 1. Timelapse assessment results for euploidy, mosaicism and aneuploidy group

Pilots’ mental workload variation when taking a risk in a flight scenario: a study based on flight simulator experiments

Pilots’ operation behavior in flight is associated with their mental state variables such as workload, situation awareness, stress, etc. The objective of this study was to investigate the dynamic process of mental workload for pilots who perform a risky flight task in simulated scenarios. Two empirical experiments were conducted to address this issue. In experiment one, 19 trainee pilots divided into high-risk and low-risk groups performed a target-search task in a low-altitude visual flight. The results showed a statistically significant interaction between groups and segments for heart rate variability (HRV). The same pattern of physiological results was replicated among participants in experiment two, in which 19 airline pilots completed an approach with low visibility. These findings highlighted the relationship between mental workload variation and risk-taking behavior, which could be considered in improving pilot selection and training to improve flight safety.</p

Effect of TACE inhibition on the LPS and poly I:C induced TNF-α response in RAW264.7 cells.

<p>TNF-α levels were measured by ELISA from cell culture medium immediately after collection. Each group contained 6 samples. Naive groups received no treatment. <b>A</b> Cells were treated with 25 µg/ml TAPI-0, 5 µl/ml DMSO, and/or 100 ng/ml LPS. Treatments were given at the same time point and cells were incubated 2 h. <b>B</b> Appropriate groups were treated with 86.8 mM EtOH and incubated 30 min. Cells were treated with 25 µg/ml TAPI-0, 5 µl DMSO, and/or 50 µg/ml poly I:C, and incubated further 2 h. Bars with no shared letters are significantly different (p<0.05; nd = not detectable).</p

DataSheet1_Strength distribution of cemented waste rock backfill: a similarity simulation experiment.PDF

Backfill of cemented waste rock into underground mined-out areas is an effective way to eliminate solid wastes and potential hazards in mines. To understand the backfill strength distribution law throughout the stope, similarity simulation experiments were conducted for direct-irrigating cemented waste rock backfill, and OpenCV and neural network were employed to analyze particle segregation and the spatial distribution of backfill strength. Results show that distinct gravitational segregation leads to an uneven and heterogeneous distribution of natural graded waste rocks in a similar model. Backfill strength near sidewalls and bottom of the model surpasses that of other areas. In the vertical direction, the average backfill strength increases with depth, ranging from 1.15 MPa at the topmost layer to 1.91 MPa at the bottommost layer. Horizontally, the average backfill strength near model boundaries is consistently higher than that at the model center, irrespective of the layer depth and orientation. Neural network prediction on spatial backfill strength proves reliable, exhibiting an average relative error of 4.12%, compared to the traditional surface fitting with a 10.20% error. Verification tests affirm the capability of the neural network model to accurately predict the anisotropic and nonlinear distribution of backfill strength in a large stope.</p

Additional file 1 of Incidence, dynamics and recurrences of reverse cleavage in aneuploid, mosaic and euploid blastocysts, and its relationship with embryo quality

Additional file 1. Reverse Cleavag

Real time RT-PCR with mRNA isolated from RAW264.7 cells treated with ethanol and LPS or poly I:C.

<p>Naive groups received no treatment. <b>A</b> Appropriate groups were treated with ethanol for 30 min, then with LPS for further two hours. The average of two experiments, each with three replicates, were pooled. Each sample replicate was doubled in the PCR plate. 86.8 mM ethanol significantly reduced the LPS induced TNF-α mRNA expression (P<0.001). Treatment with ethanol only was not significantly different from naive. <b>B</b> Appropriate groups were treated with different concentrations of ethanol for 30 min, then with poly I:C for further two hours. The average of two experiments, one with three replicates, and one with two replicates, is shown. Each sample replicate was doubled in the PCR plate. A concentration of 43.4 mM EtOH and higher significantly reduced the poly I:C induced TNF-α mRNA expression (P<0.01). Ethanol without poly I:C was not significantly different from naive. Results were normalized to 18S and analyzed using the ΔΔCt method. Bars with no shared letters are significantly different (p<0.05).</p