Microstructures and properties of AZ31 magnesium alloys formed by multi-channel porthole extrusion

This study investigated the effects of different extrusion temperatures and extrusion ratios on the microstructures and properties of AZ31 magnesium alloys formed by multi-channel porthole extrusion. The experimental results showed that equiaxed grains were formed during the dynamic recrystallization process and that alloy grains were refined by extrusion. Increased extrusion temperatures (from 340 ℃ to 420 ℃) resulted in larger alloy grains and decreased tensile strength of the alloy. Increased extrusion ratios (from 9 to 25) resulted in refined alloy grains and increased tensile strength of the alloy. Under conditions of low extrusion temperature and high extrusion ratio, the tensile strength and elongation of magnesium alloys were effectively improved. AZ31 magnesium alloys produced by multi-channel porthole extrusion at the extrusion temperature of 340℃ and the extrusion ratio of 25 possessed the finest average grain sizes (1.6 μm in the weld zone, 6.6 μm in the non-weld zone ) and the maximum tensile strength (290 MPa) and elongation (20.8 %)

Heating up quadruply quantized vortices: Splitting patterns and dynamical transitions

Using holographic duality, we investigate the impact of finite temperature on the instability and splitting patterns of quadruply quantized vortices, providing the first-ever analysis in this context. Through linear stability analysis, we reveal the occurrence of two consecutive dynamical transitions. At a specific low temperature, the dominant unstable mode transitions from the $2$-fold rotational symmetry mode to the $3$-fold one, followed by a transition from the $3$-fold one to the $4$-fold one at a higher temperature. As the temperature is increased, we also observe the $5$ and $6$-fold rotational symmetry unstable modes get excited successively. Employing the full non-linear numerical simulations, we further demonstrate that these two novel dynamical transitions, along with the temperature-induced instabilities for the $5$ and $6$-fold rotational symmetry modes, can be identified by examining the resulting distinct splitting patterns, which offers a promising route for the experimental verification in the cold atom gases.Comment: 10 pages,8 figures, version to appear in Physical Review Letter

Holographic dissipative space-time supersolids

Driving a system out of equilibrium enriches the paradigm of spontaneous symmetry breaking, which could then take place not only in space but also in time. The interplay between temporal and spatial symmetries, as well as symmetries from other internal degrees of freedom, can give rise to novel nonequilibrium phases of matter. In this study, we investigate a driven-dissipative superfluid model using holographic methods and reveal the existence of a space-time supersolid (STS) phase which concomitantly breaks the time translation, spatial translation, and the internal U(1) symmetry. The holographic methods naturally include finite temperature effects, which enables us to explore the complex phase diagram of this model and observe a cascade of out-of-equilibrium phase transitions from the STS phase to a synchronized superfluid phase, and finally to a normal fluid phase, by increasing the temperature.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figure

Microstructures and properties of AZ31 magnesium alloys formed by multi-channel porthole extrusion

This study investigated the effects of different extrusion temperatures and extrusion ratios on the microstructures and properties of AZ31 magnesium alloys formed by multi-channel porthole extrusion. The experimental results showed that equiaxed grains were formed during the dynamic recrystallization process and that alloy grains were refined by extrusion. Increased extrusion temperatures (from 340 ℃ to 420 ℃) resulted in larger alloy grains and decreased tensile strength of the alloy. Increased extrusion ratios (from 9 to 25) resulted in refined alloy grains and increased tensile strength of the alloy. Under conditions of low extrusion temperature and high extrusion ratio, the tensile strength and elongation of magnesium alloys were effectively improved. AZ31 magnesium alloys produced by multi-channel porthole extrusion at the extrusion temperature of 340℃ and the extrusion ratio of 25 possessed the finest average grain sizes (1.6 μm in the weld zone, 6.6 μm in the non-weld zone ) and the maximum tensile strength (290 MPa) and elongation (20.8 %)

The positivity rates and drug resistance patterns of Mycobacterium tuberculosis using nucleotide MALDI-TOF MS assay among suspected tuberculosis patients in Shandong, China: a multi-center prospective study

ObjectiveTo investigate the positivity rates and drug resistance characteristics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) among suspected tuberculosis (TB) patients in Shandong Province, the second-largest population province in China.MethodsA prospective, multi-center study was conducted from April 2022 to June 2023. Pathogen and drug resistance were identified using nucleotide matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (nucleotide MALDI-TOF MS).ResultsOf 940 suspected TB patients included in this study, 552 cases were found to be infected with MTB giving an overall positivity rate of 58.72%. Total of 346 cases were resistant to arbitrary anti-TB drug (62.68%), with Zibo (76.47%), Liaocheng and Weihai (both 69.23%) ranking top three and TB treatment history might be a related factor. Monoresistance was the most common pattern (33.53%), with isoniazid the highest at 12.43%, followed by rifampicin at 9.54%. Further analysis of gene mutations conferring resistance revealed diverse types with high heteroresistance rate found in multiple anti-TB drugs.ConclusionA relatively high rate of MTB positivity and drug resistance was found in Shandong Province during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, indicating the need for strengthening rapid identification of species and drug resistance among suspected TB patients to guide better medication and minimize the occurrence of drug resistance

The Role of SDF-1-CXCR4/CXCR7 Axis in the Therapeutic Effects of Hypoxia-Preconditioned Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Renal Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury

In vitro hypoxic preconditioning (HP) of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) could ameliorate their viability and tissue repair capabilities after transplantation into the injured tissue through yet undefined mechanisms. There is also experimental evidence that HP enhances the expression of both stromal-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) receptors, CXCR4 and CXCR7, which are involved in migration and survival of MSCs in vitro, but little is known about their role in the in vivo therapeutic effectiveness of MSCs in renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Here, we evaluated the role of SDF-1-CXCR4/CXCR7 pathway in regulating chemotaxis, viability and paracrine actions of HP-MSCs in vitro and in vivo. Compared with normoxic preconditioning (NP), HP not only improved MSC chemotaxis and viability but also stimulated secretion of proangiogenic and mitogenic factors. Importantly, both CXCR4 and CXCR7 were required for the production of paracrine factors by HP-MSCs though the former was only responsible for chemotaxis while the latter was for viability. SDF-1α expression was upregulated in postischemic kidneys. After 24 h systemical administration following I/R, HP-MSCs but not NP-MSCs were selectively recruited to ischemic kidneys and this improved recruitment was abolished by neutralization of CXCR4, but not CXCR7. Furthermore, the increased recruitment of HP-MSCs was associated with enhanced functional recovery, accelerated mitogenic response, and reduced apoptotic cell death. In addition, neutralization of either CXCR4 or CXCR7 impaired the improved therapeutic potential of HP-MSCs. These results advance our knowledge about SDF-1-CXCR4/CXCR7 axis as an attractive target pathway for improving the beneficial effects of MSC-based therapies for renal I/R