Mechanical Properties of Steel Fiber-Reinforced Magnesium Phosphate Cement Mortar

A new cement-based mortar with high early strength and toughness was developed by adding micro steel fibers (MSF) in magnesium phosphate cement (MPC) mortar. The compressive and flexural tests were carried out to investigate the effect of curing time, MSF volume fraction, sand-cement mass ratio, and water-cement mass ratio on the strength and flexural toughness of MSF-reinforced MPC mortar (MSFRMM). Also, the flexural toughness and ductility of MSFRMM were evaluated according to ASTM C1609. The results of this study showed that the addition of MSF from 0% to 1.6% by volume significantly improved the compressive strength of MSFRMM. The MSFRMM showed high early strength, especially during the first 3 days. The addition of MSFs changed the flexural failure mode of MPC-based mortar from brittleness to ductility, and the flexural toughness of MSFRMM remarkably increased with the increase of MSF volume fraction from 0% to 1.6%. The toughness and ductility of MSFRMM slightly increased with the increase of the dosage of cement. The toughness and ductility of MSFRMM increased with the decrease of the water-cement mass ratio due to the improved density of the mortar caused by the reduction of water

Topological holographic quench dynamics in a synthetic dimension

The notion of topological phases extended to dynamical systems stimulates extensive studies, of which the characterization of non-equilibrium topological invariants is a central issue and usually necessitates the information of quantum dynamics in both the time and spatial dimensions. Here we combine the recently developed concepts of the dynamical classification of topological phases and synthetic dimension, and propose to efficiently characterize photonic topological phases via holographic quench dynamics. A pseudo spin model is constructed with ring resonators in a synthetic lattice formed by frequencies of light, and the quench dynamics is induced by initializing a trivial state which evolves under a topological Hamiltonian. Our key prediction is that the complete topological information of the Hamiltonian is extracted from quench dynamics solely in the time domain, manifesting holographic features of the dynamics. In particular, two fundamental time scales emerge in the quench dynamics, with one mimicking the Bloch momenta of the topological band and the other characterizing the residue time evolution of the state after quench. For this a dynamical bulk-surface correspondence is obtained in time dimension and characterizes the topology of the spin model. This work also shows that the photonic synthetic frequency dimension provides an efficient and powerful way to explore the topological non-equilibrium dynamics.Comment: Compared to the previous submission, we made changes to figures and revised some discussion

Optical neural network architecture for deep learning with the temporal synthetic dimension

The physical concept of synthetic dimensions has recently been introduced into optics. The fundamental physics and applications are not yet fully understood, and this report explores an approach to optical neural networks using synthetic dimension in time domain, by theoretically proposing to utilize a single resonator network, where the arrival times of optical pulses are interconnected to construct a temporal synthetic dimension. The set of pulses in each roundtrip therefore provides the sites in each layer in the optical neural network, and can be linearly transformed with splitters and delay lines, including the phase modulators, when pulses circulate inside the network. Such linear transformation can be arbitrarily controlled by applied modulation phases, which serve as the building block of the neural network together with a nonlinear component for pulses. We validate the functionality of the proposed optical neural network for the deep learning purpose with examples handwritten digit recognition and optical pulse train distribution classification problems. This proof of principle computational work explores the new concept of developing a photonics-based machine learning in a single ring network using synthetic dimensions, which allows flexibility and easiness of reconfiguration with complex functionality in achieving desired optical tasks

Multilayer multifunctional advanced coatings for receivers of concentrated solar power plants

International audienceThe extending market of concentrated solar power plants requires high-temperature materials for solar surface receivers that would ideally heat an air coolant beyond 1300 K. This work presents investigation on high-temperature alloys with ceramic coatings (AlN or SiC/AlN stacking) to combine the properties of the substrate (creep resistance, machinability) and of the coating (slow oxidation kinetics, high solar absorptivity). The first results showed that high temperature oxidation resistance and optical properties of metallic alloys were improved by the different coatings. However, the fast thermal shocks led to high stress levels not compatible due to the differences in thermal expansion coefficients

Single-trial phase entrainment of theta oscillations in sensory regions predicts human associative memory performance

Episodic memories are rich in sensory information and often contain integrated information from different sensory modalities. For instance, we can store memories of a recent concert with visual and auditory impressions being integrated in one episode. Theta oscillations have recently been implicated in playing a causal role synchronizing and effectively binding the different modalities together in memory. However, an open question is whether momentary fluctuations in theta synchronization predict the likelihood of associative memory formation for multisensory events. To address this question we entrained the visual and auditory cortex at theta frequency (4 Hz) and in a synchronous or asynchronous manner by modulating the luminance and volume of movies and sounds at 4 Hz, with a phase offset at 0° or 180°. EEG activity from human subjects (both sexes) was recorded while they memorized the association between a movie and a sound. Associative memory performance was significantly enhanced in the 0° compared with the 180° condition. Source-level analysis demonstrated that the physical stimuli effectively entrained their respective cortical areas with a corresponding phase offset. The findings suggested a successful replication of a previous study (Clouter et al., 2017). Importantly, the strength of entrainment during encoding correlated with the efficacy of associative memory such that small phase differences between visual and auditory cortex predicted a high likelihood of correct retrieval in a later recall test. These findings suggest that theta oscillations serve a specific function in the episodic memory system: binding the contents of different modalities into coherent memory episodes

Elevated Foxp3+ double-negative T cells are associated with disease progression during HIV infection

Persistent immune activation, which occurs during the whole course of HIV infection, plays a pivotal role in CD4+ T cells depletion and AIDS progression. Furthermore, immune activation is a key factor that leads to impaired immune reconstitution after long-term effective antiretroviral therapy (ART), and is even responsible for the increased risk of developing non-AIDS co-morbidities. Therefore, it’s imperative to identify an effective intervention targeting HIV-associated immune activation to improve disease management. Double negative T cells (DNT) were reported to provide immunosuppression during HIV infection, but the related mechanisms remained puzzled. Foxp3 endows Tregs with potent suppressive function to maintain immune homeostasis. However, whether DNT cells expressed Foxp3 and the accurate function of these cells urgently needed to be investigated. Here, we found that Foxp3+ DNT cells accumulated in untreated people living with HIV (PLWH) with CD4+ T cell count less than 200 cells/µl. Moreover, the frequency of Foxp3+ DNT cells was negatively correlated with CD4+ T cell count and CD4/CD8 ratio, and positively correlated with immune activation and systemic inflammation in PLWH. Of note, Foxp3+ DNT cells might exert suppressive regulation by increased expression of CD39, CD25, or vigorous proliferation (high levels of GITR and ki67) in ART-naive PLWH. Our study underlined the importance of Foxp3+ DNT cells in the HIV disease progression, and suggest that Foxp3+ DNT may be a potential target for clinical intervention for the control of immune activation during HIV infection

Revêtements multicouches à base de nitrure d'aluminium pour les récepteurs des systèmes solaires à concentration

There is an increasing interest for concentrated solar power (CSP) systems which can work at temperatures higher than 1000 °C to optimize efficiency. One of the challenges is to design the receiver that will be heated at high temperature in air. Compared to coatings in gas turbine engine, the coating(s)/substrate system must have a high thermal conductivity to ensure a good heat transfer to the fluid. Aluminum nitride (AlN) coating, deposited by chemical vapor deposition at 1100-1200 °C at a growth rate of 10-50 µm·h-1, is selected for its high thermal conductivity, low thermal expansion coefficient, high temperature stability and its ability to develop stable alumina scales above 1000 °C. Molybdenum-based alloys are selected as substrate materials for their excellent thermal and mechanical properties. The alumina-forming iron-based alloys are also chosen as model substrates to reduce the influencing parameters in real-life receivers and to study the potential of these coatings. Accelerated cyclic oxidation tests and emissivity measurements allow the evaluation of AlN coatings as materials for high temperature CSP receivers. The multilayered systems exhibit low degradation after hundreds of thermal cycles at 800 °C in air and can support higher temperatures (1100 °C) for 100 to 500 h depending on the coating thickness. Nevertheless, the fast cyclic oxidation in solar furnace leads to cracks through the coatings. An analytical model is developed to study the stress evolution within the coating(s)/substrate system. Calculated results are in good agreement with experimental data. The measurements of the optical properties reveal a decrease of absorptivity after oxidation for AlN coatings, but a significant increase of absorptivity when SiC coating is added as a top layer.Il y a un intérêt croissant pour les systèmes d'énergie solaire concentrée (CSP) qui peuvent fonctionner à des températures supérieures à 1000 °C afin d'optimiser leur efficacité. L'un des défis consiste à définir un matériau récepteur qui sera soumis à un chauffage à haute température dans l'air. Contrairement aux revêtements utilisés dans les turbines à gaz, le ou les systèmes revêtement(s)/substrat doivent avoir une conductivité thermique élevée pour assurer un transfert thermique optimal vers le fluide. Les revêtements de nitrure d'aluminium (AlN), déposés par dépôt chimique en phase vapeur à 1100-1200 °C à une vitesse de croissance de 10-50 µm·h-1, sont choisis pour leur conductivité thermique élevée, leur faible coefficient de dilatation thermique, leur stabilité thermique élevée et leur capacité à développer des couches stables d'alumine au-dessus de 1000 °C. Les alliages à base de molybdène sont choisis comme substrat pour leurs excellentes propriétés thermiques et mécaniques. Les alliages à base de fer formant des couches d'alumine sont également choisis comme substrats modèles pour étudier le potentiel de ces revêtements et réduire le nombre de paramètres lors de l'oxydation. Des tests accélérés d'oxydation cyclique et des mesures d'émissivité permettent d'évaluer les revêtements AlN comme matériaux pour les récepteurs CSP haute température. Les systèmes multicouches présentent une faible dégradation après des centaines de cycles thermiques à 800 °C dans l'air et peuvent supporter des températures plus élevées (1100 °C) pendant 100 à 500 h selon l'épaisseur du revêtement. Néanmoins, l'oxydation cyclique rapide dans les fours solaires conduit à des fissures dans les revêtements. Un modèle analytique est développé pour étudier l'évolution des contraintes dans le(s) système(s) revêtement(s)/substrat. Les résultats calculés sont en bon accord avec les données expérimentales. Les mesures des propriétés optiques révèlent une diminution de l'absorptivité après oxydation pour les revêtements AlN, mais une augmentation significative de l'absorptivité lorsque un revêtement de SiC est ajouté comme couche de finition

Multilayer coatings based on aluminum nitride coatings for receivers in concentrated solar power technology

Il y a un intérêt croissant pour les systèmes d'énergie solaire concentrée (CSP) qui peuvent fonctionner à des températures supérieures à 1000 °C afin d'optimiser leur efficacité. L'un des défis consiste à définir un matériau récepteur qui sera soumis à un chauffage à haute température dans l'air. Contrairement aux revêtements utilisés dans les turbines à gaz, le ou les systèmes revêtement(s)/substrat doivent avoir une conductivité thermique élevée pour assurer un transfert thermique optimal vers le fluide. Les revêtements de nitrure d'aluminium (AlN), déposés par dépôt chimique en phase vapeur à 1100-1200 °C à une vitesse de croissance de 10-50 µm·h-1, sont choisis pour leur conductivité thermique élevée, leur faible coefficient de dilatation thermique, leur stabilité thermique élevée et leur capacité à développer des couches stables d'alumine au-dessus de 1000 °C. Les alliages à base de molybdène sont choisis comme substrat pour leurs excellentes propriétés thermiques et mécaniques. Les alliages à base de fer formant des couches d'alumine sont également choisis comme substrats modèles pour étudier le potentiel de ces revêtements et réduire le nombre de paramètres lors de l'oxydation. Des tests accélérés d'oxydation cyclique et des mesures d'émissivité permettent d'évaluer les revêtements AlN comme matériaux pour les récepteurs CSP haute température. Les systèmes multicouches présentent une faible dégradation après des centaines de cycles thermiques à 800 °C dans l'air et peuvent supporter des températures plus élevées (1100 °C) pendant 100 à 500 h selon l'épaisseur du revêtement. Néanmoins, l'oxydation cyclique rapide dans les fours solaires conduit à des fissures dans les revêtements. Un modèle analytique est développé pour étudier l'évolution des contraintes dans le(s) système(s) revêtement(s)/substrat. Les résultats calculés sont en bon accord avec les données expérimentales. Les mesures des propriétés optiques révèlent une diminution de l'absorptivité après oxydation pour les revêtements AlN, mais une augmentation significative de l'absorptivité lorsque un revêtement de SiC est ajouté comme couche de finition.There is an increasing interest for concentrated solar power (CSP) systems which can work at temperatures higher than 1000 °C to optimize efficiency. One of the challenges is to design the receiver that will be heated at high temperature in air. Compared to coatings in gas turbine engine, the coating(s)/substrate system must have a high thermal conductivity to ensure a good heat transfer to the fluid. Aluminum nitride (AlN) coating, deposited by chemical vapor deposition at 1100-1200 °C at a growth rate of 10-50 µm·h-1, is selected for its high thermal conductivity, low thermal expansion coefficient, high temperature stability and its ability to develop stable alumina scales above 1000 °C. Molybdenum-based alloys are selected as substrate materials for their excellent thermal and mechanical properties. The alumina-forming iron-based alloys are also chosen as model substrates to reduce the influencing parameters in real-life receivers and to study the potential of these coatings. Accelerated cyclic oxidation tests and emissivity measurements allow the evaluation of AlN coatings as materials for high temperature CSP receivers. The multilayered systems exhibit low degradation after hundreds of thermal cycles at 800 °C in air and can support higher temperatures (1100 °C) for 100 to 500 h depending on the coating thickness. Nevertheless, the fast cyclic oxidation in solar furnace leads to cracks through the coatings. An analytical model is developed to study the stress evolution within the coating(s)/substrate system. Calculated results are in good agreement with experimental data. The measurements of the optical properties reveal a decrease of absorptivity after oxidation for AlN coatings, but a significant increase of absorptivity when SiC coating is added as a top layer